Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/20/22)
Becky wants payback!
Is the Empress ready for The Big Time?
As Money in the Bank draws closer, Becky Lynch wants in on that ladder match! Will she get her way by taking Asuka out of the running? Or is not even The Man ready for Asuka?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Becky Lynch VS Asuka; changed to…
- Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 5: Becky Lynch VS Asuka VS Carmella VS Liv Morgan VS Alexa Bliss; Carmella wins and will challenge Bianca Belair for the title at MITB.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Matt Riddle VS Omos w/ MVP; Omos wins and advances to MITB.
- Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Jey Uso w/ Jimmy Uso; Dawkins wins.
- WWE United States Championship Contender Three Round Gauntlet: Bobby Lashley VS ???; Lashley wins and will challenge Theory for the title at MITB.
- AJ Styles VS Tommaso Ciampa; Styles wins.
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Becky Lynch VS Asuka (rescheduled); Asuka wins and advances to MITB.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE mourns to loss of referee Tim White.
Bianca Belair is here!
The University of Nebraska fires up for the RawEST Women’s Champion as she makes her way out to the ring. Bianca gets the mic and welcomes everyone to the freshEST and finEST show on TV, Monday Night Raw! Now, given that she is the EST Of WWE, she looks forward to every opportunity she gets to defend her title, so she looks forward to Money in the Bank and her newEST challenger, Rhea Ripley. But she really wishes she wasn’t the one who had to come out and break the news, but… Rhea Ripley will not be medically cleared to compete. Fans boo but Bianca says the match isn’t happening… yet.
But Bianca stays ready so she doesn’t have to get ready, so she will be ready and waiting when Rhea makes her return! Fans like the sound of that. So until then, who will Bianca face at MITB? Tonight, we have FIVE women: Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan, Carmella, Asuka and Becky Lynch. All five are going to compete in a Fatal 5 Way, the winner becomes Bianca’s challenger. All of them are amazing, but- Here comes Big Time Becks! And she tells Bianca, “There is only ONE contender, and you know it’s me. Let me remind you that I still haven’t gotten my one-on-one rematch after we had the greatest women’s wrestling match in WrestleMania history.”
Becky gets in the ring to say that at Hell in a Cell, she had it won. She had Asuka beat but Bianca stole that from her, didn’t she? Becky is being misused, mistreated and being made to jump through hoop after hoop and overcome obstacle after obstacle. But it’s okay, really! After tonight’s Fatal 5, it’ll make taking back her title all that much sweeter. But here comes who Becky was supposed to face alone, ASUKA! “Becky, Becky, Becky. Oh, Becky, aww…” Asuka laughs and says, “Are you crying?” Becky frowns as Asuka continues to tease her. Is Becky still a Big Time Baby? Huh, huh, huh?
Becky says maybe if Asuka spent less time making Simpsons memes and boring the piss out of Becky, Asuka would be doing alright. Because last match they had 1v1, Becky has Asuka’s shoulders flat on the mat! But here comes Liv Morgan! Liv tells Becky that if Liv were her, don’t worry just about Asuka. Liv is always ready for a fight! In fact, she’s in a great mood tonight! She’s already got her shot at MITB, the thing Becky hasn’t been able to do yet. Sorry about that, but Becky will figure it out. But Liv would gladly trade that in for a chance to go 1v1 with Bianca! And now Carmella makes her way out!
“Hold up, hold up, hold up. Something doesn’t quite add up here… I mean, obviously I know why I’m in the match tonight, along with Becky, Asuka and Alexa. I mean, we’re all former champions. But Liv, why’re you out here?” Liv scowls while Mella gets in the ring. “Raise of hands here, who thinks we should kick the lovable little loser out of the match and make it a Fatal 4 Way?” Fans boo and Liv says that’s so funny. Liv is here because she’s been here. If Mella wants to talk like that again, Liv can give her a few more weeks off. Mella says, “First off, how dare you? That’s some big talk by somebody who was only added to the MITB Ladder Match after riding Alexa Bliss’ coattails.”
But speaking of, here comes Lil’ Miss Bliss! Someone said her name, right? But we all know that Mella loves to name drop. Speaking of name dropping, should Alexa name drop a certain guy with no chin that won the match for Mella? And Mella’s here talking about riding coattails. Sweetie, that’s so rich coming from someone who has literally never been able to be successful on her own. So then, why not do us all a favor: stop being a hypocrite and stop picking on Liv before Alexa beats your face in herself. Bianca has everyone hold on, this is doing way too much. Everyone can run their mouths, but the fans are ready for some action!
Fans cheer and Bianca says let’s get to it. Let’s see who is ready to get down and compete! The EST gets things sorted out, and that Fatal 5 #1 Contender’s match happens after the break!
Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 5: Becky Lynch VS Asuka VS Carmella VS Liv Morgan VS Alexa Bliss!
Raw returns and Bianca sits with commentary as the bell rings. Becky goes after Asuka and tackles her! They scrap, fall out of the ring, and Mella ROCKS Liv! Alexa SLAPS Mella then ROCKS her, and Liv SHOTGUNS Mella down! Fans fire up for #LivYourBliss, but they circle and tie up now. Liv headlocks, hits a takeover, but Alexa slips out. Liv kicks Alexa away, avoids the stomps, then speeds up to sunset flip! TWO, but Liv holds on for a rolling body scissor clutch! She brings Alexa around and around and around, ONE count after ONE count, then she stops, TWO! Alexa is dizzy and Liv whips her to ropes.
Alexa turns hip toss into arm-drag and cover, ONE! Alexa cradles, TWO! Liv has it, Alexa has it back, it’s another rolling cradle! ONE after ONE after ONE, they finally settle but have to shift, TWO!! Both women are dizzy now, but Alexa dodges. Liv dodges, and then DOUBLE HAYMAKERS take them both down! Mella covers Alexa, TWO! Now she covers Liv, TWO! Back to Alexa, TWO! Back to Liv, TWO! Mella is losing her cool but the counts were all fair. Asuka runs in but Mella avoids the sliding kick! And the backhand! Asuka blocks the superkick but Mella ducks the backhand again. Asuka blocks a kick to waistlock, but Mella fights the lift!
Mella swings an elbow but Asuka dodges, to BACKHAND Mella down! Corey Graves freaks out about Mella’s face, but Asuka runs, only for Becky to trip her and drag her out! Becky BOOTS Asuka, but Alexa hits a BLOCKBUSTER on Mella! TWO, and Becky waves hi to Alexa. Alexa rushes her but gets a knee, ROUNDHOUSE, and then throw down by her hair! Becky goes up top, and drops the MAN’S LEG onto nothing! Alexa gets Becky but Becky slips out to wrench. Alexa ROCKS Becky, KICKS Becky, and RANAS Becky away! Mella rolls Alexa, TWO! Mella knees low, talks trash, then throws her down.
Mella soaks up the heat, Bianca shakes her head, but Mella drags Alexa up. Alexa SLAPS Mella and fires off body shots! Alexa scoops, Mella slips out and SLAMS Alexa down! Cover, TWO! Mella is frustrated again, but she dodges Liv. Liv dodges Alexa, BROKEN WINGS into buckles! Mella is down and Liv goes up as fans fire up! But Mella shoves Liv OFF and onto the others! Everyone is down on the outside while Mella grins and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Becky has Alexa in a corner. She runs in, misses, and Alexa fires off forearms! Becky shoves Alexa back, BECKSPLODER! Liv gets in, dodges Becky and kicks, KICKS and ENZIGURIS! Liv SHINING WIZARDS Becky in a corner, shoves her down and aims, BIG missile dropkick! Liv kips up and fans fire up with her! Liv runs at Becky to SLINGBLADE her down! Cover, TWO! Bianca is surprised and Liv fires herself back up. Becky flounders to a corner, Liv runs in but is sent into buckles! Becky stacks Liv, feet on the ropes, TWO! Becky hurries up top, but Mella ROCKS Becky! And DECKS Liv!
Mella gives Becky a SUPER STEINER that throws her onto Liv! Mella covers them both, Asuka breaks it in time! Bianca is getting goosebumps watching this! Asuka snarls at Mella and the feeling is mutual. Mella dodges Asuka, mule kicks then FABULOUS KICKS! Cover, TWO! Mella shrieks and slaps Asuka around. Mella drags Asuka up but Asuka hits a FLYING ARMBAR, into the ASUKA LOCK!! Alexa hits INSULT2INJURY! Becky tosses Alexa and goes after Asuka’s arm! Asuka avoids the Disarm-Her and wants the chicken wing! Becky fights that, Liv leaps in, Becky lets Asuka take the missile dropkick!
Becky TOSSES Liv, ROCKS Alexa up top, and then goes after Asuka! CRADLE! TWO!! Asuka almost had Becky but Becky gives Asuka a MANHANDLE SLAM! Cover, TWISTED BLISS breaks it! Double cover, Mella AND Liv break it!! Bianca and the fans are all loving this! “This is Awesome!” as all five women slowly stir. Asuka is up first, she looks for a target. Mella and Becky bail out the sides, Alexa rushes in! Asuka blocks a kick, but Alexa ducks the backhand! Alexa reels Asuka in but Becky returns! Becky facelocks Alexa but that allows Asuka to escape the clinch. Becky ducks, the ROUNDHOUSE hits Alexa!
Becky whips Asuka out of the ring, but Liv returns to give her a FLYING CODE BREAKER! Then ObLIV- NO! Becky holds ropes, MANHANDLE SLAM! Cover, Asuka drags Becky away!! They’re both on the outside, Asuka dodges a haymaker to ROUNDHOUSE Becky! Alexa WRECKS Asuka, and then drags Liv to a drop zone! Alexa goes up top, TWISTED BLISS onto knees! Alexa flounders out, FABULOUS KICK from Mella! Cover, Mella wins!!
Winner: Carmella, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Raw Women’s Championship)
Even Bianca has to admit that was savvy. Becky is freaking out, because the (self-proclaimed) Most Beautiful Woman in the WWE has the golden ticket to the title. But will Bianca show her that looks and opportunistic tendencies aren’t enough to dethrone the EST?
Becky immediately finds Adam Pearce!
She complains to him about how it has been time after time that she loses! Pearce tries to calm Becky down, but what will happen to the Big Time Comeback now?
Raw returns and is still complaining. She should be in MITB, she should be #1 contender, that show is nothing without her! She’s on the freakin’ poster! Pearce tells her that he can’t just put her into something, she has to earn opportunities. Okay, then how? How how how? Well before the change in plans, she was supposed to face Asuka for a spot, right? So then they’ll do that? Fine! Then it’s back on. They still have their qualifier for the MITB Ladder Match, and that match will happen tonight. What? Tonight?! After what we just saw?! What is going on here?! Which will Becky lose first: her mind, or another match?
Vince McMahon is here?!
This is literally unannounced and unexpected, but yes, here he is in Nebraska! He thanks everyone and says tonight marks the 1,517th edition of Monday Night Raw. That means it continues to be the longest running episodic television show in history. For that, he thanks the fans. That means Raw has been on the air for almost 30 years, and 20 of them, they’ve been dominated by the greatest WWE Superstar of all time. That man makes his return to Raw next week. Vince makes no less reference to the Hustle, Loyalty and Respect, JOHN CENA! Cena is on his way back on June 27th, the 20th anniversary of his debut, what will Cena do on that night?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Matt Riddle VS Omos w/ MVP!
The Bro came so, so, so close to taking the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship from the Tribal Chief, but he could not put Roman Reigns away. Riddle is now barred from challenging Roman Reigns ever again, unless he can get this contract. Will the Stallion be able to topple a giant and have a huge opportunity in his hometown? Or will Omos simply add to the Bro’s woes?
Raw returns as Riddle has a mic to say, “Bro… So, one month ago, my best bro, Randy, may have had his career ended at the hands of Roman Reigns & The Bloodline.” Riddle says on that day, he made a promise to himself and Randy to get vengeance for both of them. Last Friday Night SmackDown, Riddle was this close, bro. He went toe to toe, tit for tat, and even hit one of the sickest RKO’s ever! “But Roman’s Roman, he’s the Tribal Chief, and at the end of the day, he hit me with a Spear that almost broke me in half, and he beat me.” Riddle let himself down, he let the fans down, and most importantly, he let down his best friend, his mentor, and his “brother from another mother,” Randy Orton.
Fans chant for “R K BRO! R K BRO!” and Riddle says he might be down, but he’s definitely not out! You’ll have to kill Riddle to stop him! And while Riddle can’t challenge Roman for the Undisputed Universal Championship, but here’s something he can do: win MITB! And Riddle knows it is a long shot, but if he wins the contract and cashes in on Roman, he could end his reign of terror in the WWE and finally get sweet vengeance that RKBRO truly desires. Now, Riddle knows there’s a lot of competition already in that match, from Sheamus to Drew McIntyre to “that punk ass Seth Freakin’ Rollins.
“And speaking of that punk ass, Seth Freakin’ Rollins, you kinda did my boy, Cody Rhodes, dirty when you hit him with a sledgehammer in the chest. So I think I wanna hit you in the back with a ladder, bro!” Fans like the sound of that. But here comes the Nigerian Giant and Montel Vontavius Porter! MVP tells Riddle, “You been hanging out with Snoop Dogg again? Or I know, you hung out with Wiz Khalifa and smoked dizzle, right?” Those are the only guys MVP knows that have that top shelf kind of stash that could have Riddle this divorced from reality! Riddle, you won’t even make it to MITB, let alone win. Because there’s a 7’3″, 403 pound GIANT in your way!
However, it’s not all bad. Riddle will get high tonight, when Omos picks him up and slams him down to reality! “Talk about a bad comedown.” Riddle says touché. But here’s a little something for Omos & MVP. Riddle will get high, when he raises his hand up high when he wins here tonight with the three most destructive letters in all of sports entertainment: R K BRO! Riddle is fired up, but will he be coughing up a lung after falling off Mount Omos?
Raw returns and the bell rings. Riddle rushes in and fires off on Omos! Omos shoves Riddle away but Riddle gets around to fire off more shots! Omos shoves Riddle to a corner but Riddle avoids the back body block! Riddle fires off KICK after KICK after KICK, then lets off as the ref counts. Riddle runs, but Omos scoops him for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Omos is fired up and MVP says he doesn’t like that, he loves that! Omos aims at Riddle, runs corner to corner, and hits the back body block! Riddle falls over and MVP says to keep on him. Omos drags Riddle up, whips him to a corner hard, and Riddle falls to the mat!
Riddle writhes, and Seth Rollins is watching backstage in a pink leopard print. Omos kicks Riddle to ropes, and then stands on the bad ribs! The ref counts, Omos lets off, and MVP talks trash. Riddle gets up to fire off on Omos! Riddle runs, but into a BEARHUG! Fans rally as Riddle endures but Omos thrashes him around! Riddle throws down hands on Omos’ head! Riddle frees himself, but Omos reels him in to CLUB him in the back! MVP says Omos can’t let Riddle disrespect him! BEARHUG! Riddle endures all over again and fans rally back up. Riddle throws elbows, Omos thrashes Riddle more, but Riddle fires more and more and more shots!
Riddle is free again, he throws more elbows, but Omos choke grips! CHOKE- FINAL FLASH! Omos staggers and goes to a corner, but Riddle runs in! Forearm smash! Then side to side, forearm smash! Riddle keeps going, but gets caught! Omos TOSSES Riddle away! Omos runs corner to corner, into BOOTS! Riddle goes up top, FLOATING BRO ATTACK! Omos gets hit but still only staggers! Riddle fires up and hears the voices, bro! RK- NO! Omos has both hands, MOUNTAINTOP SLAM!! Cover, Omos wins!!
Winner: Omos, by pinfall (advances to MITB)
But then Omos adds on! Another MOUNTAINTOP SLAM!! Fans boo, but the giant is moving on to the ladder match. Will Omos even need a ladder to win?
As for Riddle, SETH ROLLINS makes his way out to the ring! Rollins is in a good mood given he’s in the MITB match, and that Riddle is not. Rollins looks at Riddle as he somehow manages to stand up. Rollins then DECKS Riddle! And throws him out of the ring! Fans boo and Rollins laughs as he gets a mic. “HAHAHAHAHA! Awww~ I’m sorry! I don’t share airspace with loooserrrs~! And Riddle, you are the Ultimate Loser! HAHA! First, you lose your buddy Raandy~! And then you lose your title match to Roman Reigns! And now you’ve lost your opportunity at MITB! HAHAHAHA!”
But hey, truth be told, Rollins can’t be too hard on Riddle, since it wouldn’t have mattered. Because no one in the MITB can defeat Roman Reigns. The entire planet knows that only one man has Roman’s number, and you are looking at him! HAHAHA! Roman’s been ducking and dodging Rollins since he emotionally dismantled him at the Royal Rumble. But in two week’s time, Rollins will climb the ladder, take the MITB contract, and then Roman can run and hide all he wants, but Rollins will find him. And if you thought that first cash-in was something, “well you ain’t seen nothing yet, baby! Because I am a Visionary! I am a revolutionary! I am Seth! Freakin’!”
Riddle DECKS Rollins! Fans fire up but Rollins kicks back, runs, and hits a CURB STOMP!! Rollins laughs at Riddle more, then swaggers away. Will the Visionary truly recreate history? Does Riddle still have a way back to the top?
(Austin) Theory is here!
The Youngest United States in WWE History is back again, flexing and boasting the entire way to the ring. He says he is untouchable after what he did to Bobby Lashley last week, but he’s ignoring the fact he lost. Will Theory only inflate his ego more here tonight? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Theory is back on the Pose-Down pedestal. Theory says everyone wants to know what it’s like to be a prodigy, the new Chosen One, and the new face of the WWE. But hey, he was expecting the boos because he doesn’t expect anyone here to relate to the youngest and greatest US Champion in WWE history! Fans boo more but Theory says they love him. Last week, he stood on this podium, showed off his physique, and proved Lashley can’t touch him! No one can! At this point in his career, Theory is better than Lashley ever was! He is on a level that- SHUT UP! He’s the one with the mic, so shut up!
Theory smiles and says he can wait. But next week, that might be the Cena Celebration, but his time is up, and Theory’s time is now. Get it? Is that unfair? Unfair that Theory says that about the supposed greatest of all time? What’s unfair was his Pose-Down last week! He didn’t get to show the fans the rest of his immaculate poses! So all you losers get to see the most perfect body in all the WWE, right here and now in his Theory Invitational Pose-Down! Now shut up while he oils up. Theory shines himself up and gives us the Double Biceps! Theory gloats the whole time, and says here comes the Side Chest! ALL DAY! Better than Lashley!
And of course, his favorite- LASHLEY! Fans fire up and Theory thinks it’s for him. Theory flexes, but then says everyone can quiet down. He’s good but hold on. Theory picks up the belt and tells fans to stop chanting for Lashley. But then Theory takes a selfie, and sees Lashley in the background! He turns around, and gets BABY OIL IN THE FACE! And a SPEAR off the podium!! Lashley sends Theory rolling and picks up the belt! Lashley also gets a mic and says he’ll say it one more time to make it clear: He’s not asking, he’s telling Theory that the title is coming home with Lashley! Fans fire up with the Rocky Mountain Machine, will he humble Theory once and for all?
Theory returns backstage.
Theory is still wiping baby oil out of his eyes and Kevin Patrick walks over. Theory asks where interviewers even come from. Do they just lurk in the shadows and wait for him to walk by? Kevin Patrick asks if Theory will address that challenge for the title. Lashley doesn’t deserve a title shot! He wishes he could hold this title! But, Theory was just in Adam Pearce’s office, on the phone with higher-ups, and Theory made a suggestion. Pearce accepted it, so if Lashley wants to earn a title match, he has to defeat three men, one after another, in a gauntlet match TONIGHT! Only then, which Theory guarantees won’t happen, Theory will defend his US title at MITB.
A mighty challenge for the All Mighty! Will he survive whoever it is Theory throws at him to then go for the gold in Las Vegas?
Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Jey Uso w/ Jimmy Uso!
The Street Profits get their shot at the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships at MITB, but they’re already down after Jimmy turned things around on Ford. Will Dawkins tie up the 1v1 series? Or will the #RightHandMan keep things on the right track for the Bloodline?
Raw returns and Jey says you know who they are! You know who they are! “We the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, the Usos!” Jimmy adds, “And the Usos hold all the gold! Raw!” Jey says, “Got dat.” SmackDown. “Got dat, too!” Jimmy says The Bloodline runs both shows, Mondays and Fridays, and they’re smashing errybody! Just like Roman smashed Riddle, Roman will smash Lesnar again, and then the Usos will smash the Profits again! Cuz they the twos and #WeTheOnes! But speaking of, here come the Profits! Fans fire up for the red Solo cups, and Dawkins points out to Ford, it’s the Usos!
Oh, yeah! But they’re talking like they got bass in their voice. Last time they faced off, Profits beat the Usos so bad, Usos couldn’t get back in the ring. Guys, the Profits are the Profits, all about dat money, say somethin’ to me. But the only thing better than having Money in the Bank, is having more gold around their waists. But Jey tells Ford that his mouth is writing checks his ass can’t cash! Dawkins says, “Hey, Tez, y’know what? He’s got a point. But Jey, I bet I could beat your ass, though.” Ford tells the Usos to enjoy their reign while they can. Because the Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! Jey and Dawkins stay in the ring, and we see which way momentum goes this time!
The bell rings, Jey and Dawkins circle, talking some smack, and then they tie up. Jey kicks and ROCKS and CLUBS Dawkins, then whips him corner to corner. Dawkins reverses, runs in and CYCLONE SPLASH, to an ENZIGURI! Jey flounders out while Ford is fired up! Dawkins runs in but Jey dump him out! Jey then DIVES and hits Dawkins into barriers! Jey snarls, tells Dawkins this ain’t no game, and then he punches the headbands off him! Jey CLOBBES Dawkins into the timekeeper’s area! Fans fire up while the Usos raise their fingers, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Dawkins endures a chinlock. Dawkins fights up, fights free, and ROCKS Jey with a right hand! And then ROCKS him again! Dawkins JABS and JABS and JABS Jey in the corner. Dawkins whips corner to corner, Jey reverses, but Dawkins bounces off buckles to LARIAT Jey! Dawkins keeps rallying with clotheslines, but Jey mule kicks! And uppercuts! Jey whips, Dawkins hurdles and FLYING ELBOWS! Fans fire up, Dawkins scoops for the EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Dawkins is surprised but Ford coaches him on. Dawkins watches Jey get up, runs in, and CYCLONE- NO, Jey dodges! POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
Jimmy argues the ref but the ref tells him to get off the apron. Jey watches Dawkins goes to a corner as he goes to the other. “UCE! SO!” Jey runs in, into a POUNCE! Dawkins gets Jey up, SILENCER! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and Dawkins can’t believe it! Dawkins hurries to get Jey back up, whip him to ropes, but Jey KNEES free of the pop-up! Dawkins bobs ‘n’ weaves and ROCKS Jey again! Jey rebounds to SUPERKICK! Dawkins is down, Jey goes up top! USO SPLASH into the ANOINTING! Cover, Dawkins wins!!
Winner: Angelo Dawkins, by pinfall
And we’re all tied up! Jimmy is stunned as now the Usos are on the losing side! But will they be able to redeem themselves when it comes time to put the titles up?
Elias is playing his guitar.
Ezekiel visits his brother, saying, “There’s Zeke’s #1 freak.” Elias responds with, “And there’s my little brother.” They sit on the same couch together and Zeke says it’s been too long. Zeke debuted, won his first match, but still dealing with doubters like Kevin Owens calling him a liar. But where’s Elias been? Traveling around the world, writing songs, playing shows. But nothing compares to being in front of the WWE Universe. Wow, even in a place like Nebraska? Elias used to say some things about places like this. Elias says he’s a changed man. And he’s seen Zeke out there, living the dream, hearing the crowds. It has changed Elias’ perspective.
In fact, Elias is proud to be here. He just wonders if the people remember: WWE stands for #WalkWithElias. C’mon, man! Didn’t you hear them all last week? Of course they remember! But gotta say, this means the world to Zeke. Mom ‘n’ dad are surely watching them like they used to watch the WWE. Maybe Zeke will be in the MITB Ladder match! Imagine that: Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Ezekiel! He’s getting #ZekedUp just thinking about it! Because then, everyone will wanna #SpeakWithZeke. Elias tells Zeke not to get ahead of himself. He has to focus on what’s right in front of him.
Elias wasn’t sure a wholesome kid like Zeke has a mean streak but he likes what he sees. Zeke’s doing a great job. Zeke says he loves his brother, and Elias says he loves Zeke, too. Now, if Zeke doesn’t mind, Elias has to tune up before he gets out there. They fist bump and Zeke heads out. Will the Drifter really have his return concert here tonight? What will Kevin Owens say to something like this?
Ladies and gentlemen: Elias.
He’s back in the ring with the spotlight! “Hello, I am Elias. And I gotta say, it feels great to be here in front of all the good people of Nebraska.” Fans cheer for that, and Elias says, “I wanna thank you for welcoming me back, I wanna thank you for taking care of my little brother, and I’m here for a couple reasons tonight. And one of those is to remind you that there is a universal truth that you should never forget. And that is that WWE stands for…” “WALK! WITH! ELIAS!” Elias missed that! But in light of everything that’s going on, he’ll kick things off here tonight with a song dedicated to his brother, Zeke.
Elias starts playing and fans clap along. But then Kevin Owens says nope! They’re not doing this! He is ending the charade! No one wants this concert! Fans boo because they do! Kevin says this man is a liar with no integrity! Now, he might have the “wise” people of Nebraska fooled, but not Kevin! He’s French Canadian, he’s super smart! He knows this man is a liar! Elias and Zeke are the same person! That video of them together doesn’t fool Kevin! Special effects, movie magic, they can do whatever they want! Kevin saw a movie with dinosaurs in it! A T-Rex was flying a helicopter!! That video proves NOTHING!
But then Zeke calls Kevin from the tron!? Does Kevin get it now? This is Zeke, and that is Elias. They’ve been telling him the truth the whole time. Kevin just has to accept it and move on. And to Elias, good luck with the concert. Elias thanks Zeke and tells Kevin that it is clearly no one is lying. But to make it clear, here’s a little song. “Elias is back for one night! Big Zeke likes to bring the fight. The Zeke Freaks have been on fire, cuz they know KO is a liar! Sing it! KO is a liar! KO, is a liar~!” Kevin tells Elias to stop already! Stop it! He takes the guitar and TOSSES it! So Elias hits a JUMP KNEE! Fans fire up as Kevin drops, and then Elias gets his spare guitar!
Elias aims at Kevin, and gives him a SMASH HIT! The classics never get old! Kevin writhes and Elias says thanks to Nebraska for tonight. Will Kevin ever leave Zeke and Elias alone? Kevin flops to the back, and Kevin Patrick asks him just that. Is he convinced? Why would he be?! Is he an idiot?! He can explain all that! That tron message could’ve easily been recorded earlier today! And Elias was wearing a fake beard! But KO does know that his back is killing him, he just hurt his knee, and that’s all “his” fault! So next week, Kevin challenges “him” to a match! It can be Elias, Zeke, or their even YOUNG brother, Elrond! Just someone face Kevin!
Kevin then looks like he’s seen a ghost, as Zeke walks in! Zeke heard the challenge, and accepts it. Kevin is flabbergasted, and even shouts “ELROND!” Will the Prizefighter ever get over this obsession?
WWE United States Championship Contender Three Round Gauntlet: Bobby Lashley VS ???
Theory made this match for the All Mighty, and the All Mighty gladly accepts! Will Lashley put three innocent men through some serious pain to finally make Theory put his title where his mouth is? Or will it only take one of them to stop Lashley’s momentum?
Raw returns, and first up to take on Lashley is… Chad Gable! Will Gable make Lashley SHOOOOSH~ here?
Bobby Lashley VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!
The bell rings and Gable tells Lashley to focus on him, not on Otis. They tie up, Gable waistlocks but Lashley wrenches to a wristlock. Lashley grinds the arm, Gable endures, and Lashley hammerlocks to a headlock. Gable endures again, and Lashley hits a takeover. Gable makes it a cover, ONE! Lashley holds, wrenches, waistlocks and SLAMS Gable down! Lashley facelocks, keeps his eyes on Otis, but Gable fights up. Gable wrenches out, wristlocks, but Lashley wrenches back to a wristlock. Fans rally for Lashley but Gable rolls, bridges, and handsprings to wrench through and CHOP! Gable says SHOOOOSH~!
Lashley spins Gable around for a NECKBREAKER! Lashley runs to run Gable over, then shoots in to trip him up and SLAP him! Lashley tells Gable to SHOOSH! Gable snarls, rushes in, but Lashley puts him on the apron. Lashley runs to then BLAST Gable all the way to the desk! Otis tells Lashley to stay back but fans fire up as Lashley goes out after Gable. Lashley whips Gable into barriers, then shines up the corner. Lashley hauls Gable up, fireman’s carry and POST! Fans fire up while Gable is down and Lashley gets back in the ring. Otis helps Gable stand, but Lashley throws elbows at the apron!
Lashley suplexes Gable, holds him up for 10, then 15, then SLAMS Gable down! Fans fire up and Lashley takes aim from the corner. Gable gets up, Lashley runs in, but Gable drop toeholds to an ANKLE LOCK! Gable laughs and tells Lashley to give up! Lashley endures, pushes up, but Gable puts on more pressure! Lashley rolls over to kick Gable away! Gable gets up the corner, Lashley runs in and Gable leaps over! Gable CLOBBERS Lashley, goes up top, MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Lashley survives and Gable is shocked! Gable wants Nebraska to SHOOSH, and he stalks Lashley. Gable reels Lashley in, but Lashley spins around to clinch and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly!
Lashley hobbles over, gets Gable, but Gable blocks the Full Nelson to standing switch! Lashley switches back, Gable drops, but Lashley drags Gable up out of the victory roll and into the HURT LOCK! Gable TAPS, Lashley ELIMINATES him! But then Otis CLOBBERS Lashley! Obviously the tree trunk is the second opponent!
Bobby Lashley VS Otis w/ Chad Gable!
Otis stomps away on Lashley, Gable tells Lashley to SHOOSH, but the ref pulls the Alpha Academy away. Otis then stands on Lashley! The ref counts, Otis lets off at 4 and Lashley gets to the apron. Otis goes out after Lashley, storms over around the way, and he KICKS Lashley in the side! Otis RAMS Lashley into barriers and says that felt good! Otis says this is #ForTheAcademy, and then he drags Lashley back up. Otis POSTS Lashley in return for what he did to Gable, and then he gets in the ring at 5 of 10. Fans rally, the count is 8, but Otis then goes out after Lashley again to CLOBBER him! Otis paces around as the ring count restarts.
Otis aims, runs and SPLASHES Lashley! Fans boo while Gable says “A THANK YEW~!” Otis asks, “Who’s the man now?!” and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Otis has Lashley with a neck wrench. Fans rally as Lashley endures, fights up, and throws body shots! Lashley ROCKS Otis, then waistlocks, but Otis is too bulky to lift! Otis elbows free, runs, but Lashley dodges. But Otis rolls to dodge back! And then he CLOBBERS Lashley! Cover, TWO! Otis snarls and argues with the ref but the count was fair. Otis runs to drop a BIG elbow! Otis again asks, “Who’s the man?!” Otis stalks Lashley to a corner, throws clobbering shots, and reels Lashley in for a short arm LARIAT! Otis calls himself the Hammer of God, then goes up the corner! VADER BOMB FLOPS as Lashley moves!
Otis clutches his gut, Lashley runs in, but Otis rolls again! Lashley dodges in return, for a COMPLETE SHOT! Fans fire up and Lashley fires up, too! Lashley waits on Otis to get up, but Otis blocks the Hurt Lock! Otis throws an elbow but Lashley still holds on. Otis powers Lashley to a corner and fires off back elbows from both sides! Otis then runs corner to corner, but only gets buckles! Lashley SPEARS Otis down!! Cover, GABLE attacks! Lashley advances by disqualification! Gable hammers away on Lashley, rains down fists, and there’s still one more man Lashley has to face! Gable and Otis haul Lashley up to POST him!
Otis drags Lashley out, feeds Lashley to Gable’s GERMAN SUPLEX, and then Otis hits a SPLASH! Who is the third man? THEORY HIMSELF!!
Bobby Lashley VS (Austin) Theory!
Of course “The Chosen One” wants to pick the bones! He rains down fists on Lashley and fans boo! Theory stomps away, flexes, and says this is HIS time! Theory CLUBS Lashley, CLUBS him again, stomps and kicks, then hauls Lashley into a corner to fire off haymakers! The ref counts, Theory lets off at 4, and storms around shouting at Lashley. But then Lashley hits back with counter punches! Theory kicks a leg, but runs into a scoop! But Theory kicks and flails and gets to the apron to HOTSHOT Lashley!
Theory somersaults and SHOTGUNS Lashley down! Theory wants to finish this and he tells Lashley to get up! Fans boo while Theory fireman’s carries, A TOWN- NO, Lashley turns it into a leg capture cradle! LASHLEY WINS!!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE US Championship)
Theory was angry before, but now he’s furious! Lashley survives three opponents and now has his golden ticket to Las Vegas! Will Theory lose his cool and lose the title, too? Or can the “new face of the WWE” find a way to save face and survive the All Mighty?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair.
Sarah asks if Bianca was surprised by Mella winning and becoming new #1 contender to the Raw Women’s Championship? Bianca says yes and no. Mella was away but she showed up and showed out. Mella is always an amazing competitor, a former Ms. MITB, Women’s Tag Team Champion and Women’s Champion, so Bianca isn’t going to underestimate her. She’ll treat Mella like she does Rhea. Bianca stays ready so she doesn’t have to get ready, because she is the strongEST, the fastEST, the- Mella cheap shots her!! Always ready, huh? Well, watch your back, because #MellaIsMoney! Mella runs off, but will Bianca be more than ready to bust her in Las Vegas?
The Miz heads to the ring!
The Hollywood A-Lister promises a phenomenal edition of MizTV tonight with AJ Styles as his guest! What will Miz asks Styles on the road to MITB? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Miz welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, and says he is anxious to get to the bottom of what’s been going on with his guest. Get up out of your seats for the Phenomenal AJ Styles! Fans fire up as Styles makes his entrance, and Miz jams out to Styles’ theme song as Styles makes his way to the ring. They sit and Miz thanks Styles for being here. Styles has been going through some “issues” lately, such as Edge attacking Styles going into WrestleMania. Then when Styles tried to get payback, Edge used the ol’ numbers game by starting The Judgement Day.
What did Styles do? Got himself an ally in Finn Balor, only for Finn Balor to join The Judgement Day. And then last week, Styles wanted to punish Rollins so bad for what he did to Cody Rhodes, it cost Styles a spot in the MITB ladder match. And to top it all off, earlier tonight, Styles’ former tag team partner, the 7’3″ giant, Omos, qualified for the MITB match. Miz says he’s not gonna lie, but he’s embarrassed for Styles. Miz, a two-time Mr. MITB, would not let an opportunity- Okay, okay, c’mon. Styles asks if Miz only asked him out here to get a rise out of him? If so, he’s going about this all wrong.
No, no, Miz says Styles has The Miz wrong. Styles is here on MizTV so that the “young, naïve University of Nebraska students could get a preview of what it’s like to become a failure.” Fans boo and Miz smirks, but Styles asks if that was supposed to sting. These fans are young, but they’re not naïve. The one who is naïve is Miz. Miz clearly doesn’t watch college football, because if he did, he’d know that Nebraska is Cornhusker Country! Fans chant “GO BIG RED!” But if we’re talking corn, Miz must feel like the failure since Maryse married a man with tiny little popcorns. Maybe smaller? Miz says this is not going to be a thing.
Oh, no, Miz’s tiny balls are a thing. NO! It is not a thing! Yes, it is. It isn’t! Styles asks the fans: Are Miz’s tiny balls a thing or not? “YES! YES! YES!” “POPCORN BALLS! POPCORN BALLS!” Miz says he does NOT have tiny balls!! His balls are MASSIVE!! And Miz is the ONLY two-time Grand Slam Champion in WWE history! More wins here than Styles could ever dream of! The fans are all excited for the 20th Anniversary Cena Celebration? Well Miz BEAT Cena at the main event of WrestleMania! Miz has a beautiful wife, a perfect family, and The It Family reinvented reality television with Miz & Mrs., and a brand new episode is on right after Raw! Miz is a SUCCESS STORY!
But what Miz wants to know about Styles is, “What does it feel like to be a huge disappointment?” Styles hopes fans see what Miz is doing. He’s trying to get Styles to pop off, right? But Styles won’t play that game. Yes, things haven’t gone his way. He isn’t in MITB and that’s on him. One of his best friends betrayed him, not so Too Sweet. And there was his time in the Seth Rollins VS Cody Rhodes saga. Styles lost, and that’s on him. He’s been through adversity before. How do you think he became Phenomenal? But see here’s the thing: When Styles gets disrespected, he doesn’t come out to some talk show and run his mouth like Miz does.
When Styles gets disrespected, he does this! Styles CLOBBERS Miz with the microphone! But then TOMMASO CIAMPA attacks Styles!? Is Ciampa Miz’s guardian psycho or something?! Will Styles do something about this after the break?
AJ Styles VS Tommaso Ciampa!
Raw returns, the bell rings and the two rush each other! Styles puts Ciampa in a corner, fires off hands, then whips corner to corner. Ciampa reverses, Styles hits buckles but LARIATS Ciampa back! Miz is on commentary, of course, while Styles hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, ONE, but Styles brings Ciampa up. Ciampa CLAWS Styles’ face then HEADBUTTS him! Ciampa CLUBS Styles, Miz complains about Styles’ sucker punch, and Ciampa CHOPS Styles. Ciampa whips, Styles reverses, and Styles hurdles, drops and dropkicks! Byron Saxton asks if Miz knew Ciampa was lurking, and Miz says no. He hasn’t had a single conversation with Ciampa in his life.
Styles seethes while Ciampa bails out. Ciampa checks his teeth, but Styles slingshots. Ciampa slides in and dropkicks Styles down! Then KNEES him off the apron! Miz likes that! Ciampa gets Styles up, puts him in the ring, and then runs in to KNEE Styles back down! Miz wants Ciampa to pin Styles and Ciampa covers, TWO! Miz does note that if you’re paying attention, every strike of Ciampa’s is just vicious. Ciampa stomps Styles, paces around him, then drags him up to turn him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Byron does ask Miz why he wanted Styles as a guest, and Miz asks back how Byron is still on commentary when he adds nothing.
Ciampa tries another cover, ONE! Ciampa sits Styles up to ELBOW Styles in the head! Miz says he asks the hard hitting questions, so that is what he did with Styles. Ciampa clamps on a chinlock and grinds Styles down. Styles endures, even as Ciampa pushes up for leverage. Fans rally, Styles fights up, and he throws body shots. Ciampa swings but Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz! SLIDING FOREARM! Fans fire up, Styles runs in and hits a clothesline in the corner! Then he fireman’s carries Ciampa for the USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Styles brings Ciampa up and calls for The Clash!
But Ciampa wrenches out, gets around, ripcord and ROLLING ELBOW! Ciampa reels Styles in, underhooks the arms, but Styles blocks the lift to lift Ciampa for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Both men are down and Miz looks worried. Ciampa gets to a corner, Styles runs in, but Ciampa puts Styles out on the apron. Styles ROCKS Ciampa, adjusts his elbow pad, and springboards, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
But Miz is right off commentary to run in! But Styles dodges and PELES! Miz wobbles, Styles reels him in, and fans fire up! STYLES CLASH!! Styles wins against Ciampa and he gets the last word on The Miz! Will Styles make a phenomenal rise back up?
Kevin Patrick interviews Veer Mahaan on stage.
Last week, the Lion of India defeated Rey Mysterio after a series of assaults, some of which were brutal, maybe even “gruesome.” Veer says, “Only some? That’s a shame. Because what I did to the Mysterios was just the beginning. The WWE has never seen hunger like mine before. I love carnage. No one knows how to stop me, because I can’t be stopped.” Veer says in Punjabi that WWE can send anyone against him, but it won’t matter. In English, he says, “I will not be stopped until there is nothing left to pick upon the bones. Fear Veer!” The look on his face says it all, no matter what language you speak. Will the Lion of India become the king of the WWE jungle?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Becky Lynch VS Asuka!
This match was meant to happen before Rhea Ripley’s injury and the Fatal 5 Way was made, and it’s still happening since neither The Man nor The Empress won that Fatal 5 Way. Will The Big Time Comeback still stay on track? Or is Becky still, still, still not ready for Asuka?
Raw returns and Asuka makes her entrance. But Becky rushes out of the ring to get her at the ramp! Becky hammers away on Asuka, drags her towards the ring, CLUBS her more, then whips her into the apron! But Asuka elbows back! Asuka gets in the ring, takes off the jacket, and Becky gets back in! The ref has them hold on, the bell rings, and Asuka tackles Becky! Fans fire up as the two scrap! Asuka gets the ARMBAR!! Becky hurries to get up, stacks to a cover, TWO! Becky wants the arm but Asuka trips her! Asuka stomps Becky’s butt, runs, but has to roll over the dropdown. Asuka whips, Becky RAMS shoulders, but neither falls!
Becky runs, Asuka follows and runs Becky over! Fans fire up with Asuka and she drags Becky into the chicken wing! Becky hurries to throw Asuka out of the ring! Becky runs and WRECKS Asuka with the baseball slide! Fans fire up, Becky smacks Asuka off the apron, then again on the other side of the corner. The ring count is 7, Becky puts Asuka in, but then Asuka KICKS Becky in the ropes! And again and again and again! The ref reprimands, Asuka lets off to run, and she HIP ATTACKS Becky to the floor! Fans fire up and Asuka goes out after Becky. Becky kicks low, then drags Asuka up to smack off the apron again.
Becky puts Asuka in, climbs up a corner while fans cheer and jeer, but Asuka CHOPS Becky first! Asuka climbs up after Becky now and fans fire up, but Becky blocks the superplex! Becky throws body shots, DECKS Asuka, then gets back up, only for Asuka to dodge the missile dropkick! CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Asuka KICKS Becky in the chest again and again, but Becky blocks to ROCK Asuka! And EuroUpper! Becky whips Asuka to a corner, Asuka goes up, but Becky DECKS her! Asuka tumbles to apron then the floor! Becky is back in control while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns one more time, Becky hits a leg drop, brother! Becky runs but Asuka avoids this next leg drop, and she runs to SLIDING LEG LARIAT! Both women are down and fans fire up again! Asuka and Becky slowly rise while a standing count starts, and they’re both up at 5 of 10. They throw haymakers back and forth, then Asuka fires off palm strikes! Becky blocks a backhand but Asuka catches the haymaker to arm hooks. Becky fights the backslide so Asuka spins her to a cradle! TWO, and Asuka mule kicks! Asuka runs, Becky follows but Asuka dodges, and Asuka FLYING LARIATS! Becky gets to a corner, Asuka HIP ATTACKS her!
Asuka waistlocks, Becky throws an elbow but Asuka ducks it! BACKHAND! BACKHAND! SOBAT! Front kick and- NO, Becky ducks the next backhand, but the HEEL KICK hits! Down goes Becky, but Asuka gets her up for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Becky sits up in a daze, HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO!! Asuka is shocked but she drags Becky back up. Asuka has the chicken wing and wants the crossface, but Becky switches around! Becky steals the ASUKA LOCK!! Asuka fights free of the crossface, pries the legs apart, and has an ANKLE LOCK! Becky hurries to roll but Asuka rolls with her! Becky tries again, but Asuka still holds on!
Becky rolls Asuka into buckles! Becky hobbles over, bumps Asuka off buckles, KICKS her in the back and CLUBS her in the chest! Cover, TWO!! Becky is frustrated, she drags Asuka up and throws her through ropes. Becky fires off forearms and uppercuts and a sobat! Becky then climbs for a GUILOTINE- NO, Asuka avoids the leg drop for an ASUKA LOCK in the ropes! Asuka lets go at 4, fans fire up with her as she climbs, BIG missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives again but Asuka is too tired to be upset. Becky rolls all the way out of the ring, but Asuka aims from the apron. SLIDING- NO, Becky dodges, hops up, but Asuka KICKS her leg!
Asuka then gets under Becky, but Becky stomps Asuka against the apron, and hits an APRON LEG DROP! Becky leaps, into a KNEE from Asuka! Both women are down and fans are fired up! The ring count is climbing, and it passes 5! Then 8! Both women are in at 9.9!! Asuka and Becky get up, they throw forearms back and forth! They stand, Becky ducks a kick to MAN- NO, victory roll! But Becky blocks it to have her own cover! TWO, but Becky is after an arm! Asuka holds off the Disarm-Her, wants the ropes, but Becky drags her away! Asuka rolls Becky, TWO! ROUNDHOUSE!! Cover, ASUKA WINS!!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to the Women’s MITB Ladder Match)
Becky was ready for Asuka, but she wasn’t able to withstand what Asuka brought to the fight! And now Becky is having a Big Time MELTDOWN! She’s ripping up the announce desk and kicking the steel steps! With only two spots left, is the window on the comeback closing? As for Asuka, can she become a TWO-TIME Empress in the Bank?
My Thoughts:
This was actually a great Raw that built towards Money in the Bank. Except for Vince making a random appearance to do, guess what? Nothing of substance, just like he did on Friday. We all knew Cena was making his return on June 27th, it has been advertised for weeks. Vince showing up was just so he could have more TV time and get the fans to cheer for him out of habit. So stupid, just tone deaf filler.
Moving on, a shame Rhea got hurt this close to MITB, but if there is one thing WWE does well even now, it’s that they can improvise with amazing results. Bianca has a good promo segment with Becky, Asuka, Liv, Alexa and Carmella, and that Fatal 5 was an awesome match. But with Alexa and Liv already in the Women’s MITB and Asuka canceling out with Becky, of course Mella won. Mella will of course lose to Bianca, no harm done and I hope Rhea is healed up in time for SummerSlam. Bianca and Rhea can have an awesome SummerSlam match, Nashville is Tennessee and Bianca will basically be the hometown hero, that place will be on fire for her.
Becky and Asuka then gave us a killer main event to continue with things as planned. I was a little surprised that Becky lost, but I also do feel this is a great way to give Asuka a second chance at being Ms. MITB. Her first run wasn’t even a run because Becky went on maternity leave and Asuka was automatically made champion. At the same time, COVID was in the way of last time, so Asuka can really have a lot of fun with teasing a cash-in this time. Out of the field so far, it’s really either her or Lacey Evans, anyway. And Lacey doesn’t necessarily need the MITB contract for her story, she can just flip that switch and be Heel a la Kurt Angle (as much as I don’t want that to happen cuz again, they set it all up with her tragic backstory of hers).
The Men’s MITB qualifier was a bit of a surprise. I thought this was going to be Riddle’s win, but I suppose Omos is still being built strong, and Riddle was under 100% with the rib tape. Plus, with a story now starting with Rollins and Riddle in Cody’s absence, Rollins gets to pick on Riddle after the loss. Riddle surely finds another way in, MITB is going to be in Vegas! The crowd will love having a hometown hero there. As for Omos and MVP, what the hell happened with Ziggler & Roode? Did they just not care about continuing that? Also why are they bringing back the stage position now? Veer’s interview promo was still fine, but why did it have to be on stage? It just seemed weird.
Meanwhile, we got a great 1v1 match from Dawkins and Jey, and it makes sense the singles matches would be 1-1 so that the math is a wash. Just like last week, I can’t say who wins, but it’d be a great opportunity for Profits to win in Vegas. Theory gloating on the Pose-Down podium was a strange thing to follow up last week with, but it worked out perfectly to set up Lashley showing up and getting him back. That gauntlet match was also awesome stuff, with Gable and Otis getting to look great. I should’ve expected Theory being the third man, and that costing him was great stuff. With their title match happening at MITB, after Cena’s appearance, it could go either way as Theory can feud with Cena even without the title.
MizTV was a decent segment, but of course the continued mocking of Miz’s nuts is hilarious. Ciampa always being around when Miz gets in a bad situation is interesting, but we did get a good match out of Styles VS Ciampa. A little confused as to why Finn and Priest couldn’t still do Judgement Day related things but oh well, maybe they’ll give us something next week. We at least need Styles VS Finn set up for SummerSlam, that’ll be awesome stuff. In another timeline, Styles VS Finn would be the Undisputed WWE Champion match, not Roman VS Lesnar, but we’re cursed to be in this timeline.
And segment of the night, maybe even all week and all month was everything with Elias, Ezekiel and Kevin Owens. Yes, obvious Ezekiel and Elias are still the same person but what an amazing and thought out way to give us both of them in the WWE Universe. The irony is that Kevin is absolutely right about the video editing and the beard, but they did a great job in kayfabe to turn that all around. And I love that the graphic hyping next week’s match includes “Elrond” or “Elrod” or whatever, just to play along with Kevin. Kevin VS Ezekiel next week should definitely be a MITB qualifier on top of everything, but even if it isn’t, that will be the best match Kevin and Zeke have put on yet.
My Score: 8.5/10
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WHOOP DAT TRICK!
As it stands, Oba Femi defends the NXT Championship in a Triple Threat on Vengeance Day. But can Trick Williams prove A-Town Down Under isn’t worthy?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Stephanie Vaquer VS Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence; Vaquer wins.
- Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland; Ridge wins.
- Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley VS Sol Ruca & ZARIA; Sol & Zaria win.
- Kelani Jordan VS Karmen Petrovic; Karmen wins, by disqualification.
- Oba Femi & Trick Williams VS A-Town Down Under; ATDU wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Stephanie Vaquer VS Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence!
La Primera had to wait a little longer, but she’ll get her title match at Vengeance Day! But will the Dark Angel be rolling into DC? Or can the Toxic Rockstar slow her down for Fallon’s sake?
The bell rings and the fans all cheer on “STEPHANIE! STEPHANIE!” Jacy is annoyed, but she and Vaquer tie up. Jacy pulls hair to bring Vaquer to a corner, but Vaquer turns things around on her! The ref counts, Vaquer lets off, and Jacy gets attitude. They tie up, Vaquer waistlocks and SLAMS Jacy down, then rolls her to a cover, TWO! Vaquer clamps on a chinlock, traps Jacy’s arm, but Jacy fights up. Jayc pulls hair, then she CLUBS Vaquer on the neck. The fans boo but Jacy bumps Vaquer off buckles. Jacy bumps Vaquer off buckles again, then stomps a mudhole in! The fans boo but Jacy digs her boot in.
The ref counts, then backs Jacy off Vaquer. Jacy runs in, but Vaquer catches her! Half nelson and a snapmare into buckles! Vaquer then DROPKICKS Jacy down! The fans fire up and Vaquer whips Jacy, but Jacy sunset flips! Vaquer stays up, scrapes her soles off Jacy’s face, then drops a leg, brother! Cover, ONE!! Jacy snarls but Vaquer bumps her off buckles. Vaquer hits all three levels, then she digs her boots in. Vaquer scrubs Jacy’s face, the fans rally, but Fallon & Jazmyn complain. The ref counts, Vaquer steps off, but Vaquer drags Jacy up. Vaquer scoops, but Jacy slips free and throws Vaquer down by her hair!
The fans boo but Jacy KICKS and basement SUPERKICKS! Jacy says Vaquer will respect her, then runs up, but Vaquer avoids the senton! The fans cheer and Vaquer grins. Vaquer wraps Jacy up in the headscissors for the DRILLER! Vaquer gives Jacy five, then kicks her out of the ring! The fans fire up and Vaquer goes out to fetch Jacy. Vaquer HEADBUTTS Jacy, bumps her off buckles, then puts her in the ring. But then Jazmyn distracts the ref so Fallon can get in Vaquer’s face! Vaquer backs Fallon off, but Jacy lurks on the apron! PENALTY KICK! Jacy and the Influence talk trash while NXT goes picture in picture.
Fallon mocks the “STEPHANIE!” chant by clapping along, then Jacy fetches Vaquer into the ring. Jacy storms up on Vaquer, whips her corner to corner, then runs up to back body block! Jacy whips the other way, and Vaquer hits buckles hard! Jacy runs in, CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Jacy is frustrated, but she soaks up the heat as she stands over Vaquer. Jacy drags Vaquer up, CHOPS her, then scoops her, only for Vaquer to slip free! Vaquer fires forearms, thenw hips Jacy, only for Jacy to reverse. Vaquer ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Jacy CLOBBERS her! Jacy snarls, then she rains down fists! Jacy lets off to talk trash, then goes back to Vaquer.
Jacy sits Vaquer up to KNEE her in the back again and again! Jacy then clamps on a chinlock and grinds Vaquer down. Vaquer endures, fights up, but Jacy wrangles her into body scissors! Vaquer fights back up, pries at the hold, and NXT returns to single picture. The fans continue to rally for Stephanie, but Jacy knees her low! Jacy swings, but Vaquer blocks to CHOP! And CHOP! And then Vaquer knuckle locks, CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Vaqeur goes up, up, jumps around, but Jacy shoves her! Jacy SLAPS Vaquer, then GAMANGIRIS! Jacy goes up, but Vaquer fires body shots! Vaquer slips under, tucks Jacy in, CHEEKY NANDOS!
Vaquer then turns Jacy around, climbs up after her, and brings Jacy up for a SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up while both women writhe! Jacy crawls away, but then she and Vaquer stare down. Jacy fires a forearm, Vaquer returns fire! They go back and forth, Jacy mule kicks, and then Jacy soaks up more heat. But Vaquer JAWBREAKERS! Jacy blocks a superkick to SUPERKICK, then she shrieks! CANNONBALL only gets buckles! EAT DA FEET! Jacy falls into a corner, Vaquer hits as METEORA! Vaquer reels Jacy in for a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as Vaquer smirks at Fallon. Vaquer brings Jacy up, tucks her in, but Jacy fights free!
Jacy swings, but into a backslide! TWO, and Jacy KNEES Vaquer down! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives and Jacy is shocked! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Jacy aims at Vaquer. Jacy runs up, but Vaquer ducks the lariat to wrench Jacy and DDT! Jacy staggers into a victory roll, TWO!! Jacy survives, but Vaquer drags her right up! Vaquer whips, Jacy reverses to ROCK Vaquer, then she whips, But Now Vaquer reverses, drop toeholds, and 619!! Jacy staggers around, the fans fire up, and Vaquer springboards, CROSSBODY! Cover, JAZMYN jumps in, but Vaquer dodges! Jazmyn CLOBBERS Jacy!!
Jazmyn panics, the ref reprimands, but Vaquer says hold on. Vaquer HEADBUTTS Jazmyn down! Vaquer then SUPERKICKS Jacy, reels her in, and S V B!! Cover, Vaquer wins!
Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall
Vaquer had the ref keep this going so that she could finish it off! Will the same happen to the Toxic Cowgirl when she finally faces the music? Or will she find a way to survive La Primera?
The Meta Girls arrive.
And as they walk into the locker room, Sol Ruca & Zaria both clap for them. That was one hell of a main event last week in Atlanta. But… Lash & Jakara came up short. Again! And then Lash came up short in the Women’s Royal Rumble! Honestly, they’re not surprised. Lash is trying to figure out who the hell Zaria even is, but Sol tries to keep the peace by saying Zaria didn’t mean it that way. Zaria says no, she absolutely meant it that way. Lash didn’t eliminate anyone, and yet it’s Lash & Jakara who had the opportunity to bring the Women’s Tag Team Championships to NXT. And then they dropped the ball.
Sol tries to signal for Zaria to stop but Lash says Zaria sure has a lot to say for someone who was just sitting at home watching TV. But then Tatum Paxley, Gigi Dolin & Shotzi Blackheart step in. Tatum knows Zaria hasn’t been here very long, but it is easier said than done to defeat Bianca Belair & Naomi. Maybe for Tatum and her little friends, but not for Zaria & Sol. Gigi says at least Lash & Jakara stepped up. They’re still waiting for Zaria. Then keep on talking! Sol ushers Zaria away, and Jakara tells Gigi’s team that they can handle their beef, then Meta Girls get winners. Will Gigi & Tatum make Zaria understand what it is to be NXT? Or will NXT learn what it is to be the Agent of Change?
Backstage interview with Oba Femi.
Sarah Schreiber is with the NXT Champion, and brings up last week’s bombshell that he defend the title in a Triple Threat at Vengeance Day, against both Grayson Waller & Austin Theory of A-Town Down Under. But tonight, he faces both men in a tag team match. Oba says Ava may run things here in NXT, but what she doesn’t know is that Oba runs everything that happens in the ring. So tonight, Oba will show Waller & Theory that they don’t belong in the ring with him. Sarah adds that after last week’s powerbomb on Trick Williams, does he owe Trick by being a better partner to him tonight?
Oba doesn’t owe Trick anything. And as far as tonight, he’ll see Trick out there. The Ruler is ready to rumble, but will he and Trick hold it together? Or will they suffer from the Grayson Waller Effect?
Lexis King is in the ring.
The fans are torn seeing the NXT Heritage Cup and his trophy, and Lexis has the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, and Inte-Lex-uals… Your King has been crowned the NXT Heritage Cup Champion. Y’know, I wanted to come out here, I wanted to be humble. But how can I be humble when I’m on a path to being the biggest star in the history of professional wrestling? I couldn’t do it alone, though, we’ve got a lot of legends back there. They’ve got that LFG show going. But one in particular, William Regal, he reached out to me. He tried to show me the light, he tried to show me who I truly am.
“We’ve got other names, too. Poor Ryan Leaf. Ryan Leaf, probably one of the biggest busts in the history of the NFL, came here to NXT to give me advice? It doesn’t work like that, brother, because The King doesn’t take advice. And I’ve never done well with authority. No, no, the King has always played to the beat of is own drum, The King has always played by his own rules. Because WHY WOULDN’T I? LOOK AT ME! I’ve got the looks that kill and the pedigree that will! Yeah. That’s right. What’d you people think? You thought I was just gonna transform? That I was just gonna change it up on you and become some law-abiding, submissive beta?
“No. Because The King’s blood doesn’t run with that of a normie. No, no, no. See, I was born into this business a second generation talent, the son of a psycho! But I never asked for this. No. In fact, I tried everything I could to be anything but my father. I didn’t even know him. I didn’t know who he was. But I know one thing: It’s that he was a Loose Cannon and he would do anything to win! And it’s such a shame, because he had so much potential. But he just never quite reached that potential. And yet through all that, through all the smoke and mirrors and the advice of all the legends, I found myself truly at my best when I was just that: My father’s son.
“Because that’s what I am! And you guys wanted me to change, huh? You wanted me to be something that I’m not?! Well, I didn’t, and I never will, because I’m standing here your NXT Heritage Cup Champion! Because I stay true to who I am!” Fans are torn, one person has been booing this whole time without stopping, and King says the truth is, this championship, his “Sweet Queen,” has been mistreated for far too long. And he knows he’ll offend some of the purists out there, but for his first proclamation as NXT Heritage Cup Champion, he is going to change the way that this title is defended! Gone are the days of the meaningless rounds! Gone are the days of the ill-advised cornermen.
And the egregious time limits! No no no! From this day forward, the Heritage Cup will be one fall, winner take all. Because this is my- FANDANGO!? The fans are going nuts seeing the return of the WWE’s Lord of the Dance, and King has no idea who this is! But Fandango says, “Let me reintroduce myself. Y’see, I used to get real weird here in NXT. And that music right there, it means the world to me, thank you, guys.” The fans cheer and chant, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” King wants things to slow down. He knows who this is now! It’s coming to him! He used to run around playing dress up with Tyler Breeze!
They were firefighters, policemen, but man, this isn’t the YMCA, this is NXT! The fans chant for Lexis to shut up, and Dango says that’s very witty for a guy whose face was spraypainted on this morning. No, it was a brush, not a sprayer… Well, call him #JDC, and he is here representing The System of TNA. And The System is always looking for a bit of gold to add to the trophy case. And well, JDC wouldn’t mind wrapping his lips around this cup and having a drink. And JDC knows that King knows that NXT and TNA now have a working relationship. What King doesn’t know is that JDC just spoke with Ava, and next week, for this Heritage Cup, it will be King VS JDC!
The fans like the sound of that! Oh, so JDC wants a sip from the cup? A taste of greatness? Well, while King appreciates what JDC is doing for TNA and The System, there’s a system over here. And as far as King knows, this is just “FAWN-DON-GO~!” So yeah, fine, they’ll have a match for this cup, and they will dance! King is ready to put the cup on the line, but will he be singing the blues as JDC dances the night away with his Sweet Queen?
The D’Angelo Family watches a clip from CW’s Wild Cards.
Tony D guest stars as the character, “Jaws,” and they loved his performance, they can’t wait to watch the whole episode. Luca says “Gammy Crusifino” is excited. Tony says Gammy loves Tony, Tony loves Gammy. Stacks says just look at Tony, The Hollywood Don! Big TV star now. Guess this is what he and Izzi were talking about weeks ago, right? Tony is taken aback but Stacks sarcastically says no, it’s fine, they could’ve done the red carpet but it wasn’t in the budget. Tony asks what’s the matter with Stacks but Stacks says he’s just bustin’ balls. Then how about Stacks busts Ridge tonight? Stacks says yeah, he’s got this.
The Family heads to gorilla, will The Underboss handle Ridge The Fridge? Or will Stacks crumble when faced with Yorkshire Grit?
Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland!
NXT returns as Ridge makes his entrance to the ring, only for Stacks to SHOTGUN him down! The ref has the bell ring, Stacks fires off with body shots and haymakers, then whips. Ridge reverses but Stacks ELBOWS back! Stacks slips under to UPPERCUT Ridge, then he whips. Ridge reverses to clinch and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Stacks flounders, and we see Shawn Spears, Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance are enjoying this from up in the perch. Ridge hauls Stacks up to suplex, but Stacks knees free! Stacks fires body shots and haymakers, then ducks a lariat to ENZIGIRI! Ridge tumbles out, Stacks triangle jumps to DROPKICK him down!
The fans fire up as Stacks builds speed, but Ridge avoids the baseball slide to RAM Stacks into steel steps! Stacks slumps down, Ridge puts him back in the ring, and Ridge BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Ridge looms over Stacks, whips him to a corner, and Stacks hits buckles hard! Stacks falls, Ridge soaks up the heat, but Spears’ squad enjoys this more. Ridge storms up but Stacks drop toeholds him onto ropes! Ridge sputters, Stacks SUPERKICKS, and Ridge staggers! But then Ridge scowls and BOOTS in return! Ridge brings Stacks up and tells Tony to look at his guy! Ridge tells Stacks he’s nothing but a lackey!
Stacks SLAPS Ridge! And JAWBREAKERS! Stacks fires haymakers, then whips, but Ridge reverses. Stacks LARIATS Ridge down! Stacks hurries after Ridge but Ridge kicks low! Ridge puts Stack son the apron, Stacks BOOTS back, and then SLINGSHOT CODE BREAKERS! Both men are down, Tony coaches Stacks, and Stacks goes up a corner. Stacks aims to AX- NO, Ridge catches him, HEABUTTS him, and DEADBOLT SUPLEXES him! Ridge snarls, storms up, but Stacks BOOTS Ridge! Stacks goes up, but Ridge SHOVES Stacks down! Luca checks Stacks, Ridge SHOVES Luca now! Ridge storms into the ring, but Luca gets on the apron!
The ref stops Luca, Ridge hauls Stacks up, and Izzi slips into the ring?! Where’d she even come from? Ridge stares her down to stop her in her tracks! The ref tells Izzi she’s gotta leave, so Izzi does. Stacks rolls Ridge up! TWO!! Ridge escapes, Stacks dodges a lariat, but not the COMEBACKER! Ridge hauls Stacks up, reels him in, REDEEMER DDT!! Cover, Ridge wins!
Winner: Ridge Holland, by pinfall
Izzi feels awful as her help only hurts Stacks! But Tony doesn’t seem to like how she felt her help was needed. Just what is Izzi after?
Fraxiom talks in the locker room.
Nathan Frazer & Axiom are having fun, but Axiom does want Frazer to focus. Next week, TNA, it’s them against the Nemeth Brothers. Frazer knows, but then in step Briggs & Inamura. Briggs will hand it to them, they’ve been having great title matches wherever they go, from NXT to TNA and beyond. But they’re also smart. Smart enough to know that if they fought Briggs & Inamura, it’d just be a one-sided and brutal ass kicking. Case in point, OTM. Where are they? Haven’t been here since Briggs & Inamura beat their asses. You’re welcome, by the way, since you’ve been dodging Briggs & Inamura.
Axiom says they’re not dodging anyone. They literally defend the titles next week. And for men of action, Frazer’s only ever heard them talk. So while Fraxiom faces the Nemeth Brothers, maybe Briggs & Inamura should find opponents of their own. Prove they deserve a title shot, and then and only then, will they talk. Fraxiom heads out, and Briggs assures Inamura, he’s got this. Who will the Bullhead Brawler find for him and Great Rush Inamura to fight?
Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley VS Sol Ruca & ZARIA!
Well, speaking of a fight, these duos weren’t looking for one before the show started, but they ended up finding one anyway! Will the outcasts find themselves at the center of the tag title chase? Or can the Sol Surfer & Agent of Change actually look like a team?
NXT returns as Gigi & Tatum make their entrance, Shotzi by their side. The teams sort out and Tatum starts against Sol. They tie up, Sol waistlocks, but Tatum fights the slam. Tatum sits down, flips up and over Sol, then facelocks. Sol backdrops, Tatum sunset flips, but Sol rolls through and slides into a headlocks. Tatum fights up, powers out, then goes Matrix! But then Sol leaps over and the fans cheer the standoff. Sol and Tatum reset, Tatum goes for a leg but Sol facelocks again. Tatum wrenches but Sol blocks the whip. Sol lifts and spins Tatum, but Gigi tags in before the SLAM! Sol stands on Tatum to hang ten, but Gigi shoves her off.
Zaria tags in and she runs up. Gigi slips around but Zaria fights the crucifix takedown! Gigi shifts to sunset flip, but Zaria stays up! Zaria drags Gigi up with hands, but then Gigi SLAPS her! Gigi eggs Zaria on, and Zaria SLAPS Gigi down! The fans fire up and Zaria drags Gigi up to tag Sol. Zaria feeds Gigi to Sol’s lift, and Zaria goes up the corner. Sol tags Zaria back in, but Gigi RANAS Sol away! The ref says the tag didn’t count? Gigi runs to DROPKICK Sol against the ropes! Tag to Tatum, Gigi YANKS Sol back and Tatum JUMPING ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Tatum mounts Sol, then turns her over into the “Spider Insider (Inside Her?)” stretch!
The ref makes sure that’s not a choke, but Sol fights her way out to ROCK Tatum! Tatum ROCKS Sol, Sol ROCKS Tatum! Tatum staggers up, Sol runs up, but Tatum wrenches her to BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Tag to Gigi, and Tatum BLASTS Zaria while Gigi goes up, up, and SUNSET SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Sol stays in this, Gigi sends Tatum in, but Sol goes up and over! Gigi ROUNDHOUSES Sol, grabs the legs, but Sol BOOTS Gigi away! Then Sol reaches up to RANA Gigi! Hot tag to Zaria! Zaria CLOBBERS Tatum, CLOBBERS Gigi, and then BOOTS Tatum! HEADBUTT for Gigi, then Zaria gets around Tatum to GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans fire up with Zaria and she runs at Gigi! Zaria ducks ‘n’ dodges to SPEAR! Cover, Tatum breaks it! Sol drags Tatum to a fireman’s carry, Zaria does the same with Gigi. But Gigi & Tatum slip free to shove Zaria & Sol into each other! Then STEREO ENZIGIRI! Sol falls, Gigi & Tatum double whip Zaria. Zaria returns to LARIAT, but she only gets Gigi! Tag to Sol, Tatum LEAPS, but Saria catches her! F5 onto Gigi! Gigi sputters, Sol goes up, up, SOL SNATCHER!! Cover, Sol & Zaria win!!
Winners: Sol Ruca & Zaria, by pinfall
The waves were choppy, but Sol & Zaria rode it out and came out on top! Will they be able to do this again when facing Lash & Jakara? Or will the Bougie Bully & Miss Jackson slam on the brakes?
Bayley is headed to gorilla.
The Role Model is here in NXT, ready for tonight’s Vengeance Day Summit. But we also see Inamura talking with Myles Borne & Tavion Heights. Did Inamura just secure a team for him and Briggs to face for next week?
Backstage interview with Trick Williams.
Sarah is now with the former NXT Champion and brings up the team-up with Oba Femi against A-Town Down Under. Have Oba and Trick had a chance to talk since last week? Trick says no, he hasn’t seen Oba all day. But that’s fine, they don’t need to talk no game plans or strategy. The plan is simple: Trick shows Ava that he’s the one deserving of the match with Oba. Not Waller, not Theory. In fact, Trick is sick and tired of those two snaking their way into stuff, so tonight, Trick drops both their b*tch asses! And as for Oba, his receipt’s coming, too. Trick heads out, will he be whooping everybody tonight?
And then, on the monitor behind Sarah, the mysterious test screen with “VENGEANCE DAY” on it appears. Could whoever this is be after someone in tonight’s main event?
Bayley heads to the ring!
The fans fire up as the Role Model once again returns to NXT! Bayley high-fives fans then struts into the ring to grab a mic. But before she can say anything, Roxanne Perez makes her entrance. Roxie is feeling good since she set the record for “Ironwoman” in the Women’s Rumble, and she grabs a mic to tell Mike Rome to hold on one second. Roxie just wants to talk about her great performance on Saturday! One hour, seven minutes, and 47 seconds. That’s right! She broke the record for longest time spent in Rumble history, meaning she broke Bayley’s record! Giulia can wait because right now, this is about her and Bayley.
Bayley says back that Roxie’s going to make Giulia, but Roxie didn’t even win the match! Well, sure, but who did Roxie eliminate? Giulia! But Roxie wants to talk Bayley. Bayley came back to NXT to “mentor Roxie,” but Roxie knows Bayley’s really here just to win the NXT Women’s Championship. Bayley was tired of getting her ass kicked on SmackDown so she hopped to Raw, but it still isn’t clicking, right? So what’d she do? She came to Roxie’s brand and is trying to be the top of the BEST Women’s Division in wrestling. Roxie gets it, though. After the Rumble, Roxie feels it, too. Roxie wants more! Roxie wants ALL of the titles!
Younger Roxie dreamed of this moment, and Roxie is making it happen. 13-year-old Roxie would be freaking out sharing the ring with her Role Model. But now, Roxie realized that her heroes were just standing in her way so that she can’t surpass them. So the vision is clear now: Roxie will win back the NXT Women’s Championship, then she’ll go on to Raw to- Bayley tells Roxie to just shut up! The fans cheer, and Bayley says Roxie still doesn’t get it. Some day, Bayley sure hopes Roxie will surpass her. Bayley hopes Roxie does 10 times more than Bayley ever did! Because that is what this is all about!
Does Roxie not get that? Is Roxie so blind and entitled that she doesn’t realize that here, in this building, Bayley built her first ring with her own bare hands? The fans cheer that! Bayley points that right there, that was promo class and Dusty Rhodes taught Bayley how to hold the mic! Roxie has no respect for that. Bayley stops Roxie from talking to say she isn’t done yet. When Roxie lost the title, she lost her mind. When Bayley lost, she kept pushing forward. That is why next Monday on Raw, when she has her qualifying match, Bayley will win and go on to Elimination Chamber to then go on to WrestleMania!
Roxie rolls her eyes but the fans cheer Bayley. Bayley says Roxie is just losing herself. And in the process of her hissy fit, she might just lose her best friend, too. So when it comes to Bayley and the NXT Women’s Championship, if Bayley doesn’t win, she’ll be just fine. Will Roxie be? The fans chant “NO! NO!” But Roxie says Bayley doesn’t get it. When it comes to that title, Roxie has no friends. Roxie has no mentors, and right now in the WWE, Roxie has no equal. So uh, Bayley can talk all she wants, but at Vengeance Day, Roxie wins back that title! Then she’ll win the title on Raw, and maybe even win the title on SmackDown!
And IF Roxie decides to vacate the NXT title, then maybe Cora can finally win it. Bayley sighs, but here comes Giulia! The Beautiful Madness has waited long enough, and she has a mic as she joins Bayley and Roxie in the ring. Giulia stares Roxie down, then tells her ENOUGH! Roxie, you are nothing without a title! And Bayley, trust Giulia when she says she’ll beat you, too. At Vengeance Day, one of them will survive the Beautiful Madness. WAIT, here comes Charlotte! The Queen said she’d show up looking for “inspiration,” and she keeps her word! The 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble winner struts to the ring, and Orlando is as torn as Cleveland was about it.
The chants of “Welcome Back!” duel with “NO!” but Charlotte tells NXT that “Mama has come home! Yes, Your Queen has arrived! Y’know why? Because I am NXT homegrown! And NXT will always be my home. So wait, wait, wait, guys, do you remember the last time I won the Women’s Rumble? And I selected the NXT Women’s Champion to face at WrestleMania? And I became the TWO-TIME NXT Women’s’ Champion?” Fans do remember, but maybe they didn’t like that. Charlotte tells Roxie, 1:07:47, DAMN that is impressive. Roxie is the Ironwoman, and Charlotte is proud of her. But here’s the thing, if Roxie is champion come WrestleMania, she’ll just be runner-up again.
Charlotte tells Giulia the “champ,” the hype is real! Charlotte respects Giulia, she wants to be in the ring to shake her hand because she is the champion of the GREATEST Women’s Division int he world! But guess what? Charlotte’s better~! The fans definitely boo that. Charlotte says hold on, she’s not done. Bayley, this is a moment for everyone to join in. Giulia can just ask Bayley how when Charlotte goes for a championship, she wins it. WOO~! The Queen has made her statement, but then CORA JADE attacks! She SMACKS Bayley with the kendo stick, SMACKS Giulia with it, and then SMACKS Bayley again! And she SMACKS Giulia again!
Roxie has Cora hold on. They’re friends, right? NOPE! Cora takes a swing so Roxie goes running! Cora heard Roxie say that there aren’t friends when it comes to this title, so Cora holds up the NXT Women’s Championship to say that’s going to be hers! She SMACKS Bayley again for good measure, will this inspire Charlotte’s decision?
Ava Raine moderates a face-to-face between Ethan Page and Je’Von Evans.
The NXT General Manager, and a few security guards, stand between All Ego and Young OG as she reminds them that this is just to talk. Ethan says don’t worry, he will personally be on his best behavior. And the only reason he hasn’t cracked Je’Von in the jaw already is that Ethan made a promise to the Final Boss. Ava has Je’Von understand that last week was the second time he stormed out to the ring, fought with security and with Ethan, even though he’s not even cleared to be here. Ava is left with no choice but to suspend Je’Von. What? But Ethan is the one who started this! Ethan has “Boss” Ava hear him out. Je’Von shouldn’t be suspended, but he should be punished.
And Je’Von can be punished by being in a match… with Ethan. Je’Von says #SayLess! Ava says alright, fine. They can have the match, only if Je’Von gets medically cleared. Je’Von says bet! Ethan says he hopes it happens. Ava says they’re lucky she’s even considering this, and they should go. Security ushers Ethan out in one direction and Je’Von the other. Will the Young OG return to 100% so that he can have vengeance on Ethan?
Josh Briggs talks with Hank ‘n’ Tank.
Briggs tells them about needing a team to face next week, and Tank says Big Briggs & Big Yoshiki VS the Big Belly Boys, that’s a match. They shake hands on it, but what about the talk Inamura had with Myles & Heights? The camera follows Hank ‘n’ Tank, but then spots The D’Angelos and Izzi talking. Stacks is frustrated, but then he gets mad as Ridge steps up! Tony has everyone calm down, and Ridge tells Tony that judging by the look on The Don’s face, they both know that if Ridge gets a true 1v1, Ridge can take that North American Championship. Tony says they had that two weeks ago, but Ridge says that was a joke!
And Tony’s new little friend, Izzi, cost him that match. Tony says Izzi’s not his friend. Ridge says there are people watching Tony’s every move, and Ridge doesn’t trust any of them. Izzi says why not settle it in a Steel Cage match. Ridge likes the sound of that. Tony says fine, Steel Cage it is. But he doesn’t need his family to beat Ridge. Ridge chuckles then heads out. Why does it feel like this is a trap? And even if it’s not, will Tony make it out of that cage in one piece?
Kelani Jordan VS Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis!
The Standout has been feeling stepped over and pushed aside, and she won’t stand for it any longer! Will NXT find that no one does bad attitude like Lani? Or will the karate girl kick Kelani’s sass?
NXT returns as Karmen makes her entrance, Ashante THEE Adonis by her side. The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Kelani shoves Karmen away, and the fans rally up. The two tie up again, go around, and end up on ropes. The ref counts, the two break, and then go again. Kelani slips around to full nelson, then she snapmares Karmen to basement DROPKICK! Cover, ONE! Kelani headlocks, but Karmen powers up and out, only for Kelani to run her over! Karmen goes to a corner, the fans rally, and Adonis offers water. Karmen says no thanks, but Kelani says Karmen and Ashante aren’t a real couple!
Karmen rushes up, Kelani dodges, but Karmen KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Karmen stomps away on Kelani in the corner, then lets off at 4. Karmen SWEEPS the legs, then runs to SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! Karmen clamps onto Kelani with a cording hold, and the fans rally as Kelani fights up. Kelani puts Karmen in the corner, then RAMS her! And RAMS her again! The ref counts, Kelani lets off, and Kelani whips corner to corner. Karmen goes up to SOBAT Kelani, then she BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Karmen clamps onto Kelani’s arm again, and the fans rally up. Kelani fights up, wrenches, but Karmen ducks the kick, only for the CALF KICK to hit!
The fans rally as Karmen goes to ropes. Kelani runs up, slingshot arm-drags, then she SHOTGUNS Karmen to the corner. Kelani runs in, but Karmen slips to the outside. Kelani blocks the punch to BOOT Karmen down! Karmen tumbles to the floor, Kelani takes aim, but Ashante shoves Karmen out of the way to take the PLANCHA! Kelani is upset, but then wait! Here comes Jaida Parker! Jaida says she hasn’t forgotten about Kelani, but then Kelani turns around into the DIVE from Karmen! Karmen drags Kelani up and into the ring, then storms up to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Kelani survives, Jaida says that was close, and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns again and Karmen trades forearms with Kelani! Karmen SOBATS, whips, but Kelani LARIATS! Kelani fires a flurry on Karmen, CHOPS then whips, CARTWHEEL BACK ELBOW! Jaida is on commentary and asks what even was that. Kelani kips up, then kicks Karmen to bring her in, X-FACTOR! Cover, TWO! Karmen stays in this and Jaida is amused as Kelani fireman’s carries Karmen. Karmen slips free, shoves Kelani at a corner, but Kelani elbows Karmen away! Kelani runs up, Karmen blocks the kick, and she ducks the enzigiri! Kelani runs up, Karmen dodges, and Karmen hits forearm after forearm! DISCUS LARIAT!
The fans fire up and Karmen scowls as she brings Kelani up. Karmen KICKS and KICKS, Kelani ducks one, but the HOOK KICK hits! Karmen runs to LARIAT and cover, TWO! Kelani scrambles to the corner, Karmen runs in, but Kelani BOOTS her! Kelani goes up, but Karmen grabs her for the STRATUSPHERE! Cover, TWO! Kelani survives and Karmen grows frustrated. Ashante coaches Karmen and she reels Kelani in again. TORNADO- NO, Kelani stops the DDT to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Kelani floats through to drag Karmen up, but Karmen rolls Kelani! TWO, and both women hurry up!
Karmen KCIKS Kelani, whips her, but Kelani reverses. Karmen goes up, Kelani stops the kick, and Kelani torture racks for the OLYMPIC SLAM! Kelani goes up to be ONE OF A KIND! But she then glares at Jaida before she hits another ONE OF A KIND! Fans want that ‘ONE MORE TIME!” but Kelani clamps on a REAR NAKED CHOKE! Karmen taps, Kelani wins!
Winner: Kelani Jordan, by submission
But she’s not done?! She clamps the REAR NAKED CHOKE on again! Jaida is laughing as Kelani makes Karmen suffer! Refs rush out here to stop Kelani, and Jaida mocks, “Aw, poor baby.” The senior referee then says they need to reverse the decision! Now KARMEN wins!!
Winner: Karmen Petrovic, by disqualification
Kelani is pissed! And she’s angry at Jaida for it! Jaida mocks Kelani more, but will Kelani prove she’s legit?
NXT Media catches up to Stephanie Vaquer.
The reporter says it was a big weekend with Vaquer’s Royal Rumble debut, and it was a big match tonight with that win over Jacy. What can we expect from her at Vengeance Day? Vaquer says she has burned through everything in her path, and rises to the top. Vaquer sees Lola Vice walk past, but neither of them says a word. Vaquer then says Fallon Henley’s title reign is going to end, because “the eyes of The Dark Angel are on the North American title. Vengeance Day, I will make history, because I’ve come to NXT to be champion. Jacy can’t help you. Jazmyn can’t help you. Fallon, I will see you… in Hell!”
Bayley barges into Ava’s office.
Ava is in the middle of talking with Fraxiom when Bayley tells “I want that b*tch in a match!” Ava asks which one. Bayley wants Cora! Okay, okay, but Bayley has her qualifier on Monday, and- Bayley says yeah, she knows. Ava can give Bayley to her tomorrow, next Tuesday, or Hell, even in the title match! Bayley just wants Cora! Okay, then next week it is. Bayley heads out, and Ava goes back to Fraxiom, only for Briggs & Inamura to both barge in. And they each want to request a tag match? Briggs says his team already agreed, but Inamura says so did his. Briggs got Hank ‘n’ Tank, Inamura got NQCC…
Fraxiom laughs, because this sounds familiar. Ava says well, as a tag team, they should really communicate with each other before talking with Ava, but this is an easy fix: Triple Threat, Briggs & Inamura VS Hank ‘n’ Tank VS NQCC. Done. Briggs & Inamura thank Ava, and Frazer says if those two wanted action, they certainly got it. Axiom agrees, and says that if Briggs & Inamura can get through both those teams, then they really do deserve a title match. Ava agrees with all of that. Will Briggs & Inamura prove they’re a true team by taking down two of the best?
Backstage interview with A-Town Down Under.
Sarah Schreiber is with Waller & Theory as they walk up to gorilla, and she says after talking with both Oba and Trick, they’re clearly pissed off. Waller says he would be, too, because ATDU is here to expose these fops! ATDU runs NXT! They’re the best tag team in the WWE! Theory says he and Waller check off all the boxes! They can’t be denied! And they’re gonna put it down #AllDay! Think of this as a preview of Vengeance Day, where Waller finally becomes NXT Champion! Theory asks Waller what he just said, and if Waller wants to be real, Theory’s gonna be champ. Waller says, “Me, you, we, there’s gonna be a new NXT Champion at Vengeance Day.”
Theory says yeah, that much is true. But the music hits, time for their match! Wait, the mysterious test screen is behind them… Will the Grayson Waller Effect be in full effect tonight? Or is that just a theory when put up against The Ruler and Tricky Two-Time-Two-Time?
Oba Femi & Trick Williams VS A-Town Down Under!
NXT returns and Trick makes his entrance first, followed by Oba’s. The chant becomes “WHOOP DAT TRICK! HOO!” The teams sort out, Oba starts against Theory, but then Trick tags in with some stank! The chant of “WHOOP DAT TRICK! HOO!” continues while Trick and Oba argue, but then Theory attacks! Theory throws hands, bumps Trick off buckles, then RAMS into Trick again and again! Theory talks trash, whips Trick to ropes, but Trick whips Theory away to then dodge and CLOBBER him! And CLOBBER him! And DROPKICK! Trick argues with Oba again, but Oba tells Trick to stay on Theory.
Trick runs at Theory in a corner, Theory dodges! Theory slingshots in to somersault SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! Theory drags Trick up, brings him over, tag to Waller. ATDU mugs Trick while the fans boo. Waller stalks Trick to a corner, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS! The fans fire up hearing that one! Waller mocks Oba’s strut, ROCKS Trick, then swings, but Trick dodges to CHOP! Trick whips Waller corner to corner but Waller goes up and over. Waller ducks, hurdles, but the LEG LARIAT finds him! And another one! Trick reels Waller in for a BIG suplex! The fans fire up for “WHOOP DAT TRICK! HOO!”
Trick scoops and SLAMS Waller, then tells Oba that’s how it’s done. But then Oba tags in! Oba tells Trick this is how it’s done, but here comes Theory! Oba scoops Theory to SLAM him! But Waller is up to JAB Oba! Waller goes to scoop, but Oba’s too big and strong! As such, Oba scoops and SLAMS Waller! Oba brings Waller up, but Trick tags in. Trick scoops Waller to SLAM him, and Trick argues with Oba again. Waller RAMS Trick into Oba, then runs up again. Trick dodges to kick, then Trick whips. Waller reverses, Trick ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Oba trips Trick! Oba drags Trick out and they argue! Waller FLIES and takes them both out!
Waller and Theory stand tall, and Theory says that’s #AllDay, while NXT goes picture in picture.
Waller drags Trick up, puts him in, and KNEES Trick down. Waller drags Trick up, CLUBS him, then flexes. Waller tags Theory, Theory jump stomps Trick down, then Theory soaks up heat. Theory brings Trick up, DECKS him, then soaks up more heat. Theory drags Trick up, whips him hard into buckles, and Trick falls in a heap. Theory drags Trick to ropes to stand on him! The ref counts, Theory steps off at 4, and he then CHOKES Trick on ropes! The ref counts, Theory steps off at 4, and Theory talks smack on Trick. Waller gets a cheap shot in while the ref is busy with Oba! Theory brings Trick up but Trick fires elbows and haymakers!
Trick whips, Theory reverses, then Theory scoops Trick on the rebound for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Theory tags Waller, Waller stomps Trick, and Waller covers, TWO! Waller rains down forearms to the back of Trick’s neck! Waller pulls Trick back with a chinlock stretch, but Trick endures while the fans rally up. Waller stomps Trick down, drags him up, and fires forearms against ropes. Theory helps mug Trick, then Theory tags in. Theory brings Trick around, but Trick fights the suplex. Trick suplexes Theory in return! NXT returns to single picture and the fans rally up with more “WHOOP DAT TRICK! HOO!”
Trick crawls, but Theory stomps him on the back! Theory drags Trick up to rain fists down into Trick’s cheek! Theory tags Waller, then Theory ROCKS Trick! Wailer JUMP KNEES, and Theory somersault BLOCKBUSTERS! Waller BLATS Oba then covers Trick, TWO! Trick survives but Waller has a cravat. The fans rally, Trick fights up, but Waller fires knee after knee! Down goes Trick and Waller covers, TWO! Waller HAMMERS Trick down, talking trash as he does! Waller then isolates an arm to drop an elbow on it! Trick kicks from below, but Waller hits a FALLING FOREARM! Cover, TWO!
Theory argues the count but Waller drags Trick up by his hair. Waller has a SLEEPER, but Trick hits a JAWBREAKER! Waller sputters, Trick wobbles, but Waller ROCKS Trick first! Trick staggers, Waller clinches to fire knees! Waller TOSSES Trick to the apron, then runs up, but Trick ROCKS Waller first! Theory BOOTS Trick in the distraction! Waller then slides out to LARIAT Trick down! The fans boo but Waller stands on the barriers. Waller BALLER ELBOW DROPS to the floor! Waller then puts Trick back in the ring, lines up his shot, and runs up to somersault into a pop-up UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Trick takes Waller down!
The fans fire up while both men crawl, but Theory tags first! Theory drags Trick back, but Trick BOOTS him away! Hot tag to Oba! The fans fire up as Oba CLOBBERS Theory, CLBOBERS him again, then TOSSES Waller in just because! Oba runs at Theory, Theory BOOTS him, then Theory goes up. But Oba CHOPS first! Waller runs up, Oba fireman’s carries him! Oba adds Theory to the stack, DOUBLE SAMOAN DROP!! The fans are thunderous for Oba’s overwhelming strength, and he UPPERCUTS Waller in a corner! Then he UPPERCUTS Theory in the other! And repeat! And repeat! And then SHOTPUT for Theory!
Oba is all fired up, but Trick tags in! The fans actually boo because Oba was on a roll! Waller sneaks the tag, Trick LARIATS Theory out, but Waller runs up! Waller sidesteps Trick to ROLLING ELBOW! Waller taunts Oba with the barking, but then he runs into a SPIN KICK from Trick! Cover, Theory breaks it! Oba storms in, Theory dodges to LEBOW him! But Oba still pops Theory up! But Theory RANAS Oba and himself out! Trick aims at Waller, but EDDY THORPE LASHES TRICK WITH A LEATHER STRAP!! Trick staggers, into the somersault FLATLINER! Cover, ATDU wins!!
Winners: A-Town Down Under, by pinfall
The Alpha Wolf then gets in the ring, strap wrapped around his fist! He wants to fight whoever, but Oba simply stares him down. Oba doesn’t care about Eddy anymore, he leaves. So Eddy beats up on Trick! The fans boo, but Eddy says get ready to whoop this! He LASHES Trick again, and again, and again! And again, and again, and again! Refs rush the ring, but Eddy stands over Trick, strap in hand. Is the Alpha Wolf going to have his own vengeance at Vengeance Day?
Wait, speaking of, the test screen returns. And then, we get a look at four shadowy figures, before the video cuts away. Is there about to be an invasion?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT with a lot more set up for Vengeance Day, but also some great intrigue towards the new NXTNA partnership. Lexis King’s promo wasn’t bad, he just took his time getting to his point. And his point was apparently that his Face turn was an act all along, all to get the Heritage Cup. Maybe it was an act, maybe the “real” reason was that it was too hard for Lexis to do the right thing and he gave up. Either way, very intriguing that he and the Heritage Cup are being used for a crossover where Fandango returns to NXT, but of course as his TNA persona, “JDC.” That will be a very good match, but I would think Lexis wins, even if he has to blatantly cheat.
Good promo from Ethan VS Je’Von, but no Unsanctioned Match like I was hoping for. Maybe that’s too much for someone still so young like Je’Von. I would think Ethan will try to keep Je’Von from being medically cleared, only for it to fail and then Ethan has no choice but to face Je’Von. Very good “Vengeance Day Summit” for the NXT Women’s Championship story, especially the stuff from Bayley and Roxie. Charlotte showing up here was very fitting, and the same goes for Cora. Cora attacking Bayley and Giulia almost got her in the title match because Bayley brought that up herself. Maybe if Cora cheats and beats Bayley next week, we’ll end up with a Fatal 4 Way.
Very good stuff with the tag title story. For one, Fraxiom plugged their NXT Tag Team Championship match with Nic & Ryan Nemeth, that’s cool. Second, Briggs & Inamura getting themselves into a Fraxiom style situation is clever. That Triple Threat Tag is going to be great stuff, and lends itself to Briggs & Inamura coming away with the win since they can just opportunistically strike. It’s a little odd that this is how Briggs & Inamura find themselves as challengers instead of winning matches week after week, but with only the two hours and no Level Up anymore, there just wasn’t room for that and all the other stories.
Though, to that point, not sure we ever really needed the Karmen x Adonis saga. That ended up kinda secondary to this thing with Kelani, per what we saw tonight. Very good match from Kelani VS Karmen, and Jaida showing up was enough to anger Kelani. I did not think we were going to see “referee reverses the decision” as a result ever again, so very clever to revive it here. We’re getting some interesting developments in The D’Angelo Family story. Stacks being passive aggressive to Tony all because of Izzi is certainly odd. But as I’ve been sensing, Izzi has to be playing double agent somehow. She suggested the cage match, so there’s a chance she helps Ridge win, then reveals she’s been on Shawn Spears’ side all along.
Good promo to set up Sol & Zaria VS Gigi & Tatum. A little disappointing that the trio of Gigi, Tatum & Shotzi already seem on the downturn, but Sol & Zaria looked great in their win tonight. They’ll have a very good match with Lash & Jakara, I’m just not sure the endgame. I suppose it still depends on how the Women’s Tag Team Championship story with Naomi & Bianca is going to go. Vaquer VS Jacy was good, though maybe there was some kind of miscue with Jazmyn’s interference? Vaquer still looks good in her win, and she has a good promo that not only calls out Fallon, but hints at a little something with Lola. Maybe Lola will challenge Vaquer for the Women’s North American Championship on the other side of Vengeance Day.
Very good promos from Oba, Trick and A-Town Down Under before their tag match tonight. That tag match was really good, but of course Trick and Oba fell apart as a team. This gives ATDU momentum going into Vengeance Day, but mostly because they aren’t winning. Eddy going after Trick was a wild surprise, but it’s clear we’re getting a Strap Match between them now. And speculation is already abound for that new group of four. Are they underappreciated NXT superstars? Are they free agents joining NXT? A bit of both? I’m sure there will be more speculation, or even someone close to these four leaking that information, but we can only hope the faction works out and they get to do some great stuff on NXT.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Road to New Beginning Results & Report! (2/4/25)
Rogue Luchador VS Japanese Young Punk!
Will there be a Mighty new champion?
Though already IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, Kosei Fujita wants to be THE Junior Heavyweight Champion! Can he do it? Or will El Desperado still be the Best of the Super Juniors?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Togi Makabe & Daiki Nagai; Makabe & Nagai win.
- 8 Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Jado, Shota Umino & Master Wato VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- Boltin Oleg & Tomoaki Honma VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
- Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Taiji Ishimori; Sanada & Taiji win, by disqualification.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; Double Count Out Draw.
- 8 Man Tag: Chaos VS TMDK; Chaos wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Kosei Fujita; Desperado wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the 8 Man Tag: Team Phantasmo VS The United Empire…
While victory was good enough for Jeff Cobb and the others, The Great-O-Khan attacks Shota Umino! The fans are torn as Khan CLOBBERS Shota, then sends him back into the ring. Khan stomps away, then he hits a SAYANAGI! Khan then goes out to fetch a pair of scissors! Khan goes back to Shota, sits him up, and starts cutting away Shota’s air! Khan revels in the trophy he just took from The Roughneck, and the fans continue to be torn. Khan stomps Shota, then leaves him behind, but the message seems rather clear. Will Khan look to humiliate Shota in a Hair VS Hair grudge match?
Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Taiji Ishimori!
Every time The Holy Emperor has gone after Cold Blooded Sanada in these tag matches, Sanada has found a way to frame Taichi and get him disqualified! Surely Sanada can’t keep this up forever, will this be the moment of his comeuppance? Or will he still get the better of his furious former friend?
Well, to start, Taichi & Taka attack Sanada & Taiji during their entrance! The fans fire up as Taichi goes right after Sanada with kicks, then he POSTS Sanada! Taichi CHOKES Sanada, Taka keeps Taiji away, and then Taichi shoves Sanada into railing. The ref reprimands but he can’t do much else, this isn’t a match yet! The brawls spill out into the crowd, and Taichi whips, only for Sanada to reverse! Taichi clips a chair, then Sanada goes after him! Taiji CLAWS Taka’s eyes, and Sanada SMACKS Taichi off the “West” sign! Taiji takes a water bottle, takes a swig, then MISTS Taka in the face! Fans rally for Taichi as Sanada brings Taichi back to ringside.
Sanada whips, but Taichi reverses, and Sanada hits railing hard! The fans cheer, but Taiji still CHOKES Taka! Taichi storms up on Sanada, brings him around and puts him in the ring. The fans cheer again, but then Taiji anchors Taichi’s foot. The bell rings, and Sanada KICKS ropes to jam Taichi up! Sanada then suplexes Taichi onto ropes for MAGIC SCREW! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY PRESS! The fans are torn but Sanada just soaks it all up. Sanada brings Taichi up, but Taka BOOTS him! Taiji kicks and whips Taka, but Taka reverses, only for Taiji to handspring and NEURALIZER KICK!
Taiji says BANG, and BLOODY- NO, Taka fights out, UPPERCUTS, and MICHINOKU DRIVERS! Taka scoops Sanada, Sanada slips free, but Taka fights the dragon sleeper! SUPER K! AX BOMBER from Taichi! The fans fire up and Taichi TAKES OFF HIS PANTS! The fans fire up more as Taichi takes aim. TENSHO- NO, the ref is sent at Taichi! Taichi pushes the ref aside, Sanada blocks the kick, then fakes the low blow! But the ref saw it this time, Sanada’s trick won’t work! Sanada gets mad at the ref, then he kicks at Taichi. Taichi blocks the kick and he wants the ref to see this! LOW BLOW!!
Winners: Sanada & Taiji Ishimori, by disqualification
If Sanada wants it that bad, Taichi will give it to him! Taka can’t understand, but consider it a moral victory for Taichi. But he isn’t done, TENSHO JUJIHO for Sanada! Taichi RIPS the “F Just5Guys” shirt off Sanada, then tells him this is what he gets! Taichi storms out of the ring, to grab a chair! Taichi then goes back for Sanada, but Taka and Young Lions tell him not to! Taichi shoves them all aside, storms into the ring, but again he has to push Young Lions and even Taka out of the way! Taichi aims as Sanada sits up, but Taka stops Taichi. Taka says Taichi only has to wait a week, then he can get Sanada in Osaka.
Sanada slips away, and Taichi scares Taiji off. Will the Holy Emperor’s wrath be satisfied when he ends this at The New Beginning?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Kosei Fujita!
The Rogue Luchador’s been on quite the roller coaster ride the past 13 months. He wins this title at WrestleKingdom 18 off his long time rival, Hiromu Takahashi. He loses this title to that cheating Murder Machine, Sho, in Sapporo. He wins Best of the Super Juniors 2024 to then win this title back in a Steel Cage Match, also in Sapporo, only to lose it to his old friend, Douki, only a few weeks later. And then, Desperado wins this title back from Douki, only because Douki crashed and burned at WrestleKingdom 19. Will Despy find himself back on the rise? Or will the Japanese Young Punk send him plummeting back down?
The introductions are made, Desperado’s belt is raised, and we see who is truly the mightiest Junior Heavyweight!
The bell rings and the fans rally and duel. The “FU-JI-TA!” is fairly loud compared to the “DE-SU-PEY!” Despy and Fujita circle, tie up, and feel it out. They clinch, Fujita waistlocks, Despy facelocks, they move around, and Despy tries again. Fujita slips free to float for a later press but Despy’s right up. Despy facelocks yet again, Fujita slips to a waistlock, but Despy arm-drags for a wristlock. Fujita headscissors, Despy moves around, turns Fujita over, and then has the legs. Despy floats back to the facelock, but Fujita fights up to wrench and wristlock. Despy grabs the ROPEBREAK, and the fans applaud. Fujita lets off with pats on the shoulders, and fans cheer again.
Despy stays cool as he and Fujtia reset. They tie up again, and Despy hammerlocks. Fujita switches that onto Despy, Despy switches it back onto Fujita, and they go again and again and again! Despy spins Fujita to then wrangle him, but Fujita rolls to his feet. Despy wrenches, Fujita rolls through and CHOPS! Despy grins and CHOPS in return! The fans rally as Fujita comes back to CHOP! Despy grins again, and then CHOPS! Fujita fires up and CHOPS! The CHOPS keep going back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! Neither man is backing down, and the CHOPS just keep going faster and faster!
The fans fire up, and finally Despy feels it! Fujita CHOPS again, eggs Despy on, so Despy gets the fans fired up. Despy CHOPS and Fujita feels that one! Fujita grins and shakes out his arm to CHOP again! Despy almost laughs, then he comes back to CHOP! Fujita CHOPS, Despy CHOPS, and they’re back at it again! Despy CHOPS and Fujita feels that one! The fans fire up again, and Fujita comes back with another CHOP! And another CHOP! But then Despy ducks one to trip Fujita, STRETCH MUFFLER! Fujita scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Despy drags Fujita back to SPLASH the leg! The fans rally while Despy feels that stinging in his chest.
Despy steps over Fujita’s leg to drop a knee on the knee! Despy whips, Fujita reverses, wrenches, and drop toeholds! Fujita ties the legs up fast, and he has the arms! Fujita pulls back for the modified surfboard! Then Fujita manages the NEMESIS SPECIAL! Despy flails, but then he pries the chinlock apart! Fujita shoves him down, shifts to get the arm, and he uses CLARKY CAT! Despy flails and has the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets go in frustration, and the fans rally as Despy goes to the apron. Fujita brings Despy up, bumps him off buckles, then takes a swing. But Despy blocks and HOTSHOTS that arm!
Fujita falls back and the fans rally up again. Fujita PENALTY KICKS from the apron! Then he ASAI MOON- NO, Despy catches Fujita! And he LAWN DARTS Fujita into the POST! Fujita falls and the fans fire up! Despy catches his breath and shakes out his arm while Red Shoes checks Fujita. Fujita is still in this, so Despy refreshes the ring count. Despy drags Fujita up, whips him and Fujita hits railing! Fujita falls over, Despy storms over, and Despy drags Fujita up to pull him against a post. Despy SLINGS the arm into the post! Fujita falls, Despy goes to the ring, and the fans duel again. Fujita rises, hobbles, and the ring count starts again.
Despy paces while Fujita rises. Fujita rolls in at 9 of 20 and the fans cheer. Despy drags Fujita up to YANK the bad arm, and Fujita drops to his knees. Despy stomps Fujita, then puts him in a corner. Fujita CHOPS, but Despy scuffs Fujita. Despy whips corner to corner, runs up, and he blocks a boot to KICK the other leg! Despy then DRAGON SCREWS Fujita down! Despy steps through to drop a leg on the knee, then he ties Fujita up in a DEATHLOCK! The fans rally while Fujita endures, and Fujita CHOPS! Despy puts pressure on the knees but Fujita still CHOPS! Despy grabs Fujita’s arm, KIMURA, and even a headscissor!
Fujita endures, Despy shifts to have both arms! Fujita endures this Zack Sabre Jr. level combination of submissions while the fans rally up! Despy shifts to have a cover, TWO! Fujita is still in this and the fans cheer, but Despy looms over him. Despy drags Fujita up, but Fujita pushes his hand away. Fujita CHOPS, but there wasn’t much behind it. Despy eggs him on, so Fujita CHOPS again. Despy CHOPS and Fujita staggers to a corner. Despy whips corner to corner, Fujita reverses, then runs up. Despy puts Fujita on the apron, then kicks the bad leg! Fujita falls to the floor, and Despy builds speed! But Fujita GAMANGIRIS the dive!
The fans fire up as Fujita rises. Fujita slingshots up and over, comes back, and CROSSBODIES! Despy falls while Fujita tumbles out. Fujita then resets, and he ASAI MOONSAULTS! The fans fire up again as Fujita stands tall! Fujita brings Despy up, puts him in the ring, then stalks behind him. Despy stands, Fujita facelocks, but Despy fights the suplex! Despy fires body shots, then knees low. Despy whips Fujita to a corner, but Fujita reverses! Fujita runs up, Despy puts him on the apron again, but Despy ROCKS Fujita first! Fujita springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Fujita roars!
Fujita stalks Despy, deadlifts him, but Despy throws Fujita down for a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Then he shifts to a KIMURA! Fujita fights, Despy pulls on the arm, but Fujita scoops to SLAM Despy down! The fans fire up and Fujita KICKS Despy in the back! Fujita PENALTY KICKS, but Despy grits his teeth! Despy eggs Fujita on, so Fujita KICKS again! Fujita runs, but Despy blocks the kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! STRETCH MUFFLER! Fujita throws Despy away, dodges him, and GAMANGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fujita crawls to ropes, drags himself up, and the fans rally again.
Fujita brings Despy up, but it’s Despy who suplexes high and hard! Despy then SPEARS Fujita, hauls him up, and hits a BIG back suplex! Despy keeps going as he gut wrenches Fujita, GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives, the fans rally up, and Despy rises again. Despy drags Fujita up, reels him in, and underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Fujita RANAS Despy down to then get an ARMBAR! Despy fights around but Fujita turns that into CLARKY CAT!! Despy endures, fights as Fujita pulls, but Fujita cording holds the arm! Then he scissors the arm, and grabs a leg! Despy still fights, kicks, and he manages to kick Fujita!
But Fujita grabs that leg to add a HALF CRAB to the mix! Despy endures being twisted around! Despy uses his one free leg to kick around as the fans are thunderous again! Fujita pulls on the leg with all his might but Despy still endures! Despy tries to find a point of leverage, but Fujita uses that to stack him! Cover, TWO!!! Despy escapes, but Fujita PENALTY KICKS! Fujita roars and the fans are with him! Fujita storms back up, waistlocks, and deadlifts! Despy fights the German Suplex, but Fujita still lifts! Despy fights, flails, goes to ropes, but Fujita uses that to O’Conner Roll, CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, TWO!!!
The fans are thunderous again as Despy survives! Fujita roars and slashes his throat, vowing to end this now! Fujita drags Despy up but he’s a ragdoll! Fujita stomps Despy, then drags him up with a facelock. Fujita CRANKS on the hold, it’s almost a Guillotine Facelock! Despy CLAWS at Fujita, but Fujita just CRANKS the facelock! Then he suplexes, ABANDON- STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE?! Despy busts that out in desperation and now both men are down again! The fans rally up, Fujita sputters and crawls, and he rises to his feet. Fujita drags Despy up, Despy fires body shots, then he shoves Fujita away.
Despy sits up and eggs Fujita on, so Fujita CHOPS! The fans rally as Fujita CHOPS again! Despy stands, Fujita CHOPS! Fujita drags Despy up, CHOPS, and CHOPS, but then Despy CHOPS! Despy drops to his knees, but he still CHOPS again! Despy is running on fumes, but he still CHOPS! Fujita storms up to CHOP again! Despy KICKS the bad arm! Fujita tries but his warm won’t let him chop! Despy ROCKS Fujita, but Fujita HEEL KICKS Despy down! The fans fire up again and Fujita brings Despy around, for a CHOP! Despy grabs that arm for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Despy uses an S grip, and more like a crossface hold on the arm, but it’s very effective!
Fujita fights around, Despy pulls and even pushes on the arm as he changes angles! The fans rally as hard as they can while Fujita endures, and he powers up with his one good arm! Fujita stands, but Despy fishhook shim! Despy spins him, underhooks him, and TIGER DRIVERS!! Despy keeps the underhooks, rolls Fujita around, and then hauls him up for PINCHE- NO!! Fujita BACKDROPS Despy, with a bridge! TWO as Despy bridges up!! Despy keeps the arms hooked, and he powers up to PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, DESPY WINS!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Fujita put up a fight worthy of being The Mighty! But even though The Mighty Don’t Kneel, Fujita could not stand tall in the end! Despy is given the belt by Red Shoes, and he either taunts or motivates Fujita with it. Fujita stands to SLAP Despy, then he flops back down. He still has spirit, but what will it take for the Japanese Young Punk to become the Best of the Super Juniors?
As for Desperado, he gets the mic, and though the fans are cheering him, he says he’s had his fill, give it up for Fujita. The fans chant for Fujita now, proud of his fight. Despy then asks Fujita, “How about it? Frustrating, huh?” If the guy who beat him told the fans to cheer him on, Despy would probably crawl away into a hole somewhere. But does the Young Punk get it now? Yeah? Okay, good. Despy notes how during this Road to series, Fujita came after Despy pretty hard, but Despy knows Fujita has business to handle in Osaka, so good luck. Despy says it’s more fun when someone else is doing this, so he wants to wrap this up already.
The fans chuckle, and Despy dismisses Fujita so he can go home. Despy says when you work hard, sometimes you get hurt, even by your colleagues. But sometimes, they get support like this from the fans, and that makes it fun. It still hurts, but Despy still wants to do this. It’s also fun that fans can shout what they want, even if it’d upset Despy, but it’s fine here in this space. He even dares fans to say what they want, like he’s an idiot or he should just go home, even that he should die! So long as they come here to say it, he’ll welcome it.
Despy continues by saying he has a lot he still wants to do, and he even has an idea of who he wants to face next. The fans like the sound of that! Despy says he’s keeping it secret but the fans want to know! Despy says he’s not telling~! Now, Despy doesn’t have a match for Osaka next week, February 11th, but Hirooki Goto VS Zack Sabre Jr. sounds like a good time to him. He hopes everyone will still watch the rest of Road to New Beginning, thank you very much. Despy drops the mic, gets the official announcement that he is still the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, and then he gets the streamers! Wait, his music cuts off?
And now, Francesco Akira’s music plays! The Nova Fireball makes his way out to the ring, and he grabs the mic now. Akira tells Desperado that he had an amazing match! Bravo, Despy, bravo! Akira says he still remembers tapping out to Despy two years ago, right here in Korakuen Hall. But even back then, Akira knew they were destined to battle for that title. That is why Akira is here today! The fans like the sound of that! Akira shifts to English to say, “Despy, I want this belt. And I want to take it from you in a special place for me.” He wants that match for the NJPW Anniversary Show in March! The fans cheer, and Akira pushes the mic back at Despy.
The fans cheer Akira on, and Despy says he remembers that match, too. Maybe not that it was two years ago or whatever, but it was in Best of the Super Juniors. Despy remembers he was giving Akira the runaround before TJP came to help. But Despy does remember that, and he remembers NJPW saying Akira’s name was one of the best. Despy’s a little surprised it took Akira this long to challenge him, especially when Despy hasn’t had the title that long. That said, Despy will gladly accept Akira’s challenge. The fans like the sound of that! But uh, donde esta tu jefe? Where is your boss? Where’s TJP? Doesn’t he need TJP’s approval?
Akira gets mad and shoves Despy! Despy shoves Akira back, things get heated, and Akira trips Despy! Akira throws hands and Young Lions hurry to stop this! Akira tells Despy not to screw around with him! Akira says he doesn’t need TJP, he doesn’t need anybody! Get back in here, Despy! Despy taunts Akira from afar, but then they both storm up to the center of the ring, even as Young Lions try to hold Akira back. Despy tells Akira to go home and calm down. Despy isn’t into Akira’s flash and fire, he shouldn’t just start a fight for no good reason. Who’s gonna have the title? Just listen to the song and you’ll understand.
Despy drops the mic and his music plays again. The New Beginning hasn’t even begun and things are getting spicy! Will Desperado turn down the heat on the Nova Fireball? Or will Akira finally blaze his own trail in NJPW?
My Thoughts:
A great event for Road to New Beginning, with a lot of great story stuff in post-match moments. Khan going after Shota’s hair as part of their feud is certainly an interesting move, given Khan really only has that ponytail now. At the same time, I don’t see Shota resetting back to a Young Lion buzzcut here. That could be a very interesting one right there. Taichi giving Sanada the win using the low blow was hilarious stuff, great comeuppance for Sanada. Their 1v1 match will be a lot of fun if trying to frame each other becomes their focus. LIJ and War Dogs ending in a count-out and then just brawling after is some good stuff, really adds to Yota VS Gabe for the Global Heavyweight Championship.
Chaos VS TMDK keeps happening to keep building up Goto VS ZSJ, not sure this one really added anything, other than seeing #BigJag Hartley taking a Shoto. Despy VS Fujita was awesome, though, probably Fujita’s best singles match yet. But in the end, great win for Despy, and then a somewhat surprising appearance by Akira. Despy pushing Akira’s buttons about how TJP is in charge was some good stuff. Despy VS Akira is going to be a great match for the Anniversary Show, but hard to say if Akira wins the title. The fans really like Despy, he’s been going strong, I’m not sure Akira has had that real breakthrough yet.
My Score: 8.8/10
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