Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/17/22)

Will Riddle have his revenge?

Published

3 years ago

June 17, 2022

Steven Mitchell

Will the Bro dethrone the Tribal Chief?

Matt Riddle has been on a mission, and he’s just one match away from completing it! Will SmackDown crown a NEW Undisputed Universal Champion?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Last Laugh Match: Mad Cap Moss VS Happy Corbin; Moss wins.
The New Day VS Jinder Mahal & Shanky; The New Day wins.
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Raquel Rodriguez VS Shayna Baszler; Raquel wins and advances to the Women’s MITB match.
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Matt Riddle; Roman wins and retains the title(s).

PLAY BY PLAY

Vince McMahon is here!

Rather interesting timing given what’s been in the news… But what will he have to say here tonight? Vince walks out on stage and then to the ring, a mixed reaction to be sure. Vince gets a mic and says, “It is a privilege as always to stand before you here tonight, the WWE Universe. Especially a privilege to stand here in this ring in Minnesota.” Fans cheer that, and Vince is here to remind us of the four words in the intro: Then, Now, Forever, and most importantly, Together. Welcome to SmackDown! Mic drop and an exit, but will that be the last we hear from him for some time?

Matt Riddle heads to the ring!

The Bro is ready for his Undisputed Universal Championship match in tonight’s main event, but he’s going to start off with a few words first. “Bro…! So, before I kick Roman Reigns in the head and take his WWE Undisputed Universal Championship, I want to take a stroll down memory lane, and take a look at the history between Roman Reigns, and myself.” He cues up a highlight reel going back to just last month, when the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Championships were unified. But of course, it was only thanks to interference from Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns that the Usos survived to win.

And that was only the beginning of the worst night in RKBRO’s partnership, as The Bloodline completely devastated Randy Orton. The Viper was already enduring back problems and who knows if RKBRO will ever be a thing again. But that was the moment Riddle swore vengeance! Riddle fought Sami Zayn just last week and won the opportunity he has here tonight. Riddle took the fight to the Usos and told Roman he was coming to smoke his ass! But if he fails, he will never be able to challenge Roman for the top title(s) again. Back to the present, the fans are fired up for Riddle and chant “BRO! BRO! BRO!”

Riddle says, “Man, I’ve been waiting a long time for this opportunity. And I know that all my friends and family are watching at home. But more importantly, my best bro and our friend, Randy, is watching at home.” Fans cheer for “RANDY! RANDY! RANDY!” Riddle tells Randy that he has a big surgery coming up, and we all wish him the best of luck. Riddle is sure Randy is worried about something going wrong, not being able to train again and do what he loves and does best. Riddle says we all miss Randy. We want Randy back! It won’t matter what shape Randy is in, Riddle will always love him. Fans cheer that sentiment and chant for Randy again.

Riddle says for 20 years, Randy Orton has been killing legends, won like a gajillion championships, and the RKO videos have gone viral worldwide! “Dude, you even lit the Undertaker on fire! That was sick, bro. That was sick. But most importantly, for the last 20 years, you’ve sacrificed everything to entertain us. And I think I can speak for the whole WWE Universe when I say this: Thank you, Randy.” Fans chant “Thank You, Randy!” and Riddle nods. Riddle says tonight, he challenges Roman for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship, and he thinks everyone here, and watching at home, and every bro in the back knows, Riddle’s dedicating this one to Randy!

And when Riddle returns to the back to get ready for the biggest match of his life, head held high and strutting like a Viper, Riddle thinks he’ll play something we haven’t heard in a long time, and hopefully hear again when Randy returns. Riddle nods and points to the tron, and Voices plays! Will Riddle truly unlock his inner Legend Killer and take down the Tribal Chief once and for all? Or will a Bro mean nothing to a man living in #GODMODE?

Last Laugh Match: Mad Cap Moss VS Happy Corbin!

The insults, the brawling, and even No Holds Barred was not enough to end this between raging Riddick and brazen Baron! But he who laughs last, laughs best. So who will feeling amazing after finally putting this one to rest?

SmackDown returns and Corbin makes his entrance. Fans boo as Corbin’s pyro hits and he goes to the ring. The bell rings, Corbin and Moss circle and fans chant, “CORBIN SUCKS!” Corbin rushes Moss, Moss hurdles, then ducks to CLOBBER Corbin! Corbin picks Moss up to put him in a corner but Moss dodges to ROCK Corbin! Corbin kicks Moss’ shin, then throws big forearms! Fans boo and Corbin is annoyed so he ROCKS Moss. Corbin runs corner to corner but Moss KNEES him away! Moss goes up, leaps, FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Fans fire up, Moss ROCKS Corbin again and knees low!

Moss puts Corbin in a corner, stomps a mudhole, then whips corner to corner. Corbin hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! Fans fire up and Moss brings Corbin up. Corbin ROCKS Moss back, then CHOKES Moss on the ropes! The ref counts, Corbin lets off at 4, and Moss sputters. Fans still chant “CORBIN SUCKS!” as Corbin ROCKS Moss again. Corbin whips Moss, then wraps him up in a half nelson chinbar! Corbin drags Moss down and leans on the hold. Moss endures, pries at the hold, and fans fire up. Moss gets up, but Corbin knees low. Corbin runs in but misses in the corner! Moss runs, ducks, dodges, clips and POUNCES Corbin!

Fans fire up with Moss and he runs in to RAM Corbin! Moss ROCKS Corbin with haymaker after haymaker! Corbin swings but misses, and then leaps into Moss’ arms! Moss hits a FALL AWAY SLAM! Moss brings Corbin up, reels him in, turns him, but no Punchline yet! Corbin POSTS Moss hard, and Moss flops to the floor! Fans boo but Corbin runs and slides out to CLOBBER Moss into the timekeeper’s area! Both men are down but Corbin is smiling as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and the two are brawling on the apron! Moss throws body shots and forearms, but Corbin knees low! Fans boo, but Corbin LARIATS Moss over the ropes and into the ring! Corbin then hoists Moss up top, climbs up and throws more hands. Moss hits back and fans fire up! Moss fires off more and more and more, then kicks at Corbin! Moss leaps to sunset flip, TWO! Corbin hurries up, Moss ducks and dodges him, but runs into a DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO! Corbin is frustrated but Minneapolis fires up again! Corbin drags Moss up, reels him in, then hoists Moss up. Moss slips out, but into a CHOKE SLAM!

Corbin catches his breath while Moss bails out. Corbin goes out after Moss but Moss kicks him low! Moss hurries into the ring, Corbin drags him back out and POSTS him again! Corbin goes in, but Moss drags Corbin out! Moss throws Corbin into the desk! Moss gets in, the count is 8 of 10! Corbin slides in at 9.9!! But into the PUNCHLINE! But Moss isn’t done there! He wants to punctuate this one! A SECOND PUNCHLINE!! Cover, Moss wins!

Winner: Mad Cap Moss, by pinfall

The hometown hero is victorious! Moss gets a mic to say, “Hey, Corbin. HAHAHAHAHA!” Moss truly has the last laugh, but will he be able to move on to bigger and better things?

The Street Profits are here!

They’re fired up backstage and tell the WWE Universe that it’s been awhile since they’ve been on SmackDown. “And my oh my did we pick the right time to show up on Friday Night SmackDown.” Moss got the last laugh, so Corbin isn’t so happy after all. But don’t forget tonight’s main event: Roman VS Riddle for THE Undisputed Universal Championship! Tonight? TONIGHT! But wait, who do you got? Dawks says Bros before Romes. But wait, then there will be only one set of undisputed champions in the Bloodline. Hmm…

Dawkins shouts, “JIMMY! JEY! We stacking all our chips in! Because it’s us versus you! And we want our babies back!!” Ford says they want a whole nursery for those titles! Because the Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! Will the Profits hit the jackpot in Vegas and be the ones to dethrone the Usos?

Happy Corbin gets a mic now.

He wants everyone to understand what just happened. Fans boo but he tells Pat McAfee that they’ve known each other a long, long time. Corbin hears Pat criticize him and make jokes. When Corbin was at rock bottom, Pat called him, “Bum Ass Corbin.” That was a good name. But then, Corbin hit it big and Pat still ran his mouth! Talking about the losses, about Happy Talk, and called him undeserving of pyro! Pat needs to watch his mouth, or else Corbin will drag him over the desk, throw his skinny ass in the ring and make him wish he were dead! Fans boo Corbin more, but how will Pat respond to being called out?

Well, we won’t have to wait long! Pat gets up from the desk to say, “Hold on now, Bum Ass Corbin! Before you walk out of this arena, I think what we were all expecting when we heard about a Last Laugh Match was that we’d see your sorry ass getting laughed out of an entire arena. So I think, with the hep of the beautiful people in M-I-N-N…” The fans continue with “E-S-O-T-A… MINNESOTA! MINNESOTA! MIIIIINNESOTA!” That we can all get what we’ve been waiting for since Corbin’s sorry ass came into the company! Pat wants everyone to laugh this JABRONI the hell outta Minneapolis? They all laugh and point at Corbin with Pat!

Corbin storms off, and the New Day heads down to the ring! They also laugh at Corbin, but they get serious right after because they’re taking on the Modern Day Maharaja and the Skyscraping Bollywood Boogie Machine! Who will be busting a move? And who will just get busted?

Backstage interview with Natalya.

The Queen of Harts is the #1 contender to the SmackDown Women’s Championship, and she says she will do so much more than challenge Ronda Rousey. Natty will beat respect into her! We all saw last week: Ronda was trapped in the Sharpshooter, screaming for pain and begging for mercy. If that’s not enough to convince everyone that Ronda was in dangerous and the Sharpshooter is the more dangerous submission hold, then Natty doesn’t know what will. Natty thinks we should ask Ronda tonight how it felt. Oh wait, you can’t! She’s not here! Ronda’s at home, licking her wounds.

Natty tells Ronda that sure, Ronda’s had some success with her little armbar. But Natty’s Sharpshooter breaks bones, tears tendons and humbles champions! Natty’s lineage, her resume, her pedigree, she has had so many first-evers in the WWE, and more than any other woman in WWE history! And she’s about to have another, and perhaps the most important one yet. If Ronda wants to brag about never quitting, then Natty will be the first to make Ronda TAP OUT! And then for the second time, Natty will be SmackDown Women’s Champion. Will Natty do the seemingly impossible? Or can the BOAT be the one to sink Rowdy Ronda’s reign?

The New Day VS Jinder Mahal & Shanky!

SmackDown returns and Jinder & Shanky make their entrance. Shanky sneaks his dance moves in behind Jinder’s back, just like last week. Will Shanky be able to keep focus on the former 11-TIME W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~? Or will he have to blame a loss on the boogie?

SmackDown returns again, and we start this match with Jinder and Woods. Shanky is dancing on the apron but Jinder makes him hold the tag rope. The bell rings. Woods gets around Jinder to waistlock then headlock. Jinder powers out, scoops and SLAMS Woods, then he flexes. Kofi shrugs but Jinder ROCKS and stomps Woods in a corner. Jinder CLUBS Woods, whips him corner to corner, but Woods goes up and over, then ducks and dodges to shove and springboard, dropkick! Cover, ONE!! Woods hurries to get Jinder up and wrench. Tag to Kofi. the New Day double wrench and double CHOP!

The New Day kick the legs out, then DOUBLE BULLDOG! Cover by Kofi, ONE! Kofi wrenches Jinder’s arm but Jinder powers out. Tag to Shanky and Jinder tells him to take this seriously. Shanky and Kofi circle and fans rally up. Kofi dodges Shanky, dropkicks him, but Shanky stays up to CHOP Kofi off his feet! Shanky winds up as Kofi gets up again, and LARIATS Kofi inside out! Kofi flounders to a corner, Shanky brings Kofi up, and he elbows Kofi in the corner. Shanky stands Kofi up to elbow him again! Then he TOSSES Kofi corner to corner! Shanky roars but fans are torn. Woods gets his trombone out, and the music starts bringing out the boogie!

Shanky dances and fans get into it. Jinder says no, this is no time for dancing! Jinder tags in and Shanky dances his way out of the ring. Jinder hurries but into TROUBLE IN PARADISE! Cover, the New Day wins!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall

Shanky dances as Woods plays the trombone more, and Jinder is upset all over again. Will Jinder ever get Shanky to focus on the fight? Or will the groove inside Shanky’s soul never stop?

Drew McIntyre is here!

The Scottish Warrior raises his sword and sets off the pyro, and he goes to the ring. He and the Celtic Warrior, Sheamus, are expecting a decision on Money in the Bank, but will either of them like what Adam Pearce has to say?

SmackDown returns and Pearce has joined McIntyre in the ring. But the Brawling Brutes are in the back talking about how they will not accept McIntyre getting in on MITB over Sheamus. But Ridge Holland has to keep “Butch” from running off. Sheamus tells the lunatic to stay in the back with Ridge. Sheamus is the one with the best opportunity to bring gold to the Brutes, yeah? Ridge, keep a leash on Butch. Yeah, yeah, he’s got it. The Fella heads out, will Northern Grit be able to contain Pete Dunne?

Sheamus joins McIntyre and Pearce in the ring, and Pearce addresses them both. They both failed to qualify for the MITB Ladder match, yet demand inclusion, and Pearce gets why. The MITB contract signifies and guarantees a title match anytime, anywhere, and has an 85% success- McIntyre speaks up, saying that this may come as a shock to Pearce, “but nobody gives a damn about numbers or statistics.” If Pearce wants to talk numbers, here’s some: If McIntyre is NOT in MITB, there’s a 100% chance McIntyre will just beat someone’s ass tonight! Sheamus says yeah, #BigD with the big ego.

But to explain something to him, putting McIntyre in the match would be the biggest mistake in WWE history. Because McIntyre will just bungle it like he always does. Let’s take it from someone like Sheamus, who has successfully cashed in his MITB contract. As opposed to someone who was cashed-in on. Sheamus guarantees McIntyre that he is the 15% of failure. Pearce reminds everyone they’re here for a reason. Seth Rollins already qualified from Raw, and it was an opportunity both of them had last week. They both got disqualified, then just kept brawling last week until they had to be separated.

Pearce tells them that he has reviewed the footage time and again while consulting with management. The decision has been made. “It is official: Sheamus, you’re in!” The Fella is all fired up! “How does it feel, Drew, ya big, dirty, hairy bullocks?! To know that you’re second best to the Celtic Warrior?!” Sheamus is going to Vegas and McIntyre will be sitting home on his arse! Sheamus vows to all of Ireland that he’ll win the contract and cash it in! But then McIntyre CLOBBERS Sheamus and fires off on him! Pearce tries to stop this but he is but one man! McIntyre clotheslines Sheamus out of the ring!

Pearce finally gets through to McIntyre and tells him that he was going to literally follow that up with this: McIntyre is ALSO in! They’re BOTH in the Men’s MITB Ladder Match! McIntyre shrugs and Sheamus is furious! Sheamus gets back in the ring, but gets a CLAYMORE! McIntyre kips up, throws off his shirt, and fires up with the fans! Will it be the Scottish or Celtic Warrior that brings down the briefcase?

Sami Zayn waits outside Roman Reigns’ room.

He hesitates to knock, but then Kayla Braxton shows up to bring up how it is Sami’s loss that put Roman into tonight’s situation. Sami doesn’t want her playing the blame game. That’s not good journalism. Well, has he talked to anyone in the Bloodline since last week? No, not directly. He was just about to take care of that. Is there any ill will given he’s to blame for Roman having to face Riddle? W-What? NO! No no no! Kayla, Sami is the Honorary Uce. Do you know any other Honorary Uces? Nope, they don’t exist, it’s just Sami. So no, there is no ill will, we’re all fine here. He is a locker room leader, Roman is the Tribal Chief, things are fine.

Kayla and Sami just stare at each other, and then Sami excuses himself to the restroom. Is Sami going to work on convincing himself that everything’s fine? Or will he just let that sleeping dog lie?

Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Raquel Rodriguez VS Shayna Baszler!

Big Mami Cool pushed Ronda Rousey to the limit, but is sure that the Women’s MITB contract will be her golden ticket to the promised land! But will she be able to run down the Queen of Spades? Or will she have to #TapNapOrSnap instead?

SmackDown returns and Lacey Evans is on commentary to watch this match in person. Shayna makes her entrance, the bell rings, and Raquel rushes Shayna into the corner! Raquel RAMS into Shayna again and again, lets off to pick Shayna up, but Shayna sunset flips and grapevines a leg! Raquel CLUBS away on Shayna, hauls her up but Shayna ducks, only for Raquel to CLOBBER her! Cover, ONE! Raquel drags Shayna up, whips her to a corner hard, and Shayna hits the mat! Shayna goes to the apron, Raquel goes out after her, but Shayna blocks the boot! Shayna puts the leg in ropes, KICKS the leg, then traps it in the corner to TWIST!

The ref counts, Shayna lets off to KICK Raquel’s leg again. Raquel tumbles into the ring and gets to a corner. Shayna rushes in to fire a forearm, then put the bad leg on ropes. Shayna kicks away on it, runs side to side, and KICKS the leg again! Shayna soaks up cheers and jeers while we see Shotzi and Aliyah are watching this backstage. They’ll face off next week for their own spot, but they want to keep an eye on who’s in the match ahead of them. Back to the ring, Shayna puts Raquel in another corner and again wraps the leg around ropes. Shayna kicks away on the bad leg, then runs side to side again, but into an elbow!

Pat asks Lacey if she watches her opponents at all. Lacey says of course she does, from watching film to taking notes to putting in the training. Raquel wrenches Shayna but Shayna knees her low. Raquel comes back with a BOOT! Cover, TWO! Raquel shakes out the bad leg, stalks Shayna, then brings her up to scoop. Shayna slips off the scoop to CHOP BLOCK the leg! Fans cheer and jeer as Shayna PENALTY KICKS Raquel down! Cover, TWO! Shayna is a bit surprised, Lacey applauds the toughness, but Shayna gets Raquel in the SLEEPER! Not quite the Kirafuda as Raquel stands up and powers Shayna into buckles!

Shayna lets go but tries again! Raquel RAMS Shayna into buckles again and again, and is free. Raquel then gets Shayna up, TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, Raquel wins!!

Winner: Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall (advances to the Women’s MITB match)

Lacey likes that! She wants the biggest, the baddest and the best opponents, and she might have just found one here! Lacey applauds now, but will she be able to wake up, work and win with Big Mami Cool in her way?

Shinsuke Nakamura finds Matt Riddle backstage.

The King of Strong Style gives Riddle a fist bump and nod, because he has faith in the Stallion. Will Riddle be able to ride off into the sunset having avenged Shinsuke and Randy?

A spotlight shines on the ring.

The ring announce says, “Please welcome the founder of the hottest modeling agency in the world today, Maximum Male Models… MAX! DU-PRI~!” At least, we’re supposed to see him. He’s backstage with Pearce and Max says he is disappointed in Pearce. Max’s men are standing by but Max will NOT send them out to the ring under these conditions. This was supposed to be the biggest presentation in WWE history, and why is that? Because Pearce promised Max the best acoustics, the best lighting. Does any of that look or sound like what Pearce promised? No, no, NO! This will not do.

Max says we will not see his clients’ beautiful faces or chiseled bodies until Pearce fixes this, and he will fix this, or he will be depriving the world of their beauty and “fail to titillate the juices of their guilty pleasure!” Max storms off, but what will Pearce do to satisfy these demands?

Backstage interview with Imperium.

Kayla welcomes Ludwig Kaiser and the NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion, GUNTHER! Kayla asks Gunther if- Ludwig stops her there and takes the mic. Ludwig says, “Gunther’s victory was inevitable. The Intercontinental Championship belongs in his hands. This title was created in a tournament in South America. It was won by a French Canadian. And it’s greatest champions were international superstars from countries like Canada, Mexico, England, Ireland, Italy! But it also has been besmirched by the likes of Ricochet, a man that embodies everything that’s wrong with America! Lots of flash, but very little substance.

“This title is never going to be held by an American ever again! It’s prestige is going to be restored, and it is going to remain in the iron grip of the man who holds the mat and the Intercontinental Championship sacred. Der Ring General… GUNTHER!” Gunther says he is the NEW Intercontinental Champion, but will he be able to keep the promise made by his lieutenant? Or will the One and Only once again become champion in a rematch next week?

Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ The Bloodline VS Matt Riddle!

The biggest match of the Bro’s career could perhaps be the biggest match in SmackDown history! But it’ll be the biggest moment of all time if Riddle can dethrone the Head of the Table! Will Riddle win one for the Viper? Or will the Tribal Chief keep his own iron grip on the top title(s) in the universe?

As always, Roman holds up the belts on stage for the pyro, goes down the ramp, and holds up the finger for #WeTheOnes. He sets off the second round of pyro, and he stares Riddle down. We see this battle begin, after the break.

SmackDown returns and the formal introductions are made. The black ‘n’ blue belts are raised, and we see who ends up black ‘n’ blue before this is all said and done!

Riddle rushes in and fires off on Roman at the bell! The ref counts, Riddle lets off from the corner, but comes back with KICK after KICK after KICK! Riddle lets off again, and Roman DECKS him with an uppercut! Roman seethes and Heyman revels in that shot. Roman brings Riddle up, smacks him off buckles, fires off hands and headbutts, then bumps Riddle off more buckles. Roman ROCKS Riddle again, then stalks him to another corner. Fans are torn as Roman whips Riddle corner to corner. Riddle goes up and over and KICKS Roman again! And then FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Roman hurries out of the ring while fans fire up.

Riddle goes to the apron, PENALTY KICK right to Roman! And then SPRINGBOARD FLOATING BRO! Roman is down and Riddle is fired up, while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once again, Riddle fires off on Roman with forearms! But Roman DECKS him with another uppercut! Roman rains down forearms and Heyman is watching intently as the hits just keep on coming! Roman finally lets off and soaks up the cheers and jeers from Minneapolis. Riddle gets to ropes but Roman CHOKES him! The ref counts, Roman lets off, then goes outside to run and DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Roman is annoyed but fans are rallying as he clamps on a cravat. Riddle endures, fights up to his feet, but Roman grinds the neck wrench! Riddle still fights, and he throws body shots!

Roman ROCKS Riddle, Riddle CHOPS Roman! The forearms and CHOPS fly, Riddle fires off but Roman knees low! Roman is stinging, but he swings, into a spin and PELE! Roman staggers, Riddle kips up and fans fire up! Riddle runs in to forearm smash at the corner! And he goes side to side for another! Then the BROSPLODER! Heyman is worried now as Riddle hits the BROTON onto Roman’s knees! Roman got Riddle back, but he is checking his teeth. Riddle elbows Roman away, goes up top, FLOATING BRO ATTACK! Cover, TWO!! Riddle is shocked but Roman escapes in time! Riddle hurries to get Roman up in a waistlock.

Riddle ripcords, Roman breaks free, and he catches Riddle into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives, that was not Rock Bottom for the Bro! Fans fire up and Riddle flops out of the ring. Roman is talking to himself, and fans chant, “This is Awesome!” Roman goes out after Riddle, telling fans he doesn’t get why they like Riddle or Randy. But speaking of Randy, Roman gives Riddle a BACK SUPLEX TO THE DESK! Roman mocks the Viper, and dares Randy to come back. But Randy won’t, he’s scared of Roman! Roman mocks Randy’s back pains while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once more, Roman is arguing with the ref about something. Roman raises the finger again as he goes to the corner. Some raise with him, and he locks ‘n’ loads! Roman aims at Riddle as Riddle stands. Roman runs in, but into Riddle’s FINAL FLASH!! Roman is reeling, clutching his teeth! He BOOTS Riddle away, runs, but into a POWERSLAM! Riddle hurries to put Roman through the ropes! Riddle has Roman draped but Roman fights free! So Riddle WRCKS Roman with a dropkick! And then a BACK SUPLEX TO THE DESK! Riddle fires up, brings Roman back around, but Roman POSTS Riddle!

Roman puts Riddle in the ring at 5 of 10 but the fans are thunderous for “RANDY! RANDY!” That gives Riddle power to get Roman, DRAPING DDT! Heyman is stunned and Roman is down, but Riddle is hearing those voices, bro! Riddle pounds the mat, demands Roman get up, RK- NO!! Roman just dunks Riddle off the cutter! SUPERMAN PUNCH!! Cover, TWO!! Riddle barely gets that shoulder up but Roman is beside himself! Heyman argues the count now, fans again say “This is Awesome!” as both men are down. Roman slowly sits up, and Riddle manages to push himself off the mat. Roman shakes his head, he won’t accept this!

Heyman tells Roman to finish him, and Roman talks to himself that he’ll smash Riddle. Roman says this is his ring, his company, his time! Fans boo but Roman lets out the battle cry! AND RUNS INTO AN RKO!!! Cover, TWO!?!? HOW?!?! Roman survives Riddle’s RKO and Heyman is thankful to God! But Riddle is right up top!! FLOATING BRO!!! But he’s not done?! Riddle wants more and so do the fans! Riddle stomps around, RK- NO!! Roman denies again, but Riddle springboards, into a SPEAR!!! Cover, Roman wins!!

Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Universal Champion)

The Usos rush back to ringside to celebrate with Roman while Riddle is the one beside himself in frustration now. Roman gets both belts back, and together with Jimmy & Jey, raises the gold to the sky. Riddle can no longer challenge Roman for those titles, how long will Riddle have to wait to reach the top of the mountain?

Roman wants the mic from Heyman, and Heyman gives over the mic. Fans boo as Roman says, “There’s no one left. Wise Man. There is no one left!” The Usos are laughing and Roman says he told us all two years ago that he’s here to wreck everyone and leave! And that’s what he just did! He wrecked Riddle, and now he’s leaving. But, before he goes, there is one thing left they must do. “Minneapolis. ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” Fans are torn again, and the fingers are raised high to the sky. The Bloodline moves to exit, but wait! Is that…!? BROCK LESNAR!?!? The Beast has returned to the WWE! And he is grinning ear to ear as he looks right at Roman!

Roman has the Usos and Heyman clear out, and then asks Brock what he’s even doing here after WrestleMania. Lesnar gets in the ring with Roman, and it is pretty clear why Lesnar’s here. Fans lose their minds, and then Lesnar offers a handshake? Roman considers it, and Lesnar assures him this is legit. But then he fireman’s carries for the F5!! The Usos get in but Lesnar CLOBBERS Jey, then gives Jimmy an F5!! And then Jey gets an F5!! The Twin City becomes Suplex City, and it’s clear where this is headed! Will the Alpha Male of Our Species exact his own revenge by taking those belts back from Roman Reigns?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for SmackDown, but obviously we need to address the elephant in the room that is Vince McMahon’s newest scandal. A sex scandal, of all things. I won’t go into detail here but you can find it out there somewhere, and needless to say, a Vince McMahon sex scandal is as gross as that sounds. And him coming out just to give the most generic, pandering, self-indulgent show intro he could’ve here, and it’s garbage. Much like Vince. But I suppose I and everyone like me were foolish for thinking this would be anything of substance or meaning, and I hope this is finally where there’s a regime change so that Stephanie, Triple H and whoever else can finally right this ship.

Moving past Vince’s controversy, we got a very good “Last Laugh Match” from Moss and Corbin, though apparently that was just a fancy title to say the feud was over. I feel like this should’ve been where we got No Holds Barred or something, but whatever, Moss wins and he moves on from Corbin. I want him to get his first name back and be Riddick Moss. Or at least give him a cooler nickname that starts with M, like Muscle Moss. For that matter, give him a spot in MITB so he can be Moss in the Bank. Also, Corbin calling out Pat McAfee, that has to be a SummerSlam match, and I am going to love Pat kicking Bum Ass’s ass!

Speaking of MITB, I just knew McIntyre AND Sheamus were going to be included in the match, because they’ll both make it awesome. Rollins is still winning, though. And in the Women’s MITB, things are going rather obviously, because well, there aren’t even that many women on the brand. Lacey was fine on commentary during Raquel VS Shayna, which was a very good match. Raquel wins so that Shayna can face Ronda at SummerSlam, and then of course Shotzi VS Aliyah works as part of their feud. Liv, Alexa and Raquel are Faces, Lacey is still Face but could switch at any moment, so expect Shotzi to win against Aliyah so there’s a Heel in this match. But as I’ve said for Raw, I’m thinking Becky gets in, Becky gets the win, and Big Time Becks will look for a Big Time Cash-In.

New Day VS Jinder & Shanky was great, but mostly on comedy. Granted, Shanky had an awesome chop on Kofi, and he has the potential to be as accomplished as The Great Khali but with more charisma. Good delivery of the promo from Imperium, but I feel like they should be letting Gunther/Walter talking for himself more. Oh, and also, can we stop the trope of “Foreign Wrestlers hate Murica, so Murica should hate foreign wrestlers” for once?! It’s one of the most tired clichés WWE uses and, like, how lazy is that for writing? The rematch of Gunther VS Ricochet will be awesome, and while it should’ve been on MITB, whatever, ratings grab time.

Profits have a very good promo calling out The Usos for the Undisputed Tag titles, and that is going to be an awesome match. That might go either way, no idea, but I feel like the Usos are going to lose their belts before Roman does his. Well, maybe. We got an awesome main event that would’ve fit in easily on a PPV like MITB but again, whatever, ratings grab. That place would’ve exploded if Riddle won off that RKO he hit, but alas, Roman buries the finisher and retains the title. And then the show ends with a moment that has me conflicted. On one hand, Cowboy Brock is great, him throwing The Bloodline around is great, we’re going to have a great build to SummerSlam.

On the other, it’s Roman VS Brock, again. Vince just has this wash, rinse, repeat with these guys when he doesn’t see anyone else as worthy of the top title scene. He could’ve given us Nakamura VS Roman at some point before this, but nope, he just had creative spin its wheels. Orton is hurt and needs surgery, and might not be back until the Rumble, just like Cody and his pec, or later. All I know is, they’re saying 2023 is Orton’s return. But whatever, Brock VS Roman: The Never Ending Saga is happening. And now that I think about it, I am dreading the possibility that Rollins will cash-in at SummerSlam in an attempt to recreate the Heist of the Century. And he’ll fail this time, so that either Roman or Brock can win without the other taking the loss. These are truly dark times for RawDown.

My Score: 8.2/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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Up Next

Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (6/17/22)

Don't Miss

Andrew’s IMPACT Results & Match Ratings: 6.16.2022

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/23/24)

The Raw Before Christmas!

Published

30 minutes ago

December 23, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The Hollywood A-Lister’s got his own nightmare before Christmas!

Christmas is just a few days away, but things aren’t merry and bright for Raw! The Miz must face his fears as he faces Dexter Lumis 1v1!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Natalya VS Alba Fyre VS Iyo Sky; wins and advances to the next round.
Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS Akira Tozawa w/ The Alpha Academy; wins.
The Miz VS Dexter Lumis; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Drew McIntyre walks to gorilla.

The Scottish Terminator makes his way through the curtain and to the stage, and the fans have a mixed reaction as he goes to the ring. McIntyre grabs a mic, and he says, “After Hell in a Cell, I’ve never been so beat up in my entire life. 16 staples in my head, my back almost broken from landing on the steel steps. And I went home to Scotland. The reason I went home, and I haven’t really talked about it publicly, is because a very close family member passed away. Some people probably feeling sympathy right now. Some guys in the back are probably talking to each other, saying, ‘I didn’t know.’ Maybe if you cared enough, you would’ve asked.

“Over these past two months, guess how many people phoned me to check. Not how I was doing mentally but how i was doing physically after Hell in a Cell. ONE PERSON! These past 17 years, I’ve been led to believe we’re all a big happy family in the back. We’re brothers and sisters, we travel the world together, we spend more time with each other than with our actual families, but it’s all BS! My brother, John, in Scotland wouldn’t stab me in the back to take my spot, but people like Jimmy, Jey and Sami 100% would.” The fans boo that, then chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” McIntyre says that proves his point.

After watching everything The Bloodline did, Jey says he is a changed man. He does a cute hand sign, he says a made up word, and the fans just forget about it and move on. That’s the other thing McIntyre realized: He has given and given and given all this time, and the fans turned on him for a guy who was gone for years and has told the WWE fans to go screw themselves! McIntyre was fighting for the fans, he thought they believed in him, so he believed in the fans! McIntyre bled out in the cell, and while he was gone, the fans instantly forgot him! The fans boo, that’s not true! But McIntyre says from now on, he gives no more for anybody!

McIntyre will take and take and he will tell the truth! The real villains are Roman Reigns and CM Punk! And if you choose to prop them up, as he already said, Jey, Jimmy & Sami, the things Roman did to you… Roman took a vacation, then simply snapped his fingers and they were by his side again! McIntyre suggests everyone who ever wronged McIntyre should sleep with one eye open. But wait, here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer and sing for Sami but Sami says hey, McIntyre is angry, he doesn’t have to believe Sami in place of believing everyone has ulterior motives. Sami doesn’t blame him.

But personally, man to man, Sami did not know what happened with McIntyre’s family. They figured he was recovering from one of the most vicious matches of all time. Sami thought that, all the guys ‘n’ girls in the back thought, and that’s all the fans thought. Believe that or not, fine, but Sami wants to level with McIntyre. Talk about 17 years, Sami has 22 years in this game. Sami’s been through what McIntyre’s been through. Sami’s had losses. Trust him. He has had losses he had to put on the side and go to work that week. The same sacrifices, from birthdays to weddings to funerals that he should’ve been at? Sami’s done it all.

Sami has put unnecessary stress on his wife, on his kid, and why? Because this is the life that they both chose! They are WWE SUPERSTARS! The fans cheer that! And as such, they are LUCKY to be WWE Superstars! And you thnik this is just your story or Sami’s story? Y’know who else has stories like this? Every single person sitting in the stands. Every single person at home! The kids who struggle at school, the adults who struggle at work, who struggle economically, physically, and they have their losses and sacrifices, but they still get up every day to do what they gotta do to soldier on, without pointing a finger at everyone else!

The fans fire up for that passion. Sami says McIntyre dares pointing a finger at the fans for forgetting him?! They didn’t forget, brother! They MADE McIntyre! And McIntyre still thinks the world revolves around him just because once upon a time, someone told him he was “The Chosen One.” But newsflash, just because you’re mad doesn’t make you special. And now McIntyre thinks everyone else is somehow tied to him? What Jimmy does has nothing to do with McIntyre. What Jey does has nothing to do with McIntyre! What SAMI does has nothing to do with McIntyre!

But McIntyre, if you want to still walk around all angry and pointing fingers at the fans, at Sami, at Jey, at Jimmy, at Punk, at Roman, and still be mad about The Bloodline, fine. No one is stopping McIntyre. But Sami has no problem being McIntyre’s problem and facing him in this ring right now! McIntyre says if Sami wants to know the truth… IT isn’t just anger. McIntyre’s anger comes from pain, and he doesn’t doubt what Sami just said. There was so much truth and passion, but it’s never the whole truth, is it? Sami has a way of spinning things. Because Sami can fly back home every week to his family. McIntyre is halfway across the world from his!

And no one here in Boston ever leaves Boston, they’re with their families 24/7! McIntyre doesn’t have that luxury! The fans boo that veiled insult, but McIntyre says he will remain calm and ask Sami why he wants this fight. They both know the result, we saw it time and time again, Sami has NEVER beaten McIntyre. So McIntyre suggests, given Sami isn’t 100%, and Sami’s wife and kid are here tonight… Sami should just walk back there, take their hands, and leave this arena. Of all those in the Bloodline, Sami is the least of McIntyre’s worries.

Sami says McIntyre is right about a couple things. When it comes to win-loss records, McIntyre has Sami’s number. And Sami is not 100%. Haven’t been since Saturday Night’s Main Event. And yes, the smart thing would be to just go home, celebrate and get healthy over the holidays. But Sami would so much rather do this. Sami fires hands! The fans fire up but McIntyre shoves Sami away. McIntyre swings, but gets caught! Sami lifts but McIntyre fights free, then GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! McIntyre takes aim, but here comes JEY USO! The fans fire up as Jey runs down the ramp, slides in, and then dodges McIntyre to SUPERKICK!

The fans fire up as Jey & Sami DOUBLE LARIAT McIntyre up and outta the ring! The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” with Jey & Sami Uso! Will the Scottish Terminator’s mission be ended when Sami and/or Jey shut him down?

Adam Pearce is met by Pure Fusion Collective.

The Raw General Manager asks Sonya Deville what he can do for her and she says not much. She knows how stressful this job can be since she once had it. She’s just here to make things easier. And how’s that? Well, Kairi Sane is not cleared to compete, there is an opening in the tournament, and Sonya wants it. Oh, is that so? Y’know, Sonya, that is a terrible idea. They caused this scenario so he’s just gonna reward them? Are they outta their minds? And zip it! Plus, he already filled that vacancy with Iyo Sky. Happy Holidays! PFC is upset by that since Iyo just lost to Liv Morgan, but will there be nothing to stop the Evil Genius now?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Natalya VS Alba Fyre VS Iyo Sky!

Just as Pearce said, PFC taking out the Pirate Princess will not mean they get away with murder! The Queen of Harts and the Fire Keeper must now figure out how to handle this change to the program. Will Iyo redeem herself for losing Saturday Night’s Main Event by moving on to the next round?

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Tokyo Dome Results & Report! (12/22/24)

Empire VS Emperor!

Published

20 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!

As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

After the Triple Threat Tag…

The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?

Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!

Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!

ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?

Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!

Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!

ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!

Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!

Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!

Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.

Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!

ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!

Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!

ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!

Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!

ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.

ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!

Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall

Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?

KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!

The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!

Sumo Rules!

Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!

Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!

Khan: 0; Taichi: 1

Special Guest Referee!

The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.

Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!

The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!

Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!

Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!

Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!

Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!

Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!

Khan: 1; Taichi: 1

Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!

Last Man Standing!

Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!

Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.

Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.

Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!

Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.

Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!

Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.

Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!

Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!

Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.

The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!

Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!

Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)

Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?

As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.

Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?

My Thoughts:

A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.

Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.

Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.