Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/17/22)
Will Riddle have his revenge?
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
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Pick and choose, sit and lose, all you different crews…
Night two of the WWE Draft continues here on Monday Night Raw, even as The Judgment Day take on Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade! Will Main Event Jey’s team put a YEET Down on Damian, Finn & JD?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Gunther w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston; Gunther wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed; Sami wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.
- Maxxine Dupri VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell; Candice wins.
- Liv Morgan VS Nia Jax; Liv wins.
- WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS The Alpha Academy; The Awesome Truth wins and retains the title.
- Six Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade; Jey, Ricochet & Andrade win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Logan Paul arrives!
The Maverick United States Champion rolls up, also with IShowSpeed, and they’re greeted by Patrick Mahomes! And Judgment Day, too! Damian Priest says hey to Logan, congratulates Mahomes on his success, and from champion to champion, Priest wants to say that Logan looks good with the title. Logan appreciates that. Nick Aldis invited Logan to Raw to help with the WWE Draft, make some picks, and hang out with the greatest QB in the NFL. But hey, Judgment Day’s been crushing it. They run Raw! Logan’s guess is that at Backlash, they’re gonna destroy the “ugly Uso,” Jey. Let’s get it! This clique rolls in, will things all go well for them this close to the big night?
Becky Lynch is here!
The fans fire up for the NEW Women’s World Champion as she makes her way to the ring, gold back in her hands! Becky gets a mic in her hand now, and she says, “The Man has come around to Kansas City!” The fans cheer that! And man, we’ve got history here, right? Yeah, yeah! Lots of people say KC is where The Man was born. Nearly six years ago, right up on those steps, face bloodied, and she let everyone know that this is HER show now! And here she stands, your new Women’s World Champion, and she’s still saying the same damn thing! The fans cheer on “BECKY! BECKY!” Becky says we are on night two of the Draft, and the times, they are a changing!
There’s a whole new division waiting in the wings. It has taken Becky two YEARS to work back to holding a world championship. And the fans chant, “You Deserve It!” She thanks them for that and loves them for it. But now that Becky is holding this title, her instinct is to hold it tight, never let it go, but titles aren’t meant for just holding. They are meant for defending! Fans like the sound of that, too! So Kansas City, let’s find ourselves a new #1 contender! And Becky wants to fight the best, because you only get better fighting the best. And with that, here comes Liv Morgan! Liv has a smile and a mic as she goes to the ring to tell Becky if she’s looking for a contender, here she is!
The fans are torn but the “MAMI! MAMI!” chants come out. Liv says now, the very last thing she wanted was for Becky to just hand her a title match. But for some reason, Liv can’t help but feel like Becky owes her one. The fans boo but Liv says hold on, hold on. The truth here is, the only reason Becky has the World Championship is because Liv did what Becky couldn’t, and that was take out Rhea Ripley. The fans boo because Liv hurt Rhea. Liv continues to say that this is still the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour, after all. And she thinks they both know that the endgame here was always going to be Liv. So Liv won’t stop until she has everything that she wants.
Becky tells Liv she’s right. Becky would not be holding this title if not for what Liv did to Rhea. But the interesting thing is, Liv would be holding this title if not for what Becky did to Liv. Funny how that works, huh? But then here comes Nia Jax! The Irresistible Force was drafted to SmackDown, but rosters don’t lock in until after Backlash! And Nia says this is all just them being rude. She doesn’t know about any of the fans here, but Nia says Kansas City is very rude for not welcoming her. They are lucky she even showed up tonight. Liv can’t hear Nia over the boos! Nia says she dominated them both last week! SHE should be champion right now!
And the only reason she’s not is because Liv and Becky teamed up to make sure she wouldn’t be. But lucky for her, she’s now on the superior show, SmackDown! It’s why she’s wearing blue, if you can’t tell, you idiots. But like Bayley, Naomi & Tiffany saw, Nia will soon be champion. So tonight is her last night on Raw. Fans cheer that! Well, if Nia is leaving, she’s taking one of them with her. So- LIV SHOTGUNS NIA! The fans fire up and Liv says if Nia’s gonna make a challenge, SHE accepts! Will Liv survive a battle with Nia to then go after Becky and the title?
Stephanie McMahon is here!
The fans fire up as the Billion Dollar Queen walk out on stage! She goes to the podium because she has the first round of picks! And she says it feels great to be back here in Kansas City! She welcomes us to night two of the 2024 WWE Draft, and says with the first pick, Raw selects… DER RING GENERAL, Gunther, and Ludwig Kaiser, Imperium! And yes, it’s just them after they expelled Giovanni Vinci from the group. With the second pick, SmackDown selects… JADE CARGILL! The Storm is staying on Friday nights, much to Damage CTRL’s chagrin. And with the third pick, Raw selects… DAMAGE CTRL! Well, never mind!
The fans are torn as Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Asuka & Kairi Sane now move to the red brand! And with the final pick of this opening round, SmackDown selects… KEVIN OWENS! The Prizefighter stays on Fridays, which is fitting as he wants after The Bloodline! Who else will be chosen? We’ve still got FIVE rounds to go tonight!
Gunther w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS Xavier Woods VS Kofi Kingston!
Speaking of Imperium, they’re ready to commemorate staying on Raw and dumping Giovanni Vinci by sanctifying the ring. However, will the reigning, defending, W, W, E, King, of, the RING~ prove to Der Ring General that he isn’t ready to wear the crown?
The bell rings, Gunther and Woods slowly circle. The fans rally up for “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” The two approach, Gunther kicks low, then CLUBS Woods. Woods goes to a corner, Gunther clinches and grinds forearms, but the ref counts. Gunther lets off, Woods dodges the chop to CHOP! Woods dodges another chop to headlock! Gunther powers up but Woods holds on tight, Gunther powers out on the second try, but Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides under to ROLLING ELBOW! Gunther fumes, runs up, but Woods dumps him out! Woods runs, but Gunther avoids the wrecking ball dropkick to CHOP Woods down!
Woods writhes, Gunther hauls him up and hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX, and then Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Woods is down in the ring. Gunther paces, Kaiser tries to get fans to cheer him but they boo instead. Gunther brings Woods up to UPPERCUTS! Woods goes to a corner, kicks low, then UPPERCUTS back! Woods fires more UPPERCUTS, but Gunther scoops to SLAM him down! Gunther paces while Woods writhes and fans boo. Gunther goes back to Woods, eggs him on, then stands him back up. Gunther HIP DROPS, then he talks trash. Gunther scuffs Woods, but the fans rally with “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Secret glitch happens, but Woods fires CHOPS on Gunther! Gunther CHOPS Woods down!
Woods still gets up! Woods CHOPS and CHOPS, but Gunther pushes him to a corner, to CHOP again! And CHOP again! And then short arm LARIAT! Fans boo but Gunther grins while talking smack on Kofi. Kofi coaches Woods, Woods rises, and Kofi tells Gunther not to worry about him. Woods stands and ROCKS Gunther, JAWBREAKERS, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Gunther CHOPS Woods again! Then reels him in, hoists him up, but Woods slips free! Woods mule kicks and the fans fire up! Woods runs corner to corner, but is put on the apron! Gunther CHOPS, Woods wobbles, and Gunther climbs!
Gunther drags Woods up, but Woods fires body shots! Woods throws hands and he CHOPS Gunther! And CHOPS him off the ropes! The fans fire up as Woods climbs, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Gunther is still in this but even Kaiser looks a little worried. Gunther sits up, Woods is on him and brings him in. Woods goes to suplex but Gunther fights out! Gunther CHOPS Woods down again! Woods goes to the apron, Gunther runs in but Woods RAMs him! Only for Gunther to SHOVE Woods down! Woods’ leg gets caught in the ropes! The ref hurries to help Woods but Gunther stomps away! The fans boo but the ref backs Gunther off.
Gunther goes outside, to CHOP the leg! The ref frees Woods, Woods flops to the floor, and the ref reprimands. Gunther grins as he still has control, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Gunther drops a knee on Woods’ bad leg! And then another knee drop! Woods flounders to a corner, drags himself up, and Gunther again talks trash to Kofi. Gunther goes back to Woods, but Woods throws body shots and chops! Gunther kicks the bad leg! Woods CHOPS, but Gunther scoops him to SLAM him into ropes! Woods grits his teeth, clutches the leg, but the fans boo as Gunther mocks Woods. Gunther drags Woods up, puts him on the top rope, and CHOPS him on the back! Woods falls back into the Tree of Woe, and Gunther CHOPS the knee! And CHOPS! And CHOPS it again! The fans boo but Gunther BOOTS the knee!
The ref backs Gunther off, gets Woods out of the Tree, but Gunther grins as he watches Woods writhe. Kofi coaches Woods, the fans rally up, but Gunther eggs Woods on. Woods crawls after Gunther, rises up, only for Gunther to CHOP him down! Gunther goes out to the apron, taunts Kofi some more, then goes up the corner! GUNTHER SPLASH onto knees!! A double-edged tactic but it still saves him! Woods slaps the leg, gets it moving, and the fans rally up harder! Woods rises, to kick, but Gunther blocks! Gunther CHOPS Woods down, then has the leg for a HALF CRAB! Woods endures, flails, reaches out, and Kofi coaches him, only for Gunther to drag Woods back!
Gunther sits deep on the leg, and Kofi thinks about the towel! Kofi grabs the towel, but Woods tells him no! Woods doesn’t wanna lose like that! He knows he can do it! Kofi hears Woods out, and throws the towel away! The fans fire up as Woods powers up! Woods crawls forward, reaches out, but Gunther turns him over! Woods kicks with his free leg, but Gunther drags him way back! STF, with HAMMERING ELBOWS on top! INVERTED GRIP!! Woods endures, but he just can’t! He taps, Gunther wins!
Winner: Gunther, by submission
A gutsy move by Woods, but Gunther has no mercy for anyone. Der Ring General stands tall over the king and “takes his crown” for his own. Will this also happen during the King of the Ring tournament as we enter the money of May?
Backstage interview with Jey Uso.
Cathy Kelley is with Main Event Jey, Raw’s first pick from Night One. A great honor for Jey, but is there any pressure being Raw’s first pick while also heading into Backlash’s World Heavyweight Championship match? Jey appreciates the praise, but says there’s no pressure. Put that on his back, watch him work, and Priest is about to catch this YEET down! Then one more question: Logan Paul- Jey stops her there. Jey is glad WWE signed a Paul brother. He just wishes it was the one with a winning record. YEET. Jey heads out, will he and his team get a big win over Judgment Day?
Wait in the background, is that Liv? And is… is that Dom following her?! What’s going on with Mami’s Latino Heat while she’s away?
Logan Paul & IShowSpeed head to the ring.
The fans boo as The Maverick and his pal walk out to the podium. Logan says what’s up, Kansas City? It’s so beautiful. But real quick before they get started, you all know there’s a special guest in the house. Samantha Irvin, do an introduction for Mahomes! The fans cheer as Samantha introduces the TWO-TIME NFL MVP, the THREE-TIME Super Bowl Champion, and the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes! The fans cheer again, and Speed snipes the first pick of the second round. Raw selects… The Voice of the Voiceless, C! M! PUNK! The fans fire up for that one, and even chant his name!
Logan takes the pick for SmackDown, and they select… THE PRIDE! Bobby Lashley, Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins & B-Fab are all sticking together, and they’re all staying right on Friday nights to go after A-Town Down Under. Speed says for the third pick, Raw selects… THE MONSTER OF ALL MONSTERS, Braun Strowman!! Raw is keeping the 6’8″, 385 pound superheavyweight right here on Mondays! And SmackDown wraps up this round, they select… Tiffany Stratton! The Center of the Universe is still on Fridays, will it be #TiffyTime for the Summer?
Logan continues to the ring to say it’s time to get real. He came to KC to help picks, celebrate with Mahomes, but then what happened? Jey is running his mouth just because he pointed out the truth? The truth is, stupid, Damian Priest will beat Jey Uso! And here’s why: Because Jey made a mistake leaving The Bloodline. Jey Uso is incapable of becoming a champion on his own! Something Logan has become a master of. So look, KC, let him give you a play by play of what happens this Saturday at Backlash. But wait! Here comes Jey! The fans fire up as Jey goes right to the ring, the fans bouncing along with the beat!
Jey stares Logan down, and even looks at the US Championship. The “YEET!” echoes out as Jey gets a mic. Jey says Logan’s got predictions. But Kansas City, what you got to say? You thnik Jey can beat Priest? “YEET!” You think Jey can be world champ? “YEET!” You think Jey needs to knock the YEET outta Logan for running his mouth? “YEET!” Logan asks if Jey thinks he can out YEET him. For all his little gangstas, Logan’s been yeetin’ since 2017! Lil’ Jey trying to roast Logan? Jey ain’t good when he’s alone. It’s why he got kicked outta the Bloodline. The difference between Jey and Logan, is Logan and his bloodline nis tight.
And here come JD McDonagh & Finn Balor! Logan says well, well, well. Jey’s all alone again. Can’t fend for himself then, can’t fend for himself now, and always behind with those two braincells in his head. Jey’s vocabulary consists of two words: YEET, and UCE. But Jey says YEET and he fires haymakers on JD & Finn! Only to get mugged 2v1! Logan says well, well, well. Logan leaves it to Judgment Day as he says KC has something they might like. Logan goes to Mahomes, and Mahomes gives Logan all his Super Bowl rings to be brass knuckles!! The Judgment Day gets Jey on his feet, Logan swings, but Jey ducks! The Irish Ace takes all three rings to the face!!
Jey then walks back up and even he’s like, DAMN! JD got the knocked the YEET out! Finn swings, Jey TACKLES him! Logan drags Jey off Finn and throws down those rings! But BRAUN is here?!? Logan didn’t realize the Monster Among Men was actually going to be in KC! Braun storms in, Finn goes after him, but Braun SHOVES him down! And then grabs him for a MONSTER CHOKE SLAM!! Braun glares right at Logan, and Logan goes running! Braun pursues right into the crowd but Logan’s too fast. Braun tells him he better run! Braun then looks at Mahomes, who gave Logan the ammo in the first place.
The fans fire up as Mahomes has his linemen step up. Jey has Braun calm down, those guys are WWE’s guests. Braun leaves it at that, and KC fires up as Braun roars! Will nothing stop this Monster Among Men from making Mondays his night?
R-Truth finishes talking with Chad Gable backstage.
Gable says Truth drives a hard bargain, but he won’t regret it. On behalf of The Alpha Academy, it has been a pleasure doing business with him. The Miz walks in and says they just negotiated a title match tonight. Yeah, with Gable. Good businessman here. Gable said they get one now, and two later! W-What? Y’know, like Now & Laters, the candies. But dog, it’s the Draft! And the WWE World Tag Team Champions could be drafted into the NFL and be players for the Chiefs! Miz asks if Truth knows that this is the WWE Draft, not the NFL Draft. Truth knows now. Who does he talk to? Patrick Mahomes is here. The insurance guy?
Truth is ready to bundle his home and auto! It’s two-for-ones all day! Let’s roll! Truth heads out, Gable says that’s quite the negotiator. Miz just replies with, “Really? Really?” Miz heads out, and Sami BOOTS Gable down!! The fans cheer as Sami gets some revenge before heading out for his own title match! Will everything start falling apart for The Alpha Academy this close to Backlash?
Backstage interview with Booker T.
Cathy says Booker is lending his knowledge to Raw as a draft analyst, so what does he think of it so far? Jade Cargill for SmackDown is a game changer. And while Priest is locked in for Raw, what about the rest of Judgment Day? But then CM Punk, what a big break for Raw. That’s huge. But then in walks Drew McIntyre. Book says hey, what’s up? McIntyre says, “Tell me you didn’t just say that. You think this is 2010, Book?” Punk gets hurt after one match, and then he still gets drafted ahead of the guy who took him out, and who literally won the world title?! The title you don’t have right now?
Drew seethes and tells Booker to not be like the others. Booker saw what happened just like everyone else did. Booker asks Drew if he saw what happened like everyone else did. McIntyre asks if this is backwards world or something! He was with Booker back in the day! He knows how Book really felt about Punk! But Booker’s changed. McIntyre storms off, but just what is going on with McIntyre?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed!
The Great Liberator just got a semblance of payback on Chad Gable, and now he’s looking to take a BIG bite out of Auszilla! Will Sami avenge himself of all the cheap shots and blindside attacks? Or will there be a tectonic shift in the championship landscape tonight?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this is a massive moment for both men!
The bell rings, the two circle, and they feel things out. The fans rally for Sami as the two circle and tie up. Sami waistlocks, Bronson backs him down but Sami puts him in a corner! Sami CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Bronson shoves Sami away, then CLOBBERS him! Bronson snarls, drags Sami up, and HEADBUTTS him! Sami flops against ropes but Bronson storms up on him. Bronson stands Sami up against ropes, to CHOP! Bronson HEADBUTTS Sami, HEADBUTTS him again, then eggs him on. Bronson CLUBS Sami, CLUBS him again, but the fans still rally for Sami. Bronson drags Sami up, whips him to ropes, but Sami holds ropes!
Sami dodges Bronson to send him outta the ring, then goes to the apron! Sami mule kicks, then ARABIAN PRESS SAULTS! Direct hit and down goes Bronson! The fans fire up with Sami as he stands tall! Sami puts Bronson in the ring, goes to a corner and climbs, to CROSSBODY, but Bronson catches him! And RAMS him into the corner! And then RUNNING POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! So Bronson SENTONS! Sami sputters and flounders while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Bronson stands tall over Sami. Bronson brings Sami up, HEADBUTTS him, then fires forearms. The fans rally behind Sami as Bronson whips, but Sami goes up and over! Sami LARIATS Bronson down! The fans fire up and Sami goes to a corner. Bronson stands, storms over, but Sami ELBOWS him away. Sami goes up and AX HANDLES, but into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Sami survives that slam but Bronson snarls. Bronson drags Sami back up, reels him in, and hoist shim up, to BUCKLE BOMB! Then he gets Sami back up, SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and the fans fire up again!
Bronson is frustrated but he stalks Sami to the ropes. Bronson kicks Sami out of the ring, goes to the apron, and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Sami goes down in a heap and Bronson looks to the title belt. Bronson puts Sami in the ring, then aims from a corner. But Sami HELLUVA KICKS outta nowhere!!! Cover, BUT GABLE GETS IN!? GERMAN SUPLEX!!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by disqualification (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Gable ruins Bronson’s match just to get back at Sami! Gable rains down fists on Sami, then CLUBS away on him with crossface forearms! Gable rolls up his sleeves to put on the ANKLE LOCK!! Sami endures, flails, but ends up int he GRAPEVINE! Refs rush out here to stop Gable and he lets Sami go. But then TSUNAMI!! Bronson gets his in, but perhaps on the wrong target! Gable grabs the gold, he holds it over Sami as he says Sami never deserved it in the first place! But then Bronson fireman’s carries Gable! DEATH VALLER DRIVER!! Bronson grabs the gold and stands over both men! Is Auszilla going to destroy anyone and everyone until he’s the alpha?
Ron Simmons & John “Bradshaw” Layfield are here!
The fans fire up as The APA is here to give the next round of picks! JBL starts by saying Raw’s first pick of the third round is… THE LATINO WORLD ORDER! Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, Zelina Vega, Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde, and… Carlito, are all on Raw! But what about the falling out from Friday? Ron says SmackDown selects… LEGADO DEL FANTASMA! Santos Escobar, Elektra Lopez, Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo are staying on Fridays, them exposing Carlito’s dark secret their final act in the feud. JBL says Raw selects… THE SCOTTISH WARRIOR, DREW MCINTYRE! McIntyre might still have a way to complain about this…
And with the final pick of this third round, SmackDown selects… THE KING OF STRONG STYLE, SHINSUKE NAKAMURA! Shinsuke is moving over to Fridays, will he look to take aim at Cody Rhodes once again?
But speaking of McIntyre, he now makes his way out here, mic in hand! “Am I the only sane and logical person left around here? In what world does Drew McIntyre get drafted in Round Three?” If someone were to walk up to him and explain how it makes sense, he’d call that person a liar! McIntyre says the APA must’ve been doing a lot of drinking since Friday, that’s how stupid this is! But the fans chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Oh, yes, so anti-establishment to say his name. McIntyre says Punk is the furthest thing from that! Punk is now a corporate ass-kisser! Punk, congrats, you finally did something since returning: you hurt McIntyre!
McIntyre shows off his arm bandaged up, because Punk’s attack fractured McIntyre’s elbow! But unlike Punk, McIntyre is still here, working through the pain instead of staying home collecting paychecks! McIntyre just tapes it up, gets on with it, because he’s a real man! WAIT! Punk’s music hits! Is he here tonight!? McIntyre is storming around, waiting and looking, thinking this is a game. But then Punk says cut his music. Is it good to be alive in Kansas City or what? He’s up in a skybox! Punk is showing he’s not sitting at home, he’s right here, “Ya little b*tch!” Punk waves, McIntyre storms off, and the fans chant for Punk!
Ron looks to JBL, then looks around and says… “DAMN!!” The fans cheer the iconic line, but is McIntyre going to find his way up to Punk’s skybox to settle this once and for all?
The Alpha Academy prepares backstage.
Maxxine is so ready! But then Gable storms in and asks what’s going on. Maxxine says Otis & Tozawa are just firing her up for her match tonight! Didn’t you see her last week? Two eliminations in that battle royal! Finally, some momentum! Gable sarcastically says yeah, two eliminations, that’s great. But uh, can he see the title she won? She didn’t win… No, she didn’t, did she? So what? He’s to celebrate mediocrity? She wants a participation ribbon? It’s PATHETIC! And as for Otis & Tozawa, they better get it together. Tozawa, Gable swears to God, if he sees that stupid dance… Now go out there and win him those championships!!
Gable storms off, Maxxine is shook, but Ivy walks in to calm her down and help her prepare. Otis and Tozawa look to each other, are they going to win just so Gable isn’t disappointed? Or will they do this for themselves tonight?
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Raw returns as Cathy is with the Big Bad Booty Nephew, and notes him being a top draft pick. What are his feelings being brought to Monday Night Raw? Bron says that Adam Pearce knows Bron is the best possible pick. He is here to take this place over. But then Sheamus apologizes for the interruption. What? Why’s he interrupting? Sheamus just wants Bron to save his breath to cool his porridge. Sheamus just wants to say he’s impressed by Bron. And this isn’t just Sheamus trying to figure out who the BAMF is, it’s just that Bron reminds Sheamus of a young and hungry Sheamus. Bron’s had banger after banger after banger.
But then McIntyre storms past them both, and Sheamus stops himself. Bron says sure, bangers. Bron heads out, is he going to break through sooner rather than later? As for Sheamus and McIntyre, can Celtic Warrior get through to Scottish Warrior before he does something he’ll regret?
Maxxine Dupri w/ Ivy Nile VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell!
With the lingering grudge between these two, we’re bound to see fireworks go off tonight! Will Maxxine accomplish greatness by finally conquering her bully? Or will the Poison Pixie continue to be absolutely toxic?
The bell rings and Candice is already pushing Maxxine around! Maxxine TACKLES Candice for it! Maxxine dribbles Candice off the mat, then lets off to LEG LARIAT! The fans fire up as Maxxine brings Candice up to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! And a kip up! Maxxine runs, and BULLDOGS Candice down! Straps come down, and Maxine handsprings into the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! The fans fire up as Candice flounders and Maxxine says ‘A THANK YEW~!” Candice kicks, Maxxine blocks, and has an ANKLE LOCK!! Right outta Gable’s playbook! Indi coaches Candice, she crawls over, but Maxxine drags Candice back!
Candice keeps fighting around, but Maxxine keeps hold of that leg! Candice tries to go the other way, Ivy tells Maxxine to keep on the pressure! Indi POSTS Ivy!! Maxxine’s stunned, Candice rolls to send Maxxine into ropes! Maxxinen sputters, sits up, and Candice SUPERKICKS her down! Candice gets the arms, stretches Maxxine out, to WICKED STEPMOTHER!! Cover off the vicious stomp, Candice wins!
Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall
If Candice is a wicked stepmother, than is Indi her evil stepdaughter or something? They might be winners, but have they completely lost their way?
Backstage interview with The LWO.
Cathy is with Zelina, Rey, Dragon, Cruz & Joaquin, the newest additions to Raw. But Carlito is still coming along with them, so how are they feeling after his apparent betrayal? Rey says there are a lot of mixed emotions, but they are very happy to be here on Raw. As for Carlito… No idea why he did what he did, which means they still have unfinished business. But then Dom walks over to say hey to the “old geezer.” Dom tells LWO that Judgment Day runs Raw. So welcome back, Lollipop Guild. Rey tells Dom Judgment Day can’t run Raw if they haven’t even been drafted here. And wait… What is that on your lip, Dirty Sanchez?
Dom says Rey’s just lucky he’s not cleared! Dom runs off, Zelina says Dommy misses his Mami. But is this a sign that things are going to reignite in this father-son rivalry soon enough?
McIntyre finds the upperdeck.
He asks the fans which skybox is Punk’s but no one knows. McIntyre finds it, but Punk’s gone. Punk did leave a signed picture, though. McIntyre crumples that up, and then Punk’s making his way to the ring! Punk gets the better of McIntyre again, and says it’s CLOBBERIN’ TIME~! McIntyre now watches Punk from the skybox as Punk gets a mic. The fans chant for Punk while he looks up at McIntyre. “I love Kansas City and the people that inhabit it, so I don’t wanna waste your time like Drew McIntyre. So I’m gonna try and do this in less time than the last time you were World Champion, which means I’ve got five minutes and 46 seconds. Pat, time me!”
The fans cheer, and Punk says this would normally be where Punk asks if he has your attention now. But he can see clear as day just like everyone else, Punk’s had McIntyre’s attention for quite some time. He’s like an ex-girlfriend Punk can’t get rid of! And McIntyre says Punk hurt his elbow? GOOD! McIntyre prayed for Punk’s injury, but Punk did that to McIntyre. Punk thought McIntyre hurt his arm sitting around and tweeting. That is why Punk was drafted before McIntyre! Punk isn’t mad, isn’t out for revenge, McIntyre has given him purpose. The fans chant for Punk again, and Punk lets them.
Punk then says the reason Punk went ahead of McIntyre in the draft is simply economics! He is the Best int he World! In the ring, on the mic, even on commentary! No offense to Pat & Michael. Pat lets us know we’re 90 seconds in. Punk tells McIntyre that losers hope things happen. Losers pray for things to happen, but winners make it happen! And when Punk is cleared at 100%, he promises to make McIntyre’s life a living hell! Mic drop, and that’s just under two minutes! Will those other three minutes be used by McIntyre stewing over Punk?
Teddy Long and Alundra Blayze are here!
The Hall of Famers are here, Punk gets a hug from the former SmackDown GM, and even gives Alundra a polite hug and kiss on the cheek. Teddy starts off by saying Raw’s first pick of this fourth round, they select… JUDGMENT DAY! Finn Balor, JD McDonagh & Dom Mysterio are all staying put behind Damian Priest! Alundra says SmackDown selects… THE GLOW, NAOMI! Naomi’s challenging for the WWE Women’s Championship, so naturally SmackDown wants to keep it all on the blue brand. Teddy says Raw’s next pick, they select… NXT’s Mad Dragon, ILJA DRAGUNOV!! The Performance Center erupts as Raw is now UNBESIEGBAR!
Dragunov stands up, a standing ovation as he walks down to hug it out with HBK. Dragunov gets to put on the hat, will Mondays soon belong to The Czar? And then SmackDown closes this round with… CHELSEA GREEN & PIPER NIVEN! The Hot Mess & “Miss P” started liking Aldis better anyway, so hopefully they’ll be happy for once.
Liv Morgan VS Nia Jax!
As we saw earlier tonight, Liv wants her shot at the Women’s World Championship but is willing to earn her way to it. Will a huge win over the Irresistible Force be just the thing? Or will a crushing defeat be Nia’s parting gift before moving to SmackDown?
The bell rings and the two tie up! Nia THROWS Liv away, then eggs her on. Liv runs up, but Nia THROWS her again! Nia eggs Liv on more, then runs her over! Nia smiles, grabs a leg and SMASHES the knee! Liv flounders and hobbles away, but Nia SPLASHES her in the corner! Nia mocks Liv, “Look at that face.” Then she TOSSES Liv again! Nia soaks up the heat, but Liv JAWBREAKERS back! Liv KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! But Nia blocks one and spins Liv around, only for Liv to ENZIGIRI! Liv runs to SHOTGUN but Nia just drops to her knee! Liv SHOTGUNS Nia again, and Nia ends up on ropes! Liv DROPKICKS Nia in the back!
The fans rally up and Liv runs into the corner to back body block! Liv rolls, returns, and back body blocks again! Liv runs but Nia LARIATS her down! Nia drags Liv to a drop zone, stands on her, and Liv sputters as Nia lets off. Nia goes up and up, but Liv grabs a leg! Nia kicks Liv, but Liv sweeps the legs! Nia is stuck in ropes, Liv WOE STOMPS her down! Nia bails out, Liv builds speed, and Liv slides, but into Nia’s hands! Nia wheelbarrows Liv to SMACK her off the desk! Liv flops over and Nia soaks up the heat, but wait, Tiffany Stratton is here. Tiffy taunts Nia from the crowd, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia has Liv down with a cobra clutch! Liv endures, the fans rally up, but Tiffy doesn’t look that impressed. Liv fights up, but Nia thrashes her back down! Raw goes picture in picture to plug The Fall Guy, then comes back as Liv fights back up. Liv throws body shots, but Nia whips her to a corner. Nia runs in, but Liv dropkicks a leg out! Nia stumbles and POSTS herself! Liv runs to SHOTGUN Nia into the post! And then Liv DRIBBLES Nia off the post!! The fans fire up as Liv kicks Nia away and climbs up the corner. But Nia YANKS Liv off the corner, and hits a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Liv survives and Nia is fuming!
Nia takes a moment to calm down, then she slaps Liv around. Nia drags Liv up, the fans rally behind Liv, but Nia whips her to a corner. Liv goes up and up, and wheelbarrows to victory roll Nia into buckles! Nia sputters, Liv runs up, goes up and up to DOUBLE STOMP Nia down! Liv pushes Nia to a cover, TWO! Nia is still in this but Tiff is still not impressed. Liv fires herself up, CLUBS away on Nia, then pushes her around. Liv runs, but Nia SPINEBUSTERS! Nia shrieks, the fans boo, and Nia drags Liv to a drop zone. Nia goes up and up, determined to end this! Nia grins as the fans boo, but Liv gets up and under Nia!
Liv YANKS Nia into the buckles again and again and again, then manages a POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Lia almost had Nia and that actually had Tiff on the edge of her seat! But then NAOMI ATTACKS TIFF! The fans fire up as Naomi throws Tiff all around, then DUMPS her over barriers! Naomi goes after Tiff but Tiff turns things around! NIa has Liv int he ropes, CLUBS her down, and Naomi sends Tiff into the desk! Then BULLDOGS her off the apron! And then PENALTY KICKS her down! Nia BLASTS Naomi for distracting her! Liv runs up, FLYING CODE BREAKER! Nia wobbles, into OBLIVION!! Cover, LIV WINS!!
Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall
Nia took her eyes off the ball and Liv takes this one to the house! Liv is ready to go after Big Time Becks, will we #WatchHer become the new world champion?
Backstage interview with Booker T.
Cathy again joins draft analyst Booker, and says he’s had front row seats to many a new superstar’s beginnings. What does he think of this year’s prospects? Booker says it’s about who’s next in NXT! Trick Williams, Roxanne Perez, but congrats to Dragunov. He’ll do a hell of a job on Raw. Adam Pearce walks by, Cathy hopes to get a word on how this is all panning out. Pearce feels great about Raw, good foundation and some new wrinkles added in. But sometimes, it’s the picks you don’t make that can stick in your mind. His favorite so far is actually that he didn’t take Chelsea & Piper! He hopes Aldis prays a lot, because HALLELUJAH, Pearce is free of Chelsea!
And on that note, time to make some more picks in person! Pearce heads for gorilla, who did Raw and SmackDown take in the penultimate round?
The Dudley Boyz are here!
Bully Ray & D-Von Dudley are back again, and they set up their own table! They’re also here to give us the picks! Fans chant for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” and Bully says, “Kansas Citaaaay~! You guys wanna have some fun with the Dudley Boyz tonight? WASSAP~!?” But to business, D-Von! One, two, three, “GET THE TABLES!” “OH mah brotha, testify!” The fans cheer, and Bubba says with the first pick of the fifth round, Raw selects… THE NEW~ DAY~! Kofi & Woods are staying right here on Raw, which will let them settle things with Imperium. D-Von says SmackDown selects… PRETTY DEADLY! Elton Prince & Kit Wilson will stay on SmackDown, #YESBOY!
Bubba says Raw’s next pick is… NXT’s LYRA VALKYRIA! The Morrigan, the former NXT Women’s Champion, is joining her hero, Becky Lynch, on Monday nights! Lyra herself is surprised and even emotional as she gets the red hat and gets to hug HBK. And with the final pick of this round, SmackDown selects… THE WAY, Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell! Will they start to poison the waters of the blue brand now?
WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS The Alpha Academy!
R-Truth may not really know “WHAT’S UP,” but he and Miz are still fired up to defend their titles tonight. Will they make good on the “deal” Truth made with Gable and hold onto their gold? Or will Otis & Tozawa finally make Gable proud?
Raw returns and the match is already underway! Truth fights up from a chinlock to hit a BIG back suplex on Tozawa! Both men are down, the fans fire up and so does The Miz! Truth and Tozawa crawl, hot tags to Otis and Miz! The fans fire up as Miz dodges Otis to KICK, KICK and KICK! Miz KICKS away in the corner, lets off as the ref counts, and then goes corner to corner for the A-LIST LARIAT! Miz sends Otis away, Tozawa runs up but Miz BOOTS him down! Miz RAMS into Otis, ROUNDHOUSES and HOTSHOTS him, then hurries back up! Miz springboards, into Otis’ arms! WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!
Otis rips up the shirt, gets those hips moving, and he revs up for the CATERPILLAR… ELBOW! Tag to Tozawa and he goes up! Otis says for the Academy! SUPER SENTON onto knees! Miz powers up, reels Tozawa in, but Tozawa arm-drags free from the nelson! Truth sneaks a tag, Miz ELBOWS Tozawa and reels him in! Truth joins in, THE TRUTH CRUSHIGN FINALE!! Miz SHOTGUNS Otis while Truth covers, Awesome Truth wins!
Winners: The Awesome Truth, by pinfall (still WWE World Tag Team Champions)
Well, Gable’s not gonna like this. How badly will he tear into poor Otis & Tozawa over this one?
The Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
JD & Finn are still sore from Strowman steamrolling them, but Dom says it’s shocking they fell to the fourth round of night two! What is this? Priest asks Dom if he’s really surprised. Week after week, they’ve gotten involved in Priest’s business, then failed miserably, all because they didn’t talk to him about it. When it comes to Jey Uso, he appreciate sit, but he doesn’t need the help. Cool? Yeah… JD, you got it? JD takes the icepack away and WHOA, that swelled up something bad! This is what Priest is talking about! But tonight, just stick to the plan and get this done. Got it? Priest heads out, JD asks if it’s always been so bright in here. Dom thinks Finn needs a towel.
Judgment Day is definitely struggling without Mami to help them, but will they pull it together? Or will they all end up looking like JD’s lumpy head?
Liv returns backstage.
And Becky finds her to congratulate her on the win tonight. And also congrats, because Liv also gets her title shot. Liv smiles and moves on, but then in step Damage CTRL. Dakota Kai says hi to Becky, they’re all on Mondays now. Dakota leads Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane & Asuka away, Kairi tapping the title. Becky says don’t touch her belt! Is The Man going to get past Liv’s Revenge Tour just to have #CobraKai, The Evil Genius and the Kabuki Warriors coming after her?
Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis are on stage!
The Raw and SmackDown GMs finish the Draft in person, and Pearce says it’s been fun playing chess with him. Time to take it home! Pearce says that with the first pick of this final round in the 2024 WWE Draft, he and Raw select… THE FINAL TESTAMENT! Karrion Kross, Scarlett, Paul Ellering & The Authors of Pain are all coming to make Mondays into Doomsday! Aldis says with the second pick, he and SmackDown select… DIY! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano are now making their way to Fridays! Pearce says the third pick from him and Raw, it’s… BIG BRONSON REED! The Colossal Aussie still wants that Intercontinental Championship, will he take it?
And Aldis says with THE final pick of THE final round, SmackDown takes NXT’s BLAIR DAVENPORT! The Performance Center goes wild as now the Ichiban Gaijin is moving on to the next level! She hugs it out with HBK and gets the blue hat, will all of Fridays now beware of Blair?
Six Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade!
Raw made sure Priest, Finn, JD & Dom are sticking together through the Draft, but their dominance over Raw is seriously in question. Jey just turned their attempt at a beatdown into a YEET down, and we’ve seen both the King of Flight and El Idolo get the better of them time and again. Will they and Main Event Jey embarrass Judgment Day all over again? Or will they fall as #ALLRISE for the Judgment Day?
Raw returns as Ricochet makes his entrance, followed by Andrade’s. Then Judgment Day makes their entrance, JD still struggling with that welt on his head. The teams sort out and Andrade starts against Finn. They tie up, Finn fires body shots and backs Andrade into a corner. Finn RAMS into Andrade again and again, then CHOPS, throws more hands, then headlocks for a takeover. Andrade keeps his shoulders up, moves around, and he fights up to his feet. The fans rally, Andrade throws body shots and powers out. Andrade drops, hurdles, but Finn whips him away! Andrade goes Spider-Man in the ropes!
The fans cheer, Finn runs in but Andrade drops down to send him out! JD runs in, but Andrade dumps him out onto Finn! Tag to Ricochet, he and Andrade double clothseline Priest out! Then they DOUBLE DIVE onto Finn and JD! The fans fire up as Jey DIVES onto Priest, and Priest goes up and over the desk! The fans fire up with Team YEET as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once again and Priest grinds Ricochet down with a motorcycle stretch. The fans rally as Ricochet endures, and Ricochet fights up to his feet. Ricochet breaks free but Priest BELL CLAPS him! Then Priest suplexes for a BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest is frustrated but he eggs Ricochet on. Ricochet slowly rises, Priest winds up and KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS, then ROLLIGN ELBOWS! Ricochet falls back, Priest soaks up the heat, then he ROUNDHOUSES Jey down! The fans boo the cheap shot, and the ref has to keep Andrade back, but that lets JD & Finn mug Ricochet! Priest then runs in to back elbow!
Tag to Finn, Priest snapmares Ricochet so Finn can slingshot STOMP! Tag to JD, he slingshots to ARABIAN PRESS SAULT! Tag back to Finn, he tags Priest. They get Ricochet up for the BACKBREAKER LEG DROP! Cover, Andrade breaks it! The fans cheer, Priest grabs Andrade to POST him! Priest storms back to his corner to tag JD, and JD flexes. The fans “YEET! YEET!” but JD has Ricochet. Ricochet hits a RECOIL! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ricochet crawls, reaches out, and JD goes to the neutral corner, he’s that dazed! Hot tags to Jey and Finn! Jey dodges Finn, ROCKS Priest, then ROCKS Finn!
Jey fires off on Finn again and again, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Pop, lock ‘n’ YEET! Finn flounders up, into a mule kick! Jey UPPERCUTS, kicks again but Finn blocks! But the DRAGON WHIP still hits! Finn ends up in a corner, Jey gets the fans joining in on “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs but Priest swings! Jey dodges to DECK Priest! Jey runs at Finn but Finn puts him on the apron. So Jey GAMANGIRIS back! Jey goes up to CROSSBODY! Cover, JD breaks it! But Andrade runs up, boot feint to BACK ELBOW! Priest gets up to ROUNDHOUSE Andrade! Ricochet leaps in, but into a FLATLINER! Priest drags Finn over and then tags himself in!
Priest aims at Jey and LARIATS him down! Priest brings down the straps while the fans boo, and he drags Jey up. Priest reels Jey in, lifts, Canadian Rack but Jey slips free to SAMOAN DROP! Both men are down but Jey rolls to a corner! Jey climbs, but Dom gets on the apron! The fans boo but Priest grabs Jey! JD hurries over to SHOVE Jey down! Priest asks what JD’s even doing! Priest had Jey himself! JD says it looked like he was gonna get hit! Priset runs up on Jey, Jey dodges and SUPERKICKS! Priest ends up knocking Finn off the apron! Jey dodges JD to SUPERKICK JD out! Finn is back, Jey dodges and SPEARS!!
The fans fire up and Jey goes back up! Finn is legal again as Jey hits the USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jey’s team wins!
Winner: Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade, by pinfall
And with that, Main Event Jey wins in the main event! Judgment Day is falling apart at the seams, but can Priest hold it together on his own? Or is Jey about to finally have his moment?
My Thoughts:
A mostly great Raw, but I feel like this year’s WWE Draft was the first real speedbump the HHH Era has hit. HHH himself explained on SmackDown that the brands would be using their picks to keep who they already have and that certainly happened. So many picks were just Raw and SmackDown “securing” many of the people they’ve had this whole time. I did like Pearce’s sense of relief that Chelsea Green & Piper Niven are no longer his problem, they’re Aldis’. But LWO leaving SmackDown right as things were getting interesting again in the feud with Legado seems disappointing. And the fact Carlito is going with them just seems like a messy handling of moving their story over to Raw just so they can also have more Rey VS Dom in the future.
DMG CTRL moving over probably gives away that Jade & Bianca are winning the women’s tag titles for Backlash. Yes, the women’s tag titles are meant to be “roaming” titles, but it feels so long since they’ve really done that. And with the entire The Way family moving to SmackDown, this makes me think Candice & Indi will try (and fail) to take the belts from Jade & Bianca. Final Testament moving to Raw seems rather surprising, but I suppose there’s something to it with them also being on NXT. Raw and NXT are still on USA Network together for now, it’d maybe help continuity for them to be back to back on Mondays and Tuesdays. Also, how strange that this is where they finally say “The Pride” for the team of Lashley, Profits & B-Fab after them being together for months…
I will say that we got great moments for the NXT call-ups. Dragunov going to Raw made sense with Imperium still being here, but I’m surprised Lyra is Raw rather than SmackDown. Maybe she’s meant to back Becky up against DMG CTRL? And Blair being called up period clearly caught her by surprise, that was a rather sweet moment for her villainous self, but she’ll make a solid part of the division on SmackDown. We also got good story crossover as Naomi and Tiffany were here tonight to brawl and cost Nia so Liv could get a great win. Becky VS Liv for some time after Backlash will be good stuff, but I’m thinking Becky retains. What’s more curious is Liv quite literally leading Dom along. Liv’s Revenge Tour really does seem to be about taking everything from Rhea…
Disappointing Draft aside, great action to build towards both Backlash and King of the Ring. Woods VS Gunther was an awesome match, but I figured Gunther would win. Hard to say if Gunther will be the new King of the Ring, but this was a good case for it. Great stuff in the Intercontinental Championship story as Sami gets that boot on Gable, was about to win against Bronson until Gable attacked, and then Bronson stands tall. So far, all three guys are staying on Raw, I sense a huge Triple Threat for this title, and that could really go either way to me. Sami can use Gable and Bronson against each other, one of them could be opportunistic, it’s going to be an awesome match.
Great story intertwining with the Academy, too, as Gable takes his anger out on his team, and that more or less affects all of their performances tonight. Maxxine tried to finally get even with Candice but Indi’s Heel turn is continuing so The Way wins on the way out from Raw. Otis & Tozawa have a fun match with Awesome Truth but end up losing, so Gable’s just gonna lose his mind with them. Good story intertwining for Judgment Day and Logan Paul. Great seeing Braun back, he looks better than ever right now. Now, while the champions are all staying put, I feel like Braun should’ve gone to SmackDown so he can continue to scare the Prime outta Logan over the US Championship. And they did a great cosmetics job with JD’s huge welt, that looked nasty!
The deterioration of Judgment Day continues in wild fashion. They get JD punched in the head, almost get Logan mauled by Strowman, and then they aren’t on the same page in the main event. They could end up messing Priest over at Backlash because of it, giving Jey the win, but it feels like Priest finds a way to win despite them messing up. Then perhaps in a twist, Priest doesn’t get kicked out of Judgment Day, he quits them and leaves them to flounder on their own.
Segment of the night goes to CM Punk making McIntyre look like a fool. He goads McIntyre into storming up to the VIP section only to circle around him and go to the ring. And I feel like Punk was even trying to fill for time since he said he had 5 minutes and 46 seconds, but he still cooked McIntyre in half that. McIntyre VS Punk is going to blow the roof off the place, wherever it takes place.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Who truly run the Junior Heavyweight Division?
With Best of the Super Juniors on the horizon, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight AND Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions must defend their gold! Will Sho and the War Dogs keep Bullet Club’s gold?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Boltin Oleg VS Katsuya Murashima; Oleg wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & Tiger Mask VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
- 8 Man Tag: TMDK VS The United Empire; TMDK wins.
- 10 Man Tag: The House of Torture VS Shota Umino, El Desperado, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Jado; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi & Tomoaki Honma VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI; Connors & Moloney win and retain the titles.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion: SHO VS DOUKI; Sho wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI!
The War Dogs took these titles back on the Road to New Beginning, and then kept them through Sakura Genesis. But the Timebomb and Black Mask are ready to take their shot ahead of the Best of the Super Juniors! Will Hiromu & Bushi be bringing these titles into the tournament? Or will 100 Proof & 44 Caliber empty the Full Clip to keep their gold?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who wins this shootout!
The teams sort out and Hiromu starts against Connors. They both run in and DOUBLE LARIAT! They stay up and DOUBLE LARIAT again! They still stay up, Hiromu dodges Connors and headlocks. Connors powers up and out and runs Hiromu over! Bu then Hiromu runs Connors over! They get in each other’s face, Hiromu shoves Connors, and then both Drilla and Bushi jump in. Hiromu kicks Drilla first, and Bushi kicks Connors! Hiromu CHOPS Drilla, he and Bushi whip the Dogs at each other, but the Dogs dosido to redirect themselves. Hiromu TOSSES Drilla while Bushi dodges Connors, then Hiromu runs in to clothesline Connors!
Hiromu snapmares Connors, he and Bushi DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps on Connors with a facelock and tags Bushi in. They mug Connors, then Bushi snapmares to stomp Connors. Bushi brings Connors up but Connors knees low. Connors barks and runs, but into a kick! Then Hiromu dropkicks the legs out and Bushi basement dropkicks Connors down! Hiromu barks at Drilla, Bushi covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally for Bushi, he brings Connors up and CLUBS him to the LIJ corner. Tag to Hiromu, he barks at Drilla while Bushi stomps Connors. Hiromu turns around, Connors UPPERCUTS him!
Connors hot tags Drilla, but LIJ mugs him first! They double whip, but Drilla ducks the clothesline to shove Bushi into Hiromu! Drilla then ripcords Bushi but Bushi ducks the chop to run and RANA! Drilla is right up, but Bushi DROPKICKS him back down! Drilla bails out, the fans fire up as Bushi builds speed, but Connors gets in to SNAP POWERSLAM! Connors runs at Hiromu but is put on the apron! Hiromu runs to FLYING SUNSET FLIP- NO, Connors holds ropes to deny the bomb! And then Drilla gets under to drag Hiromu out, for an APRON POWERBOMB! Hiromu slumps down while Connors growls!
Connors and Drilla go around the corners, coordinate, and run in to SPEAR GORE COMBO Hiromu on the outside!! Drilla roars, Connors throws up the Too Sweet and fans are torn. The ref checks on Hiromu, he’s somehow okay to continue, so the ring count starts. Connors goes out to fetch Hiromu, even as the fans rally up. Connors drags Hiromu through the gate to TOSS him into the crowd! The count passes 15 as Hiromu stirs! Hiromu crawls but we’re already at 18! Hiromu sprints and slides in, SAFE! Drilla chuckles, then he looms over Hiromu to rain down fists! The fans rally for Hiromu, even as Drilla hits him over and over!
The ref reprimands about closed fists so Drilla lets off. The ref checks Hiromu, he’s still conscious so Drilla drags him up by his hair. Connors barks at Hiromu, the fans rally, but the ref still wants to check Hiromu. Hiromu reaches out, shakes his head, and the fans rally as hard as they can. Drilla drags Hiromu back up, bumps him off Connors’ boot, then tags him in. They double whip, double ELBOW, then Connors DROPKICKS Bushi for good measure. Connors taunts the fans cheering on Hiromu, barks at him, then eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu sits up, flounders over, and he drags himself up using Connors’ pants.
Hiromu CHOPS, but Connors doesn’t flinch. Hiromu staggers, CHOPS and CHOPS, but Connors UPPERCUTS! Connors whips, ELBOWS Hiromu down, then covers, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors is annoyed. Connors scrapes his sole off Hiromu’s face! Tag to Drilla and he stomps Hiromu back down. Hiromu growls but Drilla stands him up. Drilla CHOPS, but Hiromu shakes his head. The fans rally up as Drilla eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu CHOPS, but Drilla CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS, Drilla CHOPS Hiromu down! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Hiromu stays in this, but Drilla sits him up for a chinlock.
Hiromu endures, even as Drilla digs his knee into Hiromu’s neck. The fans rally, Hiromu fights around, fights to his feet, and throws elbows. Hiromu is free but Drilla RAMS him into the corner! Tag to Connors, then Drilla JABS Hiromu! Connors taunts Hiromu, stays out of range, then kicks Hiromu down. Connors reels Hiromu in to snap suplex, then he runs to drop a JUMPING ELBOW! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Connors CLUBS Hiromu. Connors sits Hiromu up for a NECK TWIST! Then he clamps on for a neck wrench! The fans rally as Hiromu endures again. Hiromu fights to his feet, throws elbows and CHOPS!
Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS but Connors HEADBUTTS! Connors runs, but Hiromu dropkicks the legs out! Both men are down, the fans fire up, and Hiromu crawls. But Connors grabs hair and pulls Hiromu back! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Hot tag to Bushi! Bushi fires off on Connors, whips, but Connors reverses, only for Bushi to RANA! Drilla gets in to throw hands, but the ref reprimands. Drilla whips Bushi to a corner, runs in, but is sent into the corner! Bushi BOOTS Connors, brings Drilla in, BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO!
The fans fire up with Bushi, and he blocks a haymaker to spin and DDT Connors down! Cover, TWO! Bushi hurries to SMASH Connors’ knee! Bushi then ties the legs up, CLOVERLEAF KNEEBAR! Connors endures, scrambles, and grabs the ROPEBREAK! Bushi lets go at 4, the fans rally, and Bushi stomps Connors around. Bushi kicks at the leg, then blocks Connors’ leg to kick Connors. Bushi runs, Connors redirects to POUNCE! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Bushi and Connors crawl, hot tags to Drilla and Hiromu! Hiromu dodges Drilla to fire off forearms! Hiromu whips, ROCKS, and puts Drilla on ropes to KICK it!
Hiromu runs, Drilla dodges, but then Hiromu ELBOWS him! Hiromu whips Drilla to a corner, clotheslines him, snapmares and basement dropkicks! The fans fire up with Hiromu, “MOTO! MOTO!” Hiromu drags Drilla up to fireman’s carry, but Drilla slips free. Drilla shoves Hiromu to a corner, runs in but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs but fakes Drilla out to then wrench and facelock. But Drilla suplexes first! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again while Drilla frowns. Drilla drags Hiromu up and reels him in, but Hiromu fights the lift! Drilla ENZIGIRIS Hiromu, then reels him back in! Canadian Rack, but Hiromu slips free!
Hiromu shoves, wheelbarrows, but Drilla fights it! Hiromu powers through to COMPLETE SHOT after all! The fans fire up while both men are down! Hiromu staggers up, tag to Bushi! Bushi and Hiromu drag Drilla up, double whip and TU LO- NO, Drilla lands on his feet! Drilla gets around Bushi to waistlock, and RAMS Bushi into Hiromu and then them both into a corner! Schoolboy and DROPKICK for Bushi! All three are down and the fans rally again. Drilla crawls over, hot tag to Connors! Connors storms in and aims at Bushi. Bushi rises, into a LARIAT! Connors fires up, brings Bushi around and suplexes.
Bushi fights the lift, to dropkick the bad leg! Bushi dropkicks that leg again! Connors writhes, Bushi gets the legs, CLOVERLEAF KNEEBAR!! Connors flails, endures, reaches out, Hiromu intercepts Drilla into TRIANGLE D!! Connors continues to fight around, reaches for ropes, but Bushi steers him in the other direction! Drilla deadlifts Hiromu to POWERBOMB him onto Bushi!! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! Connors shakes out his bad leg while Bushi stirs. They rise up, and Bushi fires a forearm! And another! Connors fires back, but Bushi fires again! And again! And again! But Connors HEADBUTTS!
Connors wobbles, powers up, and runs, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up as Hiromu then blocks Drilla’s superkick! Hiromu hands that to Bushi, but then Drilla blocks Hiromu’s superkick! Connors SUPERKICKS Hiromu! Drilla gets free to SUPERKICK Bushi! Connors and Drilla aim, SPEAR GORE COMBO on Bushi!! Connors runs in at Hiromu, into a CORNER BELLY2BELLY! Drilla and Hiromu fire forearms, Hriomu gets the edge but Drilla RLOCKS him! And ripcord CHOPS! Hiromu ROLLING ELBOWS, SUPERKICKS, then fireman’s carries! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Drilla tumbles out and the fans are thunderous!
Hiromu & Bushi get Connors up, double fireman’s carry, but Connors fights free! Connors ROCKS Bushi, Hiromu waistlocks and Bushi returns, SUNSET FLIP GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Connors survives but Hiromu DROPKICKS Drilla! Bushi roars and goes up a corner! The fans fire up again as Bushi aims! Connors rises, into M- SPEAR!! Connors takes Bushi outta the sky! Drilla anchors Hiromu on the apron, for Connors to POUNCE!! Connors then drags Bushi back up, reels him in, and gives him NO- NO! Bushi turns the No Chaser into BUSHI ROLL!! Drilla drags Bushi right up!! And flips him into DRILLA KILLA!! Connors covers, HIROMU BREAKS IT!!!
The fans are thunderous but Drilla ENZIGIRIS Hiromu into NO CHASER!! The Dogs get Bushi up, and then Connors climbs! Drilla suplexes, for the FULL CLIP!! Cover, the Dogs win!
Winners: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Moloney, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
The War Dogs redeem themselves for failing on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku and are now rolling right into the round robin! Will nothing stop Connors & Moloney from proving they’re the Best of the Super Juniors?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion: SHO VS DOUKI!
When it comes to the House of Torture, shenanigans and underhanded tactics are their bread and butter. And nobody’s been doing it better than the Murder Machine. He literally stole this belt from El Desperado before snatching a win by count-out, and then got really lucky against Yoh. However, he’s finally tasting some of his own medicine! Japones Del Mal took the belt, then suckered him into accepting a title match! With the gold finally on the line, who will prove to be the sneakiest of all?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and wait, Sho takes the mic to say something first. He doesn’t trust what’s going on with Taichi on commentary?! Saying that it’s an unfair advantage!? Sho says Douki should try and win this title fair and square! He’s one to talk! Douki wags his finger, and he brings out the contract he had Sho sign. Douki makes it clear to Sho that this is all by the book. Sho still tries to deny it, thinking this is just an exhibition or something. Then he snatches the contract and EATS it?! Sho, that’s not gonna stop anything! Douki then DECKS Sho, stomps away, and the bell rings!
Douki bumps Sho off buckles, stomps him more, then digs his boot in. The fans rally while Sho suffers, and then Red Shoes counts. Douki lets off, drags Sho up, but Sho claws Douki’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands and fans boo but Sho whips. Douki reverses and does the splits to get under. Then he rolls back to RANA Sho, and then arm-drag! Sho staggers up, into another arm-drag! Douki dodges Sho, arm-drags to then get a leg, and he SMASHES the knee! The fans fire up while Sho bails out. Douki pursues but Sho kicks him first. Sho whips but Douki reverses to send Sho into railing! The fans cheer and Douki storms up on Sho.
Douki stalks Sho around the way, RAMS him into more railing, then puts the bad leg around railing! Sho wants mercy but Douki BOOST the railing! Sho falls over and the fans rally up. Douki storms up on Sho, drags him up, and puts him in the ring. The fans cheer and Douki stomps Sho at the ropes. Douki stomps the bad leg, then puts the leg on ropes to stand on it! HIP DROP! Sho writhes, the fans cheer, and Douki brings Sho around. Douki drops an elbow on the knee! Douki pulls on a toehold, Sho pulls on Douki’s mask! Red Shoes reprimands, Sho lets go, and then Sho has the ROPEBREAK! Sho shouts about it and Douki lets go.
The fans rally up while Douki stalks Sho. Douki stomps Sho’s legs, drags him back up and whips, but Sho holds ropes to block. Douki tries again, Sho still holds on, so Douki kicks the bad leg! Douki whips, Sho reverses, but Douki holds ropes! Sho runs in but Douki does the splits again, and Sho is sent tumbling out! Douki then goes to the apron, mule kicks Sho, but Sho sends a Young Lion into Douki! Douki falls and the fans boo! Red Shoes reprimands Sho, then checks Douki. Douki clutches his leg, but Sho drags him up and whips him into railing! Sho brings Douki out into the crowd now! And to the very back, to SLAM his leg into the wall!
Douki hobbles right in front of Section H while Sho grabs a chair. Sho digs that chair into the leg! Red Shoes reprimands and fans boo, but Sho lets off. Sho then stomps Douki’s bad leg, talks trash and leaves Douki behind. The fans rally for Douki while Sho gets in the ring. Sho smirks as he waits on the ring count. Douki sits up, shakes out the bad leg, and the fans rally up. The count reaches 10 of 20 before Douki stands. Douki hobbles his way to the aisle and hurries towards ringside. The count passes 15, then passes 17! Douki slides in safe at 19! Sho is upset with Red Shoes’ count, but then he grabs Douki’s bad leg to SMASH the knee!
Douki writhes, Sho wants Red Shoes to call this, but Red Shoes says no, Douki’s still okay. So Sho DDTs the leg! And DDTs it again! And again! Cover, TWO! Douki is still in this and the fans rally up again. Sho drags Douki up, wrenches, and kicks, KICKS and then stomps the leg! Then he kicks, KICKS and stomps the leg again! And again! Sho drags Douki up but Douki fires a forearm! Sho eggs Douki on, Douki throws more forearms, so Sho kicks the leg out! Sho drops into a KNEEBAR! Douki endures now, fights around, reaches out, but Sho uses his shirt for leverage on the leglock! The fans rally, Douki claws at the mat and drags Sho along to the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer while Sho lets go in frustration. But then Sho smirks as he looms over Douki, and he stomps the bad leg again. Douki shoves Sho away, fires up and fires off more forearms! Sho kicks the leg! Sho reels Douki in, but Douki fights the lift! Sho kicks the leg, reels Douki back in and hoists him up, but Douki slips free! Only for the bad leg to jam! Sho runs, but Douki dropkicks Sho’s bad leg! Both men are down while the fans rally back up. Sho makes his way to a corner, runs up, but Douki blocks to fire forearms again! Douki whips, Sho reverses, but Douki dropkicks the bad let! Sho scrambles to a corner!
Douki runs in to forearm smash! Douki then brings Sho up, ties up the legs, DOUBLE KNEE BREAKER! Douki runs to SHOTGUN Sho down! Cover, TWO! Sho stays in this but the fans rally behind Douki again. Douki slaps his bad leg into working, then he drags Sho up. Douki turns Sho, but Sho fights the Gory Especial! Douki still tries, but Sho wrenches an arm and bends fingers! Sho kicks and kicks, then he bends fingers again! Douki HELL STABS! Douki runs, Sho gets around to waistlock, but Douki fires elbows! Sho keeps Douki from getting away, but Douki kicks free. Sho blocks a kick, but so does Douki! Sho goes for the eyes!
Douki pulls Sho’s arm away, tucks it under the leg, and drops into a modified FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Sho endures and fans rally, but wait! Yoshinobu Kanemaru shows up! The Heel Master distracts for just a moment, then he gets in Taichi’s face! Taichi stands up, only for DICK TOGO’S SPOILER CHOKER!! The House of Torture is going after the Holy Emperor! The fans boo as Dick chokes Taichi out! Douki still keeps on Sho but Sho drags Red Shoes down! Yoshinobu storms in to stomp away on Douki! The fans boo but Douki lets Sho go and Yoshinobu drags him up. But Douki suplexes first! Sho sees this and freaks out!
Wait Dick gets on commentary in Taichi’s place!? Sho THROWS Douki into Red shoes! Then LOW BLOWS!! Then he THROWS Douki back into Red Shoes!! Sho hurries away from Douki, and Dick jumps in the ring! Dick stomps away on Douki while fans boo! Sho laughs but here come the other guys! Taka Michinoku & Yuya Uemura run Dick off, but here comes the rest of the House! Evil & Yujiro attack Yuya & Taka! The fans boo and tell them to go home, but they don’t care. Evil & Dick open Yuya’s legs for Yujiro’s FALLING HEADBUTT! Then they get Taka up as Dick climbs, for the DICK CHOP!
The fans boo as Yuya and Taka are down, and then the House drags Douki up. They double whip Douki to a corner, then Dick runs in to elbow! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! They snapmare Douki down, then Dick climbs up! The fans boo, but Douki suffers a DICK CHOP! Sho laughs and waves to Red Shoes. Evil gets Red Shoes in to count the cover, TWO!!! Douki survives and the fans are thunderous! Sho vows to end it now, and he drags Douki back up. Sho reels Douki in, lifts, for the POWER BREAKER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Douki survives again and Sho is furious! Sho drags Douki back up while the fans rally as hard as they can!
Sho brings Douki in, tucks the arms, but Douki fights the lift! And he drops down for the ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! But Sho powers through, tucks the arms again, and STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVERS! Cover, TWO!?!? Douki survives again and the entire House is beside itself! Taichi rises, but he’s cuffed to railing! Sho drags Douki up, says he’s done now, and then pump handles! SHOCK- NO! ITALIAN STRETCH #32!!! Douki has Sho, but Sho fights for ropes! Douki pulls on the hold, Dick gets on the apron! But Taka is back and YANKS Dick down! Douki rolls Sho from ropes for ITALIAN STRETCH!!
Yujiro and Evil get up but Yuya anchors them both! Sho is fading! Sho is turning red!! Who rang the bell!?! Not this crap again!! It was all DICK!! Douki realizes he hasn’t won, and then Evil SHOVES Douki into Red Shoes!! Red Shoes takes a tumble right out of the ring, and the House stomps away on Douki again! The House taunt Douki, but Douki fights back! Evil CLAWS Douki’s eyes! But Taichi has a Young Lion free him! And he hurries to ringside! Evil & Yujiro double whip Douki, Douki grabs ropes, and Taichi runs in to DOUBLE AX BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous as Taichi tells his old friend to keep fighting!
Just5Guys turn the tides on the House by stomping away on Dick! They double whip Dick to a corner, then Taka clotheslines! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Taichi runs up to clothesline! Then Taka goes up! They get Dick in place for a HAWK CHOP! Dick flounders out, Taka & Yuya PLANCHA out onto Yujiro & Evil! The fans are thunderous as J5G drags the House to the back! Now it’s just Douki and Sho all alone as we hit 20 minutes! Sho crawls for his corner, he wants his Torture Tool! But Douki goes to his corner, and he brings out his PIPE! And Douki’s is bigger! Sho freaks out, wanting to tell Red Shoes about this!
Douki tells Sho to bring it, so Sho swings! Douki dodges, swings, but Sho dodges! Sho swings but Douki blocks, and Sho loses grip on his wrench! Douki JAMS Sho with the pipe, then CHOKES him, into a STEEL DODON NO JUTSU!! Douki gets the pipe outta there, and a spare ref hurries out here! The fans fire up as Douki roars, and he brings Sho back up! Douki reels Sho in, for the SAHARAWI SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO?!? Sho survives but the fans are electric for Douki! Douki pounds the mat, powers up, and he wheelbarrows Sho! Full nelson, SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!!! Bridging cover, YOSHINOBU YANKS THE REF!!
Kanemaru stomps away on Douki as fans boo! Kanemaru goes out, grabs his whiskey and takes a big swig! Kanemaru aims, but Douki HELL STABS! The whiskey mist flies into the air, then Douki DECKS Kanemaru! But wait! Ren Narita shows up! He was staying back just for this moment! Narita has the push-up bar and he slides into the ring! Narita SNATCHES the mask!! And as Douki covers up, Narita JAMS him with the bar!! Then he reels Douki in for DOUBLECROSSER!! The fans boo, but Narita at least puts Douki’s mask back on before he helps Sho cover. Narita gets the second ref, Kenta, into the ring, and tells him to count! The ref sees Sho, counts, and Sho wins!!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
The most powerful fight Douki’s ever put up is completely besmirched by the most disgusting game the House has ever rigged! Sho is in no shape to get the mic so Narita brings it over. Sho laughs and says he’s just too strong, it’s becoming a problem. The fans boo as Sho this is what Douki gets for making this more than just sparring. Sho leaves the ring with The House but he keeps on talking, saying he’s happy to be leaving Kagoshima anyway. And as for BOSJ up next, Sho’s confident it’ll be a piece of cake at this rate! Narita raises Sho’s hand in victory and the streamers fly! But will Sho really be able to stack the deck each and every round?
My Thoughts:
A really good Satsuma, even if it’s kinda wedged in right before Dontaku. The Junior Heavyweight title matches were both great stuff, made to feel very close, but in the end, I figured Bullet Club was retaining the gold going into the Best of the Super Juniors. Connors & Moloney are a tough team, they even won a big Triple Threat, so them winning here isn’t really a knock on Hiromu & Bushi. Plus, there could be a chance Hiromu gets a strong showing in BOSJ to go after the singles title again.
And boy, they really overbooked the main event there. I was hoping Douki was gonna find a way, but they did a great job making Narita the final card to play. He stayed back and I didn’t even think about him until he showed up, but of course he’s the deciding factor. Sho retains, and he’ll go into the tournament with the title, but I really hope someone gets their golden ticket off beating him in the round robin just to stick it to him.
My Score: 8.7/10
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