ACKNOWLEDGE the contract signing!

With the World Heavyweight Championship match set for Backlash, all that’s left is for Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu to sign the contract!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh; JD wins.
• PENTA & Je’Von Evans VS Rusev & Ethan Page; Rusev & Ethan win.
• Austin Theory w/ The Vision VS Joe Hendry; Hendry wins, by disqualification.
• The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS Otis w/ The Alpha Academy; Oba wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Americanos VS Los Hermanos Americanos; Los Hermanos Americanos win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns arrives backstage.

And Adam Pearce catches him right as he exits the car. The Raw General Manager knows Roman is heated from last week but they need to discuss things first. Roman says first off, no, he wants to know where Jacob Fatu is at. And second, don’t you hear the fans already cheering for him? Hit his music! Pearce tries to calm Roman down but has to shout at him first. Jacob Fatu is not here… yet. But Seth Rollins is! Architect and Tribal Chief stare down, and Rollins says Roman is in his way. Roman steps aside, and Rollins’ song hits first! The fans in Omaha, Nebraska sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as Rollins heads to the ring.

But then BRON BREAKKER CLOBBERS ROLLINS! Bron HAMMERS away on Rollins, drags him around, and throws hockey scrum body shots! Bron CLOBBERS Rollins again, then stands him back up so he can gorilla press him! Bron drops Rollins on barriers! Rollins falls back, sputters, but security and producers hurry out here. Bron THROWS security around! Then he drags Rollins up to RAM him into steel steps! Adam Pearce shouts at Bron but Bron drags Rollins into the ring! The refs get Bron to back off, producers check on Rollins, but then Bron breaks through to slip into the ring! SPEAR!!

Bron looms over Rollins while the fans bark. Rollins coughs and sputters while Bron tells him this is just a taste. Bron takes his leave, the damage done. But will he do even worse when the match is on for Backlash?

Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.

Liv Morgan says that Stephanie Vaquer is injured, no worrying about her anymore. But now to talk about the not so good news. Like what the hell was Finn doing in here last week?! Roxie doesn’t know, he must be delusional. Liv says she’s not worried about Finn, JD McDonagh finishes this tonight. Liv is worried about Roxie. Why did Finn think it was okay to talk to Roxie? Why didn’t Roxie tell them about it? Why did Liv have to watch it through Netflix to learn about what’s going on? Roxie says she didn’t mention it because she made it clear to Finn. She told him to get out and never come back. But Liv’s right, Roxie should’ve said something.

But don’t worry! Roxie’s loyal to Judgment Day, they know that. Yes, Liv is glad to hear that, because she believes in Roxie. Roxie & Raquel are going to be the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, they just can’t let anything get between the family. Promise Liv that you won’t keep secrets, Roxie. Roxie promises. Promises what…? That she will never keep any secrets from Judgment Day. Good. So they ready? Liv, Dom & JD head out, and Raquel pats Roxie on the head. But will things be (not) fine for Judgment Day?

Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!

Raw returns as The Irish Ace makes his entrance, Dirty Dom by his side. The bell rings, the two tie up, and JD wrenches to wristlock. JD YANKS the arm, but the fans taunt him as “BOBBLEHEAD! BOBBLEHEAD!” Finn rolls, wrenches, but JD wrangles Finn back down. JD puts on the pressure but Finn kips up to wrench, slip through, and headlock. JD powers up but can’t power out as Finn holds on tight! JD endures, rolls to a cover, ONE! JD headscissors, Finn kips free, and Finn arm-drags! Finn grinds JD with the armlock, but JD fights up. JD rolls, powers Finn to ropes, but the ref counts.

JD backs off slowly, but Dom trips Finn up! The fans boo Dom but then JD RAMS Finn! Dom flexes and soaks up the heat while JD RAMS Finn more. JD lets off so he can soak up heat, then he stalks Finn to another corner. JD CHOPS, then he whips corner to corner. Finn goes up and over to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Finn warns Dom, but JD turns things around. Finn dodges JD to CHOP him back! Cover, TWO! Finn drags JD up, brings him around, and gives some Latino Heat! JD wrenches free but Finn ducks JD’s lariat to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Finn keeps his eyes on Dom, then goes back to JD.

JD drop toeholds Finn, then runs to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Finn goes to ropes but JD KICKS his leg! JD KICKS the leg again, then puts the leg on ropes. JD drops a KNEE on the knee! Finn writhes, the fans boo, but Dom applauds as JD YANKS the bad leg. GROUND DRAGON SCREW! JD then drops an ELBOW on the leg, then clamps on a toehold. Finn endures, kicks JD in the back, and the fans rally as both men stand. JD storms up on Finn, whips, but Finn reverses. JD sunset flips, Finn rolls through and basement DROPKICKS! JD goes to ropes, Finn LARIATS him up and out! The fans fire up as Finn builds speed, but Dom trips him up again!

The fans boo as Finn shouts at Dom, but JD CLOBBERS Finn! Finn tumbles out of the ring, but here comes Roxie! The fans boo Judgment Day as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn fights up in the headlock. Finn fires body shots, and now the rest of Judgment Day hurries out here. JD CLUBS Finn, whips him, but Finn goes up and- NO, JD catches Finn on the over, but Finn holds onto the ropes! JD pries Finn free, but Finn slips down to dragon sleeper! EYE OF THE HURRICANE! The fans cheer Finn on, but he’s all alone ringside now that it is 5v1! JD and Finn rise up, but Finn ROCKS JD! And ROCKS him again! And again, and again! Finn whips and BACKDROPS JD! JD flounders, Finn trips him to DOUBLE STOMP! The fans cheer Finn as he flexes!

Finn drags JD up, whips him to ropes, but JD reverses. Finn comes back to SLINGBLADE! The fans cheer as Finn aims from a corner. But Dom gets on the apron! Finn DECKS Dom, JD rolls Finn, TWO! JD swings, Finn dodges and CHOPS! Finn runs, but into the SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives but just barely! Finn goes to the apron while the fans rally harder and harder. JD storms over, but Finn RAMS into him! Then GAMANGIRIS! Finn goes up, up, but Raquel distracts the ref! Dom shakes the ropes, and Finn falls! The ref realizes something is wrong, so she EJECTS Dom! The fans cheer as things are a bit more even now.

Liv & Dom are upset but JD still drags Finn to a drop zone. JD goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS, but onto knees! Cover, TWO! Finn hurries to SLINGBLADE JD again! The fans rally for Finn while the ladies of Judgment Day coach JD. Liv gets on the apron, but the ref tells her to back off. Liv sneaks something to Roxie! The bell hammer!? Finn SHOTGUNS JD! Roxie has the bell hammer to CRACK Finn!! The fans boo but JD HEADBUTTS Finn! JD falls on the cover, JD wins!

Winner: JD McDonagh, by pinfall

Roxie proves her loyalties by doing Liv’s dirty work, and JD finally gets a win over his old mentor. Is there no hope for Finn against this many enemies?

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

Jackie Redmond apologizes to The Architect for bothering him, as he is clearly in pain after that vicious assault from Bron Breakker. But what does this mean for Backlash. Will Rollins be okay? Rollins says Backlash is in five days, he’ll be fine. Rollins told “the kid” last week, that if you take your shot, you better be able to finish the job. Rollins ain’t dead yet. Rollins storms off, will he be able to game plan a way to get around Bron’s speed, strength, and ruthless aggression?

The Vision regroups backstage.

Bron Breakker says he couldn’t let Rollins go to the ring and get on the mic to bore us all to death. He can’t stand listening to that guy! He’s like a duck! “Quack, quack! I’m the best wrestler in the world! Quack!” Austin Theory joins in, “Lemme sing my song! Quack quack!” Paul Heyman walks in and says, “Is Seth Rollins still breathing?” Bron says yes, he is. Logan Paul says one guy who won’t be is Joe Hendry! Logan’s gonna beat him to a pulp! Logan swears to God, let him get his hands on Hendry and he’ll hospitalize him permanently! PLEASE! Heyman says that’s why tonight, Logan is not fighting Joe Hendry. W-What?!

Heyman says Bron almost got suspended again, Brock Lesnar retired on us, and if Logan were to get his hands on Hendry, he’ll be put in jail for what he does to him! That’s why tonight, it is Joe Hendry VS Austin Theory. Theory says it’s alright, Maverick. If Logan wants Hendry smacked around, Theory will smack him around. If Logan wants Hendry hurt, Theory will hurt him. He’ll put the Pressure on Hendry, and Logan can just watch. Bron says relax, you’re THE Logan Paul. Vision will get ’em all, one by one. They fist bump on that, but will The Vision all be turned into believers soon enough?

PENTA & Je’Von Evans VS Rusev & Ethan Page!

After the multiple blindsides the past few weeks, he WWE Intercontinental Champion and the Young OG team up against some common enemies in The Bulgarian Lion and All Ego! But will the power of #CeroMiedo see them through? Or will Rusev CRUSH while Ethan steals everyone’s smile?

Raw returns as Rusev makes his entrance, followed by Ethan’s. The teams sort out and Evans starts against Rusev. They circle while the fans rally, and Rusev picks Evans up! Rusev RAMS Evans into the corner, RAMS him again and again, but stops as the ref counts 4. Rusev snarls, ROCKS Evans, then CLUBS him on the back. Evans flounders but Rusev stands him up. Rusev whips, Evans stops himself and BOOST back! Evans ROCKS Rusev with haymaker after haymaker! Evans runs, but Rusev ELBOWS him down! The fans boo but Rusev stalks Evans to a corner. Rusev drags Evans up by his hair, then tags Ethan.

The fans boo more as Ethan and Rusev mug Evans. Ethan says see, they’re a team! Ethan drags Evans up but Evans CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but Ethan takes a swing. Evans ducks that to DECK Ethan! Then he ROCKS Rusev, too! Ethan runs up, Evans wrenches and kicks! Evans snap suplexes, kips up, and does the Penta swagger! The fans cheer while Evans taunts Rusev. Evans whips, Ethan reverses, but Evans grabs ropes to stop himself. Ethan runs up, Evans flips up and over, tag to Penta! Ethan runs up again but into Penta’s GAMANGIRI! Evans adds a DROPKICK! Penta GAMANGIRIS Ethan again!

Penta sits Ethan down, then headstands for the SWINGING DROPKICK! Rusev runs up, but Penta & Evans dodge to DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Then Penta gives Evans the boost to RANA Rusev! Rusev tumbles out, Evans PLANCHAS, and down goes Rusev! Ethan grabs Penta by the mask, reels him in, but Penta wrenches out! Half nelson, pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives but sputters while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again as Rusev UPPERCUTS Penta! The fans rally for Penta as Rusev whips corner to corner and SPLASHES! Penta tumbles outside but Rusev goes out after him. Rusev puts Penta back in, but Penta triangle jumps to LARIAT! Rusev is down and Penta crawls! The fans rally harder and harder, but Rusev YANKS Evans from the apron! The fans boo as Rusev denies Penta a tag. Rusev whips Penta to the corner, but P etnta BLASTS Ethan! Then he dodges Rusev! Penta goes to his corner, but Evans is still down! Ethan tags in and he CLOBBERS Penta! Ethan rains down fists, then drags Penta from the corner.

Ethan CLUBS Penta, soaks up heat, and Rusev runs up on Evans! Evans hurdles, Rusev crashes into steel steps! Penta dodges Twisted Grin to BACKSTABBER! The fans fire up as Penta crawls! Hot tag to Evans and Omaha erupts! Evans BOOTS, SUPERKICKS, then LARIATS Ethan! And goes Matrix to dodge, kip up and STUNNER! Ethan wobbles, Evans WRECKS Rusev, then he slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX Ethan! The fans fire up as Evans builds speed to FLY! #WeOutside! Evans throws off his shirt, springboards back in, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ethan survives, he isn’t a former NXT Champion for nothing!

The fans rally for Evans, he goes up a corner, and he MOONSAULTS, but Ethan gets under! ROUNDHOUSE! Ethan reels Evans in, TWISTED- NO, Evans pops free to SUPERKICK! Evans runs, but Ethan BOOTS him first! Ethan whips, but Evans rebounds, RED DOT GAMANGIRI! Hot tag to Penta, springboard TORNADO DDT! Cover, but Rusev breaks it! Evans goes after Rusev but Rusev shoves him away. Evans DUMPS Rusev out, then DIVES! Another hit on Rusev, and now he’s on the desk! The fans are thunderous as they see that look in Evans’ eyes! Evans hurries to the corner and climbs up top!

The fans are going nuts already, but Etan SHOVES Evans down! Penta SUPERKICKS Ethan! Penta then slingshots to- NO, Ethan dodges and SWEEPS the leg! Penta is down but the ref won’t let Ethan go after him. Rusev handles that with an URENAGE on the desk! Rusev feeds Penta to Ethan, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, ETHAN & RUSEV WIN!

Winners: Rusev & Ethan Page, by pinfall

Both Bulgarian Brute and All Ego have sinister grins on their face, and they celebrate their victory! Not too buddy-buddy, of course. But will these two both have their shot at Penta’s Intercontinental Championship?

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

“When I was a coach in NXT, my favorite, my absolute favorite days, was when a surefire, can’t-miss, blue chip future superstar saw their dreams come true when they got the opportunity to sign one of these to join Raw or SmackDown. Guys, today is one of those days. Let’s take a look.” The fans cheer as we get a highlight reel of the former NXT Women’s North American & WWE Speed Women’s Champion, and Pearce asks we all welcome the newest Raw superstar, Sol Ruca! Sol makes her entrance with a new song, and high-fives fans as she heads down the ramp. Sol joins Pearce in the ring, grabs herself a mic, and Pearce congratulates her.

The fans cheer and Sol smiles as she takes the contract. “Damn. It is going to feel so damn good when I sign this and officially be a part of Monday Night Raw.” But wait, Becky Lynch is interrupting! Pearce is upset as the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion storms her way to the ring. Becky grabs herself a mic to tell Petty Pearce that she’s been looking for him all day! She was told that THIS would be her time for her Celebration of Greatness! Who told her that?! Doesn’t matter, she knows they were a very credible, reliable source. But point is, after her monumental WrestleMania moment, Pearce came out and illegally sanctioned a match with “Iyo Jennetty.”

Which explicitly went against the parameters of her open challenge! But even with that meddling, Becky won! Uncontroversial because she’s the greatest female wrestler of all time, and it’s not just her saying it, other people say it. Sports Illustrated says it, Bleacher Report says it! Sol asks Becky, “Are you done?!” Becky says no, actually, and she’s also a New York Times best seller. Sol says not everything is about Becky. Becky says okay, okay, Sol is very new here, but the sooner she learns this the better. Everything is about her! Well, not this. Everyone knows who Becky is, we know what Becky’s done and accomplished.

But the thing is, Sol didn’t expect to find out that upon meeting Becky, Becky is exactly what everyone says she is. W-Which is? The Man? The history maker? The ground breaker? No. They say Becky is a rude, big-headed B*TCH! And it’s not just Sol saying it, it’s New York Times, Sports Illustrated- Becky says Pearce may be terrible at her job, but is he really letting Sol talk to her like this?! Becky asks if the fans are letting Sol talk to her like this. “YES!” Becky is flabbergasted but the fans cheer Sol on. Becky ask who even is this, and Sol finishes singing her contract. This is Sol Ruca, and if you ever interrupt her again, not only will Sol kick your ass, but she’ll snatch your soul.

Becky takes a swing, Sol dodges, so the punch hits PEARCE! Oops! Becky apologizes but Pearce is furious! Sol smiles as Becky panics, and then she runs up to use the corner! SOUL SNATCHER! The Man is down! Is Sol about to turn the tides and wash away Becky’s big time ego?

The Usos are backstage.

Jackie Redmond catches them as they head for Roman Reigns’ room, and asks them how they’re feeling ahead of the contract signing. Jimmy says it is a big night! Contract signing night between OTC and Samoan Werewolf, and they wouldn’t miss this for nothing. Now, they got a lot of love for Jacob, but Jacob needs to understand how OTC does business, especially when there’s championship gold on the line. Ya feel ’em? Jackie understands, but aren’t they conflicted considering their relationship with both? Jey says nah, Jackie, this right here is family bidness, plain and simple. OTC knows how to handle himself. The Usos are just in case something pops off.

But Jacob, The Usos already told you, Uce! You swimming in deep water now. You bit off more than you can chew. You’re swinging for the fences, though! But they respect that, aight? But Jey is telling you, The Bloodline has been drawn! And at Backlash, you gonna find out who you messing with, Jacob. Good luck, lil’ cousin. YEET. The Usos then step inside Roman’s room. What will the OG Bloodline discuss in regards to this very same family business?

Austin Theory w/ The Vision VS Joe Hendry!

The Vision were a bit… triggered, perhaps, by what The Prestigious Joe Hendry joked about during his concert. But will Hendry feel the Pressure here tonight? Or will Omaha be full of believers after tonight?

Raw returns as Hendry continues his concert where it left off! “He’s one amazing athlete, but he’s a piece of trash! He can shove his trading cards directly up his.. Paul! Paul! Can we fire Logan Paul? Everyone! Paul! Paul! Can we fire Logan Paul?” Logan storms out and shouts that he thought he made it clear that Hendry cannot fire Logan Paul! He is UN-FIREABLE! TKO cannot fire Logan, that’s bad business! Logan IS business! Logan is the heart and soul of the WWE! Hendry says he knows Logan is upset, and he’s glad to see Logan, because this part of the song is the apology. It goes like this: “Paul, Paul, can we fire Logan Paul?”

Logan swears to kill Hendry, but Theory runs up! The bell rings, Hendry fires hands, then LAIRATS Theory up and out of the ring! The fans cheer, Logan tells Theory to handle this! Theory and Logan reset, circle, but the Logan shouts at Hendry. That distraction lets Theory CLOBBER Hendry from behind! The fans boo but Theory CLUBS away on Hendry. Theory then clamps onto Hendry to throw hands right into the side of his head! The fans boo more but Theory CLOBBERS Hendry again! Theory & Logan soak up the heat, then Theory slaps Hendry around. Theory scoops to hit a BACKBREAKER! Theory and Logan fire each other up, but the ref has Logan back off.

Theory stands Hendry up, but Hendry UPPERCUTS and CHOPS and repeat! Hendry whips corner to corner, Theory reverses hard, and Hendry falls to the mat. Theory rains down fists, talks trash, but the fans chant, “Logan Sucks! Logan Sucks!” Logan shouts back that he does not, and Theory goes back to Hendry. Theory drags Hendry up, talks trash, and snap suplexes! “Who sucks now?!” The Vision soaks up more heat, then Theory drags Hendry up. Theory talks more trash, but Hendry suplexes Theory now! The fans cheer while Logan is already upset again. Hendry rises, the fans rally behind him, and Hendry fires haymakers!

Hendry whips Theory to ropes to then LARIAT! Theory flounders from taking the “Commonwealth Clothesline,” and Hendry runs to LARIAT in the corner! Hendry keeps moving, but Theory blows past! Only for Hendry to catch him! FALL AWAY SLAM! And then a kip up, for the… TURN! The fans cheer, but LOGAN ATTACKS!

Winner: Joe Hendry, by disqualification

The fans boo but Logan HAMMERS away on Hendry! Logan hands Hendry the win but he snarls as he tells Hendry, “Nobody can fire me!” Hendry fires off fists! Theory goes after Hendry, the fans boo as The Vision mugs Hendry! They stomp and punch away, but here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins again take the fight to The Vision! SUPERKICK for Logan! Then Ford spins Theory around to ENZIGIRI! Dawkins takes Theory for THE SILENCER! The fans pump it up for The Profits, and Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Theory! Ford climbs up, but BRON runs in! Bron THROWS Ford out of the ring! Then Bron CLOBBERS Dawkins!

The fans bark as Bron then GERMAN SUPLEXES Dawkins! The Unpredictable Badass turns the tides, but SETH ROLLINS trips him up! The fans cheer as Rollins gets revenge with furious fists! Rollins THROWS Bron into steel steps! Rollins stomps away, then they brawl in the ring! Rollins rains down fists while the fans cheer! Rollins BLASTS Logan & Theory off the apron, then LARIATS Bron down! Omaha is erupting as Rollins is shaking the ropes! Rollins aims, but hold on! Ford FLIES out to take out Logan & Theory! But Bron SPEARS Rollins in the distraction! Bron snarls as he tells Rollins he was that close.

Bron leaves Rollins down again, but he’s still roughed up himself. Will either man survive the Backlash?

Backstage interview with Judgment Day.

Jackie is now with Liv, Dom, JD, Raquel & Roxie, and brings up them sending a message to Finn. But what is the focus moving forward? Liv says yeah, you saw what they did to Finn tonight, and to Vaquer last week. The focus is getting all the gold and crushing anyone who gets in their way. And this season is all about Raquel & Roxie! Tell her, sister! Raquel warns Brie Bella & Paige that their nostalgia tour was cute for a night, but it’s time to get serious. She wants them both to come to their show, because- Bayley & Lyra Valkyria step in, and The Role Model says, “Well, well, well. Wouldya look at here? Can anyone in the Judgment Day get anything done on their own?”

Bayley has known them all for so long and she is just finally getting it. Lyra says they weren’t gonna forget what happened to them last week, either. If they’re such a big happy family, then they won’t be afraid to take them on. Liv mocks them and says families help each other win. Try it sometime, losers. Bye~! Bye~! Judgment Day leaves, but will #BayLyra humble them soon enough? And what of Brie & Paige answering the challenge to show up on “Judgment Day’s show?”

The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS ???

With champions either too busy, too lazy, or perhaps too afraid to accept a challenge, The Ruler is making HIMSELF into the challenge! Who will answer the call, and who will be thrown from the mountaintop in Omaha?

Oba has the mic to say,” The time has come. The Oba Femi Open Challenge will now begin.” And it’s AKIRA TOZAWA that answers the call! He is accompanied by Maxxine Dupri & Otis, but can The Stamina Monster even survive?

The bell rings and Tozawa steps up to be face to… chest with Oba… Tozawa gest scared, but Otis says that’s okay, HE will step up. Even Oba likes the look of this! The bell rings, and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Oba SHOVES Otis! That alone is impressive, but Otis comes back to RAM Oba! Oba stays put and the fans continue to cheer. Oba and Otis are forehead to forehead, then Oba RAMS Otis! Otis doesn’t budge and the fans cheer! They start shoving, then Otis rips his shirt away! Oba RAMS Oba, Oba RAMS Otis, but Otis dodges! Only for Oba to UPPERCUT Otis down! Oba then hauls Otis up, for a SUPER SHOTPUT!

The fans are thunderous as Oba is fired up, and he watches Otis slowly get up. Even Oba is wondering if this is possible, but he kicks Otis first. Oba nods and says he knows how to get this done. Oba hoists Otis up the corner, then gets under Otis, for a SUPER SIZED FALL FROM GRACE!! Cover, Oba wins!

Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall

The first challenge was already a big challenge, but Oba was still up to the challenge! And after seeing that, will anyone even want to step up next week?

Refs check on Rollins backstage.

Rollins insists that despite how he looks, he is fine. Just leave him alone. Rollins sees Hendry & The Profits, and he “thanks” Montez Ford for setting him up for that second spear. Ford says thanks to Rollins’ past antics, nobody, and Ford means NOBODY, trusts Rollins! Oh, wow, nobody? Ford doesn’t trust him, Dawkins doesn’t trust him, Rollins doesn’t even know Hendry but Hendry probably doesn’t trust him. Guess what? Rollins doesn’t even trust himself! But who cares!? They’re in the same fight! They’re all after The Vision, so those fights are gonna come together! But here’s the deal: They stay out of Rollins’ way, he’ll stay out of theirs. Got it?

Rollins storms off, but does he have it all backwards? Shouldn’t they all work together if they want to tear The Vision down?

Adam Pearce mediates a meeting between Iyo Sky and Asuka.

The Raw General Manager knows these two are set to face off at Backlash, so the floor is theirs. Iyo starts by telling “Asuka-san, I have avoided this fight for years. You know this. You are exactly what you say you are: my senpai; my mentor; I looked up to you. I loved you. And despite everything you have done to me, I still have the utmost respect for you. I never wanted to have this fight, and I never wanted it to come to this. But… You have changed.” Asuka says nothing has changed, but Iyo says yes, she has! The Asuka that Iyo looked up to is no longer here! Now, Iyo has no choice but to fight Asuka.

Asuka says Iyo continues her disrespect, so the Iyo that Asuka taught is no longer here, either! This person sitting here, who are you? “I don’t know anyone this disrespectful. Who are you?” Asuka says this is her biggest disappointment! Do you not get how she feels?! Asuka is done with Iyo. At Backlash, Asuka cuts Iyo out of her life for good. Iyo says fine, she understands. Because she IS ready for Asuka! Asuka rolls her eyes, then leans in close, to MIST IYO RIGHT IN THE FACE!! Pearce is furious, has Asuka get out of here, and shouts for a doctor! The Empress of Tomorrow shows no remorse, but will The Genius show no mercy at Backlash?

Backstage interview with El Grande Americano Original and…?

Jackie is with Chad G- er, uh, the Original EGA and The Creed Brothers, who are now “Los Americanos Hermanos,” The American Brothers… After that surprise attack on the other El Grande Americano at AAA during the Mask VS Mask contract signing, how are they feeling going into this trios match? Well, thankfully, the No Physicality Agreement was for Mexico. That means here in Middle America, all bets are off! Now, the boys saw how they great EGA Original in AAA, it’s ridiculous! So they decided to do the honorable thing and help him out. They take inspiration from a close personal friend of his, Chad Gable, still sidelined with injury.

But on May 30th, we find out once and for all that there is only ONE El Grande Americano, and you’re lookin’ at him! The ORIGINAL El Grande Americano! AH GRACIAS~! Los Americanos Original heads to the ring, but will this be an American made victory? Or will the real Americanos please stand up?

Six Man Tag: Los Americanos VS Los Americanos Original!

Raw returns as the other Los Americanos make their entrance. The trios sort out, but then El Grande Dos throws his cape at Original! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! The fists fly, but “Julio” DUMPS Rayo out, then “Bruto” ROCKS Bravo! The brothers THROW Bravo out before Original LARIATS Americano Dos out! The fans cheer, “AH GRACIAS~!” Bravo rushes in, Bruto FLAPJACKS him, and now the match is on! Bruto copies Bravo’s dance, then UPPERCUTS! Tag to Julio, they double whip to DOUBLE BACKDROP! Julio struts but Rayo tags in. Rayo ROCKS and KICKS Julio, then CHOPS! Rayo runs, but into an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELL!

Julio kips up while Rayo hobbles. Julio reels Rayo in for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Tag to Bruto, then tag to Original. Julio ELBOWS Rayo in the corner, Bruto BACK BODY BLOCKS, then feed to Original’s HIP TOSS! The fans cheer and Original covers, TWO! Original drags Rayo up, wrenches, wristlocks, but Rayo breaks free to SMACK him! Tag to El Grande Dos! The Grandes tie up, go around, and Original arm-drags! They fight back up, Dos wrenches but Original rolls to SLAP back! Original headlocks but Rayo tags in as Dos powers up and out. They then trip Original out, bring him to the outside, and Grande Dos WRECKS Original with a dropkick!

The fans are torn as Los Americanos stand tall, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again as Rayo BOOTS Bruto off the corner! Rayo then clamps onto Julio with a SLEEPER! The fans rally as Julio endures, reaches out, but drops to his knees. Julio powers up again to BACKPACK SENTON! The fans rally while both men are down, hot tags to the Grandes! Original THROWS Dos, then rains down fists! Dos gets free, Bravo goes up and leaps in! Original catches him for an EXPLODER! Original fires hands, then clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ROLLING LIGER KICK on Rayo! Then Original ducks the discus to ANGLE SLAM! The fans fire up with Original and he waistlocks, but Bravo tags in!

Bravo y Rayo save their Americano from Chaos Theory, only for Original to waistlock Bravo! Bravo grabs Rayo in a panic, DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up for Original Grande, and he goes out to CANNONBALL! He CLOBBERS Rayo, goes up a corner, but Dos distracts the ref! That lets Rayo SHOVE Original off the corner! But Julio springs right up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Bruto is up to MOONSAULT! But Dos CLOBBERS Bruto with the headbutt! GAMANGIRI for Julio! But then both Grandes run up, DOUBLE HEADBUTTS! Bravo is up top, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Bravo is furious but the fans rally up, “This is Awesome!”

Rayo aims at Bruto, runs up, and SUPERKICKS from the apron! Then he SEATED SENTONS! But Julio gets Bravo up, APRON BOMB! Grande Dos PENALTY KICKS Julio! But Original has Bravo, RAMS him into Dos, then hits CHAOS THEORY! The fans cheer as Original goes up top, but Grande Dos grabs him! But the brothers RAM him into the barriers! Original DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, Los Americanos Original win!

Winners: Los Americanos Original, by pinfall

AH GRACIAS~! But will this momentum carry El Grande Americano Original through that Mask VS Mask match at the end of May?

Roman Reigns heads to the ring!

Now that there is no one to stand in his way, The OTC, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, walks out on stage and raises his finger to the sky. The pyro goes off, and it is time for the title fight contract signing. But will things stay civil in this family civil war? We’ll find out, after the break.

Raw returns as Roman gets his second round of pyro, then joins Pearce in the ring. Roman makes sure to sit at the head of the table, then Pearce introduces the challenger, Jacob Fatu! The fans cheer the Samoan Werewolf as he makes his entrance. Pearce says we all know how this works: two signatures on the contract makes this match official. The fans sing for “Roman, Roman Reigns~!” while he stares down with Jacob. Roman picks up his mic first to say, “Nah, Pearce, you know how this works. Omaha, Nebraska…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME.” The fans cheer and chant “O T C! O T C!” Roman asks if Jacob hears all that.

Roman says that’s not just love, but the sound of respect! The fans cheer that, and Roman says you don’t think he knows where Jacob comes from? That he wasn’t watching from afar? That respect wasn’t earned just from hanging out. Jacob was grinding for 12 years, but Roman was here for OVER 12 years! The fans cheer again, and Roman tells Jacob that Roman was the one in this company, his foot holding the door open for Solo Sikoa. Solo brought Fatu in? Well guess what? Roman brought Solo in. Therefore, Roman brought Fatu in. And Roman will be damned if there is not respect to be had in this business for him!

The fans again cheer for “O T C! O T C!” and Roman says this is about respect. There has to be a code, there has to be an honor system. They can’t just run roughshod around here, bogarding everything for the family. No, there has to be a system of conduct that they can hang their hats on, understand? The Tongan Death Grip… Jacob disrespects Roman with something that he saves for desperate measures. Where does Jacob think they are? In some bar at 3AM, surrounded 8v1? THAT is when you bust out the Tongan Death Grip, THAT is when you snatch someone’s throat! You don’t do that to family! You don’t do that to your own. You don’t do that to your Tribal Chief!

The fans cheer again, but Fatu says, “Hold on, what?! Tribal Chief? Hey. That’s where you got it all wrong, you don’t understand. Yes, I am desperate. Yes, it feels like it’s just me against the world. Yes, my back is against the wall. So I have no other choice but to take you out, take this title, and everything that comes with it!” The fans are torn on that, but Fatu says to keep it 100, then he’ll put a choke hold on this game, and he’ll squeeze out every dollar and cent, just the way this company been doing their family for decades! So when Fatu’s talking all gas, no brakes with it, that doesn’t mean slowing down, it means moving forward and never going back to where he came from.

So yes, Roman, Fatu is desperate. Desperate enough to do anything for his household, even if he gotta run through his own blood! Roman says this is what he’s talking about! Fatu’s household?! Let’s get this out the way. Roman signs his part, the fans cheer, and then Roman pushes the contract to Fatu. Fatu is talking about his household, but Roman says he’s been up here over a decade for MULTIPLE households! Fatu is worried about seven kids, but Roman’s worried about 170 kids! Fatu is worried about higher education, but Roman is worried about generation after generation! Because Roman is the one that can do that! Proof of concept! The respect! WWE does business with HIM!

Roman already told everyone a long time ago, this is ALL HIS! This is HIS ring! And yes, in their family, they’re equals, of the same blood. But in this ring, Jacob, you’re beneath him! JACOB SNATCHES ROMAN! Roman CLAWS Fatu’s face, THROWS him into buckles, then THROWS an armchair at him! The fans fire up but Pearce wants Roman to calm down. Roman grabs the belt, but Fatu GRABS ROMAN’S THROAT! Roman HAMMERS Fatu down, climbs up in the corner, and rains down more fists! The fans count along, Roman goes all the way to TEN! But the TONGAN DEATH GRIP still finds him!!

Roman hurries to get loose, SUPERMAN- DEATH GRIP!! DEATH GRIP!! Pearce hurries in there, Roman grabs at Pearce out of desperation, but Fatu drags him around, CHOKE SLAM on the table!! The table didn’t break, but Roman is still down and out. Fatu signs his part, and he says they gonna do this! It is official, and as it looks, Fatu has the advantage! Will nothing stop the Samoan Werewolf from sinking his teeth deep into Roman? Or can Roman find a way to survive?

My Thoughts:

Is El Idolo ready for another round with the Gene Blast?

NJPW Wrestling Dontaku night one sees Yota Tsuji once again defend the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship against Andrade El Idolo!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato VS Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara; Yano, Yoh & Wato win.
• OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Tomoaki Honma & Masatora Yasuda; Oskar & Yuto win.
• 8 Man Tag: Yuya Uemura, Taichi, El Desperado & Mistico VS TMDK; Yuya, Taichi, Desperado & Mistico win.
• Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare; Ospreay, Khan & Henare win.
• Konosuke Takeshita & Shota Umino VS Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi; Konosuke & Shota win.
• 10 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; Unbound Company wins.
• Aaron Wolf VS Don Fale; Wolf wins.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: Ren Narita VS Boltin Oleg; Ren wins and retains the title.
• IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Andrade El Idolo; Andrade wins and becomes the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Championship: Ren Narita VS Boltin Oleg!

The House of Torture stole this title from Aaron Wolf, but the big man from Kazakhstan is looking to free it again! Will the Souled Out Son of Strong Style be put behind BARS? Or will he find another way to stack the deck?

But of course, the House has to attack from behind! The fans boo as Ren CLUBS Oleg and Dick Togo uses the SPOILER CHOKER! But then Oleg BOOTS Ren away, hauls Dick up, but Ren kicks low! Ren CLAWS Oleg’s eyes, whips, but Oleg reverses to send Ren hard into to the railing! The fans cheer as Oleg puts Ren in the ring, and the ref rings the bell! This is on record now as Oleg RUNS Ren over! Oleg whips Ren to ropes, Ren reverses, but Oleg CLOBBERS Ren! The fans cheer as Ren tumbles out! Dick checks on Ren, as does the ref. Oleg storms out the side, then storms over, but Dick attacks again! Oleg isn’t even bothered!

Dick cowers and calls for the ref. The ref reprimands Dick for even getting close to Oleg. But this distraction lets Ren JAM Oleg with a chair! And SMACK him down! The fans boo more while Oleg writhes, but Ren stalks him around the way. Ren stands Oleg up, then whips Oleg hard into railing! Oleg writhes again, clutching his arm, but Ren stands him up to wrench and wristlock. Ren then brings Oleg out into the crowd, CLUBS away on the arm, then lines up a shot. Ren whips and BOWLS Oleg into chairs! STRIKE! The fans rally for Oleg while he’s down on the floor, but Ren leaves him behind to roll into the ring.

The ring count climbs while Ren catches his breath. Oleg rises at 6 of 20, hobbles his way over, and rolls in at 12. Ren is right on Oleg with a whip and NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO! Oleg survives but Ren drags him back up. Ren wrenches the arm and bends the fingers before hitting an ELBOW BREAKER! Ren wrenches for another ELBOW BREAKER! Oleg drops to his knees but Ren wrenches the arm again. Ren hammerlocks the arm and RAMS it into bare buckles! Dick helped pull off the House Special! Ren drags Oleg up, clamps onto the arm, but Oleg stays up. Ren puts Oleg in a corner but the ref counts. Ren lets go at 4, but snapmares Oleg into the corner.

Ren goes outside, he CLAWS Oleg’s face, then bends the bad arm against the crossbar! The fans boo and the ref counts, but Ren lets go at 4. Oleg clutches his elbow while Ren grins an evil grin. Ren stalks Oleg, stomps him around, then eggs him on. Oleg rises up but Ren kicks him. Oleg ROCKS Ren with the good arm! And ROCKS him again, and again, and again! Ren wrenches the bad arm to another ELBOW BREAKER! Ren wraps the bad arm around ropes, stops as the ref counts, but Dick HOTSHOTS the arm in the distraction! Ren hits as FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! The fans rally for Oleg as he fights around.

Oleg high stacks Ren, then deadlifts for a POWERBOMB! The fans cheer while both men are down! Oleg rises first and the fans rally behind him. Oleg drags Ren up, but Ren fights the gut wrench to have the bad arm! ELBOW BREAKER! Ren RAMS shoulders with Oleg, RAMS again, then whips, but Oleg reverses to BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Oleg rises again! Oleg drags Ren up with the gut wrench, for the Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW! Oleg kips up, the fans fire up, and Oleg shakes out the bad arm. Oleg runs corner to corner but Ren dodges! Ren runs up, but Oleg scoops! And he THROWS Ren again!

Oleg runs, runs, and BOLTIN PRESS! Cover, TWO! Ren survives but the fans rally behind Oleg again. Oleg storms over to Ren, drags him up, and reels him in, only for Ren to fight the lift. Oleg CLUBS Ren, but Ren CHOKES Oleg! Oleg breaks free to CHOP Ren! Oleg winds up, but Ren uses the ref as a shield! Oleg stops short, helps Marty Asami duck, and then he CHOPS Ren after all! Ren complains to the ref, but blocks a kick! Ren hands it to the ref so he can hit an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! The fans rally for Oleg as he powers right out! Both men rise up, and Oleg runs at Ren, only for Ren to DUMP him out!

Ren kicks Oleg, grabs a chair, and he puts the chair around the arm! Dick distracts the ref while Ren- NO, Oleg blocks the Pillmanizing! Oleg ROCKS Ren, then CHAIR LARIATS! The fans fire up as the “Chairiat” takes Ren down! Oleg kicks the chair away, then drags Ren up. The fans cheer as Oleg puts Ren in the ring, then storms over to him. Oleg drags Ren up, gut wrenches again, for more Shake, Shake, Shake, and the DOCTOR- NO! Ren fights the bomb! Ren is free but he flounders to a corner. Oleg runs up to SPLASH! Then Oleg torture racks, but Ren CLAWS Oleg’s eyes! Ren whips Oleg into the ref!

Ren CLAWS Oleg’s face, then Yoshinobu Kanemaru appears! The fans boo as the Heel Master kicks Oleg down! Kanemaru uncorks his whiskey bottle to take a big swig! Kanemaru aims, but Oleg smothers the mist! Oleg fireman’s carries Kanemaru, but Dick runs in! Dick kicks Oleg but he doesn’t budge! Oleg then squeezes Kanemaru and the WHISKEY MIST hits Dick!! But Ren is up, only for Oleg to THROW Kanemaru onto him! The fans fire up for Oleg, and he calls to the ref before grabbing Ren’s legs. Oleg YANKS Ren right up, into the POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Ren survives the #BoltinBomb but the fans rally for Oleg!

Oleg grits his teeth, shakes out his bad arm, then torture racks Ren! Ren flails as Oleg bends him back! But now SHO is here! Sho distracts right as Ren TAPS! Oleg would’ve won! Oleg sees Sho, runs him off, but Sho eggs Oleg on. But then WOLF is here! The fans cheer as Aaron Wolf kicks Sho, then hauls him away! But then Ren kicks Oleg’s legs out, and has him in the GUILLOTINE! But Oleg powers up, powers out, and suplexes Ren! Ren slips free, kicks low and DOUBLE CROSSER! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and Ren is beside himself! The fans cheer Oleg on as he and Ren stir. Ren crawls to ropes, drags himself up, and vows to end this!

Ren climbs the corner, takes aim from up high, for HELL’S- NO, Oleg catches Ren for a SNAP KAMIKAZE!! But the bad arm holds him back! Oleg can’t make the cover as he clutches the shoulder in pain! The fans rally even harder as Oleg rises again. Oleg roars, drags Ren up, and fireman’s carries! VERDICT!! Ren flounders but Oleg makes the cover this time, ROPEBREAK!! Ren survives by fingertips, and Oleg is frustrated with his miscalculation. Oleg roars again, he brings Ren back up, and the fans cheer the fireman’s carry. But Ren grabs ropes! Oleg can’t pry Ren free, so he just goes up! But Ren CLAWS Oleg’s eyes!

The ref reprimands but Ren goes up, up, and SUPER ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! Oleg flails, reaches out, but Ren pulls  on the bad arm! The fans cheer as hard as they can for Oleg as he fights around! Oleg reaches out, but he’s still so far away! Oleg kicks, kicks, kicks, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Oleg survives by a literal foot! Ren drags Oleg up, brings him to the corner, and climbs up. Ren vows to end it now! DOWN TO DIE on the arm! DISARMER!! Oleg endures the mounted armbar, but then powers through, only to end up in an ARMBAR!! Ren puts on the pressure, but Oleg again powers up! Deadlift, but Kanemaru distracts the ref!!

DICK LOW BLOWS OLEG!! The ref misses all that, and Ren drags Oleg back down!! Oleg TAPS, Ren wins!!

Winner: Ren Narita, by submission (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

Another day, another way for Ren to cheat and steal this title away! Then the House stomps away on Oleg! Wolf returns to run them off, but he was not enough to even the odds during the match. Wolf grabs a mic to tell Ren, “What do you think you’re playing at? See if you can step on me one more time! Put that belt on the line and fight me! I promise to take back that title!” The Wolf has eyes on his prey, but will he huff ‘n’ puff and blow the House of Torture down? Or will they stack the deck too high for anyone to overcome?

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Andrade El Idolo!

What was meant to be former friends settling a grudge is now a second chance for a “Real Latino Man.” Gabe Kidd is hurt, so Andrade is back again, but will he redeem himself from the New Beginning in USA? Or will Gene Blast still be golden?

President Hiroshi Tanahashi is here to give the formal introductions and raise the belt as we see if history repeats itself!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two stare down. The fans cheer on “YO~TA! YO~TA!” but Andrade ignores that as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Yota’s height becomes his leverage. Yota puts Andrade on the ropes, but lets off cleanly. The fans applaud and Andrade shakes it off. The two reset and circle again. They tie up, are in another deadlock, but Andrade pushes Yota to the ropes. Andrade lets off, but CHOPS! Yota CHOPS, but Andrade headlocks. Yota endures the grind, but Andrade hits a takeover. Yota headscissors, Andrade kips free, but Yota hits the takeover, only for Andrade to handspring through!

Andrade returns to RANA, but Yota handsprings through! The fans cheer as the two stare down again. They circle, feel things out, and tie up with knuckle locks. They go shoulder to shoulder but Andrade wrenches to headlock. Yota powers up but can’t power out as Andrade pulls hair! Yota powers up and out this time, but Andrade RUNS him over! The fans cheer, and Andrade runs, only for Yota to hurdle over. Andrade leaps over, Yota sidesteps, but Andrade springboards to CROSSBODY! Andrade then LARIATS Yota up and out! The fans fire up, and Andrade builds speed! But Yota slips in, dodges Andrade, and slips around to arm-drag!

Andrade bails out and now Yota builds speed! The fans cheer, but Andrade is back! Yota blocks the boot, but Andrade whips, only for Yota to reverse. Andrade goes tranquilo in the ropes! The fans cheer, but Yota nods and raises his own LIJ fist. Yota then BOOTS Andrade to the floor! Yota goes out after Andrade, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally again. Yota drags Andrade up, KNEES him low, then KNEES him again. Andrade fires elbows, swings, but into a half nelson! GUT BUSTER! The fans cheer while Andrade goes to a corner. Yota runs in for a STINGER SPLASH! Yota then climbs up, and the fans cheer as he rains down elbows!

Yota goes to nine, winds up, but Andrade YANKS Yota down before ten! Andrade then stomps away on Yota, drags him up, and scoops to SLAM! The fans cheer again while Andrade snarls. Andrade storms back over to Yota, drags him up, and snapmares. Andrade runs to basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Andrade clamps onto Yota with a headlock and grinds him down. The fans rally as Yota endures, and Yota fights his way back up. But Andrade wrangles Yota down and puts on more pressure. The fans rally more as Yota keeps fighting around. Yota kicks his way forward to the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer as Andrade lets go, but Yota coughs and sputters as he catches his breath. Andrade grabs legs, and he stomps Yota in the stomach! Andrade looms over Yota, drags him back up, and puts him in the corner to CHOP! Yota is stinging, but also grinning! Yota eggs Andrade on, so the gloves literally come off! Andrade CHOPS Yota! The fans cheer and Yota keeps smiling! Andrade says uno mas, or perhaps moikai, and he kicks instead! Andrade wags his finger, then ROCKS Yota! Andrade whips corner to corner, then runs up, but Yota puts him on the apron! But Andrade blocks the enzigiri to put Yota in the Tree of Woe!

Andrade goes up, WOE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives but Andrade says it was that close. Andrade then drags Yota up in the corner, ROCKS him with forearm after forearm, but Red Shoes reprimands. Andrade backs off, but he rallies the fans as he goes corner to corner and back again, CIEN- NO, Yota ducks the knees to sunset flip! TWO, and Andrade ROCKS Yota! Yota ROCKS Andrade! They go forearm for forearm, then Andrade CHOPS! And CHOPS! Andrade runs, but Yota scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans cheer while both men are down! The fans rally again, and Yota rises first. Yota is grinning again, he’s enjoying this.

Yota stands Andrade up to CHOP! Andrade wobbles, then drops to a knee, but Yota stands him up again. Yota CHOPS again, then brings Andrade around. Yota winds up, but Andrade blocks and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Andrade runs, but Yota ELBOWS him! And CHOPS! Yota roars, runs, but Andrade catches him on the second rope for the INVERTED SPANISH FLY! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The fans rally as both men stir, and Andrade stands first. Andrade brings Yota up, and snap suplexes! But that’s just Uno Amigo! Andrade suplexes again, but Yota slips out! Yota waistlocks but Andrade ELBOWS free!

Andrade runs up but into a BOOT! Andrade comes back, but into another BOOT! Yota goes up, up, and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Yota keeps going, tilt-o-whirls and arm-drags again! Andrade tumbles out of the ring but the fans rally behind Yota as he builds speed! And this time, Yota DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans cheer as Yota stands tall going up the ramp. Yota goes back for Andrade, brings him back to the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota aims as Andrade rises, and he runs corner to corner for the GENE TRIGGER! Yota hauls Andrade up top, then climbs up to join him! The fans rally as Yota sets up for the SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!

Andrade survives but Yota just keeps on him! Yota has the legs but Andrade resists the turnover. Andrade BOOTS Yota away, but Yota storms back up. Yota reels Andrade in, but Andrade hits a snap suplex! Then another, that’s Dos Amigos! Yota fights the third, but Andrade dodges the lariat to then FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up! Yota crawls to a corner, but Andrade pounds the mat. The fans clap along, “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs corner to corner and back again, CIEN KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives and the fans fire up again! Andrade drags Yota to a drop zone, then goes up the corner!

The fans rally as Andrade DROPDOWN MOONSAULTS, into BOOTS! Yota then has Andrade in the ropes for a KICK! Yota goes from the corner, but Andrade manages a SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans are stunned as Yota hits apron then the floor! Daiki Nagai fans Yota off, but Andrade TRIANGLE JUMP TORNILLOS! Down goes Yota and the fans fire up again! Andrade snarls, then brings Yota up and into the ring. Andrade climbs up, up, and MOONSAULT DOUBLES! Cover, TWO! Andrade is surprised, but he can’t help but smile. The fans rally more and more as Andrade brings Yota up, and underhooks!

Yota fights The Message, RAMS Andrade into a corner, but then Andrade hoists Yota up top! Andrade CHOPS again, then climbs up after Yota. Andrade brings Yota up, up, and SUPER DUPER PLEXES!! And then he just rolls through! That’s just Uno Amigo! Then a snap suplex for Dos Amigos! And then- ORANGE CRUSH from Yota!! Cover, TWO!! Still no third amigo but both men are down again! The fans rally even harder as Yota drags himself to the ropes. Yota nods, and even manages a smile. He uses this energy to rise again! Yota brings Andrade up, then goes up the corner! MARLOWE- NO, Andrade is after him again!

Yota fights the Spanish Fly, Andrade fires body shots of his own, but Yota kicks the legs out! Andrade dangles, Yota adjusts, DRAPING MARLOWE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and the fans fire up again! Andrade goes to the apron but Yota follows him outside. Yota stands Andrade up, but Andrade fires an elbow! Yota fires a forearm, Andrade fires back, and the two brawl on the edge. Yota laughs, then GENE TRIGGER! And then RANA to the floor!! The fans are thunderous for that wild gamble of an attack! Yota roars as he rises and the fans are with him! Yota drags Andrade up, brings him around, and POSTS him!

Yota pushes Andrade to the apron, then steps back inside. Yota climbs the corner, brings Andrade up to join him, but Andrade fires hands. Yota CLUBS away on Andrade, but Andrade fights the clinch! Andrade looks to the outside?! Yota fights the suplex to go to the very top! And he brings Andrade up, SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and the fans cheer, but Yota isn’t done with him! Yota stands Andrade up, pump handles, but Andrade fights with elbows! Yota ROCKS Andrade in the back! Yota back suplexes, but Andrade lands out! Yota mule kicks, runs, and LARIATS! Andrade stays standing!?

Andrade SHOVES Yota, eggs him on, so Yota runs, and he avoids the Shadow Elbow! GENE TRIGGER! Then the pump handle, the lift, and the SILVER LINING SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives again but Yota powers up! The fans cheer as Yota hits his three point stance and waits on Andrade. Andrade rises, Yota runs in, GENE- SHADOW ELBOW!!! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Red Shoes checks both men, they’re both still in this, so a standing count begins! Both men are still down at 5 of 10 while the fans rally harder and harder. They’re still down at 7! At 8! Both men sit up at 9! But then they flop back over!

Red Shoes lets the match continue from here, as we’re already 25 minutes deep. Andrade and Yota sit up again, and they stare down as they rise up. Andrade eggs Yota on, so Yota winds up to CHOP! Andrade wobbles, but he walks that one off. The fans rally as Andrade winds up to CHOP! The sweat is seen flying off Yota, then he drops to his knees! And yet, Yota grins again! Yota stands back up, winds up, and CHOPS! The favor has been returned as Andrade is now stinging. Andrade stands back up, and he nods before he CHOPS! Yota drops to his knees, then falls back! But he gets up quickly enough as the fans rally again.

Yota storms up, winds up, and CHOPS! Andrade’s chest is getting red, as is Yota’s, but Andrade- YOTA HEADBUTTS! Yota changes things on Andrade, then reels him in! POWER- SUNSET BOMB!! Cover, TWO and Yota has it! TWO and Andrade has it! TWO, Yota has it again, TWO! Andrade dodges, springboards, into a GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, TWO?!? Andrade survives the anti-air attack but Yota crawls his way to the corner. Yota loads up but he demands Andrade stand again! Andrade rises, Yota runs in, GENE- NO, Andrade hurdles over! Then he rolls Yota up, and deadlifts for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!!

Andrade drags Yota up, underhooks, but Yota defies the Message! So Andrade hammerlocks, LA SOMBRA DDT!! Cover, TWO?!? Yota survives and Andrade is beside himself, but the fans are thunderous! Andrade rises, he vows to end this, and he underhooks Yota. Yota fights The Message, but Andrade powers up! Andrade shifts, for a TIGER DESTROYER!! Then Andrade hauls Yota up to the corner, still underhooking the arms! But Yota NORTHERN LIGHTS! Double cover, TWO!! Yota clinches, BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! STOMP!! The Gene Combination hits as we hit 30 minutes! Then Yota hits the JUMBO PLEX!!

Yota drags Andrade by the legs, then fires up as he turns Andrade! BOSTON CRAB!! The fans are thunderous as Andrade endures! Andrade reaches out but Yota drags him to center! Yota sits deep on the hold, but Andrade still fights! Andrade scrambles his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans are thunderous as Yota lets go in frustration. Yota and Andrade sit up, and Yota still smiles. The fans rally behind Yota as he brings Andrade up and places him up top. Yota climbs up behind Andrade, then dragon sleepers! The fans rally as Andrade fires elbows! Andrade turns around, and he has the facelock, DDT on the post?!?

Andrade falls to the floor but that’s the lesser of the damage! He hurries back inside, he hauls Yota back up, for THE MESSAGE!!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!!

Winner: Andrade El Idolo, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

An instant classic and an absolute shocker at the same time as Andrade has his revenge! Yota went from two belts to none, what will his journey of redemption look like?

As for Andrade, Tanahashi presents him with the belt, and Andrade holds it high. This is not only a win for the United Empire, but a win for AEW and the Don Callis Family. Andrade grabs a mic to say, “I did it.” The fans applaud, and Andrade continues by saying, “I wanna say thank you. Yota Tsuji is good, he’s an amazing talent, but Andrade El Idolo was better tonight.” The fans applaud again, and Andrade says he knows many know he is an AEW talent, but this title is NJPW’s. So Andrade will now officially be working in both companies, both companies are in his blood. And he wants to thank everyone here in Japan for watching.

Andrade says he now has a question, and it is a simple one: Who wants to challenge him? The fans applaud, and Andrade drops the mic. Andrade holds up the belt again, but wait! Stepping out in a nice suit is Drilla Moloney. But then Shota Umino is also here, still in ring gear. Andrade likes where this is going as the two challengers talk on stage. 44 Caliber and Roughneck both go to the ring, and Andrade asks if they heard what he said. So Drilla wants this title? And Shota wants it, too? Then he has an idea.

If they want this title, HIS title, why not this just be a Triple Threat for the Global Heavyweight Championship?  Just say where, when, and what time. Then The RRRREAL~ Latino Man will be there! The fans cheer as Andrade is already raising the bar on this belt! Andrade says just call and he’ll be there. Andrade tells the fans, “Arigato!” The fans cheer, but will Andrade regret stacking the odds for his first defense? When and where will we see this shootout happen?

My Thoughts:

A great start to the Wrestling Dontaku double event, and quite the surprising result for the main event. While House of Torture shenanigans were 1000% expected for Narita VS Oleg, that was still a great match. But at the same time, as great as Oleg is, he was not going to become a TRIPLE champion between the NJPW Strong and both NEVER Openweight titles. Aaron Wolf stepping up to Ren is good stuff, but seriously, can Tanahashi use his authority to put ringside bans up? It’s actually bad kayfabe logic from management to not see that as an option.

But as I was saying, amazing main event, and Yota losing is pretty wild. I suppose even if this was Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd, Gabe winning would’ve worked in story, too, positioning this title as a crossover title between NJPW and AEW. Yota’s story of making a comeback will be an intriguing one. Perhaps he uses the G1 Climax as his road back. As for Andrade being up for the Triple Threat with Shota and Drilla, that’s pretty cool, too. I don’t see Andrade losing his first defense, but a Triple Threat is a classic way to keep all parts strong no matter the result.

My Score: 8.9/10