Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 32 Results & Report! (8/7/22)
Will Jonah rock the Rainmaker?
Kazuchika Okada is facing his biggest challenge yet!
While the G1 Climax 32 continues, will Kazuchika Okada’s win streak? He is up against the Top Dog, JONAH, who promises to bring Death From Above for the Rainmaker!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, David Finlay & Yuto Nakashima VS Chaos; Chaos wins.
- Tama Tonga & Jado VS Yujiro Takahashi & SHO; Yujiro & Sho win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Suzuki-Gun; LIJ wins.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club; The United Empire wins.
- G1 Climax, C Block: Aaron Henare VS EVIL; Evil wins.
- G1 Climax, A Block: Tom Lawlor VS Bad Luck Fale; Lawlor wins.
- G1 Climax, D Block: Juice Robinson VS El Phantasmo; Juice wins.
- G1 Climax, B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS Chase Owens; Chase wins.
- G1 Climax, A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS JONAH; Jonah wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current standings!
A Block
- Kazuchika Okada: 3-0, 6 points
- JONAH: 2-1, 4 points
- Jeff Cobb: 2-2, 4 points
- Bad Luck Fale: 2-2, 4 points
- Lance Archer: 2-2, 4 points
- Tom Lawlor: 1-2, 2 points
- Toru Yano: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
B Block
- Jay White: 4-0, 8 points
- Tama Tonga: 2-1, 4 points
- Taichi: 2-1, 4 points
- SANADA: 2-2, 4 points
- Great-O-Khan: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
- Chase Owens: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
- Tomohiro Ishii: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
C Block
- Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-1, 6 points
- Zack Sabre Jr: 3-1, 6 points
- Hirooki Goto: 2-2, 4 points
- Tetsuya Naito: 2-2, 4 points
- EVIL: 1-2, 2 points
- KENTA: 1-2, 2 points
- Aaron Henare: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
D Block
- David Finlay: 3-1, 6 points
- Shingo Takagi: 2-2, 4 points
- Will Ospreay: 2-2, 4 points
- YOSHI-HASHI: 2-1, 4 points
- Yujiro Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points
- El Phantasmo: 1-2, 2 points
- Juice Robinson: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
G1 Climax, C Block: Aaron Henare VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
The Ultimate Weapon is out of the running, but he can still be a spoiler here! Will he conquer the King of Darkness for the glory of the United Empire? Or will Henare see Everything is Evil?
Henare puts his jacket away, and Evil attacks! The bell rings and Evil CLUBS Henare to then throw him out. Evil taunts Henare but he comes back, into a mule kick! Evil CLUBS Henare again, wrenches an arm, and wrenches, and wrenches! Evil whips Henare to a corner, runs in but into an elbow! Henare goes up, FLYING CHUCK! Fans fire up as Henare snarls at Evil. Henare drags Evil back up, throws him out now, then stomps him down. Henare CLUBS Evil, glares at Dick, and then chases Dick away! Evil gets in the ring, Dick lures Henare into a LARIAT! Fans do applaud the savvy, and Evil kick Henare around.
Evil grabs his House of Torture shirt, CLUBS Henare down, stomps him, then kicks him. “C’mon, big man!” Henare swings, but Evil catches him to CHOKE with the shirt! The ref counts, Evil lets off and gives up the shirt. Evil kicks at Henare again, then brings Henare up. Evil CHOPS Henare to a corner, fans rally up, “HE-NA-RE!” but Evil CHOPS again. Henare grits his teeth and Evil fakes the chop to CLAW the eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off, but Henare throws heavy body shots! And a forearm! Evil whips, and surprise! Bare buckles! Dick pulled off the Bullet Club Special while no one was looking!
The ref reprimands Dick but the damage is down. Evil kicks Henare to the apron, drags him up and then suplexes, but Henare blocks! Henare holds onto ropes, shoves Evil away, but Evil BLASTS Henare off the apron! Henare hits railing and knocks the timekeeper over! Abe-san still suffers because of Evil! Evil then drags Henare around to a cobra twist! And Dick links up with the railing! Henare endures, but he powers up and pries Evil’s leg away! Henare hip tosses BOTH Evil and Dick! The ref wants this in the ring, but Henare stomps Evil, throws heavy shots, and whips Evil into railing! Evil tumbles up and over!
Fans fire up as Henare drags Evil back to ringside. Henare puts Evil in and fans rally up. Evil gets to a corner and Henare runs in, SHINING WIZARD! Henare then whips Evil to ropes, scoops, BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Evil survives but Henare keeps his focus. Fans rally up, Henare drags Evil up into a full nelson! Evil fights the Ultima and stomps Henare’s foot! Henare CLUBS Evil, but Evil bocks the kick! Evil hands the foot to the ref, but Henare blocks Evil’s kick! Henare kicks the ref away ELBOW JABS Evil! Then he KICKS Evil down! Fans fire up as Henare drags Evil to a drop zone. Henare goes up to SECOND ROPE SENTON! Cover, TWO!
Henare smirks and fans rally up again. Henare dares Evil to get up, and he aims from a corner. Evil stands as Henare stomps the mat. But Dick grabs Henare’s other leg! Evil runs in to clothesline! Evil reels Henare in to FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up while Evil grows frustrated. Fans rally for “HE-NA-RE!” as Evil drags him up. Evil fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Henare survives and Evil is furious! Fans continue to rally as Henare sits up. Evil slashes his throat, brings Henare up and spins him around, but Henare blocks the STO! Henare throws elbows but Evil rakes the eyes!
Evil whips and Henare hits bare buckles! But he just powers up to RAMPAGE!! Fans fire up and Henare grits his teeth as he stands back up. Henare storms over to Evil, drags him up and reels him in, fisherman to the torture rack! But Dick is on the apron and distracts Henare! Evil slips off to waistlock, but Henare switches and shoves Evil into Dick! Dick goes down, HEEL KICK for Evil! Fans fire up with Henare and he calls for it! Henare drags Evil up, clamps on, ULTIMA! No, Evil grabs at the ref! The ref shakes Evil’s hand away, but Evil ducks as the SLAP comes in! The ref slapped Henare!! The ref apologizes as Henare glares.
Henare backs the ref into a corner, Evil shoves Henare into the ref! The ref goes down but Henare’s still up, and now Evil begs for forgiveness. But Dick runs in with a chair! Henare hits a heavy body shot first! Dick doubles over, but then Henare clamps on with ULTIMA! Dick suffers the full nelson, and Henare TOSSES Dick to the apron to then DECK him! But Evil CHUCKS the chair at Henare’s head! And then Evil brings Henare around, EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, Evil wins!
Winner: Evil, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Henare earns 0)
Being out of the running doesn’t make this hurt any less for Henare. Evil and Dick cheat out another win, will the King of Darkness still be able to take the block?
G1 Climax, A Block: Tom Lawlor w/ Royce Isaacs VS Bad Luck Fale!
The Filthy One takes on yet another massive monster in this block! But will he be able to survive the Rogue General? Or can he be blown up by a Grenade?
Even before the bell, fans clap for “TOM! LAW-LOR!” At the bell, Lawlor starts spinning around and around, only for Fale to CLOBBER him! Fale drags Lawlor up, throws body shots, and whips Lawlor into the corner. Fale runs in but Lawlor dodges! Lawlor reels Fale in, TORNADO- NO, Fale tosses Lawlor out of the ring! Fans rally up for “TOM! LAW-LOR!” but Fale goes out to CLUB him down. Fale throws body shots as Lawlor’s against the apron, then Fale ROCKS him! Fale has the cameramen move and he whips Lawlor into railing! Lawlor writhes, but Fale CLUBS him down! Fale moves railing around to put on Lawlor!
The ring count climbs but Fale is pulling more railing apart! The count is 9 of 20 as Fale stacks another portion on top of Lawlor! Fale gets in the ring at 14 but Isaacs helps Lawlor get free! Lawlor hurries as we’re at 17, and he gets in at 18! Fans rally but Fale kicks Lawlor and stomps him down. Fans clap again, “TOM! LAW-LOR!” and Lawlor throws body shots. Fale CLUBS him down, stomps him, then drags him up. Fale scoops Lawlor to SLAM him! Then Fale turns Lawlor over to stand on his back! The ref reprimands and counts, Fale steps off at 4. Fale smirks, and he watches Lawlor writhe. Fale drags Lawlor up but Lawlor goes for a leg!
Fale is too big to tip over but fans rally behind Lawlor. Fale throat chops him down! Lawlor sputters and the ref reprimands but Fale stomps. Lawlor dodges to kick and kick and kick the leg! Lawlor avoids another stomp to kick and kick and kick! Lawlor runs but into a SPEAR! Both men are down and fans fire up! Fale stands first while Lawlor sits up. Fale choke grips and drags Lawlor up, but Lawlor KICKS the leg! Lawlor wrenches the arm, KICKS the leg more and more, then goes for a Fujiwara takedown! Fale stays up, so Lawlor shifts to get the leg! ANKLE LOCK! Fale shops forward on his one free leg to the ROPEBREAK!
The ref counts, Lawlor holds on until 4, then he KICKS the leg! Lawlor then goes to the far side and bails out of the ring, to hide under it! Fale and the ref look around, Lawlor appears back behind Fale! ANKLE LOCK through the ropes! The ref reprimands and counts again, but Lawlor drags Fale out of the ring! Lawlor KICKS the leg and Fale falls! Fans fire up as Lawlor gets back on the apron. OFF COME THE SHORTS! The denim tights are on underneath, and Lawlor CHOKES Fale with the shorts! The ref counts, Lawlor lets off at 4, and he gets in the ring. The ring count starts, Fale sits up at 5 of 20, drags himself up at 9, and gets in at 12.
Lawlor waits as Fale crawls, and Lawlor stomps the bad leg! Fale sits up, Lawlor ENZIGURIS him down! Fans fire up for “TOM! LAW-LOR!” again, and Lawlor runs to BLINDSIDE WHEEL KICK! Cover, TWO! Lawlor is frustrated as Fale is still in this. But fans keep clapping, and Lawlor runs in to hop on, SLEEPER! Fale endures and stays on his feet, and Fale makes his way towards ropes! Lawlor grabs that arm to make it a STRAITJACKET SLEEPER! Lawlor goes after a leg but Fale powers up and out to a fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DROP! But Lawlor’s right up! And he’s roaring! Lawlor runs in, but into both hands!
Fale shifts to the choke grip, but Lawlor KICKS the bad leg! Lawlor ROCKS Fale with a forearm, but Fale LARIATS Lawlor down! RUNNING ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Lawlor survives and fans fire up! Fale choke grips again, drags Lawlor up, GRENADE!! Cover, TWO!?! Fale can’t believe that Lawlor survives! Lawlor sputters but Fale drags him back up. Fale reels Lawlor in, crucifix lifts, but Lawlor fights around to the SLEEPER! Fale RAMS Lawlor into buckles! Lawlor uses that to get up and around, DDT! Cover, TWO!! Fale survives and Lawlor fires up! The fans clap again, “TOM! LAW-LOR!” and Lawlor slashes his throat to say this is done!
Lawlor stalks Fale, hops back on, SLEEPER! Fale staggers around, starts to fade, and Lawlor brings his kneepad down! Lawlor runs, LEG SWEEP! A fake-out, but now Lawlor takes aim again! BASEMENT BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO!!! Fale survives but Lawlor snarls and roars! Fans fire up and clap along again! “TOM! LAW-LOR!” clamps on with the straitjacket again, but Fale fights up. NKOTB!! Cover, Lawlor wins!!
Winner: Tom Lawlor, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Fale earns 0)
The Nasty Knee On The Brain is what gets Lawlor the two points and keeps his run alive! Will Lawlor be able to make the G1 Climax filthy? Is Fale’s luck about to run out?
G1 Climax, D Block: Juice Robinson VS El Phantasmo!
It’s another Bullet Club VS Bullet Club in this G1! The Booster ran down everyone else in this block, but he feels the Headbanga is still cool. Will they still be Too Sweet after this? Or will Juice be sour when he can’t spoil ELP’s run?
ELP shows off his LED vest, and then Juice shows off his vest. They’re both Bullet Club! Well, yeah. So they Too Sweet and fans cheer. The vests are put aside, the bell rings and fans applaud as Juice offers a handshake. ELP says sure, this is going to be good, clean, professional wrestling. They shake hands, fist bump and Too Sweet again, then circle. Fans rally for “BULLET CLUB! BULLET CLUB!” as the two feel out a knuckle lock, but Juice asks everyone quiets down ELP and Juice reset, feel out the grapple, then Juice goes “PBBT!” and they both pretend someone farted. They say the ref did it, and it stinks!
The ref defends his innocence but ELP and Juice both keep saying it’s bad. They need to check if he “uko,” aka sharted. The ref lets them check, and Juice says, “Uko janai <no poop>.” Fans laugh and rally up as everything is clean, and the two go again. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, ELP waistlocks, but Juice wrenches out. Wait, this seems like they’re going in slow motion. ELP wrenches back to a wristlock, Juice reaches for ropes, but then rolls and wrenches to a wristlock. ELP endures and rolls, rolls, and rolls, and then wrenches to a hammerlock then headlock. Fans applaud, but Juice wrenches out to a headlock of his own.
Juice says, “Around the world!” as he goes from headlock to hammerlock to headlock again. ELP throws slow-mo body shots and Juice jokes that it hurts. ELP powers out, Juice “runs” to “ram” ELP, and ELP “falls.” Juice flexes and fans applaud the good show. Things “speed” up, ELP drops down and Juice stops to dramatically flail his arms before falling forward. ELP throws up the Too Sweet, “runs” back in, but Juice “sweeps” the legs and covers, TWO! ELP “sweeps” the legs and covers, TWO! Both men roll up and put up fisticuffs and fans applaud. Juice and ELP Too Sweet again and everyone applauds.
ELP and Juice circle, stomp stomp clap, but then ELP rolls Juice up, with feet on the ropes! The ref sees that and stops the count. ELP apologizes to the ref, but then Juice rolls ELP up, holding tights! The ref sees that in time and stops the count. Juice lets go and asks WTF! But ELP asks Juice WTF, and asks the ref WTF! ELP shoves the ref, Juice shoves the ref, they pinball him around, but the ref pushes them! He reprimands them both for their underhanded tactics! Juice and ELP both rush the ref, but he ducks and they collide! Fans fire up as Juice and ELP fall over for real!
ELP and Juice get up and argue! Juice says this isn’t what they agreed on but ELP says that collision hurt! Juice shoves ELP, ELP shoves Juice, and again. ELP gets heated, he’s ready to kill Juice! Juice eggs ELP on, they shoving continues, but then ELP bails out. Juice also goes out, and Juice goes looking under the ring. Juice gets a chair! ELP says two can play that game, and he gets a TABLE! ELP hurries to set his table up as Juice storms around the way with his chair. They both talk trash, “You wanna play with me? I wanna play with you!” Juice sits down in his chair, and challenge ELP to an arm-wrestling contest!
The ref says this has to be in the ring, but ELP says what not? They tell the ref to officiate this now, and fans rally for it! ELP and Juice clasp left hands, the ref counts it down: ready, go! The arm-wrestling is on! Juice clamps onto the table to power ELP down but ELP uses BOTH hands! ELP slams Juice’s hand down but the ref says that’s cheating. The ref checks with the timekeeper, but Juice CHUCKS the chair into ELP’s head! Juice then plays innocent before raining down fists! The ref tells him to stop and Juice tells him to STFU! Juice kicks the table over, goes back to ELP and SMACKS him off the apron! ELP falls and crawls to the apron.
Juice drags ELP up and brings him further up the ramp. Juice throws HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, then brings ELP to the very top of the ramp! ELP resists, Juice CLUBS away on him, and Juice gets ELP for a PILEDRIVER on the ramp!! Juice shoves ELP off the ramp and brings the ref back to the ring. Juice wants the count to get going! Fans rally up, “E L P!” as he staggers up. ELP flounders at 7 of 20, fumbles in the railing at 11, gets back up and makes his way to ringside by 15 but bumps into the cameraman! The count is 17, ELP bumps off the apron and Juice panics! ELP is in at 19!!
Juice drags ELP up, he says the damage is down. But ELP fights the bomb, only for Juice to get him in a BOSTON CRAB! ELP endures, fans rally up, and ELP powers up! ELP crawls forward, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Juice lets off saying ELP gave up! The ref says no, ELP did not. Juice says fine, time for the friction! Juice drags ELP up, chicken wings and turns him, but ELP shoves free! ELP clotheslines Juice up and out and Juice hits railing! ELP builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit on Juice, and ELP almost flies into the front row! And that’s saying something with No Man’s Land. Juice and ELP fall down and fans fire up!
ELP gets up, but he rains down fists on Juice! ELP then staggers away, finds the table and stands it back up. ELP then brings Juice over, SMACKS him off the table, and again, and again! And again, and again, and again! He’s breaking the table with Juice’s face! ELP then ROCKS Juice over an dover with haymakers! ELP makes sure the table is still standing, and then he puts Juice on it. ELP BITES Juice’s forehead! Juice’s forehead is starting to bleed as ELP climbs up the corner! But Juice scrambles away! So ELP tightrope walks! But then ELP wobbles, so he jumps down, builds speed, jumps back up and FLYING 450 SPLASH!!
Direct hit at the ramp and fans are thunderous! ELP drags Juice up and in, then climbs the ropes for the springboard THUNDERKISS 86! Cover, TWO!! Juice survives and fans rally up! ELP storms around, slashes his throat and drags Juice up. ELP hooks Juice up, but Juice back drops free! ELP sunset flips through, to get Juice back up! STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Juice survives because ELP isn’t phenomenal! But ELP aims from the far side as Juice rises. BANG, and V-TRIGGER! ELP then puts Juice in a corner, hoists him up to an Electric Chair Lift, but Juice fights off the fold! Chicken wings and the turn, PULP- NO, ELP pushes free!
Juice ducks Sudden Death, ELP ducks the Left Hand o’ God, but not the RIGHT! But then SUDDEN DEATH returns! Both men are down and fans are thunderous again! ELP crawls to the cover, TWO!! Juice survives and ELP is furious! Fans rally up as ELP drags Juice back up. ELP tucks him in, but Juice fights again! Juice uses his head to LOW BLOW ELP! But the ref doesn’t see it that way, it just looks like a failed back drop! LEFT HAND O’ GOD! And then, chicken wings for PULP FRICTION!! Cover, TWO!?!? ELP survives and Juice is losing his mind! Fans are thunderous, though, as Juice argues the count!
The ref says his count was fair, and Juice can’t hurt the ref or he’ll be disqualified. So Juice yanks the ref’s mask! The ref hurries to put it back on, but Juice gets a chair! The ref stops Juice but Juice tells him to shut up! Juice puts the chair down, drags ELP over to it, and lifts ELP up, but ELP fights the driver! ELP returns the LOW BLOW “back drop,” and then gets the chair! ELP CHUCKS it at Juice’s head! The ref DISQUALIFIES ELP!!
Winner: Juice Robinson, by disqualification (gains 2 points; ELP earns 0)
ELP’s anger gets the better of him, and he hands Juice the win! Those points don’t really do anything anymore, as Juice is already out of the running. But this loss means ELP is out of the running, too! Is Bullet Club falling apart from the inside?
G1 Climax, B Block: Tomohiro Ishii VS Chase Owens!
Two men out of the running are still fighting for pride this deep into the biggest G1 ever! Will the Stone Pitbull get out of last place? Or will the Crown Jewel shine bright in the final stretch of the tournament?
The bell rings and fans rally for “I-SHI-I!” as he ties up with Chase. Chase powers Ishii to ropes and the ref calls for the break. Chase lets off cleanly and fans applaud the sportsmanship. Ishii and Chase tie up again, Ishii powers Chase back but Chase puts Ishii on the ropes. The ref counts the break, Chase lets off again, but Ishii ROCKS him! Chase protests, but then kicks and CLUBS Ishii. Chase headlocks, Ishii powers out, Chase RAMS Ishii but Ishii rebounds to run Chase over! Chase is right up to shove Ishii, but Ishii shoves Chase down! Chase gets up to shove the ref! The ref shoves Chase and warns him, he just got this from ELP and Juice!
Chase cools off, Ishii turns him around to DECK him! Chase bails out of the ring as fans applaud. Ishii waits while Chase checks his cheek. Chase gets back in, Ishii kicks low and CHOPS! Fans applaud and Ishii CHOPS again! Chase leans against ropes, and Ishii CHOPS him again! Ishii slaps Chase around, kicks him around, and eggs him on. Chase gets up to fire off forearms but Ishii doesn’t budge. Ishii CHOPS, and then reels Chase in. Chase fights the back suplex off, waistlocks, but Ishii switches. Chase switches but Ishii trips him. Chase reaches in to JAM Ishii’s knee! Ishii staggers to ropes and Chase KICKS the leg out!
Chase drags Ishii by his bad leg to put it on the ropes. Chase then HIP DROPS the knee! And then HIP DROPS again! Fans rally up for “I-SHI-I!” as he writhes. Chase stomps Ishii, Ishii eggs him on, so Chase grabs the leg to YANK it! Chase then drags Ishii to the apron by that bad leg, to SLAM the leg on the apron edge! Ishii writhes but Chase drags him to the corner. Chase SLAMS Ishii’s leg into the post! The ref reprimands and Chase gets back in the ring. Chase eggs Ishii on now as fans rally up. Chase stands on Ishii’s bad arm and throws down a haymaker! Chase drags Ishii by his bad leg for a KNEE JAMMER! And then a toehold!
Ishii endures, pulls at Chase’s hair, but Chase twists the hold. Chase throws elbows into the knee but Ishii kicks with his free leg. Chase lets Ishii go to haul him up. SHIN BREAKER! But Ishii shakes his head!? Chase KICKS the leg but Ishii eggs him on! Chase KICKS and KICKS but Ishii reels back, only for Chase to kick him in the gut! Chase then reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes Chase instead! Fans fire up as both Ishii and Chase are down. Ishii stands up and works on his bad leg. Ishii storms up on Chase in the corner to CHOP, forearm, CHOP, forearm, repeat! Fans fire up as Ishii goes faster and faster, then DECKS Chase!
Chase sits up, Ishii drags him up and whips him corner to corner. Chase reverses, Ishii comes back but into a BOOT! Ishii ducks the lariat to hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up as Ishii stalks Chase to ropes. Chase wants a timeout? No such thing here! Ishii whips but Chase reverses to CHIN SMASH, mule kick, and run for the SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up as both men are down again. Chase stands up first and he runs at Ishii, but Ishii dodges! Ishii runs in but Chase sends him out! Chase WRECKS Ishii with a dropkick and Ishii hits railing! Chase then slides out to fetch Ishii.
Chase CHOPS Ishii and Ishii staggers back against the post. Chase lines up a shot, but Ishii dodges! Chase CHOPS POST! Ishii brings Chase around, and he aims at the railing! But Chase fights the suplex, mule kicks, and hops on, SUNSET FLIP BOMB into the railing!! Ishii writhes as he clutches the back of his head! The ref checks Ishii but Chase drags him up and in fast! Chase sits Ishii up to run and SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans fire up! Chase aims from a corner, runs in and- NO, Ishii blocks the C-Trigger to headbutt low! Ishii runs but Chase swats the lariat to fire off a strike fest!
Chase hammerlocks, Ishii wrenches out and hammerlocks, but Chase avoids the stolen Jewel Heist! Chase waistlocks, Ishii switches, GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Fans rally up as Chase gets to a corner. Ishii growls and sits up, runs in at the corner and clotheslines Chase! Ishii then hoists Chase up to the top, and climbs up after him! Ishii gets Chase up for the STALLING SUPERPLEX!! Fans are thunderous after that landing! Ishii crawls to the cover, TWO!! Chase survives but Ishii keeps his focus. Ishii roars and fans fire up as he drags Chase around. But Chase blocks the powerbomb!
Ishii CLUBS Chase, but Chase wrenches out to forearm! Ishii ROCKS Chase, but Chase comes back with a flurry! Ishii gives boxing elbows! Chase spins but Ishii ROCKS him! Chase BACK ELBOWS, then runs, only for Ishii to LARIAT at the ropes! Ishii runs, but into a C-TRIGGER! Chase wrenches, hammerlocks, JEWEL HEIST! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and Chase grows frustrated, but the fans rally up again! Chase drags Ishii up, hooks him in a half nelson, but Ishii breaks free. Ishii goes to run, but Chase brings him back in, but Ishii switches! Chase ROCKS Ishii with an elbow! Chase fires off boxing elbows of his own!
Chase goes to 10, but Ishii gets around to SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! But Chase roars as he staggers up, and he SUPERKICKS Ishii down!! Chase crawls to a cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans are thunderous. Chase takes aim, says BANG, and he drags Ishii up. Chase tucks Ishii in, but Ishii back drops free! Chase runs in to BOOT Ishii down! Chase runs, but Ishii swats his lariat to ROCK Chase! Chase rebounds to forearm, but Ishii HEADBUTTS! Both men are down again! The fans are thunderous again as the two stir. Ishii growls as he gets up and fans rally behind him. Ishii runs, but Chase C-TRIGGERS!
Chase runs, but ducks a lariat to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Ishii’s right back up! Chase swats Ishii’s lariat, but Ishii spins to SOUTHPAW DISCUS! But Chase stays up, dodges the right side lariat, only to run into the LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!?! Chase is out at one!? No one can believe that, but Ishii just LARIATS him back down! Cover, TWO?!?! Chase survives again and Ishii can’t believe it! Fans are thunderous as Ishii drags Chase up. Ishii suplexes, but Chase knees free! Ishii ducks the enziguri but Chase ducks the sliding lariat to ghost pin! TWO!!! Ishii stands, into an ENZIGURI! But he rebounds to SLIDING LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up as Ishii roars and stands up again! Ishii staggers but he still drags Chase up. Ishii suplexes, but Chase fights it off to wrench and atomic drop! Then a turn into the backslide! TWO!! Ishii escapes, Chase runs, C-TRIGGER!! Chase vows to end this, and he drags Ishii up to tuck him in! PACKAGE PILE- NO, Ishii wrenches out! Chase forearms, Ishii HEADBUTTS, POINT-BLANK C-TRIGGER! ENZIGURI!! Chase staggers returns, C-TRIGGER!!! Chase hauls Ishii up, tucks him in, PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!!! Cover, CHASE WINS!!
Winner: Chase Owens, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Ishii earns 0)
So what if they’re both out of the running? Chase just gave Ishii a G1 worthy showdown and then some! Will Chase prove himself worthy of bigger and better opportunities from here on out?
G1 Climax, A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS JONAH w/ Bad Dude Tito!
The Rainmaker is so far spotless in his G1 run! But now he’s run into the Top Dog, who just toppled the Imperial Unit, Jeff Cobb! Will Jonah bring Death From Above? Or will Okada get the literally biggest win in the block?
The bell rings and fans rally up as Jonah steps forward. Okada stares Jonah down, and they tie up. Okada tries but can’t push Jonah back! Jonah powers Okada back to the ropes with ease! Jonah pats Okada on the head as he lets off. Fans applaud and then rally as “O-KA-DA!” circles with Jonah. They tie up again, but Jonah shoves Okada down! Okada gets back up to fire off forearms, but Jonah knees low! Johan headlocks, punches, then grinds the headlock harder. Okada endures, fans continue to rally, and Okada powers Jonah to ropes. Okada tries to power out but Jonah holds on tight! Jonah thrashes and grinds Okada down with that colossal headlock.
Okada fights back up, pries the headlock open, but Jonah clamps on tighter! Jonah digs his knuckles into Okada’s face but the fans rally up. Okada fights up, throws body shots then pries at the hold! Jonah resists but Okada stomps is foot! Okada headlocks, but Jonah powers out and runs Okada right over! Okada bails out, then crawls along the way. Jonah goes out and aims from the apron as fans rally up. Jonah runs in, but Okada sidesteps to send Jonah into railing! Okada hauls Jonah’s leg onto the railing to pull it! Then Okada BOOTS the railing to jam Jonah’s leg! Okada kicks Jonah’s leg, then brings Okada to the ramp.
Okada kicks low, CLUBS Jonah, then brings him up to the top of the ramp. Fans fire up as Okada tries to suplex! But Jonah’s too big! Jonah suplexes Okada! Okada slips off and uppercuts! But Jonah BODY CHECKS Okada down! Jonah snarls and drags Okada back up. Jonah HEADBUTTS Okada and Okada tumbles down the ramp! The ring count starts and Jonah drags Okada up. Jonah ROCKS Okada and has him go back towards the ring. The count is 12 of 20 and Jonah gets in, just to refresh the count. Jonah drags Okada up and whips him at railings hard! Okada ends up moving the railing and hitting the timekeeper’s area!
Fans fire up as Jonah flexes. Young Lions help Abe-san, and Jonah says he can do what he wants, this is HIS company now. Jonah drags Okada up to whip hard into railing in front of commentary! Everyone from the English team to the Japanese team freaks out! But Jonah laughs at the chaos he is causing using Chaos’ leader. Jonah then drags Okada up, picks him up, and RAMS him into the post! Okada falls over and writhes. Red Shoes checks on Okada while fans rally up. Jonah taunts Okada while the ring count starts again. Okada sits up at 10 of 20, crawls his way over to the ring at 14, and stands at 15 to get in!
But Jonah stomps Okada down at the ropes! And then STANDS on Okada! Red Shoes reprimands and Jonah steps off. Fans still rally for “O-KA-DA!” but Jonah stands Okada up for a heavy body shot. Jonah then RAMS into Okada, and Okada sputters and coughs as he staggers away. Jonah stands Okada up to CHOP him! Okada staggers away, chest stinging from that one. Jonah stalks Okada and clamps on with a rear bearhug! Jonah thrashes Okada around, but Okada fights up and throws back elbows! Fans rally and Okada runs, into a BIG back elbow from Jonah! Jonah then goes back to Okada, mocking the fans clapping for the Rainmaker.
Jonah stomps Okada and digs his foot into the stomach! Jonah lets off and Okada sputters again. Fans still rally up but Jonah drags Okada up. Okada throws body shots, then a forearm! Jonah CHOPS Okada back! Okada staggers, Jonah runs in but only gets buckles! Okada rolls Jonah up, TWO! Okada hurries to EUROUPPER Jonah down! Fans fire up as both men are down! Okada gets up and he fires more forearms on Jonah. Okada whips, Jonah reverses but Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges to ELBOW! Jonah stays up so Okada BOOTS him, runs and ELBOWS again! Jonah is down and fans fire back up!
Okada hurries to aim from a corner, and Jonah goes to the other. Okada runs corner to corner to back elbow, then kick and DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “O-KA-DA!” as he tries to scoop. But Jonah’s still too big! Jonah CLUBS Okada, whips him to ropes, but Okada holds ropes. Jonah runs in, into a drop toehold! Okada runs to basement dropkick! Jonah falls out of the ring and fans fire up again! But Bad Dude Tito distracts Okada. Okada flips Tito off, and then dodges Jonah as he runs in! Jonah CLOBBERS Tito, then turns around into a kick and DDT to the floor! Okada takes down two members of TMDK at once!
Fans rally up and Okada stands as the ring count is 6 of 20. Okada rolls in at 7, Jonah sits up at 10. Tito helps Jonah stand, but Okada builds speed to FLY! Direct hit and he takes them both out again! Fans fire up as Okada falls back to rest on the ramp. Fans rally up and Okada fetches Jonah into the ring. Okada then says he’s gonna do it! He tries to scoop Jonah, but Jonah is still too big. Okada ROCKS Jonah, runs, but into a SPEAR! And then Jonah SENTONS! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and fans fire up again! Jonah growls and he drags Okada back up. Jonah reels Okada in but Okada fights the lift! And then again! Okada BACK DROPS Jonah!!
Fans are thunderous as Okada clutches his back. That was a lot to lift up and over, but the fans rally for “O-KA-DA!” to get back up! Okada sits up, grabs at Jonah and brings him around. Okada fires forearm after forearm, but Jonah swings, into the wrench! MONEY CLIP!! Jonah endures, but Okada clamps on tighter! Jonah turns red but he refuses to give in! Jonah powers up but Okada sends him into the corner. Okada runs in but into a BOOT! Jonah runs but into a SHOTGUN! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Jonah stands up in the corner and Okada storms over. Okada stands Jonah up, and then hoists him up top!?
Okada fires forearms, uppercuts, but Jonah BOOTS back! Okada staggers, but turns around into a FLYING BODY CHECK! Jonah then drags Okada up to POINT-BLANK LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and fans fire up again! Jonah vows to end this now, and he drags Okada up! Jonah reels Okada in, gets him up, but Okada RANAS free! Okada dodges the lariat to DROPKICK Jonah down! Fans fire up with Okada and he SCOOP SLAMS Jonah!! That was better than Hogan and Andre! Fans are thunderous and Okada climbs up top, MACHO ELBOW! And of course, the Rainmaker Pose! Fans are thunderous for the zoom out!
Okada drags Jonah up, ripcords, but Jonah dodges, and SUPERKICKS! Okada stays up so Jonah runs, into a DROPKICK! Okada got even more air than usual! Okada hurries to drag Jonah up by his arm, but Jonah throws elbows to avoid the ripcord! Okada waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX?! And he holds on to drag Jonah up, RAIN- NO, Jonah dodges, but swings into the DISCUS- NO, Jonah blocks the lariat! And the other one, to HEADBUTT Okada! And HEADBUTT, HEADBUTT, and HEADBUTT! Okada staggers, Jonah HEADBUTTS again!! Jonah throws off the elbow pads, runs the ropes, JONAH BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!??!
Fans are electric as we’re past 20 minutes! There’s only 10 minutes left to shake up the block! Jonah drags Okada up, puts him in a corner, then hoists him up top. Jonah CHOPS, then positions Okada before climbing up! Jonah brings Okada up as fans rally, but Okada resists the superplex! Okada throws body shots, then ROCKS Jonah with forearm after forearm! An UPPERCUT sends Jonah down, Okada leaps, MISSILE- POWEBOMB!! Jonah isn’t done with Okada, either! Jonah drags Okada up for the BLACK FOREST BOMB!! And then he goes to the corner!! Jonah is up top, TORPEDO SPLASH!!! Cover, JONAH WINS!!!
Winner: Jonah, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Okada earns 0)
Okada’s first loss is Jonah’s biggest win!! Perhaps the biggest win of the whole G1! Okada is no longer first in the A Block, will he be able to recover in these last two rounds? As for Jonah, he stands over Okada as Red Shoes raises his hand in victory. Then he gets the mic while Okada is still being helped out of the ring. Jonah tells Okada, “Little Kazu, I told you. I told you I would beat you, and I did!” Fans applaud that because it is true. Jonah says he wants to speak to all of Osaka, and to the rest of the world. Jonah will sit on the apron TMDK style.
Tito joins Jonah and Jonah introduces him. Jonah says hi to Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls, then says, “I wanna speak a little bit about time. You see, one year ago, I was given some news. I was told ‘no,’ and it was heartbreaking. And for many, that would keep them down. But not for me. Because I have fighting spirit, just like all of you in Japan. And one year later, to the day, I beat the best wrestler in the world!” Jonah doesn’t see time as a linear thing. The past, the present and the future are all happening at once, and they say that if you shine a light bright enough, it will shine for millions of years. And for Jonah, he shined the brightest light ever beating Okada, and it will shine forever!
Jonah is the best Superheavyweight in the world! He is the Top Dog! He is MIGHTY, and The Mighty Don’t Kneel! Mic drop and Jonah is now leading the way! Will Jonah be the Top Dog of the ENTIRE G1 with this win?
Here are the NEW standings!
A Block
- JONAH: 3-1, 6 points
- Kazuchika Okada: 3-1, 6 points
- Jeff Cobb: 2-2, 4 points
- Lance Archer: 2-2, 4 points
- Tom Lawlor: 2-2, 4 points
- Bad Luck Fale: 2-3, 4 points
- Toru Yano: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
B Block
- Jay White: 4-0, 8 points
- Tama Tonga: 2-1, 4 points
- Taichi: 2-1, 4 points
- SANADA: 2-2, 4 points
- Chase Owens: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
- Great-O-Khan: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
- Tomohiro Ishii: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
C Block
- Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-1, 6 points
- Zack Sabre Jr: 3-1, 6 points
- Hirooki Goto: 2-2, 4 points
- Tetsuya Naito: 2-2, 4 points
- EVIL: 2-2, 4 points
- KENTA: 1-2, 2 points
- Aaron Henare: 1-4, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
D Block
- David Finlay: 3-1, 6 points
- Shingo Takagi: 2-2, 4 points
- Will Ospreay: 2-2, 4 points
- YOSHI-HASHI: 2-1, 4 points
- Yujiro Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points
- Juice Robinson: 2-3, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
- El Phantasmo: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
What an awesome event for the G1! A very good match from Henare and Evil, but I should’ve figured Evil would win. Henare is already out of the running so he doesn’t need another win, and Evil might still have an outside shot. As I just said last night, Zack Sabre Jr needs to beat Naito and Evil to even stay alive in the C Block, so Evil could at least play spoilers for ZSJ. Of course, Tanahashi would have to lose to both Goto and Kenta, so his fate isn’t in his hands alone. Lawlor gets a great win off Fale as the underdog, but both men are still alive in this. Lawlor is part of Okada’s last stretch, and Fale only has Jonah left.
Juice VS ELP was great stuff, especially with it starting out comical. But of course, something happens to make it turn chippy, and it was a very clever play for Juice to win by disqualification. ELP doesn’t look weak from it, but he is still out of the running, which was bound to happen as he’s not a heavyweight just yet. Ishii VS Chase was a great match, especially since neither of them are in the running. It was basically them just fighting to show they are worthy of opportunities after the G1, such as the NEVER Openweight or that rather complex US Championship picture. And of course, we got an awesome main event from Okada and Jonah. It was especially awesome because Jonah won!
I didn’t expect that, but now only Jay White is 4-0, everyone else leads their blocks at 3-1. Jonah winning also shakes things up, as Jonah has Archer this Tuesday, 8/9, and then Fale in the very last round on Tuesday, 8/16. If Jonah wins both of those, he is in without question because even if Okada beats Lawlor this Wednesday and Archer on 8/16, the tie goes to Jonah. And it would be pretty awesome if Jonah met Jay White in the semifinals to really shake up the title scene.
My Score: 9.1/10
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One step away from the Cup!
David Finlay awaits in the New Japan Cup finals, and will either face Shota Umino or Shingo Takagi! Can the Roughneck slay the Rampaging Dragon?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata; Kojima & Nagata win.
- 10 Man Tag: The United Empire VS El Phantasmo, Jado, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Daiki Nagai; The United Empire wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hontai VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- Six Man Tag: Just4Guys VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
- Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; Double Count-Out Draw.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
- 2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi; Shota wins and advances to the finals.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture!
Yota Tsuji was cheated out of the New Japan Cup by the King of Darkness, but that’s no surprise. However, that means Evil has a golden ticket to the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. Will Dick Togo & Yujiro Takahashi help Darkness Fall? Or can Testuya Naito & Bushi help Yota keep everything tranquilo?
Even now, Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. Eventually, the pants are put aside, and Naito is wearing the new Tendedero merch shirt. LIJ fist bumps, but The House attacks! The fans boo but the bell rings so this is on record. Evil has Yota on the outside and he CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Yujiro CHOKES Naito, Dick bumps Bushi off buckles, and then Yujiro TOSSES Naito! Dick CHOKES Bushi now, then he and Yujiro double whip. Dick runs corner to corner but Bushi dodges! Bushi BOOTS Yujiro, then headlocks Dick! BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO! The fans fire up and Bushi hurries to tag Naito.
Naito stomps Yujiro, Bushi joins in, and Evil protests. Evil runs in, but into an atomic drop! Evil staggers away to a corner, Naito & Bushi whip Yujiro into him! Evil falls, Naito kicks Yujiro, and holds him in place, for the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses and the fans cheer. Naito then covers, TWO! Tokyo Pimp is tougher than that, but Naito drags Yujiro up to cravat. Yujiro endures the neck wrench, Naito CLUBS him then whips. Yujiro reverses and Dick gets a cheap shot in! Yujiro runs, but Bushi gets as cheap shot in! Naito runs but Evil trips him up! Dick BLASTS Bushi, Yujiro BLASTS Yota, and Evil drags Naito out.
Evil RAMS Naito into the timekeeper! Abe-san again suffers at the hands of Evil! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Evil drags Naito up. Evil pushes Naito into the ring, then he and Dick loosen the blue buckle pad. Yujiro covers Naito, TWO! Yujiro drags Naito up while the fans rally, but Yujiro snapmares to drop a leg! And he drops another leg! And another leg! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer, but Yujiro taunts LIJ. Yujiro drags Naito up, bumps him off Evil’s boot, and then he tags Evil in. Evil CLAWS Naito’s eyes then stomps away on the legs! The ref reprimands, Evil drags Naito out, and then Evil stomps the leg more!
Evil drops an ELBOW on the knee! Evil pulls on the leg in a toehold, then traps the leg in a leg scissors! Yota runs in and stomps Evil, but Dick TOSSES Yota back out! Evil pulls on the leg, almost has an ankle lock, but Naito has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil lets go, and he tags in Dick. They split the wishbone on Naito! The fans rally for Naito but Dick throws down fists. Cover, TWO! Naito is tougher than that and the fans continue to rally. Dick is annoyed, but Naito fires body shots on him! Dick CLAWS Naito’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Dick whips. Naito reverses and ELBOWS Dick, to then arm-drag him!
Naito dropkicks Dick’s legs out! The fans rally, Dick and Naito crawl, hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota CLOBBERS Dick, then BLASTS the House! But Dick CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Yota runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota runs corner to corner, to SPLASH! Yota scoops and SLAMS to then run and BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he paces around. Yota drags Dick up, suplexes, but Dick fights that! Dick wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, then punches Yota! Tag to Evil and they mug Yota! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Dick & Evil stand Yota up.
Dick & Evil double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Yota down! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that and the fans rally up, but Evil tells them to shut up. Evil drags Yota to his feet, talks more trash on the fans, but the fans give that back. Evil “puts one out” on Yota, then fireman’s carries! Yota slips free to ROCK Evil! The fans fire up with Yota, he runs, but Evil goes the other way! But Yota catches the pounce into a clinch! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and STOMP! The Gene Combination hits and the fans fire up! Evil sputters, Yota rolls and tags in Bushi. Bushi runs up to dropkick Evil’s legs out! Then Bushi BLASTS Dick!
Yujiro kicks Bushi, whips him to ropes, but Bushi reverses to dropkick the legs out! Evil is back but Bushi DECKS him! Bushi then builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Evil is sent into railing! The fans fire up, Bushi puts Evil back in, and Bushi aims from a corner. Bushi runs corner to corner to ELBOW Evil, then he puts a leg in the ropes to DROPKICK it! Bushi brings Evil out and has the leg, but Evil pulls on the mask! Bushi breaks free, kicks, but Evil blocks, hands it to the ref, and mule kicks Bushi down! Dick & Yujiro BLAST Naito & Yota off the apron! They then double whip Bushi to a corner! Dick ELBOWS Bushi! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil LARIATS!
Dick goes up, Evil & Yujiro hold Bushi open, and the ref reprimands! No one to distract him this time! But then Evil just grabs the ref and turns him around! The ref can’t get free, Bushi suffers the DICK CHOP! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives and the fans fire up! Evil is stunned but he brushes that off. Evil paces around Bushi, slashes his throat, and vows to end this! Evil drags Bushi up, spins him, EVERY- NO, Naito gets in to kick Evil down! Yujiro is in, Evil distracts the ref, and Yujiro blocks a kick to LOW BLOW Naito!! The fans boo, but Yota runs up! Yujiro blocks his kick, and trips him up, to FALLING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW!!
The fans boo but Evil still holds onto the ref. Bushi stands, Evil shoves the ref at him! Bushi pushes the ref aside, and he blocks the low blow! But Dick LOW BLOWS from the other side! Evil & Dick get Bushi up, for MAGIC KILLER!! Cover, the House of Torture wins!!
Winners: House of Torture, by pinfall
But they’re not done, as they beat up on Yota now! They snatch the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship from him, and Evil holds it up. The fans boo, but Evil takes aim at Yota! But Yota LOW BLOWS Dick! And he dodges Evil’s attack to then pop-up LOW BLOW! Yujiro has his pimp cane! Yota blocks that, takes the cane, and LOW BLOWS Yujiro with it! The fans fire up behind Yota as he takes his belt back. Yota holds it up to show that not everything is Evil! Will the Gene Blast stop the House of Torture from having more gold?
2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi!
The Paradigm Shift has certainly taken a turn after The Roughneck gave up his fiery red locks. Shota has changed up his style in the ring to match his new look, but will this Second Chapter lead to the Cup? Or will this young hero fail to slay the Rampaging Dragon?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. They’re strongly behind “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” but Shota doesn’t let that bother him. Shota and Takagi slowly step forward, feel things out, then clinch. Takagi waistlocks but Shota turns around to facelock. Takagi wrenches out and has a wristlock, but Shota rolls, wrenches back, and then hammerlocks. Takagi reaches back to headlock and he hits the takeover, but Shota headscissors. Takagi kips free and the fans cheer the standoff. The two reset and feel things out again. They knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength! Shota has the leverage but Takagi powers up.
Takagi breaks a grip, wrenches, headlocks, and he grinds the hold. The fans rally up while Shota endures. Shota pries at the headlock but Takagi keeps it on tight. Shota powers up and out the back, then headlocks in return. Takagi endures the grind now, and he powers up and out! They RAM shoulders, Shota keeps going to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds to RAM Shota, but Shota stands his ground! Shota fires a forearm, Takagi fires a DOUBLE CHOP! Takagi whips, but Shota reverses to scoop, HOTSHOT, and then he RUNS Takagi over! The fans fire up while Takagi bails out. Shota waits on Takagi, and the fans rally up again.
Takagi takes his time stepping back inside, and he resets with Shota. They knuckle lock, but then Shota shoots in and trips Takagi up. Shota stomps that leg, then he SMASHES the knee off the mat! Shota stalks Takagi to a corner, then puts the leg around ropes. The fans rally, Red Shoes reprimands, but Shota pulls on the leg. Shota then brings Takagi out to trip him, and Shota stomps away on the leg. Shota drops an ELBOW on the knee, and pulls on the toehold! Takagi endures, works his way back, and has the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go, but then he drops a knee on the knee! Red Shoes reprimands but Shota stomps Takagi’s leg again.
Shota drags Takagi up, facelocks and turns him, but Takagi elbows free! Takagi runs in at the corner but Shota BOOTS him! Shota runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint and DDT! Shota staggers around while the fans fire up, and Takagi LARIATS Shota up and out! Shota staggers into railing then slumps down. The fans rally behind Takagi while he shakes out the bad leg. Takagi goes out to fetch Shota, and he drags Shota back up. Takagi RAMS Shota into the apron, then RAMS him in again! Takagi whips Shota hard into railing and Shota slumps down! Red Shoes wants Takagi to get this back in the ring, so Takagi rolls in.
The fans applaud and the ring count begins. Shota is still down at 5 of 20, sits up at 8, and he rises up at 10. Shota stands at 13 and hobbles his way over. Shota rolls in at 15, but Takagi stands on him! Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi marches in place before he steps off. Takagi KICKS Shota in the back, then drags him up to whip. Takagi KNEES Shota at the ropes, then runs to CLOBBER Shota! The fans fire up and Takagi flexes. Takagi drags Shota up, reels him in and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shota is tougher than that, but Takagi looks to the camera. Then he wags his finger, it’s not time yet.
Takagi clamps onto Shota with a chinlock and squeezes tight. Shota endures, so Takagi sits him up and shifts around to also trap an arm. Shota endures being twisted and turned, and he kicks his way forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud, and Takagi lets go, only to BELL CLAP! Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi brings Shota around to SENTON! The fans cheer more and Takagi stands back up. Takagi looms over Shota, kicks him around, but Shota just gets mad. Shota glares at Takagi so Takagi eggs him on. Shota stands to fire a forearm! Takagi shakes his head, so Shota fires another forearm! And another!
Takagi wobbles a bit and Shota fires a flurry! But then Takagi blocks one to wrench and knuckle lock! Takagi goes up the ropes!? The fans fire up, but Shota breaks free! Takagi gives thumbs down, and the fans boo, but Takagi HIP ATTACKS Shota down! Takagi rallies the fans behind him, then reels Shota in. But Shota BACKDROPS free! Takagi gets up fast, but Shota dropkicks the legs! Shota turns Takagi for a NECKBREAKER! Shota snarls, goes to a corner, and the fans rally again. Takagi stands, Shota runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! Then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota stays clam.
Shota drags Takagi up and reels him in, but Takagi fights the lift! Shota CLUBS Takagi, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks a boot! KNEE JAMMER, and then a SHIN BREAKER! Shota turns Takagi over for the STF! The fans rally as Takagi endures and Shota pulls on the hold! Takagi reaches out, crawls his way over, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Shota lets go in frustration. Shota stands Takagi back up to reel him back in, but again Takagi fights the lift! Shota KNEES Takagi again and again, then tries again. Takagi still fights that lift! Takagi CLUBS at the legs, but Shota CLUBS away on Takagi’s back!
Shota UPPERCUTS into a spin! Takagi suplexes, Shota fights it, so Takagi hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Shota crawls away to a corner while Takagi slaps his leg into working. Takagi watches Shota stand, then he runs in. Takagi blocks a boot, CLUBS the leg, and he LARIATS Shota down! The fans fire up and Takagi gets them even more fired up. Takagi stands Shota up, but Shota fires forearms! Takagi SHOVES Shota down, but Shota is right up to fire more forearms! Takagi THROWS Shota down, but Shota’s right up to fire forearms! Takagi YUKON LARIATS outta nowhere!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi rises and grabs at Shota but Shota shakes him off. Takagi still tries to stand Shota up but Shota kicks him now! So Takagi short arm LARIATS Shota down! And he short arm LARIATS again! Then a scoop for a SLAM, and Takagi goes up! YUKON ELBOW DROP! Takagi hauls Shota up, and hits a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Into an STF! Takagi gives Shota a taste of his own medicine! Shota endures, the fans rally, and then Takagi shifts to Just Facelock! Shota still endures, then fights around and reaches out. Takagi shifts to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Shota still endures!
Shota reaches out but Takagi pulls on that arm! The fans rally, Takagi puts as much as he can into the Fujiwara, but Shota fights and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud while Takagi lets off, and he throws some elbows down for good measure. Takagi then brings Shota up, puts him on the top rope, and he fires ridge hand chops! Takagi climbs up, goes to the very top, and hits a SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans fire up and Shota writhes! Takagi covers, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up again. Takagi finally says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has finally come! They then join in with “OI! OI! OI!”
Takagi stalks Shota, brings him up, and pump handles, only for Shota to fight the lift! Shota slips free, half nelsons, but Takagi elbows free! Shota UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Shota winds up and runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi keeps moving, Shota gets around to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Takagi’s right up to SNAP GERMAN! Shota’s right up, ducks a lariat, and he SNAP GERMANS! Shota roars, runs up, but into a PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Takagi and Shota go to opposite ends, and the fans rally up.
Takagi goes to a corner, drags himself up, and Shota is in the other corner. The fans rally harder, and they both run in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! So they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Both stay up, Takagi SWATS a lariat to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Then he whips Shota, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Takagi’s right up!? But Shota LARIATS him back down!! Shota also falls and the fans rally back up! Takagi and Shota stir, and Shota crawls his way over to Takagi. The “SHOTA! SHOTA!” fans are showing up now, and he reels Takagi in, for a POWERBOMB!! High stack cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up again and Shota fires himself up. Takagi slowly rises up, Shota runs, but Takagi swats the lariat! ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- SHOTGUN! But Takagi’s up to PUMPING BOMBER again!! Both men are down again as we hit 20 minutes! Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and Takagi crawls over to Shota. The dueling is starting to sound even, and Takagi brings Shota up. Shota fires boxing elbows, then a ROLLING- NO, Takagi catches him! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO!! Takagi shouts out Milano Collection AT with how he tucks Shota’s arms! TAKAGI DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO!!
Shota survives but Takagi keeps moving, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Takagi gets going again, and he PUMPING BOMBERS!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Shota survives and shocks everyone! Takagi thinks on what he must do now, and he brings Shota back up. The fans rally, Takagi pump handles and torture racks! But Shota kicks and flails to get free! Shota LARIATS, but Takagi stays up while Shota drops to his knees! Takagi shakes his head, brings Shota up again, but Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi goes to a corner, Shota fires forearms and an elbow, then a ROLLING ELBOW! Takagi stays up to ELBOW! JAB! And whip!
Shota reverses, and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up, Shota brings Takagi to his feet for the fisherman and SECOND- NO, Takagi fights that to scoop Shota! LANDSLIDE DRIVER!! The fans rally up again and Takagi watches Shota rise. Takagi runs, Shota dodges, but then Takagi dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS!! Shota falls on the cover, ONE?!?! Shota gest going again, SHOTA BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi will not be beat at his own game and the fans fire up! Shota goes to a corner as the fans are dueling, and Shota BUSAIKU KNEES! Then he hooks the leg, SECOND CHAPTER!!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!!
Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
The Rampaging Dragon has been slain! Perhaps if this was the Shota from before New Beginning, the story would be different, but the Second Chapter writes Takagi out of the tournament. Will Takagi battle his way to the top from a different path?
As for Shota, he decides not to say anything, and exits the ring. But wait! David Finlay & Gedo make their way out here! Gedo grabs the mic to ask, “Oi, kid, where’d you go? Get back out yere, you punk! Get back here, kid!” Shota responds to that taunting and makes his way back out. Gedo tells Shota, “I don’t know what’s going on in your head, but do you realize who you’re facing in the finals? The Savage King, David Finlay! He’s crazy strong, kid! Tougher than you can imagine! Whatever it took for you tog et here, in an instant, it’ll be destroyed! Get over here, ya punk! Get over here! I wanna know how much you want this!”
“You want to come in here, say your piece? Just try!” Gedo drops the mic for Shota, and then Shota stares Finlay down. Shota picks the mic up, and he tells Finlay, “I promise I will beat you.” Finlay likes the sound of that. These two stare down, and we are just days away from them battling for it all! Who will be the 2025 New Japan Cup Champion, and the man aimed squarely at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
My Thoughts:
Another great night for New Japan Cup, but with as much filler as yesterday’s event. The War Dogs sure have their hands in many things, as does the House of Torture with how Evil is building to a title match with Yota Tsuji. The War Dogs and House of Torture going to Double Count-Out Draw again was a good move, it keeps both sides equal as we wait for them to do whatever huge faction warfare match they’re planning. As for Yota VS Evil, hard to say at this point as House of Torture won the match but then Yota stood tall after that scrap. It’d be really weird if Evil gets that title off Yota just to be a transitional champion to Finlay so that Finlay can get “his” title back.
Shota VS Shingo was a great match, but the crowd really took a second to get into it. There still seems to be a number of fans who are uncertain on Shota so they didn’t feel like cheering right away, but Shota got them on his side as things heated up. Shota winning makes sense, he’s got this new attitude and so that’s part of the push. I hope he changes his aesthetic enough once we get to the finals on March 20th. Take those all white paints, airbrush something on them that helps represent what “Second Chapter” Shota is about, or even just go with a solid color like red or blue to indicate the change visually. As for who wins, that is anyone’s guess, as Finlay will have to circle back to the Bullet Club Civil War at some point.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Adrenaline in Brussels, every thought out of control!
Cody Rhodes has called him out and now it’s the moment of truth: Will John Cena return to Monday Night Raw live from Brussels, Belgium?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- No Holds Barred: PENTA VS Ludwig Kaiser; Penta wins.
- Dakota Kai VS Ivy Nile; Dakota wins.
- Jey Uso VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller; Jey wins.
- The Creed Brothers VS Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee; Rey & Lee win.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Finn Balor; Bron wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
JOHN CENA IS HERE!
Brussels erupts with booing as the traitorous GOAT makes his way out. He’s wearing the custom Belgium merchandise, but not even that is enough to appease the fans, and they still sing, “John Cena SUCKS~!” Cena grabs the mic and paces around while the fans boo and give thumbs down. The dueling does begin, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” and Cena just stands there to let it play out. Then he drops the mic and turns to leave, but that makes everyone boo! Cena picks up the mic, fans chant, “You Sold Out!” so Cena drops the mic again. The fans boo, so Cena picks the mic back up.
Cena finally speaks, “When someone is properly grounded in life… They shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval.” Fans chant and sing at Cena some more, but Cena says they are making this so easy for him. “For 25 years, I’ve been the victim, okay? I have been the victim of an abusive relationship. No, no, no, you have lost your time to talk!” The fans say, “You Sold Out!” Cena says fine, take the floor. But what do they do with it? They just abuse and bully him into being their damn puppet, and expect him to do it with a smile on his face! NO MORE! The fans tell Cena off, and he lets them say it. “So very classy. Thank you.”
“Look, I am not a ‘baby face,’ I am not a ‘heel.’ I’m a human being. And each and every one of you has been AWFUL to me! Go ahead, go ahead! You’ve been awful!” The fans boo more, but Cena says it has been the same damn noise for 25 YEARS! When he first got here, the fans let him know really loud that they hated him. Moments of embarrassment and shame, they let him know he wasn’t worthy of them. So he changed himself, and it worked for a second, but then it wasn’t enough! So what’d he do? He worked hard like always, he started to win and win and win and win, and win and win and win and win!
But oh, he won a lot, and fans hated it! It wasn’t enough! So what’d Cena do? He spent 10 YEARS giving away everything he possibly could, and it still wasn’t enough! The fans tell Cena to STFU, but he just smirks and shakes his head. In his final moments, what’s the only thing he can do? He can walk away. Wow, and now you cheer. But he announced his retirement in a move no one has done before. He really is walking away at the end of this year. He tried one last time to get along with the fans. He tried one last time to do something nice, but they ruined it! Just like they ruin everything!
Because just like right here tonight, it was great for two seconds, and then it wasn’t enough! The fans sing “Hey Hey Hey~, Goodbye~!” Cena says, “Each one of these idiots is proving my point with every breath. My point is, no matter what I do, it is never enough, and you should all be ashamed of yourselves. All you ever do is take. You take, you take, and you take! And you only care about yourselves! I put my values on the line to make a very important choice in my life, and all you could think is, ‘What do we get?’ My story changed! ‘What do we get? John Cena’s coming to my town! What do we get? This is trending! What do we get?’
“Not one of you SOBs asked me how I feel. No one! It’s just ‘What do we get? What do we get?’ YOU GET NOTHING! You get what you have earned, and what you have earned is NOTHING! You don’t get a new look, because you dress like me, I don’t dress like you idiots! You don’t get new music! That is MY voice on that song, and your time is finally up! And my time is finally now! The only thing you get is to take a long look in the mirror to see how awful each and every one of you has been for 25 years to me!” The fans still boo, and even shift to, “We Want Cody!” Oh, they want Cody? OH~, of course! The brand new, shiny toy! Because they’re about to put this one out to pasture.
Like he said, they’re just proving his point that they’re awful people. And that’s every single person here! No one is safe, no one can hide, especially those he can pick out in the crowd. This guy, that guy in the front row, and that other guy. Yes, he sees them. The “Let’s Go Cena” people. They’re the ones who support Cena. The dueling begins again, and Cena says, “You hear that, world? The Cena Sucks Jagoffs, they have already proved themselves awful people. I’m about ot tell you why the Let’s Go Cena people are just as awful. You claim to support me? What have you ever done? What have you, you, you, what have you ever done to support me, huh?!
“What have you ever done for me? All you ever do is steal from me! You steal! You steal my personal moments! You steal my time! You have made me your freakin’ toy! I am an object to you! You have made me the butt to a stupid ‘invisible’ joke for 15 years, and you still think it’s funny! It is NOT funny! It is pathetic! You are pathetic.” Fans tell Cena off again, but Cena says they don’t wanna hear this, huh? Not ready to hear this? Not ready to lean into the uncomfortable conversation. The truth is, the fans don’t wear his merch to support him. They wear it to feel good. They wear words like Hustle, Loyalty, Respect, but Cena LIVES them.
The fans think they can buy the words “Never Give Up?” Cena is the definition of perseverance, and everyone here knows it! “You do not support me. What you do is you use me as an excuse for your pathetic failure of a life. Because all you’ve ever done there for 25 years is sit on your ass and watch me be great! NO MORE! This, everybody, including that one kid right there, is a toxic, dysfunctional relationship! Oh, you don’t wanna hear it, huh? It’s too tough for ya? Well listen to this. I’m breaking up with you. I’m done. I’m breaking up with every single person. Whether you like me or you don’t, you’re dumped.
“I don’t need you anymore. I don’t care about you. And you don’t matter to me. And here’s the thing. There’s no noise you can make, there is nothing you can do, because you know I’m right and you know you are wrong!” WAIT! Here comes Cody! Brussels erupts with cheers this time, and they sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, continues down the ramp and high-fives fans, and Cena just waits on Cody. We get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and more pyro as Cody throws off his jacket and steps into the ring with Cena. Cody raises the Undisputed WWE Championship, the fans cheer, and then Cody gets himself a mic.
The fans cheer as the song dies down and Cena scowls. The fans sing, “CODY! CODY RHOOODES~! CODY, CODY RHOOODES~!” Cody lifts the belt again and the fans cheer more. Cody then finally says, “I think everybody was willing to hear you out, even myself. If I understood correctly from what you just said, they’ve given you their worst. Sure, they might’ve given you their worst. But they’ve also given you their best for 25 years, and they did that because you were special. They did that because you were special. They did that because you could take it. They did that because you could carry it!” The fans cheer that.
Cena says, “Look, kid,” but Cody tells him, “ENOUGH! And it’s certainly not ‘kid.’ It’s champion!” The fans cheer that, too! And Cody wants to ask Cena something. “Who the hell are you? Where’s the guy on this shirt? Right here! Even after what you did, I was excited at the prospect of going week to week, face to face, with John Cena. And instead, I got this. Well this better not show up at WrestleMania. Because if it does, I run it over, I run it out, because I already took its best shot and it wasn’t good enough, I retire it early! So go find John Cena, because I wanna wrestle him at WrestleMania 41, not this whiny b*tch!”
Cody drops his mic and leaves the ring, the fans all fired up! Cody gives Cena one last look before he makes his way back up the ramp. The fans sing for “CODY! CODY RHOOODES~!” again, and he again lifts the belt. Cena is still in the ring, so the fans boo. Cena drops his mic, exits the ring, and the fans again sing “Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye~!” Cena gives them one last look before he goes backstage. Will this Cena be all we get from now until the end of 2025?
No Holds Barred: PENTA VS Ludwig Kaiser!
After going back and forth, and even adding Pete Dunne to the mix, the Man with No Fear and the Impeccable German have it out with nothing holding them back! Will Penta show Kaiser what #CeroMiedo looks like when it is fully unleashed? Or will Kaiser say NEIN to another loss?
Raw returns and Penta makes his entrance. The fans fire up with the pyro, and “CERO! MIEDO!” The fans even sing, “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~! CEROOO~, MIEDOOO~!” The bell rings and Penta eggs Kaiser on. Kaiser is annoyed with the fans, but then he and Penta start throwing hands! Kaiser gets the edge, but Penta avoids the lariat to CHOP Kaiser down! Kaiser staggers, Penta runs up, and Penta LARIATS Kaiser up and out! Then Penta slides out, runs up, but Kaiser THROWS him into the timekeeper’s area! The fans boo, but Penta gets up on the barriers! Penta tightrope walks his way to FLYING RANA Kaiser into the apron!
The fans fire up with Penta and he pursues, but Kaiser bails out. Kaiser grabs chairs, puts them in the ring, but Penta runs up to DROPKICK Kaiser down! Penta then builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit, the fans fire up, but then the fans cheer as Penta clears the commentary desk! Penta puts Kaiser up there, CHOPS him, but Kaiser CHOPS back! They CHOPS go back and forth, the fans cheer and boo. Penta fires off a flurry, but Kaiser CLAWS Penta’s face! Then KAISER ROLL on the desk! The fans lose their minds while Kaiser stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Kaiser has Penta up top, and he CLAWS at the mask! But Penta fights Kaiser off! The fans fire up as Kaiser staggers, and Penta CROSSBODIES! Kaiser staggers up, Penta dodges and KICKS Kaiser in the leg! Then SLING-DOG! Kaiser flounders to a corner, Penta whips, but Kaiser reverses. Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Penta rises. Penta aims from a corner, calls his shot, and runs up, but into a GAMANGIRI! Kaiser fireman’s carries, KAISER ROLL again, then cover! TWO! Penta survives, but Kaiser kicks him out of the ring. Kaiser UPPERCUTS Penta, then RAMS him into steel steps!
The fans boo, Kaiser leaves Penta behind, but only to go out the side. Kaiser gets running, wanting his favorite shot! But Penta BACKDROPS Kaiser onto the desk! The fans are thunderous as Kaiser writhes! Penta has the fans singing again, and he brings Kaiser off the desk to put in the ring. Penta stalks Kaiser, but Kaiser SMACKS Penta! The fans chant, “We Want Tables!” but Penta CHOPS! Kaiser fires a haymaker, Penta fires back, and the two stand. Kaiser ROCKS Penta, but Penta ROCKS Kaiser! The haymakers keep going, then Penta trades CHOPS with Kaiser’s haymakers! Penta fires a flurry of forearms, then says “CERO! MIEDO!”
Penta runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Kaiser SLAMS him down! BLINDSIDE SLIDING FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Penta survives but Kaiser stalks him to ropes. Kaiser tells Penta to listen to him! Penta will fear KAISER! Kaiser will teach Penta what it means to fear! Kaiser CLUBS Penta down, the fans sing for Penta, but Kaiser grabs a chair. Kaiser dares Penta to get up, and then he SMACKS Penta on the back! Penta scrambles to a corner but Kaiser grins as he storms up. Kaiser CHOKES Penta with the chair and shouts, “Are you scared? Say it!” Kaiser wants Penta to admit he’s afraid, but Penta just powers up! The fans fire up as Penta pushes Kaiser back! “CERO! MIEDO!”
Kaiser drags Penta up, clinches, but Penta WRINGS that arm, then has the other! THE SACRIFICE!! Kaiser writhes, clutches that elbow, but now Penta has the chair! Penta winds up but Kaiser wants mercy! Penta shakes his head but Kaiser says he gives up?! Kaiser says Penta wins? Penta isn’t sure about that, but then Kaiser CLAWS Penta’s eyes! Kaiser has th echair, but Penta SUPERKICKS the chair into Kaiser! Then he SMACKS Kaiser! Then he gives the chair back to SUPERKICK it into Kaiser again! Penta goes up, Kaiser staggers around, and Penta reels him in, FLYING MEXICAN DESTROYER on the chair!!
The fans are losing their minds, but Penta then hits a PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Brussels gives this brutal opener a standing ovation! Will Penta now leave Kaiser in the past to go for bigger and better prizes? Cathy Kelley interviews Penta on the ramp and congratulates him on the win. That was a definitive end to that match, and we’re on the Road to WrestleMania. What is next for Penta? Penta says first off all, THANK YOU, BRUSSELS! They are amazing, he loves ’em! But the Penta New Era is here! It is alive in Europe, but also in every continent in the world! What is next for Penta? Listen: THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP!
Penta wants to tell everyone that he doesn’t care what he has to do, he WILL be champion! Because he is Penta, and he has CERO MIEDO! That very title is on the line later tonight, will Penta be aimed at Bron Breakker or Finn Balor for WrestleMania?
Dakota Kai heads to gorilla.
Iyo Sky gives her a pep talk before her match, but uh, is that Dominik Mysterio talking with Karrion Kross? Is Dom still trying to recruit new members? Or is Mr. Doomsday giving Dom some special advice of his own?
The Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.
Carlito is adding to the great graffiti backstage, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez talk about how Dominik should’ve taken the match with Bron Breakker instead of- Finn walks in! Liv & Raquel say hey, and they wish him luck tonight. Finn thanks them for that, and he wishes them the best of luck in their matches. Jade Cargill is gonna be another stop on the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour! And Raquel, by this time next week, they’ll both be Intercontinental- Oh, Dom walks in! Hey, bud! The man of the moment! Finn knows Dom knows, but Finn wants to say from the bottom of his heart, thanks for getting him the title match.
Dom says of course! Whatever it takes to get Judgment Day back on top. But here’s the thing… Dom was talking with some people, and he has an idea. Oh, an idea? Is Dom sure he should say this? Dom says it’ll be okay. Ever since JD McDonagh went down, they kinda lost some muscle around here. So Dom found the perfect person to add to the Judgment Day! Finn is annoyed and asks who. Penta! Finn wants to get something straight. After all this time, and after all they’ve been through, Dom goes behind Finn’s back, has all these conversations with all these people, and the one he lands on… is offering a spot to Penta, the guy who just declared HE wants Finn’s Intercontinental title?!
Finn seethes, and tells Dom he’s just a snake! Finn storms out, the mood ruined. Dom didn’t know Penta was gonna go for the title. Carlito says Dom doesn’t watch the product, huh? Well, Dom stepped in it this time. Is there some way he can he make it up to Finn? Or should he just give up on adding members?
Dakota Kai VS Ivy Nile w/ Team American Made!
Speaking of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, both #CobraKai and the Diamond Pitbull have fought for and failed to take that title from Lyra Valkyria. With Raquel Rodriguez facing Lyra next, who will prove they’re worthy of the shot after that?
What a surprise to see Chad Gable showing up. He apologizes for being late, and then he joins The Creed Brothers in Ivy’s corner. The bell rings, and Dakota fires off fast hands on Ivy! The ref reprimands as they’re in the corner, but Dakota backs off. Dakota runs up, but Ivy stops the flying-mare! Ivy throws Dakota away, Dakota keeps moving, but Ivy LARIATS! Ivy is already frustrated and she rains down fists! The fans boo, Ivy tells them to shut up, and Maggle taunts Gable about his lucha mask that he may or may not have. Ivy stands Dakota up, whips her to a corner, and Dakota bounces off buckles into Ivy’s GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!
Ivy is annoyed but Gable coaches her on. Ivy drags Dakota up, reels her in, and she suplexes. Dakota cradle counters! TWO, and Dakota goes to a corner. Ivy runs up, Dakota ELBOWS her away, then Dakota BOOTS her! Dakota runs to DISCUS LARIAT! And then LARIAT again! And DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Dakota while Ivy ends up in a corner. Dakota runs in to BOOT WASH! Dakota then puts Ivy through ropes, and JUMP- NO, Ivy avoids the stomp! But Dakota GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up again and Dakota builds speed, but Gable is on the apron! The fans boo, Ivy storms in, and Ivy scoops Dakota for a SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Dakota survives, and here comes the LWO! They go after The Creeds for what Gable or not Gable did! Gable runs but gets flanked, so he goes into the crowd! The fans fire up as Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee chase after Gable! Ivy is shocked, but that lets Dakota run Around the World! BOOT! And then a fireman’s carry, GO TO KICK!! Cover, Dakota wins!
Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall
American Made falls apart in Brussels, and now #CapKota is in pole position for the title chase! Will she get one more shot on goal with Lyra? Or will she and her old rival, Raquel, meet again?
Iyo Sky heads to the ring!
The fans fire up as the Evil Genius, the NEW Women’s World Champion, is ready to sign on the dotted line! She and Bianca Belair are going to put pen to paper, but will that be all that happens? We find out after the break.
Raw returns as Bianca is in the ring, and Adam Pearce has joined them. Pearce welcomes everyone in French, and says it is now time to make this world title match official between challenger Bianca Belair, and champion Iyo Sky! The fans cheer that! Pearce says they know how this works. Two signatures makes this official, so the floor is theirs. Iyo and Bianca both take their seats, and Iyo picks up her mic first. “Bianca, you will not disrespect me again. Rhea will not disrespect me again. No one will disrespect me again. Because I am the Women’s World Champion!” The fans cheer that! “And after WrestleMania, I will still be the Women’s World Champion!” The fans cheer even more for that!
Iyo signs her part, the fans cheer again, and even chant, “You Deserve It!” Iyo bows in thanks for that. Now Bianca has her turn to speak. “Iyo, I have all the respect in the world for you. I really do. But last week, I gave you a pass because it was lowkey my fault, so I’ma tell you exactly what I told Rhea. If you put your hands on me and think you can get away with it, you don’t know me at all. So WrestleMania, you gonna find out exactly who I am. I am Bianca Belair, The EST of WWE, and I will be your NEW Women’s World Champion.” Fans are a bit more torn here, but Bianca signs her part. Pearce says it is now official!
The fans cheer and Pearce thanks them for being so professional. But then RHEA RIPLEY shows up! The fans fire up but Pearce, Bianca and Iyo are all shocked and upset about this. Mami has a mic as she storms down the ramp, but Pearce already calls in refs! Pearce asks what Rhea is doing out here, but Rhea asks them what they’re all doing out here. Because last she checked, Iyo slapped her in the face and she won’t do nothing about it, like Bianca over here. How the hell is Bianca acting like nothing happened? Well, for one, Bianca had to sign the contract for WrestleMania. That’s what she’s doing out here.
Rhea says real funny, coming from Bianca. Because Bianca had no business being out here for Rhea’s title match, but there she was. So time to take a page out of Bianca’s book, and she’s just out here to watch. Oh, then Rhea will be just watching WrestleMania! Bianca and Rhea argue, Iyo gets riled up, and she storms up like last time. But Bianca pie faces her first! Bianca says she ain’t getting smacked today! Well she gets a HEADBUTT from Rhea! Bianca ends up on the table, and then Rhea kicks Iyo! Rhea reels Iyo in, and hauls her up, to POEWRBOMB onto Bianca! The table doesn’t break, but Pearce has had enough of Rhea!
Rhea sees the contract on the floor, then picks it up. And she SIGNS IT, TOO!? Can she do that?! We have the two signatures, but is she making this into a Triple Threat?! Pearce argues with Rhea all the way to the back as she plays keep-away, but is Mami about to be on top one way or another?
Jey Uso walks ‘n’ talks.
“Yeah! Yeah! Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~! YEAH! I ain’t been myself lately. Been doubtin’ myself. Mind playin’ tricks on me. So I flew halfway around the world to whoop somebody’s ass! And that person tonight is Austin Theory. But at WrestleMania, it’s me and you, Gunther, when I shock the world and become World Heavyweight Champ! So Uce! Hey, Uce! Please hit my music-” GUNTHER IS AT GORILLA! Jey and Gunther get to shouting but Pearce and security barge in! Pearce says not tonight! Not after everything Rhea just did! Gunther says he talked to Jimmy on Friday, and he’s just as dumb as Jey!
Jey shoves Gunther, security ushers Gunther out, and Jey says he’ll see “G” out there! UH UH, YEET!! Jey makes his entrance, will he be even more fired up to fight #AllDay Austin Theory?
Jey Uso VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller!
Raw returns and A-Town Down Under makes their entrance. The bell rings, Waller distracts Jey already, and Theory fires off haymakers! They end up in the corner, the ref reprimands and counts, but Theory talks trash on the Yeet! Theory drags Jey up, whips him corner to corner, but Jey goes up and over. Jey keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges then SPEARS!! Cover, Jey wins!!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
That was fast! Jey really IS fired up to fight Gunther for Mania! Waller storms in, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! Jey then watches ATDU regroup, and Jey FLIES! Jey clips the ropes just a bit but he still takes ATDU down! Jey gets back up, but GUNTHER GETS HIM IN A SLEEPER!! Gunther squeezes tight, but Jey RAMS Gunther into a corner! Jey is free to fire haymakers! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks, but Gunther blocks the shot! Jey ROCKS Gunther with his off hand, and then he YANKS the title from Gunther!! The fans fire up, Gunther runs up in a rage, but Jey DUMPS him out! The fans fire up as Jey holds up the belt!
Gunther is furious, the fans cheer, but then Jey tosses the belt back. Der Ring General tried to punk out Jey, but Jey turned the tables! Will nothing stop Jey from proving he IS a main event player?
Pearce argues with Rhea.
Pearce will not allow Rhea to get away with what she’s doing! You can’t just write your name on a contract! Rhea says yes she can, she literally just did it! This is like talking to a child. Give him the contract! No! Yes! No! YES! NO! Rhea Ripley, give her the contract! Rhea says then he should put her in the match, her name’s on the contract! She shoves the contract into Pearce’s chest, he thanks her and takes his leave. But here comes Bianca! She and Rhea brawl! Bianca HAMMERS away, but now Iyo gets in, to go after Rhea! Bianca shoves Iyo aside and says Rhea is hers! Iyo DECKS Bianca, tells Bianca not to screw with her, but then Rhea SHOVES Iyo into a door!
Rhea goes after Bianca, and throws her into road cases! Pearce returns to have refs usher Rhea out of here! Rhea demands to be in that title match! Will Mami get what she wants? Or will she throw things out of whack until she does?
The Creed Brothers VS Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee!
After that wild encounter earlier tonight, this was a natural choice for all parties involved! Will Julius & Brutus get payback for Master Gable being run out of the building? Or will American Made learn not to mess with the L W O?
The teams sort out and Julius starts against Dragon. The bell rings, and Julius JUMP KNEES Lee down! The fans boo but Julius drags Lee up for a fireman’s carry. But Lee pops up to RANA Julius away! Brutus runs up but Lee dodges to SUPERKICK! Brutus tumbles out, Lee DIVES onto Brutus! Lee goes up a corner, then CROSSBODIES Julius! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Lee clamps onto Julius. Lee reaches out but Brutus YANKS Rey down! Julius turns things around and hits Lee with a ROLLING SPINEBUSTER! Then a SLIDING LARIAT! Julius scowls, the fans boo, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and the fans rally as Lee wipes out the Creeds! Lee crawls for his corner, hot tags to Julius and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey BLASTS Brutus, BOOTS Julius, then ELBOWS Brutus to dodge Julius! Tilt-o-whirl DEJA VU RANA! Julius flounders around, the fans fire up, and Rey climbs up on Julius. Rey rains down fists, and the fans count all the way to “Sept” (seven in French) before Julius carries him off the corner! Brutus is there and Julius hands Rey off! But Rey fights back, elbowing Julius away and raining fists down on Brutus! But Brutus THROWS Rey at Julius, and Julius catches Rey!
Julius powers up and brings Rey around, but Rey swings to DDT! Lee is back, FLYING RANA for Brutus to the floor!! The fans are thunderous and Rey goes up top! But Julius springs up after him! Only for Rey to HEADBUTT him away! Rey leaps, FLYING RANA and Julius is on the ropes! Rey dials it up and the fans cheer the 619! DROP THE DIME! Cover, LWO WINS!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
The King of Lucha and his Boy Wonder took down the Creeds, but WAIT! That American Made luchador is back! He CLOBBERS Rey, dodges Lee, and then FLYING HEADBUTTS! El Americano rains down fists on Lee, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Rey storms up to fire forearms! The fans fire up, but Gable- er, uh, Americano waistlocks again! GERMAN SUPLEX and Rey lands on Lee! The fans boo “whoever this is,” but now he goes up top! The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” a la Angle, but Americano says SHOOOOSH! DIVING HEADBUTT on Lee!! “UH GRACIAS~!” Americano runs away as security rushes out here!
Gable was ran off from the building, yet this luchador returns. What is going on with this masked man mystery?
Seth Rollins is here!
Brussels sings his song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary is in a comparatively normal outfit. Rollins high-fives fans and makes his way to the ring in his dark green suit and boots highlighted with gold chain and wristwatch. What will Rollins have to say about the shocking way Roman Reigns returned? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns as the fans continue to sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins revels in it while he has the mic in hand. The fans applaud as the singing just keeps going. Another round of applause, and then Rollins tells Brussels, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” The fans cheer again, and Rollins says that by the sound of this, they already know it. In case you don’t, this is a Visionary, this is a Revolutionary, this is SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! The fans cheer more, the singing returns, and Rollins again smiles. The fans applaud, and Rollins says alright. He was coming out here mad as Hell, but it is hard to be mad with those beautiful voices serenading him.
Rollins takes a moment as fans start to chant “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Well, we’ll get to him, but Rollins wants to talk Roman Reigns first. “O T C! O T C!” Yes, you saw the footage last week. Is Rollins mad as Hell that Roman came for revenge? Absolutely not, cuz he’d have done the same damn thing! HAHAHA! “The problem is, even after all these years, and a Wise Man in his ear, Roman Reigns still can’t come up with a plan. He needs his Architect to do it for him.” Roman had the time, the place, the moment, but he left one detail out: That detail is the man the fans were all chanting for just a few moments ago.
The “C M PUNK!” chant returns and Rollins says yes, “The luckiest loser on the face of the planet.” Because of Rollins had just a few more seconds in that cage, he would’ve ended what he promised the world. He would’ve stomped Punk through the mat, ended the Mania dream, and put Punk’s career on ice! Rollins would’ve taken care of the Punk Problem for everyone, including Roman. But like the good ol’ days, Rollins is left to clean up Roman’s mess. The “O T C!” chants return, and Rollins says don’t worry, he’ll put OTC in his place along the way. And it just so happens that Rollins’ two favorite people are going to be in the same place at the same time this Friday Night SmackDown.
Oh, trust him, Brussels, Rollins wishes those two were here, too. But… Rollins was just thinking… Why let them boys have all the fun? Maybe Rollins makes a trip down to Italy, makes a trip to SmackDown, and he puts himself right in between Roman and Punk? What do the fans think about that? The fans cheer, and Rollins says yeah, that sounds like a nice way to solve a problem and clean up a mess. But that is Friday, this is Monday, this ain’t about SmackDown, this is about the fans! This has been one hell of a crowd all night long! They’ve been singing with their beautiful voices, there’s just one match left and that is the main event for the Intercontinental Championship!
So Brussels, sing Rollins’ beautiful song as he makes his way to SmackDown and we make our way to the main event! Give it to ’em, Brussels! “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins revels in it again, and he says, “It’s on. See you boys on Friday, HAHAHA!”
Backstage interview with AJ Styles.
Cathy is with the Phenomenal One and says he had a lot to say on the Raw Recap show about Logan Paul. Could he give us a bit of that here? Styles says he stands behind everything he said. Styles hears the fans sing for him, then says Logan Paul just doesn’t belong. But then Karrion Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux walk over. Kross asks if that’s really how Styles feels. Styles says he doesn’t need this. Kross says he is just offering a different perspective, but if Styles doesn’t want it… Kross turns to go but Styles says fine, let’s hear it. Maybe Styles isn’t mad about Logan Paul. Maybe Styles is mad at himself. That’s enough of that.
No, hey, hold on! Kross just wants Styles to think: How long did it take for Styles to get to the WWE and find validation? 16? Styles says it was 17. Okay, okay. But it didn’t take Logan that long, did it? Is Styles not able to respect a guy who just waltzed into the business and did everything Styles has ever wanted to in record time? Styles sees where Kross is going with this, and it’s not gonna work. Styles leaves, but Kross says it’s working. He and Scarlett do the Scott Hall fingers, will their mind games make Styles and Logan bitter enemies?
Bron Breakker heads to gorilla.
And Penta is there! Penta looks at the title, and Bron smirks. Will this be the match-up for the title? Or will this Road to WrestleMania take a detour thanks to The Judgment Day?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Finn Balor!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been chewing up this roster ever since he got here, but The Prince claims he chews up “rookies” like Bron his whole career. But until these two fight it out, it’s all just talk. Whose bark is worse than their bite when the bell rings?
Raw returns and Bron makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to see who’s the real badass around here!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. In fact, they’re even dueling, “Let’s Go, Balor!” and then barking for Bron. Finn and Bron feel things out, knuckle lock, but then Finn backs away to ropes. The ref has Bron stay back, Finn leaves the ropes, and the two reset. They tie up, Finn headlocks, but Bron powers up and out. Bron RUNS Finn over, the fans bark, and Bron snarls as he storms up on Finn. Finn kicks low, CLUBS Bron on the neck, then headlocks. Bron blocks the takeover with pure brawn, then he hoists Finn up! The fans fire up, but Finn uses that to flying headlock takeover! The fans cheer while Finn grinds Bron down.
Bron endures as Finn thrashes him around. Bron rolls Finn to a cover, TWO, and Finn holds onto the headlock. The fans rally, Bron powers out and headlocks. Finn powers out, drops down, then bypasses Bron to TOSS him out! Bron lands on his feet! The fans fire up, Bron storms in, and he RAMS Finn into a corner! Bron RAMS Finn again and again, then snarls again. Finn staggers to another corner, but Bron runs up to LARIAT! Bron whips Finn to TOSS him out, and Finn tumbles! Bron goes out the side, and he builds up speed! The fans fire up, but Finn SLINGBLADES Bron down! Finn has control while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Finn has Bron in a corner. Finn CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Finn paces, then he goes back to Bron for a haymaker. Bron counter punches! And counter punches! Bron fires hands, whips, then scoops, but Finn tilt-o-whirls through to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Finn ELBOWS Bron in the neck, the fans rally up, and Finn stalks Bron. Finn scuffs Bron, SLAPS him, and talks trash. “You know who I am? I’m Finn Balor!” Finn keeps scuffing and slapping, and the fans tell Finn he done messed up! Finn fires hands, but Bron just snarls! Bron ROCKS Finn again and again, then whips. Finn reverses, but Bron LEAPING ELBOWS!
Bron storms up again, clinches, and EXPLODERS! Finn flounders, Bron whips again, but Finn KICKS the backdrop away. Finn runs, Bron dodges and then catches Finn for a POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and bark, and then Bron drags Finn up. But wait, here come Dom & Carlito! It was only a matter of time before Judgment Day pulled this move! They distract Bron and Finn rolls Bron up! TWO, and Finn runs up, but Bron catches him by the neck! Military press, but Finn slips free, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO! Bron survives and Finn is frustrated, but Dom & Carlito cheer Finn on.
Bron crawls to ropes, Finn spins him around, and Finn JUMP STOMPS! The fans tell Dom he sucks, Carlito tells Dom to tune that out, and Finn gives more stomps! Finn asks Dom what he’s doing out here, so apparently this was another of Dom’s ideas. Finn CHOPS Bron, then whips, but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds up speed to CLOBBER Finn! The fans fire up and bark again while Finn bails out. Bron storms out after Finn and the ref tells Dom & Carlito to back off. Bron LEAPS from the apron and onto the desk! Both men go tumbling over and the fans lose their minds! Bron sputters, Corey Graves lost a shoe, and “This is Awesome!”
Bron and Finn slowly stir, and Bron is on his feet! Finn crawls, wants mercy, but Bron stomps him! Bron puts Finn in the ring, and he dares Dom & Carlito to pull something. Bron slides in and builds speed again! SLINGBLADE! Finn hits first, and then he hurries to go again! SHOTGUN and Bron hits buckles! Bron slumps down into the drop zone so Finn climbs up! The fans fire up as Finn reaches the top! COUP DE- NO, Bron dodges, runs up, but Finn hurdles over the Spear! Roll up, TWO!! Bron grabs Finn again, military press, BREAKKER SLAM! Cover, TWO! Finn survives, both men are down, and the fans are fired up!
Dom & Carlito coach Finn but Bron is up first. Bron has blood in his mouth, perhaps from a busted lip, but he doesn’t care. Bron runs in, but Finn KICKS him first! And ENZIGIRIS! Bron is down again so Finn goes back up! But Bron hurries to trip Finn! Finn CLAWS at Bron’s head, then throws hands! The fans rally, Finn stands, but Bron ROCKS him first! Bron climbs up and brings Finn to the top! But Carlito distracts the ref! Dom YANKS Bron into a HOTSHOT, but that trips Finn up, too! Finn lands on his prince and he’s pissed at Dom! Dom apologizes, but Bron is just as mad! Bron BLASTS Dom, BLASTS Carlito, then springs up after Finn! SUPER STEINER!!
The fans are thunderously barking, Bron hits the SPEAR!!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Bron is so badass, not even Judgment Day could cost him! But now Judgment Day attacks him! The fans boo but Dom goes to grab the belt. Carlito bumps Bron off buckles, but here comes Penta! The fans fire up as Penta slides in, and he dodges Dom to then SUPERKICK Dom down! Carlito runs up, into a SUPERKICK! Bron gives Carlito a SPEAR! But now Penta holds onto the title as he stares down Bron. The fans sing “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~! CERO~ MIEDO~!” Penta hands the belt to Bron, and Bron holds it up. Will these two put it all on the line in Las Vegas?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for Raw in Brussels, and the Brussels crowd was just as fun as the Barcelona crowd on Friday. Cena and Cody opening with their big promo segment was the right move to give it time to breathe. Cena did a perfect job of using the fans as part of his promo because he took the trope of “I blame the fans!” to the ultimate level. He didn’t just use recent stuff, he used his entire 25 years and all the phases he went through as part of it, and he really dug into some personal feelings for both him and the fans. Cody therefore had the perfect counter to show Cena was only focusing on the negative, and how that’s not who Cena has presented to us. I think we’re getting another appearance of Cena next week, can’t wait to see how Glasgow treats him.
Iyo and Bianca had a good contract signing but I expected a touch more from both promos. Rhea joining in was the main element, and this is clearly heading for a Triple Threat. That quick brawl backstage was good, and I feel like we’re going to get Rhea VS Bianca to see if Rhea earns her spot in the match. Good stuff from Jey and Gunther again, but I kinda wish we’d just gotten only brawl. Jey squashing Theory was pretty wild, and he still gets the better of Gunther here, but it should’ve just been all Jey and Gunther. Gunther promised a living Hell for Jey, but I’m not sure we’re quite there yet. All the more reason Gunther should’ve beat up Jimmy on Friday as a way to stick it to Jey.
Good promo from Styles and Kross to add to this Styles VS Logan Paul build. Kross continues to be a great instigator, but when is he going to get back in the ring for his own desires? Or is he just waiting for the right opening to mess with the right champion? Honestly, as it feels like Jey is going to win the world title, Jey is the perfect target for Kross. Jey admitted to himself that there is insecurity right now, and the belt can help give him confidence again, but Kross can certainly find ways to tear that back down on the way to Backlash and beyond.
Very good stuff from American Made. Gable being run off by the LWO of course set up “El Americano” for that tag match segment, but it was also a good part of Dakota being Ivy. I feel like it’d be a bit much of Dakota gets a third match with Lyra, but I don’t know if that means Judgment Day screws Lyra out of the title. Cheating Lyra could be a way to keep her strong in the loss, and we could get some good stuff as Dakota takes on Raquel. Plus, DMG CTRL currently having the world title makes them an eventual target of Judgment Day, and the tag titles could also be in the mix for some serious Two Woman Power Trip teasing.
Judgment Day also had great stuff tonight. Dom thinking Penta would want to join Judgment Day is interesting, I wonder if that was Kross’s idea. Penta VS Kaiser was a great opener, but I feel they could’ve done more for a No Holds Barred match. Still good stuff to give Penta the win and move on from Kaiser to call out the Intercontinental Championship. Bron VS Finn was a great match, even with Dom & Carlito showing up. Dom accidentally messing Finn up was pretty clever, and that just adds to the Judgment Day tension. While Bron VS Penta will be awesome stuff, I was kinda hoping we’d get Finn VS Penta to add even more intrigue to the Judgment Day story, but I guess that’s something that doesn’t need a title.
My Score: 8.9/10
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