Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/22/22)
Toronto is Raw!
The Rated R Superstar faces Judgement Day’s Punisher!
For the first time in 12 YEARS, Edge is on Raw IN TORONTO! But will the hometown hero survive the Punishment that’s coming for him?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Tournament, Semifinals: Alexa Bliss & Asuka VS Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky; Kai & Sky win and advance to the finals.
- Dolph Ziggler VS Finn Balor w/ Rhea Ripley; Balor wins.
- Alpha Academy Open Challenge: Chad Gable w/ Otis VS Kevin Owens; Kevin wins.
- Aliyah VS Bayley; Bayley wins.
- AJ Styles & Bobby Lashley VS The Miz & Tommaso Ciampa; The Miz & Ciampa win, by disqualification.
- Edge VS Damian Priest; Edge wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Wait, something’s happening backstage.
Seth Rollins and Matt Riddle are brawling at gorilla! Adam Pearce and referees rush in to break it up! The Visionary and the Stallion want after each other that badly, but will they have no choice but to wait for Clash at the Castle?
Wait! The brawl starts up again and the two spill out into the crowd! Fans fire up as Rollins gives Riddle headlock punches! Riddle hits back, chases Rollins up the stands like just last week! Riddle fireman’s carries but Rollins fights free before he gets tossed! They brawl more and more, fans cheer them on as they brawl back down the steps. Rollins CLUBS Riddle, officials get between them, but fans want to “Let Them Fight!” Riddle gets loose and LEAPS off the barriers! He clobbers everyone!! But officials hurry to drag Rollins away, only for Riddle to get at him again! Rollins and Riddle are taken in different directions, is this the end of the chaos?
Trish Stratus is here!
Toronto goes wild for another of their hometown heroes as the seven-time WWE Women’s Champion and Hall of Famer heads to the ring. Trish gets the mic as fans cheer for her. “Guys, oh, man. It feels so good to be here. It feels so good to be home. And I’m not just talking about Toronto. I’m talking about in this ring. Between these ropes. I have to say, it’ll never not feel like home between these ropes. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately.” But wait! Here comes Bayley, Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky! They interrupt the living legend’s homecoming, but for what reason? We’ll see, after the break.
Raw returns and Bayley has a mic to say, “I’m so excited! And we had to come out here. I mean, I told you guys, Raw is literally the best show to be. We’re in the ring with Trish Freakin’ Stratus! We’re huge fans!” Iyo says she’s a BIG fan! Trish daisuki! Yes, she’s been Trish’s number one fan for so long, Trish is such a legend, international legend even. America, Japan, New Zealand, all that. But um… What’s she even doing here? Trish tells them that there’s a big match happening later tonight. It’s a big deal, as a fellow Torontonian in Edge is back in the ring after a decade, so Trish is here to support him.
And after being so rudely interrupted, as you’re clearly not Canadians- Dakota tells Trish that these three don’t care what she has to say! Iyo says, “I don’t like you!” Bayley and her team laugh it up, none of them like Trish because they’re sick of her riding their coattails during this Canada tour. They were in Kingston and London, Ontario, and they’re here now–you’re welcome, by the way–and Trish is always on them! They’re getting really, really sick of it. This is their ring now. Trish is the past. Raw is their show, Trish is the past. They run things, so who the hell does Trish think she is?!
Fans boo, but here comes BIANCA BELAIR! The RawEST Women’s Champion marches to the ring to support Trish! “Who in the hell is Trish Stratus? Bayley, you not even in the same Stratusphere. See, Trish walked so that we all could run. So what you should be doing is thanking Trish, because there would be no Bayley without Trish Stratus.” But if Bayley’s acting up, Bianca will tell her who the hell Trish is: a trailblazer, a legend, and Toronto is her city! So stop being disrespectful. Fans rally behind the EST and Bayley is annoyed. Bianca says she doesn’t need to defend Trish, Trish can defend herself.
Trish tells Bayley that she can real quick go from “I am retired,” to “I was retired” if Bayley doesn’t stop running her mouth. Oh, okay. Since we’re taking jackets off… Trish is a little stupid, but there’s three of them and only two of you. Simple math, sweetie: Trish & Bianca are two… But then Alexa Bliss & Asuka head out! “And the future Women’s Tag Team Champions, Asuka & Alexa Bliss, well that makes, one two three, oh that makes four!” Oh, well, they’re all lucky Bayley is feeling generous. Bayley will let this one slide, and we’ll see everyone at Clash at the Castle. Oh, well that’s if you make it there. Good luck to Bayley’s girls, they’re gonna need it.
The 4v3 gets Bayley to back down, but right up next will be the first semifinal match of this tournament! Will Kai & Sky take control of the bracket? Or will they not be ready for Asuka & Bliss?
Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Tournament, Semifinals: Alexa Bliss & Asuka VS Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky!
The teams sort out and Asuka and Iyo start. Fans fire up for this Joshi Strong Style showdown as the two circle. But then Iyo dodges Asuka and tags Dakota! Asuka calls Iyo a chicken but Iyo says whatever. Dakota and Asuka circle, tie up, and Asuka headlocks for a takeover. Dakota headscissors. Asuka kips free but Dakota headlocks for a takeover. Asuka headscissors, Dakota kips free but into a SOBAT! Asuka mocks Iyo more then whips Dakota to ropes. Dakota slips out of the ring to stall again, but Asuka calls her a chicken, too! Dakota paces, Iyo says to keep cool, and Dakota hops up at 8 of 10, but Asuka HIP ATTACKS her down!
Iyo gets in but bails out to avoid a roundhouse! Alexa WRECKS Iyo with a dropkick! Asuka & Alexa high five as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Alexa circles with Iyo. The fans rally up and the two tie up. Iyo gets around but Alexa wrenches an arm. Iyo rolls, kips up and wrenches to a wristlock. Alexa endures as Iyo hammerlocks then waistlocks. Iyo ducks an elbow but Alexa wrenches free. Alexa whips, Iyo reverses but Alexa arm-drags to a cover, TWO! Alexa kicks but Iyo blocks it, rolls Alexa and waistlocks! Alexa fights free, wrenches and STO’s Iyo down! Then Insult2Injury MK. II! Cover, TWO! Alexa facelocks but Iyo resists. Alexa wrenches, brings Iyo over and tags Asuka. Iyo hurries away but Asuka mocks the chicken!
Fans rally up as the two circle, they both shout “I don’t like you!” Iyo goes Matrix to dodge a roundhouse! Iyo rolls Asuka up, TWO! Iyo stomps Asuka’s fingers, runs the ropes, but Asuka avoids the dropkick! Iyo avoids the sliding kick, fires off strikes and wrenches, but Asuka ducks the roundhouse. Asuka taunts Iyo but Iyo HEEL KICKS her! Iyo taunts Asuka, tags Dakota, and Dakota runs in, but Asuka dodges the boot! Dakota avoids the roundhouse to throw Asuka by her hair! Dakota stomps Asuka, gives her Kowada Kicks, then drags Asuka up. Dakota whips, Asuka reveres and pop-up KNEES Dakota down!
Asuka gives Kowada Kicks to Dakota now! Tag to Alexa, she and Asuka double whip Dakota to ropes. Alexa ROCKS Dakota, Asuka hits a BULLDOG! Alexa covers, TWO! Alexa smiles as she brings Dakota up, then she wrenches and wristlocks to a roll-up, ONE! Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Alexa rolls Dakota around for another Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Dakota throws body shots, but Alexa hits a JAWBREAKER to SHOTGUN! Dakota bails out, Iyo runs in, but Alexa SHOTGUNS her, too! Alexa goes to the apron, to CANNONBALL! Direct hit on Kai & Sky and fans fire up! Asuka applauds and Alexa makes the belt motion.
Dana Brooke & Tamina are again watching from backstage, which team are they observing? Alexa puts Dakota in, storms up on her, but Dakota kicks low! Dakota whips Alexa, Alexa holds ropes but Dakota slides and trips her up, to spin her around and BOOT her! Dakota cools off while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Alexa crawls for her corner. Dakota drags her away and tags in Iyo! Iyo runs over to swing on Asuka but she dodges. Alexa kicks Dakota away, Iyo catches her, but Alexa slips under! Iyo gets a leg but Alexa KICKS her away! Hot tag to Asuka! Iyo has no choice but to take the KICKS from Asuka! Asuka whips, Iyo reverses but Asuka uses that to HIP ATTACK Dakota off the apron! Asuka then dodges Iyo to run her over! Fans fire up with the Empress as she HIP ATTACKS Iyo in the corner! Iyo fights off the German suplex but she gets BACKHAND after BACKHAND, a SOBAT and a GERMAN SUPLEX!
Asuka runs in, SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! Now Aliyah, Nikki A.S.H. and “Doudrop” Piper Niven are watching. Asuka KICKS Iyo and again and again! Dakota gets in, distracts Asuka, but dodges the punch to HOTSHOT Asuka down! Iyo runs in to DOUBLE KNEE Asuka down! Iyo goes to the apron and fans fire up as she springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, Alexa breaks it! Dakota runs in but Alexa KICKS her! But Dakota TOSSES Alexa! Dakota goes to the corner, tags in, and storms up to Asuka. Dakota suplexes but Asuka fights free to backslide! TWO! BUZZ- NO, Dakota ducks to SCORPION KICK!
Dakota runs in, but Asuka avoids the boot! Asuka runs in but Dakota dodges the hip attack to BOOT Asuka down! Cover, TWO!! Asuka survives and Dakota can’t believe it! Fans rally up, Dakota CLUBS Asuka down, then Dakota drags her up into a dragon sleeper. But Asuka slips out to BACKHAND! Asuka runs, Alexa tags in, SLIDING KICK! Alexa sits Dakota up, Iyo runs in! Alexa gets her, too, DOUBLE DDT! Tag back to Asuka and she sets Dakota up, Alexa adds on, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP NECKBREAKER! To the KOJI KLUTCH!! Iyo breaks the hold!! Alexa tosses Iyo out and Asuka crawls over, tag to Alexa!
Alexa drags Dakota into the drop zone and climbs up. Fans fire up, Asuka tags back in before TWISTED BLISS to the knees! Iyo SHOTGUNS Alexa, but Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Iyo! Dakota reels Asuka in but Asuka bobs ‘n’ weaves and throws BACKHAND after BACKHAND! Dakota ducks one to ROCK Asuka! Around the World, but Asuka dodges! Iyo sneaks a tag before the ASUKA LOCK!! Dakota taps but it isn’t valid!! Asuka thinks she won but Iyo rolls her up, KAI & SKY WIN!!
Winners: Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky, by pinfall (advance to the finals)
Bayley’s girls show Trish up by tricking Asuka! Will this mean they’re taking control of the WWE Women’s Tag Division?
Backstage interview with Dolph Ziggler.
Kevin Patrick asks The Showoff how he plans to bounce back from that nail-biting loss to (Austin) Theory by taking on The Prince, Finn Balor? Well, Ziggler’s been doing this a long time. He’s had a lot of highs and a lot of lows. Theory was the better man last week. But Ziggler just wants to help him! Theory has the world in his hands, but he’s just so arrogant about it, and that’s the problem. But Finn walks in mocking Ziggler, and says we’ve heard this all before. “Respect the locker room veterans.” That makes Finn sick! Ziggler is the same as Edge and Rey Mysterio! He attaches himself to the younger, up-and-coming superstars to try and keep himself relevant.
But Ziggler disguises it as “guidance” and “advice.” Well y’know what? Ziggler can’t teach Finn nothing, kid! Uh, aren’t they the same age? But Ziggler knows there’s one thing he can teach Finn. SLAP! Finn falls over and Rhea is fuming, but Ziggler heads to the ring. Ziggler then asks if Finn’s just gonna sit there like a little bitch or if he’s gonna get to the ring? Will Finn make the Dirty Dawg regret the insults?
Dolph Ziggler VS Finn Balor w/ Rhea Ripley!
Raw returns as Balor & Rhea make their way to the ring. The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. They tie up and go around the ring, but Ziggler gets around to a waistlock. Finn pries at the hold. Ziggler ducks the elbow to get a headlock. Finn powers out but Ziggler runs him over! Finn backs off, Ziggler storms up on him but into a kick! Finn bumps Ziggler off buckles, but Ziggler avoids the chop! Ziggler headlocks, Finn powers out, things speed up and Ziggler DROPKICKS Finn down! Finn flounders to a corner but Ziggler rushes in to rain down punches! Ziggler stops at three to then bring Finn out. Finn fights the neckbreaker and trips Ziggler to rain down fists!
Finn snarls and Rhea grins but fans are torn. Finn glare at Ziggler and he storms over to drag him up. Finn bumps Ziggler off buckles and then paces around. Fans cheer and jeer while Finn runs Ziggler into another corner. Ziggler staggers, Finn bumps him off more buckles! Finn paces around Ziggler, throws down elbows then clamps on a chinlock. Ziggler endures and fights up as the fans rally. Ziggler throws body shots, backs Finn down but Finn knees low! Finn throws hands but Ziggler counter punches! And again! And again! Ziggler whips, Finn reverses and Ziggler hits buckles hard! Both men are down while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn grinds Ziggler down with a chinlock. Fans rally up for Ziggler and he fights to his feet. Ziggler throws body shots, backs Finn down, but Finn clamps on tighter. Ziggler JAWBREAKERS free! But Finn kicks the legs out! Finn suplexes but Ziggler slips out! Ziggler goes to a corner, elbows Finn away, then BOOTS him! Finn tries again, Ziggler dodges and builds up speed to CLOBBER Finn! Finn gets to a corner, Ziggler leaps in and rains down fists! Ziggler goes way past 10, then brings Finn out for the NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Ziggler jumps for an ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!
Both men are down and fans rally up. Ziggler gets Finn up, suplexes, but Finn slips out now to dragon sleeper, ELBOW DROP DDT! Cover, TWO! Finn snarls but he KICKS Ziggler in the side! And then springboard stomps him down! And again! And again! the ref counts, Finn lets off and he takes aim. Ziggler slowly rises, Finn runs in, but Ziggler turns slingblade into roll-up! TWO, and Ziggler kicks a leg out! FAM- NO, SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Rhea is furious about the count but he defends it was fair! Finn goes to a corner and he takes aim. Ziggler crawls to the far side, then runs in, but Ziggler DROPKICKS him first!
Ziggler hurries up to SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives and fans are fired up! Rhea breathes a little easier but Finn and Ziggler are both down on the mat. Fans rally and duel, Finn and Ziggler rise, and Finn blocks a superkick! Ziggler fights the elbow drop DDT, Finn inverted suplexes but Ziggler slips free! Ziggler kicks the leg, FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives again and fans can’t believe it! Ziggler and Finn slowly rise as the fans rally up. Ziggler runs in but Finn shrugs off the Zigzag! SHOTGUN and Ziggler hits buckles! Ziggler drops into the drop zone and Finn goes up top! COUP DE- NO, Ziggler moves, ZIGZAG! Cover, TWO!?!?
No one can believe Finn survives this time, not even Rhea! Rhea coaches Finn up but Ziggler throws hands. Finn throws hands and the brawl is on! Fans rally as they go back and forth, faster and faster! Ziggler gets the edge but Finn kicks hard and low! But Ziggler HEADBUTTS!! Finn distracts the ref and Rhea ROCKS Ziggler with a right! Finn reels Ziggler in, 1 9 1 6!! Finn goes up top and COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Finn wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall
The Eradicator made sure the scales tipped in the Prince’s favor! Will the Judgement Day continue to do what they want to who they want?
Backstage interview with Aliyah.
SmackDown’s star is here in Toronto, and Sarah asks her how it feels for her and Raquel Rodriguez to go into the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Semifinals. Aliyah being the Bougie Badass and Raquel being a beast, they- Wait, Bayley and her crew laugh their way in and says, “I’m sorry, Badass? Or just Bad?” Bayley takes the interview over and asks Aliyah if she took notes watching Iyo &Dakota to help herself and Raquel in the next round, considering they’re taking on the winners of a Second Chance Fatal 4 Way. Toxic Attraction’s Gigi Dolin is hurt, so another team must step up, but it doesn’t really matter, because we all know Kai & Sky will win the whole thing!
Oh, where’s Aliyah’s partner? None of your business! Uh, everything is their business! Iyo says Aliyah is either really brave or really stupid to show up on the other show all alone. Who says she’s alone? Trish is back! Trish says, “Ding dong, hello.” Bayley, how is your knee doing? When will Bayley return to action? Yeah, good question! Why not prove it to Aliyah tonight in a match? Okay, fine! See you out there! Bayley, Kai & Sky head out, and Adam Pearce walks past. He has a picture of Dexter Lumis, they’re clearly on high alert. But will #Aliyah317 get to the bottom of Bayley’s status?
Alpha Academy Open Challenge: The Alpha Academy VS ???
“Master” Chad Gable and his prize pupil, Otis, are in Toronto, looking to test someone, anyone! Who will accept the challenge? And will they pass or fail what Gable’s “golden brain” has waiting for them?
Raw returns and the fans are booing, so Gable tells them to “SHOOSH. Shoosh, please. Because Master Gable has an important announcement. For the first time since it’s inception, The Alpha Academy has decided to accept new students! And I decided to start my search right here in Canada!” Though, now he’s regretting it, because he has looked all over Toronto, and he’s only found washed-up, toothless hockey players, all hooked on Tim Hortons! Fans boo but Gable says SHOOSH. Just look at your own team, the Maple Leafs! They lost an ice hockey game to a team from Tampa Bay! Fans boo even more now!
Gable says he knows education isn’t the strongest here, so here’s a factoid: Tampa Bay doesn’t even have ice! But here’s a few more facts. There is NO talent in Canada. The only guy Gable keeps hearing about is some geek named Austin Matthews. But the only problem is, Matthews is American, and he doesn’t even have the talent to wash Otis’ jock straps! But against Gable’s better judgement, he is holding the first ever Alpha Academy Open Challenge! A-thank-yew! So he is begging Toronto to send their best. A civilian, a former athlete who can’t let go of the glory days, maybe some former fighter. Send him what you’ve got and see if they measure up! But Gable has a hypothesis: they won’t! A-THANK-YEW~!
Gable & Otis wait, and… Oh, big surprise! NOBODY! That’s what- WAIT! WHAT?! Kevin Owens!? The Prizefighter is here and all fired up! Gable is panicking just a bit as Kevin goes to the ring! Will he prove Gable’s hypothesis is dead wrong?
Alpha Academy Open Challenge: Chad Gable w/ Otis VS Kevin Owens!
The bell rings and Kevin fires off hands on Gable! Fans fire up as Kevin quite literally kicks Gable out of the ring! Kevin then goes out but Gable fires hands back. Kevin ROCKS Gable, CHOPS Gable, then ROCKS him again! Gable gets back in the ring but Gable stomps Kevin back. Gable fires of hands, headlocks, and holds on tight as Kevin tries to power out. Kevin powers up, throws body shots, then powers out. Things speed up, Kevin CLOBBERS Gable! Fans fire up as Kevin paces around. Kevin brings Gable up, CHOPS him in the corner, then CHOPS him again! And again! Gable blocks to fire off forearms!
Gable shouts “A-THANK-YEW~” then CHOPS! Gable whips, Kevin reverses but Gable kicks him! Kevin LARAITS in return, then SENTONS! Gable gets to a corner, Kevin runs in, CANNON- NO, Gable bails out. Kevin stops short, goes out after Gable, but runs into an EXPLODER! Gable turns things around then tells fans to SHOOSH! Gable goes to the apron, but Kevin trips him up! Kevin reels Gable in, but Gable fights off the bomb to back drop Kevin on the apron! Gable drags Kevin up, APRON GERMAN SUPLEX! Kevin is down and fans boo while Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Kevin CHOPS Gable! Gable shoots around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Kevin flounders and the ref checks him, but he is okay to continue. Gable drags Kevin up and reel shim in, for another GERMAN SUPLEX! And then another GERMAN SUPLEX! Kevin grabs ropes to hold off more, and he elbows Gable away! Kevin then GERMAN SUPLEXES Gable! Gable ends up in a corner, for the CANNONBALL! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Otis coaches Gable but fans rally for Kevin. Gable crawls, both men stand, and Kevin fires a forearm! Gable gives it back, Kevin JABS! Gable throws a haymaker, another, but Kevin fires back!
Gable kicks low, whips but Kevin reverses, to hook a leg, FISHERMAN USHIGOROSHI! Kevin hobbles to a corner and climbs up top! Fans stand up for this one! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives and Kevin is beside himself! Fans rally and Kevin stands up. Gable crawls but Kevin storms up on him. Kevin whips Gable to ropes, POP-UP- NO! Gable slips off and waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Kevin survives and now Gable can’t believe it! Gable hurries to a corner and climbs up now! Kevin’s so far away, though! DIVING HEADBUTT!! It still connects! Cover, TWO!!
Gable is frustrated that Kevin survives. Gable tells fans to SHOOSH, and then he drags Kevin up. Gable puts Kevin on the top rope, climbs up and shouts, “For the Academy!” Otis echoes it, but Kevin throws body shots! Kevin HEADBUTTS Gable away! Gable springs right back up to get Kevin, but Kevin hooks Gable! SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER! Toronto gives a standing ovation as Kevin covers, TWO!! Gable survives and Otis is relieved, but Kevin is climbing the corner again! SWANTON BOMB onto knees!! Gable hurries up top no, for the MOONSAULT, but he has to land out! Kevin SUPERKICKS, then whips! POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, Kevin wins!!
Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall
But Otis attacks! The Dozer ruins the celebration and fans boo! Otis whips Kevin to a corner, but Kevin dodges and Otis POSTS himself! Kevin bails out, and he sees Gable floundering around! Fans fire up and Kevin brings Gable around! But Otis CLBOBERS Kevin again! Otis saves Gable and he drags Kevin back into the ring! Otis drags Kevin up but Kevin hits a STUNNER!! Gable returns, but Kevin kicks him first! Kevin reels Gable in to POWERBOMB him onto Otis! Fans are all fired up for the Prizefighter, will Kevin #JustKeepFighting all the way to a title shot?
The Judgement Day speaks backstage.
Rhea says “We run Monday Night Raw. And we’re gonna keep beating everyone up until they realize that. I mean, just ask Dolph Ziggler.” Finn mockingly asks, “Who?” and Rhea says, “Exactly.” Finn says he’s been meaning to talk to Rhea. She’s been beating Dominik up so much, he might be starting to enjoy it! And as for Daddy Rey, Finn says he keeps Rey in his jacket pocket. Rey is “6 1 MINE!” Priest likes that one. And that only leaves one lonely legend left. Priest knows the cheers for Edge will be crazy, because for the first time in over a decade, the hero returns home to Toronto. Well, it’ll be Edge’s last, because Priest will send him back into retirement.
As loud as all the cheers will be, they’ll turn into terrified screams from Edge’s friends and family as he meets his Judgement Day. The dark trio is laughing now, but will the Rated R Superstar ruin their night?
SmackDown’s Second Chance Fatal 4 is set!
Dana Brooke & Tamina VS Nikki A.S.H. & Piper Niven VS Shotzi Blackheart & Xia Li VS Sonya Deville & Natalya! Who makes the most of this opportunity to then take on Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah?
Aliyah VS Bayley!
Another star from Toronto is in action, and she wants to make her hometown proud by putting those WWE Four Horsewoman in her place! Will the Bougie Badass be victorious? Or will Bayley say #DINGDONGHELLO to a win in her first match back?
Raw returns and Bayley makes her entrance. Surprisingly, it’s without Kai & Sky. Will #CobraKai & The Evil Genius be lurking in the shadows? The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally for Aliyah but Bayley doesn’t take that seriously. They tie up, Bayley throws Aliyah down, then Bayley mocks her. Aliyah tackles Bayley to a jackknife cover! TWO, Aliyah rolls Bayley to get a cradle, TWO! Bayley holds on to suplex Aliyah but Aliyah slips free! Aliyah goes Matrix to dodge, then she sit-out hip tosses Bayley down! Aliyah DROPKCISK Bayley to a corner and fans fire up! Aliyah runs in at the corner, and RAMS into Bayley!
Aliyah goes to the apron, ROCKS Bayley and climbs up, to handspring RANA! Bayley tumbles, Aliyah hurries to cover, ONE! Bayley pulls Aliyah’s ear! The ref reprimands, Bayley puts Aliyah in the corner and KNEES her! And again! The ref counts more, Bayley stomps Aliyah down. Bayley pulls Aliyah’s hair and taunts her, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Bayley brings Aliyah out, and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Bayley stomps Aliyah around but fans rally up. Bayley CLUBS Aliyah to a corner, then brings her out for a snap suplex! Cover, ONE!! Bayley thrashes Aliyah around in a chinlock and grinds her down.
Aliyah endures and fans rally up. Aliyah fights to her feet, then arm-drags free! Bayley goes to a corner, Aliyah run sin but Bayley POSTS her! Bayley CLUBS away on Aliyah in the ropes, then fires off in the corner. Bayley brings Aliyah around to trip her and run, SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley scowls and covers, TWO! Bayley is frustrated but she clamps onto Aliyah with another chinlock. Fans rally as Aliyah endures again. Aliyah fights up, moves around, and powers Bayley back, but Bayley uses that to throw Aliyah into buckles! Bayley mockingly applauds Aliyah, then brings her out. Aliyah throws body shots!
Aliyah puts Bayley in a corner, runs and RAMS, but into a gut wrench! Bayley puts Aliyah in the ropes to STOCK DROP KNEE! A shoutout to the Boss! Cover, TWO! Bayley clamps onto Aliyah with another chinlock and leans on the hold. Fans rally, Aliyah fights up, but Bayley CLUBS her down! Bayley mocks Trish, but Aliyah TOSSES Bayley out! Fans fire up and Aliyah builds speed, but Bayley catches the baseball slide. Wait! Aliyah uses that to hit a BULLDOG! Aliyah shouts out Trish and puts Bayley back in! Aliyah runs in, THESZ PRESS and fast hands! Bayley pushes Aliyah away but Aliyah fires off on her in a corner!
Bayley pushes Aliyah back, turns things around, whips but Aliyah reverses. Aliyah runs in, Bayley meets her halfway, but Aliyah drops back and trips Bayley into a HALF CRAB! Bayley endures and fans rally up! Bayley pulls Aliyah’s hair to drag her off the hold! Aliyah stomps Bayley down and goes after the leg again! But Bayley MONKEY FLIPS Aliyah away! Bayley gets the headlock, ROSEPLANT! Cover, Bayley wins!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall
Toronto is upset but Bayley proves she’s ready! Kai & Sky appear to celebrate with Bayley, will they all be running hot towards Clash at the Castle?
AJ Styles & Bobby Lashley head to gorilla together.
They’re preparing for a match with common enemies in The Miz & Tommaso Ciampa, but they pass by another incident of security literally putting out a fire! Was that Lumis’ doing? Is the Tortured Artist going to appear ringside again?
AJ Styles & Bobby Lashley VS The Miz & Tommaso Ciampa!
After the constant annoyances from the Hollywood A-Lister and his Guardian Psycho, The Phenomenal and the All Mighty team together to finally put this one to bed! Will Styles & Lashley finally get past Miz & Ciampa? Or will Toronto be AWESOME?
Raw returns as Lashley makes his entrance, followed by Styles. The teams sort out and Ciampa starts against Styles. They tie up as fans mock Miz and his “TINY BALLS! TINY BALLS!” Ciampa headlocks Styles, grinds him down, but Styles fights back up. Styles powers out, hurdles and drops, then he DROPKICKS Ciampa down! Fans fire up and Styles tags Lashley! They get Ciampa up for a double suplex, and Lashley just holds Ciampa up while Styles stares Miz down. Lashley flexes with one arm, then SLAMS Ciampa down! Miz protests but Lashley hauls Ciampa up to scoop. Ciampa slips off and CHOP BLOCKS Lashley’s leg!
Tag to Miz, Miz BOOTS Lashley down! Miz puts Lashley in the corner, fires off KICK after KICK but Lashley shoves Miz away! Lashley gets Miz up to back suplex but Miz lands on his feet! Miz full nelsons but Lashley elbows free! Tag to Styles, Styles dodges Miz’s haymaker to fire off the Phenomenal Blitz! The LARIAT knocks Miz down, then he goes to a corner. Styles runs in to clothesline, then fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Ciampa runs in but Styles ROCKS him! Lashley gets in to trophy lift Ciampa and TOSS him out onto Miz! Fans fire up for this #MightyPhenomenal team, and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Miz looms over Styles. Miz drags Styles up, tags Ciampa in, and Ciampa whips Miz in at Styles for the A-LIST LARIAT! Miz feed Styles to Ciampa’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans taunt Miz but Ciampa WRINGS Styles’ arm. Ciampa stalks Styles to a corner, brings him up and ROCKS Styles with a haymaker! Then he CHOPS Styles off his feet! Ciampa stands Styles up to cravat and neck wrench, then tags Miz. Snapmare and BOOT! Ciampa stomps Styles, Miz covers, TWO! Miz clamps onto Styles with a chinlock and he grinds Styles down. Fans rally up and Styles fights to his feet, to throw body shots!
Styles snapmares free, Miz catches him to keep him from Lashley! Miz then RAMS Styles into the corner! Ciampa tags in, fires off on Styles while Miz keeps him cornered, but Styles fights back! Styles ROCKS Miz but Ciampa trips Styles! Ciampa drags Styles out but Styles fights free, only for Miz to WRECK Styles with a dropkick! Ciampa then RAMS Styles into the barriers! Styles almost falls into the timekeeper’s area, and Miz & Ciampa sit on the apron to applaud themselves and pat themselves on the back. Miz even hulks out of his shirt! Lashley storms over and Miz runs away! The ring count is climbing, Styles is back to ringside at 7 so Ciampa puts him in.
Ciampa stalks Styles, clamps on with a chinlock and he grinds Styles down. Ciampa pushes up and almost has a bully choke on Styles, but Styles still endures. Fans rally for Styles and he fights up again. Ciampa throws Styles down by his hair! Tag to Miz and Ciampa drops an ax handle! Miz JAMS his knee into Styles’ back again and again and again! Miz taunts Lashley, then HIP DROPS Styles! Miz has a chinlock and he stretches Styles back. Fans rally and Styles fights up again. Styles reaches for Lashley but he throws elbows on Miz. Miz pulls Styles’ hair and kicks a leg out, BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!
Miz drags Styles all the way away and tags in Ciampa. They SPLIT THE WISHBONE! Ciampa stomps Styles, clamps on a chinlock again, and he grinds Styles back down to the mat. Styles fights up, throws elbows on Ciampa now, but Ciampa clinches, Styles JAWBREAKERS! Ciampa staggers but tags Miz, and Miz swings, only to miss! PELE! Both men are down and fans fire up! Styles and Miz crawl, hot tags to Lashley and Ciampa! The All Mighty rallies on Ciampa! Lashley winds up and clotheslines Ciampa in the corner! Miz runs in, but Lashley blocks the boot and ELBOWS him away! Lashley clotheslines Miz in one corner, then clotheslines Ciampa in the other!
Lashley brings Ciampa around, catches Miz, COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Fans fire up with Lashley and he aims from the corner! But Ciampa bails out to deny Lashley the Spear! But Lashley pursues, fireman’s carries, and he POSTS Ciampa! Fans fire up as Lashley hauls Ciampa up and into the ring. Ciampa staggers, Lashley aims, but Miz drags Ciampa out! Fans boo but Lashley comes around to CLOBBER The Miz! Lashley gets up but Ciampa gives him WILLOW’S BELL! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives and Ciampa is furious! Ciampa KNEES Lashley, hooks him up, but Lashley fights free and dodges! SPEAR!! Cover, Miz breaks it in time!
Styles CLOBBERS Miz with a forearm! Miz falls out of the ring, so Styles SLINGSHOT FOREARMS Miz down! Fans are thunderous but LUMIS GRABS STYLES!! The security rushes him, and- Wait, that wasn’t Lumis?! Styles is just as startled as anyone, but he runs at Styles, into a BOOT! But then the guard in riot gear takes off his helmet, and THAT IS LUMIS!! Fans are going nuts as Lumis GRABS MIZ! That’s a disqualification!!
Winners: The Miz & Tommaso Ciampa, by disqualification
Was it MIZ Lumis was after all along? He’s dragging Miz into the shadows!! Miz is being silenced by Lumis!! Ciampa gets up, and he attacks Lashley anyway! Styles ROCKS Ciampa, then springboards to PHENOMENAL FOREARM Ciampa down! And then Lashley takes aim again and fans fire up! Styles stands Ciampa up for Lashley, for a SPEAR!! But what about The Miz?! Does no one care what Lumis might do to him!?
JOHNNY GARGANO IS HERE?!?
HE IS!! The Rebel Heart is back in the WWE! Toronto is thunderous as Gargano goes to the ring! Gargano gets a mic as fans chant “Johnny Wrestling!” He puts the mic down to encourage them to get louder! Fans chant, “Welcome Back!” and “HOLY SH*T!” at the same time! Gargano says, “Well surprise, everybody! It’s been nine months since I’ve been in a wrestling ring, I gotta remember how to do this. Really quick, do I still talk into the mic like this? Like this? Yeah? First of all, than you guys for reminding me who I am. For those of you who don’t know, my name is Johnny Gargano. And I was kind of a big deal back in NXT.
“I’m a former NXT Champion, three-time North American Champion, Tag Team Champion, first-ever Triple Crown Champion in NXT History. As a matter of fact, I won those tag team titles in this very building! It is great to see you again, Toronto!” And since he’s been gone, there were many questions about where and when he’d show up again. And honestly, he had those same questions. For a long time, he wondered if he even wanted to do this anymore. But he remembered one day in particular, he was standing there, playing with his brand new, fresh, six-month-old baby, Baby Wrestling, which fans chant. Gargano says his son will appreciate that when he’s older.
But Gargano remembered that when he was younger, he had big, impossible dreams. He dreamt of becoming Intercontinental Champion, of becoming US Champion, of becoming the WWE WORLD CHAMPION, and wrestling at WrestleMania. So what kind of father would he be if he didn’t teach his son that even the biggest, most impossible dreams can come true? If you work hard enough, you can get anything you want out of life, he promises! When Gargano left WWE, he said you will never fail if you bet on yourself. And that is what he is doing! Gargano is betting on himself! And Gargano stands here, incredibly proud to say that Johnny Wrestling is back in the WWE!
And we’re just getting started! Wait, here comes (Austin) Theory! Theory and Gargano look at each other, and this is a reunion nine months in the making! Theory goes down to the ring with a mic to say, “Johnny… What? Is this real right now?” Theory joins Gargano in the ring and Gargano says hey. Fans chant, “Who’s Your Daddy?” Gargano says, “Me?” Theory tells Gargano that a lot has happened the last nine months. Yes, a lot has happened. Gargano changed a lot of diapers, watched a lot of Bluey, and he’s watched Theory. Theory’s changed, but it’s good to see him. Theory says yeah, but everyone knows.
A lot has changed: Theory became WWE United States Champion, and the youngest at that; he competed at WrestleMania already; and with this briefcase, he is on his way to becoming the NEW Undisputed WWE Universal Champion! Gargano hopes he does. Yeah, it’s almost like all of Gargano’s dreams were accomplished by Theory! Fans boo at Theory bragging but Theory says he has to tell Gargano this. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you. I couldn’t have. When we were in NXT together, you took me under your wing. And now I look around at all these idiots saying ‘What?’ We’re on Monday Night Raw!”
Theory says it’s like now, HE’s the veteran and Gargano’s the rookie! Think about it! Gargano can stand by Theory, be his caboose, carry Theory’s bags, and even better! He can just carry the MITB briefcase to hand it to Theory when he becomes the NEW Undisputed WWE Universal Champion! Fans boo and Theory says as good as that sounds, it seems like Theory can show Gargano the way! Or if Gargano doesn’t want to stand behind Theory and support him like he did in NXT, maybe Gargano can just go away. But no one wants to see that! Fans love seeing Gargano & Theory! They’re the Dynamic Duo! They’re untouchable!
Theory says for old time’s sake, the No Look High Five! Theory puts his hand out, and he wants Gargano to hit him with it! Go on, Johnny! Hit Theory! Okay. SUPERKICK!! Yep, Gargano hit him. Fans fire up as Gargano high-fives himself! Will Gargano’s first stop on Raw be to humble Theory?
Edge VS Damian Priest!
The Rated R Superstar founded the Judgement Day, now he vows to tear it down! But will he be stopped before he even begins? Or will it be the Punisher who faces the consequences of his actions?
Raw returns and the fans are going nuts for Edge, and his wife, Beth Phoenix, is in the front row! The bell rings and fans chant, “Welcome Home!” to Edge. Edge and Priest stare down, tie up, and Priest powers Edge back. Edge turns things around but Priest turns them back. Priest has Edge in a corner, gets up in Edge’s face, then lets off with a smirk. Priest backs away slowly and Edge settles down. Edge and Priest circle, tie up, and Priest puts Edge in a corner. Edge turns it around again, then he throws Priest out! Edge says up yours, Priest! Priest smirks and gets back in the ring. They circle again and tie up again.
Edge waistlocks, headlocks, but Priest powers up and out. Priest runs Edge over then roars at the fans! Fans boo but Priest soaks it up. Edge stands back up and pie faces Priest! Priest runs in but Edge throws him by his hair! Things speed up, Edge fakes Priest out and shoves him down! Fans fire up but Priest is furious! Priest runs in but is tossed right out! Priest paces in frustration while Edge waits. Fans rally behind Edge, Priest gets up on the apron, but he cools off before entering the ring. Priest and Edge circle, tie up again, and Edge waistlocks. Priest throws an elbow but Edge blocks it! Priest reaches down but Edge stays back.
Priest backs Edge down but Edge uses that to throw Priest into buckles! Edge wrenches, Priest pie faces him, but Priest still has to get the ropebreak. Priest then stomps Edge’s foot and DECKS Edge with a sucker punch! Fans boo but Priest tells Edge he’s gonna retire his ass! Priest puts Edge in a corner and HEADBUTTS him down! Priest whips Edge corner to corner, Edge slides out and waits on Priest. Priest rushes over, Edge slides back in. Then he slides out as Priest slides in. Priest slides out, into a LARIAT! Edge fires up with the fans, and then he storms back over to Priest. Edge brings Priest around, gets him up, and POWERBOMBS him on the barriers!
Priest bends back and flops to the floor while Edge paces about, and Raw goes picture in picture. Edge gets in the ring and the ring count climbs, fans cheer Edge on. Edge goes back out to fetch Priest, and he ROCKS Priest with a forearm. Priest staggers, Edge leads him to the ring to smack off the apron. Priest swings a punch but he misses by a mile, and Edge RAMS him into more barriers! Edge refreshes the count, follows Priest around the corner and follows him back into the ring. Priest swings, but Edge catches him! Priest resists the takedown but Edge still locks onto the arm! Priest scrambles away to avoid the crossface!
Edge runs to WRECK Priest with a dropkick! Priest hits barriers then falls down, and Edge goes back out to fetch him. Priest POSTS Edge! Edge wobbles and Priest BENDS Him against the crossbar! The ref counts, Priest lets off, and then he YANKS Edge into the post! Edge drops to his knees, but Priest stands him up to RAM him into barriers! Priest stomps away on Edge, then lets off to soak up the heat. Priest refreshes the count, fetches Edge into the ring, then drags Edge up. Priest suplexes for the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest clamps onto Edge and drags him to a drop zone. Priest goes up top, Edge stands, and Priest hits a FLYING-
NO! Edge dodges and Priest crashes on the mat! Raw returns to single picture as both men stand up. Edge and Priest throw haymakers, DOUBLE LARIATS, and then DOUBLE BOOTS! Both men fall back down and fans fire up! Edge and Priest go to opposite ends, Edge hurries over to Priest and gives him a FLAPJACK! Priest flounders back up, into a LARIAT! And another! Edge whips Priest to a corner, but Priest reverses! Priest runs in but Edge dodges the splash! Priest ends up stuck in the ropes, Edge runs to give Priest a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Priest survives and fans rally back up for Edge.
Priest bails out, and Edge goes up the corner!? SUPER CROSSBODY!! Direct hit and down go both men! Fans lose their minds over Edge taking risks! The ring count climbs, Edge sits up first, and Edge gets in the ring at 5 of 10. Edge goes out after Priest to refresh the count, and he brings Priest up. Priest choke grips to CHOKE SLAM Edge against the ropes! Edge flops off the apron and hits the floor again, but Priest drags him back up. Priest gut wrenches to the crucifix! Priest aims for the desk, RAZOR’S EDGE through the tables!! Fans are losing their minds as Raw goes picture in picture again!
The ref reprimands Priest but Priest just wants a count out. Priest goes up the steel steps to get in the ring while the count begins. Priest soaks up the heat while Edge stirs in the wreckage. Edge manages to turn over at 5 of 10, and he crawls his way over at 7. Edge springs up and in at 9!! Priest is furious that Edge survives! Priest goes outside, drags Edge to the apron and ELBOWS away on Edge’s head and neck! Priest sits Edge up to ROCK him with a right! Priest soaks up all the heat from Toronto, then makes his way back into the ring. Priest drags Edge up, KICKS him in the side, then stomps him around. Priest taunts Edge, paces around him, and KICKS him in the chest!
Edge sits up again, ducks the Buzzsaw and hits the EDGE-O-MATIC! Cover, TWO! Priest survives and Edge slowly stands. Priest LARIATS Edge down! Cover, TWO!! Edge is still in this so Priest rains down furious forearms! Priest lets off to argue with the ref, then he drags Edge back up. Priest brings Edge to a corner, goes up the corner, then reels Edge in. But Edge throws body shots! Priest CLUBS away on Edge, clinches to drag Edge up, and Raw is single picture again as Priest choke grips Edge! Edge throws elbows to fight free! Edge then turns things around on Priest for a SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up while Priest flounders away!
Edge aims from the corner and runs in, SPIN KICK from Priest! Chicken wings and a turn, UNPRETTIER! Shoutout to Captain Charisma! Cover, TWO!! Priest tried using the move of Edge’s best friend, but Edge is tougher than that! Priest CLOBBERS Edge! Edge sits up to BACKHAND Priest! Priest stands to ROCK Edge with an elbow! Edge ROCKS Priest back! Fans rally but Priest UPPERCUTS Edge! Edge wobbles, Priest brings him around and aims, but Edge BOOTS first! Priest ROLLING ELBOWS, but Edge ducks the heel kick! IMPALER!! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives but Edge doesn’t bother being frustrated.
Edge drags Priest up and whips, but Priest reverses. Edge turns Priest, but Priest slips through and dragon sleepers, THE RECKONING!! But Priest doesn’t want to end it here, he wants to do even more damage. Priest goes to the corner and takes aim! He copies the Rated R Superstar, runs in at Edge, but Edge choke grips?! SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM!? Cover, TWO!!! Priest tries to steal Edge’s move, but survives Edge stealing his move! Edge gets Priest’s legs, and he wants to shout out the Canadian legends that are the Harts! But Priest BOOTS Edge into the ref! The ref falls all the way out of the ring!
Edge turns around into the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM!! But Priest realizes the ref’s out, so he goes to get himself some chairs! Priest gets in the ring, ready to steal another of Edge’s favorites! Priest puts Edge’s head on one chair, then gets the other! CON-CHAIR- NO!! Edge dodges in time! He trips Priest and Priest lands on the chair! Edge gets the chair, and he breaks off one of the crossbars! Edge grabs that steel rod and puts it in Priest’s mouth! THE DEAL!! Priest endures, but then Edge lets him go and clears things out of the ring! Edge takes aim again, runs in, but Priest CRACKS Edge with the steel bar!!
Priest tosses the evidence, covers, and the ref is back to count! TWO!?!? The delay was enough to save Edge and Priest is ENRAGED! Priest drags Edge up, gut wrenches him to the crucifix, but Edge slips out! CANADIAN DESTROYER!!! And then a SPEAR!!! Cover, Edge wins!!!
Winner: Edge, by pinfall
The Rated R Superstar wins, but he’s not done with Priest now! Edge puts Priest’s head on a chair and holds up the other! But Rhea appears outta nowhere to LOW BLOW Edge!! And FINN appears! Finn climbs up the corner to hit a COUP DE GRACE!! The Judgement Day still get the better of Priest, but here comes BETH!! Beth grabs the chair away from Finn and tells them all the back off! And this time, Rhea can’t use the Co-Ed rule as a shield! The Judgement Day stands down, will they have to try again next time? Or are the tides turning against them?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw right here from top to bottom. We get some unpredictability with Rollins and Riddle brawling backstage as the show is starting, though maybe that is a touch like Miz and Logan Paul brawling. But every brawl is great, so that was a great brawl. And then we get Trish making her appearance, though her promo started a bit awkwardly because she was just stalling for Bayley, Kai & Sky to show up. Good interaction with them and Bianca Belair, and I do like that they partially acknowledged the house show events this weekend. Then the smooth transition into the tag title tournament match was good, and the match itself was great. Great character work from Asuka and Iyo, and Kai & Sky winning makes a lot of sense.
A shame that Gigi Dolin got hurt and now Toxic Attraction is out of the tournament after already replacing Zoey Stark & Nikkita Lyons. The four losing teams get their second chance, no idea who wins that, and no idea if they beat Raquel & Aliyah. Aliyah has a good promo with Bayley and Trish, just not that good of a match. Somewhere between Bayley’s ring rust and Aliyah still being inexperienced, something wasn’t clicking and that one got clunky. But of course Bayley wins, now her trio has all this momentum going into the tag title tournament finals and the go-home to Clash at the Castle.
Great backstage bit with Ziggler and Finn, and then a great match from Ziggler VS Finn, but of course Rhea interferes. Good group promo from Judgement Day to run down their enemies, but I wonder if Ziggler is being handed off from his feud with Theory to this feud. Because clearly Theory’s now feuding with JOHNNY FREAKIN’ WRESTLING! Oddly enough, Gargano showing up tonight was more effective than if he showed in Cleveland because we all expected Gargano to return in his hometown, but I don’t think there was anything online about Gargano showing up in Toronto. Gargano hasn’t missed a beat, and like Ziggler, Gargano can be that veteran who teaches Theory a thing or two.
Chad Gable has a good promo to taunt Toronto, but I thought the open challenge was going to be a tag team match to either give us more Street Profits story or introduce starts new to Raw. Instead, Kevin Owens gave us a great singles match with Gable, and he’s continuing his reset to Prizefighter Kevin using the Pop-Up Bomb as his finisher. Kevin will definitely keep this momentum rolling to after Clash at the Castle to go after just about any title he wants, but it’ll surely be the top title. And whether it’s McIntyre or Roman, Kevin will give the Universal Champion a hell of a feud and a hell of a match.
We got great stuff out of Styles & Lashley VS Miz & Ciampa, and what a great misdirect with that “fan” going after Styles and not Lumis. Lumis then drags Miz away to further swerve us on what’s going on with his story. Like, really, we didn’t get anything more on what happened so like, that’s hilarious but also disturbing. And then we got an awesome main event out of Edge and Priest. That was bordering on a PPV level match! Of course Edge wins, from this being his Toronto return and him going after Judgement Day. Beth getting involved was great, too, and now I’m hoping there’s some kind of Mixed Tag involved so Beth and Rhea can have it out.
My Score: 8.7/10
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The Hollywood A-Lister’s got his own nightmare before Christmas!
Christmas is just a few days away, but things aren’t merry and bright for Raw! The Miz must face his fears as he faces Dexter Lumis 1v1!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Natalya VS Alba Fyre VS Iyo Sky; Iyo wins and advances to the next round.
- Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS Akira Tozawa w/ The Alpha Academy; Gable wins.
- Dominik Mysterio VS Damian Priest; Damian Priest wins, by disqualification.
- The Miz VS Dexter Lumis; Lumis wins, by disqualification.
- Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Drew McIntyre walks to gorilla.
The Scottish Terminator makes his way through the curtain and to the stage, and the fans have a mixed reaction as he goes to the ring. McIntyre grabs a mic, and he says, “After Hell in a Cell, I’ve never been so beat up in my entire life. 16 staples in my head, my back almost broken from landing on the steel steps. And I went home to Scotland. The reason I went home, and I haven’t really talked about it publicly, is because a very close family member passed away. Some people probably feeling sympathy right now. Some guys in the back are probably talking to each other, saying, ‘I didn’t know.’ Maybe if you cared enough, you would’ve asked.
“Over these past two months, guess how many people phoned me to check. Not how I was doing mentally but how I was doing physically after Hell in a Cell. ONE PERSON! These past 17 years, I’ve been led to believe we’re all a big happy family in the back. We’re brothers and sisters, we travel the world together, we spend more time with each other than with our actual families, but it’s all BS! My brother, John, in Scotland wouldn’t stab me in the back to take my spot, but people like Jimmy, Jey and Sami 100% would.” The fans boo that, then chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” McIntyre says that proves his point.
After watching everything The Bloodline did, Jey says he is a changed man. He does a cute hand sign, he says a made-up word, and the fans just forget about it and move on. That’s the other thing McIntyre realized: He has given and given and given all this time, and the fans turned on him for a guy who was gone for years and has told the WWE fans to go screw themselves! McIntyre was fighting for the fans, he thought they believed in him, so he believed in the fans! McIntyre bled out in the cell, and while he was gone, the fans instantly forgot him! The fans boo, that’s not true! But McIntyre says from now on, he gives no more for anybody!
McIntyre will take and take and he will tell the truth! The real villains are Roman Reigns and CM Punk! And if you choose to prop them up, as he already said, Jey, Jimmy & Sami, the things Roman did to you… Roman took a vacation, then simply snapped his fingers and they were by his side again! McIntyre suggests everyone who ever wronged McIntyre should sleep with one eye open. But wait, here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer and sing for Sami but Sami says hey, McIntyre is angry, he doesn’t have to believe Sami in place of believing everyone has ulterior motives. Sami doesn’t blame him.
But personally, man to man, Sami did not know what happened with McIntyre’s family. They figured he was recovering from one of the most vicious matches of all time. Sami thought that, all the guys ‘n’ girls in the back thought, and that’s all the fans thought. Believe that or not, fine, but Sami wants to level with McIntyre. Talk about 17 years, Sami has 22 years in this game. Sami’s been through what McIntyre’s been through. Sami’s had losses. Trust him. He has had losses he had to put on the side and go to work that week. The same sacrifices, from birthdays to weddings to funerals that he should’ve been at? Sami’s done it all.
Sami has put unnecessary stress on his wife, on his kid, and why? Because this is the life that they both chose! They are WWE SUPERSTARS! The fans cheer that! And as such, they are LUCKY to be WWE Superstars! And you think this is just your story or Sami’s story? Y’know who else has stories like this? Every single person sitting in the stands. Every single person at home! The kids who struggle at school, the adults who struggle at work, who struggle economically, physically, and they have their losses and sacrifices, but they still get up every day to do what they gotta do to soldier on, without pointing a finger at everyone else!
The fans fire up for that passion. Sami says McIntyre dares pointing a finger at the fans for forgetting him?! They didn’t forget, brother! They MADE McIntyre! And McIntyre still thinks the world revolves around him just because once upon a time, someone told him he was “The Chosen One.” But newsflash, just because you’re mad doesn’t make you special. And now McIntyre thinks everyone else is somehow tied to him? What Jimmy does has nothing to do with McIntyre. What Jey does has nothing to do with McIntyre! What SAMI does has nothing to do with McIntyre!
But McIntyre, if you want to still walk around all angry and pointing fingers at the fans, at Sami, at Jey, at Jimmy, at Punk, at Roman, and still be mad about The Bloodline, fine. No one is stopping McIntyre. But Sami has no problem being McIntyre’s problem and facing him in this ring right now! McIntyre says if Sami wants to know the truth… IT isn’t just anger. McIntyre’s anger comes from pain, and he doesn’t doubt what Sami just said. There was so much truth and passion, but it’s never the whole truth, is it? Sami has a way of spinning things. Because Sami can fly back home every week to his family. McIntyre is halfway across the world from his!
And no one here in Boston ever leaves Boston, they’re with their families 24/7! McIntyre doesn’t have that luxury! The fans boo that veiled insult, but McIntyre says he will remain calm and ask Sami why he wants this fight. They both know the result, we saw it time and time again, Sami has NEVER beaten McIntyre. So McIntyre suggests, given Sami isn’t 100%, and Sami’s wife and kid are here tonight… Sami should just walk back there, take their hands, and leave this arena. Of all those in the Bloodline, Sami is the least of McIntyre’s worries.
Sami says McIntyre is right about a couple things. When it comes to win-loss records, McIntyre has Sami’s number. And Sami is not 100%. Haven’t been since Saturday Night’s Main Event. And yes, the smart thing would be to just go home, celebrate and get healthy over the holidays. But Sami would so much rather do this. Sami fires hands! The fans fire up but McIntyre shoves Sami away. McIntyre swings, but gets caught! Sami lifts but McIntyre fights free, then GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! McIntyre takes aim, but here comes JEY USO! The fans fire up as Jey runs down the ramp, slides in, and then dodges McIntyre to SUPERKICK!
The fans fire up as Jey & Sami DOUBLE LARIAT McIntyre up and outta the ring! The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” with Jey & Sami Uso! Will the Scottish Terminator’s mission be ended when Sami and/or Jey shut him down?
Adam Pearce is met by Pure Fusion Collective.
The Raw General Manager asks Sonya Deville what he can do for her and she says not much. She knows how stressful this job can be since she once had it. She’s just here to make things easier. And how’s that? Well, Kairi Sane is not cleared to compete, there is an opening in the tournament, and Sonya wants it. Oh, is that so? Y’know, Sonya, that is a terrible idea. They caused this scenario so he’s just gonna reward them? Are they outta their minds? And zip it! Plus, he already filled that vacancy with Iyo Sky. Happy Holidays! PFC is upset by that since Iyo just lost to Liv Morgan, but will there be nothing to stop the Evil Genius now?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Natalya VS Alba Fyre VS Iyo Sky!
Just as Pearce said, PFC taking out the Pirate Princess will not mean they get away with murder! The Queen of Harts and the Fire Keeper must now figure out how to handle this change to the program. Will Iyo redeem herself for losing Saturday Night’s Main Event by moving on to the next round?
Raw returns and Alba makes her entrance, Isla Dawn seeing her to the ramp, and then Natalya makes her entrance. The bell rings and Alba kicks Natty then ELBOWS Iyo! Alba whips but Natty reverses and Alba tumbles out of the ring! Iyo rolls Natty, TWO! Iyo whips, Natty dodges in the corner and gets Iyo up! REBOUND SIT-DOWN, and then Natty steps on Iyo, only for Alba to trip Natty up! Alba brings Natty out to send into steel steps! But then Iyo DIVES onto Alba! The fans fire up with Iyo and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Natty brawls with Abla. Alba knees low, but Iyo CROSBODIES them both down! The fans fire up and Iyo SHOTEIS Alba! And SHOTEIS her again! And then DROPKICKS her down! Iyo brings Alba around, whips, but Alba reverses. Iyo goes up and out, then blocks a shot to ROCK Alba! The fans fire up, Iyo spirnboards, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Iyo handsprings up and the fans fire up again! Iyo gets the fans going, but Alba wrenches and facelocks, TORNADO DDT! Alba gets Iyo up again to GOURD BUSTER her onto Natty! Alba then rearranges them into the drop zone!
Alba goes up, the fans are torn, but Alba grins as she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover on Iyo, TWO! Cover on Natty, TWO! But into a KOJI KLUTCH! Natty endures, flails, fights around, but Alba holds on tight! Natty pushes, stacks Alba, TWO!! Natty has the legs! Alba flails now, but Iyo runs up! Natty trips Iyo onto Alba, and she has them both! Natty turns them both over, DOUBLE SHARPSHOOTER!! Iyo and Alba both flail, both claw at the mat, and Alba gets the ROPEBREAK! No disqualifications so Natty can hold on! But now Iyo drags herself under the ropes, and there’s no room left, so Natty has to let go!
Natty rises up and she stalks Iyo to the apron. Natty drags Iyo up but Iyo HOTSHOTS Natty! Natty staggers, rebounds, but Iyo jumps the baseball slide! Natty hits Alba down, and then Iyo PENALTY KICKS Natty! Iyo fires up and springboards, ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit on both targets and the fans fire up! Iyo hurries to get Natty up and into the ring, then she drags Natty into the drop zone. Iyo climbs, but Alba CLUBS Iyo first! Alba snarls as she climbs up, but Iyo holds onto ropes! Natty CLUBS Alba and she adds on! SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX on Alba! But Iyo stays up top to go OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Iyo wins!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
The Genius of the Sky moves on, ready to fly against The Morrigan! Will Iyo be able to get past Lyra Valkyria and head for the title?
Judgment Day sulks in the clubhouse.
Finn Balor tells JD McDonagh that he can’t believe this. This was supposed to be a Merry Christmas, Finn was supposed to be celebrating with two titles, and now he has none! Liv Morgan tells Raquel Rodriguez to tell Finn that the reason she suggested he stay away from Damian Priest is because she knew this would happen. Raquel starts to relay the message, but Finn has JD tell Liv that she’s got her own problems to worry about and to stay off his back. But then Liv tells Raquel to tell Finn that the reason she’s “on his back” is because he lost the tag titles. JD, tell Liv that Christmas is-
Dominik speaks up to stop the arguing. Christmas IS around the corner, and now they’re not even talking to each other? Dom says he’s gonna go talk with Pearce and get a match with Priest! Dom’s gonna step up for this family. Oh, Dom thinks he’s better than Finn? No, it’s not even like that. Dom has a plan. He’ll talk with Pearce then fill everyone in later. Dom heads out, JD prays for one week of no drama while it’s Christmas. Will Dirty Dom make sure The Punisher pays for screwing Finn & JD over? Or will Priest be given the gift of sending Dom South of Heaven?
Sami and Jey regroup backstage.
Sami can’t believe Jey didn’t text or call about the comeback. Jey says, “My bad.” But Sami says it’s fine, he’s happy Jey is back. And thanks for having his back out there tonight and every night, Sami appreciates Jey. Jey thanks Sami for that, and says you know he had to come back for payback. Jey is gonna handle business! Actually, Sami was kinda hoping he could handle McIntyre. Sami talked a big game, he’s gotta back it up. But Sami, you’re not even 100% tonight. Sami knows, but he started something so he has to finish it. Jey says alright. He’s got next! They secret handshake and Jey wishes Sami luck. Will Sami finally get a win on McIntyre in a Christmas miracle?
Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS Akira Tozawa w/ The Alpha Academy!
As “Master” Gable said last week, it was about time he settled things with his past. Will Gable prove to the world that he was always the reason the Alpha Academy was relevant? Or will he find out he can’t keep up with the Stamina Monster?
Raw returns and the #AlphaBabes make their entrance, showing off that new merch while they’re at it. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Tozawa and Gable tie up, Gable wrenches and talks trash right to Tozawa’s face! Gable CHOPS Tozawa down, stands him up, CHOPS him down again, repeat! Gable whips and CLOBBERS Tozawa, then raises the fist. The fans boo more but Gable talks smack on Otis. Gable drags Tozawa up, suplexes, but Tozawa slips free! Tozawa SOBATS, spins, slides under, and SPIN KCIKS! Gable goes to a corner and Tozawa puts him up! But Gable gets Tozawa for a HANGING ARMBAR!
Otis protests, the ref counts, and Gable lets off at 4. Gable says he didn’t break a rule, and Otis never learns. Gable SLAPS Otis, slides into the ring, but Tozawa victory rolls! TWO, but Tozawa SUPERKICKS Gable down! Tozawa rips the shirt off, goes up top, and SUPER SENTRONS onto knees! Gable saves himself and hauls Tozawa up to GERMAN SUPELX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! Gable GERMAN SUPLEXES again! But he isn’t done, Gable spins Tozawa around, and POWERBOMBS him! ANKLE LOCK!! Tozawa flails but he’s so far from the ropes! Tozawa TAPS, Gable wins!
Winner: Chad Gable, by submission
But Gable won’t let go! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Gable just drops into a GRAPEVINE! So Otis storms in and he drags Gable off the leg! Otis TOSSES Gable! The fans are thunderous, but Team American Made steps up to support Gable. Gable says Otis never learns! But Otis’ hips are moving! He’s shaking, quaking, and the fans fire up, but American Made backs off. Will Gable finally fight Otis and put this beef to rest?
The New Day talks backstage.
They still don’t understand how everyone here doesn’t see things their way. But then Dirty Dom walks over, clapping with “New! Day Rocks!” Finally, someone who understands! Dom says he never liked Big E, but uh, no, what they did was crazy. Well, whatever, Broke Ass Tom Selleck! Dom says Tom Selleck wishes! Dirty Dom heads for gorilla, ready to fight for the Judgment Day. But will Dom go from “Broke Ass Tom Selleck” to just broken?
Dominik Mysterio VS Damian Priest!
Judgment Day’s history has always been a rocky one, but it has never been rockier than right now. Betraying Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest probably has a lot to do with it, but will Dom be able to smooth things over by taking Damian down? Or will Priest finally beat some sense into #LatinoCheat?
The bell rings and Dom bails right out! Dom dares Priest to come get him, but Priest says Dom needs to get back in the ring. Priest will even give him a free shot! Dom storms up to the apron, steps in, and takes that swing, but Priest blocks it! Then Priest BELL CLAPS Dom, DECKS him, then DECKS him again! Dom staggers around, Priest picks him up to SLAM DUNK! Dom staggers back up, into a torture rack! Priest bends Dom with the Argentine Backbreaker! Priest then THROWS Dom down and the fans fire up. Priest paces around, powers up his arm, and Dom rises. The fans rally and Priest runs, but Dom ducks a lariat!
Dom kicks, CLUBS and KICKS again! SUPERKICK! Then DROPKCIK! Priest staggers but Dom hurries to stalk behind him. Priest sits up first and glares at Dom. Dom panics, but he DUMPS Priest out! Dom builds speed to DIVE, but into Priest’s hands! FLATLINER onto the desk! The fans fire up and Priest drags Dom up to then POST him! Dom falls in a heap, but Priest puts Dom in the ring. Priest then notices a very suspicious Santa Claus. Priest snatches the beard away, and tada! It’s JD! Priest TOSSES JD and the fans cheer! JD wants mercy but Priest SLIDES him across the desk! The fans fire up as Wade narrowly avoids getting hit!
Priest then has a Spider Sense moment, and he looks under the ring! Carlito spits out his apple in surprise! Priest drags Carlito up and TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! But then Finn attacks!
Winner: Damian Priest, by disqualification
Finn fires hands, but Priest blocks the desk bump! Priest body shots and SMACKS Finn off the desk! And again, and again! Priest puts Finn in the ring, Dom runs up, but Priest DECKS him! Priest fires more hands on Finn, but the Judgment Day regroups! They mug Priest 4v1 as usual, and JD even drops elbows! The fans boo but the Judgment Day stand Priest up. WAIT! Here comes the War Raiders! Erik & Ivar fire hands on Dom & Carlito, and Priest TOSSES JD! Finn realizes he’s alone, and Priest SUPERKICKS him down! Priest stomps a mudhole into Finn, the Raiders put Carlito and Dom in the ring!
Ivar KNEES Carlito, then feeds him to Erik’s KNEE! The fans cheer, JD gets up, but Priest LARIATS him inside-out! Dom is fed to the WAR MACHINE!! Finn staggers up, but Priest grabs him! And Finn goes SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! The Judgment Day just got further embarrassed, and that’s not even considering JD’s Santa costume. Will the War Raiders be some unlikely allies for Priest in this ongoing war with the Judgment Day?
Sit-down interview with Seth Rollins.
Jackie Redmond thanks The Visionary for taking this time to talk with her, and he says it is his pleasure. Jackie talked with CM Punk and heard what he had to say, what Punk believes, when it comes to Rollins’ hatred for Punk. And we have heard from Rollins, as well, but Jackie’s still just curious. What is the root cause, the driving force, of this disdain he clearly feels for CM Punk? Rollins says the thing is, he has tried to explain how he feels many times over the years, and it sort of… Well, he won’t say he’s talking into the wind, but Rollins just feels Punk has needed the WWE more than the WWE needed him.
And so that hypocrisy from Punk is what just eats at Rollins. It is hard for Rollins to let that go. Jackie mentions how Rollins has talked about getting rid of it by “cutting it out” and fighting through it, and how this fight with Punk has to happen as a catharsis. What does “cutting” Punk out look like? What should we expect from, not even so much a match, that doesn’t feel like the right word now. Rollins says it’ll be fight. That’s what we’re getting, no question. It is the biggest fight in their sport right now, and Rollins needs it now. After Survivor Series, seeing Punk hand-in-hand with Roman Reigns… Roman’s finger in the air, Punk doing the stupid Go To Sleep thing…
Rollins just wanted to throw the remote through his TV, he was so viscerally, internally destroyed. Rollins felt that was it, no more waiting. The world needs to see it. This is perfect. The Netflix debut, the world will be watching. But to answer the question, he doesn’t know what it’ll look like. You might see a side of Rollins that no one’s ever seen. No pun intended, it will be raw, visceral, violent. Rollins needs to exorcise this demon from his soul, he has to cut the cancer out of his brain, or he is going down. Then the only way to process the betrayal is to go through a fight, and we get that on January 6th, Raw in LA for Netflix.
Jackie thanks Rollins for the time and his honesty. Rollins says yeah, he can’t wait. Will Rollins truly #BurnItDown when it comes to fight CM Punk?
The Miz VS Dexter Lumis!
The Hollywood A-Lister has his own history with the man now turned buzzard, and things are only worse now that this is about the Final Testament and the Wyatt Sick6. Will Miz manage to bury the past once and for all? Or will he get no mercy from Lumis?
Raw returns as Miz waits. A message flashes, “I OPENED THE DOOR,” and then the lights go down. And from that mysterious door to the other side, out steps Lumis. He takes off the Mercy the Buzzard mask, then rushes the ring! Miz scrambles right out as Lumis slithers along the mat! The fans cheer Lumis on while Miz tentatively returns to the ring. The bell rings, Miz wants Lumis to hold on, but Lumis swings hands! Miz bobs ‘n’ weaves, then throws a punch! Lumis just glares at Miz! Miz runs away, Lumis gives chase, and they go around the outside, then back inside! Lumis drags Miz out of the ring to ROCK him!
Miz staggers, Lumis THROWS him into barriers! The fans cheer, Lumis ROCKS Miz again, and then Lumis SMACKS Miz off the apron! Lumis pushes Miz into the ring, Miz bails out, but Lumis goes out to the apron. CANNONBALL! The fans fire up and Lumis brings Miz up. Lumis CLUBS Miz, stalks him, then puts him in the ring. Miz again asks for mercy, but then he tries a cheap kick! Lumis blocks and UPPERCUTS! Lumis scoops, Miz slips free and Miz BOOTS Lumis! Miz runs, but into a THESZ PRESS! Lumis rains down fast hands, then runs to AX HANDLE! The fans fire up and Lumis brings Miz up.
Miz breaks free to throat chop! The ref reprimands but Miz runs, only for Lumis to catch him! URENAGE! Lumis storms around, then goes looks to the corner. Lumis climbs, but wait, the Authors of Pain are here! So Lumis CANNONBALLS onto them! The fans fire up but Kross attacks!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by disqualification
The Final Testament beats Lumis up and puts him in the ring. Miz stands, confident now that he has reinforcements. Kross says they’ve got Lumis where they want him, but Lumis looks to the sky. Seems it’s the other way around! The lights go down, and when they come up, the rest of the Wyatts are here! They brawl with Final Testament and then send them running! Nikki wants uppies, and Erik Rowan pops her up to POWERBOMB her out onto The Final Testament! Nikki is all fired up as the Wyatts stand together! Will The Final Testament be the one buried and forgotten after all is said and done?
The War Raiders regroup backstage.
Erik & Ivar are fired up after getting the better of Judgment Day, and then Priest walks in. He says what’s up, and they give him some pushes and shoves of excitement. Priest says okay, okay, settle down. But that was good, and he appreciates the save. Ivar says hey, they’ve all known each other a long time. And while they haven’t always seen eye to eye, there has always been honor here. They may not be friends, but Priest had their backs in a big way last week and they don’t forget that. They owed him, they got him. Priest respects that. If the War Raiders are at war with the Judgment Day, then he’ll go to war with them.
They all fist bump, and Erik & Ivar say they like the sound of that. Could these three finally tear down Judgment Day once and for all?
The zero symbol returns…
And now it’s joined by a pentagram? What could these clues be leading to?
The New Day barges out to ringside.
And Kofi Kingston tells Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett on commentary that no no no no! You do not get to speak about them like that! Woods asks what is going on around here? What happened to unbiased journalism? How long has Tessitore even been with the WWE? Not that long, right? Certainly not long enough to know that his job is not to have an opinion but to tell the TRUTH like they have! But it seems in 2024, no one wants the truth! Certainly not these fans. Wade was sympathizing with E as well! Well that’s fine, because Wade and Big E have something in common. They’re not man enough to lace up their boots again and get in the ring!
The fans boo now but Kofi says speaking of getting back int he ring, allow the New Day to do that and continue to tell everyone what they were trying to tell people before. They did NOT put hands on Big E. They could have, laid him out here in the ring, stretchered out of the building again, but they didn’t! So why is everyone so upset!? The fans keep booing but Kofi says this was supposed to be a homecoming for Kofi, and for the woman he bought a plane ticket for to come all the way here to Boston from Ghana, and that is Kofi’s mom! Kofi’s mom is in the front row! Miss Elizabeth Kingston is here, but she doesn’t seem very amused.
Kofi says his mom sat in the middle seat for 20 HOURS, just to see Kofi, and the fans are ruining her experience! This is his mother! The woman who taught him how to be the man that he is today! She does not deserve to see her son get booed out of his own hometown! Woods says they gave the fans ten of the best years of their LIVES…! Kofi steps back outside to apologize to his mom for the fans. She does not deserve this. Kofi doesn’t understand why they’re doing this. Kofi wants a hug. Miss Elizabeth stands up, but she pushes Kofi! She’s upset with HIM, not the fans! Miss Elizabeth takes her coat and leaves! Kofi is confused, what’s this about?
Kofi calls after his mom but she tunes him out. Though, it might be hard to hear over the fans. Will it ever get through to the New Day that they are in the wrong?
The New Day regroups backstage.
And then they cross paths with Rey Mysterio. Woods asks if he’s gonna pile on. Rey says no, it’s not like that. Rey thought about what they said last week, being a locker room leader and all. Rey definitely could’ve handled things better, so he’ll apologize to them. Rey just has the responsibility to help everyone as much as he can. So hey, what New Day did was out of pocket, all foul. And if they want to start fixing things, they can start by apologizing. Whoa, hold up. Them? Apologize to Rey and the locker room? No, they aren’t apologizing, because they didn’t do anything wrong! This is ridiculous!
Rey is just as bad as Big E and everyone else! Why not let Woods pop that mask off again so he can hear them better. New Day did nothing wrong. Rey says okay, fine, que pasa nada. Just don’t say he didn’t try. From this point on, New Day is on their own. And oh, get used to hearing this. “New! Day SUCKS!” With that, Rey takes his leave. After hearing that, will Kofi & Woods have anything but a Merry Christmas?
Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre!
The Honorary Uce may have just lost to the Scottish Terminator at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but he isn’t going to give up the fight. Will Sami finally get a win over McIntyre as a Christmas miracle? Or will McIntyre ruin the holidays with a Claymore?
Raw returns and Sami makes his entrance. The bell rings and McIntyre kicks low! McIntyre fires hands, then CHOPS Sami in a corner! McIntyre ROCKS Sami, stands him up, and then CHOPS again! The fans are torn but McIntyre paces while Sami sits down. Sami rises up, and he avoids a chop to fire hands! The fans fire up as Sami CHOPS and fires more punches! The ref backs Sami off, but Sami comes back to stomp and punch! The fans rally behind “SAMI USO!” and Sami whips Mcintyre corner to corner. McIntyre reverses, Sami goes up, but McIntyre KICKS him out of the air!
McIntyre snarls and then he deadlift suplexes Sami! Sami writhes and clutches his back, but McIntyre storms over to him. McIntyre STMOPS Sami’s hands! Then he ROCKS Sami with a right! Sami goes to ropes but McIntyre CHOPS him again! The fans “WOO~!” as that chop echoes out! The fans rally for Sami but McIntyre grins. McIntyre whips but Sami KICKS him in return! Mcintyre comes back but Sami TOSSES him out! The fans fire up and Sami builds speed, but then Mcintyre moves so Sami Arabian Presses to land back inside. Sami smiles as he gets the better of McIntyre, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Sami is in the corner. McIntyre storms up to stomp away on him again! The ref backs McIntyre off but then McIntyre storms back up. McIntyre drag’s Sami up to the apron, and he suplexes Sami up and into the ring! Sami flounders to the ropes and the ref checks him. Sami says he’s still in this, so McIntyre drags Sami back up. But Sami CHOPS McIntyre! And CHOSP! And fires forearms! Sami whips, McIntyre reverses but Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for McIntyre to tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and McIntyre grows annoyed. The fans rally up but Sami writhes form all the damage.
McIntyre stalks Sami to the ropes, eggs him on, and then whips him to ropes. Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges again, and this time Sami tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Sami and McIntyre both rise up, and McIntyre bails out. Sami storms up to ropes, grits his teeth, and he PLANCHAS! But McIntyre catches him! And then he aims for the desk! Sami fights free, and he DRIBBLES McIntyre off the desk! Sami backs off as the ring count climbs, but Sami goes back for McIntyre. McIntyre stops the step bump to SMACK Sami off the steps! McIntyre refreshes the ring count because he wants to do more damage!
McIntyre stalks Sami up the steps, then lifts him for an APRON BACKBREAKER!! Sami falls and writhes, and McIntyre has a manic look on his face as he watches Sami suffer, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Mcintyre has Sami in the Inverted Alabama Lift! INVERTED ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! McIntyre escapes and runs up, but Sami dodges! McIntyre POSTS himself! The fans fire up as McIntyre flops back, and Sami hurries to the corner! Sami climbs, but his back slows him down! McIntyre ROCKS Sami first! And then CHOPS him! McIntyre climbs up after Sami, fires some shots, then fireman’s carries Sami! SUPER WHITE NOISE! A shoutout to Sheamus and McIntyre covers, TWO!! The fans fire up while McIntyre grows frustrated. Sami stirs but McIntyre watches him closely.
The fans rally and McIntyre drags Sami back up. But Sami cradle counters! TWO! McIntyre GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Sami falls and McIntyre snarls. McIntyre goes to a corner, and he takes aim at Sami. Here comes the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” But Sami LARIATS McIntyre! And then a clinch, EXPLODER into the corner! Sami goes to the other side and the fans fire up! Sami aims as McIntyre rises, but that back tightens up. Sami fights through the pain, gets running, but CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
That was perhaps the closest Sami’s come, but he was still so far away from victory over McIntyre. 3-0 in 2024, 10-0 overall, and McIntyre stands over Sami to rub it in. Sami is already dazed, but McIntyre rains down fists! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but McIntyre shoves the ref away to HAMMER Sami down! But here comes Jey, just like earlier tonight! Jey runs in, dodges again, and this time, SPEAR!! Jey has Mcintyre down, but now he goes up! But wait! TAMA TONGA SHOVES JEY OFF THE TOP!! Solo Sikoa & The Bloodline are here! McIntyre is just as surprised, but given the truce they called on Friday, McIntyre takes his leave.
The Bloodline beat down Sami & Jey, which McIntyre loves to see. Tama Tonga rains down fists on Main Event Jey in a corner, but the fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” Instead, Jacob Fatu gets running! But Jey dodges the hip attack! SUPERKICK for Tama! Jey fires haymakers on Jacob! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Solo steps in to swing, but Jey dodges! Jey ROCKS Solo! Jacob SUPERKICKS Jey! The fans boo as the Samoan Werewolf gets all geeked up! Solo adds his SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo throws off his jacket, sits Jey back up, but Sami gets in! Sami fires hands, but Tama TACKLES Sami! Tama beats Sami down and fans boo again.
Solo tells Tama to set Sami up, and Tama stomps Sami into the corner. Jacob runs in, to HIP ATTACK! Jacob isn’t done, he puts Sami in the drop zone to go up, up and BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The fans boo but Solo adds on another SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo roars, then he and his Bloodline stand over the OGs. Jacob adorns Solo with the ula fala, will not even Roman Reigns be able to stop the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief? Will all of the WWE have no choice but to acknowledge Solo Sikoa?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here to build both the last Raw of 2024 and the first Raw of 2025, aka the Netflix debut. Rollins had a very good interview promo to add just a little more to things, but I feel like there’s little left that they need to say. Very good stuff with Judgment Day, such as the classic “X, can you tell Y…” gag from Finn and Liv. Dom thinking their plan to screw Priest over would work is hilarious, as was how it all fell apart. Priest gets the win from disqualification, but then great save from the War Raiders. Good promo from Priest and War Raiders, love the reference to ROH by saying “honor” there, and that’s a solid Six Man Tag right there.
Fun little bit from Pearce with Pure Fusion Collective, and of course Sonya thought she’d get a second chance, and of course Pearce uses real logic to say no way. Iyo Sky replacing Kairi Sane was announced last week on social media, so I guess Sonya didn’t check between shows. Great Triple Threat from Iyo, Alba and Natty, and of course Iyo won or else why put her in there? Iyo VS Lyra next round will be great stuff, as will Dakota Kai VS Zoey Stark, and whatever combination we get for the title match is going to be great. I don’t think we’ll get DMG CTRL VS DMG CTRL, so if Dakota wins, Iyo loses, and then vice-versa.
Great stuff with American Made and Alpha Academy, but of course Tozawa takes the loss. Otis standing up to Gable & The Creeds was a great moment, and I really hope we get Gable VS Otis for the big Netflix debut. Win or lose, Otis should definitely have a moment where he rallies through Gable and both Creeds, really get the crowd hot before the finish. Miz VS Lumis was good but could’ve been better. With only two hours, I guess they had to trim things down to the basics. Another disqualification finish tonight is a bit much, but I guess it keeps things going until we can come up with some kind of new 8 Man Tag, or even a really wild Mixed 10 Person match so Nikki and Scarlett can get involved legally.
Great stuff with New Day, from their interaction with Dom, then their “interrupting” the show to try and get their point across. It was great to have Mama Kingston there, and I just knew she would be disappointed in Kofi. Good promo with Rey, too, as Rey now leaves New Day out in the cold. I feel like we need a big tag team match to not only have Heel New Day show their stuff against like LWO, Alpha Academy, etcetera, and then they earn their way to a match with the War Raiders to revisit their feud, just with flipped Heel and Face dynamics. That could be some really good stuff as Raw on Netflix paves the road to WrestleMania 41.
And great stuff with McIntyre and the extended Bloodline. He and Sami had a great promo to again bring up family and sacrifice, but also how Roman’s OG Bloodline came back together without Roman ever changing a thing. Great brawls, great saves by Jey, and of course McIntyre won the match. Jey will of course get next, probably also for the Netflix debut, but good stuff with Solo Sikoa and his Bloodline showing up. They beat down Jey & Sami to send a message to Roman, who was obviously not going to be here tonight. There will surely be a response in part on SmackDown, but maybe more verbal than physical.
I feel like the “Transfer Window” will need to put all Bloodline members, old and new, on one brand so the story can be told all on one show. It’d just be easier while Jimmy’s foot is healing, because what can Roman do without backup against Solo, Tama & Jacob? And honestly, still waiting on when and where Hikuleo is going to show up. This is a good time to bring him in with Tonga Loa also hurt, so Solo can get the numbers edge on Roman again.
My Score: 8.8/10
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The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
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