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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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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We got five on it!
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Trent Beretta's on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (4/27/24)
It's a slam dunk!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: What Happened Last Week?
After a two-week hiatus, DJ gets to the bottom of why there was no podcast last week. Then, we skewer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/26/24)
It's Draft Day!
DWI Podcast #427: Get Off My Back…lash
It's time to shake things up again!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/25/24)
Champions need challengers!
Classic POD is WAR: @PattonOswalt
Tune in for another vintage episode of POD is WAR!!!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/24/24)
Anybody can get it!
