Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/12/22)
Who will be the contenders?
Visionary VS All Mighty! Five Foot Fury VS Role Model!
Tonight, live in Milwaukee, new #1 contenders will be named for the WWE United States and Raw Women’s Championships!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Alexa Bliss VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL; Bliss wins and will challenge Bianca Belair for the title.
- AJ Styles w/ The OC VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Styles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Akira Tozawa & The Street Profits VS The Judgment Day; The Judgment Day wins.
- Candice LeRae VS Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL; Sky wins.
- Elias VS Solo Sikoa w/ Sami Zayn; Solo wins.
- Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Asuka; Rhea wins.
- WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Seth Rollins VS Bobby Lashley; Rollins wins and will challenge Austin Theory for the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Alexa Bliss VS Bayley w/ Damage CTRL!
The two Triple Threats for last week gave us two contenders, but now we see who is THE NUMBER ONE! Will the Five Foot Fury return to the top of Raw? Or will the Role Model get one more chance against Bianca Belair?
But wait! Becky Lynch gets revenge on Kai & Sky! Fans cheer as Becky POSTS Dakota then TOSSES her over the timekeeper’s area! Then she does the same to Iyo! Fans fire up as The Man has a chair! Bayley freaks out as Becky runs off the sidekicks! And now here comes Alexa! Alexa smiles while Bayley stresses out over this being truly 1v1. But then wait! Bianca Belair makes her way out to watch this in person! Bayley is even more upset, and the bell rings. Alexa and Bayley circle, tie up, and Bayley kicks low to throw Alexa down. Cover, TWO, but Bayley SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, ONE!
Alexa goes to a corner but Bayley back elbows her! Bayley taunts the fans and she whips Alexa corner to corer. Alexa BOOTS Bayley, hops on and hits a SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO, and Bayley bails out! Bayley grits her teeth while the ring count climbs. Alexa waits on Bayley, Bianca is watching from an armchair, and Bayley gets to the apron at5 of 10. Alexa rushes over, Bayley jumps back, and then she HOTSHOTS Alexa down! Bayley stomps Alexa, CLUBS her down, and drags Alexa up. Snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Bayley is annoyed but she stomps Alexa around. Bayley drags Alexa up but fans are dueling, “Let’s Go, Bayley!” “BAYLEY SUCKS!”
Bayley ROCKS Alexa, but Alexa JAWBREAKERS back! Alexa rallies with shoulders, and then a THESZ PRESS! Alexa fires off fast hands but Bayley kicks her away. Alexa comes back with another THESZ PRESS! Alexa fires more fast hands, then takes Bayley down with an STO! Insult2Injury 2.0! Cover, TWO! Alexa clamps onto Bayley’s arm but Bayley gets to ropes. The ref counts, Alexa lets off, and she brings Bayley back in. Bayley stomps Alexa’s foot, then ROCKS her with a forearm! Bayley whips Alexa to ropes but Alexa ducks ‘n ‘dodges to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Alexa is annoyed but she steps on Bayley as she goes to the corner.
Alexa climbs up, Bayley bails out, but Bianca tells her she can’t run from this. Alexa hops down to grab at Bayley but Bayley ROCKS Alexa! And then POSTS her! Alexa falls to the floor and fans boo Bayley while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Bayley has Alexa in a chinlock. Bayley digs her knee in but Alexa fights back, so Bayley CLUBS her and KNEES her. Fans boo but Bayley drags Alexa up. Bayley whips Alexa to the corner, back elbows, and then talks trash to the fans. Fans boo more as Bayley snapmares to a cover, TWO! Fans rally but Bayley drags Alexa back up. Alexa throws body shots and fans fire up! Alexa throws more hands, then throws Bayley down by her hair! Insult misses as Bayley moves! BLINDISDE LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley drags Alexa up but Alexa throws more body shots. They scrap and Alexa fights Bayley to a corner.
Bayley turns things around, puts Alexa up top but Alexa BOOTS back! Alexa FLYING RANAS! It wasn’t the prettiest but Alexa crawls over to drag Bayley up. Cradle, TWO! They both clinch, Bayley rolls Alexa, TWO! Alexa stands but Bayley CLOBBERS her! Fans boo but Bayley snarls as she drags Alexa up. Bayley wrenches and fireman’s carries, and swings Alexa, to a SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Alexa bails to the apron but Bayley pursues. Bayley drags Alexa up through the ropes and tells the fans this is for them! But Alexa shoves her away! Bayley storms in, into a HOTSHOT! Bayley sputters and both bail out.
Bayley rushes Alexa but Alexa KICKS her! And then KICKS her again! Alexa hurries into the ring but Bayley grabs her feet. Alexa BOOTS Bayley, then goes to the apron. CANNONBALL! Direct hit and fans fire up! Alexa puts Bayley back in, covers, TWO! Bayley hangs tough but Alexa clamps on with a choke grip. Bayley wrenches out but Alexa mule kicks and DDTs! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives but Alexa climbs the corner! Bayley ROCKS Alexa first! Alexa throws hands back, sends Bayley staggering away, but Bayley comes back! Alexa hooks Bayley up again, but Bayley swings to SLAM Alexa into buckles!
Bayley waits for Alexa to stand up, SUNSET BUCKLE BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Alexa survives but Bayley drags her up, BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!?! Bayley is furious that Alexa survives! Bianca tells her that was just two, but Bayley undoes a buckle pad! Fans boo but Bianca points out what Bayley did! Bayley is upset with Bianca but Alexa DROPKICKS her out of the ring! Bayley returns to HOTSHOT Alexa! Bayley tells Bianca to stay out of the way. Alexa runs, slides, but Bayley ducks! Alexa avoids hitting Bianca, and she ducks Bayley’s haymaker! Bianca blocks the punch and stares Bayley down.
Bianca lets Bayley go, Bayley ELBOWS Alexa! Bayley and Bianca argue, Bayley returns but into a flurry from Alexa! SHOTGUN to the corner! Alexa has Bayley in a drop zone and climbs up top! TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, Alexa wins!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Raw Women’s Champion)
And now Bianca knows who her next opponent will be! Bianca joins Alexa in the ring to congratulate her, but also to hold up the belt. Bianca offers a handshake, but Alexa wants a hug. But then White Rabbit!! Alexa reels Bianca into a clinch!! But then Alexa snaps back to normal! She realizes what almost just happened, apologizes, and leaves. Is there still a darkness in the back of Lil Miss Bliss’s mind?
Backstage interview with The Alpha Academy.
Byron Saxton found Chad Gable & Otis as they arrived, and oh, they still smell like milk. Byron says Gable & Otis planned to spoil Kurt Angle’s birthday but they were left udder-ly embarrassed. Gable says he sees through the double meanings! It isn’t punny! See? Two can play at that stupid game. But moving on, Kurt Angle is a dinosaur and not credible enough to be in the same ring as the Alpha Academy. That’s why Angle plays these little tricks, like driving a milk truck and dousing them with 2%! Otis has been washing that out of his beard all weekend! The OC come in and laughing, and Gable asks what’s so funny. Did one of their bar wives get a typo on her tramp stamp?
Oh calm down, Gable. Karl Anderson sent them a video while he’s in Japan “handling some business.” But it was of the Academy getting hosed with milk! It’s hilarious and Japan loves it! Gable says cute. But Styles is no different than Kurt: a fossil. Because all anyone talks about is how good Styles used to be. But if he got in the ring with Gable, he’d get a free lesson in embarrassment on the world stage. Yeah, Gable does know about getting embarrassed. But then let’s do it again tonight. Get your gear. The ones that doesn’t smell like cheese or Otis’ beard. Gallows says they stink! “NERDS!” Will Styles make tonight phenomenal?
AJ Styles w/ The OC VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!
While the toughest man in the room, the Machine Gun, Karl Anderson, is handling business in Japan, the rest of the Club is here in Milwaukee to do the same! Will Styles make Gable feel as sour as he smells? Or will Gable make all the puns “SHOOOOSH~” once and for all?
The bell rings and Gable circles with Styles. They tie up, Gable waistlocks, spins Styles, trips him and then facelocks for a gator roll. Gable waistlocks again, rolls Styles and facelocks again, but Styles gets the ropebreak. Gable lets off cleanly and Otis talks some trash. Gable tells Styles “SHOOOOSH~!” then headlocks. Styles powers up and out, DROPKICKS Gable down, and fans fire up. Styles tells Gable to “SHOOOOSH!” then bumps him off buckles. Styles CHOPS, bumps Gable off more buckles, then CHOPS again! Styles scoops Gable to a BACKBREAKER! Fans cheer as the OC throw up the Too Sweets.
Styles stands Gable up but Gable throat chops! Gable CHOPS and CHOPS Styles against ropes, then says, “A THANK YEW~!” Gable runs but Styles dumps Gable out onto Otis! Otis catches Gable and sets him down safely, but Styles runs in to SLIDING- NO, Gable fireman’s carries to SNAKE EYES Styles! Then Gable KNEES Styles into steel steps! Styles tumbles, clutches his own knees, and Gable shouts, “A THANK YEW~!” as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Styles is up top, but Gable ROCKS him! Gable climbs up, brings Styles up, but Styles slips under to trip Gable! Gable hits buckles on the way down and fans fire up! Gable staggers to his feet, and Styles LARIATS! And then again! Styles snapmares, and SLIDING FOREARMS! Fans fire up and Styles runs in to clothesline at the corner! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Gallows & Mia coach Styles up as he drags Gable into position. But Gable slips out of the Clash, only for Styles to fire off the Phenomenal Blitz! But Gable gets under the lariat to GERMAN SUPLEX!
Gable holds on, he GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Otis says Gable’s got the hips! But Styles elbows free of the third! PELE! Gable staggers, Styles swings but into another GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans rally up while both men are down! Styles and Gable crawl to opposite sides, and Gable runs in, but Styles catches him! Styles rolls, but Gable rolls through to have the ANKLE LOCK! Gable leans on the hold, Styles rolls and gets Gable’s leg! CALF CRUSHER! Gable flails, reaches out, powers up and rolls through, to ANKLE LOCK!! Styles endures now, he powers up and rolls to throw Gable away! Styles swings, into a spin and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Mia and Gallows are relieved while Otis is frustrated. Gable drags Styles to a drop zone, shouts “SHOOOOSH~!” and climbs. MOONSAULT, but Gable bails out as Styles moves! Styles trips Gable to a jackknife, TWO! But then into a STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Now that was a phenomenal way to turn things around! Mia and Gallows celebrate with Styles, will The OC get back up in time for the holidays?
Johnny Gargano talks with Dexter Lumis.
They’re brainstorming ideas for using the money they have after the poker invitational last week. Baby bling, cloning their dog, making functional Iron-Man suits, all good stuff. But that real-life Scrooge McDuck money pool thing might not be so possible. Diving headfirst into coins will more than likely break your neck. Candice LeRae walks over and asks just what in the world they’re doing. They’re trying to figure out what to do with the money. How much is even left? Show her. Lumis opens the bag and WOW, that’s still quite a bit. Candice has a match so good luck, guys. Good luck, Candice!
And Candice says the reason they can’t figure out what to do is that they have everything they need. It’s the holiday season, though, so maybe time for giving? That gives Gargano an idea. Grab the cash and let’s go. Lumis does, but he still seems to want Iron-Man suits. What is the wonderful holiday idea Gargano just got?
Six Man Tag: Akira Tozawa & The Street Profits VS The Judgment Day!
Speaking of that poker invitational, The Stamina Monster caught Dominik Mysterio cheating, they had it out in the ring, but Dominik managed to lie, cheat and steal the victory. But Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins weren’t going to let the Judgment Day beat down Tozawa, and so that confrontation led to this match! Will Tozawa, Ford & Dawkins make the Judgment Day pay for pushing the limits? Or will they bust like a bad hand at the table?
Raw returns and Cathy Kelley interviews Tozawa & The Profits at gorilla. She wants to know why the Profits came to Tozawa’s rescue at all last week. Ford says that is everyone’s question the last seven days: Why did the Profits come to the aid of Tozawa? Because it’s Akira Tozawa! Dawkins says he’s their ninja. Tozawa put his all into that match, and though he failed, does anyone deserve to have salt poured on their wounds? NO! While the Profits were gone, the Judgment Day was running around on Raw like they run things, but they don’t! The Profits & Tozawa run this! And they’re about to show- Tozawa shouts, and then says, “We! Want! The smoke!”
Tozawa drinks up, and roars! Ford and Dawkins join in! “AHHHH!!” Tozawa smashes the cup, splashes some of Dawkins’, but the Profits love that energy! The three head out, will that Powah of Tozawa lead them to victory?
The teams sort out and Dawkins starts against Priest. They circle, tie up, and Dawkins headlocks. Priest powers out but Dawkins RAMS shoulders with him. The two stare down and fans rally up. Priest runs, Dawkins drops and hurdles, but Priest blocks the hip toss! Dawkins avoids the clothesline, avoids the jump kick, and DROPKICKS Priest down! Fans fire up as Priest goes to a corner. Dawkins whips corner to corner, Priest reverses but Dawkins goes up and over. Things keep moving, Dawkins ducks but Priest ROCKS Dawkins! Tag to Dom and the JD mug Dawkins. Fans boo hard as Dom fires body shots on Dawkins.
Tag to Finn, Finn RAMS into Dawkins again and again! The fans boo more but the JD just soak up the heat. Finn taunts Ford but Dawkins DROPKICKS him down! Tag to Ford, the Profits whip and DROPKICK Finn down! Ford kips up, covers, TWO! Ford wrenches Finn’s arm, tags Tozawa, and Tozawa climbs up to AX HANDLE! Tozawa is all fired up, he whips Finn but Finn reverses to kick low. Finn runs, sunset flips but Tozawa rolls through to PENALTY KICK! Fans fire up with Tozawa but Finn RAMS him into the corner! Finn RAMS in again and again, then CHOPS! Finn roars in Tozawa’s face, then ROCKS him with rights.
Finn whips Tozawa corner to corner to CHOP! Finn gives another “AHH!” then whips again. Tozawa BOOTS back, runs in and RANAS Finn out of the ring! Tozawa builds speed but Priest stands in the way. Fans boo, but Tozawa CHOPS! Priest doesn’t flinch! Tozawa apologizes, but then Finn CLOBBERS Tozawa! Finn drags Tozawa over, climbs the corner, and the Judgment Day poses and soaks up the heat together as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Priest has Tozawa in a motorcycle stretch. Fans rally, Tozawa kicks from below, but Priest scoops him! Tozawa slips off, and hot tags Ford! Ford fires off hands on Priest! Priest shoves, but Ford avoids the kick and the backhand to kick, KICK and- Choke grip from Priest! Ford slips free, runs, and LARIATS! Priest stays up and roars, but Ford BACKHANDS Priest! Priest is furious, but Ford ducks the roundhouse to run and BLOCKBUSTER! Ford roars at Finn, tells him to “SUCK IT!” but Priest puts Ford on the apron. Ford GAMANGIRIS, then DECKS Finn! Dom sweeps but Ford jumps it to PENALTY KICK!
Ford talks trash on Dom, but Priest POUNCES Ford over the desk! Priest high-fives Rhea and the JD regroups to laugh at Ford. Dawkins checks on Ford but the ring count starts. The count reaches 5 of 10 before Ford crawls out from behind the desk. Ford flounders at 8, but jumps in at 9! Priest runs in to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ford is still in this but Priest tags Dom. They mug Ford and fans boo. Dom CHOKES Ford on the ropes, Rhea is pleased, but Dom lets off as the ref counts to give some Latino Heat. Dom drags Ford up again and makes Dawkins watch! Uno Amigo! And then Dos Amigos! And then Dom dumps Ford down to taunt the fans.
Tag to Finn, he and Dom CHOKE Ford on the ropes. The ref counts, Finn lets off but then facelocks to GUILLOTINE Ford. Ford endures, reaches out, but Finn keeps him back. Fans rally, Dawkins and Tozawa coach Ford, and Ford powers up! Ford carries Finn, but Finn brings Ford back! Ford powers Finn back a bit, he’s so close! Ford tags Dawkins! But Priest was distracting the ref!! Finn pushes Ford back and stomps away! Finn DECKS Tozawa, Priest gets a cheap shot on Ford, then Priest tags in! Priest runs to back elbow Ford, tags Finn, and Finn stomps Ford. Tag to Dom for the slingshot SENTON!
Tag back to Finn, he drags Ford up and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ford is still in this after that onslaught, but Finn drags him up. Finn back suplexes but Ford lands on his feet to ENZIGURI! Both men are down and fans fire up! Ford crawls, Finn stirs, hot tag to Dawkins! Dawkins rallies on the JD! Dom gets scared of the haymaker, so Dawkins DECKS Priest! Dawkins whips Finn but Finn reverses, only for Dawkins to hurdle and FLYING ELBOW! Fans fire up and Dawkins runs in to CYCLONE SPLASH! And ENZIGURI, to the SILENCER! Cover, Dom breaks it! Fans boo but Dom gets away before Dawkins can get him.
Dawkins drags Finn up, scoops but Finn dragon sleepers to the ELBOW DROP DDT! Fans rally as both men are down again. Hot tags to Dom and Tozawa! Tozawa dodges, fires off haymakers, and fans fire up as he takes it to Dom! The haymakers aren’t stopping! Tozawa knees low, whips Dom to ropes, and then SOBATS! Dom ducks the spin kick but Tozawa slides under to reel Dom in. Dom fires off elbows, Tozawa ends up in a corner. Dom runs, into BOOTS! Tozawa MISSILE DROPKICKS Dom! SOBAT for Finn, Ford CROSSBODIES Finn down! Priest SUPERKICKS Ford! BELL CLAP for Dawkins! COMPLETE SHOT!
Priest choke grips Ford, SOUTH OF HEAVEN! Priest LARIATS Dawkins out of the ring! Fans boo as Priest roars, but Tozawa dumps Priest out! Dom rolls Tozawa, TWO!!! Tozawa dumps Dom out, builds speed, and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp!! Tozawa puts Dom in the ring! Tozawa climbs, Dom springs up to get under the leap! Finn runs in, but Tozawa kicks him first and hits a DDT! Dom runs in, into a SATELLITE DDT! Tozawa hurries up top and fans fire up! But Rhea distracts the ref! Priest drags Tozawa off with an inverted crucifix! RAZOR’S EDGE!! Dom covers, and the Judgment Day wins!!
Winners: The Judgment Day, by pinfall
Fans boo as Dom gets another assist in the win! Will the Judgment Day continue to stack the deck in their favor?
Gargano & Lumis go to the merch stand.
Good stuff! Lumis drops the big bag of cash on the table, and Gargano says, “We’ll take it.” Take what? Everything! Whoa, okay. Gargano says Candice was right, this is the giving season, so they’re gonna spread some WWE holiday cheer. Yes, there is still a lot of money in that bag, but this is a great start, right? Gargano grabs the merch with both hands, and says they’re gonna need something to carry all this in. Oh, another idea! Let’s get this all to the ring! Lumis makes sure a kid waiting in the pavilion gets a free teddy bear. Seems there is a heart behind that silent and scary exterior.
Raw returns as Gargnao & Lumis make it out to ringside.
Gargano says, “Happy Holidays, everyone!” Lumis pulls the wagon full of toys and Gargano says they’ve got a lot to be thankful for this year. They came into all this money, Lumis won his WWE contract, and Gargano & Candice returned to the WWE after having a beautiful baby boy, Quill Gargano. The holiday music starts and Gargano says that’s wonderful! Gargano says “Baby Wrestling” lent them this wagon to carry all the goodies, which Lumis starts tossing to the fans at random. This is a token of gratitude from Gargano & Lumis by giving back with cool stuff! Gargano gets in on throwing the merch around to the fans up front.
They keep on moving along ringside, and they’re feeling good about it. Hopefully fans aren’t fighting over this stuff. Gargano offers something to Graves, but then gives it to Kevin Patrick instead. Gargano even throws some of his own Johnny Wrestling shirts out. Gargano gets on the desk and Lumis hands over a T-shirt cannon! Fans cheer as Gargano takes aim and… FOOMP! Wow, that one got far! But then someone CLOBBERS Lumis into Gargano! And they snatch the bag of money! It’s MIZ! Miz steals back what’s left of the money he gave over to Lumis! But then Pearce stops Miz at the ramp to say, “Where the hell do you think you’re going with that?”
Pearce says Miz is gonna go back to the ring with that money and give it back to Lumis! NOW! Miz is upset but Pearce says this is what Miz deserves! Miz goes back, Gargano and Lumis are there, and Gargano dares Miz to get in the ring. Miz steps forward with Pearce by his side. Gargano tells Miz to give the money back. Miz holds the bag out, but then clings to it. Miz gets a mic first to say, “Let me make this perfectly clear to all of you. This is MY money!” Fans boo, but then Lumis goes for the wagon. Gargano says Miz is in trouble now, Lumis wants his ax. Pearce says no, no axes. Just please, handle this peacefully, we can’t let the show devolve into chaos.
Gargano says Pearce should’ve remembered from SmackDown just a few days ago. That’s what happens here. Well not here in Milwaukee. Miz, give the money to Lumis, NOW. Miz says, “What do I have to do to keep this? I will do anything! I’m desperate! I will even earn it back with a rematch.” Gargano says Miz wants a rematch with Lumis? That IS desperate! Well yeah, you don’t have to rub it in! Gargano and Lumis talk it out, and Lumis gives a thumbs up. “Okay, Mike.” “Miz.” “Okay, Mike-” “THE MIZ!” Fans chant “MIKE! MIKE! MIKE!” Either way, does he want to hear what Gargano has to say? Yes! Then okay, Mike!
Gargano says that if Pearce is okay with this, Lumis is willing to give Miz a chance to win that money back next week. But, but, but… Let’s raise the stakes, literally. The rematch will be a LADDER MATCH! Whoever climbs up and brings down two bags of money wins it all. Okay! Wait, two? Yes! If Lumis is putting his money on the line, Miz has to put some, too. DOUBLE OR NOTHING, WINNER TAKES ALL! No, Miz already doesn’t have the cash! Oh, so Miz wants everyone to think he’s broke? We all know he’s rich! He brags about it all the time! Well no he’s not broke! He’s just not liquid! He has a ton of money in the accounts… that Maryse controls…
Don’t anyone laugh! We all know Candice controls the finances for Gargano! Good point. Miz has an allowance, and Maryse gives him that allowance. Fans taunt “TINY BALLS!” Miz, Mike, whatever, in case you can’t hear, you have tiny balls. Miz angrily defends he has MASSIVE balls! Well, then ask Maryse for an advance on the allowance. Oh, that’d be so easy, asking his wife for money to put on the line in a ladder match! ARE YOU CRAZY!? But Miz promises to figure out how to get the money. Okay, cool. One more, small little thing. If Miz wants the rematch, there is still a lot of merchandise to give away, so Miz needs to help.
Fans cheer and Gargano says Miz needs to do it dressed as an elf! Pearce loves that idea! It is official, go get a costume! Happy Holidays, Miz! In the meantime, this is still Lumis’ money so thanks. Merry Christmas, have fun. Go, Miz. Gargano and Lumis make Miz be their little helper, but will Miz be able to find the funds to face Lumis next week?
Candice LeRae VS Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL!
We saw Becky get some revenge on Bayley’s crew, but now Mrs. Wrestling is after her own payback! Will she pile on to DMG CTRL’s bad night? Or will the Evil Genius be able to turn things around?
Graves reprimands Kevin Patrick for not preparing a seat for Bayley, but then the bell rings and Candice stares down with Sky. They approach, Candice blocks a kick but Sky dodges the haymaker. Candice avoids the handspring, then rushes in. Sky dodges but Candice arm-drags to a cover, TWO! Candice clamps onto an arm, whips, but Sky reverses. Candice holds ropes to avoid the dropkick, and then she hits the step-up SENTON! Cover, TWO! Candice drags Sky up but Sky shoves her away. Candice returns to tilt-o-whirl but Sky handsprings through! Sky comes back but Candice ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up and Candice runs, into a FLAPJACK!
Sky growls and she stomps Candice around. Sky talks trash, Candice pushes Sky but Sky pie faces Candice. Candice throws body shots, Sky kicks Candice down! Dakota rallies for Sky as she CLUBS away on Candice. Sky drags Candice up by her hair but the ref reprimands. Sky lets off but pulls hair again to throw Candice out. Candice lands on the apron, she drags herself back up, but Sky runs in, Candice KNEES Sky in the ropes! Candice turns Sky for a NECKBREAKER in the ropes! Bayley is frustrated and Candice is climbing as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Sky has Candice in a straitjacket stretch. Candice endures, fights up, but Sky wrangles her back down. Sky digs her knee into Candice’s back but Candice fights back up. Candice arm-drags free, Sky runs in and spins Candice to tuck and underhook! Candice fights the lift, and back drops free! Fans fire up but Bayley says they suck! Sky and Candice stand, and Candice fires off forearms! Candice CHOPS, forearms, repeat, and she fires off on Sky in the corner! Fans fire up with Candice as the ref counts. Candice whips corner to corner but Sky reverses. Candice comes back to CLOBBER Sky!
Fans fire up, Candice runs in at Sky to back body block! Candice snapmares Sky, goes up the corner, and she brings Sky in, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Sky survives but Candice drags her back up. Sky resists the waistlock and she RAMS Candice into a corner. Sky is free, she runs back in, but into a BOOT! Candice goes up, but Sky hurries up to DROPKICK Candice to the floor!! Bayley & Dakota fire up while Candice flounders. Candice drags herself to the apron, but Sky runs to SUNSET- NO, Candice holds off the bomb! Sky avoids the stomp, and the Penalty Kick, to Electric Chair! Candice fights to POISON-RANA to the floor!!
Candice puts Sky back in the ring while Bayley & Dakota panic! Cover, TWO!!! Sky survives and Candice isn’t sure what to do to finish this. Candice drags Sky up, but Sky SHOTEIS! And then GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Candice survives and Sky is beside herself! Sky drags Candice to a drop zone, steps on her while going to the corner, and she goes up top, only for Candice to trip her! Candice climbs up after Sky, and brings her in, only for Sky to shove her down! Sky adjusts, for OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, Sky wins!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
DMG CTRL celebrates with the Evil Genius, but they have a short week to recover. Kai & Sky face Liv Morgan & Tegan Nox on Friday Night SmackDown with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships on the line, will DMG CTRL return to Raw still holding onto gold?
Backstage interview with Kevin Owens.
Cathy asks the Prizefighter what his reaction is to The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa brutalizing Matt Riddle. Riddle is now out for six to eight weeks with a damaged trachea. Kevin says that Solo is a very dangerous man, and he proved it last week. But then Elias strums his guitar as he walks in. He wants to talk with Kevin. Elias is facing Solo up next, The Bloodline is gonna be out there, Sami Zayn included. The Bloodline took Sami from Kevin and took Riddle from Elias, so maybe Kevin can back Elias up tonight?
Kevin can’t believe Elias is asking him to be in his corner tonight. Does Elias think Kevin just forgot what Elias did to him earlier this year?! The MONTHS and MONTHS of mental torment! Kevin didn’t forget! Elias says that wasn’t him, that was Ezekiel! Kevin stops him right there! Even if Kevin believed all that, the last time he was in the ring with Elias, the one right here, Kevin was smashed with a guitar! Not that one but a different one, because that one was smashed to pieces and this is a new one! But that’s what Kevin remembers, so why would he have Elias’ back? Elias says Kevin took out Zeke, Elias took out Kevin, so let’s wipe the slate clean and start over.
HOW!? How are they even!? Elias and Zeke are separate people, according to Elias! So how does this work? Elias says it’s all the post. Let’s focus on tonight. Can Kevin be out there for Elias? He needs Kevin. He needs Kevin!? Yes! Kevin is speechless as he walks off, but then he comes back. He’s still speechless, so he walks off again. For now, that seems like a no. Will Kevin change his mind before the match is over?
Ladies and gentlemen: Elias.
Elias is in the ring and he strums his guitar. He makes his introductions, and he clearly has a picture of Riddle and Riddle’s bongos on display. Elias thanks the fans for coming out to the Matt Riddle Tribute Concert. Elias has his match with Solo up next, after Solo ripped away Elias’ opportunity at the tag team championships. But Elias wanted to honor his friend first. Riddle is charismatic, charming, and had a childlike wonder for both Elias and his brother, Ezekiel. Riddle also had an unmatched love for music, namely Elias’. Elias believes Riddle knew the universal truth that we all know deep in our hearts: WWE stands for Walk With Elias!
Elias is happy to hear Milwaukee knows. But it was Riddle’s dream to perform with him in the ring. Elias thought he’d do something special for Riddle. He thinks about the bongos, and those won Elias over. Elias was picking up Riddle’s stuff and he found something: a rolled up paper of lyrics. Riddle was writing a song. Elias sets that up on his stand and will honor his buddy. Riddle, if you’re watching, please enjoy. Elias starts strumming a tune, and he sings, “Grass is green. The sky is blue. I’m your best friend. You’re mine, too. I’ll walk with you wherever you go. Elias, you’re my bro.
“Elias, you’re jacked. You’re such a freak. I wonder who’s bigger: you or Zeke. I walk with you wherever you go. Elias, you’re my bro. I said, Elias, you’re my bro! Everybody! Elias, you’re my bro! One more time. Elias, you’re my bro!” Elias wants everyone to understand, he didn’t write this, Riddle did. But it’s time for a solo. And yep, Solo Sikoa makes his way out! Elias is upset but Sami is dancing his heart out to Solo’s theme. Will Elias be able to make Solo face the consequences of his sadistic actions? Or will the Street Champion of the Island walk through Elias?
Elias VS Solo Sikoa w/ Sami Zayn!
The bell rings and fans chant “UCEY! UCEY” for Sami. Elias rushes in to scare Sami off and fire off on Solo! Elias CHOPS but Solo clinches and tosses Elias to a corner. Elias elbows back, kicks low and ROCKS Solo. Elias CHOPS, Solo UPPERCUTS! Solo HEADBUTTS Elias, but fans chant for “SAMI USO!” Solo storms up on Elias, drags him up and HEADBUTTS him again! Elias flounders to ropes, Solo stands Elias up to whip him and ELBOW him down! Solo roars and Elias crawls to ropes. Solo CHOKES Elias, but he lets off at 4. The fans rally with “UCEY! UCEY!” and Solo swings, but Elias counter punches!
Elias CHOPS but Solo throat chops! Solo HEADBUTTS, then he ROCKS Elias with a haymaker. Solo CHOPS then whips Elias corner to corner. Elias goes up, Solo catches the legs, but Elias mule kicks free! Elias rushes in but into another UPPERCUT! Fans fire up as Solo runs, but Elias dumps Solo out! Elias BOOTS Solo down! Sami checks on Solo but Elias runs in to WRECK Solo with a dropkick! Solo stays up and he’s pissed! Sami stops Solo from bringing the chair into the ring! Sami has Solo cool off, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Elias throws body shots to back Solo down. Elias then fires forearms and whips corner to corner. Solo reverses and then SAMOAN DROPS on the rebound! Cover, TWO! Sami argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Solo paces around Elias, then goes to the corner. Solo hops up and Sami gets hyped for the DIVING HEADBUTT FLOP! Fans rally as Elias goes to a corner. Solo run sin but Elias dodges! Solo hits buckles, then staggers into right hand after right hand from Elias! Elias CHOPS Solo in a corner, ROCKS him, CHOPS him, repeat! Elias whips corner to corner, runs in and SPLASHES!
Elias keeps moving, he SPLASHES again! Elias keeps going, he dodges Solo and hits a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up while Sami is panicking! Elias drags Solo up to turn him, but Solo powers out of the neckbreaker! SAMOAN- NO, Elias slips free to SYMPHO-KNEE! And then NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Elias goes to a corner, but he has to tell Sami to get away so he can climb. The ref reprimands, Solo waistlocks Elias but Elias switches to roll Solo! TWO, and Elias kicks low! Elias whips, Solo blocks and reverses! Elias goes up but no mule kick as Solo throws Elias into the ropes! SUPERKICK! Elias flops down, Solo drags him back in! SPINNING SOLO!! Cover, Solo wins!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
Sami helped out just enough and the Enforcer beats the Drifter! Is it only a matter of time before all of The Bloodline is going for gold?
Wait, Solo goes back for seconds! He hammers away on Elias, and then Sami helps drag him up. Solo has the thumb at the ready! SAMOAN SPIKE!! Sami grins and says, “I know what that’s like.” But now Solo grabs a chair! Sami has Elias in the corner, and he says this is because Elias messed with the Bloodline. Solo stomps Elias into the corner, and he puts the chair around his head! Solo goes to the far corner, wanting to repeat what he did to Riddle. Fans boo but here comes Kevin! Kevin hits Solo with a STUNNER!! Sami runs for it to help Solo get out of here, and Kevin takes the chair off Elias’ head.
Solo wants to get back at Kevin but Kevin has the chair! Sami brings Solo away and says not now. When and where will Kevin get his hands on the rest of the Bloodline? Elias thanks Kevin, but then Kevin gives Elias a STUNNER! That’s for the whole Zeke thing! Kevin isn’t fighting for anyone else but himself, so how long will he #JustKeepFighting?
Tribute to the Troops hits its 20th anniversary!
John Cena narrates as footage plays of the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida back in 2003. WWE superstars and staff volunteered time to entertain those who risk it all to defend America’s freedoms. And no one then expected this was just the first step of a 20 year journey. Tensions were high as they were headed into a warzone. Final destination: Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq. Vince McMahan said on behalf of the WWE and the United States, “Thank you.” It was bringing a piece of home to those so far from home. And 20 years later, it is a tradition like no other.
From Baghdad to the US, the WWE will go to thank the troops who serve and remain steadfast. It is a debt that can never be fully repaid, but as we celebrate 20 years of Tribute to the Troops, we have one message: Thank you for protecting the freedoms of the United States of America.
Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Asuka!
The Judgment Day’s Eradicator got hit with blue mist at WarGames, and though she lost the Triple Threat that following Monday, she still got some semblance of revenge after that match. But now the Empress of Tomorrow looks for payback for that payback! Will Rhea not be ready for Asuka? Or will the eradication be complete tonight?
Raw returns as Rhea makes her entrance, Dom by her side. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Rhea shoves Asuka down but Asuka’s right back with KICK after KICK! Asuka gets a leg, Rhea stays up and facelocks in return. Asuka switches around to a facelock but Rhea elbows free. Asuka dropkicks Rhea, fires off in the corner, and CLUBS away! Rhea shoves Asuka but Asuka catches an arm! Rhea shoves free, tries again, but Asuka catches that arm! Rhea ROCKS Asuka, then storms up on her in the corner, but Asuka bumps Rhea off buckles. Asuka goes again but Rhea blocks the bump to give the bump!
Rhea scowls but Asuka SOBATS! Asuka runs, but Rhea holds off the armbar takedown! Rhea SLAMS Asuka down, stomps her around, and kicks her for good measure. Dom soaks up the heat for Rhea and then cheers her on. Rhea talks trash on Asuka as she dribbles Asuka off the mat. The ref says to watch the hair pulling but Rhea tells him to shut up. Rhea stands Asuka up but Asuka throws more hands. Rhea knees low, then drags Asuka up to TOSS her! Rhea tells the booing fans to shut up, too, then she drags Asuka up. Asuka hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! Rhea flails, stands up, stacks to a cover, ONE as Rhea deadlifts!
But Asuka hits another takedown! Rhea reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Asuka lets go, runs in but Rhea avoids the shoulder to KNEE Asuka back. Rhea drags Asuka to the apron, but Asuka fights the suplex. Asuka blocks the kick, puts that leg in the ropes, and fires off forearms! Asuka ROCKS Rhea, to then HIP ATTACK her into the post! Rhea staggers, into an APRON CODE BREAKER! Rhea falls to the floor and Dom panics while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Rhea stands tall over Asuka now. Rhea sits Asuka up to KICK her in the back. Rhea then runs but Asuka avoids the dropkick! Asuka KICKS and KICKS but Rhea ducks the buzzsaw to BOOT Asuka down! Dom applauds Rhea and she stomps Asuka down. Asuka snarls and fans rally as Rhea clamps on with a waistlock. Rhea drags Asuka around in a rear bearhug but fans rally up for Asuka. Asuka fights up to throw elbows! Rhea ducks and RAMS Asuka into a corner, then hauls her back up for a front bearhug! Asuka endures the squeeze, throws elbows of her own, but Rhea throws Asuka. Asuka sunset flips but Rhea rolls through to BOOT her down!
Rhea drags Asuka up and reels her in, double pump handles, and flips Asuka up into a HUGE suplex, but Asuka cradle counters! TWO!! Rhea ROCKS Asuka, Asuka comes back with an elbow! Rhea ROCKS Asuka again, Asuka elbows then SOBATS! And ROUNDHOUSES! Rhea goes down, Asuka storms up, but Rhea CAPOERIA KICK! Fans fire up as both women are down but Dom gets nervous. Dom coaches Rhea up, Asuka and Rhea stand, and Asuka dodges the haymaker to fire off KICK after KICK! Rhea blocks one but Asuka ducks the haymaker to URAKEN, URAKEN, SOBAT and KICK!
Rhea ducks the uraken but not the HEEL KCIK! Cover, TWO!! Asuka roars as Rhea survives, she KICKS! Rhea grins but Asuka SLAPS her! Rhea is pissed now, so Asuka BUZZSAWS her! And SLIDING KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally and Dom panics again. Rhea gets to the apron, Asuka runs in to HIP ATTACK! Rhea falls to the floor and Dom hurries to mami’s side. Asuka goes out after Rhea, but Dom stands in the way. Dom tells Asuka that if she wants after Rhea, she has to go through him. Okay. She kicks at Dom! Dom runs away but Rhea RAMS Asuka into the apron! Rhea puts Asuka in the ring while fans boo.
Rhea makes sure Dom is okay, Dom says to go finish Asuka. Rhea hurries into the ring, but Asuka kicks! Rhea ducks, pump handles, RIP- NO, Asuka slips out to the ASUKA LOCK!! Fans fire up as Asuka drags Rhea down! Rhea flails, reaches out, Dom grabs a foot to put it on the ropes! Fans boo again as Dom points out the ropebreak! The ref counts, Asuka lets Rhea go, and then Asuka glares at Dom. Dom says the Judgment Day runs this! BLUE MIST!! Dom gets a face full! But then Rhea shoves Asuka into Dom! RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea wins!!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
Rhea wins by using Dom as a pawn! Rhea is upset at Dom for getting that close, and she wants water to wash Dom’s face. Did Dom get what he deserves for helping mami? Will Asuka ever get back up after getting screwed over again?
The Judgment Day regroups at the trainer’s room.
Dom says the mist burns his eyes, but Finn tells Dom it’s alright. The trainer brings eye drops but Rhea is pacing. Dom does his best to open his eyes for the drops, but he asks if this trainer even has his license. Finn tells Dom to go to his happy place. Priest says it could be worse. Something else could be burning. Rhea slaps Priest on the shoulder and tells him not to joke right now. Sorry. Priest tells Dom he’s tough, he can take this. The drops don’t seem to work all that well, will Dom need something stronger for that burning sensation?
Dolph Ziggler speaks.
“The United States Championship. It’s not just a championship. It’s not just the workhorse title of Monday Night Raw. It means more than that. That’s why two of the best in the business right now, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, those two are gonna go to war tonight for a chance, an opportunity, at the United States Championship. That’s what that title means. Not just to me, not just to everyone in the back, everyone out there. That’s what that title means.
“Austin Theory. You’re the United States Champion. On paper. You’ve done it all! You’ve come a long way in a short amount of time, but you walk around with this chip on your shoulder. Like if someone calls you ‘kid,’ you’re gonna snap and take it out in the moment. That’s not what a champion does. That’s not how a champion lives. At any given moment, you need to be able to put that title over your shoulder and put this show on your back. You don’t know what that’s like yet. That cocky arrogance of not being able to be knocked off your pedestal. That will be your downfall. That is why you are not a deserve United States Champion.
“Watch your back, kid.” The Show-Off warns The Now of WWE, but will Theory be more concerned with who is next? And speaking of…
WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Seth Rollins VS Bobby Lashley!
The Visionary and the All Mighty have gone around a few times already in regards to the US Championship. But after Theory got a little lucky at Survivor Series, these two must now fight to be Theory’s challenger! Will Rollins #BurnItDown in Milwaukee? Or will the Rocky Mountain Machine keep his mind clear and eyes focused on the mission?
Raw returns as Rollins makes his entrance. The fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” even before the bell. The bell rings, Rollins enjoys the singing but Lashley CLOBBERS him! Lashley brings Rollins up to bump off buckles and fire off haymakers! The ref counts, Lashley stomps but lets off at 4. Fans rally for Rollins and he fires forearms back! Rollins runs but Lashley runs him over! Rollins staggers up but Lashley clotheslines him out! Rollins stagger sup, Lashley storms out after him and RAMS him into barriers! Fans rally, Lashley hauls Rollins up to a fireman’s carry, but Rollins fights free to POST Lashley first!
Rollins climbs to the apron, gets some space, and he leaps to FLYING KNEE Lashley down! Milwaukee fires up and sings, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~” as Rollins brings Lashley up. Rollins puts Lashley in, taunts him, and says, “I told you Lesnar was stronger than you.” Rollins kicks, underhooks, but Lashley back drops Rollins out of the ring! Lashley then goes out after Rollins while Theory is seen watching backstage. Lashley SMACKS Rollins off the steel steps, and he drags Rollins up again. Lashley SMACKS Rollins off the steps again, then again! Theory smirks as Lashley pulls the steel steps apart! Lashley aims at Rollins, but the ref tells him no!
Lashley drops the steps, but Rollins comes back! Lashley TOSSES Rollins into the crowd! Fans fire up as Lashley pursues and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Lashley has Rollins in a corner. Lashley RAMS into Rollins, brings him out and puts him in another corner to RAM him again and again. Then Lashley hits a NECKBREAKER! Lashley drags Rollins up, suplexes, and fans fire up as he hold Rollins up! Lashley SLAMS Rollins down after ten, then covers, TWO! Lashley drags Rollins back up, puts him back in a corner and then puts him up top. Fans rally, Lashley ROCKS Rollins, and then Lashley climbs up. Lashley stands Rollins up but Rollins throws body shots. Rollins BITES Lashley’s forehead! The ref reprimands but Rollins shoves Lashley away!
Rollins CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Lashley swings, misses, and Rollins PELES! Both men are down and fans fire up again. Lashley and Rollins slowly stand up and fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Lashley runs in but Rollins dumps him out! Rollins builds speed to DIV! Direct hit and Lashley is sent into barriers! But Rollins keeps moving, he DIVES again! Another hit into the barriers! Rollins keeps moving, but he has to dodge Lashley! SUPERKICK! Rollins suplexes Lashley but Lashley blocks! Lashley suplexes but Rollins knees free! Rollins suplexes for the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!
Both men are down again and fans rally back up. Rollins sits up first as the fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Lashley bails out but Rollins keeps his eyes on him. Rollins goes out the side, runs in around the way, but Lashley fireman’s carries! Lashley POSTS Rollins! Fans fire up as Lashley drags Rollins back into the ring. Lashley aims at Rollins, runs in at the corner, but Rollins jumps! Lashley hits buckles, Rollins rolls him up, TWO! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Lashley survives but Rollins hurries up top! Fans fire up for the FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives and Rollins is beside himself!
Fans rally up again as Rollins aims from a corner. Rollins runs in, CURB- NO, Lashley just braces himself to stay up! Lashley scoops Rollins, for a POWERSLAM! Rollins staggers, into the HURT LOCK!! Rollins flails, pushes Lashley back, the ref falls out of the ring as he gets out of the way! Lashley lets Rollins go, and he SPEARS Rollins down! The ref hurries in to count the cover, TWO!!! The delay may have just saved Rollins! Lashley is furious but the ref explains about the bad leg! Lashley just aims again, Rollins stands up, and Lashley runs in! SPEAR becomes PEDIGREE!! Cover, Rollins wins!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE United States Champion)
Lashley gets up and is furious with the ref all over again! He doesn’t let the ref leave, another erf runs in, but Lashley DECKS him! Lashley’s temper gets the better of him and Pearce runs out to get in Lashley’s face about it. Didn’t they talk about this last week? Lashley says he made a mistake, but Pearce says his hands are tied now. But then Lashley SHOVES Pearce aside!! Pearce is furious now, he says some things that get censored, and he says LASHLEY IS FIRED?!?! Fans sing, “Nana na na, hey hey hey! Good-bye~!” The All Mighty, gone from the WWE? What is he to do now?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, with a lot of great story progression. Great #1 contenders matches that made for good bookends of the night. Bliss VS Bayley was great stuff, and I like that Becky came out after Dakota & Iyo to run them off. I’m a little surprised we didn’t get more from Becky after, but that was a good bit after what we saw last week. Bliss winning was of course the right call, we’ve had plenty of Bianca VS Bayley already. And also, great teaser from White Rabbit and Alexa almost using Sister Abigail on Bianca. This is great stuff, and it will add a lot to the title build. And I think in the title match, that is the moment Alexa goes full Twisted Bliss and maybe even wins the belt.
The US Championship contender’s match in the main event was a great stuff, especially with Rollins playing such a good Tweener. Rollins winning makes sense with the interactions of him and Theory. Ziggler had a good promo to call out Theory, it makes me think Ziggler tries to screw Theory over and that screws Rollins instead. Lashley losing his cool and knocking out a ref follows the story, but I was surprised he shoved Pearce. And then Pearce firing Lashley, I wonder if this brings Triple H back on screen as an authority figure to try and figure this out. There’s no way they can (kayfabe) let Lashley go when he’s a top star.
Good promo from the Alpha Academy and The OC. Nice mention that Karl Anderson is in Japan, so he must be getting in on the Road to Tokyo Dome events leading to NJPW WrestleKingdom 17. Anyway, great match from Styles VS Gable, and seriously, that was another awesome way to get to the Styles Clash. The OC hasn’t quite found their next feud but they’re having fun giving us these great matches just for fun. The Judgment Day is getting their feud going with The Street Profits, and we got a great match out of them and Tozawa. Tozawa is looking great, even though he’s the one taking the losses. I hope they can keep this going until Bianca can join in.
Really fun stuff from Lumis, Gargano and Candice, such as the promo about how to use the money. I like that they gave fans free stuff, but I feel like it’s tricky because quite a few fans miss out. Miz showing up to try and steal his money back was good stuff, but then the promo started to drag down as Miz tried to come up with excuses about Maryse controlling his money. But a ladder match is going to be awesome stuff for Miz and Lumis. And since it’s kayfabe money, I would love if Miz lost again. Miz should face his own little crisis like Baron Corbin did as “Bum Ass Corbin,” because I swear this has to somehow bring Maryse into it so Indi Hartwell can show up on Raw already.
Candice VS Sky was a very good match but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why fans just don’t get that excited. Sky winning made sense, though, so that she and Kai have some momentum going into this Friday’s tag title match. Kai & Sky VS Liv & Nox is going to be really good stuff, but I would think DMG CTRL retains. Rhea VS Asuka was great stuff and the fans got excited for that, maybe it’s the names involved. Well, it was probably cuz they got to boo Dom. Dom getting hit with the mist and playing it up in that promo right after was great, but he really should’ve been upset that Rhea shoved Asuka into him so she could win. Hard to say what Asuka does next. Heel turn? New partner? Some kind of character reset?
Great stuff from Elias, Kevin and the Bloodline. Kevin Owens is a genius for using continuity and natural human behavior in how he dealt with Elias. Elias VS Solo was a great match, but of course Solo wins. And of course Kevin runs Solo and Sami off, to then also hit Elias for what happened during the Ezekiel saga. Kevin will continue to get involved with anything Bloodline related until Sami comes around to see things his way. Also in the case of Matt Riddle, we all know that neck injury wasn’t legit but don’t expect him to “defy” that return timeline. Word has it he’s really going into rehab for a drug test failure, so let’s hope and pray he makes it through that and comes back soon.
My Score: 8.6/10
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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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Hockey Talk- 2024 NHL Playoff Preview [042224]
Hockey Talk previews the 2024 NHL Playoffs and discuss the stunning news that the Arizona Coyotes are moving to Salt...
Hockey Talk- Metro Mayhem [040924]
Hockey Talk looks at an absolutely wild playoff situation taking shape in the Eastern Conference while, out West, the battle...
The Pick N Roll: Sweet Sixteen
Join Patrick O'Dowd and PC Tunney as they breakdown the sweet sixteen of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
Hockey Talk- Reverse Psychology [032624]
Hockey Talk looks at the resurgent St. Louis Blues & Washington Capitals. Plus, the Rangers stay hot, and can anyone...
Down the Wire: Filling Out Our Brackets and Drafting Draft Busts
Join the Brothers Wortz as they cover professional sports in unprofessional ways!
Bandwagon Nerds #232: Superhero Madness- A Top Seed Falls
Superhero Madness continues and sees the first #1 seed fall!. Plus, a trailer for a new Transformers movie, and a...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (4/20/24)
HPW looks to the horizon.
Bandwagon Nerds #231: Disney News & Superhero Madness
Round two of Superhero Madness begins this week. Cinema Con gives us plenty of Disney news and a trip to...
Bandwagon Nerds #230: Superhero Madness- Resident Aliens
Superhero Madness continues with first round battles in the Aliens bracket, plus Invincible Season 2 comes to an excellent conclusion.
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (4/1/24)
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!
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Coverage4 days agoMitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/23/24)
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Classic Survivor Series7 days agoAttitude Of Aggression #289- The Big Four Project: Survivor Series ’92