Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/2/23)
2023 is Raw!
The first Raw of the year is golden!
After reviewing the Absolute Best of 2022, Raw starts with what could be the absolute best of 2023! TWO huge title matches kick off the New Year with gold!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Alexa Bliss; Bianca wins by disqualification and retains the title.
- Music City Street Fight: Elias VS Solo Sikoa; Solo wins.
- Six Man Tag: Sami Zayn & The Usos VS Kevin Owens & The Street Profits; Sami & The Usos win.
- Dexter Lumis VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Lumis wins.
- Becky Lynch & Mia Yim VS Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky w/ Bayley; Kai & Sky win.
- WWE United States Championship: Austin Theory VS Seth Rollins; Theory wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Bloodline is disrupting Raw!
Solo Sikoa TOSSES security aside while Sami Zayn & The Usos tear apart commentary! Solo then TOSSES the security guard into the crowd! Jimmy wants us to check it out! The Bloodline is in the building and they’re taking over Monday Night Raw! Last year, this year, it’s all the same! Then they tip the commentary desk over! Sami says this is a message to everyone in the back! The Bloodline runs the show! UNDERSTAND?! But here comes KEVIN OWENS! Fans fire up as The Prizefighter shows up, with a mic in hand. Sami shouts at him first, “Hey! Hey! I see you got your little microphone there, Kev. Don’t open your mouth, and don’t say a word. Listen very carefully.
“Because in case you can’t tell, we’re not in a very good mood tonight. In case you can’t tell, tonight is a hostile takeover of Monday Night Raw by the Bloodline!” Kevin says, “Is that right?” Sami says they’re taking over by any means necessary. People are going to get hurt, and it is all because of Kevin! Kevin says, “Because of me?” Fans chant “UCEY! UCEY!” but Kevin says, “I could swear I Had something to say when I came out here, that’s why I’ve got the microphone. But just now, after hearing you, all I really wanna do is come punch you in the face, so…” Kevin heads to the ring!
But Adam Pearce is shouting no! He stops Kevin and says The Bloodline is NOT the authority here, PEARCE is! And he’s let them get away with stuff for far too long, and that goes for Roman, too! They’re not doing this tonight or at all in the New Year! The Bloodline are going to leave and they will do it peacefully. Security, please escort The Bloodline from the ring and from the building. The guards rush in but Solo CLOBBERS each and every one of them! The Enforcer and his brothers dare them to try again, so KEVIN rushes in! He fights 4v1, Pearce shouts for reinforcements! And out comes the Raw roster!!
Shelton Benjamin, the Good Brothers, the Profits, you name it, they’re here, turning the tide back on the Bloodline! The Bloodline bails out and retreats! But Pearce says now they’re not getting out of this that easy! In fact, they’re not getting out at all! Bloodline wants to come to work? Then they’ll be put to work! Get your gear, because each and every one of you are in a match tonight! And that is official! Fans are fired up, Sami says what happens now is on Pearce’s hands! But just what happens now that Sami, the Usos and Solo must face the wrath of the Raw roster?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair.
Byron Saxton is with the RawEST Women’s Champion, and says that after falling victim to Alexa Bliss two weeks ago, how has this shift in Alexa’s behavior changed their relationship? Bianca says, “With all due respect, Byron, I am no victim.” And she’s done talking to or about Alexa. Their friendship is far beyond repair. Alexa can blame Bray Wyatt all she wants, but we all know Alexa is her own person. She can do what she wants when she wants and no one else can convince her otherwise. So, Alexa wanted the match, and Bianca wants to prove why the title belongs with the EST. Bianca heads out, but will she be ready for whatever twisted thing is lurking in Alexa’s mind?
The Raw roster is riled up!
Adam Pearce tells everyone to calm down! Montez Ford says if Pearce is booking matches, that better include The Profits! Kevin Owens says the Bloodline wants him, so he wants in, too. Pearce understands that everyone wants a piece, but there are only four of them so not everyone gets a shot. Elias says he doesn’t care about any of that. Not Sami, the Usos, just SOLO! That animal smashed Elias with a guitar and tried to end his career! He wants a match with Solo 1v1! He demands it! No, not a match! A FIGHT! Then if no one objects, Pearce will give Elias that. They’re in Nashville, so Elias VS Solo is a Music City Street Fight!
And as for the rest, he thinks Six Man Tag: Sami & Usos VS The Profits & KO! Ford & Dawkins say that’s easy money. Pearce says for everyone else, this is a new year. It is time that we start acting like it. Thank you very much, gentlemen. The roster relaxes, and they hope the Bloodline gets what they deserve. Will the Bloodline face the consequences of their actions here tonight?
Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Alexa Bliss!
They were united against Damage CTRL, but ambition and success always divides. Will the EST keep on the road to WrestleMania this year? Or will we see Lil’ Miss Bliss become the newest Raw Women’s Champion?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see just how twisted the new year can be!
The bell rings and the two stare down. They approach and Bianca DECKS Alexa! Bianca eggs Alexa on, Alexa rushes in, but Bianca holds her back with one hand! Bianca then DECKS Alexa again! Alexa kicks back, into a kick and a HEADBUTT! Alexa staggers, Bianca has her dukes up. Alexa glares at Bianca, they tie up and Alexa swings! Bianca narrowly avoids it, Alexa avoids the kick, and she SHOTGUNS Bianca out of the ring! Alexa runs, but Bianca catches the wrecking ball dropkick! Bianca brings Alexa up, Alexa fights, but the rana is blocked! Bianca SWINGS Alexa into the barriers! Nashville fires up with Tennessee’s own, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Alexa fires forearms on Bianca! Alexa ROCKS Bianca, runs, but gets run over! Fans fire up while Bianca snarls. Bianca looms over Alexa, brings her up, but Alexa shoves her away. Alexa then slides under, but Bianca handsprings over! Bianca wags her finger, then dares Alexa to bring it. Alexa laughs that off, but tries to run away. Bianca gets her by her hair, but Alexa breaks free to crucifix. Bianca fights and swings Alexa around, but Alexa arm-drags! But Bianca handsprings through that, then goes to the corner to say kiss this! Fans fire up while Alexa sighs. Alexa runs in but Bianca goes up and over to dropkick her down!
Bianca kips up, fans fire up, and Bianca waits on Alexa. Alexa stands, Bianca runs in, but Alexa sends her into the POST! Alexa smiles and there are Bliss fans here. They cheer as she bows and says she’s smarter than Bianca. Alexa stomps away on Bianca in the corner, lets off at 4, and then gives Bianca space. Bianca crawls along the ropes but Alexa steps on Bianca. Alexa stomps Bianca down, then gives her skateboard stomps! The ref counts, Alexa lets off at 4 to cover, TWO! The toughEST isn’t going to be stopped by that, but Alexa brings Bianca up. But Bianca blocks the suplex to suplex Alexa! Alexa throws knees, but Bianca keeps her up!
Bianca gets Alexa back up, but Alexa slips out to use the hair to bring Bianca into a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Alexa is frustrated, but she storms up on Bianca to bring her up. Fans rally, Alexa bumps Bianca off buckles then digs her boot in. The ref counts, Bianca pushes the foot away at 4, but Alexa stalks Bianca at the ropes. Alexa brings Bianca up but Bianca throws body shots. Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS and KNEES Bianca, then SHOTGUNS her down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while Bianca checks her cheek. Alexa brings Bianca up, but Bianca blocks the DDT! Bianca pops Alexa up into a suplex! And then SLAM!
Fans fire up while both women are down! Bianca grits her teeth and drags Alexa up. Alexa SLAPS Bianca again! Bianca fires off furious fists! She’s the angriEST she’s been, and she bumps Alexa off buckles! And off more buckles! And more buckles! Bianca hits all four corners! Alexa wobbles, Bianca scoops her, and SLAMS her! Bianca scoops and SLAMS again! And then again! Alexa flounders so Bianca stomps Alexa down, then handsprings to MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Alexa survives and Bianca is annoyed. Bianca drags Alexa up, scoops her again, but Alexa slips off! Bianca rushes in but Alexa dumps Bianca out to the apron!
Alexa kicks Bianca off the apron, goes to the apron, and she CANNONBALLS! Direct hit, both women are down, and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Bianca RAMS Alexa into a corner! Bianca RAMS into Alexa more and more, lets off to snapmare, but Alexa gets around to a waistlock. Bianca swings, Alexa ducks to shove and SHOTGUN! Bianca hits buckles and falls, Alexa covers, ONE!! Alexa clamps on with a chinlock! Alexa squeezes tight but Bianca endures. Fans rally up, Bianca fights up and throws body shots, but Alexa throws Bianca by her hair! The ref reprimands, but Alexa drops knees! Insult2- NO, Bianca avoids Injury for the ghost pin! TWO, and Alexa has a cover, TWO! Alexa hooks an arm, but Bianca uses that to lift Alexa!
Bianca has the torture rack, but Alexa fires off elbows! Alexa is free, tilt-o-whirls around, IRON- NO, Bianca powers out of the octopus for a BACKBREAKER! That’s the power of the strongEST! Alexa goes to a corner, Bianca is right on her! Bianca rains down fists! Fans count all the way to TEN! Bianca hits 12, but Alexa slips free! Alexa YANKS Bianca down by her braid!! Bianca tumbles to the floor, fans are torn, but Alexa stalks Bianca to the barriers. Someone’s wearing an Uncle Howdy Mask?! Alexa locks eyes with that man and seems scared of it. Alexa hurries after Bianca, puts her in the ring, and hurries up the corner.
Alexa reaches the top, but then there’s ANOTHER man in an Uncle Howdy Mask?! She’s scared again, but then the White Rabbit symbol flashes on the tron! Alexa tries to resist the power it has over her but she seems to be losing control! SHE CLOBBERS THE REF!!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by disqualification (still Raw Women’s Champion)
Fans are losing their minds as Alexa rains down fists on the ref! Then Alexa CLOBBERS Bianca! She rains down fists, throws Bianca out of the ring, POSTS her, then RAMS her into the barriers! And then into another POST! Alexa RAMS Bianca into the apron, RAMS her into the steel steps, then drags Bianca onto them. DDT to the steel steps!! Bianca flops off the steel with a bloody mouth! Alexa is no longer concerned about the title, she drags Bianca up for ANOTHER DDT to the steel steps!! Fans boo while Alexa leaves Bianca down on the ground. Medics rush out to check Bianca, has Alexa taken the title from her one way or another?
Backstage interview with Austin Theory.
Cathy Kelley asks how confident he feels going into the huge title defense against Seth Rollins. Theory says it is at an all time high! This is the new year, so new year, new him. NOT. Theory made 2022 his year, and he’ll do the same with 2023. Theory brings up how he got under Rollins’ skin at the end, and then when Rollins wanted a fight with The Bloodline, Theory waited until Rollins least expected it, and he dropped Rollins! Guess that clarifies that Seth Freakin’ Rollins is the past, and Theory is the Now.
But not only does Theory hold the title, and all the cards. Theory is outplaying Rollins every turn! That means the forever reign is just beginning! Not too bad for a kid. But will Theory still have the upper hand? Or will he bust when taking on The Visionary?
Ladies and gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter is in the ring and introduces himself before strumming the guitar. Nashville appreciates his country stylings and Elias shouts out Music City. “Tonight, I’ve got a Music City Street Fight, and I plan on smashing this guitar over Solo Sikoa’s face. But tonight, he is gonna find out what Hardy knows, what you know and what Nashville knows. And that is that WWE stands for…” “WALK WITH ELIAS!” Elias says you better believe he’s come prepared with a song to get us in the mood. But then Solo’s theme song interrupts! Elias is frustrated, but the Street Champion of the Island is never in a good mood! Who will be singing the blues after being beat black ‘n’ blue?
Music City Street Fight: Elias VS Solo Sikoa!
The bell rings and Elias storms up to Solo. They tie up, Solo shoves Elias away, but Elias comes back. Elias headlocks, Solo powers out, but Elias RAMS shoulders with him. Neither man falls, so Elias grabs the headlock again. Solo powers Elias to a corner, digs his shoulder in then RAMS Elias! Solo ROCKS Elias with that uppercut! Solo throws body shots and headbutts! Solo CHOKES Elias because he can now! Fans are torn but Solo soaks up the cheers and jeers. Elias CHOPS back! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Elias whips, Solo reverses but Elias turns hip toss into- NO, Solo CLOBBERS Elias out of the hip toss!
Solo has Elias on the ropes, throws hands, then paces around. Elias stands up, Solo runs in but Elias dumps him out! Elias runs, but Solo avoids the dropkick to ROCK Elias again! Fans rally up but Solo brings Elias around. Solo bumps Elias off the apron, then ROCKS him with a haymaker. Solo says this needs more cowbell! But Elias throws a body shot! Elias CLUBS Solo, then he CLONKS Solo with the cowbell! Elias POSTS Solo, ROCKS him with a forearm, then CHOPS again! Solo snarls, Elias grabs the guitar! Solo ducks, the Smash Hit hits the post! Solo ROCKS Elias back, then shouts, “What the hell is wrong with you!?”
Solo whips but Elias reverses, Solo goes through the DRUMSET! Elias grabs the cymbal, and CRASHES Solo into the timekeeper’s area! Fans fire up with Elias as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and they’re fighting up the ramp. Elias SMACKS Solo with a guitar case! Solo stumbles to the stage, and Elias whips him, but Solo reverses! Elias hits the amp! Solo gets the mic, mic check on Elias’ forehead! And again! SUPERKICK! Elias flops over and Solo fires up! Solo drags Elias up to throw him through a DRUMSET! Solo moves things aside, grabs a drum stand, and he JAMS Elias in the ribs! Elias staggers back down the ramp but Solo JAMS him again! Solo admires the stand as he stalks Elias. Solo JAMS Elias again, HEADBUTTS him back to the ring, and they get inside. Solo stalks Elias while fans cheer and jeer.
Elias grabs a keyboard and JAMS Solo! Elias whips, Solo reverses, and Elias hits the buckles hard! Elias staggers into a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Elias is still in this but Solo picks up the keyboard. Solo plays chopsticks then drops the board. Solo tosses Elias out of the ring, goes out after him, and they go around the way. Elias grabs a tambourine to SMACK Solo! Elias puts Solo back in the ring, ROCKS him with haymakers, and Solo is a bit busted open. Elias SMACKS Solo with the keyboard! And then again!! Solo writhes and Elias pushes him to a cover, TWO!! Elias has a bloody scratch on his arm but he doesn’t let that stop him form clamping on a chinlock.
Solo endures, fans rally up, and Solo fights up to throw body shots. Solo clinches to BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up as Solo watches Elias crawl to a corner. Solo fires off haymakers, then gets some space. Solo runs in, but Elias dodges! The splash hits buckles and corner! TAMBOURINE SMASH! And again! Elias CHOPS, ROCKS, CHOPS, repeat! Fans fire up, Elias whips corner to corner then runs in to STINGER SPLASH! Elias keeps moving, STINGER SPLASH again! Elias runs, dodges the lariat to SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up with the Drifter and he has the tambourine again! SMASH! SMACK! SMASH! The tambourine breaks!
Elias clotheslines Solo out of the ring! He brings the keyboard with him, to SMASH it on Solo’s back! Elias looks at what he has left, and Hardy offers his guitar! Elias thanks the country megastar, then goes back to Solo in the ring. SMASH- SUPERKICK!! Solo interrupts the guitar solo to rain down fists on Elias! Hardy says it ain’t going down like that! He gets in the ring, he has the guitar, and Nashville fires up! Solo turns around, into a SMASH HIT from Hardy!! But he doesn’t fall!?! Hardy done messed up! Hardy runs for it, but then Solo turns around into a SYMPHO-KNEE!! Elias grabs the scraps of that guitar and climbs up top!
FLYING SMASH- SAMOAN SPIKE!!! Elias sputters while Solo roars! Solo drags Elias to the piano! SPINNING SOLO through the piano!!! Cover, Solo wins!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
The Street Champion of the Island stands tall, and he scares Hardy off. Will someone be playing Taps for Elias after this one?
Six Man Tag: Sami Zayn & The Usos VS Kevin Owens & The Street Profits!
The Honorary Uce lost alongside The Tribal Chief to end 2022, but now he and the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions look to start 2023 on the right foot. Will the Bloodline sweep the night even after incurring the wrath of Raw? Or will KO, Ford & Dawkins be the ones that send the Bloodline packing back to SmackDown?
The teams sort out and nevermind, it’s a brawl! The ref tries to get this to calm down, but the Profits toss the Usos and Kevin tosses out Sami! The brawl continues outside, Kevin CHOPS Sami and shouts, “You don’t think I know your tricks?!” Dawkins puts Jimmy back in and now the match begins! Dawkins fires off fast hands in the corner, lets off as the ref counts, and Dawkins whips Jimmy to ropes. Jimmy runs Dawkins over, things keep moving, and Dawkins hurdles! Dawkins hurdles, again, then FLYING ELBOWS Jimmy down! Jimmy flounders to a corner, Dawkins throws off his jersey to CYCLONE SPLASH and ENZIGURI! Jimmy falls, Dawkins covers, TWO!
Dawkins drags Jimmy up, tags Ford, and fans fire up as the Profits whip and dropkick Jimmy down! Ford stares Sami down, mocks the Bloodline’s “we the ones” finger, and he kicks Jimmy back tot he corner. Tag to Dawkins, the Profits mug Jimmy and whip him to ropes. Jimmy reverses, Dawkins holds ropes to BOOT back !Jimmy distracts the ref so Jey can ENZIGURI Dawkins down! Jimmy tags Jey, Jey drags Dawkins up and ROCKS him with haymakers! Jey stomps Dawkins to the corner, lets off as the ref counts, and Jey eggs everyone on, even the fans. Jey drags Dawkins over, tags Sami, and they mug Dawkins.
Sami stomps Dawkins around, brings him up for haymakers, then he brings Dawkins back. Tag to Jimmy as fans chant “SAMI USO!” Jimmy & Sami mug Dawkins, then Jimmy tags Jey. The Usos drag Dawkins around, then they split the wishbone! Sami mocks Dawkins’ pain, Jey covers, TWO! Jey snarls, he drags Dawkins up and talks trash, but Dawkins ROCKS Jey with a right! Both men are down, Dawkins hot tags Kevin! Kevin rallies on Jey with clotheslines and haymakers! Kevin whips Jey to ropes then CLOBBERS him! SENTON! Kevin BLASTS Jimmy, then tells Sami to “SUCK IT!” Kevin goes back to Jey and says Sami Uso is more like Sami Bitch!
Kevin brings Jimmy over but Ford is checking on Dawkins. Jey uses that opening to RAM Kevin into an open corner! Jey ROCKS Kevin with an uppercut, then he tags Jimmy. They mug Kevin in the Bloodline corner, then Sami tags in. Sami and Jimmy stomp away on Kevin now, then raise the fingers. Ford is still distracted as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kevin fires haymakers on Jimmy! Jimmy ROCKS Kevin with an uppercut! Jimmy drags Kevin over, tags in Jey, and Jey stomps Kevin down. Sami says that’s what Kevin gets. Jey taunts Kevin as he rises, and Kevin ROCKS Jey with rights! Jey ROCKS Kevin back! Kevin sits back in a daze as Jey raises the finger. Kevin crawls to ropes, but Jey SUPERKICKS Dawkins! Ford loses focus again but Kevin SUPERKICKS Jey down! Fans rally up, Kevin and Jey crawl, hot tags to Sami and Ford! Sami rushes in, Ford ROCKS him! Jimmy runs in, into a GAMANGIRI! Ford goes up, CROSSBODY on both of them!
Fans fire up with Ford and he clotheslines Sami in the corner! Ford ducks ‘n’ dodges Sami to hit a BIG back suplex! Kip up and STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Sami escapes but Ford stomps him back down. Ford goes to the corner, climbs up top, but Sami ROCKS him first! Sami climbs up after Ford, but Ford holds off the superplex! Ford pries free to ROCK Sami! And again! Sami falls down, Ford resets! FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, Jey breaks it in time!! Dawkins slides in to ROCK Jey, then toss him out! Dawkins goes out after Jey, runs in, and he POUNCES Jey into the barriers! Jimmy rushes Ford but is sent back out!
Ford mule kicks Sami, throws him out next to Jimmy, and he builds speed! FORD FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! But Solo’s back?! The Enforcer SAMOAN SPIKES Dawkins! But Kevin attacks Solo! Fans fire up but Jey SUPERKICKS Kevin!! Kevin flops against barriers, Ford drags Sami up and in, but Jimmy distracts! Ford DECKS Jimmy, but Sami hits a HELLUVA KICK!! Cover, The Bloodline wins!!
Winners: Sami Zayn & The Usos, by pinfall
The Enforcer was an insurance policy, and he helps his brothers win! And now the Usos & Sami mug Kevin! Fans boo as they throw down fists and stomp away. Solo fetches a chair! Solo gives the chair to Sami, but here come the BRAWLING BRUTES! Drew McIntyre 7 Sheamus are here, having followed the Bloodline from SmackDown! They mug Solo then RAM him into barriers! Then they brawl with The Usos! The Undisputed Tag Title match is happening this Friday, Sheamus KNEES Jey! McIntyre HEADBUTTS Jimmy! McIntyre clotheslines Jimmy out to join Jey, and fans fire up for the Celtic Connection!
McIntyre & Sheamus help Kevin up while Sami has the Usos & Solo retreat. Will there be any stopping McIntyre & Sheamus from taking those titles from Jimmy & Jey? Or will the Usos still be the ones in the new year?
AJ Styles has a tweet update.
After a nasty spill at a house show, Styles lets everyone know that he just has a broken ankle. It won’t need surgery, just recovery time, but this will be the longest he’s been away from the ring. He also thanks fans for the prayers and well wishes. We all certainly hope Styles gets well soon, will he make it back in time for the Royal Rumble? Or will he just have to wait for WrestleMania?
Dexter Lumis VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!
The Tortured Artist was screwed out of two big bags of cash by The Miz and big bad Bronson Reed. Will Lumis learn how to deal with a big mouth and a big sidekick by taking on “Master” Gable? Or will even Lumis be told to “SHOOSH~” tonight?
The bell rings and Lumis rushes Gable! Gable runs away, they go around the ring, Gable gets around and waistlocks. But Lumis runs to throw Gable out, then he slithers out! Gable can’t even right now, so Otis stands in Lumis’ way. Gable slides into the ring but Lumis slithers in after Gable! They stare down, Gable swings on Lumis but Lumis dodges! THESZ PRESS! Lumsi fires off fast hands, then runs to drop an ax handle! And another! And another! Otis is furious but Lumis slithers up to him! The tree trunk is scared of Lumis, too! Lumis whips, Gable reverses and FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Lumis!
Gable CLOBBERS Lumis, Otis says he’s not that scary. Gable CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Gable whips Lumis to the ropes, kitchen sink knees, and says “A THANK YEW~!” Lumis sits up but Gable hooks an arm to hit an elbow breaker! And another! Gable SLAMS the arm down, then clamps on a top wristlock. Lumis endures and Otis talks some trash. Lumis fights up, Gable tells the fans to “SHOOSH!” but they rally. Gable wrenches, whips Lumis to a corner, but Lumis BOOTS Gable away! Lumis swings but Gable spins him around, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Otis tells Gable not to worry, he has this.
Gable tells fans to “SHOOSH~!” and he drags Lumis up, But Lumis whips Gable into the ropes! Gable tumbles out but skins the cat. Lumis CLOBBERS Gable! And again! Pop-up UPPERCUT! Lumis runs in to clothesline at the corner and hit a BULLDOG! Gable swings, but into a BIG back suplex! Lumis kips up to a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Otis can’t even but Lumis clinches Gable. Gable elbows free, waistlocks, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Lumis flounders out of the ring, Gable rushes out to KNEE him into the POST! Gable and Otis coordinate, and Gable goes into the ring to distract the ref. Otis rushes Lumis, but Lumis sends him into the POST!
Lumis runs in at Gable, Gable turns the clinch into an arm-drag! La Magistrol, TWO! Lumis has the cover, LUMIS WINS!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by pinfall
The Alpha Academy is shocked! Their new year is off to a bad start! But will 2023 be Lumis’ year to win more than just Miz’s money?
WWE looks at Cody Rhodes’ journey back.
It was April 2, 2022, when the American Nightmare returned home to the WWE at WrestleMania. Cody never thought he would, but you can never say never. And coming out of WrestleMania, Cody felt everyone understood that he has another shot at living the dream. Cody wants to make his father proud. He can’t bestow the WWE Universal Championship to his father, but he can certainly hold onto it for his father. But just as Cody was finally ready, a pectoral injury has slowed him down. The story continues.
Damage CTRL is here!
Bayley, Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai still have the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, and are still in a good mood from screwing over The Man, Becky Lynch, to end their 2022. Bayley gets a mic to say, “DING DONG, Happy New Year’s, TRASHVILLE!” Fans boo but Bayley says they should be proud to be from the city where DMG CTRL was born. Or don’t they remember that little show called SummerSlam? Yeah, finally something good came from this town. But don’t ruin Bayley’s night. She can’t think of a better way to kick off 2023 than alongside Bayley’s heroes, Kai & Sky!
But before celebrating, we should all address the “Irish elephant” in the room. Bayley did beat Becky Lynch. And she isn’t saying it was easy, Becky is one of the best ever. But it sure was fun! And best of all, Bayley did it all by herself! It is almost unfair, Bayley is so good! She beat everyone, including- Wait! Here comes Becky! 2023 just entered the Big Time as Becky has a mic of her own! “Shut up, Bayley, ya dope. You’re out here talking like you invented the wheel, but you’ve just been on a hamster wheel ever since coming back. It’s been the same thing week in and week out. You’re a coward and you’re a fraud, unable to do anything by yourself!”
That is the thing, Bayley feels most comfortable in someone else’s shadow. It took Bayley years and years to get out of those shadows, but only took her one year to put herself back there. Becky recalls calling Kai & Sky the lackeys, but perhaps it’s the other way around. They do all the work, they have the gold, but Bayley takes all the glory. And well, hmm… It’s only a matter of time before someone turns on someone. Bayley tells Becky to shut up. Becky’s just upset from losing! No, no, when Becky loses, she doesn’t get mad, she gets better. But Bayley did bring up a good point. This did all start back in Nashville at SummerSlam. So then how about Becky and Bayley end it in Nashville?!
Bayley laughs that off. That’s a ding dong, NO~! Bayley’s already won! Fans boo but Bayley says they can’t be serious! Bayley won fair and square! But since Becky has an obsession with Kai & Sky, how about they have a match with Becky. Becky can even find a partner! Oh, wow, gee, Becky doesn’t have her phone on her to call anyone. But Becky doesn’t mind a 2v1! The Man storms down to the ring, but is this too big for even Big Time Becks to handle?
Becky Lynch & ??? VS Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky w/ Bayley!
Raw returns and the bell rings as Becky starts against the Evil Genius. It seems Adam Pearce still wants this to be a tag match, but Becky just doesn’t have a partner right now. Becky circles with Sky, ROCKS her, then she DECKS Dakota! Becky fires off forearms and uppercuts and a SOBAT on Sky, then whips. Sky reverses, Becky reverses back to then BOOT Sky! Bayley is annoyed as Becky runs to WRECK Dakota! Becky is on the apron, Sky rushes in but into a KICK! Becky HOTSHOTS Sky away a la Bayley! Bayley is even more annoyed but fans cheer. Becky runs in at Sky but Sky waistlocks. Becky bucks the O’Conner, and ENZIGURIS Sky down! Cover, TWO!
Becky keeps cool and she keeps Sky from Kai. Becky steps over but Sky rolls Becky up! TWO, and Sky drop toeholds Becky into buckles! Tag to Kai and she runs, but Becky dodges the boot! Becky elbows Sky, JUMP KICKS Kai, then hip toss SLAMS Sky onto Kai! Becky covers Kai, TWO! Fans rally up for Becky but Bayley tells them to shut up. Becky drops a leg, brother, then an elbow! Then another leg! Fans fire up and Becky taunts Bayley. Becky runs into forearm Kai, then whips her corner to corner. Kai dodges, Becky elbows Kai, but then Sky catches Becky’s kick. Becky still shoves Sky down but Kai hits a BOOT! Cover, TWO!
Kai drags Becky over while Bayley tells Becky she’s down. Kai tosses Becky out, then whips Sky in to CLOBBER her! Bayley taunts Becky, but Becky ROCKS Sky! Bayley hurries away but Sky SHOTGUNS Becky down! Sky pushes Becky in, covers, TWO! Sky is annoyed but she tags Kai. Kai hooks Becky up into a camel clutch, but she also fishhooks Becky’s mouth! The ref reprimands but Kai SLAMS Becky down! Cover, TWO! Tag to Sky, Kai tosses Becky out and Sky goes out after her. Sky whips Becky hard into barriers, then drags her back up. Sky whips Becky into the POST! Bayley smirks and Sky tells Becky she has no friends!
Sky DECKS Becky, then drags her up with a facelock. Sky puts Becky in the ring, covers, TWO! Bayley mocks the “Let’s Go, Becky!” chants and Kai covers, TWO! Wait, here comes MIA YIM! Michin won’t let DMG CTRL do what they want! Becky JAWBREAKERS Kai, and Mia is on the corner! Kai and Becky crawl, hot tags to Sky and Mia! Fans fire up as Mia dodges Sky, CLOBBERS her, then BOOTS her down! Mia ROUNDHOUSES Sky, drop toeholds Kai, then whips Sky to FLAPJACK her onto Kai! Fans fire up, Mia runs to dropkick Sky down! Cover, TWO! Mia drags Sky up, Bayley has no idea what’s going on!
DMG CTRL bails out, but Becky CLOBBERS Kai, and Mia DIVES onto Sky! Fans fire up as we get a big time assist, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kai whips Mia into the DMG CTRL corner. Mia BOOTS Kai, elbows Sky, but Kai SCORPION KICKS back! Mia staggers to the corner, Kai tags Sky, and DMG CTRL double whip Mia. They BOOT, sweep and AX KICK, to then SHOTGUN Mia down! Cover, TWO! But into a CROSSFACE! Mia clasps hands to fight off the stretch. Fans rally, Mia throws elbows and she fights free. Mia whips but Sky reverses to tilt-o-whirl FACEBUSTER! Into the CROSSFACE! Mia endures, reaches out, and powers her way to a cover, TWO! Sky lets Mia go, runs in but Mia tosses her out! Sky hurries back in to drag Mia from Becky!
Mia BOOTS Sky away, and the tag knocks Kai down! Mia hurries up, but Sky brings her away! Mia throws body shots, ROCKS Sky then hits a NECKBREAKER! Both women are down, Kai grabs at Becky’s feet! Becky stays standing, and Mia tags her in! Becky mule kicks Kai away, then brings her into the apron for a LEG DROP! Becky ROCKS Kai, then hits a FLYING FACEBUSTER! Becky POSTS Kai, RAMS her into the barriers, then SMACKS her off them! Sky runs in but is sent into Kai! Fans rally up and Becky drags Kai up. Becky tosses Kai back into the ring, goes up the corner, and fans fire up!
Kai stands, Becky MISSILE DROPKICKS her down! Cover, TWO! Bayley is worried for her team but Becky drags Kai up. Becky RAMS Kai into the corner! Becky puts Kai up top, she tags in Mia, and both of them go up after Kai. Fans fire up for the DOUBLE SUPERPLEX! All three women are down but Mia crawls to a cover, Sky breaks it! Bayley is relieved and Sky goes after Becky. They throw forearms back and forth, Becky clinches but Sky slips free! SHOTEI! But Mia SHOTGUNS Sky! Kai HOTSHOTS Mia! But then Mia SPIKE-RANAS Kai!! Cover, But Bayley gives Kai the ROPEBREAK! Fans boo and Mia grabs at Bayley!
But Kai tags Sky! Becky CLOBBERS Bayley and fires off hands! Mia makes Kai EAT DA FEET, but Sky hits the OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, Sky & Kai win!
Winners: Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai, by pinfall
Becky got back-up, but it wasn’t enough when DMG CTRL rolls three deep! The Man is left on the losing end again, what will it take to stop DMG CTRL from taking control?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Rollins says, “Nashville! Who’s ready to sing tonight?” 2023 already looks like 2022: Bloodline is trying to take over Rollins’ show, Theory is trying to take Rollins’ spot. Cathy Kelley, as long as Rollins is bleeding, breathing and doing it all, Monday nights will still belong to him. HAHAHA! And in just a few minutes, so will the WWE United States Championship. Theory will do everything in his power to hold on to the title, and Rollins digs that. That is how much that title means! But as good as Theory is, and as good as he will be, there is one thing that he ain’t, and that’s Seth Rollins. He is a Visionary, he is a Revolutionary, he is Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!
Rollins promises a party on Broadway tonight, but will things go his way? Or will it be more of a pity party after the main event?
Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.
Byron wants to get insight as to what happened earlier tonight, and says she seemed to have lost control. Lost control? No. She gained control over Bianca’s headspace. Now she knows the only threat is really Alexa, and that the title actually belongs with her. Can we trust what Alexa was saying just now? Or is someone still pulling her strings?
The Mysterio Familia Telenovela continues!
As if crashing Thanksgiving wasn’t bad enough, Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio crash Christmas at Grandpa’s house! Rey told Dom & Rhea this wasn’t going to happen again. Dom says he’s just here with open arms to celebrate with the family and Mami Rhea. Rey says they should take this outside. They go outside, Dom shoves Rey! Mama Mysterio goes to slap but Rhea blocks her! So Mama SLAPS Mami! Rhea is pissed, but cops are here! The police arrest Dominik for intruding! Rhea protests, she got hit! Dom told Rhea to get Finn and Priest! He won’t make it in jail! Rhea is furious, this is ruining Christmas! Dom did make bail, but will the Judgment Day learn not to be Grinches from now on?
Dominik speaks.
“Sadness. It’s not a bad thing to feel. But it’s that cold absence of feeling, that’s what prison was like. You think I’m playing a game? You think this is a game to me? I served hard time! And I survived! Prison changes a man. And you guys might think that it’s over for me. But no. I’m just getting started. And Mami, I’ll see you soon. Because you know you’re my mamacita.” Is Dominik only more dangerous after living live behind bars?
Bronson Reed is back.
The Colossal Aussie, the Top Dog, and Miz’s mighty new friend is ready to steamroll Raw. Will he crush all those who oppose him and the Hollywood A-Lister?
WWE United States Championship: Austin Theory VS Seth Rollins!
The youngest TWO-TIME US Champion says he’s no longer the next big this or the future that, but he is the NOW of the WWE! Will he still be the Now? Or will he end up the Former when facing the Visionary, the Revolutionary, THE Seth Freakin’ Rollins?
Raw returns and Rollins makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the new year will have a new champion!
The bell rings and the fans sing, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Theory rushes Rollins but Rollins evades, and the fans keep singing. Theory frowns but Rollins is having fun. Rollins and Theory circle, feel out a grapple, knuckle lock, and Theory kicks low! Theory headlocks, thrashes around, but Rollins fights up. Rollins powers out, things speed up, and Rollins hurdles to then go the other way and SLINGBLADE! Theory staggers up, Rollins clotheslines him up and out of the ring! Fans sing more and Rollins conducts the choir. Rollins runs to WRECK Theory with a dropkick! Theory hits barriers then falls, but Rollins puts him back in the ring.
Theory bails out the side and fans boo. Rollins goes to the apron, avoids the sweep, and hits a FLYING KNEE! Theory goes down and fans fire up again as Rollins picks Theory up. Rollins SLAMS Theory down onto the barrier, leaving him there as he goes up the announce desk! FLYING KNEE GUILLOTINE! Nashville fires up again as Rollins stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Rollins CHOPS away on Theory against the barriers! Fans fire up for the MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Rollins lets off, Theory flounders away while clutching his stinging chest, but Rollins puts him in the ring. Theory rushes up but Rollins ROKCS him! SPRINGBOARD FLYING KNEE! Theory flops down under the ropes but Rollins tells the “kid” to get up. Rollins drags Theory up from the apron, but Theory HOTSHOTS him! Then slingshots and somersaults to SHOTGUN Rollins down! Cover, TWO! Theory rains down fists while fans boo. Theory lets off and drags Rollins up to snapmare.
Theory jumps and stomps Rollins down! “You are the past, you hear me? You are the past!” Theory bumps Rollins off buckles then says he’s the one on top. Theory grinds Rollins into buckles with his knee into Rollins’ head! The ref counts, Theory lets off, and he brings Rollins up to whip corner to corner hard! Rollins bounces back off buckles, then Theory drags him around. Theory throws down hands, kicks Rollins around, but fans rally up. Rollins fires off haymakers on Theory, whips him, but Theory reverses. Rollins stops himself in the corner, comes back, but into a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! But Theory clamps on a chinlock!
Rollins fights up, moves around, but Theory wrangles him down. Fans rally up as Rollins endures. Rollins fights up, throws body shots, then hits a BIG back suplex! Fans rally again as Theory goes to the corner. Rollins runs in but Theory dodges the splash! Rollins flounders, Theory covers, ONE!! But it’s back to the chinlock! Theory grinds Rollins down, talks trash, but fans continue to rally behind Rollins. Rollins fights up, throws body shots, but Theory snapmares and jumps, only to miss the stomp! Rollins hits a JAWBREAKER! Then a BOOT! Theory tosses Rollins out of the ring! Theory hurries out after Rollins, brings him up, and smacks him off the desk! And again!
Theory RAMS Rollins into the apron, then TOSSES him over the desk! Rollins hits an armchair, then the barriers! Theory makes Rollins look at the title belt and says, “I am the champ! You will not, NOT, disrespect me!” Theory rains down fists, then he storms off while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Theory pie faces Rollins around. Rollins gets angry, he eggs Theory on so Theory pie faces him again. Rollins ROCKS Theory, ROCKS him again, and again! And CHOPS, ROCKS, CHOPS, repeat! Rollins fires off over and over, whips Theory to ropes, but Theory reverses, only for Rollins to reverse back! LARIAT! LARIAT! Mule kick, front kick, ROLLING ELBOW! Nashville fires up with Rollins but Theory bails out. Rollins conducts the choir and the singing returns. “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit on Theory, and he puts Theory back in the ring!
Rollins kick slow, underhooks the arms, but Theory back drops! Rollins sunset flips, TWO! Theory kicks low, whips Rollins but Rollins reverses again to knee low! Rollins hooks a leg for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Rollins is annoyed, but he hurries to the corner. Fans rally up as Rollins climbs, but Theory ROCKS Rollins first! Theory climbs up after Rollins, fans boo but he grins. Rollins slips under to bring Theory off the corner! Theory fights free of the bomb to hook a leg, but Rollins knees free! Rollins suplexes, Theory slips off, Rollins ducks the haymaker but the ELBOW rocks him! Theory fisherman’s, but Rollins cradles! TWO!!
Theory kicks, Rollins blocks it and slips under, but Rollins’ own leg won’t let him keep Theory up. Theory reels Rollins in but Rollins fights! Rollins slips out to ROLLING ELBOW! Rollins tries again, the leg holds this time, but Theory grabs the corner! Rollins lets Theory go, hobbles, and Theory DECKS Rollins from above! Theory adjusts his position, but Rollins springs right up after him! SUPERPLEX! And roll through, but Theory suplexes! AOI SHOUDO!! Cover, TWO!?! Rollins survives and fans are thunderous! Both Theory and Rollins are down, and fans rally up behind the Visionary.
Theory stands, he calls his shot! Fireman’s carry, A-TOWN- NO! Rollins slips free, but Theory blocks the superkick! Theory KICKS Rollins in return, but Rollins SUPERKICKS Theory! Theory ROLLING ELBOWS, Rollins PELES!! Both men are down and fans are fired up again! Rollins and Theory stir, fans build back up and sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Theory ROCKS Rollins, Rollins ROCKS Theory! Theory ROCKS Rollins, Rollins ROCKS Theory! The haymakers go back and forth, fans cheering Rollins on! But Theory kicks low! Theory underhooks the arms, but Rollins slips out to ROLLING ELBOW!
Rollins reels Theory in, turns him, DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Theory falls down, but Rollins takes aim from the corner! Fans fire up, Rollins runs in, CURB- NO, Theory dodges! Rollins’ leg jams again and he leans against the ropes. Theory says he’s done with this, and he grabs his belt. Fans boo that Theory wants to use Champion’s Advantage. But Rollins pursues! Rollins grabs Theory by his face to TOSS him back to ringside! Theory runs away into the ring, Rollins follows! SUPERKICK!! Theory flounders, Rollins goes up top! Rollins FROG SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!?!? Theory survives by nanoseconds!
Rollins is furious but he goes to a corner again. Rollins aims as Theory flounders about, Nashville is thunderous as Rollins runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! Rollins slips off, Theory switches, and Theory shoves Rollins into the ref! Theory back suplexes, Rollins lands out of it but the leg buckles! Theory storms over, but into a kick! PEDIGREE!!! But between the bad knee and no ref, there’s no count! Wait, a spare ref rushes out! Cover, TWO?!!?! The delay saves Theory!! Rollins is angry with the new ref but he refocuses. Theory stirs, Rollins aims again. CURB- NO, Theory dodges again! Theory shoves Rollins at the new ref, but Rollins stops himself!
LOW BLOW!!! Theory gets away with one, then he CHOP BLOCKS the leg! Fireman’s carry, A-TOWN DOWN!!! Cover, Theory wins!!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
The “kid” steals one, proving he knows all the tricks of the trade! Will Theory continue to be The Now by any means necessary?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw to open the year, even with the status quo being kept. As I’ve said before, status quo with the titles is fine, so long as they book it in an interesting way. And in the case of the Raw Women’s Championship, that was a great match with a really wild ending. If Alexa is to be believed, she was apparently just pretending to be triggered by the White Rabbit, and she got randos to be fake Uncle Howdy cultists or whatever. Now, I have a feeling some of that is exaggeration, because if Alexa was really in charge of herself, she would’ve won the belt, not cost herself the match. But depending on Bianca’s kayfabe injury, she’ll definitely want a rematch with Alexa at the Royal Rumble to settle this. And then we can see if Bianca retains the title or loses it to Twisted Bliss.
In the case of the US Championship, we got good promos from Theory and Rollins to hype up the main event match, and that match was definitely worthy of the main event. But as things went on, I had the sneaking suspicion that Theory was going to retain. It was a fitting move for Theory to win with cheating, as he is the Heel. This ramps up his heat, and who knows who is next for him. Maybe MVP negotiates Lashley’s return from suspension and Lashley will go after the title for the Rumble. But at the same time, it’d make sense if Rollins wants another shot after being cheated here and he has to fight his way to earn it.
The Bloodline showing up again and “hijacking” the start of Raw was great stuff, and it was smart to have those they attacked a couple weeks ago come back for revenge. I wish we could’ve gotten Good Brothers VS Usos but Karl Anderson is in Japan so he can defend (and most likely lose) the NEVER Openweight Championship at NJPW WrestleKingdom 17 on Wednesday. But Elias VS Solo was a great match with the “Music City Street Fight” (basically just Symphony of Destruction). And of course a piano is in the finish, that was a great urenage that just busted the legs off that thing.
And we got a great Six Man Tag, with Ford taking a sort of zoned out approach to how Bianca’s injury was affecting him in that match. He could’ve been a bit more animated seeing Dawkins go down, but him coming alive to rally on the Bloodline was great stuff. But as usual, The Bloodline always has each other as distractions and that helps them win. I suppose it makes sense, as the Profits had their title opportunity in 2022 and will have to fight their way up rather than jump the line with a win on the champs. But McIntyre & Sheamus showing up was also great, it helps hype up the tag title match on Friday. Though, I see the Usos using Bloodline assists again.
I like the little promo bit from Dominik to add on from the “arrested for Christmas” promo we got last week. It’s a bit comical that Dom says he’s all hard now, as I’m pretty sure he only spent the Christmas weekend in what was probably a nice neighborhood’s jail. But Dom will surely play it up when he returns, and we’ll get some good promos off of that. And I think Lumis VS Gable was mostly because Styles got hurt and The OC couldn’t continue their feud with the Alpha Academy. But that’s alright, we got a really good, really fun match from Lumis and Gable. I just wish we’d get more matches from Gargano. Maybe we can get Lumis & Gargano VS Gable & Otis next week?
And good stuff from Damage CTRL, Becky and apparently now Mia. Good promos for Becky and Bayley, but I’m a bit surprised that if they were going to throw Mia out there partway, why not just kayfabe a way for Mia to have contacted Becky about taking on DMG CTRL together? And even if they played it out this way, it seems a shame that Becky & Mia lose. But at the same time, three still beats two, and they didn’t want Kai & Sky owing a title match to Mia & Becky. Maybe Mia brings in a friend from somewhere and that team takes on Kai & Sky while Becky goes after Bayley 1v1, all blowing off at the Rumble. Or maybe even in the Rumble, so that someone can win a WrestleMania title shot in the process.
My Score: 8.5/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/25/25)
Round 8, all together!
The penultimate round of this round robin!
Best of the Super Juniors 32 enters round 8, and there are still a lot of moving pieces! Who will be that much closer to the finals?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Titan; Yoh wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Robbie X; Dia wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS Nick Wayne; Mao wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Ninja Mack; Mack wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS SHO; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Clark Connors; Connors wins, by disqualification.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Kevin Knight; Desperado wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Master Wato: 5-2, 10 points
Clark Connors: 4-3, 8 points
Francesco Akira: 4-3, 8 points
Kosei Fujita: 4-3, 8 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 4-3, 8 points
Robbie X: 3-4, 6 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-4, 6 points
KUSHIDA: 3-4, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 3-4, 6 points
Ninja Mack: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current B Block standings!
YOH: 4-3, 8 points
Nick Wayne: 4-3, 8 points
MAO: 4-3, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-3, 8 points
El Desperado: 4-3, 8 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-4, 6 points
Kevin Knight: 3-4, 6 points
SHO: 3-4, 6 points
Titan: 3-4, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 3-4, 6 points
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Robbie Eagles!
The Funky Weapon fell short in last round’s main event, but he proved he’s still got it. But can he get it going again this late into the tournament? Or does the Sniper of the Skies have the kill shot waiting?
The bell rings, Eagles runs up, wheelbarrows, victory rolls and has the legs, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Taguchi claws at the mat, drags Eagles along, and makes it to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Eagles drags Taguchi back, but Taguchi kicks Eagles down to have OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, Eagles bails out, and Taguchi goes to the corner, TRIANGLE- NO, Eagles moves, Taguchi lands safe on the apron, but then the leg jams! Eagles 619s the legs out! Taguchi falls to the floor, Eagles brings him around, and he KICKS the bad leg! The fans rally, Eagles taunts Taguchi, then drags Taguchi around.
Eagles SMASHES Taguchi’s knee off the floor! The fans cheer, Eagles stands Taguchi up, and he puts him in the corner. Eagles pulls Taguchi’s legs against the crossbar! The ref reprimands and counts, Eagles lets go at 4, but he sits on Taguchi! Eagles eggs Taguchi on as he hops down, then rallies the fans. Eagles aims from the apron, springboards in, but into ANTIAIR HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi clutches his leg but he rolls his way to Eagles. Taguchi has Eagles on ropes and rubs it in his face! POINT BLANK HIP again and again! Taguchi then runs, to HIP ATTACK! Eagles sputters and the fans cheer!
Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strange Style, “ORYA~!” KETSU- NO, Eagles rolls up with bridge, TWO! Taguchi rolls Eagles, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles scrambles, rolls, and KICKS Taguchi down! The fans rally while Eagles shakes out the bad leg. Eagles stands, hobbles, and he shows some cheek! HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Taguchi sputters, Eagles fires the fans up with some swivel, but Taguchi blocks the hip attack to HEADBUTT the butt! The fans cheer and Taguchi HEADBUTTS Eagles’ stomach! The forearms fly, Taguchi gets the edge, but Eagles ROUNDHOUSES! SUPERKICKS! ENZI- NO, Taguchi ducks! OH MY GAH ANKLE!
Eagles rolls and kicks free, then catches Taguchi. Taguchi shoves free to HIP ATTACK! Eagles says I’LL BE BACK, but Taguchi catches him! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles reaches out, crawls forward, and the fans rally up! Taguchi stands Eagles up, Eagles cravats, ASAI- NO, Taguchi slips free of the DDT! Drop toehold, and OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles endures, the fans fire up, but Taguchi yanks Eagles back! Chicken wings, DODON- NO, Eagles victory rolls! TWO and Taguchi has it! TWO and they roll, roll, roll, roll, roll! In the end, Taguchi has it, TWO!!! Eagles escapes but both men are dizzy! Taguchi fires up, the fans are with him, but both men fall over!
The fans rally hard, and this is just the first five minutes! Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Eagles is against ropes, but he comes back to HYPERION!!! Cover, EAGLES WINS!!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
It was a wild shootout from the start, but it is Eagles who hits the mark! Will the Sniper still take aim at the top? Or will someone else in the block block his path?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Time Splitter and the Heel Master are on that bubble, one loss means the end for them! Will Kushida pick up speed and make it Back to the Future? Or does Kanemaru have one last cheap trick up his sleeve?
Kushida is on the corner for his entrance, and Kanemaru attacks! And ROCKET LAUNCHES him! The bell rings and Kanemaru whips to then DROPKICK the legs! Kanemaru steps through for a FIGURE FOUR! Kushida scrambles and rolls all the way to the ROPEBREAK! The ref reprimands, Kanemaru lets go, and Kushida scrambles away to the other side. Kanemaru drags Kushida back from ropes, holds him open, then gives a foot to the ref to split the wishbone! The fans cheer, Kanemaru turns Kushida over and SMASHES the knee! Kushida writhes more but Kanemaru is on him again, to YANK the leg!
Kanemaru taunts Kushida, mockingly asking what’s wrong. Kanemaru kicks Kushida to ropes, but Kushida CHOPS! Kanemaru kicks the leg, Kushida CHOPS, then Kushida CHOPS again! Kushida KICKS Kanemaru’s arm! The fans rally, Kushida whips, but Kanemaru reverses. Kanemaru handsprings, but Kanemaru DROPKICKS the legs! FIGURE FOUR!! The fans rally for Kushida while he endures, and he fights to push the main leg! Kanemaru powers the hold back down! Kushida endures, fights over, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud but Kanemaru holds on until the ref reprimands. Kushida hobbles to the apron, and Kanemaru runs up.
Kushida RAMS Kanemaru, HOTSHOTS him away, then hurries up the corner. Kushida leaps but Kanemaru moves! Kushida’s leg jams, and Kanemaru trips him! Step through, but Kushida cradles, TWO!! Kanemaru escapes, Kushida waistlocks, but Kanemaru switches. Kushida slips under, FLIPS Kanemaru, and has the HOVERBOARD! Kanemaru fights up, spins through, and kicks the bad leg! Kushida PELES! Kanemaru goes to a corner, Kushida runs in, but Kanemaru BOOTS Kushida! Kanemaru runs, Kushida drops then HIP TOSSES into the ARM- NO, Kanemaru stacks Kushida, TWO! Kanemaru kicks and scoops, BRITISH-
NO, Kushida wrenches through to hop on, HOVERBOARD!! Kanemaru endures as Kushida thrashes the arm, and he grabs the ref! Kanemaru sends the ref into Kushida then ENZIGIRIS! Kushida and the ref are both down, so Kanemaru takes a swig of his whiskey! Kushida stands, but he smothers Kanemaru! Then TANAKA FASTBALL sends the mist flying! Backslide, KUSHIDA WINS!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Another fast and furious match as this night gets going, and Kushida turns things around! Kanemaru is more than likely out of the running now, but can Kushida still make it to the finals? Or is time running out?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Titan!
One man is near the front but the other is near the back! Will Direct Drive kick it into gear and keep it fresh? Or will El Inmortal stay alive for a little longer?
The bell rings and the two rush in! Titan DROPKICKS Yoh and Yoh tumbles out! Titan builds speed, Yoh is back and he trips Titan! Yoh ties Titan up in the Paradise Lock! Milano Collection AT can’t believe what he’s seeing! Yoh fires the fans up, then runs to DROPKICK Titan out of Paradise! Yoh hurries to suplex, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Titan stays in this but Yoh stays focused as the fans rally up. Titan stirs while Yoh tunes up! SUPER- NO, Titan ducks the kick, shoves, and then goes Matrix to dodge! CALF KICK! Yoh tumbles, Titan runs, but Yoh puts Titan on the apron. Titan GAMANGINRIS in return!
Titan then springboards and FLYING RANAS! Yoh tumbles out again and Titan FLIES! Down goes Yoh and the fans fire up again! The fans fire up, Titan puts Yoh in the ring, and then Titan springboards again! DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Yoh stays in this and the fans rally more. Titan waits on Yoh, pounds the mat, and the fans rally back up. Yoh stands, Titan throws off his elbow pads, and he FRAME- NO, Yoh BOOTS Titan first! Titan comes back but Yoh ducks a lariat to full nelson! Titan breaks free, switches, but Yoh elbows and runs! Titan follows to TORNADO DDT, and he brings Yoh up! But Yoh suplexes, FALCON GOROSHI!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Titan sputters, and Yoh roars as he rises up. The fans cheer and Yoh brings Titan around. Yoh underhooks but Titan fights it! The fans rally, Titan wrenches and tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Then he drags Yoh up to suplex, GOURD BUSTER! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up with Titan and he hurries to the corner! Titan skins the cat up top, aims and LA LANCER!! Yoh spasms, Titan covers, TWO!!! Yoh survives and the fans fire up again! Titan loosens his mask a bit, roars and the fans are with him! Titan drags Yoh up, reverse rack, but Yoh slips out of the yoyo! SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Titan still lives, but Yoh roars again! Yoh drags Titan up, underhooks, DIRECT DRIVE!! Cover, YOH WINS!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titan earns 0)
It’s like everyone is going for a speed record in this round! Yoh seals the deal like Ziploc, and now leads with 10 points! Is it freshness guaranteed for the finals?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Robbie X!
The block is sorting out with every match, but both men are on the bubble! Will the Infinite Carat Diamond be greater than X? Or will the X Express stay on track?
The bell rings and the fans rally. Robbie gets fans to bark for the War Dogs, and he ties up with Dia. Robbie puts Dia on ropes, the ref counts, and Robbie lets off, to CHOP! Robbie CLUBS Dia, stomps him down, then drags him back up. Robbie ROCKS Dia, whips, but Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges then slides to tilt-o-whirl and arm-drag! Then DROPKICK! Robbie tumbles out, Dia FLIES! Down goes Robbie and the fans fire up! Dia brings Robbie back up, puts him in the ring and covers, TWO! Robbie bails back out but Dia waits. Robbie shakes out an arm, rolls back in, but bails out again. Dia rushes after Robbie, but Robbie picks him up and POSTS him!
Dia writhes but Robbie KICKS him in the back! Robbie then stands Dia up just to DECK him! Robbie tells fans to move aside, and he grabs one of the chairs. Robbie brings that over, sits Dia down and CHOPSS! Robbie wants more chairs so he takes another one from the crowd. Robbie sets that chair up, runs up, and leaps to CANNONBALL Dia down! The fans fire up with Robbie, and he goes back to Dia. Robbie drags Dia up, puts him in the ring, then pushes to a cover, TWO! Dia stays in this and the fans applaud. Robbie stomps Dia on the back, then stands him up to whip corner to corner. Dia hits buckles hard and falls to the mat!
Robbie stands on Dia’s back, shouts for the War Dogs, and the fans cheer. Robbie sits Dia up, steps over, and he BITES Dia’s fingers! The ref reprimands and counts, Robbie stops and tells the ref to shut up. Robbie drags Dia back up, but Dia CHOPS! Robbie eggs Dia on, but Dia CHOPS again! Robbie CHOPS in return! Dia goes to a corner, Robbie runs up, but Dia BOOTS then RANAS! The fans fire up as Robbie staggers away. Dia growls and rises up. The fans rally and Dia runs in, but Robbie dodges. Dia dodges in return, then goes to the apron to trip Robbie! TORNILLO SPLASH! The fans fire up again as Robbie is on the ropes!
Dia dials it up, 619! Robbie flops back, Dia STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Robbie stays in this but Dia fires up more! The fans are with Dia and he goes to the corner. Dia climbs, watches Robbie rise, D D D- NO, Robbie stops the 4DT and suplexes! Robbie hangs Dia out to dry, then goes to the corner! GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Dia survives and the fans fire up again! Robbie is frustrated but he drags Dia back up. Robbie CLUBS Dia, suplexes, but Dia cradles! TWO!! Robbie escapes, hobbles away, but Dia runs up. Robbie BOOTS Dia, goes up, but Dia GAMANGIRIS! Dia goes up to get Robbie, ASTRO SCISSCORS!
Dia goes back up, D D D D T!! Cover, TWO!! Robbie survives going 4D but Dia just fires up more! Dia runs, rolls, REPTILI- NO, Robbie stops the rana! And makes it a SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Dia survives and the fans are thunderous! Robbie thinks on what he must do next, but he rises up while the fans rally again. Dia is in the corner, Robbie LARIATS! Robbie puts the leg in ropes to KICK, then he SPIN KICKS! RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Dia stays in this but Robbie stays on him! “You’re dead, b*tch!” Robbie handsprings, Dia dodges, DOUBLE CORK!!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Robbie survives, but Dia SOBATS! ENZIGIRIS! But Robbie PELES! And DREAMCAST KICKS! Then Robbie reels Dia in, lifts, but Dia REPTILIAN RANAS!!! Cover, DIA WINS!!
Winner: Dragon Dia, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
Both men love to go “X-treme,” but this skater boi is the one still standing! Will the Infinite Carat Diamond continue to shine until he’s holding up the trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS Nick Wayne!
DDT Pro collides with AEW/ROH, with both men just a step behind first place! But will the Strange Love Connection throw the Prodigy off his game? Or will the Idol Warrior see he just lives in Wayne’s World?
The bell rings and the two rush in! Mao BOOTS but Nick brushes that off! Nick and Mao fire forearms, Mao gets the fans to cheer him, then he kicks low! Mao whips, Nick reverses, then hurdles, then bypasses to UPPERCUT! Nick kips up and the fans fire up. Nick then covers Mao, TWO! The fans cheer while Nick flexes. Nick drags Mao up to CHOP! Mao comes back to SMACK Nick down! And then Tsukakui! The fans cheer as Mao waits on Nick. Nick rises, Mao winds up, and Mao kicks, kicks, and KICKS! Mao whips, Nick reverses, but Mao DROPKICKS! Mao kips up, and Tsukakui! The fans rally and Mao claps along.
Mao runs to BOOT Nick against ropes, then he runs again to CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Nick stays in this but Mao has JUST FACELOCK! Nick endures, and the fans rally as he reaches out, fights around, then finds the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Mao lets go. Mao gets a Shikaku chant going, then he brings Nick up. Mao whips, Nick grabs ropes and KICKS back! Nick kicks again but Mao blocks to step over and WHEEL KICK! Mao then reels Nick in and calls his shot, but Nick suplexes first! The fans cheer all the same while both men are down. Mao goes to ropes, Nick rises up, and the fans rally again.
Mao is in a corner, Nick runs in, and Nick UPPERCUTS! Nick snapmares then runs up, spins Mao, and ASAI DDTS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Nick keeps his cool. Mao sits up and checks his head. Nick stalks Mao, waistlocks, but Mao fights the nelson! Nick still powers through to have half, but Mao REAR HEADBUTTS! Mao whips, Nick reverses, then Nick avoids the knee to SHOOTING STASR! Cover, Mao goes Matrix! GEDO CLUTCH BRIDGE! TWO, and Nick has the body scissors the JAPANESE LEG ROLL! TWO, and Mao has a waistlock! This is a DOUBLE COVER, TWO!!! Both men get up and the fans fire up!
Mao says look but Nick says shut up! Nick says look, Mao says he can shut up! Mao ROCKS Nick! Nick SUPERKICKS back! Nick goes up the corner, WAYNE’S- NO, Mao ducks the cutter, keeps moving, SPIDER-MAN into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Nick handsprings to STUNNER! Bit Mao kips up to STUNNER!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down again! Mao sits up first and the fans rally. Mao and Nick crawl to each other, go forehead to forehead, then they stand to go forearm for forearm! Mao gets the Shikaku chant going again, then he ROCKS Nick! Nick comes back to ROCK Mao!
The forearms keep going and the fans rally up. Nick fires a flurry, but Mao winds up to SMACK Nick! Mao powers up, runs, OSAKA- NO, Nick BOOTS the uppercut! Mao avoids the roundhouse! Mao SLAPS, SLAPS, but Nick CROSS COUNTERS! Nick fires up and runs, but Mao uses the ref as a shield! Then LEAP FROG into the GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Mao survives the turnaround but Nick fires back up! The fans rally, Nick says “IKU ZO~!” and he hooks Mao up! But Mao fights the Prodigy Plex! Mao spins Nick around and around and around, then reels him in for a POWERBOMB! Nick stands, Mao hits a DESTROYER!
Nick ends up in a corner, Mao runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Nick goes up to FLYING CRUCIFIX DRIVER! The fans fire up with Nick as he goes up, up, and WAYNE’S WORLD, but Mao handsprings through!? To STEAL WAYNE’S WORLD!!! Cover, TWO!??! But into the JUST FACELOCK!!! Nick scrambles, Mao rolls him away, DICK KILLER!!!! NICK TAPS, MAO WINS!!
Winner: Mao, by submission (gains 2 points; Nick earns 0)
More like the Nick Killer, but the point is, Mao overtakes The Prodigy to be right behind Yoh! But Mao still shows Nick respect with a handshake. Will these two run it back one day? Will one of them be the Best of the Super Juniors when they do?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Ninja Mack!
The Japanese Young Punk is mighty, and he is just outside the front of this block. However, the American Ninja Warrior, for all his speed and agility, has fallen completely out of the race. Will Mack manage to spoil something for Fujita? Or will even he see that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The bell rings and Mack offers the handshake. The fans applaud but Fujita dismisses it. Mack and Fujita circle, feel things out, then tie up. Fujita powers Mack back but Mack breaks free. They go again. fight for control, and Fujita pushes Mack to ropes. Mack powers his way back, then shoves Fujita way. The fans cheer and both men fire up as they go again. They clinch, fight for control, and Fujita puts Mack on the ropes. The ref counts the break, Fujita lets off with pats on the shoulder, but then CHOPS! Mack CHOPS, but Fujita CHOPS again! Mack CHOPS again, but so does Fujita! The fans rally as the CHOPS keep going!
Fujita CHOPS and Mack wobbles! Fujita CHPOS, CHOPS, CHPOS, then runs, but Mack UPPERCUTS! Mack runs, leaps over the dropdown, then TOSSES Fujita out! Mack builds speed, Fujita slips in, and he catches Mack in the handspring to GERMAN SUPLEX! Mack tumbles out and the fans fire up! Fujita goes up the corner and the fans rally, SUPER CANNONBALL! Down goes Mack and the fans fire up again! Fujita puts Mack in, then aims to ROUNDHOUSE! Cover, ONE!! Mack is tougher than that and the fans rally. Fujita stomps Mack, pushes him down, then yanks his leg for a HEEL HOOK!
Mack endures as Fujita grinds the hold, but Mack SLAPS and CHOPS! Fujita CRANKS the foot, but Mack scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Fujita DDTS the leg! The ref reprimands but Mack writhes. Fujita drags Mack around, and he SMASHES the knee! Mack writhes more but Fujita has him again. Fujita brings Mack around, turns him over, and has a HALF CRAB! Fujita pulls way back on that leg but Mack refuses to quit! Mack powers up, but Fujita brings him away from the ropes! Fujita has a deep angle on that leg, but Mack still makes the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Fujita lets go at 4, and the fans rally again.
Fujita stomps Mack, brings him up and CHOPS! Mack calls to his “little ninja” fans but Fujita CHOPS! Mack goes along ropes, the fans rally, but Fujita whips him corner to corner. Mack goes up and over, rolls, then comes back to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Mack rises, hobbles his way over, and he brings Fujita up with a waistlock. GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE, but Mack holds on! Fujita reaches for ropes, Mack GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Another bridging cover, TWO! Mack still holds on, and he GERMAN ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! The fans fire up but Fujita scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!
Mack lets go and the fans rally again. Mack brings Fujita up, bumps him off buckles, and then RAMS him in the back! And RAMS him again! Mack goes up, climbs up, and he CLUBS away on Fujita’s back. Mack drags Fujita up the corner, adjusts position, and the fans anticipate something wild already. Fujita fires body shots, he stands up, but Mack swings! Fujita ducks the punch to SUPER DUPER GERMAN!! The fans are thunderous while Mack flounders around! Fujita hurries to cover, TWO!! Mack survives but Fujita roars and the fans cheer again. Fujita brings Mack up, reels him in, and ABANDON- NO, Mack fights the suplex!
Mack wrenches through, but Fujita wrenches and drop toeholds! Fujita ties up the legs, grabs Mack’s head and has the chinlock! Mack endures, crawls, but Fujita pulls him back! Mack keeps fighting, keeps crawling, but Fujita has the arms! Mack resists against the Nemos Lock to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Fujita lets Mack go. Mack writhes but Fujita brings him up. Fujita hooks a leg, suplexes to the torture rack, but Mack fires body shots! Mack slips down, shoves Fujita, then goes Matrix to then HANDSPRING CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Another cover, TWO! Mack is frustrated but the fans rally back up.
Mack rises, he dares Fujita to get up, and the fans rally more. Fujita rises, but he blocks the buzzsaw! Fujita CHOPS, but Mack ducks the heel kick to leg sweep! SHURIKEN KICK!! Mack goes up, up, and NINJA BOMBS!! Cover, MACK WINS!!
Winner: Ninja Mack, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Fujita earns 0)
The underdog comes out on top as Mack still gets another win! Will Mack spoil Fujita’s chances at the finals? Or is there still hope for this Ichiban Sweet Boy?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS SHO!
The Bone Soldier is building momentum in the latter half of this tournament, but now he runs into the Murder Machine, who has done his best to cheat every opponent so far. Will Sho manage to stack the deck again? Or will be #ByGrace that Taiji avoids disaster?
Taiji turns the tables on Sho by attacking first! The fans fire up as Taiji runs Sho over from behind, then drags him to ringside, so he can POST him! Taiji has fans clear out, and then he BOWLS Sho into the chairs! STRIKE! Then he SMACKS Sho with a chair! Taiji CHOKES Sho with a chair, the ref reprimands, but this isn’t even a match yet! Taiji still leaves Sho behind so that he can go for the red buckle pad! The Bullet Club Special is now in play but Sho is still down. Taiji JAMS Sho up but almost knocks the ref over! Taiji CLAWS Sho’s eyes, drags him to ringside, and then puts Sho in the ring. Now the bell rings and the fans cheer Taiji on.
Taiji CHOKES Sho but Sho scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Taiji stops at 4, but then he CHOKES Sho some more! The ref counts, Taiji stops, and Sho sputters. Sho then CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Sho bails out, Taiji pursues, and Taiji has Sho at the ramp. Sho wants to retreat into the crowd but the railing won’t give. Sho goes to the entryway, Taiji pursues, but then something goes on backstage! Sho leaves Taiji behind and acts like it is all okay. But YUJIRO TAKAHASHI is choking Taiji with the pimp cane! The fans boo as this is literally happening behind the ref’s back! Yujiro throws Taiji down and Sho laughs.
Sho stomps Taiji, drags him up, and he has fans move! Sho BOWLS Taiji into chairs, STRIKE! Sho says that’s what Taiji gets! Sho then storms up on Taiji, twists his wrist, and brings him back to ringside. They go in the ring, Sho drags Taiji up, and he whips Taiji into the bare buckles! Taiji suffers his own trickery and Sho says this isn’t on him for once. Sho digs a knee into Taiji’s back while he has the chinlock, but Taiji BITES Sho’s hand! The ref reprimands, but then Sho CLAWS Taiji’s face! The ref reprimands Sho now, and Sho stops at 4. Sho drags Taiji up, TOSSES him out, then goes out to grab a chair!
The ref stops Sho, but this lets Yujiro use the chair to JAM Taiji up! The fans boo but Tokyo Pimp gets away with another one. Sho drags Taiji up, puts him back in, then covers, TWO! Taiji stays in this but Sho drags him back up. Sho TOSSES Taiji back out, distracts the ref, but the ref won’t fall for it this time! The ref stops Yujiro, but then that lest Sho JAM Taiji up! The fans boo more as the ref can’t keep up with both guys. The ref does say Yujiro needs to go, but Sho puts Taiji in the ring. Sho kicks Taiji around but Taiji CHOPS! And CHOSP! And then he CLAWS Sho’s eyes! Taiji runs, but Yujiro is still here to trip Taiji!
The fans boo as Yujiro gets in the ring while Sho is in the ref’s face! Yujiro whips Taiji, but Taiji stops from hitting buckles! Yujiro runs in, and Taiji dodges! Yujiro hits steel, Sho whips Taiji, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans cheer, and Taiji grins as he brings Sho up. Taiji whips Sho into the bare buckles! Sho falls and writhes but Taiji keeps on him. Taiji wrenches and POSTS Sho! The fans cheer while Sho clutches his arm. Taiji brings Sho out, hammerlocks then scoops, but Sho slips free to bend Taiji’s fingers! Taiji CLAWS Sho’s eyes! Taiji runs, the ref is used as a shield! Sho SPEARS Taiji!
The fans boo Sho while both men are down. Sho rises up, he bends Taiji’s fingers, then wrenches to kick, KICK and SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Taiji stays in this and Sho grows frustrated. Sho aims his bow and he drags Taiji up. Sho reels Taiji in, tucks the arms, SHOCK- NO, Taiji slips free to BLOODY- NO, Sho fights free, but Taiji JUMP KNEES first! Sho drops down, Taiji aims and runs in, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Sho endures as Taiji pulls on the hold! Sho fights around, Taiji rolls him away to then RAM into Yujiro! Down goes Tokyo Pimp, but then Sho whips Taiji into the ref! LOW BLOW!! The fans boo but Yujiro is back to stomp Taiji!
Yujiro drags Taiji up while Sho crawls to his corner. Sho grabs for his “Torture Tool!” The fans boo as Sho takes aim, but Taiji BOOTS Sho! And LOW BLOWS Yujiro! ZIGZAG for Sho!! And then BONE LOCK!! Sho endures, but where’s the ref? Gedo gets off commentary, but here comes SANADA! Gedo helps the ref, but The Cold Blooded Sanada uses the wrench to CLOBBER Taiji!! The fans boo but Sanada stands Taiji up for the DEADFALL!! Sanada leaves Taiji for Sho, the ref is up, and Gedo is stunned! Sho covers, and SHO WINS!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
The House of Torture pulls out all the stops, but Sho is still only 4-4. Will Sho need to cheat one more time to finish above .500? Or was spoiling things for Taiji more than enough?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Clark Connors!
This could be a very explosive combination as The Crown of Fire and 100 Proof are both a step behind the leader. Will Akira conquer this War Dog for the United Empire? Or will War Dogs Racing still have a chance at that final lap?
Oh, what’s this? Akira waits at the ramp for Connors? A bold strategy, Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for him. Connors steps out, sees Akira, and smirks. Connors likes Akira’s guts, and after he puts his things aside, Connors runs up! The two brawl on the ramp and the fans fire up! They RAM into railing, then more railing, then more railing! The railing almost falls over! Akira POSTS Connors hard and then keeps after him around the way! Akira CHOPS Connors, CHOPS again, and then again! And again! Akira is really fired up and the fans join in. But Connors UPPERCUTS Akira, SMACKS him off the apron, but Akira hits back!
Akira CHOPS, and he wants to go bowling! But Connors reverses the whip! Akira puts on the brakes, but the JEEP FLIPPER sends him into the chairs! The fans fire up and bark with Connors while he clears out space. Connors drags Akira up, brings Akira over, and puts him in the ring. But Akira is up to PLANCHA! Down goes Connors and the fans fire up with Akira! Akira drags Connors up, puts him in the ring, and this is finally a match! Akira reels Connors in, SPEEDFIRE! Akira aims, the fans rally, NOVA FIRE- NO, Connors ducks! And SPEARS!! The fans fire up and Connors has a wild look in his eyes as he wants more.
Connors puts one out, drags Akira up, and NO CHA- NO, Akira wrenches out to ROCK Connors! Connors runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Connors comes back, Akira dodges, THE SPEAR HITS THE REF!!! The fans go nuts but Connors isn’t all that bothered. Connors hurries to aim at Akira, runs up again, but Akira dodges the lariat to CHPO, CHOP, and CHOP! The fans fire up but Connors shoves Akira, then SNAP POWERSLAMS! Connors goes out and he finds WHEEL-SAN! The fans cheer, but wait, that’s not what he wants? Connors brings out a TABLE! Table-san is put in the ring and Connors props it up in the corner.
Connors fetches Akira but Akira fires body shots. Akira CHOPS, Connors KNEES low, and then Connors SMACKS Akira off the table! Connors lines up the shot, runs in, but Akira dodge! Connors slams on the brakes, Akira comes back, and Connors LARIATS! Connors says Akira can’t get the better of him, and now he grabs Wheel-san! The fans cheer as Connors slides Wheel-san into the ring. Gedo wants Connors to kill Akira with this one, but the fans rally up. Connors drags Akira over, but Akira blocks the hubcap bump! Connors CLAWS Akira’s eyes, and he DRIBBLES Akira off the hubcap! The fans rally, and the ref is being carried away!
Connors smirks as he now can do whatever he wants. Connors puts Wheel-san over Akira’s face, and he CURB STOMPS!! Gedo loves it, but this isn’t the end! Connors brings Akira up, grins as he SLAPS the bloody forehead! But Akira CHOKES Connors! Akira is furious as he SLAPS and fires hands! Akira trips Connors and he rains down forearms!! The fans fire up as Akira brings it back to when Empire and War Dogs feuded so violently in the past! Akira takes off his belt, and he brings it over to LASH Connors! The fans fire up while Akira LASHES Connors again! Gedo does NOT like this as Akira LASHES Connors again and again and again!
Akira TOSSES his belt aside, that’s a free souvenir now. Akira won’t stop here, though, as he goes looking under the ring. Akira brings out chairs! Akira puts those in, then drag Connors over. Red Shoes is here and he says don’t do it, Akira! Akira stops himself, letting his rage subside. Akira tries to reason with Red Shoes, Red Shoes won’t let it go, so Akira SHOVES Red Shoes down! Connors has a chair, but Akira blocks the shot! Akira JAMS Connors up! Red Shoes says no, he can still stop now! Gedo says just end the match anyway! Akira SMACKS Connors with the chair again and again!! DISQUALIFICATION!
Winner: Clark Connors, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
But Akira doesn’t care, his rage has boiled up, and he SMACKS Connors again!! He gave Connors the points he wanted, was settling the grudge worth giving up a spot in the finals? Wait, Akira isn’t done, he wedges a chair in a corner, and then drags Connors up! Red Shoes reprimands, commentary all shout for Akira to stop, but Akira puts Connors against the chair. Young Lions rush in but Akira shoves them all away! The Young Lions come back, they keep Akira from running at Connors! Akira powers up and gets free, but Connors SPEARS Akira through the table!!! Both men are down in the wreckage, is nothing settled between Empire and War Dogs?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Kevin Knight!
The Rogue Luchador said at the start of this that anyone could win at any given time, no matter who they are and where they’re from. At the same time, he vowed just the other day that he would finish this off and win the whole thing! Will the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion stop The Jet from taking off? Or will Knight win that golden ticket shortcut to the top?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Knight and Despy circle, feel things out, and Knight waistlocks. Despy wrenches free but Knight rolls, kips up, and wrenches back to waistlock. Then Knight arm-drags for a takedown, and he drops a knee on the arm! The fans cheer, Knight wristlocks, then double wristlocks, but Despy fights up to the ROPEBREAK! Knight lets go slowly, and the fans cheer as Knight flexes. Knight teases Despy’s lack of abs, and Red Shoes checks. Despy says stop, and the two reset. They tie up, Despy trips Knight, then thigs speed up. Despy avoids the hurdle, but not the BACKDROP! Despy tumbles out and the fans rally.
Knight aims to PLANCHA, but Despy blocks his kick! Despy trips Knight up and Knight hits off the apron! Despy then goes for the leg, STRETCH MUFFLER! Red Shoes reprimands, Despy lets go, but he YANKS Knight’s leg. Knight hobbles but Despy kick shim down. Despy stalks Knight around the way, brings him up, but Knight fires body shots! Despy CHOPS back and Knight staggers away. Knight returns to CHOP, so Despy UPPERCUTS! Despy puts Knight in the ring, storms up on him, and hits a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer and Despy covers, ONE!! Knight is tougher than that but Despy taunts him.
Despy stands Knight up but Knight fires body shots. Despy kicks the leg, then grabs it, SHIN BREAKER! Knight hobbles and falls, and Despy looms over him. Despy grabs a leg but Knight kicks and kicks and kicks! Despy kicks in return, then brings Knight in, only for Knight to BACKDROP again! The fans rally as Knight rallies with LARIATS! Knight whips, Despy reverses, but Knight goes up and over! Knight comes back to LARIAT again! Knight then runs corner to corner, BIG LARIAT! Knight powers up to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Despy stays in this, and Knight says he was that close.
Knight goes to the corner and the fans rally as he takes aim. Knight springboards but Despy DECKS him! Despy goes out to the apron and stands Knight up, but Knight fires forearms first! Despy SMACKS Knight in return! Despy underhooks, but Knight holds on for dear life! The fans rally, Knight fights free, and he SUPERKICKS Despy! Then he APRON SATE- NO, Despy just shrugs Knight off! Despy laughs as Knight falls on the floor. Despy then grabs a leg and SMASHES it on the floor! Despy YANKS the leg, then has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Red Shoes reprimands as Despy thrashes Knight’s leg! Despy stops and he leaves Knight behind.
Knight writhes and Red Shoes checks him, and somehow Knight is able to continue. The ring count starts, Knight seethes as he sits up, but we already pass 10 of 20! Knight hobbles at 14, grits his teeth, and he rolls in at 17! Despy is on him with a gut wrench! GUITARRA POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but the STRETCH MUFFLER returns! Knight endures, reaches out, but Despy rolls him from the ropes! They go around, Despy has NUMERO DOS! Knight activates the core to sit up! Knight reels Despy into an IRON OCTOPUS! Despy sits down but Knight pulls on the arm more! The fans rally as Despy fights around, and finds the ROPEBREAK!
Knight lets go in frustration but now things are even. Knight roars and rises up to bring Despy around. Despy shoves Knight, Knight comes back, but Despy ROCKS Knight! Despy fires more shots, but Knight fires back! Knight ROCKS Despy, roars, but the bad leg won’t let him jump! Despy KICKS the legs out! Despy then storms up to whip, but Knight reverses and SKY 2 HIGH! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans cheer! Knight snarls, he pushes Despy to the drop zone, and Knight climbs the corner! Bad leg or not, Knight aims, but Despy SHORYUKENS! Despy then ROCKET LAUNCHES Knight off the top!
Knight sputters, Despy goes up, but Knight rises! UPPER ROOM!! The fans fire up as Knight manages that jump, and he goes back up top! MOTHERSHIP UFO SPLASH FLOPS as Despy dodges! SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives, Despy is frustrated, but the fans fire up again! Despy drags Knight up, underhooks, but Knight wrenches out! Cradle, TWO!!! Despy escapes, Knight slips around, backslide! TWO!! Despy and Knight stand, Knight SUPERKICKS! Despy LOCO ELBOWS! Despy runs, into a DROPKICK!! The fans fire up as Knight still manages that jump, too! Knight then takes aim and waits on Despy.
Despy rises, Knight somersaults, and SATELLITE DDTS!! Cover, TWO?!?! Despy survives and Knight is shocked but the fans fire up again! Knight backs away to the corner and he climbs up again. The fans fire up as Knight reaches the top, but Despy rises! Despy hits the ropes to trip Knight up! A savvy move and Despy goes after Knight. Despy brings Knight up but Knight fires body shots. Despy HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! Knight fires more shots, but Despy ROCKS him! Despy goes to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men writhe and the fans are thunderous! Despy crawls and covers, TWO!!!
The fans fire up again as Knight survives! Despy roars, he drags Knight up, and he underhooks for PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Knight survives and shocks everyone! The fans love it but Despy is frustrated with Knight. Despy drags Knight up, underhooks him again, FACEBUSTER! Roll through and PINCHE- NO, Knight fights the lift! Knight reaches out, but Despy pulls that arm back! Despy underhooks again, for PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, DESPY WINS!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
Knight gave it his all but he could not bring down the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion! The Jet is now on the outside looking in, will Desperado make it to his back-to-back BOSJ wins?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Hiromu Takahashi!
The winner of BOSJ 30 now runs into the FOUR-TIME BOSJ winner, and it could all come down to this win! Will the Way of the Grandmaster continue on to the top of the block? Or will the Ticking Timebomb blow up all of Wato’s plans for the future?
The bell rings and the fans strongly rally for “HI-RO-MU!” The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Wato digs in and powers Hiromu to the ropes, but Hiromu turns it around. Red Shoes calls the break, Hiromu slowly lets off, and the fans applaud. But then Hiromu takes a swing! Wato dodges, headlocks, but Hiromu powers out. Wato RUNS Hiromu over, things keep moving, and Hiromu hurdles. Wato leaps over, then keeps moving to RANA Hiromu! Hiromu tumbles out, Wato builds speed, but Hiromu is back to ELBOW Wato! Hiromu whips Wato to a corner, Wato BOOTS in return and BULLDOGS!
The fans fire up with Wato and he goes back to Hiromu. Wato wrenches but Hiromu fights Recientemente. Wato KNEES low, whips, but Hiromu grabs ropes. Hiromu BOOTS Wato and then reels him in for a HANGING HEADSCISSORS! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets go to then whip Wato to a corner. LARIAT and snapmare, basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer, Hiromu covers, TWO! Hiromu keeps on Wato with the headscissors squeeze! The fans rally as Wato endures and moves around. Wato reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go, Wato goes to the outside, but Hiromu is after him.
Hiromu CHOPS Wato, stalks Wato around the way, and they go past commentary. Hiromu stands Wato up to CHOP again! Wato flounders but Hiromu stays after him. Hiromu stands Wato up, CHOPS him again, and Wato falls back down. Hiromu brings Wato up, fakes putting him in and CHOPS! Then snap suplexes to the floor! Wato writhes, Red Shoes insists this be in the ring, then starts a count. Hiromu goes back to Wato, brings him up at 5 of 20, and puts him in at 8. The fans applaud and Hiromu covers, TWO! Wato toughs it out but Hiromu is right on him with a CAMEL CLUTCH! Hiromu sits deep on the hold already but Wato endures!
The fans rally, Wato frees an arm, and he uses that to crawl forward! Hiromu sits back down to bend Wato, but Wato still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Hiromu lets go. Hiromu paces while Wato writhes, and we pass five minutes. Hiromu brings Wato back up, just to CHOP him back down! Hiromu eggs Wato on, and the fans rally again. Wato rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Hiromu CHOPS Wato right down! The fans rally, Hiromu drags Wato up to whip, but Wato reverses and CALF KICKS! Hiromu goes to ropes, runs up, but Wato scoops to BACKBREAKER! Hiromu tumbles out and the fans rally up again.
Wato builds speed and he FLIES! Down goes Hiromu and the fans fire up again! Wato drags Hiromu up, puts him in, and goes to the apron. Wato springboards in, FLYING UPPERCUT! The fans cheer, Wato covers, TWO! The fans rally up as Wato rises, and Wato fires himself back up. Wato wrenches and hooks Hiromu up, but Hiromu fights Recientemente! Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Wato fights free! Wato SOBATS, then wrenches again, but Hiromu fireman’s carries! Wato sunset flips, into VENDEVAL! Hiromu endures as Wato pulls on the head and neck! Hiromu rocks the boat to then head for ropes! Wato lets Hiromu go so he can body scissors and roll!
VEND- NO, Hiromu makes it a cradle, TWO! VENDAVAL!! Hiromu endures all over again and the fans rally up! Hiromu leans, but he’s fading! Red Shoes checks Hiromu, but he gets that second wind! Hiromu seesaws around, but he is still fading! A third wind helps Hiromu make it to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Wato lets go in frustration. Wato waistlocks but Hiromu fights the lift! Hiromu reaches out again, but Wato brings him away from ropes! Hiromu fires elbows to get free, but Wato swings through the lariat, CRUCIFIX DRIVER, then RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up!
Wato is frustrated but he just fires up more! The fans rally, Wato brings Hiromu up and chicken wings. RECIENTE- NO, Hiromu fights off The Second with an arm-drag! Wato is up but Hiromu mule kicks! Front KICKS! Hiromu SWATS the roundhouse to SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs, but Wato dodges! Wato tilt-o-whirls, schoolboys, but Hiromu rolls through to then HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Both men rise and the fans rally up again! Wato runs up, but Hiromu scoops to SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Wato is still in this and the fans still rally. Hiromu roars, the fans fire up with him, and he brings Wato into the dragon sleeper!
Wato fires knees from below, Hiromu staggers, and Wato ROUNDHOUSES! Hiromu roars, but the DREAMCAST KICK hits! Wato roars, the fans fire up, and Wato drags Hiromu up. Wato waistlocks to TSUTENKAKU!! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and Wato is beside himself! The fans rally even harder as Wato rises. Wato drags Hiromu back up, chicken wings again, RECIENTE- NO, Hiromu flips through! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER meets KOZY LARIAT!! Hiromu slumps down and Wato stands tall! The fans are thunderous and Wato roars! Wato drags Hiromu up,b ut HIromu SUPERKICKS!
Wato kicks, Hiromu ducks, and CODE BREAKAER! Then HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!! Wato survives and the fans are thunderous! Hiromu hauls Wato up, fireman’s carries, and the TIMEBOMB 1.5!! But Hiromu isn’t done, he dragon sleepers and TIMEBOMB 2.0!!! Cover, HIROMU WINS!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
To battle like this, these two truly are two of the Best of the Super Juniors! But in the end, four times beats one time, and Wato falls off the top spot. Will Wato still find his way into the finals?
As for Hiromu, he does offer a handshake of respect, but Wato refuses, too frustrated with himself to accept. Hiromu goes to the mic to tell Wato, “Where’s your belt? Aren’t you a tag champion? Take it easy, it’s okay. I figured I’d challenge. And as for my partner… Me and Kanemaru will challenge! I think! Understand, yesterday wasn’t really how Kanemaru felt. Me and him are challenging, so get ready!” The fans applaud, but is The Ticking Timebomb serious about the Heel Master coming around?
Moving on from that, Hiromu admits he’s really feeling that match now. Maybe Hiromu can’t go anymore. Hiromu thanks you for all your support, please chant for him. The fans do chant for “HI-RO-MU!” and he feels better. And it has been a little while since he’s done one, so maybe let’s do a little Hiromu survey! Don’t be shy, if this is your first time watching wrestling live, please raise your hand. Oh, a lot of you! And you didn’t even leave during this pointless promo! Thank you! The fans cheer and Hiromu wonders… Anyone planning on going to the finals in Ota? Yes, some, but not enough! Hey, Ota is near Nagoya, when you think about it.
In fact, nothing is “too far” within Japan! Everywhere is local in Japan! Everywhere is local in Japan! Right? The fans echo that, and Hiromu says, “Thank you for chanting that!” Hiromu says these are real fans here! The fans cheer that! Now, going through BOSJ, there is one thing Hiromu is sure of. He guarantees that BOSJ will be the best tour in ALL of NJPW! The fans cheer that! Hiromu vows that he will definitely win! IF he has your support! The fans cheer, and Hiromu says no really, he needs you! The fans chant his name again, and he powers up again. Hiromu thanks them, and promises that for the rest of BOSJ…
Hiromu will make it “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!!” Fun for everyone!! The fans cheer as Hiromu sets down the mic, but will he get into the finals? Or could he still be one stumble away from missing out?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-3, 10 points
Master Wato: 5-3, 10 points
Clark Connors: 5-3, 10 points
Francesco Akira: 4-4, 8 points
Kosei Fujita: 4-4, 8 points
KUSHIDA: 4-4, 8 points
Dragon Dia: 4-4, 8 points
Robbie X: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ninja Mack: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
YOH: 5-3, 10 points
MAO: 5-3, 10 points
El Desperado: 5-3, 10 points
Nick Wayne: 4-4, 8 points
SHO: 4-4, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-4, 8 points
Robbie Eagles: 4-4, 8 points
Kevin Knight: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
A great round here, but thankfully the last time all 10 tournament matches are on one card. I also appreciated that so many of those matches in the first half of the card were so fast and short. And at this point in the tournament, it makes sense a good chunk of each block goes down into mathematically eliminated territory. Mack still getting a win despite that was great for him, and he might’ve been the final nail in Fujita’s own run, depending on how the ninth round goes. The blocks still parallel each other at this point, three guys at 5-3 for 10 points, and it will really come down to who loses rather than who wins.
Wato may have lost tonight, but he could beat Kanemaru and still make it in. Hiromu has Robbie X, Connors has Fujita, one of those could end up a huge upset, but so could Kanemaru cheating Wato to then add onto this idea that Hiromu will team with him even though he isn’t going to be House of Torture. On the other side, Desperado VS Eagles, Yoh VS Taiji, and Mao VS Sho, those are also intriguing match-ups. I would think Despy makes it in as both champion and last year’s tournament winner, so the other two are going to be really tricky. And if this is where Nick Wayne’s run ends with him and Titan in a somewhat do-nothing match, it’s still a great first run, and he can be home in the USA and AEW in time for Fyter Fest.
My Score: 9/10
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Who will be the W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~?!
Tonight on Raw, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods defend the WWE World Tag Team Championships in a Triple Threat against War Raiders and Creed Brothers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: PENTA VS Dragon Lee VS Chad Gable; Penta wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- Rusev VS Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: The New Day VS The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers; The New Day win and retain the titles.
- Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez VS Kairi Sane w/ Iyo Sky; Kairi wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn VS Finn Balor; Rollins wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins is here!
The Visionary leads the way for The Wise Man, the Badass and the Colossal Aussie as they head down the runway. The fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHHH~!” as Rollins steps into the ring in his mint blue floral suit. Rollins revels in the singing a little longer, then the fans bark for Bron Breakker. Paul Heyman has a mic and he gives his introductions. “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. Let’s see who the players are without even the benefit of a scorecard. First…” The fans bark as Heyman steps to his left. “A man, an attack dog, a badass, THE badass, in a true bloodline of badasses.
“And not just a badass, but the key to the future. If Skynet sent a Terminator from the future to this plane today and you asked that Terminator, ‘Who’s gonna main event WrestleManias 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and so on?’ That terminator would tell you the answer to that question is BRON! BREAKKER!” Fans are a little torn on that but Heyman says he’ll put his reputation on the line tonight. That’s not a prediction, that is a damn spoiler! The fans chant for “CM PUNK!” but Rollins smirks. Heyman asks Rollins if the fans realize that CM Punk is not here tonight. The fans boo, but Heyman says that is all thanks to “Big Bronson Reed!”
“WWE would never put him in the ring with top tier talent. Why? Because they were afraid of him! Not just the WWE, but the top tier talent here in the WWE! Why? Cuz he’s too reckless! Why? Cuz of the Tsunami! Why? Cuz he’s a violent man in the PG Era, and he’s gonna put everyone down in front of him! So what’d Bronson Reed do? He took the initiative! He went after THE top star in WWE! He went after the legacy player, the future of this industry! Bronson Reed targeted Seth Freakin’ Rollins. In one night, Bronson Reed put a beating on Seth Rollins worse than Roman Reigns ever put on Seth Rollins in ten years.
“In ONE night, Bronson Reed put a beating worse on Seth Rollins than CM Punk was able to do in his entire career! In ONE NIGHT, Seth Rollins fought Roman Reigns and CM Punk in essentially a handicap match at WrestleMania, and they couldn’t do the damage to him that Bronson Reed did to him in ONE NIGHT! Get down on your hands and your knees and thank the Heavens above for the altruism of this man to my right. The sacrifice that Seth Rollins is willing to make for each and every single one of you so that the trajectory of this industry going into the future is bigger than ever before.
“I give to you the most generous man I have ever met in my entire life. I give to you the epitome of the epiphany. I give to you a Visionary! I give to you an Architect! I give to you the future of this entire industry! Ladies and gentlemen… ACKNOWLEDGE Seth Freakin’ Rollins!” The fans boo and Rollins smiles, but then the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Rollins takes a moment, listens for the fans singing his song, but also hears the fans chant, “We Want Roman!” Rollins waits for that to die down, then he says, “Make no mistake about it. Tampa, this is the vision. This is MY vision. This is the way forward! This is how we secure the future of the industry!
“We do it through total control! Through total domination! Through complete POWER!” The fans chant, “You Sold Out!” Rollins asks to who? To himself? Are they outta their minds? Rollins has not changed a beat! He told us exactly what he would do at WrestleMania, and he did it! Rollins takes a moment, but the fans cuss him out. Rollins says the fans are questioning his integrity right now. They are questioning him. Need he remind them, less than five minutes ago, everyone in this building was singing HIS song! And now, NOW, you wanna chant profanity at him? You wanna question HIS integrity?
The singing does return, and Heyman conducts it, but Rollins has everyone hold on. “You people, you morons, don’t even know right from left! You don’t know what’s good for you! But you’re telling ME that I’M the bad guy here, that I don’t deserve the power. I’m the only one who does. I’m the only person capable of leading this company into the future. I’m the only person capable of wielding that power! And that power comes through championships! And I tell you, I would be standing here before you, right now, World Heavyweight Champion, if it wasn’t for Sami Zayn… And C… M… Punk.” The fans chant for Punk again and Rollins sighs.
Rollins stands with Bronson and says, “CM Punk found out on Saturday exactly what happens when you underestimate me! Sami Zayn will figure that out tonight, because ladies and gentlemen, I have found something more powerful than championships. I have found an object that allows me to control the fates of those championships.” Rollins looks up to the Money in the Bank briefcase. Heyman smiles and Rollins says, “I’m going to qualify for Money in the Bank. I am going to win the Money in the Bank contract. And I am going to cash-in the MITB contract.
“But here’s the beauty of it: I can do it whenever I want; I can do it however I want; I can cash-in on whomever I want; and there is NOBODY who can stop me! And THAT is complete domination! THAT is total power! And THAT is why I am a Visionary! I am a Revolutionary! I am SETH! FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!” The mission statement is crystal clear, but will all of the gold soon belong to Rollins and his team?
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: PENTA VS Dragon Lee VS Chad Gable!
Speaking of MITB, this could be one of the fastest and wildest qualifiers yet! But will a luchador win their way to LA? Or will Chad Gable give himself a very busy Saturday with both a Worlds Collide AND MITB match?
Raw returns as Gable is frustrated already seeing his Worlds Collide opponent, El Hijo del Vikingo, in the crowd to watch this. The bell rings, Gable, Penta and Lee watch each other. The fans rally, Lee and Penta realize Gable is the common denominator, so they DOUBLE SUPERKICK! They take turns stomping Gable, but then they argue over who gets to do more. They shove each other, then agree to keep on Gable together. They TOSS Gable out, Gable tumbles, and now Penta rolls Lee! TWO, and Lee says okay, if that’s how it is… Lee dodges Penta, runs up, but Penta puts Lee on the apron. Lee RAMS Penta, bumps and ROUNDHOUSES him, then RANAS!
Penta ends up in a corner, Lee runs corner to corner, JUMP KCIK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION DRAGON! But Gable is back to ROCK Lee! Gable whips, Lee reverses and Lee DROPKICKS! Lee runs to DROPKICK Penta! Lee comes back for Gable, but Gable catches him for an EXPLODER! Gable dodges Lee, Penta springboards, but Gable catches him! GERMAN SUPELX! The fans boo but Lee RAMS Gable. Lee slingshots but Gable NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Gable snarls and he drags Lee up. Gable THROWS Lee out, goes back to Penta, but Penta fires body shots. Gable CHPOS, whips, but Penta KICKS Gable!
Penta dodges Gable, mule kicks a leg, then SLING-DOGS! Lee is back but Penta pops him up in the corner, SUPERKICK to Lee! Gable runs up, into a BACKBREAKER! Penta picks Lee up into the Gory Especial, then he reels Gable in! Underhook, TIGER DRIVER GORY BOMB COMBO!!! The ref checks Gable as he flops out of the ring, but Lee also goes out, only for Penta to FLY! Direct hit and the fans fire up while Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Gable whips Penta, but then Penta grabs ropes. Gable runs up, Penta TOSSES him, but then Lee runs up. Penta SUPERKICKS Lee, goes out, but Gable anchors his foot! Gable YANKS Penta down, then SMACKS him off the desk! Gable talks trash on Vikingo, goes back for Penta, then throws hands! Gable wants Vikingo to know what’s waiting for him on June 7th! But Lee FLIES! Gable moves, Lee lands right on Penta and they both fall off the desk!! Everyone loses their minds, even Gable! Gable sucker punches Vikingo! The fans boo and Michael Cole tells Gable to focus on the match! How dare he assault a guest?
Gable puts Penta in the ring, CHOPS him, but Penta just gets mad. The fans fire up as Penta winds up and CHOPS! Gable snarls and CHOPS! Penta CHPOS, Lee SUPERKICKS Gable! Penta SUPERKICKS Lee! Lee DRAGON TRIGGERS! And POISON-RANAS! Gable lariats, Lee slips through and lifts! LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives landing on his head again, and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” and Lee rises up. Lee has Penta for a fireman’s carry, but Penta fights free with elbows! Penta spins Lee, pump handles, but Gable waistlocks! GERMAN SUPLEX PUMP HANDLE SLAM COMBO!!!
The fans are thunderous and Gable has the straps down! “A THANK YEW~!!” Gable goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS onto Penta! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and Gable is furious! Lee runs up, but Gable THROWS him overhead! Lee hits buckles, Gable goes up, but Vikingo trips Gable! GAMANGIRI! Gable is in the Tree of Woe and Vikingo cheers on Lee! Lee climbs, aims, and WOE STOMPS Gable!! But Penta hits Lee with a DESTROYER!! Penta gives Gable the PENTA DRIVER!!! Cover, PENTA WINS!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Vikingo gets even with Gable, but they’ll surely go above and beyond at Worlds Collide! As for Penta, will #CeroMiedo be the one holding the MITB contract?
Judgment Day hangs out in the clubhouse.
JD McDonagh wants to talk tag titles but Finn Balor says one thing at a time. Finn’s gonna focus on MITB first, then they get back to business. As for Carlito & Dominik, they’re too busy playing WWE 2K and the WarGames match. But Roxanne Perez is here? She has a whole platter of chicken nuggets and offers him some. And then she says his shoulders seem tense. Roxie starts massaging Dom’s arm, and then LIV MORGAN walks in! She is absolutely livid, and Dom says hey, she’s back! Roxie wants to introduce herself but Liv hushes her. What’s been going on? Well, see, the time zones and nuggets and-
Liv stops Dom there, because Raquel already filled her in. And something is about to get very interesting. Liv will address that, but not before asking Adam Pearce for an MITB qualifier. Liv tells “Sister” Raquel time to head out, and Raquel tells Dom in Espanol that he messed up. Liv & Raquel head out, Finn chuckles and Dom plays it off by saying it’s so great to have Liv back. Finn says yes it is. Carlito says stop eating Roxie’s nuggies. Is Liv feeling what it’s like to have the tables turned on her? Or will she assert her dominance soon enough?
WWE honors our armed forces on this Memorial Day.
Home of the free because of the brave. Cody Rhodes narrates by saying it is easy to speak of sacrifice and harder to live it. Some did. From Normandy to Vietnam, across the Gulf War deserts and mountains of Afghanistan. Not for praise, but for freedom, for each other, and for all of us. Today, remember the selfless who stood in harm’s way and gave their all. Because of them, we live free. Because of them, we carry on. To them, we say thank you.
Rusev VS Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri!
The Redeemer all but demolished The Dozer, and that is why the Stamina Monster is already raging as he stands in the ring. Will Rusev continue to “fix” the Raw roster by breaking them down? Or can Tozawa stop the rampage?
The bell rings and Tozawa rips his shirt! Rusev runs up, Tozawa dodges to fire off hands! Rusev shoves Tozawa, Tozawa is back to throw more hands! Rusev shoves Tozawa to a corner, runs in, but Tozawa dodges! Tozawa runs up but Rusev puts him on the apron. Tozawa GAMANGIRIS, goes up, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Rusev tumbles, but he comes back to LARIAT! The fans are torn but Rusev roars and stomps around! MACHKA KICK!! Rusev roars, “RUSEV! MACHKA!!” And then the ACCOLADE!!! Tozawa TAPS, Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev makes Tozawa suffer, he bends Tozawa back! The fans are torn and the ref tries to pry that grip open! But wait! Here comes Sheamus! Rusev throws Tozawa aside, and Bulgarian Brute stares down The Celtic Warrior. They were once friends, but that was a long time ago. The fans rally behind Sheamus, and Rusev stands down. Does Rusev feel Sheamus does not need his “help?” Or is he not deserving?
Backstage interview with Burt Kreischer & Tom Segura.
Cathy Kelley tells Burt welcome back, and brings up Segura being a bit critical of the WWE in the past. What brings him by tonight? Segura knows he’s done stupid things in his life, saying that stuff was part of it. But Cody Rhodes was on their podcast recently, it was a great time, and a real eye-opener. Plus, Burt had such a blast at the show he attended, so Tom couldn’t turn it down. Cathy knows that’s true. They were interrupted last time, so maybe Burt can plug his stuff now? Burt says yes, his new special is called Lucky, on Netflix, watch now. Something has Bur’s attention and he excuses himself.
Cathy knows Tom has something coming up, too, and he says yes, his own special will be a wild sketch show and- Wait, Burt is calling for Tom. Tom says this happens every time… Tom heads over, and Burt’s got his shirt off as he’s excited to see the War Raiders in person! It’s like they could all be related! Ivar says time to fire up! Ivar CHOPS Burt on the chest, Burt is already red, and they chant “WAR! WAR! WAR!” The Raiders head out, Tom has Burt calm down cuz Erik & Ivar left. Burt asks how does he look. Very red. Tom suggests they check with a medic to check before he and Burt go to their seats.
Sami Zayn is backstage.
Sami says he can’t stand listening to those guys talk! Heyman, Rollins, running their mouths, Sami should’ve gone out there to interrupt. But for what? Jey Uso says it would’ve been 1v3. Gotta be smart, Uce. Gotta pick the right time. Rollins wants the power, but this is how they stop him! Sami goes out there, wins the qualifier, and snatch that briefcase. If anything gets messy out there, Jey has Sami’s back. Sami nods, and Jey has him bring it in for the secret handshake. Jey wishes Sami luck, but will the Underdog from the Underground be on top? Will the Visionary’s plan continue to succeed? Or will The Prince have his own golden ticket to LA?
WWE World Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: The New Day VS The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers!
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods certainly tried to use their opponents against each other in hopes of crossing one off the list, but now they’ll be facing them both! Will the New Day survive a night in Tampa? Will Erik & Ivar have redemption from WrestleMania? Or will Julius & Brutus make sure these titles are now American Made?
Raw returns as the titles are raised and Burt is seen chugging beer! Tom joins in, and then the War Raiders attack the New Day! The fans fire up, the ref reprimands, but the Raiders TOSS the Creeds! This has to come down to 1v1 but Erik & Ivar throw hands on Woods & Kofi! The Creeds return, but the Raiders stereo scoop and SLAM them! Then Erik scoops and SLAMS Woods! Ivar & Erik scoop Kofi to LAWN DART him out onto the rest! The fans fire up, the Raiders say “UP!” Erik scoops Ivar, and from the apron he THROWS Ivar onto everyone! The fans fire up, Ivar rises, and he puts Kofi in. The bell rings as Erik brings Kofi up.
Ivar climbs a corner, but Woods anchors Ivar’s leg! Kofi BOOTS Erik, Julius DROPKICKS Ivar to the floor! Woods & Brutus THROW Erik into barriers! Julius & Kofi do the same! The New Day and American Made have made an alliance, and they all RAM Erik together! They they go to the ring and stand tall together. The fans boo while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the Raiders are back. Kofi has Erik but Erik fires body shots. Kofi KNEES low, facelocks, and he puts Erik in the ropes. Kofi KNEES away on Erik, then tags Woods. Woods goes up the corner to GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMP! The fans boo but Woods struts around. “NEW~ DAY~!” “SUCKS!” Woods talks trash on Erik, brings him up, but the fans rally. Erik shoves Woods and ROCKS him! Both men fall and the fans fire up! Woods sputters but Erik crawls, hot tag to Ivar! Julius runs in but Ivar BACKDROPS him! BOOT for Woods! Scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM for Brutus!
Kofi runs in, Ivar dodges then scoop shim, SIDEWALK SLAM onto Brutus! Ivar runs and he DOUBLE SPLASHES! Julius is up, the fans fire up with Ivar, and Ivar runs in, only for Julius to dodge. Julius comes back, into the SEATED SENTON! Ivar TOSSES Woods, dodges Brutus and LARIATS him up and out! Kofi runs up but Ivar TOSSES him out onto Woods & The Creeds! The fans fire up more as Ivar says “UP!” Ivar climbs the corner! But Kofi jumps up to GAMANGIRI! Ivar falls but Erik DECKS Kofi! Brutus ROCKS Erik! Brutus RAMS Erik, hoists him up, but Erik SMACKS Brutus! Brutus ROCKS Erik then climbs.
Erik DECKS Brutus, but Julius springs up! The fans fire up for the SUPER DUPER PLEX! Woods hits the LIMIT BREAKER ELBOW on Erik! But Ivar is up top! WAR BEARD SPLASH!! Cover, Kofi & The Creeds break it! The fans fire up while all six men are down! “This is Awesome!” as the teams regroup. Kofi runs up on Erik, but Erik ducks the kick! EriK DECKS Kofi! The Creeds CLOBBER Erik! Ivar breaks their line to handspring DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! And then HEEL KICK for Woods! Ivar helps Erik wake up, and he says it is time to end this! Erik feeds Woods to Ivar, but Julius tags in! Ivar DECKS Julius, Woods FACEBUSTERS Erik!
Kofi KICKS Ivar, he and Brutus TOSS Ivar out! Brutus springboards to BRUTUS BALL Erik! Kofi DIVES at Ivar, but Ivar catches him! And RAMS him into the LED apron! The fans fire up for Ivar, and he runs up, CROSSBODY against the LED board! Ivar goes up, up, but Julius JUMP KNEES him! Woods rolls Julius up with tights! NEW DAY WIN!!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (still WWE World Tag Team Champions)
Well, The New Day used their opponents against each other all over again and came away with the titles! Will no one ever stop Kofi & Woods as the W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, Champions~?
Liv & Raquel walk ‘n’ talk.
And then they spot something. It’s Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane! What is this? A DMG CTRL reunion? Isn’t that group as dead as Kairi’s chances of winning MITB? Iyo says keep walking. Oh, they will! Liv is gonna walk right into Adam Pearce’s office and get herself a qualifier. And when she wins the briefcase, she cashes in on Iyo. Something Kairi could never ever do! Kairi tells Liv, in Japanese, that Liv keeps on talking, talking, talking like an idiot. Kairi then dares Liv to have a match with her tonight! Liv says challenge accepted. Raquel says Kairi done messed up, but Iyo says good on the Pirate Princess. Will Kairi sink Liv’s ship before it even sets sail?
Jey Uso heads to the ring!
The fans are ready to YEET here in Tampa as the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way down to ringside. After Saturday Night’s Main Event, we know he and Cody Rhodes are preparing for a star-studded tag team match at MITB, what will Jey have to say about it? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Jey has the mic to say, “The World Heavyweight Champ, Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says it has been a busy week for the champ. “YEET!” Everybody’s after the champ! “YEET!” Logan Paul got YEET’D! Cena ’bout to get YEET’D! And at MITB, it is Jey and his dawg, Cody- WAIT! Gunther is here! Der Ring General interrupts as he goes right to the ring and grabs his own mic. The fans taunt Gunther with “You Tapped Out!” but Gunther shrugs that off. Gunther tells Jey, “Well first of all, I came out here…” The fans boo but Gunther says he wants to congratulate Jey.
“And this one comes from a very personal places. Congratulations on the 15 year jubilee of The Usos in the WWE.” The fans cheer that, and Gunther says, “Secondly, congratulations on your first successful defense against Logan Paul on Saturday. You are holding onto this title way longer than I expected.” The fans boo that but Gunther says he appreciates Jey is doing everything in his power to fulfill this position. He really wants to be the captain of Monday Night Raw. And Jey has his hands full. There’s the long term plan going around, some of Jey’s friends are in trouble, and when they need Jey, he is there, no questions asked.
“And those are great qualities for a human being. But they are terrible qualities for a great champion.” The fans boo, but Gunther says he doesn’t blame Jey. Jey doesn’t know any better. Unlike Gunther, this position as World Heavyweight Champion doesn’t come natural to Jey. Being a great champion doesn’t mean you’re there for everyone else, that you sort out all the problems. Just guess, how was Gunther able to be a champion for almost ay ear? Because the only person he cares about is HIMSELF! The fans boo, but Gunther says if he is fully honest, Jey doesn’t have the intellect to carry himself as a great champion.
And in two weeks, when they step into the ring one more time, Gunther will relieve Jey from his position. Gunther will make things right and choke Jey out! Gunther will take back HIS World Heavyweight Championship and put it back where it belongs: Around Gunther’s waist! The fans boo but Jey takes a moment. “You done? Are you done?” Jey says he’s done, He is done with everybody saying his days as champ are numbered. “YEET!” Jey is done with everybody using an excuse for this title to turn their back on the people who brought them up! Jey does have friends, he does have family. He a real one, Uce. He fights for them, they fight for him!
The fans cheer and Jey paces. Jey tells Gunther he runs his mouth on Jey’s life. Gunther wants to judge Jey? Go ahead! Jey gets worked up and says what Gunther is fighting for is less than what Jey is fighting for. Jey isn’t overlooking Gunther, he knows what Gunther is capable of. Jey knows Gunther in and out. So see you in Phoenix. But at the end of the day, at the end of the day… Jey is fighting for the fans. Because in Phoenix, Jey will make Gunther tap out, again! Four letters, one word, UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up with Jey as he heads out. Will this be the Summer of YEET?
Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez VS Kairi Sane!
The leading lady of the Judgment Day is back from her time in Japan filming for Hollywood, but now she thinks she can just call the shots for MITB. Will Liv be rolling towards a MITB qualifier? Or will the Pirate Princess prove she’s still got it?
Raw returns as Kairi makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. They go around, Liv puts Kairi on ropes, then they go along ropes. Kairi has Liv in the corner but she lets off as the ref counts. Kairi rushes up but Liv THROWS her down by her hair! Liv KICKS Kairi, stomps away, but the ref counts. Liv stops at 4, bumps Kairi off buckles, then throws hands! The ref counts, Liv shrieks, “OKAY!” But Kairi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Kairi CHOPS Liv again and then fires boxing elbows! Kairi backs Liv into a corner, ROCKS her, then whips corner to corner. Kairi runs up, Liv puts her on the apron, but Kairi RAMS Liv!
Kairi goes up, up, and leaps, but Liv gets under. Kairi says kiss this! The fans fire up, Liv says okay then! Liv runs up, Kairi sidesteps and drops down, then does it again. Kairi blows past, goes up and RANAS! Liv tumbles to the ropes, the fans fire up with Kairi, and she runs in, SLIDING D! Liv sputters and Kairi goes out to the apron. Kairi brings Liv up, BACKHANDS her, then gets space. Kairi runs in, but Liv dodges! Kairi boots the post, and Liv SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS to the floor! Raquel cheers and the fans are torn, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Liv suplexes Kairi! That’s Una Amiga as Liv brings her back up, for Dos Amigas! Liv brings Kairi up again, for THREE- NO, Kairi slips free, but Liv ELBOWS her! Liv runs, Kairi dodges, and then Kairi SPEARS! The fans fire up while both women are down! Raquel panics and coaches Liv but Kairi goes to a corner. Liv runs up but Kairi DECKS her! And CLOBBERS her! And CROSSBODIES her! Kairi whips, Liv reverses, but Kairi stops herself to come back, BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up with Kairi again and she has Liv in the corner. Kairi marches and then runs up, SLIDING D again!
Liv flounders, Kairi climbs, and FLYING KABUKI FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Liv lives and Kairi is annoyed, but she hurries to bring Liv back up. The fans rally, Liv breaks free, but Kairi ducks the enzigiri! Kairi has the legs, and she pulls Liv into the ANCHOR HOLD! Liv endures as Kairi bridges back! The fans fire up but Liv pulls hair! The ref reprimands, but Kairi DECKS Liv! Kairi roars, runs, but Liv STOMPS her down! Liv scowls, rises up, and she climbs the corner. FLYING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Kairi survives and Liv is livid! Liv SLAPS Kairi around, kicks her, then has her on the ropes. Liv runs up, but Kairi denies ObLIVion!
URAKEN!! Liv sputters, Kairi runs, SLIDING D the third!! Cover, TWO!! The fans rally, Kairi drags Liv up, and then she Alabama Lifts! But Liv sunset flips it! TWO, and both women hurry to their feet! Liv blocks the backhand to BACKSTABBER! Kairi flounders. Liv runs in, but Kairi pops Liv up! But Liv rolls, Kairi smothers it to a jackknife bridge, TWO! Both women grab at the other but Kairi Alabama Lifts again! ALABAMA SLAM! Kairi goes up the corner and the fans fire up! Raquel distracts the ref, ROXANNE shoves Kairi! The fans boo but then Raquel and Roxie argue! Roxie says she just helped Liv, what’s the big deal?
Liv runs at Kairi, Kairi rolls her up! KAIRI WINS!!!
Winner: Kairi Sane, by pinfall
Raquel is shocked, but Liv let herself get distracted by everything! Roxie says that wasn’t on her. Will Liv get over herself to accept the new girl on the team?
Rhea Ripley speaks.
“Mami’s always on top. It wasn’t just a saying to me, but it was a way of life. Lately, that just hasn’t been our reality, now has it? But at MITB, that all changes. For the first time in my career, I’m in a ladder match, which means no one is ready for the amount of brutality that I am going to unleash. I will do absolutely anything to climb that ladder, to retrieve the briefcase, and to once again cement myself at the top of the women’s division. So Iyo Sky, Tiffany Stratton, I advise you to hold your titles really tightly. Because absolutely no one is safe from Mami in the Bank.” The Eradicator is ready, will she be ready to call her shot after June 7th?
Judgment Day regroups.
Liv still wants to know what Roxie was doing out there. Finn defends Roxie just wanting to help. Dom knows that was the plan, right? Dom stammers, but Raquel says if Roxie hadn’t gone out there, Liv would’ve won! Liv says he can’t believe she’s saying this, but no, Raquel was the veteran out there and she should’ve known better. What? Finn grins again, is this going even better than he expected?
Lyra Valkyria is here!
The fans “WHEW~!” with the song as the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion makes her way to the ring. Lyra has the mic to say, “Well what is up, Tampa? Ugh, I wish I was out here to talk to you guys about some new competition and a new challenger for this championship. But news broke today that Becky went and did what Becky does best. She groveled and she begged and she twisted the arms of the right people in the back, and she once again talked herself into a rematch at MITB.” The fans boo, but Lyra says, “Why would I accept, right? I have nothing left to prove. I’ve beaten her twice.
“Every opponent that I have ever had, I didn’t care what they said about me or what they did to me. Once I beat them between these ropes, I was the ultimate winner. But I didn’t feel any satisfaction when I beat Becky. Because she came out here after Backlash, ego still through the roof, no embarrassment, no sense of shame, even though she’d been outwrestled and beaten. And she sat there, on that top buckle, and she talked like she won the match! She was that delusional! And then she just went on to try and steal the next opportunity from the next person. She’s like a rat with a piece of cheese, and I just couldn’t let her do it.”
The fans cheer, and Lyra says, “At Backlash, all I wanted to do was pin her shoulders to the mat for three seconds. But she came out here and she go tin my fiancé’s face, and she tried to take my eye out, and she tried to break my arm! So yeah, now it’s personal!” The fans like that! Lyra says at MITB, she is going to hurt Becky. She is going to break Becky’s ego! And if that means bashing Becky’s head in, then she’ll do it! But wait! Becky is here now! Lyra frowns as The Man makes her way out to the ring, and Becky has a mic to ask, “I made this personal? I made this personal? YOU cost ME! You cost me my opportunity!
“I was done with you! I was on the bigger and better things, because okay, okay, you won a match. You won a match, I won the night! Because I went home with my hot husband, and you went off to the hospital with your weird little fiancé!” Wow, Becky’s “hot husband?” AKA, the only talented thing about her? Becky says here it goes! Lyra makes it personal! Lyra made it personal first! She could’ve let it go, but she couldn’t. Because Lyra knows Becky is the best thing that ever happened to Lyra, or to that title! Lyra says that is not the flex Becky thinks it is! Becky acts like she just graciously stepped aside and shared the spotlight.
People are talking about Lyra because Lyra beat Becky! The fans cheer that! Okay, okay, Lyra says Becky “steals” opportunities. If Lyra is so confident, how about this? MITB, if Lyra wins again, Becky will never challenge Lyra for that title ever again. Fine! No problem for Lyra. As she sees it, she beat Becky twice, and the last time was with her eyes closed. Becky frowns, but she says Lyra did not let her finish. Because there’s something Becky keeps remembering. When Lyra took the NXT Women’s Championship from Becky, it was a quick roll-up, not really decisive. When Lyra won that match, the good person Becky was, what’d she do? Becky graciously raised Lyra’s hand.
So WHEN Becky wins at MITB, and does it fair ‘n’ square, Lyra must look her in the eyes and raise Becky’s hand! The fans are torn on that, but Lyra says she has never had an issue raising the hand of the woman better than her. It just hasn’t been Becky yet. Mic drop from The Morrigan, but will The Man make her humble? Or will Lyra close this title off to Becky for as long as it is on her shoulder?
Sami Zayn walks the halls.
And Karrion Kross says, “Well, well, WELL! Here we are again, Sami! You’re still trying to claw your way to the top when you could’ve just taken the deal, went to SmackDown, and challenged for the WWE Championship. NO, you gotta do it ‘your way.'” Sami says he has no time for the games, okay? Sami walks off but Kross says Sami knows he will never win the title, right? Sami looks back at Kross and tells him he’ll deal with this later. Sami continues on, but will he be winning his way to the top? Or just falling to the bottom?
Also, in the background, New Day is talking with Grayson Waller like they were last week. Are they still trying to convince the Aussie Icon of something?
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn VS Finn Balor!
The Visionary wants all the power, the Underdog from the Underground wants to stop that from happening, and The Prince wants to put Judgment Day back at the top with a world title. Who gets their way in this star-studded three way in Tampa?
Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance, followed by Sami. The bell rings, Sami and Rollins fire hands, and Finn watches. Sami LARIATS Rollins up and out, but Finn attacks Sami! Finn bumps Sami off buckles, throws hands, then CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and Finn whips. Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges then DIVES onto Rollins! The fans fire up as Rollins tumbles, and Sami is after him again! Finn hurries to join in and he CLOBBERS them both! The fans cheer, Finn brings Sami around and pushes him into the ring. Finn fires hands on Sami, CHOPS him, and Heyman scowls from ringside. Sami kicks back and puts Finn in the corner.
Sami climbs up, rains down fists, and the fans count, only for Rollins to stop Sami at 5! Rollins drags Sami down to CLOBBER him! Rollins rains down fists, huffs ‘n’ puffs as he goes to Finn, but Finn trips Rollins to DOUBLE STMOP! CHOP for Sami, CHOP for Rollins! Finn CHOPS Rollins, fires body shots, then fires haymakers! Rollins fires back, but Finn slips around to dragon sleeper! Sami runs up, Finn kicks him, DOUBLE DDT COMBO! Cover on Rollins, TWO! Cover on Sami, TWO! Finn is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn CLUBS Sami! The fans rally, Finn throws hands, but Sami eggs him on! Finn throws more hands, then reels Sami in. The fans want tables but Sami hits a suplex on Finn! The fans rally as Sami rises, but Rollins is in! Sami counter punches Rollins and backs him down! Sami climbs to rain down fists! The fans count and Sami goes to TEN, then fires a flurry to get to TWENTY! The fans fire up, Sami runs up and BLASTS Finn off the apron! Rollins runs up, Sami TOSSES him out! The fans fire up more as Sami goes to the apron! Finn grabs a foot, Sami kicks him away, then Sami kicks Rollins!
Sami goes up, ARABIAN PRESS! Direct hit on Rollins and Finn and the fans fire up with Sami! Sami rises up, gives a shoutout to the late, great Sabu, and then hurries to put Rollins in the ring. Sami waistlocks, Rollins fights the Blue Thunder to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Rollins is annoyed but he storms up on Sami. Rollins puts Sami in the corner, grinds his forearm into Sami’s face, then CHOPS! Rollins puts Sami up, CHOPS him again, then climbs. The fans rally, Sam fires elbows, and he knocks Rollins down! But Finn CLUBS Sami! Finn climbs up, he and Sami fight, and Sami CLUBS Finn down! Then shoves him down!
Rollins is right up top! Sami fires body shots and then he CLUBS Rollins down! Sami then adjusts, and SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS!! Cover, Finn breaks it! The fans fire up while all three men are down! Finn drags Sami up to TOSS him out, then goes for Rollins. Finn dragon sleepers Rollins, drags him up, but Rollins KICKS free! Rollins then kicks low, underhooks, but Sami is back !Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS Sami first! Then Rollins underhooks Sami, only for Finn to SLINGBLADE Rollins! Finn SHOTGUNS Sami into a corner! The fans fire up, Finn fumbles in the ropes a bit, but he goes up the corner!
Sami is up and he ROCKS Finn first! Sami then climbs up after Finn, goes to the very top, SUPER DUPER PLEX!! But Rollins FROG SPLASHES Sami!! Rollins bounces off that cover, all three men are down again, and “This is Awesome!” Heyman is freaking out while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again, and Rollins DECKS Finn! Sami sputters towards a corner, Rollins stomps him down and then stomps a mudhole in! The fans are torn but Rollins sees Finn sit up. Rollins tells Finn they can be 1v1 if they get rid of Sami first. Rollins & Finn get Sami up top, climb up after him, but Sami fights them both off! The fans rally behind Sami as he fires fast hands! Sami DECKS Rollins, DECKS Finn, and the fans fire up! Sami stands to leap, but Finn gets under. Rollins is there to catch Sami, but Sami DUMPS Rollins out! Finn runs up, but into a clinch! Only to victory roll it! TWO!! Sami escapes, Finn stands, and Finn waistlocks.
Finn dragon sleepers, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, Rollins breaks it! The fans rally, all three men slowly rise, and Rollins watches Finn. Rollins kicks Finn, underhooks, but Finn wrenches out, rolls Rollins up, but Rollins rolls through! Underhooks and PEDIGREE!! Cover, SAMI GHOST PINS ROLLINS! TWO!! Rollins escapes, kicks Sami, PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!??! Sami survives and the fans fire up again! Heyman is beside himself while the fans rally for Sami. Rollins gets in Sami’s face and tells him this is it! Rollins runs from the corner, but Sami avoids the stomp! BLUE THUNDER- NO, Rollins slips free to KICK the legs!
Rollins runs, but into BLUE THUNDER!! Cover, TWO!!! Rollins barely survives and no one can believe it! Where’s Finn in all this? Rollins sputters in a daze as he goes to the apron and the fans rally. Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs, looks up to the briefcase as motivation, and he throws hands on Rollins. Rollins staggers, but then he throat chops! Sami still throws hands! Rollins JABS, CHOPS, and repeat! Rollins CLAWS Sami’s eyes, puts him in a corner, and just SLAPS away! Rollins huffs ‘n’ puffs and almost foams at the mouth! Rollins runs in, btu into a clinch! CORNER EXPLODER! Sami is feeling it and the fans are with him!
Sami aims, runs at Rollins, but FINN SLINGBLADES! Then Finn SHOTGUNS Sami into Rollins! They’re both down but Sami’s in the drop zone! Finn goes up, COUP DE- NO, Sami dodge! CURB STOMP by Rollins! HELLUVA KICK by Sami!!! Cover on Rollins, BRON BREAKKER drags Sami out!! And Bronson Reed is there to rain down fists! The fans boo, because for No Disqualifications, this is still unfair! But then JEY CROSSBODIES Bronson! Jey fires fists on Bron, SUPERKICKS Bronson, then SUPERKICKS Bron! SUPERKICKS again and again, but Rollins grabs Jey! Jey UPPERCUTS Rollins! Bron SPEARS Jey!!
The fans boo, Bronson POSTS Sami, but DOM is here with a chair!! Dom slides that into the ring, halfway between Finn and Rollins. Finn grabs the chair, Rollins FULL METAL CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, ROLLINS WINS!!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Dirty Dom tried to help but that backfired in a big way. But even then, Rollins had his minions help out, so it’s all fair. Bron & Bronson go after Jey & Sami, but CM PUNK is here?!? Bron & Bronson Security now move to the ramp, but Punk sneaks in from the crowd!! Fireman’s carry for Rollins, and a GO TO SLEEP!!! Rollins is down, Punk bails out, and the fans fire up! The Best in the World gets the better of The Visionary! But even so, Rollins is still going to MITB. Will the Visionary take over using that contract once again? Or will Punk make sure that never happens?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw to not just follow up Saturday Night’s Main Event but even accelerate towards Money in the Bank Saturday. Great tie-in of Worlds Collide with Vikingo being here, and that was an awesome Triple Threat from Penta, Dragon Lee and Gable. Gable VS Vikingo for Worlds Collide will be great stuff, but I think a graphic gave away that Vikingo’s match with Alberto Del Rio El Patron for the AAA Mega Championship is going to go Vikingo’s way to then escalate the Worlds Collide match. Very good promo from Rhea to hype up her part in MITB but there are still more people to add so I’m not sure Rhea wins.
Rusev VS Tozawa was really quick but I suppose it would be given Rusev is Rusev. But Sheamus confronting Rusev was great stuff, and they’re going to have a great feud. Fun promo with Burt Kreischer & Tom Segura to hype up the tag title match, and the tag title match itself was great stuff. The finishing sequence was quick and brilliant stuff, but it also makes me think we’re getting more New Day VS American Made after this. Great promo segment from Lyra and Becky to set up their rematch, but I feel like the stakes aren’t even. Becky only wants Lyra to raise her hand in victory? I feel like Becky would be pettier than that, but maybe she beats Lyra up so bad that Lyra can’t even stand.
We got great integration of other segments through the big stories. Judgment Day’s new dysfunction is all because of Finn, and he was clearly enjoying it. Liv not liking Roxie hanging around Dom is made all the sweeter because it’s what Liv was doing with Dom while Dom was with Rhea. But then in a great twist, Roxie really did try to help Liv, only for Raquel to not like it and that cost Liv. And then Liv seeing Roxie’s point later was a great detail, too. Finn is either going to break up Liv and Dom or Liv and Raquel and he doesn’t seem to mind which one it is.
Very good promo from Gunther and Jey, not that it really adds much. I was oddly expecting more Logan Paul to show up and talk trash on Jey while putting Cena over, saying stuff like how he and Cena are going to be this unstoppable dream team. Maybe Logan will do that Friday or next Monday, given next Monday is the go-home Raw. Seth Rollins & Paul Heyman had a very good promo to open the night, though they maybe let the chants for Punk and Roman go on when they didn’t need to. Jey and Sami had a good promo and that helped plug Jey helping Sami in the main event.
That main event was also an awesome match, but it works that Rollins won. The MITB contract served him well before, can’t wait to see if he wins it and tries to use it on June 9th during Gunther VS Jey. At the same time, CM Punk either gets in MITB with a qualifier, or he just shows up to make sure Rollins doesn’t win the ladder match. He might even stalk Rollins to make sure Rollins can’t cash in successfully. But such a story would get boring over time, so I would think Rollins just doesn’t win and has one last match with Punk for Saturday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta or for SummerSlam’s night two main event.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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4 Corners Podcast: Blown Off Course
Dave and Tunney break down the Conference Finals in the NHL and NBA, discuss the NFL going to the Olympics,...
4 Corners Podcast: Bettor Late Than Never?
Dave, Patrick, and Tunney break down the NHL and NBA Playoffs and a pretty stunning decision from the MLB Commissioner's...
4 Corners Podcast: Never Over Until Its Over
Dave and Patrick break down the latest developments, scores, and stories from the NBA and NHL Playoffs.
4 Corners Podcast: Playoffpalooza
Dave and Tunney discuss all the awesome action that has been going on in the NHL and NBA Playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: Is It Drafty In Here?
Patrick and Dave discuss the NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders, and the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs!
Bandwagon Nerds #290: Norm!
The Nerds recap trailers for Jurassic Park: Rebirth and Welcome to Derry, discuss delays to Avengers movies, and pay their...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/23/25)
What's with all the glowing?
Bandwagon Nerds #289: The Rest of Us
The Nerds discuss trailers for Ironheart and Superman, talk about the greatness that was Andor Season 2, break down casting...
Bandwagon Nerds #288: Disney In The Desert
Disney makes a controversial decision about where it is building its 7th theme park. Plus, loads of trailers, Thunderbolts* news,...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/9/25)
June will be electric!
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/25/25)
Round 8, all together!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/26/25)
New Day Rocks? Or New Day Sucks?
Mitchell’s WWE Battleground Results & Report! (5/25/25)
History will be made!
Mitchell’s AEW Double or Nothing Results & Report! (5/25/25)
Time to risk it all!
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/24/25)
Round 7, all together!
Mitchell’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Results & Report! (5/24/25)
John Cena faces the Truth!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Rockville, Battleground And A Whole Lot More
Join DJ, Rob and Jason every week as they give their "Mindless" takes on Pro Wrestling and much, much more!
Andrew’s TNA Under Siege Results & Match Ratings: 5.23.25
Let's see if this proves to be better than the awful build.
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/23/25)
Never! Slow! Down!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/23/25)
Time to study up!
