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