Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/9/23)
Bliss, you got some ‘splaining to do!

Is Alexa truly as twisted as we think?
While it looked like the White Rabbit was why Alexa Bliss got disqualified in her Raw Women’s Championship match last week, she says otherwise! Who’re we to believe?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Baron Corbin w/ JBL VS Kevin Owens; Kevin wins.
- Bayley w/ Damage CTRL VS Mia Yim; Bayley wins.
- Candice LeRae VS Rhea Ripley; Rhea wins.
- Solo Sikoa VS Dolph Ziggler; Solo wins.
- Tag Team Turmoil: The Good Brothers VS The Street Profits VS The Alpha Academy VS Finn Balor & Damian Priest VS Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin; The Judgment Day wins and will challenge the Usos for the Raw Tag Team Championships.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kevin Owens is here!
Birmingham fires up for the Prizefighter as he heads to the ring, primed for an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match at the Royal Rumble! Fans chant for “KO! KO!” as Kevin gets the mic. “Thank you. In just three weeks at the Royal Rumble, I’m gonna challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed-” Wait, JBL interrupts? What does John “Bradshaw” Layfield have to say? JBL tells Kevin that since he’s not from the South, he’ll explain that most of the people in Alabama are a generation away from walking on all fours. And while Alabama believes in UFOs, Big Foot and the Chupacabra, no one in “Redneckville” believes Kevin can beat Roman Reigns!
But… JBL will introduce us to the person who, in the last three years, has the only pinfall victory over the Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table! So, Alabama, get up on your chubby little hooves, put your woke hands together, and help JBL welcome the Modern Day Wrestling God, Baron! Corbin! Fans boo instead as Corbin makes his way out. “Kevin Owens, JBL already said it but let’s face the facts here. There is no chance you can beat Roman Reigns. And here, I’ll explain it in a way that all of you can understand it. Roman Reigns is Georgia, Kevin Owens is Alabama. He’s a LOSER!” Fans boo Corbin for insulting their college team.
JBL says Bear Bryant is spinning in his grave! Corbin says at the Rumble, Roman will destroy Kevin. And Corbin vows to win the Royal Rumble to then beat Roman Reigns again, and it will be in the main event of WrestleMania to become Undisputed WWE Universal Champion! Kevin buries his face in a corner buckle. JBL shouts at him. Is he in a food coma?! When the Wrestling God is talking, you show respect, “Ya goofy Canadian!” Corbin says if Kevin wants to take a nap, Corbin can put him to sleep right now. Kevin says that he was in a “JBL and Corbin have been talking for three minutes, and they said nothing of interest” coma, that’s what that was.
But Kevin will say that judging by the fans’ faces, nothing said was good. But Kevin has a good idea. He’s dressed for a fight cuz he thought The Bloodline would come for a fight. But these two blowhards will do just fine! Corbin said something about putting Kevin to sleep, that’s obviously a veiled threat, so how about this? They can do this one of two ways: Corbin gets in the ring and gets hit with a stunner; or they ring the bell, they have a match, and then Corbin gets a stunner! The choice is his! JBL is offended on behalf of Corbin, saying, “You wanna fight this fighting machine?” Kevin says yes, his way was very concise.
Kevin says he wants a match, here and now, in Birmingham! Then he’s got it! Corbin throws off the vest, a ref appears, and JBL starts barking from ringside!
Baron Corbin w/ JBL VS Kevin Owens!
The bell rings, Corbin blindsides Kevin! Corbin fires off haymakers, has Kevin in a corner, and the ref counts as Corbin stomps a mudhole in! Corbin digs his boot in, lets off at 4, then argues with the ref. Fans rally for Kevin and taunt “BUM ASS CORBIN!” but Corbin bumps Kevin off buckles. Corbin gets mad at the fans booing and taunting, and he runs in only to get buckles! Kevin fires off hands, whips corner to corner but Corbin reverses! Kevin hits buckles hard, and JBL laughs and applauds. Corbin fires body shots on Kevin, then hands. Corbin CLUBS Kevin to another corner, then throws more haymakers.
Fans taunt and boo Corbin more, but Corbin runs in. Kevin moves and Corbin POSTS himself! Kevin hits an atomic drop then a LARIAT! Kevin brings Corbin up, reels him in, short arm LARIAT! SENTON! Fans fire up for Kevin and he tells JBL to SUCK IT! But Corbin bails out before the cannonball! Fans boo but Kevin goes out to SMACK Corbin off the announce desk! Kevin then reels Corbin in, but Corbin fights free! Corbin choke grips for an APRON CHOKE SLAM! JBL applauds but Bama boos as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and CANNONBALL! Kevin hits Corbin and fans fire up! Kevin goes to the corner, he climbs up top, but JBL shouts to Corbin. Corbin gets up to fire off hands on Kevin! Corbin climbs up after Kevin, but Kevin resists the superplex with body shots. Kevin HEADBUTTS Corbin back down! Fans fire up, Kevin adjusts, and SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Corbin stays in this and JBL is relieved. Kevin scowls as Corbin crawls to ropes but the fans rally up. Kevin kicks but Corbin shoves him away. Corbin swings but Kevin dodges to SUPERKICK! Kevin whips, Corbin holds ropes, and then Corbin BOOTS back!
Corbin runs in, Kevin dodges but Corbin slides out! Corbin slides in, but Kevin gets around, only for Corbin to get Kevin with a DDT! Cover, TWO! Corbin grows frustrated but he drags Kevin up. Kevin ROCKS Corbin with forearm after forearm! Kevin runs, but into a DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up but Corbin is furious! Corbin throws down fists on Kevin and he stomps away. Corbin drags Kevin up, fires off forearms, then he runs, to ROCK Kevin with a haymaker! Kevin drops to a knee and Corbin taunts the fans. Corbin runs again, but into a kick! STUNNER!! Cover, Kevin wins!
Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall
And it all worked out just as Kevin said! But speaking of that, The Bloodline is here! Kevin intercepts Jey Uso at the barriers but Jimmy comes in from the other side! Kevin fights Jimmy off, smacks him off the desk, then counter punches Jey! But Solo Sikoa appears to ROCK Kevin! The brothers mug Kevin 3v1! Fans boo but the Usos send Kevin into barriers! They hammer away, then Jimmy gets a chair! Jey tells Solo to mess Kevin up like they did Riddle! But then Kevin fights back again! He ROCKS Jimmy, ROCKS Jey, but Solo SUPERKICKS Kevin into the timekeeper’s area! And the Bloodline isn’t done, either! Jey drags Kevin up, only for Kevin to BOP Jey with a shoe!
Kevin CHUCKS a chair at Jimmy! And then JAMS Solo with another! And SMACKS Solo on the back! And JAMS Jey, to SMACK him! And then he SMACKS Jimmy! Kevin chases Jimmy into the ring, then right out of the ring! Fans are thunderous as the Prizefighter stands tall! Solo wants more of Kevin but Adam Pearce, producers and the refs rush out! Pearce says “Well here we are again!” He won’t let The Bloodline do what they want, so he has them get to the back. Kevin is ready to #JustKeepFighting, but will he have to wait for Sami Zayn on this Friday Night SmackDown?
The Bloodline regroups backstage.
Jey vows that no matter what, they’re gonna get at Kevin. But then Pearce asks them where they’re going. They tell “AP” that they’re leaving, obviously. Message sent from the Tribal Chief. Right, right, but see, there is going to be a Tag Team Turmoil match tonight, and the winners are the very next team to get their hands on the Usos tonight for a RAW Tag Team Championship match! That’s right, the Raw Tag Division has been victimized by the Usos hence this match. But see you on SmackDown. As for Solo, you’re staying. Yeah, the Usos don’t get to be in Solo’s corner tonight as he takes on someone he personally attacked: Dolph Ziggler.
The Usos are of course upset! If Solo doesn’t go, they aren’t going! Kevin Owens is still running around! Pearce tells them not to worry about Kevin, Pearce took care of him already. And Kevin understands the ramifications if he sticks his nose in the match tonight. Now, security, escort the Usos to the exit. The Usos tell Solo he has this, but will the Samoan Enforcer be able to take down the Show-Off all on his own?
Raw has an update on Bianca Belair.
While Alexa Bliss’ attack on the EST was incredibly brutal, the worst Bianca comes away with is a few stitches. She will still be able to compete and is still Raw Women’s Champion, but here comes Alexa Bliss! She stands right on the announce desk to say, “Bianca Belair might be the Raw Women’s Champion, but I’m the only one here. Because when I busted her face a week ago, Bianca decided to run and hide. Smart on her end because she knows she doesn’t need to be afraid of Bray Wyatt or Uncle Howdy; she needs to be afraid of me.” Bliss then looks at Corey Graves to say SHE is the Face of Evil.
And Bliss doesn’t feel bad for what she did. She hasn’t felt this good in a really, really long time! She has finally taken control, and SHE is the one in charge. She has the whole world in her hands and she’s not afraid to use her hands to tear more scars into Bianca’s face to take the Raw Women’s title. But then wait, something takes over the video feed. Is that a playground…? And Uncle Howdy is laughing on screen! “Do you feel in charge? Do you feel like you’re in charge?” Alexa glares at the ramp as UNCLE HOWDY IS HERE!! He seems amused at Bliss thinking she’s the boss. Is he still the one pulling her strings?
Bayley w/ Damage CTRL VS Mia Yim!
The Role Model is feeling great after she helped screw over Mia Yim & Becky Lynch in their match against Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky, but now she must put her money where her mouth is! Will Michin get even with Bayley? Or will the Head Baddie In Charge not be able to fight the numbers game?
But before the match gets going, Bayley wants a mic. Bayley gets a mic, and she tells Mia to hold on. She wants to send a message to Becky because she must be watching given her weird obsession with DMG CTRL. But anyway, this is for Becky. Maybe Becky is jealous of the bond that DMG CTRL has since Becky has no friends at all, not even Mia. But Bayley wants Becky to know that she’s either here tonight because she can’t stand what DMG CTRL has, or Becky isn’t here because she can’t stand that she lost! But honestly, Bayley couldn’t care less what the excuse is, because tonight is about Kai & Sky!
Bayley says Kai & Sky have worked so hard, she is giving them the night off. Please, go relax in the back with the best seats in the house. But more importantly, Becky can watch what Bayley does to her “friend,” Michin. Kai & Sky make their way to the ramp and the bell rings, and Bayley fires off on Mia! Fans boo as Bayley rains down fists! Bayley lets off to soak up the heat and bring Mia up. Bayley whips Mia to the corner, Mia BOOTS her back! Mia then hits a RUNNING NECKBREAKER! Mia rains down fists on Bayley and fans fire up! Mia storms around, waits on Bayley, and Bayley staggers up into a DROPKICK!
Mia drags Bayley up, brings her around and whips, but Bayley reverses. Mia goes Spider-Woman in the ropes! Bayley runs in but is sent right out! Mia then builds speed to fake the dive as Bayley slides in. But then Bayley slides right back out, and Mia goes to the apron. Mia PENALTY KICKS Bayley down! Fans fire up and Mia says that kick was good as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Bayley grinds Mia down with a chinlock. Mia endures, Bayley insults the fans for rallying up behind her. Mia fights up, throws body shots, but Bayley whips her out to the apron. Bayley drags Mia up to HOTSHOT in the ropes! Mia flops down, Bayley mocks the fans clapping for Mia, and then Bayley runs to slide, and throw Mia onto the apron! Bayley suplexes Mia to the floor! Mia writhes and Bayley mocks the fans wanting Becky. “She’s not here!” Bayley puts Mia in, covers, TWO! Mia is hanging tough but Bayley drags her up. Mia throws body shots, then forearms! But Bayley pushes her to the corner!
Bayley runs in, but Mia puts her on the apron. Bayley shoulders in, drags Mia through ropes, and she goes for the hotshot but Mia shoves her down! Mia runs and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up! Mia drags Bayley up and into the ring, then hurries to fire off slaps and kicks! SOBAT, PELE! Mia then reels Bayley in, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bayley goes to the apron, Mia drags her in but Bayley ROCKS her! But Mia hits the SPIKE-RANA! Cover, TWO! Bayley crawls to a corner but fans rally for Mia! Mia runs in but Bayley avoids the cannonball! Mia hits buckles, Bayley brings her up, but Mia slips free of the Bayley2Belly!
Mia rolls Bayley, Bayley rolls through and ducks aa buzzsaw! BIG back suplex, but Mia lands on her feet! HEEL KICK! Bayley flounders, Mia waistlocks but Bayley holds ropes! Bayley fights, slips under and pushes Mia into buckles! Bayley backslides, but with feet on the ropes!! BAYLEY WINS!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall
The Role Model did it all on her own, but it still wasn’t fair ‘n’ square! If this is how Bayley beats the Head Baddie, what chance will she have against The Man?
BREAKING NEWS on Johnny Gargano.
Johnny Wrestling hasn’t been wrestling lately, and won’t be for some time as he has a grade 2 AC sprain. We all wish him a speedy recovery so that we can see Johnny wrestling again.
Backstage interview with Candice LeRae.
Cathy Kelley asks for an injury update on Candice’s husband, Johnny Gargano. Candice knows Johnny Wrestling is bummed that he can’t join Tag Team Turmoil. But the doctors advised him to rest and recovery to 100%, so that’s the goal. And Candice herself recently battled back from injury, so what’s next for her? Well the Royal Rumble’s coming, and who doesn’t dream of punching their ticket to WrestleMania by winning the Rumble? But then Rhea Ripley walks in to say, “Whoa, whoa, Candice. I’m going to go check on my Latino Heat before his exclusive MizTV interview, and I could hear your excitement from over there, and it’s infuriating.”
Candice is excited to go to the Royal Rumble because she thinks she has a chance of winning? That’s delusional! Candice says she has just a good of a chance as Rhea. Rhea says the only chance Candice has is having her “stupid little pixie wings plucked and absolutely ripped apart.” Then why wait? Candice wants to do this tonight! Rhea laughs, and says it’ll be a great homecoming for Dominik when Mami squashes Candice like a bug. See you in the ring! Will the Eradicator make tonight a nightmare for Candice?
Austin Theory is here!
The Now of the WWE is still the United States Champion, and fans boo as he heads to the ring. Theory gets the mic to say, “The champ! Is! HEEERE!” Fans boo, Theory is no Cena. But Theory grins as he continues, “And all of you now have to accept the truth. And the truth is that The Now is forever!” Fans boo more and Theory pretends to be confused. Where’s the Visionary? Where’s Seth Freakin’ Rollins? He thought Rollins was gonna outshine Theory, outclass him, and beat him! And shut up with the “What!” But fans now chant, “We Want Rollins!” Well too bad! Because Seth Rollins limped away from the ring because his old knee couldn’t hold up against Theory!
“So what happened? Don’t you boo me, you know what happened last week. Seth Freakin’ Rollins was outclassed. Seth Freakin’ Rollins was outshined. And Seth Freakin’ Rollins was taken to school by the United States Champion, Austin FREAKIN’ Theory!” But then ROLLINS IS HERE?! Fans fire up for him, but Rollins is on crutches. Fans still sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” and then Rollins is walking just fine! Rollins tricks Theory there and the fans love it! Rollins plays the crutch like a guitar as he swaggers to the ring, and then Rollins gets in the ring with Theory. Theory fumes as Rollins gets his own mic to respond.
But Theory says that while the fans are singing that “stupid song,” and that might be real, what isn’t real is Seth acting like his knee hurts. Theory tells Rollins that Rollins acts like he’s 100% but he’s not. As much as fans wanna sing the song, they all know Theory beat Rollins last week. Rollins doesn’t like hearing that, huh? But Rollins was the one who said he is the mountaintop. Then that must make Theory the pinnacle of this entire industry! Fans boo but Rollins just leans on the crutch. Theory says, “But you know what? You are one of the best. You are. You truly are. But me? I’ve surpassed your ass. And I’m on to bigger and better things.
“Like, when I go on and win the 2023 Royal Rumble!” Fans boo but Theory says, “Wait! There’s more! After I win the Royal Rumble, I, me, Austin Theory, is gonna go on to headline WrestleMania. And I am not only gonna walk out the United States Champion, but I’m gonna walk out the NEW Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.” Fans boo more but Rollins finally speaks. “Are you done?” Rollins takes off his sunglasses and fans sing his song more. Rollins appreciates that, but he has to give us all an update on his knee. Rollins says the truth is, his knee is not 100%. But his knee will be 100% just in time for Rollins to win the Royal Rumble match!
Fans cheer and Rollins says he will be 100% in plenty of time for Seth Freakin’ Rollins to main event WrestleMania! “And truth be told, I just came out here so I could hear you fine folks of Birmingham sing my song.” “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins tells Theory, “I’ll see you at the Rumble… kid!” Rollins leaves Theory with the crutch, but then BOBBY LASHLEY is here?! Theory and Rollins are shocked while Birmingham is fired up for the All Mighty! Lashley and Rollins cross paths at the ramp, but Lashley lets Rollins go by. Theory warns Lashley to NOT come into the ring! Lashley is the PAST, this is THEORY’S RING!
But Lashley gets in, Theory swings the crutch, but misses! Lashley SPEARS Theory down! Fans fire up and Lashley is feeling it! Fans chant for “BOBBY! BOBBY!” and he drags Theory up, to TOSS him right out! Theory flounders while Lashley grabs a mic. “Look, it doesn’t matter who’s in the Royal Rumble, because I’m back! My suspension’s over and I can’t wait to manhandle every superstar in the Rumble.” Mic drop and the message has been sent! Will the Rocky Mountain Machine mangle everyone in his way of returning to WrestleMania?
Candice LeRae VS Rhea Ripley!
While Mr. Wrestling is recovering, Mrs. Wrestling is holding down the fort! But will she be able to derail Rhea ahead of the Royal Rumble? Or will Candice be reminded of Rhea’s brutality?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two approach. Rhea talks trash, pie faces Candice, but Candice ROCKS and CHOPS and repeat! Fans fire up as Candice fires off on Rhea! Rhea shoves Candice away, runs in but Candice avoids the boot! Roll up, TWO! Candice goes to a corner, Rhea runs in but into a BOOT! Rhea runs in, Candice sends her into buckles! Candice goes up, leaps, but Rhea blocks the tornado DDT to TOSS Candice! Candice sits up in a daze, Rhea pushes her to a cover, TWO! Rhea argues the count but the ref defends it was fair. Rhea sits Candice up to KICK her in the back! Then she bumps Candice off buckles.
Rhea soaks up the cheers and jeers, then whips Candice corner to corner hard! Candice falls but Rhea hip drops her down. Rhea drags Candice up, bumps her off buckles, and then RAMS into her! And again! And again! The ref counts, Rhea lest off at 4, and then Rhea taunts Candice. Candice SLAPS Rhea, so Rhea CLUBS Candice! Rhea drags Candice up to TOSS her across the way! “That’s why I’m the best!” Rhea drags Candice up again, TOSSES her again, and then watches Candice flounder to the corner. Rhea RAMS in again, and again, and again! The ref counts, and Rhea lets off at 4. Rhea hoists Candice up top, then ROCKS her!
Rhea climbs up, smirks, and she brings Candice up. Candice fights the superplex to slip under! And she avoids punches! Candice then SUPER GERMAN SUPLEXES Rhea down!! Fans fire up as Rhea flounders to ropes! Candice drags herself up, Rhea runs in, but Candice dumps her out! That’d be an elimination in the Rumble! Candice WRECKS Rhea with a dropkick, then climbs up top! Candice CROSSBODIES, but into Rhea’s arms! Rhea SLAMS Candice into barriers! And then Rhea ties up the legs, PRISM TRAP! Candice can only endure on the outside, and Rhea SWINGS Candice into more barriers!
Rhea puts Candice in the ring while fans boo. Rhea drags Candice up, pump handles, RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea wins!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
The Eradicator crushes Candice, proving she’s the one to watch. Will Ripley rename it the Rhea Rumble?
Backstage interview with Bobby Lashley.
Byron Saxton asks Lashley that the suspension has been lifted and that Lashley is entering the Rumble. MVP walks in and wants Byron to excuse himself so he can discuss “business” with Lashley. MVP offers a handshake but Lashley leaves it hanging. Okay, understandable that tensions are still high. But maybe Lashley has something to say to MVP. Like, “Thank you, MVP, for getting me reinstated on Monday Night Raw.” Okay, P, Lashley does appreciate you. So they’re good? Lashley hasn’t punched MVP out, has he? Well, that is a start. But MVP wants Lashley to understand he’s mending fences. Mistakes were made.
But Lashley also knows how well this works when they’re on the same page. He wants to get them back to what they do best. And Lashley’s mistake wasn’t so easy to smooth over, either. But MVP got Pearce to realize Mondays need Lashley. Hell, MVP got Shelton & Cedric to realize their mistakes, and now they’re in the Tag Team Turmoil to win that chance to put some hurt on the Usos. Lashley is not going to forget what went down between them. Lashley says they’re good, but not that good. MVP respects that. Lashley can handle his business as he sees fit. But if he wishes to “expand” that business, MVP’s number is still the same. Is MVP hoping for the second coming of the Hurt Business?
Money in the Bank is heading to the UK!
The O2 Arena will host this high stakes event on Saturday, July 1st! Clash of the Castle was big, just wait for this one to raise the ante!
Cody Rhodes’ comeback story continues.
He vowed to do it for himself, for the fans, and for his father, Dusty Rhodes. But June 5, 2022, Hell in a Cell, even with a torn pectoral muscle, Cody refused to rob the fans of his match with Seth Rollins. “It was like oxygen, I needed to be in the ring that night.” And it is a moment that won’t soon be forgotten. Cody knows the questions were if it was safe. He admits he was so nauseous with pain that he almost vomited after hitting his Cody Cutter. And he admits, he was the car wreck you can’t look away from. In the end, Cody won that match, but he has not watched it back. He is proud of that moment, but he can’t watch it back because of how scary it really is.
The reception backstage was somber, because everyone knew he needed surgery. And four days later, here in Birmingham, Cody was worked on by Doctor Jeffrey Dugas. Cody’s wife, Brandi, knows there were nerves. Cody’s never had a major surgery like this, but Dr. Dugas found it was better than expected. They thought it was a muscular injury and not a tendon injury, and that’s better. The main thing is, it has to heal. He explained as much to Cody, and Cody says the questions started creeping in. How long until he could return? Would he return as good as he was? Is he willing to go down the road in front of him to get back to that level? The work begins now.
Backstage interview with Dolph Ziggler.
Cathy says it has been a couple of chaotic weeks for him, but where is his head at going into the match with Solo Sikoa? Ziggler says his head is where it always is: focused on being the best. A few weeks ago, The Bloodline kicked down the door, busted into Raw, and did what they do. But they went too far. That is why Ziggler is here tonight. Ziggler wants revenge, but then Mustafa Ali rushes over! He just came from Adam Pearce’s office, learned that Ali and Ziggler had a chance in Tag Team Turmoil! But then Ziggler DECLINED it just to get Solo 1v1?! Ziggler says that was not personal against Ali.
But Ali says Ziggler owes him! Last month, Ziggler cost Ali the US title. Now tonight, Ziggler just cost Ali a shot at tag titles! What is Ziggler’s problem? Ziggler admits to messing up the US title, he owned up to it, and yeah, Ali & Ziggler could probably do really good as a team. But tonight isn’t about teams, it isn’t about titles, and it’s not about Ali. Ziggler hopes Ali can understand that. Ziggler heads out and Ali frowns, but will The Beacon respect the Show-Off’s choice to settle scores?
Backstage interview with Bronson Reed.
Byron notes this returning superstar “made a big splash” during the Miz VS Lumis ladder match. What can Bronson tell us about his choice to back-up The Miz? But then Miz walks over to say that he’ll take this. “We have each other’s backs.” Bronson saw Miz was outnumbered, and he isn’t just a bruiser, he’s “a highly ethical man.” But he doesn’t like Miz touching his shoulder. Miz lets off and wants everyone to know that when you mess with him, you mess with them. Also, Miz invites Bronson to MizTV tonight, with a seat in the VIP section. Y’know, as a friend. Friend? Bronson tells Miz that there is no “them.” If Miz wants something, he has to PAY Bronson.
The Top Dog heads out, and Miz tries to laugh that off. This is part of their rapport. It’s French. Sh-shut up, Byron! Miz storms off, but is Miz just digging himself into a colossal financial hole?
Solo Sikoa VS Dolph Ziggler!
The Bloodline has been doing what they want, when they want and to who they want, but finally those targets are fighting back! Will the Enforcer of the Island realize it’s easier when he has his brothers by his side? Or can he prove he can actually win when he’s solo?
The bell rings and Ziggler fires off fists! He has Solo in a corner, but Solo shoves him away. Ziggler comes back to SPLASH, and then he fires off more fists! Solo shoves Ziggler away again, then CLOBBERS him! Solo stares at his heavily taped thumb, and he stalks Ziggler to a corner. Solo drags Ziggler up on the apron but Ziggler shoulders into him! Ziggler HOTSHOTS Solo, runs in and jumps on for a SLEEPER! Solo stays up, RAMS Ziggler into buckles, but Ziggler holds on! Solo RAMS Ziggler into buckles again, then TOSSES Ziggler off him! Solo runs in, to UPPERCUT Ziggler down! Fans rally while Solo snarls.
Solo stomps Ziggler at the ropes, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Solo CLUBS Ziggler, rains down fists, then drags him from ropes. Solo stomps Ziggler in the stomach! Ziggler writhes, Solo takes aim from a corner, and he runs in to FALLING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Solo snarls and he drags Ziggler up by his hair. The ref reprimands but Solo shifts to claws in the shoulders! Ziggler endures, fans rally up, and Ziggler fights up. Ziggler stomps Solo’s foot, throws elbows, then a JAWBREAKER! Solos taggers, Ziggler runs in and SPLASHES! Ziggler rains down fists again, then turns Solo, only for Solo to power out!
Solo scoops, Ziggler slips out, and Ziggler fires off haymakers and a DROPKCIK! And then the SATELLITE- NO! Solo holds that off to TOSS Ziggler out of the ring!! Fans boo and Solo snarls more as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Ziggler is in the corner. Solo runs in to HIP ATTACK! Ziggler flops over while fans boo. Solo still scowls as he covers, TWO! Ziggler survives but Solo HEADBUTTS him down! And again! And again! Solo drags Ziggler into the chinlock and he grinds Ziggler down. Fans rally and Ziggler fights back up, to throw elbows and body shots! Solo shoves Ziggler away to then SAMOAN DROP! Ziggler crawls to ropes while Solo aims from the corner. Solo runs in again, but Ziggler ELBOWS him away! Solo staggers, into a haymaker! Solo runs in but into a BOOT! Ziggler goes to another corner, Solo runs in, but Ziggler dodges! Solo gets only buckles!
SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO!! Solo survives but he’s dazed after that one! Ziggler slaps himself to fire back up! Ziggler CLUBS away on Solo, then brings Solo up again. Solo powers out to HEADBUTT! Ziggler staggers, into the fireman’s carry. But Solo takes too long taunting, Ziggler slips off to ZIGZAG! Cover, TWO!! Solo survives Ziggler’s best shot and Ziggler is beside himself! Both men are down but fans rally back up. Ziggler drags Solo up, throws body shot after body shot, then HEADBUTTS! Ziggler aims, SUPER- NO, Solo blocks the kick and shoves Ziggler down! Solo runs in, only gets buckles, Ziggler kicks legs out!
Ziggler runs, but Solo catches Famouser into a POP-UP SAMOAN SPIKE!!! Cover, Solo wins!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
Solo defeats a Grand Slam Champion in Ziggler, that’s perhaps the biggest win yet! And the Usos return! Jimmy & Jey didn’t obey orders, they’re here to celebrate with their brother. Will the Bloodline continue to dominate all of the WWE?
Backstage interview with DMG CTRL.
Cathy was wondering if Bayley’s statement win was a message sent to Becky Lynch. Bayley says the statement was when Bayley beat Becky, just like how she just beat Mia Yim. Just like DMG CTRL has sent a message to the entire locker room by proving they’re a force to be reckoned with. But Mia walks over to say, “All you’ve proven is that you’re nothing but a fraud and a cheat.” Bayley tells Mia that no one likes a sore loser. But as the Role Model, she is all about bringing her fellow superstars up. So she’s proud of Mia stepping up to Bayley in Becky’s place, but the difference between them is that Bayley isn’t afraid to accept help.
Just like Bayley isn’t afraid to accept help in kicking Mia’s ass! DMG CTRL attacks 3v1! They beat Mia down, then drag her up so Bayley can give Mia some advice. “Don’t step up for someone who won’t be here for you.” Becky is an idiot, and so is Mia! Sky then BOOTS Mia down! DMG CTRL laughs and leaves, but will Michin find help in getting revenge?
The Miz heads to the ring!
The Hollywood A-Lister is ready for his exclusive tell-all edition of MizTV! He welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, and tonight, he outdid himself! Tonight, he realized that he has had a lot of notable guests on this show. Like John Cena, like Roman Reigns, but tonight on the first MizTV of 2023, Miz will give us an exclusive look into the American justice system! Give it up for the Judgment Day’s very own bad boy, Dominik Mysterio! The Judgment Day accompanies their “hardened criminal” out, and Dom does the thug life squat. They enter the ring, Dom and Rhea take a seat with Finn and Priest behind them.
The Miz thanks them for being here, and apologizes that there aren’t more chairs. He was only expecting Dominik and “Mommy.” But more the merrier. Dom tells Miz, “The one thing I learned in prison is you always roll with your crew.” Miz says speaking of, he must ask. What’s it like on the inside? “Snitches get stitches.” Rhea says it’s ok, Mami’s here. Finn says Dom is safe, he’s a free man, he can share the experience. Miz is sure he speaks for everyone in the arena that we all want to know what happened. Fans sound a bit torn, actually.
Dom says, “You wanna know? Imagine being locked up with the world’s most dangerous people. And not knowing when your next meal was gonna be, and it’s either push or be pushed.” So what did Dom choose? Dom did a lot of thinking, and he thought, “If I am ever gonna see Mami on the other side again, I have to do what I have to do.” And Rhea confirms that Dom did. Dom says “When life comes at you with crazy changes, you just gotta grab it by the balls. Kind alike what Maryse does to you.” Miz lets that one slide, and says this isn’t about him. Priest says that’s right, this isn’t about Miz. Priest wants Dom to share that story about he scared that guy straight.
Dom says that is a good story. Dom was in his cell with his cellmate, and he was in the top bunk, asleep. Dom overheard his cellmate saying he wanted to punch a hole in Dom’s face. So what did Dom do? Finn asks, “What’d you do, Dom?” Dom hopped down, slapped him awake, and asked him, “We got a problem here?” And that was that. Yes, a traumatic experience. Miz says the fans need to applaud Dom for sharing the perseverance of the human spirit! Fans boo instead. Dom says he now truly understands how Martha Stewart feels. Miz is sure he does. But we’ve been talking about prison, and Miz’s sources told him that Dom was only held in county jail, for a few hours.
Priest steps up, “What’d you say?!” Miz wants everyone to calm down. But Dom is wearing a $500 off-white flannel! But Miz was just asking questions. What’s Dom gonna say next, though? That he was eating gruel omelets in the clink and being chased by Dementors? Priest dares Miz to say that again. Miz says maybe he was misinformed. That’s more like it. Now Dom will be here to witness Priest & Finn win Tag Team Turmoil tonight! And the Usos better know, Judgment Day is coming for the tag titles. As for The Miz… Wait! Here come the Good Brothers! Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson are ready, will they be the ones earning that Raw Tag title opportunity?
Tag Team Turmoil!
Finn Balor & Damian Priest w/ Judgment Day VS The Good Brothers!
Raw returns and the teams sort out to start this tag team gauntlet. The Prince starts against the Machine Gun, the bell rings and the two feel things out. Finn kicks low, throws haymakers, then whips Karl to ropes. Karl reverses to CLOBBER Finn! Karl bumps Finn off buckles, fires off hands and CHOPS, but Finn turns things around to CHOP back! Finn RAMS into Karl again and again, then lets off at the ref’s count. Finn whips corner to corner, runs in and CHOPS, then he brings Karl out to wrench an arm. Karl knees low, whips Finn to a corner, and Finn BOOTS back! Things speed up but Karl DROPKICKS Finn! Cover, TWO!
Karl clamps onto Finn, bumps him off buckles, then tags in Gallows. The Good Brothers double whip, run Finn over, and then Gallows rains down elbows into Finn’s shoulder! Gallows drags Finn up, ROCKS him with a right, and then tags Karl back in. The Good Brothers mug Finn while Rhea protests. Karl CHOPS Finn, bumps him off buckles, and tags Gallows back in. The Good Brothers mug Finn, then Gallows bumps Finn off buckles. Gallows fires off heavy hands, but lets off as the ref counts. Gallows scoops but Finn slips off and KICKS Gallows in the leg! Gallows just snarls as he storms up on Finn.
Finn tags Priest and now the big men circle. They tie up, Gallows kicks low and whips Priest to a corner. Gallows runs in to SPLASH! Fans rally, Gallows reels Priest in but Priest wrenches out to ROCK Gallows, then fire off kicks! Priest runs, but Gallows ROUNDHOUSES him! Priest goes to a corner, Gallows is on him and whips him to ropes. Priest ducks the boot to come back and kick a leg out! Priest stomps away, drags Gallows over and he tags in Finn. The Judgment Day mugs Gallows, focusing on the legs. Finn wraps Gallows’ leg around ropes to pull on it! The ref reprimands, Finn lets off and Finn kicks the leg!
Finn soaks up the heat, then he pulls on the legs! The ref counts, Finn lets off, but Gallows CLUBS Finn down! Priest tags in, he stomps and kicks away on the bad leg! The ref counts, Priest lets off, and then he drags Gallows up. Priest whips corner to corner, runs in, and he back elbows! Priest brings Gallows out to suplex, but Gallows fights it! Priest tries again, but Gallows suplexes Priest instead! Hot tag to Karl! Fans fire up as the Machine Gun CHOPS and UPPERCUTS on Priest, then BLASTS Finn! Priest TOSSES Karl to a corner but Karl dodges to CHOP and UPPERCUT again! Karl whips corner to corner, but Priest reverses
Priest runs in but Karl dodges! ROCKET KICK! Finn runs in but Karl blocks the kick and gives it to the ref! The ref reprimands, but Karl DECKS Finn! Finn flounders up and distracts the ref, allowing Priest to drag Karl out and RAM him into steel steps! Gallows is furious and fans boo but the Judgment Day is in control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn whips Karl away from Gallows, only for Karl to BLAST Priest! Karl then avoids Finn and hits a NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and fans rally up! Karl crawls, hot tag to Gallows! Big LG rallies on Finn with big clotheslines and an UPPERCUT! Finn goes to a corner, Gallows runs in to back elbow! Gallows keeps moving, FLYING SHOULDER! Priest runs in but Gallows CLUBS his clothesline, YAKUZA KICKS him down, and then goes back to Finn. Gallows pump handles and scoops for the CLIFFHANGER! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives but Karl tags in. Gallows fireman’s carries, Karl runs, but Priest distracts so Dom can trip up Karl!
Gallows CLOBBERS Priest out of the ring! But Finn rolls up Karl, and the Judgment Day ELIMINATES the Good Brothers!! But there’s no rest for the wicked, here come The Gold Standard & PRIMED Alexander!
Finn Balor & Damian Priest w/ Judgment Day VS Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander!
The former Hurt Business hits the ring, Shelton goes out after Priest while Cedric DIVES onto Finn! Direct hit and Finn hits the desk! Cedric puts Finn in, then GAMANGIRIS, before he fires up and runs into the corner, forearm smash! Cedric whips corner to corner, runs in but Finn dodges! Roll up, TWO!! Finn runs, into a scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Dom & Rhea are worried but Cedric drags Finn over to tag Shelton. They mug Finn, and Shelton snap suplexes Finn! Cover, TWO! Shelton looms over Finn, drags him up and puts him in a corner. Finn fires hands back, throws body shots, then whips.
Shelton reverses to CLOBBER Finn! Rhea hears Kevin Patrick poking holes in Dom’s story, just like Miz, and she tells him to shut up. Dom says he did his time! Shelton tags Cedric, they mug Finn, and Cedric ROCKS Finn! Cover, TWO! Cedric clamps onto a chinlock and he grinds Finn down. Cedric lets off to PENALTY KICK! Cedric clamps the chinlock back on and he taunts, “Hi, Mami!” Rhea replies, “Hi, dick head!” Finn pulls Cedric’s hair but the ref counts. Cedric lets go, but he BLINDSIDE LARIATS Finn! Cedric dares “big boy” Priest to do something, and then he brings Finn over. Tag to Shelton and they mug Finn more.
Shelton brings Finn around, reels him in and brings him up, but Finn slips out of the bomb! Finn blocks the kick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Priest tags in, runs in, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Finn runs in, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! And then Priest stands up, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Suplex Shelton fires up, runs in and KNEES Priest in the face! Tag to Cedric, he and Shelton set up, ATOMIC KNEE!! Cover, Finn breaks it! Shelton drags Finn up, throws him back out, and then he hurries back to his corner. Cedric CLOBBERS Priest, rains down elbows into Priest’s back, and then wraps on a bearhug.
Priest endures, Rhea coaches him, but she also warns Cedric. Fans rally, Priest fights up and throws elbows but Cedric ROCKS Priest! Priest knees low, whips , but Cedric handsprings! NEURALIZER! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives but Cedric keeps cool. Cedric drags Priest up but Priest ROCKS him! Cedric DROPKICKS Priest back! Cedric runs in but Priest choke grips! Finn sneaks the tag before the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! Finn goes up, Priest CLOBBERS Shelton! COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Judgment Day ELIMINATES Shelton & Cedric! But it’s time to “SHOOOOSH~! Shoosh, please!”
Finn Balor & Damian Priest w/ Judgment Day VS The Alpha Academy!
Chad Gable & his number one guy, Otis, head to the ring. Priest & Finn do their best to regroup and recover, but how will they fare? We’ll see, after the break!
Raw returns again and Finn BOOTS Gable from a corner! Finn runs to SLINGBLADE Gable down! Tag to Priest and he storms up on Gable to suplex, BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Gable down. Fans rally, chant “We Want Otis!” and Gable fights up. Gable fights against Priest but he whips Gable away to the Judgment Day corner. Priest taunts Otis, then runs in to back elbow! Tag to Finn, snapmare to slingshot STOMP! Tag back to Priest, and Finn scoops Gable, BACKBREAKER LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Dom is annoyed but Rhea is smirking as Priest drags Gable back up.
Priest mockingly holds out Gable’s hand to Otis, only to throw Gable out hard. Tag to Finn and he drags Gable up. Finn CHOPS Gable, the ref has to keep Otis back. Finn RAMS Gable into the apron! And then Finn puts Gable in, drops an elbow, and then digs his heel in while he flexes. Dom and Rhea cheer Finn on and Finn clamps onto a chinlock. Gable endures but fans rally up. Gable fights up, but Finn knees low! Finn mocks Otis but Gable hits a BIG back suplex! Fans rally up, both men crawl, hot tags to Otis and Priest! Fans fire up as the tree trunk rallies on Priest! WRECKER ELBOW! Otis then hauls Priest up to whip and HEADBUTT!
Finn runs in, but into a scoop and SLAM! Otis runs in at Priest to clothesline! Otis whips Priest into Finn, then runs in to SPLASH them both! Finn flops out while Priest staggers and flops! Fans fire up and Gable shouts to Otis that it’s time! Otis unleashes the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Fans are thunderous but Finn is up top! Finn leaps, but into a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Otis goes up, but Finn drags Gable down! Otis VADER BOMBS them both!! Otis realizes the mistake, but Priest SUPERKICKS, and DISCUS LARIATS Otis!! Cover, the Judgment Day ELIMINATES the Alpha Academy! But now medics check Finn!
Pearce is also ringside, and the medics don’t think Finn can continue. Finn refuses to be taken out of the match like this, but he can’t even stand! Rhea, Dom & Priest try to keep Finn in this but Pearce says if it’s the ribs, then Finn can’t fight. Priest says it’s no big deal but Finn still can’t stand! This will end up a forfeit but Priest wants to go solo! Well, it’s either a forfeit or a substitution. Dominik is here, dressed to compete, so that’s the only way they continue. Priest still insists Finn can go but Pearce says their only option is Dom. Priest concedes, and he tells Dom to not be soft. So then, Priest and Dom are taking on the STREET PROFITS!
Dominik Mysterio & Damian Priest w/ Judgment Day VS The Street Profits!
Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are ready to finish Comeback, Season 2! One way or another, there will be #1 contenders to the Usos, so will it really be a sequel of the classics we saw from Profits VS Usos? Or is this the moment Dominik shows us just how “prison” changed him?
Raw returns once again and Dawkins is stomping Dom out! Dawkins yanks Dom’s flannel right off and throws it away! Tag to Ford, and the Profits whip to dropkick Dom down! Dom flounders to a corner and Ford storms up on him. Dom wants them to take it easy, but Ford says the “Jailbird” can take it. Ford stomps away on Dom! Rhea protests but Ford drags Dom up. Fans chant “You Deserve It!” as Ford CHOPS Dom! Tag to Dawkins, he CHOPS Dom! Dawkins brings Dom around, tags Ford, and the Profits fire off CHOP after CHOP and then stomp away! Rhea is furious but Ford drags Dom up.
Ford CLUBS Dom, drags him back up, and then he tags Dawkins. The Profits mug Dom with that big haymaker! Ford mocks Dom’s pain, Dawkins CLUBS Dom, and then Dawkins brings Dom out. Dom kicks and ROCKS and stomps Dawkins in return! Dom hammers away on Dawkins, then he whips corner to corner. Dawkins reverses, runs in and hits the CYCLONE SPLASH! Tag to Ford, the Profits mug Dom more, and Ford mocks Mami. Ford KICKS Dom in the side, then stomps away on Dom at the ropes! Cover, TWO!
Ford drags Dom up, wrenches his arm, and wrenches again. Tag to Dawkins, he ROCKS Dom then puts him in the corner. Dawkins TOSSES Dom corner to corner! Priest tags in, Ford wants in. Dawkins tags Ford and fans rally as Ford slingshots in. Ford does some rope-a-dope, but Priest knees low! Priest bumps Ford off buckles, ROCKS him with rights and body shots! Priest stomps a mudhole into Ford, lets off as the ref counts, and Priest shoves Dawkins! Dawkins gest up but the ref keeps him back, allowing Priest to CHOKE Ford! Rhea mocks Ford now, and Priest says it’s not so funny now. Priest ROCKS Ford, whips him corner to corner hard, and Ford bounces off buckles!
Priest taunts Ford, kicks him around, then whips him hard into another corner. Priest drags Ford up, ROCKS him with a forearm, and Ford drops to a knee! Priest whips Ford corner to corner but Ford reverses to ROCK Priest! Ford blocks a shot to ELBOW, and CHOP! Ford whips, Priest reverses but Ford leaps up and over! Ford rope-a-dopes, bobs ‘n’ weaves as Priest throws hands, then kicks! Priest blocks, but Ford avoids the shot to BACKHAND! Priest is furious as he tastes blood in his mouth! Ford smirks, he baits Priest in and dumps him out of the ring! Fans fire up but Dom sneaks in. Ford sees Dom and Dom gets scared!
Ford chases Dom out, they cat ‘n’ mouse in front of the announce desk, only for Priest to POUNCE Ford onto the desk! But Dawkins FLIES! Direct hit, and then Dawkins lands on his feet! Even Finn is shocked! Rhea is furious but the Profits are up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more, and Priest ROCKS Dawkins! And ROCKS him again! Dawkins is on wobbly legs but Priest DECKS him! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins is still in this and Finn does his best to coach his team while holding ice to his ribs. Dom tags in, they mug Dawkins, and Dom drags Dawkins into a chinlock. Rhea smiles as she “gushes” on the apron over Dom grinding Dawkins down. Fans rally up and Dawkins fights back up, only for Dom to wrangle him back down! Dom grinds Dawkins but fans boo. Rhea is enjoying this but Dawkins fights up. Fans rally, Dawkins arm-drags free and he ROCKS Dom with big forearms!
Dawkins whips, Dom reverses but Dawkins sunset flips! TWO! Dom escapes, kicks low, and he CLUBS Dawkins down! Tag to Priest, Rhea cheers on “Dom-Dom,” and they mug Dawkins. Priest scoops Dawkins to SLAM, and Priest roars. Fans boo, Priest covers, TWO! Ford mocks Rhea with barking, but Priest tags Dom back in. They mug Dawkins as Finn says, “Do it for Judgment Day!” Dawkins fires body shots but Dom drop toeholds Dawkins onto ropes! Fans boo as Dom dials it up, but Dawkins CLOBBERS him!! Fans are thunderous as Dawkins and Dom both crawl for their corners. Fans chant “We Want the Smoke!” Hot tag to Ford!
Ford ROCKS Dom, GAMANGIRIS Priest, then goes up to CROSSBODY them both! Ford fires up and the fans are with him as he dropkicks Priest outta the ring! Ford clotheslines Dom, runs, then dodges to mule kick! Front kick! ENZIGURI! Ford hits a BIG back suplex! Ford kips up, fans fire up, Ford STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Ford is annoyed as Dom hangs in there for his team. Rhea is worried, though, as she coaches Dom up. Ford tags Dawkins, they POUNCE GERMAN Dom!! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives and Rhea almost can’t breathe! Dawkins keeps his focus and he hobbles his way to Dom.
Dawkins drags Dom up and fireman’s carries, but Dom slips off! Tag to Priest, and he ROUNDHOUSES Dawkins! Ford runs in but Priest gets him for a COMPLETE SHOT! Dawkins runs in, Priest BOOTS then SUPERKICKS then DISCUS LARIATS!! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins is still in this and Rhea shouts about the count! Priest drags Dawkins up, fans rally for the Profits, and Priest springboards, into Dawkin’s HAYMAKER! Tag to Ford and he runs in to go up! PRiest choke grips, Dom tags in! SOUTH OF- RANA into an ENZIGURI! Dom is up top but Ford trips him up! Dawkins goes out and around to get Priest, but Priest TOSSES Dawkins!
Ford FLIES over the corner to take out Priest!!! Fans are thunderous as Ford shoves Dom down! And he comes in, FROM THE HEAVEN 450!! Cover, Priest drags Ford out!! Fans boo and Ford is furious! Priest rushes in, but Ford leaps to the apron! Priest hits steel steps!! Dom rolls Ford, feet on the ropes and Mami helping!! JUDGMENT DAY WINS!!
Winners: The Judgment Day, by pinfall (NEW #1 contenders to the Raw Tag Team Championships)
Dom’s questionable rap sheet or not, The Profits just got robbed! Dom was a last minute sub, but he was able to lie, cheat and steal this one for the team! But the USOS return! Jimmy & Jey hold up the red belts and ask who wants it! Will the Bloodline be able to survive facing their Judgment Day?
My Thoughts:
A really good Raw here, though something about each and every promo felt a little odd. I think it was just delivery, maybe there were some last minute changes. The Raw preview was pretty bare this morning, after all. I think Gargano’s injury coming up on top of losing AJ Styles to his ankle injury, as well as Rollins’ apparently knee injury, they just couldn’t get everything they wanted out of things. But I will say, a Tag Team Turmoil was a great way to adjust. That was an awesome main event with a lot of great overlap in the stories. We also got a good MizTV segment. I knew the twist was gonna be Dom didn’t actually serve anything resembling hard time, so I like that Miz got to be the one to break that news.
As such, I will say it was also clever to have Finn go down with bad ribs so that Dom would have to step up. And rather surprisingly, the Judgment Day wins. I expected the Profits winning, but then that would give us a repeat performance of Profits VS Usos and HHH has been good about freshening things up. It is a great move to give us Usos VS Judgment Day, which is Heel VS Heel on the surface, but fans will definitely get behind the Usos in that. Of course, Usos & Solo being here to go after Kevin was good stuff. Sami Zayn not being here is a smart move, because it means he’s staying safe for his match with Kevin on SmackDown.
I also like that they added another layer to Bloodline showing up by having Mustafa confront Ziggler on pulling out of Tag Team Turmoil. Ziggler obviously wanted to settle things with Solo, and it was good that Ali didn’t get involved. Solo wins clean in a great match, Solo really should be poised for a midcard title the closer we get to WrestleMania. Depending on what the plans are for those belts, I wouldn’t mind seeing Solo be a contender to the Intercontinental Championship. And given the detail that the tag title match is for only the Raw tag titles, maybe the Bloodline will become exclusively SmackDown superstars after April.
Kevin Owens also had a great promo with JBL & Corbin, but JBL is still leaning too hard into that “judgmental old man hating on the younger generation” stuff. Doing the traditional Heel stuff of mocking the local fans is fine, but it’s too Dan Lambert in AEW to call the current gen all “woke snowflakes” and what not. Kevin beating Corbin was great, though, I was just waiting for the Modern Day Wrestling God to finally lose and bring into question JBL’s assessment of Corbin. I feel like JBL should give Corbin a pep talk about how even he, the previous Wrestling God, lost from time to time. And then Corbin can step in it by saying JBL lost a lot, and that adds some tension to the relationship.
Theory had a very good promo with Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley, especially with both of those guys being surprises here. They all want in on the Rumble but I would think we see a combination of those three fighting for the US title on the way to WrestleMania. Cody could still go for the US title, too, but obviously the story is he wants to be world champion. The video for him was good stuff, too, and we’ll definitely get a few more of these. Maybe Cody becomes a surprise entry in the Rumble, like for number 30 so that he has the least time in the match, and potentially the least people to deal with.
I also like the promo from MVP and Lashley. MVP doesn’t seem to have Omos at all right now in the HHH Era, and even if he still does, it’s a good move that MVP wants to reunite the Hurt Business. Lashley also rightfully isn’t for that at this moment, but that’s because they’re letting the US title story figure itself out. Good promo from Candice and Rhea to set up their match, very good match from them, and it makes sense Rhea wins. Rhea is going to have a strong showing in the Women’s Rumble, and it would totally work if she won. Rhea’s been doing great stuff even before Judgment Day, she really should be heading for the Raw Women’s title.
And speaking of, Bliss had a great promo that barged in on the Bianca Belair update. I knew from last week’s promo that while she claimed to be in charge, it was going to be exposed that that isn’t the case. Uncle Howdy makes his Raw debut, proving that his reach isn’t limited by the brand split, and this could really add a dimension to Alexa’s rematch with Bianca. Though I feel like that unfortunately makes Bianca a third wheel. Alexa’s struggle is going to be against Uncle Howdy’s influence, and she might even end up facing a form of herself since Howdy gave us a look at a playground. It’ll still be a great story overall, but it means Bianca “survives” this title feud rather than wins out.
My Score: 8.5/10
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Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!
Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
- Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
- Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is in the concourse.
The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.
Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.
Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.
Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.
And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!
And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”
The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!
Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.
Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!
Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?
Heyman returns backstage.
He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.
Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?
PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!
The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?
Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.
JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.
Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!
Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!
The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?
Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.
The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?
Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???
Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.
Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.
Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.
Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?
BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!
Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.
Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?
Chad Gable is backstage.
“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.
Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?
Becky Lynch goes to the ring.
Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!
That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!
Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.
Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.
But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.
What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!
The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?
Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!
The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?
Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!
Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!
Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!
Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!
Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!
Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?
Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!
Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!
Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!
Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!
Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.
Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!
Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.
Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.
They both grew up wanting to be in this business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.
And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!
“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”
Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!
To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?
Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!
The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!
Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!
The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!
Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!
Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.
Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!
Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.
Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!
Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!
Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)
Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?
My Thoughts:
A great Monday Night Raw as the go-home to Backlash, but everything with the world title match was both great and curious. No Logan Paul here in Omaha is a mixed bag itself. From the story side, he should’ve, so he and Jey could’ve had a face-to-face. But as a person, I was glad we didn’t have to endure Logan being smug. And quite the audible bringing Heyman out to talk with Jey. Heyman’s passion was great, really adds some stuff to help us understand his side. And I like that they “suckered” Jey into this match. It was definitely an awesome match, even with the overbooking that eventually threw it out.
Sami and Punk showing up was all fine in story, but after what happened last week, I feel like Sami shouldn’t have come back so soon. But that aside, Jey, Sami and Punk make for a good unit to counter Rollins’ team. Though, Rollins will need another member who can wrestle since Heyman won’t be of any use. Here’s hoping it is Austin Theory given how Theory is upset with Waller after that switcheroo. Good return for Sheamus, though I feel like Sheamus has done more returns in the last 12 months than just about anyone ever. Here’s hoping Sheamus still gets in on the Intercontinental Championship story.
Speaking of, great match from Penta VS McDonagh, even with the overbooking. A bit surprising Penta overcame all that to win, but it works since now Dom and Penta are now set for an Intercontinental Championship. And there is room on the card as it doesn’t seem Jey VS Logan is happening for Backlash. Makes me wonder if they started us on a Jey VS Logan feud before they were really ready, as Backlash “isn’t big enough” for Logan’s “star power.” I like that Styles also got in on this, Styles VS Finn is going to be awesome, and can certainly set up the winner as the next challenger. It really depends on what happens with Dom VS Penta.
Gable getting involved as also good, given how he and Penta had their confrontation last week. New Day had a good promo with Gable to gas up American Made. That is to say, New Day is using American Made as a shield against The War Raiders, but it’ll only help Erik & Ivar earn their rematch. Great return match for Rusev with Otis looking strong even in defeat. Rusev doesn’t waste time teasing he’s a Tweener, he goes right to blindsiding Tozawa and beating Alpha Academy down. Not sure who is next for Rusev, as there aren’t as many Faces not really tied into anything on Raw. Maybe whatever WWE Draft we get moves Rusev to SmackDown, or at least moves some names from SmackDown and NXT to Raw so Rusev can face fresh meat.
Great promo from Becky and Lyra to help hype Becky VS Lyra. Good brawl, but now Lyra standing tall makes me think Lyra loses the title. Becky can start on some sort of second Grand Slam or something like that, but also she and Lyra will be 1-1 and the rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental title can be the tiebreaker at like MITB or SummerSlam. Iyo VS Roxie was a great match, but of course Giulia showed up. No reinforcements with Rhea promoting Crown Jewel: Perth, and sadly, Dakota Kai being hurt and now released, no Damage CTRL to help either. But the Heels did need a moment where they stood tall, and one of them could even get a world title shot.
And honestly, Pat and Gunther had an awesome promo to hype their match. Pat put over Maggle, he put over Nebraska, and quite perfectly framed this story as the hungry dreamer in Pat himself and the complacent veteran who has already done so much. Gunther’s response was also great, because now he’s angry enough to get that hunger and that fire back. I would think Gunther wins, as he needs the rebound from WrestleMania and Pat doesn’t really need much. But Pat can get a moral victory of sorts by lasting longer than Gunther or any of us expect. Pat can just keep getting up after every chop, have a false finish or two, but ultimately lose because his body can’t come through for his fighting spirit. Respect for Pat but momentum for Gunther, that’s the best outcome.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/25)
It’s a Wrestling Dontaku Weekend finale!

Who will stand atop the NJPW mountain?
The Goto Revolution finally leads NJPW, but will the Fierce Warrior be conquered by The United Empire as Callum Newman goes after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS Hitamaru Sasaki & Jet Wei; Taguchi & Murashima win.
- Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS MENTAI KID & Batten Burabura; Taiji & Gedo win.
- YOSHI-HASHI & Master Wato VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Hashi & Wato win.
- Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori; Maika, Hazuki & Koguma win.
- El Phantasmo & Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; ELP & Boltin win.
- 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK; Tanahashi, Yano, Yoh, Chikuzen & Tajiri win.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Callum Newman; Goto wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori!
It’s a Stardom Showcase as The Crimson Cannon Empress, The Wildheart & The High Speed Genius take on The Masked Idol, High Speed Bomb Girl & Kumamoto’s Unsinkable Ship! Which side of Stardom shines brightest in Fukuoka?
The trios sort out and Koguma starts against Starlight Kid. The fans cheer and the two circle. They approach, but Koguma dodges to do her bear taunt. But then Starlight CLUBS her! Starlight whips, Koguma whips but Starlight handsprings over. Starlight whips, runs up, but Koguma puts her on the apron. Koguma runs up, Starlight slips under and sunset flips, TWO! Starlight runs up, but into an arm-drag! Starlight comes back to hit a headlock takeover! Koguma headscissors, Starlight kips free, and the two strike their animal poses! The fans cheer as bear and tiger reset. They tie up, Koguma spins Starlight, then goes for the arms!
Starlight fights free of being made to bear pose! But then Koguma kicks low, runs, but Starlight blows past her to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Starlight tags Yuna. Yuna runs up to run Koguma over, then fires up as she keeps moving. But Hazuki jumps in and helps Koguma ELBOW Yuna down! Then they double Yuna into Maika’s shoulder tackle! The fans fire up for the TRIPLE DROPKICK! The ref reprimands but Koguma tags Hazuki in. Hazuki rallies the fans while she stands on Yuna! Then she scrubs her with the boot again and again! Hazuka runs to BOOT WASH her!
Hazuka bumps Yuna off buckles, tags Maika, and the fans cheer as Maika scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuna stays in this but Maika kicks her around. Maika eggs Yuna on, but Yuna rises to CLUB Maika in the chest! Maika comes back to DECK Yuna! Yuna flounders, Maika brings her up and whips her to a corner. Maika runs up but Yuna BOOTS her down, somersaults, and SHOTGUNS! Yuna hurries and she tags in AZM! The fans rally up for AZM as she climbs, then leaps, but into Maika’s arms! Maika throws AZM back, kicks her, and she has Koguma help double whip. But AZM sends Maika into Koguma, and Starlight jumps in!
Starlight hits a TAKEOVER HEADSCISSORS COMBO! Then AZM DOUBLE DROPKICKS Maika & Koguma! The fans fire up for Starlight’s team as she and AZK put Maika & Hazuki at the center of the ring. They coordinate, STANDING MOONSAULT and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Maika is tougher than that, but AZM drags her into a drop zone. AZM goes up, DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Maika avoids the stomps to then scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this but the fans rally behind Maika. Maika drags AZM up, reels her in, and suplexes, only for AZM to fight free! Maika kicks and runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE!
Maika just roars and comes back! Maika spins AZM, suplexes, but AZM has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally as Maika endures, powers up, and suplexes again! BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! The fans rally as Maika and AZM crawl, hot tags to Yuna and Hazuki! Hazuki sends Yuna to an open corner, runs up, but Yuna puts her on the apron! Only for Koguma to SPLASH Yuna! Hazuki then goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Yuna! Koguma goes up to CROSSBODY! Hazuki hurries to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives, but is now in a CROSSFACE! Koguma & Maika intercept AZM & Starlight!
The fans rally while Yuna endures, and then AZM & Starlight break free! They both stomp Hazuki! Koguma & Maika drag Starlight & AZM back out, Hazuki CLUBS Yuna and whips her to ropes. Yuna reverses, Hazuki grabs ropes, then she DUMPS Yuna out! Yuna skins the cat to then LARIAT! The fans fire up with Yuna, she and the others coordinate! TRIPLE DROPKICK at the corner! Yuna then goes out while Starlight goes up! UFO SPLASH! Starlight sets Hazuki up for AZM’s DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yuna adds the fireman’s carry and TROPICAL VALLEY BOMB! Cover, Maika breaks it! The fans fire up, but Starlight runs in and RANAS Maika!
Koguma runs in and spins Starlight around for a DDT! AZM runs up, Koguma blocks the kick to CUTTER! The fans fire up with Koguma as she and Hazuki coordinate. The “Double Crazy” combo DIVE and CROSSBODY!! Everyone is down at ringside and the fans fire up! Hazuki puts Yuna back in and the fans rally up more. Hazuki springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives but Hazuki keeps on her. Hazuki whips Yuna to a corner, Koguma hits a SPLASH, and then Hazuki adds an ELBOW! Maika adds a LARIAT, then she puts Yuna up top! Now we get Triple Crazy as Maika lifts and the others climb!
The fans fire up for the TRIPLE CRAZY BOMB!! Cover, but Starlight Kid breaks it!! Koguma CLOBBERS Starlight, Maika keeps AZM on the outside, and Hazuki drags Yuna up. Hazuki suplexes, Yuna slips free and she trips Hazuki up! Yuna hammerlocks an arm, turns Hazuki over, TROPICAL CRADLE!! TWO!??! Hazuki escapes, but Yuna runs up! But Hazuki spins her to a suplex and stalling BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Triple Crazy wins!
Winners: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma, by pinfall
A fast ‘n’ furious fight from three rising stars, and it was the Wildheart that finishes it off! Will we see this Triple Crazy trio soon go for the IWGP Women’s and/or NJPW Strong Women’s Championships?
10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK!
As The Ace’s Final Road continues to roll on, this is quite the unique stop. Sure, he’s teamed with the Clown Prince and Mr. Direct Drive before, but he is now honored to be teaming with The Makai Love Machine and yes, THE Japanese Buzzsaw! Will Tanahashi & Tajiri add to their legends with this epic team-up? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Just as always, Tanahashi shows off the abs, the fans cheer, and Yano even adds a “Sugoi~!” The teams sort out and ZSJ calls out Tajiri! The fans fire up as Tajiri accepts. The bell rings, ZSJ and Tajiri circle, and Fukuoka are strongly behind “TA-JI-RI! TA-JI-RI!” Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock, and ZSJ rolls to then wrench and wristlock. Tajiri seems rather unbothered, and he slips under ZSJ to then trip him and spread the legs! ZSJ reaches back but Tajiri uses his whole body length! ZSJ pushes up, crawls back, wrenches and hammerlocks, then half nelsons to cravat. Tajiri spins through to wrench and trip ZSJ!
Tajiri has the legs, ZSJ resists then hooks Tajiri to trip him. ZSJ returns the leg sprawl, then has a STRETCH MUFFLER! ZSJ uses it as a means to an end so he can have the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Tajiri pops free and turns ZSJ over to have a headlock. ZSJ slips out the back, they each want the other’s arm, but then ZSJ top mounts. Tajiri pushes ZSJ away and the fans cheer the standoff! Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock again, and ZSJ turns Tajiri. Tajiri turns that back around but ZSJ has an arm. ZSJ hammerlocks but Tajiri steps through the ropes, then steps back inside, and he has ZSJ’s arm wrapped around ropes!
The fans cheer, but Tajiri shows respect by respecting the ropebreak. The fans applaud, as does ZSJ, and then they tag out to Yoh and Eagles. The fans join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” but Yoh rolls Eagles up! TWO and Yoh kicks low! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles but Yoh dodges to RANA! The fans fire up but Fujita storms in and CHOPS! The Ichiban Sweet Boys double whip, but Yoh ducks the lariats! Yoh kicks and kicks, but the Sweet Boys CHOP and CHOP! They double wrench, and MAX- NO, Yoh fights free! Yoh crisscrosses the Sweet Boys into each other, and DOUBLE BULLDOGS!
Tag to Yano and the fans cheer, only for the Sweet Boys to double kick! They double whip, but Yano grabs the ropes! Yano then sends Fujita into Eagles, and he SLAPS them both on the heads! Yano then unties the buckle pad! The fans fire up, but Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE KICK! The Sweet Boys BLAST Yano’s corner, then Eagles brings Yano to the Mighty corner. Eagles bumps Yano off buckles then tags in Hartley. Big Hartley UPPERCUTS then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Yano is a bit tougher than that so Fujita tags in. Fujita drags Yano up to CHOP! And CHOP!
Fujita whips Yano corner to corner, runs up, but Yano puts him on the apron! Fujita SLAPS Yano back! The fans rally and Fujita aims, springboard for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita tags Oiwa and he drags Yano up. Oiwa whips Yano to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays on Yano but Yano pulls on the mullet! Oiwa kicks free, runs, but into an atomic drop! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Yano tags in Ryota! Ryota CHOPS Oiwa! Ryota eggs Oiwa on, but Oiwa fires a forearm! Ryota CHOPS again! Oiwa fires another forearm!
Ryota CHOPS, Oiwa ROCKS him, repeat! The fans rally as Oiwa fires a flurry! ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, but into a BACKDROP! Fujita runs in, but into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Eagles runs in, into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up with Ryota, and he invites Tanahashi in! They double whip Oiwa, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! And then Ryota says, “Genki de masu!” The fans cheer as Ryota and Tanahashi have energy to spare, and Ryota drags Oiwa up. Ryota reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights the lift! Oiwa powers up to BACKDROP Ryota! The fans rally, Oiwa runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally more as Oiwa and Ryota rise. Oiwa whips Ryota to a corner, runs up, but Ryota LARIATS him down! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Ryota! Both me are down now and the fans rally again. Hot tags to ZSJ and Tanahashi! One more meeting between these two after yesterday’s final singles match, and the two dosido in a battle of Cobra Twists! Tanahashi has the COBRA TWIST! ZSJ pries free to have the COBRA TWIST in return! But Tanahashi powers out, has a leg, DRAGON- NO, ZSJ sits down for the ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks ZSJ, TWO! ZSJ RAMS Tanahashi, snapmares, but Tanahashi UP KICKS!
Tanahashi kicks low, snapmares, and he NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him to wrench! PELE to the arm! Then a STOMP to the elbow! Tag to Hartley and the fans rally up. Hartley runs corner to corner and SPLASHES Tanahashi against bare buckles! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The Sweet Boys BLAST Tanahashi’s corner, then they send Tanahashi to a neutral corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP! Oiwa adds an ELBOW! Eagles adds a FOREARM! Then Oiwa scoops Tanahashi to SLAM him! ZSJ NECK TWISTS! Hartley SENTONS! Cover, Tajiri SLAPS Hartley on the head!
Tajiri scurries away before ZSJ can get him! The fans fire up and now Yoh & Yano mug Hartley. They double whip, but Hartley DOUBLE LARIATS! “Jackson Number One!” Hartley fireman’s carries Tanahashi, but Tajiri slips in and dosidos with the ref! GREEN MIST for Hartley!! Ryota runs up and SLINGBLADES!! Tanahashi hurries up top while his team keeps TMDK out! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi’s team wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Yoh, Ryota Chikuzen & Tajiri, by pinfall
Legends working together makes for a classic finish to this match! Will this moment be one to remember as The Ace continues his countdown to the end?
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku!
As Wrestling Dontaku wraps up the weekend, Tetsuya Naito and Bushi have reached the end of their NJPW run. Will they be victorious one last time alongside Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi? Or will the Roughneck, Stone Pitbull, Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker make this parting a bitter goodbye?
For one last time, Naito takes his time with the elaborate entrance attire. It also seems rather clear that Bushi is emotional over this being his farewell match. The fans rally and the teams sort out. The fans call for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” LIJ fust bump, the fans cheer, and Naito steps up for the team. The fans rally behind him more as he starts against Taichi. The bell rings and Fukuoka cheers even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” But then Naito tags out to Bushi. The Black Mask has the fans on his side, too, and he circles with Taichi. They approach, Bushi kicks low then runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but Bushi TOSSES him out!
Bushi DECKS Taka, but Shota & Ishii attack! They double whip, Bushi sends Shota into Ishii, then Bushi DOUBLE RANAS! BUSHIROONI~! Taichi is back but Bushi DECKS him! Takagi sets Taichi up but Taka trips Bushi! The fans boo but Taichi storms in and stomps Bushi. Taichi CLUBS Bushi, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Bushi runs up and RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi stands and he tags in Hiromu. Hiromu BLASTS Ishii, then Takagi tags in! Hiromu & Takagi double whip Taichi to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they flex! The fans cheer the side chest.
Hiromu stands Taichi up to CHOP him to the corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then snapmares, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Taichi wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Shota BLASTS Takagi because he can, and Taichi tags in Taka. Taka BOOTS Naito down, then stomps Hiromu around. The fans rally but Taka brings Hiromu up. Hiromu CHPOS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taka gets mad, and he pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to the corner, stomps and knees him, then tags Ishii. Ishii winds up to CHOP! Hiromu grits his teeth and CHOPS back, but Ishii doesn’t budge!
Ishii CHOPS Hiromu and eggs him on! Hiromu stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii gives more trash talk and more mocking kicks. Hiromu stands to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up as Ishii staggers, but then Hiromu CHOPS again! And again! Ishii ROCKS Hiromu, suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes first! But Hiromu’s right up!? And he dodges Ishii to SNAP GERMAN! Ishii’s right up!? SAIDO! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii hot tags Shota, and Shota BLASTS Takagi again! Shota then runs up on Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!
Shota hits buckles, hurries after Hiromu, but Hiromu fights the half nelson. Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, and then DRAGON SCREWS! Hot tag to Naito! The fans erupt as Naito kicks and CLUBS Shota again and again! Naito whips to arm-drag Shota! And ELBOW him down! And basement DROPKICK! TakaTaichi attack and double whip, but Naito reverses to send Taka into Taichi! Drop toehold for Taichi and Bushi basement DROPKICKS! Naito kicks and whips Taka, Taka reverses, but Naito reverses back to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he tags in Takagi. Takagi runs up on Shota, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through!
Takagi keeps moving, but Shota SWATS the lariat! Takagi YUKON LARIATS, but Shota roars as he stays up! Shota fires boxing elbows, but Takagi shakes his head! Takagi fires boxing elbows of his own! He ROCKS Shota, runs, but Shota LARIATS at the ropes! Shota runs, Takagi LRIATS! Takagi runs, Shota dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota stays up but the ELBOW and JAB hit! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Takagi and he whips Shota. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota LARIATS Takagi down! But then Shota falls over, too! The fans fire up while both men crawl.
Taka tags in, he BOOTS Naito and BLASTS Bushi! Taka runs, redirects, redirects, and BOOTS Takagi down! The fans rally up as Taka brings Takagi up. Takagi ROCKS Taka! Taichi runs up to RIDGE HAND! Ishii ROCKS Takagi! Then we get a RIDGE HAND BACKHAND COMBO! SUPER K from Taka!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Taka goes to scoop! Takagi is too big, so Taka pokes him in the eyes! Takagi still ELBOWS! JABS! Taka UPPERCUTS, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Bushi slips in, as does Hiromu, and they double whip Taka to a corner. Hiromu runs up to forearm SMASH! Bushi adds an ELBOW!
Takagi LARIATS, then he snapmares Taka! Naito is in, LIJ hits a QUADRUPLE DROPKICK!! The fans fire up and Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up more as The Rampaging Dragon drags Taka up. Taka fights the lift, and Shota SHOTGUNS Takagi! Hiromu dropkicks Hiromu’s legs! Hiromu dodges Ishii, he and Naito give Ishii TENDEDERO! Taichi runs up, he breaks through the line, but Hiromu sends him into an atomic drop! Takagi BLINDSLIDE BOMBERS! LARIAT in the corner, feed to a SUPERKICK! Naito wrenches Taichi for DESTINO!!! The fans are thunderous after seeing that final Destino!
Bushi then runs in and BLASTS Shota! Bushi keeps moving, for one last DIVE!! Down goes Shota and the fans are thunderous! Takagi has the fans join in for “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs, Taka dodges, and Taka BOOTS! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi drags Taka up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, LIJ WINS!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
Their final battle in Fukuoka, their final battle with their friends, and their final battle in NJPW, it was all victorious! Naito & Bushi stand with Hiromu & Takagi to celebrate this final win. The fans cheer on “NA-I-TO!” as Naito leads the group in one last LIJ fist bump. The wild ride is over for the Uncontrollable Charisma, and he poses with his team one last time. Burn this moment into your memories, for we may never see Naito & Bushi back in a NJPW ring again.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!
The Gene Blast may be one of the Reiwa Era Three Musketeers, but the Heat Storm vows to be the face of this new generation. A match meant to happen months ago finally does happen, but who will truly be the frontrunner of the future?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the true global star!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as Yota and Yuya stare down. Fukuoka duels, but the “YO~TA!” sounds stronger than the “YU~YA!” They circle, feel things out, then circle a bit more. They feel out the knuckle lock, then Yuya rolls. Yota keeps him at bay as they clinch, then they go around. Yuya waistlocks, Yota wrenches free and waistlocks in return, but Yuya switches. Yota headlocks, Yuya rolls him to the mat and headlocks in return. Yota keeps his shoulders up, then fights to his feet. Yuya hits a takeover, Yota headscissors, but Yuya kips up. Yuya is fired up and the fans cheer him on.
Yota stands up and the two reset. They circle while the fans duel, and the two tie up. Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock but Yota switches and full nelsons. Then Yota headlocks and grinds Yuya down. Yuya fights up, pries at the hold, but Yota powers it on tighter. Yuya powers up but Yota squeezes the headlock even tighter! The fans applaud while Yuya endures. Yuya fires body shots, then powers up and out, drops down, but Yota avoids the dropkick! Yota dodges but Yuya arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Yuya has the armlock and the fans cheer again. Yota pulls at the hold, then fights up. Yuya grinds the elbow but Yota reaches for ropes.
Yota has the ROPEBREAK but Yuya brings him away from the ropes quickly. Yota fires forearm after forearm until Yuya lets go. Yota runs up but Yuya arm-drags! Only for Yota to drag Yuya down, trap an arm, and SACRIFICE the other arm! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Yuya shakes out the bad arm but Yota brings him back up. Yuya fires a forearm! Yota grins so Yuya fires more shots! Yota wrenches and serves up SOLE FOOD to the arm! Yuya staggers away to a corner and the fans rally more. Yota storms up on Yuya, puts him in the corner, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts as Yota pulls, so Yota lets go at 4.
Yota brings Yuya out to snapmare, then he has the bad arm in a top wristlock! Yuya endures, the fans rally, but Yota puts on the pressure! Yuya fights forward, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the arm! Yuya still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Yota legs go. Yota paces while Yuya shakes out the bad arm. Yota comes back to stomp the arm! Yota then wrenches Yuya, KNEES the arm, then KNEES it again! Yota KNEES Yuya into the corner, then paces again. Yuya stands, Yota runs in, but Yuya BOOTS him away! Yota runs back in, Yuya dodges and CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans fire up as Yuya winds up, but Yota dodges! Yota BOOTS Yuya in the corner!
The fans rally as Yota whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while both men are down. The fans rally again as Yuya rises up. Yuya roars, the fans fire up more, and Yuya brings Yota up to wrench and BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally and Yuya brings Yota up. Yoga fights with elbows, then wrenches to YANK the arm! And YANK! And YANK! Yota whips, Yuya reverses, but Yota RANAS! Yuya tumbles out and the fans rally as Yota aims. Yota builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya is sent into railing!
The fans fire up while Yuya stumbles and falls, and Yota fires back up! Yota has the fans rally more as he takes a lap. Yota comes back for Yuya, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota steps in, stands Yuya up, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yota powers through, but Yuya fights free! Yuya CHOPS, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yota grits his teeth. Yota storms around, goes to a corner, and he aims as Yuya rises. Yota runs in, STINGER SPLASH! The fans fire up while Yota snapmares Yuya down. Yota goes up, up, but Yuya avoids the Marlowe Crush!
Yuya dropkicks Yota’s leg, then has it for a SHIN BREAKER! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuya then hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! Yota endures and the fans fire up! Yuya pulls on the main leg but Yota works to turn things over! The fans duel as Yuya fights against that, but Yota does turn the hold over! Yuya endures now, so he hurries to turn things over! Yota uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Yuya and the ref undo the hold, and Yuya stands over Yota. Yuya brings Yota up to scoop and SLAM him down! Yuya then goes to a corner, climbs up, only for Yota to GAMANGIRI! Yuya is dazed up top, so Yota climbs up after him!
Yota brings Yuya up, throws forearms, then goes to the very top! But Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls, Yuya adjusts, and Yuya leaps! Yota avoids the crossbody but Yuya rolls through! Yota comes back, Yuya slips around and full nelsons! But Yota powers up to break the hold! Only for Yuya to GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuya runs, but into a BOOT! Yuya comes back and takes a swing, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Yuya avoids the stomp! Yuya shoves Yota, but Yota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Yota keeps moving, and then Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!
The two men crawl away to the corners while the fans rally up. Yuya runs in corner to corner, but Yota BOOTS him! Yota runs up, but Yuya clinches! Yota fights free, ROCKS Yuya, and Yuya staggers to the ropes! Yota whips, Yuya ducks ‘n’ dodges but Yota blows past, only for Yuya to get under! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up! Yuya shakes out the bad arm, then he stands Yota up for a scoop. Yuya SLAMS, then he fires back up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he climbs again! Yuya is up top, for the FROG SPLASH! But he FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota runs back in, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Yuya clasps hands, but Yota breaks the grip! ARMBAR!! Yuya endures, flails, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the bad arm! Yuya fights around, but Yota just keeps after the arm! Yuya uses his core strength to sit up, but Yota PULLS the arm straight! Yuya falls over, fights around, and he turns over. Yota does his best to keep the armbar, even with this mounted angle! Yuya bites his thumb to ignore the pain in his arm! Yuya then reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Yota lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya clutches his elbow but Yota paces around. Yota drags Yuya up from the ropes, but Yuya CHOPS! Yota brushes that off, but Yuya CHOPS again!
Yuya can’t put enough power behind the strikes with that bad arm, but he keeps trying! Yota BOOTS Yuya, Yuya drops to his knees, and the ref checks with him. Yuya refuses to let the bad arm cost him again, and he rises up to CHOP! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Yota ROCKS him!! And then KNEES him down! The fans fire up while Yota stands tall! Yota goes to a corner, watches Yuya sputter and rise, GENE- DROPKICK to the leg! Yuya hurries to grab that leg, but Yota fires off forearms! Yuya eggs Yota on, so Yota HEADBUTT! But Yuya still DRAGON SCREWS!! Yuya steps through again, FIGURE FOUR!!
The fans fire up as Yota endures again! Yuya puts as much pressure as he can, Yota pries at the hold, but Yuya thrashes around! Yota reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, and he drags Yuya along towards ropes! But Yuya drags Yota back from ropes! Yuya thrashes as hard as he can, we hit 20 minutes, and Yota still endures! The fans rally harder and harder as Yota fights to turn this over! Yota does, but then Yuya turns it back! But this time, Yuya turns back the other way to keep Yota from the ropes! And then he PULLS on the leg! Yota lunges for the ROPEBREAK!! The fans fire up while the ref again frees Yota.
Yota clutches his leg while he crawls away, but Yuya is right on him! Yuya has the leg, but Yota ENZIGIRIS! Yuya falls, but he also manages to waistlock! Yuya drags Yota up, but Yota fires elbows! Yuya still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yuya holds onto Yota and the fans fire up! Yuya full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Yuya is furious! Yuya roars, the fans are with him, and he reels Yota in! SAIDO BACKBREAKER! Then he puts Yota in the drop zone! Yuya climbs, the fans rally more, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and Yuya is beside himself!
Fukuoka is thunderous as Yuya rises! Yuya brings Yota up, cording holds one arm, swings to get the other, but Yota STUNNERS free! Yota roars, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Yota just comes back, GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya hurries to lock in those arms, but Yota fights off the clinch! They go around and around, and Yota frees an arm! But Yota brings it back in! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!!! Yuya roars, the fans are electric, GENE BLASTER outta nowhere!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Heat Storm was certainly on fire, but Tsuji was volcanic! The gold stays with Yota, will he and those left in LIJ make sure NJPW stays tranquilo?
Speaking of which, the rest of LIJ returns to the ring so they can stand with their guy. Tsuji gets to also have his final photo op with the group as we know it. We also get one last LIJ fist bump with the five of them, and then Naito & Bushi let Yota, Takagi & Hiromu have the ring. Yota hurries to get the mic to tell Naito & Bushi, “Let me have one last word.” The fans applaud, and Naito & Bushi stop to hear him out. “Naito and Bushi leaving could signal the end of Los Ingobernables de Japon. But remember this: We’re ungovernable. We’ll always be connected in our hearts. Until next time.” The fans applaud that! Naito even gives one last fist bump salute.
The fans cheer as the LIJ Era has changed, and Bushi makes sure we see his mask where it says, “Adios.” Then Yota continues to say that he is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, and that he’ll continue to defend the cerulean blue mat of NJPW. The fans applaud, and Yota says he is fortunate to have such a great rival in Uemura. And another in Gabe Kidd. So, who should he defend this belt against next? Well, he said the man’s name, so here comes the Mad Man! The fans bark it up for the War Dog, and Gabe gets right in Yota’s face. Yota says nic eto see him. Should they pick up where they left off?
Gabe takes the mic to say, “You’re an IWGP champion?” No, no, Yota beat Evil and Yuya, but in Osaka… It was a double knockout! Yota never beat Gabe! The fans cheer that point! Gabe says on June 15th… In Osaka Jo-Hall… “Let’s find out who the strongest is!!” The fans love that idea! Gabe heads back out, the fans bark more, and Yota tells Gabe, “Let’s show ’em our NJPW.” The fans also like that, and Yota asks if they’re ready! The fans cheer because they are, but who will make this their Dominion?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!
The Fierce Warrior finally put the G in IWGP at the New Beginning in Osaka when he won this title. But now, the Prince of Pace is looking to blow right past him as the top guy in NJPW! Will the Goto Revolution stay the course? Or will it be conquered by the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the G of IWGP!
The bell rings and the fans rally strongly for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum doesn’t let that bother him, and he runs up to BOOT Goto! Callum fires forearms, whips, but Goto reverses! Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to build speed, but then Goto dodges! The fans cheer as Goto is at least agile like Callum. They tie up, then they just fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Goto gets the edge, headlocks, but Callum powers out. Goto runs Callum over, but Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum TOSSES Goto out, then PLANCHAS! The fans fire up while Goto goes down!
Callum fires himself up and the fans cheer. Callum brings Goto up, the fans duel a bit more evenly, and Callum whips. Goto reverses and Callum hits railing! But he comes back to BOOT Goto down! Callum snarls, drags Goto back up, and now Callum sends Goto into railing! Goto comes back but Callum BOOTS him down again! And then PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally, Hashi coaches Goto, but Callum KICKS Goto in the back! Callum puts Goto in the ring, the fans applaud, and Callum sits Goto up again. Callum hits another PENALTY KICK! Callum then goes to the corner and climbs up, calling his shot.
Callum aims, DIVING- NO, Goto dodges! Callum comes back, but Goto dodges! Goto LARIATS, then he clinches for the SAIDO! Callum flounders away and the fans fire up. Callum goes to a corner, Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then Goto puts Callum up top! Goto climbs up after Callum, just to drag him into a draped position! SUPER DRAPING NECKBREAKER!! Callum flounders out of the ring, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira check on him, as does Red Shoes. Callum winches, clutches his shoulder, but he manages to sit up. Callum has speed but Goto is taking advantage of his skinnier frame.
Red Shoes starts the ring count and Goto stays back, which annoys Callum. Callum storms into the ring, but Goto kicks him down! Goto has Callum up for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans fire up, but Goto stays right on Callum. Goto drags Callum up, but Callum clutches his shoulder, so Goto lets him be. We’re only five minutes in as the fans rally up, and Goto stomps Callum around. Callum crawls away to a corner but Goto grabs at him. Callum wants Goto to hold on, and Red Shoes has Goto step back. Callum’s neck and shoulder are really bothering him, but Goto just storms up to stomp him!
Goto drags Callum up, snapmares, then clamps on a chinlock. Callum endures as Goto’s knee digs into the back and neck. Goto then ELBOWS Callum in the head, stomps him around, and brings him up. Goto CLUBS Callum’s neck, but Callum CHOPS! The pain in his shoulders holds Callum back, but Goto clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then a GROUND OCTOPUS! Callum endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up. Goto thrashes around but Akira & Khan coach Callum. Callum kicks around but Goto shifts to a headscissor necklock! Callum endures the squeeze, kicks and kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Goto lets go in frustration. Goto drags Callum up but he’s a ragdoll again. Goto still brings Callum around, snapmares him back down, then KICKS him in the back! And ELBOW DROPS! Callum sputters but Goto just ELBOW DROPS again! Akira & Khan coach Callum but Goto looms over him. Goto ELBOW DROPS onto Callum’s back! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but Goto is still calm. Goto stands Callum up, kicks him low, but Callum fires a forearm! And another! The pain in the neck holds those back, and Goto CLUBS Callum! Goto runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Khan & Akira coach Callum, Hashi coaches Goto, and both Goto and Callum crawl to the apron. Goto goes to the floor, and Callum smiles. The fans rally as Callum builds speed and FLIES!! Callum does a full 360 to hit Goto and then rolls through more to stand back up at the ramp! The fans are thunderous and Callum fires himself back up! Callum drags Goto to his feet and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Callum hurries back in. Callum aims from a corner while Goto flounders away. The fans rally more, and Callum runs corner to corner. FLYING DROPKICK! Callum then chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!
But the bad neck won’t let Callum bridge! Callum hurries to lateral press, TWO! And we’re just 10 minutes in! The fans rally, Callum fires up with a very Will Ospreay style “OI! OI! OI!” The fans rally behind that, and Callum brings Goto up. Callum reels Goto in, hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Goto slips free of Firebolt, waistlocks, but Callum fights the lift. Callum runs, Goto follows, but then Callum dodges! Goto dodges, Callum dodges, then Callum hurdles! But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up for that high speed exchange! Goto has the crowd behind him again as he rises up.
Goto storms up on Callum, stands him up, but Callum fires a forearm! Only to fall to his knees! Callum rises up but Goto DECKS him! Callum is running on fumes, but the fans do rally for him, too. Goto eggs him on and Callum manages to stand. Callum fires a forearm, drops to a knee, but Goto stands him up. Goto DECKS Callum again! Callum shakes out the stars and he snarls! Callum fires another forearm, but Goto DECKS him a third time! Goto eggs Callum on, the fans rally again, and Callum rises. Callum puts his hands behind his back and dares Goto to hit him! So Goto DECKS Callum a fourth time!
Khan & Akira coach Callum on but Red Shoes asks if Callum wants to stop. Callum shakes his head, he’s not gonna stop here. Callum stands again, leans on the ropes, then comes back for more! Callum even SPITS at Goto! The fans boo that, but Goto DECKS Callum for it! Goto watches Callum sputter, and Callum slowly rises again. But then he falls back over! Callum headbutts the mat to fire back up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto winds up and ROCKS Callum! Callum is back to get in Goto’s face! Goto fires a flurry of forearms! Callum CHOPS! Goto feels that one! The fans fire up and Callum roars, but Goto spins him! URA G T R!
Goto goes to run but Callum reels him in! GERMAN SUPLEX! ROUNDHOUSE! Callum runs, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! We’re 15 minutes in as Goto stalks Callum to the apron. Goto stomps Callum, then stands him up. But Callum fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto still lifts! Callum flails, slips down, and KICKS Goto! Callum goes up, up, and OSCUTTER 2.0 on the apron!! Both men fall to the floor and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks, both men are able to continue, so a ring count starts. Khan fans off Callum while the fans rally. The count already passes 7 of 20, then hit 10, but both men are still down!
Callum rises at 13, drags himself in at 17, but Goto is still down! Goto rises up and springs in at 19! The fans fire up as this continues! Callum goes to a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE! Then he hurries to bring Goto into the drop zone! Callum roars, climbs, and the fans fire up! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Goto survives the coup de grace and Callum can’t believe it! Akira & Khan tell Callum to keep going, he’s almost done it! The fans rally and duel as Callum hobbles over. Callum stands Goto up, then runs, but Goto swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT again!
The fans fire up, Callum returns, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Callum waistlocks, ripcords, RAINMAKER?!? Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Callum shouts out the former leader of Chaos! The fans are thunderous, Callum feeds off that energy, and Callum drags Goto up. Callum calls his shot, springboards, OSC- NO, Goto blocks the cutter! DISCUS- NO, Callum dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER 2.0!!! Cover, TWO!??! But Callum hooks a leg! FIREBOLT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Goto survives again and the fans are electric! Callum is unsure what to do as we pass 20 minutes, but the fans dueling shakes the arena!
Callum drags Goto up, but Goto wrenches out! Goto spins Callum, dragon sleepers, but Callum slips free! Backslide! Goto rolls through, PENALTY KICK BLOCKED! Goto HEADBUTTS Callum, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Goto rises, he brings Callum up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto HEADBUTTS away on Callum, then brings him up to HEADBUTT again! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again, as Goto suplexes for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Callum survives and Goto cannot believe it! The fans duel harder than ever before, and Goto rises again!
Goto roars and focuses his power! Callum sits up, into a BUZZSAW! But then Goto brings Callum around, but Callum drops to victory roll! TWO!! Callum SUPERKICKS, but Goto LARIATS!! Goto stands Callum up, dragon sleepers, but Callum fires shots from below! Goto blocks that arm, traps it, and G T R KAI!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Prince of Pace did his best to follow in the Aerial Assassin’s footsteps, but he is still a long way from reaching the top of the mountain. However, if this is how close he came on his first try, will nothing stop Callum Newman from being the future of NJPW?
As for Goto, the belt is put back around his waist, and he watches Callum walk away. Callum takes a moment to bow in deep respect to Goto before he and the Empire leave. Goto then grabs the mic, and the fans cheer him on. “No matter what anyone says, this is MY time!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues, “Who’s my next opponent? As a fighting champion, I’ll take on all challengers!” Wait! Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way back out here! Goto took this title from ZSJ so clearly ZSJ wants a rematch. ZSJ grabs a mic to tell Goto in Japanese, “Good work tonight. That was a fantastic match! Truly fantastic.
“You’ve been on a roll lately! You’re indeed a great champion. But I’m you’re next challenger!” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says, “I accept!” The fans really like that, and the two shake hands on it. Will the Submission Master make sure that- WAIT! Shingo Takagi is here?! He storms into the ring with a mic to say, “Pardon the intrusion!” The fans cheer as Takagi asks, “Mind if I speak my piece? Zack, hold on a moment. OI, GOTO! You really are something. You got a belt, a wife, and kids! And on top of that, you’re in Hontai!” The fans do applaud that with a bit of a chuckle.
Takagi points out that he, on the other hand, has no belt, no wife, no kids. “And now it looks like my faction is done… But that doesn’t mean I need to hang my head. I’ll soar to the top!” The fans applaud, and Takagi says the G in IWGP stands for Goto, right? But oi, oi, oi! You can’t spell “Shingo” OR “Takagi” without a G! He has two G’s, so he wants his shot at the title. At least, he’d like to say that. But he has no objects to Zack. Takagi did lose to ZSJ last time. So then Takagi will wait to challenge the winner of Goto VS ZSJ! The fans like that, too! Takagi says if it’s about G’s, Goto can’t argue Takagi’s point!
The three men all look to each other, and it looks like the deal is struck. Fierce Warrior VS Front Man, and the Rampaging Dragon gets the winner! Who will stand on the summit of NJPW going into the summer? Takagi and ZSJ take their leave, and Goto continues. “Again, thank you very much for coming today!” The fans applaud, and Goto says, “No matter who I’m up against, I will not be defeated. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Follow it until the very end! Let’s end with Goto’s G’s.” The fans chuckle, and Goto says he knows most of the locales had G in their names. But not in Fukuoka…
Even so, Goto still has this IWGP World title around his waist, so no worries there. IKU ZO! The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP is for GOTO!” The streamers fly, and the Fierce Warrior is ready to lead NJPW on! But will things only heat up from here on out?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for Wrestling Dontaku’s finale, and we’re already building towards Dominion next month. I was rather surprised that the Six Woman Tag was so quick. Well, I feel like a lot of Stardom matches on a NJPW show end up like that… But the 10 Man Tag with Tanahashi’s team beating TMDK, and then the 8 Man Tag of LIJ winning, both of those matches felt just as fast/short. I suppose on some level, they did it because we all had a feeling who was winning. Tanahashi’s team wins because he also had special guests Tajiri and Ryota, so that was just a great moment for some longstanding legends.
LIJ winning was apparently to also commemorate their last match as a faction. With Titan being their CMLL member, we only have Hiromu, Takagi and Tsuji. I suppose a trio isn’t necessarily a faction, but I’m surprised they just sprang this dissolution on us. Great match from Yota VS Yuya, but I think they dragged it out a bit at the start. It got hot by the end, and Yota retaining was a great move. Gabe Kidd calling his shot is also a great move, he and Yota are going to have a great rematch from their time limit draw. And then awesome main event from Goto VS Callum, with Callum looking great even in defeat. Callum is definitely on his way, maybe he’ll really build up his power level in the G1 Climax this year.
Great promo to close, with Goto, ZSJ and Takagi establishing the next couple of title shots. I think Goto VS ZSJ has been made for Resurgence this Friday, so they’re getting that right out of the way so Takagi can face the champion at Dominion. At the same time, they kinda have to because Best of the Super Juniors is going to dominate May. Resurgence would be a wild place for a title change since it’s in the US and it’s a true PPV, so I’m not liking ZSJ’s chances.
My Score: 9.1/10
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