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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The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Rockin’ around the Christmas Collision!
The Continental Classic continues on Christmas Collision, with crucial points on the line this close to AEW Worlds End! Who will finally take the lead in Gold League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; Kris wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia; Garcia wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos; Briscoe wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 2-2, 6 points
Komander: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Shelton Benjamin: 2-1, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.
He has Big Boom AJ & Big Justice with him in the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they’re ready to bring the BOOM~! They’re ready to watch the action tonight, and even the final face-to-face of MJF and Adam Cole. AJ says if MJF is gonna bring the doom, then you know he and Big Justice will bring the BOOM~! But tonight, their guy, Adam Cole will bring the BOOM~ too! And of course we have big Continental Classic action! Daniel Garcia VS Shelton Benjamin in a critical showdown, and while Shelton is tough, Garcia is going to bring the BOOM~! Plus, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos! The Chicken is their guy, time to bring the BOOM~!
In Gold League, we have Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, and the Swiss Superman is a DOOM~! Let’s go, Darby, bring that BOOM~! And then a match everyone wants to see, the fireworks rematch of Will Ospreay VS Ricochet! If you’re a fan of high-flying wrestling, this is the right night to be right here in AEW! Ricochet and their guy, Ospreay, will bring the BOOM~! But speaking of, that match is up first! The Aerial Assassin joins AJ & Big Justice in giving a BOOM~, but will Ricochet make sure tonight is #OuttaThisWorld?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet!
Wait, are the fans throwing white streamers or is that… No, yeah, it’s toilet paper! Ospreay laughs at the fans basically calling Ricochet crap. Ricochet throws the toilet paper back! The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans fire up for Ospreay as he and Ricochet circle. The fans also sing, “F HIM UP, OSPREAY, F HIM UP!” Ricochet shrugs that off, he and Ospreay tie up, and then Ricochet rolls. Ospreay shoots in, waistlocks, but Ricochet switches. They go around, Ricochet gator rolls with Ospreay, then floats to a headlock. Ricochet wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks again. Ospreay powers up and out, Ricochet runs him over, but Ospreay kips up!
The fans cheer and Ospreay smiles as he and Ricochet reset. They tie up, go around, and Ricochet wrenches to a wristlock. Ospreay rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Ricochet spins and wrenches to hammerlock. Ospreay reaches back, headlocks and hits a takeover. Ricochet rolls to a cover, TWO! Ospreay holds onto the headlock but Ricochet powers up and out. Ospreay runs Ricochet over, Ricochet bails out, and then Ospreay handsprings to fake Ricochet out! The fans cheer as Ospreay superhero lands out, and Ricochet is annoyed. Ospreay holds ropes open for Ricochet, but Ricochet goes around the way to step in on his own.
The fans boo Ricochet being a bad sport but Ricochet ignores that. Ospreay and Ricochet knuckle lock, then Ricochet kicks low! And CHOPS! Ricochet whips, Ospreay reverses, but Ricochet rolls off Ospreay’s back! Things keep moving, Ospreay avoids the handspring to then duck ‘n’ dodges and RANA! But Ricochet handsprings through! The fans fire up, and Ospreay arm-drags Ricochet down! The fans cheer while Ricochet endures the grind. Ricochet fights up and puts Ospreay on ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet and Ospreay slowly let g o, and Ricochet SLAPS Ospreay! Ospreay CHOPS Ricochet!
Ospreay takes a swing, Ricochet ducks under to roll back and RANA! But now Ospreay handsprings through! Ricochet dodges to waistlock but Ospreay bucks the O’Conner. Ricochet arm-drags Ospreay down, but Ospreay headscissors back! Ricochet pops free but Ospreay arm-drags! Ricochet headscissors, Ospreay pops free, and Ospreay handsprings, but Ricochet catches him! Ricochet then THROWS Ospreay into the Tree of Woe, and Ospreay falls down! The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, but Ricochet FOSBURY FLOPS! The fans boo but Ricochet takes the toilet paper to wipe himself, then he SMOTHERS Ospreay with it!
The fans boo that literally disgusting act of disrespect, but Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet taunts the fans, then drags Ospreay up. Ricochet puts Ospreay in, soaks up more heat, then KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Ricochet swaggers to taunt the fans more, then he goes back to Ospreay. Cover, ONE!! Another cover, TWO! Ricochet taunts the fans more, then goes back for Ospreay. Ricochet stands Ospreay up to CHOP, and Ospreay goes to a corner. Ricochet RAMS into Ospreay, RAMS him again, then snapmares to UPPERCUT in the back! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Ricochet drags him into a motorcycle stretch. Ospreay endures while Ricochet digs a knee into the back. Ospreay fights up, fights with elbows, then runs, but into a DROPKICK!
Ospreay is down in a daze but Ricochet has to shake out the stars in his own head. Ricochet covers, ONE! Ospreay then uses that one to flip off Ricochet. Ricochet RAMS Ospreay in the back! Ricochet then clamps on with a chinlock, and he digs his knee into Ospreay’s back. Ospreay endures, even as Ricochet JAMS Ospreay. Collision returns to single picture as the fans rally for Ospreay again. Ospreay fires up, fires hands, but Ricochet RAMS him into a corner. Ricochet runs up, RAMS into Ospreay, then goes to the apron. Ospreay takes a swing but Ricochet dodges and gets around him to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay runs, handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay goes to the apron, takes aim, and he springboards to PIP PIP CHEERIO! Down goes Ricochet, Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay stays focused and the fans rally up. Ospreay drags Ricochet up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Ricochet staggers, Ospreay runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS! Forearm, SOBAT, and Ricochet runs, but into a POP-UP, and STYLES- NO, Ricochet sits up, slips free, and he underhooks Ospreay for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Ricochet goes up.
Ricochet has to double clutch, the fans let him hear it, but Ricochet still MOONSAULTS! Ricochet lands out as Ospreay moves, and Ospreay runs up, but into an ELBOW! Ricochet handsprings, but into a pop-up, Electric Chair, spin around, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Ospreay is surprised. Ospreay pulls on the elbow pad and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Ospreay aims, but Ricochet bails out! The fans boo but Ospreay storms after Ricochet. They’re both on the apron and Ospreay goes up a corner. Ricochet anchors Ospreay first! Then Ricochet has the Electric Chair Lift!
Ospreay fights free, fights off a nelson, then he KICKS Ricochet! Ospreay runs, but into a pop-up APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Ricochet adds a SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Ricochet puts Ospreay in, then springboards to 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives, but then Ricochet AX KICKS! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, VERTIGO! Cover, TWO!? Ospreay survives and Ricochet is shocked! Ricochet snarls and he aims from a corner. The fans rally for Ospreay but Ricochet loads up. SPIRIT- NO, Ospreay ducks under! Ospreay gets up, Ricochet blocks a kick!
Ricochet V-TRIGGERS, then he reels Ospreay in! But Ospreay fights out of the bomb, but then Ricochet returns the favor! Ricochet suplexes, into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Ospreay springboards for the OSC- CUTTER FROM RICOCHET!! Ricochet hurries to get Ospreay up, powerbomb into fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! SPIRIT- HIDDEN BLADE!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ospreay and Ricochet both slowly sit up and the fans rally as hard as ever. Ricochet and Ospreay stare down, talk a bit of trash, then stand up. Ospreay draws a line in the sand and dares Ricochet to step up.
Ricochet steps right up, they stand toe to toe, literally! They start firing forearms! The fans cheer Ospreay, boo Ricochet, and Ricochet wobbles! But then Ricochet comes back with forearm after forearm! Ospreay wobbles, but he grins as he rises and roars! Ospreay fires a flurry on Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Ricochet flops over, Ospreay hauls him up! But Ricochet grabs at the ref! Ospreay kicks Ricochet’s arm away, but then Ricochet RAMS Ospreay into the ref! The fans boo but then Ricochet hurries to HOOK KICK! And VERTI- NO, Ospreay slips free to underhook! STORM BREAKER! Cover, but the ref is down!
The fans count, Ospreay would’ve won twice over! Ospreay calls to the ref, the ref sputters around, and Ospreay goes up. But then Ricochet kicks the ref into ropes! Ospreay gets tripped up and the fans boo more! Ospreay is confused as to what happened, but SPIRIT GUN hits the mark!! Cover, RICOCHET WINS!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Ospreay earns 0)
The One & Only got away with murder, but there’s nothing that can be done now! Ricochet has NINE points, will he be headed to Worlds End?
Adam Cole heads to the ring!
The fans cheer as the Panama City Playboy returns to the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they join in for the “BOOM~!” and the “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY~!” Cole grabs a mic, but he keeps his eyes on the ramp. That’s because we all know who’s next. MJF makes his entrance, but with a handful of security guards in front of him first. And not even AEW security, that’s his own personal security. MJF grabs a mic and has them cut his music. The fans boo but MJF tells them, “If I wanted your help, I’d ask for it. Sit down and shut up.” The fans tell MJF to STFU, but MJF shrugs that off.
MJF tells Cole that MJF is frustrated. It’s because for the past few months, MJF has had to listen to Cole say MJF is Cole’s biggest enemy! If memory serves, and MJF’s memory always does because unlike the fans here, he isn’t a complete moron… Didn’t Cole turn on MJF? But then does Cole realize he has bigger enemies out there? Like spray tan, cracks in the floor, gusts of win, and maybe… a cavity. Because last MJF heard, Cole’s dentist isn’t seeing him anymore. Cole was already staring daggers into MJF, but now he’s pissed. MJF has Cole calm down, and he tells the fans to shut up so he can shoot straight.
When MJF was the longest-reigning and greatest AEW World Champion of all time, Cole was nothing more than MJF’s cute little sidekick. That ate Cole up inside. Cole wanted to be MJF. Cole wanted #TripleB. But the sad truth is, Cole had many opportunities to win the title before MJF got anywhere near it. It’s almost like when it comes to Cole being elite enough to become world champion, just like his “s*itty little ankle,” Cole blows it. MJF laughs at his own joke, and then tells the fans he is talking, it is not that complicated. But this is why MJF doesn’t buy the hogwash that Cole turned on MJF because MJF would turn on Cole first.
Cole turned because he, like all these shmucks, is jealous of MJF. And who can blame Cole? MJF is rich, handsome, funny, entertaining, and then look at Cole. For crying out loud, Cole used to be ADAM COLE BAYBAY. Now, he’s just a crack baby! Cole asks if MJF is done. Was that the last line? Because it felt like MJF practiced that for two weeks in front of a mirror. But MJF killed it, really. Cole could come back with childish comments to hurt MJF’s feelings, but he won’t. Cole could mention MJF has had two surgeries on that fake head of hair of his while only in his 20s, which is hilarious, but he won’t.
Cole could talk about how MJF pulled some strings to get his girlfriend hired, like the real politician he is, but Cole won’t go there. Cole could talk about how every single time MJF enters a room, everyone waits for him to leave because he is loud, obnoxious and annoying as hell. But Cole won’t go there. Because Cole is not like MJF. They are nothing alike. That is why the friendship was ruined. Because, MJF, the truth is you say Cole is a failure, but in virtually every wrestling company Cole has worked for, he is the longest-reigning champion in so many!
In this very building, Cole bled BUCKETS against Kyle O’Reilly, wanting to prove he was one of the best in the world, and that is exactly what he did! Does Cole have regrets? Sure. Are there things Cole wishes he could take back? Absolutely. But Cole does NOT regret turning on MJF. The only reason it drives MJF insane is because Cole beat MJF to it. That’s MJF 101: Get close to someone, then turn on them. It’s what MJF does. Cole just did it better than MJF, and MJF knows it.
But Cole has been thinking, trying to understand what’s going on in MJF’s head, and he finally figured it out. MJF is terrified of having anyone close to him, because he feels it is a weakness. That hit a chord? Because not only does MJF act like a child, he thinks like a child! MJF knows in his heart that he was going to be the one to turn on Cole first! DAMN RIGHT HE WAS!!! MJF realizes he let the cat out of the bag. MJF says congrats, Cole, he solved the mystery! A regular Scooby-Doo! Great job, Adam.
But you want the truth? Here it is. The fact of the matter is, last year at Worlds End, MJF had every intention on stabbing Cole in the back that night. Cole just got lucky. When #BetterThanYouBaybay started, MJF didn’t give a damn about Cole. Cole was nothing more than a pawn. But MJF will admit, he did eventually start to care. For the first time in MJF’s life, he cared about someone else. Fans mockingly go, “Aww…” But MJF says that is just when Cole became a liability. And since Cole’s “a fragile little freak,” him jumping off that ramp and exploding his ankle made him a distraction!
Distractions, liabilities, emotions, there are no room for those when all you should be concerned with is maintaining the world championship! But Cole doesn’t get it, does he? Last year was a fluke. Cole ain’t the Devil, he just beat the Devil to it. But this year, Worlds End, December 28th, the same show where Cole tried to end MJF’s world, MJF ENDS Cole!! MJF throws down the mic and the fans are torn. Cole smirks and says MJF ends things then? Well, how about Cole ends this? COLE DECKS MJF! The guards rush in, but Cole fights them off! MJF sends more but Cole SUPERKICSK! And SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS!
But then MJF LOW BLOWS Cole! MJF tells the fans to shut up! MJF takes out the Dynamite Diamond Ring! But then The Kingdom rushes out here! MJF runs away from Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but he vows this ends at Worlds End. We have one week left, is that the last week Cole has in AEW? Or will MJF finally lose the one thing he has left in that diamond ring?
Backstage interview with Kris Statlander.
Lexy Nair is with the #BornAgainKristen and brings up her trying to make amends with Willow Nightingale last night, as well as making the save when Harley Cameron & Penelope Ford were beating Willow up. Kris says what she and Willow have to discuss is between them. But as far as her and Penelope go, they’ve got a lot of history, and if Ford wants a fight, Kris will give her a fight. Then speaking of history, Kris still has her eyes set on the TBS Championship, can she tells us more on that?
Kris says she looked back on 2024 and she had a downward spiral that started with losing that title. Maybe if she wins it back, Kris will right her wrongs. On that note, Mercedes Mone, you don’t have an opponent for Worlds End so here Kris is. Let her know when you’re ready for round two. Kris heads out, will she prove to everyone that she is still the Galaxy’s Greatest?
Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy.
AEW returns and Lexy is now with Freshly Squeezed. In exactly one week, he will compete against three other men for the AEW World Championship. There are a lot of combustible elements at play, and Cassidy says yeah, we saw that on Dynamite. Jay White, Hangman Page and Cassidy can’t exactly have a conversation. So really, Cassidy wants them to listen. “Between now and Worlds End, Jon Moxley can run and hide. He can hide behind his goons, he can run away in a pickup truck. But when that bell rings in seven days, he has nowhere to go. He will be in the ring with us. Us three. And you both know that we need to remove Jon Moxley from the equation.
“We can. We’ve done it. And after that, us three, we can fight for the AEW World Championship and one of us will become the AEW World Champion. Just something to think about. See you guys on Dynamite.” Cassidy is ready to remove the Maniac from the throne, but will the Switchblade and Cowboy listen to reason?
Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford!
As Kris just said, she’s calling out The CEO in hopes of one more TBS Championship match. But will the Superbad Girl be more like the Grinch for Kris this Christmas?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Kris circles with Ford. They tie up, Kris powers Ford to a corner, then throws Ford back into the corner! The ref counts, Kris lets off, but Ford shoves her! Kris ROCKS Ford, TOSSES her, then runs up on her. Kris whips, drops down, then hurdles over. Kris CLOBBERS Ford and the fans fire up as she flexes. Kris drags Ford up, reels her in, and suplexes, and she holds Ford up! The fans cheer and Kris goes all the way to TEN, but Ford slips into a SLEEPER! Kris pries the hold open and she brings Ford around for another suplex! The fans fire up as Kris holds Ford up for five before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Kris drags Ford up, whips her to the corner, but Ford goes up, only for Kris to Electric Chair Lift! Kris climbs, Ford fights with fists, and she shoves Kris down! Ford steadies herself, then hits a FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford is frustrated but she storms up on Kris. Ford bumps Kris off buckles but the fans rally behind Kris. Ford stomps a mudhole, but she lets off as the ref counts. Kris goes to the apron, but Ford jumps up to drop KNEES on her! The fans boo but Ford soaks up the heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ford brings Kris around to THROW her into railing! Ford soaks up more heat, then drags Kris up and RAMS her into the apron! Ford refreshes the count, then stalks Kris around the way. Ford whips Kris into the steel steps! Kris falls over in a heap but Ford drags her up into the ring. Ford covers, TWO! Kris stays in this but Ford kicks her around. Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes, thrashes around, but lets off as the ref counts. Ford drags Kris up and whips her to ropes, then LARIATS as Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes again! The ref counts, Ford lets off and Kris sputters to the apron. Ford runs and goes up, up, and KNEE DROPS on only apron! Kris then SHOTGUNS Ford off the apron! The fans fire up and Kris brings Ford up, to THROW into railing! Kris puts Ford in the ring, the fans fire up, but Ford kicks low. Ford reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford flounders to a corner but Kris has the fans rallying behind her. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT! Kris goes side to side but Ford dodges the knee! Ford hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Ford wasn’t quite perfect there but she watches Kris go to a corner. Ford runs corner to corner, handsprings, but Kris catches her! The fans fire up as Kris GERMAN SUPELXES, but Ford lands out! but Kris goes Matrix to dodge! So does Ford! STUNNER! Ford runs, Kris does her best to follow, but Ford hops up for a POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and the fans fire up! Ford is beside herself, but she drags Kris to a drop zone. Ford goes up top, and MOONSAULTS BUT FLOPS as Kris moves! Kris hurries to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! The fans fire up as Kris scoops to tuck Ford in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Ford gave Kris quite the fight, but Kris came out on top! Wait, here comes Mone! Kris did call the CEO out, so Santa Mone says, “Ho, ho, ho ho ho! New York Citaaaay~! Please say hello to your C E O! Kris, after the year I’ve been having, I was planning on taking Worlds End off. I was planning on going to the Ritz in Boston.” The fans boo Boston, but Mone says since it’s the holidays, Mone feels like being nice. She already beat Kris once anyway, so she’ll just beat her twice! At Worlds End, you see that money changes everything, because Mone is the greatest TBS Champion of all time!
The challenge has been accepted, and Mone is looking to be busy before the New Year. Will Kris make her regret it?
Big Boom AJ & Big Justice return to the ring.
They’re getting Christmas Collision ready to bring the BOOM, but out comes Chris Jericho, who is still ROH World Champion after overcoming Matt Cardona last night at Final Battle. And he has Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey with him as he asks if AJ has a permit for being here tonight. Did they talk with Mayor DeBlasio? Because they certainly didn’t run this past Jericho. Do they know who he is? Big Justice says yeah, he knows! “You’re a JACKASS!” Jericho is taken aback, but the fans agree with Justice. The Bad Apple says this is why dumbass kids should be sitting and not heard. Jericho says yeah!
And if being a jackass means he’s the King of New York, then Jericho’s the biggest jackass! And besides, Jericho talks for everyone here saying we do not want AJ & Justice here! The fans boo, they disagree with Jericho. But Jericho says they don’t even have Costcos in New York! New Yorkers shop at bodegas. Fans are torn, because they kind of agree. Jericho says his favorite is the Walgreens a few blocks over in Flushing. And speaking of Flushing, that’s where AJ & Justice belong: in the toilet! This is the Hammerstein Ballroom, the House that Jericho built! The fans boo that, it’s the House that Hardcore built.
But Jericho says there’s no time for goofy gimmicks like BOOM~, or bandit masks, or scissoring! Scissor me, Bad Apple~! But then wait! The Acclaimed is here! Well, Anthony Bowens is, at least. Bowens pushes past The Learning Tree and he joins AJ & Justice in the ring. Bowens has the music cut, and he tells Jericho that he doesn’t get why Scissor King is catching strays, but you caught his attention. Jericho is trying to intimidate a man in a walking boot and an 11 year old child while spouting nonsense about being the King of New York. Why doesn’t Jericho do what he has asked so many others in the past: SHUT THE HELL UP!
The fans cheer but Big Bill says, “As the Learning Tree always says, when a man tries to silence another man, he’s probably afraid of the truth.” The fans do cheer Big Bill because he is from New York. Bowens says he has no idea what that means, Bill. But he does know we’re live on TNT, Christmas Collision, Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City! So Chris, why not walk your ass to this ring and get it whipped by the Scissor King?! Jericho says if Bowens wants him to do that, then not tonight. Jericho waves bye, but AJ says hold on, listen up. We know Jericho is running scared, but we know at some point, Bowens will get to bring the-
Bowens stops the Boom? Because he wants to scissor! AJ says okay, and they SCISSOR BOOM~! But is that true? Will Anthony Bowens be the one to tear down the Learning Tree and be a champion?
Backstage interview with The Vendetta.
Lexy is now with Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie, and they’ve got a hot streak going. Deonna’s message last week was ominous, but who was it for? Taya says there are so many options. Everyone deserves a slice of The Vendetta. There’s Mercedes, Mariah, Toni Storm, even Lexy could get some, so watch your back. Speaking of Toni, she stumbles in and apologizes for interrupting. She just wants to say hi to everyone, hello. Oh, Deonna, a pleasure. Deonna says she knows who Toni is. R-Really? So cool! Taya says she’ll make a guess: Toni has a tattoo on her leg, a little duck with a knife through it.
Wow, how’d Taya know? Deonna says no no no, she is not doing this again. She does not get what sick crap Toni’s up to, but she is already done with it. So for Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street, Toni VS Taya! Taya says she’ll make Toni forget everything! Toni nervously thanks The Vendetta, and says this is a big opportunity to face someone like Taya. Toni leaves, Deonna and Taya sigh, and Lexy has no idea what to say. Is Toni’s mind unraveling before our eyes? Or is there still a bit of Timeless inside Toni Time?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia!
This showdown was inevitable, but it’s even more fitting after The Standard of Excellence beat up the TNT Champion just because he stood up to the Hurt Syndicate. Will Shelton continue to bring the pain? Or will he not survive Red Death?
The bell rings and Garcia goes right at Shelton! Garcia fires hands but Shelton RAMS him into the corner! Shelton fires hands but Garcia turns things around to fire more shots! The ref counts, Shelton shoves Garcia back, but Garcia runs up to fire hands! Shelton shoves Garcia again, but Garcia gets under the lariat to waistlock. Shelton fights the lift but Garcia shoves him to SLAP! And CHOP! Shelton just grins and he picks Garcia up again! Shelton TOSSES Garcia away and Garcia goes to ropes. Shelton brings Garcia back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then brings him up again. Scoop SLAM! Shelton drags Garcia up and puts him in a corner.
Shelton whips corner to corner hard and Garcia falls! The fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton drags Garcia around, stomps him around, then TOSSES Garcia out hard! Garcia sputters but Shelton storms outside. Shelton brings Garcia up but Garcia fires hands! Shelton RAMS Garcia into the apron, then railing, then back to the apron! And repeat! Garcia falls in a heap and the fans fire up. Shelton grins as he drags Garcia up, to then THROW into steel steps! Shelton leaves Garcia behind and the ring count climbs on Garcia. Garcia drags himself up at 7 but Shelton goes out after him again.
Shelton puts Garcia in the ring, then grabs at him. Garcia grabs ropes but Shelton stomps him. Shelton stands Garcia up to DECK him! The fans cheer but Shelton brings Garcia up again. Garcia fires a forearm, then he CHOPS! Shelton eggs Garcia on, so Garcia CHOPS! Shelton grins, Garcia CHOPS, but Shelton DECKS him again! The fans duel but Shelton whips Garcia to ropes, for a BIG backdrop! Garcia flounders and Collision goes picture in picture.
Shelton stalks Garcia to the ropes, brings him up and around, then puts him on other ropes so he can CHOKE him! The ref counts, Shelton steps off, and Garcia coughs and sputters to a corner. Shelton stalks behind Garcia, stands him up, and winds up to ROCK Garcia! Garcia flounders against ropes then falls to the mat! Shelton stands over Garcia, drags him up and puts him in the corner. Shelton throws hands and Garcia stumbles. Garcia falls, but Shelton stands on him. Shelton stomps Garcia, drags him up, but Garcia fires up! Garcia breaks free to fire CHOPS and forearms on repeat!
Garcia whips, Shelton reverses and Shelton BOOTS Garcia down! Cover, TWO! Shelton is still amused, and he clamps onto Garcia with a chinlock. Garcia endures as Shelton grinds him down, and Garcia fights up, only for Shelton to wrangle him back down! Shelton leans all his weight on the hold and he squeezes tight. Garcia fades but the fans rally, and Garcia gets a second wind! Garcia fights up, Christmas Colilsion returns to siongle cipture, and the fans duel as Garcia fires hands! Garcia runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS SHelton down! The fans fire up and Garcia aims from a corner. Garcia runs up, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans are torn while Shelton storms around. Shelton waits on Garcia, waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Garcia flops around but Shelton stalks him to the ropes. Shelton goes to the apron, runs up, but Garcia BOOTS him! Garcia takes a swing, but Shelton waistlocks! Garcia holds ropes to fight off the suplex to the floor! Garcia stands up and elbows Shelton away! Then Garcia LEAPS, but into Shelton’s clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY to the floor! Garcia flounders, fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton runs up but Garcia drop toeholds him into a chair! Shelton sputters and the fans rally up. Garcia makes Shelton take a seat, then rains down fists!
The fans count along and Garcia goes to nine, puts up the dukes, then hits TEN! Garcia gets space, runs back in, and he SHOTGUNS Shelton outta the chair! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes back for Shelton. Garcia drags Shelton up but Shelton pushes him away. Shelton LARIATS Garcia, then rolls into the ring. The ring count starts, the fans help Garcia stand, and the fans fire up! Garcia hurries to the ring, but Shelton BOOTS, only for Garcia to block! DRAGON SCREW! Garcia runs, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Even with a bad leg, Shelton has so much strength! Shelton storms up in the corner, but Garcia dodges!
Shelton’s knee hits buckles, and Garcia leg scissor rolls him! Garcia steps through for the DRAGON TAMER!! Shelton endures and the fans fire up! Garcia sits on the hold, but Shelton powers up! Shelton powers out of the hold, has Garcia’s legs, and he turns Garcia over into a QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Garcia endures, reaches out, and he army crawls his way forward! But Shelton drags Garcia back! Garcia cradles Shelton! TWO!! Shelton escapes, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shelton SUPERKICKS Garcia! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Shelton covers, TWO!! Garcia barely gets out of that and Shelton is furious!
“This is Awesome!” as Shelton looms over Garcia. Shelton drags Garcia up, but Garcia trips Shelton! Jackknife bridge, GARCIA WINS!!
Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Shelton earns 0)
A Christmas Collision miracle? Who knows! But Garcia is still alive in the C2, but Lashley snatches Garcia into a SLEEPER! The fans boo but MVP hands the pimp cane to Shelton! But here comes Mark Briscoe, and he has a chair! Security wants this to stop before it gets out of hand, and even producers get out here! But wait! Is that Swerve Strickland rushing in from the crowd?! It is! He goes right up top to SUPER SWERVE STOMP the Syndicate and security guards! Garcia gets free of the pile, Mark Briscoe is with him, and now the locker room hurries out here to stop this from getting worse!
The fans chant, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and Nana eventually hands the mic to Swerve. “Bobby FREAKIN’ Lashley! Didn’t I say I was gonna get my hands on you by the end of ’24? By the end of 2024, I said I was gonna get my hands on you, and that’s what I did, courtesy of the most dangerous man in AEW. Whose house?!” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve is still aiming for Lashley’s head, will he and Lashley have it out at Worlds End?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos!
After getting a couple shockers, The Sussex County Chicken could easily jump up to the front of the block with one more! But will he #ManUp and bring down the menacing minotaur? Or will The Beast be a massive spoiler for Briscoe?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock again. The fans rally and duel while both men fire up. They RAM shoulders, and then fire forearms! The fans fire up as Mark gets the edge, but Mortos swings! Mark dodges to CHOP, then fire forearms! Mark ROCKS Mortos, whips, but Mortos reverses and SPLASHES Mark! Mortos runs but Mark follows to LARIAT! Mark runs, Mortos follows, but Mark dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And forearm! And Mongolian Chop! Mark fires forearms against the ropes, then roars. Mark runs but Mortos follows to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, Mortos runs but Mark follows to FOREARM!
Mark runs, Mortos follows, and he slingshots to hook and backslide, TWO! Mark trips Mortos to jackknife, TWO! Mortos gets around, hammerlock and cradle, TWO! Mark slips around to roll Mortos, TWO! Both men stand, both men dodge, and the fans cheer the standoff. The fans cheer “BOTH THESE GUYS! BOTH THESE GUYS!” as they reset. Mark and Mortos run up to RAM shoulders again! And again! Mortos is getting the better of this, and he CLOBBERS Mark! The fans cheer Mortos while Mark goes to ropes. Mortos runs in but Mark TOSSES him up and out! Mortos clutches a leg, stands up, but Mark runs!
Mortos slides in, dodges, and he SPEARS Mark! The fans fire up and Mortos roars while Collision goes picture in picture.
Mark rolls to a corner while Mortos headbutts buckles. Mortos then runs corner to corner to DROPKICK Mark! Mark sputters, Mortos drags him to a cover, TWO! Mark stays in this but Mortos drags him into a chinlock. Mark endures, even as Mortos leans on the hold. Mark fights up as the fans rally, and Mark fires body shots. Mortos THROWS Mark down! Mortos then CRANKS Mark’s neck, then KICKS him in the chest! Cover, TWO! Mark is still in this and he goes to ropes. Mortos storms up but Mark CHOPS! Mortos SMACKS Mark and Mark falls into a corner. Mortos stomps Mark, then digs his boots in!
The ref reprimands and counts, Mortos steps off, then Mortos snapmares Mark so he can step on Mark’s face! Then NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! Mark stays in this and he goes back to ropes. Mortos waits on Mark to stand, then SMACKS him down! Mark dangles out of the ring in the ropes, but Mortos goes after a leg while Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Mortos has Mark in a corner. Mortos whips corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT, CHOP, and HEADBUTT! Mark staggers and the fans rally up for Mortos. Mortos brings down his kneepads, runs corner to corner, but Mark dodge! Mortos hits buckles then falls to the outside! The fans fire up as Mark then WRECKS Mortos with a dropkick! Mark builds speed and he DIVES, direct hit on Mortos! The fans fire up and Mark even hugs a few! Mark tosses a chair into the ring, and fans rally for #DEMBOYS. Mark sets the chair up, but Mortos anchors Mark’s legs! Mortos then SMACKS Mark!
Mortos drags Mark to the apron, Mark fires forearms. Mortos shoves Mark, but Mark fireman’s carries! Mortos fires elbows to get free! Mark REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Then APRON GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mortos falls to the floor while the fans lose their minds! Mark rises up, takes aim, and he fires the fans up more. Mark goes up a corner, for a SUPER SKY TWISTER! The fans are thunderous and Mark high-fives the front row. Mark then goes back to the ring and builds speed! Mark uses the chair to FLY! Direct hit and Mark even lands on his feet! The fans fire up and Mark hurries to get Mortos back up.
Mark puts Mortos in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Mark takes aim. FROGGY-BOW onto knees! Mortos saves himself there, and then roars! Mortos whips Mark, scoops him, and has the torture rack! BEAST BACKBREAKER! Then Mortos hauls Mark up for a POWER BREAKER!! The fans fire up for Mortos and he DISCUS- NO, Mark dodges, runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and the fans fire up again! Mortos snarls, hauls Mark up, and then scoops! But Mark slips free! Mark crane kicks, then underhooks! But Mortos backdrops free! Mark rises, Mortos runs, but into a fireman’s carry!
Mark hits a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then Mark goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO?!? Mortos survives but Mark shakes his head. Mark just goes back up top! Mortos sits up and roars! But Mark still FROGGY-BOWS!! And then he underhooks, lifts, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Mortos earns 0)
And with that, Mark is now even with Kyle Fletcher, who Mark already beat earlier on! That is all the difference between the one seed and the two seed, how will this final round shake out?
Julia Hart speaks.
“Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. I’m no coward. What you call tricks, I call advantages. I suggested that you watch your back. I gave you all the warnings. So I’m not understanding why you feel the need to call me classless and sneaky. I thought I was being more than reasonable. I know you’re strong, but are you smart? Are my ‘tricks’ too much for you? I guess we’ll find out January 1st, Fight for the Fallen. But remember: The House Always Wins.” The Princess of the Black Throne is ready, but will she learn Hayter Hits Hard?
Backstage interview with Mariah May.
Alex Marvez is with the AEW Women’s World Champion and says in one week’s time, it will be Mariah VS Thunder Rosa for the title, in a Tijuana Street Fight! Marvez notes that Mariah not only had some harsh words for Rosa, but for her father, as well. Mariah says, “Aw~, Papa Rosa is gonna be in the front row. Is that to watch the match? Or does Thunder need a new mami?” But speaking of Rosa, she RAMS Mariah right into the door! And dribbles her off it, too! Mariah pulls hair, Rosa tries to choke Mariah, and then Mariah shoves Rosa away. Mariah calls Rosa crazy, but Rosa says she’s not done with Mariah!
Rosa storms after Mariah into the hall, and then to the stage area! Mariah has made it to ringside, Nigel tries to warn her, but Rosa CLOBBERS Mariah! Rosa rains down fists, then stomps away! Rosa SMACKS Mariah off steel steps, then grabs a chair! Mariah sputters, but gets away before Rosa swings the chair! Security rushes out here for the third time tonight, and Rosa LEAPS! The cluster keeps her away from Mariah but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Rosa holds up the AEW Women’s World Championship, will she send the “Woman From Hell” back where she came from in order to have the gold again?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli!
While The Relentless One has been after each and every Death Rider, he gets one served up to him on a silver platter. But will Darby bring down the Swiss Superman before the final round? Or will Claudio crush Darby’s hopes and dreams this close to Christmas?
But before Claudio even gets in the ring, Darby DIVES out onto him! The fans fire up as Darby fires fast hands! Claudio gets away but Darby pursues, jumps on, and throws more hands! Claudio carries Darby up the ramp to then THROW him down! Darby writhes, Claudio drags him up, and Claudio gorilla presses! Darby slips free, goes to the entry, and then dodges Claudio to send him into the light truss! And then he shoves Claudio into it again! Claudio falls, and now Darby climbs up!? The fans fire up as Darby is up on the camera balcony! Darby SUPER CROSSBODIES Claudio down!
Claudio tumbles down the ramp and Darby sputters while fans lose their minds. The ref checks Darby, his fall was still really wicked. Claudio sits up in a daze as he’s now ringside, and somehow Darby pursues! They both get in the ring, the bell rings, and Darby runs up! But into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is already frustrated. Claudio drags Darby by his legs, to GIANT SWING~! The fans count as Darby goes around and around, and Claudio goes past TEN, past FIFTEEN, past TWENTY, and all the way to THIRTY!! Darby flounders out of the ring while Collision goes picture in picture.
The ref goes out to check on Darby, and somehow he’s okay to continue. Claudio steps out to fetch Darby, and lift shim up with one hand! Claudio then gut wrenches and carries Darby, to SLAM him onto railing! And DUMP him down! Claudio drags Darby up again, gut wrenches again, and he TOSSES Darby onto the railing! Darby flops back down and clutches his lower back, but Claudio leaves him behind. The ring count begins but Darby sits up. Claudio goes out after him again, and brings him up to CHOP! Darby staggers away to a corner, Claudio storms up and CHOPS again! Darby flops down but Claudio looms over him.
Claudio gets space, runs up, and he UPPERCUTS Darby against railing! Darby stumbles away, Claudio goes to the ring, but Darby rolls in, just to roll back out. Darby earns himself some time, but then Claudio storms out after him. Darby hurries int he ring to get away, but Claudio is after him there, too. Claudio stands on Darby’s hands, then stomps them! Darby writhes, but Claudio stomps his hands more! Darby goes to a corner. Claudio stands him up and CHOPS! Claudio UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and Christmas Collision returns to single picture. The fans duel, Darby fires hands, but Claudio UPPERCUTS!
Claudio whips, Darby springboards, COFFIN- NO, Claudio catches Darby! Darby fights free, runs, but Claudio runs up! Darby DUMPS Claudio, then runs to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans fire up again and Darby puts Claudio in. Claudio rolls out the far side but Darby DIVES again! Claudio is sent into railing but Darby goes up a corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER COFFIN SPLASH! Direct hit and both men are down again. The ref starts the ring count, the fans rally up, and Darby refreshes the count. Darby LEAPS onto Claudio for a SLEEPER! Claudio goes to steel steps and he steps up, but Darby squeezes tight!
Claudio steps back down, and he runs into the timekeeper’s area! BACKPACK SENTON through the table! The fans lose their minds again while Claudio leaves Darby behind in the wreckage. Darby stirs, the ref starts another ring count, and Darby crawls. “This is Awesome!” as Darby leaps in at 7! Claudio runs but Darby slips around! O’Conner Roll, TWO, springboard and SPALSH! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Claudio is up, but Darby sunset flips! Claudio stays up, and DOUBLE STOMPS! Claudio deadlifts Darby to then TOSS him out of the ring! Darby hits apron on the way out and fans tell Claudio he’s sick!
Claudio goes out after Darby and drags him up again. Claudio scoops and then POSTS Darby! And POSTS him again! Claudio TOSSES Darby aside, rolls into the ring, but only to refresh the count. Claudio then drags Darby by a leg and brings him over. Claudio SWINGS Darby into steel steps!! Claudio puts Darby in the ring, stands him up, and runs to LARIAT! Darby flips through the air! Claudio covers, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is frustrated. The fans rally for Darby but Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then Claudio tucks the arms, RICOLA- CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio escapes in time!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Darby and Claudio slowly rise, and Ricochet watches, very amused as Darby is his next opponent in the round robin. Darby crawls to a corner, climbs up, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio HEADBUTTS Darby, then climbs up again. Claudio brings Darby up and suplexes, but Darby fights around! SUPER SCORPION DEATH DROP!! The fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Darby rises up. Darby climbs to the very top, COFFION DROP onto knees! Claudio saves himself, then he hauls Darby up. Straitjacket and RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Darby survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio argues with the ref but the count was fair! Darby’s just that tough! Claudio goes back to Darby and ripcords him into the RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Claudio goes outside, and he brings out something from under the ring. He also has a chair! The ref takes the chair from Claudio, but Claudio has BRASS KNUCKLES! BRASS KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, CLAUDIO WINS!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Darby earns 0)
The Swiss Superman screws over Darby, but then he gets that chair back. But wait, Ospreay slides into the ring! And HE has the brass knuckles that Claudio tossed aside! Ospreay dares Claudio to do something, but Claudio simply leaves. Does this mean Ospreay’s ready to ride against the Death Riders with Darby? Or will we see a Miracle on 34th Street send Ospreay and Darby to Worlds End?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here as the last one before Worlds End, and therefore a bit of a go-home in itself. While the continued feud of MJF and Cole has still been a bit clunky since they did the double turn, their faceoff did a good job addressing some of that. They got good digs at each other as always, and MJF snapping and revealing “the truth” was their big move to recover this story. We of course got a brawl, and good save by The Kingdom. It feels like MJF still finds a way to hold onto the diamond ring, but c’mon, how fitting is it for Cole to get a diamond.
Good bit with Toni Storm and The Vendetta, and Deonna’s reaction to Toni was great. Deonna is justified in thinking this is still an act from Toni, not a legitimate psychological problem, and Toni VS Taya will be good stuff. Good promo from Kris Statlander, good match from her and Penelope Ford, and of course a good win for Kris. Good promo from Mone to make Worlds End official, but as I’ve been saying, Mone is more likely to lose the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship as part of the big NJPW Tokyo Dome weekend. The irony is, Mina Shirakawa is her challenger and Mina shows up plenty in AEW, so I don’t know how that math is supposed to work.
Good promo from Mariah May as it also turned into a brawl with Thunder Rosa. As it stands, Rosa standing tall holding up the belt means she is NOT winning at Worlds End, but they could still give us a little more from Rosa and Mariah on Dynamite’s Christmas episode to turn the tables. Good promo from Julia Hart to respond to Jamie Hayter, they’ll have a good match. Good promo from Orange Cassidy to try and reason with Jay White and Hangman Page, but that’s all the more reason Moxley likely uses the challengers all against each other like he did on Wednesday. Though, it would be fun if they at least started the match all annihilating Moxley with their finishers, making us think it’ll work out in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff with Big Boom AJ & Big Justice here tonight, both hyping up the show but also interacting with Jericho’s group and even Anthony Bowens. They’re adding some more foreshadowing to The Acclaimed breaking up, and I guess we’re supposed to see this as a positive move, Bowens feuding with Jericho. Unless Bowens is going to be the guy that dethrones Jericho for whatever ROH cable TV debut/return is planned, the Jericho Vortex strikes again. Bowens should be going for an AEW midcard title, but right now, those are all tied up what with the C2 going on and the International Championship being tied up in Worlds End and NJPW plans.
Speaking of the C2, great stuff with all the matches tonight. Shelton VS Garcia was great stuff, and while Garcia gets the win, they’re still giving us some set-up for a TNT Championship match of Garcia VS Shelton. Mark Briscoe of course made the save, but great surprise for Swerve to show up. Lashley VS Swerve for Worlds End just needs to be said, it already feels a given. All that brawling was also a good segue into Mark VS Mortos, and another great showing for Mortos, even in losing. But as Mark has already had all his matches and is at 9 points, Kyle doesn’t even need to win against Garcia, he just needs to draw so that Mark will be out, and Garcia with him.
While Ospreay VS Darby on Wednesday raised the bar, Ospreay VS Ricochet still had great stuff of its own. Plus, Ricochet is bringing out more of his Heel side what with using the ref, and Ricochet’s win puts the pressure on Ospreay for Christmas Dynamite. Now, no offense to Brody King, but I’m thinking Ospreay wins that to take one of the semifinal spots. Darby VS Claudio tonight was also great, but Darby doing his best Sting off the truss was not the best when he gets that whiplash on the floor. I really thought that match was going to be called for concussion protocol, but Darby’s weirdly indestructible.
Claudio still cheats this win so there’s more heat on the Death Riders and Darby is also behind the 8 ball. Ospreay making the save was good, we can definitely have another “Team AEW” VS Death Riders with Ospreay joining Darby and a couple others, but the way they did the order of matches, Claudio’s got a seemingly easy ride against Komander for Christmas. Though, how awesome would it be if Komander pulled off the spoiler? Or if they were really going to add some drama, they should create a situation where the Death Riders end up ringside, violating the Continental Rules of no cornermen and that disqualifies Claudio. Claudio misses out on the semifinals because of a technicality, sending Ospreay and maybe Ricochet to the semifinals.
My Score: 8.8/10
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