Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Royal Rumble Results & Report! (1/28/23)
Three! Two! One! BRRR!!
The Road to WrestleMania goes through San Antonio!
The Royal Rumble can change a superstar’s career, but Kevin Owens looks to change everything by dethroning Roman Reigns as Universal Champion! Will the Prizefighter #StunTheWorld?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble match: Cody Rhodes wins and will challenge for the Universal title at WrestleMania 39.
- Pitch Black Match: Bray Wyatt VS LA Knight; Wyatt wins.
- Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Alexa Bliss; Bianca wins and retains the title.
- 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble match: Rhea Ripley wins and will challenge for a title at WrestleMania 39.
- Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman & Sami Zayn VS Kevin Owens; Roman wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Royal Rumble Kickoff Show!
Join Kayla Braxton, Kevin Patrick, Jerry “The King” Lawler, Booker T and Peter Rosenberg in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action going down tonight!
WWE shares some of the women drawing their Rumble numbers.
Lacey Evans doesn’t like what she got. But Zelina Vega has a good feeling. And she was right! Will that mean we see La Muneca late in the game?
WWE shares Roman Reigns’ segment from The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Fallon remembers predicting Roman Reigns would be on his show with two belts, and it’s true! Fallon brings up Roman’s match with Kevin and Roman laughs. Roman’s strategy: don’t change anything. Roman’s been beating up Kevin for years now, it’s practically on his to-do list. The Tribal Chief got big applause for that, will things go to plan?
The Bloodline sits in their suite.
Sami Zayn finds himself literally in the middle of everything. Roman says he can’t wrap his head around this. The Tribal Chief gives an order, the Bloodline follows those orders. “It’s a recipe that works. That’s why we are where we are today. I give you one instruction for the week and you can’t follow instructions.” Why does Roman have to continually tell Sami things like he’s a child? Smarten him up, PLEASE! Sami stammers, but Jey says it was his doing. What? Sami doesn’t want Jey to continue but Jey explains, Adam Pearce kicked the Usos out. Jey tried calling Roman but he was on the private jet or at the Fallon show, he couldn’t get a hold of Roman.
So Jey called an audible and called Sami to the building. Sami answered the call for the Bloodline, he was there for the family. For the family? Yeah, Uce. The whole time. Sami was there for the Bloodline? Yes, Uce. Why are we even talking about last night? This is about tonight. Fight night! Sami breathes easy and Roman says the game plan is easy: win. NO one goes out there with Roman. Tonight’s a big night. Except Sami. He’s with Roman the whole night. Really? Yes, all the way to the ring. Roman will show Sami the way. The Usos stay in the back, tonight is Sami’s night. Is Sami ready? Yeah, let’s do it! Another close call, but just how thin is that ice Sami’s walking on?
JBL interrupts Greg Miller.
JBL talks trash the host of This is Awesome, on the show This is Awesome, and on Greg’s home state of Missouri, but then says he doesn’t mean any of it. If Greg were drowning, JBL would throw a bowling ball. JBL claims he has changed, saying he’s no longer the guy who did those horrible things to Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio and The Undertaker. He wants to be friends with Greg! Here’s a pie. To the face! Greg says this was not awesome. But make sure to watch the new episode of This is Awesome on Peacock and the WWE Network! This time, it’s of course all about the Royal Rumble!
The golden WWE title belt is spotted!
And “Fluffy” Gabriel Iglesias joins the panel with it. He feels bad, he must be taking some kid’s Make-A-Wish. Fluffy’s pick for the Rumble is Rey Mysterio! Kayla outs him as saying Dominik before but he says that’s putting words in his mouth. Dom deserves a spanking. Peter asks what Fluffy would do to Dom if he was his son. One, taken off the will. Two, no more invites for the holidays. Kevin Patrick says the world is jelly of Dom cuz he’s got Rhea Ripley. But last year we got Bad Bunny and Johnny Knoxville. Is Fluffy in the Rumble? Fans want to see that! The only way to find out is to watch. Booker likes that answer.
Kayla segues to more number drawings. Kofi feels out the vibes, and he picks. He likes what he got. Santos Escobar looks even happier. And Drew McIntyre… Well, doesn’t seem that good. Wade Barrett says he got some BAD NEWS then. Will the Scottish Warrior be able to defy the odds and take it all?
Country Rock artist Hardy speaks.
“I know what it’s like to make a name for yourself. To be on the road, grinding. Success don’t come easy. You gotta fight for it. Better hope you got ice in your veins. Because if you freeze under pressure, it could be lights out. This gig is all about seizing the moment. So tonight, when opportunity knocks on your door, man, you kick that thing down! Thirty men, thirty women, two epic matches, the winners punch their tickets to the Grandest Stage of Them All, WrestleMania. So, who’s ready to make a name for themselves? Let’s RUMBLE~!”
PAT MCAFEE IS BACK!
Corey Graves is upset with Michael Cole but this is a complete surprise to Cole, too! Pat is dressed to impress, because he’s joining commentary! And he tells Corey to “SUCK IT!” San Antonio chants, “Welcome Back!” and McAfee thanks them as he gets his chair.
2023 Men’s Royal Rumble match!
The tradition continues, and it opens the night! In a field of thirty, only one can punch their golden ticket to WrestleMania! Who survives in San Antonio to headline in Hollywood?
The first man out is… GUNTHER! Der Ring General is still WWE Intercontinental Champion, but is he going to go after the Universal title on top of it? And second out is… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior is the birthday boy, but he’s got his work cut out for him going up against a familiar foe. The bell rings and the two circle. San Antonio fires up as the two step to each other. They talk a little smack, and then the haymakers start flying! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm, but Sheamus gets the edge. Sheamus whips, Gunther reverses and they RAM shoulders! Gunther kicks low, runs, but Sheamus RAMS him back!
Sheamus throws hands, runs, but into a CHOP! Gunther goes to dump Sheamus! Sheamus holds on, claws at Gunther’s face, and saves himself. Sheamus throws hands, then hits an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes to dump Gunther now! Gunther holds on, even as Sheamus throws knees. The countdown is here already, Sheamus and Gunther still scrap, and third out is… THE MIZ! The Hollywood A-Lister just found himself in a kaiju movie so he takes his time swaggering to the ring. Miz stays back as Sheamus rushes the ropes. But then Gunther blindsides him! Sheamus holds on, but Miz helps out!
Sheamus BOOTS Miz away, ROCKS Gunther, then hurries back in. But then Miz grabs at Sheamus! Sheamus elbows Miz away and then Sheamus goes out under the ropes! Sheamus chases Miz into the ring, and into a CHOP from Gunther! Sheamus CLOBBERS Gunther, then ROCKS Miz! Sheamus fires hands, but Gunther turns him around. Sheamus dodges and the CHOP hits Miz! Sheamus swings but Gunther dodges and Miz takes the body shot! Gunther BOOTS Sheamus, hauls him up, but Miz goes after them both! The countdown is back, and fourth in is… The New Day’s KOFI KINGSTON!
Kofi rushes in as Gunther throws hands on Miz. Kofi climbs the steps, climbs the corner, then SUPER CROSSBODIES Gunther and Miz! DROPKICK for Sheamus! LEAPING LARIAT for Miz! Spin and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP for Gunther! Fans fire up with Kofi, he runs for the NEW~ DAY~ DOUBLE BOOM DROP! Fans fire up as Kofi claps. But Sheamus blocks the spin to hoist Kofi! Kofi slips away and to safety! Sheamus nods, that was good stuff. Gunther kicks Miz, Sheamus kicks Gunther, Kofi CLUBS Miz but Gunther and Sheamus throw SLAPS! Fans rally for Kofi but Miz fights as Kofi lifts him.
The countdown is back and Kofi hits an SOS on Miz! The fifth man in is… JOHNNY GARGANO!? Johnny Wrestling’s all healed up and ready to go! Gunther throws knees on Sheamus, Miz fights with Kofi, but Gargano slingshot SPEARS Kofi! ENZIGURI for Gunther! Miz tosses Gargano but Gargano skins the cat! GAMANGIRI for Miz, into the ONE FINAL BEAT! Gargano has the fans fired up as he brings Miz up. Gargano throws Miz out but Miz holds onto the ropes! Miz swings, but Gargano hooks him in the ropes! Sheamus walks over, Gargano lets Sheamus handle Miz. BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN to TWENTY-FIVE!!
Gargano SUPERKICKS, Miz holds on! Sheamus BROGUES Miz and ELIMINATES him! Gunther goes after Sheamus but Gargano and Kofi help Sheamus! The countdown is back, number six is… XAVIER WOODS! Kofi has back-up while Gargano goes after Gunther. Woods and Kofi go after both of them, then they work together on Gunther. Double wrench, double kick, DOUBLE BULLDOG! DOUBLE DROPKICKS for Sheamus! Woods snapmares Gargano, Kofi PENALTY KCIKS! Woods SLIDING LARIATS! Kofi SPLASHES! Woods MACHO ELBOW DROPS! Fans fire up for ya bois, but then they look at each other.
Woods and Kofi wonder if it’s the right time. They put up their dukes, and then Kofi wheelbarrows! Woods blocks, and they just booty bongo! But Sheamus mule kicks Woods! Gunther ROCKS Kofi! The big men go to throw out the New Day but the countdown is back! Number seven is… KARRION KROSS! Doomsday has come to the Rumble! Kross storms right to the ring while the New Day mugs Sheamus and Gunther stomps Gargano. Kross CLOBBERS Woods, and again, and then BOOTS him! Kofi runs in, but into an EXPLODER! Kross runs to clothesline Woods in the corner, then elbow and ROLLING ELBOW!
Woods wobbles, but Gunther CHOPS Kross! Gunther brings Kross up but Kross throws a forearm. Gunther hits back, they brawl, Kross BOOTS! Gunther BOOTS back! Kross ROCKS Gunther, Gunther CLOBBERS Kross! But Kross gets up to hit an EXPLODER! Sheamus storms up on Kross to fire forearms with him! Fans fire up while New Day go after Gargano and Gunther. Kross bumps Sheamus off buckles, hoists him up, but Sheamus fights back. The countdown is back and number eight is… “SHOOOOSH~!” Master Chad Gable! Fans boo as Gable hurries to the ring. Kross holds onto ropes, the New Day focus on Sheamus.
Gargano hits Woods, then swings on Gable. Gable throat chops Gargano and says “SHOOSH!” He does the same to Kofi, then he hits an EXPLODER on Gargano! And then an EXPLODER on Kofi! Woods ROCKS Kross, Gargano spins Woods around. Woods pries the waistlock, and he tells Gable to “SHOOSH~!” They circle, grapple, Woods sprawls and floats but Gable slips out. Fans fire up for this exchange while Sheamus dumps Gunther out! Gunther holds on, Kross fights off Gargano. Gable hits a GERMAN SUPLEX on Woods! The countdown is back and number nine is… DREW MCINTYRE! The Scottish Warrior is here!
McIntyre won back in 2020, he surely wants to win another one! McIntyre storms in, he CLOBBERS Gable, OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes Kofi, then gives an OVERHEAD suplex to Woods! GLASGOW KISS for Gable! INVERTED ALABAMA SLAM for Gargano onto Gable! Kross fires hands but he get a GLASGOW KISS! And a CLAYMORE! Kross goes up and out, McIntyre ELIMINATES him!! But then Gunther stares McIntyre down! They brawl, CHOP back and forth, and Gunther swings but into a FUTURE SHOCK! The countdown is back, number ten is… SANTOS ESCOBAR! The Emperor of Lucha makes his Rumble debut!
Escobar runs in to RANA Woods! And he KNEES Kofi! Gable knees Escobar and whips but Escobar blocks. Gable throws forearms, whips, but Escobar goes up and out, and Sheamus hits him! Sheamus grabs at Escobar but Escobar fights free to GAMANGIRI! Escobar goes up to CROSSBODY Gable! McIntyre and Woods are after Gunther but he resists. Escobar BOOTS Gargano, but Gargano GAMANGIRIS back! Gargano and Gable try to throw Escobar out but Escobar fights. Woods and McIntyre mug Gunther, Gable CHOPS Sheamus. McIntyre grabs Gable and Sheamus CHOPS him! The countdown is back, number eleven is… ANGELO DAWKINS!
Fans fire up as the Curse of Greatness has his Spurs jersey on to ELBOW Escobar! Dawkins ROCKS McIntyre, ELBOWS Sheamus, and CYCLONE SPLASHES McIntyre! GAMANGIRI! Dawkins gives Gable the SILENCER! Sheamus dumps Woods out, but Woods keeps a foot up! Woods slips in, McIntyre and Gunther brawl. Gunther CHOPS Woods, UPPERCUTS Kofi, then throws Woods! Woods holds on again, Kofi runs in but is sent into Woods! Woods and Kofi have some Silly String, but then Gunther BOOTS and ELIMINATES Woods! Kofi goes after Gunther but Escobar attacks Kofi!
Escobar whips, follows, then catches Kofi to toss him, but only to get DOUBLE STOMPS! Gunther throws Kofi! Gunther BLASTS Kofi off the apron and Kofi hits an armchair! It is a rough landing but is Kofi out? The Celtic Connection mug McIntyre while the countdown is back. HERE COMES LESNAR!!! The Beast is a two-time winner, will he join Stone Cold as a THREE-TIME winner? McIntyre, Sheamus and just about everyone is ready as Lesnar enters! Lesnar takes on the Celtics at the same time! TACKLE for Sheamus, GERMAN SUPLEX for McIntyre! GERMAN SUPLEX for Sheamus! GERMAN SUPLEX for Dawkins!
Escobar leaps, into Lesnar’s arms! And he gets a FALL AWAY SLAM out of the ring! Lesnar ELIMINATES Escobar, then TOSSES and ELIMINATES Dawkins! Gable hops on for a SLEEPER, but Lesnar TOSSES him to ELIMINATE Gable!! And another GERMAN SUPLEX for McIntyre! A BELLY2BELLY for Sheamus! But Gunther is up! Fans are thunderous as two of the biggest men ever meet! The countdown is back, number 13 is BOBBY LASHLEY! Gunther brawls with Lesnar but the All Mighty is coming for Lesnar! Lesnar OVERHEAD suplexes Gunther, but Lashley SPEARS Lesnar!! Gargano staggers up into a SPINEBUSTER!
SPEAR for McIntyre! SPEAR for Sheamus! URENAGE for Gunther! But Lesnar fireman’s carries Lashley! Lashley slips off, shoves, and LARIATS Lesnar out!! Lashley ELIMINATES Lesnar!! San Antonio is going nuts as Lesnar himself is rather stunned. Forget that, Lesnar is PISSED! He tears apart the desk but Lashley dares him to do something about it. The countdown is back, and number 14 is… BARON CORBIN! JBL’s protégé is here, but Lesnar SMASHES the desk with steel steps!! Lesnar then BLASTS Corbin! And then gives him an F5 to the floor!! Lesnar is fuming while the Celtics are after Lashley.
Gunther CLUBS Sheamus, CHOPS him, and security rushes out to stop Lesnar. COMPLETE SHOT for McIntyre from Lashley, but Lesnar grabs a ref! Lesnar TOSSES the ref over the barriers! Adam Pearce and officials are trying to stop Lesnar but he storms off through the crowd. The countdown is back again, number 15 is… SETH ROLLINS! San Antonio sings the Visionary’s song, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins sees Corbin is just now getting up at ringside. Rollins drags Corbin up and into the ring, then SUPERKICKS him! Corbin staggers, Rollins clotheslines Corbin out and ELIMINATES him! Pat loves that!
Fans sing while Sheamus and Rollins start throwing forearms! The countdown is back, number 16 is… OTIS! Gable’s number one guy is here but a little late to help Gable. Gunther has McIntyre and Lashley after him, Rollins throws hands on Sheamus but Sheamus resists the lift. Otis slips in, Gargano runs at him, but into a WRECKER ELBOW! Otis scoops McIntyre, WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Sheamus runs in, into an EXPLODER! Otis rips his shirt off and fans fire up! SPLASH for Gargano, and Gargano falls over. Otis sees that, and he decides to rev up the CATERPILLAR! The countdown is back, and number 17 is… REY MYSTERIO!
Fans fire up as the King of Lucha is here, but will he last another hour like he did back in the day? Wait, where is he? Rollins SUPERKICKS Lashley, then SUPERKICKS again! Rollins CHOPS Gunther, clotheslines Lashley, then ELBOWS Gunther! Rollins LARIATS Lashley, but runs into a scoop! Lashley pops Rollins around but he slips off to shove and ELIMINATE Lashley!! Fans are stunned! Otis dodges Gunther, runs in and SPLASHES! Gunther is down, here comes the CATERPILLAR! Otis thrusts the hips, then climbs up. But Gunther goes after Otis! The Celtics go after everyone, and the countdown is back! Number 18 is… DOMINIK Mysterio!
Wait, Dom is wearing one of his dad’s masks! Did Dom do what we think he just did?! Did he take out his dad to keep him out of the match!? Wait, the Celtics DUMP and ELIMINATE Otis!! Gargano and Rollins throw hands while the Celtics stomp Gunther. Dom takes his time going to the ring, Rollins BUCKLE BOMBS Gargano! Dom taunts everyone in the ring, does some jumping jacks, but Sheamus is watching him. Gunther and Rollins brawl, McIntyre goes after Gargano. Gunther throws Rollins out but Rollins holds onto ropes. Rollins kicks Gunther away while Gargano resists being thrown out!
Dom finally slides in and fires hands on Sheamus! But they don’t do much. The countdown is back and number 19 is… ELIAS! The Drifter is here, Corey is annoyed and Pat is fired up! Rollins stomps Dom, Sheamus helps out. Elias slides in, stomps Gargano, then stomps McIntyre. Elias BLASTS Rollins and then fires off on Gunther. Elias has his guitar, SMASH HIT on Gunther! But then he gets a DOUBLE HEADBUTT from the Celtics! Sheamus and McIntyre aim from the corners, BROGUE-MORE!! They TOSS and ELIMINATE Elias! Gargano fires off hands on Dom, the Celtics mug Rollins, and the countdown is back. Number 20 is… FINN BALOR!
Dom has back-up now as the Prince of Judgment Day heads to the ring. Rollins holds onto ropes as Sheamus and Gargano go after him. SLINGBLADE for McIntyre! Finn throws McIntyre but Sheamus makes the save. Sheamus scoops Finn but Finn turns that to an ELBOW DROP DDT! Finn tackles Rollins, throws hands, but Gargano SUPERKICKS Finn! Gargano throws Finn out but Finn holds on! Gargano throws hands, runs, but Dom CLOBBERS Gargano! Dom whips Gargano up and out, but Gargano holds on! Gargano ROCKS Dom, ROCKS him again, then slingshots, into a SHOTGUN from Fin!
Finn and Dom TOSS Gargano and ELIMINATE him! Judgment Day and Celtic Connection stare down, then the brawl is on! The countdown is back, and number 21 is… BOOKER T?!?! San Antonio fires up as Booker gets his “invite!” Booker swaggers up, Finn runs in but gets a LEG LARIAT! Dom fires hands but Booker reverses to a HOOK KICK! Finn runs in, into a BOOKEND! Fans are thunderous, for the SPINAROONI~! Sheamus can’t help but smile. But Gunther TOSSES Booker out and ELIMINATES him! Boo! But Gunther is cornered by the Celtics again. The countdown is back, and number 22 is… DAMIAN PRIEST!
The Judgment Day is at full power as the Punisher is here! And he CLOBBERS Sheamus! And CLUBS McIntyre! Priest fires off on McIntyre but Gunther is after him. Priest ROCKS Gunther, then helps Dom up. Judgment Day mugs Rollins, then they mug Gunther! And then they mug Sheamus! And then they split off, BACKBREAKER and LEG DROP for Rollins! The countdown is back and number 23 is… MONTEZ FORD! Fans fire up as Ford also has his Spurs jersey on. Judgment Day still beats down everyone else, and McIntyre resists Priest throwing him out, Ford GAMANGIRIS Finn, and TOSSES Dom!
Dom holds on but Ford DECKS him! Dom clings to the ropes, Priest runs in but Ford dodges! CHOP! Ford then ENZIGURIS and Priest staggers! Finn kicks low, whips, but Ford skins the cat! Fans fire up and Ford says his prayers. Finn runs in but into a haymaker! Priest choke grips, to SOUTH OF HEAVEN Ford out and ELIMINATES him! Fans boo and Ford is annoyed, but now Judgment Day has all their enemies going after them! The countdown is back, number 24 is… EDGE!! The Rated R Superstar has made the R stand for ROYAL RUMBLE! Judgment Day freaks out as Edge storms up! SPEAR for Priest! SPEAR for Finn!
Dom DROPKICKS Edge onto ropes! Dom dials it up, into a SPEAR!! Edge TOSSES Priest to ELIMINATE him! Edge TOSSES Finn to ELIMINATE him! Edge glares at Rollins and fans are thunderous! But then Dom ROCKS Edge, whips, but Edge reverses! Dom tumbles out, Finn and Priest drag Edge out to ELIMINATE him! Fans boo as the Judgment Day beat down Edge! Rollins stomps Dom, the countdown is back, and number 25 is… AUSTIN THEORY! The Now of the WWE is now in the Rumble. Dom clings to ropes as Rollins tries to kick him out. Edge CLOBBERS Priest and Finn at the ramp!
Fans fire up as Edge chases Finn down! Edge CLOBBERS Finn, ROCKS Priest, the brawl continues to the dugout! But then Rhea Ripley CLOBBERS Edge!! BUT HERE COMES BETH!! The Glamazon is back from that Con-Chair-To, and she’s bringing hell with her! Rhea runs in, into a SPEAR!! Security rushes back out, they get Edge & Beth to leave. Rollins brawls with Gunther but Theory runs in. Theory ELBOWS Rollins, and he hits an AOI SHOUDO! Theory DECKS Dom, throws hands on McIntyre, but the countdown is back. Number 26 is… OMOS! The Nigerian Giant has MVP by his side, and MVP has already guaranteed a win.
Omos storms his way up to the ring while the Celtics mug Theory. Dom and Rollins brawl, but the Celtics turn their attention to Omos. They fire off hands but he shoves them back to DOUBLE LARIAT! “This is MY house!” Omos BOOTS Theory, BOOTS Dom, then scoops Theory for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Omos talks more trash, but Gunther is back! CHOP! And CHOP! Omos scowls and choke grips! OMOS CHOKE SLAMS GUNTHER!! The countdown is back, and number 27 is… BRAUN!! The Monster of All Monsters is here, and he knows what it takes to topple a giant! Omos goes after Rollis, McIntyre goes after Omos but Omos HEADBUTTS back!
Braun and Omos lock eyes now, and fans fire up! Braun gets the fans even more fired up, but Omos pie faces Braun! Braun ROCKS Omos, Omos ROCKS Braun, they brawl with haymakers and forearms! Braun throat chops then ROCKS Omos! But then Omos shakes his head. Omos swings, Braun dodges, and Braun LARIATS Omos up and out to ELIMINATE him!! So much for MVP’s guarantee! Braun then ROCKS Gunther, stomps Theory, and RAMS into Rollins! Braun lifts Rollins, Theory tries to get away from the Celtics, and Gunther has Dom! Dom holds on, Theory gets away but only to run into Braun!
The Celtics are after Rollins while Braun TOSSES Theory! Braun BOOTS Gunther, DECKS Dom, and the countdown is back. Number 28 is… RICOCHET! The King of Flight is here, backing up his tag partner in Braun. Of course, this is every man for himself, will they work together? Braun coordinates with Ricochet, RAILGUN to Dom! ENZIGURI on top! Theory lariats Braun but Braun dodges budge! Braun ROCKS Theory, Ricochet DECKS Theory, and the tag partners chest bump. But then the Celtics RAM Braun into Ricochet! They go after the Monster, but he shoves back! Double choke grips, but they slip free to dump Braun out!
Braun holds on, Gunther lurks. Braun stands up, but he gets DOUBLE BEATS OF THE BODHRAINS! Gunther HEADBUTTS McIntyre and TOSSES him! McIntyre holds on but Gunther is after him! Sheamus KNEES Gunther and saves McIntyre! Rollins is after Theory, Ricochet is after Dom. ROLLING SENTON for Gunther! Theory is on the apron but Rollins throws hands. Theory shoulders in and steps back into the ring. Gunther puts Sheamus on the apron but Sheamus holds on. McIntyre ROCKS Ricochet, Gunther CHOPS Sheamus! McIntyre saves Sheamus now! McIntyre ROCKS Gunther, but Gunther DUMPS them both out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans boo as the Celtic Connection realizes what happened. The countdown is back, number 29 is… LOGAN PAUL!?! The ImPAULsive Influencer is back, fired up to have another big moment! Logan runs to the ring, ready to take on anyone! All the others see the spotlight hog, and they all MUG Logan Paul! Fans love it! Ricochet drags Logan up to throw him out! Logan lands on the apron, shoulders into Ricochet, then slingshots in to BUCKSHOT! But Gunther CHOPS Logan, gut wrenches, and lifts him onto the ropes! Logan holds on, KICKS Gunther, and gets back in. But now he stares down Braun!
Fans fire up as Logan grins. Braun swings, Logan dodges and fires off body shots! Braun ROCKS Logan back, scoops him, and hits a MONSTER SLAM!! Ricochet adds a STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Braun tosses Logan out but Logan stays on the apron. Number 30 is finally here, and it just has to be… CODY RHODES! The American Nightmare promised he’d return, and it has come true! Cody even gets pyro! Cody slides in and he CLOBBERS Theory! CLOBBERS Dom! Kicks and UPPERCUTS Braun! Theory fireman’s carries, Cody slips off and dodges to springboard, CODY CUTTER!! Off comes the weight belt! Free souvenir for a fan!
Dom kicks Cody, reels him in, and suplexes! Uno amigo! Dom suplexes again, Dos Amigos! Fans boo as Dom gives us Latino Heat! THREE AMI- NO, CROSS RHODES!! Cody TOSSES and ELIMINATES Dom!! But Braun gets Cody for a MONSTER BOMB! Gunther scoops Braun!? For a LAST SYMPHONY! But Ricochet hits a RUNNING SLICED BREAD! Theory hits a kick and a toss on Ricochet but he holds onto ropes! GAMANGIRI! Ricochet and Logan are across the ring from each other, they talk some trash, and they both springboard for DOUBLE FLYING LARIATS!!! Fans lose their minds over that one!
Cody drags Ricochet up to toss him! Ricochet holds on, “This is Awesome!” as Cody goes after the hands. Braun makes the save for his tag partner, but Cody dumps Braun out! Cody ELIMINATES Braun!! Ricochet body scissors Cody but Cody fights back! They brawl at the ropes, Theory CLOBBERS Ricochet to ELIMINATE him! We have our final four! Cody fires off on Theory while Rollins and Gunther catch their breath. Cody climbs up to rain down hands on Theory, and he goes all the way to TEN! Rollins elbows Gunther, Cody drags Theory up. Cody whips Theory to a corner, Theory reverses! Cody goes up and out, shoulders back in and slingshots to sunset flip!
Cody lets Rollins CURB STOMP Theory!! Theory staggers, Cody clotheslines and ELIMINATES him!! The irony that Cody and Rollins worked together! And they stare down, but also look at Gunther. Rollins asks how the pec feels. Cody isn’t gonna steal the spotlight from Rollins twice! Fans sing and Rollins wants Cody to listen. They circle, but Gunther CLUBS Rollins! Gunther ROCKS Cody, CLUBS him, but Rollins and Cody work together to mug Gunther! They mule kick, UPPERCUT, and then PEDIGREE! And then Cody hits a PEDIGREE! Rollins is annoyed but he and Cody circle again as fans fire up!
Rollins and Cody throw hands, but Gunther has the new ironman record, surpassing Rey Mysterio’s 62 minutes! Cody jabs, flips, flops ‘n’ flies, but Rollins ROCKS him first! Rollins and Cody fires off, Rollins swings but into a CROSS- NO, Snapmare! CURB- NO, Cody dodges! Rollins blocks a kick to SUPERKICK! Cody is on the ropes, Rollins wants him to come back. Kick and underhooks, but LOGAN is back?! Logan TOSSES Rollins out to ELIMINATE him!! Logan was never out but he just took out Rollins!! Fans boo and Rollins is stunned. Logan is now part of the final three, soaking up the heat.
Logan stomps Gunther, then stomps Cody. Logan says he’s going to WrestleMania, but Cody gets him for a CROSS RHODES!! Cody TOSSES and ELIMINATES Logan!! Gunther, the number one entry! Cody, the number 30th! Fans are electric as American Nightmare and Austrian Anomaly square off! Cody waistlocks, Gunther elbows and CHOPS back! Gunther whips corner to corner but Cody goes up and over. Cody ROCKS Gunther with haymakers, but Gunther CHOPS again! Gunther scoops, Cody slips free and fires off hands! Gunther CHOPS again! Cody goes to a corner, Gunther CHOPS him again!
Cody staggers but fans rally up! Gunther CHOPS again! Cody drops to his knees, has blood in his mouth, but Gunther UPPERCUTS him! Gunther runs in, but Cody dodges! Gunther ends up on the apron, Cody hits a DISASTER- LARIAT from Gunther!! Gunther steps back in, then he storms up on Cody. Gunther CLUBS Cody in the chest, but Cody throws body shots! Cody throws hands and CHOPS, but Gunther scoops to put Cody on the top rope! Gunther BENDS Cody, then CHOPS him! Then stands on the corner to STAND ON CODY!! Cody falls to the apron! Cody holds on as Gunther stomps him!
Gunther drags Cody up but Cody shoulders into Gunther! Cody CLUBS Gunther, climbs up top, but Gunther CHOPS him! Gunther climbs up after Cody, to CLUB him on the back, and then reel him in. SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX!! Both men are down but Gunther forces himself up. Fans rally and Gunther KICKS Cody down! Fans rally for Cody but Gunther pie faces him. Cody fires up and fans fire up with him! Cody eggs Gunther on, they CHOP and CHOP! Cody kicks, RHODES UPPERCUTS, then CODY CUTTERS! Cody LARIATS but Gunther lands safe on the apron! Cody grits his teeth, storms up on Gunther, and fans are thunderous!
Gunther ROCKS Cody, steps in, but into a DRAGON SCREW! Gunther wobbles, Cody fires off forearms! Cody throws body shots, puts Gunther’s legs in the ropes, and fans fire up! Shoutout to big brother Dustin, with the deep breath and SHATTERED DREAMS!! Gunther falls but Cody drags Gunther up. Gunther CHOPS, Cody ROCKS Gunther, then Cody rolls, only for Gunther to SHOTGUN him down!! Gunther drags Cody up, GENERAL BOMB!! Gunther sputters, he drags Cody up again, and TOSSES Cody! But Cody holds on! Gunther is after Cody’s arms, he CLUBS Cody on the shoulder, then stands Cody back up.
Gunther CHOPS Cody but Cody CHOPS back! Gunther CHOPS again, and wraps on a SLEEPER!! Cody endures, fights the hold, and he drags Gunther over the ropes to join him! Fans are going nuts but Gunther lets go! Gunther is back in the ring but Cody climbs up. Cody leaps, into a CHOP! Gunther scoops, but Cody makes it a CROSS RHODES!! Cody LARIATS and ELIMINATES Gunther!! CODY WINS!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, at number 30 (headed to WrestleMania 39 in Hollywood)
From undesirable to undeniable, the American Nightmare has the biggest comeback in a long, long time! Will he achieve a dream and take the world title on the Grandest Stage of Them All?
Pitch Black Match: Bray Wyatt VS LA Knight!
No disqualifications? YEAH! No count-outs? YEAH! No way of knowing what’s going to happen with the lights down low? YEAH!! But with Uncle Howdy lurking in the shadows, will Bray be the one in control?
The fireflies come out as the piano plays. The door is there, with the light glowing behind it. The door swings open, and out walks Bray, with heavy eye-black around the eyes. Bray enters the ring, puts the lantern out, and for now, the lights are up. The fans rally up and the bell rings. The lights change to be black light and lasers, and we see glowing paint on Bray’s body! Knight himself is glowing because of his yellow tights, but Bray CLOBBERS him! Bray rains down fists, CHOKES Knight, then lets off to drag Knight up. Bray CLUBS Knight, stomps him, and drags him up. Bray grins and fans fire up as Bray suplex TOSSES Knight away!
Bray stalks Knight, drags him up and ROCKS him with a right! Bray CHOPS Knight in a corner, stalks him to another corner, and hoists him up top. TWO-HAND OVERHEAD TOSS!! Knight bails out and fans fire up as Bray has a wild look on his face. Bray goes out after Knight, bumps him off barriers, and then brings him around. Bray whips Knight but he reverses, and Bray hits steel steps! Bray tumbles up and over and Knight hurries to move those steel steps. Knight brings those steps to the announce desk, but Bray CLOBBERS Knight over the barriers! Bray clears the desk, there’s all sorts of glowing bits splattering around!
Bray CLUBS Knight, drags him up, and CLUBS him against the barriers. Bray drags Knight up the steel steps, but Knight fights the suplex! Knight HOTSHOTS Bray off the barriers, then hurries back up to FLYING BULLDOG through the desk!! It’s an explosion of glowing particles and fans fire up! Knight scrambles away while Bray is still in the wreckage. Knight gets in the ring, but then Bray brings out a TOOLBOX! A flashback to his match with Seth Rollins! Knight stomps Bray at the ropes, throws hands, but Bray choke grips! Bray CHOKE- NO, Knight knees free, cravats, but Bray shoves him right out of the ring!
Bray stands back up, fans fire up and he storms over, but Knight KENDO STICK SMACKS Bray! Knight goes up to FLYING KENDO SMACK! Knight swings again, but Bray catches him! SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, Bray wins!!
Winner: Bray Wyatt, by pinfall
The inner darkness was on display in this neon nightmare, will the Mega Star learn to leave well enough alone from now on? But then Bray puts on a new mask?! Bray stalks Knight but Knight grabs the kendo stick! Knight runs from Predator Bray and they go to the barriers. Knight SMACKS Bray, but Bray keeps storming up on him! Knight runs through the crowd, SMACKS Bray again, but Bray keeps hunting him! They go around behind the stage, there are White Rabbit symbols all over the place! Bray gets the MANDIBLE CLAW clamped on! Bray SMOTHERS Knight! Knight goes night-night and Bray lets him go. And there, in the rafters, is UNCLE HOWDY!
Howdy waves hi to Bray, and Bray nods. Bray looms over Knight, and then Howdy SUPER ELBOW DROPS onto Knight!! They crash down and there’s an EXPLOSION of pyro! And the puppets, Huskis the Pig Boy, Ramblin’ Rabbit, Mercy the Buzzard and Abby the Witch are watching from the rafters! Fans lose their minds, did Knight just lose his soul!?
Tonight’s attendance: 51,338!
Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Alexa Bliss!
We just saw how Uncle Howdy’s influence empowered Bray Wyatt, but Twisted Miss Bliss insists no one is pulling her strings. Will Alexa prove that she is in control? Or will she need Howdy’s help in dethroning the EST of the WWE?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is really the scariEST on Raw!
The bell rings and ALexa rushes in! They brawl with fast hands and fans fire up! Bianca RAMS Alexa into the corner, and again, then hits a short arm LARIAT! Bianca huffs and puffs and then hauls Alexa up to HIP TOSS! Bianca RAMS Alexa into the corner again, then climbs up top. Fans fire up as Bianca rains down fists! Alexa slips out at 5 to trip Bianca up and then dump her down! And then dropkick her for good measure! Alexa KICKS Bianca around, then snapmares her for another KICK! Bianca writhes but Alexa gets her for a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Bianca endures, but Alexa pulls the braid for added pressure!
The ref reprimands and counts, and Alexa kicks Bianca as she lets off at 4. Alexa stomps Bianca in a corner, lets off at 4 again, and Bianca goes to ropes. Alexa runs in to DOUBLE KNEE Bianca in the back! Cover, ONE!! Bianca is the toughEST but Alexa laughs as she clamps on a chinlock. Bianca endures, fans rally up, and Bianca fights up. But Alexa CLAWS Bianca’s face! Alexa keeps on the chinlock but fans rally. Bianca fights up, pries free and arm-drags Alexa away! Bianca runs in, Alexa dodges but Bianca blocks the roll-up! Alexa kicks the leg then KICKS Bianca down! Cover, TWO! Alexa clamps back on with a chinlock.
Bianca endures as Alexa says, “You couldn’t just leave it alone, could you?” Bianca grabs at Alexa but Alexa thrashes Bianca around. Fans rally, Bianca fights up, and Bianca RAMS Alexa into buckles! Alexa lets go, pulls the hair, and has a HANGING SLEEPER! Bianca kicks and flails, the ref reprimands, but Bianca carries Alexa as a backpack! She spins Alexa around to then suplex high and hard! Fans fire up while both women are down! Bianca and Alexa snarl, they rush at each other, and Bianca wrenches to kick low, knee low and ROCK Alexa! Bianca CLUBS away, TOSSES Alexa then DROPKICKS her! Bianca kips up and fans fire up!
Bianca has Alexa in a corner, climbs up again and rains down fists! Fans count along and Bianca goes all the way to TEN! Then past that to FIFTEEN! Bianca backflips, runs in, but Alexa dodges! Bianca grabs Alexa by her hair now, reels her in, and has a HANGING SLEEPER of her own! Alexa endures, Bianca lets go at 4, and then grabs the arms for a SURFBOARD STOMP! Bianca runs to handspring MOONSAULT onto knees! Alexa saves herself, and then runs. Bianca dodges, Alexa tilt-o-whirls but Bianca blocks to make it a FACEBUSTER! Handspring MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Alexa shows her own toughness but Bianca keeps cool.
Bianca torture racks Alexa but Alexa fights free! Alexa KICKS a leg out, then SLAPS, ROCKS and KNEES Bianca, to SHOT- NO, Bianca blocks the dropkick to roll Alexa and reel her in! But Alexa fights free of the bomb to KICK and BLISS-DT! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives, continuing to show she is the toughEST! Alexa KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Bianca, showing she’s perhaps the meanEST. Alexa sits Bianca up to SLAP her! Insult2Injury 2.0! Cover, TWO! Alexa drags Bianca up by her hair, looks at her own hand, but Bianca blocks the claw! Alexa slips free of the wrench, clinches, but Bianca powers out! Torture rack, KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (still Raw Women’s Champion)
For a moment, it seemed like Alexa was giving into Uncle Howdy, but that cost her! Bianca is still the RawEST Women’s Champion, will she be waiting on the Women’s Royal Rumble match to find her WrestleMania
As for Alexa, visions of the playground return. And then Uncle Howdy laughs from the screen as he shows her the past. “Do you feel in charge? Do you feel in charge?” Alexa’s face is frightened, but will she run away from or run towards the darkness?
2023 Women’s Royal Rumble match!
Charlotte Flair has the SmackDown Women’s Championship, and we just saw Bianca Belair retain the Raw Women’s Championship. The winner of this match has their choice between the two, who survives the field of 30 to be the one headed to WrestleMania?
The first one out is… RHEA RIPLEY! It seems Mami isn’t going to let Beth Phoenix’s spear stop her from eradicating the Road to WrestleMania. Out second is… LIV MORGAN! She wanted to be number one, but this is all relative when she will also have to take on all comers. The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. Liv says she’s going to Mania, and Rhea just smirks. They fire off hands and fans fire up! Rhea gets the edge, she CLUBS Liv, then she TOSSES Liv to a corner! Rhea dusts herself off, runs in but Liv dodges! Liv fires off hands, Rhea shoves her away, and then BOOTS her down!
Rhea looks to the Mania sign, fans rally up, and Rhea drags Liv up. Rhea reels Liv in, suplexes her, but Liv slips free! Liv hits a BACKSTABBER! Liv back body blocks in a corner, comes back to SHINING WIZARD, and then she snapmares Rhea. The countdown is here, Liv LEAPS, but into Rhea’s arms! Rhea suplexes Liv while number three is… DANA BROOKE! The Flex Appeal has not missed a Rumble yet, but will she win this one? Liv ENZIGURIS Rhea down so Dana better hurry! Dana runs down the ramp, hurries up a corner, and she DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS! Liv goes to a corner, Rhea to the other!
Dana handsprings in to back elbow Liv! And then handsprings the other way, but Rhea catches her! Rhea hits a back suplex but Dana lands on her feet to POST Rhea! Liv kicks Dana, whips her to ropes, but Dana reverses to hip toss! Dana handsprings and basement dropkicks Liv down! Liv goes to a corner, Dana runs in but into an elbow. Liv goes up and kicks, but Dana blocks! Dana ROCKS Liv, climbs up after her, but the two brawl. The countdown is back as Dana SUPERPLEXES Liv! Number four is… EMMA! The Aussie with Attitude wants to make it #AllAboutMe, and she’s finally in a Women’s Rumble!
Emma rushes in, Rhea gut wrenches but Dana turns it into a NECKBREAKER! Emma HOTSHOTS Rhea at the ropes! Rhea runs back in but Emma dodges the boot to tilt-o-whirl RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Dana and Emma work together as old friends, whip and handspring elbow for Rhea! Emma whips Liv in, she SHINING WIZARDS Rhea! Emma runs in, EMMAMITE SANDWICH! Emma drags Rhea up, Liv and Dana help out, Mami has a 3v1! The countdown is back as Rhea fights free! Number five is… SHAYNA BASZLER! The Queen of Spades promised to #TapNapOrSnap all 29 others, and she’s got her pick of the bunch!
Shayna kicks Emma, to gut wrench and SLAM her! Rhea storms up but Shayna wrenches the arm to a double wristlock! They’re on the ropes, Liv goes to dump them both out! Shayna ELBOWS Liv but Liv kicks, BOOTS and ENZIGURIS, only to end up in an ANKLE LOCK! Liv rolls through but Shayna KICKS her down! Shayna swings Dana for a BACKBREAKER, dragon sleeper, and NECKBREAKER! Shayna isolates an arm to STOMP it! Dana writhes but Shayna stalks her. The countdown is back, number six is… Damage Control’s BAYLEY! The Role Model swaggers while Liv and Dana lift Shayna.
Emma and Rhea brawl, Bayley slides in but into ObLIVion!! Liv throws Bayley up and out but Bayley clings to ropes! Liv stomps away, then bumps her off buckles. Bayley ROCKS Liv, kicks her and ROCKS her again. Emma BOOTS Rhea, Bayley tells fans to shut up and she stomps away on Liv. Emma stomps Shayna, Bayley CLUBSL Emma. Bayley stomps Liv, the countdown is back. Number seven is… B-FAB! Hit Row’s leading lady makes her Rumble debut, swaggers her way to the ring while the others brawl. Liv ROCKS Rhea, Shayna CLUBS Dana, B-Fab DECKS Emma! B-Fab throws Liv away, ROCKS Shayna, then BOOTS Liv!
Dana runs in but B-Fab scoops her and SLAMS her! B-Fab wrenches Bayley to HOOK KICK! Rhea runs in, ducks the hook kick and HEADBUTTS B-Fab! Rhea TOSSES and ELIMINATES B-Fab! Rhea has a bloody nose but she smiles all the same. Bayley is after Liv but Liv SPANKS her away. Dana ROCKS Liv, the countdown is back, and number eight is… NXT WOMEN’S CHAMPION, ROXANNE PEREZ!! Texas fires up for their own, and the Prodigy makes her Rumble debut! She climbs up top, and CROSSBODIES Dana down! Roxie fires up, she UPPERCUTS Shayna, then rolls to dodge Emma. Emma ends up hitting Shayna, Roxie UPPERCUTS her!
Rhea whips but Roxie tilt-o-whirls and goes around to RANA! Fans fire up with the kip up! But Bayley whips! Roxie reverses, rolls her, and CLOBBERS her! Roxie CLUBS away on Bayley, throws her over but Bayley clings to ropes. Emma and Liv help out, as does Dana, but Bayley slips back in. They all stomp Bayley but the countdown is back. Number nine is… DAKOTA KAI! Bayley has back-up from her DMG CTRL teammate! #CobraKai rushes in, DECKS Liv, ROCKS Shayna, ROCKS Dana, CLUBS Roxie and CLUBS Emma! Kai then hits an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER on Roxie! And a SCORPION KICK to Emma!
Bayley and Dakota stand together and fans boo. But DMG CTRL gets mugged! Liv stomps Dakota, Dana and Emma lift Bayley. Bayley clings to the top rope, fights free, and then helps Dakota with Liv. Liv throws kicks, the countdown is back again. Number ten is… IYO SKY! DMG CTRL is now at 100% as the Evil Genius rushes out! Roxie and Emma lift Bayley, Liv and Dana stomp Kai. Sky springboards to DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK Liv and Dana! Sky stomps Shayna, ROCKS Emma, but Shayna hits Sky back! These two are no strangers, Shayna whips but Sky ducks ‘n’ dodges and handsprings through to then SHOTGUN dropkick!
sky kips up and fans fire up while DMG CTRL focuses on Emma! Emma clings to ropes, kicks DMG CTRL away, then Dana helps Emma skin the cat. But DMG CTRL DUMPS and ELIMINATES Dana! Emma fires off on each of them, dodges Bayley but is put on the apron. Kai BOOTS and ELIMINATES Emma! But Roxie dumps Kai out! DMG CTRL hurries to attack Roxie and save Kai! Roxie fires off hands on all three of them! Roxie runs, goes up and over but Bayley catches her! ASSISTED SHOTGUN sends Roxie out, DMG CTRL ELIMINATES her! Fans boo but the countdown is back. Number 11 is… NATALYA!
The Queen of Harts is here and the Queen of Spades is a bit worried! Natty is back after Shayna broke her nose months ago! Natty storms right in and DECKS Bayley, DECKS Kai, and DECKS Sky! DISCUS for Liv! Shayna CLUBS Natty, drags her up, and RAMS her into a corner! Shayna fires off hands, hoists her up, but Natty clings to ropes. Natty CLUBS Shayna, Bayley stomps Liv, Kai & Sky mug Rhea. DMG CTRL mugs Rhea, Liv and Shayna work together on Natty. The countdown is back, number 12 is… CANDICE LERAE! The Poison Pixie has a bone to pick with DMG CTRL, and Liv fights them off.
Candice back body blocks Kai! Candice puts Sky on the apron, blocks a boot and puts Kai outside! Bayley runs in but Candice doges! Bayley hits Kai & Sky but they cling to ropes! Candice suplexes Bayley, but Shayna KNEES Candice down! Shayna also remembers Candice from their past, and she throws hands. DMG CTRL regroups to go after Rhea, but now Natty and Shayna square off. Natty SLAPS Shayna, then ducks the haymaker to GERMAN SUPLEX! Natty storms up but Shayna throws hands. Shayna puts Natty on the apron, runs in, but Natty dodges the knee! Natty dumps Shayna up and out, but Shayna holds ropes!!
Shayna grabs Natty in a KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! DMG CTRL help get Natty out, but then they BLAST them both off! DMG CTRL ELIMINATES both Natty and Shayna! The countdown is back, number 13 is… ZOEY STARK! The Hunter of NXT is here for her own debut! Stark has a lot of prey, and she rushes right in to CLOBBER Bayley! SUPERKICK for Liv! HEEL KICK for Kai! And a DRAGON SUPLEX for her former tag partner, Sky! Stark kips up, but Rhea throws her out! Stark lands on the apron, ROUNDHOUSES Rhea, and then slingshots in for an ARABIAN SENTON! Stark drags Rhea up and has her on the ropes!
Rhea fights off Stark while DMG CTRL mugs Liv. Candice helps Liv but that’s still 3v2! The countdown is back, number 14 is… XIA LI! The Protector is now the Eliminator, and she’s looking to make that literal tonight! But the ref won’t let her bring the Bo staff in, so she shoves the staff into the ref! Xia BOOTS Candice, HEEL KICKS Liv, and blocks a kick from Stark to shove her down! ROLLING KICK for Rhea, and then a STEP-UP ELBOW in the corner! Xia roars and fans fire up, but DMG CTRL pounces on her! They mug Xia, they go back after Candice, but Candice turns double suplex into DOUBLE NECKBREAKER!
Bayley CLOBBERS Candice, scoops her, but Candice slips free before the assisted shotgun! Sky ends up in ropes, Candice CHOPS Kai and Bayley! Sky gets back in, DMG CTRL goes after Candice! Candice goes up top and BOOTS Bayley away, but Sky’s SHOTEI sends Candice tumbling to the floor! Sky ELIMINATES Candice! Fans boo but DMG CTRL is all fired up. The countdown is back, number 15 is… BECKY LYNCH!? The Man has come ’round, and DMG CTRL is freaking out! Becky storms right to the ring, DMG CTRL slides out under the ropes, but Becky DECKS Kai and DECKS Sky! Becky goes right after Bayley and the brawl is on!
Fans fire up as Becky fires off on Bayley, bumps her off buckles and stomps a mudhole in! Becky drags Bayley up, throws her but Bayley reverses! Becky goes through the second rope, drags Bayley out from the bottom rope, and then RAMS her into the apron! Becky DECKS Kai and DECKS Sky again, but the 3v1 catches up to her! Fans boo as DMG CTRL drag Becky up to RAM her into barriers! Then they drag Becky up to TOSS Becky over the desk! The refs reprimand but there’s nothing they can do. The countdown is back, number 16 is… TEGAN NOX! The Welsh Firecracker is here, ready to pop off!
DMG CTRL goes in to beat up on Stark and Liv, and Nox gest on the corner! Nox MOLLY-GO-ROUNDS Rhea! And UPPERCUTS Stark! And UPPERCUTS Xia! And UPPERCUTS Kai into Sky! Another shot for Xia, another for Stark, then a CANNONBALL for Kai & Sky! Nox brings Xia out for a GOURD BUSTER! Bayley CLUBS Rhea, Nox KNEES Kai! Stark runs in, Liv ROCKS her! Liv and Nox work together, LIV IN MOTION on Stark! SHINIEST WIZARD! Liv & Nox drag Stark up, but the countdown is back. Number 17 is… ASUKA!! The Empress of Tomorrow is back from her soul searching, and she has an even fiercer kabuki mask!
Asuka takes off the mask to reveal DEMON CLOWN ASUKA! Once upon a time is right here and right now! Everyone is shocked as Asuka steps into the ring. Liv and NOx rush in, Asuka dodges to run them over! POP-UP KNEE for Liv! Stark KICKS but Asuka just takes it! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bayley runs in but misses the sliding lariat! Asuka smiles and Bayley is speechless. Asuka spins, Bayley pie faces! Asuka just grins as she stares Bayley down. Fans are thunderous for Asuka, and she URAKENS! URAKENS! SOBATGS! KICKS! URAKENS! And HEEL KICKS!! Asuka throws Bayley out but she clings to the ropes!
Asuka drags Bayley up, Bayley HOTSHOTS her! Nox UPPERCUTS Asuka, runs, but into a spin! Backslide, roll through, SUPERKICK from Nox! Nox runs in but is put on the apron! ROUNDHOUSE! Nox falls, Asuka ELIMINATES her! But DMG CTRL is after her! The countdown is back, number 18 is… PIPER NIVEN! She dropped the Doudrop, and is reedy to be the Scottish Viper! DMG CTRL mugs Xia, Asuka has Bayley, but Piper storms in to CLOBBER Bayley! She CLOBBERS Kai! She CLOBBERS Sky! She wrenches Stark to RAM her, then whips her into a corner! BIG back elbow, and then Xia runs in, into an URENAGE! And SENTON!
Piper swings but Bayley dodges but Piper scoops her. Bayley slips off, but Piper elbows her! Piper scoops Liv to SLAM her on Bayley! Then she SPLASHES them both! Fans fire up, the countdown is back, and number 19 is… TAMINA! Nobody meana, and the Daughter of Superfly is right after Piper! Fans fire up, but then DMG CTRL steps up. Piper and Tamina DECK them, then DECK Liv! They throw hands with each other, Tamina UPPERCUTS! Piper runs in, Tamina dodges to SUPERKICK! Kai CHOP BLOCKS Tamina and DMG CTRL mugs her! Becky goes after DMG CTRL! Fans fire up as Becky fires off on Bayley!
Kai goes after Becky, scoops but Becky slips out! Becky catches Sky, DOUBLE DDT COMBO! The countdown is back and number 20 is… “Shh… It’s Chelsea.” CHELSEA GREEN, that is! The Hot Mess is back in the WWE and fans fire up! Bayley and Becky brawl, but Chelsea slides in, only for Rhea to TOSS her and ELIMINATE her! Well, thanks for coming, Chelsea… Becky dumps Bayley over, Kai CLUBS her! Becky TOSSES and ELIMINATES Kai! Becky kicks Bayley, TOSSES Sky, and ELIMINATES her! But then Bayley TOSSES and ELIMINATES Becky!! But then Liv DUMPS and ELIMINATES Bayley!! And now Becky brawls with DMG CTRL!
DMG CTRL dumps Becky into the crowd but she comes back to drag Bayley over! The brawling continues, they go off into the night, and Rhea is after Asuka. Tamina is after Piper, Stark digs a knee into Xia, but the countdown is back. Number 21 is… ZELINA VEGA! La Muneca is cosplaying Juri from Street Fighter, in honor of getting to be part of Street Fighter VI. Vega hits a DESTROYER on Rhea! Piper scoops Vega and puts her on the apron! Vega ROUNDHOUSES, trips Piper, and says she’s going to Mania! But Xia and Tamina are both on the apron with her… Xia and Vega go Street Fighter on the edge! But Veg blocks a boot, throws Xia down and stomps her!
Vega lifts Xia up with her foot, to HEEL KICK her and ELIMINATE her! Vega then gets in with a FLYING CODE BREAKER to Piper! The countdown is back, and number 22 is… RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ! Big Mami Cool has Texas behind her as she storms to the ring. Raquel slides in, scoops Vega, BOOTS Tamina, then gives Vega SNAKE EYES! LARIAT for Liv, LARIAT for Piper! Raquel swings, Rhea dodges, but that LEFT comes in! Raquel roars, dodges Stark, and catches the crossbody! FALL AWAY SLAM! Raquel catches Asuka, for a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Fans fire up but Vega CHOP BLOCKS Raquel!
Raquel is mad, and she picks Vega up with both hands! Raquel puts Vega up top but Vega hits back! The countdown is back as Vega FLYING RANAS Raquel! Number 23 is… MIA YIM! Michin is here, ready to prove she IS the Head Baddie In Charge! Mia hurries to the ring, shoulders into Stark and then TORNADO DDTs! SHOTGUN for Tamina! ROCK for Liv! ENZIGURI for Raquel! HEEL KICK for Asuka! Tilt-o-whirl DDT for Rhea! Tamina UPPERCUTS Mia down! And Piper SENTONS! Piper drags Mia up and throws her at the ropes but Mia holds on. Raquel lifts Stark, Stark fights back and steps in. Stark kicks Raquel and bumps her off buckles.
The countdown is back as Mia, Vega and Asuka gang up on Piper. Number 24 is… LACEY EVANS! The Model Soldier returned on SmackDown, and now she returns to the Rumble. Lacey gest in, dodges Tamina and BOOTS Piper! WOMAN’s RIGHT for Tamina! Lacey TOSSES Liv onto Tamina! Lacey goes up and headstands, for the BRONCO BUSTER on Liv! Asuka nd Mia brawl, Tamina CLUBS Lacey and throws her over the top rope! Lacey ROCKS Tamina back! Lacey shoulders into Stark, sweeps the legs, and then slingshot elbow drops! Lacey salutes but fans are torn. Liv, Rhea and Raquel mug Piper, the countdown is back, and number 25 is… MICHELLE MCCOOL!?
McCool is in the crowd, but turns out she’s dressed to compete! She hops the barriers, brawls with Tamina, and POSTS her! McCool catches Liv for an OVERHEAD Suplex! McCool UPPERCUTS Piper, blocks a Rana and hits a STYLES CLASH! McCool KNEES Mia in a corner, KNEES Piper in the other, and fans fire up! But Tamina kicks McCool, whips, but McCool reverses! Tamina goes up and out, holds on, but McCool BOOTS her down and ELIMINATES her! Rhea brawls with McCool but McCool KNEES her! Liv KNEES Asuka in a corner, the countdown is back, and number 26 is… INDI HARTWELL!
NXT’s #IndiWrestling is here, ready to be Impressive! Indi slides in, CLOBBERS Stark, CLOBBERS Liv, BOOTS Mia, and kicks Raquel to CLUB and JAB! Indi dodges Stark to SPINEBUSTER! Indi points to the Mania sign, and then she hoists Lacey up. Lacey throws elbows, Liv brawls with McCool. Lacey CHOKES Indi, Raquel hoists Rhea by her legs. Piper and Asuka claw at each other, and the countdown is back. Number 27 is… SONYA DEVILLE! Sonya is getting a title match next Friday, will this golden ticket be her insurance policy? Sonya takes her time as Stark brawls with Mia. Mia throat chops and CLUBS Stark down, then wrenches for SOLE FOOD!
Sonya slides in, she KNEES Stark down! Sonya drags Stark up to toss her out and ELIMINATE her! “Stay in NXT, honey.” Sonya runs to KNEE Raquel down! Sonya turns around, Asuka SOBATS! Asuka KICKS, KICKS and KICKS, but Sonya blocks! Sonya ROCKS Asuka, gives back those KICKS, then runs, but Asuka follows! Sonya dodges, both women duck a kick, but then DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES take them both down! Fans fire up while Mia and Indi brawl. Vega boots Lacy while upside-down! Lacey blocks the drop toehold and stomps Vega! Lacey drags Vega up the corner to a COBRA CLUTCH!!
Vega flails, but she fades out! Lacey drags Vega over the top rope and DUMPS her! Lacey ELIMINATES Vega! The countdown is back, and number 28 is… SHOTZI BLACKHEART! The wild child is back, and so is her #TCB tank! Shotzi hurries to the ring, time to Take Care o’ Bidness! Shotzi climbs the corner to CROSSBODY Raquel and Piper down! Shotzi brawls with Mia, ROUNDHOUSES her, but Raquel whips her! Shotzi springboards to wheelbarrow and put Rhea on the ropes! Shotzi kicks Lacey, suplexes her and hangs her out to dry! Sonya tosses Shotzi but Shotzi holds on! Indi runs in, Sonya dumps her out!
Indi ROCKS Sonya, springboards but Sonya shoves her down! Sonya ELIMINATES Indi! Fans boo but Raquel storms up to go after Sonya! Raquel hoists Sonya up, the countdown is back, and number 29 is… NIKKI CROSS! Anarchy has come to the Rumble! Nikki runs in to CLOBBER Shotzi! Sonya drags Nikki up but Nikki ROCKS her! She DECKS Liv, and basically hits everyone once as she makes a lap around the ring! Nikki whips around her jacket and fans fire up! Nikki kicks Shotzi, and hits the PURGE! Nikki drags Shotzi up, but that’s dead weight after hitting that neckbreaker. Lacey CLUBS Nikki while Raquel CLUBS Sonya down.
Piper is after McCool, and the countdown is back. Number 30 is… NIA JAX?!? The Irresistible Force returns to the WWE!! All eyes are on her as she storms down the ramp, and she smiles at all the attention. Nia gets in the ring, fans fire up, and Nia says SHE is going to Mania! But uh, her egging them on has them go at her, 11 against one! But Nia EXPLODES out! Nia CLOBBERS Nikki, CLOBBERS Mia, HEADBUTTS Sonya, and then stares Raquel down! Fans are thunderous again, and they throw hands! Raquel gets the edge, then scoops! But Nia fights free to HEADBUTT Raquel down! Liv runs in, but into a fireman’s carry!
Liv flails, gets a SLEEPER, but Nia THROWS her away! “I’m back, bitch!!” Nia HEADBUTTS McCool but the URAKEN and CODE BREAKER stagger her! ANOTHER CODE BREAKER! Rhea scoops Nia?! The slam wasn’t that strong, but Rhea kicks and CLUBS away on Nia! Pump handle, for the RIPTIDE?!?! Fans lose their minds as Rhea and everyone else drags Nia up! They ALL ELIMINATE Nia!! Nia is pissed but fans love it! But then Nikki goes after McCool, and everyone else break off into their brawling! Fans taunt Nia with “Hey hey hey, good-bye~!” Nikki clings to ropes as McCool lift her.
Sonya is after Asuka, Shotzi fights off Lacey, and Raquel fireman’s carries Lacey! Raquel puts Lacey on the apron but Lacey HOTSHOTS back! Raquel swings, Lacey ducks, but the LEFT knocks her down! Raquel ELIMINATES Lacey! But then Asuka KICKS Raquel! Raquel scowls but Asuka KICKS, KICKS and URAKENS! But Raquel trips Asuka, deadlifts her, but Asuka fights free! ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! Raquel endures, fights up, deadlifts again, for a TEXANA BOMB to the outside! Asuka lands safe, Sonya goes after Raquel but Raquel whips Sonya out! Asuka ROCKS Sonya, Sonya ROCKS back! Raquel runs in, into DOUBLE KICKS!
Asuka BOOTS Sonya, and POP-UP KNEES! Sonya BOOTS back, but runs into a ROUNDHOUSE! Sonya falls, ASUKA ELIMINATES her! Guess Sonya will have to rely on her shot next week. Rhea DUMPS McCool out to ELIMINATE her! Shotzi fights against Mia but Mia puts her on the outside. Mia wenches for SOLE FOOD! Shotzi falls, Mia ELIMINATES her! But then Piper TOSSES Mia onto Shotzi to ELIMINATE her! Piper and Raquel stare down, they RAM each other! Piper wrenches to a clinch and SAIDO! Piper runs into the corner, CANNONBALL! Piper then climbs up the corner, for the VADER- NO, Raquel blocks and tosses Piper out!
Piper is on the apron, Raquel BOOTS her down and ELIMINATES her! Fans fire up, but Rhea runs in! Raquel blocks the bot, hoists Rhea up, and TEXANA BOMBS her! But Rhea headscissors Raquel to bring her out! Rhea BOOTS and ELIMINATES Raquel!! Nikki is after Asuka but Rhea dumps each of them out! They’re both on the apron, they both ROCK Rhea with forearm after forearm! Nikki and Asuka brawl now, Nikki HOTSHOTS Asuka, then drapes her out. Liv BLASTS Nikki and ELIMINATES her!! The final three are Asuka and the two women who started this match in Rhea and Liv!
Fans rally up, Asuka and Liv are both loving this! Even Rhea grins, she’s getting into it, too! They all circle, Rhea swing but Asuka dodges to ROCK Liv! Asuka mule kicks Rhea, mule kicks Liv, but Liv dodges to wheelbarrow. Rhea TOSSES her at Asuka for a CODE BREAKER! Rhea throws Liv, Liv throws Rhea! Rhea HEADBUTTS Liv, drags her up onto the ropes and to the apron! They brawl out there, Rhea BOOTS Liv, but Asuka runs in! HIP ATTACK is caught! Rhea turns Asuka around, suplexes her out, but Asuka is on the apron now! They continue to brawl, Rhea ducks as Asuka BLOWS BLUE MIST! Liv gets a face full!!
Liv sits, Rhea BOOTS Asuka down to ELIMINATE her! Rhea grins and stands back up. Liv reaches out blindly but Rhea drags her up, CODE BREAKER!! Rhea dangles over the floor! Liv hurries to find her way, and she punches the hands! But Rhea reaches up to RANA Liv, and WIN!!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, at number one (headed to WrestleMania 39 in Hollywood)
One hour, one minute and three seconds is the historic run Rhea had in this match, to win! Will Rhea eradicate whichever champion she chooses on the Grandest Stage of Them All?
Country Rock star, Hardy, is here live!
And he’s here to perform his hit song, the official 2023 Royal Rumble theme, Sold Out!
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman & Sami Zayn VS Kevin Owens!
The Honorary Uce has found himself stuck between The Bloodline and his best frenemy. He wants to prove his loyalty and value to the Tribal Chief, but there is a “final test” still to come. Will Sami pass that test? Will Roman retain the title? Or will the Prizefighter #StunTheWorld by finally ending the reign of terror?
Fans lift their fingers for the Tribal Chief. As Roman decreed earlier, only the Wise Man and Sami are with him for the entrance. Roman raises the belts for the pyro, then continues to the ring. Once again, Roman lifts the belts for more pyro. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly Head of the Table!
The bell rings and Kevin stares Roman down. Sami paces outside while Heyman watches closely. Roman says he’s gonna teach Kevin a lesson as he and Kevin circle. Fans cheer on “SAMI USO!” and Kevin says that must annoy Roman. Roman and Kevin circle, tie up, and go around. Roman headlocks, Kevin powers out but Roman runs Kevin over! Kevin gets up quickly enough and Roman tells Sami that this is Roman teaching Kevin a lesson. Sami says it is, and Roman circles with Kevin again. They tie up, go around again, and Roman headlocks again. Kevin powers out again, but Roman runs Kevin over again!
Kevin gets up, shakes out the arm, and Roman is talking more trash. Kevin goes to a corner and catches his breath. They reset, fans rally up, and the two tie up. Roman headlocks again, Kevin powers out again, but Kevin drops down to then CLOBBER Roman! And SENTON! Fans fire up with Kevin as he says “SUCK IT!” Kevin stomps away on Roman, goes corner to corner and runs back in, CANNONBALL! Fans fire up while Roman bails out. Kevin goes out to ROCK Roman! And CLUB him! Kevin follows Roman around the way to throw hands. Roman ROCKS Kevin in return, and HEADBUTTS! Kevin CHOPS, ROCKS, but Roman kicks back!
Roman whips, Kevin reverses, and Roman hits barriers! Kevin then CLOBBERS Roman again! Fans fire up and Kevin SENTONS again! Kevin drags Roman up, puts him in the ring, and he throws hands. Roman staggers, Kevin taunts him and throws more hands. Kevin throws body shots in the corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Kevin whips corner to corner, Roman reverses and Kevin hits buckles hard! Kevin tumbles up and down the corner, and Roman stands him back up. URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Kevin just gets that shoulder up and Roman is annoyed. Sami coaches Roman, and Roman stalks Kevin to ropes.
Roman CHOKES Kevin, the ref counts, and Roman lets off at 4. Sami moves aside as Roman goes out after Kevin. Fans rally as Roman runs for the DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kevin is hanging tough and Roman is annoyed, and maybe even confused. Roman throws crossface forearms, then clamps on a chinlock. Kevin endures, fights up, and he throws body shots. But Roman ROCKS Kevin with an uppercut! Heyman says that was a good one! Kevin ends up in a corner, and Roman CHOPS! And point-blank LARIATS again and again! Roman goes all the way to nine, then runs, into a forearm!
Kevin throws more hands, Roman ROCKS Kevin back, and they brawl with forearms back and forth! Kevin gets the edge, runs, but into a BOOT! Kevin wobbles, Roman runs, but into a LARIAT! Fans fire up and Roman sits up, rather stunned! Kevin ROCKS, CHOPS and repeat! Kevin whips, Roman KICKS back! Roman runs, but Kevin LARIATS Roman up and out of the ring! Kevin then goes to the apron, to FROG SPLASH to the floor! Kevin hurries to haul Roman into the ring and then climbs a corner! Another FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Heyman and Sami look worried but Roman is still in this.
Kevin goes to ropes and stands up while Roman sputters and coughs. Kevin aims from the corner and wants Roman to stand up. “Get up, you manipulative piece of crap!” Roman stands, Kevin runs in, but the superkick is blocked! Roman reels Kevin in, SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives but both men are down while fans rally up. Sami argues the count with the ref but the ref says it was fair. Roman raises his finger and San Antonio joins in, #HeTheOne. Roman locks ‘n’ loads, runs in, SUPER- NO, Kevin dodges and gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Roman is in the corner, Kevin runs in, SUPERMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO!!
Heyman is frustrated and Sami also seems worried. Kevin and Roman stir, and Roman sits up. Fans rally, Roman doesn’t like that, but he goes back to a corner. Roman aims again, “OOOAH~!” Roman runs in, but Kevin POSTS him!! SUPERKICK!! Kevin goes up top, for a SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Roman survives and Heyman is beside himself with stress. Kevin stomps Roman, then goes back to the corner. Heyman shouts at Roman to get up as Kevin climbs again. Heyman PLEADS, and Roman stands to UPPERCUT Kevin! Roman ROCKS Kevin again, climbs up after him, but Kevin hits back with haymakers!
The two brawl up top, Kevin gets the edge, and Roman staggers away. But Roman comes back to ROCK Kevin, then climbs back up! But Kevin throws body shots and headbutts! Kevin ELBOWS Roman down! Roman is in the drop zone, Kevin adjusts, BEST MOON- NO, Kevin slips and falls, but onto Roman anyway! Elbow drop, then Kevin climbs back up, BEST MOONSAULT FLOP!! Roman avoids disaster, and SPEARS Kevin down!! Cover, TWO!?! Roman can’t believe that Kevin survives both his own mistake and Roman’s best shot! Fans rally up as Kevin sits up. Roman goes to the corner and says he’s ending this!
Fans are torn as Roman reloads, “OOOAH~!” But he runs into a KICK! STUN- NO, Roman shoves Kevin into the ref! The ref goes down, Roman runs in, POP-UP POWRBOMB! Cover, but again, no ref! Kevin would’ve won twice over by now! Kevin realizes the error in his calculations, and he calls for someone to show up. Kevin drags Roman up, but Roman LOW BLOWS!! Roman then shouts at Sami to do something! Sami says he was told to do nothing but be here! Well Roman’s telling him NOW, GET A CHAIR! Sami does as told and goes looking. Heyman helps him look under the ring, but then Sami hesitates?
Sami gives Roman the chair after all, and says he can do it. But Kevin hits a STUNNER!! Ref is back, cover, TWO!?!?! Roman survives and Sam is freaking out! Did he just cost Roman or save him!? Kevin drags Roman back up, whips him to ropes, POP-UP- SUPERMAN PUNCH!! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??!?! Kevin survives and everyone is shocked!! San Antonio is thunderous as Kevin rolls out of the ring while Roman can’t even believe this! Sami is there as Kevin crawls to barriers and fans chant “This is Awesome!” Kevin stands up, Sami tells him to just stay down. Kevin refuses, and he grabs at Sami. Is Kevin remembering when Sami was his friend?
Roman runs in, and he SPEARS Kevin through the barriers!! Roman drags Kevin back up, puts him back in, but then Kevin flops right back out! Kevin flounders to steel steps and Roman says it’s time to hurt Kevin. Roman storms up, and THROWS Kevin on the steps!! Kevin clutches his head and neck and even Sami is aghast! Roman drags Kevin up again, to SLAM him on the steps!! Fans boo but Roman drags Kevin back up. Heyman looks at Sami and says this is what happens to those who defy the Tribal Chief. Roman puts Kevin back in the ring, and Heyman says this is why he worships the Tribal Chief. ACKNOWLEDGE HIM!!
Sami raises his finger but fans boo. Roman looms over Kevin, drags him up again, and he slaps Kevin around. Roman is toying with Kevin now, but Kevin SLAPS back! Roman SPEARS Kevin down!! Cover, Roman wins!
Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Universal Champion)
The Tribal Chief is still on top, but Sami seems conflicted. The Usos and Solo arrive to celebrate with Roman, but they stand over the battered Kevin Owens. Jey gives Sami the ley, but Roman has him hold on. Fans boo but Roman says they’re not done. Now comes the final test. The Usos beat up on Kevin, fans boo, but Roman has Sami watch. The Usos pick Kevin apart like piranhas, and ONE AND DONE!! Roman has his arm around Sami as they watch the Usos drag Kevin into a corner. Jey puts the chair around Kevin’s neck! They’re gonna have Solo do what he did to Matt Riddle! Solo runs in, HIP ATTACK!!!
Roman tells Sami to hold on. He goes to Heyman, and Heyman brings out handcuffs! TWO PAIRS EVEN! Roman grins as he swaggers up to Kevin with the cuffs. He has the Usos cuff Kevin to the ropes, forcing him to stand up! Fans boo but now the Usos SUPERKICK Kevin over and over and over! Then a DOUBLE SUPERKICK tops it off! And then ANOTHER DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Roman has the Usos stop, fans chant for “SAMI! SAMI!” but Roman has a chair. Roman says Sami is HIS family, not Kevin’s. You disrespect the family, you disrespect Roman. Roman is trying to make Sami’s life better and Kevin is holding him back.
Roman swings, but Sami stands in the way!! Sami tells them to stop, Kevin is done. They beat him down more than enough. The Tribal Chief is still champion, this is beneath him. It’s enough, and Roman is better than that. Roman cools off, and he agrees. This is beneath him, so Sami should do it. He holds the chair out but Sami doesn’t want that. Roman says Sami should. Heyman says this is Sami’s moment. This is the test! But Sami says it’s not necessary. Roman says Sami will, or he’s not one of them. Sami is Bloodline, but Kevin doesn’t care about him! Kevin’s an anchor on Sami’s career! Roman loves Sami! Roman gives Sami everything!
The ring is YOURS when you’re Bloodline. Or doe Sami wanna go back to doing Jackass wrestling?! Sami thinks about it, he lifts the chair, and Roman tells him to pull the trigger! Is Sami crying? What’s wrong with you!? Roman pushes Sami around, “DO YOU THINK THIS IS A GAME?! THIS IS MY LIFE!!” Roman tells Sami to do this! Sami nods, lifts the chair, and he HITS ROMAN!!!! Fans are going NUTS after seeing that! Sami says he’s sorry, but Jey is furious! How could Sami do this after Jey stood up for him!? Jimmy SUPERKICKS Sami down!! Jey said Sami was his brother, but no! The USOS are brothers! Jimmy beats down Sami as fans boo!
Solo pushes Jimmy off so HE can beat on Sami! SAMOAN SPIKE!!! Roman tells them to keep on him, and Solo and Jimmy mug Sami! Roman is emotional as he says he gave Sami the world and this is how Sami repays him!! Fans chant for Jey, what is JEY going to do? Jey is mulling this over in the corner but Jimmy tells him Sami ain’t his brother! Jimmy and Solo are his brothers! The Bloodline is his family! Roman stares Jey down, and Jey BAILS!? Jey is emotional, but he’s walking away?! Fans are thunderous as Jey takes a stand, and the Bloodline can’t believe it! Roman tells Sami this is HIS fault! CHAIR SHOT! CHAIR SHOT! CHAIR SHOT!!
Roman just BEATS on Sami with the chair! And then with his fists! Roman rips away the Honorary Uce shirt, Sami is no longer even THAT! Jimmy gives Roman his ley, and Roman looms over Sami. Fans chant “F YOU ROMAN!” and that confounds Roman most of all. But Roman drops petals on Sami like it’s a funeral. Jimmy leaves what’s left of the Honorary Uce shirt on Sami, and then KNEES Kevin down! The Bloodline leaves while the fans are in an uproar! What does this mean for the future of the family?
My Thoughts:
What a wild Royal Rumble! The Men’s Rumble opening was a bit surprising but it turned out great. Of course Edge is back again, and his story with the Judgment Day is back again. And that was an awesome moment with Beth giving Rhea a Spear. I really hope we get a Mixed Tag of Edge & Beth VS Rhea & Dom before what I’d assume is Edge VS Finn at Mania. Logan Paul showing up was an interesting surprise, and what a great spot of him and Ricochet colliding in the air! Love him or hate him, Logan’s legit. Plus, his interaction with Rollins makes me think that’s a Mania match right there. Logan and Rollins have similar styles and builds, that’ll be a really good match.
And whether you wanted him to or not, Cody Rhodes was back in the Royal Rumble, and he won the Royal Rumble. I didn’t think he’d be #30, but I suppose that’s WWE being careful with him. At the same time, what an awesome showing for Gunther, starting #1, setting the new Ironman record at about 70 minutes, and being one of the final two while doing it. Gunther is still Intercontinental Champion, this could really boost his stock going into Mania for who he faces. Though honestly, he had great interactions with a lot of other big men, I would love McIntyre or Sheamus to get that match after things finish up with the Viking Raiders.
The Pitch Black Match was a lot different than I expected, but in a great way. Going with black light to use all sorts of hidden ink and make everything glow, especially the ropes and Knight’s tights, was such a cool aesthetic. However, as a match, this was borderline a squash because Bray was never fazed by what Knight did to him. Though, that table spot was great, and those little flecks that exploded out were interesting. And just when I thought Howdy wasn’t gonna get involved, he does a wild, Jeff Hardy meets Shane McMahon type stage dive. I hope whoever was Howdy here is okay, I think he overshot the target, but that was still pretty good.
And then I expected more Howdy shenanigans in the Bianca VS Alexa match, but perhaps they didn’t have a Howdy understudy ready. Bianca VS Alexa as a match was also a bit less than what I hoped for. Bianca winning was fine, and now Alexa has a crisis of confidence in a new way, where she isn’t sure if she is capable of winning without that supernatural assistance. The Women’s Rumble was also awesome, and we got some great returns. McCool being in the crowd before being revealed as a surprise entrant was a fun move. Chelsea Green back to be thrown out immediately was both hilarious and a bit mean. And wow, Nia Jax? Would not have seen that coming.
Good showing from the NXT entrants, but it also felt like Sonya Deville made it her mission to get rid of them. Of course Becky went after DMG CTRL, and of course they basically canceled themselves out of the match. And Asuka showing up with her original gimmick from her Joshi career in Japan was awesome stuff. It was the right move to have her be in the final three, and it was great that they let Liv start the match and get that close to the end. But Rhea was also the right choice to win, she is of course going to choose Bianca and that can also bring Street Profits into a story with Judgment Day, as I’ve been saying on the Raw articles.
And of course, just incredible stuff with the Bloodline’s story. In terms of the match, I really thought there was going to be more internal conflict for Sami, but I do appreciate commentary pointing out that it was all being told through Sami’s facial expressions. Roman winning was expected, and Sami’s “final test” being what came after was a great move. The fans had such great energy that really added to the entire moment, because they wanted to see it, and we got what we wanted in Sami standing up to Roman and hitting Roman! But of course, after the beating put on Kevin and having him trapped, Sami was not getting out of there.
But then in another great twist, Jey stands up for himself! He couldn’t save Sami, he couldn’t fight his family, but he could choose to wash his hands of it. What I thought was going to be Kevin & Sami VS The Usos could now transform into Kevin & Sami VS Jimmy & Solo. The Usos still have to defend their SmackDown Tag Team Championships, and it feels like it’s going to be against Braun & Ricochet once that tag tournament finishes up. But we could get a story very similar to “KofiMania.” Kofi had to jump through hoops to get at Daniel Bryan’s world title, so Sami & Kevin could have to get through Jimmy & Solo to get at Roman. Hell, Jey might help Sami & Kevin do just that. WrestleMania’s going to be two nights, HHH seems to be considering splitting the undisputed titles, Roman could end up facing Cody for the world title and Sami for the universal title.
My Score: 9.1/10
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Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!
Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
- Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
- Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is in the concourse.
The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.
Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.
Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.
Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.
And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!
And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”
The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!
Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.
Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!
Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?
Heyman returns backstage.
He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.
Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?
PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!
The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?
Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.
JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.
Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!
Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!
The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?
Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.
The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?
Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???
Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.
Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.
Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.
Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?
BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!
Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.
Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?
Chad Gable is backstage.
“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.
Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?
Becky Lynch goes to the ring.
Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!
That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!
Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.
Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.
But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.
What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!
The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?
Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!
The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?
Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!
Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!
Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!
Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!
Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!
Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?
Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!
Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!
Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!
Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!
Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.
Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!
Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.
Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.
They both grew up wanting to be in this business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.
And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!
“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”
Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!
To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?
Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!
The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!
Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!
The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!
Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!
Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.
Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!
Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.
Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!
Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!
Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)
Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?
My Thoughts:
A great Monday Night Raw as the go-home to Backlash, but everything with the world title match was both great and curious. No Logan Paul here in Omaha is a mixed bag itself. From the story side, he should’ve, so he and Jey could’ve had a face-to-face. But as a person, I was glad we didn’t have to endure Logan being smug. And quite the audible bringing Heyman out to talk with Jey. Heyman’s passion was great, really adds some stuff to help us understand his side. And I like that they “suckered” Jey into this match. It was definitely an awesome match, even with the overbooking that eventually threw it out.
Sami and Punk showing up was all fine in story, but after what happened last week, I feel like Sami shouldn’t have come back so soon. But that aside, Jey, Sami and Punk make for a good unit to counter Rollins’ team. Though, Rollins will need another member who can wrestle since Heyman won’t be of any use. Here’s hoping it is Austin Theory given how Theory is upset with Waller after that switcheroo. Good return for Sheamus, though I feel like Sheamus has done more returns in the last 12 months than just about anyone ever. Here’s hoping Sheamus still gets in on the Intercontinental Championship story.
Speaking of, great match from Penta VS McDonagh, even with the overbooking. A bit surprising Penta overcame all that to win, but it works since now Dom and Penta are now set for an Intercontinental Championship. And there is room on the card as it doesn’t seem Jey VS Logan is happening for Backlash. Makes me wonder if they started us on a Jey VS Logan feud before they were really ready, as Backlash “isn’t big enough” for Logan’s “star power.” I like that Styles also got in on this, Styles VS Finn is going to be awesome, and can certainly set up the winner as the next challenger. It really depends on what happens with Dom VS Penta.
Gable getting involved as also good, given how he and Penta had their confrontation last week. New Day had a good promo with Gable to gas up American Made. That is to say, New Day is using American Made as a shield against The War Raiders, but it’ll only help Erik & Ivar earn their rematch. Great return match for Rusev with Otis looking strong even in defeat. Rusev doesn’t waste time teasing he’s a Tweener, he goes right to blindsiding Tozawa and beating Alpha Academy down. Not sure who is next for Rusev, as there aren’t as many Faces not really tied into anything on Raw. Maybe whatever WWE Draft we get moves Rusev to SmackDown, or at least moves some names from SmackDown and NXT to Raw so Rusev can face fresh meat.
Great promo from Becky and Lyra to help hype Becky VS Lyra. Good brawl, but now Lyra standing tall makes me think Lyra loses the title. Becky can start on some sort of second Grand Slam or something like that, but also she and Lyra will be 1-1 and the rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental title can be the tiebreaker at like MITB or SummerSlam. Iyo VS Roxie was a great match, but of course Giulia showed up. No reinforcements with Rhea promoting Crown Jewel: Perth, and sadly, Dakota Kai being hurt and now released, no Damage CTRL to help either. But the Heels did need a moment where they stood tall, and one of them could even get a world title shot.
And honestly, Pat and Gunther had an awesome promo to hype their match. Pat put over Maggle, he put over Nebraska, and quite perfectly framed this story as the hungry dreamer in Pat himself and the complacent veteran who has already done so much. Gunther’s response was also great, because now he’s angry enough to get that hunger and that fire back. I would think Gunther wins, as he needs the rebound from WrestleMania and Pat doesn’t really need much. But Pat can get a moral victory of sorts by lasting longer than Gunther or any of us expect. Pat can just keep getting up after every chop, have a false finish or two, but ultimately lose because his body can’t come through for his fighting spirit. Respect for Pat but momentum for Gunther, that’s the best outcome.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/25)
It’s a Wrestling Dontaku Weekend finale!
Who will stand atop the NJPW mountain?
The Goto Revolution finally leads NJPW, but will the Fierce Warrior be conquered by The United Empire as Callum Newman goes after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS Hitamaru Sasaki & Jet Wei; Taguchi & Murashima win.
- Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS MENTAI KID & Batten Burabura; Taiji & Gedo win.
- YOSHI-HASHI & Master Wato VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Hashi & Wato win.
- Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori; Maika, Hazuki & Koguma win.
- El Phantasmo & Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; ELP & Boltin win.
- 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK; Tanahashi, Yano, Yoh, Chikuzen & Tajiri win.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Callum Newman; Goto wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori!
It’s a Stardom Showcase as The Crimson Cannon Empress, The Wildheart & The High Speed Genius take on The Masked Idol, High Speed Bomb Girl & Kumamoto’s Unsinkable Ship! Which side of Stardom shines brightest in Fukuoka?
The trios sort out and Koguma starts against Starlight Kid. The fans cheer and the two circle. They approach, but Koguma dodges to do her bear taunt. But then Starlight CLUBS her! Starlight whips, Koguma whips but Starlight handsprings over. Starlight whips, runs up, but Koguma puts her on the apron. Koguma runs up, Starlight slips under and sunset flips, TWO! Starlight runs up, but into an arm-drag! Starlight comes back to hit a headlock takeover! Koguma headscissors, Starlight kips free, and the two strike their animal poses! The fans cheer as bear and tiger reset. They tie up, Koguma spins Starlight, then goes for the arms!
Starlight fights free of being made to bear pose! But then Koguma kicks low, runs, but Starlight blows past her to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Starlight tags Yuna. Yuna runs up to run Koguma over, then fires up as she keeps moving. But Hazuki jumps in and helps Koguma ELBOW Yuna down! Then they double Yuna into Maika’s shoulder tackle! The fans fire up for the TRIPLE DROPKICK! The ref reprimands but Koguma tags Hazuki in. Hazuki rallies the fans while she stands on Yuna! Then she scrubs her with the boot again and again! Hazuka runs to BOOT WASH her!
Hazuka bumps Yuna off buckles, tags Maika, and the fans cheer as Maika scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuna stays in this but Maika kicks her around. Maika eggs Yuna on, but Yuna rises to CLUB Maika in the chest! Maika comes back to DECK Yuna! Yuna flounders, Maika brings her up and whips her to a corner. Maika runs up but Yuna BOOTS her down, somersaults, and SHOTGUNS! Yuna hurries and she tags in AZM! The fans rally up for AZM as she climbs, then leaps, but into Maika’s arms! Maika throws AZM back, kicks her, and she has Koguma help double whip. But AZM sends Maika into Koguma, and Starlight jumps in!
Starlight hits a TAKEOVER HEADSCISSORS COMBO! Then AZM DOUBLE DROPKICKS Maika & Koguma! The fans fire up for Starlight’s team as she and AZK put Maika & Hazuki at the center of the ring. They coordinate, STANDING MOONSAULT and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Maika is tougher than that, but AZM drags her into a drop zone. AZM goes up, DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Maika avoids the stomps to then scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this but the fans rally behind Maika. Maika drags AZM up, reels her in, and suplexes, only for AZM to fight free! Maika kicks and runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE!
Maika just roars and comes back! Maika spins AZM, suplexes, but AZM has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally as Maika endures, powers up, and suplexes again! BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! The fans rally as Maika and AZM crawl, hot tags to Yuna and Hazuki! Hazuki sends Yuna to an open corner, runs up, but Yuna puts her on the apron! Only for Koguma to SPLASH Yuna! Hazuki then goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Yuna! Koguma goes up to CROSSBODY! Hazuki hurries to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives, but is now in a CROSSFACE! Koguma & Maika intercept AZM & Starlight!
The fans rally while Yuna endures, and then AZM & Starlight break free! They both stomp Hazuki! Koguma & Maika drag Starlight & AZM back out, Hazuki CLUBS Yuna and whips her to ropes. Yuna reverses, Hazuki grabs ropes, then she DUMPS Yuna out! Yuna skins the cat to then LARIAT! The fans fire up with Yuna, she and the others coordinate! TRIPLE DROPKICK at the corner! Yuna then goes out while Starlight goes up! UFO SPLASH! Starlight sets Hazuki up for AZM’s DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yuna adds the fireman’s carry and TROPICAL VALLEY BOMB! Cover, Maika breaks it! The fans fire up, but Starlight runs in and RANAS Maika!
Koguma runs in and spins Starlight around for a DDT! AZM runs up, Koguma blocks the kick to CUTTER! The fans fire up with Koguma as she and Hazuki coordinate. The “Double Crazy” combo DIVE and CROSSBODY!! Everyone is down at ringside and the fans fire up! Hazuki puts Yuna back in and the fans rally up more. Hazuki springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives but Hazuki keeps on her. Hazuki whips Yuna to a corner, Koguma hits a SPLASH, and then Hazuki adds an ELBOW! Maika adds a LARIAT, then she puts Yuna up top! Now we get Triple Crazy as Maika lifts and the others climb!
The fans fire up for the TRIPLE CRAZY BOMB!! Cover, but Starlight Kid breaks it!! Koguma CLOBBERS Starlight, Maika keeps AZM on the outside, and Hazuki drags Yuna up. Hazuki suplexes, Yuna slips free and she trips Hazuki up! Yuna hammerlocks an arm, turns Hazuki over, TROPICAL CRADLE!! TWO!??! Hazuki escapes, but Yuna runs up! But Hazuki spins her to a suplex and stalling BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Triple Crazy wins!
Winners: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma, by pinfall
A fast ‘n’ furious fight from three rising stars, and it was the Wildheart that finishes it off! Will we see this Triple Crazy trio soon go for the IWGP Women’s and/or NJPW Strong Women’s Championships?
10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK!
As The Ace’s Final Road continues to roll on, this is quite the unique stop. Sure, he’s teamed with the Clown Prince and Mr. Direct Drive before, but he is now honored to be teaming with The Makai Love Machine and yes, THE Japanese Buzzsaw! Will Tanahashi & Tajiri add to their legends with this epic team-up? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Just as always, Tanahashi shows off the abs, the fans cheer, and Yano even adds a “Sugoi~!” The teams sort out and ZSJ calls out Tajiri! The fans fire up as Tajiri accepts. The bell rings, ZSJ and Tajiri circle, and Fukuoka are strongly behind “TA-JI-RI! TA-JI-RI!” Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock, and ZSJ rolls to then wrench and wristlock. Tajiri seems rather unbothered, and he slips under ZSJ to then trip him and spread the legs! ZSJ reaches back but Tajiri uses his whole body length! ZSJ pushes up, crawls back, wrenches and hammerlocks, then half nelsons to cravat. Tajiri spins through to wrench and trip ZSJ!
Tajiri has the legs, ZSJ resists then hooks Tajiri to trip him. ZSJ returns the leg sprawl, then has a STRETCH MUFFLER! ZSJ uses it as a means to an end so he can have the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Tajiri pops free and turns ZSJ over to have a headlock. ZSJ slips out the back, they each want the other’s arm, but then ZSJ top mounts. Tajiri pushes ZSJ away and the fans cheer the standoff! Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock again, and ZSJ turns Tajiri. Tajiri turns that back around but ZSJ has an arm. ZSJ hammerlocks but Tajiri steps through the ropes, then steps back inside, and he has ZSJ’s arm wrapped around ropes!
The fans cheer, but Tajiri shows respect by respecting the ropebreak. The fans applaud, as does ZSJ, and then they tag out to Yoh and Eagles. The fans join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” but Yoh rolls Eagles up! TWO and Yoh kicks low! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles but Yoh dodges to RANA! The fans fire up but Fujita storms in and CHOPS! The Ichiban Sweet Boys double whip, but Yoh ducks the lariats! Yoh kicks and kicks, but the Sweet Boys CHOP and CHOP! They double wrench, and MAX- NO, Yoh fights free! Yoh crisscrosses the Sweet Boys into each other, and DOUBLE BULLDOGS!
Tag to Yano and the fans cheer, only for the Sweet Boys to double kick! They double whip, but Yano grabs the ropes! Yano then sends Fujita into Eagles, and he SLAPS them both on the heads! Yano then unties the buckle pad! The fans fire up, but Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE KICK! The Sweet Boys BLAST Yano’s corner, then Eagles brings Yano to the Mighty corner. Eagles bumps Yano off buckles then tags in Hartley. Big Hartley UPPERCUTS then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Yano is a bit tougher than that so Fujita tags in. Fujita drags Yano up to CHOP! And CHOP!
Fujita whips Yano corner to corner, runs up, but Yano puts him on the apron! Fujita SLAPS Yano back! The fans rally and Fujita aims, springboard for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita tags Oiwa and he drags Yano up. Oiwa whips Yano to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays on Yano but Yano pulls on the mullet! Oiwa kicks free, runs, but into an atomic drop! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Yano tags in Ryota! Ryota CHOPS Oiwa! Ryota eggs Oiwa on, but Oiwa fires a forearm! Ryota CHOPS again! Oiwa fires another forearm!
Ryota CHOPS, Oiwa ROCKS him, repeat! The fans rally as Oiwa fires a flurry! ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, but into a BACKDROP! Fujita runs in, but into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Eagles runs in, into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up with Ryota, and he invites Tanahashi in! They double whip Oiwa, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! And then Ryota says, “Genki de masu!” The fans cheer as Ryota and Tanahashi have energy to spare, and Ryota drags Oiwa up. Ryota reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights the lift! Oiwa powers up to BACKDROP Ryota! The fans rally, Oiwa runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally more as Oiwa and Ryota rise. Oiwa whips Ryota to a corner, runs up, but Ryota LARIATS him down! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Ryota! Both me are down now and the fans rally again. Hot tags to ZSJ and Tanahashi! One more meeting between these two after yesterday’s final singles match, and the two dosido in a battle of Cobra Twists! Tanahashi has the COBRA TWIST! ZSJ pries free to have the COBRA TWIST in return! But Tanahashi powers out, has a leg, DRAGON- NO, ZSJ sits down for the ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks ZSJ, TWO! ZSJ RAMS Tanahashi, snapmares, but Tanahashi UP KICKS!
Tanahashi kicks low, snapmares, and he NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him to wrench! PELE to the arm! Then a STOMP to the elbow! Tag to Hartley and the fans rally up. Hartley runs corner to corner and SPLASHES Tanahashi against bare buckles! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The Sweet Boys BLAST Tanahashi’s corner, then they send Tanahashi to a neutral corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP! Oiwa adds an ELBOW! Eagles adds a FOREARM! Then Oiwa scoops Tanahashi to SLAM him! ZSJ NECK TWISTS! Hartley SENTONS! Cover, Tajiri SLAPS Hartley on the head!
Tajiri scurries away before ZSJ can get him! The fans fire up and now Yoh & Yano mug Hartley. They double whip, but Hartley DOUBLE LARIATS! “Jackson Number One!” Hartley fireman’s carries Tanahashi, but Tajiri slips in and dosidos with the ref! GREEN MIST for Hartley!! Ryota runs up and SLINGBLADES!! Tanahashi hurries up top while his team keeps TMDK out! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi’s team wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Yoh, Ryota Chikuzen & Tajiri, by pinfall
Legends working together makes for a classic finish to this match! Will this moment be one to remember as The Ace continues his countdown to the end?
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku!
As Wrestling Dontaku wraps up the weekend, Tetsuya Naito and Bushi have reached the end of their NJPW run. Will they be victorious one last time alongside Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi? Or will the Roughneck, Stone Pitbull, Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker make this parting a bitter goodbye?
For one last time, Naito takes his time with the elaborate entrance attire. It also seems rather clear that Bushi is emotional over this being his farewell match. The fans rally and the teams sort out. The fans call for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” LIJ fust bump, the fans cheer, and Naito steps up for the team. The fans rally behind him more as he starts against Taichi. The bell rings and Fukuoka cheers even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” But then Naito tags out to Bushi. The Black Mask has the fans on his side, too, and he circles with Taichi. They approach, Bushi kicks low then runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but Bushi TOSSES him out!
Bushi DECKS Taka, but Shota & Ishii attack! They double whip, Bushi sends Shota into Ishii, then Bushi DOUBLE RANAS! BUSHIROONI~! Taichi is back but Bushi DECKS him! Takagi sets Taichi up but Taka trips Bushi! The fans boo but Taichi storms in and stomps Bushi. Taichi CLUBS Bushi, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Bushi runs up and RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi stands and he tags in Hiromu. Hiromu BLASTS Ishii, then Takagi tags in! Hiromu & Takagi double whip Taichi to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they flex! The fans cheer the side chest.
Hiromu stands Taichi up to CHOP him to the corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then snapmares, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Taichi wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Shota BLASTS Takagi because he can, and Taichi tags in Taka. Taka BOOTS Naito down, then stomps Hiromu around. The fans rally but Taka brings Hiromu up. Hiromu CHPOS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taka gets mad, and he pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to the corner, stomps and knees him, then tags Ishii. Ishii winds up to CHOP! Hiromu grits his teeth and CHOPS back, but Ishii doesn’t budge!
Ishii CHOPS Hiromu and eggs him on! Hiromu stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii gives more trash talk and more mocking kicks. Hiromu stands to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up as Ishii staggers, but then Hiromu CHOPS again! And again! Ishii ROCKS Hiromu, suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes first! But Hiromu’s right up!? And he dodges Ishii to SNAP GERMAN! Ishii’s right up!? SAIDO! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii hot tags Shota, and Shota BLASTS Takagi again! Shota then runs up on Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!
Shota hits buckles, hurries after Hiromu, but Hiromu fights the half nelson. Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, and then DRAGON SCREWS! Hot tag to Naito! The fans erupt as Naito kicks and CLUBS Shota again and again! Naito whips to arm-drag Shota! And ELBOW him down! And basement DROPKICK! TakaTaichi attack and double whip, but Naito reverses to send Taka into Taichi! Drop toehold for Taichi and Bushi basement DROPKICKS! Naito kicks and whips Taka, Taka reverses, but Naito reverses back to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he tags in Takagi. Takagi runs up on Shota, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through!
Takagi keeps moving, but Shota SWATS the lariat! Takagi YUKON LARIATS, but Shota roars as he stays up! Shota fires boxing elbows, but Takagi shakes his head! Takagi fires boxing elbows of his own! He ROCKS Shota, runs, but Shota LARIATS at the ropes! Shota runs, Takagi LRIATS! Takagi runs, Shota dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota stays up but the ELBOW and JAB hit! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Takagi and he whips Shota. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota LARIATS Takagi down! But then Shota falls over, too! The fans fire up while both men crawl.
Taka tags in, he BOOTS Naito and BLASTS Bushi! Taka runs, redirects, redirects, and BOOTS Takagi down! The fans rally up as Taka brings Takagi up. Takagi ROCKS Taka! Taichi runs up to RIDGE HAND! Ishii ROCKS Takagi! Then we get a RIDGE HAND BACKHAND COMBO! SUPER K from Taka!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Taka goes to scoop! Takagi is too big, so Taka pokes him in the eyes! Takagi still ELBOWS! JABS! Taka UPPERCUTS, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Bushi slips in, as does Hiromu, and they double whip Taka to a corner. Hiromu runs up to forearm SMASH! Bushi adds an ELBOW!
Takagi LARIATS, then he snapmares Taka! Naito is in, LIJ hits a QUADRUPLE DROPKICK!! The fans fire up and Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up more as The Rampaging Dragon drags Taka up. Taka fights the lift, and Shota SHOTGUNS Takagi! Hiromu dropkicks Hiromu’s legs! Hiromu dodges Ishii, he and Naito give Ishii TENDEDERO! Taichi runs up, he breaks through the line, but Hiromu sends him into an atomic drop! Takagi BLINDSLIDE BOMBERS! LARIAT in the corner, feed to a SUPERKICK! Naito wrenches Taichi for DESTINO!!! The fans are thunderous after seeing that final Destino!
Bushi then runs in and BLASTS Shota! Bushi keeps moving, for one last DIVE!! Down goes Shota and the fans are thunderous! Takagi has the fans join in for “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs, Taka dodges, and Taka BOOTS! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi drags Taka up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, LIJ WINS!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
Their final battle in Fukuoka, their final battle with their friends, and their final battle in NJPW, it was all victorious! Naito & Bushi stand with Hiromu & Takagi to celebrate this final win. The fans cheer on “NA-I-TO!” as Naito leads the group in one last LIJ fist bump. The wild ride is over for the Uncontrollable Charisma, and he poses with his team one last time. Burn this moment into your memories, for we may never see Naito & Bushi back in a NJPW ring again.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!
The Gene Blast may be one of the Reiwa Era Three Musketeers, but the Heat Storm vows to be the face of this new generation. A match meant to happen months ago finally does happen, but who will truly be the frontrunner of the future?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the true global star!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as Yota and Yuya stare down. Fukuoka duels, but the “YO~TA!” sounds stronger than the “YU~YA!” They circle, feel things out, then circle a bit more. They feel out the knuckle lock, then Yuya rolls. Yota keeps him at bay as they clinch, then they go around. Yuya waistlocks, Yota wrenches free and waistlocks in return, but Yuya switches. Yota headlocks, Yuya rolls him to the mat and headlocks in return. Yota keeps his shoulders up, then fights to his feet. Yuya hits a takeover, Yota headscissors, but Yuya kips up. Yuya is fired up and the fans cheer him on.
Yota stands up and the two reset. They circle while the fans duel, and the two tie up. Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock but Yota switches and full nelsons. Then Yota headlocks and grinds Yuya down. Yuya fights up, pries at the hold, but Yota powers it on tighter. Yuya powers up but Yota squeezes the headlock even tighter! The fans applaud while Yuya endures. Yuya fires body shots, then powers up and out, drops down, but Yota avoids the dropkick! Yota dodges but Yuya arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Yuya has the armlock and the fans cheer again. Yota pulls at the hold, then fights up. Yuya grinds the elbow but Yota reaches for ropes.
Yota has the ROPEBREAK but Yuya brings him away from the ropes quickly. Yota fires forearm after forearm until Yuya lets go. Yota runs up but Yuya arm-drags! Only for Yota to drag Yuya down, trap an arm, and SACRIFICE the other arm! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Yuya shakes out the bad arm but Yota brings him back up. Yuya fires a forearm! Yota grins so Yuya fires more shots! Yota wrenches and serves up SOLE FOOD to the arm! Yuya staggers away to a corner and the fans rally more. Yota storms up on Yuya, puts him in the corner, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts as Yota pulls, so Yota lets go at 4.
Yota brings Yuya out to snapmare, then he has the bad arm in a top wristlock! Yuya endures, the fans rally, but Yota puts on the pressure! Yuya fights forward, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the arm! Yuya still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Yota legs go. Yota paces while Yuya shakes out the bad arm. Yota comes back to stomp the arm! Yota then wrenches Yuya, KNEES the arm, then KNEES it again! Yota KNEES Yuya into the corner, then paces again. Yuya stands, Yota runs in, but Yuya BOOTS him away! Yota runs back in, Yuya dodges and CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans fire up as Yuya winds up, but Yota dodges! Yota BOOTS Yuya in the corner!
The fans rally as Yota whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while both men are down. The fans rally again as Yuya rises up. Yuya roars, the fans fire up more, and Yuya brings Yota up to wrench and BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally and Yuya brings Yota up. Yoga fights with elbows, then wrenches to YANK the arm! And YANK! And YANK! Yota whips, Yuya reverses, but Yota RANAS! Yuya tumbles out and the fans rally as Yota aims. Yota builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya is sent into railing!
The fans fire up while Yuya stumbles and falls, and Yota fires back up! Yota has the fans rally more as he takes a lap. Yota comes back for Yuya, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota steps in, stands Yuya up, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yota powers through, but Yuya fights free! Yuya CHOPS, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yota grits his teeth. Yota storms around, goes to a corner, and he aims as Yuya rises. Yota runs in, STINGER SPLASH! The fans fire up while Yota snapmares Yuya down. Yota goes up, up, but Yuya avoids the Marlowe Crush!
Yuya dropkicks Yota’s leg, then has it for a SHIN BREAKER! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuya then hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! Yota endures and the fans fire up! Yuya pulls on the main leg but Yota works to turn things over! The fans duel as Yuya fights against that, but Yota does turn the hold over! Yuya endures now, so he hurries to turn things over! Yota uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Yuya and the ref undo the hold, and Yuya stands over Yota. Yuya brings Yota up to scoop and SLAM him down! Yuya then goes to a corner, climbs up, only for Yota to GAMANGIRI! Yuya is dazed up top, so Yota climbs up after him!
Yota brings Yuya up, throws forearms, then goes to the very top! But Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls, Yuya adjusts, and Yuya leaps! Yota avoids the crossbody but Yuya rolls through! Yota comes back, Yuya slips around and full nelsons! But Yota powers up to break the hold! Only for Yuya to GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuya runs, but into a BOOT! Yuya comes back and takes a swing, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Yuya avoids the stomp! Yuya shoves Yota, but Yota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Yota keeps moving, and then Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!
The two men crawl away to the corners while the fans rally up. Yuya runs in corner to corner, but Yota BOOTS him! Yota runs up, but Yuya clinches! Yota fights free, ROCKS Yuya, and Yuya staggers to the ropes! Yota whips, Yuya ducks ‘n’ dodges but Yota blows past, only for Yuya to get under! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up! Yuya shakes out the bad arm, then he stands Yota up for a scoop. Yuya SLAMS, then he fires back up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he climbs again! Yuya is up top, for the FROG SPLASH! But he FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota runs back in, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Yuya clasps hands, but Yota breaks the grip! ARMBAR!! Yuya endures, flails, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the bad arm! Yuya fights around, but Yota just keeps after the arm! Yuya uses his core strength to sit up, but Yota PULLS the arm straight! Yuya falls over, fights around, and he turns over. Yota does his best to keep the armbar, even with this mounted angle! Yuya bites his thumb to ignore the pain in his arm! Yuya then reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Yota lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya clutches his elbow but Yota paces around. Yota drags Yuya up from the ropes, but Yuya CHOPS! Yota brushes that off, but Yuya CHOPS again!
Yuya can’t put enough power behind the strikes with that bad arm, but he keeps trying! Yota BOOTS Yuya, Yuya drops to his knees, and the ref checks with him. Yuya refuses to let the bad arm cost him again, and he rises up to CHOP! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Yota ROCKS him!! And then KNEES him down! The fans fire up while Yota stands tall! Yota goes to a corner, watches Yuya sputter and rise, GENE- DROPKICK to the leg! Yuya hurries to grab that leg, but Yota fires off forearms! Yuya eggs Yota on, so Yota HEADBUTT! But Yuya still DRAGON SCREWS!! Yuya steps through again, FIGURE FOUR!!
The fans fire up as Yota endures again! Yuya puts as much pressure as he can, Yota pries at the hold, but Yuya thrashes around! Yota reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, and he drags Yuya along towards ropes! But Yuya drags Yota back from ropes! Yuya thrashes as hard as he can, we hit 20 minutes, and Yota still endures! The fans rally harder and harder as Yota fights to turn this over! Yota does, but then Yuya turns it back! But this time, Yuya turns back the other way to keep Yota from the ropes! And then he PULLS on the leg! Yota lunges for the ROPEBREAK!! The fans fire up while the ref again frees Yota.
Yota clutches his leg while he crawls away, but Yuya is right on him! Yuya has the leg, but Yota ENZIGIRIS! Yuya falls, but he also manages to waistlock! Yuya drags Yota up, but Yota fires elbows! Yuya still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yuya holds onto Yota and the fans fire up! Yuya full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Yuya is furious! Yuya roars, the fans are with him, and he reels Yota in! SAIDO BACKBREAKER! Then he puts Yota in the drop zone! Yuya climbs, the fans rally more, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and Yuya is beside himself!
Fukuoka is thunderous as Yuya rises! Yuya brings Yota up, cording holds one arm, swings to get the other, but Yota STUNNERS free! Yota roars, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Yota just comes back, GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya hurries to lock in those arms, but Yota fights off the clinch! They go around and around, and Yota frees an arm! But Yota brings it back in! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!!! Yuya roars, the fans are electric, GENE BLASTER outta nowhere!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Heat Storm was certainly on fire, but Tsuji was volcanic! The gold stays with Yota, will he and those left in LIJ make sure NJPW stays tranquilo?
Speaking of which, the rest of LIJ returns to the ring so they can stand with their guy. Tsuji gets to also have his final photo op with the group as we know it. We also get one last LIJ fist bump with the five of them, and then Naito & Bushi let Yota, Takagi & Hiromu have the ring. Yota hurries to get the mic to tell Naito & Bushi, “Let me have one last word.” The fans applaud, and Naito & Bushi stop to hear him out. “Naito and Bushi leaving could signal the end of Los Ingobernables de Japon. But remember this: We’re ungovernable. We’ll always be connected in our hearts. Until next time.” The fans applaud that! Naito even gives one last fist bump salute.
The fans cheer as the LIJ Era has changed, and Bushi makes sure we see his mask where it says, “Adios.” Then Yota continues to say that he is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, and that he’ll continue to defend the cerulean blue mat of NJPW. The fans applaud, and Yota says he is fortunate to have such a great rival in Uemura. And another in Gabe Kidd. So, who should he defend this belt against next? Well, he said the man’s name, so here comes the Mad Man! The fans bark it up for the War Dog, and Gabe gets right in Yota’s face. Yota says nic eto see him. Should they pick up where they left off?
Gabe takes the mic to say, “You’re an IWGP champion?” No, no, Yota beat Evil and Yuya, but in Osaka… It was a double knockout! Yota never beat Gabe! The fans cheer that point! Gabe says on June 15th… In Osaka Jo-Hall… “Let’s find out who the strongest is!!” The fans love that idea! Gabe heads back out, the fans bark more, and Yota tells Gabe, “Let’s show ’em our NJPW.” The fans also like that, and Yota asks if they’re ready! The fans cheer because they are, but who will make this their Dominion?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!
The Fierce Warrior finally put the G in IWGP at the New Beginning in Osaka when he won this title. But now, the Prince of Pace is looking to blow right past him as the top guy in NJPW! Will the Goto Revolution stay the course? Or will it be conquered by the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the G of IWGP!
The bell rings and the fans rally strongly for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum doesn’t let that bother him, and he runs up to BOOT Goto! Callum fires forearms, whips, but Goto reverses! Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to build speed, but then Goto dodges! The fans cheer as Goto is at least agile like Callum. They tie up, then they just fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Goto gets the edge, headlocks, but Callum powers out. Goto runs Callum over, but Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum TOSSES Goto out, then PLANCHAS! The fans fire up while Goto goes down!
Callum fires himself up and the fans cheer. Callum brings Goto up, the fans duel a bit more evenly, and Callum whips. Goto reverses and Callum hits railing! But he comes back to BOOT Goto down! Callum snarls, drags Goto back up, and now Callum sends Goto into railing! Goto comes back but Callum BOOTS him down again! And then PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally, Hashi coaches Goto, but Callum KICKS Goto in the back! Callum puts Goto in the ring, the fans applaud, and Callum sits Goto up again. Callum hits another PENALTY KICK! Callum then goes to the corner and climbs up, calling his shot.
Callum aims, DIVING- NO, Goto dodges! Callum comes back, but Goto dodges! Goto LARIATS, then he clinches for the SAIDO! Callum flounders away and the fans fire up. Callum goes to a corner, Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then Goto puts Callum up top! Goto climbs up after Callum, just to drag him into a draped position! SUPER DRAPING NECKBREAKER!! Callum flounders out of the ring, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira check on him, as does Red Shoes. Callum winches, clutches his shoulder, but he manages to sit up. Callum has speed but Goto is taking advantage of his skinnier frame.
Red Shoes starts the ring count and Goto stays back, which annoys Callum. Callum storms into the ring, but Goto kicks him down! Goto has Callum up for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans fire up, but Goto stays right on Callum. Goto drags Callum up, but Callum clutches his shoulder, so Goto lets him be. We’re only five minutes in as the fans rally up, and Goto stomps Callum around. Callum crawls away to a corner but Goto grabs at him. Callum wants Goto to hold on, and Red Shoes has Goto step back. Callum’s neck and shoulder are really bothering him, but Goto just storms up to stomp him!
Goto drags Callum up, snapmares, then clamps on a chinlock. Callum endures as Goto’s knee digs into the back and neck. Goto then ELBOWS Callum in the head, stomps him around, and brings him up. Goto CLUBS Callum’s neck, but Callum CHOPS! The pain in his shoulders holds Callum back, but Goto clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then a GROUND OCTOPUS! Callum endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up. Goto thrashes around but Akira & Khan coach Callum. Callum kicks around but Goto shifts to a headscissor necklock! Callum endures the squeeze, kicks and kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Goto lets go in frustration. Goto drags Callum up but he’s a ragdoll again. Goto still brings Callum around, snapmares him back down, then KICKS him in the back! And ELBOW DROPS! Callum sputters but Goto just ELBOW DROPS again! Akira & Khan coach Callum but Goto looms over him. Goto ELBOW DROPS onto Callum’s back! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but Goto is still calm. Goto stands Callum up, kicks him low, but Callum fires a forearm! And another! The pain in the neck holds those back, and Goto CLUBS Callum! Goto runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Khan & Akira coach Callum, Hashi coaches Goto, and both Goto and Callum crawl to the apron. Goto goes to the floor, and Callum smiles. The fans rally as Callum builds speed and FLIES!! Callum does a full 360 to hit Goto and then rolls through more to stand back up at the ramp! The fans are thunderous and Callum fires himself back up! Callum drags Goto to his feet and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Callum hurries back in. Callum aims from a corner while Goto flounders away. The fans rally more, and Callum runs corner to corner. FLYING DROPKICK! Callum then chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!
But the bad neck won’t let Callum bridge! Callum hurries to lateral press, TWO! And we’re just 10 minutes in! The fans rally, Callum fires up with a very Will Ospreay style “OI! OI! OI!” The fans rally behind that, and Callum brings Goto up. Callum reels Goto in, hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Goto slips free of Firebolt, waistlocks, but Callum fights the lift. Callum runs, Goto follows, but then Callum dodges! Goto dodges, Callum dodges, then Callum hurdles! But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up for that high speed exchange! Goto has the crowd behind him again as he rises up.
Goto storms up on Callum, stands him up, but Callum fires a forearm! Only to fall to his knees! Callum rises up but Goto DECKS him! Callum is running on fumes, but the fans do rally for him, too. Goto eggs him on and Callum manages to stand. Callum fires a forearm, drops to a knee, but Goto stands him up. Goto DECKS Callum again! Callum shakes out the stars and he snarls! Callum fires another forearm, but Goto DECKS him a third time! Goto eggs Callum on, the fans rally again, and Callum rises. Callum puts his hands behind his back and dares Goto to hit him! So Goto DECKS Callum a fourth time!
Khan & Akira coach Callum on but Red Shoes asks if Callum wants to stop. Callum shakes his head, he’s not gonna stop here. Callum stands again, leans on the ropes, then comes back for more! Callum even SPITS at Goto! The fans boo that, but Goto DECKS Callum for it! Goto watches Callum sputter, and Callum slowly rises again. But then he falls back over! Callum headbutts the mat to fire back up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto winds up and ROCKS Callum! Callum is back to get in Goto’s face! Goto fires a flurry of forearms! Callum CHOPS! Goto feels that one! The fans fire up and Callum roars, but Goto spins him! URA G T R!
Goto goes to run but Callum reels him in! GERMAN SUPLEX! ROUNDHOUSE! Callum runs, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! We’re 15 minutes in as Goto stalks Callum to the apron. Goto stomps Callum, then stands him up. But Callum fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto still lifts! Callum flails, slips down, and KICKS Goto! Callum goes up, up, and OSCUTTER 2.0 on the apron!! Both men fall to the floor and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks, both men are able to continue, so a ring count starts. Khan fans off Callum while the fans rally. The count already passes 7 of 20, then hit 10, but both men are still down!
Callum rises at 13, drags himself in at 17, but Goto is still down! Goto rises up and springs in at 19! The fans fire up as this continues! Callum goes to a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE! Then he hurries to bring Goto into the drop zone! Callum roars, climbs, and the fans fire up! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Goto survives the coup de grace and Callum can’t believe it! Akira & Khan tell Callum to keep going, he’s almost done it! The fans rally and duel as Callum hobbles over. Callum stands Goto up, then runs, but Goto swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT again!
The fans fire up, Callum returns, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Callum waistlocks, ripcords, RAINMAKER?!? Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Callum shouts out the former leader of Chaos! The fans are thunderous, Callum feeds off that energy, and Callum drags Goto up. Callum calls his shot, springboards, OSC- NO, Goto blocks the cutter! DISCUS- NO, Callum dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER 2.0!!! Cover, TWO!??! But Callum hooks a leg! FIREBOLT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Goto survives again and the fans are electric! Callum is unsure what to do as we pass 20 minutes, but the fans dueling shakes the arena!
Callum drags Goto up, but Goto wrenches out! Goto spins Callum, dragon sleepers, but Callum slips free! Backslide! Goto rolls through, PENALTY KICK BLOCKED! Goto HEADBUTTS Callum, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Goto rises, he brings Callum up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto HEADBUTTS away on Callum, then brings him up to HEADBUTT again! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again, as Goto suplexes for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Callum survives and Goto cannot believe it! The fans duel harder than ever before, and Goto rises again!
Goto roars and focuses his power! Callum sits up, into a BUZZSAW! But then Goto brings Callum around, but Callum drops to victory roll! TWO!! Callum SUPERKICKS, but Goto LARIATS!! Goto stands Callum up, dragon sleepers, but Callum fires shots from below! Goto blocks that arm, traps it, and G T R KAI!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Prince of Pace did his best to follow in the Aerial Assassin’s footsteps, but he is still a long way from reaching the top of the mountain. However, if this is how close he came on his first try, will nothing stop Callum Newman from being the future of NJPW?
As for Goto, the belt is put back around his waist, and he watches Callum walk away. Callum takes a moment to bow in deep respect to Goto before he and the Empire leave. Goto then grabs the mic, and the fans cheer him on. “No matter what anyone says, this is MY time!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues, “Who’s my next opponent? As a fighting champion, I’ll take on all challengers!” Wait! Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way back out here! Goto took this title from ZSJ so clearly ZSJ wants a rematch. ZSJ grabs a mic to tell Goto in Japanese, “Good work tonight. That was a fantastic match! Truly fantastic.
“You’ve been on a roll lately! You’re indeed a great champion. But I’m you’re next challenger!” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says, “I accept!” The fans really like that, and the two shake hands on it. Will the Submission Master make sure that- WAIT! Shingo Takagi is here?! He storms into the ring with a mic to say, “Pardon the intrusion!” The fans cheer as Takagi asks, “Mind if I speak my piece? Zack, hold on a moment. OI, GOTO! You really are something. You got a belt, a wife, and kids! And on top of that, you’re in Hontai!” The fans do applaud that with a bit of a chuckle.
Takagi points out that he, on the other hand, has no belt, no wife, no kids. “And now it looks like my faction is done… But that doesn’t mean I need to hang my head. I’ll soar to the top!” The fans applaud, and Takagi says the G in IWGP stands for Goto, right? But oi, oi, oi! You can’t spell “Shingo” OR “Takagi” without a G! He has two G’s, so he wants his shot at the title. At least, he’d like to say that. But he has no objects to Zack. Takagi did lose to ZSJ last time. So then Takagi will wait to challenge the winner of Goto VS ZSJ! The fans like that, too! Takagi says if it’s about G’s, Goto can’t argue Takagi’s point!
The three men all look to each other, and it looks like the deal is struck. Fierce Warrior VS Front Man, and the Rampaging Dragon gets the winner! Who will stand on the summit of NJPW going into the summer? Takagi and ZSJ take their leave, and Goto continues. “Again, thank you very much for coming today!” The fans applaud, and Goto says, “No matter who I’m up against, I will not be defeated. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Follow it until the very end! Let’s end with Goto’s G’s.” The fans chuckle, and Goto says he knows most of the locales had G in their names. But not in Fukuoka…
Even so, Goto still has this IWGP World title around his waist, so no worries there. IKU ZO! The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP is for GOTO!” The streamers fly, and the Fierce Warrior is ready to lead NJPW on! But will things only heat up from here on out?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for Wrestling Dontaku’s finale, and we’re already building towards Dominion next month. I was rather surprised that the Six Woman Tag was so quick. Well, I feel like a lot of Stardom matches on a NJPW show end up like that… But the 10 Man Tag with Tanahashi’s team beating TMDK, and then the 8 Man Tag of LIJ winning, both of those matches felt just as fast/short. I suppose on some level, they did it because we all had a feeling who was winning. Tanahashi’s team wins because he also had special guests Tajiri and Ryota, so that was just a great moment for some longstanding legends.
LIJ winning was apparently to also commemorate their last match as a faction. With Titan being their CMLL member, we only have Hiromu, Takagi and Tsuji. I suppose a trio isn’t necessarily a faction, but I’m surprised they just sprang this dissolution on us. Great match from Yota VS Yuya, but I think they dragged it out a bit at the start. It got hot by the end, and Yota retaining was a great move. Gabe Kidd calling his shot is also a great move, he and Yota are going to have a great rematch from their time limit draw. And then awesome main event from Goto VS Callum, with Callum looking great even in defeat. Callum is definitely on his way, maybe he’ll really build up his power level in the G1 Climax this year.
Great promo to close, with Goto, ZSJ and Takagi establishing the next couple of title shots. I think Goto VS ZSJ has been made for Resurgence this Friday, so they’re getting that right out of the way so Takagi can face the champion at Dominion. At the same time, they kinda have to because Best of the Super Juniors is going to dominate May. Resurgence would be a wild place for a title change since it’s in the US and it’s a true PPV, so I’m not liking ZSJ’s chances.
My Score: 9.1/10
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