Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/27/23)
Paving the Road to WrestleMania!
Will the Man and the Legend take control?
Raw prepares for a Beast meeting a Giant, The Miz’s WrestleMania Hollywood announcement, and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships! Will Becky & Lita take those titles to the Big Time?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa VS The Street Profits; Jimmy & Solo win.
- Cody Rhodes VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Cody wins.
- Asuka VS Carmella; Asuka wins.
- Candice LeRae VS Piper Niven; Candice wins.
- Bobby Lashley VS Elias; Lashley wins.
- Otis w/ Maximum Male Models VS Johnny Gargano; Gargano wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Damage CTRL w/ Bayley VS Becky Lynch & Lita; Becky & Lita win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa VS The Street Profits!
The Bloodline is back on Raw, but it isn’t how you think. Jey was still stuck in the middle between family and Sami, and that puts his brothers in the middle between him and Roman Reigns. Jimmy gets a mic to say, “Grand Rapids! The Bloodline is now in your city! I know what y’all thinking. I saw the posts, I saw the Tweets. Y’all out here talking about that there’s problems in the Bloodline, like the Bloodline got cracks in it. From outside looking in, I’m sure it do look that way. But if you come from a family, and you got family, and you love your family, you already know that family fight all the time.”
Fans chant for “SAMI! SAMI!” but Jimmy says, “Well check this out. If you come for one member of the Bloodline, you come for all the members of the Bloodline. Let’s just see everybody who thought there was cracks in the Bloodline. Kevin Owens at Royal Rumble. Do you think he got one on the Bloodline? NOPE! Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber, in his hometown, Montreal. Do you think he got one on the Bloodline? NOPE! And ya boy, Cody Rhodes.” Fans chant for “CODY! CODY!” now. Jimmy says at WrestleMania, do you think he’ll get one on Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Fans chant “YES! YES!” but Jimmy says, “HELL NO!”
Speaking of the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns will be back this Friday to remind everybody who runs SmackDown. But tonight, Jimmy and his little brother, Solo Sikoa, are here to remind them who runs Raw. But here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford has a mic to say to Grand Rapids, “Oh my God, look, Dawks!” “I see ’em!” “It’s the Bloodline!” They got SOLO~! But he ain’t got no shoes on so those bunions can breath. And there’s Jimmy! “Who hotta than Jim Dolla? NOBODY.” And also the one who got a 90 in the new WWE video games, Jey- Oh. Jey must be in the back. Or through the stands? Jey, where you at? “Oh, Jey~!”
Oh, y’know what? Ford can’t blame Jey, either. If he was the bridge who always kept the Bloodline together, Ford would be tired of them, too. Ooooh… And now y’all walking in, boasting and bragging like y’all hard. You run Raw AND SmackDown? You can’t even run your own family. Cracks in the armor! And you have the nerves to show up on their show to enforce their absent chief’s orders? Jimmy tells Tez that he talks so much trash, especially for someone who already got bodied by the Bloodline. Keep the Tribal Chief’s name up out your mouths. Or what? Or what? Oh, forget all that, this is Grand Rapids! And the Profits want the smoke!
And they start throwing hands! Fans fire up for the brawl, Dawkins POUNCES Jimmy, then ROCKS Solo! Ford SUPERKICKS, Dawkins ENZIGURIS, and the Profits double clothesline Solo up and out! This match is ready to fire off, but has to wait until after the break!
Raw returns and the bell rings! Jimmy and Dawkins tie up, Dawkins powers Jimmy to a corner, Jimmy turns it around, but Dawkins dodges to ROCK Jimmy! Dawkins stomps, fires more forearms, then whips corner to corner. Dawkins runs in but Jimmy dodges the Cyclone! UPPERCUT! Dawkins staggers, Jimmy tags Solo and they mug Dawkins in the corner. Solo ROCKS Dawkins, ROCKS him again, and his headbands comes off! Solo stands Dawkins up to CHOP him in the corner! Solo whips corner to corner, Dawkins goes up and over, RAMS Solo, then hurdles! Solo shoves Dawkins, Dawkins cartwheels to DROPKICK!
Fans fire up as Dawkins tags Ford and the Profits double whip. Solo shoves them away but the DOUBLE DROPKICKS take him down! Ford KICKS Solo in the back, covers, ONE! Ford wraps on a headlock, Solo powers up and Jimmy tags in. The Bloodline mugs Ford with a hard right, then Jimmy snapmares and runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Jimmy clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Ford down. Ford endures, fights up, but Jimmy HEADBUTTS him down! Jimmy raises the finger, #WeTheOnes, and he brings Ford up, But Ford DROPKICKS back! Tag to Dawkins, the Profits whip, trip and DROPKICK!
Dawkins runs in at the corner, CYCLONE! ENZIGURI! And then underhooks, but Jimmy wrenches out! UPPERCUT! Jimmy headlocks, hits a takeover, and he grinds Dawkins down. Fans rally, Dawkins fights up, and Dawkins powers out. Solo sneaks a tag, Jimmy reverses, Dawkins hurdles, but into a LARIAT from Solo! Fans boo while Solo roars, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Solo has Dawkins’ arm. Dawkins fights with forearms while reaching out, but Solo reels Dawkins in for a SAMOAN DROP! Solo stays between the Profits, then stalks Dawkins to a corner. Solo rains down fists, the ref counts, and Solo lets off. Solo goes to the opposite corner, and he runs corner to corner, HIP ATTACK! Jimmy applauds but fans boo. Solo SUPERKICKS Ford down! Then Solo goes back to the corner, he runs back in, but Dawkins UPPERCUTS Solo down! Fans fire up, Solo and Dawkins crawl, and Ford is ready! Hot tags to Ford and Jimmy! Ford dodges then first JAB after JAB, then LARIATS!
Fans fire up as Ford UPPERCUTS Jimmy! Jimmy blocks a kick, flips Ford but he lands on his feet to hit a BIG back suplex! Ford kips up, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ford snarls but he watches Jimmy crawl to a corner. Jimmy drags himself up, Ford runs in, but Jimmy puts him o the apron. Ford ROCKS Jimmy, KICKS Solo, then GAMANGIRIS Jimmy! Ford goes up top and fans fire up again! But Jimmy stands first and UPPERCUTS! Jimmy GAMANGIRIS in return, then climbs up after Ford. Jimmy brings Ford up, but Ford resists! Ford powers up to HEADBUTT! Jimmy falls, Ford CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!!
Fans can’t believe it but Jimmy survives! Ford brings Jimmy up but Jimmy UPPERCUTS! Ford mule kicks! Front kicks! But Jimmy kicks! Ford blocks but gets the DRAGON WHIP! Ford still ENZIGURIS in return! Solo tags in, Ford DECKS him first! But Jimmy fireman’s carries, only for Ford to slip free. Ford shoves Jimmy to hit a SPINEBUSTER! Tag to Dawkins, he grabs Jimmy, and Ford climbs up. But Solo SHOVES Ford down! Jimmy feeds Dawkins to Solo’s SUPERKICK! And then, SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, The Bloodline wins!
Winners: Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
It may not be Day One, but this is still blood brothers going to work! And then Solo and Jimmy start beating down the Profits! They throw Dawkins out, and Solo gets a chair! Solo puts it around Ford’s head while Jimmy stomps Dawkins on the floor. Solo goes to the opposite corner, but KEVIN OWENS slides in! SUPERKICK for Solo! STUNNER for Jimmy! Fans fire up and Solo is furious! The Prizefighter is not done with the Bloodline, but how will it end?
Brock Lesnar is here!
The Beast is in Grand Rapids and he’s going right to the ring, before MVP and his VIP Lounge are even ready! Lesnar looks at the nice couches and gets comfortable. Now MVP makes his entrance, rather wary of Lesnar. “Mr. Lesnar, when I invited you to accept the challenge, this isn’t exactly how I envisioned it.” Lesnar says, “Good evening, Michigan. Uh, pardon me for being a little earlier. My apologies. But please, join me, if you wish.” MVP says he’s good, he can talk from the ramp. Lesnar says he has no beef with MVP. “Brock Lesnar is all about business.” Fans chant, “Suplex City!” and MVP wants them to calm down.
MVP tells Lesnar not to listen to the fans. Now what is this about business? Yes, Lesnar is here to listen to MVP here in this “beautiful VIP Lounge that you have set up.” And he’s here to listen to MVP to help sell the people here, at home, and Lesnar himself “a fight.” So we’re talking business? MVP doesn’t have to worry about going to Suplex City? Lesnar says no suplexes tonight. Fans boo but MVP knows Lesnar is a man of his word. MVP gets in the ring and they sit down. Lesnar wants to hear this first hand, since he’s a “coward.” MVP is scared, but Lesnar says he’s kidding. MVP didn’t insult him with what he said last week, nor could he insult him any further tonight.
Now, sell Lesnar and the people on this fight. Do what you do best, MVP! Lesnar is here to possibly do business. So, okay, he’ll hyep it up. Lesnar is the Beast Incarnate. And when Lesnar put his hands on a man, that man has no chance. If Lesnar takes someone to Suplex City, they are literally in a world of hurt. And if Lesnar hits a man with the F5, that man is done for! “However, Brock Lesnar, you had your hands full with the ALl Mighty, Bobby Lashley, and I wasn’t even in his corner. So you couldn’t have your way with Brock Lesnar, but for whatever reason, you think you, the Beast Incarnate, can have his way with the 7’3” tall, 416 pound Nigerian Giant?
“You see, you put your hands on a man and you can do whatever you want with that man. But you put your hands on a giant, that giant puts his hands back on you!” Fans boo but Lesnar is liking this. MVP says the issue here is that the Beast can destroy any man, but a Giant will subdue and conquer the Beast. So the bottom line here is, Lesnar can suplex and F5 virtually any man he wants, but he cannot do whatever he wants to the 7’3″ tall, 416 pound Nigerian Giant, Omos. Lesnar says that was good! He got goosebumps! Good job! High-five! And y’know what? MVP, that was damn good. Lesnar accepts the challenge!
So then we have business? Big business! Not only does Lesnar accept the challenge, he thinks they should shake on it, and drink on it! MVP says a handshake and a toast to Lesnar VS Omos at WrestleMania! Lesnar couldn’t have said it any better, but he will. “Ladies and gentlemen. Fighting…! At WrestleMania…! BRRROCK! LESNARRR! VS OMOS! And… MVP in his corner.” Very nice, MVP likes that. handshake, done. And now, they will pop a bottle and raise a glass. No, no, c’mere. Lesnar says MVP is a baller, a hype man, but Lesnar is a farmer. He grows the good stuff himself. If we’re having a toast, then it’s gonna be the good stuff.
Lesnar brings out a flask. Here’s to Lesnar VS Omos at WrestleMania! Lesnar chugs his flask, and it’s GOOD! MVP will toast with the champagne if that’s alright. Fans boo, and Lesnar pushes the flask into MVP’s hands. “You ain’t gonna make me drink alone, are ya?” No, of course not! But what is this, exactly? Where Lesnar’s from, that’s called White Lightning. Well alright. Here’s to Lesnar VS Omos! MVP chugs up, and then SPITS IT ALL OVER LESNAR! Fans chant, “YOU F’D UP!” MVP hurries to clean Lesnar off, but Lesnar takes his flask back. Lesnar puts the flask away, wipes himself off and even blows his nose, and then puts the handkerchief back in MVP’s pocket.
Then he fireman’s carries MVP for an F5!! That wasn’t a suplex! And now, the fight is on! Will Lesnar VS Omos look like the Clash of Titans at WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Lita & Becky Lynch.
Cathy Kelley is with tonight’s contenders for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. How have they been preparing? And what is going through their minds right now? Lita says that some of her most favorite highlights have been alongside some of the most legendary tag teams in this business. So to walk out tonight as tag team champs, that is a true bucket list item. She’s been making history over two decades, and she’s not done yet. And Becky’s had it on her bucket list to win those tag titles, too. But it was a long kept secret because, well, Becky doesn’t play well with others.
But there is no other woman she would rather fight alongside with, that she respects more than Lita. So one way or another, they’re walking out with the titles. And Bayley can get involved if she wants, but they’ll take care of her, too. Come hell or highwater, you will see the most groundbreaking tag team champions of all time! The legend and The man are ready, but will they be able to take control back from Damage Control?
Cody Rhodes VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!
The American Nightmare is preparing for WrestleMania, so he wants to sharpen himself against Raw’s best! And after seeing what “Master Gable” has been able to do against men twice his size, this will be quite the test! Will Cody be more than ready for Roman Reigns? Or will Gable fish out a weakness in the #1 contender?
The bell rings and the two circle. Cody gets a leg, Gable rolls free but Cody waistlocks. Gable switches, Cody drop toeholds, fans chant for him as he switches to a facelock, but Gable rolls free to facelock back. They roll together, Cody fights up to a fireman’s carry, and he puts Gable down in a corner. Cody lets off, but Gable sucker punches! Otis says that’s right, and Gable whips. Cody goes up and over to victory roll, TWO! Gable has the ANKLE LOCK! Cody rolls to send Gable into buckles! Cody runs in but into a BOOT! Gable goes up but Cody CLUBS him! Cody climbs up, brings Gable into a dragon sleeper, INVERTED SUPERPLEX!
Fans fire up but Gable bails out. Cody has control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Gable has a leg. Cody fights up, but Gable back suplexes! Cody lands on his feet but his leg jams. Cody goes to a corner, Gable runs in and blocks the boot! Gable puts that leg in the ropes, gets the other, DRAGON SCREW! Cody clutches his knee, but Gable brings him up for a BIG back suplex! Gable goes to the corner, climbs up top, and Otis cheers him on while fans boo. Gable DIVING HEADBUTTS but FLOPS as Cody moves! Gable staggers, but he ROCKS Cody! Gable runs, but Cody follows to CLOBBER him! Kick and RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody goes to a corner, Gable runs in but Cody goes up and over, only for his leg to jam again!
Gable comes back, but into the POWERSLAM! Cody roars and fights through the pain, DISASTER KICK! Cover, TWO! Gable is still in this and Otis coaches him up. Cody stands, fans rally, and Cody brings Gable up. But Gable shoots around! Cody reaches down to trip Gable, and he has the FIGURE FOUR! Gable flails as he endures and fans “WOO~!” Gable sits up, but Cody puts on the pressure! Gable drags himself over, reaches out, but he CHOPS Cody and gets the ROPEBREAK! Cody lets off and Otis paces as he coaches Gable. Cody brings Gable up to headlock and punch! Cody then runs, but Gable catches the springboard to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Gable and Cody slowly rise, and Gable waistlocks again. Cody fights, goes up the corner, and goes up and over! But Gable gets Cody into a crucifix! CLIFFHANGER DDT! Gable hurries up top, for the MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives and Gable is shocked! Fans rally for Cody but Otis coaches on Gable. Gable puts Cody in the corner, CHOPS him, but Cody snarls. Cody turns things around and he CHOPS Gable! Cody eggs Gable on, they go forehead to forehead, and Gable turns Cody around to CHOP! Cody turns Gable around to CHOP! Fans fire up as Cody runs, but Gable goes to hip toss! Cody blocks, but then Gable blocks Cody’s hip toss!
They go back and forth, blocking hip toss again and again, until Cody hip tosses Gable up and out of the ring! Fans fire up as Gable shouts for Otis. Cody DIVES to take out Gable! And where IS Otis?! Otis is looking for someone else. Cody puts Gable in, and then looks with Otis. Oh, there she is! Maxxine Dupri is in the back. Otis realizes it’s Cody, and asks him what he’s doing. Cody is just helping him look. Cody backs away but Otis storms up after him, only to be sent up and over barriers! Cody returns to the ring, dodges Gable, goes up and up and SUPER CODY CUTTERS!! Fans fire up with Cody and he dragon sleepers, CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
“Otīs” got distracted by his new honey bee, and Gable still got caught by the American Nightmare! Cody gets a mic to say, “I think we are 33 days away from WrestleMania. I have yet to stand in the same ring as my opponent, our Undisputed Champion, Roman Reigns.” Fans boo, but Cody says, “But he is on SmackDown this Friday, and I am ecstatic that Roman Reigns is on SmackDown this Friday because… I’ll be there, too.” Cody has made it clear, he won’t let the Tribal Chief just relax on his Island of Relevancy! Will SmackDown be a nightmare for the champion?
Backstage interview with Baron Corbin.
Byron Saxton says Corbin has requested this time to send a message to the WWE Universe. “Yeah, look. It’s no secret, things have not gone my way, and I hear all of you. One of those things they’re saying is the things JBL said, and-” Wait, Kevin Owens is walking over! Byron cuts this interview short to ask Kevin about his attack on Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa. Is he worried about any consequences? Consequences? The ones who should be worried about that are Jimmy, Solo and the Bloodline. They’re suffering from the consequences of their actions! And others are suffering from those, too.
But Kevin has said it for months: He wants to see The Bloodline fall, and he won’t stop until he gets what he wants. And he doesn’t need or want any help in doing that. Kevin heads out, but did he add that bit at the end for a certain someone?
The Judgment Day speaks.
Damian Priest says, “You know what time it is. All rise of the Judgment Day!” Dominik Mysterio says “hi” to dad, and says they had a little Mysterio family reunion on SmackDown. “What a joke. I showed the whole world exactly what you are. The same competitor as you are a father: A loser who does nothing. Don’t worry, Mami has a match this Friday with Liv Morgan, and I’ll be by my mamacita’s side and we can have that little heart to heart. And I’ll show the world what a coward you really are. Because at the end of the day, you’re not going to do a thing about it, and your in Ex-Con Dom’s prison now.”
Rhea Ripley says she didn’t have to say a single word to Charlotte Flair. “Because just being in the same building as me I could tell had her shook. When I stepped into that ring and looked into her eyes, I saw something. It wasn’t fear. It was something much worse. Acceptance. Cuz no amount of confidence or anything she had to say Friday could change her fate. And her fate is that at WrestleMania, Rhea Ripley’s walking out the new SmackDown Women’s Champion.” Finn tells Edge, “You thought this was over at Elimination Chamber? You don’t get to decide when this is over. This is over when I say it’s over!”
Finn says Edge is playing checkers but The Prince is playing chess. And there’s still one more move. So if Edge accepts the challenge, they end this at WrestleMania. Checkmate. The Judgment Day has spoken, but will they still run things on this Road to WrestleMania?
Otis waits outside the trainer’s room.
Maxxine and Maximum Male Models walk over and ask if he’s considered the offer. Oh, right, Otīs doesn’t need words to be professional. In fact, if he were to have a match tonight, the MMM would love to be in his corner to watch his raw, natural talent. Otis says okay. He’ll go get Pearce! Otis says he needs a match, and right now! MMM is pleased, but will they still like what they see at ringside?
Asuka VS Carmella!
The Empress of Tomorrow is on her way towards WrestleMania, but the Princess of Staten Island wants to prove that not only is she ready for Asuka, she can beat Asuka and should be going to Hollywood in her place. Will this story have a fabulous plot twist? Or will Mella’s Hollywood dream be over before it begins?
Raw returns as Mella makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Mella talks trash and then ties up with Asuka. They go around, Asuka shoves Mella away, and they go again. Mella pulls hair, throws hands on Asuka, but Asuka turns things around to fire off forearms! The ref backs Asuka off, Mella sucker punches her! Asuka grins to SOBAT and throw knees! SWITCHBLADE KICK! Mella ducks a buzzsaw but kicks into an ANKLE LOCK! Mella rolls, kicks Asuka way, then kicks her down! Asuka goes to ropes and Mella mocks the fans chanting for Asuka. Mella puts Asuka in a corner, throws back elbow after back elbow, but lets off as the ref counts.
Mella says Asuka’s not ready for her! Mella drags Asuka up, brings her around and bumps her off her boot. Mella moonwalks and says, “Mella! Is! Money!” FABULOUS BRONCO BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Mella is annoyed but she brings Asuka up. Mella whips but Asuka reverses to pop-up KNEE! Cover, TWO! Asuka grabs at Mella but Mella scurries away to the outside. Fans boo, but Asuka pursues! Asuka chases Mella back into the ring, dodges her, then holds ropes to BOOT! Mella scurries away again, Asuka runs in, but Mella dumps her out! Mella then FABULOUS KICKS Asuka down! Mella mocks Asuka and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Mella still talks trash as she grinds Asuka down with a chinlock. Fans rally, Asuka endures, and Asuka fights up. Asuka throws body shots, but Mella throws her by her hair! Fans boo but Mella says she’s not scared of Asuka. Mella’s beat Asuka before, she’ll do it again. She pie faces Asuka, but Asuka just gets mad. Mella pie faces Asuka again, but Asuka URAKENS! URAKENS! SOBATS! Front kick, URAKEN! Low kick, ROUNDHOUSE, HEEL KICK! Asuka then GERMAN SUPLEXES Mella! And BUZZSAWS! Mella flounders and fans fire up with Asuka! Mella bails out but Asuka is on the apron, SLIDING KNEE!
Asuka drags Mella up and puts her in the ring. Asuka goes up the corner now, Mella stands up, for the MISSILE- NO, Mella avoids the dropkick to FABULOUS KICK! Cover, TWO! Mella is shocked! Fans rally while both women are down, but Mella stands first. Mella looms over Asuka, but Asuka drags Mella into a cradle! TWO!! Mella hurries to reel Asuka in but Asuka trips her to a jackknife bridge! TWO, into the CODE OF SILENCE! Asuka powers out, Mella ducks the buzzsaw and she rolls Asuka up, TWO! Asuka has the arms! RINGS OF SATURN!! Mella endures, but she taps! Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by submission
Mella may have beaten Asuka in the past, and she fought hard, but she was unable to stop this Asuka! And Asuka gets the mic to shout in Japanese, “HERE WE GO! HERE WE GO!” Asuka tells Bianca to come out now! So here she comes! Fans fire up as the RawEST Women’s Champion struts to the ring, and asks if Asuka’s calling her out. She isn’t sure what Asuka said but she doesn’t like her tone. She hopes Asuka wants to tell everyone how they’re going to tear the house down at WrestleMania. Because if Asuka said anything else, Bianca will remind her that SHE is the EST of the WWE, and you can’t spell WrestleMania without EST.
But then Mella shoves Asuka into Bianca! Fans boo but Mella laughs as she leaves. Bianca is fuming, but Mella says it doesn’t matter if Bianca’s the EST, Mella is money! Will Bianca show Mella what’s what before we arrive in Hollywood?
Candice LeRae VS Piper Niven!
The Poison Pixie has a lot on her plate with Johnny Gargano banged up after the Elimination Chamber and Crazy Cross creeping around. Will she be able to focus on the Scottish Viper before her? Or will her body and spirit both be crushed this close to WrestleMania?
Raw returns and Candice makes her entrance. And Nikki Cross is sneaking out behind her! Nikki said she just wants a friend, is she trying that even now? The bell rings and Piper CLOBBERS Candice! Piper drags Candice up to DECK her, then has her at the ropes. Piper CHOKES Candice, saying this is to teach her a lesson. Piper then scoops Candice, but Candice slips free! Candice KICKS away at the leg, runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Piper blocks the crucifix takedown. Candice shifts to a sunset, but Piper JUMPS! Only for Candice to move out of the way! Piper clutches her tailbone, Candice runs in to NECK SNAPPER! Jackknife cover, TWO!
Piper goes to a corner, Candice runs in but gets caught! URENAGE! Piper runs to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Candice survives but Piper is annoyed. Piper CLUBS Candice, wraps on a cobra clutch and she thrashes Candice around! Candice endures, fans rally, and even Nikki cheers her on. But Piper RAMS Candice into a corner! Piper runs in, but into an elbow! Piper runs in again, but only gets buckles! Candice goes up, but Candice SHOVES her down! Candice falls to the floor, sits up in a daze, but Piper goes out after her. Nikki looks worried but Piper throws Candice back in. Then she throws Nikki into barriers!
Piper goes back into the ring, but Candice rolls her up! CANDICE WINS!!
Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall
Piper is pissed! Nikki helped out without really meaning to, will Candice think of her as a friend now?
Backstage interview with Johnny Gargano.
Byron is with Johnny Wrestling, they say congrats to Candice. And it turns out, Johnny has a match of his own later on tonight. Johnny says Candice did great against Piper, and yes, he does have a match, because this is Monday Night Raw! You gotta be ready for anything! Johnny walked into the locker room, put his bags down, and Otis ran up to him. And he says he wants “hot action” tonight. That was alarming, but then Gargano realized Otis just meant a match. So Gargano accepted. Otis won a few months back, and though Gargano isn’t 100%, he- Judgment Day walks in and they can’t believe this is happening. Who’s Gargano ever beat?
Priest asks Byron if this is the level of superstar he’s interviewing now. Gargano says Byron is just tired of talking to “a bunch of adults going through a goth phase who can’t fight their own battles 1v1.” Oh, wow, goth~! Corny, but Gargano’s got stones. The last time Priest saw Gargano, he laid him out inside the Elimination Chamber. Priest is getting this urge to do it again now. Finn tells Priest to tranquilo, he’ll talk with Johnny. Finn tells Johnny that Otis is gonna flatten him like a pancake! And if by some miracle, Otis doesn’t cover Gargano in syrup and gobble him up, then trust Finn, he’ll finish the job himself.
“Sounds delicious. I’ll see you next week.” The Judgment Day heads out, will Johnny Wrestling climb mountains and conquer monsters on Monday Night Raw?
The Miz is here!
The Hollywood A-Lister is ready to host a Hollywood edition of MizTV, and he might just reveal what was in that golden envelope last week. We’ll see what’s what on the Road to WrestleMania, after the break.
Raw returns and Miz welcomes us back to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, and says we are on the Road to WrestleMania! Before he brings out his celebrity guest, he wants to talk about his “beautiful, gorgeous, sexy wife, Maryse,” and the anniversary gift she gave him last week. He did say he’d reveal what it said tonight, so he will. They’ve been married for nine years, Maryse is the gift that keeps on giving. She has given him two beautiful daughters, unconditional love and support, and this gift is life-changing! To help Miz announce this highlight worthy news, he wants to bring out a special guest.
This year’s host of WrestleMania, it’s… HIMSELF! Yes, he is tonight’s guest, he is the host of MizTV, and the host of WrestleMania 39! He’s gonna make this bigger than the Golden Globes, bigger than the Oscars! You thought Chris Rock getting slapped by Will Smith was big? Wait until you see what Miz has in store! But the thing that irks him is that his wife had to ask! Who else could host this monumental event? Logan Paul? Fans boo. Miz says it is WrestleMania Goes Hollywood, not WrestleMania Goes YouTube.
But nonetheless, this year, Miz will make WrestleMania viral, buzzworthy, and must-see with matches like Charlotte Flair VS Rhea Ripley! Asuka VS Bianca Belair! Cody Rhodes VS Roman Reigns! Miz has to say, he is so happy, there is nothing- “BURN IT DOWN!” Seth Rollins makes his way out to the ring! Miz is upset now as fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins gets a mic but Miz puts up his hand. “Do you know what this means? Do you know what this means?! When my hand goes up, your mouths go shut!” And what is Rollins doing here? This is MIZ’S moment! Everyone, shut up!!
Rollins laughs, and says Miz doesn’t need to get his panties in a bunch. Rollins is just here to congratulate him. He doesn’t wanna rain on Miz’s parade. Yeah, but the thing is, Rollins has been raining on Miz’s parade for the past three weeks! Well, Miz, two weeks ago, Rollins stomped him with the big red boots because Miz was being… a bit of a jerk. And last week, Rollins had to stomp him not once, not twice, but three times, because well, Miz was being a B-Hole. HEY! Miz is not a B person, he is an A! So then, he’s an A-Hole? NO!! That’s not what he meant! Hey, hey, Rollins didn’t say it, Miz did. But fans say it for them both.
Rollins promises he didn’t mean to ruin anything. He just has a favor to ask. Rollins has been trying to get a hold of Logan Paul. It’s been a little difficult, but since Miz taught Logan everything he knows, they’re friends, Miz is the host of WrestleMania and surely has Logan on speed dial, so Rollins was just thinking, they could give him a call. Miz says that’s all? Call Logan Paul? Yes! Get him on FaceTime or something! Let’s do it! Miz asks if the fans want that, too. Fans cheer and Rollins is fired up! But Miz says no. Miz is not gonna do anything Rollins wants for him, because Logan is Rollins’ problem, not Miz’s.
In fact, Miz is going to WrestleMania and not Rollins! Two nights! Miz is the A-Lister, the celebrity! Rollins is just a goofball in a stupid jacket! Rollins SUPERKICKS Miz! Fans sing again, “OH~, OHH~, OHHH~!” Rollins sees Miz’s phone, and he picks it up. Fans fire up and Rollins taps around. The phone won’t open, so Rollins scoots over to where Miz is out on the mat. Rollins holds Miz’s eyes open so he can open the phone! Rollins then gets chairs out of the way, gets a mic, and looks through the apps. Boop and… He’s calling Logan! Logan answers, thinking it’s The Miz. “HAHAHAHA! Surprise~! Sorry, LP, The Miz is a little out of commission.”
But Rollins is calling to ask about Logan about his baby brother, Jake. Is he okay after that fight? But here’s a proposition. We’re all sick of this cat ‘n’ mouse game, so maybe next week, Logan grows a pair, shows up on Raw, stands in the ring, and is face to face with Rollins! Logan likes the sound of that. Deal! Logan will love to see Rollins run his mouth when they’re face to face. Then it’s on, baby~! HAHAHA! Logan, one more thing. “Buh-bye, b*tch! HAHA!” Rollins hangs up, throws the phone down, and swaggers away. Until Miz crawls his way over. CURB STOMP!! Miz is down and fans fire up! Will Rollins’ ImPAULsive behavior get him what he wants?
Backstage interview with Damage CTRL.
Cathy Kelley brings up to Bayley, Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky that earlier tonight, Becky & Lita said they would walk out tonight the NEW tag team champions. How do they respond? Bayley is glad those two are confident, because the three of them have been all over Raw, SmackDown, the Premium Live Events, and all over the world proving to phony teams like Becky & Lita that they have no chance. Kai & Sky are the greatest tag team of all time! But this is more than about titles. This is their story. This is their legacy! You go tell those idiots that. Bayley leads Kai & Sky away, and then in walks Austin Theory.
The Now says that Cathy just interviewed the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. They’re great champions. But we all know Theory is THE greatest champion in the WWE. And speaking of, Theory is shocked that he isn’t being talked about. His achievements, his accomplishments. But everyone talks about John Cena. Cena is going to return to Raw next week, but the thing is, fans just like the Hustle, Loyalty & Respect. Look at Theory! His hustle: The Elimination Chamber! He faced five of the best in WWE, he hustled and beat them all!
His loyalty: There ain’t nobody more loyal to this title than Theory! Theory had only 48 hours after that grueling Chamber match and defended the title. Who did he beat? The Hall of Famer, the Rated R Superstar, the man who has held every title possible, Edge! And Theory has hustle, loyalty, but respect? Oh, he’s got a lot of respect for John Cena. That is why next week, in Cena’s hometown of Boston, Theory will stare Cena in the face and give him all the respect he deserves. The only thing Theory asks is Cena gives him the same. Will The Now make another great champion of the past acknowledge him?
Bobby Lashley VS Elias!
The All Mighty answered The Drifter’s challenge last week and demolished him! But Elias wants another try, now that both men are ready. Will Lashley have to #WalkWithElias? Or will Elias not even be able to walk out of the arena?
Raw returns and Elias makes his entrance. The bell rings and Elias runs in to CLOBBER Lashley! Elias fires off hands, the ref counts, but Lashley blocks a stomp! Lashley CLUBS Elias, scoops him, and SLAMS him! Elias writhes, Lashley throws him up and out of the ring! Lashley then goes out after Elias while Rick Boogs is taking notes again. Lashley fireman’s carries, but Elias slips off! Elias throws Lashley into barriers, fireman’s carries, and FLAPJACKS him on barriers! Then the SYMPHO-KNEE! Elias eggs Lashley on, Boogs takes notes as fast as he can, and Elias gets in the ring with Lashley.
Elias aims from a corner, swings, but into a COMPLETE SHOT! Lashley then drags Elias up, runs, and SPEARS! But Lashley won’t end it there, and fans fire up! HURT LOCK!! Elias taps, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
Boogs got notes, but it may have been another case of what not to do. Lashley gets a mic, and he says, “I’m not in a good mood right now. Because I owned Brock Lesnar at the Elimination Chamber. And instead of Brock tapping out to the Hurt Lock, he resorted to a low blow. So I won the match. But I wanted more. And for proving my dominance over Brock Lesnar, I get Bray Wyatt playing his little kid games. His little secret, who knocks at the door. I don’t play little kid games. Because I’m the All Mighty Bobby Lashley. So Bray Wyatt, keep my name outta your mouth. Or I will hurt you.” Lashley has issued an ultimatum, how will the Eater of Worlds respond?
Wait! Bray already has something! It’s a music video! “Now shake those hips! And let your backbone slip! Pull up your pants and do the Muscle Man Dance!” It’s a remix of the Muscle Man Dance, with clips of Lashley thrown in now! “Now wiggle your behind, erase your mind. Pull up your pants, and to the Muscle Man Dance!” Lashley is getting more and more annoyed with every passing second. Then Bray gets serious. “You. Should. Run!” Will Lashley run from Bray? Or will he run Bray over?
Chelsea Green visits Adam Pearce’s office.
She thinks he’s never been to Ottawa, Illinois, or else he’d know the SCUM in Ottawa, Illinois. She shows him her phone. How was she to know there was an Ottawa, Canada? Chelsea, aren’t you Canadian? And if she has it on her phone…! But then Mella walks in and asks what Pearce wanted. Well, he saw what she did to Asuka and Bianca and- Chelsea shouts that she’s still here! What is Pearce going to do about this? Pearce says he has a call to take, so he needs to get going. But if Mella wants to put her hands on Bianca, she can do it in a match next week. Okay! Pearce then leaves, Chelsea says Pearce is rude. But she loves Mella’s outfit. They get to know each other, is this a match made in migraines?
Otis w/ Maximum Male Models VS Johnny Gargano!
As promised, Maxxine, Maçé & Mansöôr accompany “Otīs” to the ring, and they are ready to watch him work! Will this prove Otis is WWE’s next top model? Or will Johnny Wrestling prove he’s ready for big things at WrestleMania?
Raw returns and Gargano makes his entrance. The bell rings and Otis runs in, but Gargano dodges to fire off boxing elbows. Otis shoves Gargano, Gargano ducks ‘n’ dodges and RAMS Otis! Otis rebounds for the WRECKER ELBOW! Maxxine loves it as Otis SPLASHES! Otis drags Gargano to the corner, and then Otis runs in to SPLASH! Gargano is dazed, Otis runs back in, but into BOOTS! Otis is dazed now, he runs but into an elbow! Gargano goes to another corner, Otis runs in, but Gargano POSTS him! Otis staggers, Gargano LARIATS! Otis stays up so Gargano LARIATS again! Gargano runs, but into a choke grip!
Gargano fights free, ROLLING ELBOWS, but Otis stays up! Otis scoops, Gargano slips off, and DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKA! Otis still stands, but Gargano ENZIGURIS! And SUPERKICKS! Otis tumbles out of the ring and to the feet of MMM. Otis then looks up and sees Maxxine. Maxxine says Otis should keep his hands up and focus. Otis turns around, Gargano PLANCHAS! Otis catches Gargano! And SLAMS him on the desk! Maxxine loves it as Otis goes back into the ring. Otis argues with the ref, Mace and Mansoor have Gargano! Mansoor prepares his fanny pack, but LUMIS GRABS MACE!!
Mansoor tries to save Mace, but Gargano SUPERKICKS him down! Maxxine panics, but then she and Gargano lock eyes. Otis gets mad, he leans over the ropes but Gargano GAMANGIRIS! APRON DDT! Gargano shoves Otis in, ONE FINAL BEAT!! Cover, Gargano wins!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall
Lumis had Gargano’s back from the shadows, and that helped him seal the deal! But what about Otis’ modeling career? Did this loss just lose him a future with MMM?
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Cathy hopes to get his thoughts on Cody’s announcement that he’ll be on SmackDown this Friday. Heyman says he loves it. “This is my favorite time of year, WrestleMania season. Where every single television show, the ante gets upped and upped and upped and upped, like this Friday night on SmackDown. The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes, showing up to confront Roman-” What? Cathy interrupts because Cody didn’t explicitly say he was going there to confront Roman. He just said, “I’ll be there, too.” Well, Heyman feels rather disrespected being both interrupted and corrected on worldwide television.
“Let’s read between the lines what this really means. He’s gonna show up? Cody Rhodes is a Raw talent, and he’s gonna show up? No, he’s going to invade Friday Night SmackDown. Cody Rhodes is going to crash the gates of the Island of Relevancy. Let’s up the ante. This Friday night, live on SmackDown, Cody Rhodes will confront Roman Reigns… Or this Friday night, live on SmackDown, Cody Rhodes will be confronted by the Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table, the Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman… Reigns.” Heyman grins and leaves, but which way will the story go on SmackDown?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Damage CTRL w/ Bayley VS Becky Lynch & Lita!
To the Role Model’s point, #CobraKai and the Evil Genius have held onto these titles for the longest time. But to The Man’s point, that’s because they hardly ever defend the titles! Bayley backed her own team into a corner, will Kai & Sky be able to fight out of it? Or will there be some Big Time new champions going into WrestleMania?
Raw returns as DMG CTRL make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if these teams get extreme!
The teams sort out, Sky and Becky start, and they circle. They tie up, Becky headlocks, but Sky throws body shots. Sky powers out, Becky runs her over! Becky flexes, fans fire up, and Becky wrenches to YANK Sky’s arm. Becky brings Sky around, but Sky breaks free before the tag. Sky tags Kai, Becky tags Lita, and fans fire up again! Kai and Lita tie up, Lita headlocks, but Kai powers out. Lita runs Kai over and fans rally, “Let’s Go, Lita!” Lita has the facelock but Kai powers out of the Twist! Tag to Sky, and Sky runs up, but into a kick! Tag to Becky, she and Lita double suplex! Cover, ONE!
Becky brings Sky back up, tags Lita back in, and they double whip Sky to double hip toss! Kai runs in, but also into a double hip toss! Kai and Sky are in opposite corners, Becky and Lita run in to SPLASH them both! Lita feeds Sky to Becky to send into Kai! Then Becky sets up, and fans fire up, POETRY IN MOTION! Lita then climbs up while Becky holds Kai, and they both rain down punches! Fans count along, all the way to TEN! Lita snapmares Sky down, climbs up, but Sky bails out! Lita tags Becky, and she CANNONBALLS! Down go Kai AND Sky, fans fire up for Becky and Lita as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Becky throws Kai into Sky! Then Becky fires off on Kai in the ropes! Kai is stuck, Becky goes up, GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Becky just gets enough of Kai, but Sky runs in! Becky turns her around, gets Kai, too, DOUBLE DDT COMBO! Cover on Kai, TWO! Bayley is relieved, but Becky paces around Kai. Becky brings Kai up, Kai whips her away, but Becky BOOTS back! Becky reels Kai in, DIAMOND DUST! Cover, TWO! But into the DISARM-HER! Fans rally but Kai endures! Kai reaches out, fights, and Sky runs in to SHOTGUN Becky! Becky bails out, Lita hurries over. Bayley backs off, but Sky grabs Lita!
Sky SMACKS Lita off the desk! Kai tags Sky, and she ASAI MOONSAULTS Becky! Bayley is fired up for her team while the ring count climbs. Sky puts Becky in, covers, TWO! DMG CTRL is still annoyed, but Sky wraps Becky in a straitjacket stretch. Fans rally while Becky endures. Becky fights up, arm-drags free, but Sky DROPKICKS her down! Tag to Kai, she and Sky get Becky up to double whip. They kick, trip, and AX KICK, into the DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Becky is still in this and DMG CTRL is further frustrated. Kai keeps Becky back with a facelock but Becky fights her way forward!
Becky reaches out, but Kai shoves her away! SCORPION KICK! Kai covers, TWO! Kai says THEY are the champions, and she keeps Becky from Lita. Becky throws shots, Kai holds on, then Kai whips Becky into the corner! Kai runs in, Becky elbows her! Becky DECKS Sky, but DOUBLE LARIATS take her and Kai down! Fans fire up while both women crawl, but Bayley throws a belt into the ring! The ref reprimands, gets the belt out of the ring, but Bayley uses that distraction to trip Lita! Fans boo but Kai tags Sky! And Sky SHOTEIS Becky! Ski & Kai both single leg lift, for the DMG PLEX! Cover, TWO!!?
Becky survives and shocks DMG CTRL! And wait! TRISH STRATUS!? Trish is here to hep her rival and best friend Lita, by TACKLING Bayley! And then she DECKS her! Trish runs around the way to help Lita up and fans fire up. Sky tags Kai, but Becky JAWBREAKERS! Tag to Lita and she runs in to rally on Sky! Lita whips, Sky reverses, Lita tilt-o-whirls to throw Sky! Sky comes back, waistlocks, but Lita hits VERTIGO! Cover, TWO!! Lita goes up top, but Sky drags her down! Sky throws Lita away, goes up top now, OVER THE MOON- FLOP!! Lita gets Sky with the facelock! TWIST OF FATE!! And now Lita goes up top again!
But Bayley scurries back up! Trish YANKS Bayley down! CHICK KICK!! But now Kai runs in! Becky YANKS Kai down, and has a DISARM-HER on the apron! Lita finally has a clear path, for her MOONSAULT!! Cover, LITA & BECKY WIN!!!
Winners: Becky Lynch & Lita, by pinfall
Fans are thunderous, and Trish gets to celebrate with Lita and The Man! And the pyro makes it official, history has been made! WrestleMania 39 is already going Hollywood, but will it hit the Big Time now?
My Thoughts:
A really good Raw, and I’m a bit surprised there was no picture in picture tonight. Does that mean they didn’t see this week’s Raw as big as last week’s which did have PIP? Weird, given that great main event. I expected Trish would help, given how this story has been going, but I did not think they’d pull the trigger and give Becky & Lita the belts. At the same time, title changes happening on TV is what RawDown really needs to get people paying attention again. It gives fans who go to these shows a reason to be excited and gets buzz going. But now it gives Raw a clear contender for what I still feel/hope will be a Fatal 4 Way. Becky & Lita VS DMG CTRL VS Ronda & Shayna VS an NXT team who might already be on their way out, like Kayden Carter & Katana Chance.
Great stuff to open the show, like Jimmy’s promo, the Profits’ promo, and the match of Profits VS Jimmy & Solo. Jimmy & Solo winning does hurt the Profits a bit, but it was great for Kevin Owens to get after Jimmy & Solo. Kevin says he doesn’t need or want help, aka work with Sami, but he was wearing a hoodie as he ambushed them, much like Sami. So again, whether Kevin admits it or not, he and Sami are going to be reunited through fighting The Bloodline. Also, great consistency of having Kevin showing up interrupting Baron Corbin’s interview. Surprisingly, it felt like Corbin was going to open up about his feelings for once. But chances are he’ll fight Kevin like he has Cody and Sami, and lose to give Kevin some momentum.
Cody had a really good match with Gable, but of course the presence, or at least the thought of Maxxine Dupri, distracted Otis. Even so, Cody was still gonna beat Gable. Cody promising to show up on SmackDown and Heyman’s response was good stuff, too, and we’re going to get some good stuff on Friday. Otis then having MMM with him for his match with Gargano was good stuff. Mace & Mansoor continue to really sell being just the most eccentric people, and I would think we’re going to see Lumis & Gargano VS Mace & Mansoor after that confrontation at ringside. And I’m sure Gable will be a bit upset that Otis left the trainer’s room just to hang out with Maxxine.
Candice VS Piper was decent, but I didn’t think Nikki would inadvertently help Candice, I thought she was going to inadvertently cost her. Asuka VS Mella was really good stuff, and naturally Asuka won to keep her momentum going. Good promo from Bianca, but of course Mella gets after her, too. Mella VS Bianca will be good stuff, but I think Mella loses again to give Bianca momentum. Chelsea Green continues to be annoying but also really funny with this persona, and I’m surprised Pearce hasn’t exploded. Chelsea interacting with Mella in a friendly way makes me wonder if they’ll end up a tag team of their own.
Really good group promo from Judgment Day to call out everyone they’re feuding with, and of course Dom is going back to SmackDown with Rhea. Finn challenging Edge was the logical next step, it all felt like it was going this way, but I also do like that Finn wants a piece of Gargano. If Judgment Day moves to SmackDown after Mania, this could be the only opportunity for Gargano VS Finn to happen on Raw. And great segment from Lesnar and MVP to make Lesnar VS Omos official. Lesnar showing up first is a great example of Lesnar just doing what he wants, regardless of being Face or Heel. But facing Lesnar is going to be a real test for Omos. He is so big and tall, I don’t think he’ll be able to take any German Suplexes. The F5 is a different matter, since he can fall safer from that than the suplexes.
Lashley VS Elias was only a step more competitive than when Lashley just demolished Elias last week. I do like that Boogs continues to take notes. I hope he reads some for us at some point, just so he can inadvertently make fun of Elias by reading off everything not to do. And just as I was hoping Bray would have an immediate response ready to Lashley’s promo, we get the Muscle Man Dance 2023 remix. It could’ve been goofier in regards to poking fun at Lashley, but Lashley still sold being pissed off perfectly. Lashley says these are “little kid games” but I think he’s going to find out Bray can be a lot creepier than that.
And of course, The Miz shared his big news for Mania. When he said “celebrity,” I did expect him to have someone else, maybe someone in Hollywood the WWE has worked with before. But I should’ve known, it was making Miz the host of Mania since he’s technically someone in Hollywood. Rollins showing up makes sense, too, as he somehow has to get Logan Paul to show up again. Rollins getting into Miz’s phone was cheesy because of the sound effects, but it was still kinda funny. Rollins calling out Logan was good stuff, and we’ll get a good face-to-face next week to officially set up their Mania match. And that will be awesome stuff because love him or hate him, Logan Paul can pro-wrestle.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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We got five on it!
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Trent Beretta's on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (4/27/24)
It's a slam dunk!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: What Happened Last Week?
After a two-week hiatus, DJ gets to the bottom of why there was no podcast last week. Then, we skewer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/26/24)
It's Draft Day!
DWI Podcast #427: Get Off My Back…lash
It's time to shake things up again!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/25/24)
Champions need challengers!
Classic POD is WAR: @PattonOswalt
Tune in for another vintage episode of POD is WAR!!!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/24/24)
Anybody can get it!
