Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/6/23)
Time to rage in the cage!

Will it end where it all began?
Damage CTRL denied us and Becky Lynch the cage match with Bayley before, but now that Raw is in Orlando, The Man VS The Role Model WILL happen! Will this all come full circle for both these Horsewomen?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Elimination Chamber Match Qualifier: Damian Priest VS Angelo Dawkins; Priest wins and advances to the United States title Elimination Chamber match.
- Baron Corbin w/ JBL VS Dexter Lumis w/ Johnny Gargano; Lumis wins.
- Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier Fatal 4 Way: Mia Yim VS Candice LeRae VS Piper Niven VS Carmella; Carmella wins and advances to the Raw Women’s Championship Elimination Chamber match.
- Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin VS The Alpha Academy; Alexander & Benjamin win.
- Chelsea Green VS ???; Asuka wins.
- Elimination Chamber Match Qualifier: Elias VS Montez Ford; Ford wins and advances to the United States title Elimination Chamber match.
- Steel Cage: Bayley w/ Damage CTRL VS Becky Lynch; Becky wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Edge and Beth Phoenix are here!
Orlando goes nuts as the Rated R Superstar and the Glamazon make their way to the ring! Edge even takes some selfies with fans in the front row before he stands with Beth in the ring. The Grit Couple is of course here for revenge on the Judgment Day, a grudge that goes back to last year and Extreme Rules. They get the mic, and Edge says, “Oh, Orlando…! I gotta try and bring my heart rate down after watching that video, and just say it is so damn good to be back.” Orlando is happy to have them back, and Edge says he’s “The King of Comebacks as this point, it’s getting silly.” But we all know why they’re here this time: The Judgment Day.
Fans boo and Edge agrees. But the Judgment Day is his fault. The idea was to try and elevate talent he felt deserved it. And to be honest, it worked. All of them are at a better place now than they were a year ago. Finn Balor is on a level Edge has never seen before and that is saying something. Damian Priest has proven he’s a workhorse that come out week after week against the very best. Rhea Ripley, well… Fans do cheer Rhea, and Rhea went from number one to outlast everyone, and has punched her ticket to WrestleMania. Edge makes sure everyone sees him point at the sign. Oh, and Dom’s there, too.
“For the last year, we have battled back and forth. From Cardiff to Portland to Toronto, all leading up to Extreme Rules. And I knew that Finn Balor didn’t have what it takes to physically hurt me enough to make me say, ‘I Quit.’ But as you saw in the video, the minute I saw Rhea Ripley bash Beth in the back of the head with brass knuckles and hold that chair in her hand, I knew exactly what was going to happen and I was helpless to stop it. And I am the kind of man, and I know a lot of you can relate out there, I am the kind of man that is not used to feeling helpless.” Fans cheer, and Edge “congratulates” Judgment Day with a sarcastic clap.
Fans chant “You Still Got It!” and Edge says, “I never lost it.” Fans cheer that! Edge continues to say, “But here’s the thing, guys. You just made a bad problem even worse. Because I am a cruel, vindictive, sick bastard, who will sink to any level to get my pound of flesh!” Beth calms Edge and says she’ll cut to the chase. “If you’ve got the stones, Ripley, Balor, my husband and I are here to finish this.” But speaking of, here comes the Judgment Day! Finn, Priest and Dom have the mics but Rhea isn’t here. Finn asks if he’s the only one who notices a pattern. Edge makes his triumphant return, only for the Judgment Day to beat him down again and again and again!
Finn tells Edge, “It might be time for you to say ‘I quit.’ HAHAHA!” Dom says word on the street travels fast. Fans boo Dom but Finn tells them to let Dom talk. Dom says since Edge & Beth have been gone, he has served hard time! Fans continue to boo, Finn again says to let Dom talk! Dom tells Edge & Beth to run along, before he does something to them he learned “on the inside.” Just like he did to his deadbeat dad! Rey didn’t even make it into the Rumble match! Priest says Dom’s right. Fans chant “You Suck!” but Priest says it doesn’t matter. Edge and Rey are “something else.” Every time they come back, Judgment Day beats them down, but they come back for more.
So next time they beat Edge down, Extreme Rules will look like child’s play. And speaking of child’s play, after Dawkins gets cooked and Priest enters the Money… Wait, no, Edge has him so flustered. Finn says it’s alright, Edge has Finn all mad, too. Priest promises Edge that he hates him that he can’t even speak right. Priest is getting inside the Elimination Chamber to be the United States Champion! Dom wishes Rhea was here, she could see what they’re about to do to Edge. But Rhea is busy promoting WrestleMania. Edge tells Dom to shut up! Fans cheer that! Edge says he was right, but they all confuse him! They don’t know what they really want!
Priest, the night he clotheslined Edge’s head off, he claimed he didn’t want a leader. And yet, he’s following Finn around like a giant labradoodle. He’s better than that! As for Finn, he’s a Dollar Store Jamiroquai! It’s insanity. Google Jamiroquai, kids. But the difference between Judgment Day and The Grit Couple is that Edge and Beth have each other’s backs. But they all just drop each other quicker than “Ex Con Dom” did his drawers in the clink! “Which is fitting, considering how many times you screwed your dad over.” And by the way, Edge can’t wait until Rey snaps and 619s Dom’s teeth down his stupid throat! It’s coming!
Beth says Rhea’s not here cuz she’s doing promotional appearances? We all know it’s because Beth speared Rhea’s soul out of her body. But listen to her very closely: she didn’t come here to talk. She came to beat Rhea’s ass!! But if she’s not here tonight, how about this? The Rated R Superstar, Edge and the Glamazon, Beth Phoenix VS Finn Balor & Rhea Ripley at Elimination Chamber! Oh, oh, really? Does Dom think Rhea’s in? Dom says Mami is totally in. Finn is in, so they accept! That is, if Edge & Beth make it to Elimination Chamber. The Judgment Day surrounds the ring, Edge & Beth stand their ground, and the fight is on!
Beth runs off Dom, Priest & Finn go after Edge, but here comes ANGELO DAWKINS! Dawkins BLASTS Dom, then fires off on Priest! Dawkins clotheslines Dawkins out, Edge SPEARS Finn down! Dom is freaking out, and Ford creeps up behind him. Ford spooks Dom, puts him in the ring, and Dom wants mercy! He gets chicken wings and a GLAM SLAM instead! Orlando is all fired up, but will the Curse of Greatness be able to take down Damian? Or will Punishment be heading for Montreal?
Elimination Chamber Match Qualifier: Damian Priest VS Angelo Dawkins!
Raw returns as Priest stomps away on Dawkins, this match already underway. But it is also truly 1v1 as Adam Pearce made sure during the break to say no one else is allowed ringside! Priest stands Dawkins up to ROCK him with a right, then whips him to ropes. Dawkins handsprings over and DROPKCIKS Priest! Dawkins fireman’s carries for a FLAPJACK! Priest bails out, Dawkins builds speed, but Priest moves. Dawkins stops, slides out the side, and runs in to POUNCE Priest onto the announce desk!! Fans are thunderous as Priest flops to the floor! Dawkins puts Priest in the ring, sees him go to the corner, and runs in to CYCLONE- FOREARM!
Priest snarls as he stomps away on Dawkins again. Priest drags Dawkins up, rams him into a corner and fires off hands! Priest whips corner to corner, runs in and back elbows! Priest brings Dawkins up for a BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest snarls, he sits Dawkins up and pulls on the arms for a motorcycle stretch. Dawkins endures, Orlando rallies up, and Dawkins fights but Priest CLUBS him down! Cover, TWO! Priest clamps on with a chinlock now, and he bends Dawkins against his knee. Dawkins endures, fans rally up, and Dawkins fights up. Priest swings, Dawkins blocks to ROCK back! And again! And again! Anda gain!
Priest shoves, Dawkins bobs ‘n’ weaves then ROCKS Priest again! Dawkins dodges Priest’s boot to ENZIGURI! Priest runs in again but Dawkins dumps him out! Fans fire up as Dawkins goes out and runs in again, but into a LARIAT! Priest glares at Dawkins as he storms up on him. Priest drags Dawkins up, BIG suplex to the floor! Priest slides in the ring but just to refresh the count. Priest runs in around the way, leaps off the steps and FLYING KCIKS Dawkins down! Fans boo but Priest is in control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men are down after a collision. Fans rally up, Dawkins and Priest go to opposite ends, and Dawkins runs in to rally with clotheslines! Priest hits low, whips, but Dawkins hurdles and FLYING UPPERCUTS! Fans fire up with Dawkins, he runs corner to corner to CYCLONE! And ENZIGURI! And facelock, but Priest wrenches out, Dawkins ducks the lariat, to clinch and EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Dawkins grows a little frustrated but fans rally up. Dawkins brings Priest up, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs a corner. Priest choke grips first! Priest then climbs up to join Dawkins, but Dawkins HOTSHOTS him back!
Dawkins hurries in, but into a SUPERKICK! Clinch and COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Dawkins survives and Priest is growing frustrated now. Priest holds up his hand and fans boo. Dawkins rises, Priest clamps on, SOUTH OF- NO, Dawkins pops free for the SILENCER! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins hurries to a corner and climbs back up! SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Priest survives and Dawkins is beside himself! But Orlando fires up as he drags Priest back up. Priest clamps onto a leg, Dawkins throws hands! Dawkins brings Priest up again, but Priest ROCKS him with a forearm! Priest staggers, into a RIGHT from Dawkins!
Priest goes to a corner, Dawkins runs in, but into a SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE! Choke grip, SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest wins!!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall (advances to the United States Championship Elimination Chamber match)
The Punisher pulverizes Dawkins, and now he’s taking aim at the US Championship! Will Priest hit his mark and take that title back?
The United States Champion pulls into the arena.
Austin Theory drives a black Lamborghini, showing that The Now rides in style. Will he have anything to say about the Elimination Chamber field as it fills out tonight?
Adam Pearce meets with Maximum Males Models.
Maxxine Dupri finishes signing the contract, she, Maçé & Mansöôr are now officially part of Monday Night Raw. Pearce is happy to have them here, and is sure they have big WrestleMania plans. Maxxine confirms, she has big, BIG plans. But then Chelsea Green walks in and asks, “Are you the manager?” Chelsea, you know Pearce is the manager, they spoke last week. Pearce has MMM excuse themselves, and Chelsea says that, as they spoke last week, she is supposed to have a private room, with Swiss chocolates and fresh spring water. He took care of that. Oh, well, that was Belgian chocolate. She’s been to Belgium, she knows the difference.
Anyway, while she has him, she wants to talk about how she’s NOT in the Elimination Chamber match. But Liv is, Raquel is, Nikki is, all of who she could be. With all due respect, Chelsea, you didn’t even last five seconds in the Women’s Rumble, so- Uh, sorry, does she need to call his manager? All she wants is an opportunity. her family is in attendance, so she deserves a match. And in that match, she deserves to be presented as the big star she is. So he either makes this right, or… One call could cost him his job. Okay, thanks, bye. Chelsea heads out, but will Pearce bend to her demands?
Baron Corbin w/ JBL VS Dexter Lumis w/ Johnny Gargano!
The Modern Day Wrestling God didn’t last all that long in the Men’s Rumble, and he didn’t get a win over Johnny Wrestling last week. The Rumble was because of Lesnar, that match with Gargano was because of Lumis. Can Corbin even the score with the Tortured Artist? Or will JBL start to question his investment into Baron?
Raw returns and Lumis makes his entrance. Corbin attacks Lumis as soon as he’s in the ring! The ref reprimands and fans boo, but Corbin lets off. The bell rings and Corbin hits a SPLASH in the corner! Corbin throws Lumis down, elbows him down, then clamps on a chinlock. Corbin grinds Lumis down but fans chant, “Corbin Sucks!” Lumis endures, fights up and fights free of the hold. Lumis then headlocks, but Corbin powers out. Corbin CLOBBERS Lumis, then rains down more elbows! Corbin clamps the chinlock on again, and insults the fans. JBL coaches Corbin, Lumis still endures and fights his way back up.
Corbin knees low, he puts Lumis in a corner and fires off forearms. Corbin whips corner to corner hard and Lumis bounces off buckles! Cover, TWO! Corbin says Lumis is nothing and Gargano isn’t anything, either. Gargano says he still got a win off Corbin. Corbin grinds forearms into Lumis’ face, then twists Lumis’ head in a neck wrench. Fans rally and Lumis fights up again. Lumis throws hands, dodges Corbin’s, then DECKS him! And DECKS him again! Pop-up UPPERCUT! Lumis runs to clothesline in the corner, then BULLDOG! Fans fire up as Lumis catches Corbin for a BIG back suplex! Kip up to LEG DROP!
Fans fire up as Corbin flounders up. Lumis clinches, but Corbin RAMS him into a corner. Corbin fires off elbows, then runs in, but only gets buckles! Lumis clinches for the SIDE EFFECT! Cover, Lumis wins!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by pinfall
JBL is speechless as Gargano stands with Lumis. Gargano is headed to the Elimination Chamber for the US title, but will Lumis find himself in title talks soon enough?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Byron Saxton says The Man finally has Bayley inside that Steel Cage. What does tonight mean to her? “Orlando, Florida! Orlando, where it all began. Ten years ago, when I got off the plane with my bags to chase this WWE dream. When I first met you, Byron Saxton. A lot has happened in Orlando in those ten years, but ten years ago, I first met Bayley. In the weight room in the NXT Performance Center. And she seemed sweet and she seemed kind, and she wanted to be great. And her way of being great was high-fiving people and hugging people, and attaching herself to whoever she thought would be her meal ticket to the top.
“But I, too, Byron, I wanted to be great. And my way of being great was smashing faces, kicking down doors and changing the game so that I could become The Man of this industry! And Bayley… Bayley didn’t like that. No, she didn’t like that. So she’s attacked me and hit me with chairs and separated my shoulder. And she brought my family into this. And Bayley, I’m gonna learn you to not talk about my family. But all that aside, I had a plan. And tonight, I got what I want, and that is a Steel Cage Match.
“And so Bayley, you can bring your little friends, and you can bring your little tricks. Well, there is one hand that I haven’t played yet, and I’m thinking… I’m thinking, Byron, tonight might be the night.” What does Big Time Becks have planned for the Role Model in tonight’s main event?
Brock Lesnar is here!
Orlando goes nuts again as The Beast walks out to the ring and tips his cowboy hat with a feather in it. Lesnar gets the mic to say, “I appreciate ya. Thank you very much. Good evening, Orlando. Did y’all by chance catch the Royal Rumble? I did, too. I thought it sucked. At least, I had a sucky experience. At the Royal Rumble, Brock Lesnar got his ass thrown out over the top rope. That’s not the worst of it. I got my ass thrown over the top rope, by Bobby Who? Bobby Lashley! Now I apologize. I wasn’t on Raw last week, I had to get my head together a little bit. Bobby, you finally struck a chord in Brock Lesnar.”
All last week, Lesnar could not get Lashley out of his head. Lesnar tried to go hunting, and all he could think about was Bobby Who? Bobby Lashley! Next day, Lesnar wakes up, wants to go ice fishing. He likes coastal fishing, too, but he tries to go, but all he can think of is Bobby Who? Bobby Lashley! He sits down for a big ol’ steak dinner, and all he can think about is Bobby Lashley! He gets into bed at night with his wife, and… Well, four or five hours later, all Lesnar could think about is Bobby Lashley! So for a whole week, Lesnar thought about what he’s gonna do with Lashley. Lesnar has a resolution. A violent resolution, but still.
You see, within Lesnar’s “five dollar denim jacket, is a multi-million dollar contract.” Fans like the sound of that. Lesnar reads the contract: “Bobby Lashley VS Brock Lesnar at Elimination Chamber.” Now Lashley, if you’ve got balls, you’ll get down here and sign the contract! Well here comes Lashley! Lashley is in shades and a nice suit as he heads down the ramp and to the ring. Lashley gets himself a mic, and he says, “Well nice of you to grace us with your presence, Brock. I didn’t even know you were gonna be here. But since you are, let’s take a little walk down memory lane.”
Match number one, what happened? Lashley pinned Lesnar. Match number two, Lesnar won. But if memory serves, Lashley laid Lesnar out cold as he walked out of the ring. And the third meeting was at the Royal Rumble, and Lashley threw Lesnar out without a problem. Lesnar steps closer and hands Lashley the contract. Lashley takes it, and again says that if memory serves, Lashley will be done under his terms. Lashley is going to take Lesnar’s contract and let his agent look at it, and his manager, and his lawyer, then Lashley will get back to Lesnar. This will be under consideration.
Oh, is Lesnar surprised? Surprised that Bobby Who has one up on you? Lashley emphasizes that with a poke of the finger. Lesnar smirks, and he reels Lashley in! F5!! Lesnar puts the contract in Lashley’s pocket, but fans chant “ONE MORE TIME!” Lesnar figures why not! Fireman’s carry, F5!! The Beast puts his hat back on, takes his leave, and the ball is now in the All Mighty’s court. Will this all but guarantee Lashley will want that match with Lesnar in Montreal?
Johnny Gargano finds Candice LeRae backstage.
Mr. Wrestling says hello to Mrs. Wrestling, tonight is big, right? How is she feeling? Luck hasn’t been on her side but she feels good. Lumis has a picture for good luck. Wow, the whole family! Gargano, Candice, little Quill and their dog, Pawdme, and… Who is that in the back? Nikki Cross? Cuz she’s SPYING on them! Nikki laughs and runs off! Candice isn’t sure what to make of that, but will she worry more about it once she’s in the chamber with crazy Cross?
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier Fatal 4 Way: Mia Yim VS Candice LeRae VS Piper Niven VS Carmella!
Raquel Gonzalez, Liv Morgan, Nikki Cross, Asuka and Natalya are waiting, and there’s just one spot left in the Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s match! Will it be Michin, Mrs. Wrestling, the Scottish Viper, or the FABULOUS Princess of Staten Island going all the way to Montreal for that golden opportunity?
Raw returns, Candice is already in the ring as Mia makes her entrance. Then, last but not least, Piper Niven! She’s dropped the nickname, will she make a name for herself on the Road to WrestleMania? The bell rings and Piper CLOBBERS Mia and Candice! Piper and Mella stare down, Mella talking trash even though this is her return match. Piper scares Mella with a growl and Mella bails out to hang by hubby Corey Graves. Piper whips Candice into Mia at a corner, then runs in to SANDWICH them! Candice and Mia both fall, and Piper grins. Mella hops on for a SLEEPER! Piper throws her right off!
Mella bails out again, but Mia and Candice fire off on Piper! Piper shoves them away, runs, but into a double drop toehold! She ends up on ropes, DOUBLE DROPKICKS send her out! Fans fire up with Mia and Candice, but then the two friends circle. They fist bump, and then Mia rushes in. Candice avoids the clothesline but Mia jumps over the leg sweep. Candice deflects a boot to waistlock, but Mia switches. Candice elbows free, Mia blocks a kick, and Mia slips under to pick Candice up! BUCKLE BOMB! Mia hoists Candice up top, CHOPS her, then blocks another kick! Mia has Candice in an Electric Chair, but Candice POISON-RANAS!
Mella scurries in to cover Candice, TWO! Cover on Mia, TWO! Cover back on Candice, TWO! Another cover on Mia, TWO! Piper TRIPLE SPLASHES them all!! Cover on Mia, TWO!! Piper drags Mia up to throw her out, then she kicks Candice out. Piper covers Mella, TWO!! Piper drags Mella up, throws her right out, and Piper is all fired up! Orlando is fired up with her, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Piper has everyone in corners. Piper SPLASHES Mia, SPLASHES Candice, but Mella dodges! FABULOUS KICK! Piper rebounds to CLOBBER Mella! Candice CROSSBODIES, but Piper catches her! Mia runs in to hit a NECKBREAKER that takes Piper down! All four women are down but Piper bails out of the ring! Orlando fires up while the others stir. Mella shouts, “This is MY match!” But Mia says no it ain’t! Mella throws a forearm, but Mia ROCKS Mella! Mella throws another, but Mia fires off a flurry! Mia BOOTS, then wrenches to hit EAT DA FEET!! Cover, Piper drags Mella away!
Fans are torn but Mia is shocked! Piper storms in, Mia throws body shots and haymakers! Piper ducks a roundhouse to HEADBUTT! Mia wobbles, Piper reels her in but Candice is up top! MISSILE DROPKICK! Piper is down, Candice LIONSAULTS! cover, Mia breaks it! Friends or not, this is every woman for herself! Mia says sorry, but then Piper shoves Mia into Candice! Candice falls, but Mia runs, but into a SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Candice breaks it! Piper pulls at her hair and bites her fingers in frustration, but she has Candice to herself now. Candice fires off haymakers, but Piper shoves her down. SENTON FLOPS as Candice moves!
Candice STEP-UP SENTONS! But Mella rolls Candice up! TWO!! Candice escapes, DEKCS Mella, and Mella goes to a corner. Candice runs in but is sent into buckles! Mella shouts at Candice and stomps a fabulous mudhole in! Fans boo as Mella moonwalks and says, “Mella! Is! Money!” FABULOUS BRONCO BUSTER! But Piper runs in! Mella dodges, CANNONBALL for Candice! FABULOUS KICK for Piper! Mella stacks Candice, and WINS!
Winner: Carmella, by pinfall (advances to the Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s match)
The Princess of Staten Island took advantage, and she is heading to Montreal! But will she be the one heading to WrestleMania with that golden ticket?
Baron Corbin regroups with JBL backstage.
Corbin laughs it off. “That didn’t go as planned, did it?” But where are they going to eat? Maybe get some drinks or something? JBL asks, “We? There ain’t no ‘we’. I headlined WrestleMania, I sold out arenas all over the world, I was must-watch television. You are channel changing television. That sound you hear when you get the ring, that’s the sound of remote controls around the world changing the channel to watch anything but you. And I don’t give a damn about you. I give a damn about the fact that MY Hall of Fame legacy, my CHAMPIONSHIP career, has lost all credibility, because of YOU!”
Corbin frowns but JBL continues. “Modern Day Wrestling God? I’ll tell you what you need. Not some cute little shirt, but a red nose and floppy shoes. Because you are a clown. You do not belong near me.” Corbin asks where this is coming from. He can do better! He’ll do better! JBL says, “You can’t polish a turd. I tried.” JBL storms off, did Corbin blow another major opportunity?
Meanwhile, we can see in the background that MVP is talking with Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin. They shake hands, having a much better talk than JBL and Corbin just did. As the Wrestling God partnership falls apart, are we seeing the return of the Hurt Business?
Piper Niven finds Candice LeRae backstage!
Piper blames Candice for that loss! Piper should be going to WrestleMania! Mia storms in and makes Piper back off. Piper says they’re both very luck. If either of them get in the way of her and the title again, she will not be forgiving. Mia and Candice stick together, but will they both have to worry about the angry Scottish Viper slithering around?
Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin VS The Alpha Academy!
Speaking of, PRIME Alexander and the Gold Standard are going up against “Master” Chad Gable and his number one guy, Otis! It’s a battle of former Raw Tag Team Champions, will one of these teams make a big impression on the Road to WrestleMania?
Raw returns and MVP is with Cedric & Shelton in their entrance! The teams sort out and Gable circles with Cedric. They tie up, Gable waistlocks and SLAMS Cedric, but Cedric gets up, only for Gable to snapmare. Gable rolls with Cedric, has a waistlock again, but Cedric pries free, only for Gable to headlock for the takeover. Cedric headscissors, Gable kips free, but Cedric arm-drags Gable. Gable arm-drags back, then blocks Cedric’s arm-drag to say, “SHOOSH!” Gable stands Cedric up but Cedric mule kicks back. Cedric runs, handsprings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cedric flounders and Gable shouts, “A THANK YEW~!”
Gable tags Otis, the fans fire up and Otis struts. Gable cravats Cedric, Otis runs and CLOBBERS Cedric! Fans fire up but MVP protests. Cedric tags Shelton and he fires forearms on Otis! Shelton whips but Otis blocks! Otis whips, Shelton LARIATS, but Otis stays up! Shelton runs but Otis scoops! Shelton slips free to ROUNDHOUSE! Otis staggers, Shelton runs in to STEP- UP- NO!! Otis carries Shelton out for a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Fans fire up with the tree trunk and he runs, to SPLASH! Fans rally while Shelton sputters, but Otis CLUBS him on the back. Otis whips Shelton corner to corner hard and Shelton falls to the mat!
Fans rally behind Otis and he brings Shelton up. Shelton kicks but Otis blocks, and Otis spins Shelton around, only for the DRAGON WHIP to hit! Otis staggers around, Shelton runs in but into another SLAM! Otis drags Shelton up, puts him in a corner, and then runs in, only to get buckles! MVP coaches Shelton and he crawls, but so does Otis! Hot tags to Gable and Cedric! Cedric rallies on Gable, runs in to forearm smash int he corner, then snapmare and BASEMENT DROPKICK! MVP is fired up with Cedric and Cedric whips. Gable reverses, Cedric goes up and over. Things keep moving, NEURALIZER!
Gable flops out of the ring, Cedric builds speed! Cedric DIVES, but into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Gable puts Cedric in while MVP shouts to shake it off! Gable is up top, for the DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, Shelton breaks it! Otis CLUBS Shelton, throws him to a corner, and then runs in, only to get more buckles! STEP-UP KNEE! And then another STEP-UP KNEE! And a SAMOAN DROP!?! Fans are thunderous after that, but Gable KNEES Shelton out! Cedric is up, Gable CLOBBERS him! Gable goes up top, to MOONSAULT! Cedric avoids it, back suplex, LUMBAR CHECK!! Cover, Cedric & Shelton win!
Winners: Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin, by pinfall
MVP is all fired up! He celebrates with his guys, is this the revival of the Hurt Business?
Backstage interview with The Miz.
Cathy Kelley knows The A-Lister was caught off guard last week by Rick Boogs, but what is his reaction to that return? His reaction? Miz will gladly give it to Pearce, along with a bill for the damages to his $10,000 suit that Maryse bought Miz! Who makes someone compete in a suit?! And as far as “Boogs” goes, what? He’s supposed to be impressed that Boogs can bench press 500 pounds and play the electric guitar? But speaking of, here comes Boogs! Uh, how did he get a meeting before The Miz? Oh, of course, he’s special, right? Wow, Boogs is special? Thanks, Miz.
But Boogs is just excited to be reunited with the Boogs Crew in the WWE Universe. The Boogs Crew? Oh, cut the humble crap. Miz would’ve won easily, if he was dressed and ready. Boogs got luck and he knows it, but he’s also lucky that Pearce is a lazy and incompetent official. Because if it was different and Miz was ready, it would’ve been a different story! Pearce walks up behind Miz and says, “Tell me how you really feel.” Miz sighs and smiles at Pearce. Pearce says that if Miz wants a rematch with Boogs, all he had to do was ask. In fact, how about next week? Boogs says that is righteous! THICK RICK VS The Miz, he’s so excited! Rick “Boogs out” on his exercise bar!
Miz looks at Pearce, then frowns as he walks away. But then Chelsea walks back in. She’s about to go to the ring, so she wants him to find an opponent, or she will call his boss. Okay thanks, bye~! The Hot Mess heads out, but who will Pearce send out to face her?
Chelsea Green VS ???
“Shh… It’s Chelsea.” Orlando has mixed feelings as The Hot Mess struts her way to the ring in her first singles match since coming back to the WWE. She’s already got an ego over the fact that she is back, but is she going to be ready for her opponent tonight? Because her opponent is ASUKA!!
Wait, is that Raquel Rodriguez in the crowd? Big Mami Cool snuck in from SmackDown to watch Raw in person, and she’s distracting Asuka! The bell rings and Chelsea SHOTGUNS Asuka down! Chelsea CLUBS away on Asuka, but now we see Natalya sneaking in from the other side! And Liv Morgan! Chelsea dribbles Asuka off the mat, brings her up, and shushes her, before she SLAPS her! Mella struts her way back out, since all the Chamber entrants are here. Chelsea BOOTS Asuka into buckles! Chelsea drags Asuka up, clinches, picks her up, COMPLETE SHOT! Chelsea sees everyone else and asks if they all watched that.
Chelsea says SHE should be in the Chamber, not “whatever this is,” in reference to Mella. Chelsea goes back to Asuka, kicks dirt, and also talks trash on Natty. Wait, Nikki sneaks out here now? Nikki laughs at Chelsea. Chelsea says if Nikki wants crazy, she’ll give her crazy! Chelsea also talks trash on Liv and Raquel. But Asuka gest back up! Chelsea senses something is wrong, and Asuka eggs her on in Japanese! Chelsea swings, misses, and Asuka fires off a strike fest! URAKEN! URAKEN! SOBAT! FRONT KICK! URAKEN and HEEL KICK! GERMAN SUPLEX! BUZZSAW! Chelsea wants a time-out!
Chelsea gets to a corner, Asuka runs in, but Chelsea BOOTS her! Chelsea runs in, into a CODE BREAKER, which Asuka then turns into a DOUBLE ARMBAR!!! Chelsea verbally quits, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by submission
The Empress of Tomorrow stands tall tonight, and she makes sure to look her future opponents in the eye. But then BIANCA BELAIR appears! The RawEST Women’s Champion is here, and she tells them all, “I want all of y’all to take a good look at each other and tell me what you see. Cuz I’ll tell you what I see. I see six top tier women in the WWE.” Fans cheer that. “But… Who has what it takes to win the Elimination Chamber match? Who has what it takes to go one on one with the EST of WWE? Because last year, I was in your position. I know what it’s like to be in an Elimination Chamber match, and I know what it takes to win. That’s how I got this.”
Bianca holds up the title, and says, “I want to wish each and every one of you good luck. Because whoever makes it out… I’ll be ready to see you at WrestleMania.” The EST has sent her message to all her potential contenders, but just who will survive the Chamber to meet Bianca in Hollywood?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Orlando goes nuts again as the American Nightmare makes his way to the ring. Fans chant Cody’s name as he gets the mic. “So, what do you guys wanna talk about? Hmm… Last week, I used my interview time to come out here and talk to you with respect about my current WrestleMania opponent, The Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table, the biggest superstar in the world, the Best in the World, Roman Reigns.” Fans boo Roman, then chant for “SAMI! SAMI!” So they just read Cody’s mind. Cody did say “current.” Cody’s path to WrestleMania is straight and clear, but the destination is foggy.
The reason being, Roman is putting the titles on the line at Elimination Chamber, “against a guy who has kicked up all the dust, a guy who has all the momentum, a guy that’s walking into his hometown, and that is Sami Zayn.” Fans cheer and chant for Sami and Cody continues. “You guys seem like a perfect judge for my next question. It looks more and more like at WrestleMania, it’s going to be me standing there, challenging for the championship against Sami Zayn.” Fans like the sound of that! Cody says this with the utmost respect. “I have respect for anyone avenging an injustice done to them. I have respect for my friend, Sami Zayn. I wish you the best of luck, may the best man win.”
But wait! “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. And I serve as Special Counsel, and The Wise Man, to YOUR Tribal Chief, the reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman…! Reigns!” Fans boo as Heyman continues into the ring. Fans chant “E C DUB!” and Heyman steps into the ring. Heyman tells Cody that something he may one day find out in life, “hopefully not at my expense, but one day, is that life at the very top in this industry requires an understanding that the only week busier than the week leading into a major event like the Royal Rumble, or watch the point, WrestleMania…
“Is the week coming out of a major event, like the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania. And I’m sure you know that the Tribal Chief and I have had a lot on our plates in the last week. And a few things fell through the cracks, admittedly, on the Island of Relevancy. One of which is the Tribal Chief and I, in front of the entire world, want to congratulate you on winning the 2023 WWE Men’s Royal Rumble match.” Cody and Heyman shake hands and Heyman says Cody earned it and that he’s very proud of Cody. Fans cheer that, and chant, “You Deserve It!”
Cody knows that his father had a nickname for Heyman, his brother had a nickname for Heyman. But if you’ll indulge Cody, Cody will go with “Mr. Heyman.” It is because Cody has “unparalleled respect” for Heyman and Heyman knows why. But if they’re going to pull back the curtain here, might as well pull it back for everyone here in the crowd and watching at home. This is a story that should’ve been told a long time ago. The year was 2000. The till in Cody’s family dried up a bit, and Hard Times was more than a famous promo. “Simply put, my family went broke.” $100 in a checking account for all of them.
To put a visual on it, Cody’s dad was doing local car commercials and not for money. Just so he could keep a car. Fans chant for Dusty now and Heyman gets emotional. “But then he got a phone call,” Cody continues. Heyman called Dusty. Heyman told Dusty that ECW as in town, that Steve Corino was gonna talk some smack, and that if Dusty would just agree to appear on camera, that if Dusty would be on ECW TV, Heyman “would pay him and pay him well.” Fans again chant for “E C DUB!” Cody says Heyman kept his word. In addition to the money that the Rhodes family sorely needed, ECW gave Dusty his confidence back, and Cody can never repay Heyman for that.
Flash forward a bit, and they might talk about it, but before coming back here, Cody was somewhere else, “causing a little bit of trouble.” From one disruptor in sports entertainment to another, Heyman showed Cody the way, so thank you again. Fans applaud that, and Heyman again gets emotional. Fans chant, “Thank You, Paul! Thank You, Paul!” Heyman says Cody is good. Cody really got Heyman there. Heyman was here to schmooze business with him, and Cody got him personally. Heyman sighs, fans cheer, and if we’re peeling back and shooting from the hip, let’s go all the way.
Heyman says this isn’t about him, and with all due respect and love and admiration and even acknowledgement, this isn’t about Dusty. This is about Cody, about everything Cody has fought for from the bottom to the top, out the door, back in, to winning the Rumble to main-eventing WrestleMania! “And winning WrestleMania is a whole different story. Just getting there is a long, long road.” And that’s Cody’s story. That’s Cody’s story that he needs to finish to find out if this is a dream come true, or if he must “suffer the nightmare of coming just this close.”
Because Cody isn’t just main-eventing WrestleMania, he’s trying to “take away from the greatest box office attraction and greatest champion of all time, Roman… Reigns.” Fans boo but Heyman says that’s no easy task for any mere mortal, let alone someone that has no idea what it’s like under that spotlight. Will Cody crumble and wither? Will he self-destruct under that pressure because no one ever prepared him for it? Heyman says down the road is the WWE Performance Center. At that very place, Cody’s father, the American Dream, Dusty Rhodes, trained and prepped the biggest stars of this generation.
Cody’s father, Dusty, trained and prepped Seth Rollins, trained and prepped Becky Lynch, trained and prepped Bayley, trained and prepped Kevin Owens, trained and prepped for the highest level of success, the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. But do you know who Dusty didn’t train and prep? Dusty did not train nor prepare Cody. Cody tries to smile through that but Heyman says he could counsel Cody that maybe, just maybe, Dusty wanted Cody to make it on his own. That’s how much love Dusty had for him. That Dusty wanted Cody to step out of the shadow of a national monument such as the American Dream himself.
Perhaps Dusty didn’t want Cody going through life as “Dusty’s son,” but as Cody Rhodes, “WrestleMania Main Eventer Who Stopped the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns.” Maybe. But Cody, Heyman can’t convey in words how much he loved Dusty. But he can say to Cody’s face that Dusty loved Cody. To share this personally, in Heyman’s last conversation with Dusty, Dusty told Heyman… “You, Cody, were his favorite son.” Cody and the fans aren’t sure what to make of that, but then Heyman adds, “But Roman Reigns was the son he always wanted.” Heyman drops the mic and fans cannot believe he just said that!
Cody rushes up on Heyman but Heyman backs away. Fans want Cody to go after Heyman but Heyman wants him to reconsider. Cody offers a handshake, then makes Heyman take it. “I’m just trying to win a wrestling championship, and everybody, everybody, wants to make it personal. And that’s what you just did, and you’re not gonna pay for it, Mr. Heyman. Your boy, Roman Reigns, is going to pay for it. At WrestleMania, when I take those titles, personally.” Cody pushes the mic into Heyman then heads out. Will Cody ironically be hoping Roman beats Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber so he can be the one to tear the Tribal Chief down?
Elimination Chamber Match Qualifier: Elias VS Montez Ford!
There is just ONE spot left in the United States Championship match, and it comes down to The Drifter and the flyest high flyer WWE has seen in a long time! Will all of Montreal #WalkWithElias? Or will this Profit be up, looking for gold?
Raw returns and Elias makes his entrance while Austin Theory is on commentary. The bell rings and Elias circles with Ford. They tie up, and they are in a deadlock. They go around, Ford puts Elias in a corner but Elias turns it around. The ref counts, both men let off, and they reset. Ford and Elias tie up again, Elias headlocks and he grinds Ford down. Ford powers up but Elias holds tight. Ford tries again, but Elias still holds tight. Theory isn’t concerned about Elias’ level of aggression, because the person with aggression is him. Ford powers up and out, but Elias runs him over! Cover, TWO!
Elias stands Ford up but Ford rolls Elias up, TWO! Ford cradles, TWO! Elias headlocks again and he hits a takeover. Ford keeps his shoulder up, moves around, and fans rally. Theory likes Ford’s athleticism, and the move on his regimen, but he’s intrigued to face Elias since they’ve never met in a match. Ford fights up, powers out, and things speed up. Ford hurdles then runs Elias over! Ford DROPKICKS Elisa, and then Ford snarls as he whips. Elias reverses but Ford KICKS back! Ford runs in, but into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Ford sputters to a corner and Elias storms up to CHOP, UPPERCUT and repeat!
Elias fires off, the ref counts, and Elias lets off. Elias then stomps Ford again, CHOPS him, and whips to back drop Ford! Ford bails out, Elias pursues, and Elias RAMS Ford into barriers! Elias then brings Ford up to STEEL STEPS BACK SUPLEX! Elias roars and fans are torn as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Elias has Ford in a motorcycle stretch. Ford endures, turns, but Elias drags him up into a waistlock. BACKBREAKER! Elias then goes to a corner and climbs up top, but Ford hops up after him! Ford fires haymakers, Elias throws body shots, and Elias CLUBS Ford down. Elias SUNSET FLIPS, but Ford holds onto the ropes! Fans fire up as Ford fights his way back up, and he ROCKS Elias with a right! Elias turns things into an Electric Chair Lift! SPINNING POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Theory says he thought that would end it, though he sounds a bit sarcastic.
Ford crawls to the apron and Elias storms over. Ford GAMANGIRIS Elias, ducks a haymaker, then bumps Elias off buckles to GAMANGIRI again! Ford goes back up, CROSSBODIES, and says “SUCK IT!” Ford rallies with clotheslines, then runs to LEAPING LARIAT! Elias staggers, Ford pumps up and hits a BIG back suplex! Kip up but Ford’s back tightens up. Ford powers through to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Theory likes that Elias is still in this, but Ford brings Elias up. Elias CHOPS! ford ROCKS Elias with a right! Elias ROCKS Ford, but Ford ENZIGURIS! Ford runs, into the SYMPHO-KNEE!
Elias fireman’s carries for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Ford survives and Elias grows frustrated. Theory doesn’t worry about the match, and goes on to talk trash on the other entrants. Theory thinks Johnny Gargano will be a stay-at-home dad, Bronson Reed probably can’t fit in a pod, but then gets mad at Kevin Patrick for bringing up the loss to Bronson back in their NXT days. Elias meanwhile RAMS Ford into a corner, RAMS him again, and again, and again! Elias backs off, runs in again, but Ford puts him on the apron! Elias shoulders in, slingshots, but into a HAYMAKER!
Elias flounders away, Ford goes corner to corner to FLY!! Direct hit and down goes Elias! Ford puts Elias in the ring and fans fire up! Ford goes up top, and leaps in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, Ford wins!
Winner: Montez Ford, by pinfall (advances to the United States Championship Elimination Chamber match)
Ford takes the last spot, but Theory stands on the desk to hold up the title. Will Theory still have that title after the Elimination Chamber? Wait! SETH ROLLINS CLIPS THEROY! Theory hits the desk and Rollins laughs! Fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” before the CURB STOMP to the floor! The Now didn’t see The Visionary coming, will nothing and no one stop Rollins from winning in the Chamber?
Bayley talks with Damage CTRL backstage.
Dakota Kai is in crutches given what Becky Lynch did to her last week, but Bayley isn’t worry. She tells Kai & Sky the plan and prepares for the main event, which is up next!
Steel Cage: Bayley w/ Damage CTRL VS Becky Lynch!
The Role Model used Damage CTRL to take control away from The Man and deny us all this match on the Raw 30th Anniversary episode. But now, there’s no running from this, there’s no hiding from this, and there’s no getting around this! Will Bayley survive Becky’s Big Time wrath? Or will Becky leave Bayley behind just like when they were in NXT?
The bell rings, fans fire up, but Bayley smirks. Fans rally for Becky as she and Bayley circle. They feel things out, Bayley ROCKS Becky then climbs the wall! Becky yanks her down, she won’t let Bayley just run away like a coward. They talk trash, Bayley says Becky doesn’t tell her what to do or when to do it. Bayley shoves Becky, so Becky ROCKS Bayley! They go back and forth, Becky gets the edge, but Bayley kicks a leg out! Becky trips Bayley! Becky says she was going for the door, but that’s not how this is going down. Becky whips but Bayley turns it around, only for Becky to stop from hitting the steel.
Becky hits Bayley back, but Bayley also blocks hitting steel. Bayley elbows Becky away but Becky goes for an arm! Bayley and Becky go around, but Bayley throws Becky into the steel! Kai & Sky like what they see as Bayley sends Becky into more steel! Bayley stomps away on Becky, then digs her boots in! She also digs Becky into the frame of the cage! Fans boo but Bayley covers, ONE!! Becky is hanging tough, so Bayley decides to climb. Becky hurries over and dropkicks the cage to shake Bayley loose! Bayley falls to the mat, then Becky drags her up to RAM her into the steel! Becky drags Bayley up again to RAM her into more steel!
Becky runs to basement dropkick Bayley into the steel! And again! Becky stomps away on Bayley now, then pushes her face into the steel! “You think you can talk about my husband?! You think you can talk about my husband now, Bayley?!” Becky lets off, then drags Bayley up. Fans rally and Becky throws Bayley into more steel! Bayley drags herself out while Becky climbs the cage. Bayley hurries to anchor Becky, but Becky kicks her away. Bayley climbs up after Becky, but Becky kicks her again. Bayley anchors a foot, but Becky dribbles Bayley’s face off steel! Becky then adjusts, brings Bayley around, but Bayley RAMS Becky into steel!
Bayley dribbles Becky now, throws her off the ropes, then adjusts to MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Kai & Sky coach Bayley on as she has control, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns just as Becky kicks out of a cover! And she wants the arm! Bayley hurries to push Becky away, but Becky hits a FLYING FOREARM! Both women are down and Orlando fires up! Kai & Sky coaches Bayley as she and Becky both stand. The forearms go back and forth again! Fans rally behind Becky as she gets the edge, uppercuts and SOBATS! Becky runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and JUMP KICKS Bayley down! Becky whips Bayley to a corner, but Bayley uses that to get up the wall! Becky grabs Bayley’s legs to SLAM them against the steel! And again! Bayley holds on with her hands but Becky RAMS her into the steel again and again! SUPER JUMP KICK!
Bayley ends up slumped on the ropes, for Becky’s SUPER GUILLOTINE LEG DROP!! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally and Becky fires up. Kai & Sky plead with Bayley as she gets up, but Becky clinches. Bayley slips out of the slam to SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Becky is still in this and fans fire up again! Bayley drags herself to ropes, climbs the cage, but Becky rises! Becky drags Bayley back down, has her draped on the ropes and TOSSES her into the steel! Becky runs, to drop a leg, brother! But Bayley turns it into a HEEL HOOK!! Becky flails, reaches out, and crawls her way to the door! Becky grabs the frame but Bayley drags her away!
Bayley stands Becky up but Becky rolls to send Bayley into buckles! Roll-up, TWO!! Back to the HEEL HOOK! Becky still crawls, they roll to ropes, and Becky SMACKS Bayley off steel! And again! And again! Bayley is dazed but Becky hobbles back up. Becky climbs a corner but Bayley anchors her foot. Becky kicks her away, but Bayley tries again. Becky kicks Bayley again, but Bayley hurries up after her! They brawl, Becky shoves Bayley away! Becky is on the top rope but Bayley CLUBS her! Bayley clubs after and they braw on the top rope! Bayley RAMS Becky into the steel, SUPER BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!?!
Kai & Sky can’t believe it, and neither can Orlando! Bayley stalks Becky, but then decides to climb the wall! Bayley reaches the top! Becky hurries up after Bayley, catches up to Bayley, and they brawl up top now! Fans rally as the haymakers go back and forth! Bayley SMACKS Becky off the top! But Becky grabs an arm! Becky uses that to drag herself back up, DISARM-HER ON TOP OF THE CAGE!!! Bayley slips free, gets caught up on the ropes, and flops to the mat! But Becky just adjusts, only for Sky to climb up after her! The Evil Genius brawls with Becky, and then she kicks Becky down into the ring! Kai sneaks a crutch to Bayley!
Bayley JAMS Becky with the crutch! But wait, is that LITA?!? The living legend is here and she goes up after Sky! Lita YANKS Sky right off the cage! Lita storms up on Kai and uses her other crutch to YANK her into steel steps! Lita JAMS Sky, reels her in, TWIST OF FATE to the floor!! Bayley is flabbergasted, but she hurries for the door! Fans are losing their minds as Lita SLAMS the door shut! Bayley staggers into a MANHANDLE SLAM!!! Cover, Becky wins!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall
Becky had Big Time back-up, was this the ace in the hole she talked about? Did Lita help Becky put behind her Damage CTRL once and for all?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, and full to the brim at that. Great opening segment with Edge, Beth and Judgment Day. I am glad they’re giving us that Mixed Tag for Elimination Chamber, but I was hoping they would make it Edge & Beth VS Rhea & Dom. But at the same time, if Dom was involved, it’d be obvious Dom would take the loss just so The Grit Couple can win without really hurting Rhea’s momentum. With Finn in that match instead, it could go either way. Rhea could beat Beth to win it while we see Edge and Finn set up a 1v1 rematch for WrestleMania. That’s two birds, one stone, so perhaps WWE will go with that.
I also like that they used the brawl that broke out to bring in the Profits. Dom taking the Glam Slam was beloved by all, and of course we go right into Dawkins VS Priest. Priest winning makes sense, he really is the workhorse Edge said he is, Priest will have a great showing in the Elimination Chamber. Elias VS Ford was great stuff, even with Theory on commentary. Theory wasn’t bad, but what does he really add talking himself up? At the same time, it was great for Rollins to drive-by Theory to get himself some momentum while not in the ring. And as I’d hoped, Ford is in the Chamber now, so get ready for a From the Heavens off a pod.
Corbin VS Lumis being a comparative squash was a bit of a surprise, but it leading to JBL dumping Corbin was also quite surprising. At the same time, something had to give. The WWE never books Corbin strong forever, which is why Corbin has been through more changes to his character these last few years than anyone else. I’m not sure what’ll get Corbin to the next level, if WWE even cares to do that. I still think they skipped through the Bum Ass Corbin stuff too soon, but that’s on Vince. Maybe Corbin will start trying to earn JBL’s respect like he needs it as validation for who he is.
And because HHH’s team is really clever, they gave us another “Easter egg” in a promo, with MVP talking with Cedric & Shelton before their match. Their match against Alpha Academy was pretty good, though it seemed clunky at the start. Commentary touched on it, I think Shelton was just not quite ready for how big and strong Otis was gonna run in there. But Shelton & Cedric win because clearly, the Hurt Business is on its way back. Lesnar and Lashley had a good promo together, and I’m a little surprised we’re getting that match at the Chamber. Maybe there will be something crazy that happens, compelling a WrestleMania match. Plus, from Lashley’s promo, he’s counting their Rumble match confrontation as part of the record, so the Chamber match would be round 4, making Mania round 5 and a tiebreaker of sorts.
Good backstage promos with Adam Pearce. Miz putting his foot in his mouth and ending up in a rematch with Boogs was good stuff. Officially signing MMM to Raw was a nice detail to help give us a reason we’re even watching Pearce, which sets up Chelsea “Karen Joke Punchline” Green complaining to him and getting a match. And seeing as how Chelsea avoided bringing Asuka up, it was perfect that she had to fight Asuka. It was a logical surprise to have the other women in the Elimination Chamber match show up, though I feel like Chelsea could’ve been faster about talking trash. Asuka wins, of course, and Bianca had a great promo calling out all the contenders.
Speaking of, the Fatal 4 was great stuff, and I suppose Mella winning is a good choice. She’s returning, she’s got momentum just on that, but she’ll surely be used to build up Asuka in that match. Mella had that segment with Asuka last week, Asuka will definitely mist and eliminate Mella. Asuka is definitely a frontrunner to win the Chamber, and this return to Kana in presentation has to mean Asuka’s going to WrestleMania. Piper threatening Candice and Mia was good stuff. Piper might get a partner to take them on at some point, but we can get some great 1v1 matches out of Piper VS Candice and Piper VS Mia.
Cody’s promo segment with Heyman was so good. I just knew Heyman was setting up that insult on Cody about Dusty wanting someone like Roman as a son, and it was still powerful. And while Sami Zayn is great, it of course gave the idea that WrestleMania’s main event will stay Roman VS Cody. Then we got a great main event in the Steel Cage match. Granted, it was the usual Steel Cage formula: throw each other into steel; keep each other from climbing up and out multiple times; Heel still has minions interfere. But I did like that Lita showed up to help Becky in a callback to their Crown Jewel match. Lita helping Becky win was good stuff cuz it was DMG CTRL facing karma, and fans got to see the legendary Lita celebrate with the iconic Becky. Hell, maybe we get some kind of tag match now so Lita can return to WrestleMania.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.29.25
Stuff happens, maybe it doesn’t, Dreamer and Delirious can’t book.

Well Trick Willie is the new TNA champ and this is the first iMPACT since his win…so let’s just hear him talk about it.
"TNA turned into TRICK-NA. Lets talk about it"@_trickwilliams #WWENXT
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/StU4pmi3oy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Ratings:
- The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System: Rascalz win via Meteora – ***
- Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via…No Shit – Squash Garbage
- ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei wins via Spinning TKO – ** 3/4
- Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber: Mance wins via Hit the Pay Winda – Squash
- Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa: Team Robbie wins via shenanigans – **
- International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona: Maclin retains via KIA – ***
Results:
The Rascalz vs Fir$t Cla$$ vs Laredo vs The System
Octagon got jumped by The System earlier so Laredo is fighting alone. Another backstage jumping is getting a little dumb.
Laredo and Trey start. Typical Indie start with Simultaneous awful Dropkick spot and bad counters, AJ blind tag runs the smaller guys over, tags out to KC and the Rascalz instantly get the moment. KC is rocked, tags in Laredo and Laredo takes out the System before Lish gets on the apron and grabs Laredo. The referee kicks out Lish and Rehwoldt on commentary points out it’s a No DQ match so that’s dumb.
KC gets tossed at AJ, he catches him, Rascalz Dive and do their taunt as we go to commercial. We come back, Tennessee Whiskey into a KC tag in for the near fall on Laredo. Corner combo, Snapmare into Flip Forward Neck Breaker, KC is on a roll. AJ tags Laredo and starts talking crap to KC, they swerve and go Finger Poke of Doom, but it’s not a legal pin. Suddenly tornado attacks, System and Rascalz go for broke, AJ hits the Senton to break the eventual pin, Laredo counters AJ’s Chokeslam attempt. Trey clears out The System, Wentz sends himself and KC over and out, Laredo with a Corkscrew Moonsault, which looked cool but it’s the pile of morons waiting to get hit spot.
AJ hits the Down Payment on Laredo, but Trey blind tagged AJ. Meteora on AJ, Trey pins Laredo and Rascalz win.
Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali
Raj looks like shit in the gear he came down in…and he wrestles equivalently. I would rather anyone else comeback…give me Anarquia.
Ali murders Raj, Instant Dropkick, Rolling Neckbreaker, Corkscrew Standing Moonsault, it’s not close. Raj tries to counter things but Ali Bellclap, a little Duck the left, connect the right. Raj even does a terrible looking Punch Combo, he’s in bad shape, a bad looking Ushigoroshi, Raj with a sloppy looking something, 450 ends it.
Fire Raj as quickly as you brought him back. You don’t need a comedically pathetic job guy when the roster is like 4 guys getting pushed and everyone else sucks. Stop being stupid. Ali still hates women too.
This Injury Report is the dumbest segment in the history of wrestling. Stop treating fake shit as “serious business”.
ASH by Elegance vs Lei Ying Lee
ASH mocks karate stuff, Lei throws a few Rising Crane kicks as ASH bails and then things slow down a little. But a Pump Kick, Sliding Kick and Low Dropkick cause ASH to cower and claim her tooth broke. It’s a bait to pull Lei into the turnbuckles and them get in a few stomps. Ash keeps Lei in the corner, Suplexes her ankles into the buckles and then Ash throws a few Booty Shots/Hit Attacks then starts a grounded stretch, Lei Headscissors her down, still sells the hips and ankles, but dodges and fires, combination strikes into the 10 Count Down Strikes. T-bone Suplex, into the pinfall, for only two.
Cheapshot into Running Meteora from ASH for two. Ash goes for the Miz Yes Kicks and Lei No Sells and asks for more. Gorgeous Capture Suplex into Thunder Struck and TKO with flair. My baby has a better finish now! Yay!
Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jobber
Hannifan cursing and being pissed at Trick for not even showing but is more entertaining than a squash match. Not that Mance’s offense is bad, but 2 out of 3 job matches is stupid.
.@milanmiracle and @AriannaGraceWWE make history as the first father/daughter tag team in TNA!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/GrBQpdX5g5 pic.twitter.com/3s8OhtYFPv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 30, 2025
Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford w/Tessa
Marella tries to tie up with Robbie, but he bails and tags out to Victoria so Arianna comes in and aside from Alicia Fox’s silliness, the tie up was decent with Arianna and Victoria. Tessa interferes and the Referee throws her out. Victoria comes back in and aside from a slight miscommunication with how Arianna does her punches, Alicia Fox is making her look…pretty good. Transition moves, okay brawling and Arianna looks amazing in her outfit.
Rob and Santino distract the referee and Victoria hits a Figure Four into her Northern Lights Suplex, only for 2. Arianna finally Back Body Drop to find the tag, Santino and Rob, Santino does his split dodge into the Standing Headbutt, Arianna Cross Body onto Victoria. Rob pulls out the ref, then shoves the ref into Santino, Santino into the steps and Arianna attack but Alicia and Lish, the fix is in, Arianna eats the pin.
International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona
A few quick brawl moves, Shoulder Tackles, Strikes, Back Breakers, Cardona does get dumped out and eats a SCUD. Maclin bounces Cardona’s face off the apron and hits an Elbow off the apron to keep Cardona reeling, but a dodged tackle sends Maclin into the steps. Cardona tries to Piledriver Maclin on the ramp, but Back Drop counter, into commercial.
Formulaic commercial etiquette of Cardona still in control, throws Maclin into the ropes, Diving Shoulder Tackle lays both dudes out and they get up by 8. Fighting Spirit spot, Cardona hits ropes and gets hit by Maclin twice, Thesz Press, Ground and Pound, Back Elbow and Olympic Slam has Maclin rolling. Splash into Lariat for two. Maclin has been all gas no brakes. Cardona tries to take a few shortcuts that turns into a Straight Jacket Takedown. Cardona to the top, Maclin cuts him off, Superplex spot. 1-2-kick out!
Maclin goes topside for a Jar Headbutt, Cardona hits the ropes so Maclin crashes into the corner, 2 Reboots connect, the third gets caught, counter into Busaiku Knee, Jar Headbutt. In and out, Cardona uses the middle rope for the Low Blow, Killswitch from Cardona but Maclin kicks out. Cardona dodges and shoves Maclin towards the ref, he puts the brakes on, Radio Silence! 1-2-Kick out! Maclin catches a top rope move, Power Bomb, Corner Splash, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs, KIA and Maclin retains!
Overall Score: 4.5/10
Boring paint by numbers show, no Trick, System has one move, Robert Stone is a scumbag, too long to introduce new girls, lots of throw away segments and Rosemary sets up YET ANOTHER Monster’s Ball match. These aren’t interesting when there’s one every 3 months. So we can have terrible Monster’s Ball matches quarterly, Barbed Wire Massacre and Clockwork Orange House of Fun…BUT NO LOCKDOWN!?
Go home TNA, you’re drunk.
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/29/25)
B Block, FINAL ROUND!

Who heads to the finals?
Kosei Fujita won A Block, and now B Block finalizes its ranking! Who heads to the Best of the Super Juniors finals this weekend?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: KUSHIDA, Ninja Mack & Dragon Dia VS Shoma Kato, Masatora Yasuda & Daiki Nagai; Kushida, Mack & Dia win.
- Master Wato, Toru Yano & Katsuya Murashima VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Hiromu Takahashi & Yota Tsuji VS Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young; Hiromu & Tsuji win.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Bullet Club; TMDK wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Kevin Knight; Knight wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS Nick Wayne; Titan wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS SHO; Mao wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Robbie Eagles; Despy wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Taiji Ishimori; Yoh wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current B Block standings!
YOH: 5-3, 10 points
MAO: 5-3, 10 points
El Desperado: 5-3, 10 points
Nick Wayne: 4-4, 8 points
SHO: 4-4, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-4, 8 points
Robbie Eagles: 4-4, 8 points
Kevin Knight: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Kevin Knight!
The Funky Weapon and The Jet may be out of the running, but they will still fight for themselves. Who earns their final points in this final round?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Taguchi and Knight circle with a bit of a strut, and then they tie up. Knight puts Taguchi on the ropes, the ref calls the break, and Knight lets off to swivel his hips. Taguchi pumps up, but Knight says he can’t see anything. Knight flexes and says he tsuyoi. They tie up with knuckle locks, then go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength. Knight hooks a leg to power Taguchi back, and Taguchi bridges! The fans cheer as Taguchi fights up back up! Taguchi bends Knight into a bridge, has the shoulders down, TWO as Knight powers back up! The fans rally, Knight and Taguchi start vibing with the arm wave, then a full body wave!
Taguchi wiggles around, sends it back to Knight, and Knight spins Taguchi around and around, to then headlock. Taguchi powers up and out, drops down, then hurdles over. Knight stops to waistlock but Taguchi fires elbows. Taguchi runs to fake Knight out, but Knight goes up and over! Knight avoids the Hip Attack! The fans cheer while Taguchi stares Knight down from underneath. Taguchi says bring it, so Knight punches those cheeks! Taguchi’s iron buns withstand it, and Knight says, “Itai itai.” Knight winds up again, and he punches cheeks! Taguchi still stands tall, but the fans rally for Knight.
Knight does some push-ups, he and Taguchi do squats, and Knight winds up again. The fans rally and Knight lines up a shot, to then headlock! Taguchi powers up and out, bypasses and bypasses, but Knight redirects himself! And again, and again, and again! Knight is making Taguchi spin around, and then Taguchi gets dizzy and falls! The fans cheer while Taguchi slumps out of the ring. Knight runs and FLIES! Down goes Taguchi and the fans fire up! “Ore wa meccha, meccha… Meccha tsukareta…” Knight admits he is tired, and he asks for water. A Young Lion brings him water and Knight refreshes himself.
Taguchi sputters, Knight makes his way over to Taguchi, and then brings him back into the ring. The fans cheer and Knight snapmares Taguchi to run and SLIDING TACKLE! Cover, TWO! Taguchi is still in this and the fans applaud. Taguchi flounders, Knight does some squats to get his glutes going. Knight brings Taguchi around to HIP ATTACK! Knight gives Taguchi another HIP ATTACK! The fans rally and Knight does more squats to power up. Knight runs, but Taguchi somersaults to HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up and Taguchi powers up now. Taguchi has Knight on the ropes, rubs it in literally, and then gives point-blank HIPS!
Taguchi runs and HIP ATTACKS at the ropes! Knight dangles out of the ring! Knight flops down, the fans rally again, and Taguchi TRIANGLE JUMP PLANCHAS! Down goes Knight and the fans fire up again! Taguchi rises, steadies himself, and then puts Knight in the ring. Taguchi goes up, up, and MISSILE HIPS! Cover, TWO! Knight is still in this and the fans rally again. Taguchi looks to the corner, and he calls upon the powers of Strange Style! “ORYA~!” Taguchi runs in, but Knight hurdles Ketsuye! SUPERKICK! Taguchi mule kicks, runs, but Knight somersaults, into a FLAPJACK! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Knight endures, reaches out, but Taguchi drags him back!
Knight reaches up to headscissor into the victory roll, TWO! Taguchi goes to a corner, BOOTS back, then goes up, MISSILE HIP meets DROPKICK! Knight’s antiair works out, and then he somersaults to SATELLITE DDT! Knight goes up top and the fans rally for the hip swivel and MOTHERSHIP UFO SPLASH! Cover, Knight wins!
Winner: Kevin Knight, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
The Jet still flies high, and he ends with a 4-5 record. Taguchi ends with 6 points in the 9th round, is that nice enough for him?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Titan VS Nick Wayne!
El Inmortal may not have life in the block, but he can still be a spoiler! Will he pop the Prodigy’s bubble? Or will this still be Wayne’s World in the end?
The bell rings and Titan runs up! Nick dodges, whips, but Titan reverses to TORNADO- NO, Nick powers out! Nick wrenches and whips, Titan goes up and over, and then Titan handsprings away! The fans cheer as things keep moving. Nick hurdles then bypasses Titan to UPPERCUT him down! Nick kips up and the fans cheer again. Nick covers, TWO! The fans rally as Nick brings Titan up. Nick CHOPS Titan, Titan leans on the ropes, and Nick brings him around. Nick ROCKS Titan, then whips corner to corner. Nick runs in, UPPERCUTS, and then pushes Titan down to cover, TWO! Titan stays in this and the fans applaud.
Nick stays cool and he sits Titan up. Nick KICKS Titan in the back, then paces. Titan writhes but Nick brings him back up. Titan CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Titan CHOPS again, but Nick ROCKS him! Nick then whips Titan, runs in, but Titan BOOTS, SOBATS, KICKS, and fires fast hands! Nick ducks the jump sobat to SOBAT back! Nick cravats, ASAI DDT. but Titan kips up! PELE! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Titan roars and rises up, then he brings Nick around. TRAILER HITCH! Nick endures the leglock and the fans rally again! Nick crawls forward, reaches out, and manages the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Titan lets go of the hold. Nick shakes out the legs but Titan KICKS Nick in the back. Titan brings Nick in but Nick resists the lift. The fans rally again as Nick and Titan fight for control. Nick wrenches, kicks, and runs, but Titan follows to RANA! Nick bails out, Titan builds speed, and Titan DIVES into an UPPERCUT! The fans rally harder as Titan flops to the apron! Nick rises, he stalks Titan on the apron, and Nick drags Titan up. The ref says don’t do it, but the fans rally up. Nick waistlocks, then goes for the nelson, but Titan resists. Titan fires elbows and Nick backs off. Titan runs up but Nick BOOTS him!
Nick runs up, but Titan SUPERKICKS! Nick falls back, Titan skins the cat to the top rope! Titan aims for LA APRON LANCER!! The fans fire up and Titan roars while Nick sputters and coughs! Titan shoves Nick into the ring, goes up the corner again, and LA LANC- NO, Nick dodges! Titan’s leg jams, Nick DROPKICKS the other out, then he DRAGON SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Titan survives and Nick snarls. Nick goes to the corner and climbs up while the fans rally again. FROG- NO, Titan bails out! Nick rolls through and then comes right back, to FLY over the corner! Down goes Titan and the fans fire up!
Titan puts Nick in, goes back up, and he tries again! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives again and the fans fire up! Nick huffs ‘n’ puffs, hears the fans cheering, and shouts “IKU ZO!” Nick drags Titan up, hooks a leg, PRODIGY- CRADLE COUNTER! TWO!! Nick escapes, Titan ducks the roundhouse to fire off his strike fest! But Nick still ROUNDHOUSES! Nick goes up, up, WAYNE’s- NO, Titan stops the cutter to shove and TORNADO DDT! Titan isn’t done there! He suplexes and GOURD- NO! Nick lands out! But Titan goes Matrix and then CALF KICKS! Titan roars, the fans fire up, and Titan has the ripcord, YOYO SLAM!
Titan goes to a corner, skins the cat again, and LA LANCER!!! Titan crawls to the cover, TWO?!?! Nick survives, but Titan ties up the legs! Deathlock, and then LLAVE INMORTAL!! Nick is caught, the straitjacket variation is in, and Nick QUITS!! Titan wins!!
Winner: Titan, by submission (gains 2 points; Nick earns 0)
Nick Wayne falls to 4-5, he is out of the running! But bigger yet, Titan has a win over the ROH World Television Champion! AEW/ROH and CMLL are going to meet in Arena Mexico for Grand Slam: Mexico, could these two run it back with gold on the line?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS SHO!
The Strange Love Connection is the first of the top three to compete tonight, and while he has to hope for the others to fall, he still has to do his part and win. Will the Murder Machine make that all moot with another underhanded trick up his sleeve? Or can the star of DDT Pro make it to the finals?
Wait, Mao already turns the tables by pedaling in on his bike! He RAMS Sho down from behind! The fans fire up as Mao hurries to CLUB Sho down! Yujiro Takahashi AND Ren Narita hurry out here already to mug Mao before this on the record! The fans boo but Mao’s friends from DDT Pro are here! Kanon helps fight off the House, and Mao wants fans to clear out! Mao whips, but Sho reverses and BOWLS Mao into chairs! STRIKE! Ren & Yujiro keep the rest of DDT Pro back while Sho CHOKES Mao with a chair! The ref reprimands but Sho shoves him back! Wait, Kanon has the house in headlocks! Shunma Katsumata stops Sho from hitting Mao with the chair!
Sho gets mad hearing that trash talk, but that lets Mao SMACK Sho in the back with a chair! And Mao sends Sho out the door?! The fans rally as everyone is waiting on the street, and Mao runs to FLY! Down goes the House and DDT stands tall! Wait, wait, they spot a fan parked nearby. Mao hops in and he turns the key! The fans cheer as Mao kicks it into drive, and he comes barreling down the road! Sho and the House freak out, and Sho gets SMACKED by the front of the van! The fans cheer and Mao grins as he steps out. The ref reprimands but Mao drags Sho back into the building! Mao says now they can have this match!
Mao makes Sho sit on the hand cart, and Mao pushes Sho back to ringside! The fans cheer as Sho is barely conscious as Mao drags Sho into the ring. The bell finally rings, Mao covers, TWO!! Sho survives Mao’s hit ‘n’ run and Mao can’t believe it! Mao drags Sho up, but the ref wants to check him. Sho sputters and sits up in a daze, and Ren drags Mao out! Ren beats up Mao, beats up on Mao’s team, and Yujiro SMACKS Mao with a chair! The fans boo as they put Mao’s arm in a chair! Yujiro STOMPS away on the chair! Ren POSTS Kanon, and Sho grabs Mao’s bike! Sho brings it over and he runs over Mao’s arm! Sho does wheelies to smash Mao’s arm!
The fans boo but then Sho adds insult to injury by RIPPING OFF the DDT Pro hood off the bike! Sho and the House beat up the bike! The ref reprimands and Mao says they’ll pay for that! Sho CLUBS Mao, puts him in the ring, and then pushes him to a cover, TWO! Sho has the arm for a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Mao endures and the fans rally. Mao kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Sho puts Mao on the apron, and he has the arm in the rope! ARM WRINGER! Sho then pulls Mao through the corner, traps his arm against the buckle pad, and then KNEES the arm! Mao is stuck and Sho stands on the arm!
The ref counts, Sho step off, and Mao is freed. The fans rally, Mao throws a forearm but there’s not much to it. Sho kicks Mao, Mao fires more shots, but Sho slips around, GERMAN ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Mao flails, reaches out, but Sho pulls on the arm! Mao still kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Sho lets Mao go, and Mao clutches his arm. Sho wrenches Mao’s arm, twists it, and hits the ELBOW BREAKER! Sho holds on to wrench and ELBOW BREAKER again! Sho grins as he lets Mao slump down. Sho knuckle locks, wrenches, and ELBOW- SLEEPER!! Mao has Sho now and the fans fire up!
Sho pries at the bad arm, pulls the fingers, but Mao breaks free! Look! HAYMAKER! Sho wobbles and the fans fire up! Mao whips, Sho reverses, but Mao SHOTGUNS! Sho flounders, the fans rally up, and Mao runs to BOOT Sho! Sho sputters, Mao runs again, CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Sho survives, but is now in JUST FACELOCK! Sho endures, fights around, and both Ren & Yujiro are on the apron. But Mao’s team YANKS them down! Sho flails, the bell rings, but it was REN! The fans boo the usual tricks from the House, and Mao is upset that he fell for such a basic trick. Mao drags Sho up, but Sho CLAWS Mao’s eyes!
Sjo runs, but Mao uses the ref as a shield! Mao runs, but now Sho uses the ref as a shield! Sho runs but Mao hurdles over the spear! Mao sends the ref back at Sho, then he HIGH JUMP CUTTERS!! The fans fire up and Mao waits on Sho. Sho rises, Mao brings him around, OSAKA RENKAI!! Cover, YUJIRO DRAGS THE REF OUT! The fans boo, Kanon is up but Yuijro & Ren BLAST him! The House mugs Mao, drags him up, and double whip him into a corner. Yujiro BOOTS Mao, Ren ELBOWS Mao, then Ren snapmares Mao to hold him open! Yujiro hits the FALLING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW! The fans boo while Mao writhes!
Ren stands Mao up and Yujiro has his pimp cane! But wait, SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK from Shunma! Down goes Tokyo Pimp! Ren BOOTS Shunma, he BOOTS Kanon, but Kanon roars! Ren CLAWS Kanon’s eyes, runs, but Kanon LARIATS! The fans fire up as the full Strange Love Connection aims at Sho, HIGH LOW LARIATS!! Shunma builds speed and he DIVES! Down go Ren & Yujiro! Kanon & Mao set Sho up, but YOSHINOBU KANEMARU shows up! WHISKEY MIST for Kanon, and the BOTTLE SHOT for Mao! The fans boo as the Heel Master helps screw over the enemies of the House!
Kanemaru shoves the ref in and Sho laughs at Mao! STRAITJACKET DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Mao survives and the fans fire up! But Sho has the ARMBAR!! Mao flails, fights around, and he stacks Sho! TWO and Sho still has the arm! SNAKE BITE!! Mao fights against the modified triangle, fights his way over, and has the ROPEBREAK!! The fans cheer and Sho lets go in frustration. Sho crawls his way over and looks for his things. Sho grabs his Torture Tool and NEVER Openweight Six Man belt. The ref sees the belt and takes that, but then Mao surprises Sho with is iron gauntlet! Mao PUNCHES the Torture Tool down!
Sho dodges the fist, pushes Mao to ropes, and Kanemaru is there! But Mao ducks, WHISKEY MIST hits Sho! Mao BOOTS Kanemaru, then powers up the gauntlet! ROCKET PUNCH!! And then SAMURAI SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO?!?! Sho survives, but Mao says he’ll finish this now! Mao drags Sho to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, and 450 SPLASHES!!! Cover, MAO WINS!!
Winner: Mao, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
Sho tried to stack the deck, but justice was still served! Mao is alive in the block, if only for now. Can he count on Robbie Eagles AND Taiji Ishimori to bring down El Desperado and Yoh?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Robbie Eagles!
The Rogue Luchador still has that target on his back, not only because he could go to the finals with his win and Yoh’s loss, but because he is THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. Could the Sniper of the Skies kill two birds with one victory? Or is Despy about to go back-to-back at the BOSJ finals?
Eagles shows off his Soul of PWA Championship, and makes a point that it is bigger and shinier. Despy says yeah, that’s nice. The fans rally and duel already, and the bell rings. Despy and Eagles circle, the fans rally more, and they feel things out. The fans already start up “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” so Eagles joins in! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” The fans applaud, Eagles mocks Despy’s bow and waving arms, then the two tie up. Despy waistlocks, Eagles switches but Despy wrenches. Eagles rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, but Despy headlocks for the takeover.
Eagles headscissors, Despy rolls Eagles around to then float, but Eagles gets his leg guard up. Eagles wrangles Despy and goes for a leg, but Despy rolls to have a toehold. Eagles kicks Despy down to have the HEEL HOOK! Despy scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Eagles lets go, and Despy goes to the apron. Eagles smirks and eggs Despy on. Despy rises up, the fans rally and duel, and Despy steps inside. Despy and Eagles circle, tie up, and Despy powers Eagles to the ropes. Red Shoes counts the break, Despy lets off to pat Eagles on the shoulder. But then he KNEES low! Despy whips, but Eagles holds ropes to block!
Despy still tries, Eagles still holds on, but Despy CLAWS Eagles’ eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Despy whips, only for Eagles to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles then RANAS, but Despy sunset flips through! TWO, Eagles high stacks, TWO! Both men stand, Despy KNEES low again, then whips. Eagles reverses to WHEEL KICK and kip up! The fans fire up and Eagles paces. Despy rises but Eagles is on him with a CHOP! Despy goes to ropes, Eagles is on him in the corner. Eagles CHOPS, puts Despy’s leg in ropes, and pulls! Despy shouts for Red Shoes, Red Shoes counts, and Eagles lets go, to basement 619!
Despy tumbles out of the ring, the fans rally, and Eagles paces. Eagles mockingly calls for Despy, then goes to the outside. Eagles stomps away on Despy’s leg, and then SMASHES it on the floor! Eagles flexes, says hey to Ninja Mack on commentary, then goes for Despy. Despy fires body shots and CHOPS, but Eagles TACKLES him down! Eagles YANKS Despy’s leg, puts him in the ring, then sits him up to step over and tie up the legs! STUMP PULLER! Despy endures and clubs at Eagles’ leg, but Eagles drops back to make this a cover, ONE!! The fans cheer as Despy sits up. Eagles KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! But Despy blcoks!
Despy spins Eagles, Eagles knees free, then Eagles runs, but Despy dropkicks a leg! Despy grabs that leg for a SHIN BREAKER! The fans fire up while Eagles writhes. Despy has the leg and SPLASHES down on it! Eagles kicks at Despy from the mat, but Despy pushes on a leg to have a toehold! Eagles endures, Despy drags him around, and ties up the legs for an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Despy slaps his own leg into working, but Eagles sits up to CHOP! Despy eggs him on so Eagles CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Despy “falls over” and that puts on more pressure! Eagles flails while Despy just lounges. Eagles crawls over, pushes Despy out of his way, and has the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Red Shoes calls the break. Despy claims he needs help, but Eagles fires hands! Despy lets go, but he kneels on the bad leg! Eagles has the ropes again, Red Shoes counts, and Despy finally stands. Eagles crawls away, but he refuses to let Red Shoes stop this. Despy drags Eagles up but Eagles fires body shots and forearms! Despy KNEES low, but Eagles BOOTS! Eagles whips, Despy reverses, but Eagles fights the spinebuster! Despy KNEES low again, suplexes, but Eagles slips free to CHOP BLOCK and BLINDSLIDE LARIAT! Despy tumbles out, the fans rally up, and Eagles pushes through the pain to DIVE!
The fans fire up with Eagles but he still hobbles on that bad leg. Eagles sees a young fan dressed like him and cheers with him. Eagles then puts Despy in the ring, pounds the apron, and the fans rally up more. Eagles springboards to SNIPER DROPKICK! And then he has the leg to roll Despy into the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Despy shouts and flails, scratches and claws, and makes his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Eagles lets go, then Eagles drags Despy to center. Despy kicks at Eagles, but Eagles KICKS the leg! Despy writhes, Eagles hobbles, and they go to opposite corners. Eagles runs in, but Despy dodges!
Eagles’ knees hit buckles, Despy runs up, and Despy blocks a boot! Despy kicks one leg, and DRAGON SCREWS the other! Then he has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Eagles flails, reaches out, but Despy thrashes him around! Eagles lunges to the ROPEBREAK! Despy lets go and the fans rally again. Despy hobbles over to bring Eagles up, and he reels Eagles in. Despy suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud while Despy drags Eagles up. Despy gut wrenches for GUITARRA- NO, Eagles slips free and waistlocks! Despy ELBOWS Eagles, whips, but Eagles reverses, only for Despy to reverse and SPINEBUSETR! High stack, TWO!
Despy has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Eagles endures, Despy thrashes, then Despy rolls Eagles away to have NUMERO DOS! Eagles reaches out with his free arm, then activates the core to sit up! Eagles DESTROY- NO, Despy blocks the rolling driver, tucks Eagles in, but Eagles CLUBS away on the legs! Eagles slips free, wrangles Despy, and has the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Despy endures, reaches out, and he crawls forward. Despy drags Eagles along with him, but Eagles drags Despy back! Eagles puts on the pressure and the fans are thunderous! Despy fights his way forward again, but Eagles thrashes around! Despy gives it one last gasp and he has the ROPEBREAK!!
Eagles lets go, to drop KNEES on the knee! Then GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Then SPINNING TOEHOLD! Despy writhes, Eagles goes out and up, for WARP 4.5, but onto KNEES! Well, to clarify, the legs are usually the target, but Despy gets his knees up to jam Eagles! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Eagles and Despy stir, then crawl for each other. They go forehead to forehead, then rise up to go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Despy slaps his leg into working, ROCKS Eagles, and then stands. Eagles ROCKS Despy, Despy ROCKS Eagles again, but now Eagles UPPERCUTS!
The fans rally up more as Despy storms back up. He SLAPS Eagles! Eagles takes off the headband and bandana! Eagles huffs ‘n’ puffs and SLAPS Despy! And SLAPS, and KICKS! Despy ROCKS Eagles, but Eagles says I’LL BE BACK! ROUNDHOUSE! SUPERKICK! ENZI- NO, Despy ducks to roll and STRETCH MUFFLER! Eagles rolls Despy to a cover, TWO! Eagles schoolboys with a bridge, TWO! Despy stands, Eagles SOBATS, then ASAI DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Despy stands, spins Eagles around and around, then PINCHE LOCO!! But Despy can’t make the cover! The fans fire up as Despy crawls and covers, TWO!!!
The fans fire up as Eagles survives! Despy rises, brings Eagles around, and Despy underhooks. TIGER DRIVER!! And then he underhooks again, but Eagles fireman’s carries! Eagles shifts things around to hit the TURBO BACKPACK!! Eagles crawls to the cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans are thunderous! Eagles goes to the corner, takes aim, and he basement SUPERKICKS!! Eagles can’t make the cover, his bad leg hurts too much! The fans rally harder as both men rise, and Eagles is back at the corner. Eagles runs to HYPER- NO, Despy ducks and has the leg! STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS!! Eagles flails, sits up again, but Despy makes it a SPINEBUTER!!
Despy has NUMERO DOS PLUS!!! Eagles dangles as he endures, and he QUITS! Despy wins!!!
Winner: El Desperado, by submission (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)
The Sniper could not take out the Rogue Luchador, and Desperado is still in the running! With that, Mao is now out of the running, too, so it all comes down to the main event!
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Taiji Ishimori!
The pressure is on for Direct Drive! Yoh beat Despy in their 1v1, so if Yoh wins, he is in! Will this be a fresh finals for the Best of the Super Juniors? Or can the Bone Soldier help Despy make it through?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Yoh and Taiji circle, feel things out, and they tie up. Taiji wrenches to a wristlock, but Yoh rolls then trips Taiji. Taiji counters by going for the armbar, but Yoh stacks Taiji to a cover, ONE! The two back off and the fans cheer. Yoh and Taiji reset, circle again, and feel things out. They knuckle lock, but then Yoh goes for a leg. Taiji holds him off and puts him on ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, and Taiji lets off with pats to the shoulder. The two reset again, tie up, and Taiji headlocks. Yoh fires body shots, powers up and out, then drops down. Yoh bypasses Taiji, drop toeholds, but Taiji avoids the basement dropkick!
Yoh avoids a Penalty Kick, but Taiji kicks low to snapmare and NECK- NO, Yoh victory rolls, so that he can NECK TWIST! The fans rally while Taiji goes to ropes. Yoh runs up, Taiji puts him on the apron, but Yoh blocks a shot. Taiji ducks Yoh’s punch to HOTSHOT him down! Taiji then runs to a corner, goes up, up, and GOLDEN TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! The fans fire up and Taiji brings Yoh around. Taiji hammerlocks Yoh’s arm and POSTS him! Yoh staggers away, Taiji goes off to the blue corner and he undoes the buckle pad. The Bullet Club Special is in play, but Taiji waits as the ring count climbs.
Yoh stands at 3 of 20, shakes out the bad arm, and rolls in at 8. The fans cheer, Taiji storms up, but Yoh fires a forearm! Taiji fires back, snapmares, and NECK TWISTS! The fans cheer while Yoh clutches his neck and shoulder. Taiji drags Yoh up, snapmares, and FIST DROPS! Cover, TWO! Taiji sits Yoh up to clamp on with a chinlock! Yoh endures the knee in his back, then fights his way around. Yoh reaches out, but Taiji turns him with a wristlock. Taiji wrenches and WRINGS Yoh to then WRING the arm again! Yoh scrambles to ropes while the fans cheer. Taiji storms over, grabs the arm, and has a COBRA CLUTCH!
Yoh endures as Taiji drags him away to center. Yoh kicks and reaches out, then fights up. Taiji ripcords to RAM Yoh, then COBRA CLUTCH and a takedown! COBRA TRIANGLE! The fans rally as Yoh endures, and Yoh kicks around to have the ROPEBREAK! Taiji lets go in frustration, and Yoh coughs and sputters as he catches his breath. Taiji CLUBS Yoh, drags him up, but Yoh fires forearms and kicks! Taiji BODY BLOWS, then CLUBS Yoh! Yoh goes back to the ropes, Taiji brings him around to whip into a corner. Taiji runs up, but Yoh BOOTS him away! Taiji comes back, but into a clinch, BACKBREAKER and NECKBREAKER!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Yoh and Taiji rise, and Yoh runs up to rally with forearms! Yoh whips, Taiji reverses, but Yoh FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up with Yoh, and he brings Taiji up. Yoh scoops Taiji to SLAM him, and then he revels in cheers. Yoh drops the ELBOW, then covers. TWO, and Yoh drops the KNEE! Cover, TWO and Yoh SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Yoh shakes out the arm. Yoh drags Taiji up, reels him in, but Taiji fights the suplex to wrench and ARM CODE BREAKER! Then BONE LOCK! But Yoh rolls it fast! TWO!! Taiji kicks low, CLAWS Yoh’s eyes, then whips.
Yoh reverses, Taiji handsprings, but Yoh catches him! Taiji switches, ducks an elbow, then spins Yoh around, to POST him! The Bullet Club Special comes through, and Taiji brings Yoh out. Taiji hammerlocks the arm, scoops, and SHOULDER BUSTERS! Yoh writhes, Taiji goes back to the corner, and the fans rally up. Taiji runs back in, tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTIC- NO, Yoh spins that into a COBRA TWIST! Yoh then shifts to throw elbows, and he puts on the ANACONDA VICE! Taiji reaches out, fights his way over, but Yoh wrangles him to the mat! Taiji endures, rolls, pops free, and has the BONE LOCK!!
Yoh endures again and the fans rally back up! Yoh fights around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him back for BLOODY- NO, Yoh handsprings through and O’Conner Rolls! Taiji stops the bridge, pushes Yoh down, BONE LOCK!! Yoh endures again and the fans rally! Yoh fights over again, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Yoh literally escapes by a foot. Taiji lets go, then grins as he brings Yoh back up. Taiji gut wrenches, and CIPHER UTAKI! But Taiji says that’s not all! He aims his finger gun, says BANG, and then brings Yoh back in. But Yoh suplexes, FALCON GOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans rally up again!
Yoh and Taiji slowly stir, rise up, and Yoh fires a forearm! Taiji fires back! Yoh fires another, Taiji fires another, repeat! They pick up speed and the fans rally! Taiji LARIATS but Yoh stays up! Yoh LARIATS but Taiji stays up! They both roar, and DOUBLE LARIAT! Yoh runs up but Taiji JUMP KNEES! BANG and BLOODY- NO, Yoh wrenches out to HEADBUTT! Both men fall and the fans fire up! Taiji and Yoh stir, but Yoh sits up first. Yoh roars, slaps his bad arm into working, and then crawls over to Taiji. Yoh underhooks but Taiji fights the lift! Taiji wrenches out but Yoh full nelsons! Taiji fights that, but Yoh ripcords!
Taiji blocks the knee but that hurts his harm! Taiji takes a swing, but into the ANACONDA VICE! Taiji fights the hold, wrenches out, and tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!!! Yoh fights around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him! Yoh uses that to have the ANACONDA VICE!!! Taiji endures, fights to sit up, and then he stands to fire body shots. Taiji RAMS Yoh into the bare buckles! Both men fall back and the fans rally harder! Taiji drags Yoh up, reels him in, but Yoh blocks! Yoh fireman’s carries, and he hits an USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up and Yoh full nelsons Taiji! DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Taiji escapes but Yoh vows to end this! The fans are thunderous as Yoh hauls Taiji up! DIRECT DRIVE!!! Cover, YOH WINS!!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
The Bone Soldier fails, and now Desperado is NOT going to the finals! Desperado will now be on the outside looking in, waiting for his next challenger.
Speaking of which, Kosei Fujita now makes his way out here to be face to face with Yoh. Yoh holds the ropes open for Fujita to step into the ring. Fujita and Yoh get face to face, and Fujita points at the tag title on Yoh’s shoulder, because he also wants that belt. Yoh knows, since he and Wato took it from Fujita & Eagles. But Yoh dismisses Fujita, they’ll meet again on June 1st. Yoh then takes up the mic to tell Fujita, “Ya bastard… I’ll show you true chaos! Now, just one more win. In Ota, the best wind will blow.” Yoh drops the mic to leave it at that. Will that wind be the winds of change? Or will Yoh fail to bring down The Mighty Japanese Young Punk?
Here are the FINAL B Block standings!
YOH: 6-3, 12 points [FINALIST]
El Desperado: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
MAO: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Taiji Ishimori: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Robbie Eagles: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Nick Wayne: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Kevin Knight: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-6, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
A great night to wrap round nine and therefore the round robin portion. No repeat BOSJ finalists, which is actually great because now we’ve got a fresh match-up. Taguchi VS Knight was still a great match for not affecting outcomes, and Knight gets to return to AEW with a win. The flipside is Titan gets a win over Nick Wayne, I really do think it books itself, Nick VS Titan for the ROH World TV Championship on Grand Slam: Mexico. Christian Cage can even be condescending to Nick over how Nick didn’t make it to the finals, adding to that feud. Nick can beat Titan in the rematch, then get in Christian’s face to make a match for All In: Texas, or at least Supercard of Honor where ROH titles should be showing up anyway.
Great stuff with Mao and his team against Sho and the House of Torture. I was pleasantly surprised that Mao won, and I wonder if the House of Torture goes to a DDT Pro show to battle it out with Strange Love Connection. Mao winning also added great drama to the remaining matches, Despy VS Eagles was awesome stuff, probably the actual best match of the night. Yoh VS Taiji wasn’t quite as hot going by the crowd, but Yoh getting the win to shut the door on Despy was good. Yoh VS Fujita will be great, a bit hard to call, but that makes it fun.
My Score: 9/10
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