Results
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (3/2/23)
Honor is BACK!
It’s a New Era of Honor!
Look who’s back! Ring of Honor returns to weekly wrestling programming, and Claudio Castagnoli defends the ROH World Championship!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Mark Briscoe VS Slim J w/ Ari Daivari; Briscoe wins.
- The Kingdom w/ Maria Kanellis VS The Infantry; The Kingdom wins.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Blake Christian; ZSJ wins and retains the title.
- Christopher Daniels VS Rohit Raju w/ Jora Johl; Daniels wins.
- Konosuke Takeshita VS Josh Woods w/ Mark Sterling; Konosuke wins.
- The Embassy w/ Prince Nana VS Joe Keys, Alex Lawless & Leon St. Giovanni; The Embassy wins.
- Metalik VS Ari Daivari w/ Slim J & Mark Sterling; Daivari wins.
- The Renegades VS Skye Blue & Madison Rayne; Skye & Rayne win.
- Lady Frost VS Willow Nightingale; Willow wins.
- ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli VS AR Fox; Claudio wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Mark Briscoe VS Slim J w/ Ari Daivari!
ROH is back, honor is back, and you can’t have those back without the Sussex County Chicken! Will an ROH OG lead the way in this new era of honor?
Because this is ROH, the ref calls for the Code of Honor handshake. Mark offers, Slim accepts, but then kicks it away. Fans boo while the bell rings, and Mark circles with Slim. Fans sing, “Briscoe’s gonna kill~ you!” They tie up, Mark headlocks but Slim powers out. Mark slips under and UPPERCUTS! Slim bails out, Daivari and Sterling check on him, but Mark waits. The fans chant for “BRISCOE! BRISCOE!” but Slim comes back. They circle again, tie up, and Slim waistlocks. Briscoe pries free, wrenches to a wristlock and then he waistlocks. Sterling distracts and Slim mule kicks low! Fans boo as Slim tears his shirt off.
Slim mocks Mark, throws hands, but Mark throws hands back. Slim fires off on Mark, bumps him off buckles, and fans boo. Slim whips, Mark goes up and out, and then he UPPERCUTS again! Fans fire up with mark, he shoulders into Slim and then slips around to run and BOOT Slim outta the ring! Fans fire up as Mark builds speed to WRECK Slim with a dropkick! Mark says, “That’s how we do, baby!” Mark throws a chair in the ring! The ref tells him no, but Mark claps with the chair. Fans rally along, Mark sets the chair up and builds speed, to go up, only to stop as Daivari gets Slim to safety. Fans boo but Daivari says to get the chair outta the ring!
Mark waits, Slim gets in the ring and gets in Mark’s face. They talk trash, Mark dares Slim to hit him, so Slim ROCKS him with a haymaker! But Mark comes back to CHOP! Slim spasms, Mark CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS again! Mark CHOPS and then puts Slim up top. Mark fires up to UPPERCUT! Fans fire up while Slim wobbles. Sterling distracts again, Mark chases him off, and then Mark goes back to Slim. Slim fights off the Iconoclasm to FLYING GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO! Mark has a bloody cut on his forehead but Slim brings him up. But Mark throws body shots! Mark swings but Slim blocks to LARIAT, LARIAT and knuckle lock.
Slim goes up and up and FLYING DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and fans fire up! Slim drags Mark up, throws him out, and then distracts the ref so Daivari can stomp away! Fans boo but Daivari gets away with it. Daivari puts Mark in, Slim goes after him and digs his boots in. The ref counts, Slim lets off at 4, then digs his boots in again! The ref counts, Slim lets off, but then goes after Mark again! The ref backs Slim off, Mark sputters, but Slim ROCKS him with a right! Fans rally for Mark but Slim mocks them. Slim clamps onto Mark’s arm, Mark endures the armlock, and Mark fights up. Slim body scissors to keep the hold!
Mark endures but he drops to a knee. Fans chant “SLIM J SUCKS!” but Slim slips around to a SLEEPER! Mark throws Slim off but Slim ENZIGURIS! Mark goes to a corner, Slim snapmares to wrap on a chinlock. Fans boo but Daivari and Sterling applaud. Mark endures, fans rally up, and Mark stands, only for Slim to throw him down! Fans still rally and Mark hammers the mat. Mark fights up to his feet, he throws body shots, then elbows! REDNECK KUNG-FU CHOPS! Mark fires off, whips corner to corner, then runs in to clothesline! Snapmare and SLIDING BOOT! Fans fire up and Mark brings Slim back up.
Mark turns Slim, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Slim survives the Jay style neckbreaker but Mark drags Slim up. Mark suplexes, but Slim knees free! Slim ROCKS Mark, runs, but into a FOREARM! Mark whips, to CLOBBER Slim again! Fans fire up, Mark reels Slim in, Canadian Rack to the CRUCIFIX BOMB! Cover, TWO!! But Mark fireman’s carries, to ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Fans fire up and Mark climbs a corner! Mark says this is for Jay, the FROGGY- NO, Slim dodges! But he runs into a BOOT! Mark hoists Slim up, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall
Daivari is frustrated but his boy could not beat the spirit of #DemBoys! Mark even shakes Slim’s hand to keep the Code of Honor. Mark is leading the way, will he reach for the sky?
Backstage interview with Tony Deppen.
Lexi Nair is with the former ROH World Television Champion, and next week, on just the second new episode, Deppen gets his shot at that title, against Samoa Joe! Deppen is probably facing the biggest test of his career, but Deppen brings out a written statement. “I, Tony Deppen, hereby proclaim that next week on ROH Television, exclusively on Honor Club, will do the unthinkable. I will defeat Samoa Joe, either by pinfall or by submission.” And he has two submissions he can win with. The STF, which has been heralded as “ten times better than Samoa Joe’s STF,” or the classic Chicken Wing.
After sitting in the front row at last year’s Supercard of Honor, Deppen knows all of Joe’s weak points, and he will take full advantage! Next week, he reclaims the ROH World TV title and cement his legacy in ROH history! Deppen says he will be the CZAR of Honor! Will Deppen dethrone the One True King of Wrestling Television? Or will his coup be crushed?
The Kingdom w/ Maria Kanellis VS The Infantry!
Mike Bennett & Matt Taven didn’t last that long in AEW Dynamite’s Casino Tag Team Battle Royal, but they’re home now in ROH. Will they begin the climb towards the ROH Tag Team Championships? Or will Captain Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo begin their own march to the top?
The teams follow the Code of Honor with the handshake and then sort out. We begin with Mike and Carlie, and they circle. Carlie says hi to the lovely First Lady of ROH, but turns around into a BOOT from the husband. Mike CHOPS Carlie, Taven holdsCarlie in for another CHOP! Taven tags, The Kingdom double whip, dropkick and ax handle! Taven says ROH is HIS Kingdom, but then Carlie JAWBREAKERS! Carlie wrenches, tags Dean, and the Infantry mugs Taven. They double whip, double hip toss, and then turn, salute and DOUBLE FIST DROP! Mike runs in but into double shoulders!
The Infantry get the legs, and they SPLIT THE WISHBONE! Mike bails out and Maria checks him. Dean tags Carlie, Carlie whips Taven but Taven goes up and over. Things speed up, Taven hurdles and DROPKICKS! Because “IIII’M! Matt Taven!” Taven stands Carlie up, tags Mike, and The Kingdom double wrench, only for Carlie to fight free! Carlie fires elbows and forearms, runs, but Taven hurdles, Mike ROCKS, and Taven PURPLE THUNDER BOMBS! Jackknife bridge from Mike, TWO! Mike drags Carlie up, reels him in and suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Mike keeps on Carlie and tags Taven in.
Mike trips Carlie, CATAPULT into Taven’s GAMANGIRI! Then Carlie is along the knees, ELBOW DROP BACKBREAKER! Cover, Dean breaks it! Taven shouts to get Dean back and Dean goes to his corner. Taven stands Carlie up, Carlie swings but misses, and Taven KICKS, JABS, KICKS but Carlie wrenches out, slips around and hits a NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and fans fire up. Carlie and Taven crawl, hot tags to Mike and Dean! Dean rallies on Mike with big clotheslines! Dean whips, Mike reverses, but Dean floats around. Taven runs in, Dean kicks and reels him in, DOUBLE DDTS!
Fans fire up and Dean covers Mike, ROPEBREAK! Mike survives but Dean pounds the mat. Fans rally, Dean runs in to ELBOW! Dean whips Mike corner to corner, runs in and back elbows again! Tag to Carlie, Carlie RAMS into Mike, then Dean tags back in. Carlie jukes Mike to ROCK him, then feeds Dean’s FLAPJACK! Fans fire up and Dean tags Carlie back in. The Infantry coordinate, but Taven trips Dean! Mike blocks Carlie’s kick, spins him, but Carlie dodges to SUPERKICK after all! Carlie hurries up top, but Taven ENZIGURIS! Mike gets Carlie in a backpack, Taven coordinates, PROTON PACK!! Cover, The Kingdom wins!
Winners: The Kingdom, by pinfall
Whoever says you can’t go home again had it wrong! The Kingdom is home, and they’re back on track! Will they soon reign over ROH once again?
Blake Christian speaks.
“All Heart Blake Christian, what does ‘All Heart’ stand for? Not only in the name, it stands for heart, but it’s about seizing opportunity and making moments. They call me last minute, ‘Come wrestle Colt Cabana in the very first show in the comeback of ROH,’ and I did that. Not only did I did that, I made moments. And tonight, I wrestle Zack Sabre Jr. for the NJPW TV title. And I’m gonna make another moment. Not only that, I’m gonna seize opportunity when I beat Zack Sabre Jr. when I become THE NJPW World TV Champion.”
Zack Sabre Jr. responds.
“ROH Wrestling isn’t the only thing back, is it? Zack Sabre Jr. is back in the United States of America. Rejoice, cretins, rejoice. Because not only have I changed since the last time that I was here, TMDK’s got themselves a new front man. And Zed-S-J has got his first NJPW gold, the brand new, shiny NJPW World TV title. And Blake Christian, darling, you’ve got the opportunity of a lifetime, haven’t you? But don’t you forget, this title comes with a 15 minute time limit. Use those 15 minutes wisely, darling, because you’re about to step in the ring with the best technical wrestler in the world. As you were, morons.”
NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Blake Christian!
The Front Man of The Mighty, the first and only man to hold this title, has had quite the first season. Will that season continue into the Spring? Or will All Heart take over as the star of the show?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Blake’s 15 minutes of fame start now!
The two circle, feel things out, and ZSJ avoids Blake’s shoot in. They go again, ZSJ knuckle locks, rolls and wrangles Blake, but Blake fights up and hits a fireman’s carry takeover to a ghost pin! ONE, and fans fire up as Blake shows he can keep up. ZSJ and Blake circle again, feel things out, knuckle lock and ZSJ drags Blake down to then stand on the hands. ZSJ pulls on one arm while standing on the other! Blake moves around but ZSJ has the arms for a motorcycle stretch. Blake turns things around but ZSJ turns them right back! ZSJ wrenches the arms, but Blake flips, kips and arm-drags free! Fans applaud but ZSJ keeps cool.
The two reset and circle. They tie up, ZSJ gets the arm and wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ wrenches again, top wristlocks and he wrangles Blake to isolate the arm and STOMP it! Fans rally for “ALL HEART!” but ZSJ pulls on the ear. The ref reprimands, ZSJ lets off and he knuckle locks to wrench. ZSJ WRINGS Blake’s arm, then GROUND WRENCHES it! Fans freak out as ZSJ bends those fingers! ZSJ twists the wrist, cranks the elbow, hammers the hammerlock, then STOMPS the arm again! ZSJ swaggers and Blake shakes the arm out. ZSJ grabs the arm, wrenches, and knuckle locks for a straight arm lever!
ZSJ whips, Blake springboards and arm-drags! Blake shakes the arm out but ZSJ headbutts low! ZSJ headlocks, Blake powers out and follows to run ZSJ over! Blake has the arm, cartwheels and knees, but ZSJ blocks it! But Blake uses that to victory roll, TWO!! Blake dodges, hurdles, rolls, and DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Blake kips up, fans fire up and ZSJ bails out! Fans rally and Blake builds speed to FLY! But into a cravat!! ZSJ throws Blake onto the apron, for a NECK TWIST! Blake writhes and ZSJ says, “How ’bout that, morons?!” ZSJ wants Bryan Danielson to be watching! ZSJ is THE best technical wrestler in the world!
ZSJ drags Blake up, UPPERCUTS him back down, and paces. Fans echo the “Oi oi.” ZSJ kicks Blake, Blake snarls and he throws a forearm! ZSJ grins, Blake forearms again, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! We hear the five minute mark and fans rally up for “ALL HEART! ALL HEART!” ZSJ cravats Blake, hooks a leg to keep him in one place, but fans rally. Blake fights up, throws body shots, but ZSJ cranks the neck wrench. ZSJ snapmares but Blake handsprings through! Blake then drop toeholds ZSJ into the ropes! ZSJ is stuck, 619!! Blake springboards to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as Blake bounces off the mat!
Blake aims from a corner, ZSJ stands, and Blake runs in, only for ZSJ to block the boot! ZSJ wrenches the foot but Blake BOOTS him away! Blake kips up, runs in again, but only gets buckles. ZSJ runs in, Blake goes up and over then Alabama Lifts, for the ALABAMA SLAM! And then CATAPULT into buckles! And then an ENZIGURI! Blake brings ZSJ around, SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes and Blake grows frustrated. Fans argue the count for Blake but the ref defends it was a fair count. Blake drags ZSJ up and ripcords, but ZSJ GUILLOTINES! ZSJ cranks, but Blake powers up! Only for ZSJ to HALF HATCH SNAP SUPLEX!
Both men are down and fans rally up. ZSJ stands, he brings Blake up, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS Blake down! ZSJ brings Blake around, UPPERCUTS again and Blake falls over! ZSJ flexes, fans fire up, and Blake stands. ZSJ full nelsons, spins, and UPPERCUTS! Blake wobbles but he leans on ropes. ZSJ runs in, Blake dumps him to the apron! ZSJ lands on his feet, swings but Blake dodges to then go up and out and SPEAR on the apron! Fans fire up as ZSJ flops to the floor. Blake builds speed again and he FLIES! Direct hit with the Fosbury Flop! Fans fire up more as Blake puts ZSJ back in, and Blake aims again!
Blake springboards, FLYING KNEE! ZSJ is down but Blake wants to add on! Blake drags ZSJ up and fans rally behind him. Ripcord, but ZSJ slips around to COBRA TWIST! Blake endures but ZSJ pulls way back on it! Blake pries at the hold, ZSJ shifts to a DRAGON SLEEPER! Blake reaches out, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go in frustration but time is still on his side. Fans rally for Blake again, but ZSJ smirks. ZSJ gives toying kicks, then KICKS him sharply! We hit ten minutes, ZSJ pie faces Blake around, but Blake CHOPS! ZSJ wobbles and fans fire up! Blake CHOPS again, then CHOPS again!
ZSJ eggs Blake on, so Blake winds up, but ZSJ blocks! ZSJ UPPERCUTS the arm, UPPERCUTS Blake, runs, but into a SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!!! ZSJ survives and Blake is beside himself! Fans continue to rally and Blake brings ZSJ back up. Blake fireman’s carries, but the back gives up! ZSJ has the KIMURA, and he even headbutts the elbow! But Blake powers up to ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! SUPERKICK! And then suplex, to the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives again and Blake grits his teeth. Blake pounds the mat, fans rally behind him, and Blake goes to the apron. Blake springboards again, but ZSJ gets under! But Blake handsprings to NEURALIZER!
Blake goes back to the apron, we’re under three minutes, SPRINGBOARD 450, into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Blake fights it, ZSJ lifts Blake with his legs to flip him into a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Blake flails, but ZSJ shifts to an INVERTED TRIANGLE!! ZSJ pulls way back and Blake taps, ZSJ wins!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (still NJPW World Television Champion)
With a couple minutes to spare, the Front Man breaks All Heart’s heart to hold onto the gold! The Code of Honor is upheld here, but who will be next for the ZSJ Show?
Backstage interview with Konosuke Takeshita, Mark Sterling and Ari Daivari.
Lexi Nair notes that Konosuke is to face Josh Woods later tonight, but Sterling is here with an offer to make. It’s more like a command, but here’s the deal. The match is not happening for three reasons. One: Sterling is MJF’s lawyer, Konosuke hit MJF from behind, that’s a conflict of interest. Two: Sterling just doesn’t like Konosuke. And three: Woods really wanted his first match back in ROH to be against someone of a “higher caliber.” So here’s what we do. Cancel the match, split the winner’s purse 50-50. Well, okay, it’ll be more like 55-45 as Sterling has his legal fees Konosuke must cover.
Sterling hands over the contract for Konosuke to look at. All Konosuke has to do is sign it and we’re all good. Daivari says he’ll even throw in another $10,000 for Konosuke. Konosuke nods, and RIPS UP THE CONTRACT! Sterling says this is a mistake, Woods is a national champion! Konosuke clearly doesn’t care, will he earn 100% of the winner’s purse here tonight?
Christopher Daniels speaks.
“21 years ago, a new promotion emerged, and reinvigorated professional wrestling for a fanbase that was starved for it. That promotion was ROH. Well now, 2023, a new era, new owners, with all the things that have changed, two things remain the same. The competition is still the toughest in the land, and Christopher Daniels is still in the thick of it. So let me give a warning to each and every member of the ROH roster. For all the things that I’ve already done, there’s a lot more that I wanna do. So if you stand in my way, say your prayers.” The Fallen Angel returns to action in ROH, will he help lead the way in this new era?
Christopher Daniels VS Rohit Raju w/ Jora Johl!
The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. The two circle, fans rally up, and the two tie up. Raju pushes Daniels to a corner, stomps away, but the ref counts. Raju lets off to soak up the heat, then he runs back in to forearm smash! Snapmare and running ax handle drop! Cover, ONE! Raju stalks Daniels to ropes, CLUBS him, then CHOKES him! The fans boo and the ref counts but Raju lets off. Raju high-fives with Johl, then Raju whips. Daniels ducks ‘n’ dodges and arm-drags! Mule kick and JAB, JAB, and whip! Daniels swings, Raju ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Daniels hits a CALF KICK! Daniels brings Raju up to CHOP to a corner!
Raju shoves Daniels but Daniels kicks low. Daniels suplexes high and hard, then he covers, ONE! Fans rally for Daniels as he stands Raju up and CLUBS away on him. Daniels runs, but Johl trips him up! Fans boo but Raju CLOBBERS Daniels from behind! Raju again distracts the ref so Johl can CLOBBER Daniels! Fans boo more but Johl puts Daniels in. Raju covers, TWO! Daniels is an ROH Grand Slam Champion, these tactics aren’t enough. Raju stomps Daniels, eggs him on, but Daniels throws body shots. Daniels wings but into a strike fest! Daniels ducks a roundhouse but Raju sweeps the legs, and then DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally while Raju grows frustrated. Raju stomps Daniels more, and then he rains down forearms! Fans boo, the ref sees there are closed fists in there, so Raju lets off. Raju headlocks, Daniels powers out, but Raju runs him over! Raju headlocks again, Daniels powers out again, but Raju runs him over again. Raju headlocks a third time, but Daniels hits a SAIDO! Fans fire up as both men slowly rise. Daniels runs in to CLOBBER Raju, CHOP him, and then whips him to ropes. Raju reverses but Daniels LEAPING LARIATS! Fans fire up and Daniels clinches, EXPLODER! Daniels roars, fans fire up, and Daniels calls his shot!
Daniels underhooks Raju but Raju RAMS Daniels into a corner! JUMP KNEE! Daniels is down, Raju goes up top! DEIS DRAGON- NO, Daniels dodges the stomps, but he runs into a BOOT! Raju ROLLING- NO, URENAGE! Daniels goes to the corner, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Daniels wins!
Winner: Christopher Daniels, by pinfall
The Fallen Angel defeats the Desi Hitman! Then, now and forever, Daniels is ROH! Will he be back on top in this new era soon enough?
Backstage interview with Rhett Titus & Tracy Williams.
Lexi is with the former ROH Tag Team Champions, “The Professional” and “Hot Sauce,” and asks about their paths here in the new era. Titus says the path is the same. That path Titus started 17 years ago, ROH his entire career, and that path leads right back to the mountaintop. And Hot Sauce has worked for his entire career to be IN ROH! ROH represents the kind of pro-wrestling that Williams loves! This is what pro-wrestling should be. He and Titus became a team, they worked hard to achieve a goal, and they did it. They’ve both been ROH World TV Champion, they were ROH Tag Team Champions together, but those were snatched away!
Tracy & Titus don’t take this lightly, and their path is singular. They will once and for all achieve that goal, work harder than ever, and restore the honor in ROH! They turn to go, but then Aussie Open walks in? Fletcher & Davis being here is a surprise, but they just want to ask something. They couldn’t help but overhear those lists of accomplishments, and they are so happy for Tracy & Titus. So happy that they found success in the past. But this is 2023, and in 2023, there is no better tag team in the WORLD then Aussie Open.
So ROH TV next week, if they wanna have a pro-wrestling tag match, Aussie Open will adhere to the Code of Honor, so long as Tracy & Titus will be men enough to adhere to it after they lose. Tracy & Titus accept, and they shake hands now. Will the Professional and the Hot Sauce get back on track towards the ROH Tag titles? Or will the United Empire start to conquer ROH?
Konosuke Takeshita VS Josh Woods w/ Mark Sterling!
Since the deal fell through and The Future said no to a settlement, he and the Technical Beast will battle it out! Will Konosuke regret refusing Sterling’s offer? Or will Smart Mark look like a dummy for riling up the Japanese phenomenon?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. Fans rally for Konosuke, he and Woods tie up, and are in a deadlock. They go around, Woods puts Konosuke in a corner but Konosuke pushes him back. Konosuke has Woods in a corner now, but he lets off cleanly. Fans applaud the sportsmanship and Woods even grins. They go again, tie up, and Woods shoots in to get a leg. Woods throws Konosuke up and over, then waistlocks to roll Konosuke around. Woods now has a full nelson, but Konosuke pushes back, rolls out of it, and shifts to a facelock. Woods wrenches out, Konosuke waistlocks, but Woods switches.
Woods has a hammerlock, but Konosuke reaches back to headlock. Woods powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS shoulders with him. Neither man falls, Konosuke dares Woods to try, so Woods runs. They RAM shoulders again, and fans cheer as neither man falls. Woods dares Konosuke, Konosuke runs, and they RAM shoulders again! Konosuke fires up and dares Woods to run and fans fire up with him! Woods runs, but Konosuke BOOTS him! Konosuke whips, Woods reverses and they RAM shoulders again! Woods rebounds, RAMS, but Konosuke rebounds to run Woods over! Fans fire up but Sterling is furious!
Konosuke has Woods in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then storms up to rain down fists! Fans rally and count, Konosuke gets nine, then winds up for TEN! Konosuke whips, Woods reverses but Konosuke goes up. Woods catches Konosuke, hangs him out to dry, and then gut wrenches him off the ropes for the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Sterling and many Woods fans argue that was slow, but Woods just RAMS into Konosuke at the corner. Woods drags Konosuke up, whips him to ropes, and KNEES him against the ropes! Konosuke falls, fans duel, but Woods steps on Konosuke. Woods pushes Konosuke to a cover, TWO!
Konosuke stands, Woods puts him through ropes, and then stands him up. Fans duel, Woods CHOPS Konosuke, and throws knees! The ref counts, Woods lets off, and then Woods fisherman’s a leg through ropes to pull! Fans boo, the ref counts, and Woods lets off. Konosuke flops to the apron and Woods drags him in to cover, TWO! Sterling coaches Woods to lay into Konosuke, and Woods stands Konosuke up to whip. Woods kitchen sink knees, but Konosuke turns it into a roll-up! TWO!! Woods blocks the V-Trigger, HEADBUTTS low, then whips! Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges, TAKESHITA LINE!
Fans fire up while both men are down! Woods drags himself to a corner and fans rally up. Konosuke runs in corner to corner, and he BOOTS! That was a hell of a kick, and Konosuke pushes Woods down. Konosuke goes to the corner, goes right up, but Woods trips him up! Konosuke hits ropes and falls to the apron, but Woods is after him immediately. Woods throws forearms, then reels Konosuke in. Konosuke throws body shots, kicks back, APRON DDT! Woods is stuck in the ropes and fans are thunderous! Konosuke shoves Woods into the ring, Sterling tries to shout down his fans, but Konosuke goes up!
Konosuke leaps, Woods ducks under, but Woods swings into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Woods survives and Sterling coaches him up but fans rally behind Konosuke. Konosuke runs corner to corner, but Woods avoids the kick! And then another, to FLYING CHUCK! Konosuke staggers around, Woods brings him in, gut wrench for the DOCTOR BOMB! And then flip-over, KNEE THRUST! Cover, TWO!!! Konosuke survives and Woods can’t believe it! Fans fire up again, but Woods goes to a corner? Woods climbs up, but Konosuke stands to BOOT him first! Konosuke then climbs up, but Woods resists the superplex!
Woods throws body shots, ROCKS Konosuke, and then SUPER TWISTING SUPLEX! Sterling shouts for the pin, Woods crawls to cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives again and fans fire up! Fans rally again, Woods snarls and he stands back up. Woods drags Konosuke up, but Konosuke swings on him! Woods catches him for a JAWBREAKER to an EXPLODER! But Konosuke’s right up! GERMAN SUPLEX! Sterling panics and fans fire up again! Konosuke powers up, but DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOWS collide!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Sterling shouts for Woods to stand, but fans say “This is Awesome!”
Woods and Konosuke flounder, and Woods brings Konosuke up. Woods fireman’s carries, but Konosuke fights free to full nelson! Woods breaks it, switches, but they run to a corner. O’Conner, CHAOS- NO, VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Woods swings, misses, ROLLING ELBOW from Konosuke, to a KICK, and then a O’Conner, CHAOS- NO, Woods victory rolls! TWO, WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! Bridging cover, KONOSUKE WINS!
Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall
Fans give a standing ovation to this battle! The Code of Honor is upheld, and both men even bow to show more respect. Will these two both be the future of wrestling now that ROH is back?
Backstage interview with Claudio Castagnoli.
Lexi is with the Swiss Superman ahead of his ROH World Championship defense, and that is a lot of firsts. The first episode of ROH Wrestling back on Honor Club, Claudio’s first title defense on ROH Wrestling TV, and Claudio’s first 1v1 match with AR Fox. How is he feeling tonight? “Pressure makes diamond. I am born for situations like this. I look forward to situations like this every single day. That’s why we wake up, that’s why we step in the ring, that’s why the Blackpool Combat Club exists. Tonight, my first title defense against AR Fox.
“AR Fox, you and your little group, Top Flight, may’ve cost me some money on AEW television, but there’s absolutely nothing that will spoil my title defense tonight on ROH on Honor Club.” Claudio warns Fox in German that he is up against the absolute best in ROH and in wrestling! Will Fox show Swiss Superman what flying is really like?
The Embassy w/ Prince Nana VS Joe Keys, Alex Lawless & Leon St. Giovanni!
Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona are the ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions, and they’re hungry for competition! Will they have their fill tonight? Or will even The Machine & Gates of Agony falter?
The Embassy flank Keys, Lawless & LSG in the ring. Lawless rushes Kaun but Kaun dumps him out! Kaun then CLOBBERS Lawless with an elbow! Liona TOSSES Keys, then CLOBBERS him at the ramp with a shoulder! Fans fire up and Cage actually upholds the Code of Honor with LSG. The bell rings, Cage kicks LSG and whips him, to then swing. LSG ducks ‘n’ dodges and springboards, but into Cage’s arms! Cage RAMS LSG into the corner, RAMS him more, then CHOPS him! Cage ROCKS LSG, CLUBS him, then whips him corner to corner. LSG goes up and over, rolls and handsprings and DROPKICKS!
LSG runs, but into a trophy lift, and a TOSS into buckles! Tag to Kaun, he drags LSG up and CHOPS him! LSG ends up in the Embassy’s corner, Kaun puts him up top and Liona tags in. Kaun climbs up to hoist LSG up, TOP ROPE BACKBREAKER! And then Liona tags Cage before he hits an APRON SENTON! LSG just got crushed, but the suffering isn’t over! Cage deadlift SUPERPLEXES LSG! The Embassy poses together as fans cheer and jeer, then they BLAST Keys and Lawless off the apron! The Gates set LSG up, DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICH, and then a rock-a-bye POWERBOMB! Cover, The Embassy wins!
Winners: The Embassy, by pinfall
Dominant and destructive barely even cover it! If these three are the ROH World Six Man Champions, who will ever take those titles from them?
Metalik VS Ari Daivari w/ Slim J & Mark Sterling!
Also known as Mascara Dorada, The King of the Ropes checks off competing in ROH after also being in the WWE, NJPW and AEW. But after his boy, Slim J, failed to win big, will the money behind the Trustbusters cash in? Or will he bust against a real golden star?
The Code of Honor is upheld, though reluctantly, and the bell rings. They circle, Daivari talks trash to the fans given how they were against Slim J just earlier, and then he ties up with Metalik. Daivari wrenches an arm, wristlocks, but Metalik rolls, wrenches and wristlocks back. Daivari rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, but Metalik reaches back to hit a headlock takeover. Daivari scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Metalik lets off cleanly but Daivari and Sterling still protest. Metalik and Daivari reset, circle, and tie up again. Metalik headlocks, Daivari powers out, but Metalik runs him over. Things keep moving, and Metalik handsprings!
Daivari dodges, but Metalik keeps moving! Handspring arm-drag! Daivari dodges in the corner but runs into boots! SLING-DOG! Fans fire up and Metalik goes up the ropes, spins in the corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS Daivari down! Fans fire up again while Daivari bails out. Slim and Sterling check Daivari, but Metalik builds speed! Metalik sides, Daivari ducks in, and Slim gets in Metalik’s face. The ref tells Slim to back off, but Daivari whips Metalik into the POST! Fans boo, Slim is loving it and Daivari soaks up the heat. Fans boo harder, Daivari drags Metalik up and puts him in the ring.
Daivari drags Metalik up to put him on the ropes, and CHOKE him! The ref counts, the fans boo, and Daivari lets off. Daivari argues with the ref, and Slim CHOKES Metalik! Fans chant “SLIM J SUCKS!” but Daivari whips Metalik to the corner hard! Metalik bounces off buckles and hits the mat, and Sterling soaks up the heat. Daivari drops a knee on Metalik’s head, then another, then another! Daivari covers, TWO! Daivari sits Metalik up into a chinlock and grinds Metalik down. Fans rally, Metalik fights up, and he throws body shots. Metalik CHOPS, runs, but into an ELBOW! Daivari hurries to cover, TWO!
Sterling coaches Daivari and Daivari talks trash to the fans. Daivari drags Metalik up to CHOP! Daivari CHOPS again, then he hoists Metalik up top. Daivari CHOPS again, then climbs up top. Fans boo but Daivari stands Metalik up. Metalik throws body shots and then bumps Daivari off buckles. Metalik CHOPS Daivari and Daivari falls! Metalik stands, walks the tightrope, CROSSBODY! Fans fire up, things speed up, Metalik scoops to a BACKBREAKER! Metalik whips, Daivari reverses, but Metalik handsprings to back elbow! Daivari bails out again and fans rally as Metalik pounds the mat.
Metalik builds speed again, he goes up and up, ESCALARA SWANTON! Direct hit at the ramp and fans are fired up for “LUCHA! LUCHA!” Metalik brings Daivari up while Slim and Sterling coach Daivari. Fans fire up with Metalik, he aims and springboards, FLYING SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Daivari survives but Metalik keeps his focus. Metalik drags Daivari up, fireman’s carries, but Daivari fights free. Daivari waistlocks, Metalik elbows free, Metalik springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Slim and Sterling say Daivari has Metalik now, and Daivari hurries to the corner. Daivari climbs, aims, LION SPLASH- NO! Metalik moves! Metalik sunset flips, TWO!!
SUPERKICK! Daivari sits down but Sterling distracts the ref! Slim slips in to chicken wing Metalik, fans boo but Daivari runs in, only to CLOBBER Slim! Metalik rolls Daivari up but the ref is still distracted! Metalik would’ve won by now! The ref finally sees what’s going on, counts, TWO!! Metalik is furious, but Daivari hammerlocks! LION’S LARIAT!! Cover, Daivari wins!
Winner: Ari Daivari, by pinfall
The numbers game won this one for the boss, #InBustWeTrust! But will the Trustbusters get to the top by any means necessary?
Backstage interview with AR Fox.
Lexi is now with the challenger, The Whole Fox’n Show, so how is he feeling going into the first main event of ROH TV 2023? Fox says that about ten years ago, he tried out for ROH. They never invited him back. Guess they didn’t think he was good enough. Maybe he wasn’t. So from that point on, Fox busted his ass to be the best he could be, and now look at him! He’s main-eventing the first episode of the new era! So Claudio, Fox is coming for that title. Will Fox have the biggest win of his career when it’s for the ROH World Championship?
The Renegades VS Skye Blue & Madison Rayne!
Charlette & Robyn have fought their way up on AEW Dark and Elevation, and even held the NWA Women’s Tag Team Championships, but now they might be reaching a new level in the ROH Women’s Division. But will the student-teacher combo be the ones starting strong in the new era?
The Code of Honor is upheld, and the teams sort out. Skye and Robyn start, circle, and tie up. Robyn pushes Skye back but Skye puts Robyn in the corner. Skye lets off, they tie up again, and now Robyn puts Skye in the corner. The ref counts, Robyn grinds forearms in then shoves Skye. Fans boo but Skye shoves back. Skye dodges, Robyn blocks the arm-drag but Skye arm-drags from the other side! Things speed up, Skye wheelbarrows and arm-drags again! Fans rally, Skye ROCKS Robyn, then she bumps Robyn off buckles. Skye runs in, Robyn dodges, but Robyn runs into a roll-up and bridge, TWO! Oklahoma Roll, TWO!
Skye facelocks Robyn, tags Rayne, and they double whip. Skye SHINING WIZARDS at the ropes, then snapmares to feed Rayne’s SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rayne drags Robyn up but Robyn pulls hair! Robyn puts Rayne in the corner, tag to Charlette, and the Renegades mug Rayne! They stomp away, let off as the ref counts, and then Charlette bumps Rayne off buckles. Charlette RAMS into Rayne, lets off at the ref’s count, but Rayne slips away to shoulder in, slide under, and she sunset flips! TWO, Rayne facelocks and whips. Charlette reverses, runs in but Rayne trips her, rolls her and runs to basement dropkick! Cover, ONE!
Rayne facelocks Charlette, she tags Skye in, and they double whip to trip and basement dropkick! Skye covers, TWO! Skye brings Charlette up but Charlette throws body shots. Charlette knees low, mocks the fans, then ROCKS Skye! Skye swings back, Charlette gets around to waistlock, but Skye switches. Charlette runs to ropes and Robyn GAMANGIRIS Skye! Fans boo but Charlette BOOTS Skye down! Charlette then DECKS Rayne for good measure. Charlette mocks the fans rallying for Skye, then she bumps Skye off buckles. Tag to Robyn, Robyn CHOPS Skye then snapmares. Robyn runs to BASEMENT SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO!
Fans fire up but Robyn drags Skye up. Tag to Charlette, the Renegades double suplex and they hold Skye up! But Skye shifts to DOUBLE CRADLE! TWO!! Robyn kicks low, she reels Skye in, back suplex, but Skye lands on her feet! Robyn still CLOBBERS Skye! Robyn rains down fists, brings Skye up, but Skye ENZIGURIS! Both women are down and fans rally up! Skye and Robyn crawl, hot tag to Rayne! Rayne fires off forearms and CHOPS then DECKS Robyn! Charlette runs in but she gets an ENZIGURI! Rayne dodges Robyn, ripcord, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Rayne drags Robyn up, dragon sleepers, but Robyn pulls hair!
Robyn dodges the haymakers, clinches, FACEBUSTER! Tag to Charlette and she hurries to fireman’s carry. MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, Skye breaks it! Fans fire up, Skye has Charlette but Charlette dodges the lariat, only for the SUPERKICK to hit! Robyn runs in, ROLLING ELBOW for Skye! Rayne clinches Robyn, COMPLETE SHOT! All four women are down and fans fire up again! Rayne and Charlette stir, the fans rally, and Rayne tags Skye! Skye goes up top to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Robyn stomps Skye, but Rayne SPEARS Robyn! Rayne & Skye double whip, to SOBAT, BOOT and SKYFALL FACEBUSTER! Cover, Skye & Rayne win!
Winners: Skye Blue & Madison Rayne, by pinfall
A big win for the rookie and the veteran, will they soon become a top team in the Women’s Tag Division?
Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.
“A new era of ROH begins here tonight in Orlando, Florida, and with that, it is my pleasure to introduce my guest at this time, the ROH Pure Champion, Wheeler Yuta!” Fans cheer as the Decoder makes his way out to the ring. Yuta shakes Ian’s hand and Ian says tonight has “all the makings of a historic evening. As the junior member of the Blackpool Combat Club,” Yuta’s tag partner in Claudio Castagnoli defends his ROH World Championship against AR Fox in the main event! Yuta says that he’ll get to that in a moment as he’s also excited for that match. But Ian called him the “junior” member of the BCC.
Yuta wants to get one thing straight. He is no junior member, he is no rookie, he is no upstart, he is a champion! And he did not become the ROH Pure Champion by accident. He didn’t become a champion by doing someone else’s laundry or making someone’s dinner. No, he surrounded himself “with three of the best wrestlers of all time.” Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, and the ROH World Champion, Claudio Castagnoli. They beat him down, made him nothing, and then forged him in combat so that he is the champion he is today. And he’s feeling a little left out with all these title defenses going on. Yuta’s free next week, too.
So if anyone wants to take a shot at the champ, if anyone wants to get in the ring and wrestle with him, Yuta says to make themselves known right now. We wait, and out comes TIMOTHY THATCHER! The Professor of Pain walks out on stage, and he has a mic. “HEY! I am Timothy Thatcher, and you know that, Yuta. I’m not a big fan of talking, but I’m a big fan of fighting. So if you’re offering a challenge for the ROH Pure Championship, I accept.” Fans like the sound of that! Yuta holds up his belt now, but will he be holding onto it for much longer?
Lady Frost VS Willow Nightingale!
A frozen heart meets a bubbly positivity, this is going to be like immovable object and irresistible force! Will Frost put Willow on ice? Or will Willow be too hot to handle?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two tie up. Fans rally, Frost powers Willow back but Willow powers Frost all the way to a corner! Willow lets off and flexes. Fans cheer, Frost and Willow reset and tie up again. Frost gets around to waistlock but Willow wiggles and bumps free. Willow shows off the twerk, and Frost is a bit taken aback. Willow wants Frost to get in the groove and fans want to see it, too! Frost just runs, and things speed up. Frost ducks ‘n’ dodges, leaps over, but Willow runs her over! Fans cheer, Willow waits on Frost, then runs her over again. Willow runs, and SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!
Willow keeps on Frost, short arm LARIATS, then short arm LARIATS again! Willow keeps going, but Frost elbows back. Willow doesn’t budge, she just scoops and SLAMS! Willow and the fans fire up again, and Willow winds it up. Willow CHOPS Frost in the corner! Willow whips corner to corner, Frost goes up and over and handsprings to mule kick. Frost keeps moving, ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up more, Frost brings Willow up but willow shoves her away. Frost handsprings, headscissors, and Willow staggers. Frost comes back, tilt-o-whirls to sunset flip, TWO! Frost kicks, Willow ducks, DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES take both women down!
Fans fire up while both women stir. A standing count starts, fans rally, and both women go to corners. Willow and Frost stand, Willow runs corner to corner to back body block! And clothesline! Snapmare and BOOT! Fans fire up with Willow more, and she whips Frost to then SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Frost is tough but fans rally behind Willow. Willow runs corner to corner, but into an elbow! Willow comes back, Frost dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Willow falls, Frost climbs up! MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and flounders to the corner! Frost keeps focus, she runs back in, to RAM into Willow!
Frost rolls back, runs in again, but Willow catches her! Gut wrench for the DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, Willow wins!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall
A big win on the big return to ROH, and Willow shows respect with the Code of Honor. Fans are ready to party with Willow, and Ian returns to the ring to do a little shimmy. He also interviews Willow, saying that she’s Mrs. Riccaboni’s favorite wrestler, but this isn’t about that. He has one question for her after another big win: what’s next? Well, first she has to wipe the dumb smile off her face. Willow gets serious now, and says that before thinking about the future, let’s look at the past. Willow knows Ian’s been around ROH a minute, just like her. They are from the old regime. The past two ROH PPVs, Death Before Dishonor and Final Battle, ya girl got two big wins!
And tonight in the NEW ROH, the NEW lifeblood, another win! Fans cheer that, so Willow says she’s kind of on a roll. The only next logical step would be… Willow challenging Athena for the ROH Women’s World Championship! But speaking of, here comes the Fallen Goddess! Athena has the belt around her waist and a mic in her hand. Athena says, “Willow. Congrats on your win, girlfriend. But… I know that you’re just so happy to be here. But if I was happy to be here, I wouldn’t be ROH champion. So, I’ma do you a favor, girl, cuz I am a fighting champion, I am a generous champion! I will accept your mediocre offer of challenging me for my title.
“But… When I beat your ass all over this arena, I want you and the world to know, that Willow Nightingale is nothing but porcelain, and is just lucky enough to be in my division. Hey, Willow. I’ll see you next week, porcelain.” The Fallen Goddess is looking to break Willow’s spirit, but will nothing stop that positivity?
ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli VS AR Fox!
The Swiss Superman is ready to make history on this already monumental night. Will he retain his title in the first defense of ROH’s new era? Or will Fox no longer be a “best kept secret,” but THE best wrestler in ROH?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who flies higher as ROH takes flight again!
The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. The two circle, fans rally up, and they tie up. Claudio puts Fox on ropes, the ref calls the break, and Claudio lets off cleanly. Fans applaud the sportsmanship and the two reset. They tie up again, fans duel, and Claudio spins Fox to an armlock. Fox rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Claudio rolls and wrenches back. Fox rolls, kips up, handsprings, and wrenches again. Claudio clinches, facelocks, then hooks an arm and a leg to bring Fox down. Fox fights to stay off the mat but Claudio cravats for the snapmare and cover, TWO! Claudio wrenches and whips, but Fox goes up and over!
Fox keeps moving, Claudio comes back but Fox slips out the side to trip Claudio! Fox then slingshots in for a facelock roll, only for Claudio to block the suplex! Claudio suplexes, Fox slips free and whips. Claudio reverses, Fox ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls to a schoolboy, ONE! Claudio UPPERCUTS Fox off his feet! Fans rally and duel, Fox staggers up but Claudio is on him. Claudio scoops and SLAMS, then runs to drop a leg, brother! Cover, ONE!! Fox won’t be beat so easily, but Claudio brings Fox up. Claudio bumps Fox off buckles hard, and then he brings him around. Fox fights the lift, wrenches and knuckle locks.
Fox kicks, goes up and up, jumps around and flying wheelbarrows to the BULLDOG! Fans fire up while Claudio flounders, Fox covers, ONE!! Fans rally and duel and Fox goes to the apron. Fox climbs, but Claudio DROPKICKS! Fox is stuck up top, Claudio trophy lifts him but Fox makes it a FLYING HEADSCISSOR! Claudio ends up on ropes, Fox runs to hit the BODY SLIDE ATTACK! Fox then springboards, but Claudio trips him up! Fox crashes down and fans rally. Claudio slides out, drags Fox out, and he SLAMS the leg on the apron edge! Fox clutches the knee, he pushes Claudio away and gets in the ring.
Claudio storms up, gut wrenches and SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Claudio holds onto the leg for a modified leglock! Fox gets the ROPEBREAK, and Claudio lets off, to then stomp away on Fox! Claudio jumps to STOMP Fox down! The ref reprimands, Claudio drags Fox to a cover, ONE!! Fox is fighting but Claudio wraps on a chinlock. Fox endures, fans rally, and the two hand fight over the grapple. Fox fights up but he can’t fireman’s carry because of the bad leg! Claudio hits a GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Fox flounders to a corner, clutches his leg, and Claudio storms up again. Claudio stands Fox up to whip him into a corner, and UPPERCUTS!
Claudio suplex and basically TOSSES Fox! Claudio gets the bad leg, drags Fox over into the HALF CRAB! Claudio sits deep on the hold but Fox still endures! Fans rally, Fox crawls and reaches out, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Claudio lets go quickly, and he drags Fox to the apron. Claudio SLAMS Fox’s chest on the apron, then UPPERCUTS him! The ref reprimands, Claudio apologizes, and he goes up the steps. Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS Fox on the back! Claudio steps in, saying that was just “on the way” back in. Claudio then ROPE GUILLOTINES! Cover, TWO! Fox is hanging tough but Claudio keeps focus.
Fans rally for “FOX! FOX! FOX!” but Claudio clobbers Fox into a chinlock! Claudio smothers Fox but fans rally and Fox fights back up. Fox throws elbows but Claudio shoves him to CLUB him on the back! Fox drops to his knees but Claudio stands him back up. Claudio shoves and CLUBS Fox in the back again! And then another shove, but Fox elbows back! Claudio ROCKS Fox, but Fox dumps Claudio out! Fox avoids the shoulder to KICK, but Claudio HEADBUTTS! Fox comes back, REBOUND DDT!! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Fans rally as both men stir, and Fox stands first!
Fox LARIATS, but Claudio roars as he stays standing! Fox LARIATS, but Claudio eggs him on. Fox DISCUS LARIATS! Claudio rebounds, Fox goes Matrix to then PELE! Fox cravats, Claudio powers out, but Fox goes up and mule kicks! Then springboard CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up! Fox gets his bad leg moving, runs corner to corner, and he A-LIST LARIATS! Then Fox skins the cat to SWINGING DROPKICK! Claudio bails out, so Fox builds speed! Fox FLIES to CROSSBODY Claudio down! Fans fire up as Fox then puts Claudio back in. Fox climbs a corner, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!!
Fans rally up harder as Fox watches Claudio go to a corner. Fox runs in, back elbows, but Claudio shoves him away. Claudio BOOTS Fox, covers, TWO!! Fox survives and Claudio grits his teeth. Fans rally, Claudio drags Fox up, but Fox breaks free. Claudio blocks a boot, KNEES back but Fox ENZIGURIS! Fox whips, goes Matrix, but Claudio was faking him out! SWISS SWING!! Fox goes around TEN times before Claudio lets him go! But Fox flops out of the ring to safety! Fans rally, Claudio goes out after Fox, and he drags Fox up. Claudio pushes Fox into the ring while fans cheer “BOTH THESE GUYS!”
Claudio goes to a corner, he goes along the ropes, and he LIMIT BREAKER ELBOWS! Cover, TWO!! But to the SHARPSHOOTER!! Fox endures as Claudio sits deeeeeep! Fox endures, but Claudio shifts to a CROSSFACE!! Claudio rolls Fox away, shifts his grip, but Fox rolls Claudio to a cover, TWO!!! JAWBREAKER! Fireman’s carry, but the leg! Claudio LARIATS!! Cover, TWO?!!? Fox survives and fans are thunderous for “R O H! R O H!” Claudio drags Fox up, puts him up top, and then UPPERCUTS! Claudio climbs up, Fox resists and throws body shots, but Claudio HEADBUTTS! Claudio resets, but Fox slips under! GAMANGIRI!
Claudio roars and grabs at Fox, but Fox GAMANGIRIS again! Fox firemen’s carries with help from the corner, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Fox goes right up top, for the 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?!? Claudio survives again and no one can believe it! Fans rally as hard as ever and Fox feels he’s close. Claudio grits his teeth, Fox brings Claudio up, and he reels Claudio in. Claudio fights the suplex so Fox throws a forearm. Claudio throws a forearm back! Fox ROCKS Claudio, Claudio ROCKS Fox, then Claudio fires off a strike fest! UPPERCUT into a backslide! TWO!!! Claudio escapes, he puts Fox on the apron, but Fox ROCKS Claudio!
Fox springboards, but into the UPPERCUT!! Cover, Claudio wins!!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (still ROH World Champion)
An epic battle of strength, speed and technique, and in the end it was that knockout uppercut that wins it for the champion! The Swiss Superman shows respect by applauding Fox with the fans, as well as the Code of Honor handshake. Will Fox be back for another try soon enough? Who else will want to take that title from Claudio? WAIT! THE MAD KING IS HERE!! Eddie Kingston said on AEW social media that he was DONE with AEW, and fans are thunderous to see him storm into the ROH ring! Eddie has the music cut and he grins at Claudio. “Guess what, buddy, guess what? I’m an independent contract, dog! I’m 1099, so I can be here!
“And y’know how I promised Mox I wouldn’t beat your ass in AEW? This ain’t AEW, bro. I’m coming after that championship. What do you say, huh?” Fans like the sound of it, and Eddie tells Claudio not to be scared. Here, have the mic. Eddie hands it over, but Claudio drops it! Fans boo, but it seems the Swiss Superman does things on his time, not Eddie’s. But will the King of Wrestling have no choice but to protect his throne against the Mad King of New York?
My Thoughts:
A great return to weekly programming for ROH, and I have a feeling they’re going to maintain a two hour format since it’s online and not needing to worry about commercials. Real good stuff in the non-title matches, though in many cases, they went as I expected. The Six Man Tag was a great squash win for The Embassy, and of course the ROH icons like Daniels and Briscoe won. Konosuke VS Woods was a great one for a couple younger wrestlers, and it was pretty amusing for Sterling to think he can help Woods avoid a loss with a settlement. Good win for Willow, real good promo from Willow, and we’re gonna get a great women’s title match between her and Athena.
And also good promo from Yuta and Thatcher to set up an ROH Pure title match, that is going to be some incredible technical wrestling next week. Another great NJPW World TV Championship match, Blake Christian got a great showing even in defeat, but of course ZSJ wins out since this is a NJPW title. I do have to say it’s a bit funny how in an AEW backed ROH, there’re still some NJPW guys helping get this going, such as Aussie Open challenging an ROH team to a match. And I’m thinking Aussie Open wins, because while Titus & Tracy are good, Fletcher & Davis really are a great team. I’m already getting flashbacks to the NJPW ROH partnership before pandemic where it felt like NJPW got the better part of the deal.
And of course, an awesome main event with the ROH World Championship. Good promos from Claudio and Fox before, too, and what an awesome showing for Fox even in defeat. The fans loved the guy by the end of the night, Fox is finally getting the spotlight he deserves, he will have a title soon enough. And what a great surprise to see Eddie Kingston show up in ROH. While his story with Ortiz and the House of Black had potential, AEW let it fizzle out, but at least there’s continuity they’re calling upon in how Eddie and Claudio did not get along during the Blackpool Combat Club VS Jericho Appreciation Society feud. Claudio VS Eddie is going to be a great one, they’ll probably do that for Supercard of Honor in LA during WWE’s WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
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NJPW PPV Results
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/26)
Wrestling Dontaku, Night Two!
Can the Prince slay the Rampaging Dragon?
Callum Newman won the New Japan Cup, won THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but can he survive his first title defense against Shingo Takagi?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Taisei Nakahara; Yasuda wins.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Chase Owens; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
- Ryusuke Taguchi & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Gedo & Daiki Nagai; Gedo & Daiki win.
- OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma; Oskar & Yuto win.
- 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
- Yuya Uemura & Taichi VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Yuya & Taichi win.
- 8 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; Unbound Company wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS El Desperado & Mistico; Despy & Mistico win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Bolten Oleg VS Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare; Ospreay, Khan & Henare win and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Callum Newman VS Shingo Takagi; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Chase Owens w/ Yujiro Takahashi!
Although the Alpha is preparing for his match with Kazuchika Okada at AEW Double or Nothing, he must still fulfill his duties as a champion in NJPW! But will Konosuke still be the star of NJPW World? Or will the Lonestar Outlaw steal the spotlight?
But as Konosuke reaches ringside, Chase runs up! Konosuke avoids his wrecking ball dropkick to then fire forearms! They go back and forth but Konosuke ROCKS Chase! Konosuke stalks Chase around the way, ROCKS him again, and again! Chase KNEES low, then whips, but Konosuke stops short of the railing. Konosuke pops Chase up to SMACK off the railing, then DDTS him on the floor! The fans cheer as Konosuke then drags Chase up and puts him in the ring. The bell sounds and we’re on the clock! Konosuke brings Chase up, headlocks, but Chase endures the grind. Chase pulls hair to power up and out, but Konosuke drops down on the dropdown!
Konosuke has the headlock again, and he grinds Chase down. The fans rally as Chase fights up, and he KNEES low! Chase KNEES Konosuke again, then headlocks in return. Konosuke powers up and out, then hurdles, drops down, and DROPKICKS! The fans cheer as Konosuke then hits another headlock takeover. Chase pulls hair but the ref reprimands. Konosuke grinds the hold but Chase rolls to a cover, ONE! They stand up, and Chase pulls hair again to put Konosuke on the ropes. The ref counts, Chase lets go slowly, but he BOOTS the ropes to jam Konosuke up! Konosuke sputters as he slumps outside, and Chase WRECKS him with a dropkick!
The fans are torn as Chase goes out to bring Konosuke up. Chase scoops to then HOTSHOT Konosuke off the railing! Konosuke coughs and sputters again, but Chase SMACKS him off the apron. Chase drags Konosuke up to the apron now, and he cravats for a SNAPMARE DRIVER on the apron! The fans applaud while Chase puts Konosuke in the ring, then covers, TWO! The fans cheer more as Konosuke stays in this. Chase argues the count but the ref defends it was fair. Konosuke sits up but Chase runs in at the corner for a forearm smash! Then a short arm LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Konosuke shows his grit but Chase just grins.
The fans rally up again as Chase paces around Konosuke. Chase drags Konosuke up, fireman’s carries, but Konosuke fights free. Konosuke ROCKS Chase, but Chase ROCKS Konosuke back! Konosuke ROCKS Chase again, but Chase fires back! They go back and forth until Chase CLAWS Konosuke’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Chase runs, into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Chase reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE finds him! The fans cheer while Chase goes to a corner. Konosuke runs in and JUMP KNEES! Then clinch and EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Chase toughs it out, but Konosuke stays calm.
Konosuke stand Chase up, but Chase fights the lift. Chase CLUBS away, then headlock punches! The ref reprimands, but Konosuke keeps Chase from running the ropes! Chase ROCKS Konosuke for it, then eggs him on. We pass five minutes as Konosuke ROCKS Chase! The fans rally up as Chase fires back! Konosuke staggers to ropes, but he comes back to ROCK Chase! Chase fires fast hands, but Konosuke fires boxing elbows! ROLLING- BACK ELBOW from Chase! Chase cravats but Konosuke powers out! Chase blocks a shot to C-TRIGGER! Then he avoids the boot to I HATE YOUR FACE KNEE! Cover, TWO! Konosuke stays in this but Chase stays on him.
Chase wrenches and hammerlocks, but Konosuke ducks High Noon to spin Chase for a BRAINBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Konosuke roars as he rises, and then he gator rolls Chase into a suplex! Chase fights the rest, then bails out! Chase hobbles around the way but Konosuke pursues! HELLUVA KICK against the railing! Konosuke then brings Chase around to APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans rally as Chase crawls, but Konosuke drags him back outside, for another APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans cheer while Konosuke shoves Chase inside, but Yujiro gets a PIMP CANE CHEAP SHOT on Konosuke!
The fans boo Tokyo Pimp as he puts Konosuke in, the ref none the wiser! Konosuke drags himself up at the ropes, but Chase runs up for C-TRIGGER! Then he wrenches, hammerlocks, and HIGH NOON LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! The fans cheer as Konosuke survives! Chase is frustrated but he drags Konosuke up and tucks him in! But Konosuke wrenches free, slips around, only for Chase to grab the ref! Konosuke can’t suplex them both, and Chase sends Konosuke into the ref! The fans boo but now Yujiro storms in so he can stomp away on Konosuke! Yujiro then sets Konosuke up for Chase, but SHOTA UMINO is here!
Shota DECKS Chase, then ROCKS and ROLLING ELBOWS Yujiro! The fans cheer as The Roughneck has evened things up for The Alpha! Shota even cheers Konosuke on, only for the rest of the House to attack! Sho, Kanemaru, Ren, and Dick all stomp Shota, but Konosuke hurries to shield his ally! And then HONTAI rushes out here! Wolf, Yano, Yoh, Wato & Tiger Mask all go after The House! They’ve all got their match later tonight, so this ends up a rather interesting warm-up! The fans cheer as Hontai drags The House out of the ring, and even gets Don Fale, to then gather them all at the ramp side!
The fans cheer Konosuke as he builds speed, and Konosuke FLIES! Air Alpha brings down The House! The fans cheer again as Konosuke gets Chase in the ring while Hontai takes the rest of the House to the back! And we’ve finally hit ten minutes! Konosuke checks on the ref, and then deadlifts him into the ring. The fans cheer, but Chase is up to something! Konosuke ducks the punch, BLUE THUNDER- SPUR KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but Chase hides the evidence quickly. Chase vows to end it now, and he drags Konosuke back up. C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK! Then he brings Konosuke around to tuck him in!
Chase lifts for LAST TES- NO, Konosuke fights the lift, BACKDROPS, but Chase sunset flips! Konosuke rolls through, WAGAMAMA KNEE!! Konosuke then aims from a corner, WAGAMAMA KNEE AGAIN!! Konosuke then hauls Chase up for RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Konosuke wins!
Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)
The House of Torture tried and failed to cheat this one away, this is still The Alpha Show! But wait, the lights go down! A video on the tron shows that same mysterious man in suit and mask from last time. He walks into the backstage area of this very arena, but who is it? Where are they going? What do they want? Wait, now they’re IN THE RING! And they CLOBBER Konosuke with some big satchel! WHO IS THIS?! They take off the mask, and IT’S SANADA! The Cold-Blooded Snake is STILL in NJPW! And he drags Konosuke right up for the DEADFALL!! Sanada leaves with a word, but his intent is now clear. Will he make himself the star of NJPW World?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS El Desperado & Mistico!
The Ichiban Sweet Boys only just took these titles back, but they’re already putting them back on the line! Will the Sniper of the Skies & Japanese Young Punk outdraw The Rogue Luchador & The Talisman? Or will these titles soon go internacional?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team is truly mighty!
The teams sort out, and Despy starts against Fujita. The bell rings, and the fans cheer as the two go forehead to forehead. They both talk some trash, Despy slaps Fujita around, but Fujita shoves Despy. Fujita eggs Despy on, Despy fires the fans up, then he CHOPS! Fujita snarls and fires the fans up, then CHOPS in return! The CHOPS go back and forth, faster and faster, harder and harder! The fans cheer as they CHOP and CHOP and CHOP, but then Despy says stop! Despy ROCKS Fujita, CHOPS him again and again, then eggs him on! Fujita swings, but Despy ducks to headlock. Fujita powers out but Despy reverses!
Despy drops down, then hurdles, but into Fujita’s DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Fujita says he’s smarter than that. Fujita drags Despy over but Despy gets away before the tag. The fans rally as Despy drops back to an open corner. Eagles says Despy can go on and tag Mistico, that’s who Eagles wants to face. Despy dry heaves as he tries to catch his breath, then tags in Mistico. The fans cheer as Mistico steps to Eagles, and Eagles pie faces him. Mistico CHOPS, Eagles CHOPS, and now they CHOP back and forth! The fans rally as they’re already fast ‘n’ furious! Mistico says look! Then he SOBATS! And front kicks!
Mistico whips but Eagles reverses to go up and around for the arm-drag! The fans cheer as things keep moving, and Eagles hurdles to then RANA! Mistico tumbles but rises up, only for Eagles to WHEEL KICK! The fans cheer while Eagles walks over to Mistico. Eagles kicks Mistico in the back, then stands him up to CHOP! Mistico wrenches and whips but Mistico grabs the ropes. Eagles kicks Mistico’s leg, then whips, but Mistico still blocks. Eagles KICKS the leg, then whips, but Mistico handsprings! Eagles dodges but Mistico comes back to springboard RANA! The fans cheer as Mistico then blocks a chop to CHOP!
Mistico knuckle locks, then goes up, up, steadies himself, and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! The fans cheer while Eagles tumbles, and Mistico tags Despy back in. Mistico kicks Eagles before he and Despy double whip for DOUBLE ELBWOS! Then they roll Eagles to whip again, DOUBLE BOOTS! They shake hands and DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Fujita runs up, but into a mule kick and HAYMAKER! The luchadores double whip Fujita corner to corner, then Mistico sends Despy in. Fujita dodges to RANA Mistico! Despy kicks low, runs, but Fujita trips him! Eagles KICKS, Fujita SENTONS, then Eagles basement DROPKICKS!
Mistico is back but the Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, then split the wishbone! The fans cheer while Eagles goes to Despy. Eagles stands Despy up, puts him in the corner, then both Sweet Boys dig their boots in. The ref counts, the Sweet Boys stop, and Eagles tags Fujita. The fans rally as Fujita wrenches and whips Despy to the open corner, and CHOPS! Despy is stinging as Fujita snapmares then runs, PENALTY KICK! Cover, ONE! Despy is tougher than that but Fujita tags Eagles back in. Eagles ELBOW DROPS on the knee, then pulls on the leg for a toehold! Despy endures, claws at Eagles, then crawls back to the ROPEBREAK!
Eagles lets go, but he traps the leg for a TWIST! Fujita tags in, he brings Despy around to CLUB him on the back. The fans rally as Fujita suplexes Despy up and over! Cover, TWO! Despy is still tougher than that but Fujita stays cool. Fujita stomps Despy, brings him up, and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Eagles but Despy ELBOWS Fujita down while Eagles BLASTS Mistico! Despy fires off forearms on Eagles but Eagles DROPKICKS the legs out! The fans rally as Eagles then winds up and KICKS Despy! And KICKS! And KICKS! Despy eggs Eagles on, so Eagles runs the ropes, only for Despy to block the kick!
Eagles fires forearms and UPPERCUTS, then avoids a boot to KNEE low. Eagles whips but Despy reverses for a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Despy crawls his way over to hot tag Mistico! Mistico springboards to CROSSBODY! Fujita kicks Mistico, the Sweet Boys double whip, but Mistico ducks their double elbow to springboard and DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! Mistico keeps going, and he handsprings through the double hip toss to DOUBLE ARM-DRAG! Then Mistico runs up, slips around, and shoves Fujita into Eagles! Mistico 619s Eagles down! Then he springboards to FLYING ARM-DRAG Fujita!
The fans cheer as Mistico keeps going, and he FLIP RANAS Eagles! Eagles tumbles while the fans rally behind Mistico. Mistico runs up, but Eagles sidesteps, only for Mistico to springboard and CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Mistico hurries to LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and Eagles has to check. The fans rally again as Mistico hurries after Eagles. Mistico hushes the fans, and winds up to GAMANGIRI! Eagles wobbles, but Mistico puts him up top. Mistico rallies the fans again before running corner to corner. Mistico goes up, up, but Eagles fires body shots! Mistico falls and Eagles WARP- NO, Mistico dodges!
Mistico runs, tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! But Eagles rolls it into a ghost pin! TWO, and Eagles rolls, schoolboy bridge! TWO and the fans cheer again! Eagles SOBATS, BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and both men are down again! Eagles crawls his way over, hot tag to Fujita! Fujita runs up on Mistico, and he CHOPS! Then he snapmares Mistico to go up and out! The fans rally as Fujita springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK! Direct hit and Fujita covers, TWO! Mistico survives and the fans fire up, but Fujita vows to end this now. Fujita brings Mistico up, suplexes, but Mistico slips free. Mistico spins Fujita but Fujita ROCKS Mistico! Fujita runs, but Mistico SUPERKICKS him down!
The fans rally as both men crawl. Mistico hot tags Despy! Despy RUNS Fujita over, then scoops to SLAM! Despy hurries to suplex for the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fujita stays in this but Despy stays on him. The fans rally up as Despy gut wrenches, GUITARRA- NO, Fujtia slips free! Despy REAR HEADBUTTS, but runs into a drop toehold! Fujita ties up the legs, NEMOS SPECIAL! Despy reaches out, but Fujita grabs his arms! The fans rally as Despy resists, powers up, and makes the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets go in frustration but he hurries to waistlock. Deadlift- NO, Despy fights the German Suplex and reaches fo rropes!
Fujita drags Despy back, but Despy ELBOWS free! Fujita CHOPS! Fujita runs, but Despy SPINEBUSTERS! And then high stack, TWO! STRETCH MUFFLER! Fujita scrambles, Mistico runs in and intercepts Eagles! MISTI- NO, Eagles turns it into an ASAI DDT! Eagles then SUPERKICKS Despy down! The fans rally up as Eagles stands Despy up. Despy BODY BLOWS and HAYMAKERS! Despy whips, Eagles reverses, but Despy grabs ropes. Despy DUMPS Eagles out, then builds speed! But Eagles GAMANGIRIS first! Fujita goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Down goes Despy and the fans fire up!
But Mistico builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit into Fujita at the ramp! Mistico helps Despy stand, but Eagles DIVES! The fans fire up as Eagles wipes the luchadores out at the ramp! Eagles & Fujita get Despy in the ring, then they rally the fans. Fujita feeds Despy to the scoop, SWEET BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans fire up again! Fujita vows to end this now, and the Sweet Boys drag Despy up again. The fans rally as the Sweet Boys double torture rack, but Despy fights it! Despy flips through, SHOVES Eagles into Fujita, then Mistico runs up! He gets the boost for the DOUBLE SHOTGUN!
The Sweet Boys bail out, Mistico DIVES to take Eagles out again! Despy DIVES onto Fujita and they both crash into railing!! The fans fire up again as all four men are down around ringside! A ring count starts as the four men stir. We pass 5 of 20, then 10, but no one has even sat up! We hit 15 and the fans rally even harder! Despy stands, roars, and he puts Fujita in at 18! Despy hurries to then gut wrench and GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives but Despy wags his finger. The fans rally up again as Despy brings Fujita up. Despy drags Fujita up, underhooks, but Fujita wrenches out. Fujita CHOPS, but Despy KNEES low!
Despy whips Fujita, Fujita reverses, and GAMANGIRI! Both men are down again as the fans continue to rally! Fujita roars, and he vows to finally end it. Fujita drags Despy up, brings him around, and suplexes, only for Despy to fight it! Despy RAMS Fujita to a corner, then ROCKS him! Despy hoists Fujita up top, then goes up to join him! The fans rally as Despy goes for the very top, but Fujita bends his fingers. Fujita HEADBUTTS Despy down, but Mistico runs up to GAMANGIRI! And GAMANGIRI! And GAMANGIRI again! The fans fire up as Mistico now climbs the corner. Mistico clinches Fujita as they go to the very top, SUPER SPANISH FLY!
The fans fire up again as Eagles springboards in! Mistico dodges, but Eagles comes back, DESTROYER! Despy runs up, Eagles dodges to ROUNDHOUSE, SUPERKICK, and PELE! But Despy rebounds to SPEAR! All four men are down in the ring now as the fans fire back up! Eagles and Mistico bail out while Despy and Fujita go to corners. Despy roars, runs in, and LARIATS Then he underhooks, PINCH- NO, Fujita fights the lift, then powers out to have the wristlocks. Fujita HEADBUTTS Despy! Fujita then roars as he brings Despy up, for another HEADBUTT! Fujita stands Despy up again, but Despy breaks free to ROCK Fujita!
The fans rally up as Fujita CHOPS! Despy swings, but into a takedown! FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Despy fights around, but Fujita shifts to a MOUNTED ARMBAR! Eagles intercepts Mistico, kicks away on the leg, but Mistico KICKS free! Both men run up, Eagles blocks a kick, but Mistico fights free of the backpack! Mistico runs, LA MYSTICA!! Despy powers through the armbar to then get the leg! GROUND DRAGON SCREW, into the STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS!! Fujita flails, Eagles flails, NUMERO DOS PLUS!!! FUJITA TAPS, DESPY & MISTICO WIN!!!
Winners: El Desperado & Mistico, by submission (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Just as The Ichiban Sweet Boys were on top of the world, they come crashing back down! Is this an ill omen on how the Best of the Super Juniors will go for Eagles and Fujita? As for Mistico, he is not just a triple champion but a QUADRUPLE CHAMPION! CMLL World Light Heavyweight, CMLL World Trios, PWR Heavyweight and now IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion! Will he and Despy dominate the 2026 BOSJ and beyond?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi may have failed to take the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, and the big man from Kazakhstan may have failed to take the NEVER Openweight Championship, they still stand together as trios champions. But will these titles still belong to Bishamon & BARS? Or will Ospreay lead the Dominator & Mauler to victory for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!
The trios sort out and Henare insists he start. Henare wants Oleg, but Hashi insists he start, and the fans applaud. The bell rings, the fans rally, and Hashi and Henare circle. Khan distracts Hashi, Henare CLOBBERS Hashi for it, then Henare BLASTS the Hontai corner. Henare stomps Hashi, drags him up, and ROCKS him! Henare whips, Hashi BOOTS back, and Goto joins in! They RUN Henare over, then ZANMAI! Oleg runs, but Khan trips him up! Ospreay BOOTS Goto, Henare CLUBS Hashi, and The Empire tags things outside. Ospreay SMACKS Goto off apron, Henare sends Hashi into railing, and Khan drags Oleg around to SLAM his bad arm off the timekeeper’s table!
The fans rally as Henare CLUBS Hashi and puts him in the ring. Khan drags Oleg around by his bad arm while Henare stomps Hashi. Khan whips Oleg hard into railing! Henare bumps Hashi off Ospreay’s boot, then tags Ospreay in. The fans cheer as Ospreay CHOPS Hashi down! Ospreay drags Hashi up, scoops, and SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Ospreay drags Hashi back up, but Hashi fires body shots! Hashi CHOPS, Ospreay CHOPS, then Ospreay whips, but Hashi hits the BLOCKBUSTER! Ospreay scrambles to tag Henare, and Henare BOOTS Goto down. Then Henare CLOBBERS Hashi!
Henare drags Hashi up, fires forearms, then ROCKS him again. Henare fires off in the corner but Hashi fires forearms and CHOPS in return! Henare CHOPS Hashi down! The fans cheer while Henare roars. Henare then sets up, but Hashi avoids the senton! Henare hobbles but he stomps Hashi down. Henare whips, Hashi DROPKICKS the legs! The fans rally while both men are down. Henare and Hashi crawl, hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg and Henare RAM! And RAM! They both fire up, they both run, and they RAM shoulders again! Henare then ROCKS Oleg, runs, but into a scoop! Oleg Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW!
Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg BLASTS Khan off the apron, DECKS Ospreay, then goes back to Henare for the VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Henare toughs it out but Oleg drags Henare up. Oleg torture racks, but Henare CHOKES him! The ref counts, but Oleg breaks free! Henare KICKS, and KICKS, then snapmares to KICK Oleg in the back! Then Henare KICKS Oleg in the chest! Henare runs, RUGBY KICK and SENTON! Cover, TWO! Oleg survives and the fans cheer. Henare BLASTS Goto for good measure before he goes back to Oleg. Henare HEADBUTTS, whips, but Oleg stops himself! Oleg BOOTS Henare, then fireman’s carries!
Henare fights free again, then CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS back! Henare CHOPS, Oleg CHOPS, repeat! The fans fire up as both men snarl, and Henare CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS again! And again! And again! Henare is stinging and he drops to a knee! The fans rally as Oleg storms up, but Henare fires fast hands! BODY BLOW! Henare then runs up to LARIAT in the open corner! Henare runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Oleg dodges, comes back, but Henare LARIATS him down! But wait, Oleg’s right up! And he LARIATS Henare! Henare’s right up, and dodges to then BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as both big behemoths are down! Hot tag to Ospreay, and he PIP PIP CHEERIOS! Then an ELBOW for Goto! Hashi runs up, Ospreay dodges to put Hashi outside, ROLLING ELBOW! The fans fire up with Ospreay and he PLANCHAS to knock Hashi and Oleg down! The fans cheer as the Aerial Assassin still knows how to fly. Ospreay puts Oleg in, brings him around, ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Oleg is tougher than that but Ospreay calls his shot. Ospreay aims from the corner, runs up, but Oleg pops him up! Fireman’s carry, VER- NO, Ospreay lands out! PENALTY KICK! STANDING MOONSAULT, but onto knees!
Oleg whips but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up and Ospreay aims again, HIDDEN- NO, Oleg catches Ospreay and THROWS him! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oleg and Ospreay crawl, hot tag to Goto! The Fierce Warrior LARIATS Ospreay, whips corner to corner, then runs up to MURAMASA! And SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Goto hauls him up for a fireman’s carry. Ospreay fights free but Goto ROCKS him! Goto whips, Ospreay reverses, but Goto puts Ospreay on the apron. Ospreay ROCKS Goto, goes up, and BLINDSIDE CHEERIOS! Then he lifts Goto to LIGER BOMB! Cover, TWO!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay checks his neck, then brings Goto up. Ospreay underhooks but Goto fights the lift! Ospreay CHOPS Goto, but Goto snarls. Goto ROCKS Ospreay, Ospreay CHOPS again, and repeat! Forearm for CHOP, but then Ospreay fires Kawada Kicks! And a CHOP blocked! Goto ROCKS, whips, but Ospreay handsprings! Goto catches Ospreay to GERMAN SUPELX! Ospreay lands out, but ends up in URA GTR! Goto runs, but Ospreay blows past him! Ospreay avoids Goto, and Henare hits the RAMPAGE! STANDING SKY TWISTER! Cover, HASHI BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Henare whips Hashi to a corner.
Khan LARAITS, Henare & Ospreay LARIAT ENZIGIRI COMBO! Then they feed Hashi to Khan’s BOOT! Henare LARIATS Goto, fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP! Ospreay springboards, 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Goto survives and the fans fire up again! Ospreay stays focused as the fans rally up, and Ospreay calls his shot! Ospreay springboards, OSCUTT- NO! Goto blocks, spins, but Ospreay avoids the lariat to HOOK KICK! Another try, but Oleg catches Ospreay to SNAP KAMIKAZE! But then Henare drags Oleg out and sends him into railing! And then more railing! And then- NO, Oleg turns things around, and now Henare hits railing!
The fans fire up as Oleg runs up, but Henare dodges! Henare KNEES Oleg up and over the railing! Both men are down in front of the fans while Goto and Ospreay rise up. Goto roars, runs up, and LARIATS! The fans fire up as Goto pushes Ospreay down. Goto climbs up, takes aim, but Ospreay GAMANGIRIS! Ospreay goes up, but Goto fires body shots! Goto ROCKS Ospreay, Ospreay ROCKS Goto, and repeat! Ospreay fires more forearms, but Goto HEADBUTTS! Goto then climbs up onto Ospreay for a SUPER KAI TEN!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay survives that super sunset bomb and the fans are thunderous!
Goto and Ospreay stir, then crawl, hot tags to Khan and Hashi! Hashi SHOTGUNS Khan to the corner! Hashi runs up to CHOP and DDT! Cover, TWO! Hashi brings Khan around to the drop zone and the fans fire up! Hashi climbs up but Khan scrambles to the far side. Hashi hops down, and Khan eggs him on, so Hashi goes outside. But Khan kicks and whips Hashi into railing! Khan then snap suplexes Hashi to the floor! Khan grins as he clearly suckered Hashi in. Khan drags Hashi up, puts him in, and calls to Henare. Henare joins Khan and they bring Hashi up. But Hashi fires forearms on them! And CHOSP! But then Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW!
Khan chicken wings Hashi for Henare’s BODY BLOW! Then the ASSISTED POWERBOMB! Double cover, TWO!! Hashi survives but the Monster Rage is boiling over! Henare fireman’s carries, Khan runs, but Hashi slips free! Hashi SHOVES Henare at Khan, then LARIATS Khan! Henare ELBOWS and whips Hashi, but Hashi LARIATS through! Ospreay returns but Hashi dodges, only for Ospreay to slip through the lariat! But Hashi slips free of the bomb to LARIAT after all! The fans are thunderous as Hashi has soloed the Empire! The fans rally up as Hashi crawls, and he roars as he rises again! Hashi brings Khan up and Goto joins in.
Bishamon double whips Khan corner to corner, then LARIAT and CHOP! Hashi sends Khan to Goto but Khan Mongolian Chops! Hashi mule kicks, Goto clinches, GOTO GO TO HUNTER! The fans fire up as Bishamon brings Khan up again! Dragon sleeper, leg lift, but Khan BOOTS free! Goto snap suplexes Khan, but Ospreay fires off on Goto! Ospreay runs, but into HIDDEN GAP! Henare ROCKS and CHOPS away on Bishamon, then runs, into HIDDEN BOLTIN!! The fans are thunderous again as Oleg waits on Bishamon. Bishamon hauls Khan up, has him in place, and Oleg RAMS Khan into the corner!
Oleg sets Khan back up, then DECKS Ospreay! Goto LARIATS, Hashi LARIATS, and now Goto climbs! Hashi hoists Khan up, DANGEROUS LIBRA!! Cover, HENARE CLOBBERS GOTO ONTO IT! The fans cheer as everyone is down around ringside! Goto drags Henare up, but he has a guzel! Guzel on Hashi, too, but Oleg CHOPS Henare! Henare holds onto Bishamon! So Oleg SHOTGUNS Henare! That alone is impressive! Bishamon regroups and they drag Khan up. They set Khan up in the dragon sleeper and leg lift, Oleg runs, but Henare is a step for Ospreay to leap from! HIDDEN BLADE ON OLEG!!
Henare DECKS Hashi, Khan IRON CLAWS Goto! Ospreay SUPERKICKS, then he TOSSES Goto! Ospreay goes up, up, and LEAP OF FAITH onto Goto & Oleg!! Henare waits on Hashi, for the RAMP- DDT!! Hashi turns things around on Henare and the fans are thunderous! Hsahi roars as he gets back up, and he drags Khan to his feet! But Khan BITES Hashi’s arm! The ref counts, but then Khan IRON CLAWS Hashi’s face! Hashi endures the iron grip, but Khan is pushing him down to the mat! Khan DRIBBLES Hashi’s head like a basketball! Hashi fades but is somehow still in this, so Khan hauls him up! ELIMIN- CODE BREAKER!! Cradle cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous again as Khan survives! Hashi hurries to his feet, but Osperay and Goto are brawling outside! Ospreay and Henare leave Goto and Oleg on the outside while Hashi aims, SUPERKICK blocked! Khan KICKS the leg, then BLINDSIDE BOOTS! The fans rally but Khan laughs maniacally! Khan calls to Henare & Ospreay. Ospreay climbs, Henare HEADBUTTS, and then Henare hauls Hashi up! Ospreay aims, HIDDEN BLADE ELIMINATOR BOMB!!! Cover, EMPIRE WINS!!
Winners: Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
What an insanely overpowered combo move to finish Hashi! But in the end, the power of the Empire’s founding members shines even brighter now that they hold gold together! Khan grabs the mic to say, “Bow down, you peasants! We beat ‘Bishamontin,’ we have dominated the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions. So next… We shall conquer K O B and the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. And if they want to see us directly, we will forgive them if they dare step in front of us.” In other words, Khan is daring Oskar & Yuto-Ice to appear. And after a moment, they indeed appear!
The Knockout Brothers swagger down to the ramp and into the ring, and they stare down Khan & Henare. Henare has the mic to tell Ice that Henare doesn’t care what anyone says! Those tag titles are theirs, now bring them your mana! Yuto laughs at that and tells Henare that if he wants the mana, Yuto will bring him that wrestling high! They can make some money together! Yuto tells the fans that if they wanna get that wrestling high, then you’ll wanna see Yuto fight Henare! They ARE KOB, and they wanna fight the strongest bastards there are! And that seems to be these two here. Go ahead, challenge them! Because everyone here will put their money down to see it!
You don’t have to think, just feel! Let’s Get High! TCH TCH, Big Up! The champions have spoken, and they’re ready to face fellow champions to prove they’re the best! But will Oskar & Ice make sure to knock out Khan & Henare? Or will the Empire continue to conquer the world?
IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Callum Newman VS Shingo Takagi!
From youngest man to win the New Japan Cup to youngest man to win this title, The Prince has proven himself as a powerful wrestler. But to prove himself as truly worthy of this title, he must make it through his first defense. A former heavyweight champion in his own right, the Rampaging Dragon has fought his way back to this moment. But will Takagi once again stand atop the mountain? Or will he suffer the Prince’s Curse?
President Hiroshi Tanahashi is here to make the formal introductions and raise the belt. And now, at the end of Wrestling Dontaku, we see whose heroic journey triumphs over the other’s!
[Coverage will continue in the morning]
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ACKNOWLEDGE the contract signing!
With the World Heavyweight Championship match set for Backlash, all that’s left is for Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu to sign the contract!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh; JD wins.
- PENTA & Je’Von Evans VS Rusev & Ethan Page; Rusev & Ethan win.
- Austin Theory w/ The Vision VS Joe Hendry; Hendry wins, by disqualification.
- The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS Otis w/ The Alpha Academy; Oba wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Americanos VS Los Hermanos Americanos; Los Hermanos Americanos win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Roman Reigns arrives backstage.
And Adam Pearce catches him right as he exits the car. The Raw General Manager knows Roman is heated from last week but they need to discuss things first. Roman says first off, no, he wants to know where Jacob Fatu is at. And second, don’t you hear the fans already cheering for him? Hit his music! Pearce tries to calm Roman down but has to shout at him first. Jacob Fatu is not here… yet. But Seth Rollins is! Architect and Tribal Chief stare down, and Rollins says Roman is in his way. Roman steps aside, and Rollins’ song hits first! The fans in Omaha, Nebraska sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as Rollins heads to the ring.
But then BRON BREAKKER CLOBBERS ROLLINS! Bron HAMMERS away on Rollins, drags him around, and throws hockey scrum body shots! Bron CLOBBERS Rollins again, then stands him back up so he can gorilla press him! Bron drops Rollins on barriers! Rollins falls back, sputters, but security and producers hurry out here. Bron THROWS security around! Then he drags Rollins up to RAM him into steel steps! Adam Pearce shouts at Bron but Bron drags Rollins into the ring! The refs get Bron to back off, producers check on Rollins, but then Bron breaks through to slip into the ring! SPEAR!!
Bron looms over Rollins while the fans bark. Rollins coughs and sputters while Bron tells him this is just a taste. Bron takes his leave, the damage done. But will he do even worse when the match is on for Backlash?
Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.
Liv Morgan says that Stephanie Vaquer is injured, no worrying about her anymore. But now to talk about the not so good news. Like what the hell was Finn doing in here last week?! Roxie doesn’t know, he must be delusional. Liv says she’s not worried about Finn, JD McDonagh finishes this tonight. Liv is worried about Roxie. Why did Finn think it was okay to talk to Roxie? Why didn’t Roxie tell them about it? Why did Liv have to watch it through Netflix to learn about what’s going on? Roxie says she didn’t mention it because she made it clear to Finn. She told him to get out and never come back. But Liv’s right, Roxie should’ve said something.
But don’t worry! Roxie’s loyal to Judgment Day, they know that. Yes, Liv is glad to hear that, because she believes in Roxie. Roxie & Raquel are going to be the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, they just can’t let anything get between the family. Promise Liv that you won’t keep secrets, Roxie. Roxie promises. Promises what…? That she will never keep any secrets from Judgment Day. Good. So they ready? Liv, Dom & JD head out, and Raquel pats Roxie on the head. But will things be (not) fine for Judgment Day?
Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!
Raw returns as The Irish Ace makes his entrance, Dirty Dom by his side. The bell rings, the two tie up, and JD wrenches to wristlock. JD YANKS the arm, but the fans taunt him as “BOBBLEHEAD! BOBBLEHEAD!” Finn rolls, wrenches, but JD wrangles Finn back down. JD puts on the pressure but Finn kips up to wrench, slip through, and headlock. JD powers up but can’t power out as Finn holds on tight! JD endures, rolls to a cover, ONE! JD headscissors, Finn kips free, and Finn arm-drags! Finn grinds JD with the armlock, but JD fights up. JD rolls, powers Finn to ropes, but the ref counts.
JD backs off slowly, but Dom trips Finn up! The fans boo Dom but then JD RAMS Finn! Dom flexes and soaks up the heat while JD RAMS Finn more. JD lets off so he can soak up heat, then he stalks Finn to another corner. JD CHOPS, then he whips corner to corner. Finn goes up and over to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Finn warns Dom, but JD turns things around. Finn dodges JD to CHOP him back! Cover, TWO! Finn drags JD up, brings him around, and gives some Latino Heat! JD wrenches free but Finn ducks JD’s lariat to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Finn keeps his eyes on Dom, then goes back to JD.
JD drop toeholds Finn, then runs to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Finn goes to ropes but JD KICKS his leg! JD KICKS the leg again, then puts the leg on ropes. JD drops a KNEE on the knee! Finn writhes, the fans boo, but Dom applauds as JD YANKS the bad leg. GROUND DRAGON SCREW! JD then drops an ELBOW on the leg, then clamps on a toehold. Finn endures, kicks JD in the back, and the fans rally as both men stand. JD storms up on Finn, whips, but Finn reverses. JD sunset flips, Finn rolls through and basement DROPKICKS! JD goes to ropes, Finn LARIATS him up and out! The fans fire up as Finn builds speed, but Dom trips him up again!
The fans boo as Finn shouts at Dom, but JD CLOBBERS Finn! Finn tumbles out of the ring, but here comes Roxie! The fans boo Judgment Day as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn fights up in the headlock. Finn fires body shots, and now the rest of Judgment Day hurries out here. JD CLUBS Finn, whips him, but Finn goes up and- NO, JD catches Finn on the over, but Finn holds onto the ropes! JD pries Finn free, but Finn slips down to dragon sleeper! EYE OF THE HURRICANE! The fans cheer Finn on, but he’s all alone ringside now that it is 5v1! JD and Finn rise up, but Finn ROCKS JD! And ROCKS him again! And again, and again! Finn whips and BACKDROPS JD! JD flounders, Finn trips him to DOUBLE STOMP! The fans cheer Finn as he flexes!
Finn drags JD up, whips him to ropes, but JD reverses. Finn comes back to SLINGBLADE! The fans cheer as Finn aims from a corner. But Dom gets on the apron! Finn DECKS Dom, JD rolls Finn, TWO! JD swings, Finn dodges and CHOPS! Finn runs, but into the SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives but just barely! Finn goes to the apron while the fans rally harder and harder. JD storms over, but Finn RAMS into him! Then GAMANGIRIS! Finn goes up, up, but Raquel distracts the ref! Dom shakes the ropes, and Finn falls! The ref realizes something is wrong, so she EJECTS Dom! The fans cheer as things are a bit more even now.
Liv & Dom are upset but JD still drags Finn to a drop zone. JD goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS, but onto knees! Cover, TWO! Finn hurries to SLINGBLADE JD again! The fans rally for Finn while the ladies of Judgment Day coach JD. Liv gets on the apron, but the ref tells her to back off. Liv sneaks something to Roxie! The bell hammer!? Finn SHOTGUNS JD! Roxie has the bell hammer to CRACK Finn!! The fans boo but JD HEADBUTTS Finn! JD falls on the cover, JD wins!
Winner: JD McDonagh, by pinfall
Roxie proves her loyalties by doing Liv’s dirty work, and JD finally gets a win over his old mentor. Is there no hope for Finn against this many enemies?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Jackie Redmond apologizes to The Architect for bothering him, as he is clearly in pain after that vicious assault from Bron Breakker. But what does this mean for Backlash. Will Rollins be okay? Rollins says Backlash is in five days, he’ll be fine. Rollins told “the kid” last week, that if you take your shot, you better be able to finish the job. Rollins ain’t dead yet. Rollins storms off, will he be able to game plan a way to get around Bron’s speed, strength, and ruthless aggression?
The Vision regroups backstage.
Bron Breakker says he couldn’t let Rollins go to the ring and get on the mic to bore us all to death. He can’t stand listening to that guy! He’s like a duck! “Quack, quack! I’m the best wrestler in the world! Quack!” Austin Theory joins in, “Lemme sing my song! Quack quack!” Paul Heyman walks in and says, “Is Seth Rollins still breathing?” Bron says yes, he is. Logan Paul says one guy who won’t be is Joe Hendry! Logan’s gonna beat him to a pulp! Logan swears to God, let him get his hands on Hendry and he’ll hospitalize him permanently! PLEASE! Heyman says that’s why tonight, Logan is not fighting Joe Hendry. W-What?!
Heyman says Bron almost got suspended again, Brock Lesnar retired on us, and if Logan were to get his hands on Hendry, he’ll be put in jail for what he does to him! That’s why tonight, it is Joe Hendry VS Austin Theory. Theory says it’s alright, Maverick. If Logan wants Hendry smacked around, Theory will smack him around. If Logan wants Hendry hurt, Theory will hurt him. He’ll put the Pressure on Hendry, and Logan can just watch. Bron says relax, you’re THE Logan Paul. Vision will get ’em all, one by one. They fist bump on that, but will The Vision all be turned into believers soon enough?
PENTA & Je’Von Evans VS Rusev & Ethan Page!
After the multiple blindsides the past few weeks, he WWE Intercontinental Champion and the Young OG team up against some common enemies in The Bulgarian Lion and All Ego! But will the power of #CeroMiedo see them through? Or will Rusev CRUSH while Ethan steals everyone’s smile?
Raw returns as Rusev makes his entrance, followed by Ethan’s. The teams sort out and Evans starts against Rusev. They circle while the fans rally, and Rusev picks Evans up! Rusev RAMS Evans into the corner, RAMS him again and again, but stops as the ref counts 4. Rusev snarls, ROCKS Evans, then CLUBS him on the back. Evans flounders but Rusev stands him up. Rusev whips, Evans stops himself and BOOST back! Evans ROCKS Rusev with haymaker after haymaker! Evans runs, but Rusev ELBOWS him down! The fans boo but Rusev stalks Evans to a corner. Rusev drags Evans up by his hair, then tags Ethan.
The fans boo more as Ethan and Rusev mug Evans. Ethan says see, they’re a team! Ethan drags Evans up but Evans CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but Ethan takes a swing. Evans ducks that to DECK Ethan! Then he ROCKS Rusev, too! Ethan runs up, Evans wrenches and kicks! Evans snap suplexes, kips up, and does the Penta swagger! The fans cheer while Evans taunts Rusev. Evans whips, Ethan reverses, but Evans grabs ropes to stop himself. Ethan runs up, Evans flips up and over, tag to Penta! Ethan runs up again but into Penta’s GAMANGIRI! Evans adds a DROPKICK! Penta GAMANGIRIS Ethan again!
Penta sits Ethan down, then headstands for the SWINGING DROPKICK! Rusev runs up, but Penta & Evans dodge to DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Then Penta gives Evans the boost to RANA Rusev! Rusev tumbles out, Evans PLANCHAS, and down goes Rusev! Ethan grabs Penta by the mask, reels him in, but Penta wrenches out! Half nelson, pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives but sputters while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again as Rusev UPPERCUTS Penta! The fans rally for Penta as Rusev whips corner to corner and SPLASHES! Penta tumbles outside but Rusev goes out after him. Rusev puts Penta back in, but Penta triangle jumps to LARIAT! Rusev is down and Penta crawls! The fans rally harder and harder, but Rusev YANKS Evans from the apron! The fans boo as Rusev denies Penta a tag. Rusev whips Penta to the corner, but P etnta BLASTS Ethan! Then he dodges Rusev! Penta goes to his corner, but Evans is still down! Ethan tags in and he CLOBBERS Penta! Ethan rains down fists, then drags Penta from the corner.
Ethan CLUBS Penta, soaks up heat, and Rusev runs up on Evans! Evans hurdles, Rusev crashes into steel steps! Penta dodges Twisted Grin to BACKSTABBER! The fans fire up as Penta crawls! Hot tag to Evans and Omaha erupts! Evans BOOTS, SUPERKICKS, then LARIATS Ethan! And goes Matrix to dodge, kip up and STUNNER! Ethan wobbles, Evans WRECKS Rusev, then he slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX Ethan! The fans fire up as Evans builds speed to FLY! #WeOutside! Evans throws off his shirt, springboards back in, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ethan survives, he isn’t a former NXT Champion for nothing!
The fans rally for Evans, he goes up a corner, and he MOONSAULTS, but Ethan gets under! ROUNDHOUSE! Ethan reels Evans in, TWISTED- NO, Evans pops free to SUPERKICK! Evans runs, but Ethan BOOTS him first! Ethan whips, but Evans rebounds, RED DOT GAMANGIRI! Hot tag to Penta, springboard TORNADO DDT! Cover, but Rusev breaks it! Evans goes after Rusev but Rusev shoves him away. Evans DUMPS Rusev out, then DIVES! Another hit on Rusev, and now he’s on the desk! The fans are thunderous as they see that look in Evans’ eyes! Evans hurries to the corner and climbs up top!
The fans are going nuts already, but Etan SHOVES Evans down! Penta SUPERKICKS Ethan! Penta then slingshots to- NO, Ethan dodges and SWEEPS the leg! Penta is down but the ref won’t let Ethan go after him. Rusev handles that with an URENAGE on the desk! Rusev feeds Penta to Ethan, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, ETHAN & RUSEV WIN!
Winners: Rusev & Ethan Page, by pinfall
Both Bulgarian Brute and All Ego have sinister grins on their face, and they celebrate their victory! Not too buddy-buddy, of course. But will these two both have their shot at Penta’s Intercontinental Championship?
Adam Pearce is in the ring.
“When I was a coach in NXT, my favorite, my absolute favorite days, was when a surefire, can’t-miss, blue chip future superstar saw their dreams come true when they got the opportunity to sign one of these to join Raw or SmackDown. Guys, today is one of those days. Let’s take a look.” The fans cheer as we get a highlight reel of the former NXT Women’s North American & WWE Speed Women’s Champion, and Pearce asks we all welcome the newest Raw superstar, Sol Ruca! Sol makes her entrance with a new song, and high-fives fans as she heads down the ramp. Sol joins Pearce in the ring, grabs herself a mic, and Pearce congratulates her.
The fans cheer and Sol smiles as she takes the contract. “Damn. It is going to feel so damn good when I sign this and officially be a part of Monday Night Raw.” But wait, Becky Lynch is interrupting! Pearce is upset as the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion storms her way to the ring. Becky grabs herself a mic to tell Petty Pearce that she’s been looking for him all day! She was told that THIS would be her time for her Celebration of Greatness! Who told her that?! Doesn’t matter, she knows they were a very credible, reliable source. But point is, after her monumental WrestleMania moment, Pearce came out and illegally sanctioned a match with “Iyo Jennetty.”
Which explicitly went against the parameters of her open challenge! But even with that meddling, Becky won! Uncontroversial because she’s the greatest female wrestler of all time, and it’s not just her saying it, other people say it. Sports Illustrated says it, Bleacher Report says it! Sol asks Becky, “Are you done?!” Becky says no, actually, and she’s also a New York Times best seller. Sol says not everything is about Becky. Becky says okay, okay, Sol is very new here, but the sooner she learns this the better. Everything is about her! Well, not this. Everyone knows who Becky is, we know what Becky’s done and accomplished.
But the thing is, Sol didn’t expect to find out that upon meeting Becky, Becky is exactly what everyone says she is. W-Which is? The Man? The history maker? The ground breaker? No. They say Becky is a rude, big-headed B*TCH! And it’s not just Sol saying it, it’s New York Times, Sports Illustrated- Becky says Pearce may be terrible at her job, but is he really letting Sol talk to her like this?! Becky asks if the fans are letting Sol talk to her like this. “YES!” Becky is flabbergasted but the fans cheer Sol on. Becky ask who even is this, and Sol finishes singing her contract. This is Sol Ruca, and if you ever interrupt her again, not only will Sol kick your ass, but she’ll snatch your soul.
Becky takes a swing, Sol dodges, so the punch hits PEARCE! Oops! Becky apologizes but Pearce is furious! Sol smiles as Becky panics, and then she runs up to use the corner! SOUL SNATCHER! The Man is down! Is Sol about to turn the tides and wash away Becky’s big time ego?
The Usos are backstage.
Jackie Redmond catches them as they head for Roman Reigns’ room, and asks them how they’re feeling ahead of the contract signing. Jimmy says it is a big night! Contract signing night between OTC and Samoan Werewolf, and they wouldn’t miss this for nothing. Now, they got a lot of love for Jacob, but Jacob needs to understand how OTC does business, especially when there’s championship gold on the line. Ya feel ’em? Jackie understands, but aren’t they conflicted considering their relationship with both? Jey says nah, Jackie, this right here is family bidness, plain and simple. OTC knows how to handle himself. The Usos are just in case something pops off.
But Jacob, The Usos already told you, Uce! You swimming in deep water now. You bit off more than you can chew. You’re swinging for the fences, though! But they respect that, aight? But Jey is telling you, The Bloodline has been drawn! And at Backlash, you gonna find out who you messing with, Jacob. Good luck, lil’ cousin. YEET. The Usos then step inside Roman’s room. What will the OG Bloodline discuss in regards to this very same family business?
Austin Theory w/ The Vision VS Joe Hendry!
The Vision were a bit… triggered, perhaps, by what The Prestigious Joe Hendry joked about during his concert. But will Hendry feel the Pressure here tonight? Or will Omaha be full of believers after tonight?
Raw returns as Hendry continues his concert where it left off! “He’s one amazing athlete, but he’s a piece of trash! He can shove his trading cards directly up his.. Paul! Paul! Can we fire Logan Paul? Everyone! Paul! Paul! Can we fire Logan Paul?” Logan storms out and shouts that he thought he made it clear that Hendry cannot fire Logan Paul! He is UN-FIREABLE! TKO cannot fire Logan, that’s bad business! Logan IS business! Logan is the heart and soul of the WWE! Hendry says he knows Logan is upset, and he’s glad to see Logan, because this part of the song is the apology. It goes like this: “Paul, Paul, can we fire Logan Paul?”
Logan swears to kill Hendry, but Theory runs up! The bell rings, Hendry fires hands, then LAIRATS Theory up and out of the ring! The fans cheer, Logan tells Theory to handle this! Theory and Logan reset, circle, but the Logan shouts at Hendry. That distraction lets Theory CLOBBER Hendry from behind! The fans boo but Theory CLUBS away on Hendry. Theory then clamps onto Hendry to throw hands right into the side of his head! The fans boo more but Theory CLOBBERS Hendry again! Theory & Logan soak up the heat, then Theory slaps Hendry around. Theory scoops to hit a BACKBREAKER! Theory and Logan fire each other up, but the ref has Logan back off.
Theory stands Hendry up, but Hendry UPPERCUTS and CHOPS and repeat! Hendry whips corner to corner, Theory reverses hard, and Hendry falls to the mat. Theory rains down fists, talks trash, but the fans chant, “Logan Sucks! Logan Sucks!” Logan shouts back that he does not, and Theory goes back to Hendry. Theory drags Hendry up, talks trash, and snap suplexes! “Who sucks now?!” The Vision soaks up more heat, then Theory drags Hendry up. Theory talks more trash, but Hendry suplexes Theory now! The fans cheer while Logan is already upset again. Hendry rises, the fans rally behind him, and Hendry fires haymakers!
Hendry whips Theory to ropes to then LARIAT! Theory flounders from taking the “Commonwealth Clothesline,” and Hendry runs to LARIAT in the corner! Hendry keeps moving, but Theory blows past! Only for Hendry to catch him! FALL AWAY SLAM! And then a kip up, for the… TURN! The fans cheer, but LOGAN ATTACKS!
Winner: Joe Hendry, by disqualification
The fans boo but Logan HAMMERS away on Hendry! Logan hands Hendry the win but he snarls as he tells Hendry, “Nobody can fire me!” Hendry fires off fists! Theory goes after Hendry, the fans boo as The Vision mugs Hendry! They stomp and punch away, but here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins again take the fight to The Vision! SUPERKICK for Logan! Then Ford spins Theory around to ENZIGIRI! Dawkins takes Theory for THE SILENCER! The fans pump it up for The Profits, and Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Theory! Ford climbs up, but BRON runs in! Bron THROWS Ford out of the ring! Then Bron CLOBBERS Dawkins!
The fans bark as Bron then GERMAN SUPLEXES Dawkins! The Unpredictable Badass turns the tides, but SETH ROLLINS trips him up! The fans cheer as Rollins gets revenge with furious fists! Rollins THROWS Bron into steel steps! Rollins stomps away, then they brawl in the ring! Rollins rains down fists while the fans cheer! Rollins BLASTS Logan & Theory off the apron, then LARIATS Bron down! Omaha is erupting as Rollins is shaking the ropes! Rollins aims, but hold on! Ford FLIES out to take out Logan & Theory! But Bron SPEARS Rollins in the distraction! Bron snarls as he tells Rollins he was that close.
Bron leaves Rollins down again, but he’s still roughed up himself. Will either man survive the Backlash?
Backstage interview with Judgment Day.
Jackie is now with Liv, Dom, JD, Raquel & Roxie, and brings up them sending a message to Finn. But what is the focus moving forward? Liv says yeah, you saw what they did to Finn tonight, and to Vaquer last week. The focus is getting all the gold and crushing anyone who gets in their way. And this season is all about Raquel & Roxie! Tell her, sister! Raquel warns Brie Bella & Paige that their nostalgia tour was cute for a night, but it’s time to get serious. She wants them both to come to their show, because- Bayley & Lyra Valkyria step in, and The Role Model says, “Well, well, well. Wouldya look at here? Can anyone in the Judgment Day get anything done on their own?”
Bayley has known them all for so long and she is just finally getting it. Lyra says they weren’t gonna forget what happened to them last week, either. If they’re such a big happy family, then they won’t be afraid to take them on. Liv mocks them and says families help each other win. Try it sometime, losers. Bye~! Bye~! Judgment Day leaves, but will #BayLyra humble them soon enough? And what of Brie & Paige answering the challenge to show up on “Judgment Day’s show?”
The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS ???
With champions either too busy, too lazy, or perhaps too afraid to accept a challenge, The Ruler is making HIMSELF into the challenge! Who will answer the call, and who will be thrown from the mountaintop in Omaha?
Oba has the mic to say,” The time has come. The Oba Femi Open Challenge will now begin.” And it’s AKIRA TOZAWA that answers the call! He is accompanied by Maxxine Dupri & Otis, but can The Stamina Monster even survive?
The bell rings and Tozawa steps up to be face to… chest with Oba… Tozawa gest scared, but Otis says that’s okay, HE will step up. Even Oba likes the look of this! The bell rings, and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Oba SHOVES Otis! That alone is impressive, but Otis comes back to RAM Oba! Oba stays put and the fans continue to cheer. Oba and Otis are forehead to forehead, then Oba RAMS Otis! Otis doesn’t budge and the fans cheer! They start shoving, then Otis rips his shirt away! Oba RAMS Oba, Oba RAMS Otis, but Otis dodges! Only for Oba to UPPERCUT Otis down! Oba then hauls Otis up, for a SUPER SHOTPUT!
The fans are thunderous as Oba is fired up, and he watches Otis slowly get up. Even Oba is wondering if this is possible, but he kicks Otis first. Oba nods and says he knows how to get this done. Oba hoists Otis up the corner, then gets under Otis, for a SUPER SIZED FALL FROM GRACE!! Cover, Oba wins!
Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall
The first challenge was already a big challenge, but Oba was still up to the challenge! And after seeing that, will anyone even want to step up next week?
Refs check on Rollins backstage.
Rollins insists that despite how he looks, he is fine. Just leave him alone. Rollins sees Hendry & The Profits, and he “thanks” Montez Ford for setting him up for that second spear. Ford says thanks to Rollins’ past antics, nobody, and Ford means NOBODY, trusts Rollins! Oh, wow, nobody? Ford doesn’t trust him, Dawkins doesn’t trust him, Rollins doesn’t even know Hendry but Hendry probably doesn’t trust him. Guess what? Rollins doesn’t even trust himself! But who cares!? They’re in the same fight! They’re all after The Vision, so those fights are gonna come together! But here’s the deal: They stay out of Rollins’ way, he’ll stay out of theirs. Got it?
Rollins storms off, but does he have it all backwards? Shouldn’t they all work together if they want to tear The Vision down?
Adam Pearce mediates a meeting between Iyo Sky and Asuka.
The Raw General Manager knows these two are set to face off at Backlash, so the floor is theirs. Iyo starts by telling “Asuka-san, I have avoided this fight for years. You know this. You are exactly what you say you are: my senpai; my mentor; I looked up to you. I loved you. And despite everything you have done to me, I still have the utmost respect for you. I never wanted to have this fight, and I never wanted it to come to this. But… You have changed.” Asuka says nothing has changed, but Iyo says yes, she has! The Asuka that Iyo looked up to is no longer here! Now, Iyo has no choice but to fight Asuka.
Asuka says Iyo continues her disrespect, so the Iyo that Asuka taught is no longer here, either! This person sitting here, who are you? “I don’t know anyone this disrespectful. Who are you?” Asuka says this is her biggest disappointment! Do you not get how she feels?! Asuka is done with Iyo. At Backlash, Asuka cuts Iyo out of her life for good. Iyo says fine, she understands. Because she IS ready for Asuka! Asuka rolls her eyes, then leans in close, to MIST IYO RIGHT IN THE FACE!! Pearce is furious, has Asuka get out of here, and shouts for a doctor! The Empress of Tomorrow shows no remorse, but will The Genius show no mercy at Backlash?
Backstage interview with El Grande Americano Original and…?
Jackie is with Chad G- er, uh, the Original EGA and The Creed Brothers, who are now “Los Americanos Hermanos,” The American Brothers… After that surprise attack on the other El Grande Americano at AAA during the Mask VS Mask contract signing, how are they feeling going into this trios match? Well, thankfully, the No Physicality Agreement was for Mexico. That means here in Middle America, all bets are off! Now, the boys saw how they great EGA Original in AAA, it’s ridiculous! So they decided to do the honorable thing and help him out. They take inspiration from a close personal friend of his, Chad Gable, still sidelined with injury.
But on May 30th, we find out once and for all that there is only ONE El Grande Americano, and you’re lookin’ at him! The ORIGINAL El Grande Americano! AH GRACIAS~! Los Americanos Original heads to the ring, but will this be an American made victory? Or will the real Americanos please stand up?
Six Man Tag: Los Americanos VS Los Americanos Original!
Raw returns as the other Los Americanos make their entrance. The trios sort out, but then El Grande Dos throws his cape at Original! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! The fists fly, but “Julio” DUMPS Rayo out, then “Bruto” ROCKS Bravo! The brothers THROW Bravo out before Original LARIATS Americano Dos out! The fans cheer, “AH GRACIAS~!” Bravo rushes in, Bruto FLAPJACKS him, and now the match is on! Bruto copies Bravo’s dance, then UPPERCUTS! Tag to Julio, they double whip to DOUBLE BACKDROP! Julio struts but Rayo tags in. Rayo ROCKS and KICKS Julio, then CHOPS! Rayo runs, but into an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELL!
Julio kips up while Rayo hobbles. Julio reels Rayo in for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Tag to Bruto, then tag to Original. Julio ELBOWS Rayo in the corner, Bruto BACK BODY BLOCKS, then feed to Original’s HIP TOSS! The fans cheer and Original covers, TWO! Original drags Rayo up, wrenches, wristlocks, but Rayo breaks free to SMACK him! Tag to El Grande Dos! The Grandes tie up, go around, and Original arm-drags! They fight back up, Dos wrenches but Original rolls to SLAP back! Original headlocks but Rayo tags in as Dos powers up and out. They then trip Original out, bring him to the outside, and Grande Dos WRECKS Original with a dropkick!
The fans are torn as Los Americanos stand tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again as Rayo BOOTS Bruto off the corner! Rayo then clamps onto Julio with a SLEEPER! The fans rally as Julio endures, reaches out, but drops to his knees. Julio powers up again to BACKPACK SENTON! The fans rally while both men are down, hot tags to the Grandes! Original THROWS Dos, then rains down fists! Dos gets free, Bravo goes up and leaps in! Original catches him for an EXPLODER! Original fires hands, then clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ROLLING LIGER KICK on Rayo! Then Original ducks the discus to ANGLE SLAM! The fans fire up with Original and he waistlocks, but Bravo tags in!
Bravo y Rayo save their Americano from Chaos Theory, only for Original to waistlock Bravo! Bravo grabs Rayo in a panic, DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up for Original Grande, and he goes out to CANNONBALL! He CLOBBERS Rayo, goes up a corner, but Dos distracts the ref! That lets Rayo SHOVE Original off the corner! But Julio springs right up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Bruto is up to MOONSAULT! But Dos CLOBBERS Bruto with the headbutt! GAMANGIRI for Julio! But then both Grandes run up, DOUBLE HEADBUTTS! Bravo is up top, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Bravo is furious but the fans rally up, “This is Awesome!”
Rayo aims at Bruto, runs up, and SUPERKICKS from the apron! Then he SEATED SENTONS! But Julio gets Bravo up, APRON BOMB! Grande Dos PENALTY KICKS Julio! But Original has Bravo, RAMS him into Dos, then hits CHAOS THEORY! The fans cheer as Original goes up top, but Grande Dos grabs him! But the brothers RAM him into the barriers! Original DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, Los Americanos Original win!
Winners: Los Americanos Original, by pinfall
AH GRACIAS~! But will this momentum carry El Grande Americano Original through that Mask VS Mask match at the end of May?
Roman Reigns heads to the ring!
Now that there is no one to stand in his way, The OTC, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, walks out on stage and raises his finger to the sky. The pyro goes off, and it is time for the title fight contract signing. But will things stay civil in this family civil war? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns as Roman gets his second round of pyro, then joins Pearce in the ring. Roman makes sure to sit at the head of the table, then Pearce introduces the challenger, Jacob Fatu! The fans cheer the Samoan Werewolf as he makes his entrance. Pearce says we all know how this works: two signatures on the contract makes this match official. The fans sing for “Roman, Roman Reigns~!” while he stares down with Jacob. Roman picks up his mic first to say, “Nah, Pearce, you know how this works. Omaha, Nebraska…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME.” The fans cheer and chant “O T C! O T C!” Roman asks if Jacob hears all that.
Roman says that’s not just love, but the sound of respect! The fans cheer that, and Roman says you don’t think he knows where Jacob comes from? That he wasn’t watching from afar? That respect wasn’t earned just from hanging out. Jacob was grinding for 12 years, but Roman was here for OVER 12 years! The fans cheer again, and Roman tells Jacob that Roman was the one in this company, his foot holding the door open for Solo Sikoa. Solo brought Fatu in? Well guess what? Roman brought Solo in. Therefore, Roman brought Fatu in. And Roman will be damned if there is not respect to be had in this business for him!
The fans again cheer for “O T C! O T C!” and Roman says this is about respect. There has to be a code, there has to be an honor system. They can’t just run roughshod around here, bogarding everything for the family. No, there has to be a system of conduct that they can hang their hats on, understand? The Tongan Death Grip… Jacob disrespects Roman with something that he saves for desperate measures. Where does Jacob think they are? In some bar at 3AM, surrounded 8v1? THAT is when you bust out the Tongan Death Grip, THAT is when you snatch someone’s throat! You don’t do that to family! You don’t do that to your own. You don’t do that to your Tribal Chief!
The fans cheer again, but Fatu says, “Hold on, what?! Tribal Chief? Hey. That’s where you got it all wrong, you don’t understand. Yes, I am desperate. Yes, it feels like it’s just me against the world. Yes, my back is against the wall. So I have no other choice but to take you out, take this title, and everything that comes with it!” The fans are torn on that, but Fatu says to keep it 100, then he’ll put a choke hold on this game, and he’ll squeeze out every dollar and cent, just the way this company been doing their family for decades! So when Fatu’s talking all gas, no brakes with it, that doesn’t mean slowing down, it means moving forward and never going back to where he came from.
So yes, Roman, Fatu is desperate. Desperate enough to do anything for his household, even if he gotta run through his own blood! Roman says this is what he’s talking about! Fatu’s household?! Let’s get this out the way. Roman signs his part, the fans cheer, and then Roman pushes the contract to Fatu. Fatu is talking about his household, but Roman says he’s been up here over a decade for MULTIPLE households! Fatu is worried about seven kids, but Roman’s worried about 170 kids! Fatu is worried about higher education, but Roman is worried about generation after generation! Because Roman is the one that can do that! Proof of concept! The respect! WWE does business with HIM!
Roman already told everyone a long time ago, this is ALL HIS! This is HIS ring! And yes, in their family, they’re equals, of the same blood. But in this ring, Jacob, you’re beneath him! JACOB SNATCHES ROMAN! Roman CLAWS Fatu’s face, THROWS him into buckles, then THROWS an armchair at him! The fans fire up but Pearce wants Roman to calm down. Roman grabs the belt, but Fatu GRABS ROMAN’S THROAT! Roman HAMMERS Fatu down, climbs up in the corner, and rains down more fists! The fans count along, Roman goes all the way to TEN! But the TONGAN DEATH GRIP still finds him!!
Roman hurries to get loose, SUPERMAN- DEATH GRIP!! DEATH GRIP!! Pearce hurries in there, Roman grabs at Pearce out of desperation, but Fatu drags him around, CHOKE SLAM on the table!! The table didn’t break, but Roman is still down and out. Fatu signs his part, and he says they gonna do this! It is official, and as it looks, Fatu has the advantage! Will nothing stop the Samoan Werewolf from sinking his teeth deep into Roman? Or can Roman find a way to survive?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here as the go-home to Backlash, but with some great stuff that also had nothing to do with Backlash. Very good promos from Judgment Day, and I just knew Liv was gonna confront Roxie about Finn sneaking in. Her mentioning watching it back on Netflix was also a good detail, as they can reference it later if Roxie really does end up helping Finn as the mole. They were acting like enemies cuz they didn’t want the secret being exposed by cameras. But in the end, Judgment Day of course made sure Finn lost, but there might be hope for allies if Bayley & Lyra are gonna get in Judgment Day’s way of the women’s tag titles. Mixed Six Tag maybe?
Great 2v2 tag of Penta & Evans VS Rusev & Ethan, and the Heels winning out makes sense given Penta is a Face champion. Rusev will likely be betrayed by Ethan so that Ethan gets the title shot, only for Penta to win out. Great first match for the Oba Femi Open Challenge, Oba continues to build his power on main roster by just showing his physical power in throwing Otis. Very good promo from Sol and Becky, that’s clearly Becky’s first title defense right there, but I would think Becky cheats to win. Though, I can’t really see what Sol could do after she loses so maybe Sol should win to humble Becky? Plus, they can just have a rematch after.
Great stuff with all the Americanos, especially with how convoluted it is to cover up the obvious identities of everyone. AAA gives the rest of the story where Gable Americano has escalated things to where even Kaiser Americano’s girlfriend is banned from AAA if Kaiser loses his mask, and that’s pretty wild. But probably also all the more reason we’re about to get Chad Gable back once he’s exposed. Great stuff with The Vision story, such as Rollins interacting with Roman only to get attacked by Bron Breakker. Also, that means Roman didn’t even care that Bron ran past him to go after Rollins, and that’s hilarious.
Hendry VS Theory ending in disqualification was fine, it works for Heels to be sore losers and such. Profits of course made the save, and while Rollins said they’d stay separate, I really do think there’s gonna be some kind of team up before this is over. Obviously, Hendry & Profits VS Vision can happen as a Six Man, and at the very least, they try to help Rollins against Bron when Logan & Theory try to cheat that match. And very good stuff in the story of Roman VS Jacob. Good promo from Usos, very good contract signing promos, especially with Roman referencing some of the real-life stories about Haku fighting off jackasses in bars. Jacob standing tall would suggest he loses, but there’s also SmackDown as a go-home to see if the tides turn at the last minute.
My Score: 8.9/10
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