Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/10/23)
The Big Time is Living Large!
The Man & The Legend defend their titles!
Becky & Lita put Damage CTRL away at WrestleMania, then Liv & Raquel did it last week on Raw! Now both teams battle for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio VS Finn Balor w/ Dominik Mysterio; Finn wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Becky Lynch &
LitaTrish Stratus VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez; Liv & Raquel win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. - Bobby Lashley VS Bronson Reed; Double Count-Out Draw.
- The Usos VS The Alpha Academy; The Usos win.
- Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Piper Niven VS Mia Yim VS Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL; Sky wins and will challenge Bianca Belair for the title.
- Kevin Owens VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Usos; Solo wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rey Mysterio is here!
Seattle fires up as The King of Lucha Libre makes his way to the ring. Rey gets the mic to say, “Oda ley, Seattle! Viva la Raza! And welcome to Monday Night Raw!” Rey has to pour his heart out, it has been a real crazy year. Fans chant for “REY! REY! REY!” and he says he’s had a lot of ups and a lot of downs. But last week, it should’ve been a dream come true, going into the WWE Hall of Fame. Fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Rey thanks them, and says on top of that, he competed at the BIGGEST WrestleMania of all time. But instead, he ended up facing his own son, Dominik. Fans boo, and Rey says he really wanted things to be different.
But speaking of Dom, here he comes! “Keep my name outta your mouth. I’m sick and tired of hearing about what you want. Because that’s what you do. You make things about yourself.” Fans boo but Dom says Rey never cared about him. That’s why he’s better off with his REAL family, the Judgment Day! Fans boo and even chant ‘YOU SUCK!” So the Judgment Day, “those selfish idiots who are just using you,” are his family? Using Dom? Rey’s the only one who used Dom! Rey’s the selfish one! Because nothing else matters unless Rey Mysterio gets what Rey Mysterio wants. Just like with Bad Bunny! Dom would’ve won if Bunny didn’t screw him over just to help Rey!
Fans boo more but Dom says Rey is using Bunny just like he used Dom. But guess what happened? Roll the footage! First, replay of WrestleMania where Bunny snatches the steel chain from Dom to stop his cheating. And then last week on Raw, Rey was going to beat Austin Theory if not for Dom. Dom & Damian were beating down Rey, found Bunny ringside, and Dom swung on him, only to get decked instead. But The Punisher would hit his former friend back, and CHOKE SLAM him through the announce desk! Back in the present, Dom grins while fans boo. Dom says Bunny makes good songs, but when Priest put him through the desk, that was music to Dom’s ears.
Bunny needs to learn his lesson and keep his nose out of Judgment Day business. Actually, Rey spoke to Bunny last night. And Bunny said that he’ll be back! Dom and the Judgment Day are gonna regret putting their hands on Bunny. Fans like the sound of that. Dom says, “More empty words from a deadbeat dad. Instead of worrying about Bad Bunny, you should worry about what the Judgment Day is gonna do to you.” Rey says Dom talks big, but when is he gonna man up, get some balls, and take care of things on his own? Rey says he didn’t wanna fight Dom, but Dom seems like a lost cause.
So Dom should just step in the ring, and they can have a WrestleMania rematch right here, right now, in Seattle! Fans fire up for that! Dom sighs and tells Rey to hold on. Dom doesn’t wanna fight his own dad. But he knows someone who will. FINN BALOR! Ex-Con Dom is going to let The Prince take on the King, will this be the WrestleMania rebound Finn needs?
Rey Mysterio VS Finn Balor w/ Dominik Mysterio!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Finn kicks and CLUBS Rey, CHOPS him, then whips him hard into a corner! Rey bounces off buckles and falls, and the Judgment Day soaks up the hat. Finn stands Rey up to RAM into him, and again, and again! Finn climbs up, rains down fists, then soaks up more heat. But Rey trips Finn up! Rey ARMS Finn again and again, then rains down fists! Rey gets to TEN, then lets off. Rey wrenches, whips, but Finn reverses to kick and runs, sunset flip, but Rey rolls through to basement dropkick! Rey goes to a corner, Finn runs in but gets an elbow! Rey tilt-o-whirl RANAS!
Fans fire up and Rey whips Finn to ropes. Finn reverses, Rey wheelbarrows but Finn stops the arm-drag to ELBOW DROP DDT! Cover, TWO! Finn checks his forehead, given all those staples after Mania, and Rey crawls to ropes. Finn stomps Rey, spins him around, and springboard stomps! Finn says this stomps is for Priest! And then one for Rhea! And this one is for Dom! Dom soaks up the heat while Finn fires off! The ref counts, Finn lets off and Dom cheers him on. Finn drags Rey up, CHOPS him, then whips him to ropes. Finn CLOBBERS Rey, covers, TWO! Finn drops an elbow and clamps on a chinlock!
Rey endures, fans rally up, and Rey fights to his feet. Rey throws elbows, but Finn throws him down by his mask! The ref reprimands but Dom applauds. Finn drags Rey up, puts him on ropes and CHOKES him! The ref counts, Finn lets off, then CHOKES him again! Finn lets off again, snapmares and CLUBS Rey, then throws more forearms! Finn wraps on the chinlock, but fans rally up. Rey stands, throws elbows, and he whips, but Finn reverses. Rey KICKS back! Rey runs, RANAS, and Finn tumbles out of the ring! Fans fire up again, Rey runs to WRECK Finn with a dropkick! Dom hurries but Rey builds speed to SLIDE ‘N’ SPLASH!
Dom scurries away but Rey dares him to do something. Dom stays back while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Finn whips Rey to a corner. Rey BOOTS back, goes up, and wheelbarrows, to BULLDOG! Both men are down and Seattle rallies up. Dom coaches Finn, a standing count starts, and both men rise. Finn swings but Rey counter punches! And again, and again! Rey whips Finn to a corner, runs in, but Finn puts him on the apron,. Rey shoulders into Finn, GAMANGIRIS, then goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Dom was even ready to slide in and break it! Rey calls his shot, but Finn SOBATS! Finn whips, but Rey slides under!
Finn runs in, Rey dropkicks Finn’s legs out! Finn is on the ropes, Rey dials it up! But Finn is ready and he LARIATS Rey down! Fans boo, Finn aims, and Finn SHOTGUNS Rey into a corner! Rey is in the drop zone, Finn climbs up! But Rey ROCKS him first! Rey throws hands, climbs up after Finn, and he throws down HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Fans count all the way to NINE, before the SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! Finn is still in this and Dom is relieved. Rey keeps focus, he dropkicks Finn back onto ropes. Rey redials, 619! Rey stares Dom down, goes up the corner, and FROG SPLASHES onto knees!! Finn cradles, TWO!!
Rey escapes and Seattle is shocked! Both men stir, Finn checks his forehead, and fans rally for Rey. Finn stands Rey up but Rey KICKS, ROCKS, and ENZIGURIS! Finn staggers, Rey runs, but Finn ALLEY-OOPS him into buckles! Rey leans on the buckles, Finn CHOKES him! The ref counts, Finn lets off, but then he CHOKES Rey again! The ref has to pull Finn back, and Dom has the chain around his fist! Dom sneaks up, but Rey blocks! Rey DECKS Dom! Finn runs in, Rey sends him out! Rey DIVES onto them both!! Seattle is thunderous as Rey stands tall! Rey CLUBS Finn, SMACKS him off the desk, and again, and again!
The ring count is climbing, Rey puts Finn in. Finn distracts the ref, talking about his staples. Dom METAL CHAIN PUNCHES Rey!! Fans boo but Finn and Dom grin. Finn drags Rey over, goes up top, for the COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Finn wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall
Dom lies, cheats and steals this victory from his father so that Finn can stand tall! Will anyone ever humble the Judgment Day?
Backstage interview with The Alpha Academy.
Cathy Kelly is with Chad Gable and the now fashionable “Otíse.” They have a match against The Usos, how have they been preparing? Coach Gable says he has his guy ready, but then Maxxine Dupri walks in and says, “Cut!” Otíse looks delicious as always, but Gable, what are you doing? You gremlin! Maxxine’s the one dressing Otis in crap! Maxxine and Gable argue, but then there’s shouting around the way. The cameraman hurries over, and someone has attacked Lita! Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez shout for Adam Pearce, he and refs hurry over, and Lita tries to stand. Lita is too woozy, Becky and Trish hurry over and the challengers defend they only just arrived.
The Man says that’s a likely story, these two being the first ones to find Becky’s tag team partner. Liv & Raquel argue with Becky, but what will any of this mean for tonight’s tag title match?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Byron Saxton notes the attack on Lita, and he asks The Man about Lita’s condition. Becky says Lita is in a local medical facility, and though we don’t know who did it, Becky has her suspicions. When we do find out who, she guarantees us she will slap their head off. But she promised a title match, and The Man always delivers. So Becky was ready to do this all alone, but someone came along with a pretty good idea. TRISH steps in! Trish says they were a hell of a team at Mania, so she’ll do this for Lita. Adam Pearce makes it official, and Becky says this won’t just happen tonight. This match happens NOW! Will The Man & The Chick kick some lass?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Becky Lynch & Lita Trish Stratus VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez!
Raw returns and the challengers make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if the Big Time is ready to live large!
The teams sort out, Raquel starts against Becky, but Becky shoves. She still thinks they were behind Lita’s attack! Raquel says she didn’t do it! Then she picks up and TOSSES Becky to a corner! Becky dodges, comes back, but into a scoop! Becky fights free, kicks low and SLAPS Raquel! Becky whips, Raquel blocks! Raquel whips, but Becky elbows back! Becky goes up and up, but leaps into Raquel’s arms! Raquel pops Becky up, Becky slips free, but Raquel RAMS her into the corner! Tag to Liv and she taunts Trish, before Raquel whips her in to back body block Becky! Liv then whips Raquel in to SPLASH! Feed to Liv’s ENZIGURI! Cover, TWO!
Liv keeps cool, brings Becky up, but Becky turns suplex into cradle! Liv rocks it, TWO! Liv sweeps to cover, ONE as Becky goes Matrix and mule kicks back! Fans fire up, Becky runs in at Liv, but Liv dodges! Becky hits buckles, Liv returns with a SHINING WIZARD! And DROPKICK on the ropes! Then IMPLODER STOMPS! Liv covers, TWO! Becky is hanging tough but Liv brings her up. Becky JAWBREAKERS, ROCKS then UPPERCUTS! Fans fire up, Becky point to Trish, and fans fire up again! Tag to Trish! Liv goes Matrix but Trish CLUBS her down! Cover, TWO! Trish whips Liv, Liv ROCKS Becky!
Liv ELBOWS Trish, goes up, but Becky tags in! Becky JUMP KICKS, Trish goes up to the STRATUSPHERE! Fans fire up as Becky climbs! Trish positions Liv for the MAN’S LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! The Man & The Chick are annoyed but still in control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the champs mug Liv. Trish snapmares Liv to wrap on a chinlock. Fans rally, Liv fights up, and throws knees! Liv arm-drags Trish away, runs in, but so does Trish! DOUBLE HAIR PULL FACEBUSTER! Fans fire up as both women are down! They crawl, hot tags to Raquel and Becky! But Big Mami Cool rallies on The Man! Becky ducks one lariat, but not the SOUTHPAW! Raquel scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Then a TWISTING VADER in the corner! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives but Raquel keeps cool. Raquel drags Becky up, has the leg, but Becky fights the bomb to a RANA!
Raquel ends up in the corner, Becky runs in, but Raquel puts her on the apron. Becky ROCKS Raquel, goes up top, and leaps, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Raquel goes to the apron but Becky nods. Fans rally, Becky hurries over, but Raquel HOTSHOTS her, to then bring her to a corner. Raquel drags Becky up, but Becky fights back! They brawl with body shots, and Raquel gets the edge! But Becky HEADBUTTS back, and again, and again, and again and again and again! Fans fire up as Becky staggers away. Tag to Trish, the champs go after Raquel together! Fans fire up, and Raquel SHOVES Becky away!
Trish fires off forearms and fists, but Raquel blocks the Steiner! Trish fights with more fists, STRATUSPHERE! Cover, TWO! Trish drags Raquel over, tags in Becky, and they put Raquel in ropes. Becky ROCKS, UPPERCUTS and SOBATS! Trish brings Raquel out for a DRAPING LEG DROP!! Cover, TWO!! Raquel survives and Becky is unsure what to do now! Fans rally, Becky fires forearms, then UPPERCUTS! SOBAT into the lift! BACKBREAKER, to a scoop! Liv tags in! BACKBREAKER again, feed to the ASSISTED TORNADO DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Another cover, TWO!! Liv tries a third, TWO!!!
Liv is beside herself as The Man is still alive! Liv pushes Becky around, pie faces her, but Becky gets the arm! Becky wrangles Liv, Liv rolls Becky, TWO! Liv goes after Becky’s arm now! Becky whips Liv hard into the corner! Tag to Trish, they hoist Liv up, and then tag back to Becky. The champs climb up together, Liv resists as best she can, and Raquel joins in! Fans fire up for the TOWER OF DOOM!! Double Powerbomb Superplex leaves all four women down and fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Liv crawls over. Becky stops Liv, and DECKS Raquel! But Liv rolls Becky! TWO!! Becky ROCKS Liv! Liv ROCKS Becky! Repeat!
Becky LARIATS Liv, drags her around, then goes up the corner. But Raquel storms in! Becky BOOTS Raquel, drags her into a dragon sleeper, and Trish adds on! They mug Raquel, but Raquel shoves Trish away! Becky still has Raquel, though! DIAMOND DUST LEG DROP COMBO!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Liv survives and Becky is at a loss for words! Becky gets the fans fired up, and she demands Liv stand. Becky clinches, but Liv wheelbarrows! Victory roll, TWO!! Becky grabs the arm! DISARM-HER!! But Raquel BOOTS her down! Trish fires off on Raquel! Headlock and STRATUSFACTION!!
Becky hurries after Liv, but Liv hits a CODE BREAKER! Liv runs up, ObLIVion- NO! Becky rolls through, MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, but Raquel drags her out! Becky ROCKS Raquel, runs in, but Raquel pops her up to the apron. Becky mule kicks Raquel away! Tag to Trish! Trish waits on Liv while Becky FLYING FOREARMS Raquel! CHICK- NO! ROLL-UP! LIV & RAQUEL WIN!!!
Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Seattle is stunned! Morgan & Rodriguez are TRULY #LivingLarge! They just dethroned The Man and her back-up teammate! Becky and Trish are both in disbelief, but Becky still helps Trish up. Becky raises Trish’s hand, it was a valiant effort from them both. Trish still feels bad, but they hug it out. But then Trish CLOBBERS Becky!! Fans boo but Trish aims to CHICK KICK!! Down goes The Man! Trish gets in Becky’s face, then leaves her down on the mat. Why did Trish do this?
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Cathy Kelly is with the Special Counsel to the Tribal Chief, and says last Friday, Heyman was asked to address Brock Lesnar turning on Cody Rhodes, but he dodged the question. Cathy would like to ask him as the former Advocate, can Heyman provide any insight as to Lesnar’s actions? Heyman repeats, ” Can I provide any insight as to Brock Lesnar’s actions? Yes, I can. Thank you. Question asked, question answered. Ask me another question. Like this: ‘Um, Mr. Heyman, what about tonight when Solo goes one-on-one against Kevin Owens?'” Great question! Thanks so much for that.
“See, Kevin Owens is not just a problem, Kevin Owens has a problem. Sami Zayn is not here tonight. Flight delays. Matt Riddle is not here tonight. Flight delays. Flight delays my tookus. Y’know what happened? Sami Zayn and Matt Riddle were in an airport, and they looked up and one of them says, ‘Bro, what’re we doing tonight on Raw?’ And the other one says, ‘Um, um, um, Solo’s looking for us.’ And they looked at each other and said, ‘Maybe the later flight, what do you think?’ Because they’re both smart enough to know now to mess with Solo, who solves problems for The Bloodline.
“Kevin Owens is not that bright. Not as bright as Riddle, not as bright as Sami Zayn, and that doesn’t say a lot about Kevin Owens. Kevin Owens comes in here tonight now with zero allies, and even fewer friends, and one leg. Which makes him not the proverbial but the literal one-legged man in an ass kicking contest against a two-legged, very capable Samoan, and not just any Samoan. We’re talking about Solo! We’re talking about the Enforcer! We’re talking about the Sergeant at Arms! We’re talking about the Problem Solver! Solo’s here. I’m here. The Usos are here.
What kind of people would take advantage of Kevin Owens in this vulnerable stage? What kind of people of the WWE locker room would be so deplorable that they’d take advantage of Kevin Owens when he’s like this? What type of people are so despicable? What type of people are so low they would follow the Tribal Chief’s orders to solve the Kevin Owens problem? Know who those people are? We the ones.” Heyman heads out, does Kevin not stand a chance of surviving the night?
Backstage interview with Trish Stratus.
Byron Saxton asks why she did that to Becky, but Trish just walks on by. The Chick does what she wants, it seems. But will Becky have a new head to slap right off?
Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky wait outside the General Manager’s office.
Bayley’s been in there for so long, what is the big deal? But Bayley walks back out and says she talked with Adam Pearce. She tried to get him to give Kai & Sky a tag title match, but all Pearce could go on about was the WWE Draft. So instead, Bayley made sure to tell him that he needs to ensure DMG CTRL sticks together. Which she is sure got through to him, because he then offered a Triple Threat match with Piper Niven and Mia Yim, the winner going on to face Bianca Belair for the title. That means when Bayley beats Bianca, she’ll have more leverage, and she can make Pearce keep them together!
Sky says no. What? Sky says in Japanese, and Kai translates, “What about us?” Bayley’s gotten her opportunities against Bianca. This time, it should be one of them. Bayley accepts that. She didn’t know they felt that way, but she can go talk with Pearce. Bayley goes back into the office, and we’ll see who it is that fights against Piper and Michin.
Bobby Lashley VS Bronson Reed!
Raw just got a whole lot bigger and stronger! The 2023 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner and runner-up run it back, but who proves to be the alpha male on Monday nights?
Raw returns and Auszilla makes his entrance. The bell rings, fans rally as Lashley and Reed stare down. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Reed claws the eyes! Lashley blocks the kick to elbow, kick and CLUB Reed! Lashley bumps Reed off buckles, fires off hands, then stomps! the ref counts, Lashley lets off, but Reed goes after eyes again! Reed HEADBUTTS then ROCKS Lashley, then fires off in the corner! The ref counts, Reed whips corner to corner. Lashley comes back to LARIAT! Fans fire up, Lashley clinches, COMPLETE SHOT! Fans rally, Lashley brings Reed up, but Reed fights the suplex!
Reed throws body shots but Lashley kicks low. Lashley tries again, but Reed is still too big! Reed suplexes Lashley and hangs him out to dry! Reed ROCKS Lashley, but Lashley hits back! They brawl at the ropes, the ref counts, and Lashley turns Reed around to CLUB him! Reed hits low! Reed pulls ears but so does Lashley! The ref reprimands, Lashley throws hands, and then Lashley bumps Reed off buckles. Reed staggers, but he KICKS Lashley in the ropes! Lashley sputters, Reed BLASTS him off the apron! Lashley staggers around, Reed goes to the apron! FLYING SHOULDER! Down goes Lashley!
Fans boo but Reed watches Lashley. Reed refreshes the ring count, roars but fans rally for “BOBBY! BOBBY!” as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Lashley whips Reed to a corner! Fans fire up as Lashley runs in, but Reed BOOTS him down! Reed huffs and puffs, then he raises his hands. Fans boo but Reed storms back over to Lashley. Reed drags Lashley up, fires off haymaker after haymaker, but the ref counts. Reed glares at the ref, then goes back to Lashley. Reed whips corner to corner, runs in, but Lashley dodges the splash! Lashley keeps moving, and he clotheslines in the corner! Lashley runs again to RAM into Reed! Lashley brings Reed out, turns him, but Reed powers Lashley away. Lashley comes back, dodges, and turns Reed for the NECKBREAKER!
Fans fire up and Lashley feels it! Lashley stalks Reed, brings him up, and suplexes him!! Fans fire up again and Lashley stalks Reed, for the HURT LOCK! But Reed’s so big and strong, the fingers can’t interlock! Reed jumps back to FALL onto Lashley! Reed hurries to cover, TWO!! Lashley survives but Reed drags him to the drop zone. Reed climbs up! Lashley hurries to get Reed first, but Reed rakes the eyes! Reed CLUBS Lashley, then LEAPS! FLYING THESZ PRESS!! Lashley flounders, Reed drags him up, and lifts, but Lashley slips free! Lashley dodges, runs, but into a KNEE! Reed runs but into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!!!
Fans are thunderous as Lashley throws off the elbow pads! Lashley stalks Reed yet again, and he puts on the HURT LOCK!!! Reed staggers, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! They FALL to the floor!! Lashley flounders up, Reed stands, but Lashley LARIATS first! The All Mighty drags Reed up to bring him around as the ring count rises! We’re at 7 of 10, Lashley fireman’s carries, but Reed is too big! Reed POSTS Lashley! THE COUNT HITS TEN!!
Double Count-Out Draw
Fans boo, they wanted a winner! So do these titans! They brawl at ringside and fans fire up again! The ref reprimands, but Lashley gets the edge on Reed! Lashley is wearing Reed out! More refs rush out and even some producers! Seattle wants to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two behemoths are pulled apart! Lashley breaks free to CLOBBER Reed! Seattle is rocking as the hands keep flying! Will these two look to tear the whole place down in order to settle the score?
Cody Rhodes is here!
Seattle fires up for the American Nightmare, and sing along with the song as Cody gets his pyro. Cody still clutches his ribs, feeling even more sore than before given what Brock Lesnar did to him last week. Fans cheer as Cody gets the mic, and he takes a moment to revel in it. Cody then says, “So, Seattle… Whaddya wanna talk about? Typically, bit of a redundant question. I usually have a singular focus. When I first came back, I was talking about Seth Rollins. After that, I was talking about my torn pec and my rehabilitation. After that, I was talking about the Royal Rumble, and of course, after that, I was talking about WrestleMania and finishing the story.”
Fans cheer, but Cody says after last week, that all feels a bit cloudy so let’s navigate the fog together. “At WrestleMania 39, under the brightest lights, in the main event, I lost. I lost to the Tribal Chief, to our champion, Roman Reigns.” Fans boo that, but Cody says, “This polarizing moment in WWE history, everybody pointing fingers, casting blame. I would ask that you point those fingers directly at me. You put blame nowhere else but squarely on me. I lost dead in the center. I did not calculate, I did not adjust not just for Roman Reigns, but for the lengths that Roman Reigns would be willing to go. I lost, and I’m sorry.”
Fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” and “You Got Screwed!” Cody says he heard to things. One was from his friend Matt, who said, “Well, being in the main event, that’s a win in itself, right? At this point in your career, do wins and losses even matter?” ABSOLUTELY! What is the point in stealing the show if you don’t walk away with the prize? The only people who say wins and losses don’t matter are Hall of Famers, men and women who have had their moment in the sun, who have finished their stories. Whether it’s the winner’s purse, or in Cody’s case, the WWE Universal Championship.
The other thing Cody heard might bother you as much as it did him. These words were not meant for his ears but they made their way to him. It was Mr. Heyman who said it. Fans boo that already. Heyman said that if he, meaning Cody, was to ever challenge for the title again, Cody’s gotta earn it. “Earn it? That basically refutes, dismisses not just my whole career, but my entire life!” Dashing, Stardust, Main Event. Undercard to EVP. A derelict wolf who threw himself to the wilderness and came back leading the pack! “EARN IT!? I AM IT!!” Fans cheer that! “And now, the unfinished tale has a whole new wrinkle to it: Brock. Lesnar.”
Fans boo again and Cody says the only thing more embarrassing than lying there surrounded by 80 thousand people with a rubber chicken a foot away from you and not the two titles is that when you wake up the next day, head held high despite you not wanting to get out of bed, going to work and looking for a modicum of satisfaction, a rematch, retribution, and not getting that. So instead, you look for anything else, offer up your innocence, offer up your trust to The Beast, and he repays it in destruction!
“Somebody tell me why. Somebody tell me why Brock Lesnar did what he did. I heard on SmackDown that Brock Lesnar was ‘unhappy’ with his spot on WrestleMania. An event that is usually synonymous with the Beast, the publicity, the key art, the old school intros, they weren’t about Lesnar. And that, Cody can almost understand. But Cody’s theory is that Lesnar has an uncertain feeling about Cody. “Uncertain about the hype that comes with The American Nightmare. Uncertain about the change that I brought to the WWE, change that would directly affect him. Why else would Brock Lsensar wait to get the drop on me? Why else would Brock Lesnar wait until my back was turned?
“But if you’re Brock Lesnar, and I know he’s listening, and I know someone who represents him is listening, as well. Why in the hell would you be uncertain? When Brock Lesnar looks in the mirror, he sees a predator. He sees a former NCAA Heavyweight Champion, that is the hardest tournament to win in folk style wrestling. He sees a former UFC, and a former Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. He is a Hall of Famer in both worlds.” When Lesnar was a rookie, he made The Rock into a victim. We’re all lunch to Lesnar! Lesnar saw John Cena, victim. Randy Couture, victim. THE UNDERTAKER and his Streak, and that was a victim.
Is that who Lesnar sees looking at Cody? A victim? Go ahead. Cody will be as honest as he can be. If the question is posed, “Are you scared of Brock Lesnar?” Cody says yes. He’d be crazy not to be scared. But Cody still wants to fight Brock Lesnar!! Cody is so scared of what happened last week, that when Lesnar blinks, Cody will strike. When Lesnar breathes, Cody will kick. When Lesnar stumbles, Cody will pounce! Cody won’t leave a stone unturned! So that when Lesnar looks into the mirror next time, he doesn’t see predator. For the first time, Lesnar will see prey! For the first time, Lesnar will see a victim! Cody’s victim!
It can be anywhere, anytime, any place, but Cody knows Lesnar isn’t here in Seattle. So how about face to face, eye to eye, 1v1 for the first time ever, The American Nightmare VS The Beast at BACKLASH!! “Answer the call!” Cody throws down the mic after having thrown down the gauntlet! Will Lesnar turn Puerto Rico into Suplex City? Or will Cody “earn” his rematch with Roman Reigns by taking down a man Roman knows well?
The Usos VS The Alpha Academy!
Jimmy & Jey are no longer Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, but there is always a way to get back up. Will they rebound from WrestleMania? Or will Master Gable and “Otíse” tell them to SHOOOOSH?
Raw returns as Gable & Otis make their entrance. The teams sort out, Jey starts against Otis and fans rally up. The two circle, and then fans rally behind Otis. Otis and Jey tie up, and Otis shoves Jey away. Otis flexes and fans cheer! Jey nods and Otis tells Maxxine, wherever she is, he’s ready, baby! Jey and Otis circle again, tie up, and Jey gets around to a waistlock. But Otis is too big to lift! Otis starts shaking! Otis breaks the hold to BOOTY BUMP! Otis flexes and poses, and Gable has him refocus. Otis whips, Jey sunset flips but Otis stays up! Fans cheer as Otis struts his stuff to the ropes, to shake it!
Jey gest away, mostly out of disgust. Jey jumps onto Otis but Otis RAMS him into the corner. Tag to Gable, Gable cravats and Otis struts. Otis runs to BELLY BUMP Jey down! Fans cheer, Gable says “A THANK YEW~!” Gable brings Jey up but Jey RAMS him into the Uso corner! Tag to Jimmy and Jimmy ROCKS Gable! Jimmy CHOPS Gable, Gable CHOPS back! Gable CHOPS again, but Jimmy UPPERCUTS Gable down! Jimmy puts Gable up top, says #WeTheOnes, and then swings, but into a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts but Gable lets off at 4. Jimmy scrambles away but Gable goes up top.
Gable CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Jimmy gets to ropes, Gable shushes Jey. Gable CHOPS Jimmy, “A Thank Yew~!” Gable climbs up to rain down fists, and fans count all the way to nine, then Gable winds it up. “SHOOSH!” for TEN! Gable whips, Jimmy slides, but Gable trips and slaps Jimmy around! “A THANK YEW~!” Gable brings Jimmy up, fires off forearm after forearm, then whips. Jey tags in, Jimmy reverses and scoops, BACKBREAKER to AX HANDLE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS for Otis! Fans boo but The Usos say #WeTheOnes as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Jey facelocks Gable. Gable fights his way over, but Otis is down! Jimmy keeps Gable from the ropes, Gable calls to Otis, but Jimmy throws Gable down by his head! Jimmy puts Gable in the ropes, CHOKES him, but lets off as the ref counts. Jey gets a cheap shot in! Fans boo but Jimmy goes to the opposite corner. “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in, but into a clinch! EXPLODER! Both men are down and fans fire up! Because Otis returns! Gable and Jimmy crawl, hot tags to Jey and Otis! The tree trunk rallies on the Usos! Otis CLOBBERS Jimmy, scoops and SLAMS Jey, then KNEES Jimmy!
Otis KNEES Jimmy again, KNEES Jey, repeat! Otis runs, to DOUBLE BELLY BUMP! The fans fire up for Otis and he has Jey. Otis scoops, Jey slips free, tag to Jimmy! Jey leaps, into a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! But Jimmy CROSSBODIES, into a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Jimmy survives and Otis is surprised! Jimmy crawls to a corner, Otis runs in to SPLASH! Jimmy falls, Gable returns, and Gable tells his number one guy that this is his time! Otis rips the shirt off, gets moving, CATERPILLAR ELBOW!! Jimmy flounders and fans fire up! Hot tag to Gable! Otis Electric Chair Lifts, Gable goes up top, SUPER BULLDOG!! Cover, JEY BREAKS IT!!
Otis runs in, Jey dumps him out! Otis lands on his feet, Jey builds speed, and Jey DIVES! He bounces off of Oits!? Jimmy DIVES, he wipes out Otis! The Usos DOUBLE SUPERKICK Otis onto the desk! Then they push him over it! But Gable is up top! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Gable takes out BOTH Usos, and puts Jimmy in! Gable climbs, DIVING HEADBUTT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Jimmy survives and Seattle cannot believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Gable and Jimmy slowly rise. Gable goes to a corner, he watches Jimmy then runs in, O’Conner Roll, but Jimmy bucks it! Gable blocks the superkick to an ANKLE LOCK!!
Jimmy scrambles, rolls, throws Gable away, but Gable comes back! Jey tags in, stops Chaos Theory, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The Usos double whip, ONE AND DONE!! Cover, The Usos win!
Winners: The Usos, by pinfall
No tricks or help needed, Jimmy & Jey did this all on their own! Will their brother, Solo, bring about a Bloodline sweep? Or will the Prizefighter be able to do this solo too?
Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Piper Niven VS Mia Yim VS Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL!
The decision was made, and it is a big contender’s match! The Scottish Viper, #Michin, or the Evil Genius of the Sky, who will win that golden ticket to take on the RawEST, Bianca Belair?
Raw returns and Mia makes her entrance, followed by Piper. The bell rings, the three approach, then Piper CLOBBERS Sky! Piper swings on Mia, Mia dodges, and Mia fires off forearms! Piper shoves but Mia rebounds to sunset flip! Piper stays up, drags Mia back up but Mia ROCKS Piper! Then PELES! Piper staggers, but Sky climbs! Mia brings Piper up, but Piper is too much to scoop! Piper scoops Mia, but Mia fights free. Sky MISSILE DROPKICKS Piper! Sky runs at Mia, Mia arm-drags her around, then FLAPJACKS Sky down! Sky staggers up and fans fire up with the Head Baddie!
Mia drags Sky up, ROCKS her, then CHOPS her! Mia whips Sky to ropes, Sky reverses but Mia DODGES onto Piper! Rough landing for them both, but Mia stands and fires up. Mia brings Piper up, only for Sky to ASAI MOONSAULT them both! Fans fire up and Bayley reluctantly cheers on her teammate, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Piper carries Mia to SLAM her down! But then Sky hops onto Piper with a SLEEPER! Piper stays up, even as Sky thrashes around! Piper just SLAMS Sky onto Mia! Piper then fires up, runs, and DOUBLE SPLASHES!! Double cover, TWO!! Sky and Mia both survive but Piper keeps her focus. Piper runs at Mia but Mia BOOTS her! Sky goes up another corner, Piper runs in but gets another BOOT! Sky brings Piper in, for a HANGING SLEEPER!! Piper flails, Mia SHOTGUNS Piper down! Sky sits back up, Mia TOSSES her off the top! Mia goes up now, but Piper SLAPS her!
Sky runs back in, Piper pops her up to get Mia for a SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up with Sky and so do Bayley and Kai! Sky aims at Piper, runs in, but Piper puts her on the apron. Sky blocks a punch to SHOTEI! Then springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, Mia BOOTS it apart! Fans fire up while all three women are down! Fans rally, Mia aims and KICKS Sky! And KICKS her again! And HEEL KICKS! Then full nelsons to a DRAGON SUPLEX! Fans fire up again, Mia whips Sky at Piper, and Piper URENAGES Sky down! Mia DROPKICK SPLASHES! Cover, but Mia moves before Piper’s ELBOW DROP! Sky takes the hit!
Bayley tries not to smile, she’s supposed to feel bad for her friend. Mia hits CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Piper survives, but Mia drags her up to wrench and EAT DA FEET! But Sky is up top! OVER THE MOONSAULT breaks the cover!! Sky then covers Mia, and wins!!!
Winner: IYO SKY, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Raw Women’s Championship)
Kai is elated and Bayley is “happy” for Sky, because now she’s going to face Bianca Belair! Will the Evil Genius succeed where The Role Model failed?
Backstage interview with Kevin Owens.
Byron is sorry to bother him, but Kevin says it’s fine. Well, Kevin is going 1v1 with Solo Sikoa. They’ve faced 1v1 before but on SmackDown, it almost seemed like he was going to be on the shelf after that vicious attack backstage. Kevin knows where this is going. Kevin is pretty sure Byron is going to ask if it’s a wise decision to go through with this match. Kevin says he and Byron have known each other a long time, right? Has Byron ever known Kevin to be a wise person? Not really, right? Because Kevin admits, he’s not. Kevin is smart, street smart, hasn’t really taken an IQ test or anything, but he’s okay.
But Kevin knows he does lead with emotions. And that’s okay. Because tonight, Kevin’s heart tells him he has to beat the hell out of Solo for what happened on Friday. Sami’s not here, Riddle’s not here, there’s no one but Kevin. So maybe Kevin shouldn’t compete. His knee isn’t anywhere near 100%, and everyone knows. So tonight, all Kevin cares about is getting revenge. So maybe not the wisest decision, but he’s Kevin Owens. And do you know what Kevin does? Here, he’ll turn around and you can read the back of his shirt. #JustKeepFighting. That’s so good, Byron! Thanks! Okay, Kevin is gonna head out now.
Byron wishes Kevin luck, but will he need more than that when The Bloodline is in the building?
Kevin Owens VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Usos!
Raw returns and Kevin makes his entrance. The bell rings and the hand start flying! Kevin gets the edge but Solo kicks the bad leg! And kicks it again! Kevin CHOPS and ROCKS in return, but Solo KICKS the leg out! Kevin hurries to a corner, he kicks back, punches back, but Solo ROCKS him! Solo grabs the legs, Kevin holds onto the rings, but Solo YANKS the bad leg! Kevin clutches the knee but Solo puts it on the ropes. Solo STOMPS it against the ropes! The Usos cheer but the fans boo. Solo wants the leg again, Kevin kicks but Solo still stomps the bad knee! Fans rally for Kevin but Solo HEADBUTTS!
Kevin staggers, he swipes at the Usos on the outside, but Solo throws hands. Kevin ROCKS and CHOPS and runs, but into an ELBOW! The Usos raise the fingers, and Solo kicks Kevin to more ropes. Kevin bails out, and he DECKS Jey! Fans fire up but Solo goes out to UPPERCUT Kevin! Solo has Kevin against barriers, whips, but Kevin reverses and Solo hits steel steps! Jey and Jimmy stay back while the ring count climbs. Kevin gets Solo up and in at 5 of 10, then tells the Usos to “SUCK IT!” Kevin runs to SENTON Solo! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, the Usos coach Solo, but Kevin brings Solo up.
Kevin reels Solo in, but Solo blocks the suplex. Solo wrenches out, clinches, and URE- NO, Kevin slips out! But the bad leg jams! Solo SWEEPS the leg! Kevin ends up in a corner, Solo HIP ATTACKS! Kevin flops over and the Bloodline soak up the heat as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Solo drags Kevin around to crank on the HEEL HOOK! Kevin throws hands, then kicks with the good leg! Solo just SLAMS the bad leg on the mat! Then MULE KICKS Kevin down! Kevin stirs and Solo demands he get up. Kevin goes to ropes, Solo brings him around and fireman’s carries, but Kevin fights free! Kevin reels Solo in for a DDT! Both men are down and fans rally up! The Usos coach Solo, fans chant “Let’s Go, KO!” Kevin drags himself up with the ropes, and he throws a forearm on Solo! Solo hits back, so Kevin throws a haymaker! Solo ROCKS Kevin, roars, but Kevin ROCKS Solo!
Kevin fires off on Solo, but Solo UPPERCUTS! Kevin staggers away, Solo runs in, but gets a BOOT! Solo comes back, but only gets POST! Kevin SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS! Solo ends up in the corner, Kevin runs, but the bad leg gives up! Solo SUPERKICKS back! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives and the Bloodline is beside themselves! Solo snarls, storms up on Kevin, and stands him up. Solo hoists Kevin up top, ROCKS him, then climbs up after him. But Kevin facelocks first! Kevin throws down elbows, CLUBS away on Solo, then ELBOWS Solo down! Solo is in the drop zone for Kevin’s FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!!
Solo survives as Kevin’s bad knee may have held him back there. Kevin drags himself up with ropes and he watches Solo rise. Kevin hobbles over, kicks low, but Solo stops the stunner! Solo SAMOAN DROPS! Solo drags Kevin to a drop zone, he goes up top, but Kevin hits the ropes! Solo gets tripped up onto his enforcer! Kevin GAMANGIRIS Solo! Solo wobbles and Kevin throws hands! Kevin drags Solo up, but Solo resists the superplex! Kevin throws body shots, then haymakers! But Solo HEADBUTTS! Kevin ELBOWS, Solo haymakers, repeat! They brawl up top and fans fire up! Kevin HEADBUTTS again and again and again!
Kevin brings Solo back up, but Solo powers out! Solo HEADBUTTS Kevin down! Solo adjusts, but Kevin ROCKET LAUNCHES him off the top! Kevin hurries up top but Jey distracts the ref! Jimmy goes after Kevin but Kevin DECKS him! But Solo is up again! Kevin HOTSHOTS Solo away, and SUPERKICKS Jey! Kevin climbs back up top, to SWANTON BOMB!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Solo survives and Kevin is beside himself! Fans are thunderous for Kevin, and both he and Solo drag themselves up with ropes. Kevin brings Solo around to whip, but Solo holds ropes. Solo BOOTS Kevin, runs in, but into a POP-UP POWERBOMB?!!
Kevin kicks, Jimmy distracts, still no Stunner! SUPERKICK from Jey!! SUPERKICK from Solo!! Fans boo but Solo hits the SAMOAN SPIKE!!! Cover, Solo wins!!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
When you fight the Bloodline, you never fight them 1v1! And that was the case here for the Prizefighter, who could only do so much with one leg and no back-up! But the Bloodline then goes after him like sharks with blood in the water! Fans boo, there is still no one to help Kevin! WAIT! Riddle and Sami have finally arrived! And they are rushing right to gorilla! The Usos stand on Kevin’s chest, but the music hits! The Great Liberator and Bro rush up to brawl with the Usos on the ramp! Fans fire up, Sami and Riddle get the Usos out of the way, and they go 2v1 against Solo! Now Solo feels what it’s like!
Sami BOOTS Solo, Riddle KNEES, and Solo staggers, into a DOUBLE LARIAT! The Usos return, Jey gets a FINAL FLASH to EXPLODER into the buckles! Fans are thunderous again as Sami runs in, but has to block Jimmy’s superkick! Sami serves Jimmy up to Kevin’s STUNNER!! And now Sami runs in, but Solo drags Jey outta there! Sami DECKS Solo, the Bloodline brothers regroup! Solo may have won the battle, but the war continues! Will Kevin, Sami and Riddle be nothing but problems for the Bloodline and their Tribal Chief?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, even with the apparent mishap of flight delays because of weather keeping roughly half the roster from making it on time. But many times, WWE finds a way to make the best out of unexpected situations. For example, great stuff out of the Bloodline story tonight. It was apparently meant to be Sami VS Solo as payback, but Kevin having to fight Solo while selling bad leg made for great story, and we got to have Sami and Riddle make the heroic save. I am definitely looking forward to a Six Man Tag to come out of all of this. Then we probably get a rematch of Sami & Kevin VS Usos for the tag titles even further down the line.
Good opening promo from Rey and Dom, though Dom was stammering over his lines a bit. I think he was nervous because this was surely an adlib to make up for the superstars not present. But even so, Rey is adding implications that Bunny will want a match or at least a moment at Backlash. Rey VS Finn was great stuff, and of course Dom helps Finn win. As I said on Friday, I’d love if it was a Six Man Tag: Dom, Finn & Priest VS Rey, Escobar & Bunny. And great stuff out of Alpha Academy, both their little promo with Maxxine and that great tag match with The Usos. Fans are loving Otis and coming around on Gable, they’re almost certainly Faces now.
Great stuff out of the Women’s Division tonight. Good intrigue in “Who attacked Lita?” though I think we learned that at the same time Trish turned on Becky. Trish didn’t wanna be the third wheel, so she took out Lita to be Becky’s partner tonight. But then, when Liv & Raquel won, Trish no longer even needed to be on Becky’s side so she beat her down. Great surprise of Liv & Raquel winning, too, and now they can defend these titles against whoever else. Becky VS Trish is going to be some good stuff, would love if that was on Backlash. And Bayley is still here, so no one needs to worry about her going somewhere else. It was great story for her to be selfish and wanting her own shot, but then having her hand forced. The Triple Threat was awesome stuff, and it just makes sense for Sky to win here.
Really good match out of Lashley VS Reed, and I actually like them going with a draw. We’ll get an even bigger and better match to follow this, and there’s a chance the winner goes after a title. I’ve said before, but (assuming Vince doesn’t mess stuff up), HHH rly should push Reed to get the US title or something. The man beat Kazuchika Okada in NJPW’s G1 Climax, surely HHH promised Reed something to get him to come back. Plus, Reed can easily pivot to Face against Austin Theory, Theory has strong Heel heat right now, and they could call back to facing off in NXT just a couple years ago.
And of course, great promo from Cody Rhodes tonight. Though, maybe a little long, but he may’ve also been padding for time. Anyway, the bottom line is that we’re getting Cody VS Lesnar at Backlash, that is going to be great stuff, and Cody is somehow gonna find a way to win so that he will have “earned” his rematch with Roman Reigns.
My Score: 8.5/10
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The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Rockin’ around the Christmas Collision!
The Continental Classic continues on Christmas Collision, with crucial points on the line this close to AEW Worlds End! Who will finally take the lead in Gold League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; Kris wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia; Garcia wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos; Briscoe wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 2-2, 6 points
Komander: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Shelton Benjamin: 2-1, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.
He has Big Boom AJ & Big Justice with him in the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they’re ready to bring the BOOM~! They’re ready to watch the action tonight, and even the final face-to-face of MJF and Adam Cole. AJ says if MJF is gonna bring the doom, then you know he and Big Justice will bring the BOOM~! But tonight, their guy, Adam Cole will bring the BOOM~ too! And of course we have big Continental Classic action! Daniel Garcia VS Shelton Benjamin in a critical showdown, and while Shelton is tough, Garcia is going to bring the BOOM~! Plus, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos! The Chicken is their guy, time to bring the BOOM~!
In Gold League, we have Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, and the Swiss Superman is a DOOM~! Let’s go, Darby, bring that BOOM~! And then a match everyone wants to see, the fireworks rematch of Will Ospreay VS Ricochet! If you’re a fan of high-flying wrestling, this is the right night to be right here in AEW! Ricochet and their guy, Ospreay, will bring the BOOM~! But speaking of, that match is up first! The Aerial Assassin joins AJ & Big Justice in giving a BOOM~, but will Ricochet make sure tonight is #OuttaThisWorld?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet!
Wait, are the fans throwing white streamers or is that… No, yeah, it’s toilet paper! Ospreay laughs at the fans basically calling Ricochet crap. Ricochet throws the toilet paper back! The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans fire up for Ospreay as he and Ricochet circle. The fans also sing, “F HIM UP, OSPREAY, F HIM UP!” Ricochet shrugs that off, he and Ospreay tie up, and then Ricochet rolls. Ospreay shoots in, waistlocks, but Ricochet switches. They go around, Ricochet gator rolls with Ospreay, then floats to a headlock. Ricochet wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks again. Ospreay powers up and out, Ricochet runs him over, but Ospreay kips up!
The fans cheer and Ospreay smiles as he and Ricochet reset. They tie up, go around, and Ricochet wrenches to a wristlock. Ospreay rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Ricochet spins and wrenches to hammerlock. Ospreay reaches back, headlocks and hits a takeover. Ricochet rolls to a cover, TWO! Ospreay holds onto the headlock but Ricochet powers up and out. Ospreay runs Ricochet over, Ricochet bails out, and then Ospreay handsprings to fake Ricochet out! The fans cheer as Ospreay superhero lands out, and Ricochet is annoyed. Ospreay holds ropes open for Ricochet, but Ricochet goes around the way to step in on his own.
The fans boo Ricochet being a bad sport but Ricochet ignores that. Ospreay and Ricochet knuckle lock, then Ricochet kicks low! And CHOPS! Ricochet whips, Ospreay reverses, but Ricochet rolls off Ospreay’s back! Things keep moving, Ospreay avoids the handspring to then duck ‘n’ dodges and RANA! But Ricochet handsprings through! The fans fire up, and Ospreay arm-drags Ricochet down! The fans cheer while Ricochet endures the grind. Ricochet fights up and puts Ospreay on ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet and Ospreay slowly let g o, and Ricochet SLAPS Ospreay! Ospreay CHOPS Ricochet!
Ospreay takes a swing, Ricochet ducks under to roll back and RANA! But now Ospreay handsprings through! Ricochet dodges to waistlock but Ospreay bucks the O’Conner. Ricochet arm-drags Ospreay down, but Ospreay headscissors back! Ricochet pops free but Ospreay arm-drags! Ricochet headscissors, Ospreay pops free, and Ospreay handsprings, but Ricochet catches him! Ricochet then THROWS Ospreay into the Tree of Woe, and Ospreay falls down! The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, but Ricochet FOSBURY FLOPS! The fans boo but Ricochet takes the toilet paper to wipe himself, then he SMOTHERS Ospreay with it!
The fans boo that literally disgusting act of disrespect, but Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet taunts the fans, then drags Ospreay up. Ricochet puts Ospreay in, soaks up more heat, then KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Ricochet swaggers to taunt the fans more, then he goes back to Ospreay. Cover, ONE!! Another cover, TWO! Ricochet taunts the fans more, then goes back for Ospreay. Ricochet stands Ospreay up to CHOP, and Ospreay goes to a corner. Ricochet RAMS into Ospreay, RAMS him again, then snapmares to UPPERCUT in the back! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Ricochet drags him into a motorcycle stretch. Ospreay endures while Ricochet digs a knee into the back. Ospreay fights up, fights with elbows, then runs, but into a DROPKICK!
Ospreay is down in a daze but Ricochet has to shake out the stars in his own head. Ricochet covers, ONE! Ospreay then uses that one to flip off Ricochet. Ricochet RAMS Ospreay in the back! Ricochet then clamps on with a chinlock, and he digs his knee into Ospreay’s back. Ospreay endures, even as Ricochet JAMS Ospreay. Collision returns to single picture as the fans rally for Ospreay again. Ospreay fires up, fires hands, but Ricochet RAMS him into a corner. Ricochet runs up, RAMS into Ospreay, then goes to the apron. Ospreay takes a swing but Ricochet dodges and gets around him to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay runs, handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay goes to the apron, takes aim, and he springboards to PIP PIP CHEERIO! Down goes Ricochet, Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay stays focused and the fans rally up. Ospreay drags Ricochet up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Ricochet staggers, Ospreay runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS! Forearm, SOBAT, and Ricochet runs, but into a POP-UP, and STYLES- NO, Ricochet sits up, slips free, and he underhooks Ospreay for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Ricochet goes up.
Ricochet has to double clutch, the fans let him hear it, but Ricochet still MOONSAULTS! Ricochet lands out as Ospreay moves, and Ospreay runs up, but into an ELBOW! Ricochet handsprings, but into a pop-up, Electric Chair, spin around, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Ospreay is surprised. Ospreay pulls on the elbow pad and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Ospreay aims, but Ricochet bails out! The fans boo but Ospreay storms after Ricochet. They’re both on the apron and Ospreay goes up a corner. Ricochet anchors Ospreay first! Then Ricochet has the Electric Chair Lift!
Ospreay fights free, fights off a nelson, then he KICKS Ricochet! Ospreay runs, but into a pop-up APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Ricochet adds a SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Ricochet puts Ospreay in, then springboards to 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives, but then Ricochet AX KICKS! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, VERTIGO! Cover, TWO!? Ospreay survives and Ricochet is shocked! Ricochet snarls and he aims from a corner. The fans rally for Ospreay but Ricochet loads up. SPIRIT- NO, Ospreay ducks under! Ospreay gets up, Ricochet blocks a kick!
Ricochet V-TRIGGERS, then he reels Ospreay in! But Ospreay fights out of the bomb, but then Ricochet returns the favor! Ricochet suplexes, into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Ospreay springboards for the OSC- CUTTER FROM RICOCHET!! Ricochet hurries to get Ospreay up, powerbomb into fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! SPIRIT- HIDDEN BLADE!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ospreay and Ricochet both slowly sit up and the fans rally as hard as ever. Ricochet and Ospreay stare down, talk a bit of trash, then stand up. Ospreay draws a line in the sand and dares Ricochet to step up.
Ricochet steps right up, they stand toe to toe, literally! They start firing forearms! The fans cheer Ospreay, boo Ricochet, and Ricochet wobbles! But then Ricochet comes back with forearm after forearm! Ospreay wobbles, but he grins as he rises and roars! Ospreay fires a flurry on Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Ricochet flops over, Ospreay hauls him up! But Ricochet grabs at the ref! Ospreay kicks Ricochet’s arm away, but then Ricochet RAMS Ospreay into the ref! The fans boo but then Ricochet hurries to HOOK KICK! And VERTI- NO, Ospreay slips free to underhook! STORM BREAKER! Cover, but the ref is down!
The fans count, Ospreay would’ve won twice over! Ospreay calls to the ref, the ref sputters around, and Ospreay goes up. But then Ricochet kicks the ref into ropes! Ospreay gets tripped up and the fans boo more! Ospreay is confused as to what happened, but SPIRIT GUN hits the mark!! Cover, RICOCHET WINS!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Ospreay earns 0)
The One & Only got away with murder, but there’s nothing that can be done now! Ricochet has NINE points, will he be headed to Worlds End?
Adam Cole heads to the ring!
The fans cheer as the Panama City Playboy returns to the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they join in for the “BOOM~!” and the “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY~!” Cole grabs a mic, but he keeps his eyes on the ramp. That’s because we all know who’s next. MJF makes his entrance, but with a handful of security guards in front of him first. And not even AEW security, that’s his own personal security. MJF grabs a mic and has them cut his music. The fans boo but MJF tells them, “If I wanted your help, I’d ask for it. Sit down and shut up.” The fans tell MJF to STFU, but MJF shrugs that off.
MJF tells Cole that MJF is frustrated. It’s because for the past few months, MJF has had to listen to Cole say MJF is Cole’s biggest enemy! If memory serves, and MJF’s memory always does because unlike the fans here, he isn’t a complete moron… Didn’t Cole turn on MJF? But then does Cole realize he has bigger enemies out there? Like spray tan, cracks in the floor, gusts of win, and maybe… a cavity. Because last MJF heard, Cole’s dentist isn’t seeing him anymore. Cole was already staring daggers into MJF, but now he’s pissed. MJF has Cole calm down, and he tells the fans to shut up so he can shoot straight.
When MJF was the longest-reigning and greatest AEW World Champion of all time, Cole was nothing more than MJF’s cute little sidekick. That ate Cole up inside. Cole wanted to be MJF. Cole wanted #TripleB. But the sad truth is, Cole had many opportunities to win the title before MJF got anywhere near it. It’s almost like when it comes to Cole being elite enough to become world champion, just like his “s*itty little ankle,” Cole blows it. MJF laughs at his own joke, and then tells the fans he is talking, it is not that complicated. But this is why MJF doesn’t buy the hogwash that Cole turned on MJF because MJF would turn on Cole first.
Cole turned because he, like all these shmucks, is jealous of MJF. And who can blame Cole? MJF is rich, handsome, funny, entertaining, and then look at Cole. For crying out loud, Cole used to be ADAM COLE BAYBAY. Now, he’s just a crack baby! Cole asks if MJF is done. Was that the last line? Because it felt like MJF practiced that for two weeks in front of a mirror. But MJF killed it, really. Cole could come back with childish comments to hurt MJF’s feelings, but he won’t. Cole could mention MJF has had two surgeries on that fake head of hair of his while only in his 20s, which is hilarious, but he won’t.
Cole could talk about how MJF pulled some strings to get his girlfriend hired, like the real politician he is, but Cole won’t go there. Cole could talk about how every single time MJF enters a room, everyone waits for him to leave because he is loud, obnoxious and annoying as hell. But Cole won’t go there. Because Cole is not like MJF. They are nothing alike. That is why the friendship was ruined. Because, MJF, the truth is you say Cole is a failure, but in virtually every wrestling company Cole has worked for, he is the longest-reigning champion in so many!
In this very building, Cole bled BUCKETS against Kyle O’Reilly, wanting to prove he was one of the best in the world, and that is exactly what he did! Does Cole have regrets? Sure. Are there things Cole wishes he could take back? Absolutely. But Cole does NOT regret turning on MJF. The only reason it drives MJF insane is because Cole beat MJF to it. That’s MJF 101: Get close to someone, then turn on them. It’s what MJF does. Cole just did it better than MJF, and MJF knows it.
But Cole has been thinking, trying to understand what’s going on in MJF’s head, and he finally figured it out. MJF is terrified of having anyone close to him, because he feels it is a weakness. That hit a chord? Because not only does MJF act like a child, he thinks like a child! MJF knows in his heart that he was going to be the one to turn on Cole first! DAMN RIGHT HE WAS!!! MJF realizes he let the cat out of the bag. MJF says congrats, Cole, he solved the mystery! A regular Scooby-Doo! Great job, Adam.
But you want the truth? Here it is. The fact of the matter is, last year at Worlds End, MJF had every intention on stabbing Cole in the back that night. Cole just got lucky. When #BetterThanYouBaybay started, MJF didn’t give a damn about Cole. Cole was nothing more than a pawn. But MJF will admit, he did eventually start to care. For the first time in MJF’s life, he cared about someone else. Fans mockingly go, “Aww…” But MJF says that is just when Cole became a liability. And since Cole’s “a fragile little freak,” him jumping off that ramp and exploding his ankle made him a distraction!
Distractions, liabilities, emotions, there are no room for those when all you should be concerned with is maintaining the world championship! But Cole doesn’t get it, does he? Last year was a fluke. Cole ain’t the Devil, he just beat the Devil to it. But this year, Worlds End, December 28th, the same show where Cole tried to end MJF’s world, MJF ENDS Cole!! MJF throws down the mic and the fans are torn. Cole smirks and says MJF ends things then? Well, how about Cole ends this? COLE DECKS MJF! The guards rush in, but Cole fights them off! MJF sends more but Cole SUPERKICSK! And SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS!
But then MJF LOW BLOWS Cole! MJF tells the fans to shut up! MJF takes out the Dynamite Diamond Ring! But then The Kingdom rushes out here! MJF runs away from Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but he vows this ends at Worlds End. We have one week left, is that the last week Cole has in AEW? Or will MJF finally lose the one thing he has left in that diamond ring?
Backstage interview with Kris Statlander.
Lexy Nair is with the #BornAgainKristen and brings up her trying to make amends with Willow Nightingale last night, as well as making the save when Harley Cameron & Penelope Ford were beating Willow up. Kris says what she and Willow have to discuss is between them. But as far as her and Penelope go, they’ve got a lot of history, and if Ford wants a fight, Kris will give her a fight. Then speaking of history, Kris still has her eyes set on the TBS Championship, can she tells us more on that?
Kris says she looked back on 2024 and she had a downward spiral that started with losing that title. Maybe if she wins it back, Kris will right her wrongs. On that note, Mercedes Mone, you don’t have an opponent for Worlds End so here Kris is. Let her know when you’re ready for round two. Kris heads out, will she prove to everyone that she is still the Galaxy’s Greatest?
Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy.
AEW returns and Lexy is now with Freshly Squeezed. In exactly one week, he will compete against three other men for the AEW World Championship. There are a lot of combustible elements at play, and Cassidy says yeah, we saw that on Dynamite. Jay White, Hangman Page and Cassidy can’t exactly have a conversation. So really, Cassidy wants them to listen. “Between now and Worlds End, Jon Moxley can run and hide. He can hide behind his goons, he can run away in a pickup truck. But when that bell rings in seven days, he has nowhere to go. He will be in the ring with us. Us three. And you both know that we need to remove Jon Moxley from the equation.
“We can. We’ve done it. And after that, us three, we can fight for the AEW World Championship and one of us will become the AEW World Champion. Just something to think about. See you guys on Dynamite.” Cassidy is ready to remove the Maniac from the throne, but will the Switchblade and Cowboy listen to reason?
Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford!
As Kris just said, she’s calling out The CEO in hopes of one more TBS Championship match. But will the Superbad Girl be more like the Grinch for Kris this Christmas?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Kris circles with Ford. They tie up, Kris powers Ford to a corner, then throws Ford back into the corner! The ref counts, Kris lets off, but Ford shoves her! Kris ROCKS Ford, TOSSES her, then runs up on her. Kris whips, drops down, then hurdles over. Kris CLOBBERS Ford and the fans fire up as she flexes. Kris drags Ford up, reels her in, and suplexes, and she holds Ford up! The fans cheer and Kris goes all the way to TEN, but Ford slips into a SLEEPER! Kris pries the hold open and she brings Ford around for another suplex! The fans fire up as Kris holds Ford up for five before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Kris drags Ford up, whips her to the corner, but Ford goes up, only for Kris to Electric Chair Lift! Kris climbs, Ford fights with fists, and she shoves Kris down! Ford steadies herself, then hits a FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford is frustrated but she storms up on Kris. Ford bumps Kris off buckles but the fans rally behind Kris. Ford stomps a mudhole, but she lets off as the ref counts. Kris goes to the apron, but Ford jumps up to drop KNEES on her! The fans boo but Ford soaks up the heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ford brings Kris around to THROW her into railing! Ford soaks up more heat, then drags Kris up and RAMS her into the apron! Ford refreshes the count, then stalks Kris around the way. Ford whips Kris into the steel steps! Kris falls over in a heap but Ford drags her up into the ring. Ford covers, TWO! Kris stays in this but Ford kicks her around. Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes, thrashes around, but lets off as the ref counts. Ford drags Kris up and whips her to ropes, then LARIATS as Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes again! The ref counts, Ford lets off and Kris sputters to the apron. Ford runs and goes up, up, and KNEE DROPS on only apron! Kris then SHOTGUNS Ford off the apron! The fans fire up and Kris brings Ford up, to THROW into railing! Kris puts Ford in the ring, the fans fire up, but Ford kicks low. Ford reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford flounders to a corner but Kris has the fans rallying behind her. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT! Kris goes side to side but Ford dodges the knee! Ford hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Ford wasn’t quite perfect there but she watches Kris go to a corner. Ford runs corner to corner, handsprings, but Kris catches her! The fans fire up as Kris GERMAN SUPELXES, but Ford lands out! but Kris goes Matrix to dodge! So does Ford! STUNNER! Ford runs, Kris does her best to follow, but Ford hops up for a POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and the fans fire up! Ford is beside herself, but she drags Kris to a drop zone. Ford goes up top, and MOONSAULTS BUT FLOPS as Kris moves! Kris hurries to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! The fans fire up as Kris scoops to tuck Ford in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Ford gave Kris quite the fight, but Kris came out on top! Wait, here comes Mone! Kris did call the CEO out, so Santa Mone says, “Ho, ho, ho ho ho! New York Citaaaay~! Please say hello to your C E O! Kris, after the year I’ve been having, I was planning on taking Worlds End off. I was planning on going to the Ritz in Boston.” The fans boo Boston, but Mone says since it’s the holidays, Mone feels like being nice. She already beat Kris once anyway, so she’ll just beat her twice! At Worlds End, you see that money changes everything, because Mone is the greatest TBS Champion of all time!
The challenge has been accepted, and Mone is looking to be busy before the New Year. Will Kris make her regret it?
Big Boom AJ & Big Justice return to the ring.
They’re getting Christmas Collision ready to bring the BOOM, but out comes Chris Jericho, who is still ROH World Champion after overcoming Matt Cardona last night at Final Battle. And he has Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey with him as he asks if AJ has a permit for being here tonight. Did they talk with Mayor DeBlasio? Because they certainly didn’t run this past Jericho. Do they know who he is? Big Justice says yeah, he knows! “You’re a JACKASS!” Jericho is taken aback, but the fans agree with Justice. The Bad Apple says this is why dumbass kids should be sitting and not heard. Jericho says yeah!
And if being a jackass means he’s the King of New York, then Jericho’s the biggest jackass! And besides, Jericho talks for everyone here saying we do not want AJ & Justice here! The fans boo, they disagree with Jericho. But Jericho says they don’t even have Costcos in New York! New Yorkers shop at bodegas. Fans are torn, because they kind of agree. Jericho says his favorite is the Walgreens a few blocks over in Flushing. And speaking of Flushing, that’s where AJ & Justice belong: in the toilet! This is the Hammerstein Ballroom, the House that Jericho built! The fans boo that, it’s the House that Hardcore built.
But Jericho says there’s no time for goofy gimmicks like BOOM~, or bandit masks, or scissoring! Scissor me, Bad Apple~! But then wait! The Acclaimed is here! Well, Anthony Bowens is, at least. Bowens pushes past The Learning Tree and he joins AJ & Justice in the ring. Bowens has the music cut, and he tells Jericho that he doesn’t get why Scissor King is catching strays, but you caught his attention. Jericho is trying to intimidate a man in a walking boot and an 11 year old child while spouting nonsense about being the King of New York. Why doesn’t Jericho do what he has asked so many others in the past: SHUT THE HELL UP!
The fans cheer but Big Bill says, “As the Learning Tree always says, when a man tries to silence another man, he’s probably afraid of the truth.” The fans do cheer Big Bill because he is from New York. Bowens says he has no idea what that means, Bill. But he does know we’re live on TNT, Christmas Collision, Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City! So Chris, why not walk your ass to this ring and get it whipped by the Scissor King?! Jericho says if Bowens wants him to do that, then not tonight. Jericho waves bye, but AJ says hold on, listen up. We know Jericho is running scared, but we know at some point, Bowens will get to bring the-
Bowens stops the Boom? Because he wants to scissor! AJ says okay, and they SCISSOR BOOM~! But is that true? Will Anthony Bowens be the one to tear down the Learning Tree and be a champion?
Backstage interview with The Vendetta.
Lexy is now with Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie, and they’ve got a hot streak going. Deonna’s message last week was ominous, but who was it for? Taya says there are so many options. Everyone deserves a slice of The Vendetta. There’s Mercedes, Mariah, Toni Storm, even Lexy could get some, so watch your back. Speaking of Toni, she stumbles in and apologizes for interrupting. She just wants to say hi to everyone, hello. Oh, Deonna, a pleasure. Deonna says she knows who Toni is. R-Really? So cool! Taya says she’ll make a guess: Toni has a tattoo on her leg, a little duck with a knife through it.
Wow, how’d Taya know? Deonna says no no no, she is not doing this again. She does not get what sick crap Toni’s up to, but she is already done with it. So for Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street, Toni VS Taya! Taya says she’ll make Toni forget everything! Toni nervously thanks The Vendetta, and says this is a big opportunity to face someone like Taya. Toni leaves, Deonna and Taya sigh, and Lexy has no idea what to say. Is Toni’s mind unraveling before our eyes? Or is there still a bit of Timeless inside Toni Time?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia!
This showdown was inevitable, but it’s even more fitting after The Standard of Excellence beat up the TNT Champion just because he stood up to the Hurt Syndicate. Will Shelton continue to bring the pain? Or will he not survive Red Death?
The bell rings and Garcia goes right at Shelton! Garcia fires hands but Shelton RAMS him into the corner! Shelton fires hands but Garcia turns things around to fire more shots! The ref counts, Shelton shoves Garcia back, but Garcia runs up to fire hands! Shelton shoves Garcia again, but Garcia gets under the lariat to waistlock. Shelton fights the lift but Garcia shoves him to SLAP! And CHOP! Shelton just grins and he picks Garcia up again! Shelton TOSSES Garcia away and Garcia goes to ropes. Shelton brings Garcia back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then brings him up again. Scoop SLAM! Shelton drags Garcia up and puts him in a corner.
Shelton whips corner to corner hard and Garcia falls! The fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton drags Garcia around, stomps him around, then TOSSES Garcia out hard! Garcia sputters but Shelton storms outside. Shelton brings Garcia up but Garcia fires hands! Shelton RAMS Garcia into the apron, then railing, then back to the apron! And repeat! Garcia falls in a heap and the fans fire up. Shelton grins as he drags Garcia up, to then THROW into steel steps! Shelton leaves Garcia behind and the ring count climbs on Garcia. Garcia drags himself up at 7 but Shelton goes out after him again.
Shelton puts Garcia in the ring, then grabs at him. Garcia grabs ropes but Shelton stomps him. Shelton stands Garcia up to DECK him! The fans cheer but Shelton brings Garcia up again. Garcia fires a forearm, then he CHOPS! Shelton eggs Garcia on, so Garcia CHOPS! Shelton grins, Garcia CHOPS, but Shelton DECKS him again! The fans duel but Shelton whips Garcia to ropes, for a BIG backdrop! Garcia flounders and Collision goes picture in picture.
Shelton stalks Garcia to the ropes, brings him up and around, then puts him on other ropes so he can CHOKE him! The ref counts, Shelton steps off, and Garcia coughs and sputters to a corner. Shelton stalks behind Garcia, stands him up, and winds up to ROCK Garcia! Garcia flounders against ropes then falls to the mat! Shelton stands over Garcia, drags him up and puts him in the corner. Shelton throws hands and Garcia stumbles. Garcia falls, but Shelton stands on him. Shelton stomps Garcia, drags him up, but Garcia fires up! Garcia breaks free to fire CHOPS and forearms on repeat!
Garcia whips, Shelton reverses and Shelton BOOTS Garcia down! Cover, TWO! Shelton is still amused, and he clamps onto Garcia with a chinlock. Garcia endures as Shelton grinds him down, and Garcia fights up, only for Shelton to wrangle him back down! Shelton leans all his weight on the hold and he squeezes tight. Garcia fades but the fans rally, and Garcia gets a second wind! Garcia fights up, Christmas Colilsion returns to siongle cipture, and the fans duel as Garcia fires hands! Garcia runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS SHelton down! The fans fire up and Garcia aims from a corner. Garcia runs up, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans are torn while Shelton storms around. Shelton waits on Garcia, waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Garcia flops around but Shelton stalks him to the ropes. Shelton goes to the apron, runs up, but Garcia BOOTS him! Garcia takes a swing, but Shelton waistlocks! Garcia holds ropes to fight off the suplex to the floor! Garcia stands up and elbows Shelton away! Then Garcia LEAPS, but into Shelton’s clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY to the floor! Garcia flounders, fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton runs up but Garcia drop toeholds him into a chair! Shelton sputters and the fans rally up. Garcia makes Shelton take a seat, then rains down fists!
The fans count along and Garcia goes to nine, puts up the dukes, then hits TEN! Garcia gets space, runs back in, and he SHOTGUNS Shelton outta the chair! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes back for Shelton. Garcia drags Shelton up but Shelton pushes him away. Shelton LARIATS Garcia, then rolls into the ring. The ring count starts, the fans help Garcia stand, and the fans fire up! Garcia hurries to the ring, but Shelton BOOTS, only for Garcia to block! DRAGON SCREW! Garcia runs, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Even with a bad leg, Shelton has so much strength! Shelton storms up in the corner, but Garcia dodges!
Shelton’s knee hits buckles, and Garcia leg scissor rolls him! Garcia steps through for the DRAGON TAMER!! Shelton endures and the fans fire up! Garcia sits on the hold, but Shelton powers up! Shelton powers out of the hold, has Garcia’s legs, and he turns Garcia over into a QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Garcia endures, reaches out, and he army crawls his way forward! But Shelton drags Garcia back! Garcia cradles Shelton! TWO!! Shelton escapes, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shelton SUPERKICKS Garcia! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Shelton covers, TWO!! Garcia barely gets out of that and Shelton is furious!
“This is Awesome!” as Shelton looms over Garcia. Shelton drags Garcia up, but Garcia trips Shelton! Jackknife bridge, GARCIA WINS!!
Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Shelton earns 0)
A Christmas Collision miracle? Who knows! But Garcia is still alive in the C2, but Lashley snatches Garcia into a SLEEPER! The fans boo but MVP hands the pimp cane to Shelton! But here comes Mark Briscoe, and he has a chair! Security wants this to stop before it gets out of hand, and even producers get out here! But wait! Is that Swerve Strickland rushing in from the crowd?! It is! He goes right up top to SUPER SWERVE STOMP the Syndicate and security guards! Garcia gets free of the pile, Mark Briscoe is with him, and now the locker room hurries out here to stop this from getting worse!
The fans chant, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and Nana eventually hands the mic to Swerve. “Bobby FREAKIN’ Lashley! Didn’t I say I was gonna get my hands on you by the end of ’24? By the end of 2024, I said I was gonna get my hands on you, and that’s what I did, courtesy of the most dangerous man in AEW. Whose house?!” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve is still aiming for Lashley’s head, will he and Lashley have it out at Worlds End?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos!
After getting a couple shockers, The Sussex County Chicken could easily jump up to the front of the block with one more! But will he #ManUp and bring down the menacing minotaur? Or will The Beast be a massive spoiler for Briscoe?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock again. The fans rally and duel while both men fire up. They RAM shoulders, and then fire forearms! The fans fire up as Mark gets the edge, but Mortos swings! Mark dodges to CHOP, then fire forearms! Mark ROCKS Mortos, whips, but Mortos reverses and SPLASHES Mark! Mortos runs but Mark follows to LARIAT! Mark runs, Mortos follows, but Mark dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And forearm! And Mongolian Chop! Mark fires forearms against the ropes, then roars. Mark runs but Mortos follows to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, Mortos runs but Mark follows to FOREARM!
Mark runs, Mortos follows, and he slingshots to hook and backslide, TWO! Mark trips Mortos to jackknife, TWO! Mortos gets around, hammerlock and cradle, TWO! Mark slips around to roll Mortos, TWO! Both men stand, both men dodge, and the fans cheer the standoff. The fans cheer “BOTH THESE GUYS! BOTH THESE GUYS!” as they reset. Mark and Mortos run up to RAM shoulders again! And again! Mortos is getting the better of this, and he CLOBBERS Mark! The fans cheer Mortos while Mark goes to ropes. Mortos runs in but Mark TOSSES him up and out! Mortos clutches a leg, stands up, but Mark runs!
Mortos slides in, dodges, and he SPEARS Mark! The fans fire up and Mortos roars while Collision goes picture in picture.
Mark rolls to a corner while Mortos headbutts buckles. Mortos then runs corner to corner to DROPKICK Mark! Mark sputters, Mortos drags him to a cover, TWO! Mark stays in this but Mortos drags him into a chinlock. Mark endures, even as Mortos leans on the hold. Mark fights up as the fans rally, and Mark fires body shots. Mortos THROWS Mark down! Mortos then CRANKS Mark’s neck, then KICKS him in the chest! Cover, TWO! Mark is still in this and he goes to ropes. Mortos storms up but Mark CHOPS! Mortos SMACKS Mark and Mark falls into a corner. Mortos stomps Mark, then digs his boots in!
The ref reprimands and counts, Mortos steps off, then Mortos snapmares Mark so he can step on Mark’s face! Then NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! Mark stays in this and he goes back to ropes. Mortos waits on Mark to stand, then SMACKS him down! Mark dangles out of the ring in the ropes, but Mortos goes after a leg while Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Mortos has Mark in a corner. Mortos whips corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT, CHOP, and HEADBUTT! Mark staggers and the fans rally up for Mortos. Mortos brings down his kneepads, runs corner to corner, but Mark dodge! Mortos hits buckles then falls to the outside! The fans fire up as Mark then WRECKS Mortos with a dropkick! Mark builds speed and he DIVES, direct hit on Mortos! The fans fire up and Mark even hugs a few! Mark tosses a chair into the ring, and fans rally for #DEMBOYS. Mark sets the chair up, but Mortos anchors Mark’s legs! Mortos then SMACKS Mark!
Mortos drags Mark to the apron, Mark fires forearms. Mortos shoves Mark, but Mark fireman’s carries! Mortos fires elbows to get free! Mark REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Then APRON GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mortos falls to the floor while the fans lose their minds! Mark rises up, takes aim, and he fires the fans up more. Mark goes up a corner, for a SUPER SKY TWISTER! The fans are thunderous and Mark high-fives the front row. Mark then goes back to the ring and builds speed! Mark uses the chair to FLY! Direct hit and Mark even lands on his feet! The fans fire up and Mark hurries to get Mortos back up.
Mark puts Mortos in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Mark takes aim. FROGGY-BOW onto knees! Mortos saves himself there, and then roars! Mortos whips Mark, scoops him, and has the torture rack! BEAST BACKBREAKER! Then Mortos hauls Mark up for a POWER BREAKER!! The fans fire up for Mortos and he DISCUS- NO, Mark dodges, runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and the fans fire up again! Mortos snarls, hauls Mark up, and then scoops! But Mark slips free! Mark crane kicks, then underhooks! But Mortos backdrops free! Mark rises, Mortos runs, but into a fireman’s carry!
Mark hits a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then Mark goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO?!? Mortos survives but Mark shakes his head. Mark just goes back up top! Mortos sits up and roars! But Mark still FROGGY-BOWS!! And then he underhooks, lifts, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Mortos earns 0)
And with that, Mark is now even with Kyle Fletcher, who Mark already beat earlier on! That is all the difference between the one seed and the two seed, how will this final round shake out?
Julia Hart speaks.
“Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. I’m no coward. What you call tricks, I call advantages. I suggested that you watch your back. I gave you all the warnings. So I’m not understanding why you feel the need to call me classless and sneaky. I thought I was being more than reasonable. I know you’re strong, but are you smart? Are my ‘tricks’ too much for you? I guess we’ll find out January 1st, Fight for the Fallen. But remember: The House Always Wins.” The Princess of the Black Throne is ready, but will she learn Hayter Hits Hard?
Backstage interview with Mariah May.
Alex Marvez is with the AEW Women’s World Champion and says in one week’s time, it will be Mariah VS Thunder Rosa for the title, in a Tijuana Street Fight! Marvez notes that Mariah not only had some harsh words for Rosa, but for her father, as well. Mariah says, “Aw~, Papa Rosa is gonna be in the front row. Is that to watch the match? Or does Thunder need a new mami?” But speaking of Rosa, she RAMS Mariah right into the door! And dribbles her off it, too! Mariah pulls hair, Rosa tries to choke Mariah, and then Mariah shoves Rosa away. Mariah calls Rosa crazy, but Rosa says she’s not done with Mariah!
Rosa storms after Mariah into the hall, and then to the stage area! Mariah has made it to ringside, Nigel tries to warn her, but Rosa CLOBBERS Mariah! Rosa rains down fists, then stomps away! Rosa SMACKS Mariah off steel steps, then grabs a chair! Mariah sputters, but gets away before Rosa swings the chair! Security rushes out here for the third time tonight, and Rosa LEAPS! The cluster keeps her away from Mariah but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Rosa holds up the AEW Women’s World Championship, will she send the “Woman From Hell” back where she came from in order to have the gold again?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli!
While The Relentless One has been after each and every Death Rider, he gets one served up to him on a silver platter. But will Darby bring down the Swiss Superman before the final round? Or will Claudio crush Darby’s hopes and dreams this close to Christmas?
But before Claudio even gets in the ring, Darby DIVES out onto him! The fans fire up as Darby fires fast hands! Claudio gets away but Darby pursues, jumps on, and throws more hands! Claudio carries Darby up the ramp to then THROW him down! Darby writhes, Claudio drags him up, and Claudio gorilla presses! Darby slips free, goes to the entry, and then dodges Claudio to send him into the light truss! And then he shoves Claudio into it again! Claudio falls, and now Darby climbs up!? The fans fire up as Darby is up on the camera balcony! Darby SUPER CROSSBODIES Claudio down!
Claudio tumbles down the ramp and Darby sputters while fans lose their minds. The ref checks Darby, his fall was still really wicked. Claudio sits up in a daze as he’s now ringside, and somehow Darby pursues! They both get in the ring, the bell rings, and Darby runs up! But into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is already frustrated. Claudio drags Darby by his legs, to GIANT SWING~! The fans count as Darby goes around and around, and Claudio goes past TEN, past FIFTEEN, past TWENTY, and all the way to THIRTY!! Darby flounders out of the ring while Collision goes picture in picture.
The ref goes out to check on Darby, and somehow he’s okay to continue. Claudio steps out to fetch Darby, and lift shim up with one hand! Claudio then gut wrenches and carries Darby, to SLAM him onto railing! And DUMP him down! Claudio drags Darby up again, gut wrenches again, and he TOSSES Darby onto the railing! Darby flops back down and clutches his lower back, but Claudio leaves him behind. The ring count begins but Darby sits up. Claudio goes out after him again, and brings him up to CHOP! Darby staggers away to a corner, Claudio storms up and CHOPS again! Darby flops down but Claudio looms over him.
Claudio gets space, runs up, and he UPPERCUTS Darby against railing! Darby stumbles away, Claudio goes to the ring, but Darby rolls in, just to roll back out. Darby earns himself some time, but then Claudio storms out after him. Darby hurries int he ring to get away, but Claudio is after him there, too. Claudio stands on Darby’s hands, then stomps them! Darby writhes, but Claudio stomps his hands more! Darby goes to a corner. Claudio stands him up and CHOPS! Claudio UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and Christmas Collision returns to single picture. The fans duel, Darby fires hands, but Claudio UPPERCUTS!
Claudio whips, Darby springboards, COFFIN- NO, Claudio catches Darby! Darby fights free, runs, but Claudio runs up! Darby DUMPS Claudio, then runs to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans fire up again and Darby puts Claudio in. Claudio rolls out the far side but Darby DIVES again! Claudio is sent into railing but Darby goes up a corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER COFFIN SPLASH! Direct hit and both men are down again. The ref starts the ring count, the fans rally up, and Darby refreshes the count. Darby LEAPS onto Claudio for a SLEEPER! Claudio goes to steel steps and he steps up, but Darby squeezes tight!
Claudio steps back down, and he runs into the timekeeper’s area! BACKPACK SENTON through the table! The fans lose their minds again while Claudio leaves Darby behind in the wreckage. Darby stirs, the ref starts another ring count, and Darby crawls. “This is Awesome!” as Darby leaps in at 7! Claudio runs but Darby slips around! O’Conner Roll, TWO, springboard and SPALSH! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Claudio is up, but Darby sunset flips! Claudio stays up, and DOUBLE STOMPS! Claudio deadlifts Darby to then TOSS him out of the ring! Darby hits apron on the way out and fans tell Claudio he’s sick!
Claudio goes out after Darby and drags him up again. Claudio scoops and then POSTS Darby! And POSTS him again! Claudio TOSSES Darby aside, rolls into the ring, but only to refresh the count. Claudio then drags Darby by a leg and brings him over. Claudio SWINGS Darby into steel steps!! Claudio puts Darby in the ring, stands him up, and runs to LARIAT! Darby flips through the air! Claudio covers, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is frustrated. The fans rally for Darby but Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then Claudio tucks the arms, RICOLA- CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio escapes in time!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Darby and Claudio slowly rise, and Ricochet watches, very amused as Darby is his next opponent in the round robin. Darby crawls to a corner, climbs up, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio HEADBUTTS Darby, then climbs up again. Claudio brings Darby up and suplexes, but Darby fights around! SUPER SCORPION DEATH DROP!! The fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Darby rises up. Darby climbs to the very top, COFFION DROP onto knees! Claudio saves himself, then he hauls Darby up. Straitjacket and RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Darby survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio argues with the ref but the count was fair! Darby’s just that tough! Claudio goes back to Darby and ripcords him into the RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Claudio goes outside, and he brings out something from under the ring. He also has a chair! The ref takes the chair from Claudio, but Claudio has BRASS KNUCKLES! BRASS KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, CLAUDIO WINS!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Darby earns 0)
The Swiss Superman screws over Darby, but then he gets that chair back. But wait, Ospreay slides into the ring! And HE has the brass knuckles that Claudio tossed aside! Ospreay dares Claudio to do something, but Claudio simply leaves. Does this mean Ospreay’s ready to ride against the Death Riders with Darby? Or will we see a Miracle on 34th Street send Ospreay and Darby to Worlds End?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here as the last one before Worlds End, and therefore a bit of a go-home in itself. While the continued feud of MJF and Cole has still been a bit clunky since they did the double turn, their faceoff did a good job addressing some of that. They got good digs at each other as always, and MJF snapping and revealing “the truth” was their big move to recover this story. We of course got a brawl, and good save by The Kingdom. It feels like MJF still finds a way to hold onto the diamond ring, but c’mon, how fitting is it for Cole to get a diamond.
Good bit with Toni Storm and The Vendetta, and Deonna’s reaction to Toni was great. Deonna is justified in thinking this is still an act from Toni, not a legitimate psychological problem, and Toni VS Taya will be good stuff. Good promo from Kris Statlander, good match from her and Penelope Ford, and of course a good win for Kris. Good promo from Mone to make Worlds End official, but as I’ve been saying, Mone is more likely to lose the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship as part of the big NJPW Tokyo Dome weekend. The irony is, Mina Shirakawa is her challenger and Mina shows up plenty in AEW, so I don’t know how that math is supposed to work.
Good promo from Mariah May as it also turned into a brawl with Thunder Rosa. As it stands, Rosa standing tall holding up the belt means she is NOT winning at Worlds End, but they could still give us a little more from Rosa and Mariah on Dynamite’s Christmas episode to turn the tables. Good promo from Julia Hart to respond to Jamie Hayter, they’ll have a good match. Good promo from Orange Cassidy to try and reason with Jay White and Hangman Page, but that’s all the more reason Moxley likely uses the challengers all against each other like he did on Wednesday. Though, it would be fun if they at least started the match all annihilating Moxley with their finishers, making us think it’ll work out in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff with Big Boom AJ & Big Justice here tonight, both hyping up the show but also interacting with Jericho’s group and even Anthony Bowens. They’re adding some more foreshadowing to The Acclaimed breaking up, and I guess we’re supposed to see this as a positive move, Bowens feuding with Jericho. Unless Bowens is going to be the guy that dethrones Jericho for whatever ROH cable TV debut/return is planned, the Jericho Vortex strikes again. Bowens should be going for an AEW midcard title, but right now, those are all tied up what with the C2 going on and the International Championship being tied up in Worlds End and NJPW plans.
Speaking of the C2, great stuff with all the matches tonight. Shelton VS Garcia was great stuff, and while Garcia gets the win, they’re still giving us some set-up for a TNT Championship match of Garcia VS Shelton. Mark Briscoe of course made the save, but great surprise for Swerve to show up. Lashley VS Swerve for Worlds End just needs to be said, it already feels a given. All that brawling was also a good segue into Mark VS Mortos, and another great showing for Mortos, even in losing. But as Mark has already had all his matches and is at 9 points, Kyle doesn’t even need to win against Garcia, he just needs to draw so that Mark will be out, and Garcia with him.
While Ospreay VS Darby on Wednesday raised the bar, Ospreay VS Ricochet still had great stuff of its own. Plus, Ricochet is bringing out more of his Heel side what with using the ref, and Ricochet’s win puts the pressure on Ospreay for Christmas Dynamite. Now, no offense to Brody King, but I’m thinking Ospreay wins that to take one of the semifinal spots. Darby VS Claudio tonight was also great, but Darby doing his best Sting off the truss was not the best when he gets that whiplash on the floor. I really thought that match was going to be called for concussion protocol, but Darby’s weirdly indestructible.
Claudio still cheats this win so there’s more heat on the Death Riders and Darby is also behind the 8 ball. Ospreay making the save was good, we can definitely have another “Team AEW” VS Death Riders with Ospreay joining Darby and a couple others, but the way they did the order of matches, Claudio’s got a seemingly easy ride against Komander for Christmas. Though, how awesome would it be if Komander pulled off the spoiler? Or if they were really going to add some drama, they should create a situation where the Death Riders end up ringside, violating the Continental Rules of no cornermen and that disqualifies Claudio. Claudio misses out on the semifinals because of a technicality, sending Ospreay and maybe Ricochet to the semifinals.
My Score: 8.8/10
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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