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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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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