Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/17/23)
Why, Trish, Why?!
Will we get a Stratusfactory answer from Trish?
In a shocking moment last Monday Night Raw, Trish Stratus turned on Becky Lynch! And tonight, she explains why! How will The Man respond?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio VS Solo Sikoa; Solo wins.
- Bianca Belair VS Dakota Kai w/ Damage CTRL; Bianca wins.
- Seth Rollins VS The Miz; Rollins wins.
- Austin Theory VS Bobby Lashley; No Contest.
- Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville VS Candice LeRae & Mia Yim; Chelsea & Sonya win.
- Six Man Tag: Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle VS The Judgment Day; Sami, Kevin & Riddle win.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Bloodline is here!
Jimmy & Jey Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman walk down the ramp and to the ring. Fans are torn between boos and the fingers to the sky. The Bloodline get the mics and Jey says, “Little Rock, Arkansas! The Bloodline is now in your city!” Jey hands it off to OG Heyman and Heyman thanks him. Fans boo some more, but Heyman says, “Ladies- Heh, ladies in Little Rock. Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. And I serve as Special Counsel to your Tribal Chief, the reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman…! Reigns!” Fans boo as the fingers go to the sky.
Heyman says he is also honored to be the Wise Man to the entire Bloodline, and he has information that tonight, “history is about to unfold.” Wait! The Judgment Day shows up!? Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio and the SmackDown Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley, all go right to the ring. Priest has a mic to say, “PAUL!” Priest and Solo stare down but Heyman has everyone step back. Fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Judgment Day but Heyman shakes Priest’s hand. Heyman says it is an honor. “Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it’s a very good day to be a very bad guy. If there’s a Heaven, none of us are getting into it.
“A short-term deal engineered, conceived of and approved of by Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns.” Jey takes the mic back to say that the Usos weren’t told about this. Heyman apologizes for that, but Roman didn’t want anyone else, outside of Solo, there’s no raised voices or sudden movements towards Solo. But Roman wanted his Usos to be caught off-guard by the enormity of this short-term deal. See, even Mr. Balor, from what Heyman understands, isn’t that happy about this. Mr. Balor has deep rooted anger issues towards Roman. Heyman doesn’t blame Balor for that, but Balor is willing to put those feelings aside in the name of “good, short-term villainy.”
Speaking of! The Judgment Day has a concern. There’s a Bad Bunny concern. Solo Sikoa is an expert at addressing concerns. Solo and Rhea are staring down…? Heyman asks Jey to switch places. Jey and Solo move around, but then so do Rhea and Finn…?! Mami wants after the Enforcer?! Fans like the sound of that! Heyman asks Rhea if everything’s okay here. Rhea says, “For now.” Heyman sighs, and wants to get to the point before things go the wrong way. The Judgment Day needs something taken care of in Bad Bunny. Solo will handle that before concerns become problems, because The Bloodline already has problems!
They have a Kevin Owens problem! They have a Sami Zayn problem! They have a Matt Riddle to solve! At Backlash, for the first time ever, it’ll be a Six Man Tag of The Usos & Solo VS Kevin, Sami & Riddle! If those three make it. Because tonight, also for the first time, Sami, Kevin & Riddle are in a Six Man Tag against the Judgment Day! Finn grins and fans cheer. Heyman says that FYI, “The Bloodline doesn’t mind extending a little credit, so we’re gonna take care of your concerns.”
Because right here, right now, in the “godforsaken city” of Little Rock, Solo will go 1v1 with, and in the name of the Tribal Chief, SMASH his opponent tonight! Heyman apologizes to Dominik, because he has to see this person in person. Solo is taking on the “deplorable” yet Hall of Fame worthy Rey Mysterio! The Enforcer of the Island is ready, but will he be able to “handle” the King of Lucha Libre?
Rey Mysterio VS Solo Sikoa!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Solo circles with Rey and fans rally up. Rey KICKS Solo in the leg but Solo keeps stalking him. Rey dodges, KICKS and CLUBS Solo, but Solo keeps pursuing. They go around, Solo captures Rey but Rey BOOTS back! Rey runs, slides under and comes back, but into an ELBOW! Solo storms up, scoops and SLAMS Rey, and then stomps away. Solo CLUBS Rey, HEADBUTTS him to a corner, but fans rally behind Rey. Solo rains down fists but the ref counts. Solo lets off to roar but fans boo. Rey drags himself up but Solo is on him with a whip corner to corner.
Rey goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, ONE! Solo CLOBBERS Rey! Solo puts Rey on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Solo lets off, and he stalks Rey to a corner. Solo whips corner to corner hard and Rey bounces off buckles! Solo talks trash on Rey, sits him up, and clamps a claw into Rey’s shoulder! Fans rally up as Rey endures, and Rey fights up to his feet. Rey throws elbows, runs, but into a LARIAT! Solo snarls and he talks more trash. Solo stomps Rey around, stalks him to another corner, and he throws more hands. Solo whips corner to corner hard!
Rey falls back again and Solo soaks up the heat. Solo storms up, stands Rey up, and he whips corner to corner again. Rey stops himself, and he drop toeholds Solo into buckles! Rey climbs up top but Solo CLUBS him first! Solo Electric Chair Lifts but Rey throws hands! Rey headscissors Solo out of the ring! Both men hit the floor and Little Rock fires up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Solo has Rey down with another claw in the shoulder. Rey fights back up, throws body shots, but Solo throws Rey down by his mask! The ref reprimands but the damage is done. Solo sits Rey up to karate CHOP him in the shoulder! And again! And again! Then Solo clamps the claw back on! Rey endures again, fans rally up and Rey fights. Rey stomps away on Solo’s toes! Solo UPPERCUTS Rey! Rey staggers to a corner, and Solo rains down fists! The ref counts, Solo lets off, but fans continue to rally for Rey. Solo goes corner to corner, but Rey avoids the hip attack! Solo hits buckles!
Rey is on the apron, he GAMANGIRIS Solo! Then shoulders in! Then slingshots up and over to sunset flip! Solo stays up with flailing arms, but Rey avoids the hip drop! Rey runs to SEATED SENTON! And then basement dropkick! Cover, ONE?!? Solo is still in this but Rey fires off forearms! Solo shoves Rey, but Rey kicks back! Rey springboards, Quebradas, but Solo catches him for a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Rey is still in this and Solo looks stunned! Solo snarls as he looms over Rey. Solo stands Rey up, fireman’s carries, but Rey fights! Rey slips free, runs, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS Solo to ropes!
Rey dials it up, 619! Fans fire up as Solo falls! SLINGSHOT SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Solo survives and Rey is the one stunned now! Rey brings Solo up, but Solo blocks the whip! Solo whips, Rey stops himself and dropkicks the legs out! Solo is on ropes again, Rey redials! But wait, the USOS return to ringside! Fans boo as Jimmy & Jey keep Rey from making the call. But the LWO jumps in outta nowhere! Escobar, Cruz & Wilde beat down Jimmy & Jey! DOUBLE ENZIGURIS take them down! Rey redials, but Solo blocks the call! For a pop-up, only for Rey to fight! DROPKICK and Solo’s back on ropes! Redial, 619!!
Rey hurries up top, aims, FROG SPLASH FLOPS! Solo stands Rey up, SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Solo wins!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
The LWO hurry into the ring to keep Solo from going any further. But the Usos jump in to get them back for earlier! Fans boo as the Bloodline POSTS Escobar, CLOBBERS Wilde, and then gives Cruz the SAMOAN SPIKE! Escobar is then fed to the SAMOAN SPIKE! Fans boo as Solo drags Rey up again. Solo feeds Rey to the ONE AND DONE!! So far, the Bloodline has come through on their end of the deal. Will the Judgment Day be able to do the same later tonight?
Adam Pearce meets with The Alpha Academy & Maxxine Dupri.
Chad Gable says it shouldn’t even be up for debate. If Otis or Gable get drafted somewhere, the other should go with. It’s a package deal. Now bundle it up, a thank yew! But Maxxine says this is about branding. Who is to be the face of a brand? Does Pearce really want it to be Otis & Chaz? Uh, it’s CHAD! CHA-DUH! Maxxine ignores Chad to say, “Or do you want it to be Maxxine & Otíse?” Gable says SHOOSH! Maxxine shushes him back! They shush fight, and Gable says she isn’t doing it right. It’s SHOOOOSH! No, the O’s should be SILENT!
Pearce tells them both to stop! He will gladly take all of this into consideration, but The Judgment Day and Bloodline are making deals, Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar are in the same building, there’s a lot going on. So please, excuse yourselves. A thank yew. Just what will be the fate of the tree trunk?
Bianca Belair VS Dakota Kai w/ Damage CTRL!
The RawEST Women’s Champion is in Little Rock and she’s ready to rock! She may be facing the Evil Genius for the title down the line, but will she tune-up using #CobraKai? Or will this be where DMG CTRL finally takes control?
Raw returns and Kai makes her entrance, Iyo Sky and the Role Model behind her. The bell rings, Kai and Bianca tie up, and Bianca powers Kai to the corner. The ref counts, Bianca lets off and eggs Kai on. They tie up again, but Bianca powers Kai right back into the corner. The fans rally for the EST as she lets off again. Kai storms up, Bianca gets an arm and wrenches. Kai stomps a foot, wrenches the arm and wristlocks, but Bianca scoops! Kai slips free and throws Bianca down by her braid! Kai smirks but Bianca kips up! Bianca grab Kai’s hair buns and TOSSES her by them! Fans fire up and Bianca runs in, but Kai goes up and over!
Bianca blocks the roll-up, handsprings through, and she dropkicks Kai down! Bianca kips up and fans fire up again! Bianca brings Kai up, whips her to a corner, but Kai reverses. Bianca goes up and over, tells Kai to kiss this, and things keep moving., Bianca handsprings over again, sidesteps and hip tosses Kai down, to then STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Sky and Bayley coach Kai up but Bianca has her in a corner. Kai dodges, runs back in, but into an elbow! Kai comes back but Bianca puts her on the apron. Kai grabs the braid gain! Bianca elbows Kai, runs in, but into a BOOT that sends her into the POST!
Kai goes after Bianca on the outside, and BOOTS her into the steel steps! Bianca is down and Kai taunts her while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kai has Bianca in a chinlock. Bianca fights up and JAWBREAKERS free, then rolls Kai up! TWO, and Kai hurries up. Kai swings, but into a wrench and suplex! Fans fire up but Kai fights to a cradle! TWO, and Bianca goes to a corner. Kai runs in, Bianca slips out and ROCKS Kai! Bianca then slingshots, runs and BLOCKBUSTERS! Fans fire up while both women are down! Sky & Bayley are worried for Kai as she stands up. Bianca runs Kai over with shoulder after shoulder, then DROPKICK! Bianca wrenches Kai, spins her around, suplexes and rolls through to suplex again!
Bianca holds Kai up and marches before the SLAM! Bayley is annoyed as Bianca runs, handsprings and MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Kai survives and Bayley is relieved. Kai goes to the ropes, Bianca eggs her on and the fans fire up. Bianca grabs a leg, Kai holds the ropes, and the ref counts. Bianca lets go at 4, Kai rushes in, but Bianca blocks the Scorpion Kick! Kai adjusts, wheelbarrow and victory FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! DMG CTRL is frustrated, Kai runs in and she blocks Bianca’s boot. Kai ROCKS Bianca, runs side to side and BOOT WASHES! Kai pushes Bianca to a drop zone and goes up top!
Kai aims, DIVING- NO, Bianca avoids the stomps! Bianca scoops Kai, to a GUTBUSTER! Bianca fires up, brings Kai back up and CLUBS her. Torture rack and- NO, Kai holds the braid! Kai lands on her feet, reels Bianca in, but Bianca dodges the kick to chicken wing! But Kai victory rolls Bianca into buckles! Kai runs Around the World but Bianca avoids the kick! Bianca torture racks, for the KISS OF DEATH! Cover, Bianca wins!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall
Bayley and Sky both sigh and shake their heads. The EST continues to be the strongest, the fastest, the roughest and the toughest, but will the Evil Genius still have a way around all that?
Bronson Reed speaks.
“People ask me what my problem is. Well, I have lots of ’em. Actually, I’m a really nice guy. That’s what my mum used to call me: Mr. Nice Guy. That’s me. Mr. Nice Guy, Bronson Reed.” But as the highlights show, this nice guy is rather brutal in the ring. Will this nice guy be the one to finish first?
The Judgment Day talks backstage.
Damian Priest says, “Isn’t that nice, guys? Bad Bunny’s returning to Raw next week. As long as he returns with a different attitude. For one, he knows what could happen. And, I’ll just stop being his friend.” Dom says Priest doesn’t need to be Bunny’s friend, just like Dom doesn’t need Rey as his father. “But watching Solo break piece by piece until there isn’t anymore Rey Mysterio…” Paul Heyman walks in and looks at the Judgment Day. Are they satisfied? What’s Finn think? Finn says, “Eh.” Eh?! Yeah. Eh. Well, alright. Then their turn to do “eh,” but do “eh” to Sami, Kevin & Riddle tonight so they don’t fall into debt with The Tribal Chief.
In debt? That sounds like an issue between Roman and the Usos. As far as the Judgment Day goes, they handle their business. Rhea then stands up and tells Heyman, “Bye, Paul.” Heyman gets his phone to call Roman Reigns, and inform him. Will things be a bit more than “eh” at the end of tonight?
Cody Rhodes heads to the ring!
Little Rock fires up for the American Nightmare as he’s ready to confront the Beast! Furthermore, he’s dressed in his ring gear! Is Cody expecting this to be more than just a verbal encounter? Cody gets the mic while the fans sing the song. Cody asks Little Rock, “Whaddya wanna talk about? I know exactly what I wanna talk about, and I know exactly who I wanna talk to, so go ahead! Bring yourself out here, please come to the ring, BROCK LESNAR!” But instead, Adam Pearce walks out, and he wants Cody to calm down and listen. Pearce appreciates the spirit of what Cody’s up to, but Pearce can’t let this happen.
Fans boo as Pearce reasons with Cody. No one is discounting what Cody wants to do, everyone respects what Cody wants to do, but he just can’t. Cody is NOT medically cleared to even be in the ring. Man to man, Pearce respects the spirit of Cody Rhodes. But fans chant, “We Want Brock!” Pearce tells everyone they can’t do this, Cody isn’t medically cleared. Pearce asks Cody to leave the ring and fans boo more. Cody says okay, and thank you for the respect shown. Cody will leave. Cody shakes Pearce’s hand, steps out of the ring, and fans boo again. Cody goes to the ramp, but then goes right back to the ring!
Cody grabs a chair from under the ring, and he gets in the ring! Pearce wants Cody to listen to him, to calm down and think about this! They don’t need this, or that chair! If Cody isn’t going to leave on his own, security will have to escort him out. Fans boo more but Pearce says this is for Cody’s own good. The security want Cody to put the chair down. Pearce wants Cody to think about this. It doesn’t have to go down like this. But here comes BROCK! Pearce wants Cody to get out of here, but here comes “Black Hat” Lesnar! Pearce says the match with Brock is happening at Backlash, so please just get out of here!
Lesnar smirks as he dares Cody to do something tonight. Cody has what he wants with a match at Backlash, but will he still get him some? He does! He beats down the security guards, SMACKS them around with the chair, and then fires off hands! Cody stomps away on the one with the man bun, and Lesnar grins. Cody rushes out of the ring, fights off more guards, sends a few into the steel steps, and he has a clear path to the Beast! Cody runs in, but even MORE security rushes in! They swarm Cody and push him back, all while Lesnar chuckles. Cody has a match, will he just have to wait for that night in Puerto Rico?
Lesnar leaves, Cody fights the guards off with all his pent up rage! Cody gets back in the ring, he TOSSES a guard out, then TOSSES another! And he fires haymakers on yet another, before he TOSSES him out! And then yet another one! Pearce wants Cody to calm down but Cody gets the mic again. Fans are thunderous for “CODY! CODY!” and Cody shouts, “I spent the entirety of last week throwing out positive platitudes about Brock Lesnar, and I left one out. Brock Lesnar can wear his silly cowboy hat all day long, but Brock Lesnar, I grew up around cowboys. You are NOT a cowboy! You are a COWARD!”
Fans fire up as the American Nightmare proves being less than 100% means nothing to him! Will Cody bulldoze Suplex City to get his revenge?
Seth Rollins VS The Miz!
The Architect won big over Logan Paul at WrestleMania while The Hollywood A-Lister lost on both nights! Will The Miz make a must-see comeback? Or will Rollins continue to #BurnItDown and head for bigger and better things?
The Miz attacks Rollins at the ramp! Miz sends Rollins into barriers, stomps away on him, then sends him into the steel steps! Fans boo as Miz RAMS Rollins into the apron, brings him around and SMACKS him off the announce desk! And again! Fans still sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” but Miz puts Rollins in the ring. Miz fires off hands, the ref has him back off, and Miz waits on Rollins to get back up. The bell rings, Miz runs in and fires off forearms! Miz throws knees, brings Rollins around, throws the jacket away, but Rollins tackles Miz! Rollins claws at Miz’s face, but Miz RAMS him into the corner!
Miz digs his shoulder in, lets off as the ref counts, and then he grinds his forearms into Rollins’ face. The ref reprimands and backs Miz off. The fans still sing for Rollins but Miz runs in, into a LARIAT! Fans fire up and Rollins clotheslines Miz up and out! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit into the barriers but Rollins keeps going! Another DIVE and back into barriers! Rollins goes again, for a DIVE! The hattrick hits and fans are thunderous! Rollins revels in the fans singing his song, and he watches Miz crawl. Rollins runs in, but Miz tosses him up and over! Rollins lands on his feet in the timekeeper’s area!
Rollins ROCKS Miz, goes up, but Miz shoves Rollins away! Rollins hits the ring bell on the way down! The Visionary is down while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Miz climbs up, and he leaps, into a kick! Rollins reels Miz in, underhooks, but Miz back drops free! Rollins sunset flips it, TWO! Miz swings, misses, and Rollins PELES! Miz and Rollins are both down and fans rally back up! Fans sing again, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins and Miz stand, Rollins runs in and rallies with clothesline after clothesline! Rollins then dodges Miz to kick, kick and DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up with Rollins while Miz goes to a corner. Rollins runs corner to corner, FOREARM SMASH! Rollins whips, Miz reverses but Rollins reverses back to SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!
Miz is still in this but Rollins keeps his cool. Rollins goes to a corner, climbs up, but Miz throws hands first! “This is Awesome!” as Miz climbs up after Rollins. Rollins slips under to bring Miz out! But Miz fights free of the bomb! Miz runs in, into a BOOT! Rollins goes up but Miz trips him up! DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Rollins survives and both men are down again! Miz snarls as fans chant ‘TINY BALLS!” Miz KICKS Rollins, KICKS him again, then powers up. Miz kicks but Rollins blocks! Rollins picks Miz up for a BUCKLE BOMB! Miz flops down, Rollins goes up! FROG SPLASH onto knees! Miz covers, TWO!!
Miz fumes as he watches Rollins stir. Miz powers up, shouts, “MASSIVE! BALLS!” and then he full nelsons. Rollins victory rolls it! TWO! Miz sits with tights pulled! TWO, Miz rebounds and BOOTS! Rollins rebounds and SUPERKICKS! Rollins aims again, but Miz blocks! Miz puts the leg on the ropes to drop a knee on the knee! Rollins writhes and Miz hurries to get the leg! Miz steps through, FIGURE FOUR!! Rollins shakes his head as he endures! Miz puts as much pressure as he can on the hold, but Rollins hears the fans singing. Rollins powers his way over, reaches out, and he gets the ROPEBREAK!
Fans fire up while Miz lets go at 4 in frustration. Miz drags Rollins back out, steps through, but Rollins cradles! TWO!! Miz escapes, but Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS! Rollins turns Miz to DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Rollins runs in, but Miz avoids the stomp! Miz kicks the legs out, BASEMENT DDT! Miz rolls through, BIG DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives and Miz can’t believe it! Fans again say “This is Awesome!” and Miz drags Rollins up with a fishhook. The ref reprimands, but Miz puts Rollins in a corner to dig in forearms. Miz puts Rollins up top, climbs up from the outside, and he full nelsons!
Rollins fights and he throws elbows! Fans fire up as Rollins turns around, brings Miz up, and SUPERPLEXES! Roll through! FALCON ARROW! Fans are thunderous as Rollins takes aim! CURB STOMP!! Cover, Rollins wins!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
A barn burner in Little Rock, but the one to burn it down was the Visionary! Will Rollins make his way back towards a title soon enough?
Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn talk backstage.
They all know there’s a lot on their plates. The big match against the Judgment Day tonight, the big WrestleMania rematch with The Usos next week, and now even a Six Man Tag at Backlash. But as far as tonight goes, Sami thinks they should get on the same page. Riddle had some ideas, and Sami wants to hear him out. Riddle says he has a pretty sweet idea, but Kevin says here’s a sweet idea: Why not leave the thinking to Kevin & Sami? Riddle rolls his eyes but Sami does his best to keep the peace. Kevin, we talked about this. If Riddle is helping fight the Bloodline, he deserves to have his voice heard.
Kevin isn’t sure what Sami is getting at, but Sami says Riddle can have his time. Riddle thanks Sami, and brings up how Solo has that Samoan Spike. But Riddle has some sweet kicks, so he thinks he could wrap up his big toe, kick Solo in the throat, BAM! Knockout! They can even call it the Toe Bro. What do they think? Sami looks at Kevin and Kevin says, “Toe Bro?” Yeah. Sami says that is… an idea. Kevin gets upset that Sami is encouraging this, but Riddle has them stop arguing. He wasn’t serious! He isn’t an idiot, either! Does no one remember what the Bloodline put him through? They took his best bud and tag partner, they took his tag titles, and then tried to end his career!
While Riddle was home for four months, he watched something awesome: two best friends went after the Usos and took their tag titles at WrestleMania! Riddle isn’t here to waste time, joke around and be some idiot. Riddle’s here to kick some ass! That’s what he’s gonna do at Backlash, and here tonight! Riddle heads out, and now Sami smiles. Kevin says they should’ve listened to Riddle. Sami says that’s what he said! But either way, Sami’s proud in himself that he brought this group together. Will they be the ones to bring down the Judgment Day on top of The Bloodline?
Austin Theory VS Bobby Lashley!
The Now is still high on himself after beating John Cena at WrestleMania, but the All Mighty is looking to humble him! Will Lashley earn himself another shot at the United States Championship with this win? Or will Theory keep Lashley in his past?
Raw returns as Theory makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two approach. Theory dodges Lashley and flexes, but fans boo. Lashley keeps cool as he and Theory reset. They tie up, Lashley puts Theory in a corner, and the ref counts the break. Lashley lets off, Theory headlocks, but Lashley powers out to run Theory over. Theory huffs and puffs, runs back in but into a waistlock and SLAM! Lashley then facelocks to gator roll Theory around! Fans fire up, but Theory gets the ROPEBREAK. Lashley lets off, but Theory kicks low! Theory CLUBS away on Lashley, says he’s the man, but it’s Lashley who suplexes!
Lashley holds Theory up, with one hand! Then the SLAM! Fans fire up as Lashley bumps Theory off buckles. Theory staggers and Lashley clotheslines Theory out of the ring! Theory staggers up to the apron, Lashley grabs him, but Theory HOTSHOTS! Theory slides in, things speed up, Lashley hurdles and clinches for the COMPLETE SHOT! Fans fire up as Lashley stalks Theory, but Theory drops to KICK Lashley away! Theory runs in to clothesline Lashley! Theory throws elbow after elbow, then some knees! The ref counts, Theory lets off, to SUPERKICK! But Lashley just CLOBBERS Theory in return!
Lashley bumps Theory off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then CLUBS Theory! Theory flounders away but Lashley keeps cool. Lashley pursues Theory, but Theory ROCKS him at the ramp! Theory brings Lashley around, whips, but Lashley reverses to send Theory into the apron! Theory drops but Lashley picks him up. Lashley fireman’s carries and POSTS Theory! Little Rock fire up with the Rocky Mountain Machine as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Theory crawls. Fans fire up behind Lashley as he stalks Theory, and clamps on the full nelson! Theory grabs a hand to BITE it! The ref can’t see it with Theory’s body in the way! Theory POSTS Lashley! Theory POSTS Lashley again! And then roll-up, TWO! Theory grows frustrated, and he rains down fists on Lashley! The fans boo Theory but he just huffs and puffs again. Lashley drags himself up with the ropes while Theory soaks up the heat. Theory then CHOKES Lashley on the ropes! “I’m the champ! ME!” Theory lets off as the ref counts, and he brings Lashley around to snapmare and stomp! Cover, TWO!
Theory keeps on Lashley with a chinlock. Lashley endures, even as Theory grinds him down. The fans rally up, Lashley fights to his feet, but Theory wrangles Lashley back down! Theory squeezes tight with the chinlock, but Lashley still fights his way up. Fans rally, Lashley pries the chinlock open, but Theory CHOP BLOCKS! Fans boo but Theory DECKS Lashley! Cover, TWO! Lashley is still in this but Theory keep son him. Theory stomps away on Lashley, then eggs him on. Theory soaks up more heat from the fans, then goes back to Lashley. Theory ROCKS Lashley with hands, has him in the corner, and throws more shots.
Fans boo and chant “THEORY SUCKS!” but Theory runs in to RAM into Lashley! Theory goes corner to corner again, but Lashley dodges! Theory POSTS himself! Theory staggers out and Lashley CLOBBERS him! Theory gets up again, and runs into the MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up and Lashley clotheslines in a corner! Lashley RAMS his shoulder in again and again, then goes side to side to RAM again! And LARIAT! Fans fire up as Theory flounders away. Lashley aims from a corner, he runs in, but Theory hurdles over! Lashley hits buckles. Theory fireman’s carries, but Lashley slips free!
Lashley kicks low, gets Theory up, DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives but Lashley isn’t deterred! Lashley aims from the corner again, watches Theory go to the other end, but then Theory bails out. Fans boo but Lashley storms over. Theory shoulders in, slingshots, but into the HURT LOCK!! Theory RAMS Lashley back into a corner, and then BRONSON REED appears!? And he SPLASHES them both!!
No Contest
Fans boo but Bronson SPLASHES Lashley again! Bronson kicks Lashley to the floor, aims from the apron, and FLYING SHOULDERS Lashley down! Fans boo but Auszilla wants another go. And he SQUASHES Lashley against the post!! Fans boo but Bronson soaks it all up. “Mr. Nice Guy” puts Lashley in the ring, looms over him, and then picks him up for a fireman’s carry. But Lashley fights free! Lashley wants the full nelson but again, Bronson’s so big! Theory slingshot somersaults and SHOTGUNS Lashley from behind! Theory runs away, but Bronson doesn’t mind. He gets Lashley for the SAMOAN DROP!
Fans boo more but Bronson isn’t done! Bronson goes up the corner, TSUNAMI!! The Colossal Aussie tells Lashley they’re not done. Will Bronson not stop until he’s the top dog in the WWE?
Trish Stratus heads to the ring!
Fans boo The Chick, the Hall of Famer, and the one who turned on Becky Lynch even though she lost the tag titles! We hear what she has to say about last week, after the break.
Raw returns and Trish has the mic. Fans still boo, but Trish says, “We’re going to start with a little history lesson here, kids. When I first came to the WWE, women’s wrestling was a joke. And I proceeded to single-handedly change everything. I brought credibility to a non-existent Women’s Division. And I know some are gonna say, ‘But it was Trish and Lita.’ No, no, there was no ‘we,’ it was me. I was the Women’s Division, I was THE trailblazer, I was the first woman to main-event Raw, and I was the first woman to make you people give a crap about the Women’s Division.”
Trish says without her, there would be NO Women’s Revolution, and certainly no women main-eventing WrestleMania. “When Becky, Charlotte and Ronda were wrestling in the main event of WrestleMania, you guys were chanting, ‘This is Awesome~!’ But what you should’ve been chanting was, ‘Thank You, Trish.’ Because I changed everything, it’s true. You know it. But you wouldn’t believe that if you listened to Becky Lynch. Becky Lynch would have you believe that the Women’s Revolution started with the Four Horse Ladies. That they broke boundaries! That they made people care about the Women’s Division again!
“Well, that statement, like you, Becky, is a joke! And I sat back for a long while and I let it slide. I get selling yourself, calling yourself ‘The Man,’ bragging about your accomplishments, and go on with your bad self. But after awhile, I was like, ‘Wait. Does she actually believe her own hype?'” Trish needed to find out, she buddied up to ol’ Becks, and y’know what? Not once did Becky say, “Thank you for opening the door for me.” Not once did Becky tell Trish thanks for everything and that she would be nothing without Trish. And not once did Becky say, “Thank you, Trish.”
But Trish has to give it to Becky, she’s very convincing. Becky even convinced Lita! Lita was eating out of the palm of Becky’s hand, when only one year earlier, Becky was calling Lita out. But there they were, dancing down the aisle, Lita happy to be Becky’s sidekick. “Trish Stratus is nobody’s sidekick. This…” She poses. “Not a sidekick.” Trish said it was getting sad, so she had to take Lita out of the picture. Yes, Trish attacked Lita. Did you just put that together? She’ll speak slower since they’re all slower: Trish. Did. That. And the reason Trish needed Lita out of the way so that Trish could make it crystal clear that the person who screwed Becky out of her titles was Trish.
Fans boo but Trish says, “And Becky, do you remember that moment when you put your arm around me and you said in your stupid little accent, ‘Good try, Trish. We’ll get ’em next time, friend.'” Trish is NOT Becky’s friend, there will be NO next time, and Trish made very clear in that moment that she was going to make everything right. Trish took out The Man just like that! Oh, do the fans not like that? Aw. Well, she doesn’t care! Trish wasn’t gonna let Becky or anyone else rewrite history. Trish is not some nostalgia act, childhood fantasy, and she sure as hell isn’t a nobody sidekick!
She is the greatest of all time! The single most important figure in the history of the WWE! And she will make sure no one forgets it! Trish drops the mic and takes her leave, but will Becky and Lita have a response?
Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.
Cathy Kelley says last week, Cody challenged Lesnar to a match at Backlash. Is he satisfied that the match was made official tonight? Cody says yes. Of course! He’s ecstatic to wrestle Lesnar at Backlash in Puerto Rico in three weeks. But Cody is also a bit confused by tonight’s events. In what world, in what mirror universe, is he in that he’s actually still standing here? He lost out on the Universal Championship at WrestleMania, and furthermore, he was the one being held back by 20 security guards, and not Lesnar! Lesnar is the one who walks away on Cody. Cody has to apologize to Adam Pearce for losing his temper.
But what is going on? The only thing to get through this was to smash through everyone, because that is what this is. Cody has backed the Beast into a corner, and the only way out of this is for Lesnar to win. Everything Cody knows, everything he has been through, Cody cannot allow that. Cody heads out, but will he be victorious against Lesnar in three weeks?
Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez are here!
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are here, ready to watch from commentary as their challengers are looking to tune-up. Will the Hot Mess & Pride Fighter have something to complain about after facing #CandiceWrestling and #Michin?
Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville VS Candice LeRae & Mia Yim!
Raw returns as Candice & Mia make their entrances first, followed by Chelsea & Sonya. The teams sort out and Chelsea starts against Mia. Mia blocks the slap, and she HEADBUTTS! Mia bumps Chelsea off buckles, tags Candice, and then Mia whips Candice in for a back body block! Candice snapmares and NECK SNAPPERS, then jackknife bridge! TWO, but Candice step-up SENTONS! Cover, ONE! Candice brings Chelsea up but Chelsea knees low. Tag to Sonya and the #ComplaintDepartment double suplex! They hold Candice up, but Candice shifts to hit DOUBLE DDTS! And then a step-up SENTON for Sonya!
Candice hurries to a corner and fans rally up, but wait. Nikki Cross is in the crowd? She smiles and waves at Candice and that distracts her. Chelsea storms up, Candice shoves her down, but Sonya YANKS Candice off the corner! Sonya runs to KNEE Candice down! Cover, TWO! Sonya drags Candice up, tags Chelsea, and they DOUBLE SUPLEX this time! Chelsea taunts Liv & Raquel, “You like that?” Chelsea jumps but Candice avoids the elbow drop! Tag to Mia! Chelsea tags Sonya, but Mia dodges Sonya to BOOT Chelsea! And BOOT Sonya! Mia goes up and RANAS Sonya away! Sonya returns, but into a flurry of forearms and CHOPS!
Chelsea storms in, Mia dodges, and the Complaint Dept. almost crash into each other! Mia then waits, DROPKICKS Sonya down, and Candice DROPKICKS Chelsea! Sonya returns, but into a strike fest! Mia SOBATS, hops on, CODE BLUE! Cover, Chelsea breaks it! Candice hurries in, chases Chelsea out of the ring, but Chelsea trips her on the apron! Mia runs in at Sonya but Sonya TACKLES her! High stack, but the ref sees the feet on the ropes! Sonya argues with the ref but Chelsea sneaks a tag. Mia wrenches Sonya, but Chelsea has the arms! Chicken wings for the UNPRETTIER! Cover, the complainers win!
Winners: Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville, by pinfall
Liv & Raquel stare down their challengers, but then Chelsea splashes water at Liv!! Liv is furious but Raquel keeps her back. Will the Complaint Dept. take those titles and finally have something nice to say? Or will the champs still be #LivingLarge?
The Street Profits, Elias and Rick Boogs talk backstage.
Boogs is so confused. Why? Well, he can’t be eligible for the WWE Draft! He just go there! C’mon, what’s going on? What? The Boogs Cruise, not eligible? C’mon, man, that’s not how it works. Every WWE superstar is eligible in the Draft. You can go to Raw or SmackDown. Champions could switch brands. Rivalries can be rekindled. Baron Corbin walks in and says, “And don’t forget: tag teams can get split up.” He pats the Profits on the shoulders, but they say, “Naaaah.” Corbin says, “Yeeeah.” Well, the Profits better talk with Pearce then. They head out and Corbin follows to keep trolling them.
Elias tells Boogs that Elias will probably go first in the Draft, and that probably gives Boogs some anxiety. But listen, don’t sweat it. No matter where Elias goes, he’ll put in a good word for Boogs so that Boogs can join him. Boogs thanks Elias for that. But then they turn around to see Akira Tozawa. “Boogs. Yeah, big star! Yeah, baby!” Thanks, man! But Elias… Last pick. Tozawa laughs at the Drifter, and then Corbin returns, saying that was a good burn. Corbin offers a handshake, but Tozawa says, “Nobody wants you. You SUCK!” Tozawa leaves and Corbin is beside himself. Will Elias really be Mr. Irrelevant? Will Corbin be a complete snub?
The Bloodline speaks.
Jimmy makes fun of the LWO, and Jey says he actually likes that teams are stepping up. But the problem is, they stepped up to the U-S-O! And what happened? They stepped up, but the Usos sat ’em right back down. YESSIR! And the same thing gonna happen at Backlash in San Juan, Puerto Rrrricooooo MY GOSH! Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Matt Riddle VS Solo & The Usos! YESSIR! This Bloodline run deep! ALL DAY! This Bloodline is forever! ALL THE WAY! You the twos, and #WeTheOnes!
Six Man Tag: Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle VS The Judgment Day!
Speaking of the all-star team of the Great Liberator, the Prizefighter and the Original Bro, they’re going to have their first test as a trio! Will they be able to survive all the way to Backlash? Or will the Prince, the Punisher and the Prodigal Son put them down on the Bloodline’s behalf?
Raw returns and Riddle makes his entrance, followed by Kevin, and then Sami. The trios sort out and Sami starts against Finn. They circle, feel things out, and Finn headlocks. Sami endures the grind, fights up, and powers out. Things speed up, Sami arm-drags Finn around, but Finn avoids the hattrick. Finn goes to his corner and “Ex-Con” Dom tags in. Fans boo as Dom flexes and circles with Sami. But then Dom tags out to Priest. Fans boo but Dom soaks up the heat. Kevin offers and Sami tags him in! Fans fire up as KO and Priest approach. Kevin kicks low, headlocks, but Priest powers out.
The two RAM shoulders, but neither falls. Kevin goes again, they RAM shoulders, but Priest just smirks. So Kevin DROPKICKS! And SENTONS! And tells Dom to “SUCK IT!” Kevin stands Priest up but Priest ROCKS him with a right! Tag to Finn and Finn throws hands. Kevin throws hem back! Kevin whips, Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, but leaps into Kevin’s arms! Kevin swings Finn for an AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO! Finn flounders but Kevin brings him up again. Kevin scoops, Finn slips off and he CHOP BLOCKS! Kevin falls to ropes and Finn storms over. Finn stomps the bad leg, and Kevin bails out.
Fans boo, Finn distracts the ref, and RHEA CLOBBERS Kevin! The Judgment Day soaks up the heat while fans boo, and Finn puts Kevin back in the ring. Finn keeps Kevin from Sami and Riddle, and he drives an elbow into Kevin’s head! Finn wraps on a facelock and Rhea says, “I know, I’m the best.” Kevin fights up as fans rally but Finn knees him low. Finn DECKS Sami with a sucker punch, but Kevin SUPERKICKS! Hot tag to Riddle! Riddle rallies on Finn with kicks, then Dom run sin, Dom gets a PELE for his troubles! Riddle kips up to forearm smash Finn! And forearm smash Priest! And one more for Finn!
BROSPLODER! BROTON! Deadlift FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Riddle scoops but Finn rakes eyes! Hot tag to Priest but Riddle KNEES Priest down! Riddle goes up and out and PENALTY KICKS Finn! Dom runs in, but Riddle clinches to drag him out! Finn helps Dom up, but Riddle goes up! Only for Priest to choke grip, and APRON CHOKE SLAM!! The Bro is down and Rhea says, “Sucker~!” The Judgment Day soaks up the heat while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again as Riddle and Priest trade forearm shots! They go back and forth, then Riddle KICKS! So Priest KICKS! Priest gets the edge, kicks and kicks and ROLLING ELBOWS Riddle into the corner! Priest taunts Sami and Kevin, runs in and back elbows Riddle! Tag to Finn, he slingshot STOMPS Riddle down! Tag to Dom, he slingshot SENTONS! Tag to Finn, tag to Priest, and the Judgment Day stands Riddle up for the BACKBREAKER LEG DROP COMBO! Priest covers, TWO! Priest tags back to Dom while Rhea complains about the count. Dom stands Riddle up, gives some Latino Heat, but Riddle gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX!
Fans fire up while Riddle and Dom are down! Riddle and Dom crawl, hot tag to Sami! Fans are thunderous as Sami rallies on Dom! Sami whips, back drops Dom, but Finn runs in! Sami tosses Finn out! Priest runs in, Sami dumps him out! Sami then goes up the corner, but Dom hurries after him! Sami CLUBS away on Dom, then SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS!! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives that hard landing, but Sami drags him to a drop zone. Finn gets back in as Sami climbs, but the ref intercepts Finn. That allows Rhea to SHOVE Sami off the top! Sami crotches on the ropes and Dom drags him down!
Kevin can’t hit Rhea so he just throws Riddle’s jacket at her! Dom is up top, for the FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Kevin breaks it!! Fans fire up but Rhea is furious! Finn SHOTGUNS Kevin! Riddle FINAL FLASH KNEES Finn! Priest clinches to FLATLINER Riddle! Sami clotheslines Priest up and out! Fans fire up for Sami as he builds speed! But Rhea trips him up! The ref reprimands, and then EJECTS her!! Mami is furious that she got caught! But Dom rolls Sami up! TWO!! Dom swings, into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Dom stays in this, but Kevin is back! Sami hot tags Kevin!
Kevin goes up top, to SWANTON onto knees!! Dom saves himself and hot tags Finn! The Prince aims, to SHOTGUN Kevin into a corner! Kevin falls to the drop zone and Finn climbs up top! COUP DE- NO! Kevin dodges, to tag Sami! STUNNER for Finn! Finn ends up in a corner, Sami goes to the other! Priest runs in but into a STUNNER!! Sami runs and HELLUVA KICKS Finn! Riddle wants in, so Sami tags him! Riddle goes up, for the FLOATING BRO!! Cover, Kevin, Sami & Riddle win!
Winners: Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle, by pinfall
The Judgment Day fail their part of the mission, but here comes the Bloodline! Solo & The Usos attack Sami, Kevin & Riddle! Fans boo as each brother has someone in the corner! They mug Riddle, they mug Sami, but then here comes the LWO!! Rey, Escobar, Cruz & Wilde tip the scales as they go after the Bloodline! But then the Judgment Day get involved! It’s a chaotic 7v6 brawl! Referees rush out but they can’t stop the madness! Fans are losing their minds as they watch the melee! Fans chant, “We Want Tables!” but there’s nothing but fists and feet! Rey and Dom find each other, Rey puts Dom on the ropes! The LWO play defense, Rey dials it up, 619 for Dom!!
Kevin BACK SUPLEXES Priest on the announce desk! The LWO and the “problems” stand tall, will they be the ones to win out this faction warfare?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw to really build towards Backlash. But there’s something I do need to say: WWE seems to have no idea what the color aesthetic for the logo is. The replay graphics used the golden one (for what I suppose was going to be WrestleMania Backlash), the match card graphics give a combination of red and blue, but the ones I’m seeing on their Twitter are just plain red. Now, the gold for the replay stuff makes some sense, they can’t have red on red. But in that case, it could’ve just been a plain white logo. But whatever, I’m sure they’ll settle on it within the next three weeks, and I’ll make the thumbnail accordingly.
Anyway, great opening promo involving the Bloodline and Judgment Day. For a moment, I thought this was the Judgment Day defending their territory, but nice twist of it being a quid pro quo deal. Solo and Rhea staring down got everyone fired up. Rhea has already been used to tease intergender combat in WWE, and Solo sure ain’t gonna back down from a fight. Solo VS Rey was great stuff, even with the overbooking of the Usos showing up and brawling with the LWO. Though, the LWO sure gets booked poorly in these situations. Maybe that’s just because they’re up against some really strong factions.
Good backstage promo with Heyman and the Judgment Day, and it teased that the Judgment Day can and should step to the Bloodline. After all, Rhea’s the SmackDown Women’s Champion, the Draft is coming, we could end up with both factions on Fridays. But also, great stuff from Kevin, Sami and Riddle. That was definitely the promo we’ve needed from Riddle. Great main event Six Man match, and Kevin had great interactions with Rhea. For one, he sold that clothesline from her so well. Great win for the Faces, but of course the Bloodline goes after them after. That brawl was awesome stuff, and as much as I’d love like a 10 Man or 12 Man Tag, I don’t see it happening.
Good promos to show the superstars are kayfabe worried about the WWE Draft, namely the tag teams. Gable wants The Alpha Academy to stay a thing, Maxxine wants Otis to end up Otise by default, and Otis is just stuck in the middle. This is actually the one time a tag team split up by the Draft would work for good story. Corbin trying to troll the Profits with that was good, but Tozawa (which it was great to see him back, for one) had the best part of the whole thing with how he got Elias AND Corbin. I hope Tozawa gets to do something, he has had great stretches in his WWE career but I would love if he got something consistent.
Pretty good promo from Trish. Everything she said was standard Heel stuff of being underappreciated, disrespected, etc. I just wish she had more energy in saying it. She should’ve been almost yelling, but she came off too calm. I’m pretty sure Becky and Lita will each get heated in their response promos, and I would think this leads to Becky VS Trish for Backlash, which is big for Backlash. And really good women’s tag match, though I cannot explain why fans do not get more excited for Candice LeRae matches. Chelsea & Sonya of course win to build momentum, and Nikki showing up, something needs to happen between her and Candice by Backlash.
Great match out of Bianca VS Dakota, but of course Bianca wins. She is building momentum towards her match with Sky, and I hope we get a promo next week for Bayley to be more passive aggressive about Sky having the title shot. Theory VS Lashley was a great match, for being a bit random and redundant, but that was awesome framing of Bronson’s surprise attack. Corey Graves said it himself on commentary, how does such a big man sneak up period? But this of course is leading towards Lashley VS Bronson in a rematch from last week, and I would hope that whoever wins gets a shot at a title. If Bronson stays on the same brand as Theory, I would love Bronson to get a US Championship match and humble “The Now.”
Rollins VS Miz was of course awesome, as the fans acknowledged. Miz reminded everyone that he has the wrestling skills, but this was a good win for Rollins to keep climbing up towards a title. And then great promos from Cody Rhodes, both in the ring and backstage. The latter was an odd move after he already did and said everything he really needed to tonight. But he does have a point, it is quite the role reversal where Brock is the cerebral one with his taunting and not fighting. I also liked that Lesnar added a long coat to the look, like he’s the villain in a Western. Too bad this isn’t a bull rope match, that’d be very AEW Cody of Cody.
My Score: 8.8/10
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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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