Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/21/23)
Round 8, FIGHT!
Bubbles are gonna pop!
As Best of the Super Juniors enters the homestretch, more and more entrants are going to drop out! Who survives another round and who falls down?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: DOUKI VS Titán; Titán wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Clark Connors; Connors wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS SHO; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS BUSHI; Wato wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Mike Bailey; Bailey wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Robbie Eagles VS Dan Moloney; Moloney wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS TJP; Lio wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS Kevin Knight; Yoh wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Taiji Ishimori; Hiromu wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS Francesco Akira; Desperado wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings.
Taiji Ishimori: 5-2, 10 points
Mike Bailey: 5-2, 10 points
Lio Rush: 5-2, 10 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-2, 10 points
Titán: 4-3, 8 points
TJP: 4-3, 8 points
DOUKI: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA: 1-6, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-7, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current B Block standings.
Master Wato: 5-2, 10 points
Robbie Eagles: 5-2, 10 points
YOH: 5-2, 10 points
El Desperado: 5-2, 10 points
Francesco Akira: 4-3, 8 points
Kevin Knight: 3-4, 6 points
Clark Connors: 3-4, 6 points
Dan Moloney: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
BUSHI: 1-6, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: DOUKI VS Titán!
When it comes to the block, Japones Del Mal is out, but El Inmofrtal is still alive! Will Titan be great in round eight? Or will Douki be his spoiler?
Fans rally and duel already, “TITAN! TITAN!” “DOUKI! DOUKI!” The bell rings and Douki knocks Titan down! Douki stomps Titan at the ropes, digs his boots in, but the ref counts. Douki lets off, drags Titan up, and whips him to a corner. Titan goes up and over and handsprings away. Fans fire up as Titan gets around Douki, ripcords and knuckle locks to CHOP! Titan goes up and up and tightrope walks to FLYING RANA! Fans fire up as Douki bails out, and Titan DIVES! Direct hit and the fans are fired up for “TITAN! TITAN!” Titan puts Douki back in, covers, ONE! Titan drags Douki and stomps the leg,
Titan hooks the legs up, turns Douki over, TRAILER HITCH! But Douki scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Fans rally up as Titan lets Douki go. Douki stands, Tttan fires off kicks to the legs, then palm strikes, kicks and a SOBAT! Titan runs, into an ENZIGURI! Douki whips Titan, Titan reverses and TORNADO- NO! Douki denies the DDT and gets the ITALIAN STRETCH #32! But Titan scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Douki lets go at 4. Fans rally, Douki drags Titan up and scoops, SAHARAWI! Cover, TWO! Titan escapes and fans rally up but Douki keeps cool. Douki goes to the apron and watches Titan rise.
Fans rally up, Douki slingshots, DAY- NO, Titan denies that DDT to then suplex Douki and hang him out to dry! Titan swings but Douki blocks! Douki throws Titan down by the mask, but Titan kips up to PELE! Fans fire up and Titan builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit again and fans are thunderous for “TITAN! TITAN!” Titan roars and he drags Douki up. Titan puts Douki in, goes to a corner and climbs up. Fans rally, Titan DIVING- NO, Douki avoids the stomps, pops Titan up but Titan RANAS, only for Douki to sunset flip that! TWO and Douki gets the wrists, ITALIAN STRETCH! Titan scrambles around again but Douki pulls tight!
Fans rally as Titan endures and moves back. Titan reaches but Douki drags him away from ropes! Titan falls over, but then gets back up. Douki rolls Titan away, ITALIAN- NO, Titan pushes through for a jackknife, TWO! Titan swings, Douki spins him and drags Titan down, around, and DRAGON’S LAIR, but Titan slips free. Douki ghost pins, TWO!! Titan escapes, but then Douki drags him into the ITALIAN STRETCH!! Fans fire up, Titan scoots around, but Douki drags him down! Douki pulls and Titan is fading! Fans rally as hard as they can and Titan gets a second wind! Titan powers up, but Douki YANKS him back down!!
The ref checks with Titan as he kicks around, but Titan is fading again! Titan gets a third wind, and the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Douki lets go in frustration. Douki huffs and puffs and goes to the apron. Titan rises, Douki slingshots, DAYBREAK!! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives and fans are thunderous again! Douki roars, his fans come through for him and he wheelbarrows Titan. Full nelson, but Titan victory rolls! Douki rolls it through to his own cover, TWO! Titan rolls it back, TWO! Titan hooks a leg, rolls, JAVE INMORTAL!! Douki flails, but he taps! Titan wins!
Winner: Titán, by submission (gains 2 points; Douki earns 0)
El Inmortal survives, and he is now at 10 points! Will he make it to the semifinals after all? As for Douki, he’s running out of chances, can he outdo his personal best in the final round?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru VS Clark Connors w/ Gedo!
The Heel Master is also out, but the Wild Rhino is holding onto a hope! Will the whiskey loving Kanemaru handle 100 Proof? Or will Connors drink him under the table with No Chaser?
The bell rings and Connors rushes in! Kanemaru gets around him to roll him up, TWO! Kanemaru cradles, TWO! Kanemaru kicks low, runs, but Connors runs him over! Fans fire up while Connors looms over Kanemaru. Connors then throws Connors out, goes out after him, and stomps him right in front of commentary. Connors CLUBS Kanemaru, mocks the fans cheering Kanemaru on, and then he SMACKS Kanemaru off the apron. Connors CLUBS Kanemaru, whips him and POSTS him! The ring count starts as Connors glares at Shingo Takagi on commentary. The count reaches 10 of 20 and Connors slides in.
Connors lets things climb, Kanemaru rises at 14. Kanemaru slides in at 16 and fans cheer, but Connors drags Kanemaru up for a snap suplex! Gedo likes what he sees as Kanemaru writhes. Connors kicks Kanemaru to a corner, stomps him, and fans rally up. Kanemaru throws elbows and body shots but Connors CLUBS him back down! Fans boo as Connors talks more trash, and he goes back to Kanemaru for a CHOP! Connors whips corner to corner hard, then runs in, but into a boot! Kanemaru runs in, but into an elbow! Connors runs, but Kanemaru dropkicks the legs out! Fans fire up while both men are down.
Kanemaru gets a leg, and he SMASHES it on the mat! Kanemaru then whips Connors to ropes. Connors reverses, but Kanemaru tilt-o-whirls. Connors denies that, knees low, and runs, but into another low dropkick! Kanemaru grabs that leg, SHIN BREAKER! Takedown and FIGURE FOUR! Fans fire up and Kanemaru thrashes around! Connors endures, reaches out, and crawls to the ROPEBREAK! They go to the apron, and Kanemaru rolls it to the floor! Kanemaru keeps on the Figure Four! Gedo protests, the ring count starts, and Kanemaru keeps holding as we hit 10 of 20! Gedo complains, Connors endures, but the count keeps going!
Kanemaru lets go at 15 of 20 and jumps in at 16! Connors hobbles up, scrambles in at 19! Kanemaru covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Connors is still in this but Kanemaru is still on him! Kanemaru scoops for BRITISH FALL! Connors is in the drop zone, Kanemaru goes up, MOONSAULT, but Kanemaru has to land on his feet as Connors moves! Connors storms up, avoids the low dropkick, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES Kanemaru away! Fans fire up while Connors snarls. Gedo says to finish this, and Connors whips. Kanemaru holds ropes to stop himself and avoid the powerslam!
Connors runs in, Kanemaru dodges, and Kanemaru rolls Connors for the “Samson Clutch!” TWO, and Kanemaru keeps the legs for the FIGURE- NO, Connors drags Kanemaru into a cradle, but then deadlifts for a suplex! Kanemaru slips free, gets a bit caught up in Connors’ tights, and runs, for Connors to POWERSLAM! Connors goes to a corner and fans rally up. Kanemaru rises, Connors runs in, SPEAR!! And then Connors takes a swig, NO CHASER!! Cover, Connors wins!
Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Kanemaru gave Connors shot after shot but 100 Proof stands tall! But will his 4-4 hold out as the rest take their shots?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS SHO!
In the real shocker of the tournament, the Timesplitter has been out of the running for some time now. As for the Murder Machine, he’s also out of the running. But he only got as far as he did thanks to cheating! Will Sho keep on cheating for the points? Or will he be trumped by the Ace of the Junior Heavyweight Division?
Evil accompanies Sho upfront again, what influence will he have on the match? But as Kushida makes his entrance, Sho gets the mic. “Yosh, yosh, yosh yosh yosh. <Alright alright alright.> I was looking forward to wrestling Kushida fairly in this match. But… Whatever happens, whoever wins, whoever loses, we’re both out of this tournament. So in that case, there’s really no point in us wrestling, right? Nobody wants to see it, right?” Fans are torn on that. Sho is pretty sure Korakuen deserves better, but fans chant, “We Want It! We Want It!” Sho says, “Well, if Kushida has the guts, then how about we go 1v1, fair and square?”
Fans like the sound of that, so Sho says, “Very well. Korakuen, I will wrestle honestly.” A fan shouts, “Thanks!” Sho says this one time, in Korakuen, against “Kushida-sensei,” for the people, he will wrestle fairly. Thank you very much! Sho has Evil be his legit corner man and he puts in his mouthguard. He takes a drink of water and has the ref check him. All’s good, he and Evil hug for luck, and fans fire up. The bell rings, fans rally for “KU-SHI-DA!” but Kushida bails out. Fans boo, Kushida is taking his time with this one. Sho says it’s all okay! Please come back. Kushida steps in and circles with Sho.
Fans rally up, the two feel things out, and they fight for control in the clinch. Sho gets on Kushida’s back but Kushida tries to throw him off. Sho keeps on with body scissors but Kushida moves around. Sho is on the mat but with a leg guard. Kushida gets over the guard to top mount but Sho moves around. Sho avoids the facelock, has the legs, and fans applaud this technical exchange. Sho shoots around to a rear mount but Kushida moves around. Kushida ties up legs but Sho is after an arm. Sho goes for a cover but Kushida shifts and rolls free. Fans applaud this opening back and forth and the two reset.
Sho and Kushida circle, Sho avoids the drop toehold and the takedown. Sho jumps on for a guillotine but Kushida powers out. Kushida waistlocks, lifts, and GERMAN SUPLEXES, to a bridge! ONE as Sho goes after an arm! Kushida shifts around, he wants the arm! Sho clasps hands but Kushida kicks at him. Kushida tries to power the hands apart but Sho moves around, and deadlifts Kushida up! Kushida shifts to sunset but Sho sits down! Sho has the top mount but Kushida bucks him to grapevine a leg! Kushida drags Sho down, HEEL HOOK! Sho scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Kushida lets go and fans cheer.
Sho goes to the apron, complaining about his leg. The ref has Kushida back off and cornerman Evil checks Sho. Wait, he’s slipping Sho the metal panel! Sho is putting that panel in his kick pad! So much for fair! Evil is hiding this by using cold spray on Sho’s back. Sho” hobbles” before he slides into the ring. Sho runs in but Kushida kicks low! And KICKS the arm! And again! And again! But Sho avoids the Penalty Kick to KICK Kushida with the loaded boot! Kushida tries to say something’s up but he can barely breathe! Then Sho PENALTY KICKS the arm! Kushida writhes from another loaded shot!
Sho waits on Kushida as he writhes, and wait! Kevin Knight appears! Kushida’s tag partner is bringing up the cheating but Sho hurries to give the metal panel back to Evil! Sho grabs Kushida’s arm and wants the double wristlock! Sho is stealing the HOVERBOARD! Fans rally for “KU-SHI-DA!” as hard as they can! Kushida fights, reaches out, but Sho rolls him! Kushida rolls through to have the HOVERBOARD! But he can really only hold it with one arm! Wait, Evil throws Knight into the ring! The ref argues with Knight but Evil slides in to attack Kushida! Fans boo as Evil RAMS Kushida into the ref and Knight!
Fans boo and tell Evil to go away but Evil clotheslines Knight down! The House of Torture stomps away on Kushida, then they put one out. Evil gives Sho the “torture tool!” Sho takes hold of the wrench, Evil brings Kushida up, but Knight returns! Knight stops Sho and DECKS him! Knight fires off on Evil, and on Sho! But Evil kicks Knight low! The House double whip Knight, but he leaps the double clothesline to DOUBLE DROPKICK them out! Fans fire up as Knight gets Evil out! Knight puts Evil in the HOVERBOARD! Kushida scrambles up, Sho runs in, but into a BOOT! Somersault and HOVERBOARD!! The ref wakes up, and Sho taps! Kushida wins!!
Winner: Kushida, by submission (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
Justice is served! The Intergalactic Jet Setters make sure Sho pays for his crimes, and then they put one out! Will Kushida be able to finish strong in this tournament?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Master Wato VS BUSHI!
The Way of the Grandmaster is running strong at 5-2, and has certainly left The Black Mask in the dust. Will Wato lap Bushi as the leader of the pack? Or will Bushi make round eight tranquilo?
The bell rings and fans rally and duel, “WATO! WATO!” “BUSHI! BUSHI!” They tie up, Bushi powers Wato to ropes, and the ref counts. Wato turns it around, Bushi turns it back, and repeat. Bushi keeps Wato on the ropes, then CHOPS! Wato CHOPS back, but Bushi CHOPS again! They go CHOP for CHOP, again and again, then Bushi rakes the eyes. Bushi whips, Wato reverses and dropkicks Bushi down! Bushi bails out, Wato builds speed, but Bushi moves. Wato slides out, chases Bushi and Bushi gets back in the ring. Wato gets on the apron and Bushi DECKS him! Bushi builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit!
Fans fire up and Bushi fires up, too! Bushi drags Wato up, puts him in the ring, and stomps Wato around. Bushi drags Wato up and bumps him off buckles. Bushi DOUBLE CHOPS, and DOUBLE CHOPS, and DOUBLE CHOPS! Bushi snapmares, covers, TWO! Fans rally up and Bushi sits Wato up to KICK him in the back! Bushi gives Wato some toying kicks, and then drags Wato up. Wato throws forearms in return but Bushi knees low. Bushi whips, Wato holds ropes to stop, and then Wato BOOTS Bushi, and BULLDOGS! Fans fire up again and Wato goes to ropes. Bushi stands, Wato runs in to ELBOW! And BOOT!
Wato whips and CALF KICKS Bushi down! Bushi bails out and fans rally as Wato builds speed. Wato FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Bushi! Fans fire up more and Wato walks off the impact. Wato goes back to Bushi, drags him up, and puts him in the ring. Wato aims from the apron, springboards, FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for “WATO! WATO!” and he fires up. Wato drags Bushi up, waistlocks, but Bushi throws elbows. Bushi blocks the haymaker to spin and DDT Wato down! Fans rally and Bushi stomps Wato. Bushi drags Wato up, but Wato fights the fisherman! Wato throws body shots and kicks!
Wato runs, but ducks the enziguri! Body scissors and roll, VENDAVAL! Bushi endures, fans rally, and Bushi teeter-totters the hold around. Wato pulls on the hold but Bushi reaches out with a foot. Fans rally and duel, and Bushi gets the ROPEBREAK! Wato lets off quickly and he brings Bushi up. Wato half nelsons but Bushi slips free of the suplex to BACKSTABBER! Fans fire up while both men are down. Bushi crawls over to Wato, sits him up, and throws a forearm. Wato throws a forearm, Bushi throws it back, and they stand. The forearms keep going, the fans rally up, and Bushi gets the edge with a flurry!
Bushi runs, but Wato UPPERCUTS! Wato runs, but Bushi DROPKICKS! Bushi then brings Wato around, FISHERMAN SCREW! Cover, TWO! Wato is still in this and the fans rally, but Bushi goes to a corner. Bushi watches Wato rise, and CODE BREAKER! Fans fire up with Bushi and he goes up another corner! Wato rises again, Bushi leaps, but Wato DROPKICKS! Wato hurries to SCREW HIGH KICK! And then waistlock, TSUTENKAKU!! Bridging cover, Wato wins!!
Winner: Master Wato, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Bushi earns 0)
The Way of the Grandmaster defeats Bushi, and crosses off both Kevin Knight and Clark Connors at the same time! Will Wato be all but guaranteed a semifinal spot?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Mike Bailey!
The Funky Weapon has been serious this entire tournament, yet he’s also been winless this entire tournament! Will he be unable to stop Speedball this close to the end? Or will his greatest win be Bailey’s hardest loss?
The bell rings and fans rally up for “TA-GU-CHI!” Taguchi and Mike circle, and the “BAILEY! BAILEY!” chants come in. Mike encourages those chants, but then Taguchi rushes in! Mike sees him coming has him stop, and Taguchi apologizes. Taguchi kneels and offers a handshake, and Mike accepts it. Fans applaud and the two circle. They tie up, Taguchi powers Mike to ropes and the ref calls break. Taguchi shows chop, but then he stops to offer another handshake. Mike accepts it again, and then Taguchi drags him to a cradle! TWO!! Mike and Taguchi speed things up. Mike hurdles, drops and KICKS Taguchi down!
Taguchi gets right back up! But Mike dodges him and fires off the lightning kicks! ENZIGURI! Taguchi goes to the corner and fans rally up. Mike runs in to CHOP! Mike wrenches, whips corner to corner, and then runs in to BOOT! Fans fire up and Mike SLAMS Taguchi down! Fans rally as Mike goes up and up and DOUBLE KNEE FLOP as Taguchi moves! Taguchi gets OH MY GAH ANKLE! Mike gets to the ROPEBREAK and Taguchi lets go. Mike bails out, Taguchi goes after Mike and stomps the leg. Then Taguchi SMASHES the knee on the floormats! Taguchi drags Mike around, to OH MY GAH ANKLE!
Mike endures but he’s on the outside. The ref reprimands, Taguchi lets off, and Taguchi checks his nose from that boot earlier. Taguchi says it’s fine, and he puts Mike in the ring. Taguchi drags Mike up, wrenches and reels him in, SHIN BREAKER! Mike writhes, stands, but Taguchi dropkicks the legs out! Taguchi then ties Mike’s legs up and adds a seated cobra twist! Mike endures and moves around. Mike gets his legs free and gets the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go and Mike goes to a corner. Taguchi stomp the legs but lets off as the ref counts. Taguchi stands on a foot but Mike kicks with the other. Taguchi stomps toes!
Taguchi whips, Mike reverses, but Taguchi ducks the kick! Mike ducks the lariat and goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Mike aims at Taguchi, to SOBAT! AX KICK! And ROUNDHOUSE! Fans fire up again, and Mike SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Taguchi is still in this and the fans rally back up. Mike aims, but Taguchi ducks the buzzsaw! And then ducks the other buzzsaw! Mike feints Taguchi on the third, waits for Taguchi to sit back up, then BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and fans fire up again. Taguchi goes to a corner but Mike goes to the opposite.
Mike powers up, runs and spins, but Taguchi SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACKS! Fans fire up again while Mike checks his teeth. He has a mouthguard so that probably helps. Taguchi brings Mike up but Mike throws a forearm. Taguchi throws one back! Mike throws another forearm! Taguchi throws another! Mike KICKS! And KICKS! And KICK, but Taguchi blocks it! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Taguchi keeps Mike from ropes but Mike rolls! Taguchi is thrown out, and then Mike builds speed! Taguchi slides in, Mike stops himself but that jams up the leg! Taguchi slides, Mike goes up to TOP ROPE QUEBRADA! Direct hit!
Fans are thunderous for “BAILEY! BAILEY!” while Taguchi flounders. Mike hobbles after Taguchi, waits for him to stand, and then Taguchi turns around, into a KICK! And another KICK! And another, but Taguchi blocks it! Taguchi has OH MY GAH ANKLE! But Mike rolls and sends Taguchi at the post! Taguchi stops himself, but then he smacks the post with his hands! Taguchi pretends he collided with steel to trick Mike! Mike aims, but Taguchi ducks! Mike kicks post!! Fans are thunderous for Taguchi’s wily ways and he puts Mike in. Taguchi goes up, to DIVING KNEE DROP the bad leg! OH MY GAH AKNLE!!
Mike endures, Taguchi leans on the hold, and fans rally as hard as they can! Mike moves around, ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he CLUBS Mike! Taguchi chicken wings, DODON- NO, Mike arm-drags free! Taguchi comes back, into a RANA! Cover, TWO!! Taguchi sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! MOONSAULT KNEE DROP onto knees! Taguchi saves himself but it was rather double-edged! Fans are thunderous again as Taguchi goes to the corner! “ORYA~!” BUM-A-YE! Cover, but Mike turns it into a ghost pin! TWO!! Taguchi escapes, goes for a schoolboy, but Mike spins and sits down to cover! TWO!!!
Taguchi escapes again and he ENZIGURIS! Mike staggers around, Taguchi runs, but into a BOOT! Taguchi blocks the roundhouse! But Mike gets Taguchi with the CRANE KICK! And the THRUST KICK! Taguchi goes to a corner, fans fire up and Mike powers up. TATSUMAKI SENPUKKU! Then he pushes Taguchi down and goes up! ULTIMA- NO, Taguchi moves! More damage to the knees, and OH MY GAH ANKLE!!! Mike crawls, Taguchi drags him back, LA MAGISTROL, but Mike blocks it! TWO and Taguchi finishes Magistrol, TWO!! Mike has it, MIKE WINS!
Winner: Mike Bailey, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
That was fast and furious for sure, but Taguchi could not pull out the spoiler! Can he get his first win this year in the bottom of the ninth? As for The Speedball, he’s hurting, but will he be able to solidify a spot in the semifinals?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: Robbie Eagles w/ Kosei Fujita VS Dan Moloney!
The newest recruits of TMDK and The United Empire face off as The Sniper aims for the semifinals! Will Eagles fly high going into the ninth? Or will #DaDrilla bring him crashing down?
Dan attacks during Eagles’ introduction! And he hits “Ichiban Sweet Boy” Fujita, too! Fans boo as Dan throws up the crown, and Dan goes out after Eagles. The bell rings as Dan stomps Eagles, then brings him up to UPPERCUT! Eagles staggers, Dan HEADBUTTS Eagles, stomps Fujita, then stalks Eagles around the way. Eagles finally gets his jacket off but Dan CLAWS his back! Dan follows Eagles around another corner, scoops, but Eagles slips free! Eagles then hurdles over to RANA Dan to the floor! Fans rally for Eagles, Eagles puts Dan in, and fans rally up. Dan sits up into Eagles’ PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!
Eagles goes for legs but Dan brings Eagles in for a monkey flip! Dan bails to the apron, but Eagles storms up. Dan CHOPS Eagles, Eagles comes back but Dan jumps to Low 619! Dan shoulders into Eagles, drags him to the apron, but Eagles CHOPS! Dan CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Eagles kicks low, kicks the leg, but Dan CHOPS again! Eagles KICKS, Dan CHOPS! Eagles sputters, Dan eggs him on, and Eagles KICKS the leg! Eagles then blocks a chop, blocks a kick, and hooks Dan up! But Dan fights the backpack to APRON BACK SUPLEX! Fans fire up while Eagles writhes on the floor.
Fans rally for Eagles while Dan leaves him behind. Eagles sits up as the ring count starts, and he rolls his way to the ring. Fans start up the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” on their own. Eagles stands at 13 and slides in at 14! Dan whips and DROPKICKS Eagles right down! Cover, TWO! Dan glares at Fujita and the fans get “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” going again. Dan flips them off for it then throws up the crown. Dan stalks Eagles to a corner, digs his boots in, and the ref counts. Dan lets off at 4, Eagles sputters, and Dan mocks Fujita before he CHOPS Eagles. Eagles flops against ropes and Dan stomps him down.
Dan stands on Eagles’ face at the ropes but the ref counts. Dan steps off at 4 and the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” starts again. Dan throws up the crown then flips everyone off to “OI OI OI!” But Eagles CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Dan snapmares, KICKS Eagles in the back, then covers, TWO! Fans rally up as Eagles goes to ropes. Dan whips but Eagles blocks, so Dan CHOPS him down! Eagles goes to a corner, Dan whips him corner to corner, but Eagles goes up and over. Dan fights the back suplex with elbows! Dan then gets around to back suplex, but Eagles lands on his feet to ROLLING CHOP BLOCK!
Eagles gets moving, to hit the BLINDSIDER! Both men are down, fans rally up again, and the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” starts yet again. Eagles feeds off that energy and he KICKS Dan! And KICKS! And KICKS! Eagles runs, but Dan blocks the Penalty Kick! Dan lifts Eagles, for a LAST- NO, Eagles slips free! Dan kicks him low and whips, but Eagles reverses, kicks and WHEEL KICKS! Fans rally up as Eagles pounds the mat. Eagles goes to the opposite corner, he runs in, and he DOUBLE KNEES! Dan sits down, Eagles comes back, but only gets buckles! Dan CHOPS again! And KICKS the leg! And CHOPS again!
Dan KICKS Eagles, CHOPS him, but Eagles blocks the kick for a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Turnover into the stepover, and the EAGLE LOCK! Dan endures the Ron Miller Special as Eagles thrashes! Dan claws at mat, crawls for the ropes, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Eagles lets go quickly and brings Dan around to a spinning toehold! Dan writhes, fans rally and Eagles goes up the corner. But Dan gets away from the 450! Eagles BOOTS him, runs, and Dan follows! Eagles BOOTS Dan again, fires off KICKS, but Dan shoves Eagles down! Eagles dropkicks the leg out! Eagles runs, but Dan still follows! Dan blasts through the kick to GORE!!
Fans fire up while both men are down! Eagles sputters, but Dan also catches his breath. Dan rises, he brings Eagles up and fisherman’s, but Eagles fights the buster to a cradle! TWO! Dan SUPERKICKS! Eagles wobbles, Dan reels him in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while both men are down again! Dan pounds the mat in frustration but vows to finish this. “ABUNAI GAIJIN DESU!” Dan drags Eagles up to the Canadian Rack, but Eagles fights free! Dan ripcords and CHOPS Eagles off his feet! Dan pounds the mat again and fans rally up. Dan brings Eagles back up, Canadian Rack, but Eagles arm-drags free!
Eagles runs in but into another SUPERKICK! But Eagles LOW 619s the legs, and METEORAS! Cover, TWO!! Dan survives but Eagles goes out. The fans rally and Eagles springboards in, MISSILE DRPOKICK to the leg! Fans fire up with Eagles and he takes aim again. But Dan blocks the Trigger to fireman’s carry! But Eagles fights free to CLUB the leg out! Eagles reloads and takes aim again. Fans rally, Dan stands, ROUNDHOUSE! SUPERKICK! PELE!! Eagles roars and he brings Dan up. Fans rally, for the ASAI- NO, Dan blocks, then pops Eagles around into DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover, Dan wins!!
Winner: Dan Moloney, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eagles earns 0)
The Sniper got taken down! He isn’t out of the running, though, but will the semifinals slip through Eagles’ fingers?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS TJP!
The Bad Child is another of A Block’s 10 point men, and there’s still time to get to 12. Will Lio make this the Public Enemy’s Final Hour? Or TJP dunk on Lio and take his spot?
The bell rings and fans rally for “LIO! LIO!” But then the “TJP! TJP!” chants come through as the two circle. The two feel things out, knuckle lock, and TJP drops back to break, roll and wrench. Lio tries to spin through but TJP wrenches again. Lio rolls, rolls, handsprings and wrenches TJP to a wristlock, but TJP feels out an escape. He slips around, drops down and twisting headscissors, but Lio handsprings through! Lio spins back but TJP narrowly avoids the heel kick! Fans cheer the standoff and the two reset. They circle, feel things out, and then Lio runs the ropes. Lio redirects, but so does TJP.
TJP Spider-Mans in the ropes, Lio runs in and TJP slides under, but Lio clings to the ropes now! TJP realizes where Lio went, drags him off but Lio slips under and rolls TJP up! TJP rolls through, blocks Lio’s spin to throw him down, but Lio avoids the stomp! Lio also avoids the buzzsaw, and the heel kick! But TJP DROPKICKS and that hits the mark! Fans fire up as Lio goes to a corner. TJP stomps Lio, wraps an arm around the ropes and pulls, but lets off as the ref counts. TJP goes after Lio’s arm but Lio whips him away. TJP comes back, turns dropdown into trapped hammerlock, and the SNAP ARMBAR!
Fans rally while Lio writhes and bails out of the ring. TJP goes out after Lio, brings him up, and he RAMS Lio into the apron! The ref wants this to get in the ring so TJP puts Lio in. Cover, ONE, but TJP steps on Lio’s face! Lio crawls to a corner, TJP is on him, but Lio kicks first. TJP snapmares, pushes Lio down, then drops knees on the bad shoulder! And then JAMS a knee into Lio’s back! TJP drags Lio up but Lio deadweights. TJP wrenches, hooks Lio up, and has the COBRA TWIST! Lio endures, fans rally up, and Lio fights free with elbows! Lio ROCKS TJP with a haymaker, then ROCKS him with a forearm!
Lio whips, TJP reverses but Lio goes up and around to whip again. Lio rolls TJP, and hits the SPIN KICK! TJP goes to the apron, Lio runs in and HANDSPRING KICKS! TJP falls, Lio builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and fans fire up! Lio roars as he gets back up. Lio puts TJP in the ring, shakes out the bad arm, and he hauls TJP up. RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Lio pounds the mat and the fans rally up. Lio climbs, FINAL- NO, Lio has to bail out! TJP ROLLING SOBATS Lio away! TJP then runs in to back body block! Lio sits down, and fans rally up as TJP scrapes laces off Lio’s face!
TJP hypes the fans up more, but Lio throws him into the corner! And now Lio scrapes his laces off TJP’s face! Fans fire up all the same and Lio goes side to side, but TJP BOOTS him! TJP makes Lio sit down in that corner, for more scrapes of the laces! TJP runs, but Lio dodges! Lio comes back but TJP dodges! DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES stagger both men! They then DOUBLE BOOT! Both fall down and fans fire up again! Lio crawls, TJP sits up, and TJP brings Lio around. TJP ROCKS Lio with a forearm, but Lio ROCKS TJP back! TJP ROCKS Lio with another forearm, but Lio ROCKS TJP again!
TJP gets the edge, but then Lio fires off a strike fest! TJP goes to a corner, Lio runs in, but TJP dodges! TORNADO DDT! Lio is down and TJP goes up a corner fast! Fans fire up but Lio trips TJP up! Lio ROCKS TJP with a haymaker, then a GAMANGIRI! TJP wobbles, Lio climbs up, and fans rally as Lio brings TJP into a clinch. TJP fights with elbows, then shoves Lio away! Lio is in the drop zone, TJP lines up the shot, MAMBA SPLASH onto knees! Lio runs, but TJP DROPKICKS Rush Hour down! TJP goes back up, Lio stands, MAMBA ATTACK! And then TJP goes to a corner, but takes aim instead of climbing!
NOVA- NO, Lio ducks the shoutout to Akira! Lio runs in but TJP dodges the tackle! TJP keeps moving and he BUSAIKU KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Lio survives and fans fire up again! TJP is frustrated, but he puts Lio back in a drop zone. Fans rally as TJP climbs up the corner. TJP aims again, MAMBA- NO, Lio dodges! Lio runs in, but TJP sends him into buckles! Dragon sleeper, but Lio drops to the SAMSON, TWO!! Lio runs, TJP follows, but Lio dodges and redirects, RUSH- NO, TJP stays back out of Lio’s range! ARMBAR! Lio scrambles, TJP shifts to get a leg! Stepover, into PINOY STRETCH!!
Lio endures, reaches out, and fans duel as TJP pulls on the hold! Lio crawls with one arm and one leg, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans fire up and TJP lets go in frustration. TJP and Lio rise, Lio leaning against the ropes. TJP brings Lio around, wrenches to arm to an ELBOW BREAKER, and then brings Lio up again. Lio throws body shots, but TJP wrenches to another ELBOW BREAKER! TJP drags Lio up and Lio HEADBUTTS! But TJP fireman’s carries! But Lio slips out, FINAL CUT! Lio uses a move from TJP’s playbook, and then runs to SPEAR! Shoutout to the All Mighty!
TJP is down, Lio hurries up top! Fans rally, Lio aims, FINAL HOUR onto boots! TJP saves himself, and then SUPERKICKS Lio down! TJP roars, the fans are thunderous, and TJP runs to- NO, Lio avoids the double knees! Lio then fakes the spin kick, to then hit on delay! Lio runs, springboards, RUSH HOUR! Lio hurries up top again, for the FINAL HOUR!! Cover, Lio wins!!
Winner: Lio Rush, by pinfall (gains 2 points; TJP earns 0)
Another fast and furious battle on the night, and that was truly TJP’s Final Hour in this block! Lio keeps rolling strong, will he truly be the Man of the Hour in the semifinals?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: YOH VS Kevin Knight!
Direct Drive has been revving his engine and getting hot at the right time, and because of Wato’s win earlier, The Jet’s flight is done. But can Kevin still ground Yoh? Or will Yoh continue to #StunTheWorld?
The bell rings and fans rally as the two circle. Knight tries a Kushida style drop toehold but Yoh stays back. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Yoh powers his way to a waistlock. Knight pries free to wrench and wristlock, but Yoh rolls, kips and wrenches to then headlock. Knight powers out, but Yoh holds ropes to avoid the speed-up. Knight runs in, but Yoh dodges him and eggs him on. Knight runs in, things speed up now as Yoh bypasses and drop toeholds. Knight avoids the basement dropkick but Yoh avoids the splash! Yoh runs again, Knight dodges the dropkick to scoop and SLAM! Fans fire up as Knight SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally and Knight looms over Yoh. Knight drags Yoh up, UPPERCUTS him, and he says, “Tsuyoi! <I’m strong!>” Then Knight UPPERCUTS again! Knight puts Yoh up top but Yoh CLUBS him away. Knight comes back, springs right up, but Yoh slips under! Yoh drags Knight down but Knight ROCKS Yoh! Knight whips, Yoh reverses and dropkicks the legs out! Fans rally while both men are down. Yoh then dropkicks the leg while Knight is down! Yoh grabs that leg, SMASHES it on the mat, then SMASHES the other leg! Knight writhes, Yoh covers, ONE! Fans rally and Yoh keeps his cool.
Yoh stomps Knight to a corner, stomps away on the legs, but lets off as the ref counts. Knight throws body shots and a CHOP! Knight ROCKS Yoh but Yoh kicks the leg out! Yoh trips Knight, steps over for a toehold, and then spinning toeholds the other leg! Yoh eggs Knight on but Knight swings on him. Yoh avoids the shots and he pulls on the leg! Knight endures, Yoh steps through again, but Knight drags him to a cradle! TWO!! Yoh escapes, he knees low, then he whips Knight to a corner. Yoh runs in but Knight dodges! Knight comes back, but into a BOOT! Knight tries again but Yoh kicks the legs out!
Yoh goes up, but Knight roars to JUMPING STEINER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Knight roars again, and he sees Yoh in the other corner. Knight runs corner to corner, and STINGER SPLASHES! Yoh staggers about, Knight whips but Yoh reverses. Knight holds ropes, Yoh runs in but Knight dumps him out! Knight then PLANCHAS, but Yoh dodges! Yoh kicks Knight, and whips him at the stands! But Knight box jumps right up! Fans fire up for that agility, and then Knight CANNONBALLS onto Yoh! Fans are thunderous for Knight and he hobbles his way back to Yoh. Knight puts Yoh in the ring and climbs the corner.
Fans rally, Yoh rises, and Knight CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Knight is a little frustrated, but he refocuses as the fans rally up. Knight aims from the corner, Yoh stands, and Yoh blocks the boot! Yoh dropkicks the left leg out! Knight crawls to ropes, Yoh grabs the right leg to DRAGON SCREW! Yoh suplexes to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Knight survives but Yoh fires back up. Yoh drags Knight up, underhooks, but Knight fights the lift! Knight wrenches out, swings, but into a spin! Yoh suplexes, Knight fights it, but the legs jam! Yoh dropkicks the legs out! Yoh runs, but Knight DROPKICKS!!
Fans fire up while both men are down! Knight rolls his way to a corner and he waits on Yoh. Yoh stirs and Knight pounds the mat. Fans rally up, Yoh stands, and Knight runs in, SPIKE- NO, Yoh throws Knight away, but then Knight blocks the superkick! Knight spins Yoh to SUPERKICK first! Knight ripcords Yoh, to SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO!!! Yoh survives and Knight is shocked! Fans fire up and Knight roars as he goes back to a corner. Yoh rises again and Knight runs back in, but Yoh SUPERKICKS! Knight wobbles on his feet, Yoh fires himself back up, and Yoh tunes up the band!
Knight staggers up, into another SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives but Yoh roars again. Fans rally, Yoh brings Knight up and underhooks, DIRECT DRIVE!! Cover, Yoh wins!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
Knight falls, but Yoh shows him the respect he earned. As for Yoh, Knight tells him to go win this thing. Will Direct Drive be unstoppable going into the semifinals?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Taiji Ishimori!
Rivals meet again at a very crucial point in the tournament! Both men are 5-2, but this is about more than just getting to 12 points! Will the Ticking Timebomb blow up the Bone Soldier’s chances? Or will Taiji guarantee #ItsReborn?
Hiromu’s picture dairy for Taiji is he’s a “Muscle Chihuahua.” Has he used that joke before? Hiromu considers handing the diary to Takagi, but still goes with Milano Collection AT. Takagi does get this on video via his camera phone, though. The bell rings and fans rally for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” Hiromu and Taiji circle, feel things out, and then back away. They circle and then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Taiji puts Hiromu in the corner but Hiromu turns it around. Red Shoes calls the break, Hiromu lets off slowly, but Taiji avoids the chop! Taiji RAMS Hiromu, whips him corner to corner, but Hiromu slides out!
Taiji slides out in pursuit of Hiromu, but then Hiromu slides back in. Taiji keeps pursuing Hiromu but Hiromu comes back to SUNSET, only for Taiji flip free! Hiromu pops Taiji up, trips him up, then goes up the apron to JOHN WOO! Direct hit and fans fire up as the Young Lions keep Taiji from falling on the front row! Hiromu brings Taiji up, looks to the ring, but throws him into the railing at the stands! Fans fire up as Hiromu opens the gate and he brings Taiji up the bleachers! The fans cheer Hiromu on as they go to the second segment, and Hiromu suplexes. Taiji blocks, to suplex Hiromu to the floor!
Fans rally and Taiji roars as he gets space. And a lot of space. Taiji runs back at Hiromu, to JOHN WOO in return! Hiromu tumbles to the wall and Taiji leaves him behind. Fans rally for “ISHI-MORI!” as he returns to ringside. Taiji waits on Red Shoes to start the count, and then Taiji unties the blue buckle pad. The Bullet Club Special is in play as Hiromu starts crawling his way back. The count is 10 of 20 before Hiromu is even down the bleachers. Hiromu reaches ground level at 15 of 20, makes it through the gate, and then hurries to the ring to slide in at 19! Taiji smirks and he storms up to Hiromu.
Taiji drags Hiromu up, wrenches, and CLUBS the arm. Taiji then hammerlocks the arm, to RAM it into bare buckles! Fans rally, Red Shoes reprimands, but Taiji grins as he brings Hiromu up. Taiji wrenches and whips to YANK and WRING the arm! Hiromu writhes but Taiji grabs the arm again. Taiji has Hiromu in a cobra clutch and leans on the hold. Hiromu endures, fights up, but Taiji ripcords to RAM the shoulder! Taiji brings Hiromu to a knee for a keylock! Hiromu endures as Taiji stands over him, and he claws his way forward. Taiji pulls on the arm, Hiromu still fights, and the fans rally. Hiromu gets the ROPEBREAK!
Taiji lets go in annoyance but Hiromu sits up to CHOP him! And CHOP! And CHOP! Taiji BOOTS Hiromu, whips him, but Hiromu reverses. Hiromu avoids the boot to run and RANA! Fans fire up for “HI-RO-MU!” while both men are down! Taiji crawls to a corner but Hiromu brings him up. Hiromu whips corner to corner but Taiji reverses! Hiromu reverses back, and Taiji is sent into the bare buckles! Hiromu then clotheslines him into them, snapmares and basement dropkicks! Hiromu keeps going, suplex for FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Taiji hangs tough and the fans rally for “HI-RO-MU!” again.
Hiromu shakes out his arms, he drags Taiji up, and he fireman’s carries. Taiji fights free and shoves Hiromu to a corner. Hiromu comes back, Taiji scoops him and aims for the corner, but Hiromu slips off! Taiji avoids hitting buckles, he elbows Hiromu back, and then whips Hiromu into the bare buckles! Taiji runs in, blocks the boots, and puts Hiromu in the ropes. ENZIGURI, and SLIDING GERMAN! Fans fire up and Taiji goes back to the ring. Taiji climbs, but Hiromu avoids the 450! Hiromu elbows Taiji but Taiji blocks the lariat! Taiji ducks the superkick but Hiromu blocks the knee!
Hiromu fireman’s carries, Taiji fights free but Hiromu switches. GERMAN SUPLEX, but Taiji lands on his feet! DOUBLE LARIATS collide but both men stay up! Hiromu SUPERKICKS, Taiji JUMP KNEES! Taiji hops on but Hiromu shrugs him off! Taiji comes back to LA MYSTIC- NO, Hiromu blocks, pops Taiji around, but Taiji pops back up! POISON-RANA!! Hiromu staggers to ropes, and Taiji roars! Taiji runs, but into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Hiromu grits his teeth as he fights to sit up, but Taiji clutches a shoulder as he rolls away. Fans rally more while both men catch their breath.
Hiromu sits up again, and Taiji crawls over to him. They go forehead to forehead as they stand, and then Hiromu ROLLING ELBOWS! Taiji staggers, and HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Fans fire up and Hiromu says that’s not all! Hiromu runs, but Taiji catches him! Hiromu and Taiji now fight for control in the clinch, and Hiromu pushes Taiji. DOUBLE LARIATS collide point-blank! Red Shoes checks both men while the fans rally back up. Red Shoes calls it, Taiji is DONE!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by referee stoppage (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
Taiji got knocked for a loop at some point in this match, and the medic comes in to check him. Hiromu survives what was becoming another classic war, will he get back to the semifinals after all? As for Taiji, between his arm and his head, will be able to come back for the last round?
Best of the Super Juniors 30, B Block: El Desperado VS Francesco Akira!
Round eight closes with another crucial battle! The Rogue Luchador stands at 5-2 while the Nova Fireball is on the bubble at 4-3. Will Strong Style see Desperado through to the next round? Or will Akira conquer him in the name of the United Empire?
Akira gets in Desperado’s face, shoves him, but Red Shoes has the two stay back. The bell rings and fans rally for “A! KI-RA! A! KI-RA!” Desperado applauds Akira for having the fans, and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Desperado uses his height as leverage. They end up on the ropes, Akira tells Desperado to back off and Red Shoes counts, but Desperado lets off cleanly. Fans applaud and the two reset. Desperado talks a bit of smack, he and Akira tie up again, and Akira powers Desperado back to the ropes! Red Shoes calls the break, Akira lets off slowly, but he pats Desperado hard on the shoulders.
Akira eggs Desperado on, they tie up again and Desperado headlocks for the takeover. Akira kicks, reaches up but Desperado avoids the headscissors. Desperado traps an arm, uses that to turn Akira over, and then he shifts into a CROSSFACE! Akira scrambles but Desperado turns him around to a chinlock, and then a double chicken wing. Akira fights, Desperado wrenches him and headlocks, but Akira powers out. Desperado runs Akira over! Fans rally, things speed up, and Akira hurdles! Desperado waistlocks, Akira elbows free, and things speed up again. Akira ducks ‘n’ dodges and CALF KICKS Desperado down!
Fans fire up and Akira brings Desperado outside. Akira brings Desperado up and POSTS him! Akira storms back over, talks trash as he digs his knee into Desperado’s head, but he steps off as Red Shoes tells him to get this in the ring. Akira stands Desperado up to CHOP him! And then CLUB him! They’re at commentary, Great-O-Khan is there and apparently talks smack of his own. Desperado kicks the desk but then Akira DECKS him! Akira fist bumps with Khan and then borrows his chair. Akira makes Desperado take a seat, and CHOPS him! Akira goes to the far side and fans rally up. Akira runs in, to SHOTGUN Desperado out of the chair!
Fans fire up with “A! KI-RA! A! KI-RA!” Also, a Young Lion gets Khan his chair back. Akira drags Desperado up, puts him in the ring, and covers, ONE! Another cover, ONE! Another cover, ONE!! Akira grows annoyed with Desperado, but he drags Desperado up. Akira digs his foot into Desperado’s face, taunts him and dares him to talk trash now. Akira gives “Despy” toying kicks, egging him on the whole time. Desperado frowns but Akira kicks him back down. Akira throws down forearms and says “Show me something!” Desperado stands up and Akira throws forearms! Desperado doesn’t budge!
Akira keeps throwing shots, then he DOUBLE CHOPS! Akira runs, but Desperado ROCKS him in return! Akira falls right out of the ring, and Desperado builds speed. Desperado DIVES! Direct hit and Young Lions keep them from hitting bleachers! Fans rally for “DE-SU-PE!” as he stands tall. Desperado has fans move aside, and he fetches Akira. Desperado brings Akira around, to BOWL him into chairs! STRIKE right to the back! Fans cheer with Desperado and he fetches Akira. Desperado brings Akira around to CLUB him on the neck, and then tells him this is what he gets for acting tough. Desperado looks deep under the ring for something…
Desperado brings chairs out, brings them to Akira, and then scoops him to SLAM him on the floor! Desperado then places a chair on top of a leg, and CON-CHAIR-TOS it!! Akira writhes and Red Shoes reprimands, but Desperado says this is what happens when you play around. Desperado leaves Akira behind and the ring count starts. Akira crawls around at 5 of 20, hobbles up but falls at 10. Akira manages to hop back up, and he slides in at 12! Desperado looms over Akira, drags him up, but Akira throws a forearm! And another! Desperado doesn’t budge, and he kicks the bad leg. Then he knees Akira low!
Desperado has Akira in the corner, and wraps the bad leg around ropes! Red Shoes reprimands, Desperado lets go, and he kicks the ropes to jam the leg! Akira winces as he clutches the knee, and Desperado brings him out. Desperado snapmares, steps on the bad leg, then digs his heel in. Desperado stomps the bad leg, then has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Akira scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer and Desperado applauds, but then Desperado stomps the leg! Desperado dares Akira to talk trash, then drags him out to HIP DROP the knee! Desperado ties up the legs in a deathlock!
Akira sits up to CHOP! Desperado eggs him on and Akira CHOPS, and then DOUBLE CHOPS! Desperado “falls” back and that puts on the pressure! Akira flails and endures, and he reaches out for ropes. Desperado lounges while he keeps the hold on tight! Akira crawls forward, reaches out again, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado thrashes the hold, lets off, but “Oops!” Knee drop on the knee! Fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” and Desperado mockingly echoes it. Desperado brings Akira up, Akira throws a forearm but Desperado kicks the bad leg. Akira goes to a corner, Desperado runs in, but Akira elbows him away!
Desperado comes back, but Akira catches him to a TARANTULA! Desperado isn’t really bothered, though, and he easily gets free to have a KNEEBAR on Akira! Red Shoes counts, Desperado lets go and Akira falls to the mat. Desperado grins and he drags Akira up. Desperado has the leg, for a SHIN- NO, Akira fights with elbows! Desperado waistlocks, Akira victory rolls to STOMP 182! Fans fire up while both men are down! Akira and Desperado go to opposite corners, and Akira manages to run in to clothesline! Akira keeps moving, and he UPPERCUTS! Akira brings Desperado around and shouts, “Korakuen! IKU ZO!!”
Fans fire up and Akira runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS Desperado out! Fans fire up more and Akira builds speed! Akira slides but Desperado gets under, to then shove Akira into Young Lions and the front row! Fans fire up as Akira falls over, and Desperado stalks him. Desperado drags Akira back up, points to another segment of the stands, and he CLUBS Akira. Fans in the upper deck move, and Desperado brings Akira over. Desperado whips Akira at the upper deck, but Akira stops himself, only to jam his leg! Desperado whips again but Akira reverses and Desperado hits the deck! Akira then runs in, but Desperado pops him up!
Akira lands safe on the upper deck and he mule kicks Desperado away! And then QUEBRADAS! Direct hit but maybe a little double-edged given the damage to Akira’s legs. Fans rally, Akira gets in the ring, and he pounds the mat. “A! KI-RA!” builds speed, and DIVES! Direct hit and Desperado ends up sitting in the front row! Khan fans Akira off with the United Empire towel, and Akira drags Desperado back into the ring. Cover, TWO!! Desperado is still in this but the fans rally for Akira. Akira brings Desperado up, talking trash in Italian, and Desperado asks in Japanese, “What’re you saying?”
Akira tries to chicken wing, but Desperado reaches for ropes. They struggle, Akira brings Desperado back, but Desperado mule kicks the bad leg! Desperado storms up but into an ELBOW! And a CHOP! Akira brings Desperado around but Desperado ROCKS Akira! Desperado runs in, into a SNAP GERMAN! Fans fire up with Akira and he runs, SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Desperado survives but the fans still rally for “A! KI-RA!” Akira drags Desperado up, brings him in again, but Desperado blocks Speedfire! Desperado powers out, swings, but into another SNAP GERMAN! Akira roars and runs, into a SPINEBUSTER!
High stack, TWO! STRETCH MUFFLER!! Desperado thrashes Akira around, but Akira crawls and reaches out! Fans rally as hard as they can, and Akira gets the ROPEBREAK! Desperado still thrashes the leg, but lets off as Red Shoes counts. TJP appears ringside and he coaches Akira on. Akira’s the only United Empire man still alive in the tournament, TJP wants him to keep going! Desperado stands up first, though, and he brings Akira in. Fans rally, Desperado goes to gut wrench, but Akira fights it! Desperado stomps the bad leg! Akira growls and stands up, but Desperado gets that leg. SHIN- NO, Akira KICKS free! Akira then ENZIGURIS Desperado!
Desperado wobbles, Akira fires up and brings him in, SPEED- NO, Desperado slips out to gut wrench! GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO!! Akira survives and fans are thunderous! Desperado roars and fans fire up with him! Desperado brings Akira back up, underhooks, but Akira fights the Pinche! Akira wrenches to SPEEDFIRE!! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives but Akira steps over! PINOY STRETCH!!! Shoutout to TJP and fans fire up again! Desperado crawls, Akira pulls back on the hold, and TJP cheers Akira on! Desperado claws around, drags Akira along with him, and gets the ROPEBREAK!!
Fans are thunderous again though Akira is frustrated. The fans rally and duel, “A! KI-RA!” “DE! SU-PE!” Akira rises, watches Desperado at the ropes, and then brings him back! Akira waistlocks, but Desperado fights the lift! Desperado reaches for the ropes but Akira chicken wings! But Desperado kicks away on the legs! But Akira ROCKS Desperado! Chicken wings, to the FIRE PLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Akira can’t believe it but Desperado survives! The fans are thunderous again and Akira goes to a corner. Akira aims as Desperado rises, and he pounds the mat. Akira runs in, NOVA- NO, Desperado ducks!
STRETCH MUFFLER!!! And a lift even!! NUMERO DOS, right into NUMERO DOS PLUS!!! Akira endures, even as Desperado thrashes him all around! Akira fights to get an arm free, but Desperado claws at him! NUMERO DOS PLUS AGAIN!!! Akira is caught, TJP thinks about the towel, but Akira is refusing to give in! Desperado THRASHES all of Akira’s limbs, and he LIFTS Akira again! Akira is turning red, but then Desperado drops him? And SMASHES the bad leg! Desperado GROUND DRAGON SCREWS, into the STRETCH MUFFLER!!! Akira endures all over again, and Desperado leans all his weight into getting NUMERO DOS!!
TJP is conflicted, but the fans are rallying as hard as they can for Akira! Red Shoes checks again, Akira refuses, but then TJP shouts that that’s enough! Desperado lets Akira go, and he argues with TJP. TJP throws the towel, only for Desperado to catch it! Desperado says TJP can’t give up for Akira, Akira has to give up for Akira. Akira crawls over, grabs the towel, and throws it away! Akira isn’t giving up, and he rises up, to throw a forearm! But there wasn’t a lot behind that. Akira wants to keep going, but his forearms are just nothing. Desperado ROCKS Akira with one back! Akira still refuses to give up!
Akira throws more shots, and Desperado eggs him on. Desperado ROCKS Akira again, kicks the bad leg, but Akira SUPERKICKS! Roll up, TWO!!! Akira SUPERKICKS again! But LOCO MONO knocks him down! Desperado drags Akira around, STRETCH MUFFLER!!! NUMERO DOS PLUS ULTRA!!!! Akira finally quits, Desperado wins!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
At just past 25 minutes, the Nova Fireball was finally extinguished! TJP hurries to his tag partner’s side, hoping his friend wasn’t just completely removed from the BOSJ right here. If Akira can compete in the ninth round, will he be able to get those final two points?
As for Desperado, he doesn’t even mind The United Empire’s still present as he gets the mic. “The first time I mentioned you, it was two years ago, you were a champion in another company. And you were doing some pretty cool stuff. And when I was champion, I was seeing a lot of guys do cool stuff with you, like Chris Brooks. But that was two years ago. And this is Best of the Super Juniors, and only you and I remember talking about any of that. So you were thinking about this for the last two years. Now that you’ve had your shot, what do you think about it? Fans applaud, they certainly thought it was worth the wait.
Desperado is really surprised that Akira didn’t give up to a move Desperado’s used thousands of times to submit people. Desperado knows Akira was thinking he’d rather die than give up, but he didn’t. Akira’s friends wanted him to give up but he didn’t. In this match, Akira was pretty damn cool. Desperado also says that this BOSJ has been something, and Desperado is in a must-win situation in the end. Things are changing, the positions are changing, but what Desperado is driven by and what his goals are will never change. He will be the strongest. Desperado leaves it at that, but will he truly become the Best of the Super Juniors?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Mike Bailey: 6-2, 12 points
Lio Rush: 6-2, 12 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 6-2, 12 points
Titán: 5-3, 10 points
Taiji Ishimori: 5-3, 10 points [INJURED]
TJP: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
DOUKI: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA: 2-6, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-8, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
YOH: 6-2, 12 points
Master Wato: 6-2, 12 points
El Desperado: 6-2, 12 points
Robbie Eagles: 5-3, 10 points
Francesco Akira: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Clark Connors: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Kevin Knight: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Dan Moloney: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-6, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
BUSHI: 1-6, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
An awesome round here as BOSJ is almost at the end. Almost every match was important to the standings, but all matches were worth watching. Sho keeps cheating, but I appreciate how clever he and Evil are being in pretending to be honest, only to turn things back around and be underhanded again. But Kushida coming out with the win in the end was also great, he really needed that. A damn shame about Taiji getting legitimately hurt, now he really is out of the running. This changes things so that A Block has only four left when they could’ve had five, but it keeps them even with B Block.
Moloney bringing Eagles down was a touch of a surprise, and Eagles is the one in the worst spot of B Block’s final four. For one, he needs to beat Desperado. Then, he needs Yoh and Wato to lose. Yoh is against Kanemaru and Wato is against Knight, and either Kanemaru or Knight could get a spoiler in the end. But the way things are going, I feel like Yoh is the shoe-in. Wato needs to win and Eagles to beat Desperado since Desperado beat Wato. If Desperado wins, he’s the one joining Yoh in the semifinals.
Also I keep forgetting that it is actually a crisscross semifinals. A Block’s 1st place VS B Block’s 2nd Place, and then B Block’s 1st Place VS A Block’s 2nd. In A Block, Titan at 5-3 needs to win and for Mike Bailey to lose to get in. But he’s against LIJ teammate and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Hiromu, so I’m not sure that’s likely. As such, if Hiromu wins, he’s in no matter what, since he’ll have a better score than the loser of Mike VS Lio, while the winner of Mike VS Lio is of course in. This is big stuff befitting of the 30th anniversary, can’t wait to see it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will Eddy Thorpe continue to game the system?
Eddy Thorpe cried wolf, but he still got his shot at the NXT Championship. Will Trick Williams make Eddy regret tricking everyone into feeling sorry for him?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Axiom w/ Nathan Frazer VS Oba Femi; Oba wins.
- Sol Ruca & Zaria VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson; Lash & Jakara win.
- Jaida Parker w/ OTM VS Wren Sinclair w/ No Quarter Catch Crew; Jaida wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS Gallus; Frazer & Axiom win and retain the titles.
- NXT Championship: Trick Williams VS Eddy Thorpe; Double Pinfall Draw, Trick retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Axiom w/ Nathan Frazer VS Oba Femi!
The Undeniable Truth oddly thought he could teach The Ruler a lesson for brutalizing Nathan Frazer and the rest of the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge field, which is why he asked for this match. The irony is that Frazer asked for the NXT Tag Team Championship match we’ll be seeing later tonight! Will Axiom even survive the start of the show to join Frazer in that defense? Or will Oba be unstoppable on his way to New Year’s Evil?
The bell rings and Axiom stares Oba down. They feel things out, Axiom kicks at Oba, but Oba shrugs that off. The fans sing, “Oba’s gonna kill~ you!” Oba grabs at Axiom, Axiom kicks and scurries away, but Oba keeps after him. Axiom slips around to waistlock but Oba throws Axiom right off! Oba storms up on Axiom, knuckle locks with him, and powers Axiom into the corner. The ref counts, Oba lets off, and Axiom resets. The fans rally, the two circle, and Axiom kicks! And KICKS! Oba blocks a kick and he RAMS Axiom into a corner! The ref counts, Oba lets off slowly, but then Axiom CHOPS! Axiom dodges and CHOPS again!
Axiom eggs Oba on, the two circle again, and they knuckle lock. Oba blocks a kick, he trips Axiom, but Axiom kicks free. Axiom goes to ropes, Oba runs up, and Axiom holds the ropes down! But Oba stops from being dumped out! Oba stomps Axiom, then whips him to ropes. Axiom ducks ‘n’ dodges, goes up, but Oba CHOPS him on the back! Axiom flops to the outside while fans fire up and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Oba throws hands with Axiom. Oba CLUBS Axiom, then CLUBS him down! Axiom crawls but Oba CLUBS him again! Oba brings Axiom up, but Axiom blocks the shot! Axiom fights up, but Oba knees low! Axiom goes to a corner, Oba runs up, and Axiom BOOTS Oba away! Axiom tries again but Oba blocks, and Oba CHOPS! Oba puts Axiom up top, but Axiom fires hands! Axiom kicks Oba away, adjusts position, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Oba stumbles and falls back, but he gets to his feet. Axiom KICKS Oba’s leg again and again, then runs, to KICK it again! Axiom keeps moving, but Oba LARIATS Axiom inside-out! Cover, TWO!
Oba is annoyed but the fans rally up. Oba drags Axiom to his feet, just to YANK the bad arm! Oba YANKS the arm again, then CHOPS Axiom off his feet! Frazer is wincing as Axiom sits up in a daze. Oba brings Axiom up, wrenches, but Axiom SLAPS him! Oba swings, but into an ARMBAR- NO, Oba stays up! Oba deadlifts Axiom, puts him in a corner, and CHOPS again and again and again! Axiom flops down, the fans are torn, but Oba smiles all the same. Oba dares Axiom to get up, and Axiom stands to CHOP! And KICK! But Oba CHOPS Axiom down! Axiom rises, the fans rally, and Axiom fires fast hands!
Axiom KICKS but Oba CHOPS him down again! Axiom gets up and he roars! Axiom fires more shots, then dodges Oba’s to DROPKICK! Oba staggers, Axiom runs, and Axiom dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up and Axiom runs up to BUZZSAW! Oba flops over, Axiom covers, ONE!! Oba is seething as he rises, but Axiom BUZZSAWS, SUPERKICKS, and covers, TWO! Oba rolls to get Axiom right up! But Axiom RANAS in return! Cover, TWO!! Oba escapes but Axiom CALF KICKS Oba down! The fans fire up as Axiom rolls to ropes. Axiom rises, goes to the apron and then up the corner. Axiom aims again, MISSILE DROPKICK!
Axiom kips up and the fans fire up! Axiom aims from a corner, runs up, GOLDEN- SHOTPUT!! Oba turns things right around, and he storms right up on Axiom! FALL FROM GRACE!! Cover, Oba wins!
Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall
A valiant effort from Axiom, but the Iron Survivor is rolling on towards his golden opportunity. Will Oba do the same to whoever is NXT Champion come New Year’s Evil? Will Fraxiom be able to make it out of Lowell, Massachusetts still the NXT Tag Team Champions?
Backstage interview with Eddy Thorpe.
Sarah Schreiber is with the Alpha Wolf and says Eddy shocked the world when he admitted to staging an attack to take himself out of the Iron Survivor Challenge, only to get an NXT Championship match tonight against Trick Williams. What does he have to say for himself? Eddy says he is BRILLIANT. For all the know-it-alls out there, Eddy fooled everyone! And they want to say, “Eddy, how could you do that?!” Save it. If it was anyone else, they’d be called a mastermind or a genius. But Eddy does it, he’s a cheater?
Ava Raine storms in and she tells Eddy that he can spin it however he wants, but we all know Eddy took a shortcut. Unfortunately, the contract is signed, it is binding, and this match is happening. Eddy says it must hurt to take the blame for something you didn’t do. Do you know how many times Eddy was told, “Work smarter, not harder.” That’s all he did. Eddy would’ve gotten screwed in the Iron Survivor anyways. So call him whatever you want, but by the end of the night, you will call him the NEW NXT Champion! Eddy heads out, will he get what he wants? Or only what he deserves?
Karmen Petrovic talked with Dion Lennox.
She isn’t sure what to do about Ashante THEE Adonis. Dion says they’re friends, yeah? So as friends, he will say that her match with Nikkita Lyons, that was Adonis genuinely trying to help. He literally brought her flowers before the match and… Maybe she should apologize. Karmen says that’s true. She doesn’t know what it is, but she just gets so defensive around him. She will go apologize. She thanks him and they hug it out, but then Adonis walks over. Adonis misunderstands now and both Karmen and Dion defend it isn’t what it looks like. Adonis says why does he even try! Was that “just a hug?” Should he go hug all the other girls?
Robert Stone and Stevie Turner both see this, and they both get an idea, so they both head out. Adonis says the crazy thing is, he cut Nikkita off. But he might just text her now. And don’t even try to explain, Dion. Adonis storms off, Dion realizes he is stuck in the middle of this drama, and he has had it! He will just go back to reading books and minding his own business. But just how will this love story of Adonis and Karmen sort out?
Sol Ruca & Zaria VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson!
Speaking of the Iron Survivor Challenge, two women who were in it but didn’t win it are having to face a couple haters who think they would’ve done better. Will Ruca and the Agent of Change snatch some souls? Or will the Meta Girls make them slam on the brakes?
NXT returns and the Meta Girls make their entrance. The teams sort out and Jakara starts against Sol, and SHOTGUNS her right down! Jakara rains down fists, then brings Sol up. Jakara ROCKS Sol, whips her, then runs in, but Sol catches her! Sol spins around with Miss Jackson before the FACEBUSTER! Sol stands on Jakara, and she uses her to surf! Then she hops off to SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Sol brings Jakara up and around, but Jakara fires body shots! Jakara backs Sol down, tags Lash, and they whip to drop toehold and ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Lash clamps onto Sol with a waistlock and she thrashes her around!
Lash SLAMS Sol, brings her back up, but Sol switches. They go to ropes, Lash bucks the O’Conner but Sol kips up to ROCK Lash! Lash goes to a corner, Sol runs up, but Lash dumps her to the apron! Sol slingshots back in to CODE BREAKER! Lash staggers, Sol runs up again, but Lash picks Sol up! Lash TOSSES Sol, but Sol is closer to her corner! The fans fire up as Sol tags in Zaria! Lash and Zaria stare down and circle. Lash pushes first, then they tie up. Zaria whips Lash away but Lash RAMS her! Zaria comes back to RAM Lash! Lash rebounds to RAM Zaria, but Zaria dodges the boot! Zaria fireman’s carries, but Lash fights free!
Lash clamps onto Zaria’s neck, CHOKE- NO, Zaria slips free and kicks low! Zaria reels Lash in, but Lash fights the suplex! Zaria fires hands, but Lash still fights! Lash wrenches and scoops, and the fans fire up as Lash spins and SLAMS! Lash runs, but Zaria avoids the splash! Tag to Sol, and Zaria sends her in, Sol RANAS Lash out! Jakara runs up, Sol SUPERKICKS her! Sol goes up a corner while Zaria fireman’s carries Jakara! Sol & Zaria work together for Sol to STAND on Jakara, HIGH TIDE CROSSBODY onto Lash! The fans go nuts, but then Zaria adds on by THROWING Jakara onto Lash! Sol & Zaria stand tall while NXT goes to break!
NXT returns again and Lash has SOl up with both hands! The fans fire up as Lash then lets Sol down, but Sol dodges the lariat to sunset flip! Lash waves and leans back, then stands back up! Lash drags Sol up and throws her to the corner! Sol dodges Lash to roll her, TWO! Lash ROCKS Sol and Sol flops against ropes! Lash brings Sol around, tags Jakara, and the Meta Girls mug Sol! Jakara CHOPS Sol, then Lash feeds her to Jakara’s underhooks! BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Jakara swaggers, taunts Zaria, then handspring ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Jakara is annoyed but she clamps onto Sol with a straitjacket stretch!
The fans rally up while Sol endures, and Sol fights up. Jakara kicks the legs out to then trap them, and Jakara bends Sol back against the knees! Sol endures, gets her feet free, and she rolls back to have a cover! TWO as Jakara lets go, and then Jakara fires hands! Jakara whips Sol but Sol BLASTS Lash! Sol goes up and over Jakara but Jakara waistlocks. Sol switches, O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Sol hurries but Jakara has her foot! Sol hops up, ENZIGIRI but Jakara ducks! Jakara talks smack on Zaria, but Sol wrenches Jakara for a ROUNDHOUSE! Jakara staggers, Sol crawls, hot tag to Zaria!
The fans fire up as Zaria LARIATS Jakara! And BOOTS her! And then waistlocks for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Jakara flounders around while the fans fire up, and Zaria runs to SPEAR! Cover, Lash breaks it! The fans boo but Lash and Zaria stare down. The ref stops them from fighting, but Jakara CHOP BLOCKS Zaria! Lash tags in, and she hauls Zaria up. But Zaria fights the suplex to try a suplex! Lash fights that, and the fans rally as Lash and Zaria fight for control! Zaria powers through and she suplexes Lash up and over! Tag to Sol, SPRINGBOARD SPLASH! cover, Jakara breaks it and DROPKICKS Zaria at the same time!
But Sol gets Jakara with an X-FACTRO! Lash DECKS Sol! Zaria runs in but Lash dodges! Zaria stops short of hitting Sol! They both understand, and Sol pushes Zaria aside to take the BOOT! Zaria fireman’s carries, but Jakara saves Lash! Lash LARIATS Zaria up and out! Lash opens the way for Jakara to DIVE! Down goes Zaria! Lash brings Sol around, bow ‘n’ arrow rack, LASH EXTENSION!! Cover, META GIRLS WIN!
Winners: Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson
The tag team comes through against two big singles stars, and you can bet The Meta Four’s ego is only going to grow. Will the Bougie Bully & Miss Jackson find their way back to some championship opportunities?
NXT shares footage from after last week’s show.
After their loss to Hank ‘n’ Tank, Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont regrouped backstage. Tyriek is getting sick of losing. Tyson says they’ll get ’em next time. What Tyson wants to know is, what was that about? What was what about? They lost! Yeah, but Tyriek blew off Hank ‘n’ Tank. So!? Tyriek doesn’t care about them! He is tired of being buddy buddy when that’s gotten them nowhere! They want to make it to the top! Or did Tyson forget that? Tyson didn’t forget. Tyriek says it is about checks ‘n’ championships, wins ‘n’ losses. Tyson says yeah, he gets that, but there’s a way to do that without coming off disrespectful or like a sore loser.
Tyson says they need to change the mindset. Wes Lee is hearing all this, and he asks, “Does he, though?” Wes doesn’t see what’s wrong with Tyriek’s thinking. Maybe it’s Tyson who needs to reevaluate. Wes says this place is cutthroat, and friends are overrated. Keep that same energy, it’ll take you places you wanna go. Wes and Tyriek fist bump, but who is in the wrong about how to deal with losses?
Jaida Parker w/ OTM VS Wren Sinclair w/ No Quarter Catch Crew!
Miss Parker may have lost in the Underground, but she’s taking it out on the woman who won that Last Chance Fatal 4 instead of her. Will Wren pay for simply being in the right place at the right time?
NXT returns and Wren makes her entrance. The bell rings, Wren tries to reason with Jaida, but Jaida pushes her! And pushes her again! Wren goes for a leg, Jaida CLUBS her down! Jaida whips Wren to a corner, runs up, but Wren ELBOWS her away! Wren BOOTS Jaida, then rams her into the ropes. Jaida uses the ropes to HOTSHOT Wren away, then she throws Wren into ropes! Jaida CHOPS away on Wren, then goes side to side, for the TEARDROP! Jaida is high stepping already, then she brings Wren up. Jaida suplexes for the FALCON ARROW! Cover, ONE!! Wren shows some grit but Jaida is right on her.
Jaida whips Wren, then Jaida RAMS her! Jaida backs off, runs in again, but Wren dodges! Wren waistlocks but Jaida fights the lift. Wren shifts to a full nelson! Jaida endures as Wren thrashes, and Jaida powers her way to switch the full nelson onto Wren! The fans are torn but Jaida spins Wren around to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Jaida clamps onto Wren with chicken wings, and the fans rally as Jaida shifts to a motorcycle stretch. Jaida steps over and sits on Wren! Wren endures being folded up, and the fans rally as Wren fights up! Wren grabs Jaida’s leg, but Jada CLUBS her down! Jaida brings Wren up and thrashes her around with a facelock!
Wren endures, wrenches out, and she ROCKS Jaida! Jaida ROCKS Wren! The forearms go back and forth, then Jaida CHOPS! Jaida SLAPS Wren, talks trash, but NQCC says fight back! Wren CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Wren LARIATS! And CLOBBERS Jaida, and then BASEMENT BULLDOGS her! Wren tells Jaida to get up, and she RAMS into her! Wren underhooks for a BUTTERFLY PLEX! Jaida writhes and flops out of the ring. OTM and NQCC jaw at each other, but Jaida trips Wren! It busts off for the boys and the fans fire up! OTM and NQCC brawl up the ramp and to the back!
Jaida fireman’s carries, Wren slips free and RAMS Jaida into the apron! Wren puts Jaida in, Jaida runs up, HIP- NO! ROLL-UP! TWO!! Jaida staggers up, but Wren has the GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!! Jaida powers out before the body scissors are on, BACK ELBOW! And then HIPNOTIC! Cover, Jaida wins!
Winner: Jaida Parker, by pinfall
Miss Parker gets her win back, but she still has to keep fighting if she wants to be a contender. How long must Jaida wait to get what she wants?
Tatum Paxley, Gigi Dolin & Shotzi Blackheart talk.
Tatum says they’re outcasts. Gigi says they’re loners. Shotzi says they’re badasses! Shotzi sees so much of herself in these two, especially because people stamp labels on them the moment they meet them. Tatum says Gigi & Shotzi saved her! They were the two friends she didn’t know she needed most. And now, Tatum doesn’t have to play alone anymore! Gigi says yes, but first, they take care of Fatal Influence. Jacy Jayne was Gigi’s best friend, until she wasn’t. And as much as Gigi despises Jacy, she knows everything about her. Jacy is stronger when she has someone by her side. Right now, that’s the champion, Fallon Henley, and her “new bestie,” Jazmyn Nyx.
Shotzi laughs at the irony, and Gigi says no one loves Jacy more than Jacy. Tatum says just like Fatal Influence did to her dolls, she’s gonna rip their heads off! Shotzi says “Dolls out, balls out!” And they won’t even see it coming. Except…
The Fatal Influence finishes watching this.
Jacy Jayne mockingly says, “Aw, how cute. The freaks of NXT all found each other. Too bad they don’t have what we have.” Fallon and Jazmyn agree. Those three don’t have the Influence’s style, aura, or unity as a team. Not to mention the Women’s North American Championship. But then in step Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn! The wicked witches say, “New name, same old Jacy Jayne.” And look, she managed to round up Fallon, and she even added a new little friend. Fallon asks what they’re even doing here. Jacy says they just seem to attract the freaks. Alba tells her to watch what she says. But what Isla thinks is there’s a lack of unity in Fatal Influence.
Jazmyn says she doesn’t know what Isla’s talking about. Well, when Alba & Isla look at Tatum, Gigi & Shotzi, that’s harmony. But these three? It is giving… turmoil. Jazmyn is confused, Jacy sarcastically laughs and says the witches see nothing. Fatal Influence leaves the “freaks” behind, but Isla & Alba say it’s so cute to see someone in denial. Will Fatal Influence fall apart under their own arrogance? Or can they last long enough to survive this nightmare before Christmas?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS Gallus!
Much like the Jersey Island Rocket pulled double duty at Deadline, the Undeniable Truth must now power through and fight to keep the titles. But can the best team in NXT today survive when neither of them is 100%? Or are Mark Coffey & Wolfgang about to put the Gallus Boys back on top?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see how much Fraxiom has left in the tank!
The teams sort out, Axiom starts against Mark but Frazer is worried already. Frazer tags in, he ties up with Mark, and Mark puts Frazer in a corner. The ref counts, Mark backs off, but then Frazer avoids the cheap shot! Frazer CHOPS, whips, but Mark reverses. Frazer goes up and over and handsprings away! The fans fire up, Mark runs up, but Frazer rolls him up! TWO, and Frazer arm-drags Mark to a wristlock! Mark fights up, Frazer wrenches, and Frazer ELBOW BREAKERS! Frazer reaches out but now Axiom is hesitant. That hesitation costs them as Mark RAMS Frazer! Mark whips and ELBOWS Frazer!
Tag to Wolfgang but Frazer fires hands! But Mark hooks Frazer, backslide, and Wolfgang drops a KNEE on Frazer’s face! Frazer has that face brace but it doesn’t do much in the way of protection! Wolfgang stomps away on Frazer, then has him in the ropes. The ref counts as Wolfgang thrashes Frazer, and then we get a glimpse of Luca Crusifino & Stacks watching backstage. Wolfgang YANKS Frazer up but Frazer lands on his feet! Frazer PELES Wolfgang, then DROPKICKS Mark! Hot tag to Axiom! The champs rally on Wolfgang with forearm after forearm! then a BASEMENT DDT! Mark runs up but into a SOBAT, KICK, and tilt-o-whirl RANA!
Mark tumbles out, Frazer regroups with Axiom, and they get moving! Frazer DIVES and down goes Mark! Axiom DIVES but Joe Coffey takes the hit for Wolfgang! Frazer DIVES to hit Mark again! Axiom gets moving, but his body gives out! Axiom flounders back up, Wolfgang runs in with a RAMPAGE SPEAR! Wolfgang runs up on Frazer, Frazer gets back, but Mark is there to APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans boo but Joe Coffey is all fire dup while NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Mark whips Axiom to the Gallus corner. Mark throws a body shot, but then Axiom fires forearm sin return! Axiom reaches out for Frazer but Mark whips him away. Axiom goes up, but Mark kicks the legs out! Axiom falls in a heap, Mark stomps him, then Mark tags Wolfgang. Gallus mugs Axiom, then CATAPULTS him into the BACKDROP! Axiom goes flying, Wolfgang hurries to cover, TWO! Wolfgang stays between Axiom and Frazer, then he kneels on Axiom while throwing down hands! The fans rally for Axiom but Wolfgang tortures the bad arm. Axiom fights up but Wolfgang whips him to the corner,
Tag to Mark and Mark ROCKS Axiom. Mark whips Wolfgang in but Axiom dodges! Wolfgang hits buckles, Axiom leaps over Mark, hot tag to Frazer! Frazer springboards to AX HANDLE Mark! Frazer BLASTS Wolfgang, then CHOPS Mark! Frazer whips, Mark reverses but Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Mark! Frazer dodges again, QUEBRADA DDT! Wolfgang is back but Frazer TOSSES him back out! RUNNING SHOOTING STAR onto Mark! Cover, TWO! Joe is relieved but Frazer hurries to a corner. Frazer drags himself up to springboard, but Mark moves! Frazer handsprings through, comes back, SLINGBLADE!
Frazer goes right up top this time, FROG SPLASH! Cover, Wolfgang breaks it! The fans rally up while Frazer brings Mark up. Mark wrenches out, ROCKS Frazer, and tags Wolfgang! Wolfgang scoops Frazer, ENZIGIRI POWERSLAM COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Frazer survives but Wolfgang tags Mark. Mark tags Wolfgang back in, and they haul Frazer up. HALF NELSON BACKBREAKER from Mark, and Wolfgang adds the HOWLING SWANTON! Cover, AXIOM BREAKS IT! The fans fire up again and Joe is beside himself! The fans cheer for “NXT! NXT!” but Wolfgang fireman’s carries Frazer. Mark runs, into a GOLDEN RATIO!
Frazer fights to sunset flip Wolfgang, TWO!! Wolfgang is free but Frazer jumps on for a SLEEPER! Wolfgang stays on his feet, Axiom takes aim! Wolfgang ducks in time, GOLDEN RATIO hits Frazer!! Axiom panics, Wolfgang drags him into a CATAPULT, DESTROYER for Mark!! Wolfgang KNEES Axiom out of the ring! Frazer hops on, POISON-RANA!! The fans are thunderous as all four men are down, and Joe has no idea what to make of this! Joe shouts to Wolfie to get up, but Frazer has him first. Wolfgang and Frazer fire hands, but then Wolfgang blocks a kick! But not the DRAGON WHIP! Frazer runs up, but Wolfgang FLAPJACKS him off buckles!
Wolfgang LARIATS Frazer down, then goes up the corner! Wolfgang reaches the top, but Frazer is right after him! Axiom tags in! Wolfgang shoves Frazer away, but Frazer backflips through! GAMANGIRI! Axiom goes up now, and he brings Wolfgang to the very top! SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Frazer tags back in before both men climb! Axiom aims, to SWANTON onto the Coffey Brothers! Frazer PHOENIX SPLASHES!! Cover, FRAXIOM WINS!!
Winners: Nathan Frazer & Axiom, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
At less than 100% total, against the THREE members of Gallus, Nathan Frazer & Axiom survive another title defense! But how can these two keep going when the rest of the NXT Tag Division is closing in?
Je’Von Evans talks with Hank ‘n’ Tank.
The Young OG tells the Blue Collar Belly Boys that they got a huge win over Tyriek & Tyson last week. Hank says same for Je’Von over Wes. Je’Von says hear him out. For 2025, Hank ‘n’ Tank: NXT Tag Team Champions! They love the sound of that! But they’re just trying to keep up with Je’Von. Well, thinking about it, Je’Von debuted in April, got respect from the Mad Dragon, won a battle royal, and his first PLE match was Heatwave in the main event. He took on Randy Orton, got to wrestle in the ECW Arena, met X-Pac, and… ALMOST won Iron Survivor. Yeah, that is a great year! Je’Von is on fire!
But then Ethan Page, disheveled and depressed, pushes right past them all. They’re not sure what to make of All Ego’s zero energy, but what is Ethan to do if he’s still going to be NXT?
Lexis King trains with Charlie Dempsey.
The Drama King says he’s ready to earn that Heritage Cup match. Dempsey says okay, and he brings out a deck of cards. King asks why, are they gonna play poker? No, this is called a Deck of Cards Workout. They keep going until there are no cards left. Just try and keep up. Five of clubs, that means you double it, ten reverse Hindu pushups. Ready? They get to work, go through the deck, and we get a montage of the pushups, the jumping squats, the mace swings, the walking neck bridge, and repeat. Dempsey is actually impressed. King says no shortcuts, no cheating, just old fashioned hard work.
Dempsey says he’ll keep the promise. They’re gonna have that Heritage Cup Championship match. They shake on it, but will the real work begin when the bell rings?
Ethan Page walks out to the ring.
He has a mic and is already apologizing as he interrupts the show. He just needs to get this off his chest. Ethan says everyone has every right to boo him, which they’re doing. Honestly, this is the same energy he’s been getting at home the last couple weeks, he deserves it. Ethan doesn’t think anyone understands the journey he’s been through to get to NXT. They don’t know the promises he made to his family. He promised his daughter that he would “win the big one.” And he did. He did it in NXT, he became NXT Champion. Not only did he become champion, he did it in record time. Faster than Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Sami Zayn. Ethan made history!
Ethan went through 18 YEARS of Hell to keep that promise, and he did it. The fans do applaud that. Ethan says he did it for her, for his son, for his wife, and fine, if the fans wanna boo, if the fans wanna cheer, that’s fine, they paid for their ticket. But right now, Ethan just wants to talk to his wife. Ethan says, “Without you, Viviana, there is no Ethan Page. I wouldn’t be standing in this ring. These lights would not be on me. These cameras would not be on me. These people would not be having the time of their lives what-ing me without you! Let them do what they want, I got to live my dream because of you.
“And that’s the part that rips me apart. I did it. But now every time I lose, you lose. My daughter loses, my son loses, the people that blindly supported me, they lose! When I come home and my daughter looks through my gear bag, and she’s looking for that NXT Championship and she’s empty handed… When I’m on the road and my wife sends me videos of my son crying because I can’t win… And the worst part is when I come home and I see the look in my wife’s eyes of disappointment. That’s the part that’s eating me alive. I don’t know if I love this anymore. And to be honest with everybody… I’ve just lost my smile.”
Lowell boos Ethan using that line in particular, but Ethan says they can mock him for being emotional. But this job- Je’Von makes his way out here? Je’Von says he just wanted to come out here and apologize for what he’s said back there. Je’Von saw how Ethan was, and it doesn’t feel good hearing about other people’s accomplishments. Because see, that’s all we’ve heard from Ethan since he got here. All Ego did this, All Ego did that. He walked in here all cocky. But Ethan, that isn’t really you, is it? Je’Von knows the real Ethan Page. Hear him out, really. Je’Von saw the real Ethan at Heatwave. It wasn’t what he did in the match, it’s what he did after.
Ethan won the NXT Championship, and he looked at his wife and kids and said, “I love you.” Je’Von wants to be real with Ethan. Not everyone can do that. The joy Ethan had when he saw his family after that, saw his wife and kids, the SMILE that he had wasn’t just some regular smile. That was a proud dad smile. That was a proud husband smile. That was a smile from someone that has been busting his ass for 18 LONG YEARS to get where they deserve to be. That smile came from Ethan. The fans cheer that! Je’Von says Ethan deserves to be here. The FANS know Ethan deserves to be here! The fans cheer that, too!
From now on, drop All Ego, let’s see the real Ethan Page! The proud dad, the proud husband, the REAL Ethan. And if no one else will say it, Je’Von will say it: he’s proud of Ethan. NXT is proud of Ethan! Look at him, man. They’re all proud of Ethan, and Je’Von means that from the heart. The fans cheer and Ethan isn’t sure what to say. Ethan thanks Je’Von, and says yeah, Je’Von is right. That made it all so clear to Ethan. Ethan shouldn’t be so worried about losing his smile. He should worry about taking Je’Von’s! ETHAN DECKS JE’VON!! The fans boo as Ethan rains down fists on Je’Von! Ethan storms out of the ring, grabs a chair, and storms back in!
The fans boo while Ethan scares off refs! Ethan puts the chair around Je’Von’s head!! Ethan says if Je’Von wants the real Ethan, here it is! Ethan STOMPS the chair!! Je’Von is immediately spitting up blood!! The fans boo, but Ethan took everyone’s kindness and threw it away in the trash! Will All Ego do whatever he has to in order to take over NXT?
Backstage interview with Trick Williams.
Sarah Schreiber is with the NXT Champion and says that moments before his main event match, he is really charged up. Trick says first thing’s first, nothing but well wishes and prayers for Je’Von after what Ethan just did to him. But to Eddy Thorpe, we saw how he lied his way into this match. Eddy gets what he wants, but so does Trick. The first time Trick won this title, he was happy just to win it. This time is different. He’ll prove all the doubters wrong and prove himself right by showing he IS the man around here! Tonight, we are in Lowell, Massachusetts, the home of hard work and getting the job done.
So while Trick may not have a Boston accent, he has the fighting spirit of Mickey Rourke! But Oba Femi walks over to say good luck. Whoever wins faces Oba next. And for what it is worth, Oba hopes it is Trick that wins. Because in three weeks, New Year’s Evil in LA, Oba will take this title from someone. And he hopes it is Trick. Trick tells Oba that he’s also looking forward to it. The Ruler awaits, will Trick whoop Eddy as an example of what happens when you doubt him?
Stephanie Vaquer speaks.
“Cora, you think I’m just another threat that you can get rid of. But you don’t know me. I didn’t become the best luchadora in the world overnight. La Primera (the first/the best) worked tirelessly to get here after years of hard work. But Cora arrived here first. She signed in 2021 and became the representation of the new era of NXT. Meanwhile, I went out into the world to face great challenges that made me stronger. Now, I am here. I got where I wanted. I found my way. And I will be everything Cora wants to be. Next week, Cora, I will take you to Hell.” Vaquer and Cora battle on Christmas Eve, will it be not so merry and bright for the Generation of Jade?
BREAKING NEWS for Christmas Eve NXT!
With Fraxiom once again surviving, that means we need new challengers! It will be OTM, NQCC, Hank ‘n’ Tank AND The D’Angelo Family in a Christmas Chaos Fatal 4 Way #1 Contenders match! Who wins themselves some golden tickets for Christmas?
NXT Championship: Trick Williams VS Eddy Thorpe!
As it has been said, everyone got tricked by the fake whodunnit mystery. Trick wants to shut up the doubters, but will he also dole out some justice? Or will the Alpha Wolf weasel his way to success yet again?
NXT returns once again and the fans fire up as Trick makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and with as much NXT history that’s been made here, time to make a little more!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Eddy runs up, Trick dodge and headlocks. Tricky hits a takeover but Eddy fights around. Trick denies the headscissor but Eddy fights up. Eddy throws body shots, whips, but Trick comes back to whip Eddy. Trick then redirects and CLOBBERS Eddy! And CLOBBERS him away! Trick whips, Eddy grabs ropes and he bails out! The fans boo but Trick goes to the ropes. Eddy trips Trick, but Trick BOOTS Eddy into the desk! Trick CLUBS Eddy, CHOPS him against railing, then CHOPS him again! The fans fire up while Eddy sputters. Trick puts Eddy in, runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Eddy hurdles!
Eddy CROSSBODIES Trick down, then runs up to kitchen sink knee! Eddy KICKS Trick in a corner, then bumps him off buckles. Eddy KICKS, whips, but Trick reverses. POP-UP HAYMAKER! Eddy staggers up, into the LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Eddy stays in this but Trick stays on him, DROPKICK! Eddy flounders to ropes, Trick runs up, but Eddy ducks! Leg lariat turns into a bad landing on Trick’s willy! Eddy SHOVES Trick to the floor, the fans boo, and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns once more and Eddy hurries to kick Trick down. Eddy snapmares Trick, KICKS him in the back, then covers, TWO! Trick stays in this but Eddy snarls. Eddy drags Trick up, cravats for a neck wrench, but Trick endures. The fans rally as Trick fights up, only for Eddy to wrangle him back down. Trick fights up again, turns, but Eddy fires knees! Trick still powers out! Eddy knees low to suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Trick stays in this but he clutches that bad neck. Eddy frowns and he sits Trick up for another cravat. The fans rally, Trick fights up again, and Trick fires body shots. Trick ROCKS Eddy, then whips.
Eddy reverses, drops down, then hurdles. CROSS- FACEBUSTER! Trick turns things around in midair and both men are down! The fans rally up while Trick and Eddy stir. Eddy goes to ropes, Trick rises and he ROCKS Eddy! And he ROCKS Eddy again! Eddy staggers up but into a wrench, body shot, UPPERCUT, and then Trick runs to LEAPING LARIAT! The fans fire up as Trick then FLAPJACKS Eddy! Trick kips up and the fans fire up! Trick storms up on Eddy, has the arm, and cartwheels to ripcord BOOKEND! Cover, TWO! Eddy survives but Trick brushes that off. Trick aims at Eddy as Eddy rises and the fans rally up.
Trick fireman’s carries, Eddy slips free, and Eddy KICKS, KICKS, and SOBATS! Eddy GERMAN SUPLEXES Trick away, and the fans boo as Eddy storms back up. Eddy runs to TOMAHAWK ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Trick is still in this and Eddy grows frustrated. They go forehead to forehead as they rise up, and the fans rally up as they start throwing hands! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, and Trick gets the edge! Eddy wobbles, but he SOBATS! Eddy runs, but into Trick’s BOOT! Eddy PELES! Both men stagger, and Trick uses an EDDY GORDO KICK! Eddy Thorpe wobbles, into the turn, but he slips through!
Eddy uses a BACK2BACKBREAKER! Trick writhes but Eddy hauls him up! Trick RAMS Eddy into the corner! Trick swings, but Eddy ducks under! Eddy brings Trick out but Trick fights the German Suplex! Trick switches, fireman’s carries, and hits a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The hair comes down and Trick brings Eddy up! Whip and pop-up, but Eddy catches Trick! Facelock, IMPALER DDT but the ref gets taken out by the swing! The fans fire up, Eddy covers, there’s no one to count! The fans count, Eddy would’ve had this three times over! Eddy shouts at the ref to get up, another ref hurries out here! Trick rolls Eddy, TWO!!!
Eddy escapes in time, he shoots around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Trick ends up in a corner, BOOT from Eddy! Eddy keeps moving, ANOTHER BOOT! Eddy keeps moving, but into a TRICK SHOT!! Trick falls on Eddy, but Eddy’s got an arm on Trick! Both refs count a cover, THREE! But who wins?! Each ref saw one guy pinning the other, so who really had this fall? Ava comes out here to try and reason this out, each ref has a guy they’re saying won! Is it Trick? Eddy? Both? Neither? What a conundrum for Christmas! But as NXT goes off the air, social media catches Ava declaring this is a DRAW, Trick RETAINS the title!
Double Pinfall Draw; Trick is still NXT Champion
Lowell cheers but Eddy is pissed! A double pinfall draw and there’s no overtime for Eddy!? HBK hurries out here to try and cool Eddy off, but Eddy SHOVES HBK! Trick storms over and SMACKS Eddy! They fight into the ring, Trick dodges Eddy and hits the TRICK KICK! Eddy flops back out of the ring, has justice been served?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT here, but there was a lot that indicated they’re going to tape the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve episodes. Which is great, really, because the superstars deserve to have the holidays off so they can be with family or even just take it easy for a couple weeks. We got great hype packages throughout the show, especially at the beginning to remind us of NXT’s history in Lowell, Massachusetts. There was also a great one to remind us of the great lineage behind the NXT Women’s Championship, perhaps as foreshadowing for Giulia taking the title from Roxanne Perez for New Year’s Evil.
Good promo from Vaquer to call out Cora, they’ll have a very fun match. Good promos from Tatum’s trio and the Fatal Influence, and adding Alba & Isla to it is great stuff. That is long term story telling right there, with how Alba & Isla knew Tatum had her twisted side back when Tatum was trying to be buddies with Ivy Nile and Diamond Mine. That’s how long ago it was. That said, we’ll get a great Six Woman Tag, and at the very least, Gigi VS Fallon for the Women’s North American Championship. Maybe they even escalate things to another Six Woman Ladder Match, but they might be holding onto that idea for Stand & Deliver: Las Vegas in April.
Very good promo from Tyriek, Tyson and Wes. I hope Ty & Ty stick together, but then that would require Tyson pulling the same move as Johnny Gargano and join his Heel partner in being a Heel. But at the same time, we almost got nothing from Ty & Ty on TV so we need to see them more. And then brilliant stuff with Ethan Page and Je’Von Evans. The seed was planted having Je’Von excitedly push past Ethan as everyone was arriving, and then Je’Von getting hyped with Hank ‘n’ Tank was a great way to bring Ethan back around. Plus, what’s not to like about HBK handing down “I lost my smile” to Ethan here. Je’Von did great in his part after that, and then they did a great job with the fake blood from Je’Von’s mouth.
Another good promo from the Karmen-Adonis romcom, and I like that Dion just wants out of it. Lexis King and Charlie Dempsey doing their workout was good, but it also seemed like fanservice for the ladies. Their Heritage Cup match should be some great stuff, but at this point, shouldn’t Lexis win? Why go through the trouble of reforming him and giving him this second chance if Dempsey retains? Very good match from Jaida and Wren, but a lot of it was of course so we’d get OTM VS NQCC. Though, they stepped it up and made it a Fatal 4 Way so that match is going to be awesome.
Very good tag match from Zaria & Sol VS Lash & Jakara, and while I was surprised Meta Four won, I shouldn’t be. NXT logically let the established team that’s been doing stuff together for much longer beat the two singles stars who haven’t. Axiom VS Oba was great, but of course Oba won. Oba has his momentum going into New Year’s Evil, and that result put the pressure on Axiom & Frazer for their title match. Great sell from Axiom, I believe he “fell over” during the team entrance. And of course great match with Gallus, but I was legit surprised Fraxiom won. I feel like that hurts Gallus a bit, but with that Fatal 4, maybe the winner of that match finally takes the titles off Fraxiom.
And of course, more great stuff with the NXT Championship but also the story of Eddy Thorpe. Good promo from Eddy, and a good promo from Trick with Oba. Great match, and what a brilliant way to finish with the double pinfall. Those only watching TV ended up with a cliffhanger, but it was good to have this addressed tonight and then posted on social media. Eddy is about to get himself put up against Oba in one last tune-up after he shoved HBK like that. Trick VS Oba is going to be great, though, and I feel like Oba wins so Trick can move on to RawDown.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will Finn & JD (not) survive The War Raiders?
The Judgment Day survived Erik & Ivar last time, but now Finn & JD must defend the World Tag Team Championships without any help! Will the Prince lose everything tonight?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Ludwig Kaiser; Bron wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Raquel Rodriguez VS Kayden Carter VS Zoey Stark; Zoey wins and advances to the next round.
- WWE World Tag Team Championships: Finn Balor & JD McDonagh VS The War Raiders; The War Raiders win and become the new WWE World Tag Team Champions.
PLAY BY PLAY
CM Punk is here!
Boston, Massachusetts fires up as the Best in the World makes his way out, and he says, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME!” Punk high-fives fans on the ramp and in the front row as he makes his way to the ring. Punk grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, but he says careful, some people might get mad when you chant his name. “Not to call attention to people that don’t matter, but somebody that might get mad is the brave guy in the New York jersey over here.” The fans boo that man, but Punk says it takes balls to show up in Boston wearing a New York anything. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves!
“Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Boston or what?” The fans cheer that! Punk says he has to be honest, though, he’s feeling a little low. He is in a bit of a bad mood. Two weeks ago, in this ring, face to face, Punk told Seth Rollins, after Rollins said he spends a lot of time thinking of Punk, that Punk told Rollins he doesn’t think of Rollins at all! But over the course of the past two weeks, his mind did wander back to Rollins, and that put Punk in a bad mood. Because Rollins is right: Whatever this is between them, as much as Punk wants to sidestep it, put it in the past, even completely avoid it, it’s only a matter of time before they lock up in this ring.
Punk is also upset because something he very much enjoy doing, which is coming to this ring, mic in hand, and talking to his people, will always be overshadowed by the fact that every time he does it, he knows at some point… “That stupid music is going to hit.” Fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH!” and Punk says yeah, that’s the one. And Rollins is gonna tiptoe on out here in those stupid clogs like the Purple Pie Man from Porcupine Peak, laughing and looking like Liberace. And no, for the sensitive types, that’s not an insult. Punk happens to think Liberace is cool as Hell. What he’s saying, Seth, if you wanna interrupt him before he says it…
Rollins may wear Elton John’s sunglasses, that doesn’t make Rollins Elton John. And just because Rollins grew up idolizing Punk, putting on a pair of wrestling boots does not make you CM Punk! The fans chant for Punk and Punk says Rollins came out here, with a straight face, and told us all Punk “ghosted” him. And that’s true. But Punk isn’t going to litigate the past. HE looks to the future. And “lil’ bro” Rollins isn’t that future, but it seems they’re on a collision course. Rollins wants to paint a picture that Punk is bad. Fine, Punk will be the bad guy. Boston, show of hands: Have you ever been “the bad guy” in your life?
C’mon, now. Boston Bad Boys? Bean Town? Where are ya? Punk owns being the bad guy, but that’s because there’s no such thing as a bad student, just bad teachers. Rollins is CM Punk’s failure. That 16-year-old kid that wanted training, Punk will do it all over again. So if Rollins wants to interrupt, Punk will give Rollins that free lesson he wanted. But hold on, ladies and gentlemen. If Rollins wants to give Punk some shoes to fill, he will fill them. The bad news is, the last guy who did that was Drew McIntyre. Ask yourself the question: Are you tougher than Drew McIntyre? You might think you are, but Boston knows that you’re not!
And one think Punk knows beyond the shadow of a doubt: There’s not enough staples to put Rollins back together after Punk’s done with him. Oh, that doesn’t piss him off enough? Well, here’s something that will. It is the same thing that’s pissed Rollins off the 7 YEARS Punk was gone from here. It is hearing that during Rollins’ time, the world chant Punk’s name! The fans loudly chant “C M PUNK!” but then Rollins joins in! Where is he, though? Punk looks, a spotlight finds him, and Rollins is up in the bleachers! Rollins gets the fans to keep going while he goes step by step.
Rollins says, “Life is about perspective! And I thought, maybe if I came out here, I saw you the way these people see you, it might give me a new perspective. It might make me feel differently about who you are. So if you don’t mind, lemme take a good, hard look here.” Rollins squints as he looks at the ring. No, even from way out here, Punk’s still an a-hole. The fans go nuts hearing that and Punk says while he’s overjoyed Rollins didn’t come out here with that stupid song, this is the first time where Rollins is coming from the right spot. He belongs in the audience with the rest of the fans!
Oh, Punk thinks this embarrasses Rollins? It doesn’t embarrass him to be with the people. Rollins is a fan, he will always be a fan of WWE, even when Punk abandoned WWE and hoped it would die without him. Rollins put WWE on his back and made it stronger than it ever was! If anyone’s embarrassed, it is Punk! Because this “Fan” has more WrestleMania main events than Punk ever will! And that is FACT, Phil! Punk storms out of the ring, and he meets Rollins at the barrier! They brawl and the fans fire up! Rollins RAMS Punk, Punk turns things around, but producers rush out here, along with security and refs!
Boston wants to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Punk LEAPS off barriers to get at Rollins! They scrap on the ground, Adam Pearce gets them separate, and the fans boo. But Rollins breaks free to LEAP off the steps! They brawl more, Punk and Rollins are fuming, but then they go into the ring! They throw hands fast ‘n’ furious, and the fans love it! Refs and producers hurry in there but Boston still wants to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Punk is dragged out of the ring, Rollins is kept inside, but Punk grabs a chair! Rollins gets out, Punk drops the chair, Rollins picks up the chair, and producers continue to herd Punk away.
The fans boo but we all know this is inevitable. Wait, Rollins leaps over barriers to cut Punk off at the pass! The fans are thunderous as the fists fly again! Pearce only has so many refs and producers to stop this, and it takes them and the security to get these two to finally stop. Punk has Boston on his side, but will we see this go down in the near future?
Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.
Finn Balor still seethes over his Saturday Night’s Main Event loss, but Liv Morgan says she listened to Finn, and she did win! But why didn’t it work for Finn himself? Finn is just wondering where they all were on Saturday when he was left 2v1! Aren’t they a team? Liv says the group believed in him, they didn’t he needed the help. Plus, JD was focusing on the War Raiders, as he was asked. And well, Liv isn’t trying to tell Finn what to do, but Finn should try doing the same. The rest of the group is banned from ringside tonight, after all. But hey, don’t worry, Finn & JD have everything under control just like always, right?
And just like Raquel has her Triple Threat under control tonight. Because when we listen to Finn, we win. So, so much luck to Finn & JD! They’re gonna kill it! Finn thanks Liv for that, and Liv says she has something special for Dom & Raquel, let’s go get it. They head out, and Finn is back to seething. Will The Prince and his Irish Ace be able to survive with their gold? Or will it be lil’ sis Liv that holds all the power in the clubhouse?
Seth Rollins storms around backstage.
But Adam Pearce tells him to stop walking away from him. What was that out there?! What does Pearce mean, what was that? Pearce should listen to ROLLINS for once! He wants this fight! He wants the world to see this is the biggest fight they can put on! Pearce knows what to do, so he needs to make it happen stat! Pearce says if the two of them would stop trying to pull each other’s eyes out for ten minutes, maybe he could! Just give it a rest so Pearce can do his job! Yeah, do your job, Pearce! DO YOUR JOB! Pearce laves, but McIntyre steps in.
McIntyre says Rollins once told him, when it comes to Roman Reigns and The Bloodline, he just needed to “get over it.” Not so easy when it’s staring you in the face, is it? Did Rollins hear what Roman had to say last Friday? Once Roman vanquishes Solo Sikoa, the world will have no choice but to once again acknowledge him. Roman is the same person. Everyone is fooled except Rollins and McIntyre. And they both know that everyone enabling Roman needs to be taken out. That includes Jey, Sami, Jimmy, and ends with Roman. Rollins laughs and says yeah, McIntyre thinks they have this common cause and that makes them friends.
Rollins already took Roman out of power back at WrestleMania. And y’know who was by his side when they did that? Jey and Sami! They’re Rollins’ friends. McIntyre is not Rollins’ friend. Common interests don’t make friendships, friendships are made from respect. Rollins respects Sami, he respects Jey, but McIntyre…? Well, jury’s out there. So if he doesn’t mind, Rollins is going to do something that McIntyre couldn’t, and that’s end CM Punk. Rollins leaves, but will the Scottish Terminator only add him to the hit list?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Ludwig Kaiser!
While Survivor Series saw these two put on a banger with Sheamus, it is time for these two second-generation superstars to settle their score. Will Boston be barking with the Badass? Or will the Impeccable German follow in Der Ring General’s footsteps?
Raw returns and Bron makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly championship material!
The bell rings and Kaiser runs up, but Braon RAMS him into a corner! Bron RAMS into Kaiser again and again but lets off as the ref counts. Bron then whips corner to corner, and Kaiser stumbles forward, into an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Bron storms up on Kaiser but Kaiser fires hands! Kaiser storms up but Bron fires body shots! Bron wrenches and smothers Kaiser in a corner, the ref counts, and Bron steps off. Bron whips corner to corner but Kaiser reverses. Kaiser runs up, blocks a boot, “NEIN!” SLAP! Bron just scowls, and he TACKLES Kaiser! Bron rains down fists, then he doesn’t get why people slap him!
Bron whips, Kaiser reverses but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and LARIATS! The fans bark it up for Bron already while Kaiser bails out. Bron lets Kaiser think about what he’s done while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kaiser has Bron in a double wristlock. Bron powers up and out but Kaiser KICKS back! Bron LARIATS Kaiser! The fans fire up while Kaiser goes to a corner. Bron storms up on Kaiser, the fans fire up, and Bron rains down fists! Boston counts along all the way to nine, then Bron winds up, for TEN! The fans cheer while Kaiser staggers. Bron dodges Kaiser, catches him and POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Bron stays cool while he stalks Kaiser to ropes. Kaiser KICKS Bron from below! Kaiser goes back for the arm, but Bron scoops! Bron SLAMS Kaiser, then shakes out the bad arm.
Bron storms back up on Kaiser, but Kaiser CLAWS Bron’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Kaiser then puts Bron on ropes. Kaiser lets off at 4, but KICKS the ropes to jam up that arm! The fans boo but Kaiser’s homed in on a target. Kaiser stands Bron up, reels him in, but Bron suplexes first! Kaiser flops out of the ring, only for Bron to go to the apron! Bron aims, leaps, FLYING LARIAT onto and over the desk! Boston barks it up for Bron but that might’ve been double-edged for Bron. Both men rise up, and Bron brings Kaiser around to the ring. Bron puts Kaiser in the ring, checks his left arm, and rolls inside.
The fans rally up as Bron storms over to Kaiser, and Bron hoists Kaiser up top. Bron then climbs up after Kaiser, but Kaiser CLAWS eyes! Kaiser wrenches and WRINGS the bad arm out! Bron writhes, Kaiser pushes Bron around, and Kaiser stomps away on the arm! The ref counts as Bron is in the ropes, but Kaiser stops at 4. Kaiser drags Bron into SHANKLY GATES! And he uses the ropes for leverage! The ref counts, Kaiser stops at 4 again, and Bron writhes on the mat. Kaiser soaks up the heat while he paces around. Bron rises up but Kaiser KICKS the bad arm! Kaiser stomps away again, but the ref counts.
Kaiser brings Bron up, traps the bad arm, and TWEAKS it! The fans rally for Bron, but Kaiser has the bad arm again. Kaiser wraps it around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Kaiser lets off, and then Kaiser runs to DROPKICK the arm! Bron falls in a heap and Boston boos Kaiser while Raw goes back to break.
Raw returns again and Kaiser has the double wristlock, but Bron powers him to ropes! The ref counts, Kaiser lets go and Bron fires haymakers! The ref counts and Bron stops, but mostly from his arm hurting. Kaiser hammerlocks to HOTSHOT the arm! Bron drops to his knees, Kaiser runs up to DOUBLE STOMP the arm! Kaiser then grabs the arm, KICKS it, and hauls Bron up again. Kaiser fires knees but Bron fires haymakers! Bron gets the edge, and he ROCKS Kaiser! Kaiser shoves Bron but Bron comes back, into an ARMBAR DDT! Kaiser covers, TWO! Bron survives but Bron has the top wristlock!
Bron endures as Kaiser leans on the hold. The fans rally and Bron fights up. Bron rises, the fans bark, and Bron fires more hands! Kaiser CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Kaiser runs, but into a JUMP KNEE! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Bron rises slowly and the barking gives him the strength to fire more shots! Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and FLYING ELBOWS! Kaiser falls, Bron rises, and Kaiser goes to a corner. The fans fire up as Bron storms over to hoist Kaiser up again. Bron climbs, but Kaiser fires body shots! Kaiser CHOPS away on the bad arm! Bron drops back, but he gets right up! The legs still work! SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!
Kaiser stays in this and Bron grits his teeth. Bron rises, goes to a corner, and he vows to end this! The fans fire up, Bron runs up, but Kaiser fireman’s carries! KAISER ROLL! Cover, TWO! Kaiser has Bron in the SHANKLY GATES!! Bron endures but the fans rally up! Bron fights up with his legs again, and he manages to RAM Kaiser to a corner! Bron is free, he gets moving, but Kaiser dodges! Bron hits buckles shoulder first! Bron falls to the apron and Kaiser kicks him to the floor. Bron is near the steps, and Kaiser grins. Kaiser goes out the side, builds speed, and fans boo as Kaiser runs in, but where’d Bron go!?
Bron is doing a lap! FLYING SHOULDER outta nowhere!! The fans are barking as loud as they can for Bron! Bron puts Kaiser in the ring, then starts running! Kaiser UPPERCUTS, runs, but into a fireman’s carry! GUT BUSTER DROP! The fans fire up as Bron brings down straps! Bron runs, runs and SPEARS!! Cover, Bron wins!!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Boston is all fired up as Bron proves he truly has that dog in him! Bron toughs it out, takes a bite out of Kaiser, and moves on with the title. Will anyone ever end this badass reign?
The New Day arrives backstage.
They still don’t get why everyone hates them. And then they cross paths with Rey Mysterio. Oh, wow, he’s not gonna let them into the locker room? Rey says it isn’t just him. It is everyone else in there. Whoa, hold up. It is bad enough the fans are treating them like this, but Rey’s doing it, too? Ten YEARS of sharing a locker room, and no one has their back? Rey’s supposed to be a locker room leader, he should do something! Rey says he doesn’t know what to tell them, other than that they crossed a line with Big E. And Rey thinks it is best for New Day’s own good to find somewhere else to change.
Woods says wow. That’s fine. They didn’t wanna share a locker room with the others anyway. New Day rolls on, what will it take for them to get the message?
WWE shares footage from just after Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Kevin Owens brought about the controversy in his loss to Cody Rhodes when he wiped out two refs and brought in a chair. But even so, the Prizefighter was a sore loser, and he attacked Cody from behind! Then, even knowing the damage he’s done with that move to Randy Orton, he used a PACKAGE PILEDRIVER on Cody! The medical team got Cody on a backboard, but Kevin would STAND on Cody’s body, holding up the title belt like he’d won it. Cody was taken away to an ambulance, and social media had Triple H confronting Kevin, resulting in shoving and harsh words. What is the fate of the Undisputed Championship after Saturday night?
The War Raiders speak.
Erik says, “Tonight, we go to war with The Judgment Day. And for us, it’s more than just the tag titles on the line.” Ivar says, “When we first laced up our boots, the last thing on our minds was, ‘What could go wrong when the bell rings?'” Now, they know all too well. Erik tells us, “No one can describe the unbearable guilt when the strength hasn’t returned to your arms, and you can’t pick up your son.” Ivar says, “No one will tell you what it’s like to sit in a hospital bed and wonder if the nerve pain in your arms and your legs will go away.”
What happened to them should have ended their careers, but it didn’t! Ivar has walked out of the hospital TWICE. Erik held his newborn son. The Judgment Day tried to end them. They cheated the Raiders out of their glory once. But the Raiders are stronger than ever. Every match could be their last, but their moment HAS to be now! Erik’s sons have to know that all the pain and the damage was worth it. The only way to prove that is by bringing home the World Tag Team Championships. Erik & Ivar are ready, will nothing stop them now?
Backstage interview with Adam Pearce.
Cathy Kelley is with the Raw General Manager and says the Raw Netflix debut is highly anticipated already! There have been some rumblings of other matches set for that night, can Pearce give us any confirmation? Pearce says we’re in luck. One of the biggest nights in WWE history has just gotten bigger. After negotiating with representatives of both men, which were exasperated by tonight’s events, it is official! Raw’s Netflix debut in Los Angeles will have CM PUNK VS SETH ROLLINS! Cathy agrees, that big night just got bigger! The Best in the World and The Visionary finally have it out, but who will win on the biggest night in WWE history?
Liv Morgan, Dominik Mysterio & Raquel Rodriguez head to the ring!
The WWE Women’s World Champion has her “Daddy” Dom and her Big Mami Cool with her, and she is still the champion after overcoming Iyo Sky 1v1. Liv nuzzles noses with Dom before they get mics to speak. The fans boo as Dom is about to speak, but Liv pets him on the head to calm him down. The fans just boo louder. Dom tells everyone to please put your hands together to welcome the GREATEST Women’s World Champion of all time! Liv says the fans didn’t hear what Dom said, so she gets her megaphone! “I AM THE GREATEST WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION OF ALLLL~ TIIIIME~!”
Liv laughs but the fans boo more. Liv thanks Dom becuase without a shadow of a doubt, 2024 was the Year of Monday Night Morgan! Liv says be mad, because it’s just getting started. “There are a lot of historic changes happening in the WWE next year, and there is no one better, hotter, more iconic, and more dominant to lead this company to the future than me.” So if you think this year was something, just wait for- RHEA RIPLEY IS HERE! The fans fire up as Mami tells Liv that she’ll wanna stick around to hear what Rhea has to say. Liv says guess what? Nobody in this arena cares what-
Rhea tells Liv to shut the hell up!! This has gone on long enough. So it is time they settle this once and for all. The fans like the sound of that. Adam Pearce just made it official! Rhea is the #1 Contender to the Women’s World Championship! The fans fire up and Rhea tells Liv that she sees into the future. The only thing Liv can get excited about is the end of her title reign. Because Rhea will be the NEW Women’s World Champion! And all Liv will be left with his her “little chicken tender SLUT!” Dom catching strays, but when and where will Rhea look to rip that title away from Liv once and for all?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Jackie Redmond catches up with Rollins and brings up Pearce making it official. Rollins gets what he wants when it is him and CM Punk in Los Angel- SAMI IS GOING AFTER MCINTYRE! Sami wants payback for the sneak attacks and the loss at Saturday Night’s Main Event! The producers and refs rush in to stop this, but McIntyre vows to put Sami in a box! The hands keep flying, but clearly this won’t end without one more fight! When and where will we see Scottish Terminator and Honorary Uce settle the score?
Miz meets with The Final Testament.
The Hollywood A-Lister tells Paul Ellering & The Authors of Pain that he can’t say this enough, he has been so proud to team with them. Ellering is terrifying, Akam & Rezar are big and powerful, they don’t need Miz anymore. They don’t need anybody! Karrion Kross walks over and asks what they’re talking about. Just that they’re done with the Wyatts. They can all move on after beating the Wyatts. Miz and the Final Testament can go their separate ways. Kross tells Miz to stop right there. What the Wyatts did to Ellering and to Scarlett, this whole thing isn’t over until Kross says it’s over. Miz wants to speak but Kross stops him again.
Kross says they’ve just been reactionary to The Wyatts. Now, it is time to take the first strike. Remember the guy who kidnapped and tortured Miz? D-Dexter Lumis…? Yes. Miz is going to face him next week on Monday Night Raw. Miz isn’t gonna do that. Oh yes he is. Ellering says the way he sees it, Ellering has saved Miz twice. Miz owes them. Kross says Miz can just go to Pearce and get the match made. But as a reminder: Miz has won 22 championships in the WWE. Miz can do this. Rezar pats Miz on the back, and Miz says he’ll go talk to Pearce. Miz heads out, and Rezar asks if Kross really thinks Miz can take Lumis.
Kross says honestly, he doesn’t know. But they’re going to test The Wyatts. And Miz will learn a very valuable lesson: When you make a deal with the devil, you don’t run out on him. Kross leaves, and that last part may have been pointed at Ellering & AOP, too. Will Kross keep control of everything? Or is he the one messing with forces beyond his comprehension?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Raquel Rodriguez VS Kayden Carter VS Zoey Stark!
While Liv still has her world title, Big Mami Cool is hoping to join her as the inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Championship. But will she make it through the Pinay Party Girl and the Sin City Superstar? Or will one of them be the David to Raquel’s Goliath?
Raw returns and Kayden makes her entrance. The bell rings and Kayden runs up on Zoey! Raquel THROWS Kayden aside to then TOSS Zoey! Zoey and Kayden end up in a corner, Raquel runs up to SPLASH them both! Raquel fireman’s carries but Kayden slips fere! Kayden KICKS, KICKS, but Raquel CLOBBERS her! Cover, Zoey breaks it! Zoey fires hands on Raquel, the fans are torn, but Zoey runs up at Kayden Kayden dodges to then go up, and MONKEY FLIP! Zoey lands out! Zoey SYUPERKICKS Kayden, then slips around Raquel to DDT! Raquel flounders, Zoey runs up on Kayden, but Kayden KCIKS!
Kayden knuckle locks and CHOPS Zoey, to then go up, up and jump around to FLYING RANA Raquel! But Zoey fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Kayden survives but Zoey brushes that off. Zoey follows Kayden to the apron, but Raquel is there, too! Kayden ducks and the SUPERKICK hits Raquel! Kayden ROCKS Zoey, but Raquel roars! Kayden ducks again and the BOOT hits Zoey! Kayden BLASTS Raquel off the apron! The fans fire up as Kayden builds speed to TORNILLO TOPE! Direct and down go both Raquel and Zoey! Kayden is all fired up with Boston while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kayden runs to DROPKICK SPLASH COMBO! But then she has to move, and Raquel’s ELBOW DROP hits Zoey! Basement SUPERKICK for Raquel! Kayden drags Raquel around by her legs, steps through, and ties Raquel up, but here comes Zoey! Kayden RAMS Zoey, reels her in, and she combines FISHERMAN SCREW with NAVARRO DEATH ROLL!! Raquel endures, Kayden pushes on the legs, but Raquel drags herself to the apron. Kayden lets Raquel go and focuses on Zoey. The fans rally up as Kayden runs, BOOT WASH! Kayden kicks Zoey and then IMPLODER LEG DROPS! Cover, Raquel drags Kayden out!
The fans boo but Raquel hobbles and brings Kayden up. Raquel scoops and aims, but Kayden slips free! Raquel runs into the apron! Zoey springboards to SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go Kayden and Raquel! Zoey puts Raquel in the ring, the fans rally up, and Zoey runs up. Raquel swings, Zoey dodges, but then Raquel POUNCES Zoey out of the ring! But Kayden O’Conner Rolls Raquel! ONEE, but Kayden springboards to BASEMENT DROPKICK! High stack, TWO! Raquel flounders to ropes while Kayden grows frustrated. Kayden runs up to SPLASH in a corner! Kayden climbs, but Raquel gets up and under!
The fans rally as Kayden fights with fists! Zoey returns and springs up behind Kayden! SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX for Kayden! A little double-edged but Zoey rises up. Zoey then runs up on Raquel, dodges a lariat, but the SOUTHPAW hits! Raquel covers, TWO!! Zoey survives and Raquel is furious! Raquel stalks Zoey to the apron, drags her up by the hair, but Kayden goes to roll Raquel! Raquel picks Kayden up! FALL AWAY SLAM! Then the VADER ELBOW! But Raquel isn’t done! TEJANA- MISSILE DROPKICK from Zoey! SUPERKICK on Kayden! Z 360!! Cover, ZOEY WINS!!
Winner: Zoey Stark, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Raquel is furious but she just got sniped by PFC’s sharpshooter! Will Zoey do the same to #CobraKai in the next round? Or will Dakota Kai make sure Damage CTRL takes control of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship?
The Alpha Academy is backstage.
And the “Alpha Babes” are showing off the new merchandise. Maxxine Dupri asks what R-Truth thought of their True Classics commercial. Truth says it was outstanding! They influenced the influencers! Squats, lunges, scorpion, Truth changed his workout cuz of them! If that son of a Butch had just taken their advice, Truth wouldn’t have beaten them so easy. But speaking of, Dunne storms in! Truth needs to keep that name out of his mouth! Dunne keeps hearing it because of him! Truth didn’t tell anyone to say anything! Yes, he did! It all came from Truth! And if Dunne has to hear it one more time, Truth gets his face broken!
Truth says #ButchPlease! Otis steps in between them, and Dunne says this is the last warning. Truth and Dunne go their separate ways, and then American Made walks by. Chad Gable says, “Look at this clown show.” They’re happy with what they’ve done to Gable’s academy?! They RUINED it! Gable made them into stars they could’ve never been, helped them flourish, and they make it a joke! Gable saw that commercial, it was pathetic! Maxxine’s pathetic, Tozawa’s pathetic, and Otis is the worst of them all! When Gable first met Otis, Otis was an insignificant little- Otis tells Gable to SHUT UP!
Gable is taken aback, but he says he was right. Time to kill the past. And he starts with… Tozawa! Gable leads his new team away, but will he regret treating the Stamina Monster as the weakest link?
Backstage interview with The New Day.
Jackie Redmond is with Kofi & Woods as they clearly are still looking for a place to call a locker room. But that’s besides the point. Last week, the Raw media team tried to interview them and it didn’t go well. Woods says yeah, yeah, sure. But it was biased journalism! If someone would give them a fair chance to tell their story- OH NO, another disturbance?! PFC just put Kairi Sane’s arm in a road case and SLAMMED the lid on it!! They run away, DMG CTRL hurries over, and the Pirate Princess might have just been taken out of the tournament without a match! Will Adam Pearce be able to get a replacement for Kairi in time for the final Triple Threat?
WWE World Tag Team Championships: Finn Balor & JD McDonagh VS The War Raiders!
With all the cheating, scheming, yet also complaining, The Prince has made his bed and is going to have to lie in it! But will he be bringing the Irish Ace down with him? Or will they be able to survive the war without the rest of Judgment Day watching their backs?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team is truly the best!
The teams sort out and Ivar starts against JD. They knuckle lock but JD kicks again and again. JD headlocks but Ivar powers up and out. JD leaps but he bounces off of Ivar! JD scrambles out of the ring, Finn coaches him up, but Ivar TOSSES Finn into the ring! JD returns, but Ivar scoops and SLAMS him! Ivar then scoops and SLAMS Finn onto JD! Tag to Erik, and Ivar scoops to SLAM JD again! Erik scoops Ivar to SLAM him onto JD! JD sputters and the fans fire up with the Raiders while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Erik brings JD up to whip him into Ivar’s knee! Ivar whips JD into Erik’s KNEE! JD flops over and the fans fire up! Ivar whips JD, JD grabs ropes and KICKS back! Tag to Finn, but Ivar scoops! Finn slips free, waistlocks, but I var elbows him away. Finn stumbles into the ref, distracting him from JD’s HOTSHOT! Ivar staggers, Finn dragon sleepers! FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO! Finn CHOKES Ivar on ropes but the ref counts. Finn stops at 4, flexes as he soaks up heat, and then he CHOKES Ivar again! The ref counts, Finn stops, but then he CHOKES Ivar on the bottom rope.
Finn lets off and “apologizes” this time, but JD GUILLOTINE LEG DROPS Ivar in the ropes! The fans boo but JD taunts them all. Finn stomps away on Ivar, then he CLUBS Ivar down. Finn throws hands, tags JD, and they double whip Ivar to ropes. Ivar breaks the line with bulk alone! Ivar then handsprings to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! Boston goes wild and Ivar reaches out! JD anchors a foot, but Ivar still fights his way forward! Ivar drags JD along, then tags in Erik! Erik wrenches JD to clinch and EXPLODER! JD flounders up, Erik blocks a shot to DECK JD! Then Erik deadlifts JD for a BIG back suplex!
The fans fire up again but here comes Finn! Erik dodges and clinches to URENAGE! The fans fire up with Erik and he whips JD. JD reverses but Erik goes up and over and keeps moving. Erik CLOBBERS JD! Erik TOSSES JD right out of the ring and the fans fire up again! Erik takes aim, and he builds speed, only for Finn to trip him up! Erik drags Finn up by his neck! But JD KNEES Erik out of the ring! Tag to Finn, he and JD double whip Erik hard into steel steps! Finn drags Erik back up, brings him back around, and Judgment Day double whip Erik back into the steps! The steps go sliding away while Finn soaks up heat, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more and Finn stomps away on Erik at the ropes! The ref counts, Finn stops at 4, and he tags in JD. JD aims to slingshot ARABIAN PRESS! Cover, TWO! Erik is tougher than that, but JD drags him over. JD has the neck for a NECK TWIST! JD then runs to FALLING AX HANDLE! Erik writhes, his neck a major concern. JD goes up the corner, and he DIVING AX HANDLE FLOPS as Erik moves! The fans fire up as Erik crawls, but so does JD! Hot tags to Ivar and Finn! The War Beard rallies on Finn, hits a SIDEWALK SLAM, and a SPLASH! The fans fire up and Ivar runs corner to corner.
Finn dodges, comes back in, but into a SEATED SENTON! JD is back, Ivar cartwheels and clips JD! Then he HEEL KICKS! JD falls in a heap and Ivar has the fans fired up! “WAR! WAR! WAR!” Ivar aims at Finn in a corner, BRONCO BUSTER! Ivar then goes up the corner! The fans fire up but Finn trips Ivar first! Finn tags JD, JD hurries after Ivar, but Ivar’s too much to superplex! Ivar scoops JD for a SUPER POWERSLAM!! Cover, TWO!! JD survives but Ivar tags in Erik! The Raiders haul JD up, whip and pop-up, THOR’S HAMMER! Cover, FINN BREAKS IT! Ivar grabs Finn to TOSS him out!
The War Raiders regroup and Erik tags Ivar back in. Tag back to Erik and the fans rally up. Erik hauls JD up, feeds him to Ivar, another pop up! Ivar goes up the ropes, but Finn trips Ivar up! JD slips free of Erik to roll him up! TWO!! Erik escapes but JD HEADBUTTS! JD falls back but tags in Finn! Finn hauls Erik up, but Erik KICKS, KNEES, and ROCKS Finn! Finn rebounds, into a clinch! Full nelson and BACKBREAKER KNEE! Erik runs but into a SLINGBLADE! Finn aims, Erik rises, SHOTGUN into the corner! Tag to JD and then tag back to Finn! JD goes up to MOONSAULT! Finn goes up to COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, IVAR BREAKS IT!
Finn is shocked and furious, but JD goes after Ivar! JD TOSSES Ivar, and Finn wants a chair!? JD goes out and looks under the ring. JD brings out a chair! Time to use Champion’s Advantage! But the ref stops JD, so Finn goes out the side to get another chair! Wait, someone else is grabbing that chair! Finn looks over, it’s DAMIAN PRIEST! Judgment Day was banned from ringside, but Priest isn’t Judgment Day anymore! Priest YANKS Finn into the barriers! Finn is furious, but then Ivar CLOBBERS JD! Finn goes back to the ring, but Erik tags Ivar! Finn realizes too late what’s going on as Erik whips him to Ivar!
Ivar pops Finn up and Erik has him! Ivar springboards for WAR MACHINE!!! Cover, WAR RAIDERS WIN!!
Winners: The War Raiders, by pinfall (NEW WWE World Tag Team Champions)
Priest applauds as justice is served to Judgment Day! Erik & Ivar once again have championships, and the pyro goes off in celebration! Will nothing stop the raid now that it’s captured gold? What will become of The Judgment Day now that Finn & JD dropped the ball?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, though surprisingly with only three matches. Granted, there were big promos and set-up for the Netflix debut in three weeks. Punk VS Rollins was a given but that was a very good promo segment and very good brawl to set it up officially. The interaction of Rollins and McIntyre was also really good, especially with how it set up that later moment where Sami may have very well saved Rollins from a McIntyre ambush. McIntyre and Sami could easily have a rematch next week for the Raw Before Christmas, or even the last Raw of 2024, but I guess we’ll hear more on that later.
Great match from Bron VS Kaiser, with probably the most creative way to turn things around on Kaiser’s turn-the-corner dropkick. Bron also did a great job selling bad arm, and he of course wins here to keep his reign going. I feel like they need to do something big to determine his next challenger, which should be a match for either the last Raw of 2024 or the Netflix Raw. At the very least, give us a battle royal on the last Raw of 2024 so the winner can turn around and face Bron in LA. Speaking of LA, I feel like there has to be Nakamura VS LA Knight for the US Championship on that card just on the grounds of LA Knight being from LA.
Great stuff with New Day and how they got kicked out of the locker room, as well as them being used to set up PFC attacking Kairi Sane. Though, I’m not sure why PFC needed to take Kairi Sane out. Kairi’s Triple Threat is against Alba Fyre and Natalya. Dakota Kai is Zoey’s future opponent, but I suppose Dakota will have more heat behind fighting Zoey now, but this was some plot armor here. At the same time, I feel like they dropped Natty telling Sonya she was ready for a change, could they be circling back to Natty as PFC’s fourth member? Meanwhile, I think Iyo Sky could end up replacing Kairi in the match, and Iyo could go for the Intercontinental Championship to make up for not winning the Women’s World Championship.
Very good promo from Miz and Final Testament to not only keep the feud with The Wyatts going, but to also tease that Miz wanted AOP to strike out their own again. Kross counters that idea but saying everyone owes him for keeping them afloat, which in many ways is true, but Kross will have to be careful not to end up fighting The Wyatts and AOP at the same time. Miz VS Lumis will be good stuff, and it’ll surely set up a rematch of the 8 Man Tag, hopefully with a big stipulation that makes it really wild. And good stuff from R-Truth, Alpha Academy, Pete Dunne and American Made, that itself is a potential 8 Man Tag. Gable VS Tozawa next week should really lead to Gable VS Otis so those two can finally have it out in the ring.
We got great stuff out of Judgment Day on the side of that tournament, too. Good promo from the group with Liv being passive aggressive and sarcastically optimistic. Good promo from Liv with Dom & Raquel as well as Rhea, and Rhea ends up speaking for most fans saying this story has to end. Again, this is either a last Raw of 2024 or Netflix Raw debut level match, and I say again, if Tiffany Stratton is going to be in LA for NXT that week, why not have her cash in during the Netflix show? Get the world title to rub it in Candice LeRae’s face, and even tease Tiffany going after whoever is NXT Women’s Champion for a showdown of top champions.
And great main event for the tag titles. The War Raiders had a great promo to put their story in perspective. Their real-life injuries were definitely scary, and their comebacks have been great. And combined with Damian Priest screwing Finn over like Finn’s done to him, great win for the War Raiders here. Finn will probably implode and want after Priest for this, they can finally have it out, and maybe Judgment Day is torn apart because of it. Personally, there should be a “Loser Leaves Raw” stipulation. Even with the “Transfer Window” going on, it should get to where one of them has to go to SmackDown and start fresh.
My Score: 8.8/10
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