Coverage
Mitchell’s NXT Battleground Results & Report! (5/28/23)
Will Bron break… HIM?
Who is truly the top dog of NXT?
Lowell, Massachusetts becomes a Battleground as hometown hero, Carmelo Hayes, defends his NXT Championship in a rematch against Bron Breakker!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship Triple Threat: Wes Lee VS Tyler Bate VS Joe Gacy w/ Ava Raine; Wes wins and retains the title.
- NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Noam Dar w/ ??? VS Dragon Lee w/ Nathan Frazer; Dar wins and retains the cup.
- Last Man Standing: DIJAK VS Ilja Dragunov; Dragunov wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Gallus VS The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile; Gallus wins and retains the titles.
- NXT Women’s Championship Tournament Finals: Lyra Valkyria VS Tiffany Stratton; Tiffany wins and is the new NXT Women’s Champion.
- NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Bron Breakker; Melo wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the NXT Battleground Kickoff Show!
Join Megan Morant, Matt Camp & Sam Roberts in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action here tonight!
Noam Dar talks with Oro Mensah backstage.
Will Oro be Dar’s cornerman now? He got Oro a first class ticket out here to Lowell, and that 5 star hotel. Oro does like the hotel room with the jacuzzi. Dar says they can live that high life together, if Oro is Dar’s second to defend the Heritage Cup in its first match on American soil! Oro says he’ll think about it. What? But the match is tonight! There’s no time to think! Dar cradles the cup, is the Scottish Supernova gonna lose his baby?
WWE returns to Lowell!
The People’s Champion, the Degeneration X, and more, “this town has always embraced the new generation.” NXT is that new generation, is still that new generation, and yet, walking into Lowell isn’t always easy for the champions. Beneath the shadow of Bean Town is the precipice of another milestone. Who will be left standing? Who will stand tall as champions? And who will make history all their own? This is NXT Battleground!
NXT North American Championship Triple Threat: Wes Lee VS Tyler Bate VS Joe Gacy w/ Ava Raine!
The Cardiac Kid has had quite the must-see title reign, but his fighting-champion ways may have gotten him stuck between a rock and a hard place. The Big Strong Boi was his friend, but he couldn’t be upfront about wanting this match. The Schism’s sinister leader is a snake in the grass, but at least he was honest about his greed. Will one of them take this title away from the #WesSide? Or will the champion win that historic title defense record?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see which way history moves!
The bell rings and Gacy rushes Wes! Wes rolls Gacy, Bate rolls Wes, but Gacy rolls Bate! TWO! The three stand off and fans cheer. The three reset, circle, and Gacy grins as he points to Bate and WEs. But Bate and Wes rush him! Gacy dodges, and Wes gets mad at Bate. Gacy tries to turn Wes against Bate again, but Batge throws hands on Gacy! Wes throws Gacy out, but then Wes shoves Bate. The “friends” circle, feel things out, but Gacy returns to egg this on. Bate and Wes change their minds and go out after Gacy! They pinball him with haymakers and forearms! Wes puts Gacy in, Bate pushes past but Wes drags Bate out.
But then Bate drags Wes out! Now Bate shoves Wes, so Wes shoves back. They throw hands! Fans fire up, but Gacy DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and Gacy stands tall! Gacy puts Bate in and BOOTS Wes! Gacy goes into the ring but Bate CHOPS! Bate whips, Gacy reverses but Bate leaps, into Gacy’s arms! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB! Cover, Wes breaks it! Gacy ROCKS Wes and Wes flops to the apron. Gacy goes back to Bate but Bate slips under and waistlocks. Gacy pries the hold but Bate lifts him! Gacy fights with elbows, switches, but Bate goes to ropes. Wes FLYING SUNSET FLIPS and that sends Bate flying via a GERMAN SUPLEX!
Wes covers Gacy, TWO, and fans fire up as Wes stands tall. Wes throws hands and elbows on Bate and Gacy, then SUPERKICKS Bate! Wes fires off strikes on Gacy, has him down and DOUBLE STOMPS him! Wes then RANAS Bate! Cover, TWO!! Bate escapes and that’s also good for Gacy. Wes is annoyed, but he sees Gacy in a corner. Wes brings Bate up but Bate swings. Wes bobs ‘n’ weaves, throws hands and a BOOT! Bate boots back, Wes blocks, but Bate KNEES him away! Bate goes up, FLYING UPPERCUT! Bate runs at Gacy, into an elbow! But then Gacy runs into an EXPLODER!
Bate kips up, fans fire up, and Wes runs in. Bate catches Wes, to EXPLODER! Bate kips up again, to SHOOTING STAR Wes! Cover, Bate moves and Gacy drops an elbow on Wes! Bate fireman’s carries, Gacy slips off. Bate dodges Gacy, Bop up but Gacy ducks, so Bate KICKS Gacy! And then BANG! Fireman’s carry and AIRPLANE SPIN! Fans fire up as Bate goes around and around, but then he blocks Wes’ kick! Bate trips Wes, and we get a AIRPLANE SPIN GIANT SWING COMBO! He is truly a Big Strong Boi! Bate stops at 5 to SLAM Gacy onto Wes! Bate then runs to REBOUNDER on Gacy! Cover on Gacy, Wes SMACKS Bate!
Fans fire up while all three men are down! Fans rally for Wes and he brings Bate up. Bate throws body shots but Wes throws forearms. Bate UPPERCUTS, but Wes stays up to ROCK Bate! Bate UPPERCUTS again, fans rally and duel between him and Wes, but Wes fires off a strike fest! ROLLING ELBOW, then a whip! Bate reverses, BACK DRO POWERBOMB as Gacy joins in! Gacy deadlifts Wes to BOMB Bate! Fans fire up for that show of strength, but Bate KNEES Gacy back! Bate goes up, FLYING- NO, Gacy catches Bate to a dragon sleeper! Wes runs in, but into a clinch! URENAGE REVERSE DDT COMBO!
Gacy clamps onto Wes with the RINGS OF SATURN!! Wes endures as Gacy pulls back! But Bate is up, and he BOOTS Gacy! But Gacy just grins!? Gacy tortures Wes while grinning at Bate. Bate says okay then, and he fires off fists on Gacy! Gacy lets Wes go, Bate keeps on hammering and fans fire up again! Bate backs off from Gacy and goes to a corner. Bate runs in again, SHOOTING FLOP, and Gacy has the RINGS OF SATURN on Bate! Gacy thrashes Bate around but Bate endures! Wes DOUBLE STOMPS Gacy and Gacy lets go! All three men are down, Ava looks worried for Gacy, but “This is Awesome!” for the fans!
Gacy goes to ropes, Bate goes to the opposite side. Wes rises up, he ROCKS Gacy! And MULE KICKS Bate! And ROCKS Gacy again! And ELBOWS Bate! Haymaker for Gacy, but Bate UPPERCUTS Wes! Gacy ROCKS Wes! Both Bate and Gacy run, but Wes moves and the REBOUNDER collides with the UPSIDE-DOWN!! Wes has his choice, he decides to handspring DOUBLE PELE!! Cover on Gacy, TWO!! Cover on Bate, TWO!! Wes is beside himself but the fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” for making this the opener. All three men stir, Gacy goes for a corner, and Bate goes for the opposite, leaving Wes in the middle.
Fans chant, “We Want Tables!” but Wes runs in to UPPERCUT Gacy! Wes runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT Bate! Wes runs but Bate reels him in. Wes ELBOWS and ROCKS Bate, then GAMANGIRIS! Bate sits down, Wes runs at Gacy, but Gacy dodges! To then DECK Wes! Gacy runs but Wes reels him in! SLEEPER! Wes is a backpack and Gacy starts to fade! Gacy reaches out, not that ropebreaks would change much. Fans rally, Gacy picks Wes back up, and he CANNONBALLS! Gacy drags Wes from the corner, covers, but Bate TORNILLOS! And then underhooks, TYLER DRIVER 97!! Cover, METEORA from Wes!! Cover, Gacy TOSSES Wes!
Gacy has Wes on the apron but Wes GAMANGIRIS! Gacy staggers away, Wes puts Bate on the apron. Gacy runs in but BLASTS Bate! Wes comes back, ENZIGURI! Wes puts Gacy up top, ROCKS him, then goes corner to corner, but Gacy leans and Wes FLIES out onto Bate!! Fans are thunderous, Wes gets in and runs at Gacy, but into an URENAGE!! Gacy roars, runs, handsprings, but into a CARDIAC KICK!!! Cover, WES WINS!!
Winner: Wes Lee, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
Another incredible win for Wes Lee, and now both title and record are his! Will nothing stop the Cardiac Kid from making history?
NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Noam Dar w/ ??? VS Dragon Lee w/ Nathan Frazer!
Forged in NXT UK to celebrate the lineage of European wrestling, this will be a test of strategy, ability and determination! Six rounds, three minutes at a time, and first to two falls wins, aside from a disqualification or knockout. Will the Scottish Supernova keep his historically long reign going? Or will the Wonder Boy be the one that finally dethrones him?
Dragon Lee has the British Rocket by his side, but last we saw, Oro Mensah left Dar hanging. Does Dar have a cornerman? Doesn’t look like it. The introductions are made, the cup is displayed, and we see if Dar will be delighted or dismayed!
The bell rings, round one begins, and fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, give testing kicks, and Dragon’s hits harder. They tie up, Dar waistlocks and drags Dragon down but Dragon slips to a facelock. Dar gets up, facelocks back but Dragon trips Dar. Dar pulls at the mask but Dragon has the leg. Dar gets an arm, they stand, and then Dar wrangles Dragon. Dar JAMS the arm, pushes on it, messes with the mask, but Dragon fights up. Dragon rolls, Dar fights the takedown to wrangle Dragon again. Fans rally for Dragon but Dar SMACKS the hand! Dar drops a knee on the arm, then brings Dragon around.
Dar wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER, but Dragon grabs at Dar’s face. Dar ELBOW BREAKERS again, but Dragon rolls, wrenches and WRINGS Dar’s arm! Dragon twists the wrist and bends the fingers but Dar moves around. Dar rolls, trips Dragon, steps through for a standing deathlock, then gets the other leg. Dar wants an Indian Deathlock but Dragon shoves him away. Dar hits a headlock takeover but Dragon headscissors. We’re under a minute, Dar bridges, but Dragon pushes him back down. Dragon puts on the squeeze but Dar headstands and pops free. Dar headlocks, Dragon fights up and powers out.
Dar jumps over, stops himself, but Dragon avoids the leg sweep! Dragon sunset flips, Dar gets free, both men avoid kicks but Dar almost gets hit! We’re at 15 seconds, Dar gets up to shove Dragon. But Dragon blocks the slap to DECK Dar! Dar bails out, Dragon builds speed to WRECK Dar off the apron! And that’s the round!
Dar: 0; Dragon: 0
Fans cheer a great opener, and wait! Oro Mensah does head out here? He wants to be on Dar’s side, though Dar says it was three minutes too late. In that case, fan him! The break is over, round two begins. Dragon gets around Dar but Dar fights the lift. Dar throws elbows, but Dragon CLUBS him! Dragon RAMS Dar into a corner, runs in to clothesline, then snapmare and ELBOW! Dar gets up into another ELBOW! Dragon scoops but Dar slips off and shoves. Things speed up as Dragon ducks n’ dodges ‘n’ RANAS! Dar flounders, Dragon runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION CABRON!
Fans fire up and Dragon stares at Dar. Dar eggs Dragon on, but Dragon rains down forearms! The ref counts, Dragon lets off to run corner to corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Dar is still in this and he victory rolls Dragon! TWO, Dragon dodges a boot but not the BACK ELBOW! Dar rolls with a deep bridge, Dar scores!
Dar: 1; Dragon: 0
Fans boo but Supernova 11 has the all-important first point. Frazer helps Dragon get ready, here comes round three! Dar eggs Dragon on, then bails out. Dar leads Dragon on a cat ‘n’ mouse in and out of the ring, but Dragon ducks the buzzsaw! Dragon tackles Dar, rains down fists, but Dar shifts to an omoplata! Dar CLUBS Dragon, but Dragon rolls to KICK Dar! Dragon is free and he goes to a corner. Dar runs in but into an ELBOW! Dragon goes up, but Dar trips him up! Dar then covers, TWO! Dragon is still in this but Dar drags him up. Dar goes up the corner, he CLUBS away on Dragon, but the ref counts.
Dar shoves Dragon away and shouts, “I’m the best at this!” Fans boo as Dar flexes, then Dar drags Dragon back up. Dar throws knees, but Dragon rolls Dar up! TWO, and Dragon V-TRIGGERS Dar! Dar drops to his knees, Dragon SUPERKICKS! Dar goes to a corner, fans fire up as Dragon runs, but Dar bails out to the apron. Dragon still runs in, FLYING RANA to the floor! Fans are thunderous and we’re at the last minute of round three! Dragon gets in the ring, he builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp, this is what Dragon wanted at the end of the first round! Dragon puts Dar in and then KNEES Dar down! Cover, TWO!!
We’re at 30 seconds now as Dragon thinks on how to get on the board. Dar crawls, Dragon storms up behind him, and Dragon gives toying kicks. Dragon stomps Dar, but we’re at 10 seconds. Dar gets away but Dragon fires off more hands! The round is over, Dar gets a cheap shot!!
Dar: 1; Dragon: 0
Fans boo but Dar claims he had no idea the round ended! Frazer has to drag Dragon over to the corner, that was almost a knockout in itself! Dar defends his innocence, but he’s got a huge advantage going into round four. The ref sounds the bell, Dragon drags himself up, Dar runs in! Dar only gets buckles, but then he dodges Dragon to run and BOOT! Dar snapmares Dragon, runs in and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Dragon is still in this but Dar soaks up the heat. Dar aims from a corner, demands Dragon get up, but Dragon flounders. Dar gets annoyed, he drags Dragon up but Dragon cradles! TWO!!
dragon was playing possum but Dar ROUNDHOUSES! Pop-up, ARMBAR! Dragon clasps hands, Dar kicks at the arms, and he has the ARMBAR! Dragon flails, scrambles, reaches out, but Dar drags him from ropes! ARMBAR, but Dragon stacks Dar! TWO, and Dar lets Dragon go! Dragon SUPERKICKS! And then trips, ties up the legs, TEXAS CLOVERLEAF!! Dar endures, scrambles, reaches out, Oro leans on the ropes to help with the ROPEBRAEK! Frazer gets in Oro’s face and fans fire up! Oro apologizes, but then RAMS Frazer into steel steps! Dragon is distracted, Dar rolls him up, TWO!!
Dar runs in, Dragon dodges and returns, tilt-o-whirl REVERSE DDT! Cover, Dragon scores!!
Dar: 1; Dragon: 1
We’re going into the next round all tied up! Oro drags Dar to the corner now, but then Frazer goes after Oro! Fans are thunderous, Frazer SUPERKICKS Oro! The ref reprimands but Frazer FLIES out onto Oro! The cornermen scrap up the ramp and refs rush in to stop this! Seems like both men lose their seconds! This is just Dar and Dragon now, and here’s round five! They both run in, DOUBLE LARIAT! They both fire forearms, Dragon gets the edge and BOOTS! Bar blocks the knee to DRAGON SCREW, and ANKLE LOCK! Dragon rolls to send Dar to the apron! Dragon runs in again, FLYING- POWERBOMB to the floor!! Fans lose their minds as Dar puts Dragon in!
Dar ELBOWS Dragon down, covers, TWO!?!? Dragon survives and no one can believe it! Fans rally up for Dragon but Dar stands. Dar eggs Dragon on, and then KICKS him! And KICKS him! And BOOTS him! Dar slaps Dragon around, but then Dragon blocks the kick! Dar ELBOWS Daron, STEP PUNCH, but then SNAP GERMAN from Dragon! V-TRIGGER! Dragon reels Dar in, fans fire up, LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!! Dar survives and Dragon can’t believe it! We’re at one minute, and JAKARA JACKSON is here? The ref has her stay out, but LASH LEGEND is here! She SMACKS Dragon with a water bucket!!
NOVA ROLLA!!! Cover, Dar wins!!!
Winner: Noam Dar, by pinfall (still NXT Heritage Cup Champion)
With 41 seconds left in the fifth round, Supernova 11 gets a huge assist from two people who were hatin’ on him just last week! Why did Lash & Jakara help Dar? Will anyone ever take the cup from Dar now?
Last Man Standing: DIJAK VS Ilja Dragunov!
#HardJustice and #UNBESIEGBAR are like an unstoppable force and an unbreakable object. But will Dijak prove there is no such thing as invincible? Or will Dragunov prove Dijak has no authority here in NXT?
The bell rings and the two rush in! The hands start flying and fans fire up! Dijak powers Dragunov to a corner, and just windmills big forearms to the chest! Dijak CLUBS Dragunov, puts him in another corner and ROCKS him! But Dragunov CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Dijak CLOBBERS Dragunov! Fans fire up more as Dijak hoists Dragunov up to a torture rack! Dragunov fights free, knees low, then waistlocks. Dragunov lifts but Dijak fights free. Dijak switches, shoves but Dragunov CONSTANTINE- NO, Dijak BOOTS Dragunov to the floor! Dragunov sputters, but Dijak goes out to stomp him!
Dijak pulls the steel steps apart, but puts the top half in the ring. Dijak then puts Dragunov in the ring, but Dragunov KNEES him back out! Dragunov CLUBS Dijak, CLUBS him again, and CLUBS him again! Dijak ROCKS Dragunov but Dragunov PELES! Dragunov SMAKCS Dijak off the desk, then JUMP KICKS him down! Fans fire up with The Czar and he grabs the base steps! Fans fire up as Dragunov brings those closer, runs and jumps off them, but into a BOOT! Dijak then hauls Dragunov up, suplexes, and SLAMS him on the steps! Fans are going nuts as Dragunov flops to the floor. The count starts and Dijak paces.
Fans chant “We Want Tables!” while the count reaches 5 of 10. Dijak looks under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! Dijak stands this table up, but Dragunov runs in to BLAST through the table!! Fans love “NXT! NXT!” for this one while both men are down in the wreckage. Dijak is against the barriers, Dragunov has a cut on his chin, and the count begins. We reach 5 of 10 before Dijak stirs. Dijak crawls to the ring, Dragunov sits up. They both stand at 8, and they lean against the apron. Dijak drags himself into the ring but Dragunov returns. Dragunov throws hands, but Dijak choke grips! Dragunov ENZIGURIS free!
Fans rally as Dragunov waistlocks. Dragunov drags Dijak up in a waistlock but Dijak fights the lift. Dijak grabs ropes, Dragunov keeps trying, but Dijak bucks Dragunov off, and he falls on the steel steps! Dragunov writhes and Dijak drags him back up! Dijak aims at the steps, for HIGH- NO, Dragunov DDTS Dijak on the steps!! Double-edged since Dragunov has to hit the edge of the steps, but the fans are thunderous! The count begins, Dragunov stirs at 3 and rises at 5. Dijak stirs, is dazed, but Dragunov drags Dijak up. Dragunov puts Dijak in a corner, and scrapes his boot off Dijak’s face again and again!
Dijak sputters, Dragunov goes back to the steel steps. Dragunov picks those up, and runs in to RAM Dijak!! Fans lose their minds, but Dragunov then wedges the steps against Dijak. Dragunov flounders his way to the adjacent corner, and then he climbs up! Fans fire up, anticipating what’s coming! Dragunov blows a kiss before going FULL METAL COAST2COAST!! Fans lose their minds again while both men are down again! The standing count starts on both men, and Dragunov already rises at 4! Dijak stirs at 7, grabs at ropes, and drags himself up at 9! But Dragunov pushes the steps aside to CHOP Dijak!
And CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP CHOP! Dijak CHOPS back, SJUEPRKICKS, but Dragunov CHOPS again! And again and again and again and again! Dragunov roars, winds up, and BACKHANDS!! Both men fall, but Dragunov just throws more CHOPS from the mat! Dragunov spins, FALLING BACKHAND!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down. “This is Awesome!” as the count reaches 5 of 10. Dragunov rises first, he stalks Dijak, and he waistlocks to drag Dijak up. GERMAN SUPLEX!! Dijak almost lands on his head! But Dijak rises!? Even Dragunov is surprised! But Dragunov also likes this!
Fans fire up, Dijak choke grips, but Dragunov SLAPS and SLAPS and SLAPS! Dijak shoves Dragunov to the apron, but Dragunov throws more chops. Dijak APRON CHOKE SLAMS Dragunov!! Fans are shocked as Dragunov flops to the floor! The count begins again, Dijak rises at 6 and Dragunov manages to stand at 9! Dijak and Dragunov stare down, both gritting their teeth. Dijak drags Dragunov into the ring, torture racks, FEAST YOUR EYES!!! Dragunov staggers all the way to a corner, but the corner helps him stand! He might be out on his feet! Dijak is furious, he roars and storms out of the ring.
Dijak goes around the way from the outside, and he looks under the ring. Fans fire up as Dijak brings out a kendo stick! Dijak brings the stick into the ring, he aims at Dragunov in the corner, and he says that if Dragunov likes pain, he’ll love this. SMACK to the ribs! Dragunov’s legs wobble and shake but fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Dijak asks if Dragunov feels alive. Another SMACK to the ribs!! Dragunov says, “NOT EVEN CLOSE!!” Dijak CHOKES Dragunov with the stick, saying Dragunov is making him do this. A third SMACK to the ribs!! Dragunov sputters, but he doesn’t fall over yet.
Dijak shows Dragunov the blood on the kendo stick. Dijak tells Dragunov to stay down. “Don’t you make me do this.” A fourth and a fifth SMACK to the ribs!! The stick is breaking, so Dijak just finishes it with his own knee! Dijak throws the stick away, goes to the outside and he brings out a chair! Dijak brings the chair in now, and he digs it into Dragunov’s neck! Dijak says Dragunov’s forced his hand. But Dragunov throws hands on Dijak! Dijak JAMS Dragunov with the chair, then SMACKS him on the back!! Dragunov writhes, Dijak goes to the far side and winds up, but TORPEDO MOSCOW hits!!!
Fans are thunderous as Dragunov staggers all around a sputtering Dijak! Dragunov winds up, FALLING FOREARM!! Dijak still reaches for a chair but that’s about all he can do. Dragunov gets the steel steps! Dragunov stands them up the tall way, then stands on the steps. SUPER FALLING FOREARM onto the chair!!! Both men are down and the count begins! We’re at 5 and only Dragunov stirs. Dragunov rises, he stands at 9! Dijak is DOWN, Dragunov wins!!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov
And there is your proof! Dragunov is truly UNBESIEGBAR! He is the Last Man Standing, will he look to fight his way towards a championship now?
NXT checks in on Chase U.
Substitute teacher Duke Hudson says he has put in the results of everyone’s quizzes into the system, and they all did very well. EXCEPT RICKY! Ricky sucks! Aww…. Moving on, the MVP of Chase U and substitute teacher has been time consuming, as well as life draining. So he is bringing in two men to teach the Art of Catch Wrestling: Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak. And if anyone needs Duke, he is going to be in the back, working on the Money in the Bank study guides.
Gulak thanks Duke and tells the students that normally, you learn what to do. Today, let’s focus on what not to do when the bell rings. And who better to use as an example than Chase U’s own Thea Hail? Wait, what? Thea losing to Kiana James is used as the main example, and Dempsey says that Thea’s lack of grappling knowledge puts her at a severe disadvantage against every opponent. This is NOT how to become a superstar. But good news, not all students have to fail like Thea. Thea storms out, which gets Duke’s attention.
Gulak says with the right guidance, they can learn to crunch and crack opponents in half. Duke asks what the heck these two are doing, and Dempsey says they’re showing the Chase U students what not to do. Yeah, he knows that was the lesson, but they just made someone leave the classroom crying. Gulak says there’s no crying in WWE. This is a reality check. No one talks to Thea or any of Duke’s- er, Chase U’s students like that! Next week, Duke has a better lesson prepared for them, in the ring. Get out. Gulak & Dempsey leave, Duke dismisses the class, and wants someone to check on Thea.
But at the same time, looking at the highlight reel, Duke isn’t happy. Will he need to start using some tough love to get Thea’s record up?
Backstage interview with Noam Dar and his team.
They’re all celebrating but McKenzie Mitchell asks for a word. She does congratulate him on retaining, but what is this? This is history! “They” just defended the cup on American soil! The lovely Miss Jackson is holding the cup, Lash and Dar’s “main man” Oro are by his side. There’s levels to this, and THEY are at the top! CHECK PLEASE! Thank you, buh-bye! They head out, but will this Supernova squad still be partying into the summer?
The NXT Great American Bash is back!
July 30th, NXT salutes the stars ‘n’ stripes from Cedar Park, Texas, as their next Premium Live Event! Will everything be bigger in Texas?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Gallus VS The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile!
The Iron King’s return at Stand & Deliver is why Mark Coffey & Wolfgang are still on top, but now that trump card is out in the open. Will Julius & Brutus be the ones back on top now that they know all the pieces in play? Or will nothing stop Gallus from making this their kingdom?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who really runs the tag division!
The teams sort out and Julius starts with Wolfgang. Julius gets a takedown but Wolfgang fights up to UPPERCUT! Tag to Mark, Gallus mugs Julius, then Mark facelocks to wrangle Julius down. Julius fights up to an armlock, they go around, and Julius wrenches to a SAYANAGI, and then another armlock. Mark fights up, Julius puts him in the Creed corner to tag in Brutus. Brutus wrenches and cranks the arm, trips Mark, and fights to a headlock. Mark moves around, Brutus has an arm but Mark turns that around onto him. Mark grinds the shoulder, but Brutus gets free, and Wolfgang tags in.
Julius backs Brutus up and the teams talk trash. The ref keeps the peace, things calm down, but then Wolfie runs in! Julius DECKS him, and Brutus fireman’s carry takeovers! Brutus has Mark’s arm, tags Julius, and the Creeds pinball Mark between knees to the side! Brutus drags Mark up to hit a BIG back suplex! Julius covers, TWO! Julius keeps on Mark with an armlock but Mark fights up. Julius arm-drags Mark, keeps on the armlock, but Mark fights up to ROCK Julius! Mark whips, Julius goes up and over and then runs. Brutus tags in as Julius ducks ‘n ‘dodges! Brutus then goes up, FLYING AX YHANDLES!
Brutus SMASH again and again on Mark, but Wolfgang distracts. Brutus runs Wolfgang off but Mark UPPERCUTS! Brutus just powers through to hit a headlock takeover! Mark keeps his shoulders up, powers Brutus to ropes and Wolfgang tags in as Mark powers out. Brutus returns into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Brutus sputters, Wolfgang CLUBS away on him, then drops knee after knee! Wolfgang CLUBS Brutus again, then clamps on a neck wrench. Brutus endures, fans rally, but Mark tags in. Gallus stomps Brutus down, Mark CLUBS Brutus, cover, TWO! Mark KICKS Brutus in the back!
Mark drags Brutus up to ROCK him with forearms, but Brutus hits back! Mark whips and kitchen sink knees Brutus! Tag to Wolfgang, BASEMENT SENTON! Wolfgang then clamps on with a cobra clutch. Fans rally, Brutus fights up, but Wolfgang tags Mark. Ripcord shoulder, then a FLYING SHOULDER! Cover, TWO, but Mark clamps on with a chinlock. Fans rally as Brutus endures and fights up. Brutus pries the hold but Mark throws him down! Mark grinds Brutus down but Brutus keeps his shoulder up. Fans rally, Brutus fights up, and he powers up to lift Mark, BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men writhe!
Mark crawls, tags Wolfgang, and Wolfgang keeps Brutus from Julius with a facelock. Fans rally, Brutus fights up again, but Wolfgang CLUBS him! And then ELBOWS Julius! The ref reprimands and Julius is mad, but then Brutus back drops Wolfgang! Tag to Julius! Julius fires off hands on Wolfgang, then clinches to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Fans fire up as Julius kips up, to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly Mark! Wolfgang returns, for another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Julius kips up again to hit another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! And then another kip up for another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly for Wolfgang!
Fans are thunderous, Joe Coffey can’t believe this, Mark gets another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Julius kips up, brings down the straps, but Wolfgang ELBOWS him! But Julius still OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Mark tags in, but he runs into a seventh BELLY2BELLY! SHOOTING STAR! Brutus tags in to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Fans are still fired up for the Creeds, and Brutus brings Mark over. Julius tags back in, he hoists Mark up in an Electric Chair. Brutus climbs, but Mark victory rolls! Cover, TWO! Wolfgang runs in to trip up Brutus! Mark ROCKS Julius, he and Wolfgang DOUBLE URENAGE Julius!
But Brutus is still up top! BRUTUS BALL still hits!! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down! “This is Awesome!” as the teams regroup in corners. The Creeds fire each other up, they egg Gallus on, and Gallus fires up now! And the brawl is on!! Fans are loving it as fists fly! Mark shoves Julius but Julius SPEARS Mark! Wolfgang DEGS Brutus, Julius DECKS Brutus! Mark ROCKS Julius, Julius JUMP KNEES Mark! And then ROLLING SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up as Julius throws off the elbow pad! Joe hurries in! The ref reprimands, but Ivy trips up Joe! Julius clotheslines Joe out!
Julius gives thumbs up to Ivy, but wait! AVA RAINE POSTS IVY!! She still isn’t done with Ivy! GALLOW’S GATE hits Julius!! GALLUS WINS!!
Winners: Gallus, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
The roots of Schism’s tree reach further than expected, and it helps Mark & Wolfgang survive the Creeds! Will Gallus Boys always be on top?
The hooded attack watches her handiwork.
“I have wreaked havoc on the NXT Women’s Division for months. This Tuesday, I will reveal myself.” Who is this that has been picking apart the roster from the shadows?
NXT Women’s Championship Tournament Finals: Lyra Valkyria VS Tiffany Stratton!
Between injury and the WWE Draft taking Indi Hartwell away, the title was going to be vacated, and a new champion would need to be crowned. The Morrigan fought through Kiana James and Cora Jade while The Center of the Universe made it through Gigi Dolin and Roxanne Perez. Will Lyra ride on the winds of change to reach new heights? Or will Daddy’s Little Rich Girl once again get what she wants?
The introductions are made, the belt is on display, and one way or another, we will have a new champion!
The bell rings and fans rally and duel. Lyra and Tiff circle, stare down, and then tie up. They go around, Tiff puts Lyra on ropes but Lyra turns it around. Tiff puts Lyra in a corner but Lyra pushes back. Tiff pushes, too, they tie up again, and then Lyra headlocks for a takeover. Tiff kicks and moves around, fights up to her feet, and Lyra wrenches. Tiff ROCKS Lyra, wrenches the arm, YANKS away on it, but Lyra rolls, kips up and WRINGS Tiff out! Tiff kicks around, rolls, kips, but Lyra wrangles her with a headlock! Lyra traps an arm, rolls Tiff to a ghost pin, TWO! Tiff gets away to ropes and Lyra smiles.
Fans rally up as the two reset. They circle, they tie up, then Lyra gets a waistlock. Tiff elbows free, snapmares, ghost pins back, but Lyra rolls through! Reverse sunset, TWO! Tiff scrambles away all flustered but Lyra is loving this. The fans love it, too, and the two reset again. They tie up, Tiff knees low, then headlocks. Lyra powers up and out, but Tiff runs her over. Tiff blows a kiss, things speed up, Lyra hurdles but the bad leg gives out! Lyra hurries to a corner, walks it off, and Tiff smirks now. The two approach and Tiff wants a test of strength. They knuckle lock, they go shoulder to shoulder, but Lyra rolls back to put the pressure on!
Tiff turns things around, throws Lyra over, but Lyra then MONKEY FLIPS Tiff away! Tiff staggers up, into a SWINGING ARM-DRAG! Tiff bails out, fans fire up for Lyra, and she watches Tiff go around the outside. Lyra then runs, but she just fakes Tiff out. Tiff scowls and storms into the ring. They tie up again, go around, and Lyra arm-drags Tiff out again! Fans rally again, Tiff is even more upset, and Lyra waits on her. Lyra then builds speed to WRECK- NO, Tiff blocks the dropkick, drags Lyra out and SLAMS her to the apron! Tiff then hoists Lyra up, SHIN BREAKER to the post!
Tiff looms over Lyra, slaps her around, stomps her around, then drags her by the bad leg. Tiff stands Lyra up, gets the leg again, and SHIN BREAKER to the post, AGAIN! Fans cheer and jeer while Tiff goes into the ring to let the count handle this. Tiff then goes back out, stomps Lyra, and pulls at the knee brace! The ref reprimands but now Lyra has no protection on that leg. Tiff tosses the knee brace and puts Lyra in the ring. Tiff lifts Lyra, SHIN BREAKER! Lyra hobbles, but Tiff DRAGON SCREWS her! Tiff drags Lyra up, has the leg again, SHIN BREAKER, and then another DRAGON SCREW!
Tiff smiles as she pushes Lyra to a cover, TWO!! Lyra is hanging tough but Tiff doesn’t let up. Tiff gets the leg, turns Lyra over, and then hooks the leg up. SNAP LOCK! Tiff puts pressure on the leg, stands back up, and SNAP LOCKS again! And then Tiff stands back up, ties both legs together in a deathlock, and fans cheer as she bridges back! MUTA LOCK!! Lyra endures as Tiff pulls on her! Fans rally and duel as Lyra pries the chinlock open! Tiff lets the leglock go, covers, TWO! Tiff stomps Lyra’s leg and Lyra goes to ropes. Tiff gets the leg again, but Lyra SLAPS her! Tiff SLAPS back! They SLAP fight!
Lyra kicks but Tiff ducks, then SMASHES the knee on the mat! Tiff drags Lyra to a cover, TWO! Tiff huffs and puffs but she gets the leg, for a STRETCH MUFFLER! Lyra bridges to relieve pressure and then reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Tiff lets go quickly, but then drags Lyra back. STRETCH MUFFLER! But Lyra kicks at Tiff with her free leg! Tiff lets go, clutches that arm, but she goes after Lyra again. SHIN- SUNSET FLIP! TWO!! Tiff escapes, stomps Lyra, and then steps through. Lyra boots Tiff into buckles! Tiff checks her teeth, Lyra O’Conner Rolls and it’s deep! TWO!!
Lyra ends up in the corner now, clutches her leg, but she says she’s still good to go. Tiff runs in, into an ELBOW! Lyra goes up, MISSILE DROPKICK! But it proves double-edged given the leg damage! Fans rally while both women are down. They stir, Tiff crawls after Lyra and they both stand. Tiff ROCKS Lyra with a forearm, but Lyra UPPERCUTS back! Tiff SLAPS Lyra, but Lyra UPPERCUTS again! Tiff runs in, Lyra dodges to SOBAT! Front kick! HEADBUTT! AX KICK!! Lyra grits her teeth, brings Tiff up again, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridge, roll through, and then another NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridge, roll through, but Tiff kicks the leg!
Tiff runs, but Lyra ENZIGURIS!! Tiff flops out of the ring and fans fire up as Lyra slaps her leg. Lyra scowls, builds speed, and she WRECKS Tiff! Then CROSSBODIES her to the floor! Lyra drags Tiff back up, puts her back in, and hurries up the corner! The bad leg does slow her down a bit but Lyra still reaches the top. Lyra aims, for a CROSSBODY! But Tiff rolls through! Tiff powers lyra up, but Lyra CRUCIFIX DRIVERS!! Cover, TWO!!! Tiff survives and fans fire up! Lyra drags Tiff to a drop zone, goes back up the corner, and fans fire up even more! But Tiff trips Lyra up! Lyra ends up in a Tree of Woe!
Tiff runs in, she DROPKICKS Lyra out of the Tree! PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, TWO!??! Lyra survives and Tiff can’t believe it! Tiff scowls and she drags Lyra up. Tiff fireman’s carries, but Lyra slips out to waistlock! Tiff kicks the bad leg out! Lyra sits down, Tiff runs, DOUBLE- NO, SUNSET FLIP! TWO!! DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!! Tiff grows frustrated but the fans stay fired up. Tiff storms up on Lyra, grabs the leg and then rolls to THROW Lyra! Lyra is in a corner, Tiff handsprings in, but into a waistlock! GERMAN SUPLEX! Lyra roars, Tiff stands, but the bad leg gives out!!
Lyra tried the spin back kick but the leg gave up on her! Tiff drags Lyra up, fireman’s carries, ROLLING SENTON! Tiff goes up now, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT- FLOPS!! Lyra fights to her feet, SPINNING HEEL KICK!!! But the bad leg slows her down, she can’t make the cover! Lyra crawls to Tiffany, ROPEBREAK!!! Tiff survives by a literal foot and Lyra cannot believe it! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” while Lyra grits her teeth. Lyra drags Tiff into the drop zone, goes up the corner, but Tiff goes up after her! Tiff throws forearms, Lyra CLUBS her back! Lyra digs her elbow into Tiff’s back, then adjusts position.
Lyra balances on one leg, SUPER SUNSET- NO, Tiff holds on! Then she RANAS Lyra away! Tiff hurries to fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON again! And then PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!!!! Cover, Tiffany wins!
Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (NEW NXT Women’s Champion)
The Center of the Universe finally has the prize she’s been seeking since day one of her career! She may be rich, she may be a brat, but she still earned this one all on her own. Will Tiffany Stratton make this HER era of NXT?
NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Bron Breakker!
Boston’s hometown hero is none other than HIM! Melo is back in Massachusetts, ready to have a rematch from the main event of Stand & Deliver. But while Melo is still Melo, the Big Bad Booty Nephew has changed. This dog is now #MeanerThanEvil, and he wants to bring scorched earth to Lowell! Will Bron break Melo to become a THREE-TIME NXT Champion? Or will Melo still not miss?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s a sadistic sequel to see who is really leader of the pack!
The fans chant for “MEL~O!” already and the bell rings. The two rush in, Melo dropkicks a leg out! Melo fires off haymakers, Bron shoves him away, but Melo comes back for more! Melo KICKS the leg, Bron shoves him again, but Melo just KICKS the leg out! Bron ELBOWS Melo from a corner, hobbles but runs Melo over! Fans boo, things speed up, Melo kips up to PELE! And then runs in to BOOT Bron out of the ring! Melo builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp, if only barely! Melo then rains down fists on Bron, dusts himself off, and CHOPS Bron against barriers! The fans fire up as Melo CHOPS him again!
Melo brings Bron around but Bron RAMS him into the apron! Bron puts Melo in at 6 of 10, shoulders into him, then storms in. Melo dodges, Bron dodges back, and Bron turns leap into SPINEBUSTER! Fans boo but Bron puts Melo in a corner. Bron RAMS into Melo, and again, and again! The ref counts, Bron keeps going until 4. Melo BOOTS Bron back, runs and rolls off Bron’s back, to then DROPKICK Bron to the corner! Melo runs in to forearm smash! Melo whips, Bron reverses, but Melo goes up, only to get caught! Bron TOSSES Melo away, then mocks the chants, “Let’s Go, Melo. IDIOTS!”
Melo goes to the apron, Bron brings him up, but then Bron blocks the gamangiri to DECK Melo! Bron goes out after Melo, fans boo but Bron kicks Melo into the barriers. And SMACKS him off them! Trick protests but Bron brings Melo around to put in the ring. Bron tells Trick to back off, and he goes to the apron, Melo KICKS Bron, and then HOTSHOT STUNNERS him! And then FADE AWAY LEG DROP! Cover, ONE!! Bron is hanging tough but Melo drags him to the ropes. Melo has the leg on the ropes to springboard STOMP it! Bron writhes, Melo grabs the leg and stomps away on it more!
Melo drags Bron around, steps over, HALF BOSTON CRAB! Fitting since this is #Melochussetts! Fans cheer, Bron endures, and Bron fights up. Trick demonstrates how to stretch Bron, but Bron turns things over! Bron BOOTS Melo away, then hobbles up. Melo runs back in, but Bron dodges! Melo goes up, FLYING ARM-DRAG! Melo runs in, but into a LARIAT! Bron’s good leg still has some explosive power to it! Bron hobbles around, he stalks Melo, and Bron brings Melo up, to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Melo writhes and Bron walks off the pain in his legs. “Boston sucks!” Bron then stalks Melo and drags him up.
Bron clinches, to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly again! Melo shakes his head and the fans boo Bron. Bron tells them to shut up, and he stalks Melo to ropes. Bron waistlocks but Melo holds the ropes! Bron gets in between Melo and ropes, for a SPINNING BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO!! Bron does push-ups just to mock Melo! Fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Bron but he doesn’t care. Bron scuffs Melo, says, “This is what Boston looks like?” Melo throws body shots! And a CHOP! Bron KNEES low, whpis, but Melo sunset flips! Bron stays up, drags Melo up, another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly!
Bron stalks Melo to a corner, drags Melo up and pie faces him. Fans still chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Bron throws body shots on Melo. Bron puts Melo up top, but Melo throws haymakers! Bron ROCKS Melo back, climbs up and brings Melo up, but Melo fights back with body shots! Melo KICKS Bron’s bad leg! Bron staggers back, but returns, for a SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Bron smirks, he’s starting to have fun with this. Bron drags Melo up, reels him in, short arm LARIAT! Bron taunts the fans as they boo him, and he drags Melo up again. Short arm LARIAT!
Bron says this is as easy as beating up one of the fans. Bron drags Melo back up, scuffs him, but fans chant “You’re Not Him!” Bron short arm- NO, Melo ducks! Melo KICKS the legs, CHOPS Bron, then ROCKS Bron! But Bron gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bron still has power to spare, but also attitude as he mockingly chants, “Let’s Go, Melo.” Bron HIP DROPS Melo, then HIP DROPS again! Melo crawls, but Bron says it’s done! Bron hooks up an arm, Melo resists, and he gets that arm free. HIP- KNEES! Melo gets Bron low, then KANGAROO KICKS him away! Bron staggers up, kicks low, and suplexes!
But Melo turns it into a DDT!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous again! Trick fires up and he coaches Melo! The fans are thunderous as Melo stands up again! Bron shakes out the stars in his head, but Melo dodges the haymaker to give haymakers! Bron hits back, but Melo gives more! Bron ROCKS Melo, Melo ROCKS Bron again and again and fires off body shots! Bfron shoves Melo, Melo spins Bron around, SMASH and SUPERKICK! Melo runs to BOOT! Melo keeps moving, he springboards, FLYING LARIAT! Fans are thunderous again as Melo aims from a corner. Melo runs in, tilt-o-whirl, FACEBUSTER! Cover, ONE?!?!
Bron says “Is that all you got?!” Melo KNEES Bron in the face! Suplex CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Bron is still in this and Melo is starting to wonder what he has to do. Melo drags Bron up, SLAPS him, but Bron DECKS Melo! Fans boo but Melo gets up to throw hands. Bron ROCKS Melo with just one! Melo ROCKS Bron, Bron ROCKS Melo! Melo staggers, comes back and he fires off a flurry! Bron UPPERCUTS Melo! Melo kicks but Bron blocks to choke grip! Trophy lift, but Melo hits a CODE BREAKER out of it!! Melo hurries up the corner, Bron stands, NOTHING- NO, Bron dodges! Bron runs in, but Melo POSTS him!
Melo runs, springboard- SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!!!! Bron got Melo like he did a few weeks ago, but this time Melo survives! Bron is the one shocked now, and even Trick looks in disbelief! But the fans are electric for Melo! Bron gets mad, he brings down the straps! Bron gut wrenches Melo up to SLAM him down! And then another gut wrench for another SLAM! Bron says he’s gonna end it, and he waits on Melo to rise. Choke grip, trophy lift, but Melo cradle counters! TWO!! Bron escapes, but Melo SUPERKICKS again! Bron sputters but stays up, so Melo SUPERKICKS again! Bron is still up!? SUPERKICK AGAIN!!
Bron is still up so Melo runs, springboard, FADE AWAY DDT!! Melo hurries up top, takes aim, NOTHING BUT NET!!! Cover, MELO WINS!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)
Count it! Melo was in a shootout but he gets the game winner! The hometown crowd cheers their hero, has he dispatched of Bron once and for all? And if so, then who is next to challenge… HIM?
My Thoughts:
Awesome stuff for NXT here. Even though they call these Premium Live Events, this felt about as close to a TakeOver as we’re getting in this era. As such, this also flew by rather quick, and I’m not sure where they really could’ve given more time to anything because all these matches felt just right. The Triple Threat was a great opener, and I really liked Tyler Bate’s new robe and ring gear. And it was great for Wes to retain the title, he has done great work so he definitely deserves to be deemed the winningest North American Champion. There’s still any number of people he can face before ever losing the title.
Great follow-up in the Heritage Cup match, though boy I wish it was Sha Samuels who helped Dar win. But it is great for Oro Mensah, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson to all have a spot in story and on TV. No idea how this is going to go now, other than Frazer VS Oro given their interaction. Dar can also face just about anyone next, and it feels like maybe they want it to be Frazer, between them both having talk shows, Frazer getting involved on Dragon Lee’s behalf, and the history between Frazer and Dar from NXT UK. Frazer is also great, and also deserving of things, this could be a great summer build for him.
That Last Man Standing match was wild! Never seen someone get a busted open chin the way Dragunov did, but it added something to this. Dragunov winning also made sense, as he’s been a great “giantslayer” before. But I can’t really be sure where he goes next, unless it’s the Heritage Cup with Dar being the Heel champion to Dragunov’s Face challenger. Great tag team championship match, it felt like the black ‘n’ gold era’s tag team wrestling. Though I should’ve known Ava and Ivy weren’t done fighting this out, and that is why The Creeds lose. The Tony D’Angelo arrest story is going to shake out, and maybe the D’Angelo Family gets to face Gallus over the summer, but a two month build to Great American Bash might be too much for this.
Speaking of which, great to see Great American Bash becoming more than just a themed episode on TV. A little surprised they aren’t trying for a little closer to July 4th, which is a Tuesday, but I guess that’s just how scheduling their events goes. And nice surprise promo from Chase U and Not Catch Point. Duke standing up for Thea is a good detail, but I feel like he’s going to get cheated by Gulak & Dempsey. And we might even get a tag match now of Dempsey & Gulak VS Duke and a returning Andre Chase. And good promo from this mysterious attacker, good that we’re finally going to see who this is. I’m hoping Blair Davenport, but for some reason the presentation of the character makes me think it’ll be Stevie Turner, making her streamer gimmick just her façade to fool us.
And awesome stuff from both top titles to close out the show. I wasn’t sure who was going to win in Lyra VS Tiffany, but it did feel too soon for Lyra. They kept her strong by making it about the injured leg, damage done by Cora Jade, and I don’t doubt Cora will take credit for it on Tuesday. Tiffany wins because she really is great in the ring, and is just too good at playing her character because it really gets the Heel heat from me. But HBK is also of the school that the Face is better in the chase, so whoever it is, whether Roxanne Perez, Gigi Dolin or even Lyra rising back up, they’re going to go after Tiffany over the summer.
In Bron VS Melo, I feel like Bron’s logo needs to change colors to go with his Heel side. Instead of the cyan, magenta and yellow, it should be like red, white and black. He was even wearing a white wolf mask with a black hoodie that was all “torn up and bloody,” so there it is: red, white and black. But naturally, Melo was winning here, 2-0 and winning the blowoff in his hometown. Great moment that Melo got to keep, no new challenger showing up at the end to shift attention or anything. That can be on Tuesday when Trick Melo Gang surely celebrates this win. Much like Wes and his title, Melo can move on to just about anyone for a fresh new feud to truly define Melo’s reign.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
The end is so close, we can almost taste it!
Half of A Block at 3-2, half at 2-3, and only two rounds left! Who will break away from the pack to lead this World Tag League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Daiki Nagai; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club; The United Empire wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Taka Michinoku & DOUKI VS TMDK; Taichi, Taka & Douki win.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask; Yano, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The House of Torture; LIJ wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Kenta & Chase win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; Gabe & Sanada win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Neman; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 3-2, 6 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 3-2, 6 points
Bishamon: 3-2, 6 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 3-2, 6 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 2-3, 4 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 2-3, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-3, 4 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-3, 4 points
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
The Roughneck almost didn’t make it to this round with how he hurt his foot last round, but he’s good to go! But will he and Honma be able to make it through the sixth? Or will The Fang Revived & The Crown Jewel make them #Go2Sleep?
OH NO, Kenta & Chase attack as Shota & Honma make their entrance! Bullet Club takes advantage of Shota & Honma going out into the crowd, and now they’re beating Shota & Honma down! The ref reprimands but Chase uses Shota’s own glowstick to JAM him in the head! Kenta drags Honma up for haymakers and Chase JAMS Shota again! The ref reprimands more but this isn’t a match so Bullet Club keeps beating up on Shota & Honma! Kenta POSTS Honma, and Chase drags Shota over. But Shota fires forearms in return! The fans fire up and Shota saves Honma from Kenta! Shota fires forearms on Kenta & Chase again and again!
Kenta ducks Shota’s forearm to full nelson, and Chase kicks the bad leg! Shota drops to the floor as he clutches the knee, and Kenta stomps Honma. Chase grabs a chair and he pushes the ref aside. Kenta holds the leg out! Honma covers the leg to shield it! So Chase SMACKS Honma instead! Kenta drags Honma up, Chase brings Shota around, and Chase puts Shota in the corner. Chase pulls the leg against the post, and then he grabs the chair! CON-CHAIR-TO on the leg against the post! The fans are stunned as Shota falls to the floor and shouts in pain! Kenta drags Honma up and puts him in the ring, and Chase wants the bell!
Kenta storms in, the bell rings, and now we’re on record as Kenta stands Honma up. Kenta KICKS, and KICKS, and KICKS, but Honma blocks! Honma CLUBS the leg, but then Kenta CLAWS Honma’s face! Kenta brings Honma over to bump off Chase’s boot. Tag to Chase and Bullet Club mugs Honma. Chase then traps Honma’s head for the NECK TWEAK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up but Chase tags Kenta. Bullet Club continues to mug Honma, then Kenta covers. TWO, but Kenta drops a knee on Honma’s head! And another! Kenta tags Chase and Chase stomps Honma. Chase grinds his forearm into Honma’s face!
Chase drags Honma up, headlocks and punches! Chase bumps Honma off Kenta’s boot, tags Kenta back in, but Honma fights back! The fans rally as Honma fires CHOPS and SLAPS, but Bullet Club mugs him again! They double whip Honma to a corner, then Kenta runs in. Honma dodges Kenta, then dodges Chase! Honma kicks Chase, catches Kenta, DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! The fans fire up but Shota is still down! Honma is in an unofficial 2v1 handicap match at this point! Shota crawls, but he’s still so far from the corner. Kenta CLUBS Honma, then brings him around. Chase adds on, and they double whip again.
Honma grabs ropes, BOOTS Kenta, then DUMPS Chase! The fans fire up as Honma hurries to his feet. Honma SHOULDER TACKLES Kenta! The fans fire up as Shota is back up! But then Chase CHOP BLOCKS him! Shota falls and tumbles into railing! Honma CHOPS Kenta! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Honma whips Kenta corner to corner, then runs up to ELBOW! And BULLDOG! The fans fire up and Honma fires up! FALLING KOKESHI FLOPS as Kenta moves! Tag to Chase and Bullet Club storms up on Honma. SOBAT! KICK! ROUNDHOUSE! Chase mocks the Kokeshi call to KNEE Honma down! Cover, TWO!
Chase calls to end this, and Kenta goes up a corner. Chase brings Honma in, but Shota gets up to SHOVE Kenta down! Kenta hits apron then floor! Shota shoves Chase into a cradle! TWO!! Chase escapes, runs up but Honma shoves Chase into Shota’s ELBOW! Chase staggers and Honma rolls him up! TWO!! Chase escapes again, but Honma runs up. Chase swats the lariat, fires a strike fest, but Honma roars! Honma HEADBUTTS, runs, KOKESHI- C-TRIGGER!! Chase tucks Honma in, hoists him up, PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!!
Winners: Kenta & Chase Owens, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
Bullet Club struck first and they struck last, and they’re still in the running! Can they find an outside shot at the finals and hit the mark? As for Shota & Honma, they’re mathematically ELIMINATED from the finals! Will Shota even have a leg to stand on when it comes time for his world title match?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
The Funky Sauce is on the bubble at 2-3 but they seem to be getting hot at just the right time. Can Zayne & Taguchi cook up a great comeback? Or will the heat die down after facing the Mad Man & Cold Blooded?
The teams sort out and then the War Dogs attack! It’s the Bullet Club way! Gabe is after Zayne, Sanada is after Taguchi, and the bell rings to get this on record! Sanada TOSSES Taguchi while Gabe UPPERCUTS Zayne! Sanada helps drag Zayne up, and they War Dogs DOUBLE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up but Gabe reels Zayne in. Zayne fights the driver, shoves Gabe at Sanada at the corner, but Gabe narrowly avoids running into him. Zayne then SUPERKICKS Gabe, and he dodges Sanada to then IMPLODER KNEE DROP! STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans fire up but Gabe waistlocks! Zayne fights, switches, but Gabe backs him down!
Zayne keeps hold of Gabe and Taguchi tags in. Taguchi CLUBS Gabe, Zayne kicks, and Funky Sauce double whip. They blow past Gabe to then BULLDOG and basement DROPKICK! Taguchi covers, TWO! The fans rally as Funky Sauce HIP ATTACK back and forth! Gabe sputters, and he gets a HIP ATTACK SANDWICH! The fans cheer again and Zayne drags Gabe up. Taguchi goes to a corner, Zayne sends him in, and Taguchi BOOTS! Taguchi goes up for DEADLY HIPS! Taguchi then hops up, Zayne tilt-o-whirl RANAS, but Gabe stops from running into cheeks! Gabe SHOVES Taguchi to the floor, then he dodges Zayne to CHOP!
Zayne falls then flounders away while the fans rally up. Sanada brings Taguchi out into the crowd and SMACKS him off chairs! Gabe does the same with Zayne on the other side! Young Lions make sure fans get to a safe distance while Sanada SMACKS Taguchi off more chairs. Gabe sends Zayne into the back wall! Gabe fires forearms, then THROWS Zayne into the wall again! Sanada drags Taguchi up and moves through the crowd while Gabe SMACKS Zayne with spare railing! Gabe has a wild grin as he storms around. The ring count starts, so Sanada brings Taguchi back to ringside. Taguchi resists but Sanada CLAWS his face!
Gabe has fans clear out, then he BOWLS Zayne into the chairs! Zayne tumbles up and over multiple rows! That was a strike, maybe even a turkey! Gabe then goes back for Taguchi to put him in the ring at 15 of 20. Gabe flexes and mockingly asks where Zayne went. Gabe drags Taguchi up, and he CHOPS! Taguchi goes to a corner while the fans rally up. Gabe bumps Taguchi off buckles, tags Sanada, and Sanada stomps Taguchi down. Sanada stomps away, and Gabe intercepts Zayne at the gate! The ref counts, Sanada lets off, and Gabe grins as Zayne is down in the crowd again. Sanada drags Taguchi back up to bump off buckles.
Sanada whips corner to corner, runs in, and ELBOWS! Taguchi sputters but Sanada tags Gabe. Gabe eggs Taguchi on. Taguchi rises up to CHOP! Gabe eggs Taguchi on more, so Taguchi CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Gabe BITES Taguchi’s forehead! Then he bumps Taguchi off buckles! The ref reprimands but Gabe tags Sanada. Sanada stands Taguchi up and ROCKS him with a right hand! Taguchi drops to his knees, so Sanada stands him up to ROCK him again! Taguchi wobbles, Sanada ROCKS him again, but Taguchi comes back with CHOPS! The fans rally, but Sanada CLAWS Taguchi’s eyes! Sanada whips, Taguchi HIP ATTACKS!
The fans fire up as Taguchi reaches out, and Zayne has returned! Taguchi crawls over but Gabe runs over to YANK Zayne down! And it’s back out to the crowd! Zayne fights the driver to BOWL Gabe into chairs! STRIKE! The fans fire up as Zayne hurries back, but Sanada drags Taguchi away. BIG atomic drop! Taguchi hobbles, reaches out, but Sanada reels him back in! Taguchi fires elbows, runs, but he fakes Sanada out! HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up again as Taguchi crawls! Hot tag to Zayne! Zayne dodges Sanada, fires hands and forearms, then whips. Zayne HIP TOSSES Sanada to then MARIPOSA!
Zayne drags Sanada up, suplexes, but Sanada fights it to suplex! Zayne fights that, and it’s a battle for control! Zayne suplexes up and over! The fans fire up and Zayne rises! Zayne stands Sanada up to fire forearms and ELBOWS! Then a mule kick! Zayne runs but Gabe trips him up! Gabe drags Zayne out and suplexes, but Zayne fights it! Zayne hangs Gabe out to dry on railing! Then ROLLING AX KICK! Gabe flops down, Zayne runs in and he dodges Sanada! BOOT! ENZIGIRI! Sanada ends up in a corner, tag to Taguchi! Funky Sauce whips Sanada corner to corner, then Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! Feed to Zayne, tilt-o-whirl RANA into the HIPS!
The fans fire up as Zayne backslides Sanada, but Sanada rolls through! KETSUYE! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe runs up to kick Zayne and brings him around. Gabe suplexes, but Zayne slips free! Feed to the HIP- NO, Atomic Drop! Wait, Gabe’s knee is what hurts? Taguchi wags his fingers, did he activate his buns of steel?! Zayne ENZIGIRIS, and then HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up again and Taguchi goes for Sanada. Funky Sauce double whip, but Sanada grabs ropes. Sanada TOSSES Zayne, then dodges Taguchi to spin and suplex, MAGIC- NO, Taguchi slips free! Sanada fights the suplex to dragon sleeper! But Zayne BLOCKBUSTERS!!
The fans are thunderous but Gabe UPPERCUTS Zayne! Zayne hits back, and the two fire heavy shots! The fans rally, Zayne blocks a boot to KNEE, but Gabe LARIATS! Gabe kicks Taguchi, suplexes, but Taguchi fights it! Taguchi wrenches to ENZIGIRI! Gabe falls but Sanada rises, so Taguchi runs up, to whiff on the hip attack! Dragon sleeper, but Taguchi drops down! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Sanada flails and reaches out, Gabe and Zayne intercept each other! Gabe reels Zayne in, but Zayne fights the lift to have OH MY GAH ANKLE 2!! The fans are thunderous as the War Dogs are enduring! Zayne shouts, “ITADAKIMASU~!” And he BITES Gabe’s leg!!
The fans are thunderous but then Gabe rolls and sends Zayne into Taguchi! All four men are down, and Zayne continues tumbling out to the floor. Gabe bails out to the apron, but Taguchi runs at Sanada. Sanada BOOTS Taguchi, SANADA QUEBRADA! Taguchi dodges! Sanada’s leg jams! KETSU- NO! Sanada dodges the hips! Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD!! Sanada roars, the fans fire up, and Sanada clinches for DEAD- NO, Taguchi trips Sanada up, steps over, LA MAGISTROL!!! TWO!! Gabe beats up on Zayne while Sanada catches Taguchi! Taguchi switches but Sanada shoves the ref, LOW BLOW MULE KICK!!
The fans boo but Sanada reels Taguchi in! DEADFALL!! Cover, War Dogs win!
Winners: Gabe Kidd & Sanada, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
Another first strike, last strike match for Bullet Club, and the Funky Sauce is ELIMINATED from the finals! Gabe & Sanada now moving up the ranks, will they be the ones taking those trophies?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Neman!
The four-peat is still alive, but at 3-2, who knows for how much longer. Can the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter defy the United Empire? Or will the Imperial Unit & Prince of Pace make sure Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi won’t #GetBackUp?
The teams sort out and Callum pushes Goto. Goto steps up and the fans cheer with the bell. Goto and Callum stare down while the fans rally up more, then they circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Goto uses size to power Callum backwards to ropes. The ref counts, Goto lets off with pats on the shoulder, and the fans applaud. Callum brushes that off literally and the two go again. They tie up but Callum kicks low! Callum fires a forearm, whips, but Goto reverses. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS Goto down! The fans fire up and Callum waits on Goto to sit up. Callum stomps Goto, then stands him up to fire forearms.
Goto CHOPS, Callum fires a forearm, repeat! Callum knees low, whips, but Goto grabs ropes! Hashi tags in and Goto BOOTS Callum! Bishamon CLOBBERS Callum! Cobb runs up, but Bishamon drop toeholds him onto Callum! Callum sputters while Goto & Hashi bring Cobb up. “SE~ NO!” DRUM BEAT! The fans fire up as Bishamon CLUBS Cobb back down onto Callum! Goto steps out while Cobb rolls away, and Callum coughs and sputters his way to ropes. Hashi brings Callum around to cover, ONE!! Callum is still toughing it out and the fans rally up. Hashi drags Callum up to CLUB him on the neck!
Callum goes to another end of the ring but Hashi storms up. Hashi CLUBS Callum again, then keeps him from Cobb. Hashi ROCKS Callum with a forearm, then whips him to ropes. Callum reverses and HIP TOSS NECKBREAKERS! Cobb runs up to BLAST Goto! Cobb goes out to stomp Goto down, then he stands on Goto’s chest! The fans cheer, and Cobb pretends he didn’t see Goto there as he steps off. Callum drags Hashi up to ROCK him with a forearm! Callum then CHOPS Hashi off his feet! The fans cheer and Callum brings Hashi over. Callum bumps Hashi off buckles, then he tags in Cobb.
Cobb HEADBUTTS Hashi in the back! And HEADBUTTS him again! Cobb whips and RUNS Hashi over! Cobb then carefully covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO! Hashi stays in this and the fans rally up again. Cobb stalks Hashi to ropes, stomps him, then drags Hashi up. Cobb CLUBS Hashi down, pushes him around, and then steps on Hashi’s back! Cobb stands on Hashi to use him as a surfboard! Cobb mocks Goto’s pose, then steps away to tell Goto to go back to his corner. Cobb bumps Hashi off buckles then tags Callum. Callum CHOPS Hashi, kicks him, but Hashi fires forearms!
Callum and Hashi go back and forth, and Hashi has the edge! But Callum CHOPS Hashi off his feet! Callum stands Hashi up, tags Cobb, and the Empire mugs Hashi in the corner. The fans rally but Cobb scoops Hashi and holds him with one arm! Then Cobb SLAMS Hashi down! Cobb again mocks Goto’s pose to power up, GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives and the fans fire up, but Cobb brings Hashi around. Hashi fires body shots and forearms! Cobb JABS! Cobb whips, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up and Hashi crawls over, hot tag to Goto! Goto runs to RAM Cobb!
Cobb stays up so Goto RAMS him again! Cobb tells Goto nice try! Cobb kicks low, whips, but Goto reverses. Goto then blows past Cobb to LARIAT! Callum runs in but Goto kicks him, and snap suplexes him onto Cobb! The fans fire up and Goto brings Cobb around. Goto fires a flurry of forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs up to MURAMASA, and then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Cobb stays in this and the fans rally up more. Goto drags Cobb up but Cobb’s too much to fireman’s carry! Cobb CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires forearms! Cobb fires back and the forearms go back and forth!
The fans rally as Goto and Cobb throw shots, but then Cobb gets the edge! Cobb pumps up, swings, but into a dragon sleeper! But Cobb fights free! Goto ROCKS Cobb, runs, but Cobb blows past Goto now to “JOHN CENA!” SHOULDER TACKLE! Goto is down and the fans fire up! Cobb rolls his way to the corner, Goto crawls, hot tags to Callum and Hashi! Hashi dodges to fire a strike fest! Hashi CHOPS and Callum goes to the corner. Hashi storms up to CHOP again! Hashi turns Callum, Callum slips free to shove, trip, and DOUBLE STOMP! The fans fire up, Callum huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises again.
Callum drags Hashi up, but Hashi suplexes! Callum slips free, waistlocks, but Hashi RAMS him into a corner! Goto runs up and LARIATS! Hashi CLUBS Cobb off the apron! Hashi whips Callum but Callum BOOTS Goto! And then Callum jumps Hashi’s basement dropkick to DOUBLE STOMP! Cobb storms in and he deadlift suplexes Hashi! Callum adds a PENALTY KICK! Cover, Goto breaks it! The fans fire up but Cobb TOSSES Goto! Cobb goes out after Goto again while Callum brings Hashi up. Cobb runs up but someone crashes into railing! Hashi avoids Callum’s Oscutter, then blocks a kick to fire a forearm!
Callum fires back and the fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Callum wobbles, Hashi fires a flurry! Hashi spins to COHP! Callum falls, kips up and ENZIGIRIS! Callum runs, but Goto is back, and he LARIATS Callum! Bishamon stands Callum up! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! They call their shot and get Callum back up! Dragon sleeper, leg lift, but Callum kicks free! Goto suplexes, Callum knees free! Goto waistlocks, spins Callum around, and Hashi LARIATS at the ropes! Then full nelson, but Callum BOOTS Goto and STUNNRES Hashi! Victory roll, TWO!! Cobb drags Goto out to send him into railing!
Hashi ducks a roundhouse to SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Hashi sees Callum tumble to a corner but Cobb runs up to ROCK Hashi! Goto gets in, Cobb ROCKS him, too! Cobb fires more shots, but gets caught into an URA GTR! Hashi LARIATS Cobb down! The fans fire up and Hashi roars! Callum SUPERKICKS Hashi! And DREAMCAST KICKS Goto! Hashi runs up, into a JUMP KNEE! Callum springboards, OSCU- NO, Goto catches him! Hashi has the legs! SHOTO!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Cobb & Callum earn 0)
A fast and furious finish, and it was certainly lights out for Callum! The United Empire’s dream of facing each other in the finals is in jeopardy, but is the dream of the four-peat about to come true for Goto & Hashi?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
TMDK is on the ropes in both blocks, their hopes of a mighty battle in Kumamoto is no longer possible. But can The Front Man & Mullet stay strong until the end? Or will the Rampaging Dragon & Gene Blast keep World Tag League tranquilo?
The teams sort out, LIJ fist bumps, and the fans rally up as Oiwa steps up to Yota. Yota grins, the bell rings, and the fans rally up. Yota and Oiwa circle, feel things out, then circle. They tie up, Oiwa spins to hammerlock, but Yota reaches back to headlock. Oiwa powers out and wrangles Yota into a headlock. Yota fights up, fires body shots, then hammerlocks in return. Oiwa slips around to switch the hammerlock onto Yota, but Yota switches and full nelsons. Oiwa fights that, so Yota spins him to a snapmare. Yota chinlocks but Oiwa slips right out to hammerlock! Oiwa then hooks the other arm and brings Yota into a cover, TWO!
Oiwa keeps on Yota with a double wristlock but Yota fights up to headlock. Yota hits a takeover, Oiwa headscissors, and Oiwa holds on tight! Yota fights around, pops out and has Oiwa’s legs trapped! Oiwa endures, Yota floats to a headlock but Oiwa again headscissors. Yota kips free this time but Oiwa goes up and hits a headscissor takedown! The fans fire up while Oiwa pushes up to put on the pressure. Yota fights around, ROPEBREAK! Oiwa lets go of Yota to stomp him down, then he brings Yota up to CHOP! Oiwa CHOPS Yota at the ropes, then runs, but Takagi jumps in! LIJ DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Oiwa down!
The fans fire up and Takagi SENTONS! Yota BODY PRESSES! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays in this but Yota brings him up. Yota CHOPS Oiwa, but Oiwa comes back for more. Yota CHOPS again, but Oiwa shakes his head. Oiwa CHOPS, ROCKS, and fires more forearms! But Yota CHOPS Oiwa down! The fans fire up and Yota runs, but Oiwa dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up again as Oiwa hurries, tag to ZSJ! ZSJ drags Yota around by a leg, has a standing toehold, and he twists and tweaks that foot! ZSJ turns Yota over and hooks up the legs. Yota resists as ZSJ goes for the arms, so ZSJ STOMPS the legs!
The fans fire up while Yota writhes, and ZSJ tags Oiwa. Oiwa storms up and grabs a leg for his own standing toehold. Yota endures, fights, but Oiwa YANKS the leg! Oiwa drags Yota around to YANK the leg again! Oiwa then tags ZSJ back in and ZSJ goes right after the leg, SPINNING TOEHOLD! ZSJ scissors the leg but Yota kicks with the free leg. But ZSJ grabs that and adds it on, DEATHLOCK! ZSJ pulls way back on it, and even has a headscissors! ZSJ again innovates with this modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow, but Yota endures and reaches out! Yota rolls over to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and ZSJ lets go to tag Oiwa.
Oiwa drags Yota up to dropkick the legs! Oiwa brings Yota up again, has a leg, but Yota fights the lift! Yota CLUBS away but Oiwa DRAGON SCREWS the leg instead! Tag back to ZSJ and ZSJ stalks Yota to a corner. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Yota, UPPERCUTS again, and then UPPERCUTS again! Yota falls over, ZSJ drags him around, and he stands on the leg before dropping into another DEATHLOCK! Yota endures as ZSJ stands up to put on the pressure! Takagi storms up to CHOP ZSJ! ZSJ stays standing but Takagi JABS, JABS and CHOPS, but ZSJ catches him! COBRA TWIST! The fans are thunderous as ZSJ has both LIJ behemoths!
Red Shoes counts, ZSJ lets Takagi go, and then he drags Yota back by just walking! Tag to Oiwa, and Oiwa stomps Yota down. The fans rally up while Oiwa drags Yota up, and he RAMS Yota into an open corner. The fans rally and duel while Oiwa pulls the leg around ropes! Oiwa then KNEES the knee! Red Shoes reprimands but Oiwa whips corner to corner. Yota manages to reach the other side, and Oiwa runs up. Oiwa blocks a boot, but Yota reels him in to then DOUBLE STOMP! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and Yota hot tags Takagi! Takagi CLOBBERS Oiwa, BLASTS ZSJ, and shouts, “Mada mada! <Not done yet!>”
Takagi runs in at the corner, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through! The fans fire up with Takagi and he JABS, CHOPS, and repeat! Red Shoes counts, Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, but ZSJ storms in! ZSJ wrenches the arm, CLUBS it, then he and Oiwa double whip. Takagi grabs ropes, comes back, but into DOUBLE BOOTS! Takagi stays up, clinches Oiwa and kicks ZSJ! DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! The fans fire up again as Takagi suplexes Oiwa high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi tells Kochi, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up and join in on “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi rises, brings Oiwa up, but Oiwa fires a forearm!
Takagi shakes that off and comes back to ROCK Oiwa! Oiwa fires another forearm, but Takagi fires back! The forearms go back and forth and the fans rally up again! Takagi JABS, JABS, and JABS! Oiwa LARIATS! Oiwa roars, runs, but Takagi LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Oiwa comes back into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Yota runs in to BLAST ZSJ off the apron! LIJ brings Oiwa up and they double whip. Oiwa breaks the double chops to DECK Yota and DROPKICK Takagi! The fans fire up as everyone is down! Oiwa crawls over, ZSJ is back, and ZSJ tags in!
ZSJ storms up to UPPERCUT Takagi, then UPPERCUT again! And again! Takagi eggs ZSJ on, then blocks a boot! But ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basement DROPKICK! Takagi flounders to a corner, and ZSJ almost parodies Takagi. ZSJ runs up to UPPERCUT, then NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this but ZSJ stays focused. The fans fire up as ZSJ aims, and KICKS! Takagi blocks! Takagi puts ZSJ’s leg in the ropes, fires JAB after JAB, then DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! ZSJ flops over and clutches that leg but fans cheer as Takagi rises again.
Takagi grabs a leg, has a standing toehold, then steps through. ZSJ boots Takagi away, Takagi comes back, but ZSJ avoids the sliding lariat to grab that arm! ZSJ hammerlocks, traps, and TWISTS! The fans fire up while ZSJ sits back to clutch his leg and Takagi clutches that elbow. ZSJ clamps back onto the arm, twists the wrist and SNAPS fingers! Red Shoes reprimands but ZSJ digs elbows into Takagi’s back. ZSJ then drags Takagi up to UPPERCUT the arm again and again! Takagi fights the takedown to ELBOW! YUKON- NO, ZSJ blocks to PELE the arm! ZSJ BOOTS Takagi, then catches Takagi on the rebound!
ZSJ isolates the arm and STOMPS! Then he scoops, but Takagi slips free! Takagi suplexes, ZSJ fights it, so Takagi hits a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! ZSJ and Takagi crawl, hot tags to Oiwa and Yota! Oiwa dodges to headlock but Yota powers right out. They RAM shoulders, and both men fire up! They fire forearms back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! Yota gets the edge and ROCKS Oiwa! Yota runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs to SPINNING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again and Oiwa grabs a leg! SHIN BREAKER!
Oiwa trips Yota, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Oiwa thrashes the hold as Yota endures! Yota pushes at the main leg, but Oiwa pulls on Yota’s legs! Yota endures, reaches out, but Oiwa pushes up for more pressure! Yota fights, crawls, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Oiwa lets go of the hold. Takagi coaches Yota but Oiwa SPLASHES down on the leg! And then drops knee after knee onto it! Red shoes reprimands as Yota again has ropes, so Oiwa stands Yota up. Oiwa whips, Yota reverses, and Yota kitchen sink knees! And then basement DROPKCIKS! Takagi runs up to BLAST ZSJ down!
Takagi checks on Yota, and the fans rally up. Yota stands and Takagi runs in, to ELBOW Oiwa! Takagi feeds Oiwa to Yota’s BOOT, then Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Oiwa staggers and Yota brings him in. LIJ hits a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans fire up again. Yota drags Oiwa up, Takagi wheelbarrows, but ZSJ CLOBBERS Yota! Takagi KNEES and TOSSES ZSJ out hard! LIJ double whip Oiwa, then duck Oiwa’s counter lariats! Takagi fireman’s carries Oiwa to TOSS him to Yota’s KICK! That was like the Aussie Open Dental Plan! The fans fire up as Yota hauls Oiwa up to the top rope!
Yota climbs up after Oiwa and fires up! The fans fire up with him, and Yota SUPERPLEXES Oiwa! Oiwa sits up, into a SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER! Yota covers, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Takagi TOSSES ZSJ out again! Takagi goes out to stomp away on ZSJ, and Yota grins as he rises up again. Yota powers up, aims at Oiwa, GENE- NO, Oiwa hurdles over, and ZSJ catches Yota into a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! ZSJ then suplexes, but Yota slips free! ZSJ switches to have the COBRA TWIST! Red Shoes reprimands, but Yota HIP TOSSES free! ZSJ UP KICKS, Oiwa UPPERCUTS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Oiwa DAIGOSHIKIPLEXES! Cover, Takagi breaks it!
ZSJ BOOTS Takagi back out, then pursues. Oiwa fires up, and he clamps on a SLEEPER! Yota endures and the fans rally up! Someone is sent into railing right as Oiwa spins Yota! Yota ducks The Grip, and PUMPING BOMBER hits! But ZSJ runs in at Takagi to BOOT! Takagi comes back, ZSJ BOOTS the lariat! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint and DDT- NO, ZSJ slips free! PENALTY KICK! But Takagi’s right back up! PUMPING BOMBER!! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Takagi! GENE- LARIAT?!? Oiwa takes Yota down first, but he also falls over! The fans are thunderous as ALL FOUR MEN are on the mat!
ZSJ and Takagi roll out to the aprons, and the fans rally as hard as they can as Oiwa drags himself up! Yota crawls to the corner, and Oiwa runs in! Oiwa LARIATS, then he suplexes! Yota fights that, wrenches and swings, but Oiwa catches him and spins him! But Yota suplexes first! Oiwa fights that, slips around to waistlock, but Yota fights the lift! Yota switches, Oiwa fights, and then Oiwa switches to have a SLEEPER! Yota snapmares free, and SUPERKICKS! Oiwa staggers, Yota roars and runs, but Oiwa gets around! SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up as we hit 20 minutes! Yota runs up again, but Oiwa gets back around, SNAP GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Yota escapes! Oiwa hurries to his feet, and he storms over to a corner. The fans fire up with Oiwa, ZSJ keeps Takagi from getting to the corner, and Oiwa DIVING BODY PRESSES! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives that simple yet effective splash, but Oiwa roars! Oiwa gut wrenches, DOCTOR- RANA from Yota! SUPERKICK! Oiwa roars, but Yota’s GENE TRIGGER hits! Oiwa falls back and now Yota roars! The fans are thunderous again and Yota goes to the corner. Yota goes up and up, to MAROON CRUSH! Cover, ZSJ drags Yota back with an ANKLE LOCK! Takagi CLUBS ZSJ and has a STANDING CROSSFACE!
ZSJ lets Yota go to slip free of Takagi! ZSJ fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT on Takagi, but then Yota catches ZSJ! Spin and wheelbarrow, then BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! ZSJ flounders out and the fans fire up with LIJ! “OI! OI! OI!” Yota sets up in the corner, Takagi stands Oiwa up, PUMP- NO, Oiwa shoves Takagi away and rolls Yota up! TWO!!! Yota escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Takagi CLUBS away on Oiwa, he and Yota double whip, but Oiwa DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans are thunderous again and Oiwa roars! Oiwa rises, brings Yota up, DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and shocks Oiwa!
The fans are electric as Oiwa rises again. Oiwa sits Yota up into the SLEEPER! Yota endures and the fans rally up! Someone is sent into railing as Yota fights up, but here comes Takagi! Oiwa ducks, ZSJ catches Takagi into a SLEEPER! ZSJ tells Oiwa now’s the time! IRON OCTOPUS on Takagi, and THE- GENE BLASTER POINT BLANK!! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER for ZSJ!! The fans are thunderous again while ZSJ flops out of the ring! Takagi shouts that they’re not done! Takagi runs to PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi roars, Yota rises, and Oiwa is set up for the PUMPING BLASTER!!! Cover, LIJ WINS!!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; ZSJ & Oiwa earn 0)
Another fast ‘n’ furious fight that Oiwa just could not win out! And now, Oiwa & ZSJ are ELIMINATED from the finals! The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but will they simply have to fall back on other plans for WrestleKingdom?
As for LIJ, Yota shows Oiwa respect by standing him up and raising his hand. Oiwa shakes free, not wanting Yota’s pity, so Yota BOOTS him down! ZSJ lets it be while he and Takagi raise their titles at each other. The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion helps his young teammate out of there while the NEVER Openweight Champion stays in the ring. Yota then grabs the mic to say, “Oi, Kochi. Finally…” Takagi says, “Our time has come!” The fans cheer that! Takagi repeats to Yota that their time has come. Yota recaps that they are now 4-2, and on top of the block! The fans cheer that!
Yota asks, “Hey, Takagi-san, you’re ready, right?” Takagi says, “Of course I’m ready! I’m totally ready! Now it’s time to make this really interesting. There’s no time like the present and no team like us to win this! We’re rampage to the end of this league.” The fans cheer that, and Yota tells Kochi and everyone watching to “keep your eye on us as we win this thing!” The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “Oi, Kochi, are you ready?!” The fans cheer because yes they are! Yota simply ends with, “We are winning this World Tag League.” Mic drop and LIJ heads out, but will they be headed to Kumamoto?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 4-2, 8 points
Bishamon: 4-2, 8 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 4-2, 8 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Kenta & Chase Owens: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
Another great round for World Tag League, and A Block is dropping like flies compared to B Block. With three teams at 4-2, so many teams get wiped out here, despite the great matches everyone had. Kenta & Chase finish off Shota & Honma, but then Kenta & Chase are still out because Gabe & Sanada won. Bishamon of course stays in the running, their four-peat is a big story for them, and they take Cobb & Callum out of the running to cross off any chances of a United Empire finals. And as I said when this all started, WTL was not the real goal of ZSJ and Shota, they were just setting up their world title match at Tokyo Dome.
Though, ZSJ & Oiwa VS Takagi & Tsuji was an awesome main event with a lot riding on it because had ZSJ & Oiwa won, they might’ve eliminated LIJ from the running. Hard to tell say, given LIJ lost to Bishamon and to Kenta & Chase but beat everyone else. But I guess if Takagi VS Konosuke is a WrestleDynasty thing, then maybe he and Yota can battle for the tag titles at WrestleKingdom. Though, that might telegraph Khan & Henare winning since Takagi would be bringing the tag titles along to a match with Konosuke Takeshita. Maybe? NJPW’s plans could be up in the air even now for all I know.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
OHHH Monday Night Raw! Don’t you DARE be sour!
At least, we hope things won’t be sour given last week’s tense moment between Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Can the Power of Positivity prevail on this night, the TENTH ANNIVERSARY of ya bois, the New Day?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Damage CTRL; Liv & Raquel win.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Dakota Kai VS Katana Chance VS Shayna Baszler; Dakota wins and advances to the next round.
- Gunther VS Dominik Mysterio; Gunther wins.
- R-Truth VS Pete Dunne; Truth wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
CM Punk arrives backstage!
And as he heads to gorilla, he says hey to Jey Uso & Sami Zayn. They feel great after their win at WarGames, and even Sami shakes Punk’s hand. Punk continues on as his music begins, and while Everett, Washington may not be Seattle, they go supersonic for The Best in the World! And yes, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME!” Punk signs autographs before he goes to the ring, and fans cheer more as Punk does a quick lap before grabbing a mic. Punk takes a moment as the fans chant his name, and he says, “Is it good to be alive in Everett, Washington on a Monday night or what?!” The fans cheer that!
Punk says to those at home, it is SOLD OUT here in Everett! And the last time you saw Punk, he stood on that ramp, fresh from a possible career ending Hell in a Cell match, and he said he wasn’t sure what the future held for CM Punk. He had a lot of things to consider. And now some deja vu, here he is, life and in living color, fresh from a possibly career ending WarGames, and now Punk knows exactly where he’s going. He’s less beat up than he was after Hell in a Cell. We can all tell, Punk put the personal issues aside, handled business with Drew McIntyre, then handled some personal business for his friend, Paul Heyman.
The fans cheer that, and Punk gets up on the corner to tell us that he knows what the future holds. Punk points to where a sign would be, and he wants us to imagine it with him. He can see it. For his entire career, everyone said it wasn’t there. They couldn’t see the vision. The sign isn’t hanging in Everett, but oh, ladies and gentlemen, Punk sees it. Punk knows what the future holds. There are many roads you can take to get there, different ways you can finish your story, and the Royal Rumble’s around the corner. That could be the road he takes, or maybe it’s Elimination Chamber. All roads Punk’s taken have been dead-ends, but he has a favor to call upon to get where he needs to go!
Punk invites all of us to come on the journey with him! And- “BURN IT DOWN!” Here comes Seth Rollins! Punk sighs as the Visionary struts out in a very shiny pewter colored suit, or maybe more clay, and then he heads to the ring. Rollins takes off his amber colored sunglasses before he goes into the ring, and the fans sing for him, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins has a mic of his own now, and now the suit appears a bit more the color of hot cocoa. The fans fire up seeing both Rollins and Punk in the ring, and the dueling chants are on! Punk and Rollins stare down from opposite corners, and Rollins speaks first.
“You know, I’ve been thinking a lot. I really shoulda knocked your ass out the same day you came back to the WWE.” The fans are torn on that, but Rollins says he has regretted that every single day of the past year. And over this past year, a lot has gotten in the way. Punk got hurt, Rollins had titles to defend, Rollins had a Bloodline to take down… And the last time Rollins saw Punk, Rollins was this close to taking his shot. But Rollins had pity on Punk, because Punk had just come out of Hell in a Cell and was hanging on by a thread. Rollins showed pity, and that was Rollins’ mistake.
After Saturday, seeing Punk there triumphant next to Roman Reigns, it all became clear that it was time to rectify Rollins’ mistakes. The fans are again torn, but Rollins says that as we stand here right now… Rollins takes off his jacket and says there is nothing in the way. There is only air and hatred, and Rollins has a feeling in his gut that TONIGHT is the night he knocks CM Punk on his ass!! The fans are again torn but Punk just smirks. Punk finally says, “You talk too much, and you don’t listen enough. I just came out here and I said I put all the personal stuff aside. I’m long past running races with people I didn’t even know I was running.
Six months ago, Rollins was a champion, he had something Punk wanted. But now, Rollins has nothing! The fans are torn on that one, but Punk says he knows where he’s going, and what’s in his future. Rollins, kid, you ain’t it. Rollins has been thinking about Punk for six months? Punk doesn’t think about Rollins at all! Punk has things to do in this business, so just stay out of his business. The fans fire up and they wanna see this fight! Rollins tells Punk, “You talk too much, and you don’t listen enough! This is MY business!” Rollins DECKS Punk! The fans fire up, Punk gets up, and the brawl is on! But Sami & Jey hurry out here!
Sami & Jey separate Rollins and Punk, the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but both Punk and Rollins want more! The fans want more, too! Rollins dares Punk to bring it, but Punk listens to level heads and hops out of the ring. Adam Pearce is there, as are producers, but Rollins grabs his mic again. “C’mon! Am I your business now? C’mon now!” Punk rushes in! Rollins stomps at Punk, the producers pull Punk back and Rollins says fine, get him outta here. Yeah, yeah, go on, Punk! Go on, Jey! Run along to Roman! Sami grabs a mic to tell Rollins hey, no! Sami gets Rollins is angry, but he doesn’t get to talk to Jey that way.
The fans cheer and Rollins tells Sami yeah, fine, Sami’s right. That was family, that’s fine, Rollins is just pissed, he shouldn’t have gone there. But Jey is Roman’s family, what’s Sami’s excuse? Sami ain’t family. Sami stares at Rollins, and fans chant “Sami Uso!” Rollin says oh, ha-ha, yeah, Rollins loves Sami Uso. But if Sami’s family with Roman, then he should really be family with Rollins! Rollins and Sami have known each other way longer than they’ve known Jey or Roman. They came up int he business together, up and down the roads for over 20 YEARS together! They’re family, and yet Sami stabbed Rollins in the back when Sami teamed with Punk!
Sami stops Rollins there to bring up how Sami didn’t ask for Punk. Did Rollins think Sami wanted Punk as a partner in WarGames? No, he didn’t. But Punk was willing to help when the OGs were down a man! Sami didn’t want to take his help, he wanted Rollins! Sami asked Rollins, TWICE, and he’ll remind Rollins that Rollins said no TWICE. The OG Bloodline wouldn’t have needed Punk if Rollins had teamed with them, but Rollins is just too damn stubborn! The fans really fire up hearing that one. Rollins gets a headache, and he asks if he’s losing his mind. Can Sami remind Rollins what Sami even wanted him to team with them to do?
What did Sami want Rollins to team with them for? Oh yeah, to help Roman Reigns! To help that monster to regain their power! Sami says “that monster” was created by Rollins! Rollins created that monster when he put the chair in Roman’s back TEN YEARS AGO! So don’t act like Rollins’ hands are clean in this. Rollins says he is in no way acting innocent. He understands completely what he has done. He understands the sins he committed. Rollins understands that the chair shot to Roman’s back was the motivation for “The Tribal Chief.” Rollins has apologized and atoned for that.
But if we’re pointing fingers for stabbing people in the back, then Sami needs to look in the mirror and see he did the same damn thing! And Rollins doesn’t fault Sami for it, because Sami did it for the right reasons! Roman is the scum of the earth! He treated Sami like crap, he treated Jey like crap, every single person was supposed to bow down to Roman. Rollins understands why Sami did what he did, why they ALL did what they did at WrestleMania 40, what they sacrificed in order to take down The Bloodline! Does Sami not remember this? Get it through your head: Roman Reigns has NOT changed!
Has Roman apologized to Sami? To Jey? To ANYONE? Even a shred of remorse? No. Roman hasn’t changed, and “that snake” CM Punk sure hasn’t! Stubbornness is NOT the issue here. Sami’s naivety is! He’s gullible! That’s the issue. And really, Sami’s just being stupid. The fans aren’t so sure about that, and Sami says that Rollins is really angry, with a lot of frustration. If Rollins wants to blow off some steam, then Sami has no problem meeting him in this ring tonight! The fans fire up for that! Rollins says fine by him. Rollins drops the mic and pushes past Sami, but who pays for Rollins simply lashing out?
The Judgment Day is in their clubhouse.
Finn Balor tells everyone that he warned Damian Priest months ago: Finn would be lying in wait for the moment Priest thinks he’s finally done with Finn, and then- Liv Morgan interrupts. Didn’t they agree that Finn was going to leave Priest alone? Finn says oh, well, yeah, but that’s when Dominik was going to handle it. But seeing as lil’ Dom Dom couldn’t get the job done, Finn handled it himself. And now instead of Priest walking around here with the World Heavyweight Championship on his arm, he’s walking around with an arm in a sling.
And Liv, maybe if they’d all listened to Finn, her team might not have lost at WarGames. And now, Liv has to worry about Iyo Sky facing her for the title at Saturday Night’s Main Event! Sis, she’s got a lot to worry about. Liv says yes, that is right. She and Raquel have Damage CTRL to focus on, so that’s what they’ll do. She just hopes Finn knows what he’s doing. Oh, Finn knows. See? He and JD are still WWE World Tag Team Champions. And when everyone listens to Finn, Judgment Day wins. Carlito likes that rhyme. Finn heads out, but Raquel asks what Finn means by that. Liv isn’t sure. But Liv wants Dom to keep an eye on Finn while Liv & Raquel have their match.
Dirty Dom says no problem, and he heads out after The Prince. Liv & Raquel head to gorilla, and JD goes back to WWE 2K. Is everything (not) fine with Judgment Day?
Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Damage CTRL!
Well, as Finn just said, the Women’s World Championship is now set to be on the line on December 14th, Saturday Night’s Main Event! Will Lil’ Liv & Big Mami Cool be rolling towards Long Island? Or will The Evil Genius & Pirate Princess start to take control?
The teams sort out, and Raquel BOOTS Kairi down at the bell! Then she BLASTS Iyo! The fans boo but Raquel drags Kairi up. Raquel TOSSES Kairi to the Judgment Day corner, then tags Liv. The fans boo as Raquel scoops and SLAMS Kairi, then Liv becomes her weapon! POWERBOMB SENTON! Cover, Iyo breaks it! The afns fire up but Raquel TOSSES Iyo out! Raquel tells Iyo to stay out, but Liv runs at Kairi. Kairi BOOTS Liv, then runs up to BLOCKBUSTER! Kairi crawls, Liv drags her back, but Kairi ENZIGIRIS! Th efans fire up while both women are down, and Kairi crawls again! Hot tag to Iyo!
The fans fire up as Iyo SHOTEIS Liv! And SHOTEIS again! DROPKICK! Liv tumbles and Iyo kips up! Iyo runs up to ELBOW Liv, then brings her around, only for Liv to throw Iyo at ropes! Iyo BOOTS in return, then goes out to the aprno. Raquel sings, Iyo blocks to SHOTEI! And JAWBREAKER! Iyo KICKS Raquel into ropes, then slingshots to DROPKICK Raquel down! Not the cleanest hit, but Liv waistlocks! Iyo switches and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Liv tumbles to a corner and Iyo fires up! The fans fire up as Iyo runs in, SHINKANSEN! Iyo has Liv in the drop zone and climbs up! Th efans fire up again, but Liv trips Iyo up!
Iyo is in a Tree of Woe and Liv hurries away. Tag to Raquel and Raquel hoists Iyo right up! TEXANA- RAAN!! Raquel avoids hitting buckles, and grins, but Kairi tags in! Raquel runs up, Iyo POSTS her! Kairi AX KICKS and shoves Raquel down! Iyo goes up again, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Raquel is down, and Kairi is up top! The fans fire up for the IN-SANE ELBOW! Cover, LIV BREAKS IT! Liv saves it with nanoseconds to spare, but Iyo TOSSES Liv back out! The fans fire up as Iyo DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Kairi brings Raquel up, but has to dodge a lairat! Kairi fires fast hands, an URAKEN, and another URAKEN!
The fans fire up as Kairi roars, but Raquel BOOTS her down! Raquel deadlifts Kairi for the TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, Raquel & Liv win!
Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall
But they’re not done as Raquel stomps away on Iyo! Liv joins in, but HERE COMES RHEA! The fans fire up as Mami runs in, but Liv runs away! Rhea and Raquel throw hands! Rhea HEADBUTTS Raquel, then pump handles! RIP- NO, Raquel fights free, and she CLUBS Rhea in the bad eyebrow! But Rhea UP KICKS! And she LARIATS Raquel up and out! The fans fire up and Rhea goes out to DRIBBLE Raquel off the desk! Liv attacks Rhea! Rhea has Liv as a backpack, and she POSTS her! Liv crumbles, but Raquel BOOTS Rhea! And THROWS her into the desk! Rhea hits the edge!! The fans boo and security rushes out while Rhea clutches her face!
Rhea rises up but Liv laughs as she and Raquel fall back. Rhea wants more, but security keeps her back for her own safety. When and where will Mami Rhea have her revenge?
Backstage interview with Gunther.
Cathy Kelley is with Der Ring General, only to be interrupted by Finn & Dom. Finn tells Gunther, “Hey, Champ. I think you owe me a title match. It was the second time that you faced Damian for the title, and it was the second time that you walked out as champion. And it was the second time because of me! So instead of kicking me in the face, you should’ve been shaking my hand! So, for the second time, I think you owe me a title match.” Gunther says he doesn’t owe Finn anything. He didn’t want Finn’s help, he never needed Finn’s help, and while Finn was plotting this all along, Gunther had a terrible time leading up to Survivor Series.
Gunther needed to win this by himself, and for himself. And that is what Finn took away from him. Oh, well, does he want to face him then? Dom keeps putting up the two fingers and Gunther slaps them down. Why’s Dom so cocky, huh? Oh, right, Gunther knows why. Because unlike Finn, Dom scored a win over Priest. And y’know what? Gunther thinks Dom deserves something for that. Gunther’s feeling rather generous right now. As World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther has leverage around here. Gunther will talk with Adam Pearce. Dom smiles, but then he stops as Finn looks at him. Will Dirty Dom of all people get a title match with Gunther?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Dakota Kai VS Katana Chance VS Shayna Baszler!
Speaking of title matches, everyone in this tournament is deserving, but only those who win will get what they want! To parallel SmackDown’s Women’s United States Championship Tournament, we hold a round of Triple Threats that boil down to singles matches. Tonight, it is #CobraKai, one half of KC Squared, and the Queen of Spades, who defies the odds to head for gold?
The bell rings and Shayna goes right at Dakota! Katana jumps on Shayna, but Shayna throws her off! Dakota DROPKICKS Shayna, BOOTS Katana, then runs up to GAMANGIRI Shayan to the floor! The fans fire up and Dakota builds speed, to DIVE into a HAYMAKER! Shayna drags Dakota up to THROW her into the desk! But Katana PLANCHAS Shayna! The fans fire up with the American Ninja as she says it’s finally her time! Katana stands over Shayna while Raw goes picture in picture.
The ref checks Dakota, she’s okay, and Katana gets Shayna in the ring. Katana then rolls her to a sunset flip, TWO! Katan whips, Shayna reverses, but Katan goes up and up and LEAPS, but Shayan catches her! Shayan pops Katana up to a suplex! Cover, TWO! Katana sputters but Shayna drags her into a wristlock. Shayna twists the wrist and pulls on the arm. Dakota crawls in, Shayna twists Katana’s arm more, but Katana fights up! Shayna CLUBS Katan, then gut wrench SLAMS her! Cover, Dakota breaks it! Dakota then drags Shayna up, but Shayna fights the suplex! Shayan wrenches, Dakota fires forearms and an ENZIGIRI!
Shayna staggers to a corner, Dakota runs in for a BOOT WASH! Katana rolls Dakota up! TWO, and Dakota kicks Katana. Dakota TOSSES Katana out, then goes Around the World! Shayna dodges the boot to hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, Katana breaks it! Katana SPIN KICKS, LEG SWEEPS, and then runs, but Shayna blows past her! Katana runs back in but into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Katana sputters and flounders, but Shayna brings her up. Shayna wrenches the arm and has a top wristlock! Katana endures being bent around, and she fights up, but Shayna wrangles her down. Shayna isolates the arm, but Dakota runs up!
Shayna catches Dakota, wrangles her arm, and then STOMPS Katana! Dakota flails, but Shayna- NO, Dakota avoids that stomp, which she knows too well! Raw returns to single picture as Dakota fires shots! Shayan shoves Dakota but Dakota comes back to FLYING MARE! Shayna ends up in a corner, Dakota runs in, to BOOT! Shayna flops to the apron, Dakota puts her in ropes! JUMP STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Shayna survives and Dakota grows frustrated. Dakota drags Shayna into a drop zone and goes up the corner. The fans fire up but Shayna GAMANGIRIS Dakota! Shayna climbs up after Dakota now, but Katana joins in!
The fans fire up as Katana pulls Shayna from the corner! Dakota HEADBUTTS Shayna, but Shayan ROCKS Dakota! Shayna ROCKS Katana, then has Dakota back up! Dakota fires body shots and Shayna falls back! Dakota adjusts, and she STOMPS Shayna down! But then Katana ROCKS Dakota! Katana goes up to SUPER STEINER Dakota onto Shayna! Cover, TWO!! Shayna survives so Katana covers Dakota! TWO!! The fans fire up while Katana is beside herself! Katana drags Dakota up, whips, but Dakota reverses. Shayna waistlocks Dakota, Dakota elbows free! But Katana BOOTS Dakota! Katana then uses Dakota as a step to FLYING RAN- NO, Shayna blocks!
Shayna swings Katana up, fireman’s carries, but Katana slips free! O’Conner Roll, Dakota DDTS Katana! Shayna KNEES Dakota! Cover, TWO!! Dakota survives and the fans fire up! Shayna is seething but she goes to a corner. Shayna aims at Dakota, runs back up, but she has to KNEE Katana away first! Dakota victory rolls Shayna! TWO!! Shayna escapes, but Dakota dodges to SCORPION KICK! And then fireman’s carry, for the DETONATION- NO, Shayna has the leg! Shayna yanks Dakota up, KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Body scissors, but Katana is up top! Dakota rolls free, 450 SPLASH on Shayna!!
Dakota fireman’s carries Katana! DETONATION KICK!! Cover, Dakota wins!!
Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Fast and furious to say the least, but Dakota is now moving on! The brackets show that either Zoey Stark, Kayden Carter or Raquel Rodriguez is next, will someone come back to avenge their teammate? Or will former teammates in Dakota and Raquel have it out in the semifinals?
Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The Raw General Manager says, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are here tonight in commemoration and celebration of the incredible ten-year anniversary of the most decorated tag team in WWE History! Without any further ado, please join me in welcoming Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston, The NEW~ DAY~!” The fans fire up as Woods & Kofi make their way out. The ring and stage are decorated with balloons, as well as props representing the best moments of the team’s career. Kofi shakes hands with Pearce, then starts passing out pancakes. Woods also shakes hands with Pearce, and the fans cheer as Woods throws more pancakes.
Pearce says, “Gentlemen, congratulations. This ring and this moment, this night is yours. But if I may be so bold, to speak on behalf of the WWE Universe, I think we all would love to let you know how much we think New Day Rocks.” The fans join in, “NEW! DAY ROCKS! NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Woods & Kofi grab mics, the cheering gets louder, and they’re a bit emotional. Woods says, “IT’S YA BOIS, THE NEW~ DAY~!” Woods wanted to come out here and say that being a part of the WWE, and being successful in the WWE for ten years… Getting to this point is so much than they could ever dreamed when they started.
So Woods wants to thank each and every one out here. Kofi says yes, it’s been one hell of a ride. Never in Kofi’s wildest dreams would he have thought they’d achieve so many accolades and accomplishments. And have so much fun while doing it! They could not have done it without each other, and you know who else? Who? Who, who? Yes, that’s right, each and every one of the fans! The fans cheer for “EEE~! E! E! E!” Woods says yes, they miss him, too. But with all this said, Woods & Kofi wanted to be face-to-face with the fans to say “what we’re about to tell you… Is not your fault.” What?
Woods says the New Day has nothing but love for each and every one of the fans. Kofi says that he and Woods, they’ve talked. And especially in light of last week… They both feel that when it comes to “The New Day” going forward… WAIT! BIG E IS HERE?!? The fans are all fired up, and both Woods & Kofi are excited to see the man himself! Big E walks his way out to the ring, finally on Raw again after almost four years! Big E joins his boys in the ring, the fans cheer on “E! E! E!” and Big E takes it all in. Big E says he can’t thank us all enough. But he wishes he was here under different circumstances.
Because to see Woods & Kofi argue and bicker and say some of the most hurtful things they could to each other… That troubled Big E’s soul something deep. When they started The New Day ten years ago, they were all they had! Kofi, ten years ago, you were mulling over retirement because your passion was beaten out of you! Woods, ten years ago, you and Big E were each this close to getting fired! And on one of the worst days of Big E’s life, the scariest moment of his career, Woods and Kofi were at his hospital bedside making sure he was good! The fans cheer that!
Big E wants Kofi to remember, that Big E was in a neck brace just a few months after Kofi’s daughter was born, and yet Kofi, his wife, and baby Lotus were in Big E’s home so Big E could hold Lotus. When Woods got back after winning King of the Ring, Big E was one of the first to greet him, tears spilling out of Woods’ eyes! The fans cheer those moments, too. Big E says what they built here means something to a lot of people. The fans also cheer that, and Big E says for damn sure, it means a lot to him. “So, until I am medically cleared to return to this ring… I am going to remind the two of you exactly who you are.”
The fans fire up as Big E says he will be here to cheer for them, root for them, uplift then, EVERY SINGLE WEEK! Big E will serve as the team’s manager! The fans cheer Big E on while Woods and Kofi both look a little guilty. The fans cheer on, “NEW! DAY ROCKS! NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Woods lifts his mic and says, “Now? Now you wanna come back? After you watched us fight for months? After you watched us argue to the edge of the cliff, and the last thing left to do was jump!? NOW you wanna come back? E, you left us.” The fans boo as Woods is being so negative! Big E says he broke his NECK! What is he saying, “left them?!”
But now KOFI says it, too! “YOU LEFT US!!” Yeah, Big E broke his neck. SO WHAT!? WHAT?!? Stone Cold Steve Austin broke his neck and came back! Kurt Angle broke his neck and came back! Edge broke his neck and came back! They didn’t even have people here waiting for them! Big E had family who kept the lights on, so he’d have something familiar to walk back into. And what’d Big E do with that? NOTHING! Woods & Kofi didn’t change, they didn’t evolve, at their own deficit, for Big E.
Kofi stops Big E from saying anything, and he says that as BIG as E is, as STRONG as E is, and the fact he never even needed surgery for it, he’s trying to say he couldn’t have been back here sooner if he wanted to? Big E says he was meeting with doctors, getting scans, MRIs and- Yeah, they heard it all before. Woods tore his Achilles off the bone, had surgery, and was back in nine months, for Big E. If Big E really, truly cared about The New Day, he would’ve been back a long time ago! He would’ve been by their side, encouraging and cheering them on this entire time, galvanizing them! But NO, he chose his new life over them!
Big E chose his projects and his GIRLFRIEND over them! Big E chose his DESK JOB over The New Day! In fact, listen up: Does Big E even realize the burden he’s become? No matter where New Day goes, the fans always say, “We Miss E!” As if Kofi & Woods didn’t! But obviously Big E didn’t miss them. The fans boo but Kofi says their philosophy since day one has been about brotherhood over anything else! We Before Me! But E… Broken neck or not, Big E chose Big E over The New Day! The fans boo but Woods keeps going: Let’s stop teasing all these fans. Let’s tell them the truth: BIG E WILL NEVER BE MEDICALLY CLEARED!
And since that’s the case… Why doesn’t Big E just get the hell out of this ring and get back to his desk where he belongs? And then they’ll call him, if they need him. The fans boo even more and Big E is as stunned as anyone that The New Day would say these things. Big E says he is not letting them throw this away like that! Not after a decade! They can fix this! Big E wants to hug it out, but Kofi keeps him at a distance. Woods doesn’t even look at Big E. Big E can’t believe it. Just like that, the group is over? Big E asks if they mean this. The fans chant “BIG! E ROCKS!” but he has no choice but to exit the ring.
With Big E gone, Kofi & Woods look at each other now. They say it’s just them now? They united over treating their other friend like nothing, and the fans boo as hard as they can! New Day is now just Two Day, did they just kill the Power of Positivity?
Karrion Kross speaks.
“Throughout my life, I have done some really terrible things to people. Which I’m actually quite proud of. So I have a tolerance for when people wanna do something back to me. But last week… He sent that creature after MY WIFE. And words are not gonna get me what I want, which is exactly each and every one of them in the arena next week. He used Scarlett to get to me. CONGRATULATIONS, because it worked! But just remember: You started this fire, and now I am going to make sure you burn in it. Tick-tock.” The Wyatts have escalated things with the Final Testament, who survives when these forces of nature clash?
Gunther VS Dominik Mysterio!
Der Ring General didn’t appreciate The Prince interfering with his match at Survivor Series, nor did he for SummerSlam, but perhaps as passive aggressive payback, he’s letting Dirty Dom face him 1v1. And furthermore, Dom is telling Carlito & JD McDonagh to stay in the back? Does Dom really think he can handle Gunther all on his own? Or will Gunther use Dom to send a warning to everyone about pissing him off?
The bell rings, and Dom SHOVES Gunther! Gunther scowls but Dom eggs him on. The fans fire up as the two circle, and they tie up. Dom facelocks, but Gunther lifts Dom right up and puts him on the apron. The ref counts, Dom lets go, and Gunther pats Dom on the head. Dom SLAPS Gunther! Gunther BOOTS Dom! The fans fire up more as Gunther goes out, brings Dom up, but Dom RANAS Gunther into POST! Dom hurries into the ring, builds speed, and he WRECKS Gunther with a dropkick! Then Dom DIVES! Down goes Gunther and Dom flexes! The fans boo but Dom is standing tall while Raw goes picture in picture.
Dom waits on Gunther, and Gunther settles down before storming back into the ring. They circle, feel things out, and Gunther powers Dom into a corner. The ref counts, Gunther lets off slowly, but Dom avoids a chop! Dom CHOPS, but Gunther just glares. Dom backs up as Gunther steps forward, and Gunther grabs Dom again! Gunther TOSES Dom, but Dom avoids the chop to CHOP! Gunther is just getting angrier, but Dom keeps his distance. Dom then slides under, only for Gunther to turn on a dime! Gunther kicks low, whips, but Dom ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Gunther to scoop! Gunther pops Dom up to SLAM!
Dom writhes while Gunther looms over him. Dom wants mercy but Gunther just clamps on a facelock! Gunther then stands Dom up to CHOP! Dom sputters but Gunther is on him again. CHOP! Dom falls right over and Gunther paces. Dom sputters, Gunther eggs him on, and Dom CHOPS! And CHOPS! Gunther CHOPS Dom off his feet! Dom writhes while clutching his chest, but Gunther is back on him. Gunther snapmares Dom, to then NECK TWIST! Dom writhes even more, but Gunther stays close. Gunther stalks Dom to a corner while Raw returns to single picture. Gunther eggs Dom on so Dom fires body shots!
Dom kicks, Gunther blocks and DECKS Dom! Gunther then has the legs and flips Dom over, BOSTON CRAB! Dom endures, crawls, but Gunther drags him back to center! Dom fights the other way, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Gunther lets go at 4, and fans boo as Dom survives. Gunther storms up, not even upset about the blood trickling from his own chest, and he pie faces Dom around. Gunther mocks Latino Heat and brings Dom up again. Gunther CHOPS Dom, pie faces him, and eggs Dom on. Dom CHOPS again! Gunther CHOPS again! Dom drops to his knees, but stands back up.
Gunther pulls Dom’s hair and eggs him on. Dom CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires a flurry of forearms! Dom CHOPS, but Gunther grabs him by the face! CHOP, and SLEEPER! Dom grabs the ref, the ref cowers in the corner, Dom LOW BLOW MULE KICKS!! The fans boo but Dom 619s Gunther in the gut! Dom keeps moving, and he dropkicks Gunther onto ropes! Dom redials, 619!! Dom goes up and FROG SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and Dom is shocked! Dom thinks on what he has to do, and somehow Everett has come around on him!? Dom brings Gunther up, but Gunther fights the suplex!
Gunther CHOPS, BOOTS, and he hauls Dom back up! GENERAL BOMB!! Cover, Gunther wins!
Winner: Gunther, by pinfall
Dom put up a bigger fight than anyone expected, but it still wasn’t big enough to stop Gunther! But here comes Finn! Finn dodges Gunther to SLINGBLADE! Finn aims, and he SHOTGUNS Gunther down! Finn hurries up a corner while fans are again torn, but Finn still hits a COUP DE GRACE!! Finn smiles and says, “Watch and learn, kid.” Dom does watch as Finn goes back up, COUP DE GRACE!! The Prince isn’t done, he goes back up! CUOP DE GRACE!!!! Finn gets Gunther in the back, and then he holds up the world title! Finn puts it down on Gunther, and he grins. Finn says that’s how it’s done.
The Prince leaves, but he may have just put a target on his own back here. Will Der Ring General give Finn what he wants so he can also give Finn what he deserves?
Backstage interview with Pete Dunne.
Cathy is with The Bruiserweight, and says that while Dunne knows he has a match with R-Truth, does Truth know that? Or does Truth think he still has a match with- Dunne stops Cathy there. Please do not say that name. And as for that idiot, R-Truth, he doesn’t seem to know so Dunne will make this very clear. Tonight, it is Pete Dunne VS R-Truth. Truth needs to get that in his head. Wait, something is going on behind all this. Producers rush in and the camera follows. Someone just attacked Jey Uso?! But the culprit is long gone! Adam Pearce wants medics to check Main Event Jey, but just whodunnit?
R-Truth VS Pete Dunne!
Raw returns as The Bruiserweight makes his way to the ring, still seething over the misunderstanding Truth has had about names and identities. Will Dunne help Truth #FigureItOut the hard way?
The bell rings, the fans chant “BUTCH! BUTCH! BUTCH!” and that just angers Dunne. Dunne runs up, Truth does the splits then runs! Dunne ENZIGIIRS Truth down! Dunne HAMMERS away on Truth but the fans boo. Dunne stomps Truth, tells the fans off, then he grinds Truth’s arm! STOMP! The fans boo but Dunne waits on Truth to get up. Dunne then just shoves Truth down to stand on Truth’s head! Dunne STOMPS Truth, but the fans still chant “YOU’RE A BUTCH! YOU’RE A BUTCH!” Dunne clamps onto Truths’ face but the ref counts. Dunne stops to stomp Truth down, and he dares fans to keep calling him Butch.
Dutch BOOTS Truth down, then he rains down fists! The ref has Dunne stop so he can check Truth. Truth is still in this but Dunne is still pissed at the fans! The ref keeps Dunne from going after the fans, and Truth rolls Dunne up! TRUTH WINS!!
Winner: R-Truth, by pinfall
Dunne’s anger got the better of him, and now he’s lost the match! Will Dunne absolutely lose his mind at this rate?
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Cathy is now with the Intercontinental Champion, and says that in the Triple Threat, in a match where Sheamus ended up with a broken rib, Bron is still the champion. Was that match his biggest challenge to date? Yes, it was obviously a great challenge. But Bron told both men- Oh, speaking of, Ludwig Kaiser steps in. And Kaiser says Bron sure seems happy with himself. That is a surprise, because of Bron had come in a few seconds later, that title would be Kaiser’s now. But hey, it doesn’t matter. Because Kaiser accomplished what he needed to.
When Sheamus broke one of Kaiser’s ribs, Kaiser vowed to come back and put an end to the Celtic Warrior for good, and that’s what he did. A rib for a rib. And now, there is nothing stopping Kaiser from taking the title and bringing it back to where it belongs in Imperium. Bron asks if that’s a challenge. Because Bron knew Kaiser would come here today with the whole “Bron didn’t pin Kaiser” thing. So yeah, Bron will talk with Pearce, see what can be done. But Bron would love nothing more than to face Kaiser for this title and beat him, so that Kaiser can have that stupid look on his face, knowing he will never, ever hold this title.
BUT… Bron will give Kaiser his props. That was a hell of a match. Kaiser proved to everyone that he is on his way out from under Gunther’s shadow. But if Bron was Kaiser, Bron would try to get out of the shadow a lot faster, because Gunther’s stock is plummeting. Bron leaves, will the Impeccable German make good on a title rematch that is 1v1?
Sami Zayn finds Pearce backstage.
Sami wants to know what happened to Jey and Pearce has him calm down. Medical is still evaluating Jey, they have to wait to know the damage. Sami asks who did it, and Pearce says he doesn’t know, but who does Sami think did it? Sami says he knows exactly who, and he’s about to whip his ass in that ring! Is Sami accusing The Visionary of lashing out against Jey? Will Sami beat a confession out of him? Or is Sami aiming at the wrong man?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is on a phone call.
He tells whoever that he appreciates them being on the same page, he just needs them to make it official. He thanks them, then promises to call back, because Finn stepped in. Finn knows Pearce saw what happened out there. He did. Then the only thing Finn needs to know is when is he getting a world title match. Oh, that’s rich. It takes an act of Congress to make Finn defend his tag title and yet Finn wants more. Finn’s lucky the War Raiders aren’t here tonight, or- Oh, the War Raiders?! Finn doesn’t care about them! Finn only cares about when Pearce stops letting Gunther duck Finn!
Duck Finn? Funny enough, Pearce talked with Gunther and Gunther wants this match just as badly. Finn gets his wish. Finn VS Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship… SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT! Finn says about time. Finn turns to go but Pearce tells him, “One more thing. Next week, let’s talk about your other title match.” Pearce leaves and Finn doesn’t like how that sounds. Is Finn going to learn that it’s all about give and take?
Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn!
The Visionary wants to beat the crap out of CM Punk, but he ended up picking a fight with the Honorary Uce. Will Rollins not just #BurnItDown, but burn down the few bridges he has left? Or will he just be red hot in his pursuit of the Best in the World?
The bell rings and the two tie right up. They go around, Rollins puts Sami in a corner, but the ref counts. Sami and Rollins push each other as they let off, then they tie up again. Rollins headlocks, Sami powers up and out, but Rollins runs Sami over! The fans cheer Sami on as things speed up. Sami ducks, hurdles, then TOSSES Rollins out! The fans fire up and Sami builds speed, but Rollins moves! Sami hits the Arabian Press to land back inside, and the fans fire up as Sami waits on Rollins. Rollins paces around the outside while Raw goes picture in picture.
Sami waits, the fans rally up, and Rollins goes to the steps. Rollins takes his time going up to the apron, then steps inside the ropes. Rollins and Sami tie up again, go around in another deadlock, but Sami waistlocks, Rollins wrenches out to hammerlock and he wrangles Sami to the mat. Sami fights up, Rollins pulls on the arm, but Sami ELBOWS free. Sami bumps Rollins off buckles, then fires forearms! Rollins fires back! The forearms go back and forth, harder and faster, but Rollins ROCKS Sami! Rollins bumps Sami off buckles and Sami falls right over! Rollins stands Sami up to CHOP! Sami CHOPS back!
The CHOPS go back and forth, then Rollins whips Sami to ropes. Rollins scoops Sami to a BACKBREAKER! Sami writhes but Rollins walks around him. Rollins drags Sami up and wrenches an arm. Rollins whips Sami hard into a corner, and Sami falls to the mat! Rollins scowls, not happy he has to fight his friend and rival, but he drags Sami up by his hair. Rollins waistlocks and has a rear bearhug squeeze! Sami endures, fights around, and he throws elbows! Sami is free, he ROCKS Rollins, but Rollins CHOPS back! Sami falls and Rollins seethes as he stands over him. Rollins taunts Sami, eggs him on, and Sami rises.
Sami CHOPS, but Rollins nods,. Rollins CHOPS Sami, Sami CHOPS back, and the CHOPS continue! Raw returns to single picture as now the forearms fly! Rollins gets the edge, whips, but Sami goes up and over! Sami LARIATS Rollins down! The fans fire up and Sami goes to a corner. Rollins stands but Sami kicks him! Sami bumps Rollins off buckles, then climbs up to rain down fists! Fans count to TEN but Sami fires a flurry to go all the way to TWENTY! Rollins flounders away but Sami leaps, AX HANDLE! The fans fire up as Sami goes up again! Rollins stands, Sami leaps, but Rollins kicks low!
Rollins underhooks, Sami wrenches out! Sami avoids the lariat to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Rollins survives but Sami is not deterred. The fans rally up and Sami storms over to Rollins. Sami stands Rollins up but Rollins fires elbows! And an ENZIGIRI! Sami goes to a corner, Rollins runs corner to corner, but Sami catches him! BUCKLE EXPLODER! The fans are thunderous as Sami goes corner to corner, and he takes aim again! Rollins stands, Sami runs up, SUPERKICK from Rollins!! Rollins then runs up, but Sami avoids the curb stomp! Sami bails out while Rollins hobbles a bit. Rollins seethes while Sami catches his breath.
Sami rises but Rollins goes out the side. Rollins storms his way over, and he tells Sami that he didn’t want this fight. This fight is with Punk. Sami SLAPS Rollins! Sami says he knows it was Rollins! Sami SLAPS Rollins, but Rollins POSTS Sami! And then POSTS him again! Sami falls and Rollins rolls into the ring. The ring count climbs, but then Rollins goes out to fetch Sami. Rollins stands Sami up, and TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! Sami flounders up, the ref reprimands, but Rollins is still seething. Rollins drags Sami up, says it wasn’t him, but Sami BOOTS Rollins away! The fans fire up as Sami storms up on Rollins!
Now Sami POSTS Rollins! Rollins falls back, but Sami gets him in the ring. The fans rally for “SAMI USO!” but then Sami grabs a chair! The fans fire up as Sami wants revenge for Jey! Sami says stop, what’s Sami doing!? Sami says he knows it was Rollins! Rollins doesn’t understand, Sami says it was Rollins who jumped Jey! Rollins says he wouldn’t do that! How about Punk? Maybe it wasn’t Punk, but it sure wasn’t Rollins! Use your head, Sami! The fans are thunderous, but Sami cools off. Sami puts the chair outside, but then Rollins snatches Sami to a cradle! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins defended his innocence, but then he takes advantage of Sami’s emotions! Rollins still wants Sami to understand, Rollins loves that Sami has a big heart, but he wants Sami to start using his brain. Either way, there is still the mystery of whodunnit. Wait, who is this getting int he ring!? CLAYMORE!! DREW MCINTYRE IS BACK?!? Wait, did HE attack Jey!? And now he’s hit Sami! Is the Scottish Terminator going to make sure no one survives his wrath?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, maybe even an awesome one, with another great pivot from one event to the next. Saturday Night’s Main Event is stacking up. We already know of Cody Rhodes VS Kevin Owens for the WWE Championship, and then they snuck in the announcement of Iyo Sky VS Liv Morgan for the Women’s World Championship. Great stuff from Judgment Day up and down the show again, with a great tag match out of Liv & Raquel VS DMG CTRL. Logical move to have Raquel beat Kairi, that keeps the math on Iyo and Liv untouched. Rhea coming out to go after Liv but getting Raquel, it’s a logical move to give us Rhea VS Raquel as a way for Rhea to bide her time. Liv VS Iyo can happen for SNME, Rhea gets the winner at the Royal Rumble.
Finn wanting after Gunther over the unwanted assist was good stuff, as was Gunther giving a match to Dom tonight instead of Finn. Dom got a strong showing, perhaps doing two birds at once: Dom is building his power level to counter his reputation as Judgment Day’s scrub, but also showing Gunther might still have an arrogance problem. Gunther of course won, but Finn attacking afterward was of course happening, as well. Gunther VS Finn for the title at SNME, I wonder if Priest returns the favor and screws Finn over. At the same time, Pearce definitely planted the seeds of Finn having to pull double duty on that night, opening the show with the tag titles but then having to turn right around and go for the world title. That’s probably how Finn & JD even lose the tag titles.
Great Triple Threat from Dakota, Shayna and Katana to start the Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament, and for just a moment, I thought they were giving this to Shayna. But in the end, Dakota wins out, which I feel is the right choice because Dakota’s been one of the many deserving superstars for a lot longer than a few others. There are a lot of great choices in this tournament, too, but we’ll have to see how this shakes out before I can say Dakota’s getting the title. And speaking of titles, great promo from Bron and Kaiser to set up their own title match, but at this point, if Bron didn’t lose a Triple Threat, he won’t lose 1v1. But I did like Bron getting in Kaiser’s head about leaving Gunther behind, as perhaps Imperium has run its course.
Well, speaking of a team running its course… That New Day anniversary segment was powerful stuff. It was nice seeing some of those old items, and they had a good video package before this segment, but I did NOT see it going this direction. Woods and Kofi talking like it was going to be a faction divorce was already something, but then Big E makes a surprise return and logically tries to patch things up with the group. The shock was Kofi and Woods doubling down by using Big E as some sort of common enemy! They were so callous about Big E’s broken neck that, as the medical diagnosis was years ago, was nearly fatal. It was no less than a miracle Big E wasn’t paralyzed, either, and yet New Day is expelling Big E from the group as Woods & Kofi go Heel together, and that’s nuts!
Very good promo from Kross to put the Wyatts on notice, and that will definitely bring about the 8 Man Tag I’ve been expecting. That will be a great match, can’t wait to see how it goes. Great stuff with Dunne and Truth tonight, especially with how it overlapped a bit with this bigger story of Punk, Rollins, and maybe even McIntyre again. Punk had a good promo to tease his part in the Royal Rumble and maybe even Elimination Chamber if need be, and then Rollins reigniting their issues was good stuff. Sami and Jey made natural mediators, with Rollins lashing out at them. I would think McIntyre attacked Jey as McIntyre still hasn’t gotten over that grudge.
Rollins VS Sami was a great main event, with a very clever win for Rollins. And then McIntyre hits Sami as further revisiting of grudges, and I feel like McIntyre will want to go after Punk, but he’ll be detoured by Sami and/or Jey for some great matches there. The Road to WrestleMania starts a little later this year with the Rumble being a February event, not a January one, but there can be twists and turns that somehow still give us Rollins VS Punk in Vegas, title optional. It’d be bigger if the title was on the line so that Punk can finally have a WrestleMania title match main event, but that would depend on the plan for Gunther’s WrestleMania as well.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Hockey Talk- A Bruins Loss, A Blues Gain [120324]
Hockey Talk celebrates Jeremy Roenick finally getting inducted into the Hall of Fame, 16 years after his last game and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Saquon’s Sensational Sunday
Is The Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley the odds-on favorite for NFL MVP this season?
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Another Harbaugh Bowl Incoming
Josh Allen and the Bills deal KC their first loss of the season but, is this Buffalo team now favorites...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Who’s Your Fav Ninja Turtle?
Every team has now played more than half of their schedule and Tunney and Balaz got you covered as we...
Hockey Talk- The Hall Finally Calls [111224]
Hockey Talk celebrates Jeremy Roenick finally getting inducted into the Hall of Fame 16 years after his last game and...
Bandwagon Nerds #265: A New Man At Arms… We Love It!
Join the Bandwagon for a full trailer park, news around the Nerd-O-Sphere and find out what the gents are watching...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (11/28/24)
Championship Charcuterie!
The 5×5 w/ Patrick O’Dowd: Lord of the Rings Characters
On this episode Patrick is joined by DJ from the Mindless Wrestling Pod to give you their five best and...
Bandwagon Nerds #264: Dave’s Not Here, Man
With Dave out on assignment this week, Patrick is joined by Tunney, DP and Rey Cash to round out a...
The 5×5 w/ Patrick O’Dowd: Thanksgiving Foods
On this episode Patrick is joined by Chairshot cohort, PC Tunney. The gents sit down to discuss their top and...
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (12/2/24)
A Block, Round 6!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/2/24)
NEW! DAY RAW! NEW! DAY RAW!
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (12/1/24)
B Block, Round 5!
#TheOddity 020: Goblin Pizza & A Wicked Review
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (11/30/24)
Luchadores are on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s WWE Survivor Series Results & Report! (11/30/24)
BLOODLINE: CIVIL WAR!
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (11/30/24)
It's a Continental Classic Collision!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Let The Holiday War Games Begin!
With Jason on Assignment, DJ and Rob talk about their holiday plans and give their Survivor Series Wargames predictions. Then...
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/29/24)
A Block, Round 5!
Andrew’s TNA Turning Point Results & Match Ratings: 11.29.2024
BROOO - Turning Point...is definitely a thing. Live from WrestleCade, with their crew...it's gonna look low budget, but can the...
