Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/12/23)
The mat is sacred!
Will Gunther MAKE Kevin & Sami respect him?
Imperium is looking to take over Raw, but Der Ring General barely defeated Kevin Owens! Will he and Ludwig Kaiser be able to conquer Kevin AND Sami?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Cody Rhodes VS The Miz; Cody wins.
- Becky Lynch VS Chelsea Green w/ Sonya Deville; Becky wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Matt Riddle VS Damian Priest; Priest wins and advances to MITB.
- Ricochet VS Bronson Reed; Bronson wins, by disqualification.
- Raquel Rodriguez VS Shayna Baszler w/ Ronda Rousey; Shayna wins.
- Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy VS Erik w/ The Viking Raiders; Gable wins.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS GUNTHER & Ludwig Kaiser; Kevin & Sami win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rhea Ripley is here!
The fans go wild for Mami as she brings her SmackDown Women’s Championship with her to the ring and Adam Pearce gives her introductions. And much like on SmackDown when Asuka was presented a new belt, there’s a podium with something covered. And Pearce says on behalf of the WWE, it is his pleasure to recognize Rhea’s status as champion with the brand new Women’s World Championship! And yes, it is the men’s belt with a white strap. Fans cheer for “MAMI! MAMI!” as Pearce hands the belt over and Rhea raises it up. But then the fans boo when Dominik Mysterio rushes in to help her put it on.
Rhea and her Dom-Dom celebrate, and Rhea gets the mic. “Dom-Dom, tell ’em how amazing I am.” She hands over the mic and fans boo even louder than before. Dom says that is disrespectful to Mami AND to him! Everyone knows that behind a great woman is a great man, and he is glad to be that for Rhea. He will always be there to support her. But wait! Here comes Cody! Fans sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, then high-fives fans and even hugs a few. Then Cody gets a mic and steps into the ring with Dommy & Mami. Fans chant for “CODY! CODY!” and asks Kansas, “What do you guys wanna talk about?”
They could talk about Rhea and her beautiful new belt and the legacy she is starting. It is all well-earned and deserved, all the respect in the world to Rhea. And we could also talk about Cody’s match with The Miz later tonight. But… Let’s try this out. Let’s take a look at what Cody wants to talk about. Footage replays of Dom talking trash on Cody for being a bad father on MizTV last week, and Cody giving it back, and then Dom getting away with a cheap shot on Cody. Back in live, Cody says it would be nice to come out here, hear Brock Lesnar’s music as a sign he finally accepts Cody’s challenge for the tiebreaker. But we all know Brock doesn’t have the balls to do it.
But Dom! Dom just slaps Cody and thinks he can get away with it? Why not try this on for size, Dom? Dom VS Cody, at Money in the Bank! Fans like that idea, but what does Dom say? Dom says, “As you all saw…” The fans boo again. Dom says he’s NOT afraid of anyone! And he took Cody Rhodes “and embarrassed him in the middle of this ring,” just like Dom would anyone else! Rhea smiles, Dom smirks, but Cody seems to expect more. Fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Dom, and Cody says he’ll make it a bit more clear. The fans were saying something, though. What was it? “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Ah, okay.
Cody says it is a yes or no answer. Fans say “YES! YES! YES!” but Rhea says that her Latino Heat is more of a man than anyone in this arena, or watching at home, and certainly more than Cody! Then again, he asks- Rhea says Dom accepts! And then Miz runs in from the crowd side! Cody DECKS Miz, and he STOPS Dom from getting a cheap shot! Miz gets up, Cody clotheslines Miz out of the ring! And then Dom still gets his cheap shot!! Rhea says the match is on for MITB, but will Dom see The Miz become an example of what to expect from The American Nightmare?
Cody Rhodes VS The Miz!
Raw returns and this match begins! The two rush in, Miz gets around, Cody fights the waistlock and ROCKS Miz! Fans taunt Miz about his “TINY BALLS! TINY BALLS!” as Cody whips and DROPKICKS Miz down! Miz gets up, swings, misses, and Cody kicks low to drop down, Rhodes Uppercut! Cody then hits a back suplex, but Miz lands on his feet! Miz waistlocks but Cody RAMS him into buckles, arm-drags him away, and then tosses him out of the ring! Fans fire up as Cody springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Miz falls to the floor and Cody goes up top, but Miz hurries away. Fans boo but Cody hops down, to then DIVE!
Fans fire up as Miz hits barriers! Cody puts Miz in, storms up on him, but Miz wants mercy! The ref has Cody stay back but Cody blocks the cheap shot! DRAGON SCREW! Cody stomps Miz’s leg, drags him around, and then YANKS the leg! Miz hobbles, Cody stalks him, and fans rally up behind him. Cody brings Miz up to CLUB him, then whips him to the corner. But Miz’s leg gives up! Cody keeps on Miz with an armlock, and puts him in the corner to CHOP! Cody runs Miz corner to corner to bump him off buckles, and then he stomps a mudhole in him! Fans rally, Cody goes corner to corner, but Miz puts him on the apron.
Miz slides under and trips Cody to SMACK him off the steps! Miz then hobbles up to SMACK Cody off the desk! Miz stalks Cody around the way, CLUBS him into the ring, and follows. Fans rally, Miz kicks Cody around, and he stomps Cody more. Miz ROCKS Cody with a haymaker, then ROCKS him again! Miz wraps Cody’s bad arm around ropes! Cody throws hands with the good arm but Miz CHOPS him! And CHOPS again! Miz kicks Cody, reels him in, and glares at the fans. But Cody wrenches out to reel Miz in, and Cody suplexes! Fans fire up as Cody holds Miz in the air, before the GOURD BUSTER!
Miz goes to a corner, Cody runs in, but Miz moves to POST Cody! Cody flops out of the ring, Miz goes out after him to RAM him into the other steel steps! The American Nightmare is down while fans boo the Hollywood A-Lister, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Miz runs in to A-LIST LARIAT Cody in the corner! Miz pushes Cody down, climbs up the corner, but Cody is right up after him! But Miz shoves Cody away! Miz leaps, Cody gets under, Miz comes back, but into a SIDE EFFECT! Both men are down and fans rally up. Miz swings, Cody dodges and runs to CLOBBER Miz! Miz gets up, Cody goes up and over to then POWERSLAM! Fans fire up with Cody and he keeps moving, another BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cover, TWO! Miz survives and Cody is frustrated but the fans still rally. Cody slowly stands, and he brings Miz back up.
Cody reels Miz in, but Miz trips him! Miz steps through, Cody kicks him away, and Cody springboards again! But into a full nelson! Cody drops, victory rolls, TWO! Miz kicks legs out to fire off IT KICKS! Miz powers up, but Cody ducks the buzzsaw to roll Miz! Miz rolls through, he BOOTS the bad arm and BUZZSAWS, tot he BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives and now Miz is frustrated! Fans rally for Cody but Miz shakes his head. Miz stalks Cody and shouts, “MASSIVE! BALLS!” But Cody fights the full nelson and arm-drags free! Springboard, CODY CUTTER! Fans fire up with Cody as his rage boils up!
Cody dragon sleepers Miz, to CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Cody has cuts and bruises and even a bit of blood on the back of his head, all adding to the broken arm in the brace. But even so, Cody wants to keep on fighting! Will The American Nightmare stand tall in the UK? Or will the Prodigal Son show us he’s the better second generation star?
Becky Lynch talks with Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens backstage.
They’re all old pals, and it seems the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions are encouraging The Man. Becky heads out, sees the Alpha Academy showing Maxxine Dupri some basic holds, then keeps moving to go to gorilla. Becky’s head to the ring! Fans cheer, but will Kansas enter the Big Time? Or will the Hot Mess avenge Sonya Deville missing out on MITB?
Becky Lynch VS Chelsea Green w/ Sonya Deville!
Raw returns and fans cheer Becky on as she has the mic. “The Man has come around to Wichita! And the Man is going to Money in the Bank! I have been lucky enough to do a lot of things in my career, but there is one thing that has always eluded me, and that is winning the Money in the Bank Ladder match. But this year, this year, oh, I got a good feeling about this year!” Fans like the sound of that! Becky knows we’ve all been conditioned to think that the #1 person in this company is the person who holds the championships. And on the women’s side, we’ve got a brand new, shiny championship.
But Becky is thinking, the reality is, that the person that is #1 in this company is the person that holds the power! And who holds more power than the person holding that briefcase? Because they have the power to make the champion scared. They have the power to take the champion of their game! And all this talk about power is getting Becky all tongue tied cuz she loves power! So when Becky has the power to make the champions scared, and when people get scared, they do crazy, stupid, dangerous things! And Becky likes it when people do dangerous things because it makes HER better!
But when you think about people being scared, look no further than Trish Stratus. Because Trish Stratus was so scared that she was about to be exposed at Night of Champions, she got herself an insurance policy in Zoey Stark. In Trish’s mind, she’d already lost the match before it even began, and now Zoey-” is here! Becky sighs as The Hunter struts her way out with her own mic to say, “Okay, alright, I heard about enough.” Zoey knows Becky has a list of accomplishments, and good for her. But does Becky know the one accomplishment she’ll never get? That’s beat Trish Stratus! And at MITB, add on “not beating Zoey Stark” on her list of failures.
Becky tells Zoey that yes, she has so many failures, but she learned from every single one of ’em, and that is what makes Becky great. But speaking of learning, we haven’t learned much about Zoey, have we? But there are some things Becky knows already. Becky knows Zoey is special in this ring. That Zoey has finesse, agility and strength in this ring, she is built like a Pitbull! And the one thing Zoey lacks is a personality! Oh, wow, of all the people to talk about personality, it’s Becky? Does she not own a damn mirror?! Becky didn’t become relevant off personality, no! She became relevant off someone breaking her face!
And now, Becky is scratching, clawing, desperately holding onto that fame, and onto Trish. Fans “What?” and she tells ’em to shut up. Zoey will tell Becky this much: at MITB, Zoey will break Becky’s face and make her famous! Oh, Zoey, you ain’t gotta wait until then. They can do this here in Wichita! But wait, here comes the Complaint Department. Sonya wants everyone to hold on. Music down please. Thank you. Chelsea is “sorry” to interrupt. Zoey, was it? Zoey steps to Chelsea and Sonya tells her to relax. They must address the elephant in the room, and that is the BLATANT disrespect from Becky last week!
Becky attacked Chelsea unprovoked, and the only reason Chelsea didn’t retaliate is because she didn’t want to cost Sonya her rightful place at MITB. The only reason Becky won is cuz Sonya cares about her friends and was tending to Chelsea- Becky cuts them off there, and tells Chelsea to get in the ring to have this match already. Zoey, you can even sit ringside to see just why Becky is so famous. The fans fire up with The Man as she throws down the mic and her jacket. Will Becky clean up the Hot Mess?
The bell rings, Chelsea runs in, Becky dodges and CLOBBERS her! Becky gets the arm, Chelsea whips her away, but Becky comes back with a DROPKICK! Becky runs in, Chelsea BOOTS her away and goes up top. Becky SHOVES Chelsea to the floor! Fans fire up, Becky is ready to fight all three of them, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Chelsea throws Becky down by her hair! Chelsea then clamps on with a chinlock and she thrashes Becky around. The fans rally, Becky endures, and Becky fights up. Zoey watches from atop a ladder on stage as Becky arm-drags Chelsea away. Becky fires forearm son Chelsea, then a SOBAT, but Chelsea blocks to trip her up! Chelsea sits Becky up to surfboard STOMP Becky into buckles! Fans boo as Chelsea takes a bow. Chelsea drags Becky up, slaps her around, and talks trash. But Becky fires forearms again! And uppercuts! Chelsea kicks low, whips, but Becky reverses. Becky runs in but is put on the apron!
Chelsea swings but Becky counter punches! Becky climbs but Chelsea SLAPS her! Chelsea climbs, CLUBS away on Becky, and Sonya cheers Chelsea on. But Becky throws hands! And a HEADBUTT! Chelsea falls away, Becky gets up and leaps, MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up for Becky as Chelsea bails out, but Becky WRECKS her with a dropkick! And then AX HANDLES from the apron! And then RAMS her into barriers! And again! And again! Fans fire up, Becky puts Chelsea in the ring and then hurries after her. But Chelsea YHANKS her into buckles! Chelsea runs back in, btu Becky blocks a boot, only to get an ENZIGURI!
Chelsea drags Becky up, underhooks, but Becky turns it around! Clinch, but Chelsea slips free to roll up, TWO! Into the DISARM-HER! Chelsea taps, Becky wins again!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by submission
Sonya AND Zoey are furious that The Man is still on a roll! Will Becky take down Zoey and all the rest in that Women’s MITB Ladder match?
The Judgment Day regroups backstage.
Rhea shows off the new belt, and Damian Priest says she should be given a new one every week. And MITB, Dom VS Cody, that’s gonna be awesome! Her Dom-Dom knows how to handle a ladder. Priest asks Dom a question in Spanish but Rhea seems to understand and she smacks Priest on the shoulder. Hey, just asking. But Dom winks. Rhea says Cody’s gonna get smacked, and Priest says Dom’s gonna wipe the floor with that boy. Wait, Finn, are you okay? He’s been rather quiet. Yeah, he just has a lot on his mind. Priest says what he has on his mind is making sure Riddle faces a reckoning and Priest goes on to MITB, too.
The only thing Priest asks is that everyone else stays in the back. He wants to go out there alone. Priest gives Finn a look before moving past him, will The Prince obey his friend’s request this time?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Matt Riddle VS Damian Priest!
The Original Bro wants after Gunther, and Der Ring General dared him to go win the MITB briefcase and use that on him. Will Riddle do just that? Or will the Punisher make sure no one but himself has that final spot?
Raw returns as Priest makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Priest kicks low and CLUBS Riddle down. And then he CLUBS Riddle again! Priest brings Riddle up to KICK in the leg, but then Riddle blocks the kick to an ANKLE LOCK! Priest goes to the ropes, Riddle lets off, but Riddle eggs Priest on. Priest shoves Riddle, but then Riddle avoids the boot. Riddle jumps up to get the KIMURA! Priest stays on his feet but Riddle has the body scissors. Priest powers up to suplex but Riddle shifts to a SLEEPER! Priest RAMS Riddle into buckles, but lets off slowly. To then cheap shot with an elbow!
Fans boo as Priest stalks Riddle. Priest TOSSES Riddle to a corner, but Riddle fires off forearms and palm strikes! Riddle whips but Priest blocks it to whip Riddle away! Riddle ducks ‘n; dodges to FLYING FOREARM! And kip up! Fans fire up with Riddle, he runs in to forearm Priest in the corner, then goes side to side. Riddle ducks Priest’s spin kick to forearm again! Priest swings, but into more forearms! Priest gets mad now, but Riddle just eggs him on! Fans rally for the Bro, Priest runs in but Riddle dumps him out! Riddle goes up and out and PENALTY- NO, Priest blocks to trip Riddle! Riddle hits apron on the way down!
Priest goes into the ring, lets the ring count climb, and Riddle crawls. Fans boo but Priest goes out the side, to run in, and leap! Only for Riddle to dodge! Priest wipes out on the desk! Riddle brings Priest up, calls him stupid, and puts him into the ring! Riddle gets in, runs in, and SPLASHES in the corner! Riddle fires off more forearms, then runs side to side to forearm smash! Riddle kicks but Priest blocks! Riddle swings, Priest gest around, clinch and FLATLINER! Fans fire up again as Priest aims from a corner. Priest drags Riddle up, TOSSES him to a corner and he fires off! The ref counts, backs Priest off, and Priest soaks up the heat.
Priest storms back over to Riddle, brings him up, but Riddle throws body shots,. Priest KNEES low, whips and SWINGING BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Priest keeps Riddle down with a motorcycle stretch. Riddle endures the knee in his back and fans rally up. Riddle fights up, rolls, and MONKEY FLIPS Priest to a EuroClutch! TWO!! Priest escapes in time, and he boots, but Riddle blocks! Riddle dodges the haymakers to KICK Priest again and again! Riddle fires off palm strikes, a BOOT, and then a spin for the PELE! Priest staggers, Riddle kips up and he clinches, BROSPLODER! BROTON!
Fans fire up while Priest bails out, and Riddle goes up and out again! PENALTY KICK! It’s a hit! And then Riddle SPRINGBOARD FLOATING BROS! Fans fire up with Riddle and he gets Priest back into the ring! Riddle stalks up behind Priest, scoops and gut wrenches, but Priest turns that around! But Riddle slips free, to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Priest escapes again and both men are down! Fans rally, Riddle rises first, but Priest throws a forearm! Riddle gives it back! Riddle fires those palm strikes again, then blocks a punch, but Priest blocks the Pele to roll and KICK! KICK! KICK! ROLLING ELBOW!
Priest powers up but runs into the FINAL FLASH! Priest’s legs are noodles, Riddle reels him in! But Priest suplexes first! BROKEN ARROW! Both men are down and Wichita fires up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Riddle KICKS and KICKS, but then Priest blocks! But Riddle drops to get a takedown, to the ANKLE LOCK!! Priest flails, turns, kicks at Riddle with the free leg, but Riddle just gets that leg to turn Priest over! SLEEPER!! Priest fights up, has Riddle as a backpack, for a BACKPACK SENTON! Priest is free, but Riddle sits up! SLEEPER! Priest rolls back, gets free, and LARIATS Riddle down! Riddle sputters, flounders, and goes to a corner. Priest runs in to back elbow! Priest keeps moving, but into BODY SCISSORS! HANGING TRIANGLE!! The ref counts, Riddle lets off, and Priest staggers away.
Riddle hurries up, slingshots, but into a HAYMAKER! Priest then drags Riddle off the ropes for a DRAPING DIRTY DEEDS!! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives that elevated headlock driver and Priest is furious! Priest waits on Riddle to stand, then choke grips. SOUTH OF- NO, Riddle slips free! Riddle BOOTS Priest, goes up the corner, but Priest trips him up! Riddle lands on his little bro, and Priest goes up to get Riddle! Crucifix lift, but Riddle slips free! Priest BOOTS Riddle, but Riddle goes right up after him! SUPER FISHERMAN SUPLEX!! Both men are down but Riddle crawls to the cover, TWO!?!?
Fans fire up again while Riddle is beside himself. Riddle drags priest to a drop zone, “This is Awesome!” as Riddle climbs! FLOATING- NO, Priest moves and Riddle lands on his feet. Priest shoves Riddle to ropes, Riddle goes up, but Priest catches him! RAZOR’S EDGE!! Priest wins!!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall (advances to MITB)
The Punisher is heading to the UK! And most of all, the Judgment Day listened and didn’t get involved. Will Priest also ascend the ladder and bring down the prize all by himself?
As for Riddle, Gunther & Ludwig are on their way out here. Giovanni Vinci is not here after Riddle messed up his ankle in that backstage brawl. Priest looks the WWE Intercontinental Champion in the eye, and then tells him, “Pick the bones.” Priest heads to the back, Gunther & Ludwig go tot he ring! Riddle fires off on Gunther but Gunther throws knees into him! Gunther SLAPS Riddle around, and Ludwig simply watches and mocks Riddle. Ludwig then stands Riddle up so Gunther can CHOP him back down! The Bro sputters, and Ludwig hands Gunther his title. Fans boo as Ludwig dares Riddle to say something now.
Riddle writhes from the damage done by both Priest and by Gunther. Will Riddle have to be more careful around Raw these days?
Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.
Cathy Kelley is with Cody and says that it is official, we’re getting Cody VS Dom at MITB. His thoughts? Well, made official by Mami cuz Dom probably wouldn’t have the guts to accept it himself, so she had to do it for him. And that’s a reoccurring thing, isn’t it? Judgment Day, from Finn to Damian to Rhea, protecting Dom after every cheap shot. What’s going to happen is that Dom is going to get hurt. The problem Cody has is that Brock won’t show up while Dom won’t go away. And Cody isn’t naïve. April 2nd, ref’s hand hits the mat, 1-2-3, everyone in the sports world who watches the WWE, all eyes on him.
They all wanted to know what would happen next. Cody facing adversity, will he quit and run away? No, he runs out there. That is why Cody smiles, hands off his weight belt, and loses his mind when the fans lose their minds singing his song. Because every second on this path to finish the story, Cody is clinging to it. He really is. So Brock, Dom, you name ’em. They are NOT going to knock Cody off the path. London, MITB, good luck to Dom-Dom. Cody is more fired up than the logo on his shirt, will he use that to blaze his trail back to a title match?
Backstage interview with Natalya.
Byron Saxton asks the Queen of Harts that ever since losing to Rhea Ripley, there are those saying she hasn’t been the sane. Natty says maybe never being the same is a good thing. Because being Natty has gotten her nowhere. And maybe she isn’t sure how to be herself anymore. Natty heads out, but then Byron spots Sami & Kevin. He asks then that last week, tough loss to Gunther, how is Kevin feeling tonight? Yeah, that was tough, cuz Kevin felt he was this close to beating the seemingly unbeatable. But it’s fine, because tonight, Kevin & Sami get payback. But then Imperium walk over.
Ludwig says, “Payback is exactly what happened to Matt Riddle out there. And speaking of it, if I remember correctly, you, my friend, lost against Der Ring General already.” Sami keeps Kevin calm, and says to them, they have no place to brag since it took all three of them to steal that victory. And speaking of, didn’t Riddle take out one of you? There’s usually three, where’s Baldy at? Where’s Baldy? Oh, speaking of, Adam Pearce walks over. Sami says there’s no problem, he and Kevin are just letting these boys know what’s in store for them tonight. Oh, how confident. Then why not put the tag titles on the line?
Kevin says if that’s supposed to intimidate them, FINE! They’ll put the belts on the line! If it means they get to kick some Imperium ass this week, next week, every week! He’s gonna get his gear on, cuz he can’t wrestle in regular shorts and a T-shirt! He needs his different shorts and shirt! Let’s go! Kevin storms off, Ludwig & Gunther laugh. Oh, that’s funny? Well, get a good look. Because you’re lookin gat the UNDISPUTED Tag Team Champions, got that? Sami heads out, and Gunther says Pearce heard all that. So make it official. Pearce says he’ll consider it. But will it really happen? Will Kevin & Sami regret raising the stakes on themselves?
Indus Sher speaks.
Jinder Mahal says their opponents last week became prey before the bell ever rang. But they are not satisfied. If their opponents are still walking, the job is not done. “Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander. You’ve shown us respect with the fear in your eyes. We offer you a proper match, a proper chance at survival. Just know, every single one of your fears will be justified.” So says the Modern Day Maharaja.
Ricochet VS Bronson Reed!
The One and Only is in the Men’s MITB, and that really annoys Auszilla. Will Bronson wash Ricochet out of that match with a Tsunami? Or will even The Colossal One fail to ground the King of Flight?
Raw returns as Bronson makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two rush in! Ricochet DROPKICKS, but Bronson stays up! Ricochet fires off hands, Bronson pushes him back, but Ricochet comes back for more! Bronson pushes Ricochet away again, but Ricochet KICKS away on a leg. Bronson grabs Ricochet by the neck! Ricochet fights free, throws more forearms, but Bronson just glares at him. Bronson TOSSES Ricochet to a corner, then DECKS him! The ref checks on Ricochet but he’s still in this. But then Shinsuke Nakamura swaggers down the ramp. Fans cheer but Bronson tells him to stay back.
Bronson runs in, Ricochet dodges and ROCKS Bronson with a forearm! Bronson stays up so Ricochet runs again. Bronson swings, Ricochet ducks ‘n dodges then tilt-o-whirls, but Bronson blocks the DDT! Bronson suplexes Ricochet to hang him out to dry! Then he YANKS the rope to send Ricochet flying! Ricochet flounders to the other side, Bronson runs in to BODY CHECK Ricochet! Nakamura seems mildly impressed but Bronson still warns him to stay away, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Bronson has Ricochet up in an Electric Chair Lift! Ricochet throws down hands on Bronson, slips around but Bronson blocks the huricanrana! Bronson brings Ricochet back up but Ricochet escapes the bomb! Ricochet ducks, runs, handsprings and back elbows! But Bronson stays up! Ricochet fires forearms, Bronson shoves him, but Ricochet BOOTS back! Ricochet Tiger Wall Kicks then ENZIGURIS! Bronson wobbles and fans fire up with Ricochet! Nakamura watches as Ricochet runs in, but is put on the apron. Bronson swings, misses, and Ricochet GAMANGIRIS! Then Ricochet springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK!
Bronson tumbles out of the ring, Ricochet builds speed and DIVES! Bronson hits the desk! Fans fire up and Nakamura likes that. Ricochet puts Bronson back in the ring, springboards back in, CROSSBODY! Down goes Bronson, but then Ricochet LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Bronson is still in this but Ricochet keeps his cool. Bronson goes to the apron, Ricochet storms up, but Bronson ELBOWS Ricochet back! Ricochet triangle jumps to ENZIGURI again! Bronson flops to the floor, and Ricochet goes up to ASAI MOONSAULT! But Bronson catches him, to TOSS him into Nakamura! Fans fire up while both men fall!
Bronson drags Ricochet up, puts him in the ring, and Bronson grins as he pounds his chest. Bronson then goes up the corner, but Nakamura GAMANGIRIS!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by disqualification
The King of Strong Style is pissed and he fires off on Bronson! But that just gives Bronson the win! Ricochet is upset with Nakamura now, they argue, but then Bronson CLOBBERS them both!! Bronson reels Nakamura in, short arm LARIAT! Bronson is gonna repeat last week as he climbs up the corner again! But Ricochet GAMANGIRIS first! Ricochet fires off hands but Bronson shoves him away. Nakamura GAMANGIRIS again, climbs up after Bronson, and Ricochet helps out! Fans fire up as the two kings hit a DOUBLE SUPERPLEX! A rough landing for all, but especially for Bronson!
Fans lose their minds, Ricochet and Nakamura look to each other, and they nod. They have a common enemy and they just took care of him! But who will truly be the king after Money in the Bank?
Sami and Kevin talk backstage.
Sami says that now with the titles on the line, they have to be careful. Kevin knows that. But Sami does want to know, what was that with Imperium? What was what? Uh, Kevin exploding on them. He’s doing that a lot lately. He’s like always at a ten. Kevin is not! He’s at a six. Kevin does his best to calm down, but he says it is the months of stress and frustration with The Bloodline, all the way up to WrestleMania, and then even after WrestleMania, he thought they were done and now that they are, it’s just all problems! There’s the two tall guys with the long neck and the big ears, and they’re speakin’ European. Kevin should know but he’s French, they’re not French.
Sami calms Kevin down again. He just wants to know that when they go out there, is Kevin good? Yes. He’s great, even. Okay, okay, that’s all that matters. Good. Kevin’s gonna get water. Good, yes, hydrate. Does Sami want one? Yes, yes, thank you. Kevin heads out, but Sami still has to convince himself Kevin is good. Will things be good when the two of them face Gunther & Ludwig later tonight?
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
He’s glad they see it the same way. Yes, it is official, the tag titles are on the line tonight! And yes, he’ll let everyone know that. But then Ricochet walks over. Ricochet asks Pearce what he has to do, but he needs a rematch with Bronson Reed. Pearce says he understands the frustrations, but Bronson already has a match for next week. Oh, of course. Against who? Shinsuke Nakamura. And he walks up now with a smile. Then please, Nakamura, explain what the problem is. Because that was Ricochet’s fight! What Nakamura did is not cool. Ricochet didn’t ask for help and he doesn’t need it.
Nakamura, if you do that again, they are gonna finish what they started before MITB. Nakamura tells Ricochet it was nothing personal. It is his turn to succeed where Ricochet failed. Oh, failed? But don’t worry! You can have what’s left after Nakamura’s done. Will the King of Strong Style be the one to tear down Auszilla?
Finn Balor heads to the ring!
The Prince has been in a sour mood all night, and it looks like he wants to share what’s been on his mind. He gets the mic while fans are torn between jeers and cheers, and he says, “Seth Rollins! The Workhorse Champion! I know you’re here. And I’m here. And we need to talk. No jokes, no zingers, no singalongs! Just facts. So get out here now.” Finn waits, and Seth Rollins makes his entrance! Fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHHH~!” as the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out, belt around his waist as he wears another wild gold ‘n’ black suit. Rollins joins Finn in the ring, mic in hand, but also enjoys the fans singing his song.
Finn asks if they’re done. They keep going, so no. Finn says he’s been waiting seven years to say this and he’s not waiting another second, so everyone better shut up! Rollins patiently waits with a smirk on his face, and Finn paces. Finn says if they wanna sing about something, sing about this! Seven years ago, Finn was a first rounds draft pick to Monday Night Raw! He beat Roman Reigns on his first night! And three weeks later, he beat Rollins to become the FIRST-EVER Universal Champion! Sing all night, because Finn has a lot more to say. Fans keep singing, and Rollins’ smile grows bigger.
Finn says this isn’t funny! This is serious! And y’know what else is serious!? The singing continues but Rollins finally says, “Kansas, are you having fun tonight?” The fans cheer because they are. Finn says he’s not having fun! This is serious! He’s been waiting seven YEARS! Rollins says, “You’ve been waiting seven years to say what? What do you want to say? If it’s that damn important that you’re gonna ruin their party, then get it off your chest and do it right now!” Fans cheer, and Finn says he will! He’ll do it right now! What should’ve been the highest of highest for Finn became the lowest of lows in an instant, all because of Rollins.
A torn bicep, a torn pec, a torn labrum, and a fractured socket. Now, Finn ain’t complaining about the injury. This is a hard business, this is a tough business. Injuries happen. But what really bothered Finn, other than that these idiots won’t stop singing…! They’re still going. Finn says Rollins loves it when they sing, huh? Just cuz he has a catchy song, that means everyone likes him? They don’t like Rollins! They don’t even know Rollins! Rollins asks what Finn’s getting at. Finn says that Rollins took EVERYTHING from Finn! Rollins took Finn’s momentum, his title, and a year off his career! Rollins took EVERYTHING!
But guess what? Now it’s Finn’s turn to take everything back, and take it all form Rollins! What Finn is gonna take is Rollins’ momentum! He’ll take Rollins’ momentum, and a year off Rollins’ career! And it’ll all happen at Money in the Bank! Rollins isn’t affected by that challenge as the fans keep singing. Rollins then laughs, and laughs, and laughs! Fans cheer and Rollins says, “Kansas, you’re too kind. But I’m not laughing cuz you sang his promo outta the building, no no. I’m laughing because this is the Finn Balor I’ve been waiting to see for the past seven years!”
To paint a picture, inaugural Universal Championship match, SummerSlam in Brooklyn, that match sent them both on career trajectories that were completely different. And why? Because one got bitter, and the other got better. The singing returns, and Rollins grins. Rollins won’t lie, he’s done some bad things over those past seven years. But y’know what else he’s done? Rollins has made memories, made history, and made moments that the fans will never forget! Fans cheer that! And Rollins did that because he changed! He adapted! He rolled with the punches! Rollins got better every single day, and now he is the greatest version of Seth Freakin’ Rollins!
You want the proof? It’s the World Heavyweight Championship! Finn wants a crack at it? “YOU! ARE! ON!” Rollins then asks Finn, “Which version of you is gonna come to London and fight for this title? Because this bitter shell of a champion, he don’t stand a chance. But… The Finn Balor that beat me to become the first-ever Universal Champion with his arm hanging off his body, HE’S got a shot! So here’s my question to you: Are you gonna bring that Finn Balor to Money in the Bank? Or are you gonna bring the guy who’s been walking for the past seven years acting like a little b*tch?” Rollins throws down the challenge to Finn’s challenge, just what happens at MITB in the UK?
Raquel Rodriguez VS Shayna Baszler w/ Ronda Rousey!
Big Mami Cool still owes the Baddest Women on the Planet a little something from that Women’s Tag Fatal 4. Will she give the Queen of Spades a parting shot before the tag title unification match in a few weeks? Or will Shayna break Raquel as an example to Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn?
Raw returns as Shayna & Ronda make their entrance. Shayna shows off her tag title and her black belt, then the bell rings. They tie up, Raquel doesn’t budge, and she shoves Shayna way. They go again, Shayna wrenches an arm to a wristlock and then a double wristlock, but Raquel scoops with one arm! FALL AWAY SLAM! Raquel then SPLASHES int he corner, scoops again, and FALL AWAY SLAMS again! Then she runs corner to corner, but Shayna bails out! Raquel goes out after her but Ronda’s in the way. Raquel tells Ronda to back off, and she puts Shayna in the ring. Raquel runs, Shayna dodges the boot and sweeps the leg!
Ronda smiles as Shayna grabs a leg and pulls on it. Raquel kicks with her other leg but Shayna pulls on the one she has! Shayna then turns Ronda over, isolates the foot and STOMPS the ankle! Ronda grins while Raquel clutches her foot. Raquel shoves Shayna away but Shayna’s after the leg again. Shayna ducks a lariat but not the SOUTHPAW! Shayna gets back up but Raquel blocks her kick to then KICK Shayna’s leg! Raquel kicks away on the thigh, and Shayna hobbles away, only for Raquel to KICK the leg out! Shayna ends up in the drop zone, Raquel steps on her to go up, TWISTING VADER!
Raquel hauls Shayna up but Ronda distracts. Raquel grabs Ronda, but Shayna rolls her up! With Ronda helping! Shayna wins!
Winner: Shayna Baszler, by pinfall
This should’ve been put down as a handicap match since it took them both to win! But if it took both of them to stop Ricky Desperado, do Ronda & Shayna stand a chance against the Wicked Witches of NXT?
WWE mourns the loss of The Iron Sheik.
Growing up in Iran, The Iron Sheik was as tough as they came. Sheik himself said that his country was known for two things: oil and wrestling. He was a wrestling champion in the Iranian National Army, then made the jump to sports entertainment. He used the political tension to become “one of the most despised villains” of his era. The flag, the clothes, the boots even. An impressive physique and strength, and his Camel Clutch was devastating. And in 1983, Sheik would shock the world by becoming a world champion. Sheik’s ability to get a strong reaction from fans was instrumental to bringing the WWE up in the 1980s.
Sheik’s impact and notoriety are undeniable, and he joined the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. From captivating persona to unparalleled charisma, the Iron Sheik’s legendary career puts him in a special place in the hearts of fans worldwide. Gone but never forgotten!
Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy VS Erik w/ The Viking Raiders!
“Master” Gable has been coaching Maxxine Dupri in the ways of Alpha style wrestling, and now he looks to teach by showing. Will he give a master class? Or will Erik be the one to say “A Thank Yew?”
The bell rings and the two circle. Erik roars but Gable says, “SHOOOOSH!” Erik runs in, Gable dodges, then arm-drags! Gable has the armlock, he drags Erik around, and Gable makes sure Maxxine was watching closely. Gable wrenches, whips, but Erik reverses to CLOBBER Gable! Sarah Logan and Ivar cheer while Erik fires off forearms. Erik puts Gable up top, climbs up after him, but Gable fires forearms and chops! Erik falls back, Gable adjusts, and Gable DIVING HEADBUTTS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Otis says that’s using your head! Logan glares at Maxxine from across the way, and starts running that way!
Maxxine hits an arm-drag?! Fans cheer as Maxxine gets the better of Valhalla! Ivar keeps Logan back, but Erik whips Gable to a corner. Gable goes up and over, sunset flip, GABLE WINS!
Winner: Chad Gable, by pinfall
Big wins for everyone in Alpha Academy! Maxxine hit her first arm-drag ever, and Gable got a huge win over Erik! Will this trio take over Raw this Summer break? Or will the raid only come back angrier and more violent?
Finn Balor talks with JD McDonagh backstage.
The Prince talks to his former student that Raw isn’t about friends, but making impacts. McDonagh points out Priest walking up, and then says thanks for the advice. They’ll catch up later. And when it comes to “that other problem,” maybe Finn should take his own advice. The Irish Ace heads out and Finn says hey, congrats on qualifying, Priest. Yeah, thanks. Finn is in a better mood. Must have to do with that title match he has now. Congrats on that, too. Yeah, yeah. When Priest wins the MITB contract, he wouldn’t cash in on Finn, would he? Dawg, are you really asking that? Of course Priest wouldn’t. Finn has his word on that.
But in the future, Finn should really keep his word with Priest. Priest is happy about the opportunities they both have coming up, but really, Rollins has Finn up and down and all over the place, causing tension between them. Make it worth it. At MITB, Finn must end this. Priest heads out, and Finn has something new on his mind. Will the Prince and the Punisher be able to put this behind them once the Judgment Day is truly on top of the world?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Cathy talks with the World Heavyweight Champion now and brings up his match against Finn at MITB. This is seven years in the making, is Rollins prepared for a “bitter” Balor? Ooooh~, HAHAHAHA! He is as prepared and confident as one man can be. The real question is: is Finn Balor prepared for Rollins? After Rollins beats Finn at MITB, Finn won’t just lose his mind. He might lose his friend, Priest, too! And something is missing. Rollins is feeling frisky, spry, like… Yeah, yeah! Let’s blow this up and throw a monkey wrench into it! Next week, live on Raw, let’s do an OPEN CHALLENGE for the WORLD! HEAVYWEIGHT! CHAMPIONSHIP!
He IS a Visionary, he IS a Revolutionary, he IS Seth Freakin’ Rollins! HAHAHAHA! Rollins heads out, but between Finn on Raw, Bron Breakker over in NXT, and whoever else is out there, is he going to end up losing this belt already?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS GUNTHER & Ludwig Kaiser!
What was going to be a rematch of The Prizefighter & Great Liberator against Imperium’s soldiers turned into Kevin & Sami VS Der Ring General and Ludwig, given Vinci’s run-in with Riddle. But then that went from a match about respect to a match about titles! Will Kevin & Sami defend the prizes they fought so hard to get in the first place? Or will Gunther soon be holding three belts instead of just the one?
Raw returns and Imperium makes their entrance. The introductions are made, the tag belts are raised, and we see if the mat is truly sacred!
The teams sort out and fans cheer for Sami as he steps to Gunther! The two circle, feel things out, and then tie up. Gunther doesn’t budge, and he shoves Sami down! Sami goes to a corner, gets back up, and he shakes it off. The two circle again, feel things out, and tie up again. Gunther powers Sami to a corner, lets off slowly as the ref counts, but Sami avoids the chop to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Gunther pie faces Sami down, then kicks him low! Gunther UPPERCUTS Sami, then hits a headlock takeover! Fans rally and duel, Sami fights up, but Gunther knees low! Gunther UPPERCUTS Sami to ropes!
Gunther whips, Sami holds ropes and then dumps Gunther out! Sami builds speed to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp and down goes the Intercontinental Champion! Fans fire up for Sami while fans go to break.
Raw returns again and Sami fires off on Ludwig in the corner. Sami brings Ludwig out to throw hands, but Ludwig kicks low. Ludwig headlocks, Sami powers out, but Ludwig runs him over. Things speed up, Sami hurdles then arm-drags Ludwig to an armlock! Ludwig fights up, pulls hair, and he puts Sami in a corner. Ludwig throws hands, but the fans rally up. Ludwig whips, Sami reverses but then Ludwig puts Sami on the top rope. Sami blocks Ludwig’s gamangiri! Ludwig hobbles, Sami AX HANDLES! Cover, ONE!! Ludwig hangs tough and Gunther coaches him, but Sami brings Ludwig up and around.
Sami bumps Ludwig off buckles, tags in Kevin, and they whip Ludwig to then drop toehold and SENTON! Kevin stares Gunther down, then brings Ludwig around to stomp him. Kevin goes up, MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ludwig is still in this but Kevin brings Ludwig up. But Ludwig throws hands! Kevin gives them back, they go back and forth and fans fire up! Kevin gets the edge, but Ludwig kicks low! Ludwig whips, Kevin reveres, but Ludwig UPEPRCUTS! And ROCKS Kevin with a right! But Ludwig runs into a LARIAT! Kevin SENTONS again! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Kevin brings Ludwig up and over.
Sami tags in, he and Kevin mug Ludwig, then Sami brings Ludwig out. But Ludwig powers him to the Imperium corner! Ludwig swings, but Sami counter punches! Sami even hits Gunther some! Sami whips but Gunther tags in as Ludwig reverses. Kevin tries to warn Sami but Sami clotheslines Ludwig up and out! Gunther runs in to BOOT Sami down! And then he BOOTS Kevin for good measure! SPLASH on Sami! Cover, TWO! Sami survives but Gunther looms over him. Gunther kicks Sami to a corner, brings him up, and CHOPS him down! Fans rally for Sami but Gunther CHOPS him down again!
Tag to Ludwig and he taunts Sami. Ludwig clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Sami down. Fans rally, Sami fights up, and Sami throws body shots! Ludwig ROCKS Sami with a right hand! Ludwig puts Sami in the ropes, Gunther holds him, and Ludwig runs side to side to DROPKICK Sami out to the floor! Ludwig then distracts the ref so Gunther can hit Sami with an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Fans boo but Imperium soaks up the heat as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Sami brawls with Ludwig up top! Sami fires off, the fans fire up, and Sami gets up to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! Fans are thunderous as Sami reaches out to his corner! Ludwig and Sami both crawl, hot tags to Gunther and Kevin! Fans fire up as Kevin dodges to CHOP and fire off on Gunther! A revisit to last week’s main event as Kevin roars and runs! LARIAT, but Gunther stays up! So Kevin LARIATS again! Gunther is still up, and he BOOTS back! But Kevin LARIATS on the return! And SENTON! Gunther stagger sup, into a clinch, EXPLODER sends Gunther to a corner!
Kevin goes to the opposite corner, Ludwig runs up but Kevin DECKS him! Gunther runs up but into a SUPERKICK! Gunther’s back in the corner, Kevin runs in, CANNONBALL! Kevin pushes Gunther to the drop zone then goes up top! SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives, this is why he’s the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of the 2000s! Fans chant “ONE MORE TIME! ONE MORE TIME!” Kevin waits on Gunther, but Ludwig slithers in! Kevin runs Ludwig off, but Gunther rolls Kevin up! TWO!! Kevin escapes, he kicks low, but Gunther shoves Kevin away! Kevin comes back, DOUBLE BOOTS take both men down!
Fans are thunderous as Sami returns to his corner! Kevin and Gunther crawl, hot tags to Ludwig and Sami! Ludwig runs into an EXPLODER into the corner! Sami then goes to the far side, but Gunther drags him out! But Sami ducks, the CHOP hits POST! Gunther clutches his hand, Sami gets back in and he catches Ludwig for a BLUE THUNDER- NO, Ludwig slips out to ENZIGURI! Ludwig shoves, fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Tag to Gunther, PENALTY KCIK! Ludwig GAMANGIRIS Kevin off the corner, then Gunther gets Sami up! Toss into the UPPERCUT! And then Ludwig DIVES to take out Kevin!!
Gunther LARIATS Sami inside-out!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sami survives and shocks everyone!! Gunther drags Sami up again to CHOP! And then POINT-BLANK LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!!! Sami is alive and Gunther is furious! Tag to Ludwig, and he climbs up top. Gunther Electric Chair Lifts Sami, to IMPERIAL DOOMSDAY!! Cover, Kevin barrels into Gunther to break it!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous! Gunther and Kevin flop out of the ring, Ludwig crawls to Sami, and “This is Awesome!” as Kevin and Gunther brawl outside! The ref reprimands, but Gunther POSTS Kevin!
Kevin and Gunther stagger around, but HERE COMES RIDDLE!! The other refs and some producers are trying to stop him, but Riddle jukes ’em! But Gunther BOOTS Riddle first! Kevin goes after Gunther, DDT to the ramp!! Sami has Ludwig all alone and catches him for BLUE THUNDER BOMB!!! Cover, Sami & Kevin win!!
Winners: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions)
Gunther & Ludwig came within reach, but they could not take these titles from Kevin & Sami! We know that SmackDown will hold a #1 contenders gauntlet, who comes out of the blue brand ready to battle this battletested team?
My Thoughts:
A great episode here, with a lot more set up towards MITB. One thing I figured would happen was Rhea would be given her own new belt, the Women’s World Championship. And no surprise, it parallels the World Heavyweight Championship. There’s nothing wrong using the same molds for these belts, it’s what they literally did the first time around with the WWE World Championship and the WWE Women’s Championship that then became the Raw Women’s Championship that was copied in the SmackDown Women’s Championship. And perhaps it’s just really hard to come up with completely new designs that can be agreed upon as good looking belts.
I also like that Cody confronts Dominik over last week, as he should. Granted, Dominik still got the better of Cody for that Heel heat, but Cody got to take his anger out on Miz in a great opening match. Cody VS Dom is gonna be really good stuff just for how Dom can play off the fans booing him to death. And with how much Cody is egging Brock on, I bet Brock shows up to screw Cody out of that match so Dom can have another win over someone really accomplished to further inflate that ego. And Cody’s promo later on has a point: Dom’s gonna get so high on himself that he’ll pick a fight with the wrong guy and get “hurt.” Hell, it might be Brock…
Good promo from Seth and Finn, though the fans constantly singing kinda made it go longer than it needed to go. But at the same time, it speaks to how much the fans like Rollins, and how much they like his song. Seth VS Finn is going to be great stuff at MITB, and I like that it is feeding into the tension within Judgment Day. Riddle VS Priest was an awesome MITB qualifying match, and I figured Priest would win that given Riddle’s story with Gunther. But Priest and Finn are at odds as to who is going to be the real leading man in Judgment Day. Finn talking to McDonagh is a big tell as to what could happen here. JD replacing Priest in Judgment Day just makes sense, given the history with Finn, and how he’s already “JD.”
Becky had a good promo with Zoey Stark that also led into her match with Chelsea Green. Of course Becky won but her role in MITB is more about fighting Zoey Stark than actually winning the thing, I feel. A bit disappointing there was no Women’s MITB qualifier tonight even though Raw is to have the last spot there. I thought Raquel was gonna have such a match but she was just helping Shayna & Ronda build momentum. To that end, a little disappointed there were now supernatural shenanigans from Alba & Isla given we’ve only got so much time before that match happens. How are RawDown only viewers supposed to see Alba & Isla as real threats if they don’t do anything past that brawl on SmackDown?
Not sure how they’re gonna work out things between the Men’s MITB entrants on Raw, though. Ricochet VS Bronson getting “ruined” by Nakamura, and then Nakamura VS Bronson for next week, I thought this was how Bronson was getting in but then we got Riddle VS Priest tonight. I don’t see them making a special exception made for Bronson if they’re also not going to do the same for the women on the other side. I’m still not really sure what the plan is for Bronson Reed, I thought he was gonna get a midcard title before the Draft but then the Draft itself kinda screwed up how that would’ve worked.
Pretty hilarious stuff out of Alpha Academy and Viking Raiders. I thought they were going to give us Maxxine VS Sarah already, but I suppose Maxxine getting the moral victory of hitting Sarah with one good move was enough for now. Though the Viking Raiders continuing to be chumped out is a bit disappointing, too. I mean, they could’ve been in the WWE Triple Crown Tag Team club but they missed out on the SmackDown titles because of the Bloodline building things and having those titles on The Usos. And as great as The Alpha Academy are in the ring and as characters, it’s a shame Sarah, Erik & Ivar are probably gonna lose to them in a Mixed Six or something.
Great stuff out of the tag title story with Imperium, though. Gunther & Ludwig of course went after Riddle after he lost to Priest, and I did like that Sami did talk with Kevin about his apparent new temper. Kevin’s logic was sound, he’s still dealing with the frustrations from the Bloodline story. They had an awesome main event with Gunther & Ludwig, and I do appreciate that they kept Vinci away to sell the power of Riddle’s ankle lock. Riddle was also a natural choice for distraction to keep Imperium from winning, though I’m sure Kevin & Sami would’ve found a way. Now Kevin & Sami can watch SmackDown’s gauntlet match, will more than likely be won by Pretty Deadly, and that build will be hilarious.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Join the Brothers Wortz as they cover professional sports in unprofessional ways!
Bandwagon Nerds #232: Superhero Madness- A Top Seed Falls
Superhero Madness continues and sees the first #1 seed fall!. Plus, a trailer for a new Transformers movie, and a...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (4/20/24)
HPW looks to the horizon.
Bandwagon Nerds #231: Disney News & Superhero Madness
Round two of Superhero Madness begins this week. Cinema Con gives us plenty of Disney news and a trip to...
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Superhero Madness continues with first round battles in the Aliens bracket, plus Invincible Season 2 comes to an excellent conclusion.
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (4/1/24)
We got five on it!
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Trent Beretta's on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (4/27/24)
It's a slam dunk!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: What Happened Last Week?
After a two-week hiatus, DJ gets to the bottom of why there was no podcast last week. Then, we skewer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/26/24)
It's Draft Day!
DWI Podcast #427: Get Off My Back…lash
It's time to shake things up again!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/25/24)
Champions need challengers!
Classic POD is WAR: @PattonOswalt
Tune in for another vintage episode of POD is WAR!!!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/24/24)
Anybody can get it!
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