Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/19/23)
Cleveland is Raw!
Guess who’s back, back again!
WWE Raw returns to Cleveland, Ohio, and Logan Paul returns to WWE! What will The ImPAULsive Maverick have to say in his hometown?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship Open Challenge: Seth Rollins VS ???; No Contest.
- The Miz VS Tommaso Ciampa; Ciampa wins.
- Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Kayden & Katana win.
- Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal VS Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin; Indus Sher wins.
- Matt Riddle VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ GUNTHER; Riddle wins.
- The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri VS The Viking Raiders w/ Sarah Logan; The Viking Raiders win.
- Rhea Ripley VS Natalya; No Contest.
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Trish Stratus w/ Zoey Stark VS Raquel Rodriguez; Trish wins, by disqualification, and advances to MITB.
- Shinsuke Nakamura VS Bronson Reed; Bronson wins.
- Six Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn; Cody, Kevin & Sami win.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Open Challenge: Seth Rollins VS ???
Cleveland sings along with The Visionary’s song as he struts his way down the ramp. And he’s ready for an Open Challenge! But FINN BALOR attacks!! So much for the open challenge! The Prince is after Rollins NOW! Finn TOSSES Rollins out but Rollins drags him out! Finn TACKLES Rollins onto the desk! Fans fire up, the ref reprimands, and Finn lets off to RAM Rollins into the post! And then he rains down fists! Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Finn keeps after Rollins! Finn kicks and stomps and refs rush out. Adam Pearce and producers show up, too, and they get Finn to leave Rollins alone.
Fans boo and Finn “apologizes.” Finn then jukes through the cluster to jump off the steps and DIVING STOMP!! Rollins sputters and Pearce is furious! Finn leaves this time, or not! DIVING STOMP off the desk!! Two Coup de Graces and fans boo even harder. Finn says he’s good, but then goes around the way! A THIRD DIVING STOMP!!! Now Finn is done because there’s no way Rollins can accept that open challenge! Will Rollins even be able to go to NXT tomorrow night? Or Money in the Bank in two weeks?
Raw returns and Rollins is raging backstage!
He wants after Finn but Pearce is telling him to calm down. But then Finn ATTACKS AGAIN! Finn throws Rollins into a table! And then into another table! And then he throws the table at Rollins! And then he drags Rollins up to throw into a road case! The case falls over! Finn stomps away on Rollins, then digs his boot in! “For seven years I’ve been waiting for this! And it’s coming home at Money in the Bank!” Producers get Finn to stop, but is the Prince far from through with The Visionary?
The Miz is here!
“Enough about Seth Freakin’ Rollins and his problems! I wanna talk about MY problems!” Seth Rollins promised an open challenge tonight, but he did not deliver. Miz was gonna accept that challenge and become World Heavyweight Champion! Miz is a GOD in this hell hole of Cleveland! And he was gonna give the people a chance to see one of their finest becoming champion , and that can’t happen now. So Miz is gonna issue his OWN Open Challenge to anyone here in Cleveland! Because Miz wants everyone to see what a winner looks like amongst a sea of losers. Miz waits, and… TOMMASO CIAMPA is here!!
The Miz VS Tommaso Ciampa
Miz is excited! Ciampa was a good pal of his when Ciampa was here, he’s hoping this will be a friendly competition. But then Ciampa DECKS Miz! Fans fire up and Ciampa says he doesn’t need Miz anymore! The bell rings and Ciampa fires off on Miz! Ciampa stomps away but the ref counts. Ciampa lets off but he’s all fired up. Fans are also fired up as Ciampa chase Miz out of the ring. Miz swings but Ciampa counter punches! Ciampa SMACKS Miz off the desk! And again! And again! Ciampa sets the desk hook up against the desk, to BACK SUPLEX Miz through it! Ciampa sits on the desk, and cheers himself!
Fans cheer as Ciampa pats himself on the back. Ciampa says not ONE message from Miz! Ciampa puts Miz in the ring, then runs in and clotheslines! And then an other clothesline! And then Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Miz! Fans fire up and Ciampa brings down the kneepad! Ciampa aims at Miz, but Miz dodges to kick the leg out! BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa’s tougher than that but Miz is mad. Miz rains down fists on Ciampa! Fans rally for Ciampa as Miz dribbles his head. Miz runs to basement BOOT! Miz finally throws his shirt off and he paces around. Miz drags Ciampa up but Ciampa CHOPS!
Miz shoves Ciampa, Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges but into a BOOT! Miz snarls, stalks Ciampa, and he puts Ciampa on ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Miz lets off at 4, and stalks Ciampa to a corner. Miz stands Ciampa up to smother him! The ref counts, Miz lets off to fire off IT KICKS! Miz stands Ciampa up, but Ciampa ROCKS him with haymaker after haymaker! And a CHOP! And a CHOP! Ciampa whips, Miz reverses and then runs in, A-LIST LARIAT! Ciampa falls and Miz snarls again. Fans boo as Miz climbs the corner. Miz leaps, into a KNEE!! Miz is dazed and Ciampa fires back up!
Ciampa underhooks Miz, for the FAIRYTALE ENDING!! Cover, Ciampa wins!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
The Blackheart is back! But is the song right? Will no one survive Ciampa’s return?
The Judgment Day heads to the ring.
Finn is pacing as he leads Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio & Rhea Ripley to the ring. He already said a lot with his attack(s) on Rollins, what more does The Prince have to get off his chest? We’ll see, after the break.
Raw returns and Finn paces on stage. “Seth Freakin’ Rollins… Your little open match challenge is canceled. It’s canceled! It’s canceled because of me. Because I’m the only one who’s gonna take the World Heavyweight Championship from you. And as for you lot… Y’all like singing his song so much? Well, you’re all gonna be singing it at his funeral.” Fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~” but Rhea tells them to sit down, shut up, and respect the Judgment Day and their Mami. Because at MITB, the WWE Universe is all gonna be bowing at their feet! Because Finn is gonna bring that WHC home to the Judgment Day!
And Rhea has the Women’s Division on lockdown as the most dominant woman here in the WWE! And Damian Priest is gonna win the Men’s MITB briefcase, and Rhea’s Latino Heat, her Dom-Dom, is gonna put down their favorite, Cody Rhodes! Priest says, in Spanish, that there’s nothing you can do about it! At MITB, the briefcase comes home with him. And the contract inside will have the name “Damian Priest” written all over it! And speaking of MITB, Dom, Cody said Dom is getting gassed up for a fight he can’t win. Cody, Priest suggests you keep Dom’s name out your mouth, or else the Judgment Day will make it so Cody can’t fight anyone ever again!
Fans boo as Dom says, “Y’know…” Dom sighs, tries again, but the booing gets louder. Rhea calms him down, Dom lifts the mic, and the fans boo even more! Rhea tells them to have respect, and Dom tells Cody, “You’re gonna see what I’m gonna do at MITB, if you can find some partners tonight to face the united Judgment Day! Together, you and some two other guys, good luck!” Will the Prince, Punisher & Prodigal Son bring the pain to The American Nightmare and whoever he chooses as teammates?
Backstage interview with Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn.
Byron Saxton is with the Undisputed Tag Team Champions and wants their reaction to the Bloodline implosion we saw on Friday. Kevin stops Byron there. Why are they still talking about Bloodline? Every week, Bloodline, Bloodline, Bloodline. Kevin can’t take it! Sami has Kevin calm down, it is a fair question. No, it’s not. Why do they have to talk about Bloodline? Why? They don’t care! Sami didn’t wanna do this in front of people but they gotta talk. Enough is enough, Kev. OH, fine, it’s just the three of them. What’s Sami gotta say? Go on. Well, ok, he’ll say it. Sami thinks Kevin is a rageaholic.
A WHAT?! What did Sami just say? Kevin has an anger problem. No he doesn’t. Yes, he does. Sami is saying this as a friend, Kevin has an anger problem. Here’s a bet. If Kevin can go the rest of the night without any more tantrums, Sami will leave it alone. But if Kevin blows up even once, he has to at least admit something’s going on. Okay? And if Kevin doesn’t blow up? Then Sami will shut up about it. But just one outburst- Okay, okay, no problem. Bet. Okay. Okay. Okay! Kevin heads out, Sami apologizes to Byron. 20 years of this. But will Kevin win the bet made with his best friend?
Someone posted to TikTok.
It’s Chelsea Green going full Hot Mess. Multiple times. Like, MULTIPLE times. A coffee shop, a diner, working out at the gym, and even in traffic.
Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!
The Complaint Department is ready to vent frustrations, such as not getting a shot at Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler themselves. But will they learn just why Carter & Chance were the longest reigning NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions ever?
Raw returns as KC Squared makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Katana starts against Sonya. They circle, but Chelsea distracts and Sonya BOOTS Katana down! Sonya drags Katana up, bumps her off buckles, and then stomps away. Tag to Chelsea, she digs her boots in, but lets off as the ref counts. Chelsea throws Katana by her hair, then taunts the fans. Chelsea sucker punches Kayden! The fans boo but Chelsea taunts them. Chelsea thrashes Katana round by her hair, but the ref counts. Chelsea whips, Katana & Kayden hit some SILLYS TRING! Tag to Sonya and Kayden!
Kayden rallies on the Complaint Department, whips them into the same corner, and then UPPERCUTS them both! Kayden then DROPKICK SPLASHES! Sonya swings, misses, and Kayden SUPERKICKS! Tag to Katana and Kayden snapmares Sonya. They springboard to LEG DROP MOONSAULT COMBO! Cover, Chelsea breaks it! Kayden SUPERKICKS Chelsea! A-LIST LARIAT from Katana! Kayden tags in, turns Sonya, and tags back. Katana goes up, for the AFTER PARTY!! Cover, KC Squared wins!
Winners: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance, by pinfall
Chelsea complains but what else is new? Katana & Kayden are having fun, but will they win their way to another shot at Ronda & Shayna?
Cathy Kelley is on stage.
She welcomes out the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Fans cheer and sing the song as Cody has his pyro. Cody shakes Cathy’s hand, “WHOA~!” Cody then shakes hands with the front row fans, and Cathy says that was quite the entrance. But what is his response to the challenge by Dominik? Cody says Cleveland is on fire! And Judgment Day is also on fire. Rhea dominates, Priest is just a few ladder steps from history, and Finn might leave the UK as World Heavyweight Champion. “And then there’s Dom.” Fans boo and Cody says Dom wants him to go find some “two guys.” That shouldn’t be too hard. As far as the challenge for tonight, Cody accepts!
Fans cheer that, and Cody heads back out. Who can Cody find to fight against Judgment Day?
Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal VS Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin!
The Modern Day Maharaja promised a rematch that would be more fair to the former tag team champions, so here we are. Will Veer & Sanga be more merciful while still manhandling their opponents? Or will PRIMED Alexander & The Gold Standard manage redemption?
The teams sort out and Shelton starts against Veer. But then Shelton KNEES Sanga off the apron and Cedric attacks Veer! Veer fights back, scoops Cedric but Cedric slips free! Cedric mule kicks Veer, and Shelton SUPERKICKS! Sanga gets up but Cedric BLASTS him! Shelton KNEES Sanga down again! And Cedric PLANCHAS! But Sanga catches him! Shelton hurries out to BLOCKBUSTER! Down goes Sanga and fans fire up! Jinder is there but Shelton tells him to back off. Jinder moves, Shelton gets in, but Veer hits a THESZ PRESS! Sanga hoists Cedric up to TOSS him onto barriers! Veer and Shelton steady themselves and Shelton throws hands!
Veer shoves Shelton, kicks low, and then THROAT CHOPS! Shelton sputters, Veer tags Sanga, and Indus Sher gets Shelton up. Suplex onto the ropes, for Sanga to BOOT Shelton down! Indus Sher shout “NAMASTE!” and Jinder nods. Sanga then kicks Shelton around, tags Veer back in, and Indus Sher coordinate again. MILLION DOLLAR ELBOW SLAM!! Cover, Indus Sher wins!
Winners: Indus Sher, by pinfall
Even with the tables turned, these tigers tear into their opponents! Will nothing stop Veer & Sanga from hunting down a tag title opportunity?
Kevin & Sami talk more backstage.
Sami just thinks it’s for the best that Kevin learns to control his anger. But then a staffer bumps into them and spills his drink on Kevin! The man apologizes, Sami says Kevin hates getting wet, but Kevin keeps his cool. See? He doesn’t have an anger problem, just an idiot problem. That guy didn’t know what he was doing but- Oh, hey! Matt Riddle finds them! Sup, dudes? Sami says hey, tell them everything! Riddle says it has been one crazy Hot Bro Summer! But more importantly, has Kevin been watching movies? Honey, I Shrunk the Kids? Little Giants? OH MY GOSH, MATT!! Yes. Great movies! Great movies. Good luck, Matt. Thanks, bro!
Kevin heads out and Sami says Kevin’s going through something. Riddle says he can feel it. But will Riddle unleash some of his own rage against Imperium’s Impeccable German tonight?
Logan Paul is here!
And he’s already sitting on top of a ladder under the MITB briefcases. He wants the fans to get loud, because it’s always great to be in the state of Ohio. He feels the love. Walking down the aisle, seeing so many young kids full of ambition, untapped potential, and ready to achieve greatness just like he did. Y’all know but the best people come from Cleveland. LeBron James, Jerry Lawler, and Logan Paul. And when he looks back on his life here, he thinks about the moments that made him great. The moment that truly made him great, was when he left.
Fans boo but Logan says it’s true! When he left, he pursued his dream in Hollywood. They all stayed and froze their asses off in Winter. Logan came back, walked out, and it smelled like industrial steel. And LeBron is still stuck! But don’t boo that, cuz frankly, Logan is the best they have. No no no, you know! You know! Their people cannot stop losing! Jake Paul, his brother, just lost his last boxing match. Logan lost to Rollins at WrestleMania. Heck, The Miz just lost tonight! But mark his words, today is the day that Cleveland is done losing. Logan is going to singlehandedly put some respect back on this city’s name.
Fans are torn but Logan says that because he can, he called the WWE executives, and ya boi has a special invitation to MITB. Ladies and gentlemen, he will be IN the Men’s MITB Ladder Match on July 1st in London. He’ll win, cash it in, and take a title from whoever he wants, whenever he wants. Then he’ll come back to Cleveland, throw some shots back, and we go crazy! But wait! Here comes Ricochet! The King of Flight has a mic to tell Logan, “Wait, wait, wait, listen, listen. I just came out here, honestly, just to congratulate you. You are officially in the MITB ladder match. Congratulations.”
And yes, we all understand that Mr. Logan Paul has a very big social media presence. But check this. Ricochet knows, and everyone here knows, that the only reason Logan got added is cuz Ricochet does what he always does, and at the Royal Rumble, Ricochet made Logan Paul go viral! Fans cheer, but Ricochet has more. He doesn’t care how Logan got in, because it won’t change anything. It doesn’t change that Ricochet will walk out of London as Mr. MITB. And then after that- Here comes Shinsuke Nakamura! Nakamura says, “WOW~! Is this done deal? Logan Paul in the MITB Ladder match? Ricochet! Seriously? Did you say you don’t care? I CARE!”
Nakamura has more of a reason to win now. The King of Strong Style is gonna- LA KNIGHT!? Cleveland fires up as the Mega Star makes his way out. “LEMME TALK TO YA!” Knight looks at the ring and sees Ricochet, Nakamura and two guys as useless as basketball cleats. Then he sees a guy who makes video for 14 year old girls and calls himself a star! NAH NAH! There’s only ONE star. But here’s a gift for Logan. It’s a map. With this, Logan can follow it to find where to stick each and every one of those bottles of Prime. YEAH! That briefcase has Knight’s name on it! YEAH!! So what that means- IS THE LWO IS HERE!
Santos Escobar is all fired up and he says empty promises and lies are all he hears. Please excuse him. Logan, welcome to the party, papi. But none of that matters, cuz at the end of the day, at the end of MITB, the one who will represent LA RAZA and the L! W! O! But wait, it’s FIGHT NIGHT! Pete Dunne is here! Oh, so everyone’s got something to say? Logan doesn’t even know who Butch is! Dunne gets in to DECK LOGAN! And the brawl is on! Fans fire up as Santos TACKLES Ricochet outta the ring, Knight TOSSES Nakamura, and Dunne fires off on Logan! Knight leaps but Nakamura KICKS him outta the air!
Dunne rushes Logan but Logan throws him out to DECK Dunne in return! Dunne wipes out Santos and Ricochet, but then Logan FLIES! Direct hit on them all! Cleveland’s own is standing tall, and he takes a sip of Prime. Logan points to the briefcase, spits a la HHH, and then gets back in the ring. Logan sets up the ladder, climbs it, and enjoys the cheers and jeers as he touches the briefcase. The Maverick is ready to fly, but will he crash and burn in the UK?
Matt Riddle VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ GUNTHER!
The Original Bro took out the Pride of Italy, Giovanni Vinci, but there’s still another pawn between him and Der Ring General. Will Riddle remove the Impeccable German so that nothing can keep him from Gunther? Or will Ludwig say “NEIN” to Riddle going for the Intercontinental Championship?
Raw returns and Imperium makes their entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. Riddle powers Ludwig back but Ludwig turns it around. Ludwig swings, misses, and Riddle fires off kicks! Ludwig blocks one, but Riddle rolls and drags Ludwig down! ANKLE LOCK! Ludwig scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Riddle lets off to run in but Ludwig dodges. Riddle counter punches, but Ludwig blocks the kick to UPPERCUT! Gunther likes that as Ludwig bumps Riddle off buckles. Ludwig UPPERCUTS again, then puts Riddle in the ropes. Ludwig runs side to side to DROPKICK Riddle down!
Ludwig grins as he stands over Riddle, and then he drags Riddle up. But Riddle fires a forearm! Ludwig gives it back, they go back and forth, shot after shot! Ludwig kicks, CLUBS, spins, but into a GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Riddle drags Ludwig up to GUT WRENCH SUPLEX again! BROTON! Ludwig bails out, Riddle goes to the apron, PENALTY KCIK! Down goes Ludwig but Gunther creeps up. Riddle tells him to back off but Ludwig CHOP BLOCKS Riddle from behind! And then DRAPING HALF HATCH to the floor! Riddle writhes and Imperium stands tall as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Ludwig knocks Riddle off the corner. Ludwig grins and adjusts, but Riddle goes up after him! Riddle SUPER FISHERMAN SUPLEXES!! Fans fire up while both men are down! Gunther is upset with his lieutenant while both men writhe. Riddle crawls and fans rally up. Riddle and Ludwig stand, and Riddle CHOPS! Ludwig CHOPS! They CHOP back and forth, then go to forearms! Riddle fires off palm strikes and a BOOT! Ludwig comes back, into a spin and PELE! Ludwig staggers, Riddle kips up and powers up to forearm smash! Then runs side to side to forearm smash! BROSPLODER!
Riddle keeps moving, but Ludwig ducks the Penalty Kick and avoids the standing moonsault! BROTON onto knees! Fans rally for the Bro and he gets Ludwig with a headscissor to the outside! Springboard FLOATING BRO ATTACK! Gunther is upset as Riddle puts Ludwig back in and fisherman, BACK TO THE FUTURE! Cradle cover, TWO!! Ludwig survives but Riddle drags him back up. Gut wrench, but Ludwig slips free to shove and UPPERCUT! Riddle wobbles into an ENZIGURI! Ludwig brings Riddle in, but Riddle wrenches out to ROUNDHOUSE! FINAL FLASH! Springboard, but Ludwig SPINEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO!!
Ludwig is shocked and Gunther shouts for him to keep going! Ludwig runs in at the corner, to CHOP! GAMANGIRI! HALF HATCH! Riddle flounders and Ludwig goes up the corner, to FLYING- GERMAN SUPLEX! Ludwig staggers up into the gut wrench, tuck and BRO DEREK!! Cover, Riddle wins!
Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall
Gunther is stunned that The Bro beat his second-in-command! But then Gunther runs in at Riddle! Riddle fires off kicks first! Gunther blocks one to SWEEP the leg! Gunther shouts at Ludwig to go after Riddle! Ludwig rains down fists, fans boo, but Imperium still mugs Riddle! Ludwig traps Riddle’s arms so Gunther can drive a knee into Riddle’s leg! And then STOMP it! Imperium has avenged Vinci, but Riddle only come back with more rage?
Medical helps Riddle to the back.
That leg is hurting so they want him to take it easy. Will The Bro be able to even walk at this point?
Sami and Kevin talk some more.
Sami says Kevin’s interaction with Riddle was in a grey area. Kevin came close. When Riddle said, “Hot Bro Summer,” a vein started to pop in Kevin’s forehead. No, it didn’t! But then Ludwig & Gunther walk over. What? What? Why again? No one called them, no one wants to see them, why are they here? Ludwig tells Kevin not to get heated. He just wanted to be sure these two have seen what happened to Riddle out there. And if they did, then if Kevin & Sami aren’t really careful, the same exact thing will happen to them. Kevin asks if anyone’s ever told Ludwig he’s too long winded. Can’t he just get to the point?
Sami wants Kevin to cool off, they’re going to put this on pause. Sami shows Kevin his phone and says they have something to take care of. Kevin says okay. They head out and say they’ll deal with Imperium another time. Sami and Kevin clink their belts at Imperium, but what business could this be?
The Alpha Academy trains Maxxine Dupri.
Chad Gable shows her the “Gable Grip” and how to use it in a suplex. Bam! Perfect form! Except for the guy taking it. Go take a lap! Maxxine says she is so ready for whatever “Valhalla” is gonna throw at her this week. Gable says she did surprise everyone, because they underestimated Gable’s coaching abilities. But he is confident Maxxine needs to be ready. Don’t get cocky, don’t be arrogant, be prepared. Remember: it is all in the hips! Show ’em, Otis! HIPS! Great thrust. Now, here goes. Maxxine gets her training partner, facelock and waistband, and… Well, leaving us in suspense! Will Maxxine get to strut her stuff tonight?
The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri VS The Viking Raiders w/ Sarah Logan!
The teams sort out, Gable starts with Erik in a rematch from a couple weeks ago. They tie up, Erik wrenches an arm to a wristlock but Gable rolls, bridges, handsprings and spins to headlock, spin and wrench again. Gable facelocks, suplexes, and fans fire up! “A THANK YEW~!” Maxxine says she saw the hips! Tag to Ivar, and Gable looks to Otis. Fans fire up as Otis tags in! The Dozer and the War Beard circle, tie up, and throw hands! Otis headlocks, Ivar powers out, but Otis CLOBBERS Ivar! Ivar goes to a corner, Otis runs in and SPLASHES! Ivar staggers, wobbles, and falls into the drop zone!
Fans fire up and Otis tears off the shirt! But Erik rushes in! Otis CLOBBERS Erik, but Ivar BOOTS Otis down! Ivar hobbles, hitting Otis that hard! Tag to Erik, the Vikings mug Otis, and then Erik drags Otis back up. Erik RAMS Otis into the corner, tags Ivar, and the Vikings mug Otis some more. Fans rally as Ivar facelocks Otis, but Otis powers his way forward! Fans cheer and the Alphas coach Otis on as he keeps moving. But Ivar KNEES and CLUBS Otis down! Ivar drags Otis back up, but Otis suplexes Ivar! Fans fire up as both big men are down! Otis and Ivar crawl, hot tags to Erik and Gable!
Gable fires hands and chops and knees and uppercuts! Erik swings, misses and Gable mule kicks! Gable runs, ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Ivar returns, but into a clinch! Ivar fights the Exploder, Gable dodges the lariat, and Gable clohteslines Ivar up and out! Erik runs in, into the clinch! EXPLODER! The Vikings regroup outside and Cleveland says ‘A THANK YEW~!” with Gable! Gable goes up a corner, Sarah freaks out as Gable ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Down go the Vikings, and Gable puts Erik in! Gable hurries back up top, takes aim, DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!!
Erik survives but Sarah is still beside herself. Sarah gets on the apron, but Maxxine storms over! Maxxine YANKS Sarah down, reels her in, and SNAP SUPLEXES! Fans are thunderous, Otis celebrates with Maxxine, but Erik gets Gable for a FULL NELSON SMASH!! Cover, the Vikings win!!
Winners: The Viking Raiders, by pinfall
Maxxine & Otis realize what happened and are stunned! Well, things are now split between these teams, not including Maxxine’s moral victories. Will Gable & Otis regroup and come up with a surefire way to get even?
The Judgment Day talks at gorilla position.
Dominik says it doesn’t matter who Cody has. At the end of the day, they’re not on the same page like the Judgment Day. Rhea asks if Finn and Priest are on the same page. Finn says, “Yeah, we’re cool.” Priest says their issues aren’t with each other. They’re good. Good. Because Rhea looks forward to them teaching Cody a lesson after he talked bad on The Judgment Day. But right now, she has her own business with Natalya. Rhea heads out, sans Dom. Will Mami do bad all by herself?
Rhea Ripley VS Natalya!
Raw returns and Cathy Kelley interviews The Queen of Harts at gorilla. After everything that happened at Night of Champions, how has she prepared differently for this match? What happened at NOC rocked Natty to her core. Rhea beat her dominantly and quickly. Natty is just still trying to figure out where she fits in. But tonight is a second chance for her to prove to Rhea that she belongs, and perhaps, most importantly, a chance to prove to herself that she belongs. Natty makes her entrance now, has she already lost before the bell’s even rung?
Rhea CLOBBERS Natty off the apron!! Rhea goes out after Natty, fires off hands and stomps and she kicks Natty around the way. Rhea drags Natty up to TOSS into barriers! And then she RAMS Natty into steel steps! Rhea drags Natty up and RAMS her into the apron! The ref reprimands but the match isn’t official yet! Rhea says Natty thinks she’s real smart to get in the ring with her again. HEADBUTT! Rhea puts Natty in the ring, drags her up, and the ref calls out back-up. RIPTIDE!! Rhea looms over the Queen of Harts but the refs and producers tell her to leave. Rhea grins, having done enough damage. Will anyone ever stop the WWE Women’s World Champion?
No Contest
Backstage interview with Raquel Rodriguez.
Raquel glares at the screen showing Rhea talking trash as Cathy asks her how she feels about her Women’s MITB qualifier tonight. Raquel says it is always an honor to step into the ring with a legend like Trish Stratus. And though Raquel has her eyes on the MITB contract, she can’t help but bring up what Rhea just did to Natty. “That is not okay.” When Raquel does become Ms. MITB, she’ll make sure to cash-in on Rhea and remind her that she’s not the biggest fish- Oh, what was that, Raquel? Rhea walks in through the curtain to get in Raquel’s face. Raquel smiles and tells “Mami,” that she better hope Trish wins. Because Rhea ain’t ready for Raquel Rodriguez.
The two stare down, but Raquel’s music hits. Raquel moves on, will she get through a living legend to then go after this legend in the making?
Cody Rhodes stretches in the back.
And Akira Tozawa walks up. If Cody’s still looking for partners, don’t worry about it. He’s your man! Cody appreciates that, he’ll consider it. Thanks, Akira. Love the hair. Tozawa heads out, but then Sami & Kevin walk over. They got his text. If he’s got a problem with The Judgment Day, that means they’ve got a problem with the Judgment Day. He helped them on the Road to WrestleMania, they didn’t forget that. Any time he needs help, they have his back. Cody says Tozawa did just offer, but- Oh, no! They’re too late! C’mon, man, Kevin’s been holding in his temper, he’s been wanting to punch someone out, and now they can’t even do it!
No, no, Cody didn’t accept Tozawa’s offer. Tonight here, he couldn’t ask for better partners than the Undisputed Tag Team Champions. O-Oh. He gets to punch people in the face? Let’s go! Kevin is all excited now, and Sami tells Cody, “See you in the main event.” They fist bump and the team is set! Will the American Nightmare and two Canadian Prizefighters take it to Finn, Priest & Dom?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Trish Stratus w/ Zoey Stark VS Raquel Rodriguez!
Raw returns as Trish makes her entrance, her new protégé by her side. The bell rings and the two stare down. They tie up but Trish kicks low! Trish fires off hands from all slides, CLUBS Raquel then KICKS her! Raquel just scowls at Trish. Raquel swings, Trish dodges, but Raquel catches Trish’s Thesz Press into a bearhug! Trish fights but Raquel thrashes her around! Trish is almost a ragdoll as Raquel SLAMS her down! Raquel drags Trish up, scoops her, and carries her around before the SLAM! Raquel tells Trish to get up, then puts her in a corner. Raquel SPLASHES Trish, then drags her back up.
Trish holds ropes, Zoey protests and the ref has Raquel back off. Raquel rushes back in, gets Trish in a waistlock but Trish fires elbows. Trish SLAPS Raquel! Raquel frowns again and Trish says hold on. But Raquel RAMS her into a corner! And again! And again! And again! The ref counts, Raquel lets off to whip Trish corner to corner hard! Raquel runs in but Trish sends her into the POST! Zoey coaches Trish to keep going and Trish goes up to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!! Raquel survives but Trish covers again, TWO! Trish pulls Raquel’s hair, covers again, TWO! Trish is frustrated, so she dribbles Raquel off the mat.
Trish smothers Raquel into the mat, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Trish dribbles Raquel off the mat again, then runs to KICK Raquel in the side! Fans boo but Trish CHOKES Raquel on the ropes! The ref counts, Trish goes up and she brings Raquel up for a HANGING SLEEPER! At least, it would be hanging if Raquel wasn’t so tall. Raquel carries Trish out as a backpack, to RAM her into buckles! Raquel runs in but Trish dodge! Raquel’s leg gets stuck in the ropes and Trish RAMS into Raquel! And climbs up to pull the hair and pull Raquel against the ropes! But Raquel powers up to bring Trish out, only for Trish to RANA her into buckles!
Trish rolls Raquel up, TWO!! Trish is frustrated but Zoey says to use the ring. Trish has her HOF ring on her finger and she DECKS Raquel!! Then into the CAMEL CLUTCH!! Raquel endures, fans rally, but Trish fishhooks her! Raquel just powers up to carry Trish, swing her around and SIDEWALK SLAM!! Trish staggers up, but Raquel HEADBUTTS her to a corner! Raquel runs in to SPLASH! Raquel drags Trish back out, scoops her, and SNAKE EYES off the buckles! Raquel runs back in, but Trish dodges, only for the SOUTHPAW to hit! Fans fire up as Raquel hauls Trish back up!
Raquel scoops Trish for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Trish flops all the way outta the ring! The ref has Zoey stay back as Raquel storms out after Trish. Raquel puts Trish in, glares at Zoey, but Trish distracts the ref, talking about a bad neck. Zoey trips Raquel on the apron! Trish POSTS Raquel again! Trish drags Raquel in to cover, TWO!! Fans fire up because Becky Lynch is here! She CLOBBERS Zoey and tosses her all around! Trish goes out after Trish but Becky SLAMS Trish! THAT’S A DISQUALIFICATION!!
Winner: Trish Stratus, by disqualification (advances to MITB)
Becky can’t believe it! She just got outsmarted by Trish! But then she chases Trish off! Trish & Zoey regroup and retreat, because now they’re BOTH going to MITB! Raquel is upset with Becky but Becky says it was an accident. Will Becky just have to take down both Trish & Zoey in one match?
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Cathy welcomes Bron and says reports are unclear if Seth Rollins is going to be able to compete on NXT tomorrow night, but he is still set to face him in a match for the World Heavyweight Championship? What are his thoughts on this? The Big Bad Booty Nephew says surely, Seth isn’t gonna use what happened to him tonight as some sort of excuse. Rollins talks such a big game about being the workhorse, night in and night out. Bron has been waiting for this opportunity. And if you think what Finn did to Rollins was bad, you haven’t seen anything yet. Bron promises to hurt Seth Freakin’ Rollins “really freakin’ bad.”
And who knows? Maybe the docs prescribe Rollins enough “courage” so he can make it to NXT. But get used to seeing this face on Monday nights, because he will be the NEW World Heavyweight Champion. Will Bron be #MeanerThanEvil on Raw as well as NXT?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Byron asks The Man about her accidentally helping Trish qualify for MITB. What happened there? Becky says, “I screwed myself.” Or did she? Cuz now, Becky gets Trish in a match with ladders. Look at this way: Becky has enemies in Damage Control, Trish & Zoey, and it’s not like she’s good friends with Zelina Vega or anything. So it’ll just go one of two ways. Either Becky overcomes this giant mountain she’s created, climb a ladder, grab the briefcase and become Miss MITB. Or… She goes down in a blaze of glory and takes Trish & Zoey with her. Is the UK gonna be ready for The Big Time?
Shinsuke Nakamura VS Bronson Reed!
The King of Strong Style already beat the Colossal Aussie once to qualify for MITB, but it wasn’t enough to keep him away. Will one more Kinshasa tell Bronson to leave it alone? Or will he wash Nakamura away with a Tsunami?
Raw returns and Bronson makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two rush in! DYNAMIC DROPKICK from Nakamura! Bronson ends up in a corner, and Nakamura gives him GOOD VIBRATIONS! The ref counts, Nakamura brings Reed up to uppercut, knee, and snapmare! KNEE DROP! Cover, ONE! Nakamura fires more knees, runs, but into a BODY CHECK! ELBOW DROP! Fans cheer as Auszilla looms over Nakamura. Bronson drags Nakamura up, HEADBUTTS him, then brings him into a bearhug! Nakamura endures, fights up, but Bronson CLUBS him down! Fans rally for Nakamura and Nakamura fires forearms!
Bronson CHOPS Nakamura off his feet! Bronson drags Nakamura up to HEADBUTT! But Nakamura PELES! Bronson ends up in a corner., Nakamura runs in but blocks boots. Nakamura puts Bronson in ropes, KICKS him, then runs, SLIDING GERMAN! The fans cheer, but Nakamura spots Ricochet walking up. Ricochet asks what’s up, he just wants to see this match. Nakamura tells Ricochet to go away, then goes back to the ring as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Nakamura fights out of a fireman’s carry, only for Bronson to DECK him! Bronson drags Nakamura up, CHOPS him again, and even Ricochet is stinging while he sits at ringside. Nakamura goes to a corner, Bronson runs in, but Nakamura dodges! Bronson hits buckles and Nakamura hits an ENZIGURI! Nakamura then goes up to FLYING KNEE! Down goes Bronson! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Nakamura stomps Bronson. Nakamura facelocks, drags Bronson up, but Bronson wrenches out, ripcords and POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Nakamura is still in this and Ricochet seems impressed.
Bronson drags Nakamura up, scoops but Nakamura shifts to get a TRIANGLE HOLD! Fans fire up but Bronson stays on his feet to deadlift and POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives and Ricochet applauds, though maybe sarcastically. Bronson sees Nakamura go to the apron, and BLASTS him off! Bronson then goes to the apron to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Bronson soaks up the heat from the fans, then drags Nakamura up. Bronson brings Nakamura around, and throws him at Ricochet! But Ricochet’s ready and gives Nakamura his seat! Then Ricochet KICKS the chair to send Nakamura into Bronson!
Bronson wobbles, and Nakamura glares at Ricochet. Ricochet dares him to do something. But then Bronson ROCKS Nakamura and puts him in the ring. Bronson glares at Ricochet and Ricochet says worry about Nakamura. Ricochet picks his chair up, but Bronson reels him in to send him into the steel steps! Bronson gets in, ducks a roundhouse but not the WHEEL KICK! Ricochet storms up, Nakamura aims at Bronson. Nakamura runs in, but Bronson sends him into Ricochet! And then SAIDO for Nakamura! Bronson drags Nakamura into the drop zone, goes up the corner, and fans fire up for the TSUNAMI!! Cover, Bronson wins!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
The behemoth used two kings against each other to stand tall! Bronson may not be in the MITB match, but will he be ready to crush anyone and everyone with a title over the summer?
Seth Rollins speaks.
“The question’s floating around out there, will I or won’t I? Can I? Can’t I? And to be honest with ya, they took me from the arena tonight to get X-rays on my ribs. But I don’t really give a damn what these doctors tell me. I don’t stop, and I don’t make excuses. So, Mr. Badass Bron Breakker… I’ll be at NXT tomorrow, World Heavyweight title on the line, and I’m not going all the way back home to lose. And as for Finn Balor… There’s the guy that beat me seven years ago. Welcome back. MITB can’t come soon enough.” The Visionary is ready to #BurnItDown, will he start with NXT Gold Rush?
Six Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn!
Finn, Priest, Dom & Rhea all say they run Monday nights, and they just about ran the show this week. But will they be able to finish strong after calling out The American Nightmare? Or will Cody and the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions humble this fearsome foursome once and for all?
Raw returns as the Judgment Day makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Priest starts against Cody, but Cody wants Dom. Dom says okay, and he tags in. Fans boo Dom but we’re getting an MITB appetizer. But then Dom tags right out to Finn. Fans boo even more and Rhea laughs at Cody thinking it was gonna be that easy. Finn and Cody circle, tie up, and Finn headlocks. Cody powers up but Finn holds tight. Cody powers out but Finn runs him over! Cover, ONE, but Finn is after the bad arm. Finn wrenches to wristlock but Cody cartwheels and wrenches back. Cody hammerlocks, headlocks, but Finn powers out.
Things speed up and Cody catches Finn to a fireman’s carry! GUTBUSTER RACK! Then Cody brings Finn up, but Finn RAMS him into the corner! Finn RAMS Cody again and again, the ref counts, but Finn tags to Dom. Cody turns things around on Finn but Dom CHOPS Cody on the back! Cody scowls but Dom slips out of the ring to hide behind Mami Rhea. Fans boo and Cody waits patiently as Dom comes back. Tag to Priest, so Cody tags to Sami. Sami and Priest circle, fans insult Dom, and Priest powers Sami to a corner. The ref counts, Priest lets off but he fires off hands and stomps on Sami! The ref counts again and Priest lets off.
Priest grins as he brings Sami back up to whip corner to corner. Priest runs in but Sami elbows back! Sami goes up and leaps, AX HANDLE! Cover, ONE!! Sami facelocks Priest but Priest powers Sami to the corner. Dom tags in and he stomps Sami. Fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Sami. Dom kicks but Sami ROCKS him in return! And again! And again! Dom kicks low, CLUBS Sami, then reels him in for some Latino Heat. Fans boo but Sami suplexes Dom first! Sami drags Dom up, ROCKS him, then whips him. Dom reverses but Sami BOOTS back! Dom staggers, Finn gets in and they both distract the ref so Rhea can CLOBBER Sami!
Fans boo as Rhea laughs. Cody and Kevin protest but Rhea high-fives Priest as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Priest has Sami in the corner. Priest runs in, BACK ELBOW, and then a tag to Finn. Priest snapmares Sami, Finn slingshot STOMPS! Tag to Dom and he slingshot SENTONS! Dom tags out to Finn again, and Finn tags Priest back in. They coordinate to BACKBREAKER and LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Rhea is mad at the ref but Priest taunts Kevin. Kevin is ready to blow but Priest DEKCS him! Priest aims at Sami in the open corner, runs in, but Sami avoids the splash! Priest hits off the post even! Sami crawls, Priest staggers, hot tag to Dom! Dom DECKS Cody!
Fans boo as Dom drags Sami away to tag Finn. Finn stomps Sami, bumps him off buckles and CHOPS! Finn whips corner to corner to CHOP! Finn whips corner to corner, runs in, but Sami CLOBBERS Finn! Fans are thunderous as both men are down! Finn tries to keep Sami from crawling, but Sami kicks him away! Finn hurries, as does Sami, hot tags to Dom and Kevin! Fans explode as Kevin CHOPS and fires off hands on Dom-Dom! The ref counts as Kevin stomps a mudhole into that dummy! Then Kevin DECKS Priest from the apron! Kevin goes out after Dom to CLOBBER him on the ramp!
Kevin drags Dom up, brings him around and puts him in the ring. Dom staggers, swings on Kevin, but Kevin dodges to SUPERKICK! Dom goes to a corner, Kevin says “SUCK IT!” CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO!! Rhea is relieved but Kevin is still all fired up. Kevin drags Dom up, whips, but Finn sneaks a tag! Dom slips out of the pop-up and Finn gets the FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO! Finn rains down fists on Kevin, stomps him some more, then paces. Rhea fans off Dom while Finn SLINGBLADES Kevin! Fans boo as Finn takes aim. SUPERKICK from Kevin first! Cody is back! Kevin crawls, as does Finn, hot tags to Priest and Cody!
The American Nightmare dodges Priest to CLOBBER him! Kick and RHODES UPEPRCUT! Cody goes to a corner, Priest runs in but Cody goes up and over! POWERSLAM! Cleveland is thunderous again as Cody hits the BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives but Cody keeps his focus. Cody takes aim and goes up the corner, but Rhea distracts! Cody tells her to get down from the apron. Priest choke grips Cody! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!! Cover, SAMI BREAKS IT! Dom rushes in to fire off on Sami! Fans boo but Sami whips Dom outta the ring! Dom almost falls on Rhea, but then Sami DECKS Dom!
Rhea catches her Dom-Dom, then gets up on the apron. The ref reprimands but Sami just smirks. Fans say “YES! YES! YES!” and Rhea dares him to do something. Sami runs and FLIES over Rhea to take out Dom!! Rhea is freaking out, Cody hits a CODY CUTTER on Priest!! Cover, TWO!!! Priest survives and fans are shocked! Cody is frustrated, but Kevin reaches out. Only for Priest to go after Kevin! They brawl, Kevin getting to vent all his frustration! Kevin RAMS Finn into barriers! But Priest rolls Cody! TWO! Cody escapes, but Priest ROCKS him with a right! And then runs to springboard, but into an ARM BRACE SHOT!! Cover, DOM breaks it!
Fans boo Dom as he rains down fists on Cody. The ref reprimands but Kevin goes after Dom now! Dom knees low, throws Kevin out, and he has Cody on the ropes! Dom mocks his own father, dials it up, but Sami CLOBBERS Dom! Dom ends up in a corner, Sami runs in, HELLUVA KICK!! Dom is then sent into a STUNNER from Kevin! Cody waits on Priest, CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody and team win!!
Winners: Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn, by pinfall
Adrenaline is definitely in their souls as they take down the Judgment Day! Will they not run Monday nights after all? Will Cody, Kevin & Sami all be running wild this Summer?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here with a lot going on. Great stuff with Judgment Day from start to finish. I suppose it’s fine that Finn “ruined” the Open Challenge Rollins had planned, it adds heat to their match at MITB. Plus, good promo from Bron Breakker here to add to the title match tomorrow night. Bron will be the big bad Heel with a seeming advantage, and Rollins will come out looking even stronger for winning while beat up. Good group promo from Judgment Day to call out Cody and set up the main event. I had a feeling it was gonna be Kevin & Sami for use of continuity when they worked together against The Bloodline. The main event was awesome stuff, and that win gives the Faces great momentum in their respective stories.
Speaking of which, good stuff with Sami saying Kevin is a “rageaholic” and needs to work on his anger. As such, hilarious stuff as Kevin struggled when interacting with Riddle and Imperium. Riddle VS Ludwig was a great match and I figured Riddle would win. The beatdown was a good tough, too, as Imperium gets more Heel heat. Riddle VS Gunther is still the natural course of action but Imperium also keeps getting at Kevin & Sami, so maybe we get more singles matches out of them. And Rhea just beating down Natty to where it was a No Contest, this helps build Rhea up while also adding to Natty’s “crisis of confidence” story.
I’ve said it already on these Raw articles, but I’m still looking forward to when the many trios/factions collide. Good stuff from Indus Sher with Cedric & Shelton, they could give Imperium and even Judgment Day a run for their money as they go after the tag titles. Would also love seeing them against Alpha Academy. Good stuff out of them tonight, and of course Maxxine hits another standard move on “Valhalla.” This time it costs the Academy their tag match win, but I’m hoping we get to see Maxxine VS Sarah, and even a Mixed Six like we’ve been seeing in NXT with The Schism, Diamond Mine and Chase U.
What a great surprise that Ciampa returned tonight. A little disappointed there was no Johnny Gargano, though, since he’s also from Cleveland. But it was a great move to have Ciampa return as a Face, with his old NXT theme, and just beating up on The Miz, who tried to have Ciampa as more a sidekick than a teammate. I can’t wait for Ciampa to reunite with Gargano so that DIY can finally be here on Raw and get in on the tag division. I can only imagine how awesome a match of Kevin & Sami VS Ciampa & Gargano will be, as well as all possible singles match possibilities that would help lead to a potential tag title match.
And of course, great stuff out of the MITB stories. Logan Paul getting in on the men’s match just from status alone is fine, it gives him plenty of Heel heat since pretty much most fans, even those in Cleveland, despite him. Good promo from him, from the others, but of course Dunne was the best cuz he skipped talking and just punched Logan in the face. Logan jinxes himself by touching the briefcase, as all he really deserves are his high spots we all know he’ll go for, and then he’ll crash through a ladder or table and essentially take himself out. The real winners of the Men’s MITB should be Priest or LA Knight. Priest for story, Knight because everyone absolutely loves him, even me.
Though, with what we saw out of Bronson, Ricochet and Nakamura this week, I really wish Bronson was the guy who powered his way into the match. Bronson wins big using Ricochet and Nakamura against each other, he could easily take this as evidence to Pearce that he deserves something, but that decision will have to be made clear next week on the go-home as MITB is only a dozen days away. MITB matches have usually been eight participants, Logan is the seventh, and a Tsunami off the ladder from Bronson would be pretty cool, too.
On the women’s side, Rhea beating down Natty like that also serves to give Raquel a reason to go after Rhea and revisit their NXT feud. Raquel VS Trish was great stuff, and it was very clever that Becky mistakenly costs Raquel her spot. Becky also has a good promo to frame her situation as being surrounded by enemies, even considering the ladder match is meant to be everyone for themselves. There’s also intriguing parallels between Trish & Zoey and DMG CTRL. Trish and Bayley are both using Zoey and Iyo to put themselves over, but those could backfire on them both during the ladder match. I’m thinking if it isn’t Becky, it should be Iyo winning as Iyo will go Face upon breaking away from Bayley.
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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