Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/26/23)
One final face-off!
Raw prepares for Money in the Bank!
And as such, holds a Women’s Ladder Match Summit! Zelina Vega, Bayley, Iyo Sky, Trish Stratus, Zoey Stark AND Becky Lynch, all in the ring at once! Will things stay civil before it’s every woman for herself?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Shinsuke Nakamura VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Raquel Rodriguez w/ Liv Morgan VS Ronda Rousey w/ Shayna Baszler; Ronda wins.
- Tommaso Ciampa VS The Miz; No Contest.
- Dominik Mysterio w/ Rhea Ripley VS Akira Tozawa; Dom wins.
- GUNTHER w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS Sami Zayn w/ Kevin Owens; Gunther wins.
- Carmelo Hayes VS Finn Balor; Finn wins.
- Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest; Cody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio are in the ring.
Fans boo as the Judgment Day’s Mami & Dommy have the mics. Dom welcomes us to the show, but the fans boo even harder. Rhea calms Dom down and takes over. “Cody Rhodes. Oh, now you wanna boo me, huh? Well your little favorite, Cody Rhodes, is a wannabe and a loser! His momentum has been slowing down as of late. And at Money in the Bank, Dom’s gonna end-” WAIT! Here comes Cody! Fans fire up for The American Nightmare and sing along with his song, “WHOA~ OH!” The pyro goes off, and Cody high-fives fans on his way down the ramp. Cody then goes up the steel steps, gets a mic, and steps in at the “WHOA~ OH!”
Dom backs off to the far side and fans boo. They chant for “CODY! CODY!” and Cody says he thinks he knows what Dom was trying to do. It would’ve been pretty special but he’ll go ahead and do it. “Savannah, Georgia…! Welcome to Monday Night Raw!” Dom gets mad but Rhea tells Cody that he can try and bully Dom-Dom as much as he likes, but Dom is a “very dangerous man.” Dom says at MITB- And then he gets booed. He tells Rhea what he was gonna say so Rhea says that at MITB, he’s gonna show exactly how dangerous he is! Cody says, “Oh. Thank you for the education. Dom has proved tactile, and lobbed a few cheap shots.”
If anything, Dom is a smart guy. He might’ve heard this one. Be who you are, say how you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind. The Cat in the Hat said that. Yeah! A children’s book! Cody is quoting a children’s book because that is what Dom is: a scared little boy! Dom huffs and puffs and Rhea goes out to join him. They leave and fans boo more. Cody tells Dom to hold on. Damien Priest doesn’t run from Cody, why is Dom running? Show Cody something! Cody is right here, and will give Dom a free shot. Let’s just do this here and now! Fans fire up for that, and Dom turns around!
Dom rushes the ring, but then smirks and says forget it. Cody sighs and fans boo. “Okay, Dom. Okay. I see you walking, I see you leaving, here we are again.” The cheap shots have been effective, dangerous, dirty. But on Saturday, MITB, Dom is stepping into an entirely different body of water. Cody wants to find out if Dom is half the man that Rey Mysterio is. Or… If Dom’s just Mami’s little boy. Dommy and Mami leave, but will nothing stop Cody from standing tall in the UK?
Shinsuke Nakamura VS Ricochet!
The King of Strong Style collides with the King of Flight once more, all because they got in each other’s way with Bronson Reed. With MITB just days away, who will have a leg up going into the career-changing ladder match? And will Bronson Reed have something to do with the outcome again?
Raw returns and Bronson is ringside to watch! Ricochet makes his entrance, the bell rings and the two talk trash while pointing up to the briefcase. Then the forearms fly! Nakamura fires a strike fest, bumps Ricochet off buckles, and gives him GOOD VIBRATIONS! Nakamura snapmares, then drops a knee! Cover, TWO! Bronson is already unimpressed while Nakamura throws knees. Nakamura whips, Ricochet reverses but Nakamura blocks to CLUB the leg and ELBOW Ricochet! Nakamura runs but Ricochet dodges! Ricochet handsprings but the headscissors are denied with a KICK! Bronson does like that.
Nakamura kicks, Ricochet ducks to feint and kick! Then SCISSOR KICK! Fans rally up as Ricochet talks trash on Nakamura. Ricochet fireman’s carries but Nakamura fights free to a SLEEPER! Ricochet reaches out, but Nakamura brings him away. Ricochet snapmares, then dumps Nakamura up and out! Nakamura gets back up to get the SLEEPER! Nakamura is a backpack in he ropes, but he lets off as the ref counts. Nakamura brings Ricochet out, but Ricochet ENZIGURIS! But then both men BOOT the other! They both fall to the floor and Bronson gives a standing ovation, if not somewhat mockingly.
The ref warns Bronson to stay back. Ricochet throws a forearm, but Nakamura gives it back! They go back and forth, Bronson applauds, but Nakamura glares at him. Ricochet kicks, Nakamura blocks, and then hands it to Bronson! ENZIGURI from Ricochet, BOOT from Nakamura, and Bronson falls against his chair! Nakamura then kicks Ricochet, puts him in the ring, and runs in at the ropes. Ricochet ELBOWS Nakamura, comes back, and WRECKS Bronson off the apron! But Bronson gets back up, Nakamura SLIDING KNEES him down! Bronson gets up, the ref stops him, and he EJECTS Bronson!
Fans cheer and Auszilla is furious! But he has no choice but to leave, so now Nakamura and Ricochet can continue without distractions! Fans taunt Bronson and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as Nakamura HAMMERS away on Ricochet, then throws a KNEE! Nakamura drags Ricochet up, suplexes, but Ricochet slips free. Ricochet waistlocks, Nakamura elbows and ENZIGURIS Ricochet away! Ricochet goes to a corner, Nakamura runs in, but he blocks boots. Ricochet slips out to the apron to BOOT Nakamura! Springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet feeds off the energy, gets to his feet, and he bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire off fast hands! Ricochet whips, Nakamura reverses but Ricochet handsprings to BACK ELBOW! And then SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally and Ricochet keeps his focus. Ricochet runs, springboards, LIONSAULT onto knees! Nakamura suplexes to GOURD BUSTER, and then he throws in KNEE after KNEE! Nakamura stomps Ricochet at the ropes, the ref counts, and Nakamura lets off with one more stomp. Nakamura brings Ricochet up, KNEES him low, and clinches. INVERTED EXPLODER! Fans fire up with Nakamura and he aims from the corner! “YAO~!” But Ricochet ducks the knee, to RECOIL! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet hurries to get Nakamura to a drop zone and he goes up the corner. Fans fire up, but Nakamura GAMANGIRIS first!
Ricochet is stuck, Nakamura hits a TOP SHELF KNEE! Then he aims again, “YAO~!” KIN- TIGER WALL KCIK! Ricochet ducks the roundhouse, and the heel kick, to HEEL KCIK! STANDING SLICED BREAD! Ricochet gets Nakamura in the drop zone, goes up again, and SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! Cover, Ricochet wins!!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
The King of Flight trumps the King of Strong Style! He now has the hot hand going into the high stakes, high reward match that is MITB! Will Ricochet soon have the ace in the hole known as the MITB contract?
WWE shares their social media exclusive.
Byron Saxton found Matt Riddle backstage and asked him about what Imperium did to him last week. Riddle says they tried to take him out, but he’s gonna try and take something from them. Namely, the WWE Intercontinental Championship. And he challenges Gunther for that title at MITB!
Backstage interview with Matt Riddle.
Byron brings up Riddle’s challenge to Gunther, but does he think that’s really smart given what Imperium did to him last week? First off, Riddle’s ankle is cooling off. But Riddle is sick and tired of Gunther hiding behind his goons. But then Ludwig walks in and says how dare Riddle challenge Der Ring General. Last week, he got exactly what he deserved for what he did to Giovanni Vinci. What makes Riddle believe him and his amateur skills has what it takes to compete for the Intercontinental title? Uh, Riddle’s pretty sure his “amateur skills” beat Ludwig. Ludwig says that is never going to happen again.
Newsflash, FISTS! Riddle ROCKS Ludwig, and has a KIMURA! But Gunther BOOTS Riddle down! Imperium mugs Riddle again, and Gunther says, “Challenge accepted!” Then he stomps the ankle!! Riddle writhes, will he be able to make it to MITB like this?
Adam Pearce texts with someone.
But then Dom & Rhea barge in. Dom says he was just embarrassed by Cody, and he wants a match tonight so he can show Cody what’s in store for him at MITB. Pearce says that can be arranged. Then Dom has the perfect opponent, someone of his caliber. Big and strong, too. And that is…? Rhea whispers to Dom and Dom nods. They’ll get back to you on that. What is Dom up to in order to puff up his ego this close to MITB?
Raquel Rodriguez w/ Liv Morgan VS Ronda Rousey w/ Shayna Baszler!
Team #LivingLarge is going after the Baddest Women on the Planet this Saturday at MITB for the now Undisputed Women’s Tag Team Championships! As such, this is an appetizer as Big Mami Cool goes after THE Rowdy Ronda Rousey! Who will have a major advantage going into the huge title match?
Raw returns as Raquel makes her entrance, Liv by her side. The bell rings, the two tie up, and Raquel shoves Ronda down! Raquel grins and Ronda storms up. Ronda avoids a boot, mule kicks, but Raquel’s too big to sayanagi! Raquel blocks haymakers but Ronda kicks low! Ronda jumps on for a GUILLOTINE! But Raquel powers out to a suplex! Fans fire up and Ronda goes to a corner. Raquel runs in but Ronda dodges to come back, KNEE and HANGING ARMBAR! Fans boo, the ref counts, and Ronda lets go at 4. Ronda runs in to get the arm, manages to fireman’s carry, but Raquel slips off to shove! Raquel runs Ronda over!
Raquel scoops Ronda, but Ronda slips off the powerslam! Raquel comes back, Ronda body scissors to an ANKLE LCOK! Raquel reaches out, rolls, and kicks Ronda away! Ronda comes back, blocks the lariats, but Raquel stays standing! Raquel lifts Ronda to ELECTRIC CHAIR SLAM! Ronda goes to a corner, Raquel runs in to SPLASH! Raquel scoops, carries Ronda around, and FALL AWAY SLAMS! Ronda ends up in the corner again, Raquel runs over, but Shayna saves Ronda from the Vader! But Liv LEAPS and CLOBBERS Shayna! Fans fire up as Liv hammers away on Shayna! Ronda grabs Raquel, drags her to a crdle, and wins!
Winner: Ronda Rousey, by pinfall
Ronda then scrambles away before Liv rushes in. The Baddest Woman on the Planet snatched that one away, but will she and Shayna survive when Liv & Raquel get going as a duo?
Finn Balor speaks.
“You want the guy that beat you seven years ago. That guy’s gone. He’s dead. This guy is much worse. What was it you said, Seth? I got bitter while you got better? Let’s analyze that, Seth. Let’s go back in time. SummerSlam 2016. Torn labrum, torn bicep tendon, torn pec tenson, and a fractured glinide socket. And I still beat you. I could hardly raise my arm to lift the title as the first-ever Universal Champion. For 22 hours. Injury upon injury upon injury, I was forced, forced, to relinquish the championship. But that’s not where our problems lie, is it, Seth?” As Finn gave up, at his lowest point, Rollins walked out and laughed in his face.
Rollins laughed outta jealousy, spite and rubbed salt in a wound. That is something Finn will never forget! Finn got bitter? No, Rollins made him bitter. And that bitterness is all Finn has now. While Rollins has it all. Seth Freakin’ Rollins. They worship the ground Rollins walks on, love his ridiculous outfits and sing his stupid song! But guess what? None of that matter! The only things that matter are vengeance and the World Heavyweight Championship. “At MITB, after seven long years, after everything you took from me, I’m gonna take it all back. And the only song you’re gonna hear is the ringing in your ears as both my arms are raised as the new World Heavyweight Champion. And that Seth? Now that’s gonna be a bitter, bitter pill for you to swallow.”
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
Savannah sings along, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as the Visionary struts his way out in a red sequin sweatsuit. Rollins soaks up the singing under the spotlight, and then he gets the mic. “Savannah, Georgia! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins! Now before ew get cooking here tonight, we got a special guest int he arena. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the one, the only NXT Champion himself, Carmeloooo, Hayes!” Fans cheer and the light shines on Melo in the front row. Fans chant for “NXT! NXT!” and Rollins tells Melo that he doesn’t do this very often, but Melo had his back last week, so Rollins thanks him.
Fans cheer again and Melo says he’s got Rollins. Rollins says they have more in common than being the two flyest dudes in the room! They’re both fighting champions! Melo has a title defense tomorrow night on NXT, and please whoop up on Bumass Corbin. Melo says you already know. As for Rollins, this Saturday live in London, Rollins goes 1v1 with Finn Balor! Fans boo Balor but Rollins says, “Couple weeks ago, I posed the question, ‘Which Finn Balor was going to show up at MITB?'” Last week, we got an answer in spades. Finn jumped Rollins not once, but he followed Rollins all the way to NXT to jump him again, trying to turn his ribs into dust!
Rollins says the thing is, Finn, “I’m still standing. I’m still standing, MITB’s this Saturday, I’m tired of talking, so why don’t you come on out here and finish the job right now?!” Rollins waits, fans sing, but no Finn. Rollins says he wishes that singing would draw Finn out, but Finn isn’t coming out now. But he has to hand it to Finn. Finn is the smartest he’s ever been, the most dangerous he’s ever been, and has surrounded himself with people. He’ll hide in the back, in the shadows, and tricked himself into thinking it his fate to take everything Rollins took from Finn seven plus years ago. Is Rollins 100% right now? No, he’s not. Will he be by Saturday? No, he won’t.
But as good as Finn is, there is one thing he has not accounted for, and that is Rollins. Rollins promises that when it’s just them in this ring, when the bell rings, the best version of Finn Balor is not as good as the best version of Seth Freakin’ Rollins! Fans cheer that. In fact, Rollins says that is the bitter pill Finn will have to swallow. He IS a visionary! He IS a revolutionary! He IS- HERE COMES FINN! WITH A CHAIR! Rollins hits him first and TACKLES Finn! They brawl, fans fire up, and Finn gest up to kick those bad ribs! Finn aims, but Rollins ducks the chair to RAM Finn to a corner, and TOSS him out!
Rollins goes after Finn against the desk, then picks him up, but Finn turns things around to RAM Rollins into the steel steps! And then the desk! Finn stomps Rollins, digs his boot in, and KICKS him in the side! Finn then grabs a new chair, but Melo stops him! And then Rollins CLOBBERS Finn over the barriers! They fight into the crowd, but Finn slips away! Rollins is furious but hurting, too. Will he be able to humble whichever Finn this is at MITB?
Backstage interview with Tommaso Ciampa.
Byron says Ciampa made his return last week, and Ciampa already knows the question is “Why?” Why did Ciampa go after The Miz? Ciampa spent the last nine MONTHS of his life recovering from hip surgery, and how many times did Miz reach out with calls and texts? Zero. The last nine MONTHS, Ciampa hasn’t heard one peep from Mr. Tiny Balls. Oh, is that funny? Well, people warned Ciampa about Miz being a manipulator, and that’s true. But the injury was a blessing in disguise. Because being left alone with his thoughts for that long, it gave Ciampa clarity. What is your “Why?” Who are your real friends?
Most important of all, why in the hell is Ciampa wearing neon green, following Miz around and playing second fiddle? This time around, Ciampa creates his own opportunities. He and The Miz are having a rematch up next, will the Blackheart make it 2-0 against the Hollywood A-Lister?
Tommaso Ciampa VS The Miz!
Raw returns as Ciampa makes his entrance, but then Miz blindsides him! Miz fires hands, RAMS Ciampa into barriers, and then RAMS him into more barriers! Fans boo but Miz RAMS Ciampa into the apron! Miz SLAMS the leg into the apron again and again! Fans taunt Miz’s “TINY BALLS!” but Miz drags Ciampa up again. Miz suplexes Ciampa into barriers! And then he mocks Ciampa’s clapping and pats on the back! Miz rains down fists on Ciampa, the ref backs him off, and Ciampa clutches his leg. Miz stalks Ciampa, gets him up to full nelson, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE to the floor!
Miz glares at Ciampa says he gave him opportunity after opportunity, and this is how he disrespects him? Miz tells Ciampa he’s a chump and a joke! But will this only make the Psycho Killer go after Miz more?
Imperium talks backstage.
The match is made official for MITB, Gunther VS Riddle for the Intercontinental Championship. But then Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn walk over. Ludwig tells them to keep on walking. Wow, what does he mean? Doe she not like it when people just interrupt you? They don’t have time for this! Oh, and you think they have time for this when Imperium does it every week? AT least they have a reason to be here! And what reason is that? The reason? W-What is the reason? Oh, what they did to Riddle. Kevin doesn’t care. Sami says they do care, Riddle is a friend. Oh, well, in that case, HOW DARE they do that to Riddle?!
Sami says guess what? They’re doing something about it. Oh, well, Ludwig knows discipline isn’t really Kevin’s or Sami’s expertise, so they should be careful with their words. Or otherwise, Der Ring General will have to teach them the very same lesson. Like when he absolutely annihilated Kevin? Oh, you think you taught Kevin something? He didn’t! Kevin learned absolutely NOTHING! Sami calms Kevin down, and says he’ll handle this. Okay, fine, handle it. Sami says fair enough, Gunther did beat Kevin. But it took all three of them! With Imperium, it seems every time it is a numbers game.
So let’s keep the numbers real simple: Sami VS Gunther 1v1 tonight! Gunther says he is fully aware that just like Kevin and Riddle, Sami also wants to ride on his coattails. So be his guest. Yeah, good idea. Sami will be Gunther’s guest. BELT CLAP! BELT CLAP! The Undisputed Tag Team Champions head out, but will they finally get one over on Der Ring General?
Dominik Mysterio w/ Rhea Ripley VS ???
As far as the Prodigal Son is concerned, his opponent here tonight is far more worth his time than Cody Rhodes. But just who did Dom choose to be his “victim?” We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Dom’s opponent is revealed to be… Akira Tozawa! The Stamina Monster did offer to help Cody out last time, so maybe this is his way of coming through for the American Nightmare. The bell rings and Dom fires off on Tozawa! Dom stomps away in the corner, fans boo but the ref counts. Dom lets off, Rhea cheers but the fans boo. Dom soaks it up, brings Tozawa up and fires off knees and forearms. Tozawa counter punches! Fans fire up as Tozawa fires off again and again! Dom knees low, throws Tozawa down, and brings him up to whip. Tozawa reverses, dodges, and RANAS Dom away!
Fans fire up, Tozawa runs to SHINING WIZARD! Tozawa goes up a corner, leaps, FLYING SENTON! Rhea freaks out and hurries as Dom bails out. Tozawa builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and TOZAWA IS RED HOT! But then Rhea stares him down. Tozawa hurries to put Dom in, but he is wary of Rhea. Tozawa climbs up, but Dom trips him up! Dom drags Tozawa off the top, goes up top, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, Dom wins!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall
Rhea says that’s how you do it! Yes, she distracts and Dom wins is how they do it. But if this is how Dom beats Tozawa, will Cody Rhodes mop the floor with “Dirty Dom?”
The Viking Raiders speak.
Sarah Logan says, “The gods have not spoken to me in weeks. And to hear them again, we must do terrible things.” Erik & Ivar say together, “Soon, we will hurt the Alpha Academy.” And when all three are in the ring, blinded by pain, Sarah will hear Them again. “And it will be beautiful…!” Chad Gable, Otis & Maxxine Dupri have been warned, but what will they have planned as the counter offensive?
Trish Stratus & Zoey Stark head to the ring.
The Hall of Famer and her new protégé are making their way out first ahead of this Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Summit. They’ll soon be joined by the other four competitors in that match, and Corey Graves will mediate, but will things keep from getting physical before Saturday?
Raw returns and Big Time Becky Lynch makes her entrance. Damage CTRL’s Bayley & Iyo Sky are already in the ring, as well as Zelina Vega. Corey welcomes everyone to the summit, and says in five days, these six will have their chance to climb ladders to reach- Bayley stops Corey because we all know how this works. They’re not idiots. Well, the fans are! HA! Actually, Bayley has won one of these before, and is the only one in this match who has. So uh, Corey can let Bayley run this right now since she has the best chances anyway. Er, uh, oh Iyo, she has a great chance. Iyo says in Japanese and English, “May the best woman win.”
Zelina interrupts in Japanese, and then in English says she is so sick of DMG CTRL completely dismissing everyone else. We have Becky Lynch! “Someone who I respect.” Becky’s done it all! Except win MITB. Then there’s Zoey the groupie, and Trish Stratus, a living legend. But one who has never even been IN a ladder match and has no idea what it takes. And like it or not, we have Zelina, the FUTURE Miss MITB! Bayley laughs and has everyone calm down, cuz “pipsqueak” ain’t got a chance. Zelina tells Bayley callate and brings out LA CHANCLA! If she wanted to hear more from DMG CTRL, she’d throw coins in their begging bowls.
Zelina tells Bayley you’re messing with the wrong one. She will prove everyone wrong when she and Santos Escobar each climb the ladders and bring those briefcases back to the LWO! Oh that’s what Zelina thinks? She’s a bigger idiot than she looks! The squabbling continues in three languages, and Stark tells everyone to calm down on the playground. What Trish sees is a bunch of little girls. Fans chant for “BECKY! BECKY!” Trish says it is very clear to her why each of them needed Trish to save this division. She is not a girl, she is a woman. In fact, she’s the best to ever do this.
And Zelina, you’re right. This is Trish’s first. But winning is what she does. When Trish makes history on Saturday, then guess what? Everyone can all say “Thank you, Trish, for letting me be part of such a historic moment.” Fans boo but Zoey nods. And Trish tells “Lynch,” that Trish can’t call her a girl or a woman, since she’s “The Man.” But Trish asks Becky this: When it is all said and done, will Becky be “man enough” to say thanks? Becky just DECKS Trish! The brawl is on, stark & Trish beating up on Becky, DMG CTRL beating up on Zelina! But Becky and Zelina both fight back! Trish is sent outta the ring, and then so is Stark!
DMG CTRL go after Becky, but Zelina gets LA CHANCLA!! BOP for Bayley! BOP for Iyo! DMG CTRL mugs Zelina but Zelina sends Bayley into ropes, and then a ladder! And then KNEES her outta the ring! Iyo DROPKCIKS Zelina out! Becky and Iyo brawl, Becky scoops but Iyo goes to apron to HOTSHOT! Then Iyo goes up to ASAI MOONSAULT everyone else, even Bayley! Becky is alone, she grabs a ladder, and she climbs! Fans fire up as The Man touches the Women’s MITB briefcase, kisses it, and brings it off the hook! Will Becky finally check this accomplishment off her list? Or will another take that golden ticket to a title match?
Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes.
Cathy Kelley is with the NXT Champion and brings up his very first match on Raw. He is facing Finn Balor, how is he feeling? We know who invited Melo here: Rollins. The World Heavyweight Champion! And do you knew what an honor it is to be here? Rollins isn’t just a wrestler Melo aspires to be like, but a champion Melo aspires to be like. So Melo will go ahead and take care of Rollins’ problem in Finn Balor. Maybe Melo is making a mistake, but if he goes out in a blaze of glory then still has to handle his business with Corbin tomorrow night, that’s what he’ll do. Sometimes, guys like Melo and Seth, they gotta take shots to make shots. And tonight, Melo don’t miss.
Becky finds Rhea backstage.
The two stare down and smile. Rhea says Becky better hope she doesn’t win. Because if she even thinks of cashing in on Rhea, it’ll be the last thing she ever does. Becky says that’s interesting. Because when Becky was champion, her title was defended in every town in every main event. But Rhea, she’s become a main event side piece. Becky doesn’t need that title, that title needs her. But Becky wants to win the briefcase, just to watch Rhea squirm. Becky says bye, but will The Man come back around for the Women’s World Championship?
GUNTHER w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS Sami Zayn w/ Kevin Owens!
Der Ring General accepted the Original Bro’s challenge, and now he looks to use an Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion as a tune-up! But will he be the one getting used so that Sami is sharp and ready for the tag title match on SmackDown?
Raw returns and Sami makes his entrance, Kevin by his side. The bell rings and Kevin joins commentary. Sami and Gunther tie up, Gunther headlocks to the takeover, and pushes to a cover. ONE, and Sami fights up. Kevin says Sami just has to worry about Ludwig and “baldie.” Gunther hits a headlock takeover again, but Sami keeps his shoulders up. Sami fights up and fans rally behind him. Sami powers out, Gunther runs him over, and then he drags Sami up to hit a headlock takeover. Fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” for Sami and he fights up again. Sami powers up and out, then drops to bypass. Gunther stops himself, but turns around into an arm-drag!
Sami keeps on the armlock but Gunther fights up and knees free. Gunther UPPERCUTS in the corner, stalks Sami to a corner, and then swings, but Sami avoids the chop to COHP! And forearm! Sami fires off shots, whips, but Gunther reverses. Gunther runs in but Sami elbows him away! Sami bumps Gunther off buckles, then climbs up to rain down fists! Fans count along, but then Sami spots Vinci limping out with crutches! Gunther throws Sami away, Sami kicks low! Sami whips, Gunther reverses but Sami springboards, into a waistlock! GERMAN SUPLEX! Kevin says Sami will bounce back, surely, but Imperium is reunited as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Sami CHOPS away on Gunther! But then Gunther CHOPS Sami off his feet! Kevin says shake it off, Sami! Sami goes to a corner, fans rally up but Imperium cheers their leader. Gunther drags Sami up, reels him in, and UPPERCUTS! Sami falls back into the corner, and Gunther runs corner to corner. Sami clinches but Gunther fights the exploder! Sami still tries! Gunther throws more elbows, then turns Sami to CHOP him down! Kevin coaches Sami from commentary and Sami stands up again. Gunther CHOPS him again! Sami leans against Gunther, Kevin says to hit the legs.
Gunther taunts Sami, toys with him, and he brings Sami up to CHOP again! Kevin says Sami has more heart than anyone, but then Gunther stares him down. Kevin tells Gunther good job, he can chop hard. Wait ’til Sami gets you back. And then Sami BOOTS Gunther! Sami goes up, BOOTS him again, and again, and again! Kevin cheers with the fans, and Sami facelocks, but Gunther blocks the DDT to wrench and CHOP! Kevin says it’s okay, Sami’s still up top. But then Gunther climbs up top! Sami fights and throws body shots! Sami then CLUBS away on Gunther and fans fire up! Kevin cheers Sami on, and Sami SUPER SUNSET POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO!!
Savannah and Kevin can’t believe it, but Gunther survives. Sami keeps his focus, shakes out the arms, and fans rally up. Sami storms up to fire forearms on Gunther, but Gunther UPPERCUTS! Sami forearms again, but Gunther UPPERCUTS! Sami LARIATS! Gunther stays up so Sami LARIATS again! And again! Sami whips, Gunther reverses but Sami goes up and over to LARIAT! Gunther falls and fans fire up again! Sami hurries to get Gunther up but Gunther slips outta the Blue Thunder to SLEEPER!! Fans rally as Sami endures, but Gunther has the body scissors, too! Kevin says Sami’s not done, and Sami fights up!
Sami stands, reaches out, and then hits a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Again, no one can believe it! Imperium looks worried, and Sami isn’t sure what he has to do. Kevin says Sami still has this, and Sami sits up. Gunther also sits up, and then Sami goes to ropes. Sami goes out and up the corner, fans rally behind him, and Sami leaps, into a CHOP!! Cover, TWO!?! Sami survives and Gunther is shocked! Gunther drops a knee, goes up a corner, and GENERAL SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sami survives again and Kevin is loving it! But then Ludwig gest on the apron, so Kevin DECKS him!
Kevin fires off on Ludwig, the fans love it, but Gunther goes out to BOOT Kevin down! Sami FLIES to take out Gunther! Sami fires up and so does Savannah! Sami puts Gunther back in the ring, clinches him, CORNER EXPLODER! Fans are thunderous as Sami goes to the far corner. But Ludwig gets up and distracts the ref again! Vinci JAMS Sami with his crutch!! Gunther gets Sami up, GENERAL BOMB!! Cover, Gunther wins!
Winner: Gunther, by pinfall
The numbers game still won out for Imperium because of Vinci’s surprise return! But then Kevin attacks! But he’s 2v1 against Gunther & Ludwig! But “Bro…” Riddle rushes out here! Riddle hobbles on his bad ankle and he still KNEES Vinci down! Then he uses the crutch to CRACK Vinci! And then he hits Ludwig, and Gunther, and more for Gunther! The crutch has bent! Kevin gives Ludwig a STUNNER!! Imperium regroups outside the ring, will their numbers game only raise Riddle’s intensity? As for Kevin & Sami, will they be ready for Pretty Deadly in their tag title defense?
The Alpha Academy works out backstage.
Maxxine Dupri does free weight squats while Otis is on the bike. Coach Chad Gable blows his whistle and then tells the Viking Raiders, “Do you think we’re amateurs over here? You don’t think I have Maxxine over here getting stronger? You think I don’t have Otis over here getting faster? You doubt my coaching abilities? Savages! Idiots! SAVAGES! IDIOTS!!” Maxxine has Gable calm down. She may not have had a match yet, but every single time that little witch has come at her, Maxxine has destroyed her! All thanks to Gable’s wonderful coaching. And she is so ready for whatever Logan has in store for her next.
Gable loves the confidence he’s instilled in her. They’re here every week. Even next week! Go ask your Viking gods to say some of those things to their faces. And then, Gable will have Otis show them the plan. Otis, what’s the plan? The plan, coach, is pure carnage! Gable blows his whistle, will the Academy SHOOOOSH Valhalla?
Backstage interview with Natalya.
Cathy asks Natty where her emotions are at after another brutal attack by Rhea Ripley. Natty says she signed up for this life, and Rhea is part of that because Rhea is at the top of the mountain right now. But Natty says the biggest battle hasn’t been in the ring. It has been in her mind. The fear of Natty losing isn’t as great as the fear of giving up, and that is the battle of a lifetime. Natty has been broken, down, shaken, but she is still here! She would like Rhea to bring that title next week and face her woman to woman. There is not a single person here who can erase what Natty has done in the WWE! Will The Eradicator fail to break the Queen of Harts?
Carmelo Hayes VS Finn Balor!
The NXT Champion had Rollins’ back again, but now he is on The Prince’s bad side! Will Finn prove this new form is even more dangerous than the man from seven years ago? Or will he not be ready for… HIM?
Raw returns and Melo makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally for Melo and he ties up with Finn, but then Finn trips him up! Finn rains down fists, stomps Melo into the corner, but the ref counts. Finn digs his boots in but the ref backs him off. Finn CHOPS Melo, then has him in a corner. Finn RAMS his shoulder in again and again, lets off as the ref counts, and he throws body shots. Finn snapmares then CLUBS Melo, then ELBOWS him in the head! Finn clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Melo down. Fans rally up, Melo fights up and he moves around. Finn headlocks but Melo throws body shots!
Melo throws more body shots, whips out, and then hurdles, ducks and DROPKICKS! Finn staggers to a corner, Melo runs in and blocks a kick, then puts Finn int he ropes to ENZIGURI! Finn is stuck, and FADE AWAY! Direct hit and Finn bails out. So Melo PLANCHAS! Direct hit and fans fire up again as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Finn RAMS Melo in the corner again and again! Finn whips corner to corner, then runs in to CHOP! Finn snarls while fans “WOO~!” and then Finn whips back the other way for another CHOP! Finn whips again, but Melo ELBOWS back! Melo goes up the corner to jump, but Finn gets under! Melo crashes down on the mat and Finn storms up to kick him in the side. Fans rally, Finn brings Melo up, but Melo ROCKS Finn! Finn swings but Melo counter punches! Melo spins Finn, KNEE SMASH and LARIAT! Finn staggers up, Melo whips but Finn reverses. Melo ducks ‘n’ springboards, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!
Finn flounders to a corner and Melo pounds the mat. Fans rally up again and Melo runs in, BIG forearm smash! Melo keeps moving, but Finn LARIATS him down! Fans boo but Finn kicks and stomps Melo at the ropes! And again and again! The ref counts, Finn lets off, and Finn flexes. Melo stands, into a SLINGBLADE! Melo flounders again while Finn soaks up the heat. Finn takes aim, runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY DDT! Cover, TWO! Melo keeps focus, he goes up the corner, and he takes aim. But Finn runs in so Melo jumps over. Finn hurries to fireman’s carry but Melo slips off to roll Finn up! TWO!!
Melo kicks, Finn blocks and spins Melo to fireman’s carry, GUT BUSTER DROP! Melo sputters and Finn takes aim again. SHOTGUN! Melo hits buckles then falls into the drop zone! Finn goes up and fans boo the COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Finn wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall
Melo may not miss, but neither does Finn! The Prince dunks on the NXT Champion, but will he do even worse to Rollins on Saturday? As for Melo, will he be able to regroup and beat Baron Corbin to wrap up NXT Gold Rush?
Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.
Cathy is with Cody, and his dog, Pharaoh, and asks for a moment of his time. Cody is up against Damian Priest, what are Cody’s thoughts on Priest and Dominik? Cody loves these chats, but gosh, he looks forward to the day when we’re not talking about Dom, Rhea, Priest or Finn, i.e. the Judgment Day. Priest is walking into MITB with bruises on both body and ego. And as for Dom, Cody wishes he could be in crowd with the WWE Universe to boo Dom himself. Dom has gotten under Cody’s skin, these cheap shots are effective. Dom is skilled in that, he truly is.
But think about this: At MITB, Dom is not going to have Finn, Priest or even Rhea. And Cody hasn’t even laid a finger on “Dirty Dom.” We’ll find out what Dom does have soon enough. Cody and Pharaoh head out, will the American Nightmare make it through the Punisher here tonight?
Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest!
The American Nightmare already said his piece tonight, but now he will back it up with actions! Will Georgia’s own make the Peach State proud? Or will the Punisher squeeze every last ounce of adrenaline out of Cody’s soul so “Dirty Dom “can pick the bones?
Raw returns as Priest makes his entrance, and making his way out alone. That has been his MO as of late, wanting to prove he can get things done on his own. The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. Priest powers Cody back to ropes but Cody turns it around. The two go around the ring, fans rally behind Cody but Priest headlocks. Cody powers up and out, but Priest runs him over! Cody gets up as Priest soaks up the heat. Priest and Cody reset, circle again, and then Cody gets around to waistlock then headlock. Priest powers up and out, Cody RAMS him, but Priest rebounds to run Cody over!
Priest dusts himself off, things speed up, but Priest blocks Cody’s hip toss. Cody blocks Priest’s hip toss back, then slips around, but Priest fights the backslide! Priest throws Cody up and over but Cody kicks low to drop and RHODES UPPERCUT! Priest wobbles, Cody runs, but Priest ELBOWS him! Priest runs but Cody DROPKICKS him! Cody drags Priest up, wrenches, and ROCKS him! Cody wrenches again to an ELBOW BREAKER! Cody CLUBS the arm, throws hands in the corner, then climbs up. Fans fire up but Priest carries Cody out! Priest DECKS Cody, then shakes out the cobwebs.
Priest puts Cody in a corner, fires off and stomps away! The ref counts, Priest lets off, and he brings Cody up. Priest whips corner to corner hard, then adds the “Stage Dive” back elbow! Fans boo but Priest soaks it up. Priest brings Cody up and reels him in, but Cody suplexes first! And holds Priest up for a count of TEN before the GOURD BUSTER! But wait, here come Rhea & Dom after all. Mami and her baby boy storm down the ramp, but Cody rushes Priest. Priest dodges to ROUNDHOUSE from the corner! Priest then drags Cody to the corner, grins, but Cody YANKS Priest into the post!
Cody build speed and he DIVES onto Priest! Dom stares Cody down but Cody puts Priest int he ring. Cody dares Dom to do something but he just hides behind Rhea. Cody runs into the ring, but into a FLATLINER! Priest now has control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Priest cravats but Cody throws body shots! Cody is free, he throws more hands, but Priest ROCKS him! And then BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Rhea is upset but the fans rally up. Priest clamps onto the arms and has a motorcycle stretch. Cody fights up and he throws more body shots. Cody HEADBUTTS, runs, but Priest FLAPJACKS him! Priest scuffs Cody, kicks him around, then brings him up. Priest runs to LARIAT! Dom & Rhea cheer as Priest covers, TWO! Priest is annoyed, Rhea argues the count again, but the fans rally up. Priest goes to a corner and climbs up.
Cody goes up after Priest! SUPER ARM-DRAG! Fans fire up as Cody rises up. Rhea tells the fans to shut up and Priest throws forearms. Cody throws shots, Priest KICKS! Cody ROCKS Priest, Priest KICKS a leg! Cody ROCKS Priest again, then JABS! JABS! JABS! Flip, flop and fly, but Priest kicks low! Priest runs but Cody dodges to CLOBBER him! Cody baits Priest to a corner, goes up and over and POWERSLAMS! Fans fire up again and Cody runs the ropes. Springboard, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Priest wobbles and Dom gets worried. Cody JABS! JABS! JABS! Flip, flop, fly! BIONIC ELBOW! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally for Cody while both men catch their breath. Cody stomps Priest, has the legs, and he steps through, but Priest boots him to the corner! Cody runs back in but is sent into buckles! DIRTY DEEDS!! Cover, TWO!! The headlock driver still doesn’t finish this, but Priest choke grips Cody. Cody slips outta the slam to spin Priest and dragon sleeper, but Priest clubs away! Priest is free, he runs back in but into a kick! Cody underhooks, to PEDIGREE!! Both men are down but Cody crawls after Priest. Priest rolls to the outside and is safe! Fans boo but Rhea & Dom coach Priest up.
Cody goes up the corner, aims, but Priest gets in the ring. Cody adjusts, jumps over Priest, and comes back into a JUMP KICK! Cover, TWO! Priest grows frustrated, but he keeps his eyes on Cody. Priest brings Cody up, UPPERCUTS him and Cody ends up in a corner. Priest runs in but Cody avoids the splash! Priest goes up, leaps, but into a SUPERKICK! Rhea distracts the ref, Dom trips Cody up at the ropes!! Fans boo but Priest choke grips! SOUTH OF HEAVEN SLAM!! Cover, TWO!?!? Cody survives and no one can believe it! The Judgment Day is furious, they planned that perfectly!
Priest drags Cody up, reels him in, and Dom argues with the ref. Priest lifts Cody, crucifix, but Cody escapes! Cody then sends Priest into Dom! Down goes Dom, CODY CUTTER!! And fans fire up with Cody as he dragon sleepers! CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Dom tried to get too dirty and it cost Priest this match! But then Dom CLOBBERS Cody from behind and runs away! Fans chant “DOM, YOU SUCK!” but Dom says he’ll see Cody on Saturday. Will all this only make things worse for Dom once he and Cody finally face off in London?
My Thoughts:
A really good Raw here, especially as a go-home. But luckily, they avoided Go Home Syndrome, and used new segments to help push things forward. Really good stuff out of Judgment Day the whole night, especially with them sandwiching the show. Good promos from Rhea, Dom & Cody to open the night, and good link back to the main event of Cody VS Priest. Great match out of Cody VS Priest, even with Dom & Rhea doing their best to help Priest. It works that Dom’s interference costs Priest. The go-home math says Dom will find a way to (cheat) win against Cody, maybe even a win thanks to Lesnar showing up to go after Cody and set up their third match. For Priest, he feels like a strong choice in the Men’s MITB, hence him losing here.
Also good stuff with Finn, Rollins and surprisingly, Melo. Great vignette promo from Finn to frame the story in his perspective, good live promo from Rollins to respond, and great brawl that Melo helps Rollins in. Melo VS Finn was a great match, but of course Finn wins. Finn needs momentum going into MITB, and this go-home math would say Rollins retains, to where he has to worry about Mr. MITB. As for Melo, his loss doesn’t really hurt him, it just makes sense since NXT is still more developmental than equal with RawDown. And plus, he’s still gonna beat Corbin, because it’s Corbin.
Good stuff out of Imperium and their various enemies. It was a bit redundant to have both Riddle’s social media promo and live promo, but the point is, we’re adding the Intercontinental Championship to MITB to make it an even bigger night. And great match out of Sami VS Gunther tonight, even with the overbooking of Imperium. Go-home math does bring into question if Gunther retains, but I would think he does also because of Imperium interfering. As for Sami & Kevin, they’ll surely retain against Pretty Deadly, but that will be a great match for the SmackDown go-home.
Ciampa VS Miz the rematch ending up No Contest was fine. Miz is angry out of his usual selfishness even though Ciampa is the one with the legitimate gripe. Maybe they try again next week, it actually happens, and Miz finds a way to win with cheating or something. Either way, we need more out of The Way, i.e. Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell & Dexter Lumis. Yes, Indi is hurt and Gargano is banged up, but where are the twisted sitcom vignette promos like we saw in NXT? They can communicate despite not being live, it’d be a nice way to keep them relevant in our minds and in story.
Really good match from Raquel VS Ronda to lead into a tag title match at MITB. I did not think they’d put that together so quickly, but I suppose there’s also no point stretching things out for an entire month to go into SummerSlam. I would think that means Ronda & Shayna retain at MITB, even though Ronda did sneak the win here on Raquel. Austin Theory set the precedent that MITB can cash in on any title now, so are they hoping to swerve us and give the Women’s MITB briefcase to like DMG CTRL so that they try and go after Ronda & Shayna? I would hope not, that ruins the DMG CTRL story of Iyo breaking away and turning Face.
Speaking of MITB, though, great “summit” promo. I like that Zelina not only kept up with Iyo in Japanese but also had La Chancla ready to go. And the go-home math seems pretty clear: Iyo Sky has the big spot but then Becky jinxes herself by touching the briefcase. I think it works better if Iyo wins out somehow, she could use it to get a feud with Asuka or whoever is champion after this week, as part of her breaking away from Bayley and going Face. And Becky has a good backstage promo with Rhea. Win or lose at MITB, Becky and Rhea should definitely feud going into SummerSlam. Natty has a good promo, too, but I have a feeling she’s going to go 0-3 in this crisis of confidence story.
I wish we got a bit more out of the Men’s MITB here, but I’m sure most of that go-home math happens on SmackDown. Ricochet VS Nakamura was great stuff, including the interactions with Bronson Reed. I kinda wish Bronson was finally added to MITB but he can still continue his feud with whichever guy he wants. Ricochet winning was a bit of a surprise but I feel like that keeps him from winning MITB now. Again, Priest feels like a strong choice given all the possibilities inside Judgment Day (for example: Finn is champ, Priest is Mr. MITB, will Finn trust Priest?) but maybe there could be some kind of Triple Threat, Ricochet VS Nakamura VS Bronson to determine a contender for the WHC at SummerSlam.
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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