Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/5/23)
WHOA~ OH~ OHHH~!
Will The Judgment Day truly run Monday nights?
In his first defense of the NEW World Heavyweight Championship, Seth Rollins defend against Damian Priest! Will this be the Visionary’s Judgment Day?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Becky Lynch VS Sonya Deville w/ Chelsea Green; Becky wins and advances to MITB.
- Kevin Owens w/ Sami Zayn VS GUNTHER w/ Imperium; Gunther wins.
- Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Ronda & Shayna win.
- Ricochet VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Nakamura wins, by disqualification.
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Zoey Stark w/ Trish Stratus VS Natalya; Zoey wins and advances to MITB.
- Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal & Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin; No Contest.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins VS Damian Priest; Rollins wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
Fans cheer as The Visionary, in a suit as shiny as his World Heavyweight Championship, swaggers down the ramp. And of course, Rollins revels in the fans singing “WHOA~ OH~ OHHH~!” Rollins then gets the mic to tell Hartford, Connecticut, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” Rollins has to tell us, that one week as World Heavyweight Champion has been a non-stop partay~! But in the midst of it all, Rollins got to thinking, “When was the last time we had a Heavyweight Championship match right here live on Raw?” And he had to go into the Way Back Machine, because it has been nearly two years!
Fans boo that it’s been that long, but Rollins says he though to himself, “Two years is too damn long.” So what he did is that he went to the Twitterverse, and he put out the challenge for the world title right here tonight in Hartford! And that open challenge was answered by the Judgment Day’s Damian Priest. Fans boo but Rollins says, “I gotta be honest with you guys. I’m kinda psyched about it.” And he is psyched because he said he wanted all the fights and to fight the best. Love ’em or hate ’em, Dominik Mysterio, Rhea Ripley, Finn Balor & Damian Priest are as good as it gets. And Rollins looks forward to the match here tonight to show us all that as good as they are, they just ain’t him!
Because Rollins is a Visionary! Rollins is a Revolutionary! But wait, here comes the Judgment Day. Finn & Priest go down the ramp and Rollins asks them why! Why are they coming out here now while he’s saying all these nice things about them and then they interrupt. Wait, wait, there’s only two of them so where are Dom & Rhea? Are they sneaking in from the fans? Are they making out under the ring? Ew, never mind. But Priest tells Rollins that Dom & Rhea have their own business to worry about. And Rollins should only be worrying about Priest. Wait, just Priest? But it’s not just Priest, cuz Finn is here so…
Rollins knows they’re boys, but do they do everything together? Does Finn hold the door open for Priest when they go to nice restaurants? Or maybe on the playground, do they hold hands going down the slide? Or what about going to the bathroom? Does Finn- Finn stops Rollins there. Mr. Funny Man with the funny clothes and the funny dance and the funny jokes and everyone loves Seth Freakin’ Rollins~! And everyone just loves to sing his song~! They do, though. Well, no one is gonna love seeing Priest beating Rollins and taking the title from him tonight! Fans boo and Rollins smiles, but Priest says he has to be honest. He does think Rollins is a deserving champion.
Rollins’ resume speaks for itself. Everyone he’s been int he ring with, he’s beat. But so has Priest. Tonight, that World Heavyweight Championship… Well, Rollins making an Open Challenge, as foolish as it sounds, he has a set. Priest appreciates that. Because Priest didn’t think he’d get this opporutnity, so he’ll take it. And he will not fall. Priest wants to be clear: he doesn’t need Dom, Rhea or Finn ringside to beat Rollins for the title. Oh, is that so, big man? Rollins likes that! But to be honest, Rollins knows that if it’s just them, Priest doesn’t stand a chance. So what does Priest say he puts his money where his mouth is?
For the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event tonight, Priest is to leave his crew in the back. And truth be told, definitely leave the Prince in the back, he doesn’t do too well in fights against Rollins. Rollins pokes Finn in the shoulder, referencing the barrier bomb that took him out. Finn tells Rollins doesn’t decide how this goes down! But Priest says it’s cool. Priest accepts that stipulation. But at the end of the night, Priest will be the NEW World Heavyweight Champion. And Rollins will just go down in history with one of the shortest reigns ever. Rollins laughs and says he loves it! Rollins VS Priest, 1v1, no Judgment Day!
But any way you slice it, this title reign is already longer than Finn’s! See ya in the main event! Rollins struts away, but will he face punishment for poking fun at the Prince?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Becky Lynch VS Sonya Deville w/ Chelsea Green!
The Man has some bones to pick with Trish Stratus & Zoey Stark, but she also wants to get back to the top of the mountain. Will Becky begin that #BigTime climb here tonight? Or will the Pride Fighter get the better of a distracted opponent?
Raw returns as The Complaint Department makes their entrance. The bell rings, Sonya and Becky circle, but Chelsea distracts Becky with trash talk. Sonya rushes in, Becky dodges, and Sonya stops from hitting Chelsea! Becky then catches Sonya but Sonya fights off the clinch. Becky fires forearms and a SOBAT, then she kicks at Chelsea, But Sonya throws Becky by her hair! Sonya dribbles Becky off buckles, stomps a mudhole in, but lets off as the ref counts. Sonya soaks up the heat and stalks Becky to a corner to smother Becky! The ref counts, Sonya lets off and she snapmares Becky into a chinlock.
Sonya grinds Becky down but fans rally up. Becky fights up, but Sonya throws her by her hair again! Becky stands on Becky’s hair, drags her up and ROCKS her with a forearm. Sonya fires forearms, has Becky on the ropes, but Becky elbows back! Becky goes to a corner, BOOTS Sonya, then LARIATS! Fans fire up as Becky rallies and CALF KICKS! Becky rolls, fans fire up, and Becky runs in to clothesline! And JUMP KICK! And then clinch for the BECKSPLODER! Fans fire up again and Becky runs corner to corner but Sonya dodges. Becky elbows her again, goes up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally for Becky, but here comes Trish! And Zoey, too. They distract Becky and Sonya waistlocks. Becky switches, Sonya switches, repeat! They go around and around but Becky gets Sonya for a REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO! Becky hurries after Sonya but Sonya bails out. Becky is annoyed now that she has even more pests to worry about, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Sonya has Becky on the top rope. Becky resists so Sonya throws body shots. But Becky throws those back! They brawl, Sonya brings Becky up top, and hits a SUPERPLEX! Chelsea cheers, Sonya covers, TWO! Becky is still in this, to the chagrin of Chelsea, Zoey and Trish. Fans rally up as Becky rises, and she goes to Sonya. Sonya throws the first forearm, but Becky gives it back! Sonya throws another, but Becky gives it back! They go back and forth, faster and faster, and Becky gets the edge! Sonya shoves Becky, Becky comes back with BIG forearms! Sonya bails out, Chelsea hurries, but Becky builds speed!
Becky WRECKS Sonya with a dropkick! Then she goes out to fetch Sonya into the ring. Chelsea storms up and BOOTS Becky while the ref is distracted! Chelsea puts Becky in for Sonya’s KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Chelsea is furious! Sonya thinks of what she has to do, and she tells Becky, “Who do you think you are?” Sonya stands Becky up, pie faces her, then brings her up again. But Becky throws body shots! Sonya throws forearms, Becky kicks then ENZIGURIS! Sonya goes to a corner, Becky runs in but Sonya puts her on the apron. Becky ROCKS Sonya, then DECKS Chelsea!
Becky CLOBBERS Chelsea, RAMS her into barriers, and then RAMS her in again! The Hot Mess gets tossed AGAIN! Sonya goes out but Becky TOSSSES her, too! Becky RAMS Sonya back into barriers, the ring count is climbing, but Becky RAMS Sonya into more barriers! Becky puts Sonya in at 8 of 10 and fans fire up as she storms up, to MAN- NO, Sonya gets free, rolls Becky up, TWO! DISARM-HER! But Sonya flails, fights around, and shoves Becky into ropes! Then she pushes Becky down for a cover, and Chelsea holds Sonya’s feet on the ropes! TWO!!! Becky escapes and the Complaint Department can’t accept that!
Sonya drags Becky up, throws forearms and body shots, then fast hands from all sides! Sonya aims from a corner, goes up, and leaps, but Becky catches her! MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, Becky wins!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall (advances to MITB)
Even against Big Time odds, Becky wins a spot in the ladder match! Zoey Stark has her own match later tonight, will The Hunter be able to keep up with her prey?
Backstage interview with Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn.
Byron Saxton walks over to the Undisputed Tag Team Champions and asks them their take on what we saw on Friday Night SmackDown. Sami says he isn’t the type to say, “I told you so,” which Kevin scoffs at. But Sami says it is nice to see the Usos do what they should’ve done months ago, Well, Jimmy is, we still have to see what Jey will do. Though, not really their problem anymore. But then Imperium walks over. Ludwig Kaiser says they’re right about one thing: The Bloodline isn’t their problem. But as long as they are the tag team champions, Imperium IS their problem.
Kevin asks if they learned anything from last week. They aren’t supposed to show up unless someone call for them! No one here said their name! They broke the unwritten rule! Doesn’t Ludwig have some turtleneck shopping to do? But then Gunther walks up. Kevin asks him what, and Gunther tells “Mr. Owens” that he needs to control his temper. He lacks discipline. Gunther is a disciplined man, and it looks like he must teach Kevin discipline. Oh, well, guess what? Kevin has a solution: a ring with thousands of people ready to watch Kevin kick Gunther’s ass! Let’s go do that! Kevin storms off towards gorilla, Sami goes with him. Is this really happening now?!
Kevin & Sami head to the ring!
Yes, this IS happening now! The Prizefighter goes right into the ring, the Great Liberator following behind. Will management greenlight a match with Der Ring General?
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance speak.
“There’s no greater freedom than being underestimated.” When you bring the party and have as much fun as they do, people will think you don’t have the talent to back it up. Kayden is an NCAA champion and a collegiate hall of fame point guard while Katana is a Division I gymnast with 18 YEARS experience, and the first woman ever to conquer the American Ninja Warrior warped wall. They were the longest reigning NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, and did things no one had ever seen before. Their dynamic is unmatched. And to the fans, no matter who you or where you come from, when you’re with KC Squared, they bring the party and everyone’s invited.
Kevin Owens w/ Sami Zayn VS GUNTHER w/ Imperium!
Raw returns and Kevin is ready. Imperium makes their entrance because this match is on! Will Kevin’s temper cost him? Or will it be just what he needs to bring down the most dominant WWE Intercontinental Champion of the 21st Century?
The bell rings, the two tie up, and go around. They break, tie up again, and Gunther puts Kevin in a corner. Kevin turns it around but Gunther turns it back. The ref counts, the two break, and then they go again. Gunther headlocks, hits a takeover, and fans rally, “Fight, Owens, Fights!” Kevin fights up, Gunther keeps the headlock on, Kevin powers up, but Gunther holds on tight. Fans rally and Kevin fishhooks Gunther! Kevin powers out, but then Gunther runs him over! Kevin just comes back for more, but Gunther wrenches an arm. Gunther grinds that shoulder, but Kevin rolls and gets the ROPEBREAK!
The ref counts, Gunther lets go, and Kevin SLAPS him! Kevin fires off forearms, headlocks in return, but Gunther powers up and out. Kevin RAMS Gunther but Gunther stays up, so Kevin just fires off fast hands! Kevin has Gunther in a corner, fires off, but lets off as the ref counts. Gunther kicks low, puts Kevin in the corner, but Kevin avoids the chop to CHOP! Kevin fires off more haymakers, the ref counts, but Kevin UPPERCUTS! Kevin runs, but into a BOOT! And GERMAN SUPLEX! Gunther watches Kevin bail out, but Sami is there to coach Kevin up. Kevin clutches his head, Gunther goes out, but Kevin GAMANGIRIS!
Kevin CHOPS Gunther, Gunther BOOTS back! Gunther RUAMS Kevin into the barriers and makes it all shake! The ref checks Kevin but he’s okay to continue. Gunther drags Kevin up to APRON BACK SUPLEX! Gunther stands tall while fans boo, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Gunther covers, TWO!! Kevin survives whatever damage has been done during commercial and Sami is relieved. Replay shows it was a countered Swanton Bomb. Gunther paces around, then stomps Kevin. Gunther brings Kevin up but Kevin punches the legs! Kevin runs, but into a scoop and SLAM! Gunther gets Kevin’s head with his feet, NECK TWIST! Fans boo but Imperium soaks it up. Gunther taunts Kevin, stands on him at the ropes, then steps off as the ref counts. Kevin sputters but Gunther stands on his hands! Gunther CLUBS Kevin, CLUBS him down, then traps the arms for a seated neck wrench.
Kevin endures as Gunther leans on the hold. Sami and the fans rally, Kevin fights up, and Kevin throws haymakers! Gunther BOOTS right back! Cover, ONE?!? Kevin SLAPS Gunther, Gunther BOOTS Kevin back down! Sami is worried but Gunther stomps Kevin around more. Gunther talks trash on Kevin, eggs him on, pie faces him, then even taunts Sami. Fans still rally for Kevin, and Kevin comes back to ROCK Gunther! And again! Gunther CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Kevin falls over and Imperium cheers. Gunther huffs and puffs as he paces around Kevin, and he even taunts Sami again.
Gunther stomps Kevin, grabs the legs, and turns Kevin over onto his side to stand on his head! Then Gunther steps over for the BOSTON CRAB! Kevin endures, fights his way forward, but Gunther shifts right into an STF! And then into HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! And then a CROSSFACE! Kevin endures, pries at the grip, but he can’t see with the forearms in his face. Fans rally, Kevin fights back up, and he throws body shots. Kevin is free, and he CHOPS! Gunther CHOPS Kevin back down! Gunther seethes while Sami stresses out again. Gunther drags Kevin up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Kevin blocks!
Kevin throws body shots, fisherman’s and lifts, but Gunther slips free! LARIAT!! Gunther paces around while fans boo, and Gunther drags Kevin up. Short arm LARIAT! Gunther eggs Kevin on, taunts Sami and the fans, and then drags Kevin back up. Sami rallies as hard as he can and the fans join in. Gunther short arm LARIATS, but Kevin stays up! Kevin gives LARIAT after LARIAT in return! Gunther LARIATS, Kevin LARIATS, and again! Gunther gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Kevin flounders up to his feet, Gunther runs in, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX from Kevin!! Fans fire up while both men are down!
Sami is also fired up and he coaches Kevin. Kevin goes to ropes, drags himself up, and staggers around. Kevin goes to Gunther to throw a forearm but Gunther gives it back! Kevin forearms again and again but Gunther CHOPS! Kevin drops to a knee, Gunther STOMPS Kevin’s head! Gunther taunts Sami again, but Sami says Kevin can take him. Gunther gives Kevin toying kicks and eggs him on again. Gunther drags Kevin up but Kevin SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS! Gunther wobbles, into a third SUPERKICK! Gunther is down in a corner, Kevin CANNONBALLS! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and Sami can’t believe it!
Hartford declares “This is Awesome!” and Kevin goes back to ropes. Gunther gets up, but he stops the Stunner with a SLEEPER! Kevin snapmares free, but Gunther SHOTGUNS! Gunther drags Kevin back up, reels him in, but Kevin fights free! Gunther CHOPS, Kevin ROCKS, repeat! Kevin kicks, fisherman BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives, there’s a reason he’s a champion. But Kevin goes up a corner and Sami cheers him on. But Gunther rises to CHOP first! Gunther climbs up after Kevin, for a SUPER HALF HATCH SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO?!? Gunther just hurries back up the corner!
Fans boo but Gunther SPLASHES onto knees!! Kevin hurries up top again, Sami and the fans are thunderous, SWANTON BOMB!! Direct hit this time, cover, TWO!!! Gunther survives and no one can believe it! Kevin drags himself up and the fans are thunderous as he aims. But Vinci gets up! Sami YANKS him down! Sami fires off on Vinci, but Ludwig goes after him, too! Kevin goes after them, they brawl with Imperium! Ludwig runs into the ring, Kevin dodges to STUNNER! But Gunther rolls Kevin up! GUNTHER WINS!
Winner: Gunther, by pinfall
Sami is stunned, but the fans boo. Der Ring General’s soldiers save him from what was looking like his first loss in months! Will the Undisputed Tag Team Champions get their revenge on Imperium soon enough?
Backstage interview with Matt Riddle.
Cathy Kelley is with The Bro, and he is tired of seeing Gunther cheat week after week. Without Ludwig or Vinci, Gunther would NOT be champion this long. But then Ludwig storms over to say that is a disgrace! How dare Riddle talk about Gunther like that! Watch your mouth. And what is Ludwig gonna do about it? Ludwig turns that around and asks what Riddle is gonna do about that. Don’t poke him, bro. Ludwig does it on purpose, so Riddle TOSSES him! And he gets Vinci in an ANKLE LOCK! Refs and producers rush in to stop this, but Riddle tells Vinci to send a message to Gunther for him! Will the Stallion stampede over Imperium to get at the gold?
Backstage interview with Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler.
Byron Saxton is with the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and says considering their close friendship, what does it mean to be the new tag champions together? The Queen of Spades says this was destiny. They manifested this over a decade ago, even before they were done fighting int he Octagon. Last week, they tortured and maimed three other teams at the same time and finally become WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. The Baddest Woman on the Planet says it is past time they legitimize these belts. The Women’s Tag Division will no longer be an afterthought with them at the helm.
In fact, they invite any team with the figurative balls to take them on! And in walk KC Squared. If they want a challenge, look no further. They are “The Life of the Party,” Kayden & Katana. They’re here to make a statement. And what better way to make an in-ring debut than against the Baddest Team on the Planet? Ronda asks when we got to Munchkin Land. This is Hartford, but seems that’s close enough. But ladies, Ronda is impressed with the “stupidity.” To think they made it this far being that dumb. Shayna doesn’t think this is stupidity. Stupidity isn’t always ignorance. This is their first time on Raw, they didn’t know. This is kinda like bravery.
But the thing that takes care of bravery so quickly is the sound of your own ligaments being torn off. Ronda says baptism by fire it is. They’ll let Pearce know KC Squared has a death wish. See you out there. Will the party be over after this one?
Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!
Raw returns as KC Squared make their entrance. The teams sort out and Shayna starts against Kayden. They circle, tie up, and Shayna puts Kayden in a corner. The ref counts, Shayna lets off but then sits Kayden down, and pats her on the head. Kayden is annoyed but she stands up and ties up with Shayna. Shayna puts her right back in the corner, lets off again, but Kayden turns things around to sit Shayna down! Kayden says kiss this and Shayna storms up. Kayden gets around, O’Conner Roll, ONE but Kayden springboards to basement dropkick! Tag to Katana, they whip and trip and basement dropkick Shayna! Katana slingshot SENTONS! Cover, ONE!!
Shayna gets up and hurries to her corner, Ronda tags in. Fans boo but Katana smiles as she steps to Rowdy Ronda. Ronda dares Kayden to get in, she’ll take them both on. Kayden obliges, but then Ronda boots her down! Katana fires hands but Ronda throws her! Ronda fireman’s carries Kayden but Katana kicks her low! And BOOTS her to a corner! Kayden runs in, is put on the apron and Ronda elbows her down. Ronda dodges Katana to SHINING WIZARD, and then HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, but Kayden SUPERKICKS Ronda down! Shayna hurries to Ronda’s side while KC Squared regroup.
Katana helps Kayden get up, CROSSBODY on Shayna! Katana TORNILLOS Ronda! Fans fire up as the underdogs are standing tall! Katana drags Ronda up and into the ring, but Shayna storms up. Shayna grabs Katana’s bad arm to HOTSHOT it! Ronda hits an arm-drag! Ronda then gets Katana up, puts her in the corner, and tags Shayna. They double whip, SAYANAGI and SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Shayna twists the arm and wrist of Katana, but Katana endures. So Shayna isolates the arm, lets her hair down, and STOMPS the arm! Shayna taunts Kayden while staying between her and Katana.
Shayna gets Katana and CLUBS away on her! Shayna whips, runs in, but Katana BOOTS her away! Katana BOOTS Ronda, too! Shayna ROCKS Katana, back suplexes, but Katana lands on her feet! Katana slips under, hot tag to Kayden! Kayden rallies on Shayna, DYNAMIC DROPKICK to the corner! Kayden whips, Shayna reverses but Kayden wheelbarrows, victory rolls, and SUPERKICKS! Fans fire up with Kayden and she runs, to BOOT WASH Shayna! Shayna ends up on the apron, Kayden drags her back in, HEATSEEKER! Cover, TWO!! Kayden stays focused as she drags Shayna up.
Shayna elbows free, Ronda tags in! Ronda BOOTS Kayden down, rolls to the fireman’s carry, but Katana tags in! Kayden slips free, baits Ronda in and POSTS her! Kayden drags Ronda out, Katana goes up, but Shayna storms over! Katana BOOTS her away! HIGHLIGHT REEL!!! Cover, Shayna drags Katana off!!! But Kayden DROPKICKS Shayna for it! KC Squared was so close but Katana isn’t giving up yet. Katana climbs back up, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Ronda gets up, blocks a kick, and has an AKNLE LOCK! Katana reaches out, but Ronda drags her from ropes! Katana rolls to send Ronda into buckles!
Katana hits a CODE BREAKER! Shayna hurries to tag in, and she storms up, but into an ELBOW! Kayden tags in before Shayna KNEES Katana down! Kayden rolls Shayna, TWO!! Shayna KNEES Kayden, and SAIDOS!! Kayden flops and Shayna drags her up, into the KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Kayden is caught, she taps! Shayna & Ronda win!
Winners: Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler, by submission
The new kids on the roster came within moments of beating the champs, but close is only good with horseshoes and hand grenades. Will the Baddest Team on the Planet continue to dominate the Women’s Tag Division?
Bronson Reed finds Ricochet at gorilla.
“If it isn’t little lucky Ricochet,” says the Colossal Aussie. Bronson wants Ricochet to help him do the math on this. Two weeks ago, Bronson ragdolls Ricochet around the ring, beats him, and yet Ricochet gets in the MITB ladder match and not Bronson. Someone must really like Ricochet here. Ricochet says he has no idea what Bronson means by “lucky.” Ricochet earned his spot at MITB when he beat The Miz. And didn’t Bronson have a qualifier? What happened there? Oh, right, Shinsuke Nakamura ended the undefeated streak when he pinned Bronson one-two- Okay, okay. But Bronson dominated Nakamura, until-
Until Nakamura won. The King of Strong Style walks in, but Bronson claims Nakamura got him on a bad night and they all know it. Next time, it’ll be a very different result. Bronson leaves, and Ricochet gives Nakamura his props for handling that man. But tonight, and at MITB, Ricochet isn’t giving Nakamura anything but an L. Big talk, Ricochet. But let’s see if he can prove it tonight. Ricochet says, “Gambate <Give it your best.>” Will the King of Flight prove he can beat the King of Strong Style?
Johnny Gargano speaks.
“At first glance, it’s easy to label me as the underdog. People have always taken one look and thought they understood me. But what I possess is something they can’t measure. I was a kid from Cleveland, Ohio with a dream. And I traveled around the world for over ten years to live that dream. I finally got a tryout at NXT, and I was told there was no place for me there. Five years later, I was the face of that brand. Now I’m a staple of Monday Night Raw. So go ahead, underestimate me. That is where I thrive. I might not be the biggest, but I work tirelessly at my craft. And I do it in my own special way. The Johnny Gargano Story is just getting started.”
Ricochet VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
Raw returns and Nakamura makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Nakamura headlocks, grinds, but Ricochet throws body shots. Ricochet powers out, Nakamura runs him over, and things keep moving. Ricochet arm-drags Nakamura, Nakamura headscissors, but Ricochet kips free. Nakamura hits a headlock takeover, Ricochet headscissors and holds right. Nakamura moves around, pops free, but Ricochet ducks the Penalty Kick to kip up, handspring and headscissor! Things keep moving, Ricochet rolls off Nakamura back but Nakamura blocks a kick to CLUB the leg!
Nakamura runs, but Ricochet DROPKICKS him out of the ring! Ricochet builds speed but runs into a GAMANGIRI! Nakamura gets back in the ring, goes up a corner, but Ricochet GAMANGIRIS in return! Nakamura tumbles out, Ricochet builds speed again, and he FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and he lands on his feet! Fans fire up with Ricochet as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Nakamura has Ricochet in a chinlock. Ricochet reaches for ropes but Nakamura knees low. INVERTED EXPLODER, but Ricochet lands on his feet! Ricochet dodges Nakamura to handspring and back elbow! Both men are down and fans rally up. Nakamura stands first but Ricochet ROCKS him! Ricochet shoves Nakamura to a corner, runs in and RAMS into him, then smacks him off buckles and KICKS him away! Ricochet then springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Fans fire up and Ricochet SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet keeps cool and he taunts Nakamura a little.
Nakamura sits up, and Ricochet kicks, but Nakamura ducks it! Nakamura kicks but Ricochet ducks it! Ricochet kicks, Nakamura blocks it, and Nakamura ducks the enziguri but not the HEEL KICK! Ricochet runs corner to corner, SPLASHES Nakamura, then goes again, only to hit buckles! TOP SHELF KNEE! Nakamura gives Ricochet GOOD VIBRATIONS, but Ricochet shoves him away. Nakamura runs back in, he blocks boots and puts Ricochet in the ropes! SLIDING GERMAN! Fans fire up with Nakamura and he slides back in, but Ricochet Tiger Wall Kicks! Ricochet ducks the roundhouse but not the WHEEL KICK!
Nakamura reels Ricochet in, INVERTED EXPLODER! And then from the corner, Nakamura aims and “YAO~!” KIN- V-TRIGGER!! Ricochet runs to RECOIL!! Fans fire up with Ricochet and he goes to a corner. Nakamura anchors as foot but Ricochet CLUBS him down. Ricochet climbs, but Nakamura ROCKS him first! Nakamura climbs up, but Ricochet fights him with body shots. Ricochet throws a haymaker, Nakamura forearms, and they go back and forth! But here comes BRONSON REED!! Ricochet jumps away but Bronson SPLASHES Nakamura!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by disqualification
But Bronson then CLOBBERS Ricochet! And SPLASHES Nakamura again! Fans boo as Bronson puts Nakamura int he drop zone, but Ricochet jumps onto him! But Bronson RAMS Ricochet into the buckles, and then SPLASHES Nakamura again! And then Bronson CLOBBERS Ricochet! Now Ricochet is put in the drop zone, and Bronson climbs! TSUNAMI!! Bronson grins as he stands over both men, fans want that splash “One More Time!” Bronson says no, he’s good. Will the Colossal Aussie find his way into the MITB Ladder match one way or another?
The Alpha Academy talk backstage.
Otis is proud of Maxxine Dupri’s roundhouse kick to Sarah Logan last week. Maxxine thanks Otise for mentioning it. Chad Gable insists it is still just Otis. Otis says tomato, tamata, okay? Well, yeah, Otis is the reason they’re together. The brain, the brawn and the beauty, plus her brand management skills, but look. If Maxxine is gonna be an alpha, remember that alphas don’t run from a fight. Maxxine says Otise has opened her eyes to their potential. But she thought that she could handle that little witch, until she came rushing at Maxxine like an animal! And did you see that outfit?
Why are these Viking creeps targeting them anyways? Gable has already addressed this. He has given his number one guy the latest in Viking literature. He instructed Otis to study up, learn what makes the Vikings tick, and how to take them down. And Gable knows the answer is in that big, beautiful brain of his! So what did Otis learn? Otis says they’re gonna take ’em out… with deodorant. And? And they’re gonna have Master Gable teach the lovely lady how to take on the Viking lady, Sarah Logan. And that is why Otis is the number one guy! Maxxine might be ready, but they can’t train with her in a dress.
Oh, don’t worry. She has the perfect outfit in her locker. Maxxine heads off, just what will this workout outfit look like?
The Miz is in the ring.
And the Hollywood A-Lister welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, MizTV. And when he heard about tonight’s World Heavyweight Championship match, he knew it’d be a special night. So he had to secure a very special guest. A guest worthy of a night like tonight! And boy, did Miz succeed. Please welcome Miz’s guest tonight, The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! The fans cheer as Cody makes his way to the ring, and they sing his theme song, too. “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro and fist bumps fans in the front row before joining Miz in the ring. Even Miz jams out to the theme song!
Cody shakes Miz’s hand, revels in the fans singing and cheering a little more, and Miz hands him a mic. “Shall we start?” Miz and Cody take seats, and Miz says Cody looks dashing tonight. But Miz wants to review with Cody said last week. Cody listed a bunch of cities he would be in while challenging BRRROCK, LESNAR, who beat Cody at Night of Champions, and who broke Cody’s arm. And yet, Cody wants Lesnar to show up wherever and fight? Isn’t that kinda stupid? Right out the gate, huh, Mike? Uh, in the ring, he is The Miz. First name: The, last name: Miz. Well, okay, then, The Miz…
Fans chant “MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE!” but Cody says he hasn’t been called stupid until now. He’s heard “Crazy,” that it took balls… Miz knows a tiny little bit about that, right? Fans chant “TINY BALLS! TINY BALLS!” but Cody has everyone calm down. The Beast is apparently on that annual hibernation, we won’t be seeing him for awhile. Too bad. But here on MizTV, they love drama, controversy and most of all, surprises! Here’s a surprise for Cody! It is better than Lesnar being here. Since Cody has a storied family history, Miz thought he’d invite another man who shares the same pressures as a multigenerational talent.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome this surprise guest! Arguably the hottest superstar in the WWE today, it is DOMINIK MYSTERIO! Miz jams out to Dom’s song now as he and Mami Rhea walk out. Fans boo and give thumbs down as Dom has his arm around the SmackDown Women’s Champion and she has her arm around him. They go to the ring, mics in hands, and Dom takes a seat. Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Miz asks Dom- Rhea tells Miz to be quiet. He says, “Yes, ma’am.” Rhea says Dom-Dom has something to say. Dom takes the mic and fans boo, which annoys Dom. Miz shouts to let Dom talk!
Cody says yeah, don’t boo Dom. Rhea tells everyone to sit down, shut up and show respect to HER Latino Heat! Dom tells Cody that he was happy when The Miz invited him out here. He listened to Cody last week, talking like he was the big dog in the yard. But to someone like Dom, who has done hard time, Cody is just a little birdy with a broken wing. Dom says he heard Cody rattle off this long list of crappy towns Brock can find him in, and it hit Dom. Cody is a bad father! Cody has a baby girl, he should be home, taking care of her! Instead, Cody’s here. So he’s just like Rey: A deadbeat dad!
Cody stands up now and looks Dom in the eye. “I have a ton of empathy for you, Dom. I know that the 15 minutes you spent in prison was really rough on you. Hard times indeed. I mean, look! You even have a worse prison tattoo than mine. And then after prison, you went on to WrestleMania to have a match with your father. But I don’t know if I could call it a match, because it was more like a public spanking. And hey, hey, you’re right. No one’s perfect. I’m not perfect. Rey Mysterio, who I admire and respect, I’m sure that he’s not the perfect father. As a matter of fact, I know he’s made some terrible mistakes. And I know that because I’m looking at one.”
Fans chant for Cody while Rhea calms Dom down. Dom & Rhea turn to leave, but then Dom SLAPS Cody! Dom hides behind Mami and fans boo, and Cody sighs. Rhea dares Cody to do something and Dom keeps calling Cody a deadbeat. Mami & Dommy leave, Cody unable to do anything. Miz laughs, but Cody SMACKS him with the cast! THAT is something Cody can do. Will the American Nightmare teach the Prodigal Son a lesson while waiting on The Beast?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Zoey Stark w/ Trish Stratus VS Natalya!
The Hunter has the Hall of Famer on her side and is looking to take over the women’s division with her guidance. Will Zoey say #ThankYouTrish after she helps her defeat the Queen of Harts? Or will Natty prove she’s still got it in her to become Miss MITB?
Raw returns as Natty makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Zoey puts Natty in the corner. The ref counts, Zoey stomps away on Natty, but lets off at 4. Natty storms up but Zoey shoves her back into the corner for more stomps, and even forearms! The ref backs Zoey off, Natty rolls her up, ONE! Natty waistlocks to keep on Zoey, but Zoey fights up to snapmare, only for Natty to hold on! Natty and Zoey move around, Natty hammerlocks but Zoey switches that onto her. Natty fireman’s carries for the takeover, but Zoey headscissors. Natty moves back, pops free, covers, ONE!
Natty and Zoey get up, Natty headlocks, but Zoey powers out. Natty goes up and over but the leg jams! Zoey THRUST KICKS Natty down! Zoey stomps Natty and soaks up the heat while Trish smiles. Zoey gets the bad leg and wraps it around the ropes! The ref counts, Zoey lets off at 4, and Trish smiles more. Zoey drags Natty out from the corner, to DDT the foot! And DDT it again! Zoey gets the leg a third time, pushes on it and Trish says that’s good. Zoey has the standing toehold but Natty rolls and drags Zoey down! Natty has a deathlock but Zoey headlocks to drag Natty off. Natty powers out but Zoey runs her over!
Fans rally for Natty but Zoey drags her up by her hair. The ref reprimands, Natty SLAPS Zoey! Zoey KNEES low, talks trash, but Natty snapmares her away! Natty ELBOWS from a corner, Zoey runs in but into a kick! Zoey runs in again but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Natty jackknife bridges, TWO! Zoey sunset flips but Natty rolls through to step through! SHARPSHOOTER!! Fans fire up while Zoey endures! Trish coaches Zoey and she crawls forward, to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Natty lets off fast, and Zoey bails out to regroup with Trish. Natty storms up to WRECK Zoey with a dropkick!
Natty tells Trish to stay outta this, and she puts Zoey back in. But Trish KICKS the bad leg out! Fans boo as the ref missed that! Zoey hits Z 360!! Cover, Zoey wins!
Winner: Zoey Stark, by pinfall (advances to MITB)
#ThankYouTrish, you were the reason Zoey just won her way to London! But will Trish be able to help Zoey get up that ladder and win the briefcase?
Paul Heyman is backstage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. And I wanna cordially invite you to join me this Friday night, when a family drama plays out in front of your very eyes when Jey Uso makes his historic choice. Y’know, as The Wise Man, I’m tasked at times to deliver… unpleasant news. No matter how bad that news is, I have to deliver it, even if I have to deliver it to Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. This is one of those times. The news is not pleasant. The news will rip apart the entire Anoa’i-Fatu Dynasty, because this Friday, Jey Uso will make his choice… And Jey Uso will choose and stand by… his brother, Solo.
“You can share a womb with your twin, Jimmy, but you’ll never be closer in life to him than you are to Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. And this Friday, live on SmackDown, Jey Usos will… Jey Uso will acknowledge that fact. Or else.” Heyman dusts his hands off, having done his part. Is this a prediction of what Jey will do, or a spoiler?
Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal & Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin!
Veer & Sanga have been mauling men on Monday Night Raw, much to the delight of the Modern Day Maharaja. But will they be able to do the same to PRIMED Alexander & The Gold Standard? Or will Alexander & Benjamin be able to handle their business?
The teams sort out and Indus Sher CLOBBER Alexander *& Benjamin! Then they LARIAT each man down! Veer’s Million Dollar Arm is worthy every penny, and then he gives Alexander to Sanga. ELBOW DROP SIDEWALK SLAM COMBO! But the bell didn’t even ring, so this wasn’t a match but a mauling! Fans boo, Sanga tells Alexander to shut up about his pain, and the ref calls it! There’s no way Alexander can compete now. But then Indus Sher drag him back up! Another ELBOW DROP SIDEWALK SLAM COMBO! Primed got pruned, will nothing stop these two tigers from tearing into the Raw Tag Division?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins VS Damian Priest!
The Visionary put out the Open Challenge online, and the challenge was accepted! And earlier tonight, Rollins dared the Punisher to do this on his own, and the challenge was again accepted! Will Priest make Rollins accept that The Judgment Day truly runs Monday nights? Or will this still be Monday Night Rollins?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, this is a historic first defense!
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally, the two feel things out, then they tie up. Priest puts Rollins in a corner, the ref counts, and Priest scuffs Rollins. Priest talks trash, but Rollins says okay. Then he rakes Priest’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Priest TOSSES Rollins to a corner! Rollins dodges the elbow to fire off fast hands and CHOPS! Rollins whips, Priest reverses but Rollins stops himself. Rollins then avoids Priest but Priest ELBOWS him on the apron. Priest shoulders in, but into a GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Priest flops out of the ring, Rollins leaps, FLYING KNEE takes Priest down! Fans fire up with Rollins as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Rollins has Priest in a corner, but Priest ROCKS him with a forearm! Priest storms up on Rollins at the ropes, whips him, but Rollins kicks back! Rollins eggs Priest on, Priest runs in but Rollins dumps him out! Rollins then goes out after Priest, but Priest knees him low! Priest scoops Rollins and brings him around the way, but Rollins slips off! Rollins POSTS Priest! Fans fire up, Rollins runs in at Priest, but Priest tosses him into the timekeepers’ area! Rollins lands on his feet, jumps at Priest, but Priest DECKS Rollins out of the air! Rollins flounders into the ring but Priest is after him.
Priest drags Rollins up, CLUBS him, then TOSSES him to a corner. Priest ROCKS Rollins, stomps away, but the ref counts. Priest stops at 4 and he soaks up the heat. Rollins sputters to ropes but Priest CHOKES him! The ref counts again, Priest lets off at 4, and then Priest puts Rollins in a corner. Priest ROCKS Rollins with a forearm, wrenches and whips corner to corner hard, then he THRUST KICKS Rollins down! Cover, TWO! Priest clamps onto Rollins with a chinlock and wrangles him down. Fans rally for Rollins while he endures, and Rollins fights up. Rollins JAWBREAKERS free, but runs into an ELBOW! Cover, ONE!!
Priest snarls while Rollins sputters. Priest KICKS him in the back! Priest stomps Rollins, drags him up, and ROCKS him again! Rollins sits down, and Priest gets the arms. Priest has a motorcycle stretch while Rollins endures the knee in his back. Fans rally, Rollins fights back up and moves around, but Priest CLUBS him back down! Fans boo but Priest smirks as he stands Rollins up. But Rollins throws elbows! Priest shoves Rollins, CLUBS him in the back, but Rollins PELES! Both men are down and fans rally up again. Priest sits up in a daze but Rollins feeds off the energy. Rollins stands, blocks a punch and gives a punch!
Rollins counter punches Priest again and again, then fires off haymakers and CHOPS! Rollins whips Priest to ropes, Priest reverses but Rollins reverses back to LARIAT! Priest stays up, so Rollins runs in to LARIAT again! Priest is still up, but barely! Rollins runs again, ducks a boot, and he mule kicks! Front kicks! DISCUS LARIAT! Priest falls and fans fire up! Priest goes to a corner, Rollins runs in, BIG forearm smash! Rollins lifts Priest for a BACKBREAKER! Rollins goes up the corner, FROG SPLASH but he has to roll through! Priest ROUBNDHOUSES Rollins! Priest then runs corner to corner for the BIG back elbow!
Priest keeps moving, but Rollins kicks back! And reels Priest in! But Priest fights the underhooks to back drop! Rollins sunset flips, TWO! Priest runs in, but into a SLINGBLADE! Fans fire up, Rollins sees Priest go outside, so he builds speed. Rollins DIVES, but Priest catches him! FLATLINER to the table! The champ is down and fans go nuts while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Rollins and Priest are both up top. Rollins SUNSET FLIPS, but Priest holds onto the ropes! Priest CLUBS Rollins down, but Rollins is right back up to ROCK Priest! Rollins adjusts Priest’s position and goes up after him, and fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” But Priest throws body shots! Priest CLUBS Rollins, CLUBS him more, then HEADBUTTS Rollins away. Rollins staggers back up, springs right back up after Priest, and hits a SUPERPLEX! Then roll through, but Priest suplexes! Rollins fights off Broken Arrow to suplex Priest for FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!!
Fans rally while both men are down, and Priest rolls out of the ring. “This is Awesome!” as Rollins takes aim. Rollins builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and now Priest hits the desk! Rollins keeps going, for another DIVE! Priest hits the desk again! Rollins isn’t done, he runs and DIVES to send Priest over the desk! Fans are thunderous, but Priest gets back up!? Rollins hurries to put Priest in the ring, the fans sing again, and Rollins runs in, SUPERKICK! Priest wobbles, Rollins pushes him down and goes to a corner! Rollins climbs up, leaps, FROG SPLASH hits!! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Rollins is stunned!
Rollins goes to a corner and he seems to copy Roman Reigns’ lock ‘n’ load motion! Rollins spins, but Priest ROCKS him first! Priest aims to KICK Rollins, KICK him again, then KICK the leg! Priest spins, but Rollins blocks to ROLLING ELBOW! And then the turn, but Priest slips free, HEADLOCK DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! The Punisher gave a shout out to the third Shield member, but it wasn’t enough! Priest drags Rollins up, reels him in, but Rollins slips out! Priest choke grips, SOUTH- NO, Rollins slips free to CHOP! Priest ROCKS Rollins to a corner! Priest runs in, into a BOOT! Rollins goes up, but Priest SPIN KICKS him!
Priest goes up after Rollins now, and SUPER STEINERS!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives and Priest is beside himself! Priest grits his teeth, taunts Rollins, but the fans rally up. Priest stands Rollins up, traps an arm, and LARIATS point blank! Priest says if Rollins won’t give up, he’ll give him more pain. Another point blank LARIAT! And then a shove, and- NO, Rollins slips through the lariat to underhook! PEDIGREE!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, TWO!?!? Priest survives and no one can believe it! “This is Awesome!” as both men go tor poes. Priest goes to the apron, Rollins goes out after him!
Rollins underhooks but Priest powers out. Priest blocks a kick to BELL CLAP, but then Rollins ducks the roundhouse to CHOP BLOCK a leg! Rollins has Priest in position, BARRIER BOMB!!! Just like to Finn all those years ago! Rollins puts Priest in the ring, the ref checks Priest’s shoulder, and Rollins SUPERKICKS Finn!! The Visionary saw The Prince coming and takes him out! Rollins then gets in the ring, but runs into a LARIAT!! Priest choke grips, for the SOUTH OF HEAVEN SLAM!!! But the bad arm slows Priest down! Cover, TWO!!!! Rollins survives but Priest then realizes Finn is here!
Priest asks what Finn is doing, they said this would be 1v1! Priest drags Rollins up, crucifix lift, but the bad arm! Rollins slips free, SUPERKICKS! ROLLING ELBOWS! DREAM SMASHER ELBOW!! CURB STOMP!!! Cover, Rollins wins!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (still World Heavyweight Champion)
The Prince cost Priest, but now he gets in the ring with Rollins. These two stare down, are we going to get one more round between these rivals?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw tonight, especially with Rollins’ first defense being made outta nowhere during SmackDown. The opening promo was really good, and I like that they added the agreement that Judgment Day was not to show up at ringside. We got an awesome main event match from Rollins and Priest, though I wish they’d given this the picture in picture treatment. Finn showing up in an attempt to screw over Rollins was a good touch, he and Priest are starting to have a disagreement. I don’t know if this will lead to Finn and Priest fighting over who is really in charge of Judgment Day and/or someone getting kicked out, but it’s definitely teasing that.
Really good stuff out of the Women’s MITB qualifiers, though I was rather surprised by the results. I thought Trish & Zoey were going to cost Becky her sport and then Becky would return the favor, but I suppose it does add star power to the Women’s MITB if Becky is in it. Even so, she and Zoey (and Trish) will surely keep each other from winning, and someone else gets the briefcase. Still hoping Lita gets in on the story again and we get a big tag match at SummerSlam. And really good match from Ricochet VS Nakamura as a sampler of the Men’s MITB, but I figured Bronson Reed was gonna get involved. It’s kinda his thing given what we saw with him, Austin Theory and Bobby Lashley just before the WWE Draft.
Good stuff from Kevin, Sami and Imperium again, especially that match of Gunther VS Kevin. A little surprised they didn’t go with a DQ finish but in a way, it’s a good thing they didn’t. Gunther winning with help from Imperium doesn’t hurt Kevin that bad, and it gave motivation for what we saw between Riddle and Imperium right after. We definitely need more of this savage Riddle, and while Gunther dared Riddle to go win the MITB, I feel like this should motivate having Gunther VS Riddle right away. Gunther’s all about everyone else showing Imperium respect and teaching others “discipline,” so he should want to “discipline” Riddle directly.
Good video promo for Kayden & Katana tonight, as well as a good backstage promo with Ronda & Shayna before their great match. It really gets KC Squared going for the first time a RawDown Only fan is seeing them, but the loss was obviously going to happen. Really good promo from The Alpha Academy, though I’m a little disappointed there wasn’t another segment with them where we saw Maxxine’s training outfit. Maybe that’s next week in a training montage of some sort. And wow, did not think Indus Sher would just crush Cedric & Shelton, but it does build Indus Sher as a strong team since Cedric & Shelton are former tag champions together.
I should’ve figured Heyman would show up tonight, he gave a really good promo to hype up this week’s SmackDown, even though just seeing last week’s SmackDown was enough to get everyone wanting to see this week’s. And really good MizTV segment, which is sorta rare. Miz jamming out to all the theme songs was good stuff, and for a second, I thought Miz was bringing out Bron Breakker. But nope, it was Dom. Dom & Rhea seem to be moving on from Xavier Woods and Apollo Crews already, so that Cody has someone to fight while Brock Lesnar waits out MITB so he can get that SummerSlam paycheck.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Giulia finally steps into the NXT ring!
The long wait is over, and now, NXT finally welcomes Giulia! But will Chelsea Green make a hot mess of it all? Or will Giulia show everyone why she’s a star?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS The Street Profits; The Profits win by disqualification, Frazer & Axiom retain.
- Giulia VS Chelsea Green; Giulia wins.
- NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Charlie Dempsey w/ No Quarter Catch Crew VS Je’Von Evans w/ Cedric Alexander; Dempsey wins and retains the title.
- Oba Femi VS Hammerstone; Oba wins.
- Ridge Holland VS Duke Hudson w/ Chase U; Ridge wins.
- TNA Knockouts Championship Open Challenge: Jordynne Grace VS Sol Ruca; Jordynne wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.
- NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Last Man Standing Match: Trick Williams VS Pete Dunne; Trick wins and will challenge Ethan Page for the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
The first THIRTY MINUTES are commercial free!
BREAKING NEWS!
Due to unfortunate circumstances, The Rascalz are NOT cleared to compete here tonight! But stepping up to face Nathan Frazer & Axiom for the NXT Tag Team Championships are former Triple Crown Champions, The Street Profits! Will Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins bring these belts with them to this Friday’s season premiere of SmackDown on USA Network? Or will #Fraxiom #NeverSlowDown?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS The Street Profits!
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who wants the smoke!
The teams sort out, the fans chant “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” and Axiom starts with Ford. Ford and Axiom circle as the fans sing “We~ Want the Smoke!” Ford and Axiom tie up, and Ford headlocks to grind Axiom. Axiom fights up and powers out, but Ford runs him over! The fans cheer, Ford lounges in a corner, then comes back as Axiom stands. They circle, Ford gets around to waistlock and SLAM! And then SLAM again! And then SLAM again! Axiom fights around, Ford headlocks, but Axiom powers out. Ford leaps over, Axiom ducks under, Axiom arm-drags but Ford counters right into a headlock!
The fans rally, Axiom fights up, but Ford wrenches to wristlock. Axiom rolls, handsprings and DROPKICKS! Ford tags Dawkins, Dawkins CLOBBERS Axiom! Frazer tags in but Dawkins runs him over, too! The fans fire up, Dawkins runs, but Frazer ducks, hurdles, only for Dawkins to handspring! Dawkins bypasses, but Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges and DROPKICKS! Dawkins tumbles out of the ring, Frazer looks, and he builds speed, only for Dawkins to ROCK him! Dawkins gets moving, he hurdles and FLYING ELBOWS! The fans are thunderous already as Frazer staggers to a corner. Dawkins runs up, but into a BUCKLE SHOT!
Tag to Axiom, #Fraxiom hits the speed combo! Cover, TWO! Axiom keeps his eyes on Dawkins, then waistlocks to keep him down. Dawkins fights up, pries the hold, but Axiom shoves and LARIATS! Tag to Frazer, whip and GAMANGIRI! HALF ‘N’ HALF! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Frazer covers, TWO! Ford was right there, too. Tag to Axiom, and Axiom clamps on with a SLEEPER! Dawkins endures, the fans rally, and Dawkins arm-drags free! Axiom runs up but into a clinch! EXPLODER! Axiom flounders, Dawkins crawls, hot tags to Frazer and Ford! Ford blows past Frazer to DECK Axiom! Then Ford rallies with lariats!
Frazer dodges, but then Ford follows, and LARIATS again! The fans are thunderous as Ford mule kicks, front kicks, but Frazer ducks the enzigiri! Ford runs up but into a BOOT! Frazer goes out, springboards back in, but Ford catches him! BOOKEND! The fans fire up again and Ford flexes! Ford runs to People’s STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Frazer survives but Ford drags him up. Frazer JAWBREAKERS back, tag to Axiom and Dawkins! Ford DROPKICKS Frazer out, but he avoids Axiom! Dawkins POUNCES Axiom into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives and the fans fire up!
Dawkins drags Axiom up, tags Ford, and Profits whip Axiom to POP-UP- RANA! Frazer MISSILE DROPKICKS Dawkins! Axiom SUPERKICKS Ford! Axiom goes up, tags Frazer, and FROG SPLASH! Frazer springboards to 450! Cover, TWO!! Ford survives and the fans are thunderous again! Tag back to Axiom and he climbs up. MISSILE DROPKICK HIGH-LOW! Dawkins POUNCES Frazer onto the cover! The fans are thunderous again while all four men are down! Frazer and Dawkins flop out while the fans cheer on “NXT! NXT!” for putting this together. Ford tags Dawkins, Dawkins drags Axiom around.
Dawkins points to the corner, the fans fire up as he climbs up! But Axiom gets up to GAMANGIRI! Tag to Frazer, and Axiom goes to the very top! SUPER SPANISH FLY! But Ford shoves Axiom to ropes and that trips Frazer up! DROPKICK for Axiom! Dawkins gets Frazer in the Electric Chair! Ford goes up, tags, and DOOMSDAY BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, BUT TAMA TANGA DRAGS FORD OUT!? Tama sends Ford into steel steps!!
Winners: The Street Profits, by disqualification; Frazer & Axiom retain the titles
Dawkins is furious, but then JACOB FATU CLOBBERS HIM! Tonga Loa CLOBBERS Axiom! Tama gator rolls Frazer up for a BRAINBUSTER! The fans boo but The Bloodline drags Dawkins into the ring! The Guerrillas hit Dawkins with the TONGAN TWIST!! Fatu hits a SWANTON BOMB!! The fans are losing their minds, but it seems The Bloodline is not letting any team on any brand think they can get one up on them! Will this be finalized when Solo Sikoa goes after Cody Rhodes and the Undisputed WWE Championship this Friday?
NXT Anonymous is watching.
Tony D’Angelo tells a certain someone that they have a reputation and is not afraid to get their hands dirty. Oba Femi is a wrecking machine, he disrespected Adriana, so Tony wants this guy to take Oba out. Tony pays the man handsomely, but will this mercenary be able to manhandle The Ruler?
Giulia speaks.
It was Stand & Deliver when she told the world, “The top organization in the world. The excitement can be felt from here! The excitement from the fans is flooring! I am SO excited!” And we saw her finally make NXT her home at No Mercy. She told Roxanne Perez she’d see her in Chicago for NXT’s CW debut, but she sees her first bit of action as an NXT star here tonight! Will she show all the doubters and the haters that she’s more than ready for this? Or will her opponent make a hot mess of it all?
Giulia VS Chelsea Green!
The bell rings and while Chelsea gets in Giulia’s face, the fans are thunderous for Giulia already. Chelsea SLAPS Giulia! Giulia just grins. Then she HEADBUTTS Chelsea down! Giulia drags Chelsea up, bumps her off buckles, then wrenches her hair to TOSS her across the way! The fans fire up and Giulia runs corner to corner to ELBOW! Giulia shoves Chelsea, goes up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Giulia covers, TWO! Giulia drags Chelsea up, suplexes, but Chelsea fights free! Chelsea swings, Giulia dodges, but Chelsea elbows her! Chelsea ripcords, ROCKS, and KNEE SMASHES Giulia!
Chelsea whips, Giulia reverses, but Chelsea ducks ‘n’ dodges to BOOT! Chelsea runs, but Giulia ROCKS her! Giulia runs, slips around and has the IRON OCTOPUS! Chelsea endures the #SpiderWeb as Giulia thrashes her around! Chelsea stomps her way to ropes, but Giulia sunset flips it! TWO, and Chelsea scrambles away to ropes. The fans boo but Chelsea says she wasn’t ready! Giulia storms up, avoids the shoulder and KICKS Chelsea! Giulia sets Chelsea up to ROCK her! But then Chelsea HOTSHOTS Giulia! Chelsea bumps Giulia off buckles, then goes up to have a HANGING SLEEPER! The erf counts, Chelsea lest go at 4, but then stands Giulia back up.
But Giulia Electric Chair Lifts Chelsea! Chelsea slips free, to GERMAN SUPLEX! Chelsea hauls Giulia up, for a FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Giulia survives and Chelsea is furious! She covers again, TWO! Chelsea is already losing her cool, but she clamps onto Giulia with a leg lock full nelson! Giulia endures, pushes to a cover, TWO! Chelsea still has the legs, but Giulia tries again. TWO, and Chelsea CLUBS away on Giulia. Giulia turns around to rain down shots on Chelsea! They scrap on the mat, and Giulia gets the edge! The fans fire up, Chelsea kicks and scrambles, but Giulia runs up to SHOTGUN BOOT!
The fans fire up as Giulia then SAIDOS! Chelsea flounders around, Giulia paces. The fans fire up as Giulia basement DROPKICKS! Chelsea flounders to the apron, Giulia goes out and wrenches the hair. Then she has Chelsea for a DRAPING NECKBREAKER to the floor! Giulia looks into the camera, perhaps hoping Roxie is watching. The ring count climbs, Giulia drags Chelsea up and into the ring, but Chelsea scrambles out the far side. The fans boo and Giulia is annoyed. Giulia goes out, but Chelsea sends her into the desk! Giulia falls back, Chelsea drags her up, to THROW her onto the desk!
The fans boo but Chelsea drags Giulia around, and THROWS her over the desk! The ref reprimands, but Chelsea goes after Giulia. Chelsea drags Giulia up and into the ring. Chelsea climbs a corner, goes to the top, and she MISSILE FLOPS as Giulia moves! KNEE! Giulia vows to end it here! She drags Chelsea up, reels her in, scoop and NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB! Cover, Giulia wins!
Winner: Giulia, by pinfall
The madness takes care of the mess, and she has a clear path to Chicago! Will NXT’s new era be emphasized with a new NXT Women’s Champion?
Backstage interview with Trick Williams.
Blake Howard says tonight is Trick’s shot to get back at the NXT Championship, but he has to make it through a Last Man Standing Match with Pete Dunne. Trick says he won’t lie, he has never had a match like this before. He knows Last Man Standing takes grit and determination, but he’s never done this before. Don’t get it twisted, that won’t stop him. CW, October 1st, Chicago, Ethan Page, Trick wants all that, and not even Dunne can stop him. The whole world needs to know, Dunne is without a doubt, a class one butch! Trick respects his game, how he breaks fingers, he’s a bad man, one of the best Trick’s ever seen. But tonight, Trick will be THE Last Man Standing.
Jordynne Grace speaks.
“For the past 15 years, this TNA Knockouts Championship has represented the best women’s wrestling outside of WWE. Legends and future Hall of Famers have held this, and now I carry it and its legacy proudly. So why an Open Challenge as part of WWE Week on USA? Well, the NXT Women’s Division is stacked from top to bottom, and the more formidable the opponents that I defeat, the more prestigious that this title becomes. So NXT, bring your best. Because I always bring mine.” That match is later tonight, who will step to the Juggernaut?
Lexis King gets spruced up.
His… “unique” beard is trimmed and faded, and he gets a notification. It seems his “loyal and creative IntelLexuals” put together a compilation of his greatest hits. That is to say, all the times he has cracked someone with his kingly cane in order to win a match. And that includes last week, the cheating of feet on ropes to get Oro. Lexis says, “Tough luck, Oro. Who’s your daddy now? That’s right, me! And everyone loves The King.” And speaking of, let’s talk the most talked about beard in WWE. But as Lexis turns to face the mirror, ORO JUMPS IN! The brawl is on, Lexis goes running, but will he have to answer to Oro some time?
The NXT Women’s Division is buzzing.
They all want that shot at Jordynne Grace, and Kelani checks in. Is Lola ready? Oh, yeah! Kelani says if she wasn’t champion, she’d be first in line, too. But she’s just as excited for Lola to try. But then The Fatal Influence steps in. Fallon Henley says yeah, Kelani is champ, for now. Jacy Jayne says it is so cute to see everyone warm up. Who’s gonna step to the plate against The Juggernaut? Lola says with all the complaining they do, this could’ve been their chance. Who better to face Jordynne Grace than the self-proclaimed leaders of the locker room? C’mon, tell us, who is stepping up for the group? Yeah, well, Lola doesn’t tell them what to do.
Lola knew it. If Fatal Influence did, they’d be making a fatal mistake. Jacy knew she never liked Lola. Lola steps up but everyone else stops her! Fatal Influence bails out, more bark than bite. But who will reach out for the golden opportunity and take it with both hands?
NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Charlie Dempsey w/ No Quarter Catch Crew VS Je’Von Evans w/ Cedric Alexander!
Wren Sinclair got ahead of herself, again, but it’s on the leader of the crew to see them through. Will Dempsey prove he is still the face of British Rounds? Or will the Young OG get real bouncy~?
NXT returns as the NQCC makes their entrance. The introductions are made, the cup is displayed, and we see
The bell rings on round one, and the two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and Dempsey hits a hip toss! The fans rally, the two go again, and Dempsey wrenches to get under and THROW Je’Von. Dempsey has the armlock, but Evans kips up. Dempsey wrenches, wristlocks, but Evans rolls, kips up, handsprings, and wrenches to WRING Dempsey! The fans fire up as Dempsey and Evans reset. They circle, tie up, and Evans goes for an arm now. Evans wrenches, wristlocks, but Dempsey bridges, rolls, and then arm-drags. But Evans holds on to wristlock! Dempsey fights up, fireman’s carries, but Evans still has the wristlock.
Dempsey fights up, wrenches, and then MONKEY FLIPS! Evans still holds on! Cedric coaches Evans while Dempsey stands, rolls, kips up and breaks free! Dempsey smapmares, chinlocks, but Evans wrenches out to another wristlock! The fans fire up but Dempsey fights up. Dempsey puts Evans in a corner, then ROCKS him! Dempsey WRINGS Evans, then MONKEY FLIPS again! Dempsey wrenches, UPPERCUTS, and wrenches again. Bridging arm-drag, knuckle lock cover, TWO as Evans gets an arm up! We’re under 30 seconds as the arm goes back down, TWO! Dempsey tries again, Evans bridges!
Dempsey goes to jump on Evans, but Evans turns that to a MONKEY FLIP! But Dempsey holds on, to MONKEY FLIP back! Time is running low, FLYING RANA! And that’s the round!
Dempsey: 0; Evans: 0
The fans cheer that great opening round, and both sides refresh. They go again, and Evans runs up! Dempsey sends him into buckles! Roll up, high stack, TWO and Evans stands. Dempsey waistlocks, Evans bucks the O’Conner to FLYING SUNSET FLIP! TWO!! Dempsey escapes, clinches then whips. Evan stops the hip toss but so does Dempsey. Evans body shots, gets a leg up, but Dempsey flips him! Evans lands out, ducks ‘n’ dodges, sunset flips again, but Dempsey stays up! Dempsey drags Evans up and the two fight for control! Dempsey goes to a corner to HOTSHOT Evans with the buckle! Then Dempsey full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Dempsey scores!
Dempsey: 1; Evans: 0
Just a minute into the second and Dempsey has the crucial first point! Cedric helps Evans recover, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Evans refreshes with a drink of water, but he might need an icepack for his neck. Wren keeps fussing with Dempsey’s hair, that’s not what matters… But she still fires him up like she has Myles and Tavion, and the round begins with Dempsey running up on Evans! UPPERCUT! Evans staggers, Dempsey UPPERCUTS and ROCKS Evans again and again! Dempsey then GUT WRENCH SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Evans stays in this but Dempsey clamps on a cravat. Evans endures, but then Dempsey CRAVAT PLEXES! Dempsey cranks on the hold, drags Evans up and CRAVAT PLEXES again! Cover, TWO!
Dempsey keeps on Evans with the cravat, but Evans endures. Dempsey makes it a cover again, TWO! Evans fights up but Dempsey wrangles him back down to a cover. TWO, and Evans rises to arm-drag free! Evans swings, but Dempsey gets around. Dempsey lifts but Evans hits a flying mare! Dempsey stands, ducks an enzigiri, and covers, TWO! Dempsey looms over Evans, grabs the legs, and ties them up. Dempsey bridges back, MUTA LOCK! Evans endures, pries at the hold, but Dempsey thrashes him around! Dempsey lets go to then sit Evans up, cravat stretch! Evans endures as we’re under a minute in the third!
NXT returns to single picture as Evans pries free, flips up and over and cradles, TWO! Dempsey KNEES low! Dempsey HALF- NO, Evans fights the Half Hatch and LARIATS! And ELBOWS! Evans whips, Dempsey reverses, then he blocks a boot, but not the THRUST KICK! Evans goes up and up to SKY TWISTER! Cover, Evans ties it up!
Dempsey: 1; Evans: 1
NQCC hurries to get Dempsey to the corner and get him water. The fourth begins, Evans runs up to SMASH! Evans CHOPS and Dempsey sputters! Evans RAMS into Dempsey again and again, then lets off to whip. Evans kitchen sink knees Dempsey down, then DROPKICKS him out of the ring! Wren coaches Dempsey, and the fans fire up as Evans builds speed. But Dempsey UPPERCUTS first! And then HOTSHOTS Evans with ropes! Dempsey storms in, KICKS Evans in the side, and covers, TWO! Evans stays in this, Dempsey clamps on and drags him up. Dempsey turns Evans for a NECKBREAKER!
Dempsey drags Evans up, turns him again, another NECKBREAKER! Evans writhes, but Dempsey covers, TWO! Evans shouts in frustration but Dempsey HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS away! Evans sputters, Dempsey facelocks! GUILLOTINE! Evans endures, the fans rally, and we’re under a minute again! Evans fights up, but Dempsey adds body scissors! Evans stays standing, he powers up, and he suplexes free! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! Under 30 seconds but Evans is fired up! Dempsey UPPERCUTS, but Evans just eggs him on! The UPPERCUTS go back and forth, Evans gets the edge!
Ten seconds, Dempsey throat chops! HALF HATCH BRIDGE! TWO!! GUILLOTINE! Time’s up on the round!
Dempsey: 1; Evans: 1
Dempsey won’t let go! Cedric gets in to stop him, but Myles gets in to go after Cedric! The ref stops both men, and the teams settle down. Both men are up, the fifth round begins! Dempsey runs up, Evans leaps over to sunset flip, TWO! Evans ROCKS Dempsey, but Dempsey CHOPS back! Evans CHOPS back! Dempsey swings, Evans dodges, springboard, into an UPPERCUT! Full nelson, but Evan slips under! Victory roll, TWO!! Dempsey escapes, swings, but Evans dodges, rebounds, DREAMCAST KICK! Evans goes up and springboards, FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up and Evans crawls to a cover, ROPEBREAK from Myles!
The ref catches Myles red handed! And then Cedric FLIES onto Myles! Cedric takes care of bringing Myles away from ringside, and Evans goes for Dempsey. Dempsey swings around, GERMAN SUPLEX, but Evans lands out! Evans TOSSES Dempsey to the floor! Evans builds speed and FLIES over the corner!! Direct hit and the fans are going nuts! Evans drags Dempsey up and in with a minute to go. But Wren is distracting the ref, TAVION HEIGHTS RUNS IN! Tavion BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES Evans!! Tavion shoves Evans in, Dempsey covers, Dempsey wins!
Winner: Charlie Dempsey, by pinfall (still NXT Heritage Cup Champion)
We knew Tavion was returning from Japan, but to think he’d show up now! NQCC keeps the cup, will their numbers game always win?
Rosemary speaks.
“Once upon a time… The Hive cried out and demanded to know why their Demon Assassin and the Sleepy Psycho had united under the shadows. There are, of course, several reasons. One to be revealed tonight. Another to be saved until next week. And one serves as a warning to Lyra & Tatum. You’ve made your bed. But did you happen to take a look at what’s hiding beneath it? You never know what’s creeping behind that door. Perhaps it’s not just the glimmering moonlight lurking outside your bedroom window while your eyes are shut. A lot can go wrong when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed.
“But what’s scarier than all that? Not having anyone to play with.” Rosemary & Wendy Choo are tearing the toys apart, will they do the same to their opponents?
Backstage interview with Ethan Page.
Sarah Schreiber starts her introduction, but All Ego cuts her off by saying, “Welcome back to N-X-ME. Now, before Sarah here asks me about tonight’s Last Man Standing Match, I personally would like to ask everyone at home to take a good, hard look at the NXT Champion. The same man that should be thanked for the era that we are all currently living in, and will continue to live in after October 1st when we make our debut on the CW Network in Chicago. And the man to thank for the Era of Ego? It’s me, All Ego, Ethan Page.”
Sarah finally does ask who Ethan thinks wins tonight’s main event, Dunne or Trick. Ethan says everyone else in this locker room is definitely afraid of Dunne, but not Ethan. Ethan already “figured out” The Bruiserweight. Then he thinks it’ll be Trick? No, Trick is still chasing ghosts. Trick was lucky to capture lightning in a bottle, he had his Whoop Dat Era, but if you think Trick can do that twice, then you must be joking. Sarah isn’t confused. Who does he choose? Oh, uh, himself! He gets to watch both men demolish each other in a Last Man Standing Match, and all Ethan has to do on October 1st is pick up the scraps. You’re welcome.
Big things are happening for Chicago!
After a quick Twitter exchange between Shawn Michaels and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, HBK has decided that Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair can be part of the CW premiere! Will the StrongEST Duo make this the B E S T debut ever?
Oba Femi VS ???
Just as we all saw thanks to NXT Anonymous, The Ruler knows The Don has paid a mysterious mercenary to get even for The Family. Will this man be worth every penny he was paid? Or will this man, like everyone so far, fail to even bring Oba down?
Oba watches the stage, and it’s… HAMMERSTONE! Another star of TNA is here to make an impact, and it is time to see big meaty men slap meat! Even Oba is a bit stunned by this! The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two men tie up. They are in a deadlock, but Oba finds a point of leverage to put Hammerstone on ropes. The ref counts, Oba backs off, and Hammerstone pushes Oba. So Oba ROCKS Hammerstone! Oba headlocks but Hammerstone fires body shots. Hammerstone powers up and out, ducks the lariat, but Oba stops the hip toss to KNEE low! Oba scoops, aims, but Hammerstone slips out to send Oba into buckles!
Oba staggers, Hammerstone hits the HIP TOSS! Hammerstone headlocks, the D’Angelos watch closely as Oba powers Hammerstone to a corner. Hammerstone BOOTS Oba, then climbs up! MISSILE DROPKICK! And a big one! Hammerstone LARIATS Oba up and out of the ring! Hammerstone goes to the apron, but Oba SWATS him! Oba snarls, storms into the ring, and he BLINDSLIDE LARIATS Hammerstone! Oba stomps Hammerstone, drops elbow after elbow on him, then scoops! FALL AWAY SLAM! Hammerstone flounders, Oba lets his hair down, and he runs up to UPPERCUT! Hammerstone flops and the fans fire up!
Oba sits Hammerstone up to clamp on the chinlock. Hammerstone endures, the fans rally up, but Oba wrangles him. The fans continue to rally, Hammerstone continues to fight, and Hammerstone fireman’s carries! But Oba elbows free! And he fireman’s carries, to TOSS Hammerstone down! Cover, TWO! Hammerstone is tougher than that, but Oba runs to STOMP- NO! Hammerstone blocks! Hammerstone avoids the elbow, then choke grips! But Oba grabs Hammerstone! They both roar, and Oba HEADBUTTS! Oba whips Hammerstone to a corner, runs in, but Hammerstone dodges and Oba POSTS himself!
Oba falls back, Hammerstone winds up and fires forearms and CHOPS! Hammerstone whips, Oba reverses but Hammerstone ducks ‘n’ dodges! LEAPING LARIAT! OVERHEAD SUPLEX! The fans fire up for another OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Hammerstone rises, he choke grips, and he CHOKE SLAMS!! Cover, TWO!! Oba survives and the fans fire up! Hammerstone drags Oba up, reels him in, but Oba TOSSES him away! Hammerstone staggers up, takes a swing, but gets the SHOTPUT! Oba fires up, to POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, Oba wins!
Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall
Hammerstone pushed Oba, but the investment didn’t pay off. The Don storms off from the back room, what must he do if he wants to bring down The Ruler?
Hank ‘n’ Tank talk with Stone & Stevie.
The big boys don’t care how, they want to get their hands on The Good Brothers. They’re on the tracks, the train is comin’ through, and it sounds a little like HONK- Stevie has them stop there. Stone says he will talk with Ava about this. HONK HONK! They bearhug Stone and head off towards Ava’s office, when and where will Walker & Ledger get to fight Gallows & Anderson? Then Duke Hudson steps in, and he tells Ridge Holland, “You are nothing more to me than lowlife scum! Your words against our university, your actions against Andre Chase, inexcusable! Now before i get my revenge on you, I need to speak to one man, and that man is Andre Chase.
“Chase, I know you lay there uncomfortably in your hospital bed, but I need you to sit up. I need your eyes glued to the TV! Because I am about to give Ridge Holland one hell of an Andre Chase University sized ass-whooping!” Duke is fired up, Thea & Riley are also fired up, but will they all burn themselves out trying to bring down Yorkshire Grit?
The NXT Women’s Division continues to get hyped.
Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson say, “Jordynne Who? Let’s get it.” Wren walks in and says right to Kelani, “Knockouts title or your title, which one should I go for first?” Has Kelani ever thought about doing her own Open Challenge? Kelani admits, it is a good idea. But she’s not holding one tonight, so maybe Wren should focus on the girl who is. The rest head out, Kelani wishes Lola luck, and now Jaida Parker walks in, armed with a bat. Anyone seen Fatal Influence? That was earlier, sorry. But hey, Lola’s got beef with them, as does Miss Parker. Well, Parker isn’t looking for help, she’s just looking for them.
Lola tells “baby girl” Jaida, after last week, it looked like she needed help. Jaida says she’ll deal with Lola later. Kelani does see that someone needs to humble Fatal Influence, and a combo like Lola and Jaida would definitely do it. Yeah, but you heard Jaida, right? Yeah. Kelani & Lola leave Jaida be for now, but will Fallon, Jacy & Jazmyn soon find themselves surrounded by enemies?
Ridge Holland VS Duke Hudson w/ Chase U!
We heard Ridge’s selfish reasoning last time, and we heard the Chase U MVP call him out, so now it is time to back up those words with action! Will Ridge’s true colors wash away the red ‘n’ black? Or will Duke avenge Mr. Chase and the entire school in one go?
The bell rings and the hands fly! The fans fire up, but Ridge gets the edge! Ridge UPPERCUTS Duke in the corner, ROCKS him, then stomps away! Ridge CLUBS Duke, the ref reprimands, but Ridge whips Duke to a corner. Duke comes back to BOOT! The fans fire up while Ridge bails out. Duke pursues, and he SMACKS Ridge off the apron! And then off the desk! The fans fire up more, because now Duke clears the desk! But Ridge CLUBS Duke first! Ridge ROCKS Duke, whips him, but Duke reverses! Ridge hits steel steps and hobbles into the ring! Duke pursues again, but Ridge swings. Duke counter punches, RAMS into Ridge, and then slingshots to GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans fire up as Ridge tumbles out. Duke storms out, drags Ridge up, and puts him in. But then Ridge bails out the side! Duke pursues, bringing the trophy with him! Thea says no, do this the right way. Duke hands the trophy over, but Ridge RAMS Duke into Riley! Riley hobbles away from the crash, and Ridge RAMS Duke into the apron! Ridge shows no mercy as Riley is helped away. Ridge storms in, runs up, LARIAT! Duke sputters, but Ridge drops big elbow after big elbow! Ridge rains down fists, then stalks Duke. The fans boo, but Ridge OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! Ridge stalks Duke and stomps him in a corner.
The ref counts, Ridge scoops Duke, and SLAMS him! Ridge eggs Duke on, drags him up, and KNEES him down! Ridge reels Duke in, hoists him up, but Duke fights the lift! Ridge CLUBS Duke, gets Duke up, but Duke slips out the back! Duke ELBOWS Ridge, then dodges him to roll up! TWO, but Duke stands Ridge up. Duke avoids the lariat, kicks low, and he reels Ridge in! But Ridge fights the lift! Duke SWATS the lariat, ELBOWS Ridge, then swings, into a HEADBUTT! Ridge runs to BODY CHECK Duke! Then he suplexes, to a POWERSLAM! The fans boo, but Ridge hauls Duke back up, REDEEMER DDT!! Cover, Ridge wins!
Winner: Ridge Holland, by pinfall
But the win isn’t enough! He beats down Duke, even as Thea shouts for him to stop! Ridge TOSSES Duke out, Thea hurries to Duke’s side, but Ridge storms out after him! Ridge whips Duke into barriers, and the barriers break! The fans lose their minds, Ridge picks up that piece of barrier, and he SLAMS it on Duke’s back!! Thea begs Ridge to show mercy but he does not hear her. Ridge hauls Duke up, brings him in, REDEEMER on the barrier!! The ref calls for help, more refs show up, and Thea shouts at Ridge to go away! Ridge leaves the MVP down and out, has he completely demolished Chase U?
Jordynne Grace crosses paths with Giulia backstage.
The top Knockout nods some respect to the best of Stardom, and then continues on. The Open Challenge is here, who reaches the ring first to face the Juggernaut?
Pete Dunne speaks.
“Trick, this all started when It old you to figure it out. But look at my face! This is the face of a man who’s been figuring it out his whole life. Last night, I took on three geezers, flew all night long, walked up here, ready for a scrap. And you can hide behind your diss tracks and you can hide behind those people out there that you think have your back. But when I walk outta here, head held high, while they pull you outta here on a stretcher, you can lay there, and you can just think to yourself, that no matter how hard you tried, you just couldn’t figure it out. And then watch me, I go on to Chicago, I beat Ethan Page, and I become NXT Champion.
“Cuz I’m not just the Last Man Standing tonight! I’m the Bruiserweight, and I’m NXT’s Last Man Standing!” Dunne shrugs, but will he
MORE news for NXT’s CW debut!
The Most Must-See WWE Talk Show makes its NXT debut as The Miz will be in Chicago! Who will be his special guest? What will happen when The Miz makes NXT awesome?
Wes Lee shows up?
He gets on commentary just to call out Zachary Wentz. They both know why Trey Miguel couldn’t compete tonight, and Wes is why. It started with MSK, it will end with MSK! Chicago, NXT CW, Wes ends this with a Street Fight! Will Chicago see the Cardiac Kid crush Zach once and for all?
TNA Knockouts Championship Open Challenge: Jordynne Grace VS ???
The Juggernaut has returned to NXT and time has come! She wants to fight one of the best, but who makes it out here first? SOL RUCA! The fans fire up, but will Sol be able to ride this wave? Or will Jordynne prove she’s the big kahuna around here?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is a real Knockout!
The bell rings the two circle. The fans rally up, the two tie up, and Jordynne headlocks for a takeover. Sol headscissors, Jordynne kips free but Sol BOOTS the lariat! Sol also ducks the backhand to then trip Jordynne, then handspring! Jordynne avoids the superkick and the fans cheer. The two reset, circle, and tie up. Sol headlocks, but Jordynne powers up to fire body shots. Jordynne back suplexes, Sol lands out then hurdles. Jordynne follows and CLOBBERS Sol! Sol stands but into the GUT WRENCH PLEX! Sol goes to a corner, Jordynne kips up and runs in to ELBOW! Jordynne whips Sol back in, then SPINEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO!
Sol stays in this but Jordynne stays cool. Jordynne fires forearms, then pump handles. Sol fights, moves around, and sends Jordynne to a corner. Sol runs up, but the monkey flip is stopped. Jordynne puts Sol up, SHOVES her, but Sol body scissors to FLING Jordynne out! Sol goes up and up and ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and down goes Jordynne! The fans fire up and Sol puts Jordynne in. Sol aims, springboards, and SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Jordynne stays in this, Sol stays cool, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Sol drags Jordynne up, whips, and then runs in to SPLASH at the corner! Sol snapmares and ghost pins, TWO! Jordynne stands, runs up, but Sol gets around. Jordynne bucks the O’Conner but Sol kips up, and she CLOBBERS Jordynne from behind! Sol stands Jordynne up, tries to fireman’s carry, but Jordynne’s too sturdy for that. Jordynne CLUBS Sol down, goes to a corner, but Sol runs up. Jordynne ELBOWS Sol, then PIGGYBACK THESZ PRESS! Jordynne rains down fast hands, and fires up as she rises. Jordynne drags Sol to a cover, TWO! Sol stays in this but Jordynne stays close. Jordynne pump handles, but Sol fights the lift!
Jordynne KNEES Sol low, KNEES her again, and again! Then she THROWS Sol to a corner. Jordynne then CHOPS Sol! Sol sputters, pushes Jordynne, but Jordynne fires forearms! The ref counts, Jordynne lets off, and she puts Sol in another corner. To CHOP! Jordynne brings Sol around, Sol elbows her, but Jordynne kicks low. Jordynne reels Sol in, suplexes, and holds Sol up! Jordynne waits until TEN before she GOURD BUSTES! Cover, TWO! Jordynne stalks Sol, kicks her, then drags her around to have a leg. Sol kicks Jordynne away, goes to ropes, and NXT returns to single picture. Jordynne RAMS Sol int the corner!
The fans duel as Jordynne puts Sol up top, and SLAPS her! Jordynne tucks Sol in, for a MUSCLE- NO, Sol slips free! Sol runs up, Jordynne dodges, Sol goes up, but Jordynne TRIPOS her! Jordynne hooks Sol up in an Inverse Gory Especial! Sol slips free again, fires hands, and she ROCKS Jordynne! Sol runs, springboard and CROSSBODY! Then she springboards to CROSSBODY again! The fans fire up with Sol and she runs in at the corner! But Jordynne puts Sol on the apron! Sol ROUNDHOUSES, climbs up, and CROSSBODIES gain, but Jordynne rolls through! The fans are thunderous as Jordynne swinging- DDT!! Cover, TWO!!
Sol can’t believe how close she was with that quick turnaround. Sol storms up in the corner, but Jordynne blocks the whip. Jordynne ROCKS Sol, runs up, and WRECKER ELBOWS! Then a scoop, and a POWERSLAM! Then she goes up and up, VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Sol survives #GraceUnderPressure and the fans fire up. Jordynne pump handles, but Sol cradle counters! TWO!! SUPERKICK! Sol runs up on Jordynne, goes up and up the ropes, but Jordynne trips her up! URAKEN! And then Jordynne tucks Sol in, MUSCLE BUSTER!! Cover, but the lights go out!! Who is behind this!? When the lights come up, it’s ROSEMARY!
Jordynne tells Rosemary to get outta here, but Wendy Choo is here, too! NIGHT-NIGHT CLUTCH!! The ref calls the bell!
Winner: Jordynne Grace, by disqualification; retains the title
The creepy combo just ruined the match! The fans boo as Rosemary runs the ref off, and Wendy puts Jordynne to bed! Will these two not be satisfied until they ruin everyone’s fun?
Lyra Valkyria & Tatum Paxley talk backstage.
Tatum has her dolls and dollhouse out, and she jabbers on about adding to her collection. She’s so happy Lyra is here, too! She shows off her cast: Roxanne Perez, the champion; Becky Lynch, Lyra’s fav; and… Shayna Baszler. Tatum is upset with Shayna over what she did to Lyra last week on Raw, but it’s okay given last night. Lyra says yeah, these are all very cute… coping mechanisms… But what they need to do is focus on the real-life Rosemary & Wendy, because they’re out of control. Yeah, they are not friends. Look what they just did to Jordynne Grace! Tatum thought Wendy was a friend, but then she was just using Tatum! Can you believe that?
Tatum yanks the head off her new one, and she’s spiraling. Lyra says it is all fine, so long as they are together. They will show those weirdos that there is nothing stopping Lyra & Tatum when they’re on the same page. Tatum says of course! #Tyra4Ever! And they will show Rosemary & Wendy what happens when you don’t play nice. Now, can they get the head back on the new doll? Lyra tries, but this is more about getting heads on straight. Which wacky combo will win out when “Tyra” collides with the assassin and the psycho?
Ava Raine meets with Giulia and Funaki!
The Japanese legend is here to help interpret between the two, and Ava says congrats on her debut victory, it was very impressive. Giulia says in English, “Thank you, Ava.” Ava knows there was a lot of hype, and now Giulia is here, it has not disappointed. Ava is ready to see how Giulia helps this Women’s Division grow stronger. But then in steps Roxanne Perez. She’s sarcastic as she says she’s surprised there’s no red carpet, given the new star has been handed everything she wants. Right to the NXT Women’s Championship for the CW debut!
Look, Giulia, Roxie doesn’t care what you’ve done in Japan. She doesn’t care what Giulia wants, what Ava wants, or what HBK wants. Giulia is NOT coming in here and just taking over Roxie’s NXT. Funaki translates but she got this. Giulia tells Roxie that she does understand. Roxie is scared! And she should be! Roxie says she’s not scared, but Ava says save it for Chicago. The Prodigy pouts, but will she have something to really be upset about when she succumbs to the Beautiful Madness?
Brooks Jensen is backstage.
And he confronts Dion Lennox. What was that about “gaslighting?” Dion says he just simply meant Shawn Spears is manipulating what Jensen thinks and knows so- The Chair Man steps in. He didn’t realize these two were friends. They’re not. Dion just wants Jensen to keep what he said in mind. Dion leaves, Spears asks what that meant, and Jensen says Dion thinks Spear is gaslighting Jensen. Wow… Another guy around here trying to tell Jensen what to think instead of letting him make his own decisions. Spears asked last week, and he asks again, what does Jensen believe? Because that is all that matters.
Jensen hesitates, so Spears says he understands. He really does. The difference between him and the others is that Spears lets Jensen decide for himself. Dion is just acting like the kind of friend that Briggs and Fallon were. Jensen frowns, Spears heads out, and now we look over at Eddy Thorpe, Karmen Petrovic, and a few other ladies, walking and talking together. Ashante THEE Adonis sees this and cannot believe it. DJ Plutonic is a hypocrite, acting like he ain’t interested in the ladies. He played Ashante! Man, no one played anyone. Eddy told him the truth, Ashante just has a one track mind.
Ashante says pause, rewind. Save it, Eddy, he sees right through you. Ashante leaves, the ladies shrug that off. Will he realize that doing things honestly is better than doing things Adonisly?
NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Last Man Standing Match: Trick Williams VS Pete Dunne!
No more talk, it is time to #FigureItOut! Will Trick add on to that shiner Dunne got last night on Raw? Or will The Bruiserweight redeem himself by ruining Trick’s road back to the title?
The introductions are made, the stakes are raised, and we see who heads for the Windy City!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as they star down. The hands start flying and the fans fire up more! Dunne shoves, Trick dodges him, then BODY SHOTS! UPPERCUTS! Run and LARIAT! The fans are thunderous as Trick fires back up, and he runs up on Dunne. Dunne DUMPS Trick out, then PLANCHAS! Down goes Trick but he stands up quick. Dunne hurries after Trick and ROCKS him! Trick leans against Barriers, but Dunne whips him hard into steel steps! Trick falls, the count starts, but Trick is up at 2. Dunne CHOPS him, but Trick CHOPS back! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up with Trick as he drags Dunne up.
Trick pushes Dunne onto the apron, brings him up, but Dunne fights! Truck tries again, Dunne still fights, and now he BACKDROPS Trick on the apron! Trick falls, the count is on both men, but NXT goes picture in picture.
Dunne stands at 4 of 10, Trick follows at 5, but Dunne POSTS him! Trick falls over, Dunne grabs a chair, and he brings Trick over. Dunne SMACKS Trick off the seat, then he confiscates the timekeeper’s table! Dunne brings Trick over, underhooks, but Trick pries free! Trick trips Dunne, then CATAPULTS him into the POST! Dunne checks his face, but Trick SMACKS him off the apron! Trick follows Dunne around the way, CHOPS him, then stalks him more. Dunne snatches a fan sign! Trick snatches that to SMACK Dunne with it! Then he CHOPS Dunne down! The fans fire up more as Trick THROWS Dunne into barriers!
The standing count starts, but Trick prepares something. He pulls the steel steps apart! Trick storms over but Dunne mule kicks! Trick drops the steps and falls back! Dunne takes the steps for his own, and he SMACKS Trick off them! And again! And again! And again! And again! Dunne fishhooks Trick’s face, twists his head around, then CLUBS him against the steps! Dunne drags Trick up, puts him in, and then paces. Trick slowly sits up, but Dunne stomps hi s hands! And BOOTS him down! Dunne paces, and then BUZZSAWS! NXT returns to single picture, Dunne kicks low, but Trick blocks! Trick rises up and he UPPERCUTS!
Dunne wobbles, into the LEG LARIAT! And LEG LAIRAT! Trick FLAPJACKS Dunne then kips up! The fans fire up with Trick, and he cartwheels to lift Dunne up, BOOKEND! Trick says count his ass! The count begins, and Dunne sputters at 3. Dunne rolls at 4 and gets out so he stands by default. Trick storms over but Dunne pulls Trick’s hair! Dunne ROCKS Trick, then goes to get a chair! Dunne brings the chair in to JAM Trick up! Dunne puts Trick’s hands on the chair, to FULL METAL STOMP! Trick shouts in pain, and Dunne BUZZ- NO, Trick ducks the kick! Trick JAMS Dunne with the chair! And then NECKBREAKER on the chair!
The fans count along, Dunne sits up at 4 and crawls at 6. But Trick is right on Dunne, to INVERTED- NO, Dunne slips free to GERMAN SUPLEX! Trick avoids the chair, but then Dunne CLOBBERS him! Trick swipes at Dunne but Dunne stomps away! Dunne grabs the chair, wedges it in the corner, then he drags Trick up. Dunne RAMS Trick into the chair! Trick falls, the count starts, but Dunne goes out to fetch the chair. Dunne puts the chair back in, but Trick bails out to stand at 7. But Dunne SMACKS Trick off the steel steps, then BOOTS him down! The count starts again, but now Dunne is pulling up floor mats!
Trick stands at 8 but Dunne is right on him! Dunne underhooks, but Trick fights the lift! Trick trips Dunne, has the legs, but Dunne sit sup to fire hands! Dunne reels Trick in! DDT on bare concrete!! Trick sputters and the count begins! Dunne stands at 6, Trick stirs at 7 and rises at 9!! Dunne CHOPS Trick! Trick flounders into the ring, but Dunne slithers after him. Trick rises, Dunne runs up, BOOT! Trick drops to his knees, then to the mat. But Dunne won’t wait, he stomps away on Trick! Dunne lets Trick flounder as the count starts again. Trick stirs at 7, drags himself up with ropes, and stands at 9.5!!
Dunne runs up, into a POP-UP UPPERCUT! Trick won’t wait for the count, he runs up, but Dunne sends him into buckles! Pump handle, BITTER END!! Dunne steps back, the count is climbing! Trick sputters, is still down at 7, but he pushes himself up at 8! And stands up at 9.9!! But now Dunne has a chair! Trick avoids the shot, avoids another, and then ROLLING BOOTS the chair into Dunne’s face!! The fans fire up as the count climbs! Dunne is dazed and down at 6! 7! 8! Dunne springs to life! TRICK SHOT!! Dunne is down again and the count restarts! Dunne’s down at 5! At 7! 8! 9, but Dunne springs to life again!!
Trick is furious, but he storms out to clear the desk! The fans are thunderous, as these two crashed through that last week to set this up! But then Dunne grabs Trick, to POWERBOMB him through the desk hood!! The fans lose their minds, the count begins again, and Trick flounders at 6! Trick drags himself up with the barriers, and he’s up at 9! Dunne whips Trick into barriers! And then he drags Trick up onto them! Trick falls into the front row! Fans have to move as Dunne drags Trick through the crowd and to the perch!! The fans are going nuts as Dunne CLOBBERS Trick with the stanchion! And again!
Dunne reels Trick in, but Trick fights the suplex! Trick pries free to ROCK Dunne! Dunne holds onto Trick but Trick fires more shots! Dunne hits back! Trick swings, but Dunne gets him! SUPER RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP off the perch and down through the tables!!! The fans really lose their minds this time! The ref checks both men, and the count begins! Ethan Page shows up!? He shouts at Trick to stay down and for Dunne to get up! But Trick stands at 7! Ethan runs up, but Trick BACKDROPS him through the desk!! That’s what Ethan gets! Trick is standing, Dunne is not, TRICK WINS!!
Winner: Trick Williams (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Championship)
The fans are thunderous, Trick IS the Last Man Standing! Trick did #FigureItOut, and now he just has to humble All Ego. Will the winds of change blow in the Windy City when NXT goes to the CW?
Ava, Stone & Stevie finish watching the match.
All agreed, it was an incredible main event. Ava also finishes up a phone call. It’s all set for next week, so just let her know if they need anything. Ava says bye, and Stevie asks who that was. It was CM Punk. He’s coming to NXT next week! Whoa, what about Chicago? Well he’ll still do that, of course, but he has something big planned for Chicago, so he wants to announce it next week. Wow, okay! The Best in the World is coming to Orlando, what will his big news be?
My Thoughts:
An awesome NXT here as not just part of WWE Week but also as the countdown to moving to CW. Great NXT Tag Team Championship match to open, and a shame The Rascalz could not compete. While Wes Lee logically takes credit in kayfabe, it was surely an undisclosed injury concern for Trey. But Wes VS Zach in a Chicago Street Fight will be awesome stuff for that CW debut, and I’m thinking Wes wins that to tie the series up, forcing a tiebreaker for a bigger event down the line. And then to the tag title match, it was awesome, but I did not think The Bloodline would show up to “ruin” it. I suppose with Profits jumping in, it was fitting that Bloodline would want to beat them down just because they can, and that adds fire to SmackDown.
Very good first match in NXT for Giulia, Chelsea was the right choice because for one, she’s great in the ring, and also because most fans love seeing her lose. Also good encounter between Giulia and Jordynne, and then good bit with Ava, Roxanne, and the returning Funaki! I knew Giulia was going to respond in English, she’s been working on that ever since she started working with NJPW and specifically NJPW Strong, the American branch. Giulia has got to be winning on the CW debut, it’s the convergence of everything: Giulia is legit great; NXT needs to shake things up with the channel change; and Roxie has done so much already, time to move on to RawDown.
Great stuff with the NXT Women’s Division in preparing for the Open Challenge. Fatal Influence talking down about non-WWE wrestlers is even more foolish than them disliking NIL talent and stuff, but that’s what makes them good Heels. Jaida wanting to take that bat to them was also a good detail, and while Jaida doesn’t want anyone’s help, I’m pretty sure the next 3v1 beatdown convinces her otherwise. Jaida, Lola, possibly Kelani as Fatal Influence seems to be pestering her most of all, that is a good three woman team for a Six Woman Tag that then gives us a Women’s North American Championship match at some point.
Great Knockouts title match from Jordynne and Sol. Sol was a great choice because for one, she wasn’t anywhere in the promos so she was a real surprise. Sol is also really solid, so she gave Jordynne just the match she needed. But then I was rather surprised Rosemary & Wendy Choo attacked during that match. I suppose that’s a way to keep Sol protected, she wasn’t gonna win the title anyway, and it also adds to the TNA side because I’m sure Rosemary will come after the title herself. Good promo video from Rosemary & Wendy and good response promo from Lyra & Tatum. Their tag match will be a lot of fun, but I would think Lyra & Tatum win.
Great Heritage Cup Championship match, especially with Je’Von Evans not having done Heritage Cup Round matches before. But there was a tiny Easter Egg that gave away, at least to me, that Tavion was going to be a deciding factor. Tavion was part of the NQCC graphic last week, but was then missing in the graphic for tonight. Therefore, they wanted us to not think Tavion was gonna be here, and then “surprise,” he was! NQCC probably has more matches with Je’Von & Cedric and maybe we circle back to the Cup, but it’s Cedric who challenge Dempsey. As great as Evans is already at just 20, it’d be even greater if Cedric got something more after waiting so long.
Great bit with NXT Anonymous giving the heads-up on the mystery man and Tony D, and then just a great match from Oba and Hammerstone. Oba of course wins to continue showing his dominance, and the ball is now in Tony’s court. Not sure what he’ll resort to, but depending on what he does, it could turn him back into Heel Don. Fans do still like Tony so I don’t know if they’d do that, but at the same time, the fans really like Oba. But Heel Tony would be a way to shake things up as NXT moves into a new phase.
We got good promo segues this week, with Hank ‘n’ Tank getting their match with The Good Brothers turning into Duke calling out Ridge before their match. That was a great match, and I figured Ridge would win, but they did a good job of Ridge basically wiping out all the Chase U men in one go here. Riley hobbled away “hurt” and Ridge puts Duke down with the piece of barrier, this is gonna come down to Mr. Chase making a heroic return and overcoming Ridge. In much the same way the feud of McIntyre and Punk has been about two people with very different views of each other, this could be a very powerful, character driven feud for Chase U and Ridge that ultimately leads someone to the next level, aka a singles championship opportunity.
Jensen, Dion and Spears had a good promo where Spears is basically doing just what Dion said, and it is sadly working. And then good segue to Ashante being all upset from misunderstanding how Eddy lives his life. They’ll of course have it out in the ring now, but I can’t be sure Ashante’s endgame. Will he end up finding a woman in NXT who digs his style and he can stop flirting with every female he sees? And good promo from Lexis, though his beard style continues to baffle me. Oro going after him was great, though, they are definitely moving into part two where they’ll have a much more competitive and aggressive match. Oro will surely win, forcing the tiebreaker, and that will have a stipulation. But hopefully they change the formula this time where Oro wins, not Lexis.
And of course, great stuff going into the Last Man Standing Match. Ethan had a good promo, but clearly after the match, we saw he did care about who he was facing, and he just didn’t want it being Trick. Good promos from Trick and Dunne, as well, and then an awesome match from them. It didn’t go quite as wild as the fans were expecting, it was really just the chair and the steps being used, but that’s because they saved it all for that fall off the perch. Great win for Trick, and Ethan VS Trick is definitely the way to go for the CW debut. That match probably could go either way, I could see them wanting Trick to be the Face of NXT on CW, and he’s a Face cuz he’s the good guy, but I could also see this being Ethan winning to send Trick to RawDown.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will the Best of the Super Juniors become the Face of NEVER?
Hiromu Takahashi has done so much as a Junior Heavyweight, but now he takes on The Face of Fury, Henare, for the NEVER Openweight Championship!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Yuji Nagata & Ryusuke Taguchi w/ Red Kiba VS Fighter Y & Fighter N w/ Fighters D & F; Nagata & Taguchi win.
- Shoma Kato VS Jakob Austin Young; Jakob wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Katsuya Murashima; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- Shota Umino & Jado VS Ren Narita & SHO; Ren & Sho win.
- Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma VS Gabe Kidd & Jake Lee; Gabe & Jake win.
- 8 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS Taiji Ishimori & Gedo; Douki & Taka win.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: HENARE VS Hiromu Takahashi; Henare wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kickoff – Yuji Nagata & Ryusuke Taguchi w/ Red Kiba VS Fighter Y & Fighter N w/ Fighters D & F!
Go Go Power Ran- Wait, no, it’s not quite that. But Blue Justice and the green clad Funky Weapon will battle the forces of evil, supported by the red ranger! Will they score a W or an L against Y & N?
The teams sort out and after a photo op, Nagata starts against- Oh no! D, F, Y & N all go after the heroes! Red Kiba jumps away but it is a mugging of 4v2! The bell rings to get this on record, and D kicks Taguchi out of the ring. The ref reprimands as N fires forearms on Nagata in the corner. N stomps a mudhole, Y keeps after Taguchi on the outside! N whips corner to corner, forearms mashes, then fires up! The fans rally surprisingly rally for “SENTOIN! SENTOIN!” That is to say, they’re cheering on Fighter N! N runs in, Nagata BOOTS him! Nagata DECKS N, drags him up, and snapmares to KICK him in the back!
The fans rally as Nagata tags in Taguchi. Taguchi storms up on N to CLUB him again and again! N CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! The fans cheer, and Taguchi poses. He powers up, poses some more, then SLIDING HIPS! The fans cheer, and Taguchi fires more HIPS into N! Taguchi eggs N on, HIP ATTACKS, then covers, TWO! The fans rally, Taguchi drags N up to kick low. Taguchi runs, but F trips him up! F drags Taguchi out and sends him into railing! Y goes after Nagata, the ref reprimands all the Fighters, but F grabs a bottle of water to SPLASH Taguchi in the face! N & Y finally leave Nagata alone and fans rally.
Wait, now F put a bucket on Taguchi’s head and SMACKS him with the mop! Red Kiba tells F to back off, but F calls in D! Red Kiba isn’t afraid, and he steps forward. D & F trip over themselves while Red Kiba checks Taguchi. Taguchi gets to his feet, and he fires forearms on F! F hits back, and whips Taguchi into railing! The fans boo but F puts Taguchi in the ring. N stomps Taguchi, fires up, then stomps him more. But Taguchi CHOPS back! And fires a flurry of forearms! The fans cheer, Taguchi CLUBS N, then stomps him. Taguchi runs, comes back, and CLOBBERS N! Taguchi stomps N, but F gets on the apron!
The ref stops F from getting in, but Taguchi runs up to DROPKICK F down! The fans cheer and Taguchi runs to HIP ATTACK N! Hot tag to Nagata! The fans fire up as Nagata KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS! N falls and the fans cheer! Nagata drags N up, ROCKS him, then whips him corner to corner, Nagata runs in to BOOT N! Nagata brings N around to clinch, but N fights it! Y runs in to CLUB Nagata! N & Y mug Nagata, but Nagata DECKS Y, and BOOTS N! Nagata brings N up but N fires a forearm! But Nagata snatches N to a FUJIWARA! Then he steps over, MOUNTED ARMBAR! Taguchi wants in?
The fans fire up and Nagata reaches out to tag Taguchi! Taguchi climbs, N stands, Taguchi leaps, then just lands to DECK N! The fans cheer, but N CHOPS! And CHOPS! N DECKS Taguchi, stomps him, then tags Y! Y storms up to kick Taguchi and fire forearms. Y runs, and he CLBOBERS Taguchi! The fans cheer, Y fires up, and Y goes back for Taguchi. Y CLUBS Taguchi, whips, and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up, Y crawls around before he covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Y stays fired up. Y grabs the legs, but Taguchi kicks Y away! Taguchi and Y rise up, and Taguchi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! And OH MY GAH ANKLE!
Y flails, N run sin, but Nagata intercepts! Nagata fights N down to the JUST FACELOCK! Y taps, the heroes win!
Winners: Yuji Nagata & Ryusuke Taguchi, by submission
D & F are upset, their plans to take over NJPW have been foiled! Red Kiba applauds and steps in to celebrate with Blue & Green! Wait, Red Kiba and F get mics. Red Kiba tells the losers to get out of here, because Earth and NJPW are under his protection! But F, who sounds like a certain Rogue Luchador, tells them that this is far from over! They will come back for more! And D says you will see them again in Tokyo Dome City Theater from September 11th through to September 16th. Red Kiba says yes, everyone may watch the battle of good and evil, and know that good will always win. F says in that case, hopefully everyone also gets a chance to take photos with the heroes.
The fans rally for Red Kiba and his super friends, but F says hold on! He hurries around the back, and brings out the special promotional panel! Everyone holds it up together, be ready for Go Go Loser Rangers!
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire!
Tetsuya Naito & Bushi lost out to TMDK last night, but that was only a sample of what could be. This will be a sample of what’s to come, as Naito & Bushi are now joined by Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji against Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb, Callum Newman & Francesco Akira! Will the Uncontrollable Charisma be tranquilo ahead of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match? Or will LIJ be conquered by The Empire?
The fans rally for “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” but then the “NA-I-TO!” counters it. The teams sort out, and though Yota stares down with Cobb, he joins the rest in the LIJ fist bump. The fans applaud, but then LIJ attacks! The bell rings, LIJ TOSSES out Khan, Callum & Akira, so Yota does start against Cobb after all. Naito stands over Khan and mocks him with an arms-behind-his-back pose. Yota whips Cobb to ropes, Cobb reverses, Yota RAN- NO! Cobb stops the rana and he brings Yota up. Yota fires hands, slips free, then dodges. Yota comes back to tilt-o-whirl and arm-drag! Cobb tumbles, the fans fire up, and Yota runs up.
Cobb dodges, drops down, then DROPKICKS! Cobb mocks the tranquilo! The fans cheer, and Cobb says “Choto matte!” Cobb steps on Yota, then pretends he didn’t see Yota there. Cobb drags Yota up, bumps him off buckles, and tags Akira. Akira throws hands, then brings Yota out. Yota takes a swing, Akira dodges and CHOPS! Akira whips but Yota blocks! Yota reverses, Akira ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! Yota staggers up, Akira DROPKICKS him down! The fans fire up, “A! KIRA! A! KIRA!” Akira runs in to LARIAT! Akira keeps moving, but Yota scoops to a BACKBREAKER! Then Naito BLASTS Khan off the apron!
The rest of LIJ goes after the rest of The Empire, and the fans rally up. Naito pulls Khan along by his ponytail! Other Empire members are sent into railing, and then Naito whips Khan into railing! Yota keeps Akira down with a chinlock, then he scoops to SLAM! Yota runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Tag to Bushi and he stomps Akira. Bushi whips Akira to ropes, dropkicks the legs out, then covers, TWO! The fans rally, Bushi stomps Akira, then tags Naito. The fans rally up more as Naito brings Akira up. Akira fires forearms, but Naito just SPITS at him! Naito fires forearms, then he turns Akira, holds him, and NECKBREAKER!
Naito poses, then he mocks Khan with his arms behind his back again. The fans applaud but Khan is annoyed. Khan storms in, but Naito drop toeholds! Yota basement dropkicks! Khan tumbles out, Naito tags Takagi in. The fans rally as Takagi drags Akira up. Takagi suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi steps on Akira, kicks him around, but Akira fires forearms! Takagi ROCKS Akira right back! The fans rally as Akira fires more forearms! Takagi DECKS Akira in return! Akira fires up and comes back for more! Akira fires a flurry, but Takagi eggs him on! Akira SOBATS, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Akira ENZIGIRIS!
Akira runs, but Takagi LARIATS at ropes! Takagi runs, but Akira victory rolls, STOMP 182! The fans are thunderous as both men are down! And we’ve only hit five minutes! Tag to Callum and he BLASTS Bushi! The fans fire up as Callum runs in, but Takagi tosses him up high! Callum lands safe on the apron, RAMS into Takagi, then gets moving. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges, then BOOTS! Takagi rebounds to RUN Callum over! Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up but Yota kicks Callum. But Callum trips Yota to DOUBLE STOMP! Callum kips up again and the fans fire up. Callum runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT Takagi!
Callum rolls and comes back, ROUNDHOUSE! Snapmare and PENALTY KICK! Then STANDING MOONSAULT, onto knees! Takagi saves himself, but Callum is back up! Only for Takagi to ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Callum handsprings through!? And he springboards to OS- NO, Takagi stops the cutter, shoves Callum to ropes, but Callum Spider-Man rebounds to HEEL KICK! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! The fans are thunderous again while both men are down! Callum crawls, as does Takagi, hot tags to Naito and Khan! Naito ducks Khan’s boot to CLUB away on him again and again!
Naito whips, arm-drags, then ELBOWS Khan down, to then basement dropkick! The fans rally, Naito brings Khan up and whips to a corner. Naito ELBOWS Khan, pushes him, then goes up. Naito reels Khan in by the ponytail, for ESPERANZA! Khan tumbles and the fans rally as Naito aims again. Khan rises, Naito runs up, but Khan BOOTS him! The fans fire up while both men are down! Khan drags Naito up as fans rally, and Khan fires Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops again! Naito falls, but Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan drags Naito up, but Naito fights free and throws heavy elbows!
Khan shoots around, trips Naito, and puts on the KNEEBAR! Naito fights up, fights free, but Khan goes for the legs again. Naito blocks, ENZIGIRIS, and he brings Khan in, TORNADO- NO! Khan stops the DDT to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito and Khan crawl, hot tag to Bushi! Bushi runs to BLAST Akira and- Well, no, Cobb stays up. So Bushi dropkicks the legs out! Cobb falls, Bushi goes up, then leaps, MISSILE DROPKICK! Khan tumbles and fans fire up for the Bushirooni! LIJ steps in, Takagi & Bushi double whip Khan corner to corner. Bushi runs in to ELBOW!
Takagi runs in to LARIAT! Feed to the GENE TRIGGER, then BACKSTABBER! Cover, Callum breaks it! Yota TOSSES Callum, we hit ten minutes and Bushi drags Khan up. But Akira SUPERKICKS first! Yota RUNS AKira over! Yota kicks Cobb, whips, but Cobb reverses to scoop, ATHLETIC PLEX! Takagi storms up but Cobb ELBOWS! JABS! And YUKON- NO, Takagi dodges to then PUMPING BOMBER! The fans are thunderous again! Callum returns, Takagi kicks and whips but Callum reverses to run in and DROPKICK! Callum spins, but Bushi ducks the kick to ENZIGIRI! Khan is back but Bushi enzigiris then REWIND HEELS!
Khan stands to IRON RIGHT!! The ref reprimands but the Monster Rage is boiling! HITSUJIGOROSHI, into FLATLINER! And then IRON CLAW, for the ELIMINATOR!! Akira keeps Naito stuck outside, Khan covers, The Empire wins!
Winners: The United Empire, by pinfall
The Black Mask took the fall for his team, and that means The Dominator stands tall! But will the KOPW Champion be the one headed for the King Of Pro-Wrestling in Ryogoku? Or will Naito keep things tranquilo on this Road to Destruction?
In fact, Naito is so tranquilo that he joins commentary! And it makes sense, he’s about to watch the fifth man of LIJ step up to the plate!
NEVER Openweight Championship: HENARE VS Hiromu Takahashi!
We just saw the Empire conquer the ungovernable, and now The Face of Fury looks to finish it! But will he make the Ticking Timebomb self-destruct? Or is this the moment that the Best of the Super Juniors starts to move up the mountain?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who NEVER gives in!
The bell rings and the two run in! They RAM shoulders, and then RAM again! And RAM again! Hiromu keeps staggering back while Henare stays solid! Hiromu just grins, and he CHOPS! Then he ducks a shot to CHOP and CHOP! Henare takes swings but Hiromu bobs ‘n’ weaves. Hiromu CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Hiromu whips, Henare reverses, and they RAM shoulders again! Hiromu drops to a knee, but he dodges Henare to RAM him! Henare actually staggers back! Hiromu follows, FLYING SHOULDER, but he bounces off Henare! The fans rally while Hiromu bails out and Henare roars!
Henare paces while waiting on Hiromu. Hiromu shakes it off and goes around the way. The fans rally, but then Henare storms up to the ropes. Hiromu backs off, and Red Shoes has Henare back off. Henare gets annoyed now, but then he slides out! Hiromu sends him into railing! The front row has to watch out, because Hiromu sends Henare into more railing! The fans rally and duel as Hiromu storms up. Hiromu whips, but Henare reverses, and now Hiromu hits railing! But Hiromu roars! Hiromu runs up, but gets run over! The fans fire up, and Henare looms over Hiromu. Red Shoes wants this in the ring, but Henare RAMS Hiromu into more railing!
Henare drags Hiromu up, to whip into more railing! Hiromu tumbles through the gate and flops onto the floor. Red Shoes insists they get this in the ring, and Henare drags Hiromu back up. Henare CHOPS Hiromu! Henare takes a fighting stance while he watches Hiromu sputter. The ring count starts, Henare storms up on Hiromu, and he drags Hiromu back with a headlock. Henare puts Hiromu in the ring, but then gets annoyed as the fans rally for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” Henare storms in and he drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Henare CHOPS Hiromu down, and the fans fire up!
Hiromu clutches his stinging chest, but Henare sits him up, to KICK in the back! Hiromu goes to a corner, Henare storms over, and the fans rally again. Henare nods, and he stands Hiromu up to fire forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands but Henare lets off. Henare then drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu fires forearms in return! Henare eggs Hiromu on, so Hiromu fires forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, and then Henare LARIATS! Henare fireman’s carries, WASTELAND SLAM and SENTON! Hiromu clutches his ribs, Henare pushes him to a cover, TWO! Henare frowns but the fans rally as Hiromu stays in this.
Henare drags Hiromu back up, fireman’s carries, but Hiromu fights free! Henare kicks low, whips, but Hiromu reverses! Hiromu then goes around and he RANAS! Henare tumbles away and the fans fire up! Henare goes to ropes, shakes out the stars, and Hiromu goes to the other side. Hiromu drags himself up, Henare runs in. Hiromu BOOTS Henare, then has a HANGING HEADSCISSORS! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets off, and then he drags Henare out! Hiromu shoves Henare away, goes up to the apron, and then FLYING SHOTGUN DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while both men are down on the floor!
Hiromu rises and roars and the fans fire up with him! Hiromu then drops back to his knees, still needing to catch his breath. Henare sits up, Hiromu goes over to him, and he brings Henare into the ring. The fans applaud, and Hiromu hurries to bring Henare up. Hiromu suplexes, but Henare fights it! Henare suplexes, but Hiromu fights it! They fight for control and Henare suplexes Hiromu up and over! But Hiromu lands out! Hiromu catches Henare’s haymaker to reel him in, but Henare suplexes again! Henare knees free, gets around, backslide, roll through! Hiromu suplexes for a FALCON ARROW! The fans are fired up and Hiromu covers, TWO!
The fans rally as Hiromu grits his teeth and clutches his back. Henare stirs, goes for a corner, and Hiromu rises. Hiromu runs corner to corner, and LARIATS! Hiromu then snapmares and runs, into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Henare growls as he rises, and the fans rally behind “HE-NA-RE!” now! Hiromu sputters and Henare storms over. Henare drags Hiromu up, around, and clamps on a half nelson! Hiromu fights as Henare goes for the full nelson, so Henare CLUBS him down! Henare CLUBS Hiromu more, growls, and we pass 10 minutes.
Henare drags Hiromu up, whips, but Hiromu stops himself! Hiromu runs up, RAN- NO! Henare stops the rana to bring Hiromu up, for a POWER- NO, Hiromu DDTS out of it! The fans fire up and Hiromu dodges Henare to wheelbarrow and COMPLETE SHOT! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Henare sputters, stirs, and the fans rally harder as he and Hiromu spot each other. They egg each other on as they crawl to center. The fans rally more, and both men stand. They go forehead to forehead, then Hiromu CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Henare KICKS! Hiromu sputters as he backs up to the ropes!
The fans fire up more while Henare checks his chest. No blood yet, but he and Hiromu step back up. Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Henare snarls and powers up to KICK! Both men step back to ropes, but Hiromu has a wry smile. Hiromu comes back and the fans rally for him, as he CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Henare KICKS! Both men pace around, neither willing to stop! Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS, and Henare KICKS! CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! KICK! CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! KICK! AND KICK! Hiromu staggers back to ropes and Henare roars! Hiromu runs up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Henare drops to a knee!!
Hiromu nudges Henare to egg him on, so Henare KICKS! And KICKS! Hiromu rebounds off ropes, into a KICK! And then rebounds again, into another KICK! Hiromu drops to a knee and a fist! We can see Henare’s name on the tape, and the fans are thunderous for “HI-RO-MU!” Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! But Henare KICKS again! Hiromu wobbles, mouth open, and then he drops to his knees! Henare backs up, winds up, and KICKS! But Hiromu rises!?! Henare KICKS him back down!! Cover, TWO!! RUGBY KICK!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives, the fans are thunderous, and we pass 15 minutes!
Henare sits and watches Hiromu. Hiromu is still in this, so Henare vows to end this! Henare drags Hiromu up, fisherman and STREETS- NO, Hiromu slips free, ducks an elbow, and fires off palm strikes! And a COUNTER STRIKE! Hiromu wobbles but he roars, runs, and HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Henare stays up!! Hiromu goes to a corner, but he ducks the Native Knee! RUNNING POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Henare survives and the fans fire up again! Hiromu drags Henare up, but Henare BODY BLOWS! But Hiromu ducks the heel kick to HEADBUTT, and SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs, but Henare LARIATS him down!
The fans fire up again while Henare wobbles. Henare drops to a knee while catching his breath, but then he storms over to cover, ONE?!? Henare is stunned that Hiromu is still in this! Hiromu runs up, but Henare LARIATS him back down! Hiromu rises, staggers and stumbles, but he stays on his feet as he goes along ropes. Hiromu runs up, into a LARIAT! But Hiromu roars and rises again! The fans are thunderous, and Hiromu swats a lariat! And another! And he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but he dodges the headbutt! Henare rebounds, into a SNAP BELLY2BELLY!! A rough landing for Henare but he still rises up!
Hiromu aims, runs, and HIROMU-CHAN- HENARE LARIAT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Henare is furious but the fans are thunderous! Henare drags Hiromu up, clamps on the half nelson, but Hiromu fights the full! Henare almost has it! ULTIMA NELSON!! Hiromu is caught, he reaches out, but he drops to his knees! Red Shoes checks, the fans rally up, and Hiromu gets a second wind! Hiromu fights, but Henare drags him back! Henare puts on all the pressure he can, and Red Shoes checks again! Hiromu fades, sits down, but he gets a third wind! Henare is shocked to see Hiromu rising up again! The fans rally as hard as they can as we hit 20 minutes!
Hiromu fights but Henare spins him! URENAGE!! Cover, TWO?!?!? The fans are thunderous and Henare is stunned! Henare drags Hiromu up, STREETS OF- CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Henare survives that quick turnaround but Hiromu rises up again! Hiromu runs, but into a BERSERKER BOMB!! Henare can’t make the cover, but he pounds the mat as he rises again. The fans rally, and Hiromu is in a corner, NATIVE KNEE! Henare roars, but Hiromu wrenches!? HIROMU-CHAN ROLL!! TWO!!!! Hiromu pleads with Red Shoes, but Henare still got out in time! Hiromu turns around, into the RAMPAGE!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!
The fans are electric as Hiromu continues to defy expectations! Henare grows frustrated, but he still has one move that can end this. Henare points to the skies and roars! Henare drags Hiromu up, fisherman and STREETS- DESTROYER?!?! Hiromu hurries to cover, TWO!!!! Henare survives but Hiromu pounds the mat! Korakuen Hall is erupting as Hiromu dares Henare to get up! Hiromu powers up and runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!!! Hiromu won’t end here, he drags Henare up to fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Hiromu can’t believe it but Henare’s survived his best shot!
Hiromu again pleads with Red Shoes, but no, Henare did get out before three. Hiromu hobbles up, but now he grins and says here goes! Hiromu drags Henare up, dragon sleepers, but Henare spins it around! Hiromu fights free, HEADBUTTS, and SUPERKICKS! Henare wobbles, but then he HEADBUTTS back!! Henare roars, fisherman, but he blocks Hiromu’s cradle! STREETS OF RAGE!!!! Cover, Henare wins!!
Winner: Henare, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)
Hiromu proved why he’s the Best of the Super Juniors, and proved that he’s so much more than that, but he still couldn’t conquer this new summit! Naito leaves commentary to be by his friend’s side, and Henare shows Hiromu respect for this battle. Takagi also returns to ringside to check on Hiromu. Will Hiromu be able to rise up so this next level one day? Or was this his limit?
Wait, Henare is eyeing Takagi. Henare won this title back in June to kick off New Japan Soul, but perhaps that wasn’t enough. Takagi goes to the mic and tells Henare, “That was a hell of a fight!” The fans cheer that! Takagi then says, “After watching that, I can’t help myself. Henare! I am your next challenger!” The fans like that idea! Takagi says how about September 29th, in Kobe? Fans like the idea even more now! Henare takes the mic to tell “Takagi Senshi <Warrior>,” if he wants Kobe, then he’s got it! LET’S GO! The fans fire up as the challenge has been accepted, Destruction in Kobe is going to see an epic rematch!
Takagi leaves, will he take the NEVER title in an effort to make a match with Naito #WinnerTakesAll? As for Henare, he closes with a Maori Haka to show he is ready for another battle! Will the Face of Fury NEVER given in and NEVER be stopped?
My Thoughts:
Another great night for Road to Destruction, and great continuation for all the stories from last night. Now, it is kinda silly that I covered the kickoff show match, but it was pretty fun seeing a crossover of NJPW and this apparent Super Sentai stage play. And it was pretty fun knowing that was Desperado as “Fighter F,” given his distinct voice. But as I said even yesterday, I knew Douki & Taka would even the score with Taiji & Gedo to keep us guessing. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match is Wednesday, so Douki and Taiji are mostly even, it’s anyone’s guess as to who wins that.
Obviously LIJ and United Empire would have their matches back to back. Great 8 Man Tag with a win for The Empire, giving Khan momentum going towards Kobe. As I also said last time, I bet we get Khan and someone going against Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita next so that they can test the waters of Khan VS ZSJ, the other possible world title match. And then a truly incredible match from Hiromu and Henare, especially with Hiromu fighting up a weight class. But in the end, Henare wins to keep his reign going, and great stuff in him and Takagi setting up the title match for Kobe.
The LIJ’s own story of wanting to do a Winner Takes All scenario with Naito might be the thing that holds them back, though. As great as it would be for any of these guys to be a double champion, I don’t see it happening. If Naito is to retain against Khan AND ZSJ through October, I don’t see Takagi coming at him with the NEVER title. But if Takagi wins the NEVER title, I feel like there’s half a chance ZSJ actually makes more history by taking the world title in his non-traditional Right to Challenge cash-in. NJPW is doing a good job shaking things up to keep things fresh, but making a double champion would be a rehash of how we got to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in the first place.
My Score: 8.9/10
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