Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/28/23)
Where will this one end?

A Big Time Raw before Payback!
Raw prepares for Payback’s Steel Cage Match this Saturday by having Becky Lynch face Trish Stratus’ protégé, Zoey Stark, in FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Sami Zayn VS Damian Priest; Sami wins.
- The New Day VS The Viking Raiders w/ Sarah Logan; The Viking Raiders win.
- Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ Imperium; Gable wins, by disqualification.
- Tommaso Ciampa VS Bronson Reed; Ciampa wins.
- Falls Count Anywhere: Becky Lynch VS Zoey Stark w/ Trish Stratus; Becky wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE mourns the losses of Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt.
Sami Zayn VS Damian Priest!
The Great Liberator “owes” Mr. Money in the Bank for the back and forth between them and the Judgment Day at large. Will Sami add on to the loss from last week? Or will Sami suffer the Punishment?
The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and Priest powers Sami to ropes. The ref counts as the two keep hand fighting, and Priest lets off slowly. But then Priest knees low! Fans boo but Priest headlocks. Sami powers up and out, but Priest runs him over! Priest looms over Sami, then KICKS him in the chest! And again! Priest ROCKS Sami, headlocks, but Sami fights the hold again. Priest grinds the headlock but Sami powers out, ducks down and hurdles over, to then arm-drag into an armlock! Fans fire up but Priest fights up and pushes Sami to a corner. The ref counts again, Priest lets off, but Sami avoids the cheap shot!
Sami CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS and fans rally up! Priest TOSSES Sami to the corner, UPPERCUTS him and stomps a mudhole! The ref counts, Priest lets off and he whips Sami corner to corner. Priest runs in, but Sami ELBOWS him away! Sami goes up, to FLYING ELBOW! Fans fire up, Sami covers, ONE!! Priest bails out but Sami WRECKS him with a dropkick! Sami kicks from the apron, then ARABIAN PRESS SAULTS! Fans fire up with Sami and he put Priest in the ring. Sami storms up in the corner, climbs up and throws down fists! Fans count along but Priest carries Sami out at 5!
Priest throws Sami away, but Sami ducks the rolling elbow! Knuckle lock and CHOP, then Sami goes up and up and jumps, but Priest dodges to LARIAT Sami down! Fans boo but Priest stomps away on him! Priest drags Sami up, ROCKS him with a right, then has him in a corner. Priest ROCKS Sami again! Priest stands on Sami’s head but fans boo. Priest steps away, runs corner to corner and STAGE DIVE ELBOWS! Then he hits a BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest clamps onto Sami’s arms and pulls him back in a motorcycle stretch! Sami endures, fans rally, and Sami fights up to his feet.
Sami flips, KANGAROO KICKS, then sends Priest out! Fans fire up as Sami builds speed, but Priest catches Sami first! Sami throws hands to get free of the choke grip, and then he POSTS Priest! Sami resets to PLANCHA, but Priest catches him again! COMPLETE SHOT to the desk! Fans boo while Sami flops to the floor and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Priest has Sami up top! Sami resists and fans fire up! Sami throws body shots, then CLUBS away on Priest’s back! Fans fire up more, and Sami goes up to SUPER SUNSET POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives but Sami is too tired to be shocked. Priest and Sami rise, and Priest goes to ropes. Sami staggers over but Priest swings! Sami blocks to counter punch! And again! And again! Sami whips, Priest reverses but Sami goes up and over to then clothesline Priest up and out! Fans fire up again as Sami builds speed! Sami FLIES and takes Priest out at the ramp! Fans are all fired up with Sami!
Sami drags Priest up and into the ring, then he goes up a corner. Fans rally, Sami leaps, but Priest caches him! SOUTH OF- NO, Sami slips free! Sami dodges and Priest hits buckles! BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Sami grows a bit frustrated. Priest goes to the apron, fans rally up, and Sami hurries over. Sami drags Priest up but Priest HOTSHOTS Sami! Priest hurries back up and avoids a shoulder to KICK Sami away! Priest hurries in, he mule kicks a leg out, then reels Sami in! Fans boo as Priest gets Sami up, RAZOR’S- NO, Sami kicks free! Sami baits Priest into a CORNER EXPLODER!
Fans fire up again as Sami goes to the far side! Sami aims, but JD McDonagh trips him up!! Fans boo as the Irish Ace tells Sami to turn around. SOUTH OF HEAVEN SLAM!! Cover, Priest wins!!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
The Necessary Evil that is JD McDonagh helps Priest win this one! JD wants to celebrate with Priest, but Priest says no way! He SHOVES McDonagh down! Priest says to stay out of Judgment Day business. McDonagh asks what Priest’s problem is, but then he turns around and Kevin Owens is there! Kevin & Sami beat up on McDonagh! STUNNER! Priest just smirks as Sami runs in on McDonagh for a HELLUVA KICK! The Undisputed Tag Team Championships are on the line at Payback, will Priest & Finn look to win that without McDonagh? How will Finn respond to what one friend did to another?
Drew McIntyre is backstage.
He’s looking at a picture of himself. Akira Tozawa is there, and with a nervous smile, he tells McIntyre that McIntyre looks great. Tozawa then slips away and Matt Riddle walks over. What does McIntyre think? The picture is of McIntyre in green tights to match Riddle’s! Every great team has matching gear, bro! But McIntyre says they should wait and see if this all works out before making any big changes. Oh, right, okay. Matching kilts! McIntyre chuckles and turns to go but Riddle wants to talk to him about some ringside seats for New Day VS Vikings Raiders tonight.
Why? Why? Because every great tag team scouts the opposition! Maybe even get some hot dogs and haggis so that next time they’re in the ring with the Vikings and New Day, McIntyre & Riddle will have the upper hand! McIntyre says Riddle’s on to something. McIntyre wants a front row seat to see those idiots get beat. Riddle says yeah, that darn New Day. What? No! The Viking Raiders! Oh right, right! McIntyre says he’ll see Riddle out there, and Riddle says he knew McIntyre would dig the haggis idea. Well, the Bro might be a little off target, but will he and McIntyre be more than ready for another shot at Erik & Ivar?
Raquel Rodriguez speaks.
“Rhea Ripley thinks she runs Monday Night Raw. Rhea is the strongest and most dominant female in all the WWE. Except for me.” Raquel says if Rhea wants her to stay out of Rhea’s business, then Rhea needs to stop taking advantage of her strength and size. Raquel is not going to let Rhea run through the division. Not after what she’s done to Raquel. And especially not after what she did to Liv! Raquel has been waiting for weeks to show Rhea what it is like to be at the mercy of someone bigger and stronger.
“Every bully has a weakness, an insecurity. And Rhea? She’s just not going to be able to measure up to me. So now, I’m going to take her title. At Payback, I am going to cut her down to size!” Will Mami Rhea be in trouble going up against Big Mami Cool?
LA Knight is here!
The fans go nuts as The Mega Star is back on- Wait. That’s THE MIZ! He’s just mocking LA Knight ahead of their first-ever 1v1 showdown at Payback. Miz gets a mic and says, “Lemme talk to ya. YEAH! I got my wannabe tough guy big bass voice up, so you know I mean business! YEAH! Cuz Papa don’t play that! YEAH! NAH NAH! YEAH! I’m a dangerous man! YEAH! So dangerous, YEAH. That when I walk into the ring with The Miz, I start flubbin’ my words. YEAH! I mean what! I mean YEAH! I mean what! I mean YEAH! I mean YEAH! I mean YEAH!
“Now lemme talk to ya straight. YEAH. YEAH? Lemme talk to ya straight. I know it takes more than a catchphrase to gain your support. YEAH. You are not sheep, Y EAH. You are smart. You are sophisticated. You’re discerning fans. And you need to earn your cheers. That is why I brought this bag out here.” Miz grabs a bag, brings it into the ring, and says this bag is full of free LA Knight shirts. Fans cheer that! Miz says if they want a free shirt, gimme a HELL YEA- Well, just say YEAH. Fans chant “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” and Miz teases throwing the shirt, to then throw it on the ground! And he PUNTS the bag out of the ring!
Miz takes off the glasses, vest, chain necklace and merch shirt he was wearing to then tell the fans they are all so pathetic! They will cheer for anything, meaning their support means nothing! This was easy! Anyone can be LA Knight, it is generic and vanilla and pander and come up with a phony name that you can find on late night Cinemax in 1997! Miz doesn’t do catchphrases. When he says he’s awesome, it’s not cuz he wants applause. It’s the truth! It’s reality! And the reality is, when Miz beats Knight and exposes him and leaves him battered, party’s over! Everything is done!
Because the fans will cheer free shirts and catchphrases, but they don’t cheer losers. And that is what Knight will be at Payback! So when the dust settles, and everyone not only saying but immortalizing whose game this really is: M I Z! YEAH! Shots fired by the A-Lister, how will LA Knight respond?
Seth Rollins sits backstage.
Ricochet passes by, nods to him, and heads out. What will the Visionary do tonight in response to what Shinsuke Nakamura has said and done?
The New Day VS The Viking Raiders w/ Sarah Logan!
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods have their own beef with Erik & Ivar dating back to when they were all on SmackDown. The chase for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships is never ending, so who gets a leg up in the next part of the race?
Raw returns as Riddle makes his entrance, ready to watch ringside in his Patrick Star shorts. McIntyre makes his entrance, he fist bumps the Bro, and they go to ringside together. Then the Viking Raiders make their entrance, “Valhalla” by their side. The teams sort out, Riddle takes notes as Erik and Woods start. They circle, tie up, and Erik powers Woods to a corner. Woods turns things around, fires off hands, but Erik TOSSES Woods! Woods dodges and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Woods headlocks, Erik powers up but Woods holds on tight. Erik powers out the second time but Woods runs him over!
Woods stands Erik up to fire CHOPS and haymakers, then he wrenches an arm. Woods CLUBS the arm, wrenches again, but Erik ROCKS Woods! Woods ROCKS Erik back! Erik whips Woods to a corner, Woods goes up and over and keeps moving, to tilt-o-whirl, but Erik blocks the rest! SIDEWALK SLAM! Erik looms over Woods, tags Ivar, and they drag Woods up to mug him! The ref counts, Sarah roars triumphantly and Ivar drags Woods up. Woods throws body shots but Ivar CLUBS him and ROCKS him and DECKS him! Tag to Erik and he feeds Woods to Ivar’s KNEE! Ivar feeds Woods to Erik’s KNEE!
Erik looms over Woods, Riddle takes more notes. Erik covers, TWO! Erik drags Woods up, puts him in the corner, and Ivar tags in. The Vikings mug Woods again, fans rally, and Woods fights back! Woods throws forearms again and again and again, but Ivar knees low! Woods falls over and fans boo. Ivar drags Woods up but Woods fires more shots! Woods ELBOWS Erik,. ELBOWS Ivar, repeat! Woods reaches out but Ivar keeps him from Kofi! Ivar scoops, Woods slips free and hot tags Kofi! Kofi FLYING AX HANDLES Ivar, DECKS Erik, and fires off CHOPS on Ivar! SUPERKICK! Ivar goes to a corner, dodges the splash, but Kofi dodges Ivar!
Kofi GAMANGIRIS then goes up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Kofi keeps his focus on Ivar and PENALTY KICKS! Then the “NEW~ DAY~” BOOM DROP! Fans fire up with Kofi and he goes to a corner. Kofi claps, fans join in, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” But Erik gets Ivar out of the ring, so Woods WERCKS them both with a dropkick! And Kofi FLIES to take them down! Fans fire up with The New Day as they’re all over the desk! McIntyre smiles and applauds, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Ivar covers Kofi, TWO! Kofi survives whatever happened during break, and Ivar stalks him to the corner. Ivar snapmares, clamps onto Kofi and thrashes him with a chinbar! Kofi endures, fans rally, and Kofi throws body shots! But Ivar throws Kofi down! Ivar drags Kofi up and throws elbows in the corner! The ref counts, Ivar stops at 4 to argue with the ref, but then he goes back to Kofi. Ivar whips Kofi corner to corner, Kofi goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Both men are down, but Sarah is creeping up on Woods! Woods tells her to stop that, but Ivar BLASTS him! And then he RAMS Kofi into the corner!
Fans boo but Erik tags in, and Erik whips Ivar in to SPLASH! Feed to a BIG forearm! Cover, TWO! Erik pulls Kofi back with a chinlock stretch but Kofi endures. Fans rally, Kofi fights up, and he throws body shots. Kofi slips under Erik but Erik gets a leg! Erik drags Kofi back, Ivar tags in and CLUBS Kofi down! Then Ivar grinds his forearm into Kofi’s face! Kofi goes to ropes, Ivar pulls him back against the ropes, and then CLUBS him down! Tag to Erik and he BOOTS Kofi down! Erik looms over Kofi as fans rally up. Erik then sucker punches Woods! The ref keeps Woods back, and that allows the Vikings to mug Kofi!
Riddle protests but Ivar tags in. Ivar pounds his chest, he taunts #McRiddle, but Kofi CHOPS Ivar! And CHOPS him again! And then he ROCKS Erik! Ivar BOOTS Kofi down! Cover, TWO! Kofi survives but Ivar clamps on with another chinbar. Fans rally up as Kofi endures, Kofi fights up, and Kofi throws body shots! Kofi reaches around, Ivar whips him away, and Ivar runs in to clothesline! Ivar drags Kofi up just to CLUB him down! And CLUB him again! But Kofi throws body shots in return! And hits a JAWBREAKER !Kofi leaps but Ivar catches him! Kofi sunset flips, but Ivar stays up! Kofi avoids the hip drop!
Fans fire up as Kofi crawls and Ivar clutches his tailbone! Hot tag to Woods! Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides to ROLLING ELBOW! Woods dodges Erik to mule kick, front kick and tilt-o-whirl to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Woods kips up, runs in at Ivar, and forearm smashes! Woods whips, Ivar reverses but Woods BOOTS back! HONOR ROLL! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Riddle is getting into this. McIntyre is stoic and Woods brings Ivar up. Fans chant “Whoop Dat Trick!” but Ivar ELBOWS Woods! Erik tags in before Woods ENZIGURIS Ivar down! Erik storms up to FULL NELSON KNEE SMASH! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up as Woods survives! Tag back to Ivar and the Vikings get Woods up. They double back suplex but Woods slips free! Kofi tags in, Woods dumps Erik out and drop toeholds Ivar onto ropes! Kofi BOOTS Ivar, Woods hits a SLIDING COMPLETE SHOT! BACK SPLASH from Kofi! Cover, Erik breaks it! Woods throws Erik back out, then PLANCHAS Erik down! Kofi and Ivar rise, Kofi spins but Ivar ducks! Ivar picks Kofi up to put him on ropes! But Kofi drags Ivar out with him to the floor! Kofi hurries after Ivar, whips, but Ivar reverses! Kofi leaps over the steps, leaps back in, but Ivar catches him!
Ivar gives Kofi SNAKE EYES off the steel steps! Kofi wobbles, Ivar brings him up again, and RAMS him into McIntyre & Riddle!! Fans boo as Ivar leaves them all behind, but McIntyre CHUCKS his armchair! And then he takes Riddle’s chair to CHUCK it, into Erik & Woods!! McIntyre then goes after Erik, but Ivar CANNONBALLS McIntyre! Ivar puts Kofi in the ring, he tags Erik, but Kofi CHOPS! Ivar LEG LARIATS Kofi! RAGNAROK!!! Cover, Viking Raiders win!
Winners: The Viking Raiders, by pinfall
McIntyre is furious as he storms into the ring, but the Vikings get away! The Scottish Warrior inadvertently costs Kofi & Woods, but he checks on Woods. McIntyre apologizes, and then chucks the other chair! Will McIntyre’s rage get the better of him at this rate?
Finn Balor talks with Priest backstage.
The Prince says that week after week, it’s the same stuff! They’re arguing all the time! They gotta get on the same page, cuz on Saturday, they have a tag title match! They need to get it together! Priest agrees, they need to focus on Judgment Day business, not people who don’t matter, like JD McDonagh. Oh, yeah? Well McDonagh is why Priest won and then Priest just left him! Yeah, he left him hanging! Cuz he doesn’t care about Finn’s friend, he cares about this family! Right here is what matters! And since Finn is so worried about McDonagh, go walk- Rhea tells them both to shut up already!
Every single week, we talk about being the most dominant faction, and yet every single week, they fall apart without fail cuz these two can’t get along! The only ones handling business right now are her and Dirty Dom. Apart from that, nothing! But they can’t keep doing this, cuz now Rhea’s getting targeted! People are thinking she’s weak and distracted and can’t beat Raquel! So, Finn, Priest, make it right at Payback. Remind everyone that Judgment Day is a force to be reckoned with, and they win when it matters! Cuz if they don’t, then there will be some changes around here. Rhea has Dom grab their titles and they head out.
Priest and Finn glare at each other, and Priest holds up his MITB briefcase as he says he has no problems winning gold. Will the Punisher and the Prince be able to be champions together? Or is someone getting left behind?
WWE remembers the life of Bray Wyatt.
Much like on SmackDown, the rocking chair sits on stage under the spotlight, fans bringing out the fireflies. #ThankYouBray.
Matt Riddle checks with Kofi backstage.
Riddle asks how Woods is doing, and Kofi says not well. He’ll be alright, though, don’t worry. McIntyre apologizes for the accident but Kofi says it’s all good. He wouldn’t take cheap shots like that. Woods gets that, too. They all fist bump, and McIntyre tells Riddle that next week, they take care of the Vikings. And McIntyre will even tell Pearce that he doesn’t even wanna tag in to get his hands on their arses. Kofi wonders what that means and Riddle has no idea. But McIntyre said “we” so that means they’re a team! Riddle hurries after McIntyre, are they going to bring a tornado to the raid?
Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ Imperium!
Gunther’s first loss on the main roster happened just last week as Master Gable was able to pull off a count out win! Now, Gable wishes he had a win in the ring because it would’ve meant winning the title, but clearly things aren’t over between them. Will Gable SHOOOOSH the Impeccable German to head for another title opportunity?
But as Imperium reaches ringside, Gunther gets on the desk with a mic. Fans boo but Gunther says, “Last week, Chad Gable made history. Last week, Chad Gable became the first man to beat Der Ring General in more than 500 days.” Fans cheer that. But Gunther says it was by count-out, in a championship match! So technically, Gable gained victory, but he has won NOTHING! Because Gunther is still your Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion! Fans boo and chant “YOU SUCK!” but Gunther says Gable has achieved one thing: HE PISSED GUNTHER OFF!
Gunther rants in German and then says in English, NOW Gable has his attention! NOW Gable has Gunther’s focus! And if Gable is the last thing between Gunther and his rightful legacy, then so be it! Because next week, Chad Gable will challenge Der Ring General for the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship on Monday Night Raw! Fans like the sound of that! But Gunther says that just like Gable will not beat him next week, Gable is definitely not- “SHOOOOSH!” The Alpha Academy makes their entrance and Gable has a mic to say, “Um, Gunther. Now, I’m sitting back there listening, and normally I’d come out here and give ya a nice big SHOOOOOSH~!
“But I’m not gonna do that tonight, because you were actually making some pretty good points, my friend. Not least of which that you’ve been on the main roster almost two years, and nobody has managed to defeat you. That is, until last week, my friend! Because last week, Chad Gable handed you your first loss, and I found a way to do it in only ten seconds, baby! But next week, Gunther, title’s on the line, and it ain’t gonna take me ten seconds to take your Intercontinental title! I’m gonna take it away in 1-2-3, baby~!”
Fans cheer and Gable says that is all next week. As for tonight, Captain Kaiser, Lieutenant Ludwig, he can get his carcass in the ring to get cooked Memphis style! A THANK YEW~! Ludwig storms into the ring, will he be able to slow down the roll?
The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” as the bell rings. Gable and Ludwig circle, Gable gets a leg and trips Ludwig, floats around, has a waistlock, and he rolls to a bridge. TWO, Gable facelocks but Ludwig wrenches out to have an armlock. Gable powers up but Ludwig whips him away. Gable and Ludwig each counter a hip toss, go around and around, and then Gable TOSSES Ludwig up and out! Gable goes to the apron, runs in and CANNONBALLS! Direct hit and Gable fires up! “A THANK YEW~!” Gable throws his shirt at Gunther and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Ludwig rushes into the ring again. Gable gets around him to waistlock but Ludwig switches, They go to ropes and Gable throws Ludwig out again! OH, rough landing on his head! Ludwig staggers up, Gable waits, and Ludwig rushes in yet again! Gable arm-drags Ludwig around, has the armlock, and fans cheer. Gunther has disappeared from ringside, he must be too frustrated to watch this in person. Gable wristlocks but Ludwig puts him in a corner. The ref counts, Ludwig throws a hand but Gable gets around! Ludwig clings to ropes, then he ELBOWS Gable away! Ludwig storms up on Gable and wrenches again.
Ludwig clamps onto the arm and grinds the shoulder. Fans rally for Gable, Otis & Maxxine coach him, but Ludwig throws Gable down! Ludwig keeps on the arm, knee digging into Gable’s head. Gable endures, fights up, and he powers Ludwig back to roll, bridge, handspring, and spin to headlock, spin and drop toehold! Fans fire up for the technical ability as Gable steps over on the armlock. Ludwig fights up, powers Gable to ropes but Gable keeps on the arm with a cording hold! Ludwig tries a facelock, Gable cranks the arm! Ludwig pushes Gable to ropes, but Gable arm-drags again! Gable grins as he keeps on the arm.
Ludwig fights up, but Gable wrenches and wristlocks. Ludwig kicks low and CLUBS Gable down! And again! Ludwig ROCKS Gable, but Gable whips him away. Ludwig runs Gable over, smirks, then runs, but Gable gets a leg! Gable stands to CHOP! Gable then dodges Ludwig, rolls Ludwig and has the ANKLE LOCK! Ludwig gets the ROPEBREAK, then he KICKS Gable back! DISCUS LARIAT! Both men are down but Ludwig spins up to his feet. Ludwig dusts himself off, and he puts Gable in a corner. Ludwig whips corner to corner, Gable goes up and over and runs in, to MONKEY FLIP! Fans fire up as Ludwig goes flying!
Gable runs in now, but Ludwig puts Gable up top! GAMANG- NO, Gable blocks! And then he gets Ludwig’s arm for a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Gable lets go and sits up, but Ludwig DECKS him to the floor! Gable stands, Ludwig goes out to UPPERCUT him down! Fans boo and the Academy looks worried as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and fans boo as Ludwig looms over Gable. Ludwig runs, but Gable ducks the kick to roll him up! TWO, and Gable wrenches and clinches to the BELLY2BELLY! Gable holds on to BELLY2BELLY again! And then Gable stands back up, but Ludwig HEADBUTTS! Ludwig ROCKS Gable, ROCKS him again, and has Gable on ropes. Ludwig POSTS Gable! Ludwig runs side to side to DROPKICK Gable to the floor! Ludwig goes out, taunts Otis and storms over to Gable. The ring count climbs, Ludwig puts Gable into the ring. Ludwig storms up on Gable and CHOPS him! And GAMANGIRIS!
Fans rally for Gable but Ludwig snapmares him down. Ludwig smirks as he kicks Gable around. Gable stands to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Gable runs, dodges, tilt-o-whirl SLAM from Ludwig! Cover, TWO! Gable is still in this and Maxxine is relieved. Ludwig snarls, he stalks Gable to a corner and he throws haymakers! Ludwig throws stomps and punches, Gable hits back, and fans rally as they brawl! Haymakers and CHOPS back and forth, and then Gable just fires off shot after shot! Throat chop and ROLLING ELBOW! Gable snatches a leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Gable waistlocks, deadlift GERMAN- NO, Ludwig fights it!
Ludwig fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY and PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives and Ludwig cannot believe it! Ludwig glare at Gable as he stands up, and Ludwig TOSSES Gable out! But Gable holds on, skins the cat, and he headscissors Ludwig out of the ring! Fans fire up again, Ludwig hurries in but Gable fires off forearms, knees and another throat chop! Ludwig swings, misses, and Gable mule kicks! Gable runs, ROLLING NECKBREAKER! “A THANK YEW~!” Gable goes up a corner, MOONSAULT but has to land out as Ludwig moves! Ludwig runs, but Gable catches him toa Gory Especial! DOMINATOR!! Cover, TWO!?!
Gable cannot believe Ludwig survives, but Gable getting that move off was wild in itself! Ludwig sputters on the ropes, Maxxine & Otis back up as Gable storms up. Ludwig bucks the O’Conner, swings, but Gable catches him for an EXPLODER! Gable runs to CROSSBODY Ludwig and himself out of the ring! Vinci checks Ludwig as Gable goes up the corner! SUPER MOONSAULT takes Imperium out! Gable gets up and puts Ludwig in the ring! Gable climbs the corner again, takes aim, DIVING- NO, Gable sees those boots come up, so he catches those! ANKLE LOCK!! Ludwig flails, reaches out, but Gable drags him back!
Ludwig rolls over but Gable stays with him! Ludwig rolls again, and he BOOTS Gable away! Gable comes back but into an UPPERCUT! Ludwig runs up to UPPERCUT in the corner! Scoop to a fireman’s carry, but Gable slips off! O’Conner Roll, CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, VINCI BREAKS IT!!
Winner: Chad Gable, by disqualification
Fans boo but Otis gets in to fight with Vinci! Otis TOSSES Vinci, and he rips off the shirt! Memphis is thunderous as Otis SPLASHES then HAMMERS Vinci! Ludwig attacks Otis now! Imperium mugs Otis, and the POST him! Otis tumbles out but Gable fires off on Vinci and Ludwig! That’s 2v1, though! And now Gunther is back! Der Ring General storms in and has his men stand down. Gunther looms over Gable now, drags him up, and reels him in! Fans boo but Gunther still hits- NO, Gable slips free! ANKLE LOCK!!!! Imperium goes after Gable again! They stomp away on Gable, but then Gunther pushes them aside!
Gunther hauls Gable up and hits a GENERAL BOMB!! Fans boo as Gunther holds up his title over Gable, will this be what we see next week on Raw? Or will Gable snatch this title just days before Gunther crosses the historic goal line?
WWE mourns the loss of beloved celebrity and former guest host, Bob Barker.
His “The Price is Raw” episode was certainly one to remember. #ThankYouBob, may you rest in peace.
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
No longer brooding backstage, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion now makes his way out so Memphis can sing his song! “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins revels in it under the spotlight in the ring, belt around the waist of his teal satin suit. Rollins takes a bow and fans cheer. Rollins then takes the mic to say, “MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE! YOWIE WOWIE! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” He is your host for the evening! He happens to be a Visionary, he happens to be a Revolutionary, he is SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! Fans sing again, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!”
Rollins says that he’s gonna level with us, it has been a long week. Let’s keep this short and sweet. “Shinsuke Nakamura! This Saturday at Payback, I give you what you want: a crack at my World Heavyweight Championship! So how about right here, right now, you give me what I want. You got more mind games to play, you got more mean things to say, why don’t you Shinsuke your way down this aisle and say them to my face!” The fans cheer and Rollins waits. No Shinsuke? Rollins says he doesn’t wanna deprive the people, the fans wanna sing Nakamura’s song. Oh wait, the fans don’t sing his song no more, do they? HAHAHAHAHA!
Well if Shinsuke’s not gonna show his face, there’s only one thing left to do. Let’s head on down to Beale Street, pour some tall, stiff drinks, and we all sing Rollins’ song all night long! “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Wait. Video plays on the tron, and it’s Nakamura in his dojo. “I do not want to simply defeat Seth Rollins the champion. I want to dismantle Seth Rollins the man! I want his wife to know, I’m the reason she has to help him out of bed. That I’m the reason he won’t be able to walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day. I will break him, because he can be broken. His body has betrayed him. He knows this. So I’m going to destroy his back and put him out of his misery.
“He has no honor. He has no code. He has no future.” The King of Strong Style played his next move and fans boo. Rollins takes his sunglasses off to get serious. “That’s it, huh? That’s it from the legendary Shinsuke Nakamura. We get a video package, huh? Y’know what I wanna know? I wanna know what happened to the Shinsuke Nakamura that headline the Tokyo Dome! I wanna know what happened to the Shinsuke Nakamura that lit the world on fire when he came to NXT! A month ago, Shinsuke, I would’ve given you the shirt off my back. Yeah, that’s right, the same back that’s broken in two places.
“But my broken back didn’t stand in the way of me becoming World Heavyweight Champion! And it’s not gonna stand in the way of beating your ass this Saturday at Payback!” Fans fire up with Rollins as he says that when the bell rings, Rollins will get a hold of Shinsuke, pummel him, maul him, and not stop until someone pulls him off Shinsuke! And then in that moment, when Shinsuke is lying there defend, he will know he will never take anything from Rollins! Not his title! Not his future! And not his family! Fans fire up but Nakamura runs in outta nowhere! KINSHASA TO THE BACK!!
Nakamura sits Rollins up and tells him, “I told you, Seth, to watch your back.” Fans boo as Nakamura then KICKS Rollins in the face! Rollins is down and out, will this be how the King of Strong Style leaves him in Pittsburgh?
Sami & Kevin regroup backstage.
Sami says he is so tired of this. Of doing this week after week, month after month, with The Judgment Day. Because no matter how many times they lose, they always come back, they always play with the rules and the numbers games, and get little victories. Look what happened tonight! And last week! They get the briefcase involved! There’s disqualifications, cheap wins, and now they have a tag title match this Saturday. Guess what? You wanna do this one more time? Fine! They’ll do this one more time, and guess what? Kevin, you wanna explain to them? Sure.
Kevin says the rules won’t be in The Judgment Day’s favor anymore. Because Kevin & Sami are sick of this. So they went to Pearce and got it official. What is Pittsburgh again? The Steel City? Yes! And that is exactly what’s happening. On Saturday, Payback won’t be just any ordinary tag match. It will be a STEEL CITY STREET FIGHT! No rules! Anything goes! And guess what? A lot of crazy things have happened in the WWE while in Pittsburgh! Kevin himself was thrown off the top of a cage through a table! And as crazy as that was, it won’t be anything compared to what’s coming for Judgment Day at Payback! Because Kevin & Sami end this once and for all!
Tommaso Ciampa VS Bronson Reed!
The Psycho Killer is looking to get back on top of things, and he’s starting by settling things with Auszilla, who cost him against The Miz months ago. But will he have his violent Fairytale Ending? Or will he be washed away by a Tsunami?
Wait, Bronson is storming up behind Ciampa on the ramp! Bronson CLOBBERS Ciampa!! Fans boo but #BigBronson grins as he leaves Ciampa behind. Ciampa gets up, throws his jacket off, and he storms up on Bronson at the apron! They fire hands, fans fire up, and Ciampa ROCKS Bronson! Bronson whips Ciampa, Ciampa holds ropes to stop himself! Bronson runs in, Ciampa sidesteps and sends Bronson out! Bronson gets on the apron, Ciampa KNEES him back down! Ciampa then FLYING KNEES Bronson from the apron! Ciampa goes back into the ring and he eggs Bronson on! Bronson is furious, and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and the match is underway as Ciampa CHOPS and CHOPS and ROCKS and CHOPS! Bronson shoves him back, but Ciampa BOOTS him! Ciampa then hits a THESZ PRESS and fast hands! Bronson shoves Ciampa away, Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the BODY CHECK gets him! Bronson looms over Ciampa, then drops a BIG elbow! Fans rally up but Bronson looms over Ciampa. Bronson drags Ciampa up, Bronson suplexes, but Ciampa fights with knees! Ciampa slips free, and has a SLEEPER! But Bronson RAMS Ciampa in to buckles! Bronson runs in but the splash hits buckles! Ciampa dropkicks the legs out and Bronson falls into buckles!
Ciampa fires up, fans rally, and Ciampa fireman’s carries Bronson!? And tucks him for an AIR RAID CRASH!! Cover, TWO!! Bronson survives but Ciampa goes to a corner. Ciampa brings his kneepad down, runs back in, but into another BODY CHECK! Bronson drags Ciampa up, reels him in and says thumbs down. Bronson hauls Ciampa up, to BATISTA BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa survives but Bronson doesn’t lose focus. Bronson drags Ciampa to a drop zone, and he heads up the corner! Fans rally but Ciampa rises, too! Ciampa RAMS into Bronson, goes out to the apron and they brawl! Ciampa CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS!
Bronson TOSSES Ciampa at the steel steps! Ciampa staggers away, Bronson smirks as he FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES Ciampa down! Bronson then brings Ciampa up and aims for the desk! Gut wrench, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa slides into the ring, Bronson pursues, but ends up in WILLOW’S BELL!! Ciampa hurries to the corner, takes aim again, PSYCHO KNEE!! Cover, TWO!??! Bronson survives that shot to the head and Ciampa is furious! Ciampa reloads, runs in again, btu Bronson catches him! And pops him around, but Ciampa slips free! Ciampa ROCKS and CHOPS Bronson, but Bronson gives those all back!
Bronson runs, into a BOOT! Ciampa ROCKS Bronson, Bronson wobbles, and Ciampa LARIATS! Bronson is still up! Ciampa tilt-o-whirls, CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! Cover, Ciampa wins!!!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
Bronson got caught and Ciampa has a colossal victory! Will Ciampa finally be the guy to get the opportunities around here?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Jackie Redmond is with The Man and brings up that this Saturday, she has a match with Trish Stratus inside a Steel Cage? Does Becky have any second thoughts about this Falls Count Anywhere match tonight just days ahead of Payback? Becky says she has had second thoughts. Third, fourth, fifth, etc. And all those thoughts have been about whooping Zoey Stark all up and down this arena! But for the last few months, Stark & Stratus have backed Becky into a corner. Is this the easy way out? No! But would she want the easy way? HELL NO! So The Man has come around to Memphis, and is bringing a lot of chaos with her! Will Becky take Stark all the way to Beale Street if she has to?
Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio head to the ring.
Mami and her Latino Heat both have gold around their waists, but the enemies are lining up both here on Raw and in NXT. What will the Eradicator have to say about Ricky Desperado? We’ll see, after the break.
Raw returns and Rhea has the mic to say, “Raquel Rodriguez claims that she’s gonna cut me down to size? That’s real cute coming from someone who had to play up an injury to pull one over on me.” Dom mocks Raquel’s crutch act. Rhea says it was smart, but that is the first and last time it’ll ever happen. But Rhea doesn’t blame her, no. Rhea’s resume speaks for itself. But Rhea wont’ come out here and tell us all about it, cuz it’d just take too damn long. This championship around her waist proves absolutely everything. But Raquel thinks she’s gonna take the title at Payback? That’s just another reason why she is an idiot.
But Rhea won’t take anything away from Raquel. She’s got her own accomplishments. Like that she’s big! And tough. And strong. But she’s not Rhea Bloody Ripley! Fans cheer, and Rhea says that Raquel can talk, talk, talk, but when it comes to Payback, Mami’s walking out champion. Raquel doesn’t learn her lessons, does she? But wait, here comes Raquel! And she storms right down to the ring! The brawl is on and fans fire up! Raquel TOSSES Rhea to a corner, stomps and punches away, then whips corner to corner! Raquel runs in to SPLASH! And then she scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Rhea flounders out of the ring and Raquel dares he to get back in!
Wait, Dom sneaks up on Raquel? Dom then apologizes when he gets caught. Raquel backs him down, but Rhea gets back in and HEADBUTTS Raquel! Pump handle, and RIP- NO, Raquel powers out and hip tosses Rhea away! Then she swings, Rhea ducks, but the SOUTHPAW hits! Rhea flops out of the ring again, did she just get put in her place? Or will she make Raquel pay for stepping to her?
Trish Stratus speaks.
“Let’s just be clear, Lynch, you’re the idiot who asked for this Falls Count Anywhere match, so you’re basically giving WWE’s fastest rising star, Zoey Stark, free range to do anything to you tonight. Well Lemony Snicket, you only got yourself to blame for this one. You are gonna leave something for me on Saturday, aren’t you?” Stark chuckles and says Trish doesn’t even have to worry about it. When she’s done with Becky, there will still be plenty for Trish inside that Steel Cage this Saturday. The Chick and the Hunter are confident they’ll end The Man this week, but will they be in for a big time surprise?
WWE remembers the career of Terry Funk.
Terry didn’t wanna be president or anything but one thing: a wrestler. He was born into a wrestling family, and burst onto the scene with his brother, Dory Funk Jr, as part of their father’s company in Amarillo, Texas. Stone Cold says he’s always looked up to Terry Funk, both his ability and his unpredictability. Ric Flair admired Terry’s work ethic and learned a lot from him. Terry’s no-nonsense style gripped the NWA audience and catapulted him to the top. Terry Funk won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and proved himself the finest champion the world had ever seen.
His popularity even got him on Hollywood’s radar, appearing in classic 80s films like Over The Top and Roadhouse. Terry would captivate even around the world, and he’d make impacts in WCW, ECW and WWE. He and Mick Foley pioneered the “hardcore” style. Bret Hart says Terry was ahead of his time and thought of things no one ever had before. Funk & Foley would even be a team together, winning together at WrestleMania 14. Foley says that Funk was one of the nicest, kindest guys outside the ring, and brought out the best in Foley.
In 2009, alongside Dory Jr, Terry would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Dusty Rhodes being there for his friend and rival. Jerry Lawler says Terry is the greatest, and his 50 years in wrestling will never be replicated. The WWE Family will remember Terry as a family man, a fearless entertainer, and an unforgettable pioneer. We will love him… FOREVER!
Falls Count Anywhere: Becky Lynch VS Zoey Stark w/ Trish Stratus!
Memphis enters the Big Time, and this fight might go all over Memphis for all we know! Will The Man bring down The Hunter so that she can focus on The Chick inside that Steel Cage on Saturday? Or will Becky even make it to Pittsburgh after tonight?
Raw returns and Stark makes her entrance, Trish by her side and kendo stick already in hand! But Becky gets her own! The bell rings and Becky strikes first! And again! And again! Becky makes sure Trish is watching as she SMACKS Stark again! Fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” and Becky says hell yeah she’s gonna whoop Stark! Becky gets Stark up, KENDO STICK RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! So Becky has a KENDO STICK CROSSFACE! Stark endures, reaches out, but the ropes won’t help her! Stark crawls out of the ring, Becky lets her go to then dropkick her! Becky storms up to CLUB Stark!
But Trish SMACKS Becky now! No disqualifications so this is now a 2v1 match! Stark gets Becky up but Becky grabs ropes! Becky kicks free then kicks Stark! Then she goes up, DECKS Trish, and adjusts course! SUPER CROSSBODY takes out Trish AND Stark! Cover on Stark, TWO! Stark is still in this but Becky keeps on her. Becky SMACKS Stark off barriers, goes looking for stuff, but Stark SMACKS her with the stick! And SMACKS her off the steps! Cover, TWO! Stark drags Becky up, puts her in the ring, but Becky gets her in the ropes! KICK, FOREARM, UPPERCUT, SOBAT! But Stark trips Becky up!
Stark springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Stark grows frustrated and she calls to Trish. Trish goes looking for stuff, and throws the chair in, but hits Stark! Stark doesn’t budge, and asks what the heck. Trish apologizes, and Becky rolls Stark up! TWO! Stark LARIATS Becky, and Trish keeps sending in more chairs! Is she trying to recreate the Terry Funk “Anyone got a chair” incident? Stark sets up chairs in a pile, brings Becky around and stomps her. Then Stark makes sure the chairs are placed just right before she drags Becky up. Fans want tables but Becky and Stark throw hands.
Stark puts Becky in a corner, puts her up top, and says the fans ain’t gettin’ no table! Stark goes up after Becky but Becky throws body shots and forearms! Stark tumbles to the outside, but Trish hurries up after Becky! Trish anchors Becky, Stark ROCKS Becky, and again! Becky hits back! Stark is on the ropes, Becky adjusts, GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!! Stark survives but Becky has the arm! Stark fights, flails, reaches out, and trips Becky onto the chairs! Stark shakes out her arm and she drags Becky up. Z 3- NO, Becky blocks, clinches, MANHANDLE SLAM! Cover, TRISH breaks it!
Fans boo as Trish scurries away! Becky storms up, chases Trish around the ring, they do a full lap, and Trish gets a kendo stick! Trish laughs, swings, but Becky blocks! Becky BOOTS Trish, then has the stick! And she SMACKS Trish! And again! And again! And again! Trish goes running but Becky pursues, to SMACK her up the ramp! And then SMACKS her on the stage! And then in the butt! Becky just fires off and Trish crawls away! But Stark JAMS Becky with a chair! And SMACKS her on the back! SUPERKICK and Becky goes down! Cover, TWO!! The Man is still in the fight and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Becky brawls with Stark in the crowd! Fans high-five Becky and she TOSSES Stark back to ringside! Becky hops up onto the barriers, to then FLYING FOREARM! Fans fire up as Stark falls over! Becky drags Stark up, and BECKSPLODERS Stark into the barrier! Cover, TWO! Stark is still in this but Becky says okay. Becky puts Stark in the ring where all the chairs are, and she hears the fans. She brings out a TABLE! Fans fire up as Becky sets it up, but Stark WRECKS Becky! Stark says the fans don’t deserve a table! Stark folds the table back up, pushes it aside, and then stomps Becky.
Stark puts Becky in the ring, but Becky swings on her! Stark blocks to HOTSHOT her away! Stark storms in, gets a chair, and she SMACKS Becky on the back! And again! And again! Stark then pushes Becky around, puts her by the ropes and sets a chair on top of her. Stark goes out to FULL METAL ARABIAN SENTON! Stark clutches her back but covers Becky, TWO! Becky is still in this but Stark piles the chairs up again. Stark puts Becky among the pile, puts a chair on top of her again, and goes up a corner! Fans boo but Becky CHUCKS the chair at Stark! That one hurt this time! Becky goes up after Stark and fans fire up!
Becky brings Stark up, to SUPERPLEX onto the chairs! Cover, TWO!! Stark survives and writhes her way out of the ring. Becky hurries out after Stark, and she clears off the desk! Fans fire up as Becky drags Stark up and over, SMACKS her off the desk, then puts her on it. Becky climbs up to join Stark, clinches, but Stark fights the lift! And Trish returns to trip Becky up! Stark pushes Becky around, and BOOTS her down! Trish soaks up the heat as Stark covers, TWO! Becky is still in this and Stark tells Michael Cole & Wade Barrett that they’re worthless! Stark CLUBS Becky, stomps her, then coordinates with Trish.
Stark goes up the barrier, but Becky SHOVES her away! Becky ROCKS Trish then TOSSES her over the desk! Becky SMACKS Stark off the timekeeper’s table! She drags Stark up onto some spare material, but Trish attacks again! Trish takes Stark’s place, to BULLDOG through a table!! Trish calls to Stark and Stark finds her way over. Trish helps her get to Becky for the cover, TWO!??! Becky survives and shocks Stark & Stratus! Fans fire up as Becky fights them both now, but they SMACK her into trunks! They drag her onto those cases, and the fans right there freak out as they bring Becky up.
Becky fights back! She SHOVES Stark, ducks a Chick Kick and fires off! But Stark CLUBS Becky! Becky ducks and the haymaker DECKS Trish! Trish falls through a table! Stark freaks out and even Becky’s shocked! Becky then clinches Stark, to MANDHANDLE SLAM through another table!! Cover, Becky wins!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall
Now that was a Big Time fight! It may have stayed indoors, but it had plenty of heat from the Summer night! But now, will Becky get to do even more to Trish inside that Steel Cage?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, even with the same great tribute videos for Bray and Terry from Friday. Sami VS Priest was a great opening match, and McDonagh getting involved and Priest actually winning was a great story detail. The tension is rising between Finn and Priest, even with a tag title opportunity coming this Saturday, but honestly, I’m with Finn on this. Maybe McDonagh could just be part of the team since he knows Finn. Why is everyone else getting so mad at someone wanting to basically join up? The tag title match now being a Street Fight, you can bet McDonagh gets involved even more so. And that last bit from Finn and Priest where Priest points out he doesn’t even need this tag match for titles cuz he has the MITB briefcase could be the last straw before someone gets kicked out of the group.
Rhea and Dom had a good segment with Raquel, but Raquel standing tall makes me think Rhea finds a way to retain the title. As good as Raquel is, it just fits the overall Judgment Day story that, as Rhea pointed out herself, she leads the way having a top title in her division while the guys struggle to catch up. Nothing from the women’s tag division tonight outside of the highlights in Raquel’s promo, but maybe things get going again after Payback. For that matter, I’m a little disappointed that Payback won’t have the Intercontinental Championship on the card. But next week’s Raw is a little closer to the Honky Tonk Man’s record so there is technically more drama in that scenario.
Good stuff out of tonight’s segment with Alpha Academy and Imperium, great match out of Gable VS Ludwig, and a disqualification win was fine to give Gable some momentum right before getting beat down. By go-home math, you would think Gable is gonna win next week, but it’s hard to say. Gunther probably still wins so he takes the record from Honky Tonk Man, adds to the new record and losses at the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania. Who knows it’ll be by then but WWE will have plenty of time to build up that superstar. Maybe it’ll be Ciampa, because he got a great win off Bronson Reed tonight. Reed himself should get at a title in the future, but I guess we’ll have to wait a minute.
Honestly, it is hard to say who wins between Rollins and Nakamura. Great promos from both men tonight, and great ambush attack by Nakamura here. Going by go-home math, Rollins wins. But given this back problem is partially real, I would think Nakamura wins so Rollins can take time off and actually fix his back. And then Nakamura can face a lot of Faces who want title opportunities. We saw a cameo from Ricochet tonight, who had his own feud with Nakamura, so that’d be a fun title feud. Or again, Ciampa gets himself a title opportunity like he said he would, and we see more of Ciampa and Nakamura feuding.
The Miz tricking us into thinking Knight was here was very clever, and honestly, Miz was pretty funny here. He basically did a great The Rock impersonation because that’s what the haters say Knight is doing this whole time. I hope Knight returns the favor on SmackDown and cosplays as Miz. Their match will be really good and a lot of fun, but I would think Knight wins that one so that he can move on towards a championship. Like the US Championship, which IS on the line at Payback. And no Cody tonight but that’s because he was on SmackDown and he’ll have a moment on the PPV with the Grayson Waller Effect talk show segment.
Really good stuff out of this Triple Threat tag feud tonight, with great promos and a great tag match of New Day VS Viking Raiders. McIntyre chucking those armchairs around was awesome, and clever to have Woods be an inadvertent target. And good on them for not doing the usual “mistake becomes grudge” kinda stuff you always see in pro-wrestling. We’re going to get an awesome Tornado Tag next week, but I still see this turning into a Triple Threat Tag to determine #1 contenders in time for Fastlane in October. #McRiddle falling apart is still falling into the RKBRO formula, so it’s kinda stuck. If McRiddle goes on to be a team, then yes, RKBRO 2.0. If the team falls apart, that’s also predictable cuz fans kinda expect McIntyre to explode on Riddle.
And then just great stuff with Becky’s story. Good promo from Becky, good promo from Trish & Zoey, and what an awesome match. Also, kudos to Stark for being able to brush off the accidental chair to her head. Gotta be more careful with timing there. And they didn’t go as far around the arena as expected. But they saved the best stuff for the end, and Stark knocking Trish down was great. Becky winning would say Trish wins at Payback, but who knows. Becky also got emotional at the end as she held up her Bray Wyatt armband, a very touching moment to close the show on.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!
Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
- Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
- Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is in the concourse.
The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.
Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.
Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.
Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.
And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!
And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”
The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!
Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.
Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!
Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?
Heyman returns backstage.
He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.
Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?
PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!
The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?
Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.
JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.
Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!
Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!
The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?
Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.
The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?
Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???
Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.
Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.
Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.
Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?
BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!
Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.
Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?
Chad Gable is backstage.
“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.
Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?
Becky Lynch goes to the ring.
Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!
That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!
Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.
Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.
But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.
What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!
The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?
Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!
The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?
Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!
Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!
Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!
Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!
Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!
Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?
Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!
Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!
Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!
Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!
Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.
Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!
Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.
Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.
They both grew up wanting to be in this business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.
And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!
“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”
Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!
To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?
Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!
The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!
Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!
The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!
Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!
Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.
Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!
Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.
Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!
Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!
Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)
Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?
My Thoughts:
A great Monday Night Raw as the go-home to Backlash, but everything with the world title match was both great and curious. No Logan Paul here in Omaha is a mixed bag itself. From the story side, he should’ve, so he and Jey could’ve had a face-to-face. But as a person, I was glad we didn’t have to endure Logan being smug. And quite the audible bringing Heyman out to talk with Jey. Heyman’s passion was great, really adds some stuff to help us understand his side. And I like that they “suckered” Jey into this match. It was definitely an awesome match, even with the overbooking that eventually threw it out.
Sami and Punk showing up was all fine in story, but after what happened last week, I feel like Sami shouldn’t have come back so soon. But that aside, Jey, Sami and Punk make for a good unit to counter Rollins’ team. Though, Rollins will need another member who can wrestle since Heyman won’t be of any use. Here’s hoping it is Austin Theory given how Theory is upset with Waller after that switcheroo. Good return for Sheamus, though I feel like Sheamus has done more returns in the last 12 months than just about anyone ever. Here’s hoping Sheamus still gets in on the Intercontinental Championship story.
Speaking of, great match from Penta VS McDonagh, even with the overbooking. A bit surprising Penta overcame all that to win, but it works since now Dom and Penta are now set for an Intercontinental Championship. And there is room on the card as it doesn’t seem Jey VS Logan is happening for Backlash. Makes me wonder if they started us on a Jey VS Logan feud before they were really ready, as Backlash “isn’t big enough” for Logan’s “star power.” I like that Styles also got in on this, Styles VS Finn is going to be awesome, and can certainly set up the winner as the next challenger. It really depends on what happens with Dom VS Penta.
Gable getting involved as also good, given how he and Penta had their confrontation last week. New Day had a good promo with Gable to gas up American Made. That is to say, New Day is using American Made as a shield against The War Raiders, but it’ll only help Erik & Ivar earn their rematch. Great return match for Rusev with Otis looking strong even in defeat. Rusev doesn’t waste time teasing he’s a Tweener, he goes right to blindsiding Tozawa and beating Alpha Academy down. Not sure who is next for Rusev, as there aren’t as many Faces not really tied into anything on Raw. Maybe whatever WWE Draft we get moves Rusev to SmackDown, or at least moves some names from SmackDown and NXT to Raw so Rusev can face fresh meat.
Great promo from Becky and Lyra to help hype Becky VS Lyra. Good brawl, but now Lyra standing tall makes me think Lyra loses the title. Becky can start on some sort of second Grand Slam or something like that, but also she and Lyra will be 1-1 and the rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental title can be the tiebreaker at like MITB or SummerSlam. Iyo VS Roxie was a great match, but of course Giulia showed up. No reinforcements with Rhea promoting Crown Jewel: Perth, and sadly, Dakota Kai being hurt and now released, no Damage CTRL to help either. But the Heels did need a moment where they stood tall, and one of them could even get a world title shot.
And honestly, Pat and Gunther had an awesome promo to hype their match. Pat put over Maggle, he put over Nebraska, and quite perfectly framed this story as the hungry dreamer in Pat himself and the complacent veteran who has already done so much. Gunther’s response was also great, because now he’s angry enough to get that hunger and that fire back. I would think Gunther wins, as he needs the rebound from WrestleMania and Pat doesn’t really need much. But Pat can get a moral victory of sorts by lasting longer than Gunther or any of us expect. Pat can just keep getting up after every chop, have a false finish or two, but ultimately lose because his body can’t come through for his fighting spirit. Respect for Pat but momentum for Gunther, that’s the best outcome.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/25)
It’s a Wrestling Dontaku Weekend finale!

Who will stand atop the NJPW mountain?
The Goto Revolution finally leads NJPW, but will the Fierce Warrior be conquered by The United Empire as Callum Newman goes after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS Hitamaru Sasaki & Jet Wei; Taguchi & Murashima win.
- Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS MENTAI KID & Batten Burabura; Taiji & Gedo win.
- YOSHI-HASHI & Master Wato VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Hashi & Wato win.
- Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori; Maika, Hazuki & Koguma win.
- El Phantasmo & Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; ELP & Boltin win.
- 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK; Tanahashi, Yano, Yoh, Chikuzen & Tajiri win.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Callum Newman; Goto wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori!
It’s a Stardom Showcase as The Crimson Cannon Empress, The Wildheart & The High Speed Genius take on The Masked Idol, High Speed Bomb Girl & Kumamoto’s Unsinkable Ship! Which side of Stardom shines brightest in Fukuoka?
The trios sort out and Koguma starts against Starlight Kid. The fans cheer and the two circle. They approach, but Koguma dodges to do her bear taunt. But then Starlight CLUBS her! Starlight whips, Koguma whips but Starlight handsprings over. Starlight whips, runs up, but Koguma puts her on the apron. Koguma runs up, Starlight slips under and sunset flips, TWO! Starlight runs up, but into an arm-drag! Starlight comes back to hit a headlock takeover! Koguma headscissors, Starlight kips free, and the two strike their animal poses! The fans cheer as bear and tiger reset. They tie up, Koguma spins Starlight, then goes for the arms!
Starlight fights free of being made to bear pose! But then Koguma kicks low, runs, but Starlight blows past her to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Starlight tags Yuna. Yuna runs up to run Koguma over, then fires up as she keeps moving. But Hazuki jumps in and helps Koguma ELBOW Yuna down! Then they double Yuna into Maika’s shoulder tackle! The fans fire up for the TRIPLE DROPKICK! The ref reprimands but Koguma tags Hazuki in. Hazuki rallies the fans while she stands on Yuna! Then she scrubs her with the boot again and again! Hazuka runs to BOOT WASH her!
Hazuka bumps Yuna off buckles, tags Maika, and the fans cheer as Maika scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuna stays in this but Maika kicks her around. Maika eggs Yuna on, but Yuna rises to CLUB Maika in the chest! Maika comes back to DECK Yuna! Yuna flounders, Maika brings her up and whips her to a corner. Maika runs up but Yuna BOOTS her down, somersaults, and SHOTGUNS! Yuna hurries and she tags in AZM! The fans rally up for AZM as she climbs, then leaps, but into Maika’s arms! Maika throws AZM back, kicks her, and she has Koguma help double whip. But AZM sends Maika into Koguma, and Starlight jumps in!
Starlight hits a TAKEOVER HEADSCISSORS COMBO! Then AZM DOUBLE DROPKICKS Maika & Koguma! The fans fire up for Starlight’s team as she and AZK put Maika & Hazuki at the center of the ring. They coordinate, STANDING MOONSAULT and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Maika is tougher than that, but AZM drags her into a drop zone. AZM goes up, DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Maika avoids the stomps to then scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this but the fans rally behind Maika. Maika drags AZM up, reels her in, and suplexes, only for AZM to fight free! Maika kicks and runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE!
Maika just roars and comes back! Maika spins AZM, suplexes, but AZM has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally as Maika endures, powers up, and suplexes again! BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! The fans rally as Maika and AZM crawl, hot tags to Yuna and Hazuki! Hazuki sends Yuna to an open corner, runs up, but Yuna puts her on the apron! Only for Koguma to SPLASH Yuna! Hazuki then goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Yuna! Koguma goes up to CROSSBODY! Hazuki hurries to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives, but is now in a CROSSFACE! Koguma & Maika intercept AZM & Starlight!
The fans rally while Yuna endures, and then AZM & Starlight break free! They both stomp Hazuki! Koguma & Maika drag Starlight & AZM back out, Hazuki CLUBS Yuna and whips her to ropes. Yuna reverses, Hazuki grabs ropes, then she DUMPS Yuna out! Yuna skins the cat to then LARIAT! The fans fire up with Yuna, she and the others coordinate! TRIPLE DROPKICK at the corner! Yuna then goes out while Starlight goes up! UFO SPLASH! Starlight sets Hazuki up for AZM’s DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yuna adds the fireman’s carry and TROPICAL VALLEY BOMB! Cover, Maika breaks it! The fans fire up, but Starlight runs in and RANAS Maika!
Koguma runs in and spins Starlight around for a DDT! AZM runs up, Koguma blocks the kick to CUTTER! The fans fire up with Koguma as she and Hazuki coordinate. The “Double Crazy” combo DIVE and CROSSBODY!! Everyone is down at ringside and the fans fire up! Hazuki puts Yuna back in and the fans rally up more. Hazuki springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives but Hazuki keeps on her. Hazuki whips Yuna to a corner, Koguma hits a SPLASH, and then Hazuki adds an ELBOW! Maika adds a LARIAT, then she puts Yuna up top! Now we get Triple Crazy as Maika lifts and the others climb!
The fans fire up for the TRIPLE CRAZY BOMB!! Cover, but Starlight Kid breaks it!! Koguma CLOBBERS Starlight, Maika keeps AZM on the outside, and Hazuki drags Yuna up. Hazuki suplexes, Yuna slips free and she trips Hazuki up! Yuna hammerlocks an arm, turns Hazuki over, TROPICAL CRADLE!! TWO!??! Hazuki escapes, but Yuna runs up! But Hazuki spins her to a suplex and stalling BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Triple Crazy wins!
Winners: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma, by pinfall
A fast ‘n’ furious fight from three rising stars, and it was the Wildheart that finishes it off! Will we see this Triple Crazy trio soon go for the IWGP Women’s and/or NJPW Strong Women’s Championships?
10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK!
As The Ace’s Final Road continues to roll on, this is quite the unique stop. Sure, he’s teamed with the Clown Prince and Mr. Direct Drive before, but he is now honored to be teaming with The Makai Love Machine and yes, THE Japanese Buzzsaw! Will Tanahashi & Tajiri add to their legends with this epic team-up? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Just as always, Tanahashi shows off the abs, the fans cheer, and Yano even adds a “Sugoi~!” The teams sort out and ZSJ calls out Tajiri! The fans fire up as Tajiri accepts. The bell rings, ZSJ and Tajiri circle, and Fukuoka are strongly behind “TA-JI-RI! TA-JI-RI!” Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock, and ZSJ rolls to then wrench and wristlock. Tajiri seems rather unbothered, and he slips under ZSJ to then trip him and spread the legs! ZSJ reaches back but Tajiri uses his whole body length! ZSJ pushes up, crawls back, wrenches and hammerlocks, then half nelsons to cravat. Tajiri spins through to wrench and trip ZSJ!
Tajiri has the legs, ZSJ resists then hooks Tajiri to trip him. ZSJ returns the leg sprawl, then has a STRETCH MUFFLER! ZSJ uses it as a means to an end so he can have the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Tajiri pops free and turns ZSJ over to have a headlock. ZSJ slips out the back, they each want the other’s arm, but then ZSJ top mounts. Tajiri pushes ZSJ away and the fans cheer the standoff! Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock again, and ZSJ turns Tajiri. Tajiri turns that back around but ZSJ has an arm. ZSJ hammerlocks but Tajiri steps through the ropes, then steps back inside, and he has ZSJ’s arm wrapped around ropes!
The fans cheer, but Tajiri shows respect by respecting the ropebreak. The fans applaud, as does ZSJ, and then they tag out to Yoh and Eagles. The fans join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” but Yoh rolls Eagles up! TWO and Yoh kicks low! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles but Yoh dodges to RANA! The fans fire up but Fujita storms in and CHOPS! The Ichiban Sweet Boys double whip, but Yoh ducks the lariats! Yoh kicks and kicks, but the Sweet Boys CHOP and CHOP! They double wrench, and MAX- NO, Yoh fights free! Yoh crisscrosses the Sweet Boys into each other, and DOUBLE BULLDOGS!
Tag to Yano and the fans cheer, only for the Sweet Boys to double kick! They double whip, but Yano grabs the ropes! Yano then sends Fujita into Eagles, and he SLAPS them both on the heads! Yano then unties the buckle pad! The fans fire up, but Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE KICK! The Sweet Boys BLAST Yano’s corner, then Eagles brings Yano to the Mighty corner. Eagles bumps Yano off buckles then tags in Hartley. Big Hartley UPPERCUTS then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Yano is a bit tougher than that so Fujita tags in. Fujita drags Yano up to CHOP! And CHOP!
Fujita whips Yano corner to corner, runs up, but Yano puts him on the apron! Fujita SLAPS Yano back! The fans rally and Fujita aims, springboard for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita tags Oiwa and he drags Yano up. Oiwa whips Yano to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays on Yano but Yano pulls on the mullet! Oiwa kicks free, runs, but into an atomic drop! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Yano tags in Ryota! Ryota CHOPS Oiwa! Ryota eggs Oiwa on, but Oiwa fires a forearm! Ryota CHOPS again! Oiwa fires another forearm!
Ryota CHOPS, Oiwa ROCKS him, repeat! The fans rally as Oiwa fires a flurry! ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, but into a BACKDROP! Fujita runs in, but into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Eagles runs in, into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up with Ryota, and he invites Tanahashi in! They double whip Oiwa, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! And then Ryota says, “Genki de masu!” The fans cheer as Ryota and Tanahashi have energy to spare, and Ryota drags Oiwa up. Ryota reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights the lift! Oiwa powers up to BACKDROP Ryota! The fans rally, Oiwa runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally more as Oiwa and Ryota rise. Oiwa whips Ryota to a corner, runs up, but Ryota LARIATS him down! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Ryota! Both me are down now and the fans rally again. Hot tags to ZSJ and Tanahashi! One more meeting between these two after yesterday’s final singles match, and the two dosido in a battle of Cobra Twists! Tanahashi has the COBRA TWIST! ZSJ pries free to have the COBRA TWIST in return! But Tanahashi powers out, has a leg, DRAGON- NO, ZSJ sits down for the ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks ZSJ, TWO! ZSJ RAMS Tanahashi, snapmares, but Tanahashi UP KICKS!
Tanahashi kicks low, snapmares, and he NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him to wrench! PELE to the arm! Then a STOMP to the elbow! Tag to Hartley and the fans rally up. Hartley runs corner to corner and SPLASHES Tanahashi against bare buckles! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The Sweet Boys BLAST Tanahashi’s corner, then they send Tanahashi to a neutral corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP! Oiwa adds an ELBOW! Eagles adds a FOREARM! Then Oiwa scoops Tanahashi to SLAM him! ZSJ NECK TWISTS! Hartley SENTONS! Cover, Tajiri SLAPS Hartley on the head!
Tajiri scurries away before ZSJ can get him! The fans fire up and now Yoh & Yano mug Hartley. They double whip, but Hartley DOUBLE LARIATS! “Jackson Number One!” Hartley fireman’s carries Tanahashi, but Tajiri slips in and dosidos with the ref! GREEN MIST for Hartley!! Ryota runs up and SLINGBLADES!! Tanahashi hurries up top while his team keeps TMDK out! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi’s team wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Yoh, Ryota Chikuzen & Tajiri, by pinfall
Legends working together makes for a classic finish to this match! Will this moment be one to remember as The Ace continues his countdown to the end?
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku!
As Wrestling Dontaku wraps up the weekend, Tetsuya Naito and Bushi have reached the end of their NJPW run. Will they be victorious one last time alongside Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi? Or will the Roughneck, Stone Pitbull, Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker make this parting a bitter goodbye?
For one last time, Naito takes his time with the elaborate entrance attire. It also seems rather clear that Bushi is emotional over this being his farewell match. The fans rally and the teams sort out. The fans call for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” LIJ fust bump, the fans cheer, and Naito steps up for the team. The fans rally behind him more as he starts against Taichi. The bell rings and Fukuoka cheers even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” But then Naito tags out to Bushi. The Black Mask has the fans on his side, too, and he circles with Taichi. They approach, Bushi kicks low then runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but Bushi TOSSES him out!
Bushi DECKS Taka, but Shota & Ishii attack! They double whip, Bushi sends Shota into Ishii, then Bushi DOUBLE RANAS! BUSHIROONI~! Taichi is back but Bushi DECKS him! Takagi sets Taichi up but Taka trips Bushi! The fans boo but Taichi storms in and stomps Bushi. Taichi CLUBS Bushi, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Bushi runs up and RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi stands and he tags in Hiromu. Hiromu BLASTS Ishii, then Takagi tags in! Hiromu & Takagi double whip Taichi to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they flex! The fans cheer the side chest.
Hiromu stands Taichi up to CHOP him to the corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then snapmares, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Taichi wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Shota BLASTS Takagi because he can, and Taichi tags in Taka. Taka BOOTS Naito down, then stomps Hiromu around. The fans rally but Taka brings Hiromu up. Hiromu CHPOS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taka gets mad, and he pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to the corner, stomps and knees him, then tags Ishii. Ishii winds up to CHOP! Hiromu grits his teeth and CHOPS back, but Ishii doesn’t budge!
Ishii CHOPS Hiromu and eggs him on! Hiromu stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii gives more trash talk and more mocking kicks. Hiromu stands to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up as Ishii staggers, but then Hiromu CHOPS again! And again! Ishii ROCKS Hiromu, suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes first! But Hiromu’s right up!? And he dodges Ishii to SNAP GERMAN! Ishii’s right up!? SAIDO! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii hot tags Shota, and Shota BLASTS Takagi again! Shota then runs up on Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!
Shota hits buckles, hurries after Hiromu, but Hiromu fights the half nelson. Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, and then DRAGON SCREWS! Hot tag to Naito! The fans erupt as Naito kicks and CLUBS Shota again and again! Naito whips to arm-drag Shota! And ELBOW him down! And basement DROPKICK! TakaTaichi attack and double whip, but Naito reverses to send Taka into Taichi! Drop toehold for Taichi and Bushi basement DROPKICKS! Naito kicks and whips Taka, Taka reverses, but Naito reverses back to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he tags in Takagi. Takagi runs up on Shota, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through!
Takagi keeps moving, but Shota SWATS the lariat! Takagi YUKON LARIATS, but Shota roars as he stays up! Shota fires boxing elbows, but Takagi shakes his head! Takagi fires boxing elbows of his own! He ROCKS Shota, runs, but Shota LARIATS at the ropes! Shota runs, Takagi LRIATS! Takagi runs, Shota dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota stays up but the ELBOW and JAB hit! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Takagi and he whips Shota. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota LARIATS Takagi down! But then Shota falls over, too! The fans fire up while both men crawl.
Taka tags in, he BOOTS Naito and BLASTS Bushi! Taka runs, redirects, redirects, and BOOTS Takagi down! The fans rally up as Taka brings Takagi up. Takagi ROCKS Taka! Taichi runs up to RIDGE HAND! Ishii ROCKS Takagi! Then we get a RIDGE HAND BACKHAND COMBO! SUPER K from Taka!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Taka goes to scoop! Takagi is too big, so Taka pokes him in the eyes! Takagi still ELBOWS! JABS! Taka UPPERCUTS, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Bushi slips in, as does Hiromu, and they double whip Taka to a corner. Hiromu runs up to forearm SMASH! Bushi adds an ELBOW!
Takagi LARIATS, then he snapmares Taka! Naito is in, LIJ hits a QUADRUPLE DROPKICK!! The fans fire up and Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up more as The Rampaging Dragon drags Taka up. Taka fights the lift, and Shota SHOTGUNS Takagi! Hiromu dropkicks Hiromu’s legs! Hiromu dodges Ishii, he and Naito give Ishii TENDEDERO! Taichi runs up, he breaks through the line, but Hiromu sends him into an atomic drop! Takagi BLINDSLIDE BOMBERS! LARIAT in the corner, feed to a SUPERKICK! Naito wrenches Taichi for DESTINO!!! The fans are thunderous after seeing that final Destino!
Bushi then runs in and BLASTS Shota! Bushi keeps moving, for one last DIVE!! Down goes Shota and the fans are thunderous! Takagi has the fans join in for “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs, Taka dodges, and Taka BOOTS! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi drags Taka up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, LIJ WINS!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
Their final battle in Fukuoka, their final battle with their friends, and their final battle in NJPW, it was all victorious! Naito & Bushi stand with Hiromu & Takagi to celebrate this final win. The fans cheer on “NA-I-TO!” as Naito leads the group in one last LIJ fist bump. The wild ride is over for the Uncontrollable Charisma, and he poses with his team one last time. Burn this moment into your memories, for we may never see Naito & Bushi back in a NJPW ring again.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!
The Gene Blast may be one of the Reiwa Era Three Musketeers, but the Heat Storm vows to be the face of this new generation. A match meant to happen months ago finally does happen, but who will truly be the frontrunner of the future?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the true global star!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as Yota and Yuya stare down. Fukuoka duels, but the “YO~TA!” sounds stronger than the “YU~YA!” They circle, feel things out, then circle a bit more. They feel out the knuckle lock, then Yuya rolls. Yota keeps him at bay as they clinch, then they go around. Yuya waistlocks, Yota wrenches free and waistlocks in return, but Yuya switches. Yota headlocks, Yuya rolls him to the mat and headlocks in return. Yota keeps his shoulders up, then fights to his feet. Yuya hits a takeover, Yota headscissors, but Yuya kips up. Yuya is fired up and the fans cheer him on.
Yota stands up and the two reset. They circle while the fans duel, and the two tie up. Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock but Yota switches and full nelsons. Then Yota headlocks and grinds Yuya down. Yuya fights up, pries at the hold, but Yota powers it on tighter. Yuya powers up but Yota squeezes the headlock even tighter! The fans applaud while Yuya endures. Yuya fires body shots, then powers up and out, drops down, but Yota avoids the dropkick! Yota dodges but Yuya arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Yuya has the armlock and the fans cheer again. Yota pulls at the hold, then fights up. Yuya grinds the elbow but Yota reaches for ropes.
Yota has the ROPEBREAK but Yuya brings him away from the ropes quickly. Yota fires forearm after forearm until Yuya lets go. Yota runs up but Yuya arm-drags! Only for Yota to drag Yuya down, trap an arm, and SACRIFICE the other arm! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Yuya shakes out the bad arm but Yota brings him back up. Yuya fires a forearm! Yota grins so Yuya fires more shots! Yota wrenches and serves up SOLE FOOD to the arm! Yuya staggers away to a corner and the fans rally more. Yota storms up on Yuya, puts him in the corner, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts as Yota pulls, so Yota lets go at 4.
Yota brings Yuya out to snapmare, then he has the bad arm in a top wristlock! Yuya endures, the fans rally, but Yota puts on the pressure! Yuya fights forward, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the arm! Yuya still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Yota legs go. Yota paces while Yuya shakes out the bad arm. Yota comes back to stomp the arm! Yota then wrenches Yuya, KNEES the arm, then KNEES it again! Yota KNEES Yuya into the corner, then paces again. Yuya stands, Yota runs in, but Yuya BOOTS him away! Yota runs back in, Yuya dodges and CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans fire up as Yuya winds up, but Yota dodges! Yota BOOTS Yuya in the corner!
The fans rally as Yota whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while both men are down. The fans rally again as Yuya rises up. Yuya roars, the fans fire up more, and Yuya brings Yota up to wrench and BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally and Yuya brings Yota up. Yoga fights with elbows, then wrenches to YANK the arm! And YANK! And YANK! Yota whips, Yuya reverses, but Yota RANAS! Yuya tumbles out and the fans rally as Yota aims. Yota builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya is sent into railing!
The fans fire up while Yuya stumbles and falls, and Yota fires back up! Yota has the fans rally more as he takes a lap. Yota comes back for Yuya, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota steps in, stands Yuya up, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yota powers through, but Yuya fights free! Yuya CHOPS, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yota grits his teeth. Yota storms around, goes to a corner, and he aims as Yuya rises. Yota runs in, STINGER SPLASH! The fans fire up while Yota snapmares Yuya down. Yota goes up, up, but Yuya avoids the Marlowe Crush!
Yuya dropkicks Yota’s leg, then has it for a SHIN BREAKER! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuya then hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! Yota endures and the fans fire up! Yuya pulls on the main leg but Yota works to turn things over! The fans duel as Yuya fights against that, but Yota does turn the hold over! Yuya endures now, so he hurries to turn things over! Yota uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Yuya and the ref undo the hold, and Yuya stands over Yota. Yuya brings Yota up to scoop and SLAM him down! Yuya then goes to a corner, climbs up, only for Yota to GAMANGIRI! Yuya is dazed up top, so Yota climbs up after him!
Yota brings Yuya up, throws forearms, then goes to the very top! But Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls, Yuya adjusts, and Yuya leaps! Yota avoids the crossbody but Yuya rolls through! Yota comes back, Yuya slips around and full nelsons! But Yota powers up to break the hold! Only for Yuya to GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuya runs, but into a BOOT! Yuya comes back and takes a swing, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Yuya avoids the stomp! Yuya shoves Yota, but Yota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Yota keeps moving, and then Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!
The two men crawl away to the corners while the fans rally up. Yuya runs in corner to corner, but Yota BOOTS him! Yota runs up, but Yuya clinches! Yota fights free, ROCKS Yuya, and Yuya staggers to the ropes! Yota whips, Yuya ducks ‘n’ dodges but Yota blows past, only for Yuya to get under! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up! Yuya shakes out the bad arm, then he stands Yota up for a scoop. Yuya SLAMS, then he fires back up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he climbs again! Yuya is up top, for the FROG SPLASH! But he FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota runs back in, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Yuya clasps hands, but Yota breaks the grip! ARMBAR!! Yuya endures, flails, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the bad arm! Yuya fights around, but Yota just keeps after the arm! Yuya uses his core strength to sit up, but Yota PULLS the arm straight! Yuya falls over, fights around, and he turns over. Yota does his best to keep the armbar, even with this mounted angle! Yuya bites his thumb to ignore the pain in his arm! Yuya then reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Yota lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya clutches his elbow but Yota paces around. Yota drags Yuya up from the ropes, but Yuya CHOPS! Yota brushes that off, but Yuya CHOPS again!
Yuya can’t put enough power behind the strikes with that bad arm, but he keeps trying! Yota BOOTS Yuya, Yuya drops to his knees, and the ref checks with him. Yuya refuses to let the bad arm cost him again, and he rises up to CHOP! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Yota ROCKS him!! And then KNEES him down! The fans fire up while Yota stands tall! Yota goes to a corner, watches Yuya sputter and rise, GENE- DROPKICK to the leg! Yuya hurries to grab that leg, but Yota fires off forearms! Yuya eggs Yota on, so Yota HEADBUTT! But Yuya still DRAGON SCREWS!! Yuya steps through again, FIGURE FOUR!!
The fans fire up as Yota endures again! Yuya puts as much pressure as he can, Yota pries at the hold, but Yuya thrashes around! Yota reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, and he drags Yuya along towards ropes! But Yuya drags Yota back from ropes! Yuya thrashes as hard as he can, we hit 20 minutes, and Yota still endures! The fans rally harder and harder as Yota fights to turn this over! Yota does, but then Yuya turns it back! But this time, Yuya turns back the other way to keep Yota from the ropes! And then he PULLS on the leg! Yota lunges for the ROPEBREAK!! The fans fire up while the ref again frees Yota.
Yota clutches his leg while he crawls away, but Yuya is right on him! Yuya has the leg, but Yota ENZIGIRIS! Yuya falls, but he also manages to waistlock! Yuya drags Yota up, but Yota fires elbows! Yuya still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yuya holds onto Yota and the fans fire up! Yuya full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Yuya is furious! Yuya roars, the fans are with him, and he reels Yota in! SAIDO BACKBREAKER! Then he puts Yota in the drop zone! Yuya climbs, the fans rally more, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and Yuya is beside himself!
Fukuoka is thunderous as Yuya rises! Yuya brings Yota up, cording holds one arm, swings to get the other, but Yota STUNNERS free! Yota roars, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Yota just comes back, GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya hurries to lock in those arms, but Yota fights off the clinch! They go around and around, and Yota frees an arm! But Yota brings it back in! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!!! Yuya roars, the fans are electric, GENE BLASTER outta nowhere!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Heat Storm was certainly on fire, but Tsuji was volcanic! The gold stays with Yota, will he and those left in LIJ make sure NJPW stays tranquilo?
Speaking of which, the rest of LIJ returns to the ring so they can stand with their guy. Tsuji gets to also have his final photo op with the group as we know it. We also get one last LIJ fist bump with the five of them, and then Naito & Bushi let Yota, Takagi & Hiromu have the ring. Yota hurries to get the mic to tell Naito & Bushi, “Let me have one last word.” The fans applaud, and Naito & Bushi stop to hear him out. “Naito and Bushi leaving could signal the end of Los Ingobernables de Japon. But remember this: We’re ungovernable. We’ll always be connected in our hearts. Until next time.” The fans applaud that! Naito even gives one last fist bump salute.
The fans cheer as the LIJ Era has changed, and Bushi makes sure we see his mask where it says, “Adios.” Then Yota continues to say that he is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, and that he’ll continue to defend the cerulean blue mat of NJPW. The fans applaud, and Yota says he is fortunate to have such a great rival in Uemura. And another in Gabe Kidd. So, who should he defend this belt against next? Well, he said the man’s name, so here comes the Mad Man! The fans bark it up for the War Dog, and Gabe gets right in Yota’s face. Yota says nic eto see him. Should they pick up where they left off?
Gabe takes the mic to say, “You’re an IWGP champion?” No, no, Yota beat Evil and Yuya, but in Osaka… It was a double knockout! Yota never beat Gabe! The fans cheer that point! Gabe says on June 15th… In Osaka Jo-Hall… “Let’s find out who the strongest is!!” The fans love that idea! Gabe heads back out, the fans bark more, and Yota tells Gabe, “Let’s show ’em our NJPW.” The fans also like that, and Yota asks if they’re ready! The fans cheer because they are, but who will make this their Dominion?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!
The Fierce Warrior finally put the G in IWGP at the New Beginning in Osaka when he won this title. But now, the Prince of Pace is looking to blow right past him as the top guy in NJPW! Will the Goto Revolution stay the course? Or will it be conquered by the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the G of IWGP!
The bell rings and the fans rally strongly for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum doesn’t let that bother him, and he runs up to BOOT Goto! Callum fires forearms, whips, but Goto reverses! Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to build speed, but then Goto dodges! The fans cheer as Goto is at least agile like Callum. They tie up, then they just fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Goto gets the edge, headlocks, but Callum powers out. Goto runs Callum over, but Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum TOSSES Goto out, then PLANCHAS! The fans fire up while Goto goes down!
Callum fires himself up and the fans cheer. Callum brings Goto up, the fans duel a bit more evenly, and Callum whips. Goto reverses and Callum hits railing! But he comes back to BOOT Goto down! Callum snarls, drags Goto back up, and now Callum sends Goto into railing! Goto comes back but Callum BOOTS him down again! And then PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally, Hashi coaches Goto, but Callum KICKS Goto in the back! Callum puts Goto in the ring, the fans applaud, and Callum sits Goto up again. Callum hits another PENALTY KICK! Callum then goes to the corner and climbs up, calling his shot.
Callum aims, DIVING- NO, Goto dodges! Callum comes back, but Goto dodges! Goto LARIATS, then he clinches for the SAIDO! Callum flounders away and the fans fire up. Callum goes to a corner, Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then Goto puts Callum up top! Goto climbs up after Callum, just to drag him into a draped position! SUPER DRAPING NECKBREAKER!! Callum flounders out of the ring, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira check on him, as does Red Shoes. Callum winches, clutches his shoulder, but he manages to sit up. Callum has speed but Goto is taking advantage of his skinnier frame.
Red Shoes starts the ring count and Goto stays back, which annoys Callum. Callum storms into the ring, but Goto kicks him down! Goto has Callum up for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans fire up, but Goto stays right on Callum. Goto drags Callum up, but Callum clutches his shoulder, so Goto lets him be. We’re only five minutes in as the fans rally up, and Goto stomps Callum around. Callum crawls away to a corner but Goto grabs at him. Callum wants Goto to hold on, and Red Shoes has Goto step back. Callum’s neck and shoulder are really bothering him, but Goto just storms up to stomp him!
Goto drags Callum up, snapmares, then clamps on a chinlock. Callum endures as Goto’s knee digs into the back and neck. Goto then ELBOWS Callum in the head, stomps him around, and brings him up. Goto CLUBS Callum’s neck, but Callum CHOPS! The pain in his shoulders holds Callum back, but Goto clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then a GROUND OCTOPUS! Callum endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up. Goto thrashes around but Akira & Khan coach Callum. Callum kicks around but Goto shifts to a headscissor necklock! Callum endures the squeeze, kicks and kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Goto lets go in frustration. Goto drags Callum up but he’s a ragdoll again. Goto still brings Callum around, snapmares him back down, then KICKS him in the back! And ELBOW DROPS! Callum sputters but Goto just ELBOW DROPS again! Akira & Khan coach Callum but Goto looms over him. Goto ELBOW DROPS onto Callum’s back! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but Goto is still calm. Goto stands Callum up, kicks him low, but Callum fires a forearm! And another! The pain in the neck holds those back, and Goto CLUBS Callum! Goto runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Khan & Akira coach Callum, Hashi coaches Goto, and both Goto and Callum crawl to the apron. Goto goes to the floor, and Callum smiles. The fans rally as Callum builds speed and FLIES!! Callum does a full 360 to hit Goto and then rolls through more to stand back up at the ramp! The fans are thunderous and Callum fires himself back up! Callum drags Goto to his feet and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Callum hurries back in. Callum aims from a corner while Goto flounders away. The fans rally more, and Callum runs corner to corner. FLYING DROPKICK! Callum then chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!
But the bad neck won’t let Callum bridge! Callum hurries to lateral press, TWO! And we’re just 10 minutes in! The fans rally, Callum fires up with a very Will Ospreay style “OI! OI! OI!” The fans rally behind that, and Callum brings Goto up. Callum reels Goto in, hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Goto slips free of Firebolt, waistlocks, but Callum fights the lift. Callum runs, Goto follows, but then Callum dodges! Goto dodges, Callum dodges, then Callum hurdles! But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up for that high speed exchange! Goto has the crowd behind him again as he rises up.
Goto storms up on Callum, stands him up, but Callum fires a forearm! Only to fall to his knees! Callum rises up but Goto DECKS him! Callum is running on fumes, but the fans do rally for him, too. Goto eggs him on and Callum manages to stand. Callum fires a forearm, drops to a knee, but Goto stands him up. Goto DECKS Callum again! Callum shakes out the stars and he snarls! Callum fires another forearm, but Goto DECKS him a third time! Goto eggs Callum on, the fans rally again, and Callum rises. Callum puts his hands behind his back and dares Goto to hit him! So Goto DECKS Callum a fourth time!
Khan & Akira coach Callum on but Red Shoes asks if Callum wants to stop. Callum shakes his head, he’s not gonna stop here. Callum stands again, leans on the ropes, then comes back for more! Callum even SPITS at Goto! The fans boo that, but Goto DECKS Callum for it! Goto watches Callum sputter, and Callum slowly rises again. But then he falls back over! Callum headbutts the mat to fire back up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto winds up and ROCKS Callum! Callum is back to get in Goto’s face! Goto fires a flurry of forearms! Callum CHOPS! Goto feels that one! The fans fire up and Callum roars, but Goto spins him! URA G T R!
Goto goes to run but Callum reels him in! GERMAN SUPLEX! ROUNDHOUSE! Callum runs, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! We’re 15 minutes in as Goto stalks Callum to the apron. Goto stomps Callum, then stands him up. But Callum fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto still lifts! Callum flails, slips down, and KICKS Goto! Callum goes up, up, and OSCUTTER 2.0 on the apron!! Both men fall to the floor and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks, both men are able to continue, so a ring count starts. Khan fans off Callum while the fans rally. The count already passes 7 of 20, then hit 10, but both men are still down!
Callum rises at 13, drags himself in at 17, but Goto is still down! Goto rises up and springs in at 19! The fans fire up as this continues! Callum goes to a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE! Then he hurries to bring Goto into the drop zone! Callum roars, climbs, and the fans fire up! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Goto survives the coup de grace and Callum can’t believe it! Akira & Khan tell Callum to keep going, he’s almost done it! The fans rally and duel as Callum hobbles over. Callum stands Goto up, then runs, but Goto swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT again!
The fans fire up, Callum returns, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Callum waistlocks, ripcords, RAINMAKER?!? Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Callum shouts out the former leader of Chaos! The fans are thunderous, Callum feeds off that energy, and Callum drags Goto up. Callum calls his shot, springboards, OSC- NO, Goto blocks the cutter! DISCUS- NO, Callum dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER 2.0!!! Cover, TWO!??! But Callum hooks a leg! FIREBOLT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Goto survives again and the fans are electric! Callum is unsure what to do as we pass 20 minutes, but the fans dueling shakes the arena!
Callum drags Goto up, but Goto wrenches out! Goto spins Callum, dragon sleepers, but Callum slips free! Backslide! Goto rolls through, PENALTY KICK BLOCKED! Goto HEADBUTTS Callum, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Goto rises, he brings Callum up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto HEADBUTTS away on Callum, then brings him up to HEADBUTT again! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again, as Goto suplexes for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Callum survives and Goto cannot believe it! The fans duel harder than ever before, and Goto rises again!
Goto roars and focuses his power! Callum sits up, into a BUZZSAW! But then Goto brings Callum around, but Callum drops to victory roll! TWO!! Callum SUPERKICKS, but Goto LARIATS!! Goto stands Callum up, dragon sleepers, but Callum fires shots from below! Goto blocks that arm, traps it, and G T R KAI!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Prince of Pace did his best to follow in the Aerial Assassin’s footsteps, but he is still a long way from reaching the top of the mountain. However, if this is how close he came on his first try, will nothing stop Callum Newman from being the future of NJPW?
As for Goto, the belt is put back around his waist, and he watches Callum walk away. Callum takes a moment to bow in deep respect to Goto before he and the Empire leave. Goto then grabs the mic, and the fans cheer him on. “No matter what anyone says, this is MY time!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues, “Who’s my next opponent? As a fighting champion, I’ll take on all challengers!” Wait! Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way back out here! Goto took this title from ZSJ so clearly ZSJ wants a rematch. ZSJ grabs a mic to tell Goto in Japanese, “Good work tonight. That was a fantastic match! Truly fantastic.
“You’ve been on a roll lately! You’re indeed a great champion. But I’m you’re next challenger!” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says, “I accept!” The fans really like that, and the two shake hands on it. Will the Submission Master make sure that- WAIT! Shingo Takagi is here?! He storms into the ring with a mic to say, “Pardon the intrusion!” The fans cheer as Takagi asks, “Mind if I speak my piece? Zack, hold on a moment. OI, GOTO! You really are something. You got a belt, a wife, and kids! And on top of that, you’re in Hontai!” The fans do applaud that with a bit of a chuckle.
Takagi points out that he, on the other hand, has no belt, no wife, no kids. “And now it looks like my faction is done… But that doesn’t mean I need to hang my head. I’ll soar to the top!” The fans applaud, and Takagi says the G in IWGP stands for Goto, right? But oi, oi, oi! You can’t spell “Shingo” OR “Takagi” without a G! He has two G’s, so he wants his shot at the title. At least, he’d like to say that. But he has no objects to Zack. Takagi did lose to ZSJ last time. So then Takagi will wait to challenge the winner of Goto VS ZSJ! The fans like that, too! Takagi says if it’s about G’s, Goto can’t argue Takagi’s point!
The three men all look to each other, and it looks like the deal is struck. Fierce Warrior VS Front Man, and the Rampaging Dragon gets the winner! Who will stand on the summit of NJPW going into the summer? Takagi and ZSJ take their leave, and Goto continues. “Again, thank you very much for coming today!” The fans applaud, and Goto says, “No matter who I’m up against, I will not be defeated. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Follow it until the very end! Let’s end with Goto’s G’s.” The fans chuckle, and Goto says he knows most of the locales had G in their names. But not in Fukuoka…
Even so, Goto still has this IWGP World title around his waist, so no worries there. IKU ZO! The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP is for GOTO!” The streamers fly, and the Fierce Warrior is ready to lead NJPW on! But will things only heat up from here on out?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for Wrestling Dontaku’s finale, and we’re already building towards Dominion next month. I was rather surprised that the Six Woman Tag was so quick. Well, I feel like a lot of Stardom matches on a NJPW show end up like that… But the 10 Man Tag with Tanahashi’s team beating TMDK, and then the 8 Man Tag of LIJ winning, both of those matches felt just as fast/short. I suppose on some level, they did it because we all had a feeling who was winning. Tanahashi’s team wins because he also had special guests Tajiri and Ryota, so that was just a great moment for some longstanding legends.
LIJ winning was apparently to also commemorate their last match as a faction. With Titan being their CMLL member, we only have Hiromu, Takagi and Tsuji. I suppose a trio isn’t necessarily a faction, but I’m surprised they just sprang this dissolution on us. Great match from Yota VS Yuya, but I think they dragged it out a bit at the start. It got hot by the end, and Yota retaining was a great move. Gabe Kidd calling his shot is also a great move, he and Yota are going to have a great rematch from their time limit draw. And then awesome main event from Goto VS Callum, with Callum looking great even in defeat. Callum is definitely on his way, maybe he’ll really build up his power level in the G1 Climax this year.
Great promo to close, with Goto, ZSJ and Takagi establishing the next couple of title shots. I think Goto VS ZSJ has been made for Resurgence this Friday, so they’re getting that right out of the way so Takagi can face the champion at Dominion. At the same time, they kinda have to because Best of the Super Juniors is going to dominate May. Resurgence would be a wild place for a title change since it’s in the US and it’s a true PPV, so I’m not liking ZSJ’s chances.
My Score: 9.1/10
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