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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/7/23)

Where does Raw go now?

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Who will want payback after SummerSlam?

Seth Rollins is STILL WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and Finn Balor is not happy about it! Who will suffer The Prince’s wrath on Raw?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Ricochet VS Tommaso Ciampa VS Matt Riddle VS Chad Gable; Gable wins and will challenge Gunther for the title.
  • Shinsuke Nakamura VS Bronson Reed; Nakamura wins.
  • Shayna Baszler VS Zoey Stark; Shayna wins.
  • Otis w/ Maxxine Dupri VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ Giovanni Vinci; Ludwig wins.
  • The Viking Raiders w/ Sarah Logan VS The New Day; The New Day wins.
  • Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins & Sami Zayn Shinsuke Nakamura VS The Judgment Day w/ Rhea Ripley; Cody, Rollins & Nakamura win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Raw is commercial free for the first hour!

 

Cody Rhodes is here!

Minneapolis fires up for the American Nightmare and sings along with his song, “WHOA~ OH!” Fans then chant for “CODY! CODY! CODY!” as he stands in the ring with the mic. Cody fires the fans up a little more, soaks in their praise a little more, then says, “So, Minneapolis… Whaddya wanna talk about?” He thinks we should talk about one of their own. About a Beast that had his claws sharpened, here, that was educated here, that became champion here, the University of Minnesota’s own Brock Lesnar.” Fans cheer that! Cody says he has had the privilege, the honor and the misery of standing across from the Beast, and surviving him.

But what happened next, Cody could never have imagined. He throws it to footage from SummerSlam, of Brock Lesnar shaking Cody’s hand in respect. Cody had a conversation with his mom this morning, and shared his shock at this exact moment. She told Cody, “Dummy! Don’t you know what just happened? Brock Lesnar… acknowledged you.” After SummerSlam, Cody feels on top of the world, like he could beat anybody in the world! And here comes Seth Rollins! He stomps his way out in yellow Astro Boy boots that are also part crocs…? And fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way to the ring.

Rollins and Cody stare down and Rollins gets a mic. Fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHHH~!” Rollins then shouts to Minneapolis, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” And last time Rollins was here to address the future of the WHC, Cody was the first man to walk down the aisle and get in Rollins’ face. SO consider this Rollins returning the favor. Now, did Rollins hear Cody right when he said he feels like he can beat anyone in the world? If that’s the case, why not put that to the test? Fans love that idea! But wait, here comes Damian Priest! And the rest of Judgment Day, minus Finn Balor…

Fans boo as Priest tells those two are apparently confused. Because for some reason, they think they run Monday Night Raw! Rhea Ripley says they don’t! The Judgment Day, THEY run Raw! And speaking of things Rollins and Cody don’t do… They don’t dictate what happens with championships around here, the Judgment Day do! More specifically, Senor Money in the Bank does! And look what we have here. They have the most dominant Women’s World Champion, Rhea Ripley! Fans do cheer Mami. The North American Champion, Dominik Mysterio! Fans DO boo Dom!

And Cody says he’s done with the Beast, but Dirty Dom ain’t done with Cody. Cody says he’s a workhorse, but DOM is the workhorse! He’ll defend his title live on NXT, but what’s Cody doing? Dom gets in Cody’s face, but then backs up to take the mic. Fans already start booing as Dom says, “You…” Rollins laughs, but FINN ATTACKS FROM BEHIND! Finn and the boys mug Rollins and Cody! Fans boo even more, Finn stomps Rollins but here comes SAMI ZAYN! Sami slides in, and he fires off on Priest! Fans fire up as Sami dodges Priest to clothesline! Sami ELBOWS Dom, Cody hits a CODY CUTTER on Dom!!

Finn runs in into a kick, a RHODES UPPERCUT, and a BOOT! Rollins’ Astro Boy boots get some! Fans fire up as Cody gets a mic and he dares the Judgment Day to step up! He has a solution for ALL of this! There’s three of them, and there’s three in the ring! Tonight, in Minneapolis, Cody, his friend Sami, and the World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Freakin’ Rollins, take on the Judgment Day! Rollins is a bit surprised but the Judgment Day is ready for it! Will the Visionary be able to work with the American Nightmare to get rid of some common enemies?

 

Ricochet talks with Adam Pearce backstage.

He knows Pearce knows, and the whole world knows, Logan Paul cheated to win! Pearce says yes, he did. Then what’s happening now? An apology. The ref’s decision is final, but Pearce agrees, that ending doesn’t sit right with him. But that was Saturday. This meeting is about tonight. More men walk in, and it’s Chad Gable, Tommaso Ciampa and Matt Riddle. Pearce explains to all four that tonight, the four of them may be feeling things haven’t been going right for them. BUT, remember that you are all a moment away from greatness. So tonight, he wants to present them all with another chance at a moment.

Tonight, Fatal 4 Way, the winner faces Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship. So he wants them all to seize the moment. Ricochet says sorry to the other three, they got him on a bad night. Ciampa says no one loves a title like he loves a title. May the best man, or bro, win. Riddle says yeah, all good over here, bro. He’ll dedicate this to Drew McIntyre. SHOOOOOSH! Please. Tonight, we’re in Gable’s neck of the woods. Minnesota born and raised. So what better way to celebrate by beating three bros so he can teach Gunther a lesson he’ll never forget? A THANK YEW! Well, welcome home, bro.

WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Ricochet VS Tommaso Ciampa VS Matt Riddle VS Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy!

The One and Only got clocked by brass knuckles from the ImPAULsive Maverick, but he could rebound in a big way! Will the King of Flight be aimed at Der Ring General? Will the Psycho Killer get a new “Goldie” in his life? Will the Bro get one more go at Gunther? Or will Minnesota’s own get his own rematch with Imperium’s leader?

The bell rings and the four watch each other. Ciampa swings, Gable waistlocks, Ricochet headlocks Riddle. Ciampa elbows Gable, Riddle shoves Ricochet and Ricochet Tiger Wall Kicks off Ciampa! Gable headlocks Ciampa, Riddle waistlocks Ricochet. Now Ricochet elbows free and Ciampa shoves. Gable runs Ricochet over, dodges Riddle and he ROCKS Ciampa! Ricochet headlocks, Riddle powers out, things speed up, Ricochet stops himself, Riddle sunset flips! Gable ghost pins! Ciampa Oklahoma Rolls! Ricochet stacks! All four men get out of a pin and fans fire up! The four reset, and Gable has them hear the fans chant his name! “A THANK YEW!”

Ciampa KNEES Ricochet, throws him into Gable, and then fires off on Riddle! Ciampa CHOPS, Gable throws hands on Ricochet, Riddle blocks a kick to an ANKLE LOCK! Gable does the same! Ricochet and Ciampa scramble, DOUBLE ROPEBREAK! Ricochet and Ciampa get out, Gable and Riddle back up and bump into each other. Fans rally as the two circle and fist bump. They tie up, Gable gets a leg, waistlocks, but Riddle slips around. Gable slips back around, Riddle rolls free but Gable gator rolls. Riddle dumps Gable but Gable rolls him up, and Riddle gets away! Fans rally, Ciampa gets in to send Riddle into Gable!

Ciampa BOOTS Gable, BOOTS Riddle, stomps Riddle, then TOSSES Gable! Ricochet springboards in, FLYING LARIAT! And STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Ricochet brings Ciampa up and fireman’s carries. Ciampa slips off, Ricochet ducks a roundhouse! Riddle blocks Ricochet’s kick to FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cradle cover, Gable breaks it! Fans fire up as Gable Canadian Racks Ricochet to hit a DOMINATOR! Cover, Ciampa breaks it! Ciampa reels Gable in, but Gable slips free of the bomb! Only for Ciampa to get him in a REVERSE DDT! Cover, Ricochet breaks it!

Ricochet swings, misses, and Ciampa ROLLING ELBOWS! Ciampa underhooks, FAIRY- NO, Ricochet slips out, fireman’s carries, and DETONATION KICKS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet paces around, gets Ciampa to a drop zone, and then goes up top! Fans fire up, but Riddle springs up after him! Riddle CLUBS away on Ricochet, goes up after him, but then Ciampa adds on! And then Gable joins in!! TRIPLE GERMAN SUPERPLEX!!! All four men are down and Minneapolis is thunderous! But Gunther is watching backstage, more amused like an adult watching children play than a champion worried about contenders.

“This is Awesome!” as all four men stir. Gable rises, ‘A THANK YEW~” and he drags Ciampa up,. Ciampa denies the O’Conner but Gable gets under the boot to ANKLE LOCK!! Ciampa endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK, but Gable doesn’t have to let go! Gable drags Ciampa back! Riddle FINAL FLASH KNEES Gable! And then POWERBOMBS! And then flips Gable over for another FINAL FLASH! Cover, TWO but then Ricochet RUNNING SHOOTING STARS! Riddle clinches Ricochet, BROSPLODER! Ciampa BOOTS Riddle, reels him in, ripcord and- NO, Riddle ducks to ripcord, FINAL FLASH!

Ciampa goes to a corner, Riddle storms up and hoists him up top! Riddle CHOPS Ciampa, climbs up, and fans rally for the “BRO! BRO! BRO!” Riddle goes to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men are down, Gable DIVING SPLASHES while Ricochet SHOOTING STAR PRESSES! But both get knees!! Riddle and Ciampa cradle cover, TWO!!! Gable and Ricochet both get out of this and fans are thunderous! The four stir as fans again declare “THIS IS AWESOME!” Gable hits Ciampa, Riddle hits Ricochet, they each hit back. And then Ricochet hits Ciampa! And CHOPS Riddle! CHOPS go around the circle, as do forearms.

This brawl divides into Ricochet and Gable, Riddle and Ciampa. Ciampa blocks a kick to bend toes! And then stomps toes! Ricochet fires body shots, Ciampa sends Riddle out. Gable clotheslines Ricochet out! Then he dodges Ciampa, but Riddle dumps him out! Riddle ROCKS Ciampa, FLOATING BRO ATTACK onto Gable! But Ciampa catches Riddle on the return, WILLOW’S BELL!! Ricochet FLIES onto Gable!! Ricochet hurries back up, he springboards, but Ciampa KNEES him outta the sky! PROJECT CIAMPA!! Cover, TWO!!! Ciampa can’t believe it, and then Riddle PENALTY KICKS him! To then scoop and BRO DEREK!! Cover, Gable DIVING HEADBUTTS!!

Fans fire up as Gable saves this match more for himself than for Ciampa! All four men are down again but the fans rally up behind their guy! Gable rises, and he CHOPS Riddle! Riddle throws a forearm, Gable gives it back, and repeat! Gable ducks a roundhouse, O’Conner Roll into CHAOS- RECOIL!! So Gable gest Ricochet! CHAOS- KOTARO KRUSHER from Ciampa!! So Gable gets Ciampa, CHAOS THEORY!!! Bridging cover, GABLE WINS!!!

Winner: Chad Gable, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Intercontinental Championship)

All the fans join in on “A THANK YEW~!” But Gunther chuckles. He beat Gable just last week, though it was a hard fought match. Will Gable prove he can pull off the Herculean task of dethroning Der Ring General?

 

Cody talks with Sami backstage.

Cody hopes he wasn’t being presumptuous calling for that Six Man Tag. Sami says no, he’s fine, he wanted this. But then Seth walks in and says he sees how it is! Cody wants to go out there, make decisions for Rollins, and talk strategy behind his back! Oh, c’mon! It’s not like Rollins had a match tonight. Doesn’t he want this match? Yes, but not with Cody as a teammate! Sami has them calm down. They all need to take a breath. Sami knows there’s history and tension here, and just… a lot. He doesn’t expect them to solve their problems overnight, but they have a chance to do something tonight.

Sami isn’t sure about Seth, but Sami is sick of dealing with The Judgment Day. He has been dealing with them for months, as has Seth. Now, they put Sami’s Undisputed Tag Team Championships in jeopardy, they injured Sami’s tag partner, Kevin Owens. Kevin is Sami’s friend, he’s Cody’s friend, and he’s Seth’s friend. Kevin is on the shelf cuz of them! These three here, three of the very best, can stand side by side and deal with the Judgment Day once and for all! So can they do it? Can they get past this just for tonight? Cody’s cool. Is Seth cool? Seth takes a moment, and he says yeah, he’s cool. Seth leaves, Cody leaves, and Sami isn’t sure if this is going to work.

 

The Miz is on the phone.

He says he’s gonna get outta here as soon as possible, Minneapolis is a dump. And he tells the staffers they have three minutes. Actually, Miz, you need to wait. Wait? For what? LA Knight is getting his pictures taken as the winner of the Slim Jim Battle Royal! Miz is annoyed. One battle royal and now Miz has to wait? Adam Pearce is gonna hear about this! Miz storms off, is the Hollywood A-Lister gonna have beef with the Mega Star?

 

Shinsuke Nakamura VS Bronson Reed!

The King of Strong Style may not have won the Slim Jim Battle Royal, but he is going to brush that off in exchange for chasing a bigger prize. And by bigger, it’s COLOSSAL! Will Nakamura find away to finally bring down Auszilla? Or will Bronson bring another Tsunami with him?

The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up as both men feel things out. They tie up, Reed powers Nakamura to ropes, but lets off slowly. Nakamura resets and circles with Reed again. They tie up, and Reed pushes Nakamura to a corner. Reed lets off slowly again, then pats Nakamura on the head. Nakamura is annoyed and he storms up. Reed headlocks, Nakamura throws body shots and powers out, only for Reed to run him over! Fans boo but Reed just smirks as he mocks Nakamura’s “C’MON~!” Nakamura BOOTS Reed! And fires off fast hands! And then knees! Fans fire up as Nakamura drags Reed down to throw more knees!

Nakamura stomps Reed, Reed ducks the buzzsaw and waistlocks, but Nakamura elbows free. Nakamura runs but Reed ELBOWS him down! Reed grins, paces around Nakamura, and then drags him up. Fans rally, Reed HEADBUTTS Nakamura to a corner, and then RAMS into him! And again! And again! Fans chant for Nakamura but Reed brings him out. Nakamura fires off fast hands but Reed ROCKS Nakamura! And CLUBS him down! Reed flexes but fans boo, and Reed drags Nakamura up again. Reed fireman’s carries, but Nakamura slips to sunset flip! But Reed stays up! HIP DROP but Nakamura moves!

Nakamura keeps moving and he SLIDING KNEES Reed down! Nakamura drags Reed around, runs, and SLIDING KICKS! Reed goes to a corner and Nakamura storms up to give Reed BAD VIBRATIONS! Fans fire up and now Nakamura says, “C’MON~!” Reed runs in, but into a GAMANGIRI! Reed bails out, Nakamura runs and baseball slides! Reed is sent into the desk! Nakamura goes out and drags Reed up, but that’s a lot of dead weight. But Reed shoves Nakamura away and gets int he ring. Nakamura hurries in, then ducks ‘n’ dodges, but into a scoop! Nakamura slips free and runs again, but into a BODY CHECK!

And then Reed JUMP ELBOW DROPS! Nakamura sputters as he goes to the apron. Reed storms over that way, but Nakamura ROUNDHOUSES him! Reed BODY CHECKS Nakamura off the apron! Fans boo but Reed smiles and Raw goes picture in picture.

Reed eggs Nakamura on but the ref has him stay in the ring. Reed grins, Nakamura sits up and sputters, and Reed again mocks “C’MON~!” The ring count climbs but Nakamura slides in, only for Reed to stomp him! And stand on him! The ref counts, Reed lets off, and then he CHOKES Nakamura! The ref counts again, Reed lets off, and Reed soaks up the heat as he flexes. Reed goes back to Nakamura, clamps on with a neck wrench, and he leans on the hold to really press Nakamura down! Nakamura endures, fights up to his feet, but Reed waistlocks and throws him right down! Reed keeps on Nakamura with a rear bearhug!

Nakamura endures, reaches out, but Reed keeps him back. Nakamura fights up, throws elbows, and then PELES! Reed wobbles, Nakamura runs, but into a BOOT! Reed brushes his shoe off, goes back to Nakamura, and he drags Nakamura into a chinlock. Nakamura endures all over again as Reed squeezes tight and leans on him. Nakamura fights as Raw returns to single picture. Nakamura kicks and kicks and kicks! Reed wobbles, but he HEADBUTTS back! And then scoops, but Nakamura slips off! Nakamura waistlocks but Reed’s too big to lift! Reed elbows free, Nakamura goes to a corner, Reed runs in but into a BOOT!

Reed wobbles, Nakamura goes up to FLYING KNEE! Direct hit and both men are down! Fans rally up behind Nakamura as he pounds the mat. Reed swings but Nakamura fires off counter punches! And a strike fest! Nakamura KICKS and KICKS, Reed blocks but Nakamura ENZIGURIS! Nakamura whips, Reed blocks and reverses! Nakamura ducks ‘n’ dodges to DYNAMIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Reed just gets that arm up and Nakamura grows frustrated. Fans fire up as Nakamura goes to a corner and hops up top. Nakamura aims, leaps, but Reed catches him! Ripcord and POWERSLAM! Nakamura writhes while Reed rises up.

Reed snarls, he drags Nakamura up, and then reels him in. Reed says thumbs down, and he hauls Nakamura up, RUNNING POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Nakamura survives being thrown into the Black Forest! But he’s in the drop zone, and Reed goes up! Nakamura hurries to GAMANGIRI! Reed is stuck up top, Nakamura gives him a TOP SHELF KNEE! Nakamura then aims, runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! JAGGED EDGE DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Nakamura survives again and Reed is shocked! Fans rally up but Reed snarls. Reed drags Nakamura up, gives another thumbs down, but Nakamura escapes the bomb!

Reed ducks the roundhouse but not the HEEL KICK! Reed still stays up, and he LARIATS in return! Reed drags Nakamura to a drop zone now and he goes up top! TSUNAMI FLOPS!!! Nakamura BLINDSIDE KINSHASAS!! And then Nakamura aims again, runs back in, FRONT KINSHASA!! Cover, Nakamura wins!!

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall

The tide was high but Nakamura rode that wave to victory! Will the King of Strong Style finally find his way to the top?

 

Adam Pearce checks in with WWE Medical.

The doctor tells him and Raquel Rodriguez that she has to understand this is a serious injury. She just isn’t ready yet. Pearce appreciates that, and he tells Raquel that this is the doctor’s decision. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell are also here as moral support for their friend. Raquel is close, but just not yet. Pearce leaves, Candice & Indi say it’s best to be at 100% before facing Rhea. But how long of a road does Raquel have?

 

Maxxine Dupri is on the phone.

She is SO excited for Coach Gable tonight. And “Otise” is so good for them. Plus, don’t forget to grab ice. Okay, see you soon, kisses. Maxxine finishes her call with whoever, and Ludwig Kaiser walks over. What a pleasant surprise to see her here. What is HE doing here? He just wants to congratulate Gable on that amazing victory, and to let him know that Gunther is already looking forward to wiping the ring mat all over with Gable’s body again. Ew. Get out of their locker room! Okay, but before that, Kaiser wants to let her know, he has had his eyes on her the last few weeks and he has to say, she has all the potential in the world.

But what she must understand is that some people around here are just better than others. Look at Kaiser! European elegance! A+ aesthetics, A+ EVERYTHING! And then there’s Otis. “Big, disgusting freak!” Maxxine SLAPS Kaiser! Well, okay, he likes- Otis!? He asks Ludwig what he’s doing in their locker room. Get his eyes off Maxxine and get in the ring with Otis tonight. Otis will make it so the pretty boy isn’t so pretty anymore. Ludwig says okay, he’ll see Otis and Maxxine out there.

 

Becky Lynch is here!

Minneapolis just entered The Big Time! The Man is preparing for her real rematch with Trish Stratus next week in Canada, but what will she have to say about it? We hear that, after the break.

Raw returns and fans cheer Becky on. “The Man has come around to Minneapolis!” Fans cheer, and Becky says that she is so close to the end. “It has been months of doing everything in my power, I have been fighting, I have been talking, I have been scratching, clawing, winning, losing, overcome obstacles and failing again… And I am tired.” Becky is tired and weary, but she is hopeful and ready to put an end to this saga, this charade, when she FINALLY gets her rematch next week, 1v1, with Trish Stratus! Fans like the sound of that!

Becky says the greatest of that generation VS the greatest of this generation, and the next and the next and the one after that until infinity, with NO interference from Zoey Stark! No looking over her shoulders, just throwing digs and tossing pigs! But wait, here is Zoey Stark now! “Wow… Obsessed much, huh?” This has been over long enough. Trish already won, Stark already won, but y’know what this is? Becky The Man is scared of Zoey Stark. Fans boo but Stark says the ringside ban was because The Man left her “balls” at home. Becky asks what is is going on. She’s been in the ring with Stark twice, so she knows how good Stark is! She’s gifted even!

But maybe that’s Stark’s problem. She’s too good for her own good. Stark wants it easy, and that is why she hitched a wagon to Trish, hoping for a free ride. But no matter how good Stark is, she’s too stupid to realize that Trish is just dragging her the wrong direction. Stark could’ve been fighting for the championship, but instead is playing second fiddle to someone who isn’t even gonna be here after next week! Stark says one, she doesn’t play second fiddle to anyone! And two, damn right Stark is amazing at what she does! But that means Becky is jealous! “What?” JEALOUS! And mad that the GOAT kicked her to the side and picked Stark up.

And that is because Stark is the fastest rising star in the WWE, and that makes her the baddest in the locker room. She has already mastered this game, she could do this all- Uh oh, here comes Shayna Baszler! The Queen of Spades is still showing the marks from her MMA style match with Ronda Rousey. Becky says, “Damn, Shayna, you lookin’ rough!” Shayna smirks as she gets in the ring and says you should see how Ronda looks. Oh wait you won’t, because Shayna beat Ronda at SummerSlam and drove her out of the WWE! Fans cheer that! Fans chant “Thank You, Shayna!”

Shayna knows she wasn’t invited tot his little party, but uh, was Stark referencing Shayna when she said what? Who’s the baddest now? Stark says Shayna is just the baddest punching bag. But if Shayna keeps running her mashed mouth, Stark will send her home with her bag, just like Ronda! Becky says those sound like fighting words! And uh, Becky has an idea. She can’t think of a better place or time for these two to fight than right here, right now in Minneapolis! Fans fire up and Becky tells Pearce to make this official for the good people! Pearce walks out and says that sounds like a great idea! Let’s get a ref, cuz it WILL be Shayna VS Zoey, right now!

Fans fire up as the Queen of Spades and the Hunter are about to throw down! Who will really be the baddest? We find out, after the break!

 

Finn Balor talks with JD McDonagh backstage.

The Irish Ace is telling The Prince that yeah, he lost, but- Oh, Damian Priest walks over. They need to talk. Judgment Day business. Finn says anything he’s gonna say, he can say in front of JD. They’ve known each other 20 years, JD’s heard it all. Fine, that’s Finn’s problem. But what was that tonight? Finn doesn’t come out with them, then he blindsides Rollins, doesn’t tell any of them what’s up! What’s going on? They gotta handle Finn’s business, too? Finn says he just decided to make his own plan, since Priest didn’t stick to their plan on Saturday. Oh, so that’s what it is? That wasn’t on Priest! Everyone knows why Priest was there: to make sure FINN won!

But no, even with Priest’s help, Finn lost. Oh is that it? Well maybe it was because of Priest that Finn lost. Finn, you’re crowding Priest right now. Well, that contract is crowding them both. Priest asks, “Is it?” Rhea walks over and has them step back. They are not going through this again. Stop acting like bloody children! Look at her, Finn. Look. Priest WAS there to help you, as was the rest of the Judgment Day. It didn’t work out, end of story, it was one loss. But she needs them both to stay on the same page so they can still run Raw, understood? Priest says yeah, he’s got it. What about Finn? Finn says yeah, man, he’s good.

JD says this may not be his place, but he thinks that briefcase has come between them. So maybe, they should get rid of it. JD leaves, Finn shrugs and leaves with JD. Priest gets mad, what is it to McDonagh!? Rhea says it’s fine, he’s not Judgment Day, so let it go. Things are uneasy within the Judgment Day, is it all going to fall apart?

 

Shayna Baszler VS Zoey Stark!

Raw returns to the ring and the match begins. The two circle, tie up, and Shayna waistlocks. Shayna SLAMS Stark down, Stark gets up but Shayna SLAMS her back down! Becky is ringside to watch, sippin’ on some nice lemonade. Stark fights up, wrenches out, but Shayna kicks! Stark ducks, slips around, and goes after the bad arm! Shayna moves around, Stark wrenches but dodges Shayna’s haymaker. Stark handsprings, but Shayna runs her over! Becky likes what she sees as things speed up. Stark hurdle but Shayna gets the leg! ANKLE LOCK! Stark flails, Shayna drags Stark back but Stark rolls free.

Stark swings, misses, Shayna waistlocks but Stark elbows free! Shayna goes to a corner, that bad eye took the hit. Stark rushes up to smear forearms into the bruised eye socket! The ref counts, Stark lets off, and she ROCKS Shayna! And again! Stark snapmares to then stomp the bad arm! Fans boo, but Stark just soaks it up. Stark stomps Shayna, clamps onto a chinlock and pushes on the bad eye! The ref counts, Stark lets off, but then SCRAPES Shayna’s face on ropes! The ref reprimands, but Stark stomps Shayna. Stark snapmares, covers, ONE! Stark clamps back on with another chinlock, making sure her grip is right on that eye.

Shayna endures, fights up, and fans rally up. Shayna throws body shots but Stark CLUBS her down! Then right back to the chinlock! Stark leans on the hold, digs her elbows into the eye, but the ref counts. Stark lets off but then goes back to a chinlock. Becky admits, that’s good stuff. Shayna fights up, fans rally, and Shayna slips out ot KICK! And KICK! And KICK, KICK, and KICK! Stark’s on her knees, Shayna KICKS her in the chest! Stark swings but into a SAIDO! Shayna then runs up to clothesline Stark up and out! Fans fire up and Becky offers lemonade to Stark. Shayna goes out to fetch Stark, and she puts her in the ring.

Becky gives a cheers to Shayna, Shayna gets in and she kicks Stark low. Shayna whips, Stark reverses and then runs in. Shayna puts Stark on the apron but Stark GAMANGIRIS! Shayna clutches the arm, Stark HOTSHOTS her! Stark then springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Direct hit, fans boo, but Stark soaks it all up as Raw goes picture in picture.

Stark paces around, clamps onto Shayna’s bad arm and pulls on it. Shayna endures, fights up, but Stark whips her into a corner! Shayna hits face first and clutches the bad eye! Stark stomps away on Shayna at the ropes, then she goes to the apron. Stark slingshots to ARABIAN PRESS SENTON! Cover, TWO! Shayna is still in this and Stark grows frustrated. Stark clamps onto Shayna with a chinlock and she grinds Shayna down. Shayna endures, fights up, throws elbows, and then arm-drags free. Stark kicks low, wrenches and WRINGS the arm out! Shayna writhes but Stark paces around. Stark isolates an arm to stomp it!

Shayna goes to the corner, Stark storms up and wraps the arm around ropes. Stark pulls on the arm, lets off, and then throws body shots! Stark wrenches, and hits an ARMBAR DDT! Shayna writhes and Stark grins, but Becky talks some smack. Stark KICKS Shayna in the arm, and then has her in the ropes! Stark pulls on the arm, chinlocks and bends Shayna back as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Stark keeps on Shayna with a chinlock. Shayna endures, Becky is a bit antsy in her seat, but the fans rally up. Shayna fights to her feet, throws elbows, but Stark knees low. Stark whips Shayna to a corner, runs in, but only gets buckles! Shayna crawls, avoids a kick and then CLOBBERS Stark! And CLOBBERS her again! Fans fire up, Shayna runs in to JUMP KNEE! Shayna then waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Stark flounders and fans fire up with Shayna! SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! Shayna grows frustrated but she gets fans to rally up. Shayna aims from a corner, she runs back in, but Stark dodges to HEEL KICK! Cover, TWO!!

Becky is fired up and sipping lemonade as Shayna survives! But Stark SLAMS the bad arm on the mat again and again! Stark clamps onto Shayna, and then stomps the bad arm again and again! Stark even pulls the arm brace off! And throws it at Becky! Stark gores for the arm, Shayna resists, so Stark stomps her! Stark copies Shayna a bit as she keylocks the arm, but then Shayna avoids the stomp! Shayna tackles Stark to rain down fists! Fans fire up, Stark kicks Shayna away to SUPERKICK! Fireman’s carry, Z- NO, Shayna slips off to gut wrench and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Becky is a bit upset, she felt Shayna had that!

Shayna stalks Stark to a corner, drags her up, and Stark ROCKS Shayna! Stark springboards in, but into a waistlock! Then KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! But Stark throws Shayna out of the ring first! And PLANCHAS! Direct hit and then Stark stares Becky down. Becky dares her to try something, and Stark puts Shayna in the ring. Stark talks trash back, but Shayna catches her on the ropes, KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! The ref counts, Shayna lets off, and Stark HOTSHOTS the bad arm! Stark talks more trash, resets, but Shayna KNEES her int he ropes! Shayna hoists Stark up but Stark fights. Shayna still fireman’s carries, for a PIPER’S PIT!! Cover, Shayna wins!

Winner: Shayna Baszler, by pinfall

Shayna renames Ronda’s move the “World’s Baddest Slam!” Becky toasts The Queen of Spades, will we all be toasting Becky after she beats Trish?

 

Backstage interview with Shinsuke Nakamura.

Byron Saxton says Nakamura asked for this time after his big win over Bronson Reed. Nakamura says yes, because he is tired of people getting in his way. Tonight, he won! And from now on, he carves his own path. Wait, something is going on just off screen! Someone is attacking Sami! It’s JD MCDONAGH!! OH NO Sami’s elbow!! Is that bulge a dislocation!? Looks like the Irish Ace just did The Prince a favor by taking out one of the Judgment Day’s three enemies! What chance do Cody and Seth have now?

 

Otis w/ Maxxine Dupri VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ Giovanni Vinci!

We already saw Master Coach Gable represent for the Alpha Academy and the Northern Midwest, now it’s time for his number one guy to do the same! Will this tree trunk fall on the Impeccable German? Or will Ludwig say NEIN to an Alpha Sweep in Minneapolis?

The bell rings and Otis fires up as he circles with Ludwig. Ludwig waves hi to Maxxine but she says ew. Otis and Ludwig tie up, Otis puts Ludwig in a corner, and then Otis lets off. Ludwig kicks low, fires off haymakers, then throws hands. But Otis just absorbs them and pumps up! Ludwig throws more haymakers but fans fire up as Otis just keeps taking them! Otis fires up again but Ludwig headlocks. Otis powers out and runs Ludwig over again! Then scoops and SLAMS! Fans fire up and Otis runs in, but Ludwig dodges, and Otis POSTS himself! Maxxine is worried but Ludwig winks at her.

Ludwig runs to PENALTY KICK! Just in time for the Premier League even. Ludwig makes sure Maxxine watches as he throws down hands! And then digs his elbow in, before he ELBOWS Otis down! Ludwig continues to flirt with Maxxine but she tells him to watch himself. They argue, the ref wants Maxxine to hop down. Otis storms up to fire off hands! Fans fire up and Otis whips Ludwig into the corner! Otis scoops and then hits a FALL AWAY SLAM! Then he runs in to SPLASH at the corner! Maxxine loves what she sees, because now Ludwig is down, and OFF COMES THE SHIRT! Otis powers up but Vinci gets on the apron!

Otis CLOBBERS Vinci, then hauls him up for a BIG suplex! Fans fire up, but GUNTHER runs in! The ref is busy with Vinci, so Gunther BOOTS Otis and Ludwig ENZIGURIS! Fans boo as Ludwig covers, and Ludwig wins!

Winner: Ludwig Kaiser, by pinfall

Maxxine is stunned that all of Imperium would be needed to deal with Otis! But then Imperium beats up on Otis! Fans boo more and Maxxine can’t do anything, but HERE COME’S GABLE! Gable runs in, Imperium runs away! Or is it just a tactical retreat? Gunther smirks, but fans are fired up behind Gable. Will the American Olympiad make sure Der Ring General pays for this?

 

Backstage at the Trainer’s Room.

Jackie Redmond is waiting on an update on Sami’s status. Cody and Seth both step out of the room and she says they’re still expected to compete in tonight’s main event. But how can they have a Six Man Tag after what just happened? Is Sami going to be able to go? Both men want to talk, but Cody allows Seth to take this while he prepares. Seth sighs and then tells us that Sami wants to go, but the doctors won’t clear him. It is 2v3 now, and as far as Seth is concerned, he doesn’t know if he can trust Cody. It might as well be 3v1. But then Nakamura steps in. He knows what happened tonight was bad. If Rollins needs help, he can step in.

Rollins says okay, sure. Shinsuke, there is a lot of respect here. Let’s ride! They shake hands, and now the King of Strong Style steps in! But is Nakamura really someone Rollins can trust more than Cody?

 

The Miz heads to the ring!

Minneapolis is fairly neutral for the Hollywood A-Lister from Ohio. But either way, Miz is here and he’s going to speak his mind. We hear what he has to say, after the break.

Raw returns and Miz asks, “Am I missing something? Is something going over my head?” Miz asks what happened to showing industry leaders like him the proper respect? He comes here to Raw, HIS show, to find a guy who all the fans suddenly just absolutely love in LA Knight–fans add “YEAH!”–taking priority over Miz! MIZ! Miz is a veteran, a locker room leader, and when he first got here a very long time ago, he was taught respect. When you get in the locker room, you introduce yourselves, shake hands of the superstars that have paved the way that have allowed you to step into this ring!

But LA Knight threw Miz out in the battle royal from behind! He did not introduce himself to Miz nor did he shake Miz’s hand! “I am sick and tired of the lack of respect from the so-called crop of new talent we-” LA KNIGHT WALKS OUT! Fans go nuts as Knight goes right to the ring. Knight gets a mic now, and fans cheer him on. “Lemme talk to ya!” Fans cheer again, and Knight says he felt we got a great introduction in the battle royal. But if that wasn’t good for ya, he’ll introduce himself, with everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” Knight holds out his hand, but Miz says no. Fans boo but Miz says Knight doesn’t deserve the handshake.

You don’t think Miz has seen superstars like Night come into the WWE and ride his coattails? As Miz sees it, if you take away things from The Miz, from his success, fame, money, his hot wife Maryse, every ounce of charisma that he has, and what do you get? LA KNIGHT! Knight is a flash in the pan, a flavor of the month! Now, don’t get Miz wrong. All the fans love you right now, and maybe for the rest of the year. They will buy your shirts because they think you’re “it.” But Knight is just an Attitude Era fanboy playing pretend in MIZ’S ring! Fans boo and even chant “TINY BALLS! TINY BALLS!”

Knight says okay, no handshake. Then to be honest, Knight has no problem with Miz. But trust him when he says, Miz does not wanna make this personal. Personal? Oh, you wanna talk personal? Miz takes his career very personally! He has for almost 20 YEARS. He took it personal when he first got here and said people would be gone after three months! He took it personal when he was kicked out of the locker room! He still takes it personal to this day, even though he’s main-evented WrestleMania, is a TWO-TIME WWE Grand Slam Champion, and has made himself indestructible to anyone in that locker room or anything out here, for 20 YEARS!

What has Knight done the last 20 years?!? Fans do cheer Miz’s fire, but then Knight takes off the sunglasses. Knight says, “Personal it is. What have I been doing the last 20 years? That’s a great question.” Knight has been making himself into “a dangerous man.” What does that mean? He’ll tell ya what that means. He has scratched, clawed, and done everything he has needed to, on the outside looking in the entire time the WWE has bet on the wrong horses, Miz being one of ’em! Meanwhile, this thoroughbred has been running a parallel path, albeit a little more rocky, just looking for his opening.

And here Miz is with a 20 year head start. And y’know why Miz got that head start? Because he was “safe.” Y’know what that means? “They” knew that when Miz came in, “they” could smack him around, kick him outta the locker room, and what’d Miz do about it? He TOOK it. The line on Knight has always been, “We’re not ready to take a chance on you yet.” And y’know what that is? Cuz Knight is a dangerous man! They knew that if Knight came in here, they wanna smack him around? NAH NAH! Papa don’t take no mess! He is not to be messed with! That is the difference between Knight and The Miz.

But with all that said, STILL, Miz became every single champion he could, many times over, and good on him. Knight hasn’t been there yet. But here he is on the climb, and Miz’s career is in the damn toilet! Fans do start cheering for Miz and Knight says Miz gained a couple. Good for him. But hey, if Miz is making this personal, then Knight doesn’t mind making him a stepping stone. STEPPING STONE?! Oh don’t get hot, he’s not talking about Miz’s little ones down there. Knight is talking about him, stepping over Miz, to get to the main event. Miz IS the main event! And Knight is not on his level!!

Knight says that’s a really interesting theory. Because Knight is looking Miz dead in the eye. If Knight isn’t on Miz’s level, prove him wrong, cuz he ain’t going anywhere. The mics drop, and Miz throws off his jacket! Fans fire up as the two stare down, but Knight’s waiting. Fans are fired up for “L A KNIGHT! L A KNIGHT!” and Miz picks up his jacket. Fans boo, but Miz throws the jacket at Knight! Then he fires off shots! Fans boo more as Miz gets the cheap shots in on Knight, then hauls him up to a full nelson! SKULL- NO, Knight slips free to B F T!! Knight shakes Miz’s hand now, “YEAH!” Will the Mega Star shine brighter than the A-Lister ever did?

 

The Viking Raiders speak.

Erik & Ivar introduce the trio, and Sarah Logan says, “After a vicious and glorious campaign, the gods again call to us.” Erik says the gods call, and Ivar says they answer. Under the light, they challenge anyone who wishes to do battle and be sacrificed! It is an open challenge, who will willingly take on the raid?

The Viking Raiders w/ Sarah Logan VS ???

Raw returns and we await the challengers. THE NEW DAY!? Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston are back! Minneapolis is fired up for the Power of Positivity’s return, will they be able to deny the Vikings their Ragnarök?

The teams sort out, Woods starts against Erik, and Woods CHOPS! And UPPERCUTS! And CHOPS again! Woods forearm smashes, tags to Kofi, and then feeds Erik to a GAMANGIRI! Kofi gets in, Woods hits a BIG back suplex, then Kofi FLYING SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Tag back to Woods, PENALTY KICK to SLIDING LARIAT to IMPLODER SPLASH! Woods adds the ELBOW DROP, then covers, TWO! Fans chant “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” as Woods brings Erik up. Erik shoves him away but Woods mule kicks! Woods goes up but Sarah distracts! Erik runs in, Woods leaps over, but Erik CLOBBERS him!

Tag to Ivar, and Erik TOSSES Kofi into the ring! Ivar SPIN HEEL KICKS! Erik gets Woods for a SPINEBUSTER! Ivar goes up top, to WARBEARD SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?! Woods survives and Ivar is furious! Ivar drags Woods up, ROCKS him, then tags in Erik. The Vikings mug Woods against the ropes, but the ref counts. The Vikings let off and Sarah howls but fans boo. Erik tags back to Ivar, and Ivar drops a fist! Ivar grinds his forearm in Woods’ face, but lets off as the ref counts. Ivar has Woods in a corner, knees him low, then puts him in the corner. Tag to Erik, and they feed Woods to another knee! Erik then SLIDING KNEES Woods down! Cover, TWO!

Erik drags Woods around, chinlocks and he grinds Woods down. Fans rally, Woods fights up, and Woods arm-drags free! Erik runs in and whips Woods away. Woods goes to the apron, he ELBOWS Ivar and RAMS into Woods, GET OVER HERE DDT! Fans fire up as Woods crawls, as does Erik. Hot tags to Ivar and Kofi! Kofi FLYING AX HANDLES! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS again! Kofi DROPKICKS, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to LEAPING LARIAT! Fans fire up and Kofi runs in to SPLASH in the corner! Kofi whips, Ivar reverses, Kofi goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up for Kofi’s NEW~ DAY~ BOOM DROP!

Kofi fires up with the fans and he aims from a corner. They clap along, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Kofi spins, but Ivar ducks the Trouble! Kofi ducks the spin kick! SOS!! Cover, TWO!! Ivar staggers up to a corner, Kofi runs in, but into a SEATED SENTON! Tag to Erik, Ivar SPLASHES! Then snapmare to Ace Ten Mao! Cover, TWO! Ivar hurries back to the corner, tags back in, and the Vikings get Kofi up. Feed to Erik’s pop-up, but Kofi RANAS Erik! Kofi HEEL KICKS Ivar! Ivar wobbles, tag to Woods! Kofi and Woods go to a corner, Ivar stands up into TROUBLE IN PARADISE! And then Kofi FLIES to take out Erik! Woods hits the LIMIT BREAKER!! Cover, New Day Wins!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall

Kofi & Woods are back in action and back in the win column! Will one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history return to the top of the WWE Tag Team Division?

 

Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.

Byron appreciates The Man taking this time, as a week from tonight is finally the 1v1 match with Trish Stratus, no Zoey Stark. But then Shayna walks over. First off, she didn’t need Becky’s help tonight or ever. Yeah, got it. And then second, now that Shayna has cleared out Ronda, she has a whole list of scores to settle. And that means she’ll be after The Man sooner or later. Well Becky ain’t hard to find. And she looks forward to it. Shayna heads out, will Becky hop from one big time feud to another after next week?

 

The New Day celebrates backstage.

Jackie Redmond is there to interview them but they ask who she is. Oh, she’s Jackie, she works here now. Just wanted to say congrats. Aw she doesn’t even have to ask. They know she wants to know how it feels to be back. It feels GOOOOOOOD~! The Viking Raiders said they were gonna make a sacrifice to their gods, what? What? But did they forget that the New Day are the GODS OF THE TAG DIVISION, BABYYY~! Obviously, Jackie has seen what’s going on with The Street Profits now, and the Usos breaking up? What is that?! The New Day is gonna inject some positivity back into this place! They are back to do what they do best, and that is become your…

Oh, Jackie, you can join in if you want. Oh, okay! W! W! E! WORLD! TAG! TEAM! CHAMPIONS~! And do you know why? Why? BECAAAAAAUSE~! NEW! DAY ROCKS! NEW! DAY ROCKS! Nice to meet you, Jackie.

 

BREAKING NEWS!

TMZ had it first that sadly, Sonya Deville suffers a torn ACL and is out indefinitely. We all hope her a speed recovery, but sadly, that also means she and Chelsea Green will have to vacate the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. What will be the fate of these titles now?

 

Six Man Tag: Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins & Shinsuke Nakamura VS The Judgment Day w/ Rhea Ripley!

The American Nightmare and the Visionary promised Sami Zayn they would stay on the same page to rid Raw of their common enemy. But in some odd favor to Finn, JD McDonagh made sure Sami could not fight tonight! Will the King of Strong Style still be a team player? And what of the dysfunction on the other side? Will Finn and Priest hold it together to get the better of the World Heavyweight Champion?

Speaking of world champions, Raquel Rodriguez BLINDSIDES Rhea!! Fans fire up as Big Mami Cool RAMS Mami Rhea into railing! And rains down fists! Dom can only watch as his Mami gets beat down! Refs and producers rush out to get Raquel away from Rhea, but Rhea also wants after Raquel! They brawl at the ramp! Now even Indi and Candice have to rush out to stop Raquel! But Rhea gets loose again, and she TOSSES Indi aside! And TOSSES Candice! Then she DECKS Raquel and rains down fists! But then Candice SPEARS Rhea!! The brawl is getting even wilder, more officials are needed to separate them all! The chaos continues, but Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and the brawling is over, so now Cody makes his entrance, “WHOA~ OH~!” Then Nakamura makes his entrance and fans even sing along with his song. And of course, fans sing along with Rollins’ song as he makes his entrance, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” The trios then sort out and after a bit of discussion, Nakamura steps up for his team against Finn. But then Priest tags in? Finn is confused but Priest says it’s no big deal. So then Dom tags in and he has everybody calm down. The fans boo, Finn and Priest accept, and Dom turns around, into a strike fest! Nakamura throws Dom down, and gives him BAD VIBRATIONS! Then a knee drop! Cover, TWO!

Nakamura stalks Dom to ropes, whips him, but Dom holds ropes and bails out with Priest’s help. Nakamura says “C’MON~!” Fans fire up while Judgment Day cools off, and Raw goes picture in picture.

Nakamura eggs Dom on, Finn and Priest give Dom a pep talk, and they all go back to the corner. Dom slides in, circles with Nakamura, but Dom hears the fans booing. The two circle more, then Dom tags out to Finn. Finn runs in but Nakamura fires knees! Finn puts Nakamura in a corner and fires off hands! The ref counts, Finn lets off, and he soaks up the heat. Finn storms back up to throw hands but Nakamura gives those back! And then he puts Finn up top, for a TOP SHELF KNEE! Tag to Cody and Cody throws hands. Cody wrenches, whips, and kitchen sink knees! Finn flounders, wants mercy, but Cody just wrenches his arm!

Cody twists the wrist, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Cody wrenches again, considers his options, and tags Nakamura. They mug Finn, and Nakamura wrenches the arm to WRING Finn out! Nakamura brings Finn back up, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn rolls through a sunset flip to dropkick Nakamura down! Cover, TWO! Finn storms up on Nakamura, brings him up and facelocks, but he considers his options. Priest reaches a hand out, so Finn tags him in. They double whip and mule kick, front kick and ROUNDHOUSE, to then SCISSOR KICK Nakamura down! Priest drags Nakamura up, and he wraps on a SLEEPER! Fans rally, Nakamura fights, but Priest drags Nakamura down with a chinlock. Nakamura fights up, throws body shots, but Priest ROCKS him! Nakamura goes to the corner, Priest runs in, STAGE DIVE ELBOW!

Tag to Finn, Rhea says teamwork makes the dream work. Tag to Dom and he slingshot SENTONS! Fans boo but Dom tags to Finn. Finn tags Priest, and they get Nakamura up, BACKBREAKER LEG DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO! Rhea makes sure everyone sees this. Fans rally for Nakamura but Priest waits on him. Choke grip, SOUTH OF- NO, Nakamura knees free! Priest blocks a kick but Nakamura ENZIGURIS! Hot tag to Rollins! Rollins dodges Priest, DECKS Finn, DECKS Dom, then BOOTS Priest! Rollins goes up, leaps over Priest and he SLINGBLADES on the return! Rollins suplexes but Priest fights it!

Rollins keeps trying, but Priest suplexes Rollins! Rollins turns it around to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Rollins watches Priest bail out, and he builds speed. Rollins DIVES and sends Priest into the desk! Rollins puts Priest back in, hurries to DIVE onto Finn! Finn hits barriers! Rollins springboards in to FLYING- HAYMAKER from Priest! And then FLATLINER! Priest drags Rollins up, TOSSES him out, and tags in Finn! Finn aims, and SHOTGUNS Rollins into barriers! The Judgment Day is standing tall as Raw goes picture in picture again.

The Judgment Day soaks up the heat, Finn and Priest fist bump, and then Finn puts Rollins in. Finn drags Rollins around to have an armlock and he grinds Rollins down. Rollins endures, fans rally up, and Rollins fights up. Rollins hits a JAWBREAKER! But Finn keeps him from the corner to put on a COBRA TWIST! Rollins endures, even as Finn digs an elbow into Rollins’ ribs. Fans rally, Rollins powers up and hip tosses free! Both men are down, they crawl for their corners, hot tag to Priest and he stops Rollins with a facelock! Priest CLUBS Rollins down, then soaks up the heat. Fans give thumbs down but Rhea smiles.

Priest drags Rollins up, ROCKS him with a right, then JABS away in the corner! And then UPPERCUTS! Priest argues with the ref, which allows Finn and Dom dig in their boots! Cody and Nakamura protest but Priest drags Rollins up. Priest waves at Cody, then UPPERCUTS Rollins! Rollins falls against the ropes, Priest mocks Nakamura. Priest then whips Rollins away, but Rollins kicks him back! Rollins hurries but Priest keeps him from the corner! Rollins ROCKS Priest with forearms but Priest holds on! Priest wrenches, hammerlocks, and then PEPSI TWISTS! Cover, TWO Rollins survives and Rhea is furious!

Tag to Dom and Dom stomps away on Rollins. Rollins goes to ropes, Dom CHOKES him! The ref counts and Raw returns to single picture again. Dom lets off, Mami gets a shot in! Rhea says they’re too smart for you all. Dom snap suplexes Rollins, Uno Amigo! And then another snap suplex, Dos Amigos! And then some Latino Heat before he sucker punches Nakamura! But Rollins LARIATS Dom for it! Rhea is shocked and fans are thunderous! Hot tags to Finn, and with no one else to choose, Rollins tags Cody! Cody runs in to rally on Judgment Day! Cody kicks, drops, RHODES UPPERCUT! Finn staggers around, runs in, but Cody goes up and over!

Finn hits buckles, Cody springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER for Priest! Finn runs back in, but into a POWERSLAM! Fans are thunderous behind Cody, and he drags Finn into the draogn sleeper! Finn spins it around! But Cody drpos to kick back! Cody then springboard, but Finn catches him! EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO! Cody is still in this but Finn aims from a corner. Finn runs in, but Cody SUPERKICKS! And then springboards, CODY CUTTER! Cover, Dom breaks it! Fans boo, Nakamura runs in, Dom ducks the roundhouse but not the HEEL KICK! Priest KICKS Nakamura down!

Rollins CLOBBERS Priest out of the ring! And then builds speed, but Finn clotheslines Rollins out! Cody gets Finn but Rhea distracts! BRIEFCASE SHOT by Priest! Finn takes the briefcase, but SAMI GOES AFTER PRIEST?! One arm and all, Sami still TOSSES Priest over the desk! But Finn is still aimed at Cody! But Rollins SUPERKICKS the briefcase into Finn’s face!! Rollins helped Cody, Cody drags Finn up to the CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody’s team wins!!

Winners: Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins & Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall

Sami helped his friends out after all as the Judgment Day’s trickery all fell apart! Fans sing along again, “WHOA~ OH!” Rollins and Cody shake hands with Sami and Nakamura, but not with each other. Cody says they won, Rollins should be happy about that. Sami has everyone cool off, and he raises their hands in victory. Then Rollins shakes Cody’s hand! Fans fire up and this dysfunctional dream team celebrates together! But then Nakamura KINSHASAS Rollins!!! The King of Strong Style was the real snake in the grass all along! Sami and Cody are shocked, but we all know what this is about. Will Rollins and Nakamura soon fight over that World Heavyweight Championship?


My Thoughts:

This was an awesome Raw to follow SummerSlam! And as soon as they said it was commercial free the first hour, and there was also uses of picture in picture, you knew this was gonna be good stuff. And they did an amazing job of weaving stories together the entire night, too. Just an awesome Fatal 4 Way match, Gable winning was the right choice in this moment. And then great tie-in to making a match of Otis VS Ludwig, with now this sub plot of Ludwig trying to charm Maxxine to Imperium. That isn’t working, so of course Ludwig and Imperium had to go and screw Otis over. I would love Alpha Academy VS Ludwig & Vinci as part of the build to Gunther VS Gable for the Intercontinental Championship at Payback.

Awesome promo stuff from Miz and Knight, no pun intended. Fans love it when Miz gets fired up like that, bringing up his accolades, and Knight had a great response. He of course couldn’t/wouldn’t name the things he did and the places he’s been before reaching WWE (Impact, NWA, and all the little things WWE had him do as an extra), but we all know the story of Knight’s journey. While Knight is on SmackDown, he was here on Raw I think just to take advantage of this opportunity. And I would love if Miz goes to SmackDown to return the favor. Miz VS Knight could be an awesome match for Payback while Knight waits on his title opportunities.

New Day returning off a random Viking Raiders open challenge was great, we’ve all been missing Kofi & Woods. They brought up SmackDown teams, though, but I guess those were the only examples of team dysfunction or Heel turns they could use. Sami himself said the Undisputed Tag Titles are in jeopardy, a tournament could be started and New Day could get in on that and then go between all brands, hence why they named SmackDown teams. And speaking of tag titles, it is starting to feel like the Women’s Tag titles have been cursed by a voodoo witch doctor doing the bidding of those who don’t care about women’s wrestling. Sonya Deville goes down with a real injury, another new team will have to be crowned, and who knows what will happen to that team.

Great promo from Becky, and a good one from Shayna, with decent input from Stark. Stark still needs to work on promos but the match she had with Shayna was great stuff. Shayna gets a great win here to keep her momentum going, and she even has a good promo with Becky backstage putting her on notice. I would think Becky wins next week, and she and Shayna can battle to see who goes after the title next. And we know Raquel, with her mostly kayfabe injury, is going to get at Rhea first after the great brawl that happened. Candice and Indi joining in, they probably end up in matches with Rhea for her to build momentum going into that title match.

Which of course leads to all the amazing things we got out of Judgment Day’s story and the World Heavyweight Championship story. Great promo from Cody that then brought in Seth Rollins that then brought out Judgment Day. Cody and Rollins returning their feud feels like a clear direction for Raw but they’re making sure to hold off on it until a little closer to WrestleMania season. I really like that JD McDonagh was brought back into the Judgment Day story, this will be a pivotal turning point in the tension between Finn and Priest. Nakamura VS Bronson was a great match for Nakamura to settle that feud, and then his promo turning into McDonagh attacking Sami was really clever.

Nakamura offering to join the main event was so suspicious, of course something like what we got at the end was gonna happen. The main event was awesome, so Nakamura attacking was a great shock ending. Rollins VS Nakamura is going to be great, and y’know what? I bet that is when Priest finally gets his cash-in off. Whether or not he succeeds is uncertain, but Judgment Day won’t have dysfunction over it since they are screwing over Rollins or Nakamura, not one of their own.

My Score: 8.9/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/5/25)

Penta wants payback!

Published

on

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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Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/25)

It’s a Wrestling Dontaku Weekend finale!

Published

on

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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