Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (9/18/23)
Grudge matches are Raw!
Will Main Event Jey Uso survive the Scottish Warrior?
The Raw roster is mostly Anti-Jey Uso, with Drew McIntyre stepping up as number one on the list! Will McIntyre’s Claymore blast Jey into pieces?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Cody Rhodes VS Dominik Mysterio w/ The Judgment Day; Cody wins.
- Best 2 Out of 3 Falls: The New Day VS The Viking Raiders w/ “Valhalla” Sarah Logan; changed to…
- Kofi Kingston VS Ivar w/ “Valhalla” Sarah Logan; Kofi wins.
- Shinsuke Nakamura VS Ricochet; Nakamura wins, by disqualification.
- Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven; Chelsea & Piper win, by disqualification.
- Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy VS Bronson Reed; Bronson wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship Open Challenge: Becky Lynch VS Natalya; Becky wins and retains the title.
- Tommaso Ciampa VS Giovanni Vinci w/ Ludwig Kaiser; Ciampa wins.
- Drew McIntyre VS Jey Uso; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes heads to the ring!
Salt Lake City fires up for the American Nightmare as he prepares to humble Dirty Dom once and for all, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets the pyro and high-fives fans at the ramp. Cody stands on the corner, gets another round of “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro, then picks up the mic. Fans chant Cody’s name, and he asks them, “Whaddya wanna talk about?” He was interrupted last week so he really wants to talk about Main Event Jey Uso. Wait, Cody gets interrupted again, and it’s once again Dominik Mysterio! Fans boo Dom as he has the mic already, and he tells Cody, “The only thing that they need to know about Jey Uso… CALLETE!”
Fans keep booing but Dom keeps talking. “Once Main Event Jey Uso joins The Judgment Day, we will continue to be the most dominant faction in all of WWE!” Dom storms into the ring and says, “Speaking of dominating… Mami isn’t here because she was injured last week by Nia Jax. But she will be back better, and soon. But tonight, after I beat you, Cody… I will be dedicating my victory to Mami.” Cody asks if the fans heard Dom. “NO!” Well, then go ahead, Dom, say that again. Fans start booing again and Dom shakes his head. Cody says this is a big night for Dom, huh? Cody lets everyone know Dom is dedicating this “victory” to Mami.
But maybe that will be what does it. This will be the thing that impresses Rhea enough that she finally defines their relationship. Maybe a little bit before Dom’s time, but this is a very Urkel & Laura vibe. Dom is way more into Rhea than Rhea is in to Dom. And all this dedication to her, what’s the deal? It also seems that Mami has eyes for Jey Uso. No no no! It’s NOT like that! They’re a family! And once Jey joins, he’ll know what it is like to have a family! Because family always has each other’s back! And Dom smiles as the rest of the Judgment Day walks out! Finn Balor & Damian Priest swagger to the ring, will they be a factor as always? Or can Cody defy the odds stacked against him?
Cody Rhodes VS Dominik Mysterio w/ The Judgment Day!
Raw returns and we Dragon Lee is in the crowd watching, because he gets his shot at the North American Championship next week on Raw, just days before NXT No Mercy on the 30th! The bell rings, the two circle, fans boo Dom but Dom shoves Cody. Cody kick slow then drops for the RHODES UPPERCUT! Then Cody suplexes Dom and holds him up, for a count of TEN before the GROUD BUSTER! Then Cody ties up the legs! FIGURE FOUR! Dom flails, reaches out, scrambles over, ROPEBREAK! Cody lets go quickly and glares at Finn & Priest. Cody bumps Dom off buckles, CHOPS him, then ROCKS him!
Cody whips corner to corner, Dom reverses but Cody tumbles up and out to ROCK Dom! But Dom distracts the ref so Finn can YANK Cody down! Dom goes out while fans boo and Dom puts Cody in the ring. The Judgment Day fist bumps while Dom stomps away on Cody in the corner. The ref counts, Dom lets off and soaks up the heat. Dom then suplexes, Uno Amigo! Fans boo as Dom hits Dos Amigos! Dom looses his grip for a moment, tries one more, but Cody slips free to springboard, CODY CUTTER! Fans fire up with Cody as Dom staggers up! Dragon sleeper, CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
The Judgment Day is furious that Dom is now 0-2 against the American Nightmare! Will this really bring Dom down as he faces Carmelo Hayes tomorrow night on NXT?
But wait, Finn & Priest get on the apron, and Cody sees he’s 3v1. But wait! Here comes Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn! The former tag team champions back Cody up again, and they dare Judgment Day to do something! Judgment Day says yeah, okay! Just not now. Dom, Finn & Priest fall back while fans boo, but will all these enemies soon close in around them?
But wait, as Cody starts to leave, Kevin has them cut the music. Kevin says before Cody leaves, he wants to talk about something. Cody says okay, but what about? Cody goes back towards the ring, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kevin sits on the corner with a mic. He says now that we’re back and everyone can hear this, from what Kevin understands, and correct him if he’s wrong… But Jey is back on Raw because of Cody. Cody says that is correct. Then Kevin doesn’t need to go into detail about what Jey did ot a lot of people on Raw when he was Bloodline and all that. Kevin just wants Cody to tell him why Cody thought it was a good idea to bring Jey over to Raw. That’s all he wants. And not just for Kevin, but for everyone else in the locker room. Cody says there are surely a lot of people in the back who need to know.
But Cody’s pretty sure there’s a lot of people out in the crowd who already know why. Cody’s had a lot of roles, a lot of tasks, a lot of duties, but his job is to make the people happy. The fans cheer that, and Cody says he’ll get to the answer. But the fans like Jey, right? The fans fire up for that, and then Cody says Cody himself is someone who has received a large amount of second chances. Jey is one of the very best, he deserves a second chance, and they should be the ones to give him the time to show he has changed. Not to mention, the Bloodline, who we are all very familiar with, are now down a member! What’s bad about that?
Kevin mulls it over and Sami speaks up. He doesn’t wanna pile on, he has had Kevin’s back since day one, but he has known Kevin since day one, this is how Kevin’s always been. He takes more time to warm up and trust people. Or maybe Sami just trusts too quickly. But hey, Sami knows Jey. They went through a lot. The situation Jey had to dig himself out of… Kevin doesn’t have to give Jey a second chance, but Sami feels he should. Because guess what? Kevin’s given Sami second chances, Sami’s given Kevin second chances, and because of that, they won the Undisputed Tag Team Championships in the main event of WrestleMania!
So Kevin doesn’t have to do it right away, just- Kevin stops him there and sees where this is going. He hears them. He has to pretend Jey isn’t a big part of why Sami didn’t win the Universal Championship at Elimination Chamber? Fine, he’ll do that. He has to pretend Jey wasn’t a huge reason why Cody didn’t walk of WrestleMania as champion? Fine, he’ll do that. He has to pretend like Jey didn’t cost Kevin FIVE title matches against Roman Reigns? Fine, he’ll do that. He’ll even pretend like Jey isn’t one shade of eyeliner away from joining The Judgment Day now. Kevin is to trust Jey? He can’t do that. But he trusts Sami and Cody, so he hopes they’re right.
Kevin leaves, but will it really just take time? Or is Kevin’s mind made up beyond a point of changing?
Kofi Kingston VS Ivar w/ “Valhalla” Sarah Logan!
When Erik was found not medically cleared to compete tonight, the tag team match was downgraded to a singles match, and Kofi won the right to face the Warbeard through… rock-paper-scissors? Well, will Kofi be able to cut through Ivar like scissors to paper? Or will Ivar crush him like rock to scissors?
Raw returns and Ivar makes his entrance, Sarah Logan by his side. The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rlaly, Kofi gets around Ivar to headlock but Ivar blocks the takeover. Kofi tries again, but Ivar still blocks. Ivar powers out, Kofi slips out of the back drop to waistlock but Ivar bucks the O’Conner away. Ivar then runs Kofi over! Fans boo but Ivar fires up as he runs, only for Kofi to move, hurdle, hurdle and UPPERCUT! Ivar goes to a corner, Kofi runs in to SPLASH! Ivar staggers but Kofi runs in, into a SEATED SENTON! Ivar snarls while the ref checks Kofi. Ivar drags Kofi up, UPPERCUTS him, then follows Kofi to a corner.
Ivar throws back elbows, but fans rally up for Kofi. Ivar whips corner to corner hard and Kofi bounces off buckles! Ivar storms up but Kofi throws elbows and backhands! Kofi fires off haymakers, he backs Ivar down to whip, but Ivar reverses. Ivar runs in but gets a SWING KICK for it! Kofi goes up top to FLYING AX HANDLE! Fans rally, Kofi fires CHOPS, then a DROPKICK! Ivar comes back, Kofi dodges to LEAPING LARIAT! Fans fire up more as Kofi runs, but Ivar gets away. Kofi storms up but into an elbow! So Kofi SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!! Ivar survives and scrambles away. Sarah snarls but Ivar TOSSES Kofi out!
Ivar then goes to the apron, leaps, VIKING SPLASH to the floor! Sarah and Ivar roar while Kofi sputters and coughs, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi throws body shots! Kofi stands to throw haymakers, but runs into a SIDEWALK SLAM! Ivar runs to BASEMENT CROSSBODY! Fans boo but Ivar goes to the corner. Ivar climbs up to the top, to VIKING FLOP as Kofi moves! Fans fire up and Sarah freaks out! Kofi drags himself to the corner, he goes up now, and he leaps to SPLASH Ivar on the back! Cover, TWO! Ivar holds in there but Sarah is still frustrated. Kofi hurries to whip but Ivar reverses. Kofi goes up and up and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Kofi grows frustrated but he and Ivar rise again. Ivar goes to a corner, Kofi runs in, but Ivar BOOTS him down!
Ivar snarls and he storms up on Kofi. Kofi stands to catch the haymaker into SOS! Cover, TWO!! Ivar escapes and Sarah is beside herself. Kofi runs to PENALTY KICK! And then “NEW~ DAY~!” BOOM DROP Kofi goes to a corner, and fans fire up! Kofi claps and the fans join in, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Kofi spins, but Ivar ducks Trouble! Kofi ducks the heel kick! Kofi clinches but Ivar spins him around to underhook! TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Kofi survives and Sarah cannot believe it! Fans rally for Kofi even harder but Ivar scowls. Ivar runs up but into an elbow! But the HEEL KICK OF DOOM connects! Cover, TWO!??!
Kofi survives and Sarah is seething! “This is Awesome!” but Ivar takes aim from the corner. Kofi stands, Ivar runs in, BRONCO BUSTER! Kofi flops into the drop zone and Ivar goes up! Ivar takes aim, Sarah says to spin it around. Ivar nods and he goes up to the very top, facing outside! VIKING MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Sarah is freaking out and Salt Lake City cannot believe it! Ivar is pulling at his beard, he is that upset! Ivar drags Kofi up, hoists him to the top rope, but Kofi fights with body shots! Kofi CLUBS away on Ivar’s back, and fans fire up with him! SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!!
Fans fire up again as Kofi stands and takes aim! TROUBLE IN PARADISE!! Cover, Kofi wins!!
Winner: Kofi Kingston, by pinfall
Sarah is enraged, but this was a throwback to #Kofimania right here! But will this help The New Day put things to bed with the Viking Raiders?
Backstage interview with Ricochet.
Jackie Redmon is with #TheHighlightoftheNight, and notes his rematch with Shinsuke Nakamura is in just a few moments. Any final comments before heading out there? Ricochet says he feels Nakamura sees this as just another mind game he’s setting out for Seth Rollins. But Ricochet will show Nakamura that he is nobody’s pawn. To be honest, Ricochet had moved on from Nakamura, passed over, but the only reason he’s getting involved again is both that Nakamura hit him with a chair, and that he chose to attack Ricochet last week. That made things personal. Nakamura can throw flames but it will only fire Ricochet up.
Ricochet tells Nakamura that if it is games he wants to play, let’s play. Ricochet has the cheat codes, and tonight will be game over. Will the King of Flight have his revenge on the King of Strong Style? Or will nothing stop Nakamura on his mission to become WWE World Heavyweight Champion?
Shinsuke Nakamura VS Ricochet!
But wait! After Nakamura makes his entrance, Seth Rollins appears! Salt Lake fires up as The Visionary storms out, only for Adam Pearce to storm out and stop him! Security and producers are called in, they can’t let even the world champion ruin this match. Rollins says okay, he’ll leave. But then he bolts right past them all! Rollins slides in, but Nakamura slides out! Rollins chases after Nakamura but is intercepted by the security guards! Fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” and Rollins goes around the other side. Security is still there to stop him, and Nakamura slides back into the ring. “C’MON~!” Nakamura eggs Rollins on but he has Ricochet to worry about, after the break.
Raw returns and Ricochet makes his entrance. Rollins has since been ushered from ringside, and the bell rings. The two circle, tie up, and Ricochet powers Nakamura to a corner. The ref counts, Nakamura uses ropes, and Ricochet backs off. Ricochet eggs Nakamura on, they tie up again, and Ricochet again puts Nakamura on ropes. They go along the ropes, into a corner, the ref works to separate them, but Nakamura gets a cheap shot in! The ref reprimands but Nakamura RAMS Ricochet into another corner! Nakamura stomps away but lets off at 4. Nakamura gives a few more stomps, then kicks Ricochet around.
Nakamura paces around Ricochet, drags him up, and slaps him around. Ricochet is annoyed but Nakamura KICKS him down! Fans rally and Nakamura smirks, then he KICKS Ricochet again! Ricochet gets frustrated, and he blocks a kick! Ricochet fires haymakers and UPPERCUTS, then whips. Nakamura reverses, Ricochet dodges to roll and RANA! Then DROPKICK! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Ricochet stomps Nakamura now, has him in a corner and keeps up the stomps! Fans fire up but the ref counts, and Ricochet lets off at 4. Ricochet storms back up on Nakamura, fireman’s carries, but Nakamura slips free!
Ricochet throws elbows, runs, but Nakamura rushes up! Ricochet dodges and handsprings but Nakamura SLIDING KICKS! Ricochet flounders, Nakamura gets him up to put him on the top rope. Nakamura throws body shots, goes corner to corner, and hits the TOP SHELF KNEE! Cover, TWO! Ricochet is hanging tough but Nakamura drops a knee! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Ricochet but Nakamura pretends he can’t hear them. Nakamura wraps on a GUILLOTINE! Ricochet endures the facelock, fights with body shots, and ROCKS Nakamura! Ricochet UPPERCUTS, runs, but into a kitchen sink knee!
Nakamura stomps Ricochet down, sits him up, and wraps him up in an abdominal stretch! Nakamura CLUBS Ricochet in the ribs! Ricochet claws at Nakamura, but Nakamura keeps on the stretch. Fans rally as Ricochet endures, and Ricochet pries at a leg. Ricochet gets up to his feet to JAWBREAKER, then snapmare! Then KICK! And STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ricochet grows frustrated but he goes to ropes. Fans rally up, and Ricochet AX HANDLES Nakamura down! And again! Ricochet stands Nakamura up but Nakamura fires off fast hands! Nakamura CHOPS Ricochet in the corner!
Ricochet sits down in the corner, Nakamura stands him back up, and he CHOPS Ricochet again! Nakamura CHOPS again, fires a forearm, and repeat! The ref counts, Nakamura lets off, and then he gives Ricochet BAD VIBRATIONS! The ref counts, Nakamura lets off and he whips corner to corner. Nakamura runs, but blocks boots to put Ricochet in ropes! KICK and SLIDING- NO, Ricochet avoids the German Suplex to go up and up and MOONSAULT! Direct hit and fans fire up with Ricochet as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Nakamura has Ricochet in the corner, for more BAD VIBRATIONS! The ref counts, Nakamura lets off and he swaggers across the ring. Fans rally up, Nakamura runs back in, but into a JUMP KNEE from Ricochet! Both men are down and fans rally up. Ricochet sits up first, and Nakamura goes to ropes. Nakamura stands, he swings but Ricochet counter punches and fires off a strike fest! Ricochet whips, Nakamura reverses but Ricochet handsprings, BACK ELBOW! Fans fire up with Ricochet again and he runs in, SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Ricochet keeps his cool as Nakamura goes to a corner.
Ricochet runs corner to corner, but Nakamura KNEES him low! Nakamura puts Ricochet on the top rope again, but Ricochet avoids the knee! Buckle bump and a KICK! Ricochet springboards, FLYING CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura just gets that arm up! Ricochet and the fans can’t believe it, but Ricochet pumps himself back up. Ricochet runs in at the corner, but Nakamura puts him right up! And BOOTS him right down! Ricochet falls to the apron but Nakamura goes out after him! LEG SWEEP! Ricochet hits the apron then tumbles down! Nakamura sits Ricochet up, takes aim, but runs into a Tiger Wall Kick! And ENZIGURI!
Nakamura leans against the barriers, but grabs a chair! Ricochet dodges, to SUPERKICK Nakamura! Ricochet grabs the chair, fans fire up, and he SMACKS Nakamura!!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by disqualification
Ricochet argues that he shouldn’t have been disqualified, Nakamura introduced the chair! But the ref says that doesn’t matter, a chair shot is a chair shot! But then Nakamura SLIDING KICKS Ricochet’s ankle out! Ricochet flounders and writhes, but Nakamura isn’t done there! KINSHASA!! Nakamura then hits a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Nakamura doesn’t care about anything other than hurting Ricochet now! Nakamura brings Ricochet to the corner to SLAM the leg into the post! And then he grabs the chair! CHAIR SHOT against the post! And again! And again!!
BUT HERE COMES ROLLINS! From the crowd side, The Visionary jumps on Nakamura and fires off hands! Rollins puts Nakamura in to fire off more shots! And then a PEDI- NO, Nakamura back drops Rollins onto the chair! Rollins writhes, security gets him out of there, but Nakamura has done the damage! Rollins says who cares, an d he drags Nakamura out of the ring! Only for Nakamura to RAM him into the desk! And then BACK SUPLEX ONTO THE DESK!! Rollins writhes and Nakamura soaks up the heat from all the fans. Their booing is like music to his ears, and he grabs a fan’s Seth Rollins cutout to mock conducting the choir! Will Nakamura be the one composing Rollins’ final movement?
Rollins hobbles backstage.
But he angrily tells referees that he does NOT need their help, he is FINE! Except he drops to his knees! The refs offer help and Rollins takes their help to get into the trainer’s room. Rollins sits and gets checked out, is he going to fall apart before ever getting that rematch with Nakamura?
Backstage interview with Chelsea Green & Piper Niven.
Byron Saxton is with the Undisputed WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and he asks their thoughts on this new yet formidable tag team of Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark. “Formidable? Bryan, Shayna & Zoey aren’t even a real team. They fought each other, they like each other, they respect each other, oh blah blah blah. That’s not what makes a real team, does it, Bryan? No, what makes a real team is friendship. Piper and I are friends.” Not by the look on Piper’s face… Piper stops Chelsea there. Does she really think they’re friends? Of course, bestie! Then if they’re such friends, what country is Piper from?
Um… Eng- Ire- Florida? Piper rolls her eyes and storms off. Byron says Piper is Scottish. OMG Bryan, of course she knew that! You think Chelsea doesn’t know where her own tag partner is from? Tonight, they will show Shayna & Zoey what a REAL team looks like. Chelsea hurries after Piper to apologize, but will this “team” break down real fast?
Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven!
The teams sort out, and Stark starts against Chelsea. They tie up, but Chelsea kicks low! Chelsea CLUBS Stark around but Stark counter punches right back! Stark whips then ELBOWS Chelsea, runs and UPPERCUTS, then snapmares and points to Piper. SLIDING LARIAT! Stark goes out, slingshots up, ARABIAN PRESS SENTON! Cover, TWO! Shayna reaches out and Stark says okay, she brings Chelsea over to tag. The Queen of Spades wrenches Chelsea into a BACKBREAKER! Shayna keeps Chelsea from Piper, Chelsea SLAPS Shayna, but that just upsets Shayna! Chelsea reaches out, Shayna reels her in, NECKBREAKER!
Shayna runs to SLIDING KNEE Chelsea down! Stark likes that and reaches out. Shayna tags her in and Stark stomps Chelsea. Stark whips Chelsea to a corner, runs in but into an ELBOW! Piper reaches out, saves Chelsea from thne SPLASH, and then Chelsea goes up top! Chelsea MISSILE DROPKICKS! Chelsea hurries to cover, TWO! Chelsea is frustrated already but she drags Stark over, bumps her off buckles, and tags in Piper. Piper throws elbows, then runs to SPLASH! Stark drops to her knees but Piper scoops. SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Stark toughs it out and Piper scowls. Piper then CLUBS away on Stark!
Piper bumps Stark off buckles, tags in Chelsea and Chelsea CHOPS! But Stark CHOPS back! Chelsea CHOPS, whips, but Stark reverses. Chelsea kicks back, ENZIGURIS, and laughs. Chelsea runs, into a SUPERKICK! Stark falls on the cover, but Piper drags her away! Shayna storms in and KNEES Piper down! Piper falls out of the ring and fans fire up! Shayna goes out but Piper HEADBUTTS! Piper scoops, to SLAM Shayna on the floor! Fans fire up, but here comes NIA!? Nia POSTS Piper!!
Winners: Chelsea Green & Piper Niven, by disqualification
Nia whips Piper into steel steps! Fans boo as The Irresistible Force then hauls Stark up to SAMOAN DROP! Nia runs to SENTON Stark! Nia grins as Chelsea stands back up. Chelsea freaks out but she can’t get away! Nia TOSSES her to a corner! And then HIP ATTACKS! Chelsea sputters, Nia runs in and SPLASHES her old tag partner, Shayna! Nia steps on Shayna to go up the corner! Nia’s gonna do Shayna like she did Rhea! BANZAI DROP!! AKA the A-NIA-LATOR! Fans boo as Nia wipes out the tag champs and the dangerous duo of Shayna & Stark. She says it is open season, consider the Women’s Division on notice.
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
He says he will talk with Nia about her behavior, and he knows Rollins has been evaluated. But he has to call back. Chad Gable walks over and asks about Rollins. He’s hurting. But Rollins is also angry. And now we have Nia doing what she wants, he has to go handle that. Gable knows Pearce is busy, he just needs one second. He beat Ludwig last week to keep his momentum up, what does he need to do to get one more chance at Gunther? To shoot straight, that title match was a career-making moment. No one discredits what Gable did. But Gunther won, so he can’t just slide back into the picture.
That’s right! Bronson Reed tells Gable back of the line. SHOOSH! Big Bronson, huh? Gable made a name for himself suplexing the big boys, so if he wants to be next, it will be Gable’s pleasure. Bronson says there’s no way he can even wrap his arms around Bronson. They argue but Pearce has them stop. Pearce has had enough madness tonight, so if they want to fight it out, head for the ring. It’s official! Bronson and Gable are ready, will Gable use the Colossal Aussie as a springboard back to Der Ring General? Or will he be washed away by the Tsunami?
Backstage interview with Jey Uso.
Jackie is now with #MainEventJey and says earlier tonight, Kevin Owens had some rather stinging comments about Jey’s return to Mondays. Drew McIntyre doesn’t seem to appreciate Jey’s presence, either. How is he handling this not-so-warm welcome? Jey says it’s all good. He knows he has a lot of eyes on him, big target on his back. As far as him and Drew go, they’re gonna go out there and get real physical. There’s history there, so Jey knows- Damian Priest walks over and asks Jackie to give them a second. She moves aside and Priest tells Jey that he doesn’t know how Jey views him, but uh, maybe Jey could do Priest a favor.
The Judgment Day is looking for an Uso. The crew is pushing for Jimmy, but Priest is here, looking at Jey, and wants Main Event Jey in the group. But Priest can’t just make the decision. This isn’t a dictatorship, this is a family. Jey chuckles and tells Priest that he knows all about family, Uce. With all due respect, Jey knows about his Bloodline. But blood only makes you relatives. They have something special. If Jey is willing, if he wants, The Judgment Day can be the family Jey’s always been looking for. The only thing Priest is asking is Jey can’t make him look bad in front of the family. So one way or another, give them an answer by the end of tonight.
Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy VS Bronson Reed!
Raw returns and Big Bronson makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, and Bronson shoves Gable down. Gable comes back, ties up with Bronson again but Bronson throws Gable down! Fans rally and Gable gets around but Bronson throws him off the waistlock. Gable goes for a leg, but Bronson hauls him up! Gable slips free, whips, but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips, Gable goes up and over, keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges and FOREARMS! Bronson stays up so Gable runs to FOREARM again! Gable runs in at the corner but is put on the apron. Gable ROCKS Bronson and goes up!
Gable MISSILE DROPKICKS and Bronson staggers around! Gable waistlocks! Fans fire up but Bronson elbows free! Gable goes to a corner, Bronson SPLASHES, then OVERHEAD SUPLEXES! Bronson dusts his hands off while fans boo, and Bronson stands Gable up. Bronson HEADBUTTS Gable down, then drags him back up. Bronson ELBOWS Gable to a corner, Otis & Maxxine coach Gable up, but Bronson CHOPS! Bronson whips corner to corner hard and Gable bounces off the buckles! Fans boo but Bronson says he is just too big. Bronson eggs Gable on, CLUBS him down, and then CLUBS him again!
Bronson drags Gable up but Gable throws body shots! Fans rally, but Bronson ROCKS Gable! Bronson back suplexes, Gable lands out of it! Gable throats chops, kicks, UPPERCUTS and CHOPS! But Bronson TOSSES Gable to a corner! Gable BOOTS back, goes up, but Bronson choke grips! Trophy lift, to MAT SLAM him on the corner! And then BLASTS him down! Gable is down and fans boo as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Bronson grinds Gable into the mat with a chilnocki. Fans rally, Gable fights, and Otis pounds the mat to coach Gable up. Gable fires body shots, CHOPS, then runs to CHOP BLOCK! Bronson hobbles, but he still LARIATS Gable! Bronson drags Gable up to bump him off buckles, then he hoists Gable up top. Bronson ROCKS Gable with haymaker after haymaker, but Gable catches Bronson to a HANGING ARMBAR! Gable lets off at 4, then dodges to send Bronson into buckles! Bronson drops to a knee, Gable fires off forearms! Gable ROLLING KICKS and Bronson is down! Gable goes up, for the DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!!
Gable keeps his focus on Bronson as he stands up! Waistlock, then the corner, but Bronson bucks free to CLOBBER Gable! And then SENTON onto knees! Otis & Maxxine fire up, Gable waistlocks, but the legs are sore! Bronson picks Gable up for a BACKPACK SENTON! Bronson drags Gable to the drop zone, goes up the corner, TSUNAMI!!! Cover, Bronson wins!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
Gable tried and he tried, but maybe there is a limit to how much The Little Engine That Could can do. Bronson says he is next in line, will he prove to even GUNTHER that #BiggerISBetter!
Tommaso Ciampa speaks.
“I like to think that I’m a patient man. An observer at times. So when I came to Monday Night Raw, I made an internal agreement with myself. Play the long game, be patient. Eventually, my number will be called. So I waited. And I waited. And I waited. And y’know what I found out? That in this universe, patience is not a virtue, it is a crutch! In this universe, if you want something down, you gotta make your own opportunities. So if you didn’t learn last week, then tonight, Giovanni taps again. And then, you think, ‘And then what?’ Imperium, you did not choose me, I chose you, and we don’t gotta play the long game of mystery to find out why.
“Gunther! You have what I want.” Ciampa storms off, will the Psycho Killer make sure like the song says, no one will survive?
Becky Lynch is headed to gorilla.
She crosses paths with Akira Tozawa, and he nervously smiles and offers a fist bump. Becky gives him the fist bump, and then continues on. The Grand Slam Man, the N-BEX-T Women’s Champion, is coming around for a title match! Who will step up to her Open Challenge? We find out, after the break.
Kevin & Sami talk backstage.
Sami wants Kevin to know, he isn’t saying Kevin is wrong. Sami just thinks Kevin needs to give Jey the benefit of the doubt. Kevin says he did do that, and it got him a superkick to the face! But Sami says Kevin saw it for himself, it was an accident. But now Jey is talking with Damian! Sami says it’s the other way around, but here comes Jey. Jey says if KO has something to say, say it to his face! Kevin says okay, sure! He thinks Jey’s gonna be with Judgment Day! And if not, then he will eventually. Jey says it was an accident, Uce! Well alright, but what about all that time with Bloodline? Months of not doing anything on his own, it’ll just happen again here!
Sami wants them to calm things down, take a breath, and bring the energy down. Kevin says fine, he’ll take a breath. But he just doesn’t care what Jey does, Judgment Day or no Judgment Day, because Kevin still won’t trust him. Do whatever you gotta do. Kevin & Sami don’t have a match so he’s getting outta here. Sami says Kevin can go on ahead, he’ll be there in a minute. Sami wants Jey to understand, Kevin just needs time. Just keep it cool. And this stuff with Judgment Day, Sami doesn’t know what’s going on. But Jey does have a decision to make, and a big one. Good luck, okay? Jey thanks Sami for that. But will Jey prove he can be trusted?
NXT Women’s Championship Open Challenge: Becky Lynch VS ???
Salt Lake City fires up as The Man returns, finally the NXT Women’s Champion! But she isn’t just gonna rest on her laurels, Becky is going to be a fighting champion! But before the Open Challenge truly begins, Becky gets the mic to say, “And The Man is the NEW NXT Women’s Champion! And while I will admit winning the NXT Women’s title wasn’t exactly on my Bingo card this year, if I have learned anything over the last few weeks, it is that you have to take the chances and the opportunities while you can.” Fans cheer that. And so, Becky didn’t wanna just win this title and put it on the mantle, so that she can say she IS a Grand Slam Champion. Though, that’s pretty nice.
Becky wants to defend this title! To elevate this title to heights it has never seen before! Because NXT quite literally represents the future of this business. It represents hope, hunger, passion, and progress! She wants to test herself against the very best the future has to offer! Which is why Becky will also be on NXT tomorrow night! But right now, she’s in Utah! Fans cheer that, and Becky says she knows there are a whole lot of women who have worked their asses off that haven’t gotten an opportunity that want to step up to the plate! Tonight is the night for somebody new, because here comes the open challenge!
And she can’t think of a better place than now, or a better time- Oh, wait, got that wrong. But here comes NATALYA! The Queen of Harts tells Becky, “With all due respect, I’d like to tell me another woman who has worked their ass off more than me for an opportunity! After all, it was eight weeks ago that I took the Raw Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley, to her limits. And I have been sitting backstage ever since, patiently, for my chance. So yes, Becky, yes, I do accept!” Oh, okay. Becky wants Natty to know she has nothing but respect for her, they go way back to wrestling in Japan as teenagers!
But uh, when she issued this challenge, this was more for someone new. For someone who has never had a title match. And Natty’s been here for 15 years- YES, 15 YEARS of dedicating her life to this! And Becky wants to say Natty’s taking an opportunity away from someone else? Becky went down to NXT and stepped all over every single one of those women there that was patiently waiting for their chance! Becky is nothing but a hypocritical Ginger witch! Becky says c’mon now, but then Natty shoves her! Becky says okay, okay, if Natty wants to go, then Becky accepts! Ring the bell!
The ref does as told, Becky puts the belt and her coat aside, and then Natty ROCKS her with a right! Natty fires off, then POSTS Becky! Becky flops to the floor, Natty glares at her and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Becky SOBATS! Becky runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then CLOBBERS Natty! Natty goes to a corner, fans fire up as Becky runs in to forearm! And then BECKSPLODER! Cover, TWO! Becky frowns but she keeps her cool. Becky feels the energy from the fans and she paces around. Becky drags Natty up, but N atty whips her away. Becky clinches, but Natty elbows free! Natty GERMAN SUPLEXES and Becky flounders. Natty gets the legs, steps through, but Becky fights to get a cradle! TWO, and Becky knees low! Becky whips, Natty reverses, but Becky goes to the apron. Natty rushes in but gets a KICK, and a ROUNDHOUSE!
Becky goes up but Natty ROCKS her first! Natty fires off hands, goes up after her, then throws hands! Fans rally and Natty hits a SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Natty grits her teeth as Becky is still in this. Fans rally, Natty gets the legs, but Becky flounders and kicks. Becky schoolgirls Natty into buckles! Becky drags Natty up, snapmares her, then goes up the corner. Natty stands, Becky MISSILE DROPKICKS her down! Natty bails out but Becky keeps moving, she WRECKS Natty with a dropkick! Becky puts Natty in, goes up another corner, but Natty avoids the attack! DISCUS LARIAT! Cover, TWO!
Natty grows further frustrated, but she steps through the legs again! Becky fights and drags Natty down, DISARM-HER!! Natty flails, tucks, rolls Becky up, TWO! Becky stands to clinch, but Natty elbows free! Becky switches, shoves, O’Conner Roll, TWO and Natty has the O’Conner! TWO and Becky stacks Natty up, BECKY WINS!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)
Natty is distraught, having put all her eggs in this basket. Will Natty ever return to her former glory? As for Becky, who will look to take on The Man next?
Pearce talks with Dragon Lee.
It’s going to be a big match next week. Dragon agrees, but Dom storms in and complains about his loss to Cody Rhodes. And does Pearce know why Dom lost? Because was distracted by how Mami isn’t here, at home hurt, and wasn’t by Dom’s side. And do you know why Rhea’s not by his side? Because Pearce isn’t doing his job punishing Nia Jax! Instead, he’s talking to this guy! Dom doesn’t like guys with masks. They remind him of his deadbeat dad. And next week, Dom will remain NXT North American Champion! Dragon tells Dom he has no idea what is going on with Dom and Rhea.
But whenever Rhea returns, she will see her boy without that title. Because Dragon will leave Raw the NEW North American Champion. Dragon thanks Pearce for his time, Dom grumbles that he always be champion. Will Dirty Dom be able to make it through these next seven days with such strong competition after him?
Tommaso Ciampa VS Giovanni Vinci w/ Ludwig Kaiser!
The Sicilian Psycho is looking to fire the first salvo in his fight towards the Intercontinental Championship! Will he bring down The Pride of Italy to weaken Imperium’s defenses? Or will it be #VeniVidiVinci in Salt Lake City?
Raw returns and Ciampa makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Vinci waistlocks. Ciampa pries at the hold, Vinci puts him on ropes, and the ref has Vinci back down. Ludwig hooks Ciampa in the distraction! Vinci CLOBBERS Ciampa, then fires off shots! Vinci RAMS Ciampa, UPPERCUTS him, then lets off as the ref counts. Ludwig grins and talks trash while Vinci kicks Ciampa around. Vinci stands Ciampa up but Ciampa fires back with forearms and CHOPS! Fans rally, Ciampa backs Vinci down but Vinci shoves. Vinci blocks the kick to short arm LARIAT Ciampa down!
Ciampa flounders and the ref checks him. Vinci stomps Ciampa, Gunther watches backstage as Vinci CLUBS Ciampa down. Vinci stands Ciampa up and RAMS him into a corner! Then Vinci hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Vinci kicks Ciampa around, taunts him, then gives him more kicks. Vinci pie faces Ciampa, so Ciampa SLAPS! And CHOPS! And forearms! Vinci knees low, whips Ciampa to a corner, but Ciampa goes up. But Vinci catches Ciampa as he goes over! Ciampa slips free, shoves, and THESZ PRESS! Ciampa fires fast hands, then things speed up! Ciampa LARIATS Vinci down! The fans fire up as Vinci goes to a corner.
Ciampa runs in to clothesline, then keeps moving, but Vinci fireman’s carries! Ciampa slips free, REVERSE DDT! Fans fire up and Ciampa feels it! Ludwig panics, shouts to Vinci, but Ciampa brings the kneepad down! Ludwig slides into the ring! The ref and Ciampa both see him, Ludwig bails out, but Vinci rolls Ciampa up! With tights! TWO!! Ciampa ripcords to ROCK Vinci! Then BOOT! Then ROLLING- NO, Vinci blocks to CHOP! Vinci whips, Ciampa reverses but Vinci springboards, into a JUMP KNEE! SICILIAN STRETCH!! Vinci reaches out, but he’s caught! Vinci taps, Ciampa wins!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by submission
Gunther is not happy seeing that. Ciampa takes down one pawn, will he clear the Impeccable German off the board before going after Der Ring General?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Byron walks over as Rollins hobbles down the hall. Byron says we all saw Rollins try to bring the fight to Nakamura earlier tonight, but that didn’t go how he wanted. Right now, how is Rollins feeling? Rollins says he is tired, in a lot of pain, and he’s trying to keep it together. But he is losing his mind! Rollins is sick of Nakamura’s games! Rollins will do whatever it takes to get that SOB in the ring!! Rollins cools off, and says that he doesn’t wanna go to that place but he has to. If Nakamura wants to do things on his terms, then Rollins has been going about this all wrong. Maybe Rollins just needs to take his hands off the wheel.
Rollins tells Nakamura that the ball is in his court. Name the time, name the place, and even name the stipulation. But Nakamura needs to remember… Their destinies are intertwined at this point. “So ask yourself, will you be the one to define your legacy? Or will it be me?” Rollins grins and heads out, but is this only playing into Nakamura’s hands?
BREAKING NEWS for next week’s Raw!
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn get a rematch for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships! Will they get payback on The Prince & Punisher for what they did at Payback?
Drew McIntyre VS Jey Uso!
The Scottish Warrior told Main Event Jey eye to eye and man to man just last week that this is payback for everything The Bloodline did to keep him from becoming Universal Champion. And Jey simply said he understood. Will there be a Claymore with Jey’s name on it? Or will Jey strike first?
Raw returns and Jey has the fans bouncing to the beat. But then McIntyre makes his entrance, and the bell rings. Fans rally up as Jey and McIntyre stare down. The two step up and Jey says McIntyre’s about to get this work! They tie up, are in a deadlock, but McIntyre shoves Jey away! McIntyre says if that’s all Jey’s got, this will be quick. Jey shakes that off, they circle, and tie up. They’re in another deadlock but the fans rally for Jey. McIntyre puts Jey in a corner, lets off slowly, but Jey avoids the haymaker! Jey fires body shots, then haymakers! Jey runs up to GAMANGIRI! Then he whips corner to corner, only for McIntyre to reverse.
Jey stops himself, but comes back into a LARIAT from McIntyre! Fans fire up while McIntyre seethes and looms over Jey. McIntyre drags Cody up, bumps him off buckles, and then ROCKS him with a right! And CHOPS him! And then rips the shirt off to CHOP Jey right on the skin! McIntyre stomps and ROCKS and repeat, but the ref counts. McIntyre lets off, he storms up on Jey, and then he drags Jey up. Jey ROCKS McIntyre with an uppercut! And another! And another! McIntyre goes to a corner, Jey storms up and whips, but McIntyre reverses again. McIntyre kicks Jey low, then snap suplexes! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally while Jey crawls away. McIntyre storms up on Jey, drags him up, then CHOPS! Jey UPPERCUTS! McIntyre CHOPS and Jey falls! McIntyre stomps Jey right on the face! Jey crawls, but McIntyre drags him up, only for Jey to HEADBUTT! And again! And then Jey climbs up in the corner to rain down fists! McIntyres shoves Jey away at five, but Jey comes back to whip. McIntyre reverses again, runs in and ROCKS Jey! Then CHOPS Jey! McIntyre whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges to then hold ropes. McIntyre runs in, Jey dumps him out! Jey builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and down goes McIntyre!
Fans fire up with Jey and he hurries back into the ring. Jey builds speed again, to DIVE! Another direct hit and McIntyre falls again! But wait, here comes the Judgment Day. Priest, Finn & Dom are cheering Jey on, mostly because they want him to join up. Jey isn’t sure what to make of this, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more, and McIntyre has Jey up top. McIntyre climbs up to join Jey, and he throws hands! Jey wobbles, the Judgment Day cheer him on along with the fans. Jey throws body shots! Jey ROCKS McIntyre but McIntyre hits back! Jey HEADBUTTS and McIntyre drops back, only for McIntyre to come back and ROCK Jey with a forearm! McIntyre goes up, stands on the very top, and hits a SUPER DUPER PLEX! Fans fire up and the Judgment Day cheer Jey on. Jey and McIntyre stir, McIntyre sits up, and he glares at Jey. Jey rises, grits his teeth, and McIntyre eggs him on !
McIntyre throws a haymaker, Jey throws a forearm! McIntyre and Jey go back and forth, then Jey counter punches! And again! And again! McIntyre wobbles, but he GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Both men wobble, and Jey ENZIGURIS! McIntyre swings, misses, and runs into a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Judgment Day coaches Jey, and Jey sees McIntyre go outside. Jey builds speed again, and he DIVES into a forearm! Jey is down, and McIntyre hurries up the corner?! But Jey avoids the flying ax handle! Only to run into a SPINBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Jey is in this and Judgment Day cheers him on!
McIntyre scowls as he sits back up. McIntyre drags Jey up to ROCK him and whip him. Jey BOOTS McIntyre away, runs, but McIntyre dodges to NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up as McIntyre kips up! McIntyre glares at Jey as he goes to the corner, he starts the countdown, but of course Dom distracts! Priest swipes at McIntyre but McIntyre kicks at him! McIntyre runs, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Jey is frustrated, and he goes to a corner. The Judgment Day is there to coach him on, telling Jey this is what The Judgment Day is about. It’s your time, Uce! Jey aims at McIntyre, Priest talks to him more, and Jey says alright.
Jey fist bumps with Priest? But then he SUPERKICKS him down! And SUPERKICK for Finn! SUPERKICK for Dom! Jey just said no, but then McIntyre says CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Well, Jey turned the Judgment Day down, proving the doubters wrong! But then McIntyre still took advantage and takes the victory! Will the Scottish Warrior finally be able to move on? As for Jey, he’s down as the Judgment Day gets in the ring! They’re furious with Jey, so they start stomping him down! Fans boo, but Finn gets in Jey’s face that you do not do this to the Judgment Day! Finn fires off hands as Priest holds Jey up! McIntyre watches, conflicted between his grudge and his sense of justice. McIntyre turns to go, but then turns back. But here comes Cody Rhodes! Cody rushes past McIntyre to DUMP Priest out!
Cody fires off on Finn, Jey SUPERKICKS Finn! Cody dodges Dom, Jey SUPERKICKS Dom! Cody gives Dom a CROSS RHODES! Just like earlier tonight! Fans are thunderous as The Judgment Day retreats again! McIntyre almost made a decision, but will he just stay out of this battle? As for Jey, does he have an ally against the Judgment Day in the American Nightmare?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw that moved rather smoothly and quickly from start to finish. Great bookending of the show with the Jey Uso story. Cody wants to speak to why he brought Jey over, Dom gets in his way again, but then Dom gets beat surprisingly quickly. I did like that his excuse is that he needs Mami Rhea to be back, which is basically true since she’s helped him win so often. Dom VS Dragon Lee happening next week on Raw is very surprising, but with Dom facing Melo on NXT, can’t do it there. And then next week is the go-home to No Mercy so can’t really change things last minute, but changing things at the penultimate (second to last) minute. I don’t know if Dragon wins that but it’d be amazing if he did so that we get Dragon VS Mustafa Ali fair and square for No Mercy.
Kevin & Sami supporting Cody against Judgment Day was of course going to happen, it has already happened multiple times. But at least we didn’t get yet another Six Man Tag between them all. Good promo from Cody, Sami & Kevin to talk things out, and all the interactions Jey had throughout the night was good stuff. Jey VS McIntyre was great stuff, and of course The Judgment Day had to show up. Of course Jey rejected the offer, but it was also fair that he lost the match then. Judgment Day are now set to feud with Jey, and Cody is definitely on Jey’s team. Sami might join in, despite Kevin’s objections, but I liked McIntyre having that moment of conflict. He doesn’t like Jey but he really doesn’t like Judgment Day, and he’s been walking the Tweener line, good stuff.
Next week is a big night for Judgment Day with Dom defending his title and then Finn & Priest defending their tag titles. Maybe Dom really will lose his title on Raw if Finn & Priest are retaining theirs. And I’m pretty sure Finn & Priest are retaining those so they can keep going back and forth between Raw and SmackDown. Rhea is still kayfabe hurt from Nia Jax crushing her, and apparently Nia is gonna keep doing that to every woman until she gets a title match. The tag match of Shayna & Stark VS Chelsea & Piper was getting good right as Nia “ruined” it. Really good promo from Becky, and quite the surprise for Natty to be the one.
But at the same time, it’s two birds with one title match. Becky gets her first defense in and Natty’s story progresses as she continues to run into setbacks and losses. I also did appreciate Natty apparently voicing what some fans (at least, I think it’s “some,” could be more than it seems) feel about Becky taking the title off Tiffany. But Becky will also be on NXT tomorrow night, so surely she’ll celebrate her win there, maybe even be confronted by Tiffany to set up a rematch at No Mercy. And with as great as the first match was, Becky VS Tiffany Round 2 could be epic. And maybe Tiff cheats to win in order to get her belt back, given she didn’t cheat to keep it.
A shame about Erik not being able to compete tonight, a 2 outta 3 falls tag match of New Day VS Viking Raiders would’ve been great stuff. They can still bring that back around, maybe even for the Fastlane go-home episode on October 2nd. But Kofi VS Ivar was still great stuff, and great win for Kofi tonight. Great stuff from Bronson and Gable tonight, but I figured Bronson would win. If Gable’s story of returning to the Intercontinental Championship is to draw us in and stay interesting, Gable can’t win everything, so this was a good move. Plus, Bronson himself deserves to get at something, maybe he challenges for the IC title before Gable makes his return.
Speaking of that, Ciampa is clearly next, as he has a really good match and win off Vinci. Vinci is really getting the pressure and the blame heaped on him by Gunther & Ludwig, maybe he splits off from the group like he did back when he first changed from Fabian Aichner to Giovanni Vinci. As for Ciampa, he’d give Gunther one hell of a match if it’s at like Fastlane or along the way to Survivor Series. And clearly, Rollins VS Nakamura Round 2 is being set up for Fastlane. Good promo from Ricochet, great match from Ricochet VS Nakamura, and I did like commentary pointing out Nakamura wasn’t fighting to win but to hurt Ricochet and send a message. Nakamura surely did both those things, and now Rollins is letting him set the stage. I can’t wait!
My Score: 8.8/10
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The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Rockin’ around the Christmas Collision!
The Continental Classic continues on Christmas Collision, with crucial points on the line this close to AEW Worlds End! Who will finally take the lead in Gold League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; Kris wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia; Garcia wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos; Briscoe wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 2-2, 6 points
Komander: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Shelton Benjamin: 2-1, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.
He has Big Boom AJ & Big Justice with him in the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they’re ready to bring the BOOM~! They’re ready to watch the action tonight, and even the final face-to-face of MJF and Adam Cole. AJ says if MJF is gonna bring the doom, then you know he and Big Justice will bring the BOOM~! But tonight, their guy, Adam Cole will bring the BOOM~ too! And of course we have big Continental Classic action! Daniel Garcia VS Shelton Benjamin in a critical showdown, and while Shelton is tough, Garcia is going to bring the BOOM~! Plus, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos! The Chicken is their guy, time to bring the BOOM~!
In Gold League, we have Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, and the Swiss Superman is a DOOM~! Let’s go, Darby, bring that BOOM~! And then a match everyone wants to see, the fireworks rematch of Will Ospreay VS Ricochet! If you’re a fan of high-flying wrestling, this is the right night to be right here in AEW! Ricochet and their guy, Ospreay, will bring the BOOM~! But speaking of, that match is up first! The Aerial Assassin joins AJ & Big Justice in giving a BOOM~, but will Ricochet make sure tonight is #OuttaThisWorld?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet!
Wait, are the fans throwing white streamers or is that… No, yeah, it’s toilet paper! Ospreay laughs at the fans basically calling Ricochet crap. Ricochet throws the toilet paper back! The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans fire up for Ospreay as he and Ricochet circle. The fans also sing, “F HIM UP, OSPREAY, F HIM UP!” Ricochet shrugs that off, he and Ospreay tie up, and then Ricochet rolls. Ospreay shoots in, waistlocks, but Ricochet switches. They go around, Ricochet gator rolls with Ospreay, then floats to a headlock. Ricochet wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks again. Ospreay powers up and out, Ricochet runs him over, but Ospreay kips up!
The fans cheer and Ospreay smiles as he and Ricochet reset. They tie up, go around, and Ricochet wrenches to a wristlock. Ospreay rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Ricochet spins and wrenches to hammerlock. Ospreay reaches back, headlocks and hits a takeover. Ricochet rolls to a cover, TWO! Ospreay holds onto the headlock but Ricochet powers up and out. Ospreay runs Ricochet over, Ricochet bails out, and then Ospreay handsprings to fake Ricochet out! The fans cheer as Ospreay superhero lands out, and Ricochet is annoyed. Ospreay holds ropes open for Ricochet, but Ricochet goes around the way to step in on his own.
The fans boo Ricochet being a bad sport but Ricochet ignores that. Ospreay and Ricochet knuckle lock, then Ricochet kicks low! And CHOPS! Ricochet whips, Ospreay reverses, but Ricochet rolls off Ospreay’s back! Things keep moving, Ospreay avoids the handspring to then duck ‘n’ dodges and RANA! But Ricochet handsprings through! The fans fire up, and Ospreay arm-drags Ricochet down! The fans cheer while Ricochet endures the grind. Ricochet fights up and puts Ospreay on ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet and Ospreay slowly let g o, and Ricochet SLAPS Ospreay! Ospreay CHOPS Ricochet!
Ospreay takes a swing, Ricochet ducks under to roll back and RANA! But now Ospreay handsprings through! Ricochet dodges to waistlock but Ospreay bucks the O’Conner. Ricochet arm-drags Ospreay down, but Ospreay headscissors back! Ricochet pops free but Ospreay arm-drags! Ricochet headscissors, Ospreay pops free, and Ospreay handsprings, but Ricochet catches him! Ricochet then THROWS Ospreay into the Tree of Woe, and Ospreay falls down! The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, but Ricochet FOSBURY FLOPS! The fans boo but Ricochet takes the toilet paper to wipe himself, then he SMOTHERS Ospreay with it!
The fans boo that literally disgusting act of disrespect, but Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet taunts the fans, then drags Ospreay up. Ricochet puts Ospreay in, soaks up more heat, then KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Ricochet swaggers to taunt the fans more, then he goes back to Ospreay. Cover, ONE!! Another cover, TWO! Ricochet taunts the fans more, then goes back for Ospreay. Ricochet stands Ospreay up to CHOP, and Ospreay goes to a corner. Ricochet RAMS into Ospreay, RAMS him again, then snapmares to UPPERCUT in the back! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Ricochet drags him into a motorcycle stretch. Ospreay endures while Ricochet digs a knee into the back. Ospreay fights up, fights with elbows, then runs, but into a DROPKICK!
Ospreay is down in a daze but Ricochet has to shake out the stars in his own head. Ricochet covers, ONE! Ospreay then uses that one to flip off Ricochet. Ricochet RAMS Ospreay in the back! Ricochet then clamps on with a chinlock, and he digs his knee into Ospreay’s back. Ospreay endures, even as Ricochet JAMS Ospreay. Collision returns to single picture as the fans rally for Ospreay again. Ospreay fires up, fires hands, but Ricochet RAMS him into a corner. Ricochet runs up, RAMS into Ospreay, then goes to the apron. Ospreay takes a swing but Ricochet dodges and gets around him to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay runs, handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay goes to the apron, takes aim, and he springboards to PIP PIP CHEERIO! Down goes Ricochet, Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay stays focused and the fans rally up. Ospreay drags Ricochet up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Ricochet staggers, Ospreay runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS! Forearm, SOBAT, and Ricochet runs, but into a POP-UP, and STYLES- NO, Ricochet sits up, slips free, and he underhooks Ospreay for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Ricochet goes up.
Ricochet has to double clutch, the fans let him hear it, but Ricochet still MOONSAULTS! Ricochet lands out as Ospreay moves, and Ospreay runs up, but into an ELBOW! Ricochet handsprings, but into a pop-up, Electric Chair, spin around, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Ospreay is surprised. Ospreay pulls on the elbow pad and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Ospreay aims, but Ricochet bails out! The fans boo but Ospreay storms after Ricochet. They’re both on the apron and Ospreay goes up a corner. Ricochet anchors Ospreay first! Then Ricochet has the Electric Chair Lift!
Ospreay fights free, fights off a nelson, then he KICKS Ricochet! Ospreay runs, but into a pop-up APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Ricochet adds a SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Ricochet puts Ospreay in, then springboards to 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives, but then Ricochet AX KICKS! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, VERTIGO! Cover, TWO!? Ospreay survives and Ricochet is shocked! Ricochet snarls and he aims from a corner. The fans rally for Ospreay but Ricochet loads up. SPIRIT- NO, Ospreay ducks under! Ospreay gets up, Ricochet blocks a kick!
Ricochet V-TRIGGERS, then he reels Ospreay in! But Ospreay fights out of the bomb, but then Ricochet returns the favor! Ricochet suplexes, into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Ospreay springboards for the OSC- CUTTER FROM RICOCHET!! Ricochet hurries to get Ospreay up, powerbomb into fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! SPIRIT- HIDDEN BLADE!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ospreay and Ricochet both slowly sit up and the fans rally as hard as ever. Ricochet and Ospreay stare down, talk a bit of trash, then stand up. Ospreay draws a line in the sand and dares Ricochet to step up.
Ricochet steps right up, they stand toe to toe, literally! They start firing forearms! The fans cheer Ospreay, boo Ricochet, and Ricochet wobbles! But then Ricochet comes back with forearm after forearm! Ospreay wobbles, but he grins as he rises and roars! Ospreay fires a flurry on Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Ricochet flops over, Ospreay hauls him up! But Ricochet grabs at the ref! Ospreay kicks Ricochet’s arm away, but then Ricochet RAMS Ospreay into the ref! The fans boo but then Ricochet hurries to HOOK KICK! And VERTI- NO, Ospreay slips free to underhook! STORM BREAKER! Cover, but the ref is down!
The fans count, Ospreay would’ve won twice over! Ospreay calls to the ref, the ref sputters around, and Ospreay goes up. But then Ricochet kicks the ref into ropes! Ospreay gets tripped up and the fans boo more! Ospreay is confused as to what happened, but SPIRIT GUN hits the mark!! Cover, RICOCHET WINS!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Ospreay earns 0)
The One & Only got away with murder, but there’s nothing that can be done now! Ricochet has NINE points, will he be headed to Worlds End?
Adam Cole heads to the ring!
The fans cheer as the Panama City Playboy returns to the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they join in for the “BOOM~!” and the “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY~!” Cole grabs a mic, but he keeps his eyes on the ramp. That’s because we all know who’s next. MJF makes his entrance, but with a handful of security guards in front of him first. And not even AEW security, that’s his own personal security. MJF grabs a mic and has them cut his music. The fans boo but MJF tells them, “If I wanted your help, I’d ask for it. Sit down and shut up.” The fans tell MJF to STFU, but MJF shrugs that off.
MJF tells Cole that MJF is frustrated. It’s because for the past few months, MJF has had to listen to Cole say MJF is Cole’s biggest enemy! If memory serves, and MJF’s memory always does because unlike the fans here, he isn’t a complete moron… Didn’t Cole turn on MJF? But then does Cole realize he has bigger enemies out there? Like spray tan, cracks in the floor, gusts of win, and maybe… a cavity. Because last MJF heard, Cole’s dentist isn’t seeing him anymore. Cole was already staring daggers into MJF, but now he’s pissed. MJF has Cole calm down, and he tells the fans to shut up so he can shoot straight.
When MJF was the longest-reigning and greatest AEW World Champion of all time, Cole was nothing more than MJF’s cute little sidekick. That ate Cole up inside. Cole wanted to be MJF. Cole wanted #TripleB. But the sad truth is, Cole had many opportunities to win the title before MJF got anywhere near it. It’s almost like when it comes to Cole being elite enough to become world champion, just like his “s*itty little ankle,” Cole blows it. MJF laughs at his own joke, and then tells the fans he is talking, it is not that complicated. But this is why MJF doesn’t buy the hogwash that Cole turned on MJF because MJF would turn on Cole first.
Cole turned because he, like all these shmucks, is jealous of MJF. And who can blame Cole? MJF is rich, handsome, funny, entertaining, and then look at Cole. For crying out loud, Cole used to be ADAM COLE BAYBAY. Now, he’s just a crack baby! Cole asks if MJF is done. Was that the last line? Because it felt like MJF practiced that for two weeks in front of a mirror. But MJF killed it, really. Cole could come back with childish comments to hurt MJF’s feelings, but he won’t. Cole could mention MJF has had two surgeries on that fake head of hair of his while only in his 20s, which is hilarious, but he won’t.
Cole could talk about how MJF pulled some strings to get his girlfriend hired, like the real politician he is, but Cole won’t go there. Cole could talk about how every single time MJF enters a room, everyone waits for him to leave because he is loud, obnoxious and annoying as hell. But Cole won’t go there. Because Cole is not like MJF. They are nothing alike. That is why the friendship was ruined. Because, MJF, the truth is you say Cole is a failure, but in virtually every wrestling company Cole has worked for, he is the longest-reigning champion in so many!
In this very building, Cole bled BUCKETS against Kyle O’Reilly, wanting to prove he was one of the best in the world, and that is exactly what he did! Does Cole have regrets? Sure. Are there things Cole wishes he could take back? Absolutely. But Cole does NOT regret turning on MJF. The only reason it drives MJF insane is because Cole beat MJF to it. That’s MJF 101: Get close to someone, then turn on them. It’s what MJF does. Cole just did it better than MJF, and MJF knows it.
But Cole has been thinking, trying to understand what’s going on in MJF’s head, and he finally figured it out. MJF is terrified of having anyone close to him, because he feels it is a weakness. That hit a chord? Because not only does MJF act like a child, he thinks like a child! MJF knows in his heart that he was going to be the one to turn on Cole first! DAMN RIGHT HE WAS!!! MJF realizes he let the cat out of the bag. MJF says congrats, Cole, he solved the mystery! A regular Scooby-Doo! Great job, Adam.
But you want the truth? Here it is. The fact of the matter is, last year at Worlds End, MJF had every intention on stabbing Cole in the back that night. Cole just got lucky. When #BetterThanYouBaybay started, MJF didn’t give a damn about Cole. Cole was nothing more than a pawn. But MJF will admit, he did eventually start to care. For the first time in MJF’s life, he cared about someone else. Fans mockingly go, “Aww…” But MJF says that is just when Cole became a liability. And since Cole’s “a fragile little freak,” him jumping off that ramp and exploding his ankle made him a distraction!
Distractions, liabilities, emotions, there are no room for those when all you should be concerned with is maintaining the world championship! But Cole doesn’t get it, does he? Last year was a fluke. Cole ain’t the Devil, he just beat the Devil to it. But this year, Worlds End, December 28th, the same show where Cole tried to end MJF’s world, MJF ENDS Cole!! MJF throws down the mic and the fans are torn. Cole smirks and says MJF ends things then? Well, how about Cole ends this? COLE DECKS MJF! The guards rush in, but Cole fights them off! MJF sends more but Cole SUPERKICSK! And SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS!
But then MJF LOW BLOWS Cole! MJF tells the fans to shut up! MJF takes out the Dynamite Diamond Ring! But then The Kingdom rushes out here! MJF runs away from Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but he vows this ends at Worlds End. We have one week left, is that the last week Cole has in AEW? Or will MJF finally lose the one thing he has left in that diamond ring?
Backstage interview with Kris Statlander.
Lexy Nair is with the #BornAgainKristen and brings up her trying to make amends with Willow Nightingale last night, as well as making the save when Harley Cameron & Penelope Ford were beating Willow up. Kris says what she and Willow have to discuss is between them. But as far as her and Penelope go, they’ve got a lot of history, and if Ford wants a fight, Kris will give her a fight. Then speaking of history, Kris still has her eyes set on the TBS Championship, can she tells us more on that?
Kris says she looked back on 2024 and she had a downward spiral that started with losing that title. Maybe if she wins it back, Kris will right her wrongs. On that note, Mercedes Mone, you don’t have an opponent for Worlds End so here Kris is. Let her know when you’re ready for round two. Kris heads out, will she prove to everyone that she is still the Galaxy’s Greatest?
Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy.
AEW returns and Lexy is now with Freshly Squeezed. In exactly one week, he will compete against three other men for the AEW World Championship. There are a lot of combustible elements at play, and Cassidy says yeah, we saw that on Dynamite. Jay White, Hangman Page and Cassidy can’t exactly have a conversation. So really, Cassidy wants them to listen. “Between now and Worlds End, Jon Moxley can run and hide. He can hide behind his goons, he can run away in a pickup truck. But when that bell rings in seven days, he has nowhere to go. He will be in the ring with us. Us three. And you both know that we need to remove Jon Moxley from the equation.
“We can. We’ve done it. And after that, us three, we can fight for the AEW World Championship and one of us will become the AEW World Champion. Just something to think about. See you guys on Dynamite.” Cassidy is ready to remove the Maniac from the throne, but will the Switchblade and Cowboy listen to reason?
Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford!
As Kris just said, she’s calling out The CEO in hopes of one more TBS Championship match. But will the Superbad Girl be more like the Grinch for Kris this Christmas?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Kris circles with Ford. They tie up, Kris powers Ford to a corner, then throws Ford back into the corner! The ref counts, Kris lets off, but Ford shoves her! Kris ROCKS Ford, TOSSES her, then runs up on her. Kris whips, drops down, then hurdles over. Kris CLOBBERS Ford and the fans fire up as she flexes. Kris drags Ford up, reels her in, and suplexes, and she holds Ford up! The fans cheer and Kris goes all the way to TEN, but Ford slips into a SLEEPER! Kris pries the hold open and she brings Ford around for another suplex! The fans fire up as Kris holds Ford up for five before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Kris drags Ford up, whips her to the corner, but Ford goes up, only for Kris to Electric Chair Lift! Kris climbs, Ford fights with fists, and she shoves Kris down! Ford steadies herself, then hits a FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford is frustrated but she storms up on Kris. Ford bumps Kris off buckles but the fans rally behind Kris. Ford stomps a mudhole, but she lets off as the ref counts. Kris goes to the apron, but Ford jumps up to drop KNEES on her! The fans boo but Ford soaks up the heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ford brings Kris around to THROW her into railing! Ford soaks up more heat, then drags Kris up and RAMS her into the apron! Ford refreshes the count, then stalks Kris around the way. Ford whips Kris into the steel steps! Kris falls over in a heap but Ford drags her up into the ring. Ford covers, TWO! Kris stays in this but Ford kicks her around. Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes, thrashes around, but lets off as the ref counts. Ford drags Kris up and whips her to ropes, then LARIATS as Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes again! The ref counts, Ford lets off and Kris sputters to the apron. Ford runs and goes up, up, and KNEE DROPS on only apron! Kris then SHOTGUNS Ford off the apron! The fans fire up and Kris brings Ford up, to THROW into railing! Kris puts Ford in the ring, the fans fire up, but Ford kicks low. Ford reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford flounders to a corner but Kris has the fans rallying behind her. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT! Kris goes side to side but Ford dodges the knee! Ford hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Ford wasn’t quite perfect there but she watches Kris go to a corner. Ford runs corner to corner, handsprings, but Kris catches her! The fans fire up as Kris GERMAN SUPELXES, but Ford lands out! but Kris goes Matrix to dodge! So does Ford! STUNNER! Ford runs, Kris does her best to follow, but Ford hops up for a POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and the fans fire up! Ford is beside herself, but she drags Kris to a drop zone. Ford goes up top, and MOONSAULTS BUT FLOPS as Kris moves! Kris hurries to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! The fans fire up as Kris scoops to tuck Ford in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Ford gave Kris quite the fight, but Kris came out on top! Wait, here comes Mone! Kris did call the CEO out, so Santa Mone says, “Ho, ho, ho ho ho! New York Citaaaay~! Please say hello to your C E O! Kris, after the year I’ve been having, I was planning on taking Worlds End off. I was planning on going to the Ritz in Boston.” The fans boo Boston, but Mone says since it’s the holidays, Mone feels like being nice. She already beat Kris once anyway, so she’ll just beat her twice! At Worlds End, you see that money changes everything, because Mone is the greatest TBS Champion of all time!
The challenge has been accepted, and Mone is looking to be busy before the New Year. Will Kris make her regret it?
Big Boom AJ & Big Justice return to the ring.
They’re getting Christmas Collision ready to bring the BOOM, but out comes Chris Jericho, who is still ROH World Champion after overcoming Matt Cardona last night at Final Battle. And he has Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey with him as he asks if AJ has a permit for being here tonight. Did they talk with Mayor DeBlasio? Because they certainly didn’t run this past Jericho. Do they know who he is? Big Justice says yeah, he knows! “You’re a JACKASS!” Jericho is taken aback, but the fans agree with Justice. The Bad Apple says this is why dumbass kids should be sitting and not heard. Jericho says yeah!
And if being a jackass means he’s the King of New York, then Jericho’s the biggest jackass! And besides, Jericho talks for everyone here saying we do not want AJ & Justice here! The fans boo, they disagree with Jericho. But Jericho says they don’t even have Costcos in New York! New Yorkers shop at bodegas. Fans are torn, because they kind of agree. Jericho says his favorite is the Walgreens a few blocks over in Flushing. And speaking of Flushing, that’s where AJ & Justice belong: in the toilet! This is the Hammerstein Ballroom, the House that Jericho built! The fans boo that, it’s the House that Hardcore built.
But Jericho says there’s no time for goofy gimmicks like BOOM~, or bandit masks, or scissoring! Scissor me, Bad Apple~! But then wait! The Acclaimed is here! Well, Anthony Bowens is, at least. Bowens pushes past The Learning Tree and he joins AJ & Justice in the ring. Bowens has the music cut, and he tells Jericho that he doesn’t get why Scissor King is catching strays, but you caught his attention. Jericho is trying to intimidate a man in a walking boot and an 11 year old child while spouting nonsense about being the King of New York. Why doesn’t Jericho do what he has asked so many others in the past: SHUT THE HELL UP!
The fans cheer but Big Bill says, “As the Learning Tree always says, when a man tries to silence another man, he’s probably afraid of the truth.” The fans do cheer Big Bill because he is from New York. Bowens says he has no idea what that means, Bill. But he does know we’re live on TNT, Christmas Collision, Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City! So Chris, why not walk your ass to this ring and get it whipped by the Scissor King?! Jericho says if Bowens wants him to do that, then not tonight. Jericho waves bye, but AJ says hold on, listen up. We know Jericho is running scared, but we know at some point, Bowens will get to bring the-
Bowens stops the Boom? Because he wants to scissor! AJ says okay, and they SCISSOR BOOM~! But is that true? Will Anthony Bowens be the one to tear down the Learning Tree and be a champion?
Backstage interview with The Vendetta.
Lexy is now with Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie, and they’ve got a hot streak going. Deonna’s message last week was ominous, but who was it for? Taya says there are so many options. Everyone deserves a slice of The Vendetta. There’s Mercedes, Mariah, Toni Storm, even Lexy could get some, so watch your back. Speaking of Toni, she stumbles in and apologizes for interrupting. She just wants to say hi to everyone, hello. Oh, Deonna, a pleasure. Deonna says she knows who Toni is. R-Really? So cool! Taya says she’ll make a guess: Toni has a tattoo on her leg, a little duck with a knife through it.
Wow, how’d Taya know? Deonna says no no no, she is not doing this again. She does not get what sick crap Toni’s up to, but she is already done with it. So for Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street, Toni VS Taya! Taya says she’ll make Toni forget everything! Toni nervously thanks The Vendetta, and says this is a big opportunity to face someone like Taya. Toni leaves, Deonna and Taya sigh, and Lexy has no idea what to say. Is Toni’s mind unraveling before our eyes? Or is there still a bit of Timeless inside Toni Time?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia!
This showdown was inevitable, but it’s even more fitting after The Standard of Excellence beat up the TNT Champion just because he stood up to the Hurt Syndicate. Will Shelton continue to bring the pain? Or will he not survive Red Death?
The bell rings and Garcia goes right at Shelton! Garcia fires hands but Shelton RAMS him into the corner! Shelton fires hands but Garcia turns things around to fire more shots! The ref counts, Shelton shoves Garcia back, but Garcia runs up to fire hands! Shelton shoves Garcia again, but Garcia gets under the lariat to waistlock. Shelton fights the lift but Garcia shoves him to SLAP! And CHOP! Shelton just grins and he picks Garcia up again! Shelton TOSSES Garcia away and Garcia goes to ropes. Shelton brings Garcia back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then brings him up again. Scoop SLAM! Shelton drags Garcia up and puts him in a corner.
Shelton whips corner to corner hard and Garcia falls! The fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton drags Garcia around, stomps him around, then TOSSES Garcia out hard! Garcia sputters but Shelton storms outside. Shelton brings Garcia up but Garcia fires hands! Shelton RAMS Garcia into the apron, then railing, then back to the apron! And repeat! Garcia falls in a heap and the fans fire up. Shelton grins as he drags Garcia up, to then THROW into steel steps! Shelton leaves Garcia behind and the ring count climbs on Garcia. Garcia drags himself up at 7 but Shelton goes out after him again.
Shelton puts Garcia in the ring, then grabs at him. Garcia grabs ropes but Shelton stomps him. Shelton stands Garcia up to DECK him! The fans cheer but Shelton brings Garcia up again. Garcia fires a forearm, then he CHOPS! Shelton eggs Garcia on, so Garcia CHOPS! Shelton grins, Garcia CHOPS, but Shelton DECKS him again! The fans duel but Shelton whips Garcia to ropes, for a BIG backdrop! Garcia flounders and Collision goes picture in picture.
Shelton stalks Garcia to the ropes, brings him up and around, then puts him on other ropes so he can CHOKE him! The ref counts, Shelton steps off, and Garcia coughs and sputters to a corner. Shelton stalks behind Garcia, stands him up, and winds up to ROCK Garcia! Garcia flounders against ropes then falls to the mat! Shelton stands over Garcia, drags him up and puts him in the corner. Shelton throws hands and Garcia stumbles. Garcia falls, but Shelton stands on him. Shelton stomps Garcia, drags him up, but Garcia fires up! Garcia breaks free to fire CHOPS and forearms on repeat!
Garcia whips, Shelton reverses and Shelton BOOTS Garcia down! Cover, TWO! Shelton is still amused, and he clamps onto Garcia with a chinlock. Garcia endures as Shelton grinds him down, and Garcia fights up, only for Shelton to wrangle him back down! Shelton leans all his weight on the hold and he squeezes tight. Garcia fades but the fans rally, and Garcia gets a second wind! Garcia fights up, Christmas Colilsion returns to siongle cipture, and the fans duel as Garcia fires hands! Garcia runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS SHelton down! The fans fire up and Garcia aims from a corner. Garcia runs up, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans are torn while Shelton storms around. Shelton waits on Garcia, waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Garcia flops around but Shelton stalks him to the ropes. Shelton goes to the apron, runs up, but Garcia BOOTS him! Garcia takes a swing, but Shelton waistlocks! Garcia holds ropes to fight off the suplex to the floor! Garcia stands up and elbows Shelton away! Then Garcia LEAPS, but into Shelton’s clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY to the floor! Garcia flounders, fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton runs up but Garcia drop toeholds him into a chair! Shelton sputters and the fans rally up. Garcia makes Shelton take a seat, then rains down fists!
The fans count along and Garcia goes to nine, puts up the dukes, then hits TEN! Garcia gets space, runs back in, and he SHOTGUNS Shelton outta the chair! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes back for Shelton. Garcia drags Shelton up but Shelton pushes him away. Shelton LARIATS Garcia, then rolls into the ring. The ring count starts, the fans help Garcia stand, and the fans fire up! Garcia hurries to the ring, but Shelton BOOTS, only for Garcia to block! DRAGON SCREW! Garcia runs, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Even with a bad leg, Shelton has so much strength! Shelton storms up in the corner, but Garcia dodges!
Shelton’s knee hits buckles, and Garcia leg scissor rolls him! Garcia steps through for the DRAGON TAMER!! Shelton endures and the fans fire up! Garcia sits on the hold, but Shelton powers up! Shelton powers out of the hold, has Garcia’s legs, and he turns Garcia over into a QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Garcia endures, reaches out, and he army crawls his way forward! But Shelton drags Garcia back! Garcia cradles Shelton! TWO!! Shelton escapes, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shelton SUPERKICKS Garcia! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Shelton covers, TWO!! Garcia barely gets out of that and Shelton is furious!
“This is Awesome!” as Shelton looms over Garcia. Shelton drags Garcia up, but Garcia trips Shelton! Jackknife bridge, GARCIA WINS!!
Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Shelton earns 0)
A Christmas Collision miracle? Who knows! But Garcia is still alive in the C2, but Lashley snatches Garcia into a SLEEPER! The fans boo but MVP hands the pimp cane to Shelton! But here comes Mark Briscoe, and he has a chair! Security wants this to stop before it gets out of hand, and even producers get out here! But wait! Is that Swerve Strickland rushing in from the crowd?! It is! He goes right up top to SUPER SWERVE STOMP the Syndicate and security guards! Garcia gets free of the pile, Mark Briscoe is with him, and now the locker room hurries out here to stop this from getting worse!
The fans chant, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and Nana eventually hands the mic to Swerve. “Bobby FREAKIN’ Lashley! Didn’t I say I was gonna get my hands on you by the end of ’24? By the end of 2024, I said I was gonna get my hands on you, and that’s what I did, courtesy of the most dangerous man in AEW. Whose house?!” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve is still aiming for Lashley’s head, will he and Lashley have it out at Worlds End?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos!
After getting a couple shockers, The Sussex County Chicken could easily jump up to the front of the block with one more! But will he #ManUp and bring down the menacing minotaur? Or will The Beast be a massive spoiler for Briscoe?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock again. The fans rally and duel while both men fire up. They RAM shoulders, and then fire forearms! The fans fire up as Mark gets the edge, but Mortos swings! Mark dodges to CHOP, then fire forearms! Mark ROCKS Mortos, whips, but Mortos reverses and SPLASHES Mark! Mortos runs but Mark follows to LARIAT! Mark runs, Mortos follows, but Mark dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And forearm! And Mongolian Chop! Mark fires forearms against the ropes, then roars. Mark runs but Mortos follows to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, Mortos runs but Mark follows to FOREARM!
Mark runs, Mortos follows, and he slingshots to hook and backslide, TWO! Mark trips Mortos to jackknife, TWO! Mortos gets around, hammerlock and cradle, TWO! Mark slips around to roll Mortos, TWO! Both men stand, both men dodge, and the fans cheer the standoff. The fans cheer “BOTH THESE GUYS! BOTH THESE GUYS!” as they reset. Mark and Mortos run up to RAM shoulders again! And again! Mortos is getting the better of this, and he CLOBBERS Mark! The fans cheer Mortos while Mark goes to ropes. Mortos runs in but Mark TOSSES him up and out! Mortos clutches a leg, stands up, but Mark runs!
Mortos slides in, dodges, and he SPEARS Mark! The fans fire up and Mortos roars while Collision goes picture in picture.
Mark rolls to a corner while Mortos headbutts buckles. Mortos then runs corner to corner to DROPKICK Mark! Mark sputters, Mortos drags him to a cover, TWO! Mark stays in this but Mortos drags him into a chinlock. Mark endures, even as Mortos leans on the hold. Mark fights up as the fans rally, and Mark fires body shots. Mortos THROWS Mark down! Mortos then CRANKS Mark’s neck, then KICKS him in the chest! Cover, TWO! Mark is still in this and he goes to ropes. Mortos storms up but Mark CHOPS! Mortos SMACKS Mark and Mark falls into a corner. Mortos stomps Mark, then digs his boots in!
The ref reprimands and counts, Mortos steps off, then Mortos snapmares Mark so he can step on Mark’s face! Then NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! Mark stays in this and he goes back to ropes. Mortos waits on Mark to stand, then SMACKS him down! Mark dangles out of the ring in the ropes, but Mortos goes after a leg while Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Mortos has Mark in a corner. Mortos whips corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT, CHOP, and HEADBUTT! Mark staggers and the fans rally up for Mortos. Mortos brings down his kneepads, runs corner to corner, but Mark dodge! Mortos hits buckles then falls to the outside! The fans fire up as Mark then WRECKS Mortos with a dropkick! Mark builds speed and he DIVES, direct hit on Mortos! The fans fire up and Mark even hugs a few! Mark tosses a chair into the ring, and fans rally for #DEMBOYS. Mark sets the chair up, but Mortos anchors Mark’s legs! Mortos then SMACKS Mark!
Mortos drags Mark to the apron, Mark fires forearms. Mortos shoves Mark, but Mark fireman’s carries! Mortos fires elbows to get free! Mark REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Then APRON GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mortos falls to the floor while the fans lose their minds! Mark rises up, takes aim, and he fires the fans up more. Mark goes up a corner, for a SUPER SKY TWISTER! The fans are thunderous and Mark high-fives the front row. Mark then goes back to the ring and builds speed! Mark uses the chair to FLY! Direct hit and Mark even lands on his feet! The fans fire up and Mark hurries to get Mortos back up.
Mark puts Mortos in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Mark takes aim. FROGGY-BOW onto knees! Mortos saves himself there, and then roars! Mortos whips Mark, scoops him, and has the torture rack! BEAST BACKBREAKER! Then Mortos hauls Mark up for a POWER BREAKER!! The fans fire up for Mortos and he DISCUS- NO, Mark dodges, runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and the fans fire up again! Mortos snarls, hauls Mark up, and then scoops! But Mark slips free! Mark crane kicks, then underhooks! But Mortos backdrops free! Mark rises, Mortos runs, but into a fireman’s carry!
Mark hits a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then Mark goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO?!? Mortos survives but Mark shakes his head. Mark just goes back up top! Mortos sits up and roars! But Mark still FROGGY-BOWS!! And then he underhooks, lifts, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Mortos earns 0)
And with that, Mark is now even with Kyle Fletcher, who Mark already beat earlier on! That is all the difference between the one seed and the two seed, how will this final round shake out?
Julia Hart speaks.
“Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. I’m no coward. What you call tricks, I call advantages. I suggested that you watch your back. I gave you all the warnings. So I’m not understanding why you feel the need to call me classless and sneaky. I thought I was being more than reasonable. I know you’re strong, but are you smart? Are my ‘tricks’ too much for you? I guess we’ll find out January 1st, Fight for the Fallen. But remember: The House Always Wins.” The Princess of the Black Throne is ready, but will she learn Hayter Hits Hard?
Backstage interview with Mariah May.
Alex Marvez is with the AEW Women’s World Champion and says in one week’s time, it will be Mariah VS Thunder Rosa for the title, in a Tijuana Street Fight! Marvez notes that Mariah not only had some harsh words for Rosa, but for her father, as well. Mariah says, “Aw~, Papa Rosa is gonna be in the front row. Is that to watch the match? Or does Thunder need a new mami?” But speaking of Rosa, she RAMS Mariah right into the door! And dribbles her off it, too! Mariah pulls hair, Rosa tries to choke Mariah, and then Mariah shoves Rosa away. Mariah calls Rosa crazy, but Rosa says she’s not done with Mariah!
Rosa storms after Mariah into the hall, and then to the stage area! Mariah has made it to ringside, Nigel tries to warn her, but Rosa CLOBBERS Mariah! Rosa rains down fists, then stomps away! Rosa SMACKS Mariah off steel steps, then grabs a chair! Mariah sputters, but gets away before Rosa swings the chair! Security rushes out here for the third time tonight, and Rosa LEAPS! The cluster keeps her away from Mariah but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Rosa holds up the AEW Women’s World Championship, will she send the “Woman From Hell” back where she came from in order to have the gold again?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli!
While The Relentless One has been after each and every Death Rider, he gets one served up to him on a silver platter. But will Darby bring down the Swiss Superman before the final round? Or will Claudio crush Darby’s hopes and dreams this close to Christmas?
But before Claudio even gets in the ring, Darby DIVES out onto him! The fans fire up as Darby fires fast hands! Claudio gets away but Darby pursues, jumps on, and throws more hands! Claudio carries Darby up the ramp to then THROW him down! Darby writhes, Claudio drags him up, and Claudio gorilla presses! Darby slips free, goes to the entry, and then dodges Claudio to send him into the light truss! And then he shoves Claudio into it again! Claudio falls, and now Darby climbs up!? The fans fire up as Darby is up on the camera balcony! Darby SUPER CROSSBODIES Claudio down!
Claudio tumbles down the ramp and Darby sputters while fans lose their minds. The ref checks Darby, his fall was still really wicked. Claudio sits up in a daze as he’s now ringside, and somehow Darby pursues! They both get in the ring, the bell rings, and Darby runs up! But into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is already frustrated. Claudio drags Darby by his legs, to GIANT SWING~! The fans count as Darby goes around and around, and Claudio goes past TEN, past FIFTEEN, past TWENTY, and all the way to THIRTY!! Darby flounders out of the ring while Collision goes picture in picture.
The ref goes out to check on Darby, and somehow he’s okay to continue. Claudio steps out to fetch Darby, and lift shim up with one hand! Claudio then gut wrenches and carries Darby, to SLAM him onto railing! And DUMP him down! Claudio drags Darby up again, gut wrenches again, and he TOSSES Darby onto the railing! Darby flops back down and clutches his lower back, but Claudio leaves him behind. The ring count begins but Darby sits up. Claudio goes out after him again, and brings him up to CHOP! Darby staggers away to a corner, Claudio storms up and CHOPS again! Darby flops down but Claudio looms over him.
Claudio gets space, runs up, and he UPPERCUTS Darby against railing! Darby stumbles away, Claudio goes to the ring, but Darby rolls in, just to roll back out. Darby earns himself some time, but then Claudio storms out after him. Darby hurries int he ring to get away, but Claudio is after him there, too. Claudio stands on Darby’s hands, then stomps them! Darby writhes, but Claudio stomps his hands more! Darby goes to a corner. Claudio stands him up and CHOPS! Claudio UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and Christmas Collision returns to single picture. The fans duel, Darby fires hands, but Claudio UPPERCUTS!
Claudio whips, Darby springboards, COFFIN- NO, Claudio catches Darby! Darby fights free, runs, but Claudio runs up! Darby DUMPS Claudio, then runs to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans fire up again and Darby puts Claudio in. Claudio rolls out the far side but Darby DIVES again! Claudio is sent into railing but Darby goes up a corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER COFFIN SPLASH! Direct hit and both men are down again. The ref starts the ring count, the fans rally up, and Darby refreshes the count. Darby LEAPS onto Claudio for a SLEEPER! Claudio goes to steel steps and he steps up, but Darby squeezes tight!
Claudio steps back down, and he runs into the timekeeper’s area! BACKPACK SENTON through the table! The fans lose their minds again while Claudio leaves Darby behind in the wreckage. Darby stirs, the ref starts another ring count, and Darby crawls. “This is Awesome!” as Darby leaps in at 7! Claudio runs but Darby slips around! O’Conner Roll, TWO, springboard and SPALSH! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Claudio is up, but Darby sunset flips! Claudio stays up, and DOUBLE STOMPS! Claudio deadlifts Darby to then TOSS him out of the ring! Darby hits apron on the way out and fans tell Claudio he’s sick!
Claudio goes out after Darby and drags him up again. Claudio scoops and then POSTS Darby! And POSTS him again! Claudio TOSSES Darby aside, rolls into the ring, but only to refresh the count. Claudio then drags Darby by a leg and brings him over. Claudio SWINGS Darby into steel steps!! Claudio puts Darby in the ring, stands him up, and runs to LARIAT! Darby flips through the air! Claudio covers, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is frustrated. The fans rally for Darby but Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then Claudio tucks the arms, RICOLA- CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio escapes in time!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Darby and Claudio slowly rise, and Ricochet watches, very amused as Darby is his next opponent in the round robin. Darby crawls to a corner, climbs up, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio HEADBUTTS Darby, then climbs up again. Claudio brings Darby up and suplexes, but Darby fights around! SUPER SCORPION DEATH DROP!! The fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Darby rises up. Darby climbs to the very top, COFFION DROP onto knees! Claudio saves himself, then he hauls Darby up. Straitjacket and RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Darby survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio argues with the ref but the count was fair! Darby’s just that tough! Claudio goes back to Darby and ripcords him into the RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Claudio goes outside, and he brings out something from under the ring. He also has a chair! The ref takes the chair from Claudio, but Claudio has BRASS KNUCKLES! BRASS KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, CLAUDIO WINS!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Darby earns 0)
The Swiss Superman screws over Darby, but then he gets that chair back. But wait, Ospreay slides into the ring! And HE has the brass knuckles that Claudio tossed aside! Ospreay dares Claudio to do something, but Claudio simply leaves. Does this mean Ospreay’s ready to ride against the Death Riders with Darby? Or will we see a Miracle on 34th Street send Ospreay and Darby to Worlds End?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here as the last one before Worlds End, and therefore a bit of a go-home in itself. While the continued feud of MJF and Cole has still been a bit clunky since they did the double turn, their faceoff did a good job addressing some of that. They got good digs at each other as always, and MJF snapping and revealing “the truth” was their big move to recover this story. We of course got a brawl, and good save by The Kingdom. It feels like MJF still finds a way to hold onto the diamond ring, but c’mon, how fitting is it for Cole to get a diamond.
Good bit with Toni Storm and The Vendetta, and Deonna’s reaction to Toni was great. Deonna is justified in thinking this is still an act from Toni, not a legitimate psychological problem, and Toni VS Taya will be good stuff. Good promo from Kris Statlander, good match from her and Penelope Ford, and of course a good win for Kris. Good promo from Mone to make Worlds End official, but as I’ve been saying, Mone is more likely to lose the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship as part of the big NJPW Tokyo Dome weekend. The irony is, Mina Shirakawa is her challenger and Mina shows up plenty in AEW, so I don’t know how that math is supposed to work.
Good promo from Mariah May as it also turned into a brawl with Thunder Rosa. As it stands, Rosa standing tall holding up the belt means she is NOT winning at Worlds End, but they could still give us a little more from Rosa and Mariah on Dynamite’s Christmas episode to turn the tables. Good promo from Julia Hart to respond to Jamie Hayter, they’ll have a good match. Good promo from Orange Cassidy to try and reason with Jay White and Hangman Page, but that’s all the more reason Moxley likely uses the challengers all against each other like he did on Wednesday. Though, it would be fun if they at least started the match all annihilating Moxley with their finishers, making us think it’ll work out in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff with Big Boom AJ & Big Justice here tonight, both hyping up the show but also interacting with Jericho’s group and even Anthony Bowens. They’re adding some more foreshadowing to The Acclaimed breaking up, and I guess we’re supposed to see this as a positive move, Bowens feuding with Jericho. Unless Bowens is going to be the guy that dethrones Jericho for whatever ROH cable TV debut/return is planned, the Jericho Vortex strikes again. Bowens should be going for an AEW midcard title, but right now, those are all tied up what with the C2 going on and the International Championship being tied up in Worlds End and NJPW plans.
Speaking of the C2, great stuff with all the matches tonight. Shelton VS Garcia was great stuff, and while Garcia gets the win, they’re still giving us some set-up for a TNT Championship match of Garcia VS Shelton. Mark Briscoe of course made the save, but great surprise for Swerve to show up. Lashley VS Swerve for Worlds End just needs to be said, it already feels a given. All that brawling was also a good segue into Mark VS Mortos, and another great showing for Mortos, even in losing. But as Mark has already had all his matches and is at 9 points, Kyle doesn’t even need to win against Garcia, he just needs to draw so that Mark will be out, and Garcia with him.
While Ospreay VS Darby on Wednesday raised the bar, Ospreay VS Ricochet still had great stuff of its own. Plus, Ricochet is bringing out more of his Heel side what with using the ref, and Ricochet’s win puts the pressure on Ospreay for Christmas Dynamite. Now, no offense to Brody King, but I’m thinking Ospreay wins that to take one of the semifinal spots. Darby VS Claudio tonight was also great, but Darby doing his best Sting off the truss was not the best when he gets that whiplash on the floor. I really thought that match was going to be called for concussion protocol, but Darby’s weirdly indestructible.
Claudio still cheats this win so there’s more heat on the Death Riders and Darby is also behind the 8 ball. Ospreay making the save was good, we can definitely have another “Team AEW” VS Death Riders with Ospreay joining Darby and a couple others, but the way they did the order of matches, Claudio’s got a seemingly easy ride against Komander for Christmas. Though, how awesome would it be if Komander pulled off the spoiler? Or if they were really going to add some drama, they should create a situation where the Death Riders end up ringside, violating the Continental Rules of no cornermen and that disqualifies Claudio. Claudio misses out on the semifinals because of a technicality, sending Ospreay and maybe Ricochet to the semifinals.
My Score: 8.8/10
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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