Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (9/4/23)
Labor Day is Raw!
Can Chad Gable stop Gunther from surpassing The Honky Tonk Man?
The WWE Intercontinental Championship is on the line as GUNTHER defends against Chad Gable one last time! Will Der Ring General make history?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tornado Tag: Drew McIntyre & Matt Riddle VS The Viking Raiders w/ Sarah Logan; The Viking Raiders win.
- Shinsuke Nakamura VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins, by disqualification.
- Shayna Baszler VS Zoey Stark; Shayna wins.
- Chelsea Green VS Raquel Rodriguez; Raquel wins.
- Sami Zayn VS JD McDonagh; McDonagh wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Chad Gable; Gunther wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is here!
The fans fire up as #JustMeUce makes his way out from the crowd! Cody Rhodes used his “political” pull backstage to get Jey to see a way to still be in the WWE, so now Main Event Jey is Raw! Jey goes to the ring, the fans get even more fired up as they bounce and wave their arms with Jey. Jey then gets the mic to say, “Alright. Appreciate that. Yeet! But hey, real talk, let me get it out. I always wanted to do this part, ok?” Jey has the fans settle down, and he says, “WELCOME! TO MONDAY NIGHT RAAAW!” Fans fire up again and Jey nods as they chant “USO! USO!”
Jey says real talk, ya boi only been gone for like a couple weeks, right? But he missed them, too. It felt so much longer than that! Jey hit his breaking point, man. Every week, on national TV, he was fighting his family. Family feud for real. Fans cheer again, and then out the blue, the unexpected called Jey. It was the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes. Jey says, “I see you, Uce.” That’s why Jey is on Main Event Mondays by himself. Jey did things in the past, created some enemies, but they know where to find him, cuz it’s just him, Uce! Main Event Jey Uso is now in your city! Wait, here comes Sami Zayn!
Jey watches the once Honorary Uce make his way down to the ring, no longer WWE Tag Team Champion after The Judgment Day took those titles on Saturday. Fans sing Sami’s song as he steps up into the ring. Fans chant “UCEY! UCEY!” as the two stare down. Sami has a mic to say, “Boy, Jey, I gotta be honest, it’s pretty crazy to see you standing here, man. A lot of what you said is true, but one thing is definitely true: There are a lot of people back there in that locker room that are gonna have a very big problem with you being here now. That’s the truth.” Even Kevin & Sami haven’t always seen eye to eye when it comes to The Bloodline.
But that’s okay, Kevin isn’t here right now. But that doesn’t matter. If anyone else has a problem, that doesn’t matter right now. Right now, this is about Sami and Jey. Sami wanted to make sure he was the first person Jey saw here on Raw so Sami could say to Jey’s face… that Sami is HAPPY Jey is here! Fans cheer, and Sami says he knows Jey. He knows what is in Jey’s heart, what kind of guy Jey is, and that all that he did these past few months was hard on him, but he did it! Jey broke free! Fans cheer that, too! And now, Jey is standing on his own two feet, all by himself, and has become who he has always been in his heart: Main Event Jey Uso!
Fans chant “USO! USO!” and Sami says, “So look… I know there’s a history here. I don’t expect us to be friends over night, best buddies, whatever it is. I just wanted to tell you straight to your face, man. I’m really proud of you.” Sami offers a handshake, fans cheer, but Jey just stares Sami down. Fans chant “HUG IT OUT!” but Jey just stays put. Sami waits a little longer, but then puts his hand down. Sami says that’s totally fine. Whenever Jey is ready to talk, Sami is here for him. Sami goes to leave, but Jey says, “Hey, Sami. Now that wasn’t very Ucey of me, was it?” Fans cheer! Jey offers the handshake, and Sami smirks as he steps back over. They HUG!
Fans cheer as the two make amends! Sami heads out and Jey revels in the cheers of the fans, will these two be friendly rivals as things move forward for Monday Night Raw?
But wait, Drew McIntyre makes his way out now! The Scottish Warrior has had his issues with The Bloodline in the past, but then Sami comes back to cool things off. McIntyre lets it go for now, that was always more on Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa anyway. Now Matt Riddle makes his way out, he also had beef with The Bloodline. Again, Sami keeps the situation cool, and The Original Bro goes to join his tag partner. #McRiddle looks to smoke The Viking Raiders, will they make good on this Tornado Tag grudge match?
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
“Seth Rollins. I have broken you. I have broken you like you broke the code we shared! I may have underestimated your grip on the World Heavyweight Championship, but I was the one left standing on the battlefield, not you.” Footage plays from after Payback went off the air of Nakamura attacking Rollins and throwing him around ringside. “I know I am the reason you will lose your grip. I will prevail. I will be World Heavyweight Champion!” The King of Strong Style will not be denied, what will he do in order to take the throne?
Ricochet speaks with Adam Pearce.
The One & Only knows Pearce saw SummerSlam and how it didn’t go his way. Ricochet needs an opportunity! Pearce knows that, but then they both spot Seth Rollins hobbling past. Pearce hurries to talk with the champ. What’s he even doing here? Rollins says it’s Monday night! He’s the champ! This is where he’s supposed to be! Pearce knows Rollins didn’t like it, but WWE Medical told him to stay home tonight. Tensions are high, Jey Uso is here- Oh Jey Uso, Smey Smuso! Medical shmedical! Rollins says he is fine. If he can walk, he can fight, so he’s fine. Ricochet says he saw what happened at Payback. They tore the house down.
But for Rollins to be here on Raw, that’s respect. That’s a champ Ricochet can get behind. Rollins says Ricochet gets it! Well, not exactly. Ricochet also wants Rollins to know that as much as he wants to carry the show, he doesn’t have to. Rollins says he is fine. Really, totally fine. Rollins heads out, Pearce and Ricochet are worried, but is this all playing into Shinsuke’s hands?
Tornado Tag: Drew McIntyre & Matt Riddle VS The Viking Raiders w/ Sarah Logan!
Raw returns as Erik & Ivar finally make their entrance, “Valhalla” by their side. The bell rings and the brawl is on! Riddle fires off with Ivar while McIntyre gives Erik a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! Riddle & McIntyre mug Ivar with KICKS and CHOPS on repeat! McIntyre then reels Ivar in but Ivar throat chops! Ivar ELBOWS Riddle, runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER from McIntyre! McIntyre gives Riddle a boost, ASSISTED FLOATING BRO! McIntyre CLOBBERS Erik off the apron, but Riddle runs into Ivar’s SEATED SENTON! But McIntyre fireman’s carries Ivar! Erik KNEES McIntyre down!
Ivar & Erik stomp McIntyre out of the ring, then set Riddle up for a KNEE, then another KNEE! They mug McIntyre as soon as he returns and fans boo. Riddle fires off on the Vikings but Erik DECKS Riddle, but McIntyre BOOTS Erik down! Ivar ROCKS McIntyre, Riddle KNEES Ivar! McIntyre clotheslines Ivar up and out! Fans fire up and McRiddle hug! Then McIntyre TOSSES Riddle onto the Vikings! Fans fire up as Riddle fires McIntyre up with a shove. “GET THE TABLES!” McIntyre shoves Riddle and tells him to get the tables! Reference to the Dudleys, and fans fire up as Riddle gets said table! A big thumbs as Raw goes picture in picture!
Riddle gets the table up and into the ring with some help from McIntyre, but the Vikings CLOBBER Riddle and mug McIntyre! Ivar ROCKS McIntyre with a right, Erik ROCKS Riddle with one of his own! McIntyre SMACKS Ivar off the desk! Riddle SMACKS Erik off the apron! The brawling goes around the way, Riddle CHOPS Erik but Ivar SMACKS McIntyre off the apron! Erik CHOPS Riddle, McIntyre SMACKS Ivar off steel steps! They all meet at the ramp, McIntyre CHOPS Ivar! Then he ROCKS Erik! Erik ROCKS McIntyre, McIntyre ROCKS Erik, repeat! Erik stumbles into the ring but McIntyre hurries after him!
McIntyre CHOPS Erik against ropes, then whips. Erik KICKS back, but McIntyre LARIATS in return! Logan seethes while McIntyre underhooks Erik. Ivar runs up to POST McIntyre! Logan is happier now, but Riddle fires off on Ivar! And spins him around to PELE! Ivar staggers to a corner, Riddle handsprings and clotheslines! Then runs side to side, but Erik trips him up! Ivar BOOTS Riddle down! Erik looms over Riddle, Ivar takes ownership of the table! The Vikings set the furniture up but Riddle fires forearms on them! But Ivar BOOTS Riddle down! The Vikings make sure the table is centered but Riddle ROUNDHOUSES Erik!
Ivar SMACKS Riddle off the table, drags him onto it, and Raw returns to single picture. Ivar CLUBS Riddle, goes up the corner, but McIntyre CLUBS Ivar first! McIntyre CLUBS Ivar some more, steps in and UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! McIntyre climbs, Riddle is off the table and he helps out! But Erik moves the table before the DOUBLE SUPERPLEX! KNEE for McIntyre, cover, TWO!! Erik drags Riddle up, but Riddle slips free to BOOT, then runs in at the corner. Erik dodges, Ivar SPLASHES, then feed to Erik’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The Vikings get the table back up and put it in a corner.
The Viking Raiders stalk Riddle, but McIntyre LARIATS Erik! And RUNNING SHOULDER TACKLES Ivar! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY for Erik! NECKBREAKER for Ivar! NECKBREAKER for Ivar! McIntyre kips up and fans fire up! McIntyre fireman’s carries Ivar, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER for Ivar! Fans fire up as McIntyre starts the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” But Erik drags Ivar to safety! Fans boo but McIntyre goes out after them! He dodges Erik, ROCKS Ivar, then ROCKS Erik! McIntyre clears off the commentary desk! But Ivar CLUBS McIntyre to save Erik! So McIntyre TOSSES Ivar!
McIntyre CLUBS Erik, Erik hits back, and Erik whips, only for McIntyre to reverse! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Ivar is on the table to VIKING SPLASH to the floor!! McIntyre sputters while the Vikings regroup. The Vikings haul McIntyre up, aim for the desk, but Riddle makes the save now! FLASH KNEE for Ivar! Erik ducks the roundhouse to Electric Chair Lift! But Riddle gest to the apron to PENALTY KICK! Riddle hauls the table around to a drop zone! Riddle has Erik and puts him on the table! Riddle climbs but Logan distracts! The ref reprimands but Ivar LEG LARIATS Riddle! Erik moves the table to center!
The Vikings haul Riddle up, but KOFI KINGSTON rushes out here! Kofi saves Riddle to fire off kicks on the Vikings! TROUBLE IN PARADISEÂ but Ivar ducks! KOFI HITS RIDDLE!! Kofi panics, but the Vikings get Kofi and TOSS him into McIntyre!! Then the Vikings drag Riddle up, RAGNAROK through the table!!! Cover, the Vikings win!!
Winners: The Viking Raiders, by pinfall
Erik & Ivar again take advantage of miscues between The New Day and McRiddle! McIntyre hit Woods by accident last week, Kofi hits Riddle by accident this week! Will anyone be able to stop the raid?
WWE looks back at the great Intercontinental Champions of the past.
The original champion, Pat Patterson! The longest reigning champion, The Honky Tonk Man! Some of the best in the Attitude Era, Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold Steve Austin! Booker T, as he sported the Ruthless Aggression Era title. Roman Reigns with the throwback title. Will Gunther solidify himself as THE greatest? Or will Chad Gable SHOOOOSH all that here tonight?
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
Fans fire up as The Visionary makes his way out, still wearing the same gear as he had on Saturday night at Payback. He pulled out a victory against the vicious King of Strong Style, and is still standing after the brutal attack after the match. Rollins revels in the fans singing his song, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” What will Rollins say in response? We’ll hear that after the break.
Raw returns and the fans get to sing again while Rollins gets the mic. “Charlotte, North Carolina~! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” He is our host for this evening. He is the Visionary, he is the revolutionary, he is Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins! And Charlotte, NC is doing great tonight. But at Payback, Nakamura did everything he said he was gonna do. He put a target on Rollins’ back and dropped bombs on it all night long. Rollins didn’t know if he’d be able to get up, or if he’d be able to continue the fight. But the last time Rollins checked, he’s still the World Heavyweight Champion!
Fans cheer and Rollins laughs, but then Rollins says there is one thing. There is one thing that hasn’t sit right these past few days. Even though Rollins beat Nakamura, at the end of the night, Nakamura was able to walk out of the building while Rollins was pushed out in a wheelchair by his wife, Becky Lynch. That just doesn’t sit right with Rollins! So here is what he is thinking! Why not right some wrongs right here? Shinsuke Nakamura, get your ass out here so Rollins can make your dreams come true! And so Nakamura appears! Nakamura has a mic of his own and smirks at Rollins.
Rollins tells Nakamura to c’mon already. Get down to the ring! Nakamura didn’t have a problem on Saturday! Rollins has a proposition for him! Nakamura swaggers about a bit, but Rollins says okay, he realizes there is only one way for Nakamura to get in here and that is to give him what he wants, again. So what does Nakamura say to a WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH, right here, and right now?!? Fans love the sound of it! Nakamura grins as he steps closer, but then he hears all the fans cheering and it hurts his head. Nakamura steps back, and he says, “Huh?”
Nakamura says in Japanese, “I really wonder if that’s what you want.” He knows how close he came, so he’ll make Rollins wait until HE says it’s time. Rollins admits, he doesn’t understand a lot of Japanese, but he assumes Nakamura is accepting the challenge, so what’s he waiting for? Get on down and let’s ring the bell! Nakamura says in English, “NO.” Fans boo and Rollins is confused now. “Excuse me?” Nakamura repeats, “NO.” Fine, okay, now let’s clarify. Are they having a world title match? Yes or no? NO! Fans boo and now Rollins and Nakamura go back and forth, “No?” “NO!” “No?” “NO!”
Rollins says alright, Shin, that’s not gonna work for Rollins! Yeah, it’s Labor Day, but it’s also a Monday Night Raw! Rollins is clocked in, so if Nakamura likes it or not, he’s about to get that work! Rollins rushes out and brawls with Nakamura on the ramp! Fans fire up but Pearce and security rush out! Fans boo as the two are separated! “Let them fight!” Nakamura gets loose and KICKS Rollins in the back!! Rollins goes down in a heap, but here comes Ricochet! Ricochet brawls with Nakamura now, but Nakamura goes to leave! Nakamura doesn’t care about Ricochet, but will he have no choice but to wrestle someone tonight?
Raw returns and Rollins is arguing with Pearce.
Rollins is shouting that he’s already said he can handle this, he’s been handling this for a long time! Pearce tells him that yeah, he’s been doing this a long time, but he’s also going at a pace no one else has before! Pearce is just trying to keep Rollins from running himself into the ground! That’s all! Rollins says he doesn’t want that. Rollins storms off, but what about this issue with Nakamura?
Shinsuke Nakamura VS Ricochet!
Well here’s one way to deal with things! The King of Strong Style and the King of Flight meet in 1v1 competition once again! Will Nakamura take his frustrations out on Ricochet? Or can the One & Only get himself back into the title picture?
The bell rings and Nakamura bails out! Fans boo as Nakamura doesn’t actually care about this match. But Ricochet rushes out to fire off on Nakamura! Nakamura knees low, whips Ricochet at the apron, but Ricochet backflips off it to then fire off kicks and forearms on Nakamura! Ricochet puts Nakamura in the ring, rams into him, then slingshots, somersaults and handsprings to RANA! Fans fire up as Ricochet kips up and DROPKICKS! Ricochet UPPERCUTS Nakamura, reels him in, and suplexes. Nakamura fights that, throws body shots then waistlocks. Ricochet breaks free to CHOP!
Ricochet runs, but Nakamura trips up the springboard! Nakamura fires Kawada Kicks to the back of the head, then goes up the corner. GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP! Nakamura steps on Ricochet and stands on his face for BAD VIBRATIONS! The ref counts, Nakamura lets off and he paces around. Nakamura drags Ricochet up, whips him to a corner, then storms up to KICK! And KICK! And then Nakamura gets space, to run in, but he blocks boots! He puts Ricochet int he ropes, KICKS and SLIDING GERMANS! Fans are torn while Nakamura soaks up the heat, and Raw goes picture in picture.
Nakamura slides in, covers, ONE!! Ricochet is hanging tough but Nakamura clamps on with a chinlock. Ricochet endures, pries at the hold, and fights to his feet. Ricochet throws body shots, but Nakamura knees him low! Nakamura snapmares, then drops a knee! Cover, TWO! Ricochet is still in this but Nakamura stays on him with another chinlock. Nakamura grinds Ricochet down, but Ricochet endures and fights his way around. Fans rally, Ricochet stands up, and Ricochet throws body shots. Ricochet ROCKS Nakamura with a forearm, whips him to ropes, but Nakamura reverses. Ricochet handsprings but Nakamura KICKS him while he’s upside-down!
Ricochet sputters as he sits up, and Nakamura KICKS him down! Nakamura kicks Ricochet around, but Ricochet stands to CHOP! And CHOP! Nakamura KICKS Ricochet back down! Nakamura pushes Ricochet down, h as a cocky cover, TWO! Ricochet goes to a corner, but Nakamura fires body shots! Nakamura digs his boot in but the ref counts. Nakamura lets off and paces around. Nakamura drags Ricochet up, reels him in, suplexes, but Ricochet blocks! Nakamura throws body shots, suplexes and GOURD BUSTERS! Nakamura then throws in knee after knee into Ricochet’s side! Nakamura sits Ricochet up for an abdominal stretch!
Raw returns to single picture as fans rally and Ricochet endures. Ricochet fights, stands, and JAWBREAKERS free! Ricochet runs, but into a kitchen sink knee! Ricochet falls but Nakamura drags him back up. Nakamura CHOPS, whips, but Ricochet ducks ‘n’ handsprings to BACK ELBOW! Both men are down and fans fire up! Judgment Day’s Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley are watching backstage. Priest being Senor Money in the Bank, he still has vested interest in the World Heavyweight Championship scene. Ricochet fires kick after kick on Nakamura, then UPPERCUTS! Ricochet whips, Nakamura reverses, but Ricochet RANAS!
Nakamura goes to a corner, fans fire up with Ricochet as he runs in, and Ricochet RAMS into Nakamura! Ricochet bumps Nakamura off buckles, KICKS Nakamura away, then SPRINGBOARD FLYING LARIATS! Fans fire up as Ricochet RUNNING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Nakamura is still in this and Ricochet nods. Ricochet knows Nakamura is tough, so he just refocuses and drags Nakamura to a drop zone. Ricochet climbs, aims, and fans fire up for the 450- NO, Nakamura moves! Ricochet rolls through, tiger wall kicks, then ducks Nakamura’s roundhouse, only for the WHEEL KICK to hit!
Nakamura clinches to INVERTED EXPLODER, but Ricochet lands on his feet! Ricochet hits the RECOIL! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura is still tougher than that and Ricochet grits his teeth. Ricochet sees Nakamura go to the corner, and he runs in again. Nakamura dodges the splash and Ricochet gets stuck up top! TOP SHELF KNEE! Nakamura slides out, finds Ricochet on the apron and KNEE LIFTS! Nakamura goes up the apron, but Ricochet avoids that knee drop! Ricochet is on the apron and he SUPERKICKS! Ricochet then gets space, runs in and CANNONBALLS! Crash landing but still a direct hit!
Ricochet fires up and fans are with him. Ricochet brings Nakamura up but Nakamura POSTS him! And then RAMS him into barriers! Nakamura stomps Ricochet, then gets space. The ring count is 5 of 10 as Nakamura runs in, but Ricochet TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! Ricochet drags Nakamura up, blocks the punch to punch back! Ricochet climbs the barrier, but then Nakamura BOOTS Ricochet down! Nakamura grabs a chair and he SMACKS Ricochet!
Winner: Ricochet, by disqualification
Fans boo but Nakamura doesn’t care, he just SMACKS Ricochet again! Nakamura drags Ricochet up, puts him back in the ring, and he has the chair again! Nakamura puts the chair around Ricochet’s head! Nakamura takes aim, “YAO~!” But here comes Rollins! He won’t let Nakamura do this, and he TACKLES Nakamura! Fans fire up, security rushes out, but Rollins TOSSES them aside! Rollins then builds speed to FLY onto Nakamura and the rest! Fans fire up for Rollins as he seethes through the pain and drags Nakamura up. But Nakamura RAMS Rollins into the steel steps! Nakamura stomps away on Rollins’ back and head!
But now Ricochet is back up, and he has the chair! Nakamura runs away before getting a taste of his own medicine! Nakamura tells Rollins it is only a matter of time! As for Priest, he’s still watching. Rhea looks to him, and says no, not tonight. The MITB contract still has plenty of time on it, will Priest strike when he knows it’s guaranteed to work?
Backstage interview with Zoey Stark.
Jackie Redmond is with Trish Stratus’ former protégé, and brings up what happened at Payback. “Is it safe to say that partnership is officially over?” Stark says she still has a lot of respect for Trish, Trish taught her a lot, and on Saturday, Trish proved she is still one of the greatest of all time. But there is one thing you never do, Hall of Famer or not, and that is push Zoey Stark. But then in steps Shayna Baszler. The Queen of Spades says she wondered when Stark would get rid of the dead weight. She got rid of Ronda Rousey and turned everything around, too. So if only Stark had done what she did before they had their match a few weeks ago.
Stark says hold on. She sees where this is going, and these two have some unfinished business. How about they go 1v1 tonight to see who the baddest woman really is? Oh, so she has more to show Shayna? Sure does. Then meet her out there and show her. Stark says okay, see you out there. Will the Hunter be the one standing tall against the Submission Magician?
The Judgment Day heads to the ring!
We saw Rhea & Priest a moment ago, and now they, Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio are walking together, all the gold on their shoulders! We hear from the NEW Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, the still WWE Women’s World Champion and the still NXT North American Champion, after the break!
Raw returns and The Judgment Day is now in the ring. Priest says, “All rise for the crew that’s drippin’ gold!” Fans are torn but Priest says “ALL RISE for the Judgment Day!” Dom starts talking and fans start booing as he says the Judgment Day did what Mami told them to, and they brought all the gold home! Dom says Mami herself defended her Women’s World Championship, while Finn Balor & Damian Priest handled Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens, becoming the NEW Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions! Finn thanks Dom for that, and he congratulates Dom on his one year anniversary of joining the Judgment Day!
Fans boo as the Judgment Day all applauds. But Finn tells Rhea, thanks for always being such a great voice of reason in the group. And Damian, while you and Finn have had ups and downs together, look at ’em now! Undisputed Tag Team Champions of the World! Finn wants to also give a special shoutout to JD McDonagh for always having Finn’s back these last 20 years. Priest rolls his eyes a bit, but Finn finally thanks… himself! On reaching his most recent career milestone in becoming a GRAND SLAM CHAMPION! Fans do chant, “You Deserve It!” and Rhea makes sure we hear it. We do know Finn deserves it!
But last week, Rhea did give them an ultimatum, and the pressure was on. But then Finn & Damian really rose to the occasion and showed the world that they are truly brothers in arms, and that they truly are a family. She loves ’em all! But… Rhea does want to address something that’s aggravated her. And that is? The fact that the focus isn’t on them and their accomplishments! People are talking more about Jey Uso coming to Raw and what that means for The Bloodline! As far as Rhea is concerned, the Bloodline has fallen, and now the Judgment Day is the most dominant faction in the WWE!!
Priest says now, with all this gold- WAIT! Here comes The Irish Ace! Finn did bring him up, and he says he doesn’t mean to be rude, but then Priest stops JD there. A small part of Priest was actually starting to like him. So whatever McDonagh’s reason is for being out here, make it good. McDonagh promises it is good. It will be, really. The way he sees it, he took a bullet for them on Saturday, so the least they could do is let him into the ring so he can explain why he’s here. Cool? The Judgment Day lets McDonagh enter, and McDonagh is here because of something Rhea said. Rhea said last week that big changes are needed in the Judgment Day. And they’ve been needed for awhile.
McDonagh says to Damian Priest, that briefcase has to go. Priest shakes his head and tries to stay calm. But then McDonagh says no, he doesn’t need it! They have all the gold, Priest doesn’t need that briefcase. He needs this one. McDonagh presents Priest with a purple ‘n’ silver with Senor Money in the Bank written on it! The Judgment Day does like how that looks, so Priest happily accepts the present. And now, the Judgment Day- Sami Zayn interrupts! Priest throws his mic down in frustration as Sami tells them all to hold on. “Gentlemen, and Dom.” He’s happy they’re all feeling good.
See, Kevin may not be here, but do they really think, after it took five of them to rob them of the tag titles, do you really think that was gonna slide? They’re bragging about holding the titles, how they’re all champs, but Sami doesn’t see five champions. Sami sees five giant title stealing turds! Fans chant “TURDS! TURDS! TURDS!” but Sami says to be honest, a very special beating is owed to the one that cost them it all, “the biggest turd of them all,” Dominik Mysterio! Fans cheer that but the Judgment Day laughs. Dom dares Sami to do something. Where’s his title? Sami asks Dom what he says about the challenge. Does he got the cajones?!
McDonagh says Dom ain’t fighting anyone tonight. And as he recalls it, Dom wasn’t the only one to screw Sami over! So if Sami wants to fight anyone, he should fight McDonagh! Sami says he is glad McDonagh spoke. Because no one deserves a bigger ass kicking than McDonagh! And that is what he gets, tonight! Fans fire up as The Great Liberator is going to throw down with the Irish Ace! Will McDonagh prove himself to the Judgment Day once and for all by defending their honor?
GUNTHER speaks.
But he says most of it in German. But he then says in English, “Chad Gable thinks he can stand in the way of me and my legacy. Who do you think you are? Tonight, history will be made. But somebody like you (Chad) doesn’t belong in the history books. I do! Your little fairytale story is temporary. My legacy will be forever. And tonight, after the final bell rings, I will go down in history as the greatest and longest reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion in history.” Der Ring General is incredibly confident, but will he be the most shocked should Gable dethrone him?
Raquel Rodriguez meets with Adam Pearce.
She knows there’s already a lot going on, so she just wanted to be sure they’re on the same page. Oh, they are. He’s glad she came to see him, because he wants to let her know that he will go ahead and make the match official. Raquel heads out and Chelsea Green walks in. She almost ran into Raquel but says some people are so rude. Yeah, she’s one to talk. But Chelsea says he forgot to check his texts. She is a future hall of famer and a two-time tag team champion, she does not stand in line behind sasquatches. To Chelsea’s point, the problem is that Piper Niven isn’t medically cleared tonight, which is an issue, so he’s glad Chelsea is here.
Um, sorry, he doesn’t seem to get the “issue” of how everyone is saying these WWE Women’s Tag titles are “cursed.” C’mon, Adam, be original. Maybe it isn’t the titles that are cursed. Uh, what is he implying? And what was Raquel even talking with him about? It’s not her concern. Oh? Well, maybe they were talking about how Raquel failed miserably to win the world title at Payback! Or how she got absolutely dominated by Rhea! Or how she’s just a big ol’ loser! Oh, Raquel! She came back! How long was she there? Long enough. Pearce, do you mind? Yes. Tonight, Chelsea VS Raquel! Raquel tells “chiquita” she’ll see her in the ring.
Shayna Baszler VS Zoey Stark!
The Queen of Spades beat Ronda Rousey and ran her out of the WWE while The Hunter finally threw the Hall of Famer, Trish Stratus, aside. Who will continue to prove themselves as the baddest in the WWE today all on their own?
Raw returns and Stark makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Shayna headlocks for a takeover but Stark headscissors. Shayna moves around, pops free, but Stark avoids the kick! They each dodge each other but Shayna runs Stark over! Things speed up, Stark DROPKICKS Shayna down! Stark hits a takeover, she grinds Shayna now, but Shayna hooks a leg to roll Stark around and stands on her arm! Shayna lets the hair down to STOMP the elbow! Stark writhes and goes to ropes. Shayna is after that arm, though, and she wrenches to whip Stark to a corner. Shayna then wrenches the arm again, to whip corner to corner!
Stark goes up and over but Shayna catches her for a KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Stark kicks off the corner, slips under, but Shayna sits on the cover! TWO, and Stark rolls Shayna up! TWO, SUPERKICK! Shayna tumbles out and Stark slides, but Shayna ducks under! KIRAFUDA! Stark RAMS Shayna into the apron! And then she kicks off the apron to send Shayna into the desk! Stark slides in, the ref counts, and then Stark PLANCHAS! Down goes Shayna and Stark shouts, “I’M the baddest, Shayna, not you!” Stark goes back to the ring and Raw goes picture in picture.
Stark huffs and puffs as she glares down at Shayna. Shayna rises slowly, Stark goes right back out to put her in the ring. Stark soaks up the heat, shakes out the bad arm, then slingshots to ARABIAN PRESS SENTON! Cover, TWO! Stark shakes her bad arm out to stomp Shayna down. Shayna goes to ropes, Stark bumps her off buckles. Stark wrenches and reels Shayna in, ARMBAR DDT! Shayna staggers to a corner, Stark RAMS into her! And again! Stark lets off as the ref counts, and she wrenches Shayna again to hammerlock, and RAMS Shayna’s shoulder into the buckles! Stark wrenches and whips but Shayna reverses to send Stark into buckles!
Shayna then gets Stark on the return for SOLE FOOD to the arm! Stark falls back and clutches her arm, but Shayna says “Who’s the baddest now?!” Shayna storms over to Stark, drags her up and wrenches the arm to a double wristlock. Stark endures, fights up, and powers around to a roll-up! TWO, and Stark runs, only for Shayna to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Stark is toughing it out but Shayna storms up and has the arm again! Stark clasps hands to fight off the armlock but Shayna pries the grip apart! Shayna twists the wrist, pulls on the elbow and shoulder, but Stark fights her way back up.
Stark arm-drags free, runs up and ELBOWS Shayna, then goes to a corner. Shayna runs in but into a BOOT! Stark runs, and she CLOBBERS Shayna! And again! And then again! Shayna swings, misses, Stark runs to FLYING ELBOW! Stark fires up as Raw returns to single picture, and she tells Shayna to get up! Shayna rises, Stark runs in, gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Stark kips up and fans rally as Stark runs in, but Shayna puts her on the apron. Stark GAMANGIRIS, then springboards, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Stark pushes Shayna around. Stark eggs Shayna on and gives her scuffing kicks.
Stark runs, but Shayna avoids the boot to KNEE Stark down! Cover, TWO!! Stark survives and Shayna grows frustrated. Shayna eggs Stark on now, then brings her up. But Stark ROCKS, ELBOWS, and SUPERKICKS! Z 3- NO, Shayna fights the scoop to fireman’s carry! But Stark slips off to waistlock, but Shayna switches back! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Stark flails, reaches out, shifts around, but Shayna fights the lift again, so Stark ROCKS her with a forearm! Shayna tumbles out of the ring, Stark storms to the apron, and SPLASHES down! Stark drags Shayna up, puts her in the ring, and shakes out the bad arm.
Stark aims again, slingshot, but the senton misses! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!!! Stark flails, rolls, but Shayna stays on her! Shayna drags Stark down into body scissors! Stark fades, but gets a second wind! Stark stands up again, grabs for ropes, but Shayna drags her back down! Stark is coughing, sputtering, still fighting, and gets to her feet! But her third wind is gone, too, Stark is OUT! Shayna wins!!
Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission
Stark is bad, but Shayna is BAD! Will Shayna use this win to go after the baddest in Rhea Ripley? But then surprisingly, Shayna stands in front of Stark, says that was a better fight than Ronda. They fist bump in respect! Will Stark prove she can do bad all by herself soon enough?
The Judgment Day sits in their private lounge.
Finn says as far as he’s concerned, McDonagh has been stepping up. Maybe, just maybe, they bring him into the group officially. Priest says he knows McDonagh is Finn’s boy, but c’mon. He still needs to prove himself. Yes, agreed, but they might not be Undisputed Tag Team Champions if not for McDonagh. What does Dom think? Dom’s cool with what they decide. What about Mami? Rhea thinks, and then says they should wait and see how McDonagh does against Sami. But if Finn wants this, he has to make sure McDonagh comes through. Consider it done. Does Priest want in on this? Sure, why not.
The tag champs head out, but Rhea keeps Dom close. She needs him to make sure that everything that happens goes to plan. And they’ll talk about that other stuff later. Dom heads out, will this help ease Mami’s mind?
Chelsea Green VS Raquel Rodriguez!
The Hot Mess better hope Piper Niven returns to 100% and fast, because she clearly gets herself into trouble on her own. Will Chelsea survive a run-in with an angry Ricky Desperado?
Raw returns and Chelsea makes her entrance. The bell rings and Chelsea runs for it! Raquel stops her and drags her back in! Chelsea wants Raquel to show mercy, but Raquel hauls her up in a waistlock to thrash her around! Chelsea is a rag doll and Raquel throws her down! Raquel tells to get up but Chelsea wants a timeout. But then Chelsea kicks, only for Raquel to block! Raquel clamps on a choke grip but Chelsea kicks the leg! Chelsea HAMMERS away, runs, but into a BOOT! Raquel seethes, drags Chelsea up and scoops, to FALL AWAY SLAM! Fans fire up as Raquel storms over to drag Chelsea up at the ropes!
Chelsea HOTSHOTS Raquel away, then goes up the corner! Chelsea leaps, but Raquel catches her! Fans fire up as Raquel pops Chelsea up, only for Chelsea to slip free! Chelsea SLAPS Raquel, and now she’s sorry. Chelsea ducks a lariat, but not the SOUTHPAW!! And then, TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, Raquel wins!
Winner: Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall
Big Mami Cool crushes the Hot Mess, and she is back on track! Raquel gets a mic to say that earlier tonight, she spoke with Adam Pearce about the actions of The Judgment Day at Payback. And not only is Raquel getting her rematch, but Dirty Dom, you stupid little boy, are no longer a factor! He will be barred from ringside! Fans cheer and Raquel tells Mamacita, see you next week for the Women’s World Championship!! Raquel VS Rhea will truly be 1v1, who will be the One True Mami of Monday Night Raw?
The Alpha Academy meets backstage.
Chad Gable has a new jacket where his name is an acronym: Giving Aggressive Beatings Like Experts! Maxxine Dupri asks if Coach Gable is ready for tonight. Oh, he’s had a lot of time to think about what’s led up to this moment. And Gunther says a guy like Gable doesn’t deserve to be in the history books? Newsflash: Gable already IS in those books! Olympian with a Master’s Degree, Valedictorian, has brought everyone around him to the highest levels, and he’s won every tag title in this company! But tonight, Gable gets to add to HIS legacy by proving to Gunther, to his crew, the world and Gable’s family in the front row that Gable is more than just a tag team specialist.
“Tonight… The world’s gonna see your desire to hang onto that championship doesn’t even compare to MY desire to take it from you!” Gable is all fired up, will he SHOOOOSH the doubters to become the NEW Intercontinental Champion?
McIntyre is storming around backstage.
And he’s looking for Kofi! No one’s seen him, apparently. But Riddle finds McIntyre and wants him to calm down. McIntyre says he is calm for what happened tonight. Jey Uso is here, when he and his family have caused so many problems for everyone on Raw, themselves included. And McIntyre gave Jey a pass, but he will watch every move Jey makes. If Jey makes a mistake, McIntyre will do something about it, and that’ll be on Cody Rhodes. But Kofi walks over and apologizes for earlier. That was a total accident, but it still cost them the match, so he apologizes. Riddle tells Kofi it is okay. Is it, though?
McIntyre knows he accidentally hit Woods with a big armchair, but then a week later, Kofi takes Riddle out with a kick. Right, the accident where McIntyre launched that chair with full force? Yes, but what’re the odds Vegas would give on another accident happening a week later? Kofi says okay, they can’t make mistakes then? If McIntyre wants to say something, just say it. McIntyre says all he’s saying, he’ll keep his eyes open for any more “accidents.” Kofi tells Riddle to talk to his bro, and Riddle says yeah, he’ll go talk with him. Will Riddle get through to Drew about this?
The Miz is here!
Fans boo as the Hollywood A-Lister makes his way out to the ring. Miz still swaggers despite his bad mood after losing at Payback, but we hear from him after the break.
Raw returns and Miz has the mic. Miz welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, MizTV. And tonight, his guest will shine a light on the travesty at Payback, because at Payback, Miz did not lose! He was robbed, blindsided and victimized for exposing LA Knight for who he is, but that is later. First, the man who will right this wrong, who promised that he will be completely transparent! Without further ado, “they call him the Greatest Of All Time,” JOHN CENA! Fans fire up as the music hits, but where’s Cena? Wait, who is the camera following? Uh… Wait. Is this a “You Can’t See Me” joke?
Invisible Cena slides into the ring and Miz gives him space. Miz thanks Cena and tells him to take a seat. “Ladies and gentlemen, John Cena!” Hear that? The adults don’t just dislike him, those kids are booing him now! And Miz doesn’t blame them! He speaks for everyone when he says Cena screwed Miz over! Fans boo, they’re not playing along anymore. Miz says this feels weird. Can the fans see him? NO! You can’t see him!? There’s the punchline. But Miz understands what’s going on now. For the last 18 years, have not only Miz been able to see Cena, he’s been able to see through Cena.
So Miz will do us all a favor and “translate” for Cena, who is definitely sitting right there in that chair. The jig is up, so first question: Did LA Knight pay Cena to be the ref? YEAH! Did he offer Cena a job during these hard times? YEAH! Did Cena purposefully screw Miz over? YEAH! DID YOU CONSPIRE WITH LA KNIGHT? YEAH!! Miz gets mad at the fans, he didn’t ask THEM to answer! And if they’re going to say anything, say “Yes!” “YES! YES! YES!” No, wait, nevermind! If they’re gonna say something, just nod. YEAH. No! NOD! YEAH! Miz sighs and sits back down. Miz stares “Cena” down and asks if he conspired with Knight.
See! There you have it! Knight’s victory should be thrown out! Cena, get out of Miz’s ring! Cena seems to refuse, so Miz tells him to leave! But then “Cena” stands up! Fans taunt Miz’s “TINY BALLS! TINY BALLS!” Miz explains something to “Cena.” When Miz says get out, Cena gets out. Miz shoves Invisible Cena! Invisible Cena shoves him back! Miz takes off the jacket and fans are going nuts! Miz cools off, but then he sucker punches Cena! Full nelson, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE on Invisible Cena! Fans boo and Miz tells everyone else, “There is nothing invisible or imaginary about what happened to me at Payback!”
Knight was cornered, took the easy way out, but this isn’t over! Miz challenges Knight to a 1v1 match, no guest refs, no surprises, no helping hands! If Knight accepts, he finds out like Cena did years ago, whose game is it really? Because the chants will end, and Knight will fade away, because his future success is about as realistic as that invisible Cena in this ring. This isn’t make believe. The Knight fairytale the fans are manifesting will come crashing down thanks to Miz! Cuz he’s the Miz…! And HEEEE’S AWWWWESOME!! But will Miz run into the reality that Knight isn’t just a flash in the pan?
Jey Uso walks the halls.
He crosses paths with Akira Tozawa, and Tozawa goes the other way. Pearce finds Jey and he tells Jey that obviously, some people here in the locker room aren’t happy he’s here. Yeah, Jey noticed. But it will only get worse and here’s why. Upper management just let Pearce know that SmackDown is getting trade compensation for Jey moving to Raw, and that means someone from Raw will be sent to SmackDown at some point soon. So depending on who that is, that might piss other people off, so this is a heads up. Jey fist bumps Pearce and thanks him with a yeet before heading out. Pearce is about to enter his office, but Tommaso Ciampa walks over.
Ciampa asks if now is a good time to talk. Sure, good as time as any. They’ll finish their previous conversation. Ciampa’s all for that, but just what does this discussion adhere to?
Sami Zayn VS JD McDonagh!
The Great Liberator wants to put Judgment Day in its place, so he’ll start with the Irish Ace, who is really more the pawn in this game. But will Finn, Priest & Dom show up to make sure Sami gets beat? Or will nothing stop Sami from getting payback for Payback?
Raw returns as The Irish Ace makes his entrance. The bell rings, and McDonagh bails out! Fans boo but Sami waits patiently. McDonagh slides in, but slides right back out. Sami slides out after him! They go on a chase, Sami drops down then hurdles over, to then MONKEY FLIP McDonagh away! McDonagh writhes and staggers up, and Sami CHOPS him to the corner! Sami fires off fast hands, whips corner to corner hard, and McDonagh drops to his knees! Sami throws down hands and fans rally behind him. Sami has McDonagh on the apron, throws more hands, but McDonagh HOTSHOTS Sami!
McDonagh runs in to CLOBBER Sami! McDonagh rains down fists, lets off to soak up heat, but Sami stands up. Sami hobbles to a corner, McDonagh CHOPS him, and then pie faces Sami to CHOP him again! Sami ducks the chop to fire off CHOPS! Sami stalks McDonagh but McDonagh mule kicks! McDonagh whips, Sami reverses and McDonagh hits so hard, he tumbles up and out of the ring! Fans fire up, Sami goes out to fetch McDonagh, and he puts McDonagh in the ring. Fans fire up but McDonagh slides out as Sami slides in. McDonagh then trips Sami, drags him out and RAMS him into the apron!
McDonagh SMACKS Sami off apron, and again! The ring count climbs but McDonagh dribbles Sami off the desk! And then POSTS him! Sami falls back and McDonagh snarls as Raw goes picture in picture.
McDonagh leaves Sami behind long enough to refresh the ring count, then he puts Sami on the apron. McDonagh CLUBS away on Sami, then stands on the desk to soak up the heat. McDonagh tells Michael Cole to watch himself, then he goes back to the ring. McDonagh reels Sami in, suplexes, then covers, TWO! McDonagh wants a faster count but the ref argues his was fair. McDonagh has Sami in a corner, RAMS into him, and RAMS him again! McDonagh JABS Sami and Sami sits down. McDonagh brings Sami out to suplex, but Sami fights this one! Sami then suplexes McDonagh in return! Both men writhe but Sami stands up first!
Sami storms over to McDonagh, drags him up, but McDonagh YANKS Sami into buckles! McDonagh puts Sami up top, throws forearms, and Sami wobbles as McDonagh climbs. McDonagh stands Sami up but Sami fights the suplex! Sami throws body shots, then he HEADBUTTS McDonagh down! Sami adjusts, fans rally, and McDonagh stands, to DROPKICK Sami outta the sky! Cover, TWO!! McDonagh is fuming and he grinds Sami down with a headlock. Sami endures, McDonagh leans all his weight on Sami’s head, but Sami fights up. Raw returns to single picture as fans rally and Sami throws hands!
Sami ROCKS McDonagh, ROCKS him again, and again, and again! Sami whips, McDonagh reverses but Sami goes up and over and LARIATS! Fans fire up with Sami and he stalks McDonagh to a corner. Sami climbs up to rain down fists! Fans count along and Sami goes all the way to TEN! Sami then CHOPS McDonagh, whips him corner to corner, and then back drops on the rebound! Fans fire up again and Sami storms around. Sami brings McDonagh up, reels him in, but McDonagh fights the lift with elbows! McDonagh runs, into a scoop! MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! McDonagh survives but Sami scowls.
Sami drags McDonagh up, puts him in a corner and then up top. Fans rally as Sami climbs up. McDonagh wobbles up top, but he still manages to push Sami away. McDonagh adjusts now, leaps, but Sami gets under! McDonagh rolls, comes back, but into a CORNER EXPLODER! Fans fire up as Sami goes to the far corner. Sami runs back in, but Dom drags McDonagh out to safety! Fans boo but Sami rushes out to CLOBBER Dom! Fans fire up as Sami SMACKS Dom off the desk, rains down fists, and then sees McDonagh. Sami fires hands on McDonagh, puts him back in, and then hurries up. Dom distracts Sami, so Sami DECKS him!
But McDonagh rolls Sami up! With tights!! MCDONAGH WINS!!
Winner: JD McDonagh, by pinfall
Dirty Dom helps the Necessary Evil get one over on Sami! Just as Mami wanted. But then Sami goes after Dom for it! Fans fire up as Sami fires off, then he puts Dom in the ring! Dom scurries, McDonagh calls to him, but Sami drags Dom back in! CORNER EXPLODER!! Sami glares at McDonagh, who hesitates on the ramp. Sami aims at Dom, but now McDonagh drags Sami out to POST him! McDonagh gets in the ring, tells Dom to go, so Dom hurries away. But Sami is back! He catches McDonagh for a CORNER EXPLODER!! Sami goes to the other corner, Dom doesn’t come back to help McDonagh! HELLUVA KICK!!
Fans cheer as Sami has the last say on this one! But McDonagh still won and he still saved Dom over himself. Will this prove he’s worthy of joining Judgment Day?
Dom and McDonagh regroup backstage.
They also regroup with the rest of Judgment Day. Finn says that was an impressive win! What does Priest say? Priest admits, McDonagh did good. Yeah, happy days. Let’s get outta here. Dom says he just wants a minute first. Dom walks over and talks to Jey! Jey says, “Well if it ain’t the little homie. What’s up?” Dom says he knows how it feels to come from a messed up family with Hall of Fame fathers. Dom knows what Jey is going through, he feels it. And just because everyone respects Rey and who he is, that life at home is all good. But Dom knows what it’s really like, so he understands Jey.
As someone who never really had a family, who now has the tightest family, he knows what Jey’s going through. Jey laughs. Dom knows? Yeah, for real! He’s being serious. If Jey thinks about it, he comes from a broken family, no longer has a family, and no one here likes him, just like how no one likes Dom. But ever since Mami and Judgment Day came into Dom’s life, there’s no need for a leader. They’re all equals. If Jey wants, Dom can talk to them. There’s always open arms for Jey there. Dom knows, and they know, what it’s like. Just think on it. Judgment Day is here for him. And thanks for your time. Dom leaves, but is Jey really going to give this offer the time of day?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Chad Gable!
After over a YEAR of dominance, Der Ring General is just days away from overtaking The Honky Tonk Man as the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history! But after going back and forth for weeks with the leader of Alpha Academy, Gunther and Gable look to put this to rest! What will the history books say about this one?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and on history’s doorstep, we see whose legacy wins out!
The bell rings and fans fire up already. The two circle, they tie up, and Gunther throws Gable aside! Gable gets up in a huff, fans rally as he circles with Gunther again, and they tie up. Gunther headlocks, throws Gable down for the takeover, but fans rally behind Gable as he keeps his shoulders up. Gable pushes Gunther’s face, stands back up, but Gunther hits another takeover! Gable headscissors, Gunther kips free, and Gunther hits another takeover! But Gable headscissors again! Gunther kips free again, but this time Gable gets around to get a leg! Gunther hops around to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Gable lets off, and he pats Gunther on the shoulder.
Gunther storms up, he TOSSES Gable to a corner, but Gable dodges to CHOP! Gunther turns things around but Gable bails out to avoid a chop! Gunther chases Gable back into the ring but Gable DROPKICKS Gunther off the apron! And DROPKICKS him again! Fans fire up with Gable while Gunther seethes, and Raw goes picture in picture.
Gunther cools off while he stares Gable down. Gunther takes his time going around the way, and he steps back up to the apron. Gunther steps in, he and Gable circle again, and they knuckle lock. Gunther kicks low! And hits a headlock takeover! Gable keeps his shoulders up again, grinds his forearm in Gunther’s face, but Gunther grinds the hold. Gable kicks Gunther in the back, fights up to his feet, but Gunther wrenches to back suplex! Gable lands on his feet to headlock! Gunther lifts but Gable uses that to hit a FLYING TAKEOVER! Gunther gets mad, stands back up, and tries again, but Gable hits another FLYING TAKEOVER!
Gunther stands up again, tries a third time, and then turns it into a BACKBREAKER! Gable is limp as Gunther gets the legs, for a BOSTON CRAB! Gable endures, fights his way over, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! Gunther lets go in frustration but looms over Gable. Gunther kicks Gable around, stalks him, but Gable CHOPS! Gunther seethes, and he CHOPS Gable off his feet! Gunther seethes again as he KICKS Gable in the side! And KICKS him again! Gunther stalks Gable, drags him up, and UPPERCUTS him down! Gable flops onto the ropes while Gunther talks trash. Gable drags himself up, staggers around, and fires off shots on Gunther!
Gunther scoops Gable to SLAM him! And KICK him! And stomps him! Gable checks his jaw, goes to the apron, and Gunther stalks over to him. Raw returns to single picture as Gunther drags Gable up, but Gable gets free. Gunther goes to the apron but Gable gets a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! And a HANGING LEGLOCK! The ref counts, Gable lets go at 4, and now Gunther hobbles. Gable CHOP BLOCKS the leg! But Gunther still BOOTS Gable down! Cover, TWO! Gunther hobbles, which only frustrates him more. Fans rally behind Gable, but Gunther hauls Gable up. Gable fires body shots but Gunther KNEES low! And CHOPS Gable down!
Gable sputters, crawls, and Gunther eggs him on. Gunther fishhooks Gable, ELBOWS him in the head, then brings him around. But Gable fires off hands! Gable CHOPS! Gunther CHOPS! Gunther eggs Gable on, taunts the fans, then stalks Gable again. Gunther stands Gable up to CHOP him back down! Gunther talks more trash to the fans, but Gable stands!? Gable storms up to Gunther and brings the straps down! Gable eggs Gunther on, then dodges the chop to fire off CHOP after CHOP! But Gunther scoops and puts Gable on the top rope, to CHOP him! Gunther then climbs up to STAND on Gable!
The ref counts, Gunther lets off at 4, and Gable tumbles to the floor! Der Ring General glares and fans boo as Raw goes back to picture in picture,
Gunther paces, Gable stirs, but Gunther goes out to get him. Gunther drags Gable up, headlocks, and brings him around to put against barriers. Gunther ROCKS Gable with a haymaker, then CHOPS him! Gable flops over and the Gable family cheers him on! Fans rally with Gable and he fires hands on Gunther! And CHOPS! But Gunther scoops to BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Gable flops back down in a heap, Gunther refreshes the ring count, and he looms over Gable. Gunther drags Gable back up, puts him in the ring, and then stalks Gable. Gunther drags Gable up, facelocks, and suplexes, but Gable slips out! To waistlock!
Gunther fights the German Suplex to CHOP Gable back down! The ref checks Gable but he’s somehow still in this. So Gunther kneels on Gable’s head and pulls on his arm! Gunther drops a knee! Gable writhes, the ref reprimands, and the Gable family is rallying as hard as they can. Gunther CHOPS, Gable CHOPS! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! And throat chops! Gable runs, gets around the chop, but Gunther facelocks to block Gable’s suplex! Gunther then CHOPS Gable down again! Gable crawls but Gunther stalks him. Gunther eggs Gable on, Gable stands, into a BOOT! Gable is down again as Raw returns to single picture.
Gunther drags Gable up, reels him in, but Gable slips out of the bomb to get the leg! But Gunther SLAPS and CHOPS Gable into letting go! Gunther gets Gable up but Gable fights to RANA Gunther and himself out of the ring! Fans rally as hard as they can while the ring count starts. Gable stands, Gunther uses the desk to help himself up. Gunther swings, into Gable’s GERMAN SUPLEX to the floor!! Fans fire up, the ring count climbs! Gable doesn’t want a ring out count this time, he manages to get Gunther back in at 7! Gable slides in but Gunther gets him for a GENERAL BOMB!! High stack, TWO!??!
Fans are thunderous as Gable survives one of Gunther’s best shots! Fans rally but Gunther climbs a corner! Gable hurries to intercept! Gable fires off forearms, but Gunther CHOPS Gable down! Gunther adjusts, but Gable springs up after him! SUPERPLEX!! Gable hurries back up while the fans go wild! DIVING HEADBUTT!!! Cover, TWO!??! Gunther survives but Gable has the ANKLE LOCK!!! Gunther endures, reaches out, rolls over and BOOTS Gable away! Gable rushes up to waistlock, O’Conner Roll, CHAOS- NO, Gunther fights with elbows! GENERAL- NO, Gable slips out of the bomb, runs, but into a sleeper! So he SAIDOS free!!
Gable rises, he watches Gunther sputter, and the straps come back up, just so Gable can take them back down! Gable runs in, waistlocks, CHAOS THEORY!!! Bridging cover, TWO?!?!? Gunther escapes by nanoseconds and Gable thinks of what he has to do now. Gable goes up the corner again, and fans are thunderous for the MOONSAULT! Gunther gets a boot up! But Gable catches it!! ANKLE LOCK!!!! Gunther rolls, but Gable rolls with him!! Gunther flails, but Gable GRAPEVINES!!! Gunther drags Gable with him towards ropes, but Gable gets up to drag him back! Gunther kicks at Gable, gets free, and has a SLEEPER!!
Gunther has body scissors wrapped on Gable like an Austrian anaconda! Fans are thunderous as Gable fights up and has Gunther as a backpack! But Gunther drops back! Gable rolls it back, TWO!!! Gunther lets go in time, SLEEPER SUPLEX!!! And then he reels Gable in, GENERAL BOMB!!! But Gunther isn’t done, GENERAL LARIAT!!! Cover, Gunther wins!!
Winner: Gunther, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Gable put up the fight of his life, and his family can’t believe he still fell short! But perhaps this is proof that Der Ring General is THE greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time! He is now guaranteed the record as longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, how many days will Gunther add to it from here?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw to follow Payback, lots of great story intertwining using Jey Uso. Great opening promo with Jey and Sami, and I do like that Sami is on Jey’s side given the latter part of Sami’s story with The Bloodline. And it’s understandable that McIntyre isn’t as understanding since he’d otherwise be Universal Champion if not for Bloodline interference. I also find it intriguing that there’s to be a “trade” for Jey even though he technically quit then came back. But with that, there’s half a chance it’s just Cody Rhodes since he’s the one who brought Jey back, and because they may want to still revisit Cody VS Roman for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40.
Who I feel it should be is someone not doing much of anything and could use a fresh environment. Make it Bronson Reed so he can go after the US Championship while the other singles titles seem to be spoken for. We got great stuff out of Rollins, Nakamura and Ricochet tonight. I figured Rollins would offer a world title rematch for Nakamura, and I kinda wish they’d included Nakamura’s attack on Rollins as part of the broadcast so that Payback’s ending would be a little more exciting for some of the naysayers out there. Nakamura saying no is obviously just to troll Rollins, he of course wants a rematch. And Nakamura had a great match with Ricochet, and got a great win to keep up some momentum.
And speaking of story intertwining, great detail of Priest and Rhea watching the whole time Rollins and Nakamura are out there, and for them deciding to not cash in yet. There’s a chance they try again during Nakamura’s rematch with Rollins, especially if Rollins survives again. Great stuff from Judgment Day with McDonagh and Sami, and I just knew McDonagh was bringing the Judgment Day some kind of gift in that black bag. The purple briefcase looks great, though the aesthetic of “Senor” on tape is a bit silly, like they’re ripping off the Kevin & Sami aesthetic. But hey, maybe it’s a sign Priest succeeds.
Great match from Sami VS McDonagh, and of course Dom was the one to make the save for McDonagh. Really thought Finn & Priest were gonna be the ones getting involved since they volunteered to do it, but maybe they didn’t wanna play that dysfunction up so soon after those two won the belts. But at least McDonagh didn’t get mad at Dom after Dom basically ditched him in the end, since McDonagh wants to be part of the team. Dom had a good interaction with Jey, maybe a little awkward or not as rehearsed. Dom trying to compare his situation with Rey and Judgment Day to Jey and Bloodline is hilarious, and I would think Jey now helps Sami and Kevin against Judgment Day just to shut Dom up.
Really good Tornado Tag from #McRiddle VS Viking Raiders, and a nice turnaround where Kofi costs Drew & Riddle. McIntyre confronting Kofi about it was a good promo, and we’re definitely getting a Triple Threat Tag from all these teams to help determine challengers for the tag titles. Good promo stuff from Shayna and Stark to set up their match, and from Chelsea and Raquel to set up their match. Each match was good, but of course Shayna and Raquel each win. Shayna showing respect to Stark was good stuff, and then Raquel calling out Rhea for a rematch next week is great stuff. But just because Dom is banned from ringside doesn’t mean the rest of Judgment Day can’t do something, so Raquel probably loses again.
This week’s MizTV was actually really, really good, because I appreciate Miz finally playing the “You Can’t See Me” meme on TV. Miz claiming conspiracy is a nice touch, and clearly we’re gonna get a rematch of Miz VS Knight for Fastlane now. And then, along with some great promos from Gunther and Gable, we got an awesome main event from them. They made Gable look incredible, even though he still lost out in the end. And you really feel for him after seeing his kids ringside. The kids definitely thought dad was winning this time, they were a bit emotional at the end.
Both guys are worthy of great things, so Gunther now having the record reign is great. Gable does deserve something, too, but clearly at this point, he isn’t getting the Intercontinental Championship. Maybe a great showing in like the Royal Rumble can help him make it to the next level. He’s got that same vibe and skillset as Kurt Angle and even Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson, Gable’s gonna be something so long as WWE pushes him.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHIÂ FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHASÂ but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKONÂ feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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