Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Destruction Results & Report! (10/9/23)
Is Ryogoku ready for Destruction?
Who survives to be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion?
NJPW returns to Ryogoku, and Sanada finally has it out with Evil! The IWGP World Championship is on the line in a LUMBERJACK DEATH MATCH!!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – 10 Man Frontier Zone: Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask, Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI & Oskar Leube VS Takahiro Katori, Jun Masaoka, Kengo, Kazuma Sumi & Takeshi Masada; Taguchi, Tiger Mask, Yano, Hashi & Oskar win.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, DOUKI & ??? w/ Taka Michinoku VS The House of Torture w/ Dick Togo; Taichi, Douki & Yuya Uemura win.
- Tanga Loa w/ Jado VS Chase Owens; Loa wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Intergalactic Jetsetters; Connors & Drilla win and retain the titles.
- Six Man Tag Best of 7 Series, Match 7: Team Strong Style VS Shota Umino, Master Wato & Yuji Nagata; Shota, Wato & Nagata win, series ends 3-3-1.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Bullet Club War Dogs VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado; ELP & Leo win and become new NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii VS Josh Alexander & The Motor City Machine Guns; Okada, Tanahashi & Ishii win and retain the titles.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Tama Tonga; Tama wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat: Hiromu Takahashi VS “Speedball” Mike Bailey VS YOH; Hiromu wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Lumberjack Death Match: SANADA VS EVIL; Sanada wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Man Tag: Taichi, DOUKI & ??? w/ Taka Michinoku VS The House of Torture w/ Dick Togo!
Just5Guys is back down to Just4Guys after the Heel Master joined the King of Darkness’ side in this war. But now, the Holy Emperor & Japones Del Mal are bringing in a NEW fifth guy! Who will it be? Back from excursion, it’s Yuya Uemura! Will the “Heat Storm” help Taichi & Douki burn down the House?
Taichi doesn’t wait, he attacks Sho the moment the House of Torture is in the ring! Fans fire up as Douki goes after Kanemaru and Yuya is after Yujiro! Yujiro CLUBS Yuya, Sho stomps Tatichi and Kanemaru tosses Douki. The bell rings. Yuya and Douki are sent into railing! Fans boo but Sho digs his boots into Taichi. The ref counts, Sho lets off but then digs his boot back in! Taichi fights up and fans fire up as Taichi choke grips Sho! Yujiro CLUBS Taichi, he and Sho mug Taichi, then they double whip. Yujiro runs in but Taichi BOOTS! Taichi swings on Sho but Sho waistlocks. Taichi breaks free to PELE!
Fans fire up as Taichi drags Sho up. But Kanemaru CLUBS Taichi! Taichi glares at Kanemaru and the two shoulder bump each other. They each pull hair but then Kanemaru claws eyes! Kanemaru whips, Taichi reverses and wrenches to HOOK KICK! Fans fire up again as Taichi goes back to Sho. Taichi stomps Sho, drags him up and cravats to snapmare. Taichi KICKS Sho in the back! Taichi drags Sho up, chokes him again, and Douki tags in. The ref reprimands Taichi but Douki ROCKS Sho! Douki scoops and SLAMS Sho, then runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Douki stomps Sho then drags him up.
Douki whips Sho, Sho reverses but Douki holds ropes. Sho runs in but Douki drops down! Sho tumbles out and Douki builds speed, but Kanemaru trips him up! Fans boo but Sho goes after Taichi, and Kanemaru whips Douki into railing! Kanemaru pulls the floor mats up! Dick gets a cheap shot in before Kanemaru scoops and SLAMS Douki on the concrete! Yujiro claws Yuya’s eyes! Sho tags Kanemaru in and the Heel Master waits. Yuya is sent into railing, Sho puts Douki in, and Kanemaru suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Douki but Kanemaru stomps him. Tag to Yujiro and he drags Douki up.
But Douki fires forearms! Yujiro knees low, snapmares Douki, and then drops a leg! And an elbow! And a headbutt! Cover, TWO! Douki is still in this and fans fire up! Yujiro tags Sho and Sho storms up on Douki while talking trash on Taichi. Sho kicks Douki around but Douki CHOPS! And fires forearms! But Sho claws the eyes and throws Douki down! Fans boo but Sho drags Douki up. Sho waistlocks, but Douki fights the lift! Douki fires elbows but Sho keeps him from running away. Douki breaks free using a leg, and then ENZIGURIS! Both men are down and fans fire up! Sho and Douki crawl, hot tag to Yuya!
Yuya dodges Kanemaru to arm-drag! Arm-drag for Sho! Yujiro kicks, whips but Yuya reverses to CHOP him down! Yuya CHOPS Sho down! And he CHOPS Kanemaru down! Fans fire up for Heat Storm and he storms up on Sho. Yuya whips, Sho reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS Sho! Cover, TWO! Fans stay fired up and Yuya goes to a corner. Yuya climbs but Dick SHOVES him into an atomic drop! Kanemaru BOOTS Taichi down, then Douki! Yujiro tags in and the House gets Yuya up. They double whip him to a corner, then Kanemaru runs in to ELBOW! Sho clotheslines! Whip to a kick from Yujiro, then the FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up as Yuya stays in this! Sho argues with the ref, and Dick passes Yujiro his pimp cane! Kanemaru drags Yuya up but Douki gets in to ENZIGURI Yujiro! Kanemaru kicks Douki, he and Sho double whip, but Douki holds ropes! Taichi returns to DOUBLE AX BOMBER! Fans fire up as Taichi drags Sho up to TOSS him out! Douki lines it up, ASAI MOONSAULT onto Kanemaru and Sho! Taichi brings Yujiro up to whip, but Yujiro reverses. Yujiro runs in but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Then Yuya runs in to DROPKICK! Taichi & Yuya coordinate and fans fire up! Yuya goes up, Taichi sets Yujiro up, BIG CROSSBODY!
Yuya drags Yujiro up and fans fire up more, cording hold and then double cording hold, KANUKI PLEX! Bridging cover, J5G wins!!
Winners: Taichi, Douki & Yuya Uemura, by pinfall
A huge victory for Yuya’s return, and a new era for the once again Just5Guys! Sho rubs in that he’s KOPW Champion, but this fight isn’t over! Will J5G be ready to back up Sanada in tonight’s main event? Or will the House get revenge when they take even the world title away?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Intergalactic Jetsetters!
The Dangerous Gaijin have had these belts since NJPW Independence Day’s two day event, winning on July 4th and retaining on July 5th. Will those be the only wins they have together? Or can they ground Kevin Knight & Kushida before they take flight?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if it will be the Jetsetters’ time again!
The teams sort out, but then Drilla & Connors just attack! Fans boo but Drilla is on Kushida and Connors fires off on Knight! Connors CHOPS Knight, then he and Drilla double whip corner to corner. Connors runs in to SPALSH, and Drilla runs in to CHOP! Then Drilla & Connors mug Kushida. They double whip but Kushida handsprings to DOUBLE ELBOW! Fans fire up as the jackets finally come off, and Kushida sets up. Knight builds speed and uses Kushida as a step to FLY out onto the War Dogs! Fans fire up with Knight as he says he got the homerun! Knight then drags Drilla up and into the ring.
Kushida CHOPS Drilla, CHOPS him again, then bumps him off buckles. And off more buckles! Kushida climbs up and rains down fists on Drilla! The ref reprimands, Kushida lets off at five to wrench and wristlock, and then wrench to an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida runs but Connors trips him up! So Kushida WRECKS Connors with a dropkick! Kushida drags Drilla up, tags in Knight, and they whip to drop toehold and SPLASH! Fans fire up and Knight covers, ONE!! Drilla hangs tough but Knight wrenches an arm. Knight double wristlocks and throws Drilla down. Drilla resists the armlock so Knight drops a knee on the arm!
Knight uses Drilla’s hand to clap and the fans join in. Knight sits Drilla up to run and SLIDING SHOULDER! Then Knight wrenches Drilla, tags Kushida, and sets the arm up for a PELE! Kushida then trips Drilla, turns him over, and has the SEATED SURFBOARD! Fans fire up while Drilla endures! Fans rally, Kushida drags Drilla around into a double arm scissor! Drilla still endures so Kushida turns to cradle, TWO! Kushida wrenches, whips, but Connors tags in as Drilla reverses. Drilla hurdles then bails out, Connors POUNCES! And he CLOBBERS Knight, too! Drilla goes out to attack Knight while Connors storms around.
Connors stomps Kushida, fans boo, but Connors tells them to STFU! But then Kushida kicks the leg! And again! And again! Connors CLUBS Kushida, then brings Kushida up to CHOP! Kushida sputters and falls over while fans rally. Connors drags Kushida up to RAM him into the corner! Tag to Drilla and they mug Kushida. Drilla brings Kushida out to CHOP! Kushida shoves Drilla, then CHOPS and CHOPS! But Drilla CHOKES Kushida, and he CHOPS! Kushida SLAPS Drilla, Drilla throws a forearm! Drilla pulls on the arms and has Kushida in a motorcycle stretch! Fans rally as Kushida endures and fights up.
Kushida moves around, powers up, but Drilla keeps him down with the stretch. Drilla even digs his head into the shoulder blades! But Kushida fights up, stomps a foot, and turns things around, only for Drilla to turn them back around! Drilla stands on Kushida’s shoulders, even scuffs Kushida’s head, but Kushida fights up again. Kushida tries again, and he turns things around to then roll Drilla up! TWO, but Drilla keeps Kushida from Knight! Only for Kushida to ENZIGURI! But then Connors YANKS Knight down! Fans boo but Connors just soaks it up. Drilla has Kushida’s legs, ROPE GUILLOTINE!
Drilla stomps Kushida, brings him up, but Kushida throws body shots. Drilla snarls but Kushida gets the arm again. ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida runs, but Connors trips him! Kushida kicks at Connors but Drilla stomps Kushida. Drilla runs, but Knight trips Drilla! Kushida runs in, PENALTY KICK to the arm! Fans fire up while both men are down! Hot tags to Connors and Knight! And Knight springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Knight fires off haymakers then whips, but Connors reverses and pops Knight up, but Knight DOUBLE STOMPS! Drilla returns but Knight dodges to fire off fast hands and an UPPERCUT!
Knight clinches but Drilla claws his eyes! Drilla & Connors double whip but Knight jumps the line to DOUBLE PELE! Fans fire up and Knight calls to Kushida. Knight whips, Drilla reverses but Kushida helps Knight in the springboard! SUPER CROSSBODY! Kushida hoists Connors up in an Electric Chair Lift, TIME 2 FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Connors survives but Knight keeps his cool. Knight aims, runs in again, but Connors stops the DDT! SUPERKICK from Drilla to Knight while Connors BLASTS Kushida! Connors then ROCKS Knight, and they lock ‘n’ load, HIGH LOW! Fans boo but Drilla drags Knight up and Connors climbs.
But Kushida handspring kicks Connors down! Knight slips free, but Drilla SPINEBUSTERS and DOUBLE STOMPS! But Kushida ROLLING ELBOWS! Connors runs in, dodges the fastball and POWERSLAMS Kushida! Connors snarls, but Knight SLAPS him down! Connors stands, Knight fires forearms, but Connors ROCKS Knight! Knight ROCKS Connors! Knight eggs Connors on and Connors throws more forearms! They go back and forth, fans rally up, and Knight gets the edge! But Connors HEADBUTTS! Both men wobble, but Connors whips Knight, only for Knight to avoid the slam! But Connors avoids the splash!
Connors whips, Knight reverses, SKY HIGH! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Both men crawl, hot tags to Drilla and Kushida! Now Kushida and Drilla fire shots! Kushiad KICKS the arm, Drilla whips but Kushida CLOBBERS him! Drilla gets up, swings, misses, and Kushida PELES! Kushida whips, hip tosses, and handsprings to dropkick! Fans fire up again and Kushida brings Drilla up. Electric Chair Lift, but Drilla victory rolls through! Kushida pushes him to get him back up, but Connors runs in to catch Knight in an Electric Chair! It’s a game of chicken and fans fire up as Knight throws hands with Drilla!
Drilla fires off shots, and he ROCKS Knight, but Knight POISON-RANAS Connors! Drilla slips down to waistlock but Knight runs in to SPLASH at the corner! Kushida SHOTEIS! Kushida puts Drilla up top, climbs up after him, and fans fire up for the SUPER- NO, Drilla blocks the Steiner! So Knight adds on, DOUBLE STEINER!! Drilla can’t believe it, and he staggers up into the SATELLITE DDT! Cover, Connors barrels through Knight to break it! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous! Knight roars to his feet and says it’s time! Knight has the arm, Kushida PENALTY KICKS Drilla! But Drilla fights the Hoverboard!
Kushida CLUBS Drilla, whips, but Drilla reverses and catches Knight! DRILLA KILLA!!! But Drilla isn’t done, he sees Knight coming in! POP-UP SPEAR COMBO!! Fans boo but the Dangerous Gaijin fire up! They get Kushida up, but Kushida fights to a HOVERBOARD! But Drilla powers through!! FULL CLIP!!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!
Winners: Clark Connors & Drilla Dan Moloney, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
100 Proof knocks Knight down for good measure, and then celebrates with Drilla. The Jetsetters got grounded, but will they be able to refuel and try again? Or will Bullet Club even dominate through the coming Super Junior Tag League?
Six Man Tag Best of 7 Series, Match 7: Team Strong Style VS Shota Umino, Master Wato & Yuji Nagata!
3-2-1. No, that isn’t a countdown. That is the current score after Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado & Ren Narita won on October 7th. So while they have the advantage, they still need to finish Team Blue Justice! Can the Roughneck, Way of the Grand Master and Blue Justice himself survive Destruction? Or will this all end in a zero sum?
The trios sort out, the rivals all staring down. Wato steps up and Desperado responds in kind. Fans rally as the two circle, and the two tie up. Wato headlocks, Desperado throws body shots, and then Desperado wrenches out to headlock. Wato wrenches out, puts the headlock back on, but Desperado powers out. Desperado headlocks, Wato powers out, but Desperado runs Wato over! Fans rally, things speed up, and Desperado just steps on Wato’s drop down. Wato is frustrated but Desperado shrugs. Wato runs in, but into an arm-drag! Desperado runs, Wato hurdles, drops and arm-drags! And then DROPKICKS!
Desperado tumbles out and fans fire up with Wato. Wato stops himself as Desperado drops. Desperado wonders where Wato went, but he looks up! Desperado moves as Wato slingshots, but then Wato lands on the apron and jumps back into the ring. Fans cheer Wato and Desperado waves it off. Desperado goes in around the side, and he tags in Suzuki. So Wato tags in Nagata! Fans fire up as the two start trading shots! The murder grandpas keep going harder and harder, and Suzuki ROCKS Nagata! Suzuki TOSSES Nagata out, goes out and whips him into railing! But Nagata rebounds to BOOT Suzuki!
Nagata whips Suzuki into railing, but Suzuki comes back to BOOT! Fans fire up as Suzuki storms up on Nagata, and they start throwing more forearms! The ref reprimands, this has to finish in the ring! They don’t care, the shots keep going! Fans fire up, the ref goes out and shouts at them, and they each shout at each other to get in the ring. They both slide in and fans fire up! Suzuki kicks and snapmares then KICKS Nagata in the back! Nagata stands to body shot, snapmare and KICK! Suzuki stands to kick, snapmare and run, PENALTY KICK! Nagata rises! Nagata body shots, snapmares, runs and PENALTY KICKS!
But now Suzuki rises! Fans fire up as the forearms fly again! Nagata nods every time as he hits back! Suzuki PALM STRIKES! Nagata PALM STRIKES! Repeat! DOUBLE PALM STRIKE! DOUBLE PALM STRIKE! DOUBLE PALM STRIKE! Both men fall back! They crawl, hot tags to Shota and Narita! Narita dodges a clothesline, but Shota dodges a boot! Narita dodges another clothesline and then hits the BOOT! Shota just roars! Narita knees low, whips, but Shota reverses then dodges to CLOBBER Narita! Fans fire up and Shota stomps Narita. Shota drags Narita up, CLUBS him, then throws forearms.
Shota whips, Narita turns hip toss into COBRA TWIST! Desperado BLASTS Wato off the apron but Shota has the ROPEBREAK! Narita CLUBS Shota, TOSSES him out, and Suzuki whips Shota hard into railing! Narita runs in to BOOT Shota over the railing! Suzuki sends Nagata into railing! Narita fetches Shota from No Man’s Land, and POSTS him! Shota flounders, and Suzuki has a chair! Nagata sits up and dares Suzuki to do something. Suzuki grins, puts the chair down, and kicks low! Suzuki fires forearms on Nagata, and Narita stomps Shota. Narita drags Shota up to whip him into the corner.
Desperado & Suzuki hold Shota up for Narita to stomp, then Narita tags Suzuki. Narita holds Shota up for Suzuki to fire off fast strikes! Tag to Desperado and he SLAPS Shota down! Fans rally, Narita tags back in, and Narita digs his boot in. Suzuki & Desperado add on, the ref counts and Wato protests, but Shota kicks back from below! Narita stomps Shota down! Narita drags Shota up but Shota fires back on Team Strong Style! Only for Suzuki to pull hair, then pull an ear! Narita runs in to BOOT Shota down! Narita whips, NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO! Shota stays in this but Narita stays between him and Shota’s team.
Narita drags Shota up, but Shota fights the Half Hatch! Shota wrenches out but Narita kicks low. Narita runs, but Shota ELBOWS him down, then runs to basement dropkick! Fans fire up as both men are down, but Desperado and Suzuki BLAST Nagata & Wato! Suzuki & Desperado double whip Shota, but Shota DOUBLE SHOTGUNS them down! Fans fire up and Shota grits his teeth. Shota storms up on Narita, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to UPPERCUT! FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota fires up again! Shota goes up a corner and aims, MISSILE DROPKICK hits Narita!
Shota hurries to bring Narita up and dragon sleeper, SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Shota aims from a neutral corner. Narita stands, Shota runs in, IG- NO, Narita slips through to COBRA TWIST! Shota endures, people are sent into railing, and Desperado keeps Wato out! Shota tries to fight free but Narita just turns it back around! Suzuki keeps Nagata out, but Shota stomps his way forward! Wato and Nagata reach, but Narita shifts to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Narita is stunned, but he says he’ll end it now! Narita drags Shota up, reels him in, NORTHERN LIGHTS!
Narita rolls through and has the wrists! Clinch and- NO, Shota fights free! Narita runs in at the corner but Shota BOOTS! Shota fires up, IGNITION!! Fans fire up and Shota underhooks, but Narita RAMS Shota to a corner! Narita runs, but Shota dodges! TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and then the murder grandpas get in! Suzuki fires off, whips, but Nagata reverses and BOOTS! Then clinch, but Suzuki throws elbows! Nagata ROCKS Suzuki, runs, but Suzuki follows and shoots in, SLEEPER! But Nagata moves around, SAI- NO, Suzuki fights the saido to keep the SLEEPER! Fans fire up as Blue Justice turns purple!
Suzuki spins Nagata around but Nagata clinches! EXPLODER! Desperado runs in, ducks Wato’s springboard and kicks to whip. SPINEBUSTER! Then a BIG back suplex! Desperado doesn’t let off, he clinches to GUITARA- NO, Wato slips free to shove and SNAP GERMAN! BUZZSAW! Wato reels Desperado in but Desperado fights out to LOCO MONO!! All six men are down and the fans are thunderous! Shota and Narita stir and rise up. Fans rally, and Narita PALM STRIKES! Shota UPPERCUTS! Narita fires a flurry but Shota ROCKS him and ROLLING ELBOWS! Narita ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up with Narita!
Narita whips, Shota sunset flips and rolls through to PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, Shota’s team wins!!
Winners: Shota Umino, Master Wato & Yuji Nagata, by pinfall (series is now 3-3-1)
The Roughneck bests the Son of Strong Style, but that just means the best of seven ends in a TIE! It started that way and it ended that way, but surely this rivalry will never end. Shota offers a handshake, Narita stands and takes it! Will Narita and Shota fight until the day they’re the murder grandpas? Wato wants a handshake but Desperado says he’s crazy. Even so, Desperado shakes the index finger. Wato makes Desperado shake his hand fully, and Desperado says okay, okay, he respects Wato. Wait, Nagata and Suzuki stare down. They scowl and Suzuki talks some trash, then SLAPS Nagata! Nagata SLAPS back, then they shake hands and even fist bump!
Fans cheer the showing of both fighting spirit and sportsmanship, will we see this series continue until the end of time?
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Bullet Club War Dogs VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd have held these titles since Independence Day, taking them away from Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi. But while that was business, this is personal! The Headbanga & The Young Guerrilla were exiled from Bullet Club, will they prove they’re better than their replacements? Or will these dogs prove they’re #WarReady?
Wait, Coughlin’s making his entrance alone? The Dreadnought is strong but even he can’t take on these two alone. Wait! Gabe attacks from the crowd side! Fans boo while Coughlin grins and joins in. Coughlin stomps Hikuleo’s legs, but ELP hits Kidd! Kidd DECKS ELP, the bell rings, and Kidd tosses ELP out! Kidd tells fans to move aside, but he then CHOPS ELP, and DECKS Jado! Then Kidd TOSSES ELP into the chairs! Fans boo but Coughlin puts Leo back in. The War Dogs soak up the heat from the fans before Coughlin drags Leo to a corner. Kidd has the legs and he SLAMS one into the post!
Leo writhes, Kidd gets right in the camera with a crazy grin, and then backs off as Coughlin drags Leo around. Coughlin stomps the leg, drops an elbow on it, then he pulls on it with a toehold! Leo endures, fights around, but Coughlin shifts for more leverage. Coughlin then drops a knee on the knee! Coughlin drags Leo up and over, tags Kidd in, and Kidd stomps Leo’s leg. Leo writhes but Kidd drops an elbow on it. Kidd has the toehold now, pulls on the foot, and then drops an elbow on the leg again! Fans rally, Kidd storms around, and Kidd ROCKS Leo! Kidd eggs Leo on, ROCKS him again, but Leo gets mad!
Kidd ROCKS Leo, but Leo CHOPS! Kidd sputters, but he kicks the bad leg! Kidd runs, but Leo hits a back drop! Fans fire up while both men are down! Leo and Kidd crawl, hot tags to Coughlin and ELP! ELP dodges Coughlin, DECKS Kidd, then jumps up an dover Coughlin to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then PLACHA for Kidd! Then SWANTON for Coughlin! And right to a LIONSAULT! Cover, ONE and Coughlin rolls back to deadlift suplex, to TOSS ELP to the floor!! Kidd stomps away on ELP at the railing, the ref reprimands, but Kidd shouts he’s a madman! Kidd drags ELP up to CHOP him, and Kidd shoves ELP in.
Coughlin drags ELP up, and CHOPS him down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for ELP but Coughlin wrenches him and wrangles him to the corner. Tag to Kidd and the War Dogs mug ELP. Kidd HEADBUTTS ELP, then UPPERCUTS! ELP ROCKS Coughlin but Kidd UPPERCUTS ELP! Kidd digs his boots into ELP, lets off as the ref counts, and Kidd talks trash on the fans. The fans boo but Kidd pushes ELP around. ELP crawls but Kidd stays in the way. “What you got? What you got?” ELP CHOPS! Kidd eggs him on so ELP CHOPS! And fires off forearms! But Kidd claws the eyes! Tag to Coughlin and he dropkicks Leo down!
Kidd ROCKS ELP, he and Coughlin double whip ELP to ropes. ELP holds ropes, then BOOTS Coughlin! And TOSSES Kidd! And RANAS Coughlin down! Fans fire up and ELP hurries, but Kidd YANKS Leo off the apron! Fans boo but Coughlin storms up to CLUB ELP! Coughlin RAMS ELP into the corner, and RAMS him again, and RAMS him again! Kidd joins in, War Dogs hoist ELP up but ELP slips free! ELP goes up and over Kidd, under Coughlin, but Coughlin grabs a leg! ELP kicks Coughlin into Kidd! Hot tag to Leo! Leo UPPERCUTS Coughlin, Kidd runs in but into a HIP TOSS! Leo scoops to SNAKE EYES Coughlin! Leo keeps moving to LARIAT!
Fans fire up and Leo choke grips Kidd! And then choke grips Coughlin! But they break out of the guzels to DOUBLE CHOP! The War Dogs double whip, but Leo breaks the line to DOUBLE LARIAT! Fans fire up again, and Leo shakes out the bad leg. Leo sees them in opposite corners, so he runs in to CHOP Kidd! Leo runs in but Coughlin dodges the boot! GERMAN SUPLEX! Coughlin roars and he storms up to gut wrench! Deadlift and SUPLEX! Coughlin floats over, to get the leg! HALF CRAB! Leo reaches out but Coughlin sits deep on the hold! Fans rally as Leo reaches, but Kidd keeps ELP out! Leo claws forward to the ROPEBREAK!
Coughlin lets go in frustration and he drags Leo back up. Coughlin suplexes but Leo fights it! Coughlin throws body shots, then ROCKS Leo! Coughlin roars and suplexes, but Leo fights! Leo suplexes but Coughlin slips free to CHOP! Coughlin runs, but Leo swings. Coughlin ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the POWERSLAM hits! Tag to ELP! ELP BOOTS Kidd, and coordinates with Leo. ELP tunes up the band, but Kidd anchors ELP! Coughlin throat chops Leo, but ELP runs in to spin and straitjacket! Torture rack, and BOOT to the UFO NECKBREAKER! Double cover, Kidd CHOP BLCOKS Leo! Kidd then fires HEADBUTTS on ELP!
ELP goes to a corner, Kidd calls to Coughlin. Coughlin tags Kidd in, and Kidd goes up the corner. Kidd reels ELP in and up, HANGING GUILLOTINE! The ref counts, but Coughlin Electric Chair Lifts ELP! Kidd aims, DOOMSDAY DEVICE!! Cover, TWO?!? ELP survives and shocks the War Dogs! They hoist ELP up together, DOUBLE MUSCLE BUSTER!! Cover, TWO?!?! ELP survives and shocks the War Dogs, again! Fans rally as hard as they can for “E L P!” but Coughlin tags in. Coughlin hoists ELP up, Kidd climbs, but Leo choke grips! Kidd fights the guzel but ELP trips Coughlin to a jackknife bridge! TWO!!
Kidd knocks Leo down, Coughlin waistlocks ELP but ELP throws elbows. Kidd runs in, ELP ducks and the LARIAT takes out Coughlin! Fans fire up as ELP blocks a kick, Leo UPPERCUTS Kidd, and ELP SUPERKICKS! Kidd UPPERCUTS, then he fires off on Leo! Kidd throws shots, SPITS at Leo, but Leo SLAPS Kidd down! Fans fire up again as Leo tells Kidd to stay down. Leo & ELP coordinate again, and the band tunes up! Coughlin stands up, sees them both, and dares them to bring it! SUDDEN DEATH! Then ELP DIVES onto Kidd! Coughlin gets hit with GODSEND! ELP gets the help to go up top, THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, ELP & Leo win!!
Winners: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
And once again, the Headbanga and Young Guerrila are champions, and this time it’s together! Will this team prove to be truly NJPW Strong? Kidd & Coughlin are furious, but how much angrier is David Finlay seeing his War Dogs lose twice tonight? Will GoD sweep with Finlay VS Tama later tonight?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii VS Josh Alexander & The Motor City Machine Guns!
NJPW’s Dream Trio clashes with what is arguably Impact’s Dream Trio! However, The Walking Weapon is at odds with Alex Shelley over their coming Impact World Heavyweight Championship match. In fact, things boiled over and Shelley took out Alexander just last Thursday! Will Alexander, Shelley & Sabin hold it together? Or will The Rainmaker, The Ace of the Universe & The Stone Pitbull kick some A.S.S.?
The introductions are made, the NEVER belts are raised, and we see if Impact has an impact on the NJPW landscape!
The trios sort out and Shelley starts against Tanahashi. The fans rally up as the two circle, and they tie up. Tanahashi wrenches, wristlocks, but Shelley wrenches and wristlocks back. Tanahashi wrenches and wristlocks, but Shelley spins to headlock then hammerlock. Tanahashi spins and headlocks for the takeover! Shelley headscissors, Tanahashi kips free and roles reverse as Shelley headlocks for the takeover and Tanahashi headscissors. Shelley kips free and fans cheer as the two stand off. Tanahashi and Shelley go again, Tanahashi waistlocks but Shelley elbows free! Shelley runs in at the corner, but into an ELBOW!
Tanahashi goes up and he CROSSBODIES! Direct hit, and Tanahashi air guitars. Shelley goes to a corner but Tanahashi eggs him on. Shelley stays in the ropes for defense but Sabin encourages him. Tanahashi and Shelley reset, they circle, and Shelley reaches out for a tag, and Alexander takes it. Ishii tags in and fans fire up as these two heavy hitters get forehead to forehead! And then they go forearm for forearm! Fans rally up as Ishii gets the edge and whips. Ishii runs in but Alexander ELBOWS him! Alexander keeps moving and he runs Ishii over! Alexander then elbows, whips, but Ishii reverses!
Alexander slides under Ishii’s boot and trips Ishii up, to an ANKLE LOCK! Fans rally as Ishii moves around, and he drags Alexander down! ANKLE LOCK! But Alexander rolls to get free! Ishii dodges and runs but Alexander runs Ishii over! Fans rally as Alexander hauls Ishii up and brings him over. Sabin tags in but Ishii gets away, so Okada tags in. Fans fire up as the Rainmaker and the man once called The Future circle. Fans rally for “O-KA-DA!” and the two tie up. Okada wrenches, wristlocks and YANKS the arm again and again! Sabin rolls, wrenches, handsprings and wrenches to step over then arm-drag!
Fans cheer that fast string and Sabin gets the “O-KA-DA!” chant going again. Okada scowls, storms up, and he puts Sabin in a corner. The ref counts, Okada lets off, and fakes the chop, to then kick low! Okada whips corner to corner, Sabin goes up and over to UPPERCUT! Sabin whips, Okada reverses but Sabin stops to ELBOW Okada! Sabin goes up top and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Sabin brings Okada up. Okada ROCKS Sabin, CLUBS him, and then whips Sabin. Shelley sneaks a tag, MCMG double whip and Shelly drop toeholds, but Okada stays up! So Sabin BULLDOGS Okada down!
Okada bails out but Tanahashi runs in. He ducks the double elbows to send Sabin at Shelley. The MCMG stop short, Shelley shoves Sabin at Tanahashi to ELBOW him, then Shelley BOOTS him down! Ishii runs in to fire forearms on MCMG, runs, and he ducks Shelley’s lariat to run into Sabin’s! Shelley LARIATS from behind, then runs, DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICH! MCMG TOSSES Ishii and fans fire up! Sabin waits as Okada stands, and he fakes the plancha so he and Shelley can DOUBLE KICK COMBO! Then they set Okada up for Alexander to run and WRECK! Fans fire up as Team Impact stands tall.
A ring count starts but Alexander drags Okada up and puts him in the ring. Shelley stands on Okada’s hand, stomps the fingers, then eggs Okada on. Okada stands up to ROCK Shelley! Shelley ROCKS Okada! They go back and forth, then Shelley CHOPS! Tag to Sabin, MCMG double wrench to DOUBLE LARIAT, then they crisscross and double whip to CLOBBER Okada! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and Sabin HEADBUTTS Okada! And CLUBS Okada on the neck! Tag to Alexander and he RAMS Okada. Alexander CLUBS Okada, stomps him, CLUBS him again, then DECKS Tanahashi! But Okada fires forearms on Alexander!
Okada goes to Alabama Lift but Alexander CLUBS him! Alexander blocks a boot, CLUBS the leg, then UPPERCUTS Okada to the corner. Alexander runs in but Okada pops him up to the Alabama! REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and fans rally up, hot tag to Ishii! Ishii RAMS Alexander, dodges him, then runs him over! MCMG attack, double whip, but Ishii holds ropes. MCMG dodge the double lariats, but Ishii blocks Shelley’s boot to throw it into Sabin! Shelley waistlocks, Sabin runs in, but Ishii BOOTS Sabin and Ishii elbows Shelley! Ishii sends Shelley into Sabin, then runs Shelley over!
Fans fire up as Ishii runs at the corner now, to clothesline Alexander! Ishii CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Alexander just growls and puts Ishii in the corner. Alexander fires forearms then CHOPS! Fans fire up, Alexander whips corner to corner, but Ishii comes back! Only for Alexander to GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexander holds on, to GERMAN SUPLEX again! Ishii reaches out, Tanahashi grabs his hands, but Shelley CHOPS Tanahashi down! Alexander hits CHAOS THEORY! Bridging cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and Alexander can’t believe it! But the fans fire up for “I-SHI-I!” as he stirs.
Alexander shakes his head and grins as he looms over Ishii. Alexander drags Ishii up, underhooks, but Ishii fights the lift! Ishii wrenches out, but Alexander ROCKS Ishii with a forearm! Ishii ROCKS Alexander back! Alexander BACK ELBOWS, ROLLING ELBOWS, but Ishii roars! So Alexander JABS him! Ishii falls right over! Alexander shakes out the hand, drags Ishii up, and POWER BREAKER!! Cover, Okada breaks it! MCMG BLAST Okada & Tanahashi out and send them into railing! Alexander pounds the mat and fans rally up. Alexander drags Ishii up, underhooks, but Ishii fights the lift to back drop free!
Alexander runs in, Ishii swats his lariat and HEADBUTTS him! Ishii hits so hard, Alexander’s wrestling headgear comes off!! Fans rally up as Ishii and Alexander stir, hot tag to Sabin! Sabin goes up and he MISSILE DROPKICKS Ishii down! Sabin brings Ishii up, reels him in, but Ishii suplexes! Fans fire up again while both men are down! Ishii crawls and Tanahashi pounds the buckle pad! Hot tag to The Ace! Tanahashi runs to CLOBBER Sabin! Tanahashi DECKS Shelley, then fires off on Sabin! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Sabin to the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up, to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO!
Tanahashi doesn’t lose focus, he just brings Sabin up. Fans chant “GO ACE!” but Sabin JAWBREAKERS! But there’s no one to tag! Tanahashi runs in, Sabin dodges, Shelley is back, they DOUBLE KICK in the corner! Tag to Shelley, and Sabin fireman’s carries. Tanahashi slips free to waistlock but Shelley runs in to waistlock Tanahashi. Tanahashi backs Shelley down into the corner, Sabin runs in, but Tanahashi moves! The BOOT hits Shelley!! Sabin tries again but Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW the leg! Alexander runs in, but Okada intercepts with a FLAPJACK! The Dream Trio fire up together!
BOOT, SHOTEI and LARIAT, Shelley ends up in the TRIPLE DDT!! Cover, TWO?!? Shelley survives and the fans are thunderous as Tanahashi powers up! Tanahashi runs, but Shelley gets around to DECK Tanahashi! Okada BOOTS Shelley! Alexander fireman’s carries, Okada slips free and ripcords, RAIN- NO, Alexander dodges, only to run into a BOOT! Sabin returns but Okada UPPERCUTS! Okada runs but into the MCMG DREAM SEQUENCE!! Shelley aims at Tanahashi, mule kick and clinch, but Tanahashi slips around to full nelson! Shelley breaks that but ends up in a straitjacket! But Alexander waistlocks Tanahashi!
Tanahashi fights Alexander off, but Alexander spins, but Tanahashi ducks! The ROLLING ELBOW hits Shelley! Alexander still kicks Tanahashi then runs, but Ishii moves Tanahashi aside to LARIAT Alexander inside-out! Sabin is back, but Okada gets in to DROPKICK him! The fans are thunderous again and Tanahashi roars! But Shelley avoids Slingblade to clinch! But Tanahashi fights Shell Shock to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi goes up while Okada and Ishii keep Alexander and Sabin out! HIGH FLY FLOW!!! Cover, NJPW WINS!
Winners: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The Ace pins the Impact World Champion! And even bigger than that, Ishii helped him avoid destruction! Will the Dream Trio keep on going in this dream reign?
NEVER Openweight Championship: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Tama Tonga!
The leader of the War Dogs has had this title since Wrestling Dontaku in May, but the Good Bad Guy has been after him for much longer than that! Will Tama take back this title and become a THREE-TIME NEVER Champion? Or will Finlay prove NJPW still needs The Rebel?
Wait, Finlay’s pulling the same move Kidd did earlier! He CLOBBERS Tama from the crowd side, with the belt! Fans boo as Finlay rains down fists! The ref reprimands, Finlay lets off and tells the ref to get this match going. The bell rings, Tama flounders up and Finlay aims. Finlay SPEARS Tama down! Cover, TWO!! Tama is still in this but Finlay rains down more fists! The ref reprimands, Finlay lets off, claiming those weren’t closed fists. Fans boo but Finlay DGAF. Finlay TOSSES Tama out, soaks up the heat, and then drags Tama up. Finlay ROCKS Tama with a forearm, RAMS him into the railing, and mocks commentary!
Finlay RAMS Tama in again! The ref reprimands but Finlay RAMS Tama again! Finlay lets off, Tama sputters, and Finlay gets a chair! Gedo distracts the ref from the CHAIRSHOT to the back! And another! And another! And another! Fans boo more but Finlay tosses the chair to hide the evidence. Finlay soaks up the heat, then goes looking under the ring. Finlay brings out a table! The ref reprimands and Finlay says Tama was the one saying Finlay would have to kill him to make him stop. Finlay brings Tama up, lifts him up, but Tama fights the bomb! Tama ROCKS Finlay, and again, and again!
But then Finlay RAMS Tama through the gateway! Down goes a cameraman! Finlay says if Tama doesn’t like the table, he has another plan. Finlay rips floor mats away! Fans boo but Finlay soaks it all up. Finlay drags Tama from No Man’s Land and over to the bare concrete! Finlay lifts Tama up but Tama grabs ropes! Tama gets to the apron, kicks Finlay away, and then leaps. Finlay dodges, scoops, but Tama slips free! REVERSE DDT to the concrete floor! Finlay writhes and clutches his head while fans rally up for Tama. Tama stands, hobbles, and finds Finlay. Tama SMACKS Finlay off the apron again and again and again!
The ring count is climbing but Tama sends Finlay into the railing! And then the apron! We hit 10 of 20 but Tama puts Finlay in. Fans cheer as this match continues in the ring, and Tama storms up. Tama counter punches again and again, then fires body shots and haymakers! Tama rains down shots then stomps in the corner. The ref tries to stop Tama but Tama shoves him away so he can stomp Finlay more! Tama throws knee after knee, the ref counts and Tama finally lets off. Tama drags Finlay up, HEADBUTTS him, then throws body shots! And an EXPLODER! Finlay staggers up, swings, but into another EXPLODER!
Fans rally for Tama as he watches Finlay drag himself up. Tama runs in to STINGER SPLASH! Finlay staggers about, Tama clinches, and EXPLODERS again! Gedo coaches Finlay but Tama watches him. Finlay wants mercy? After everything he’s done to this point? Tama kicks but Finlay blocks and he BITES Tama’s face! The ref counts, Finlay lets off and fans boo. Finlay whips Tama to a corner but Tama comes back! Finlay dodges, dodges again, then runs in but Tama TOSSES him out! Fans fire up as Tama then PLANCHAS! Down goes Finlay and the fans fire up with Tama! Tama looms over Finlay and drags him up again.
Finlay again wants mercy but Tama says STFU, and he whips Finlay hard into the railing! Tama then whips Finlay into more railing! Tama drags Finlay up to whip him into the railing again, and again, and again! Commentary somehow stays up with all that and fans fire up again. Tama storms around, Gedo says this is all disqualification but the ref says no it’s not. Finlay flounders, sputters, but Tama leaves him behind. The ring count climbs, fans rally up, and Finlay crawls. Tama hurries out, but Finlay goes after him! Tama CLUBS away on Finlay, whips, but Finlay reverses to fireman’s carry! Finlay POSTS Tama!
Gedo is all fired up but the fans are stunned as Tama is down. Finlay storms over, drags Tama up, and puts him in the ring. Finlay stalks Tama, runs in, BLINDSIDER! Cover, TWO!! Tama is still in this and fans rally back up! Finlay eggs Tama on, drags him up, and then whips to scoop and BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Tama is still in this and Gedo is frustrated! Finlay taunts Tama, and says he must want Finlay to kill him. Finlay drags Tama up, saying he will oblige. Gut wrench, but Tama slips out! Finlay ROCKS Tama, ROCKS him again, then runs, to LARIAT Tama inside-out! Finlay hauls Tama up, DOMINATOR!! Cover, TWO?!?
Fans fire up that Tama is still alive! Finlay scowls, but Gedo is confident Finlay will end this. Finlay drags Tama up, but Tama fights the lift. Finlay CLUBS away on Tama, hauls him up again, but Tama fights the lift! Tama then fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free to IRISH- NO, Tama arm-drags! And then spins Finlay around, but Finlay fights free. Tama BOOTS Finlay, Finlay ROCKS Tama, but Tama roars and LARIATS!! Fans are thunderous as OFF COMES THE VEST! Tama brings Finlay up, fireman’s carries, FLAPJACK! But he’s not done there, he fireman’s carries again, to S R C!!
Tama just fires up more and the fans are with him! Tama goes up the corner, but Finlay CLOBBERS him off the top!! Fans are stunned as Tama hits apron then floor! Gedo and Finlay grin as they realize they’re by the table! Finlay hauls Tama onto the apron, then goes up to join him. Finlay says this is done! Finlay hauls Tama up, reels him in, but Tama fights the lift to back drop Finlay onto the apron! Gedo panics now as Finlay writhes. Tama aims, and he GUN- NO, Finlay blocks to POST Tama again! Another cameraman goes down! Finlay hurries to get Tama up but the ref says stop, he should check Tama first!
Finlay doesn’t care, he hauls Tama up, to POWERBOMB Tama through the table!! Finlay smiles and says that was easy. Fans boo as hard as they can but Finlay spits at them. The ring count starts but Finlay smirks. Finlay says there’s no need for that. Finlay hauls Tama out of the wreckage at 10 of 20, pushes him into the ring at 14, and Finlay takes his time crawling over to him, Finlay asks if Tama wants some more. Tama must want some more! Finlay hauls Tama up again, POWERBOMB!! Fans boo as Finlay recreates Dontaku. Finlay brings down the kneepad and says this is for Tama! X marks the spot!
Finlay roars, drags Tama up, suplexes, INTO- GUN STUN!!! Both men are down as Tama pulls one out outta nowhere! Fans rally, Tama stirs, and manages to smile as he sits up. The two crawl towards each other, and Finlay SLAPS Tama! Tama SLAPS back, so Finlay SLAPS again! Tama SLAPS, Finlay wobbles, but Finlay SLAPS again! The SLAPS keep going as they stand, and they pick up speed! Tama fires off a flurry and Finlay falls! Fans rally more as Tama swings, but Finlay clinches! Tama slips out, Finlay snapmares, and then Finlay backslides! Tama rolsl throgh but Finlay suplexes, only for Tama to slip out!
Tama underhooks, Finlay gets out to ROCK Tama, but Tama ENZIGURIS! And then GUN- NO, Finlay powers out! Tama goes up, FLYING GUN- NO!! Finlay blocks, wrenches, and HEADBUTTS! Then a POWER- RANA!! Tama has the cover, TWO!!! Finlay ROLLING ELBOWS! And then spins again, INTO GUN STUN!!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Tama is stunned that Finlay survives but the fans are thunderous! Tama drags Finlay up, reels him in, underhooks and- NO, Finlay fights that to RAM Tama into a corner! And again! And again! Tama still holds on, throws some knees, and he backs Finlay down with each shot!
Tama underhooks, but Finlay back drops! So Tama sunset flips, drags Finlay up, STYLES CLASH!!! Fans are thunderous again as Tama drags Finlay up to underhook! DIVE SHACK DRIVER!!! Cover, TAMA WINS!!
Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
Incredible! The Good Bad Guy brings down The Rebel and is once again NEVER Champion! Tama never gave up, will he never stop never stopping?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Triple Threat: Hiromu Takahashi VS “Speedball” Mike Bailey VS YOH!
The Ticking Timebomb may not have won the tournament, but he is still this year’s Best of the Super Juniors by holding onto the title from WrestleKingdom to this very moment. And with Lio Rush going down with illness, Hiromu thought he was going to get Speedball 1v1. But then Hiromu drops a tag match to Mr. Direct Drive and is right back to a three man match! Will Hiromu still defy the odds? Or will we see a new champion here in Ryogoku?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if we have more, more, MORE fun together!
The bell rings and fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” Hiromu vibes to the chanting, then circles with Yoh and Bailey. They feel things out, watching each other, and then Bailey BOOTS Hiromu and trips Yoh. Things speed up,. Bailey handsprings the hurdles but Yoh leaps over, into a ROUNDHOUSE! Hiromu whips Bailey to a corner, runs in to clothesline, snapmare and- NO, Bailey dodges the basement dropkick, only for Yoh to basement dropkick him down! Hiromu kicks Yoh, runs, but Yoh drops and sidesteps to drop toehold. Yoh keeps moving but Hiromu dodges the basement dropkick. And he dodges Bailey’s Penalty Kick! Fans fire up as all three men stand off.
Yoh dusts himself off and Hiromu smirks. Hiromu pats both challengers on the shoulder and tells them, “Good luck.” Hiromu then exits the ring, letting them fight it out? They don’t understand but then figure okay. The fans rally, and then Bailey BOOTS Hiromu! Yoh CLUBS Bailey, then PLANCHAS Hiromu! Fans fire up as Bailey runs, to TRIANGLE MOONSAULT Hiromu! But Yoh PLANCHAS Bailey! Yoh puts Hiromu in, drags him up, FALCON ARROW! Cover, Bailey breaks it! Bailey TOSSES Yoh, drags Hiromu up and whips, and HIP ATTACKS! Bailey grins, he must’ve learned that from Taguchi.
Bailey then runs in to BOOT Hiromu in the corner, and POWERSLAM! Fans rally as Bailey goes up and up and DOUBLE KNEE DROPS! Cover, Yoh breaks it! Fans rally as Yoh and Bailey each want Hiromu, and they argue. Yoh shoves, Bailey shoves, but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Hiromu runs, into DOUBLE KICKS! Double cover but then Yoh and Bailey stop each other. Yoh and Bailey decide they will do that 1v1 and they throw Hiromu out. They circle, and fire off forearms! Fans fire up as they go back and forth, and Bailey ROCKS Yoh! Yoh ROCKS Bailey! Bailey SOBATS, AX KICKS and ROUNDHOUSES!
Fans fire up and Bailey runs, to SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Bailey keeps his cool and he aims, but Yoh ducks the buzzsaw to roll him up! TWO, and Yoh whips. Bailey handsprings but Yoh dodges. Yoh dodges again, but Bailey blocks a boot to fire off the LIGHTNING KICKS! But Yoh blocks one to DRAGON SCREW the leg! Fans rally up, Hiromu is back but Yoh BLASTS him off the apron! Yoh runs in to ELBOW Bailey, then whips. Hiromu clotheslines Bailey in the corner, ELBOWS Yoh, then sends Bailey into Yoh! Hiromu picks Bailey up and throws him at Yoh to make Bailey RANA Yoh away!
Hiromu then whips Bailey to a corner, runs in and clotheslines! Hiromu runs to clothesline Yoh! Hiromu baits Bailey in, sends him into Yoh, and then SHOTGUNS them both down! Hiromu fires up to clothesline Yoh, snapmare, and basement dropkick! Fans fire up as Hiromu goes to the apron to JOHN WOO Bailey down! Hiromu then runs at Yoh, and leaps over to SUNSET POWERBOMB to the floor! Fans fire up as Hiromu gets up and leaves Yoh behind. Hiromu finds Bailey, puts him in the ring, and then fireman’s carries. DYNAMITE PLUNGER! Cover, TWO! Bailey is still in this but the fans rally behind Hiromu.
Bailey sits up and Hiromu brings him around. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Bailey sunset flips! TWO! Bailey runs in, turns pop-up into RANA, TWO! Hiromu sunset flips, TWO! Bailey PENALTY KICKS! And MOONSAULT KNEE DROPS! Fans fire up while Bailey powers up! Hiromu goes to a corner, Bailey runs and spins, but Hiromu blocks the kick! But then Bailey KICKS free! Bailey goes up the corner, Yoh uses Hiromu as a step but Bailey jumps over them both! Bailey comes back, Hiromu OVERHEAD suplexes him into Yoh! All three men are down and fans fire up! Hiromu sits up and shouts “IKU ZE~! <Let’s go!>”
Hiromu fireman’s carries, Bailey slips free and Yoh DROPKICKS Hiromu! Bailey BOOTS Yoh and Hiromu SHOTGUNS Bailey! Hiromu whisp You, Yoh reverses to DROPKICK! Bailey SUPERKICKS Yoh! Bailey aims at Hiromu, but Hiromu goes Matrix to avoid the Superkick! But then Bailey uses a heel kick to swat Hiromu’s superkick! And THRUST KICK! Fans fire up as Bailey powers up again, SPIN KICK on Yoh! And then he gets really going, to SUPER SPIN KICK Hiromu! Hiromu is down, Bailey goes up, but Yoh hits ropes to trip him up! Bailey falls on the speedballs, and Hiromu climbs up.
Hiromu CHOPS Bailey, brings Bailey up, but Yoh CLUBS Hiromu! Yoh adds himself to this, TOWER OF DOOM!! Jackknife cover on Hiromu! TWO!! Yoh is frustrated that the powerbomb superplex combo didn’t finish this! Fans rally up, Yoh drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu fights the suplex! Hiromu wrenches but Yoh HEADBUTTS! And POINT-BLANK LARIATS!! Hiromu flounders all the way to the apron! Yoh has Bailey now, full nelsons, but Bailey RAMS Yoh into a corner, WRINGS the arm, and BOOTS Yoh down! Bailey goes up, ULTIMATE- NO, Yoh avoids the knee drop, Bailey’s knees hit the mat!
Yoh SUPERKICKS Bailey! And then reels him in, to a DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Hiromu breaks it! Fans fire up as all three men are down again! Yoh fires up, he and Hiromu rise, and Hiromu wrenches to pump handle, HIROMU-CHAN CRADLE! TWO!! Yoh ducks ‘n’ dodges but into HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Hiromu fireman’s carries Yoh but Yoh slips down and jumps back up, POISON-RANA! Hiromu staggers up, into a STUNNER! Fans rally again and Yoh drags Hiromu up. Yoh suplexes, DNV! Yoh “drops the needle on the vinyl,” and then goes up top! FINAL HOUR!! Shoutout to Lio Rush!! Cover, BAILEY BREAKS IT!
Fans fire up again while Hiromu flops out of the ring. Speedball sits Yoh up, aims, but Yoh ducks the buzzsaw to shove and UPPERCUT! Yoh runs, but into a COLLISION COURSE!! Cover, TWO!! BUZZSAW!! Bailey then puts Yoh in a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! THRUST KICK! Bailey puts Yoh up top, tucks him in, FLAMINGO- NO, Yoh slips free and ripcords, FLASH KNEE!! Fans fire up again as Yoh roars! Yoh drags Bailey up, reels him in, DIRECT DRIVE!!! Cover, HIROMU BREAKS IT!! Somehow, Hiromu gets there in time and all three men are down again! Fans rally up as all three stir.
Yoh crawls over to Hiromu, but Hiromu ROLLING ELBOWS! Hiromu then runs in at the corner, into a SUPERKICK!! Yoh is all fired up and the fans are thunderous! Yoh reels Hiromu in, DIRECT- NO, arm-drag and roll-through to a fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yoh survives and fans are thunderous again! Hiromu shouts at Yoh as he aims from a corner! Yoh rises, Hiromu runs in, SLIDING LARIAT!! And then Hiromu hauls Yoh up, runs, Yoh dares him! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Then an inverted suplex, for TIMEBOMB MKII!!! Cover, HIROMU WINS!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Both challengers put up a hell of a fight, and Hiromu still comes out on top! Will Yoh ever get the gold? How hard will Speedball have to fight to get his 1v1 shot? Will any of it matter with Hiromu still the Best of the Super Juniors?
Wait! The lights go out! House of Torture? No, they’re in the main event. But then the lights come up and it’s TAIJI ISHIMORI! The Bone Soldier KNEES Hiromu down, then hauls him up, just to throw him aside! Fans are fired up to see Taiji back from injury, and it is clear why he’s back tonight! He holds up the title, then throws it to Hiromu. Taiji gets the mic, and he tells Hiromu, “Are you going to face me for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship? The Timebomb’s time… is up!” Hiromu sits up and nods to his most sinister rival. When and where will these two wage war over the gold again?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Lumberjack Death Match: SANADA VS EVIL!
Just5Guys took the win to open the show, and now they and the House of Torture bookend things with this faction warfare main event! Can the Cold Skull stay the Gold Skull? Or will the King of Darkness take even this from J5G?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see how far both sides are willing to go to win this title!
The factions stare down while the fans rally up. The House put one out, J5G group thumbs up, and everyone surrounds the ring. Fans fire up as the bell rings, and Sanada encourages the fans chanting for him. Evil is annoyed but then smirks as he and Sanada circle. They tie up but Evil kicks low then headlocks. Evil grinds the hold, Sanada throws body shots and powers out, but Evil runs him over! Fans rally, Evil fakes the dropdown out and stomps Sanada! Evil whips Sanada but Sanada reverses to ELBOW and STANDING- NO, Evil moves, but Sanada lands on his feet to basement dropkick!
Evil bails out but J5G throws him right back in! Fans cheer and Sanada facelocks Evil. Sanada wrenches and wrenches and whips. Evil holds ropes, bails out, and the House defends him. Fans boo but J5G storms over! Evil slips away but Sanada kicks him at the ropes! Sanada ties Evil up in the ropes, ROPE PARADISE! Fans cheer and Sanada runs to dropkick Evil outta Paradise! Fans fire up more and Sanada paces. Sanada keeps Evil from getting away, then wrenches and CLUBS the arm. Evil drops to his knees but Sanada bumps him off buckles. Sanada wrenches and whips corner to corner, to then run in and ELBOW!
Evil falls over but Sanada drags him to a cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool as he brings Evil up. Evil blocks the suplex and pulls hair! Fans boo, J5G protest, but then Sanada pulls hair! Sanada kicks, runs, but Evil dumps him out! And the House is there to stomp away! Fans boo but J5G rush the hyenas! It is a brawl, Evil distracts Red Shoes but the other refs rush in! Evil storms out, drags Sanada up, and not only does he knock over a cameraman, he still throws Sanada into the timekeeper! Down goes Abe-san! Fans boo as Evil continues to bully Abe, and then he tells Sanada just to give up. Sanada says no, so Evil slaps him around.
Evil leaves Sanada behind and the House beats up on J5G. Sho puts Sanada in for Evil and Evil drags him up. Evil whips Sanada into bare buckles! That’s right, the blue buckle pad is gone, the Bullet Club Special is in play! Evil stands on Sanada’s head, drags him up, and fans rally. Evil mocks the fans like he can’t hear them as he TOSSES Sanada out! Sho throws Sanada in, Evil throws him out! They keep passing Sanada around like they’re playing catch! Dick gets a turn as he throws Sanada in, so Evil wrangles Sanada to a cover. TWO! Another cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO!! Sanada is still in this and the House is furious!
Evil stands on Sanada, taunts him, but the fans rally up. Evil drags Sanada up, but Sanada CHOPS! Sanada CHOPS again, and Evil is stinging! Sanada CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, but Evil claws Sanada’s face! Evil whips, but Sanada avoids the bare buckles! Evil runs in but is sent into those buckles! Then Sanada hits a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down! Sanada stalks Evil to the ropes, drags him back in and whips, but Evil reverses. But Sanada dropkicks the leg! Then he dropkicks Evil! Dick & Kanemaru storm up, but Sanada kicks the rope to jam them up!
Fans fire up as Sanada now ties Dick up in a Paradise Lock! And then he does the same to traitorous Kanemaru! They’re side by side and fans fire up! Sanada DOUBLE DROPKICKS them outta paradise! Sho is upset, but Sanada DECKS him! Sanada DECKS Yujiro, then PLANCHAS Sho! Then he PLANCHAS Yujiro! Fans fire up as Murder Machine and Tokyo Pimp go down! Wait, where is Evil going? He stole the belt again, and is going up the bleachers! But J5G is in hot pursuit! Taichi, Taka and Yuya SMACK Evil into the door! And stomp away on him! Douki & Taka get the belt, then Taichi & Yuya drag Evil back to ringside!
Fans cheer as Evil is forced to face justice! Sanada stalks Evil to a corner but Evil begs for mercy. Sanada isn’t falling for that and he drags Evil up, but Evil still kicks low! Evil whips, Sanada reverses, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool, paces around Evil and drags him up again. Sanada fireman’s carries but Evil claws the eyes! Red Shoes reprimands, Evil CLUBS Sanada, but Sanada kicks. Evil blocks, hands it to Red Shoes, but then Sanada blocks Evil’s kick! Red Shoes lets Sanada go and Sanada ROCKS Evil! Sanada brings Evil up to UPPERCUT, and then he runs. But Evil goes to the corner, but Sanada ROCKS him first!
Sanada ROLLING ELBOWS, runs, but Red Shoes is pulled in the way! The ROLLING ELBOW takes Red Shoes down! Evil pulls Sanada around to TOSS him out, and the House stomps away! J5G storms up but the brawl is on again! The House even throws the other refs aside before sending J5G into railing! Yujiro puts Sanada in for Evil and the House all gets in. Fans boo as Kanemaru hauls Sanada up. He and SHo double whip Sanada to a corner, then Dick runs in to ELBOW! Sho forearms! Yujiro BOOTS! Kanemaru UPPERCUTS! Evil clotheslines! They snapmare Sanada, turn him upside-down, and Dick goes up, to DICK CHOP!!
Sanada writhes, Evil shouts to a ref, and Sakamoto is in. Cover, TWO!!! Evil is mad at Sakamoto, and TOSSES him out onto Douki! Fans boo as now another ref goes down! Sho drags Sanada up, reels him in, and tucks the arms! STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER! Evil calls to another ref, and Kenta Sato runs in. Sato checks Red Shoes but Evil drags Sanada up. Evil tells Sato to pay attention. FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Sanada is still in this and Evil is frustrated! Evil tells the booing fans to shut up, and then he drags Sanada up. Fans rally for Sanada, but Evil fireman’s carries. But Sanada fights free!
Evil throws hands, whips Sanada but Sanada goes up and out and springboards in to MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up as both men are down! J5G coach Sanada, House of Torture coaches Evil, and both men rise. Evil and Sanada go to opposite corners, and Sanada runs in, but into a boot! Sanada shakes that off, comes back in, but into another boot! Evil runs, but Sanada dodges to fireman’s carry and T K O! Cover, TWO! Evil is still in this but Sanada points up. Sanada drags Evil up into the dragon sleeper! But Evil fights and snapmares free. Sanada returns but the Shining Wizard is blocked! DARK SCORPION DEATHLOCK!!
Sanada endures, J5G coaches him on, and Sanada reaches out! Evil sits deep but Sanada powers up! But Sanada falls over! Evil shouts to give up but the fans rally up! Sanada grits his teeth, gives it another go, and he has the ROPEBREAK! Evil holds until Sato counts 4! Evil argues with the ref and the fans rally up. Evil drags Sanada back up, fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives and the House is frustrated! Evil paces around, slashes his throat and vows to end this. Evil tells Sanada to get up, and then drags him up. EVERY- NO, Sanada blocks and throws elbows!
Evil LARIATS! Sanada wobbles but stays up! Sanada shakes his head, eggs Evil on, so Evil runs to LARIAT! Sanada drops to his knees and fans rally up behind him! Evil wants Sato to call this as he stands on Sanada’s back. Evil tells the fans to shut up, and he throws off his elbow pads. Evil stands Sanada up, runs, but Sanada ducks and reels Evil in! MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down and fans rally up again! Sanada drags Evil to a drop zone and he goes up! ROUNDING- NO, Evil moves! Sanada lands out, cravat, SHIRANUI into SKULL END!! Evil flails but he’s in the body scissors as J5G keeps the House down!
Wait, the bell rings? Dick did that to trick everyone!! The House attack J5G in the confusion! Sanada lets Evil go to figure this out, but Evil SHOVES Sanada into Sato and Sato hits buckles! Dick RAMS Sanada into a corner, DECKS Him, but Douki runs in to arm-drag Dick away! Douki builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit on Dick into railing! But Sho has his Murder Tool! But Taichi SUPERKICKS Sho, then hoists him up, BLACK MEPHISTO! Kanemaru is in! WHISKEY MIST, and BOTTLE SHOT! But Taka BOOTS Kanemaru, then scoops, MICHINOKU DRIVER!! Fans fire up, but then the PIMP CANE hits Taka!
Yuya gets in, he blocks a pimp cane shot, and he kicks Yujiro low! Yuya tosses the cane to clinch, KANUKI!! But Evil reels Yuya in! Yuya fights off Everything to DROPKICK! SHINING WIZARD from Sanada!!! Sanada goes up top, ROUNDING BODY PRESS!!! Fourth ref Marty Asami is here, so Sanada goes up again! ROUNDING BODY PRESS!!!! Cover, but Dick YANKS Marty outta the ring!!! Fans boo, Yuya chases Dick into the ring! Dick begs for mercy, but then Evil LOW BLOWS Yuya! And LOW BLOWS Sanada! Dick BLASTS Douki! Fans boo the House as they again have control of the situation!
Dick puts a chair in the ring and Evil takes it. Evil drags Sanada up, lines it up, HEADSHOT!!! Sanada flops over and fans boo as hard as they can. Evil just soaks it up! Dick joins in, he and Evil drag Sanada up, MAGIC KILLER!!! But they need a ref! Do they even have a fifth ref? No, but Red Shoes is back on his feet so Dick forces him into the ring. Evil covers, Red Shoes takes his time to walk over, hesitates, and then tells Evil F U!! Evil is pissed but what can he do? Red Shoes flips Dick off, too! Sanada RAMS Evil into Dick, O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO!!! Evil runs in to LARIAT Sanada down! Fans boo but Evil tells Red Shoes he better do his job.
Evil drags Sanada up, but Sanada clinches! But Evil slips free! Kick and HEADLOCK DRIVER! Cover, TWO!??! Sanada survives and Evil can’t believe it! Evil slashes his throat, hauls Sanada back up, EVERYTHING IS- NO, Sanada steals EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! J5G is back up and Taichi shouts to Sanada to end this! Sanada grits his teeth, fans rally up as hard as they can, and Sanada drags himself up. Sanada aims from a corner, runs in, BLINDISDE SHINING WIZARD!! Sanada shouts for Evil to rise, and then SHINING WIZARDS again!! Sanada hauls Evil back up, for DEAD FALL!!! Cover, Sanada wins!!!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
It was a hard fought battle, and the House brought out every single trick they knew, but it was not going to stop the Cold Skull! Certainly not with his mentor, Keiji Mutoh, on commentary! Will Evil and his cohorts ever learn their lesson?
As for Sanada, not only is he going to WrestleKingdom in January, he apparently gets a one YEAR supply of Kantansu brand vinegar. Huh. And then Mutoh gets in the ring so that he can personally hand the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to Sanada as NJPW’s ABEMA TV pro-wrestling ambassador! They even stand together for the photo op. Fans cheer, and Taichi helps Sanada put the belt back on. Fans then chant for Sanada as he gets the mic, but wait! Here comes Tetsuya Naito and his Right to Challenge tote bag. Naito enters the ring, gets a mic and says, “BUENAS NOCHES, RYOGOKU~!”
Naito is pretty sure the fans aren’t as excited for Sanada’s gift as they are for an LIJ roll call. Maybe on January 4th, 2024 at the Tokyo Dome, the fans will get what they didn’t four years ago. That said, Naito knows Sanada will tell him to buzz off. But before then, Naito will just take his leave. Adios! The fans cheer the stare down photo op, then Naito exits. Sanada picks up his mic to finally say, “Ryogoku audience, everyone watching at home… Some of you might know that 18 years ago, I took a tryout for NJPW. And in that tryout, the only person to pass was Tetsuya Naito. I failed, but now, the failure is the world champion and Naito is the challenger. What do you think of that?
“On January 4th, I’m looking forward to our match. So, shall we do ‘that?’ The gift?” Fans like that, and the stars slowly come out as the lights come down. Sanada says Just5Guys welcomes their newest member, Yuya. Fans chant for Yuya and he waves to them. Sanada says thanks for all the cheers and applause, he won’t forget this night. And with Just5Guys, Mutoh, and all of them here, he is grateful to them all. January 4th, Tokyo Dome, WrestleKingdom 18, Sanada promises to explode! “OI, Ryogoku! See You Next Time!” The streamers fly and Sanada has his belt as J5G hoist him onto his shoulders! But who wins when Sanada and his former team leader face off in the New Year?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for NJPW, and so much of importance this time! The Frontier Zone thing was kickoff show, I didn’t even think it’d be on the recording but it was, and it sure looked like a lot of fun. I definitely had to get the opening Six Man Tag with Just5Guys bringing in their new member, and great spot for returning Yuya Uemura. Heat Storm is a great polar opposite concept to Cold Skull Sanada, who knows if anything comes of that. Great Junior Tag title match, Connors & Drilla retaining made some sense with Super Junior Tag League coming and these Heel champs being the ones to topple.
The Best of 7 finale was pretty good, though I obviously didn’t cover any of the other six matches. But given the very first one of these ended in a time limit draw, and Team Strong Style came in leading the series, it made a lot of sense that Shota’s team won here to end things in a draw. It keeps Shota and Narita, two of the Reiwa Three Musketeers, even as they continue building themselves. Great NJPW Strong tag title match, and a great surprise that ELP & Leo won. And for that matter, great surprise that all three matches when the way of Guerrillas of Destiny. I skimmed Loa VS Chase and Loa beat Chase quick. Then the NJPW Strong tag titles, and then Tama beats Finlay to win the NEVER title back after an awesome match, but I don’t know where that leaves Bullet Club War Dogs.
Great NEVER Six Man titles, and as I figured, they didn’t worry about overplaying the Impact story of Alexander and Shelley being at odds, until later on with the classic miscue spot. I’m sure Impact will do a good job playing off this, though, as they build to Shelley VS Alexander at Bound For Glory. Okada, Tanahashi & Ishii are a great trio, I can’t see anyone taking these titles off them, even at WrestleKingdom. Awesome Triple Threat for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title, and while it’s a shame Lio couldn’t be in it, Yoh did a great job jumping in for him. Hiromu retaining made sense, and a really good return for Taiji here. Maybe Taiji dethrones Hiromu after having the full match they meant to have when Taiji got hurt.
And of course, great main event, though not much of a “death match.” Maybe that was just a fancy way of dressing up how the factions were present, but it was pretty much just standard House of Torture stuff. Probably went a beat too long but you gotta love Red Shoes having his moment as being a person with his own morality and not just a ref that does what he’s told. Sanada wins, which gives him a great moment with Mutoh there, and Naito even has a bit of fun just reminding everyone that Naito VS Sanada is the WrestleKingdom main event. That is going to be great stuff, and it is going in line with Naito’s story of wanting to main event WK one last time.
No idea if Naito, though. It’s hard to say if Sanada’s popularity is waning, but if it’s supposed to be Naito’s send off, I’d say Sanada wins. Plus, it just feels like Sanada, Naito’s former LIJ subordinate, is going to show Naito that he is now the better wrestler. Sanada’s quick little story pointed that out, where Sanada didn’t meet NJPW’s standards at first, but look at him now. That’d be the real crowning moment for Sanada at WrestleKingdom, and it’d probably be a great honor for Naito to put over one of the guys he helped bring into NJPW.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Will Eddy Thorpe continue to game the system?
Eddy Thorpe cried wolf, but he still got his shot at the NXT Championship. Will Trick Williams make Eddy regret tricking everyone into feeling sorry for him?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Axiom w/ Nathan Frazer VS Oba Femi; Oba wins.
- Sol Ruca & Zaria VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson; Lash & Jakara win.
- Jaida Parker w/ OTM VS Wren Sinclair w/ No Quarter Catch Crew; Jaida wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS Gallus; Frazer & Axiom win and retain the titles.
- NXT Championship: Trick Williams VS Eddy Thorpe; Double Pinfall Draw, Trick retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Axiom w/ Nathan Frazer VS Oba Femi!
The Undeniable Truth oddly thought he could teach The Ruler a lesson for brutalizing Nathan Frazer and the rest of the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge field, which is why he asked for this match. The irony is that Frazer asked for the NXT Tag Team Championship match we’ll be seeing later tonight! Will Axiom even survive the start of the show to join Frazer in that defense? Or will Oba be unstoppable on his way to New Year’s Evil?
The bell rings and Axiom stares Oba down. They feel things out, Axiom kicks at Oba, but Oba shrugs that off. The fans sing, “Oba’s gonna kill~ you!” Oba grabs at Axiom, Axiom kicks and scurries away, but Oba keeps after him. Axiom slips around to waistlock but Oba throws Axiom right off! Oba storms up on Axiom, knuckle locks with him, and powers Axiom into the corner. The ref counts, Oba lets off, and Axiom resets. The fans rally, the two circle, and Axiom kicks! And KICKS! Oba blocks a kick and he RAMS Axiom into a corner! The ref counts, Oba lets off slowly, but then Axiom CHOPS! Axiom dodges and CHOPS again!
Axiom eggs Oba on, the two circle again, and they knuckle lock. Oba blocks a kick, he trips Axiom, but Axiom kicks free. Axiom goes to ropes, Oba runs up, and Axiom holds the ropes down! But Oba stops from being dumped out! Oba stomps Axiom, then whips him to ropes. Axiom ducks ‘n’ dodges, goes up, but Oba CHOPS him on the back! Axiom flops to the outside while fans fire up and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Oba throws hands with Axiom. Oba CLUBS Axiom, then CLUBS him down! Axiom crawls but Oba CLUBS him again! Oba brings Axiom up, but Axiom blocks the shot! Axiom fights up, but Oba knees low! Axiom goes to a corner, Oba runs up, and Axiom BOOTS Oba away! Axiom tries again but Oba blocks, and Oba CHOPS! Oba puts Axiom up top, but Axiom fires hands! Axiom kicks Oba away, adjusts position, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Oba stumbles and falls back, but he gets to his feet. Axiom KICKS Oba’s leg again and again, then runs, to KICK it again! Axiom keeps moving, but Oba LARIATS Axiom inside-out! Cover, TWO!
Oba is annoyed but the fans rally up. Oba drags Axiom to his feet, just to YANK the bad arm! Oba YANKS the arm again, then CHOPS Axiom off his feet! Frazer is wincing as Axiom sits up in a daze. Oba brings Axiom up, wrenches, but Axiom SLAPS him! Oba swings, but into an ARMBAR- NO, Oba stays up! Oba deadlifts Axiom, puts him in a corner, and CHOPS again and again and again! Axiom flops down, the fans are torn, but Oba smiles all the same. Oba dares Axiom to get up, and Axiom stands to CHOP! And KICK! But Oba CHOPS Axiom down! Axiom rises, the fans rally, and Axiom fires fast hands!
Axiom KICKS but Oba CHOPS him down again! Axiom gets up and he roars! Axiom fires more shots, then dodges Oba’s to DROPKICK! Oba staggers, Axiom runs, and Axiom dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up and Axiom runs up to BUZZSAW! Oba flops over, Axiom covers, ONE!! Oba is seething as he rises, but Axiom BUZZSAWS, SUPERKICKS, and covers, TWO! Oba rolls to get Axiom right up! But Axiom RANAS in return! Cover, TWO!! Oba escapes but Axiom CALF KICKS Oba down! The fans fire up as Axiom rolls to ropes. Axiom rises, goes to the apron and then up the corner. Axiom aims again, MISSILE DROPKICK!
Axiom kips up and the fans fire up! Axiom aims from a corner, runs up, GOLDEN- SHOTPUT!! Oba turns things right around, and he storms right up on Axiom! FALL FROM GRACE!! Cover, Oba wins!
Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall
A valiant effort from Axiom, but the Iron Survivor is rolling on towards his golden opportunity. Will Oba do the same to whoever is NXT Champion come New Year’s Evil? Will Fraxiom be able to make it out of Lowell, Massachusetts still the NXT Tag Team Champions?
Backstage interview with Eddy Thorpe.
Sarah Schreiber is with the Alpha Wolf and says Eddy shocked the world when he admitted to staging an attack to take himself out of the Iron Survivor Challenge, only to get an NXT Championship match tonight against Trick Williams. What does he have to say for himself? Eddy says he is BRILLIANT. For all the know-it-alls out there, Eddy fooled everyone! And they want to say, “Eddy, how could you do that?!” Save it. If it was anyone else, they’d be called a mastermind or a genius. But Eddy does it, he’s a cheater?
Ava Raine storms in and she tells Eddy that he can spin it however he wants, but we all know Eddy took a shortcut. Unfortunately, the contract is signed, it is binding, and this match is happening. Eddy says it must hurt to take the blame for something you didn’t do. Do you know how many times Eddy was told, “Work smarter, not harder.” That’s all he did. Eddy would’ve gotten screwed in the Iron Survivor anyways. So call him whatever you want, but by the end of the night, you will call him the NEW NXT Champion! Eddy heads out, will he get what he wants? Or only what he deserves?
Karmen Petrovic talked with Dion Lennox.
She isn’t sure what to do about Ashante THEE Adonis. Dion says they’re friends, yeah? So as friends, he will say that her match with Nikkita Lyons, that was Adonis genuinely trying to help. He literally brought her flowers before the match and… Maybe she should apologize. Karmen says that’s true. She doesn’t know what it is, but she just gets so defensive around him. She will go apologize. She thanks him and they hug it out, but then Adonis walks over. Adonis misunderstands now and both Karmen and Dion defend it isn’t what it looks like. Adonis says why does he even try! Was that “just a hug?” Should he go hug all the other girls?
Robert Stone and Stevie Turner both see this, and they both get an idea, so they both head out. Adonis says the crazy thing is, he cut Nikkita off. But he might just text her now. And don’t even try to explain, Dion. Adonis storms off, Dion realizes he is stuck in the middle of this drama, and he has had it! He will just go back to reading books and minding his own business. But just how will this love story of Adonis and Karmen sort out?
Sol Ruca & Zaria VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson!
Speaking of the Iron Survivor Challenge, two women who were in it but didn’t win it are having to face a couple haters who think they would’ve done better. Will Ruca and the Agent of Change snatch some souls? Or will the Meta Girls make them slam on the brakes?
NXT returns and the Meta Girls make their entrance. The teams sort out and Jakara starts against Sol, and SHOTGUNS her right down! Jakara rains down fists, then brings Sol up. Jakara ROCKS Sol, whips her, then runs in, but Sol catches her! Sol spins around with Miss Jackson before the FACEBUSTER! Sol stands on Jakara, and she uses her to surf! Then she hops off to SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Sol brings Jakara up and around, but Jakara fires body shots! Jakara backs Sol down, tags Lash, and they whip to drop toehold and ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Lash clamps onto Sol with a waistlock and she thrashes her around!
Lash SLAMS Sol, brings her back up, but Sol switches. They go to ropes, Lash bucks the O’Conner but Sol kips up to ROCK Lash! Lash goes to a corner, Sol runs up, but Lash dumps her to the apron! Sol slingshots back in to CODE BREAKER! Lash staggers, Sol runs up again, but Lash picks Sol up! Lash TOSSES Sol, but Sol is closer to her corner! The fans fire up as Sol tags in Zaria! Lash and Zaria stare down and circle. Lash pushes first, then they tie up. Zaria whips Lash away but Lash RAMS her! Zaria comes back to RAM Lash! Lash rebounds to RAM Zaria, but Zaria dodges the boot! Zaria fireman’s carries, but Lash fights free!
Lash clamps onto Zaria’s neck, CHOKE- NO, Zaria slips free and kicks low! Zaria reels Lash in, but Lash fights the suplex! Zaria fires hands, but Lash still fights! Lash wrenches and scoops, and the fans fire up as Lash spins and SLAMS! Lash runs, but Zaria avoids the splash! Tag to Sol, and Zaria sends her in, Sol RANAS Lash out! Jakara runs up, Sol SUPERKICKS her! Sol goes up a corner while Zaria fireman’s carries Jakara! Sol & Zaria work together for Sol to STAND on Jakara, HIGH TIDE CROSSBODY onto Lash! The fans go nuts, but then Zaria adds on by THROWING Jakara onto Lash! Sol & Zaria stand tall while NXT goes to break!
NXT returns again and Lash has SOl up with both hands! The fans fire up as Lash then lets Sol down, but Sol dodges the lariat to sunset flip! Lash waves and leans back, then stands back up! Lash drags Sol up and throws her to the corner! Sol dodges Lash to roll her, TWO! Lash ROCKS Sol and Sol flops against ropes! Lash brings Sol around, tags Jakara, and the Meta Girls mug Sol! Jakara CHOPS Sol, then Lash feeds her to Jakara’s underhooks! BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Jakara swaggers, taunts Zaria, then handspring ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Jakara is annoyed but she clamps onto Sol with a straitjacket stretch!
The fans rally up while Sol endures, and Sol fights up. Jakara kicks the legs out to then trap them, and Jakara bends Sol back against the knees! Sol endures, gets her feet free, and she rolls back to have a cover! TWO as Jakara lets go, and then Jakara fires hands! Jakara whips Sol but Sol BLASTS Lash! Sol goes up and over Jakara but Jakara waistlocks. Sol switches, O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Sol hurries but Jakara has her foot! Sol hops up, ENZIGIRI but Jakara ducks! Jakara talks smack on Zaria, but Sol wrenches Jakara for a ROUNDHOUSE! Jakara staggers, Sol crawls, hot tag to Zaria!
The fans fire up as Zaria LARIATS Jakara! And BOOTS her! And then waistlocks for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Jakara flounders around while the fans fire up, and Zaria runs to SPEAR! Cover, Lash breaks it! The fans boo but Lash and Zaria stare down. The ref stops them from fighting, but Jakara CHOP BLOCKS Zaria! Lash tags in, and she hauls Zaria up. But Zaria fights the suplex to try a suplex! Lash fights that, and the fans rally as Lash and Zaria fight for control! Zaria powers through and she suplexes Lash up and over! Tag to Sol, SPRINGBOARD SPLASH! cover, Jakara breaks it and DROPKICKS Zaria at the same time!
But Sol gets Jakara with an X-FACTRO! Lash DECKS Sol! Zaria runs in but Lash dodges! Zaria stops short of hitting Sol! They both understand, and Sol pushes Zaria aside to take the BOOT! Zaria fireman’s carries, but Jakara saves Lash! Lash LARIATS Zaria up and out! Lash opens the way for Jakara to DIVE! Down goes Zaria! Lash brings Sol around, bow ‘n’ arrow rack, LASH EXTENSION!! Cover, META GIRLS WIN!
Winners: Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson
The tag team comes through against two big singles stars, and you can bet The Meta Four’s ego is only going to grow. Will the Bougie Bully & Miss Jackson find their way back to some championship opportunities?
NXT shares footage from after last week’s show.
After their loss to Hank ‘n’ Tank, Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont regrouped backstage. Tyriek is getting sick of losing. Tyson says they’ll get ’em next time. What Tyson wants to know is, what was that about? What was what about? They lost! Yeah, but Tyriek blew off Hank ‘n’ Tank. So!? Tyriek doesn’t care about them! He is tired of being buddy buddy when that’s gotten them nowhere! They want to make it to the top! Or did Tyson forget that? Tyson didn’t forget. Tyriek says it is about checks ‘n’ championships, wins ‘n’ losses. Tyson says yeah, he gets that, but there’s a way to do that without coming off disrespectful or like a sore loser.
Tyson says they need to change the mindset. Wes Lee is hearing all this, and he asks, “Does he, though?” Wes doesn’t see what’s wrong with Tyriek’s thinking. Maybe it’s Tyson who needs to reevaluate. Wes says this place is cutthroat, and friends are overrated. Keep that same energy, it’ll take you places you wanna go. Wes and Tyriek fist bump, but who is in the wrong about how to deal with losses?
Jaida Parker w/ OTM VS Wren Sinclair w/ No Quarter Catch Crew!
Miss Parker may have lost in the Underground, but she’s taking it out on the woman who won that Last Chance Fatal 4 instead of her. Will Wren pay for simply being in the right place at the right time?
NXT returns and Wren makes her entrance. The bell rings, Wren tries to reason with Jaida, but Jaida pushes her! And pushes her again! Wren goes for a leg, Jaida CLUBS her down! Jaida whips Wren to a corner, runs up, but Wren ELBOWS her away! Wren BOOTS Jaida, then rams her into the ropes. Jaida uses the ropes to HOTSHOT Wren away, then she throws Wren into ropes! Jaida CHOPS away on Wren, then goes side to side, for the TEARDROP! Jaida is high stepping already, then she brings Wren up. Jaida suplexes for the FALCON ARROW! Cover, ONE!! Wren shows some grit but Jaida is right on her.
Jaida whips Wren, then Jaida RAMS her! Jaida backs off, runs in again, but Wren dodges! Wren waistlocks but Jaida fights the lift. Wren shifts to a full nelson! Jaida endures as Wren thrashes, and Jaida powers her way to switch the full nelson onto Wren! The fans are torn but Jaida spins Wren around to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Jaida clamps onto Wren with chicken wings, and the fans rally as Jaida shifts to a motorcycle stretch. Jaida steps over and sits on Wren! Wren endures being folded up, and the fans rally as Wren fights up! Wren grabs Jaida’s leg, but Jada CLUBS her down! Jaida brings Wren up and thrashes her around with a facelock!
Wren endures, wrenches out, and she ROCKS Jaida! Jaida ROCKS Wren! The forearms go back and forth, then Jaida CHOPS! Jaida SLAPS Wren, talks trash, but NQCC says fight back! Wren CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Wren LARIATS! And CLOBBERS Jaida, and then BASEMENT BULLDOGS her! Wren tells Jaida to get up, and she RAMS into her! Wren underhooks for a BUTTERFLY PLEX! Jaida writhes and flops out of the ring. OTM and NQCC jaw at each other, but Jaida trips Wren! It busts off for the boys and the fans fire up! OTM and NQCC brawl up the ramp and to the back!
Jaida fireman’s carries, Wren slips free and RAMS Jaida into the apron! Wren puts Jaida in, Jaida runs up, HIP- NO! ROLL-UP! TWO!! Jaida staggers up, but Wren has the GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!! Jaida powers out before the body scissors are on, BACK ELBOW! And then HIPNOTIC! Cover, Jaida wins!
Winner: Jaida Parker, by pinfall
Miss Parker gets her win back, but she still has to keep fighting if she wants to be a contender. How long must Jaida wait to get what she wants?
Tatum Paxley, Gigi Dolin & Shotzi Blackheart talk.
Tatum says they’re outcasts. Gigi says they’re loners. Shotzi says they’re badasses! Shotzi sees so much of herself in these two, especially because people stamp labels on them the moment they meet them. Tatum says Gigi & Shotzi saved her! They were the two friends she didn’t know she needed most. And now, Tatum doesn’t have to play alone anymore! Gigi says yes, but first, they take care of Fatal Influence. Jacy Jayne was Gigi’s best friend, until she wasn’t. And as much as Gigi despises Jacy, she knows everything about her. Jacy is stronger when she has someone by her side. Right now, that’s the champion, Fallon Henley, and her “new bestie,” Jazmyn Nyx.
Shotzi laughs at the irony, and Gigi says no one loves Jacy more than Jacy. Tatum says just like Fatal Influence did to her dolls, she’s gonna rip their heads off! Shotzi says “Dolls out, balls out!” And they won’t even see it coming. Except…
The Fatal Influence finishes watching this.
Jacy Jayne mockingly says, “Aw, how cute. The freaks of NXT all found each other. Too bad they don’t have what we have.” Fallon and Jazmyn agree. Those three don’t have the Influence’s style, aura, or unity as a team. Not to mention the Women’s North American Championship. But then in step Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn! The wicked witches say, “New name, same old Jacy Jayne.” And look, she managed to round up Fallon, and she even added a new little friend. Fallon asks what they’re even doing here. Jacy says they just seem to attract the freaks. Alba tells her to watch what she says. But what Isla thinks is there’s a lack of unity in Fatal Influence.
Jazmyn says she doesn’t know what Isla’s talking about. Well, when Alba & Isla look at Tatum, Gigi & Shotzi, that’s harmony. But these three? It is giving… turmoil. Jazmyn is confused, Jacy sarcastically laughs and says the witches see nothing. Fatal Influence leaves the “freaks” behind, but Isla & Alba say it’s so cute to see someone in denial. Will Fatal Influence fall apart under their own arrogance? Or can they last long enough to survive this nightmare before Christmas?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom VS Gallus!
Much like the Jersey Island Rocket pulled double duty at Deadline, the Undeniable Truth must now power through and fight to keep the titles. But can the best team in NXT today survive when neither of them is 100%? Or are Mark Coffey & Wolfgang about to put the Gallus Boys back on top?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see how much Fraxiom has left in the tank!
The teams sort out, Axiom starts against Mark but Frazer is worried already. Frazer tags in, he ties up with Mark, and Mark puts Frazer in a corner. The ref counts, Mark backs off, but then Frazer avoids the cheap shot! Frazer CHOPS, whips, but Mark reverses. Frazer goes up and over and handsprings away! The fans fire up, Mark runs up, but Frazer rolls him up! TWO, and Frazer arm-drags Mark to a wristlock! Mark fights up, Frazer wrenches, and Frazer ELBOW BREAKERS! Frazer reaches out but now Axiom is hesitant. That hesitation costs them as Mark RAMS Frazer! Mark whips and ELBOWS Frazer!
Tag to Wolfgang but Frazer fires hands! But Mark hooks Frazer, backslide, and Wolfgang drops a KNEE on Frazer’s face! Frazer has that face brace but it doesn’t do much in the way of protection! Wolfgang stomps away on Frazer, then has him in the ropes. The ref counts as Wolfgang thrashes Frazer, and then we get a glimpse of Luca Crusifino & Stacks watching backstage. Wolfgang YANKS Frazer up but Frazer lands on his feet! Frazer PELES Wolfgang, then DROPKICKS Mark! Hot tag to Axiom! The champs rally on Wolfgang with forearm after forearm! then a BASEMENT DDT! Mark runs up but into a SOBAT, KICK, and tilt-o-whirl RANA!
Mark tumbles out, Frazer regroups with Axiom, and they get moving! Frazer DIVES and down goes Mark! Axiom DIVES but Joe Coffey takes the hit for Wolfgang! Frazer DIVES to hit Mark again! Axiom gets moving, but his body gives out! Axiom flounders back up, Wolfgang runs in with a RAMPAGE SPEAR! Wolfgang runs up on Frazer, Frazer gets back, but Mark is there to APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans boo but Joe Coffey is all fire dup while NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Mark whips Axiom to the Gallus corner. Mark throws a body shot, but then Axiom fires forearm sin return! Axiom reaches out for Frazer but Mark whips him away. Axiom goes up, but Mark kicks the legs out! Axiom falls in a heap, Mark stomps him, then Mark tags Wolfgang. Gallus mugs Axiom, then CATAPULTS him into the BACKDROP! Axiom goes flying, Wolfgang hurries to cover, TWO! Wolfgang stays between Axiom and Frazer, then he kneels on Axiom while throwing down hands! The fans rally for Axiom but Wolfgang tortures the bad arm. Axiom fights up but Wolfgang whips him to the corner,
Tag to Mark and Mark ROCKS Axiom. Mark whips Wolfgang in but Axiom dodges! Wolfgang hits buckles, Axiom leaps over Mark, hot tag to Frazer! Frazer springboards to AX HANDLE Mark! Frazer BLASTS Wolfgang, then CHOPS Mark! Frazer whips, Mark reverses but Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Mark! Frazer dodges again, QUEBRADA DDT! Wolfgang is back but Frazer TOSSES him back out! RUNNING SHOOTING STAR onto Mark! Cover, TWO! Joe is relieved but Frazer hurries to a corner. Frazer drags himself up to springboard, but Mark moves! Frazer handsprings through, comes back, SLINGBLADE!
Frazer goes right up top this time, FROG SPLASH! Cover, Wolfgang breaks it! The fans rally up while Frazer brings Mark up. Mark wrenches out, ROCKS Frazer, and tags Wolfgang! Wolfgang scoops Frazer, ENZIGIRI POWERSLAM COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Frazer survives but Wolfgang tags Mark. Mark tags Wolfgang back in, and they haul Frazer up. HALF NELSON BACKBREAKER from Mark, and Wolfgang adds the HOWLING SWANTON! Cover, AXIOM BREAKS IT! The fans fire up again and Joe is beside himself! The fans cheer for “NXT! NXT!” but Wolfgang fireman’s carries Frazer. Mark runs, into a GOLDEN RATIO!
Frazer fights to sunset flip Wolfgang, TWO!! Wolfgang is free but Frazer jumps on for a SLEEPER! Wolfgang stays on his feet, Axiom takes aim! Wolfgang ducks in time, GOLDEN RATIO hits Frazer!! Axiom panics, Wolfgang drags him into a CATAPULT, DESTROYER for Mark!! Wolfgang KNEES Axiom out of the ring! Frazer hops on, POISON-RANA!! The fans are thunderous as all four men are down, and Joe has no idea what to make of this! Joe shouts to Wolfie to get up, but Frazer has him first. Wolfgang and Frazer fire hands, but then Wolfgang blocks a kick! But not the DRAGON WHIP! Frazer runs up, but Wolfgang FLAPJACKS him off buckles!
Wolfgang LARIATS Frazer down, then goes up the corner! Wolfgang reaches the top, but Frazer is right after him! Axiom tags in! Wolfgang shoves Frazer away, but Frazer backflips through! GAMANGIRI! Axiom goes up now, and he brings Wolfgang to the very top! SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Frazer tags back in before both men climb! Axiom aims, to SWANTON onto the Coffey Brothers! Frazer PHOENIX SPLASHES!! Cover, FRAXIOM WINS!!
Winners: Nathan Frazer & Axiom, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
At less than 100% total, against the THREE members of Gallus, Nathan Frazer & Axiom survive another title defense! But how can these two keep going when the rest of the NXT Tag Division is closing in?
Je’Von Evans talks with Hank ‘n’ Tank.
The Young OG tells the Blue Collar Belly Boys that they got a huge win over Tyriek & Tyson last week. Hank says same for Je’Von over Wes. Je’Von says hear him out. For 2025, Hank ‘n’ Tank: NXT Tag Team Champions! They love the sound of that! But they’re just trying to keep up with Je’Von. Well, thinking about it, Je’Von debuted in April, got respect from the Mad Dragon, won a battle royal, and his first PLE match was Heatwave in the main event. He took on Randy Orton, got to wrestle in the ECW Arena, met X-Pac, and… ALMOST won Iron Survivor. Yeah, that is a great year! Je’Von is on fire!
But then Ethan Page, disheveled and depressed, pushes right past them all. They’re not sure what to make of All Ego’s zero energy, but what is Ethan to do if he’s still going to be NXT?
Lexis King trains with Charlie Dempsey.
The Drama King says he’s ready to earn that Heritage Cup match. Dempsey says okay, and he brings out a deck of cards. King asks why, are they gonna play poker? No, this is called a Deck of Cards Workout. They keep going until there are no cards left. Just try and keep up. Five of clubs, that means you double it, ten reverse Hindu pushups. Ready? They get to work, go through the deck, and we get a montage of the pushups, the jumping squats, the mace swings, the walking neck bridge, and repeat. Dempsey is actually impressed. King says no shortcuts, no cheating, just old fashioned hard work.
Dempsey says he’ll keep the promise. They’re gonna have that Heritage Cup Championship match. They shake on it, but will the real work begin when the bell rings?
Ethan Page walks out to the ring.
He has a mic and is already apologizing as he interrupts the show. He just needs to get this off his chest. Ethan says everyone has every right to boo him, which they’re doing. Honestly, this is the same energy he’s been getting at home the last couple weeks, he deserves it. Ethan doesn’t think anyone understands the journey he’s been through to get to NXT. They don’t know the promises he made to his family. He promised his daughter that he would “win the big one.” And he did. He did it in NXT, he became NXT Champion. Not only did he become champion, he did it in record time. Faster than Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Sami Zayn. Ethan made history!
Ethan went through 18 YEARS of Hell to keep that promise, and he did it. The fans do applaud that. Ethan says he did it for her, for his son, for his wife, and fine, if the fans wanna boo, if the fans wanna cheer, that’s fine, they paid for their ticket. But right now, Ethan just wants to talk to his wife. Ethan says, “Without you, Viviana, there is no Ethan Page. I wouldn’t be standing in this ring. These lights would not be on me. These cameras would not be on me. These people would not be having the time of their lives what-ing me without you! Let them do what they want, I got to live my dream because of you.
“And that’s the part that rips me apart. I did it. But now every time I lose, you lose. My daughter loses, my son loses, the people that blindly supported me, they lose! When I come home and my daughter looks through my gear bag, and she’s looking for that NXT Championship and she’s empty handed… When I’m on the road and my wife sends me videos of my son crying because I can’t win… And the worst part is when I come home and I see the look in my wife’s eyes of disappointment. That’s the part that’s eating me alive. I don’t know if I love this anymore. And to be honest with everybody… I’ve just lost my smile.”
Lowell boos Ethan using that line in particular, but Ethan says they can mock him for being emotional. But this job- Je’Von makes his way out here? Je’Von says he just wanted to come out here and apologize for what he’s said back there. Je’Von saw how Ethan was, and it doesn’t feel good hearing about other people’s accomplishments. Because see, that’s all we’ve heard from Ethan since he got here. All Ego did this, All Ego did that. He walked in here all cocky. But Ethan, that isn’t really you, is it? Je’Von knows the real Ethan Page. Hear him out, really. Je’Von saw the real Ethan at Heatwave. It wasn’t what he did in the match, it’s what he did after.
Ethan won the NXT Championship, and he looked at his wife and kids and said, “I love you.” Je’Von wants to be real with Ethan. Not everyone can do that. The joy Ethan had when he saw his family after that, saw his wife and kids, the SMILE that he had wasn’t just some regular smile. That was a proud dad smile. That was a proud husband smile. That was a smile from someone that has been busting his ass for 18 LONG YEARS to get where they deserve to be. That smile came from Ethan. The fans cheer that! Je’Von says Ethan deserves to be here. The FANS know Ethan deserves to be here! The fans cheer that, too!
From now on, drop All Ego, let’s see the real Ethan Page! The proud dad, the proud husband, the REAL Ethan. And if no one else will say it, Je’Von will say it: he’s proud of Ethan. NXT is proud of Ethan! Look at him, man. They’re all proud of Ethan, and Je’Von means that from the heart. The fans cheer and Ethan isn’t sure what to say. Ethan thanks Je’Von, and says yeah, Je’Von is right. That made it all so clear to Ethan. Ethan shouldn’t be so worried about losing his smile. He should worry about taking Je’Von’s! ETHAN DECKS JE’VON!! The fans boo as Ethan rains down fists on Je’Von! Ethan storms out of the ring, grabs a chair, and storms back in!
The fans boo while Ethan scares off refs! Ethan puts the chair around Je’Von’s head!! Ethan says if Je’Von wants the real Ethan, here it is! Ethan STOMPS the chair!! Je’Von is immediately spitting up blood!! The fans boo, but Ethan took everyone’s kindness and threw it away in the trash! Will All Ego do whatever he has to in order to take over NXT?
Backstage interview with Trick Williams.
Sarah Schreiber is with the NXT Champion and says that moments before his main event match, he is really charged up. Trick says first thing’s first, nothing but well wishes and prayers for Je’Von after what Ethan just did to him. But to Eddy Thorpe, we saw how he lied his way into this match. Eddy gets what he wants, but so does Trick. The first time Trick won this title, he was happy just to win it. This time is different. He’ll prove all the doubters wrong and prove himself right by showing he IS the man around here! Tonight, we are in Lowell, Massachusetts, the home of hard work and getting the job done.
So while Trick may not have a Boston accent, he has the fighting spirit of Mickey Rourke! But Oba Femi walks over to say good luck. Whoever wins faces Oba next. And for what it is worth, Oba hopes it is Trick that wins. Because in three weeks, New Year’s Evil in LA, Oba will take this title from someone. And he hopes it is Trick. Trick tells Oba that he’s also looking forward to it. The Ruler awaits, will Trick whoop Eddy as an example of what happens when you doubt him?
Stephanie Vaquer speaks.
“Cora, you think I’m just another threat that you can get rid of. But you don’t know me. I didn’t become the best luchadora in the world overnight. La Primera (the first/the best) worked tirelessly to get here after years of hard work. But Cora arrived here first. She signed in 2021 and became the representation of the new era of NXT. Meanwhile, I went out into the world to face great challenges that made me stronger. Now, I am here. I got where I wanted. I found my way. And I will be everything Cora wants to be. Next week, Cora, I will take you to Hell.” Vaquer and Cora battle on Christmas Eve, will it be not so merry and bright for the Generation of Jade?
BREAKING NEWS for Christmas Eve NXT!
With Fraxiom once again surviving, that means we need new challengers! It will be OTM, NQCC, Hank ‘n’ Tank AND The D’Angelo Family in a Christmas Chaos Fatal 4 Way #1 Contenders match! Who wins themselves some golden tickets for Christmas?
NXT Championship: Trick Williams VS Eddy Thorpe!
As it has been said, everyone got tricked by the fake whodunnit mystery. Trick wants to shut up the doubters, but will he also dole out some justice? Or will the Alpha Wolf weasel his way to success yet again?
NXT returns once again and the fans fire up as Trick makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and with as much NXT history that’s been made here, time to make a little more!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Eddy runs up, Trick dodge and headlocks. Tricky hits a takeover but Eddy fights around. Trick denies the headscissor but Eddy fights up. Eddy throws body shots, whips, but Trick comes back to whip Eddy. Trick then redirects and CLOBBERS Eddy! And CLOBBERS him away! Trick whips, Eddy grabs ropes and he bails out! The fans boo but Trick goes to the ropes. Eddy trips Trick, but Trick BOOTS Eddy into the desk! Trick CLUBS Eddy, CHOPS him against railing, then CHOPS him again! The fans fire up while Eddy sputters. Trick puts Eddy in, runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Eddy hurdles!
Eddy CROSSBODIES Trick down, then runs up to kitchen sink knee! Eddy KICKS Trick in a corner, then bumps him off buckles. Eddy KICKS, whips, but Trick reverses. POP-UP HAYMAKER! Eddy staggers up, into the LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Eddy stays in this but Trick stays on him, DROPKICK! Eddy flounders to ropes, Trick runs up, but Eddy ducks! Leg lariat turns into a bad landing on Trick’s willy! Eddy SHOVES Trick to the floor, the fans boo, and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns once more and Eddy hurries to kick Trick down. Eddy snapmares Trick, KICKS him in the back, then covers, TWO! Trick stays in this but Eddy snarls. Eddy drags Trick up, cravats for a neck wrench, but Trick endures. The fans rally as Trick fights up, only for Eddy to wrangle him back down. Trick fights up again, turns, but Eddy fires knees! Trick still powers out! Eddy knees low to suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Trick stays in this but he clutches that bad neck. Eddy frowns and he sits Trick up for another cravat. The fans rally, Trick fights up again, and Trick fires body shots. Trick ROCKS Eddy, then whips.
Eddy reverses, drops down, then hurdles. CROSS- FACEBUSTER! Trick turns things around in midair and both men are down! The fans rally up while Trick and Eddy stir. Eddy goes to ropes, Trick rises and he ROCKS Eddy! And he ROCKS Eddy again! Eddy staggers up but into a wrench, body shot, UPPERCUT, and then Trick runs to LEAPING LARIAT! The fans fire up as Trick then FLAPJACKS Eddy! Trick kips up and the fans fire up! Trick storms up on Eddy, has the arm, and cartwheels to ripcord BOOKEND! Cover, TWO! Eddy survives but Trick brushes that off. Trick aims at Eddy as Eddy rises and the fans rally up.
Trick fireman’s carries, Eddy slips free, and Eddy KICKS, KICKS, and SOBATS! Eddy GERMAN SUPLEXES Trick away, and the fans boo as Eddy storms back up. Eddy runs to TOMAHAWK ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Trick is still in this and Eddy grows frustrated. They go forehead to forehead as they rise up, and the fans rally up as they start throwing hands! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster, and Trick gets the edge! Eddy wobbles, but he SOBATS! Eddy runs, but into Trick’s BOOT! Eddy PELES! Both men stagger, and Trick uses an EDDY GORDO KICK! Eddy Thorpe wobbles, into the turn, but he slips through!
Eddy uses a BACK2BACKBREAKER! Trick writhes but Eddy hauls him up! Trick RAMS Eddy into the corner! Trick swings, but Eddy ducks under! Eddy brings Trick out but Trick fights the German Suplex! Trick switches, fireman’s carries, and hits a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The hair comes down and Trick brings Eddy up! Whip and pop-up, but Eddy catches Trick! Facelock, IMPALER DDT but the ref gets taken out by the swing! The fans fire up, Eddy covers, there’s no one to count! The fans count, Eddy would’ve had this three times over! Eddy shouts at the ref to get up, another ref hurries out here! Trick rolls Eddy, TWO!!!
Eddy escapes in time, he shoots around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Trick ends up in a corner, BOOT from Eddy! Eddy keeps moving, ANOTHER BOOT! Eddy keeps moving, but into a TRICK SHOT!! Trick falls on Eddy, but Eddy’s got an arm on Trick! Both refs count a cover, THREE! But who wins?! Each ref saw one guy pinning the other, so who really had this fall? Ava comes out here to try and reason this out, each ref has a guy they’re saying won! Is it Trick? Eddy? Both? Neither? What a conundrum for Christmas! But as NXT goes off the air, social media catches Ava declaring this is a DRAW, Trick RETAINS the title!
Double Pinfall Draw; Trick is still NXT Champion
Lowell cheers but Eddy is pissed! A double pinfall draw and there’s no overtime for Eddy!? HBK hurries out here to try and cool Eddy off, but Eddy SHOVES HBK! Trick storms over and SMACKS Eddy! They fight into the ring, Trick dodges Eddy and hits the TRICK KICK! Eddy flops back out of the ring, has justice been served?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT here, but there was a lot that indicated they’re going to tape the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve episodes. Which is great, really, because the superstars deserve to have the holidays off so they can be with family or even just take it easy for a couple weeks. We got great hype packages throughout the show, especially at the beginning to remind us of NXT’s history in Lowell, Massachusetts. There was also a great one to remind us of the great lineage behind the NXT Women’s Championship, perhaps as foreshadowing for Giulia taking the title from Roxanne Perez for New Year’s Evil.
Good promo from Vaquer to call out Cora, they’ll have a very fun match. Good promos from Tatum’s trio and the Fatal Influence, and adding Alba & Isla to it is great stuff. That is long term story telling right there, with how Alba & Isla knew Tatum had her twisted side back when Tatum was trying to be buddies with Ivy Nile and Diamond Mine. That’s how long ago it was. That said, we’ll get a great Six Woman Tag, and at the very least, Gigi VS Fallon for the Women’s North American Championship. Maybe they even escalate things to another Six Woman Ladder Match, but they might be holding onto that idea for Stand & Deliver: Las Vegas in April.
Very good promo from Tyriek, Tyson and Wes. I hope Ty & Ty stick together, but then that would require Tyson pulling the same move as Johnny Gargano and join his Heel partner in being a Heel. But at the same time, we almost got nothing from Ty & Ty on TV so we need to see them more. And then brilliant stuff with Ethan Page and Je’Von Evans. The seed was planted having Je’Von excitedly push past Ethan as everyone was arriving, and then Je’Von getting hyped with Hank ‘n’ Tank was a great way to bring Ethan back around. Plus, what’s not to like about HBK handing down “I lost my smile” to Ethan here. Je’Von did great in his part after that, and then they did a great job with the fake blood from Je’Von’s mouth.
Another good promo from the Karmen-Adonis romcom, and I like that Dion just wants out of it. Lexis King and Charlie Dempsey doing their workout was good, but it also seemed like fanservice for the ladies. Their Heritage Cup match should be some great stuff, but at this point, shouldn’t Lexis win? Why go through the trouble of reforming him and giving him this second chance if Dempsey retains? Very good match from Jaida and Wren, but a lot of it was of course so we’d get OTM VS NQCC. Though, they stepped it up and made it a Fatal 4 Way so that match is going to be awesome.
Very good tag match from Zaria & Sol VS Lash & Jakara, and while I was surprised Meta Four won, I shouldn’t be. NXT logically let the established team that’s been doing stuff together for much longer beat the two singles stars who haven’t. Axiom VS Oba was great, but of course Oba won. Oba has his momentum going into New Year’s Evil, and that result put the pressure on Axiom & Frazer for their title match. Great sell from Axiom, I believe he “fell over” during the team entrance. And of course great match with Gallus, but I was legit surprised Fraxiom won. I feel like that hurts Gallus a bit, but with that Fatal 4, maybe the winner of that match finally takes the titles off Fraxiom.
And of course, more great stuff with the NXT Championship but also the story of Eddy Thorpe. Good promo from Eddy, and a good promo from Trick with Oba. Great match, and what a brilliant way to finish with the double pinfall. Those only watching TV ended up with a cliffhanger, but it was good to have this addressed tonight and then posted on social media. Eddy is about to get himself put up against Oba in one last tune-up after he shoved HBK like that. Trick VS Oba is going to be great, though, and I feel like Oba wins so Trick can move on to RawDown.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will Finn & JD (not) survive The War Raiders?
The Judgment Day survived Erik & Ivar last time, but now Finn & JD must defend the World Tag Team Championships without any help! Will the Prince lose everything tonight?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Ludwig Kaiser; Bron wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Raquel Rodriguez VS Kayden Carter VS Zoey Stark; Zoey wins and advances to the next round.
- WWE World Tag Team Championships: Finn Balor & JD McDonagh VS The War Raiders; The War Raiders win and become the new WWE World Tag Team Champions.
PLAY BY PLAY
CM Punk is here!
Boston, Massachusetts fires up as the Best in the World makes his way out, and he says, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME!” Punk high-fives fans on the ramp and in the front row as he makes his way to the ring. Punk grabs a mic while the fans chant his name, but he says careful, some people might get mad when you chant his name. “Not to call attention to people that don’t matter, but somebody that might get mad is the brave guy in the New York jersey over here.” The fans boo that man, but Punk says it takes balls to show up in Boston wearing a New York anything. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves!
“Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Boston or what?” The fans cheer that! Punk says he has to be honest, though, he’s feeling a little low. He is in a bit of a bad mood. Two weeks ago, in this ring, face to face, Punk told Seth Rollins, after Rollins said he spends a lot of time thinking of Punk, that Punk told Rollins he doesn’t think of Rollins at all! But over the course of the past two weeks, his mind did wander back to Rollins, and that put Punk in a bad mood. Because Rollins is right: Whatever this is between them, as much as Punk wants to sidestep it, put it in the past, even completely avoid it, it’s only a matter of time before they lock up in this ring.
Punk is also upset because something he very much enjoy doing, which is coming to this ring, mic in hand, and talking to his people, will always be overshadowed by the fact that every time he does it, he knows at some point… “That stupid music is going to hit.” Fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH!” and Punk says yeah, that’s the one. And Rollins is gonna tiptoe on out here in those stupid clogs like the Purple Pie Man from Porcupine Peak, laughing and looking like Liberace. And no, for the sensitive types, that’s not an insult. Punk happens to think Liberace is cool as Hell. What he’s saying, Seth, if you wanna interrupt him before he says it…
Rollins may wear Elton John’s sunglasses, that doesn’t make Rollins Elton John. And just because Rollins grew up idolizing Punk, putting on a pair of wrestling boots does not make you CM Punk! The fans chant for Punk and Punk says Rollins came out here, with a straight face, and told us all Punk “ghosted” him. And that’s true. But Punk isn’t going to litigate the past. HE looks to the future. And “lil’ bro” Rollins isn’t that future, but it seems they’re on a collision course. Rollins wants to paint a picture that Punk is bad. Fine, Punk will be the bad guy. Boston, show of hands: Have you ever been “the bad guy” in your life?
C’mon, now. Boston Bad Boys? Bean Town? Where are ya? Punk owns being the bad guy, but that’s because there’s no such thing as a bad student, just bad teachers. Rollins is CM Punk’s failure. That 16-year-old kid that wanted training, Punk will do it all over again. So if Rollins wants to interrupt, Punk will give Rollins that free lesson he wanted. But hold on, ladies and gentlemen. If Rollins wants to give Punk some shoes to fill, he will fill them. The bad news is, the last guy who did that was Drew McIntyre. Ask yourself the question: Are you tougher than Drew McIntyre? You might think you are, but Boston knows that you’re not!
And one think Punk knows beyond the shadow of a doubt: There’s not enough staples to put Rollins back together after Punk’s done with him. Oh, that doesn’t piss him off enough? Well, here’s something that will. It is the same thing that’s pissed Rollins off the 7 YEARS Punk was gone from here. It is hearing that during Rollins’ time, the world chant Punk’s name! The fans loudly chant “C M PUNK!” but then Rollins joins in! Where is he, though? Punk looks, a spotlight finds him, and Rollins is up in the bleachers! Rollins gets the fans to keep going while he goes step by step.
Rollins says, “Life is about perspective! And I thought, maybe if I came out here, I saw you the way these people see you, it might give me a new perspective. It might make me feel differently about who you are. So if you don’t mind, lemme take a good, hard look here.” Rollins squints as he looks at the ring. No, even from way out here, Punk’s still an a-hole. The fans go nuts hearing that and Punk says while he’s overjoyed Rollins didn’t come out here with that stupid song, this is the first time where Rollins is coming from the right spot. He belongs in the audience with the rest of the fans!
Oh, Punk thinks this embarrasses Rollins? It doesn’t embarrass him to be with the people. Rollins is a fan, he will always be a fan of WWE, even when Punk abandoned WWE and hoped it would die without him. Rollins put WWE on his back and made it stronger than it ever was! If anyone’s embarrassed, it is Punk! Because this “Fan” has more WrestleMania main events than Punk ever will! And that is FACT, Phil! Punk storms out of the ring, and he meets Rollins at the barrier! They brawl and the fans fire up! Rollins RAMS Punk, Punk turns things around, but producers rush out here, along with security and refs!
Boston wants to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Punk LEAPS off barriers to get at Rollins! They scrap on the ground, Adam Pearce gets them separate, and the fans boo. But Rollins breaks free to LEAP off the steps! They brawl more, Punk and Rollins are fuming, but then they go into the ring! They throw hands fast ‘n’ furious, and the fans love it! Refs and producers hurry in there but Boston still wants to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Punk is dragged out of the ring, Rollins is kept inside, but Punk grabs a chair! Rollins gets out, Punk drops the chair, Rollins picks up the chair, and producers continue to herd Punk away.
The fans boo but we all know this is inevitable. Wait, Rollins leaps over barriers to cut Punk off at the pass! The fans are thunderous as the fists fly again! Pearce only has so many refs and producers to stop this, and it takes them and the security to get these two to finally stop. Punk has Boston on his side, but will we see this go down in the near future?
Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.
Finn Balor still seethes over his Saturday Night’s Main Event loss, but Liv Morgan says she listened to Finn, and she did win! But why didn’t it work for Finn himself? Finn is just wondering where they all were on Saturday when he was left 2v1! Aren’t they a team? Liv says the group believed in him, they didn’t he needed the help. Plus, JD was focusing on the War Raiders, as he was asked. And well, Liv isn’t trying to tell Finn what to do, but Finn should try doing the same. The rest of the group is banned from ringside tonight, after all. But hey, don’t worry, Finn & JD have everything under control just like always, right?
And just like Raquel has her Triple Threat under control tonight. Because when we listen to Finn, we win. So, so much luck to Finn & JD! They’re gonna kill it! Finn thanks Liv for that, and Liv says she has something special for Dom & Raquel, let’s go get it. They head out, and Finn is back to seething. Will The Prince and his Irish Ace be able to survive with their gold? Or will it be lil’ sis Liv that holds all the power in the clubhouse?
Seth Rollins storms around backstage.
But Adam Pearce tells him to stop walking away from him. What was that out there?! What does Pearce mean, what was that? Pearce should listen to ROLLINS for once! He wants this fight! He wants the world to see this is the biggest fight they can put on! Pearce knows what to do, so he needs to make it happen stat! Pearce says if the two of them would stop trying to pull each other’s eyes out for ten minutes, maybe he could! Just give it a rest so Pearce can do his job! Yeah, do your job, Pearce! DO YOUR JOB! Pearce laves, but McIntyre steps in.
McIntyre says Rollins once told him, when it comes to Roman Reigns and The Bloodline, he just needed to “get over it.” Not so easy when it’s staring you in the face, is it? Did Rollins hear what Roman had to say last Friday? Once Roman vanquishes Solo Sikoa, the world will have no choice but to once again acknowledge him. Roman is the same person. Everyone is fooled except Rollins and McIntyre. And they both know that everyone enabling Roman needs to be taken out. That includes Jey, Sami, Jimmy, and ends with Roman. Rollins laughs and says yeah, McIntyre thinks they have this common cause and that makes them friends.
Rollins already took Roman out of power back at WrestleMania. And y’know who was by his side when they did that? Jey and Sami! They’re Rollins’ friends. McIntyre is not Rollins’ friend. Common interests don’t make friendships, friendships are made from respect. Rollins respects Sami, he respects Jey, but McIntyre…? Well, jury’s out there. So if he doesn’t mind, Rollins is going to do something that McIntyre couldn’t, and that’s end CM Punk. Rollins leaves, but will the Scottish Terminator only add him to the hit list?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Ludwig Kaiser!
While Survivor Series saw these two put on a banger with Sheamus, it is time for these two second-generation superstars to settle their score. Will Boston be barking with the Badass? Or will the Impeccable German follow in Der Ring General’s footsteps?
Raw returns and Bron makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly championship material!
The bell rings and Kaiser runs up, but Braon RAMS him into a corner! Bron RAMS into Kaiser again and again but lets off as the ref counts. Bron then whips corner to corner, and Kaiser stumbles forward, into an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Bron storms up on Kaiser but Kaiser fires hands! Kaiser storms up but Bron fires body shots! Bron wrenches and smothers Kaiser in a corner, the ref counts, and Bron steps off. Bron whips corner to corner but Kaiser reverses. Kaiser runs up, blocks a boot, “NEIN!” SLAP! Bron just scowls, and he TACKLES Kaiser! Bron rains down fists, then he doesn’t get why people slap him!
Bron whips, Kaiser reverses but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and LARIATS! The fans bark it up for Bron already while Kaiser bails out. Bron lets Kaiser think about what he’s done while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kaiser has Bron in a double wristlock. Bron powers up and out but Kaiser KICKS back! Bron LARIATS Kaiser! The fans fire up while Kaiser goes to a corner. Bron storms up on Kaiser, the fans fire up, and Bron rains down fists! Boston counts along all the way to nine, then Bron winds up, for TEN! The fans cheer while Kaiser staggers. Bron dodges Kaiser, catches him and POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Bron stays cool while he stalks Kaiser to ropes. Kaiser KICKS Bron from below! Kaiser goes back for the arm, but Bron scoops! Bron SLAMS Kaiser, then shakes out the bad arm.
Bron storms back up on Kaiser, but Kaiser CLAWS Bron’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Kaiser then puts Bron on ropes. Kaiser lets off at 4, but KICKS the ropes to jam up that arm! The fans boo but Kaiser’s homed in on a target. Kaiser stands Bron up, reels him in, but Bron suplexes first! Kaiser flops out of the ring, only for Bron to go to the apron! Bron aims, leaps, FLYING LARIAT onto and over the desk! Boston barks it up for Bron but that might’ve been double-edged for Bron. Both men rise up, and Bron brings Kaiser around to the ring. Bron puts Kaiser in the ring, checks his left arm, and rolls inside.
The fans rally up as Bron storms over to Kaiser, and Bron hoists Kaiser up top. Bron then climbs up after Kaiser, but Kaiser CLAWS eyes! Kaiser wrenches and WRINGS the bad arm out! Bron writhes, Kaiser pushes Bron around, and Kaiser stomps away on the arm! The ref counts as Bron is in the ropes, but Kaiser stops at 4. Kaiser drags Bron into SHANKLY GATES! And he uses the ropes for leverage! The ref counts, Kaiser stops at 4 again, and Bron writhes on the mat. Kaiser soaks up the heat while he paces around. Bron rises up but Kaiser KICKS the bad arm! Kaiser stomps away again, but the ref counts.
Kaiser brings Bron up, traps the bad arm, and TWEAKS it! The fans rally for Bron, but Kaiser has the bad arm again. Kaiser wraps it around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Kaiser lets off, and then Kaiser runs to DROPKICK the arm! Bron falls in a heap and Boston boos Kaiser while Raw goes back to break.
Raw returns again and Kaiser has the double wristlock, but Bron powers him to ropes! The ref counts, Kaiser lets go and Bron fires haymakers! The ref counts and Bron stops, but mostly from his arm hurting. Kaiser hammerlocks to HOTSHOT the arm! Bron drops to his knees, Kaiser runs up to DOUBLE STOMP the arm! Kaiser then grabs the arm, KICKS it, and hauls Bron up again. Kaiser fires knees but Bron fires haymakers! Bron gets the edge, and he ROCKS Kaiser! Kaiser shoves Bron but Bron comes back, into an ARMBAR DDT! Kaiser covers, TWO! Bron survives but Bron has the top wristlock!
Bron endures as Kaiser leans on the hold. The fans rally and Bron fights up. Bron rises, the fans bark, and Bron fires more hands! Kaiser CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Kaiser runs, but into a JUMP KNEE! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Bron rises slowly and the barking gives him the strength to fire more shots! Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and FLYING ELBOWS! Kaiser falls, Bron rises, and Kaiser goes to a corner. The fans fire up as Bron storms over to hoist Kaiser up again. Bron climbs, but Kaiser fires body shots! Kaiser CHOPS away on the bad arm! Bron drops back, but he gets right up! The legs still work! SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!
Kaiser stays in this and Bron grits his teeth. Bron rises, goes to a corner, and he vows to end this! The fans fire up, Bron runs up, but Kaiser fireman’s carries! KAISER ROLL! Cover, TWO! Kaiser has Bron in the SHANKLY GATES!! Bron endures but the fans rally up! Bron fights up with his legs again, and he manages to RAM Kaiser to a corner! Bron is free, he gets moving, but Kaiser dodges! Bron hits buckles shoulder first! Bron falls to the apron and Kaiser kicks him to the floor. Bron is near the steps, and Kaiser grins. Kaiser goes out the side, builds speed, and fans boo as Kaiser runs in, but where’d Bron go!?
Bron is doing a lap! FLYING SHOULDER outta nowhere!! The fans are barking as loud as they can for Bron! Bron puts Kaiser in the ring, then starts running! Kaiser UPPERCUTS, runs, but into a fireman’s carry! GUT BUSTER DROP! The fans fire up as Bron brings down straps! Bron runs, runs and SPEARS!! Cover, Bron wins!!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Boston is all fired up as Bron proves he truly has that dog in him! Bron toughs it out, takes a bite out of Kaiser, and moves on with the title. Will anyone ever end this badass reign?
The New Day arrives backstage.
They still don’t get why everyone hates them. And then they cross paths with Rey Mysterio. Oh, wow, he’s not gonna let them into the locker room? Rey says it isn’t just him. It is everyone else in there. Whoa, hold up. It is bad enough the fans are treating them like this, but Rey’s doing it, too? Ten YEARS of sharing a locker room, and no one has their back? Rey’s supposed to be a locker room leader, he should do something! Rey says he doesn’t know what to tell them, other than that they crossed a line with Big E. And Rey thinks it is best for New Day’s own good to find somewhere else to change.
Woods says wow. That’s fine. They didn’t wanna share a locker room with the others anyway. New Day rolls on, what will it take for them to get the message?
WWE shares footage from just after Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Kevin Owens brought about the controversy in his loss to Cody Rhodes when he wiped out two refs and brought in a chair. But even so, the Prizefighter was a sore loser, and he attacked Cody from behind! Then, even knowing the damage he’s done with that move to Randy Orton, he used a PACKAGE PILEDRIVER on Cody! The medical team got Cody on a backboard, but Kevin would STAND on Cody’s body, holding up the title belt like he’d won it. Cody was taken away to an ambulance, and social media had Triple H confronting Kevin, resulting in shoving and harsh words. What is the fate of the Undisputed Championship after Saturday night?
The War Raiders speak.
Erik says, “Tonight, we go to war with The Judgment Day. And for us, it’s more than just the tag titles on the line.” Ivar says, “When we first laced up our boots, the last thing on our minds was, ‘What could go wrong when the bell rings?'” Now, they know all too well. Erik tells us, “No one can describe the unbearable guilt when the strength hasn’t returned to your arms, and you can’t pick up your son.” Ivar says, “No one will tell you what it’s like to sit in a hospital bed and wonder if the nerve pain in your arms and your legs will go away.”
What happened to them should have ended their careers, but it didn’t! Ivar has walked out of the hospital TWICE. Erik held his newborn son. The Judgment Day tried to end them. They cheated the Raiders out of their glory once. But the Raiders are stronger than ever. Every match could be their last, but their moment HAS to be now! Erik’s sons have to know that all the pain and the damage was worth it. The only way to prove that is by bringing home the World Tag Team Championships. Erik & Ivar are ready, will nothing stop them now?
Backstage interview with Adam Pearce.
Cathy Kelley is with the Raw General Manager and says the Raw Netflix debut is highly anticipated already! There have been some rumblings of other matches set for that night, can Pearce give us any confirmation? Pearce says we’re in luck. One of the biggest nights in WWE history has just gotten bigger. After negotiating with representatives of both men, which were exasperated by tonight’s events, it is official! Raw’s Netflix debut in Los Angeles will have CM PUNK VS SETH ROLLINS! Cathy agrees, that big night just got bigger! The Best in the World and The Visionary finally have it out, but who will win on the biggest night in WWE history?
Liv Morgan, Dominik Mysterio & Raquel Rodriguez head to the ring!
The WWE Women’s World Champion has her “Daddy” Dom and her Big Mami Cool with her, and she is still the champion after overcoming Iyo Sky 1v1. Liv nuzzles noses with Dom before they get mics to speak. The fans boo as Dom is about to speak, but Liv pets him on the head to calm him down. The fans just boo louder. Dom tells everyone to please put your hands together to welcome the GREATEST Women’s World Champion of all time! Liv says the fans didn’t hear what Dom said, so she gets her megaphone! “I AM THE GREATEST WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION OF ALLLL~ TIIIIME~!”
Liv laughs but the fans boo more. Liv thanks Dom becuase without a shadow of a doubt, 2024 was the Year of Monday Night Morgan! Liv says be mad, because it’s just getting started. “There are a lot of historic changes happening in the WWE next year, and there is no one better, hotter, more iconic, and more dominant to lead this company to the future than me.” So if you think this year was something, just wait for- RHEA RIPLEY IS HERE! The fans fire up as Mami tells Liv that she’ll wanna stick around to hear what Rhea has to say. Liv says guess what? Nobody in this arena cares what-
Rhea tells Liv to shut the hell up!! This has gone on long enough. So it is time they settle this once and for all. The fans like the sound of that. Adam Pearce just made it official! Rhea is the #1 Contender to the Women’s World Championship! The fans fire up and Rhea tells Liv that she sees into the future. The only thing Liv can get excited about is the end of her title reign. Because Rhea will be the NEW Women’s World Champion! And all Liv will be left with his her “little chicken tender SLUT!” Dom catching strays, but when and where will Rhea look to rip that title away from Liv once and for all?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Jackie Redmond catches up with Rollins and brings up Pearce making it official. Rollins gets what he wants when it is him and CM Punk in Los Angel- SAMI IS GOING AFTER MCINTYRE! Sami wants payback for the sneak attacks and the loss at Saturday Night’s Main Event! The producers and refs rush in to stop this, but McIntyre vows to put Sami in a box! The hands keep flying, but clearly this won’t end without one more fight! When and where will we see Scottish Terminator and Honorary Uce settle the score?
Miz meets with The Final Testament.
The Hollywood A-Lister tells Paul Ellering & The Authors of Pain that he can’t say this enough, he has been so proud to team with them. Ellering is terrifying, Akam & Rezar are big and powerful, they don’t need Miz anymore. They don’t need anybody! Karrion Kross walks over and asks what they’re talking about. Just that they’re done with the Wyatts. They can all move on after beating the Wyatts. Miz and the Final Testament can go their separate ways. Kross tells Miz to stop right there. What the Wyatts did to Ellering and to Scarlett, this whole thing isn’t over until Kross says it’s over. Miz wants to speak but Kross stops him again.
Kross says they’ve just been reactionary to The Wyatts. Now, it is time to take the first strike. Remember the guy who kidnapped and tortured Miz? D-Dexter Lumis…? Yes. Miz is going to face him next week on Monday Night Raw. Miz isn’t gonna do that. Oh yes he is. Ellering says the way he sees it, Ellering has saved Miz twice. Miz owes them. Kross says Miz can just go to Pearce and get the match made. But as a reminder: Miz has won 22 championships in the WWE. Miz can do this. Rezar pats Miz on the back, and Miz says he’ll go talk to Pearce. Miz heads out, and Rezar asks if Kross really thinks Miz can take Lumis.
Kross says honestly, he doesn’t know. But they’re going to test The Wyatts. And Miz will learn a very valuable lesson: When you make a deal with the devil, you don’t run out on him. Kross leaves, and that last part may have been pointed at Ellering & AOP, too. Will Kross keep control of everything? Or is he the one messing with forces beyond his comprehension?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Raquel Rodriguez VS Kayden Carter VS Zoey Stark!
While Liv still has her world title, Big Mami Cool is hoping to join her as the inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Championship. But will she make it through the Pinay Party Girl and the Sin City Superstar? Or will one of them be the David to Raquel’s Goliath?
Raw returns and Kayden makes her entrance. The bell rings and Kayden runs up on Zoey! Raquel THROWS Kayden aside to then TOSS Zoey! Zoey and Kayden end up in a corner, Raquel runs up to SPLASH them both! Raquel fireman’s carries but Kayden slips fere! Kayden KICKS, KICKS, but Raquel CLOBBERS her! Cover, Zoey breaks it! Zoey fires hands on Raquel, the fans are torn, but Zoey runs up at Kayden Kayden dodges to then go up, and MONKEY FLIP! Zoey lands out! Zoey SYUPERKICKS Kayden, then slips around Raquel to DDT! Raquel flounders, Zoey runs up on Kayden, but Kayden KCIKS!
Kayden knuckle locks and CHOPS Zoey, to then go up, up and jump around to FLYING RANA Raquel! But Zoey fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Basement SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Kayden survives but Zoey brushes that off. Zoey follows Kayden to the apron, but Raquel is there, too! Kayden ducks and the SUPERKICK hits Raquel! Kayden ROCKS Zoey, but Raquel roars! Kayden ducks again and the BOOT hits Zoey! Kayden BLASTS Raquel off the apron! The fans fire up as Kayden builds speed to TORNILLO TOPE! Direct and down go both Raquel and Zoey! Kayden is all fired up with Boston while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kayden runs to DROPKICK SPLASH COMBO! But then she has to move, and Raquel’s ELBOW DROP hits Zoey! Basement SUPERKICK for Raquel! Kayden drags Raquel around by her legs, steps through, and ties Raquel up, but here comes Zoey! Kayden RAMS Zoey, reels her in, and she combines FISHERMAN SCREW with NAVARRO DEATH ROLL!! Raquel endures, Kayden pushes on the legs, but Raquel drags herself to the apron. Kayden lets Raquel go and focuses on Zoey. The fans rally up as Kayden runs, BOOT WASH! Kayden kicks Zoey and then IMPLODER LEG DROPS! Cover, Raquel drags Kayden out!
The fans boo but Raquel hobbles and brings Kayden up. Raquel scoops and aims, but Kayden slips free! Raquel runs into the apron! Zoey springboards to SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go Kayden and Raquel! Zoey puts Raquel in the ring, the fans rally up, and Zoey runs up. Raquel swings, Zoey dodges, but then Raquel POUNCES Zoey out of the ring! But Kayden O’Conner Rolls Raquel! ONEE, but Kayden springboards to BASEMENT DROPKICK! High stack, TWO! Raquel flounders to ropes while Kayden grows frustrated. Kayden runs up to SPLASH in a corner! Kayden climbs, but Raquel gets up and under!
The fans rally as Kayden fights with fists! Zoey returns and springs up behind Kayden! SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX for Kayden! A little double-edged but Zoey rises up. Zoey then runs up on Raquel, dodges a lariat, but the SOUTHPAW hits! Raquel covers, TWO!! Zoey survives and Raquel is furious! Raquel stalks Zoey to the apron, drags her up by the hair, but Kayden goes to roll Raquel! Raquel picks Kayden up! FALL AWAY SLAM! Then the VADER ELBOW! But Raquel isn’t done! TEJANA- MISSILE DROPKICK from Zoey! SUPERKICK on Kayden! Z 360!! Cover, ZOEY WINS!!
Winner: Zoey Stark, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Raquel is furious but she just got sniped by PFC’s sharpshooter! Will Zoey do the same to #CobraKai in the next round? Or will Dakota Kai make sure Damage CTRL takes control of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship?
The Alpha Academy is backstage.
And the “Alpha Babes” are showing off the new merchandise. Maxxine Dupri asks what R-Truth thought of their True Classics commercial. Truth says it was outstanding! They influenced the influencers! Squats, lunges, scorpion, Truth changed his workout cuz of them! If that son of a Butch had just taken their advice, Truth wouldn’t have beaten them so easy. But speaking of, Dunne storms in! Truth needs to keep that name out of his mouth! Dunne keeps hearing it because of him! Truth didn’t tell anyone to say anything! Yes, he did! It all came from Truth! And if Dunne has to hear it one more time, Truth gets his face broken!
Truth says #ButchPlease! Otis steps in between them, and Dunne says this is the last warning. Truth and Dunne go their separate ways, and then American Made walks by. Chad Gable says, “Look at this clown show.” They’re happy with what they’ve done to Gable’s academy?! They RUINED it! Gable made them into stars they could’ve never been, helped them flourish, and they make it a joke! Gable saw that commercial, it was pathetic! Maxxine’s pathetic, Tozawa’s pathetic, and Otis is the worst of them all! When Gable first met Otis, Otis was an insignificant little- Otis tells Gable to SHUT UP!
Gable is taken aback, but he says he was right. Time to kill the past. And he starts with… Tozawa! Gable leads his new team away, but will he regret treating the Stamina Monster as the weakest link?
Backstage interview with The New Day.
Jackie Redmond is with Kofi & Woods as they clearly are still looking for a place to call a locker room. But that’s besides the point. Last week, the Raw media team tried to interview them and it didn’t go well. Woods says yeah, yeah, sure. But it was biased journalism! If someone would give them a fair chance to tell their story- OH NO, another disturbance?! PFC just put Kairi Sane’s arm in a road case and SLAMMED the lid on it!! They run away, DMG CTRL hurries over, and the Pirate Princess might have just been taken out of the tournament without a match! Will Adam Pearce be able to get a replacement for Kairi in time for the final Triple Threat?
WWE World Tag Team Championships: Finn Balor & JD McDonagh VS The War Raiders!
With all the cheating, scheming, yet also complaining, The Prince has made his bed and is going to have to lie in it! But will he be bringing the Irish Ace down with him? Or will they be able to survive the war without the rest of Judgment Day watching their backs?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team is truly the best!
The teams sort out and Ivar starts against JD. They knuckle lock but JD kicks again and again. JD headlocks but Ivar powers up and out. JD leaps but he bounces off of Ivar! JD scrambles out of the ring, Finn coaches him up, but Ivar TOSSES Finn into the ring! JD returns, but Ivar scoops and SLAMS him! Ivar then scoops and SLAMS Finn onto JD! Tag to Erik, and Ivar scoops to SLAM JD again! Erik scoops Ivar to SLAM him onto JD! JD sputters and the fans fire up with the Raiders while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Erik brings JD up to whip him into Ivar’s knee! Ivar whips JD into Erik’s KNEE! JD flops over and the fans fire up! Ivar whips JD, JD grabs ropes and KICKS back! Tag to Finn, but Ivar scoops! Finn slips free, waistlocks, but I var elbows him away. Finn stumbles into the ref, distracting him from JD’s HOTSHOT! Ivar staggers, Finn dragon sleepers! FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO! Finn CHOKES Ivar on ropes but the ref counts. Finn stops at 4, flexes as he soaks up heat, and then he CHOKES Ivar again! The ref counts, Finn stops, but then he CHOKES Ivar on the bottom rope.
Finn lets off and “apologizes” this time, but JD GUILLOTINE LEG DROPS Ivar in the ropes! The fans boo but JD taunts them all. Finn stomps away on Ivar, then he CLUBS Ivar down. Finn throws hands, tags JD, and they double whip Ivar to ropes. Ivar breaks the line with bulk alone! Ivar then handsprings to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! Boston goes wild and Ivar reaches out! JD anchors a foot, but Ivar still fights his way forward! Ivar drags JD along, then tags in Erik! Erik wrenches JD to clinch and EXPLODER! JD flounders up, Erik blocks a shot to DECK JD! Then Erik deadlifts JD for a BIG back suplex!
The fans fire up again but here comes Finn! Erik dodges and clinches to URENAGE! The fans fire up with Erik and he whips JD. JD reverses but Erik goes up and over and keeps moving. Erik CLOBBERS JD! Erik TOSSES JD right out of the ring and the fans fire up again! Erik takes aim, and he builds speed, only for Finn to trip him up! Erik drags Finn up by his neck! But JD KNEES Erik out of the ring! Tag to Finn, he and JD double whip Erik hard into steel steps! Finn drags Erik back up, brings him back around, and Judgment Day double whip Erik back into the steps! The steps go sliding away while Finn soaks up heat, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more and Finn stomps away on Erik at the ropes! The ref counts, Finn stops at 4, and he tags in JD. JD aims to slingshot ARABIAN PRESS! Cover, TWO! Erik is tougher than that, but JD drags him over. JD has the neck for a NECK TWIST! JD then runs to FALLING AX HANDLE! Erik writhes, his neck a major concern. JD goes up the corner, and he DIVING AX HANDLE FLOPS as Erik moves! The fans fire up as Erik crawls, but so does JD! Hot tags to Ivar and Finn! The War Beard rallies on Finn, hits a SIDEWALK SLAM, and a SPLASH! The fans fire up and Ivar runs corner to corner.
Finn dodges, comes back in, but into a SEATED SENTON! JD is back, Ivar cartwheels and clips JD! Then he HEEL KICKS! JD falls in a heap and Ivar has the fans fired up! “WAR! WAR! WAR!” Ivar aims at Finn in a corner, BRONCO BUSTER! Ivar then goes up the corner! The fans fire up but Finn trips Ivar first! Finn tags JD, JD hurries after Ivar, but Ivar’s too much to superplex! Ivar scoops JD for a SUPER POWERSLAM!! Cover, TWO!! JD survives but Ivar tags in Erik! The Raiders haul JD up, whip and pop-up, THOR’S HAMMER! Cover, FINN BREAKS IT! Ivar grabs Finn to TOSS him out!
The War Raiders regroup and Erik tags Ivar back in. Tag back to Erik and the fans rally up. Erik hauls JD up, feeds him to Ivar, another pop up! Ivar goes up the ropes, but Finn trips Ivar up! JD slips free of Erik to roll him up! TWO!! Erik escapes but JD HEADBUTTS! JD falls back but tags in Finn! Finn hauls Erik up, but Erik KICKS, KNEES, and ROCKS Finn! Finn rebounds, into a clinch! Full nelson and BACKBREAKER KNEE! Erik runs but into a SLINGBLADE! Finn aims, Erik rises, SHOTGUN into the corner! Tag to JD and then tag back to Finn! JD goes up to MOONSAULT! Finn goes up to COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, IVAR BREAKS IT!
Finn is shocked and furious, but JD goes after Ivar! JD TOSSES Ivar, and Finn wants a chair!? JD goes out and looks under the ring. JD brings out a chair! Time to use Champion’s Advantage! But the ref stops JD, so Finn goes out the side to get another chair! Wait, someone else is grabbing that chair! Finn looks over, it’s DAMIAN PRIEST! Judgment Day was banned from ringside, but Priest isn’t Judgment Day anymore! Priest YANKS Finn into the barriers! Finn is furious, but then Ivar CLOBBERS JD! Finn goes back to the ring, but Erik tags Ivar! Finn realizes too late what’s going on as Erik whips him to Ivar!
Ivar pops Finn up and Erik has him! Ivar springboards for WAR MACHINE!!! Cover, WAR RAIDERS WIN!!
Winners: The War Raiders, by pinfall (NEW WWE World Tag Team Champions)
Priest applauds as justice is served to Judgment Day! Erik & Ivar once again have championships, and the pyro goes off in celebration! Will nothing stop the raid now that it’s captured gold? What will become of The Judgment Day now that Finn & JD dropped the ball?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, though surprisingly with only three matches. Granted, there were big promos and set-up for the Netflix debut in three weeks. Punk VS Rollins was a given but that was a very good promo segment and very good brawl to set it up officially. The interaction of Rollins and McIntyre was also really good, especially with how it set up that later moment where Sami may have very well saved Rollins from a McIntyre ambush. McIntyre and Sami could easily have a rematch next week for the Raw Before Christmas, or even the last Raw of 2024, but I guess we’ll hear more on that later.
Great match from Bron VS Kaiser, with probably the most creative way to turn things around on Kaiser’s turn-the-corner dropkick. Bron also did a great job selling bad arm, and he of course wins here to keep his reign going. I feel like they need to do something big to determine his next challenger, which should be a match for either the last Raw of 2024 or the Netflix Raw. At the very least, give us a battle royal on the last Raw of 2024 so the winner can turn around and face Bron in LA. Speaking of LA, I feel like there has to be Nakamura VS LA Knight for the US Championship on that card just on the grounds of LA Knight being from LA.
Great stuff with New Day and how they got kicked out of the locker room, as well as them being used to set up PFC attacking Kairi Sane. Though, I’m not sure why PFC needed to take Kairi Sane out. Kairi’s Triple Threat is against Alba Fyre and Natalya. Dakota Kai is Zoey’s future opponent, but I suppose Dakota will have more heat behind fighting Zoey now, but this was some plot armor here. At the same time, I feel like they dropped Natty telling Sonya she was ready for a change, could they be circling back to Natty as PFC’s fourth member? Meanwhile, I think Iyo Sky could end up replacing Kairi in the match, and Iyo could go for the Intercontinental Championship to make up for not winning the Women’s World Championship.
Very good promo from Miz and Final Testament to not only keep the feud with The Wyatts going, but to also tease that Miz wanted AOP to strike out their own again. Kross counters that idea but saying everyone owes him for keeping them afloat, which in many ways is true, but Kross will have to be careful not to end up fighting The Wyatts and AOP at the same time. Miz VS Lumis will be good stuff, and it’ll surely set up a rematch of the 8 Man Tag, hopefully with a big stipulation that makes it really wild. And good stuff from R-Truth, Alpha Academy, Pete Dunne and American Made, that itself is a potential 8 Man Tag. Gable VS Tozawa next week should really lead to Gable VS Otis so those two can finally have it out in the ring.
We got great stuff out of Judgment Day on the side of that tournament, too. Good promo from the group with Liv being passive aggressive and sarcastically optimistic. Good promo from Liv with Dom & Raquel as well as Rhea, and Rhea ends up speaking for most fans saying this story has to end. Again, this is either a last Raw of 2024 or Netflix Raw debut level match, and I say again, if Tiffany Stratton is going to be in LA for NXT that week, why not have her cash in during the Netflix show? Get the world title to rub it in Candice LeRae’s face, and even tease Tiffany going after whoever is NXT Women’s Champion for a showdown of top champions.
And great main event for the tag titles. The War Raiders had a great promo to put their story in perspective. Their real-life injuries were definitely scary, and their comebacks have been great. And combined with Damian Priest screwing Finn over like Finn’s done to him, great win for the War Raiders here. Finn will probably implode and want after Priest for this, they can finally have it out, and maybe Judgment Day is torn apart because of it. Personally, there should be a “Loser Leaves Raw” stipulation. Even with the “Transfer Window” going on, it should get to where one of them has to go to SmackDown and start fresh.
My Score: 8.8/10
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