Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (10/2/23)
Rev up your engines!
Get ready to pull into the Fastlane!
Fastlane is this Saturday, so Raw is tuning things up! But will Seth Rollins be in any shape to take on Shinsuke Nakamura in their Last Man Standing match? Or will the King of Strong Style have an ace up his sleeve?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Nia Jax VS Shayna Baszler; No Contest?
- Jey Uso VS Damian Priest w/ The Judgment Day; No Contest?
- The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri VS Imperium; Imperium wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch VS Tegan Nox; Postponed.
- Bronson Reed VS Cedric Alexander; Reed wins.
- Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston VS Ivar w/ Sarah Logan; Woods wins.
- Tegan Nox VS Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven; Tegan wins.
- Drew McIntyre VS The Miz; McIntyre wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER w/ Imperium VS Tommaso Ciampa; Gunther wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler are brawling!
They were supposed to open with their match but neither wanted to wait! Nia throws Shayna down the ramp, then RAMS her into the apron! Nia puts Shayna in the ring, the refs want them to stop, but Shayna fires off on Nia! Shayna jumps on with a SLEEPER! The fans fire up but Nia flails and RAMS Shayna into a corner! And again, and again, and again! Fans boo but Nia roars! But wait! Here comes RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ! Big Mami Cool is coming after the Irresistible Force and she fires off hands! Nia shoves back, Raque BOOTS but hits Shayna by accident! Nia CLOBBERS Raquel, but wait! RHEA RIPLEY is here!
Fans fire up as The Eradicator TACKLES the Annihilator! Fans are thunderous, they’re all scrapping now because none of them like each other! Fans fire up, security rushes in to stop this, but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Rhea CLOBBERS security! RIPTIDE!! Fans love that! The Women’s World Champion shouts at all her challengers, and then Shayna chases Nia to the back! Producers rush out to try and stop this, but the fans are on Mami Rhea’s side! Rhea then gets a mic to shout, “Mami’s back on Monday Night Raw!” San Jose cheers and Rhea says she ain’t done yet! She’s staying here to handle business!
Rhea tells the rest of Judgment Day to get out here so they can talk. Mami will have to wait a minute, but does this mean she saw No Mercy on Saturday…? Dominik Mysterio sulks his way out, wearing Rhea’s title, and Damian Priest is with him. They enter the ring, but where is Finn Balor? Guess we’ll hear everyone out, after the break.
Raw returns and Rhea tells the fans to show respect to Damian and Dom! Fans boo instead. Rhea says now that she got all that off her chest, she has Judgment Day business to attend. We all know that there is no leader in the Judgment Day, right? Right? Right. But they each have their own responsibilities to handle. And someone has to come up with a game plan so things don’t go downhill. Right, Dom? R-Right… So what happened? Mami got taken out by Nia Jax and things start falling apart! Because Mami is the one that makes the plans. But in the end, her being out, she left that responsibility to someone and they disappointed her.
Mami left that responsibility… to Priest. Fans are a little stunned. Rhea was gone, and Priest couldn’t handle the job. After the brawl last week, Finn is out injured, and Priest isn’t even cleared to compete against Jey tonight! And what else? Huh? Dom loses his NXT North American Championship to Trick Williams at No Mercy! Fans cheer that, but she tells ’em to shut up! She puts it on Priest for not being there to help Dom like Rhea said to. And now there’s this Cody and Jey situation. They don’t fear the Judgment Day. And why? Because there’s tension! Because the Judgment Day isn’t a threat! And now they’re gonna try and take those tag titles away!
What is Priest gonna do about it? Nothing? Priest says with all due respect, she is not saying anything he doesn’t already know. Yeah, Cody and Jey are coming for these tag titles. But when push comes to shove, Priest will push harder. And with that said, SCREW Cody Rhodes! SCREW Main Event Jey Uso! And while we’re at it, all these talks about Judgment Day falling apart, screw that, too! But the way Priest sees it, he has his titles. And he has his MITB contract. He’s not pointing fingers or nothing, but… “Mami, where’s Dom Dom’s title?” Fans love Priest turning the tables! Rhea then looks over her shoulder at Dom, and Dom sulks again.
Fans chant “WHERE’S YOUR TITLE?” and Rhea asks Dom, she’s his Mami, right? So what does that make Dom? That makes him Papi. So tomorrow night, on NXT, Dom has a rematch with Trick. “You’re welcome.” Fans boo, but Rhea warns Dom that if he doesn’t come home with that title, then don’t bother coming home at all. Fans go wild hearing the ultimatum. But then here comes Jey! San Jose fires up and bounces along with the beat as Main Event Jey heads down to the ring. Jey then gets in the ring and he gets a mic for himself. Fans chant, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” and Jey smiles as he looks Judgment Day in the eye.
Jey says hey, first and foremost importantly, let’s welcome back Ms. Rhea Ripley. “We missed you. We all missed you.” But it looks like there’s a new Tribal Chief on Mondays, and she apparently has bigger balls than Roman Reigns ever did. Priest tells Jey that he is real tired of Jey opening his mouth. Priest tells Jey in Spanish that he’s gonna shut it, but then Dom steps up? Fans boo as Dom lifts the mic, and Dom says, “Damian… You’re not medically cleared to handle Judgment Day business. So I’m gonna take care of business, for Mami.” Dom wants Jey! Priest says that’s a great idea, go ahead.
Priest and Rhea argue but Priest says if Dom wants to be Papi, let him be Papi. Fans chant “WHOOP HIS ASS!” as Jey and Dom square off. Priest and Rhea drop back, and then Dom swings! Jey dodges to SUPERKICK Dom down! But then JD MCDONAGH attacks! The Irish Ace CLUBS away on Jey, helps Dom up, but Jey fires haymakers on McDonagh! But then Dom DECKS Jey! Dom & McDonagh stomp away on Jey, haul him up, and they mug Jey! Priest nods and steps back in, briefcase at the ready. But then here comes Cody! The American Nightmare rushes in, he fakes the Irish Ace out and Jey SUPERKICKS McDonagh down!
Cody kicks Dom to RHODES UPPERCUT! Priest just watches as Jey SUPERKICKS Dom into the CROSS RHODES! Cody and Jey stare Priest down, but Adam Pearce storms out. Enough chaos tonight! We resolve this at Fastlane as Cody & Jey take on Finn & Priest! And just so everyone understands, that match WILL BE for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships! Priest is furious, and Finn isn’t even here to be upset! How will the Punisher & Prince prepare for this high stakes match going into Indianapolis?
The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri VS Imperium!
Chad Gable came oh so close and yet is still oh so far away from holding the Intercontinental Championship. But he and Otis won’t stop fighting to get to the top, will they SHOOOOOSH Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci? Or will Gunther’s goons keep Gable down?
Raw returns and Imperium makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Ludwig starts against Gable. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Ludwig powers Gable back. Ludwig swings, Gable dodges and arm-drags! Gable has the armlock, fans rally as Gable headlocks, but Ludwig powers up and chinbars free. Ludwig headlocks, Gable powers out but Ludwig runs him over! Ludwig dusts himself off while fans boo, but Ludwig clamps onto Gable’s arm. Gable endures, fans rally, and Gable fights up. Gable rolls, bridges, handsprings, and spins to headlock, spin, drop toehold and armlock! Fans cheer but Ludwig fights up.
Ludwig throws Gable down by his hair, then PENALTY KICKS Gable down! Fans boo but Ludwig tells Vinci to handle this. Tag and Vinci runs up to stomp a mudhole! Vinci CHOPS, UPPERCUTS, and then headlocks Gable to grind him down. Gable endures, fights up, powers out, and things speed up. Gable goes up to “A THANK YEW~” headscissor! Vinci staggers around but he fights the waistlock. Vinci shoves Gable, Gable rolls and has the leg, ANKLE LOCK! Vinci has had leg problems before, he rolls but that sends Gable into Ludwig! Ludwig goes down, Vinci back suplexes but Gable lands on his feet!
Gable clinches to EXPLODER! Fans fire up with Gable, “A THANK YEW~!” Gable goes up but Ludwig drags Vinci out of the ring. Ludwig gets mad at Vinci, but then Otis gives Gable a boost to FLY! Direct hit on Vinci! Ludwig is fuming but the fans are loving this as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ludwig CLUBS Gable down. Gable CHOPS in return! Ludwig is stinging, but Gable CHOPS him again! Ludwig runs to UPPERCUT! Gable flops out of the ring, Ludwig keeps the ref busy and Vinci goes to get Gable. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Otis protests but Ludwig WRECKS Gable with a dropkick! Gable falls to the floor, Imperium looms over him, and then they cool off. The ref starts a ring count but Ludwig puts Gable in at 4 of 10. Ludwig drags Gable up to DECK him, but fans rally up. Vinci tags in, he stomps Gable, and then brings Gable up. Vinci UPPERCUTS Gable down, then UPPERCUTS him down again!
Gable flounders, gets upset, but Vinci UPPERCUTS into a backslide! TWO, and Vinci blocks a kick to short arm LARIAT! Fans boo but Ludwig tags in now. Vinci thought he was doing good but this is Ludwig wanting to get some credit. Ludwig blocks a boot, says “NEIN!” and he DECKS Gable! Cover, TWO! Ludwig keeps on Gable with a cobra clutch and he grinds Gable down. Fans rally, Gable fights up and throws hands, but Ludwig CLUBS him down! Ludwig whips, Gable reverses but Ludwig sunset flips, only for Gable to roll through! ANKLE LOCK! Ludwig BOOTS Gable away, but Gable BLASTS Vinci off the apron!
Ludwig swings, Gable gets under to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Gable crawls, and Ludwig sees he has no one to tag! Hot tag to Otis! Otis BLAST through the lariat, BLASTS through the uppercut, rolls under and DISCUS LARIATS! Fans fire up as Otis ELBOWS Vinci! Otis scoops Ludwig to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Otis SPLASHES Ludwig and down he goes! Fans fire up, but Vinci runs in! Otis catches the springboard, to POWERSLAM Vinci! Off comes the shirt! CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Ludwig goes to the apron but Otis puts him on the top rope! Otis then climbs, hauls Ludwig up, but Vinci trips Otis! Ludwig falls on Otis in a CROSSBODY!
But then Gable CANONBALLS Vinci! Ludwig ENZIGURIS Otis! Cover, Imperium wins!!
Winners: Imperium, by pinfall
Vinci did his job, and he wants Ludwig to know that. Ludwig nods, but this is just night one. Will the Pride of Italy still do his job for the glory of Der Ring General?
Becky Lynch posts a picture.
It is a rather nasty laceration on her arm, which happened during the course of her Extreme Rules match with Tiffany Stratton on Saturday. She types, “The Man brought Tiffany to the main event but she brought it to The Man. Respect.” Becky got ELEVEN stitches to close that wound up, but sadly that means her match with Tegan Nox will be postponed.
Adam Pearce talks with Tegan.
He apologizes about the NXT Women’s Championship match being postponed, and she understands. But then Chelsea Green walks in and says she has an amazing idea! Pearce says they’re in the middle of a conversation. With who? Her? Aw, she heard about Becky and is complaining? Honestly, the audacity of people. Chelsea just cannot. Tegan, you need to suck it up. If she were Tegan, Chelsea would be happy. She would almost want it cancelled so that she wouldn’t lose to Becky. Tegan is good, but some people just aren’t championship material.
Now, back to Chelsea’s idea! Tegan has an idea of her own now, actually. Now that her schedule is wide open, Tegan wants a match with… this. They can find out who really is championship material. Pearce says that’s a great idea! That idea is official! Chelsea is going to talk to management. She storms out but uh, Pearce is management. Will Chelsea just have to complain to everyone else after she loses to the Girl with the Shiniest Wizard?
Bronson Reed VS Cedric Alexander!
Auszilla is rolling after his literally massive win over Otis, but he isn’t stopping yet! Will this Tsunami take him all the way to a title match? Or can PRIMED Alexander survive?
The bell rings and Cedric runs in to fire off on Reed! Reed shoves Cedric, Cedric comes back to fire off hands, but Reed HEADBUTTS him down! Reed runs in but only gets buckles! Cedric goes up and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Reed tumbles out and fans rally for Cedric as he WRECKS Reed with another dropkick! Cedric runs and DIVES! Reed falls but gets up fast, so Cedric FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and down goes Reed! Fans rally up and Cedric brings Reed up. Reed shoves Cedric away, then ELBOWS him! The ring count is climbing as both men get in the ring. Cedric triangle jumps but into a LARIAT!
Cedric crawls, Reed drags him up and whips, but Cedric ducks ‘n’ dodges and NEURALIZER! Cover, TWO! Cedric doesn’t stop, he goes up top! But Reed choke grips him! And trophy lifts him! Cedric slips free, dodges again, but Reed BODY CHECKS! And SENTONS! Reed drags Cedric to the drop zone and goes up. Fans fire up for the TSUNAMI! Cover, Reed wins!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
Cedric was not war ready like Reed was tonight! Will nothing stop the Colossal Aussie from bulldozing towards a title?
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
Everything is lining up great for Fastlane. But uh, hold on, he’ll call back. Drew McIntyre is there and he tells Pearce he is not going to be on MizTV this week. McIntyre just did one last week because he felt the fans deserved to see him, but no, he’s out. Pearce says okay, he gets it. Miz wanted to give McIntyre an open forum, that’s why he requested it. Oh, Miz requested? Then absolutely not. McIntyre will still go out there to say what he has to say, but if Miz pokes his head out there, he will regret it. Pearce will send along the message. But um, Pearce hopes he isn’t overstepping, is McIntyre good? He just seems off.
Oh, is Pearce gonna come down on him for not doing the “right thing?” McIntyre doesn’t recall anyone doing “the right thing” when the Bloodline was beating McIntyre down. A fair point. But will the Scottish Warrior be able to get everything off his chest without someone interrupting?
Adam Pearce is in the ring.
He welcomes us to the contract signing for the Intercontinental Championship. Introducing first: the challenger, Tommaso Ciampa! The fans cheer as The Blackheart makes his entrance. Then the champion, Der Ring General, GUNTHER! The longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time smirks as he makes his way out to the ring. Pearce says they discussed the specifics, but we all know how this works: two signatures makes this match official. Ciampa takes a pen, opens the folder, and then looks at Gunther. Ciampa picks up a mic to says, “Hey. Yeah. What I’m setting out to do with you, that’s even beyond my own imagination.
“The morning I wake up to fight for that championship, the air is gonna taste different. The sun is gonna shine a little bit different. And there’s only two people in this world that’re gonna matter, and I’m one of ’em! You wanna know what the difference is between you and me? Ever since you came to the WWE, you’ve been served five course meals, opportunity after opportunity after opportunity. That doesn’t happen for guys like me! We’re served roadkill and we’re expected to turn it into filet! And when we do that, we do that enough times, then we get an opportunity. But that’s okay with me. I don’t need 100 chances. Boy, look at me when I’m talking to you!”
Gunther smirks as Ciampa says that when his music hits, when he fights for that Intercontinental Championship on next week’s Monday Night Raw, a title Ciampa has dreamed of holding since he was five years old, Ciampa will have his family ringside to watch him make history. But make no mistakes about it, Ciampa fights for him. Not for mom and dad, not for brother and sister, not for his wife or even his baby girl. No, next week, when that bell rings, Ciampa fights for that five year old boy who has dreamed about this moment his entire life as he wrestles with his entire heart! And in the end, he will be the NEW Intercontinental Champion!
Fans fire up and Ciampa signs his name. Then he shoves the contract at Gunther. Gunther takes the mic to say, “First of all, this is an official contract signing for the most important championship in this sport today, and you choose to show up like this? That tells me everything I need to know about you. But… You talk about your family, fighting for the right things, standing up for yourself. I respect that. Very noble motives. I fight for what’s near and dear for myself. You know what’s near and dear to me?” Fans ask “WHAT?” Gunther says this title is what means the most to him! Gunther IS the greatest and longest reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time!
Fans are torn and Ciampa sarcastically applauds. Gunther tells Ciampa to take a good look. Ciampa says Gunther seems so damn confident for someone whose entire world will crumble when Ciampa takes his most prized possession. Now sign the damn contract! Gunther tells Ciampa that Ciampa will never, ever interrupt Gunther again. Ciampa asks if he means like this. Gunther says once he is done with Ciampa, Ciampa can go home, hug his family real tight, and keep on dreaming. Because this is the closest Ciampa will ever get to this great championship! Well, if he’s so damn confident yet he hasn’t signed the contract, there’s still time.
They’re both standing here, Pearce is here, maybe they can change some words in this contract. In fact, there are cameras and people all around here in San Jose that would love to see history made tonight! They don’t need to wait until next week or even Fastlane! Ciampa would love to make Gunther tap out TONIGHT!! Fans love that idea! Gunther scowls, but then says, “Mr. Pearce, I think he should prove it.” Gunther signs his name, but does that mean what we think it means? Well then, it is official! This match takes place TONIGHT!! Fans are loving that, but then Gunther SLAPS Ciampa! Ciampa brushes that off, to LEAP onto Gunther!
Fans fire up as the brawl is on! Gunther TOSSES Ciampa over the table, then TOSSES the table! But Ciampa CHUCKS a chair at Gunther! And gets Gunther down, SICILIAN STRETCH!! Gunther flails, gets free, and is furious! But the match is tonight’s new main event, will the Psycho Killer take Gunther’s “Goldie” from him?
The Judgment Day regroups.
Priest says it’s that kind of night. He cannot wrap his brain around this! He can’t beat anybody up tonight, but they have to put up the Undisputed Tag Titles on the line at Fastlane?! He just doesn’t understand Pearce! McDonagh wants him to calm down but Priest asks why McDonagh’s even talking! Rhea has them both calm down and McDonagh has a point. They don’t want Cody, Jey, Sami or Kevin on the same page. Remember what it took for Sami & Kevin to be champions? Kevin already doesn’t like Jey, so how do you think he’s gonna feel about Jey going for the tag titles? This might be the very thing the Judgment Day can use to divide them.
And then, Judgment Day can divide and conquer. Rhea and McDonagh are in agreement, but Priest says he’ll think it over. Not a bad idea, though. Priest walks away, and McDonagh breathes a little easier. Will Senor MITB learn to finally accept the Irish Ace?
Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston VS Ivar w/ Sarah Logan!
The New Day were busy with Drew McIntyre, and that allowed the War Beard to attack outta nowhere! Will Woods be better prepared now that this battle is head on? Or will the raid still run through them?
Raw returns and Kofi has joined commentary while the Viking Raiders make their entrance. The bell rings and Woods SHOTGUNS Ivar! Woods fires off hands and CHOPS, but Ivar shoves him away. Woods KNEES Ivar, CHOPS and ROCKS him again, then whips. Ivar reverses, Woods goes up an dover but Ivar hits the SEATED SENTON! Fans boo but Ivar soaks up the heat. Ivar storms up on Woods, whips him to ropes, but Woods reverses. Ivar reverses back to clinch and EXPLODER! Woods flounders, Ivar runs in at the corner, BRONCO BUSTER! Ivar drags Woods to a cover, TWO! Ivar frowns but he drags Woods up.
Ivar CLUBS Woods, CLUBS him some more, but Woods gets away. Fans rally but Ivar TOSSES Woods to a corner. Woods BOOTS him, HONOR ROLL, but Ivar dodges to back suplex! Woods lands on his feet, but he tries to fireman’s carry!? Ivar is too big for that, and he CLUBS Woods again. Ivar whips Woods to ropes, but Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides to SUPERKICK! Woods runs in to clothesline Ivar up and out! Fans fire up with Woods and he builds speed, to WRECK- NO, Ivar catches Woods to RAM him into the apron! Ivar then runs to SPLASH but only gets apron! Fans fire up and Kofi says here goes!
Woods tightrope walks the barriers to DROPKICK! Kofi is fired up, as is San Jose, as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Woods fires CHOPS and haymakers! Ivar kicks low, reels him in to underhook, but Woods fights free of the bomb to kick, KICK and then duck to mule kick, kick and ROLLING ELBOW! Ivar wobbles, and Woods fireman’s carries?!? He actually does it!! Fans are thunderous as Woods hits a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Ivar survives but Kofi says Woods IS a powerhouse, do not doubt him! Ivar rolls, Woods storms up, only for Ivar to scoop and BACKBREAKER! And SLAM! Ivar goes to the corner, climbs up, and fans fire up again. But Woods CLUBS Ivar first! And again!
Woods turns around to bring Ivar off the corner for- NO, Woods collapses under Ivar’s weight! A bomb was one power move too far, and Ivar goes back up. VIKING SPLASH FLOPS as Woods moves! Woods Oklahoma Rolls, TWO!! Ivar is up, kicks low, and reels Woods in. POWER- NO, BACKWOODS CRADLE! Woods wins!!
Winner: Xavier Woods, by pinfall
Kofi and San Jose are all fired up, but Ivar CLOBBERS Woods! Fans boo the sore loser but Kofi storm sin! Ivar runs up but into a GAMANGIRI! Kofi goes up to FLYING AX HANDLE! But Ivar is up to HEEL KICK! HEEL KICK for Woods, too!! Fans boo but Ivar drags Kofi around. Ivar reels Kofi in, underhooks, and TIGER DRIVERS Kofi onto Woods! And then Ivar goes up the corner! Fans boo as Ivar VIKING MOONSAULTS!! A two-for-one on The New Day and fans lose their minds! If Ivar can do this on his own, how much more destructive will The Viking Raiders be when Erik is back to 100%?
Michael Cole is in the ring.
And he introduces the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, The Visionary, Seth Freakin’ Rollins! Fans sing “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as Rollins makes his entrance. Rollins swaggers out in his brown ‘n’ white triangle plaid suit, and he gets the mic to say “SAN JOSE! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” And give it up for the Voice of WWE, the one and only Michael Cole! Fans cheer for Maggle, and Rollins welcomes him to the party. Then let’s get right to it. Cole has had the honor and privilege of calling most of Rollins’ WWE career, and they’ve known each other for a very long time.
Cole has even helped come up with those great nicknames: Architect; Visionary; and even Great Manipulator and Puppeteer. But this time, it seems like Rollins is the puppet. Whoa, whoa, whoa, Michael! C’mon! After that great intro, this is how Cole treats him? Like Cole said, they go back a long ways. What show has he been watching? Rollins has been asking Nakamura for this rematch for weeks, and finally, he gave it to Rollins! Cole asks Rollins what he’s doing. Rollins has accomplished everything, is a first ballot hall of famer for sure. Rollins has never been in a Last Man Standing match, so does he understand what’s about to happen?
This is one of the most brutal match types in wrestling. Everything and anything can be used as a weapon, with only one rule: you must beat your opponent down so badly, that they cannot answer a ten count. That could be Rollins! It has been well-documented that Rollins’ back is hanging on by a thread. He could be days away from his career ending! His livelihood going away! So why the hell is Rollins doing this? The sunglasses come off so Rollins can be serious. The fans sing his song, but Rollins says “Michael, I’m gonna be honest with you. I don’t really know how to put it into words, man. But let me ask you a question real quick.
“How many years have you been sitting at that commentary desk, Michael?” 26 years! Wow. And how many shows has he missed? Um, just two. JUST TWO in 26 YEARS! Rollins then says Cole gets it. He’s addicted to this. This is a compulsion! And most importantly, he loves this. That is what it is for Rollins in this ring. That is what it is for Rollins to be in front of the fans. Rollins needs this, he loves this. He has an honor and responsibility and a duty. This ring has given Rollins everything. It put a roof over his head, food on his table, and how he met his wife, Becky, and they have a beautiful baby girl.
And when you are World Heavyweight Champion, all that responsibility gets amplified. You have to be an even bigger example. You have to BE the change! And if that responsibility takes Rollins to Fastlane for one last ride, his back gives out and he can’t do it anymore, that doesn’t matter. What matters is that Rollins left it all in the ring! Fans cheer that! Rollins says he will have then fulfilled his responsibility and be an honorable man and honorable example to his daughter. So you want a reason why? It’s that. It isn’t words, it’s a feeling. And tell you what, it feels right. But then Shinsuke Nakamura speaks on the tron!
“Seth Rollins! I am tired of listening to your nonsense. No one believes you anymore. Did I plan this perfectly? Or did you? Is your back injury just a lie to get sympathy? We all know you’re a liar! You say nothing will keep you down. You want the world to feel sorry for you? Well you can thank me when I make that happen.” And then Nakamura appears from the crowd to CLOBBER Rollins!! Fans boo as Nakamura hits a BLINDSIDE KINSHASA!!! The King of Strong Style struts around as his tron persona counts. Rollins flounders about at 5 of 10, drags himself up with ropes at 8, so Nakamura JAMS him with a chair! And SMACKS him on the back!!
Rollins writhes, but Nakamura SMACKS him again! Nakamura struts around, then SMAKCS Rollins again and again and again!! Nakamura then uses the chair to take a seat while the count restarts. Rollins writhes and spasms from the pain, Nakamura’s count passing 5 of 10. Rollins pushes himself up at 8, but Nakamura stomps him back down! Nakamura KNEES Rollins in the gut, ROCKS him with a right, throws more knees, then scoops to FULL METAL BACKBREAKER!! Rollins writhes from hitting the seat of the chair! Nakamura aims again, KINSHASA!!! Nakamura picks up Rollins’ mic to count this for himself! It’s a bit fast, but Nakamura gets to TEN!
Nakamura picks up the world title while fans boo. Will Rollins be able to rise up and get his revenge? Or is exactly how it’ll happen this Saturday at Fastlane?
Becky Lynch talks with Tegan backstage.
The Man wishes she could’ve put her NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Tegan tonight, but after wrecking her arm, she isn’t cleared to compete. Tegan wouldn’t be facing the best version of Becky anyway. But when Becky is cleared, Tegan better be ready for a fight. No worries there. But then Natty steps in Becky’s way. The Queen of Harts tells Tegan that she’s sorry. Losing this title opportunity, Natty knows what it is like to be disappointed. But they got off on the wrong foot. Natty has a different level of respect for Tegan after last week, and is genuinely proud of Tegan. Tegan will get her title opportunity against Becky again, and she will nail it.
So Natty wanted to get that off her chest. Tegan appreciates that. Natty heads out, but will the Welsh Firecracker keep making her proud? Or will she not be able to clean up the Hot Mess?
Tegan Nox VS Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven!
Raw returns as Tegan makes her entrance. The bell rings and Tegan runs in, but Chelsea BOOTS her down! Chelsea says high five, and Piper gives her the high-five. But then Tegan rolls Chelsea up! TWO, and Chelsea CLUBS Tegan. Chelsea runs but into an UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Tegan runs up but Chelsea duck to roll her up! Tegan rolls through but Chelsea SLAPS her! Chelsea hooks the arms, but Tegan powers out to HEADBUTT! Both women wobble and Chelsea SUPERKICKS! Tegan falls out, Chelsea tells Piper to do something. Piper says no, Chelsea’s gotta do something. Chelsea runs, slide, but Tegan dodges!
Tegan runs into the ring, builds speed, but Chelsea gets on the apron. Tegan SLAPS Chelsea down! Piper catches Chelsea, stands her up, but Tegan CANNONBALLS Chelsea down! Fans rally and Tegan puts Chelsea in the ring. Tegan and Piper stare down, and then Piper distracts Tegan. But here comes Natty! Chelsea SLAPS Tegan, but Natty hurries to stop Piper! Chelsea is distracted, Tegan fires hands and GOURD BUSTERS Chelsea! Tegan hits a MOLLY-GO-ROUND! Then the SHINIEST WIZARD! Cover, Tegan wins!
Winner: Tegan Nox, by pinfall
The Queen of Harts gives Tegan the assist against the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! Will this momentum help Tegan be more than ready for her shot at The Big Time?
Backstage interview with Jey Uso.
Byron Saxton asks Main Event Jey how he is feeling right now. Jey says he doesn’t really know. When Cody invited him to Raw, it was for a fresh start. When Jey was with Bloodline, Cody was the enemy. But then Judgment Day put them in the situation. Jey will throw hands with Judgment Day any time, any where. If it’s at Fastlane, good. If it’s for the tag titles, good. Main Event Jey & American Nightmare are good. Full speed ahead, y’all. YEET.
Drew McIntyre heads to the ring!
The Scottish Warrior is doing this on his own, no need for the Hollywood A-Lister and his “Must-See Talk Show.” What will McIntyre have to say about everything that’s been going on with him lately? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and McIntyre asks San Jose, “Whaddya wanna talk about?” A shot at Cody there… But McIntyre says everyone wants an explanation, “What’s going on, Drew? Why’ve you changed? You’re not the same guy!” He doesn’t have to explain a damn thing to anybody! The only ones he answers to are his fans! The ones who have been with him since he was 22! The ups, the downs, the firings, the titles, all the way until right now. And the truth is… McIntyre is gonna stop being the savior, stop getting into fights he didn’t start. He’s been doing it for years, from his business to everyone else’s business. McIntyre is showing up, fighting at less than 100%, and he is done with it!
He knows everyone’s noticed that he isn’t stepping up to save the day, but neither are they, so they’re a bunch of hypocrites! Except Cody, but we covered him, right? he’s cleaning up his own mess, he has his ego, this is like the Codyverse or something! Cody just does what he wants, says what he wants, McIntyre is at a loss. But here’s the deal: forgiveness for Jey is weakness, not strength! And another thing! “AWESOME~!” The Miz is here… Did he not get the memo? Miz says this must make Miz really strong because he doesn’t forgive McIntyre for what he did last week! Or that he cancelled this week!
Miz gave McIntyre an open platform to talk about whatever he wanted, and McIntyre just sat there! So what did Miz do? Out of the kindness of his heart, Miz told McIntyre’s story, did a good job of it, and- “Shut up, Miz.” Miz was warned to NOT come out here. So bugger off and let McIntyre finish what he was saying. You gotta stand up for yourself cuz no one is gonna do it for you. And MIZ is standing up for McIntyre! Miz was the one looking out for McIntyre! What’d he do? He told him to shut up! Just like he did here! McIntyre had 10 THOUSAND people telling Miz to shut up! And he has just as many more saying it tonight.
Miz tells McIntyre, “Ya think you’re justified, don’t you?” All edgy, taking a stand. Then why not embrace who you really are, McIntyre? “Shut up, Miz.” Fans echo that again. But does Miz want McIntyre to be the bad guy? Attack Rollins and his bad back to take the title off him? Maybe screw Jey at Fastlane? No, that is not how McIntyre operates. He gets the wins, he earns the shots, but since Miz is here, maybe McIntyre can get another W. Let’s fight, unless those balls are still tiny. Fans chant “TINY BALLS!” Oh, they want to see Miz VS McIntyre here and now? “YES!” Well, they are not dressed for a match.
Miz is in a suit, McIntyre is in a skirt. And you don’t think Miz knows what this is? McIntyre is painting himself as the hero, pandering to the fans, wanting them to think maybe, just maybe, he feels bad for what he’s done. But in reality, McIntyre is self-absorbed. McIntyre is selfish! McIntyre is “Good Drew,” but if someone gets beaten down, he’ll be the real Drew. This isn’t the Batman of WWE, this is Two Face! He just picks a side that benefits himself! McIntyre suggests Miz actually shut up. Miz doesn’t shut up, he grows up, and when he looks at McIntyre, he throws up! BLEEEH~! McIntyre says Miz is an idiot. Miz says McIntyre isn’t worth his time.
Well then, guess what? Time’s up. Time to fight. Whoa whoa whoa whoa, wait a second! McIntyre throws everything off and has his tights ready! Mama Miz always taught him that the bigger man walks away from a fight. So instead of playing the hero, Miz will actually be the hero. Miz steps out of the ring, fans boo, and McIntyre shakes his head. But then Miz rushes in when McIntyre turns around! Miz cheap shots McIntyre out of the ring! But McIntyre is still on his feet. McIntyre runs in, Miz stomps, but McIntyre RAMPS Miz into a corner! And then fires off windmill haymakers! Refs rush in and Miz gets away! Is Miz gonna have to fight McIntyre after all?
Drew McIntyre VS The Miz!
Raw returns and yes! Miz does have to fight McIntyre, and he’s the only one not dressed to compete! The bell rings and Miz bails out! Fans boo but McIntyre storms out after Miz! They run around the way, Miz slides in and stomps away on McIntyre! The ref reprimands but McIntyre drags Miz in to RAM him into barriers! And into the apron! And barrier! And apron! Miz writhes and McIntyre fires up. The ring count climbs to 5 of 10 but McIntyre CHOPS Miz! McIntyre scoops but Miz slips free to POST McIntyre! Miz gets in the ring, he wants the count to finish this! McIntyre slides in at 4 of 10 but Miz stomps away on him!
Miz claws at McIntyre’s face, the ref counts, and Miz lets off. Miz stomps McIntyre while fans taunt his “TINY BALLS!” Miz runs in, but McIntyre catches him! Miz begs for mercy but McIntyre THROWS him overhead! And then clinches to OVERHEAD SUPLEX again! Miz staggers up, swings, but McIntyre dodges to NECKBREAKER! And kip up! Fans fire up and McIntyre is having fun now! McIntyre kicks low, underhooks, but Miz slips free. McIntyre ROCKS Miz, but Miz dumps McIntyre out! Miz KNEES McIntyre int he ropes, to hit a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Miz then wants the ref to check McIntyre.
The ref checks, but this is all so Miz can untie a buckle pad! The ref catches that, reprimands Miz, and McIntyre stands to GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! Miz falls over, and McIntyre goes to the corner. Fans fire up and McIntyre starts the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” Miz barely gets up, though. McIntyre decides to bring out the REAL Claymore!! The ref says no, no swords! McIntyre says fine, and gives that over. Then McIntyre finishes untying the buckle pad?! And he SMACKS Miz off the steel!! And then FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
McIntyre gives Miz a taste of his own medicine, even though he didn’t need to. McIntyre gets the mic and says he was doing some serious thinking. He’s not the man he was 30 seconds ago. He is sorry for what he did. And now that he’s said it, he is forgiven! YEAH! McIntyre moves on from The Miz, will he dominate all the way back to the top of WWE?
Backstage interview with Trick Williams.
Jackie Redmond is with the NEW NXT North American Champion, and she congratulates him on the win at No Mercy. But tomorrow, he defends this title in a rematch against Dominik Mysterio. Yes, and may he just say it is an honor to meet Jackie here on Monday Night Raw. Allow him to introduce himself to her and the WWE Universe. He is Trick Williams. He is 6’4″, 240 pounds of muscle, with gold in his ear, gold on his wrist, and most importantly gold around his waist. He is your NEW NXT North American Champion, believe it! And tomorrow, he defends his title against Dirty Dom.
But speaking of, Dom walks in with Rhea & McDonagh, and he tells Trick to keep his name out of his mouth. Trick says Dom sure is more confident now that he has his Mami with him. Dom says keep talking trash. Rhea says tomorrow, Trick won’t have to worry about just Dom, because he won’t be walking in alone. And Dom will be walking out with his North American Championship. So keep it clean for him. The Judgment Day heads out, but will Trick Willy be ready for whatever tricks Dirty Dom tries to play?
Raw returns and Jackie Redmond is on stage.
She welcomes out her guest, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! San Jose fires up as Cody walks out on stage, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody hugs the fans in the front row, and then stands with Jackie. Jackie says hi, and says that earlier tonight, it was announced that he and Jey Uso are going to face Finn Balor & Damian Priest for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships at Fastlane. Does Cody feel that maybe he was backed into this situation? Cody will be honest, he never anticipated or planned on tagging with Jey Uso. But the Judgment Day are the ones who backed themselves into this situation.
It is the Judgment Day that has backed themselves into this fight. Their hyena like fashion of running around Raw, and now they wanna be on SmackDown this Friday. Great, because guess what? Cody will be there, too. And he won’t be alone! Jey will be with him, and they will march into Fastlane, win the Undisputed Tag Team Championships, and come back for a very different Monday Night Raw. Cody thanks everyone for their time, then heads out. Will the American Nightmare & Main Event Jey take away the gold from Finn & Priest? Or will the Judgment Day have something up their proverbial sleeves?
The Alpha Academy regroups.
Otis is upset but Gable says he doesn’t need to apologize. Gable could never be disappointed in his number one guy. But what Gable is disappointed in is all the clowns they keep running into who gotta keep cheating just to win! But rest assured, Gable’s keeping track of ’em all in his big golden brain. They’ll get to them eventually. And as for Gunther, he peaked! Gable hasn’t begun to peak! When he peaks, everyone will know! All those idiots will pay for what they’ve done! SAVAGES! IDIOTS! SAVAGES!! Master Gable is all fired up, but will he burn out before he reaches his peak?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER w/ Imperium VS Tommaso Ciampa!
What was meant to be a battle for this title next week ended up a match for this week! The Blackheart didn’t want to wait another seven days, but will he be able to end Der Ring General’s reign at 479 days? Or will the historic reign only continue to grow?
Raw returns and Ciampa makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if no one will survive!
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up, Ciampa and Gunther approach, and Ciampa fires off fast hands! Gunther ends up in a corner, the ref counts, but Gunther turns things around to swing on Ciampa. Ciampa dodges to CHOP! They clinch, go along the ropes, and Ciampa wants an arm! Gunther resists the takedown, puts Ciampa on ropes, and the ref backs him off. Ciampa dodges another cheap shot to fire off haymakers! Gunther staggers, Ciampa clotheslines him against ropes! And again! But Gunther shoves, swings, but misses! Ciampa jumps but Gunther catches him to SLAM him down!
Gunther has the legs, turns Ciampa over, BOSTON CRAB! Fans fire up as Ciampa fights around, pries at the leg, and gets free. But Gunther stomps Ciampa! And KICKS him in the back! Ciampa bails out, Gunther follows, and Gunther scoops, only for Ciampa to slip free and POST Gunther! And then THESZ PRESS! Ciampa rains down fast hands, but Gunther pushes Ciampa away. Gunther gets in the ring, Ciampa pursues and goes for the arm! SICILIAN STRETCH!! Gunther scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Ciampa lets go and fans boo as Gunther bails out, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Gunther has Ciampa’s arm. Gunther grinds the shoulder but Ciampa fights up. Gunther CHOPS Ciampa down! Gunther drags Ciampa up, fans rally and duel, and Gunther eggs Ciampa on. Ciampa ROCKS Gunther! And ROCKS him again! And again! But Gunther scoops to SLAM Ciampa! Fans fire up while Gunther dusts himself off. Gunther looms over Ciampa, taunts him, and then brings him up. Gunther SLAPS Ciampa and Ciampa goes to ropes. Gunther CHOKES Ciampa on the ropes, but the ref counts. Gunther lets off, the fans duel, and Gunther wipes some sweat from his forehead.
Ciampa goes toa corner, Gunther storms over, but Ciampa CHOPS! Gunther scoops to put Ciampa up top but Ciampa fights with fists! Ciampa LARIATS, but Gunther stays up! Ciampa swings again but Gunther gets around to SLEEPER! Gunther brings Ciampa down to the mat! Ciampa endures, pries the hold open, but Gunther changes his grip to an almost Bully Choke! Ciampa is turning red, he’s reaching out, but Gunther lets off to KNEE him in the side! Gunther headlocks but Ciampa fights up. The phones come out as fireflies but Gunther has the SLEEPER again! Ciampa endures, and JAWBREAKERS free!
Ciampa goes to ropes, Gunther runs in to BOOT him down! Cover, TWO! Gunther puts the SLEEPER back on! Ciampa endures all over again, pries at the hold again, and fans rally. Ciampa stands, but Gunther thrashes him around! Ciampa runs to a corner to RAM Gunther into buckles! Ciampa is free, he wrangles Gunther down, SICILIAN STRETCH!! Gunther endures and reaches out as fans fire up! Gunther moves around, but Ciampa HAMMERS fists into Gunther! SICILIAN STRETCH, but Gunther gets the ROPEBREAK! Ciampa lets go, and Gunther uses that to drag Ciampa out to CHOP!
Gunther RAMS Ciampa into the barriers, CHOPS him again, then hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Ciampa sputters and fans boo but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ciampa CHOPS! Gunther puts him in the corner to CHOP! Ciampa pushes Gunther to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP, but then Gunther CHOPS! And CHOPS! And scoops to put him up top, to CHOP! Ciampa hangs on upside-down, but then Gunther STANDS on Ciampa! The ref counts, Gunther lets off and Ciampa flops to the floor! Fans fire up while Ciampa crawls, and Gunther goes out after him. Gunther stands Ciampa up, talks trash, then CHOPS him against the barriers! The fans felt that one! Ciampa staggers around, goes to the desk, but Gunther stalks him. Gunther grins, runs up, but Ciampa dodges and the chop hits desk!
Fans fire up as Gunther clutches his hand! The ring count is 8 of 10 but Gunther hurries up, into a KNEE from Ciampa! Ciampa goes out and takes aim, to FLYING KNEE Gunther down! Fans fire up as Ciampa SMACKS Gunther off the steel steps! And SMACKS that bad hand on the desk! And again! And again! The ring count is past 5 of 10 again, Ciampa slides in to refresh, but Gunther CHOPS Ciampa with his left hand! The ring count starts again, and Gunther looms over Ciampa. Gunther puts Ciampa in the ring, goes up, but Ciampa gets him in the ropes! WILLOWS BELL!! Cover, TWO!!
Gunther survives and Ciampa is beside himself! Ciampa grits his teeth, brings Gunther up and in, underhooks, but Gunther fights the lift! Ciampa KICKS the bad hand, KICKS it again and again and again, keeping it in place with a knuckle lock! Gunther sits down, Ciampa stomps away on him! Fans are thunderous but the ref backs Ciampa off! Ciampa has a wild look in his eye, and he brings down the kneepad. But Gunther SHOTGUNS Ciampa first!! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa survives and Gunther can’t believe it! Fans fire up while both men are down. Gunther shakes out the bad hand, he stands up, and he storms over to Ciampa.
Gunther drags Ciampa up, reels him in, but the bad hand gives up on the lift! Ciampa runs up, Gunther scoops him, but Ciampa slips free to REVERSE DDT! Fans fire up as Ciampa aims from a corner! PSYCHO KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and Ciampa can’t believe it! Both men are down again and San Jose rallies up! Ciampa rises and he stomps Gunther around. Ciampa brings Gunther up and in, underhooks, but Gunther wrenches out to CHOP! But that’s the bad hand! Gunther still SLEEPER SUPLEXES!! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa is still in this and Gunther grows frustrated! Gunther shakes out the bad hand while fans declare, “This is Awesome!”
Gunther aims as Ciampa rises, Gunther runs, but Ciampa SWATS the lariat! Takedown, SICILIAN STRETCH!! Gunther rocks it to a cover, TWO! SICILIAN STRETCH!! Ciampa HAMMERS Gunther’s face! SICILIAN STRETCH!!! Gunther endures, fights his way around, reaches out with a foot, but he has to kick forward! ROPEBREAK!! Gunther’s toes save him! Ciampa lets go in frustration but Gunther is still hurting. Ciampa nods as the fans rally up, and Ciampa stands up again! Gunther stands, into a CHOP! CHOP! Gunther CHOPS! But that was the bad hand! Ciampa CHOPS!
Ciampa has Gunther in a corner for more CHOPS! CHOP CHOP CHOP, but Gunther CHOPS through the pain! Ciampa blocks one! BOOT! Then the fireman’s carry! But Gunther clubs free, and hoists Ciampa up, GUNTHER BOMB!! And then a DEADLIFT GUNTHER BOMB!! And then a deadlift SLEEPER!! Ciampa flails, sputters, foams at the mouth, and Gunther squeezes tight!! Ciampa fades out, GUNTHER WINS!!
Winner: Gunther, by submission (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Der Ring General makes it to 480 days! But then Ludwig & Vinci get in to beat up Ciampa! They pick the bones as if this is to teach Ciampa a lesson for pushing Gunther this far! Gunther smiles and walks away, but wait! IS THAT JOHNNY GARGANO!? IT IS!! Johnny Wrestling is back, and he SLINGSHOT SPEARS Ludwig! Gargano fires fists off on Vinci, SUPERKICKS Ludwig, and then SUPERKICKS Vinci!! Fans are thunderous as Gargano & Ciampa are reunited! Ciampa grins, is DIY about to take over the WWE?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for Raw, especially as the go-home to Fastlane. Also, good improvisation after Becky was not cleared to compete rather legitimately given the nasty gash on her arm. Granted, the fans did not care anymore when it was Tegan VS Chelsea, but hey, good win for Tegan. Natty supporting Tegan feels very two-faced, like she wants to get in good with Tegan just so she can get herself close to a title match. And the opening brawl of Nia and Shayna that then had Raquel and Rhea join in was a great opening segment. I can sense it now that Rhea, Nia, Shayna and Raquel will compete in a huge title match at some point after Fastlane.
That opening was a great segue to Judgment Day story, with Rhea bringing down the hammer on the others. Priest did a really good job of deflecting, and Rhea putting Dom in the hot seat is great. Trick being here was great, which also made sense since all three brands have been in California this four day weekend. Good promo with him and Judgment Day, but I would hope that NXT superstars help counter the Judgment Day trying to screw Trick. For one, Melo should want to support his friend. For another, there’s Dragon Lee, Axiom and Lyra Valkyria who have also had beef with Judgment Day.
Good stuff with Judgment Day with Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes, too, as we are now getting a tag title match for Fastlane. Cody of course had a “suit and tie on stage” promo on top of the brawl tonight, but he literally lets us know there will be one more go-home segment for this on SmackDown since Finn & Priest are going to show up. And I like the subtle detail that Rhea is no longer against McDonagh while Priest still is, all because McDonagh is helping get things done. Priest also bringing up having his MITB briefcase, Fastlane has to be where he cashes in. Rollins and Nakamura had amazing promos tonight, and that was an awesome ambush from Nakamura. Now, go-home math would suggest Nakamura loses, but it is a Last Man Standing match so Priest could easily go after Rollins.
Bronson Reed gets a good win off Cedric Alexander, who is still here after the cuts because I guess there still needs to be a bottom of the card. I don’t know which singles title Reed should be going after, but he should be going after a title after Fastlane. Really good promos from McIntyre and Miz, and a really good match from them, especially with Miz in a suit, not his gear. Great win for McIntyre here, especially with him truly riding that Tweener line where he says he’s gonna do things the right way, but shows that it is only for himself. McIntyre himself deserves to get back to a title, maybe he can find his way to the World Heavyweight Championship.
We got great stuff from the Alpha Academy and Imperium, and it is adding to both stories. Gable is all fired up while Vinci managed to avoid looking like the weak link. Great contract signing segment with Gunther and Ciampa, and I like the improvising of putting that match on tonight. We weren’t getting a title match from Becky and Tegan, so why not have the Intercontinental Championship now? That match was awesome stuff, but I figured that with it being on TV, not a PPV/Premium Live Event, there was no title change in mind. Ciampa still looked awesome, and best of all, Gargano is back! DIY is back! These guys can take the fight to Imperium, maybe even to Judgment Day and take those tag titles, assuming Cody & Jey don’t, I’m really excited for that.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Join the Brothers Wortz as they cover professional sports in unprofessional ways!
Bandwagon Nerds #232: Superhero Madness- A Top Seed Falls
Superhero Madness continues and sees the first #1 seed fall!. Plus, a trailer for a new Transformers movie, and a...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (4/20/24)
HPW looks to the horizon.
Bandwagon Nerds #231: Disney News & Superhero Madness
Round two of Superhero Madness begins this week. Cinema Con gives us plenty of Disney news and a trip to...
Bandwagon Nerds #230: Superhero Madness- Resident Aliens
Superhero Madness continues with first round battles in the Aliens bracket, plus Invincible Season 2 comes to an excellent conclusion.
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (4/1/24)
We got five on it!
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Trent Beretta's on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (4/27/24)
It's a slam dunk!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: What Happened Last Week?
After a two-week hiatus, DJ gets to the bottom of why there was no podcast last week. Then, we skewer...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/26/24)
It's Draft Day!
DWI Podcast #427: Get Off My Back…lash
It's time to shake things up again!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/25/24)
Champions need challengers!
Classic POD is WAR: @PattonOswalt
Tune in for another vintage episode of POD is WAR!!!
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/24/24)
Anybody can get it!
