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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Time to deal with some absolute egos!
Joe Hendry made it through Vengeance Day still the NXT Champion, but now he teams with Myles Borne against Ricky Saints & Ethan Page!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jasper Troy VS Eli Knight VS Sean Legacy; Eli and Legacy win.
- Charlie Dempsey & Tavion Heights VS Lexis King & Uriah Connors w/ Birthright; Lexis & Uriah win.
- Sol Ruca VS Lainey Reid w/ The Fatal Influence; Sol wins.
- Women’s Speed Tournament Finals: Thea Hail VS Wren Sinclair; Wren wins and will challenge Fallon Henley for the title.
- Joe Hendry & Myles Borne VS Ricky Saints & Ethan Page; Ricky & Ethan win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tatum Paxley is here!
The fans cheer the NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion as she holds up the belt and heads to the ring. Tatum puts the belt around her waist and grabs a mic to say, “I am your NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion!” The fans cheer again, and even chant, “You Deserve It!” Tatum continues by saying they don’t know how much that means to her. For the longest time, she’s felt she’s been doing this whole thing wrong. She was begging to be noticed, to be accepted, forcing friendships, all to just still feel alone. She’d play with the dolls and wonder if it was all worth it. All the self doubt, the loss, the mental battle of thinking she should be “a little less Tatum.’
But at Vengeance Day, it became very clear: Tatum didn’t win the title because of The Culling, or because someone else carried her there, or even that she got lucky. She won this title because of the fans! The fans cheer that! Every time she felt alone, every single one of the fans encouraged her to keep going. Now she wears this title around her waist, and she feels something she has been searching for her entire life, and that is the confidence that she belongs! The pain, the hurting, it was all worth it! And she’ll tell us the truth: She won the NXT Women’s Championship for The Culling; but she won the Women’s North American Championship for the fans!
Now she realized something: Tatum has never been and never will be- Interrupted by Izzi Dame… Izzi “congratulates” Tatum on beating her for the title. That must’ve been the best day of her life! But before Tatum starts acting like she knows who she is now, let’s all remind everyone who Tatum used to be. Roll tape! The fans boo as Izzi throws Tatum’s past at her. All the way from from her tryout to joining the Diamond Mine, to losing the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament, to turning on Diamond Mine, to Level Up, to her #TuesdayAddams transformation.
The fans cheer the video genuinely, but Izzi mockingly says, “Wow! Just wow!” It is truly inspiring how Tatum finally found herself! Izzi would be touch, if it weren’t so fake! Tatum, you haven’t changed at all! You haven’t found anything! You’re just doing what you always do, and that is trying to convince everyone that she’s not just the same weirdo outcast she was when she first showed up here. The fans boo but Izzi says Tatum can stand here and hold the title, soaking in all the fake love from the fake fans, but Izzi and Tatum know what this is: Another mask! Tatum thinks beating Izzi validates her?
The fans sing the Addams Family theme song while Izzi says all Tatum’s found is she is the chameleon of NXT! How is she not tired constantly changing? It’s almost impressive! Always pretending! But sooner or later, the unlovable girl she’s hiding from will show herself again. And when she does, everyone will see what Izzi already knows: Tatum Paxley, championship or not, will forever be the girl desperately trying to fit in. Hopefully Tatum’s enjoyed the past couple of days borrowing that belt, because Izzi wants it back NOW. Tatum turns around to see Niko & Spears! Then Izzi BOOTS Tatum down!
The fans boo as Izzi POWERBOMBS Tatum down! Izzi snatches the belt off Tatum, taking being a sore loser to a new level. Will Tatum just have to beat Izzi again to finally shut her up?
Ricky Saints talks with Ethan Page backstage.
The Absolute asks All Ego just what the hecc was that on Saturday! Ethan slid the belt all the way to Hendry?! Ethan says he knows! He knew the moment it left his hand! Saints says yeah, and he saw it as it slid right by him! Now neither men have titles! They’re naked! Ethan says that visual will haunt him now. Saints says the visual they need is them both as champs! Which is what makes them so great. They don’t dwell on the past. The last two days have sucked for Saints. Oh? Well, the last two WEEKS have sucked for Ethan! Saints apologizes, and he forgives Ethan for Saturday. But guess what? Tonight, after they beat those two cornballs, it’ll look like this.
If Ethan pins Myles, then guess what? He’s back in the North American Championship scene. If Saints pins Hendry, he’ll be main-eventing Stand & Deliver! That’s a sold out crowd chanting his name, oh yes indeed! Ethan says that’s right. Every dynasty has its slump, and this is a mere blemish on their impeccable records. Saints says barely a hiccup! After tonight, they’ll be back holding hands with Miss Title Contention! Ethan sees it, Saints loves it, and now they will both be TWO-TIME champions! Say it again, TWO-TIME CHAMPIONS! But will the Absolute Egos have their way? Or will they be made to believe in Borne & Hendry?
Jasper Troy VS Eli Knight VS Sean Legacy!
The MonStar LFG Season 1 Champion is not happy he lost his Speed Championship in a Triple Threat. But since he can’t just go right after the champion, he’ll take it out on the other guy in that title match, and then Super Sean just because he’s here! Will Troy destroy two high-fliers with one match? Or will there be another win snatched away from him?
NXT returns as the Disrespectfully Athletic makes his entrance, followed by Legacy. The bell rings and Troy ROCKS Legacy! Eli jumps on Troy but Troy throws him down. Legacy jumps on but Troy RAMS him into a corner! Eli comes back, but Troy THROWS him across the way! The fans are torn but Legacy runs up. Troy scoops Legacy, fireman’s carries, but Eli jumps in! Troy catches him!? And then he shrugs Legacy off so he can gorilla press Eli! Eli wiggles free, but Troy gets him again, CHOKE SLAM onto Legacy! The fans fire up while Troy puts Legacy in a corner and fires knees! Troy then goes to Eli in the other corner and BODY BLOWS!
Troy short arm LARIATS Eli, then stalks Legacy. Troy HEADBUTTS Legacy, then steps on him in the corner! The fans rally, Troy steps off, and Troy storms up on Eli. Troy BODY BLOWS Eli again, then whips corner to corner. Troy runs up, but into a BOOT! Eli hurries to fire hands on Troy, but Troy whisp him away. Troy CLOBBERS Eli, the fans fire up, and Troy stalks Eli. Troy scoops Eli, then aims at Legacy. Eli slips free, Legacy SUPERKICSK! Eli SUPERKICKS, then they DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Troy tumbles up and out of the ring! Legacy whips Eli but Eli reverses! Eli ROCKS Legacy in a corner, then ROCKS him again!
Legacy fires shots in return, and we can see Troy drag himself up with the apron skirt. But KEANU CARVER CLOBBERS TROY! The fans are torn as the One Man Demolition Crew CHOKE SLAMS Troy through the desk! The fans go nuts, and Keanu tells Booker T this is what he meant! Keep his name out your mouths! Don’t play with Keanu! Keanu just turned this Triple Threat into a 1v1, and NXT goes to break!
NXT returns again as refs check on Troy. Legacy has Eli in a chinlock but Eli fights up. Eli arm-drags free, runs up, and he blocks a boot to CALF KICK! Then Eli goes up, up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Legacy tumbles out, Eli goes to a corner, and Eli springboards to SUPER CROSSBODY! The fans fire up with Eli and he hurries to get Legacy in the ring. Eli goes to the corner for the TIGER WALL MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Legacy survives. Eli hurries up top, and he MOONSAULTS! Legacy moves, Eli lands out, and then Eli dodges to BOOT! Eli runs up, Legacy goes up and over!
Legacy runs up, Eli dodges, but Legacy BOOTS him from the corner! Legacy QUEBRADAS into the dragon sleeper, and the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Eli survives but the fans fire up again! Troy clutches his side but he’s standing back up! “This is Awesome!” as Legacy hurries to get Eli up int the torture rack! But Eli fights free! Eli ROCKS Legacy, Legacy ROCKS Eli, and repeat! The fans rally as they go back and forth, but then Legacy gets the edge! But Eli ENZIGIRIS! Legacy UPPERCUTS! Eli falls, Legacy WRECKS Troy with a dropkick just to be sure! Legacy turns around, Eli JUMP KNEES!
Eli runs, blocks a boot, but Legacy dodges! Eli dodges back, but runs into a SPANISH FLY! The fans fire up with Legacy, but Troy is back up!? The fans are going nuts as Legacy fires hands! Troy snarls and RAMS Legacy into a corner! Then he BODIES Eli! The fans are torn, but Troy pops Legacy up, and SPINEBUSTERS him down! Then he BACKDROPS Eli onto Legacy! Troy clutches his ribs but he’s still so strong! Troy then hoists Eli up, RAMS him into Legacy at the corner, and then fireman’s carries them both!? DOUBLE SAMOAN DROP! Troy roars, rises up, and he guzels Eli! MONSTAR CHOKE SLAM! Cover, BUT LEGACY BREAKS IT!
The fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Legacy stands, but Troy runs up! Legacy ducks ‘n’ dodges, only to run into the BIG BOSS- SHOTGUN from Eli! No slam for Troy, and Legacy runs up to SLICED BREAD! Legacy hurries to a corner, he springboards to 450 SPLASH! But then Eli adds his MOONSAULT! DOUBLE COVER, AND THREE!!
Winners: Sean Legacy & Eli Knight, by pinfall
Both Eli and Sean are surprised, but them both winning is better than them both losing! They shake hands on it and celebrate together! Will this momentum send both men towards titles? As for Troy, he surely has a score to settle with Keanu now. When and where will the MonStar get his shot at the Demolition Man?
Tatum Paxley is furious!
She demands to know where that snake, Izzi, slithered off to. She asks Shiloh Hill if he saw them. He says sorry, he hasn’t seen The Culling. Tatum says she has to find Izzi before she goes. Wait, before she goes? Oh, that part he can help with. Shiloh has his tire iron, and both he and Tatum laugh maniacally as they hurry to the parking lot! Will Izzi’s car be two tired for her to get out of here?
Birthright talks backstage.
Arianna Grace says she successfully defended her TNA Knockouts World Championship last week, so now it is the boys’ turn to impress. Stacks asks Lexis King if he’s good, and Lexis says he’s just disappointed it had to come to this. Charlie Dempsey is too stubborn for his own good. Did Uriah make the call? Nope, but his dad did. And “they” are on their way. Perfect. Birthright heads out, but who could they mean by “they?”
Charlie Dempsey & Tavion Heights VS Lexis King & Uriah Connors w/ Birthright!
Despite the offer from his friends in the second-generation-superstar club, The Son of the Gentlemanly Villain is still his own man. And he chose to team with his former No Quarter Catch Crew member to make sure Birthright understands that. Will Charlie & Tavion prove they can reach new heights their way? Or will the Drama King and Chase U dropout show them it’s in their blood?
The teams sort out, Charlie starts against Uriah, and the two tie up. Uriah headlocks, Charlie slips around but Uriah wrenches and wristlocks. Uriah shifts to a full nelson but Charlie breaks that to then wrench and full nelson in return. Uriah breaks free of that, snapmares, and covers, ONE! The fans applaud as the two tie up with knuckle locks. They’re shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength, and Uriah bends Charlie back. Charlie fights up, but Uriah wrenches. Charlie wrenches back then whips, but Uriah leaps over the dropdown. They tie up again, and Charlie puts on the pressure. Charlie hits a straight arm suplex, then clamps onto a CATTLE MUTILATION!
Charlie moves around, then goes to a FUJIWARA, but Uriah rolls through. Charlie gets Uriah’s legs, drags him back, then tags Tavion. Charlie puts Uriah in the BOW ‘N’ ARROW, then THROWS him to Tavion for the GUT WRENCH PLEX! The fans cheer while Uriah flounders away. Tavion runs up, Uriah dodges and tags Lexis. Lexis saves Uriah from the suplex, but then Tavion snatches Lexis for a scoop SLAM! Tavion runs, Charlie tags, and Tavion rolls into jackknife, turning it into a fireman’s carry. FLAPJACK and KNEE LIFT! Charlie covers, TWO! Lexis scrambles away to the apron but Charlie grabs after him.
Lexis HOTSHOTS Charlie, then CHOPS! Lexis whips, Charlie reverses, but Uriah tags in. Lexis waistlocks, Cahrlie BOOTS Uriah away, then he drop toeholds! Tavion tries to warn Charlie but Charlie is too busy hammering Lexis! Uriah CLOBBERS Charlie! The fans boo but Uriah stomps Charlie. Uriah drags Charlie over, CHOPS him, then tags Lexis back in. Lexis snapamres Charlie to then get the leg, and he tags Uriah. Uriah slingshot SENTONS but onto knees! Charlie UP KICKS Lexis, then BACKBREAKERS Uriah! The fans rally, hot tag to Tavion! Tavion SLINGBLADES Uriah, BLASTS Lexis, and CLOBBERS Uriah!
Tavion whips Uriah to OVERHEAD BELLy2BELLY! Tavion keeps going, RUNNING BELLY2BELLY! Cover, Lexis breaks it! Charlie storms in and he TOSSES Lexis out! But Uriah BOOTS Charlie out! Tavion SPEARS Uriah out of the ring! Uriah and Tavion are down hard, but Charlie and Lexis brawl! The ref checks, Tavion gets up, and he keeps after Uriah. NQCC puts Birthright int he ring, then hug it out. The fans fire up for the boys, but wait! Is that Fit Finlay & William Regal?! And Charlie GERMAN SUPLEXES Tavion?!? The fans are going nuts, but Charlie feeds Tavion into the ring! Uriah hits Tavion with a BARE BONE KNEE STRIKE!
Tag to Lexis, and he gets Tavion up for the CORONATION!! Cover, Birthright wins!!
Winners: Lexis King & Uriah Connors, by pinfall
It seems Charlie is still his father’s son. He steps into the ring and embraces his Birthright! Will nothing stop them from taking over?
The Culling walks the halls.
Izzi feels good about how that went. Niko is sure Tatum will now spiral out of control. But then The Chair Man hears the car alarm. Someone just put their car on blocks?! And a few other cars, too… Well, as we see Shiloh Hill walking back to the door, we know who did it. But Robert Stone asks what’s going on! Shiloh says he didn’t know which car was The Culling’s, but the car alarms are too loud. Stone says get inside! They get away from the honking, and Shiloh shouts that he didn’t know which car it was. Stone is trying to figure out what and why, but Shiloh leaves the tire iron with him. The Culling complains to Stone, but will they just have to take it up with the mechanics?
Tony D’Angelo is here!
The fans cheer as the man who was once The Don goes to the ring. Tony gets a mic and says, “When I returned to NXT, I told the WWE Universe I came back for two reasons. The first mission was DarkState. Vengeance Day was the culmination of that mission. On Saturday, me and Lennox went to war.” The fans applaud that. Tony says that while he despises Dion, Dion went out on his shield. Tony left DarkState the way they left him: Beaten, empty, and searching for answers. So now, we get to reason number two as to why Tony returned. And while he was away, he considered his future. This life goes by fast but he had time to reflect.
See, Tony looked at the man in the mirror, and had to be honest with himself. There was one thing that that man could not accomplish. There was one thing that that man could not achieve. And in that moment, Tony buried that version of himself six feet under, became the man that stands before you today, the man who proved he is the toughest SOB in NXT! The fans cheer that! The second reason Tony came back… is to win the NXT Championship. The fans cheer that! Tony knows Joe Hendry is a sensation, and he has no issues. If this was a year ago, Tony would have a sit down and break bread with Hendry. But that’s not him anymore.
“Joe, if I gotta break your face, that’s what I’m gonna do. And I’d love to say this is just business, but this is personal to me. Now Joe, this is your one warning. Prepare yourself for my actions, cuz I will not be denied. Tony D’Angelo will be the next N X T Champion!” The fans like the sound of that. But with Ricky Saints also wanting his shot, will Tony have more than just the champion to deal with?
Lola Vice talks with Sol Ruca backstage.
Miami Vice says hola, and Sol says hola. Sol says congrats on the win at Vengeance Day. Lola says gracias, it felt so good knocking out Kelani Jordan. Now, how is Sol? She’s… okay. Yeah, Lola gets that there is a lot on Sol’s plate. She’s got Lainey Reid tonight, then her best friend betrayed her. But Lola knows she’s looking at the next NXT Women’s Champion. Sol says damn straight. Next week in Houston, Sol takes the title from Jacy Jayne while getting her hands on Zaria at the same time. Lola says she’ll be watching. So when Sol takes the title, know it’ll be her and Lola at Stand & Deliver. Well, a lot has to happen first.
Lola still wishes Sol luck, and Sol heads to gorilla. Will Sol make it through the Southern Bell and her toxic back-up? Or will her wave of momentum come crashing down around her?
WrenQCC talks with Myles Borne.
Kendal Grey says she and Wren Sinclair were so pumped to see Myles win the North American Championship off Ethan Page. That was amazing! Glad to see he finally had his moment. Myles thanks them, and says not to be rude, but have either of them seen his tag partner? They gotta prepare for the match tonight. Wren says she knows where they can find him! Remember that one time? Oh, yes, Kendal remembers now. Watch. Joe Hendry! “Say his name and he appears!” The fridge? Wren opens it up, but no, that’s just a cake. But then Hendry steps in and asks what they’re looking at. Hendry, why weren’t you in the fridge? Been there, done that.
Myles asks Hendry where he’s been. They gotta game plan for Ethan & Ricky! Hendry apologizes, he had some business to attend to, but he’s here now. Time to game plan! Myles wishes Wren luck for her Speed match. Wren says she’s got the need! The need for speed! Kendal, are you ready? Wait, Kendal’s stuffing her face with cake! Kendal~! What? She’s got the night off. Cheat day~! Fine, let’s just get going. Kendal says good luck, guys! So, she’s not gonna share? Will Wren become a contender in three minutes or less? Will Myles & Hendry prove they were Borne to Believe?
Sol Ruca VS Lainey Reid w/ The Fatal Influence!
NXT returns as Sol makes her entrance, joining The Fatal Influence in the ring. The bell rings and the fans rally behind Sol as she circles with Lainey. They tie up, go around the ring, and against the ropes. Sol powers up but Lainey slips around to a waistlock. Sol switches, but Lainey switches back. Lainey pries the hold open to a wrench and wristlock. Sol cartwheels, then slips under to BACKDROP Lainey! Sol has the armlock, Lainey fights up, but Sol wrenches to wristlock. Sol wrangles Lainey but Lainey endures. The fans rally as Lainey headscissors, and she holds on tight as Sol tries to kip free. Sol moves around, and headstands to then pop free!
Sol drops on Lainey for a headlock, but Lainey fights up to her feet. Lainey powers up but can’t power out as Sol holds on tight. Lainey powers up again, pries the hold open, and she turns things around to headlock Sol. Lainey snapmares but Sol cartwheels through! The fans cheer while Lainey frowns. Lainey runs up, Sol trips her up, and Sol steps on Lainey to use her as a surfboard! Then Sol STOMPS Lainey’s leg! Lainey scrambles away while the fans cheer. Jacy & Fallon fan Lainey off, then Lainey runs up to kick Sol! Lainey kicks again but Sol blocks! Lainey hops around, rolls, and trips Sol in one go!
Lainey headlocks but Sol powers up and out. Lainey RUNS Sol over, then hits a headlock and takeover! Sol rolls to a cover, ONE! Lainey holds on but Sol headscissors. Sol squeezes tight but Lainey still kips free, then DROPKICKS! Sol goes to a corner, Lainey runs up, but Sol catches her! Sol spins with Lainey for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Lainey scrambles to a corner, Sol runs up, and Sol MONKEY FLIPS Lainey away! Lainey ends up in the far corner, and Sol runs up again. Lainey puts Sol up top, but Sol BOOTS her! Lainey SHOVES Sol, but Sol body scissors Lainey to throw her out of the ring! The fans cheer as Sol gets back up.
Sol runs to use the corner for the MOONSAULT! Down goes Lainey and Jacy is upset, but Sol just brings Lainey up and into the ring. Sol senses Jacy creep up and she stares the champ down. But then Fallon distracts the ref! This lets Jacy anchor Sol in the ropes! Sol kicks free, only for Lainey to DOUBLE STOMP! Lainey and Fatal Influence soak up the heat while NXT goes picture in picture.
Lainey storms up to stomp Sol, then HAMMERS away! Lainey stops just to JUMP LEG DROP! Then she brings Sol up to bump her off buckles. Lainey runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! Then she SHINING WIZARDS! Sol flounders along the ropes but Lainey keeps on her. Lainey CHOKES Sol, stops as the ref counts, then pushes her down. The ref reprimands but Lainey steps on Sol, and DOUBLE STOMPS again! Cover, TWO! Lainey argues the count but the count was fair. Lainey reels Sol in but Sol cradle counters, TWO! Both women stand, and Sol ROCKS Lainey first! Then mule kicks! Then SMACKS Lainey again!
Sol whips, but Lainey turns backdrop into NECKBREAKER! Lainey then clamps on with a chinlock and grinds Sol down. Sol endures, fights to her feet, then JAWBREAKERS free! Sol goes to a corner, Lainey runs in, but Sol ROCKS her! And susnet flips! TWO, and Lainey grabs ropes for good measure. Both women stand, Sol blocks a superkick, but not the second SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Jacy is frustrated that Sol survives, but Lainey CLUBS Sol down. Lainey turns Sol for a Gory Especial! Sol endures as Lainey bends her back! The ref checks on Sol but she just powers up! Lainey hits a GORY BOMB! Cover, TWO!
Lainey is frustrated as Sol survives, and she stands Sol up as NXT returns to single picture. Lainey whips Sol to a corner, runs up, but Sol goes up and over. Sol then SHOTGUNS Lainey down! Sol fires forearms on Lainey, has the arms, and kicks the legs out so she can SURFBOARD STOMP Lainey into buckles! Sol runs up, but Lainey dodges! Lainey runs up, but Sol puts her on the apron! Lainey bumps Sol off buckles, KICKS low, then buckle bumps for another KICK! Lainey then steps in, FLYING STUNNER! High stack, TWO! The fans rally as Sol survives. Lainey taunts the fans before she stands over Sol.
Lainey DOUBLE- NO, Sol Electric Chair Lifts Lainey right up! And then SLAMS her down! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! Zaria is seen watching this backstage, probably hoping Sol loses. Sol and Lainey rise up, and Lainey SMACKS Sol first! But Sol SMACKS Lainey back! Lainey ROLLING ELBOWS Sol, but Sol rebounds to ROCK Lainey! Then mule kick! CLUB! Bob ‘n’ weave, UPPERCUT! Sol whips and ELBOWS Lainey down! And LARIAT! Sol whips Lainey to the corner, then SNAP GERMANS! Lainey flounders, Sol goes up, and Sol MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Sol kips up!
Sol aims again, runs back up, KNEE STRIKE! High stack, TWO! Lainey flounders but Sol goes to the apron. Sol springboards, but has to roll through as Lainey moves! Sol goes back, but into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Sol survives, the fans fire up, but Fatal Influence is frustrated. Lainey drags Sol up, Gory Especials, but Sol sunset flips it! TWO, and Sol hits the X-FACTOR! Lainey flounders, Sol gets her up, fireman’s carry for the swing and AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Lainey survives and the fans can’t believe it! Fatal Influence is relieved, but Sol whips Lainey to the corner. Lainey holds ropes to stop the German Suplex!
Lainey ELBOWS Sol, then slips around, reverse victory roll, TWO! Lainey rebounds but into the EDDY GORDO KICK! Lainey wobbles, Sol runs, but Lainey scoops! Sol slips free and TOSSES Lainey out! Lainey ROCKS Sol from the apron, then steps in, but Sol SUPERKICKS! The fans cheer “Women’s Wrestling!” as Sol goes up, up, but Lainey YANKS her down! And then the ROLLING CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Lainey takes down her kneepads, for some SOUTHERN HOSPITAL- NO, Sol dodges, then SOUL SNATCHER!! Cover, Sol wins!
Winner: Sol Ruca, by pinfall
Fatal Influence is beside themselves! Lainey gave Sol a run for her money, but it was still Sol on top! The wave of momentum is growing, will it completely wipe out Jacy and Zaria? Or will Sol be denied both revenge and reign?
Robert Stone meets with Sean Legacy, Eli Knight, and Elio LeFleur.
The (Interim) NXT GM is still getting his hearing back, but the Sky Slicer says he’d love to defend his Speed Championship against both Legacy and Eli if he could. Stone says it has already been a long night, and he also enjoyed the double pin. And yes, while it’d be great for Legacy or Knight to challenge Elio, the rules state there has to be a Speed Tournament. Elio says that takes so long, which is kinda the opposite of what the Speed Division is about. Eli says yeah, him beating Troy should mean something. Legacy says they beat Troy. Stone admits, that is true. They can get the tournament going, but we’ll have to see how it goes.
And then Vanity Project walks in. Jackson Drake says enough of the Speed title. Jumping through hoops just to get a chance? What a pain in the ass! Brad Baylor wants to talk NXT Tag Team Championships. They’re already thinking Stand & Deliver, the biggest spotlight for Stone’s brightest new stars! Ricky Smokes says, “Y’know, guys who can actually go more than three minutes.” They already cleared out the division, but surely Stone can get creative. Drake says don’t even worry about it. Their guy, Stone, will cook up something great. Laters. Vanity Project leaves, and Legacy says let’s put a pin on the Speed title for a second, because he has an idea.
Stone will consider what Elio said about the Speed Division, but yes, he likes where Legacy is going. He thinks he has an idea. Will Legacy & Knight soon swipe right on a match with the tag team champions?
Backstage interview with Blake Monroe.
Blake Howard brings up The Glamour beating Jaida Parker in the Street Fight, a huge victory. What’s next for her? Blake says Jaida brought out a godawful side of her, and learned that when you mess with the Woman From Hell, you get burned. So as for what’s next, the biggest show of the year is coming up. This will be Monroe’s first Stand & Deliver, and she’ll make it all about her in St. Louie. Howard corrects her that it’s St. Louis. Monroe says she is the conversation, she is the controversy, so what will she do? Well- Tatum turns the corner and calls to Blake. They both respond and Tatum says right, both Blake.
But then, have either Blake or Blake seen The Culling? No, and no. Okay, bye. Tatum calls out to Izzi that she’s looking for her, and Monroe says Howard needs to do something about his name. Because that, like many other things, belongs to her. Blake Monroe leaves Blake Howard speechless, but did Tatum just make herself a target?
Women’s Speed Tournament Finals: Thea Hail VS Wren Sinclair w/ Kendal Grey!
The Grown-Ass Woman stole the spotlight from Blake Monroe while the Captain of WrenQCC managed to slay Nikkita Lyons. Now both of these young and hungry superstars is looking to go right at the Toxic Cowgirl, but that means getting through each other! Who makes themselves #1 contender in three minutes or less?
NXT returns as Thea makes her entrance. The bell rings, and Thea DROPKICKS Wren down! The fans rally and duel but Thea KICKS and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, ONE, but Thea dodges a lariat to jump on the arm! KIMURA, but Wren powers out! Wren CHOPS Thea, fireman’s carries, and ROLLING SENTONS! Wren keeps moving, and she RUNS Thea over, then BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Wren goes for arms, but Thea fights around! Thea fights up, jumps and wheelbarrows, then arm-drags! Then mule kicks! Thea runs, and ROLLING NECKBREAKERS! Cover, ONE and Wren bails out!
We hit the two minute warning orange phase, and Thea builds speed! DIVE and down goes Wren! Thea shakes out her arm, then gets Wren int he ring. The fans rally up again as Thea climbs. Thea aims and CROSSBODY FLOPS as Wren moves! Wren hurries to then roll Thea up, TWO!! Thea escapes, and has the KIMURA!! Wren flails, reaches out, and rolls through! Wren gets the FINAL WRENCH!! Thea flails, fights, but she QUITS!! WREN WINS!
Winner: Wren Sinclair, by submission (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Women’s Speed Championship)
With 62 seconds to spare, Wren seals the deal! The Texas girl gets to do it up big in Houston, but will she dethrone the Toxic Cowgirl? Or will even the Speed Division be stuck under the Influence?
Robert Stone meets with the NXT Tag Division.
Suit Man Stone thanks everyone for being here, and he knows that we are officially in Stand & Deliver Season. After talking with Vanity Project earlier, it got him thinking. This division is deep, this division is hungry, so Stone is going to put together a tag team tournament! The winners get their shot at Vanity Project at Stand & Deliver! Everyone except Swipe Right likes that! What do they look like to him? Oh, so they don’t want to be at Stand & Deliver? That’s not what they’re saying! Yeah, that’s what Stone thought. So now, to the teams in the tournament: the new team of Legacy & Knight; The Culling; Birthright; Hank ‘n’ Tank; OTM; DarkState.
Shugars says no, DarkState ain’t doing no tournament! They want their rematch and they want it now! But then OTM storms up on DarkState, and they start throwing hands! The other teams get in there to break this up, but clearly it’s about to pop off! Who survives the tournament to then have their shot in St. Louis?
Backstage interview with Fatal Influence.
Blake Howard is now with Jacy, Fallon, and Lainey, and brings up the title defenses next week in Houston. How are they handling these targets on their back this close to Stand & Deliver? Jacy says wow, she never thought she’d miss Sarah Schreiber, but here we are. And she doesn’t need Blake Howard reminding her that she has to deal with both Sol and Zaria next week. If she wants to walk into Stand & Deliver as champion, then she has to make the impossible happen. And he watches the product, right? Then he should know that this is perhaps the most unpredictable WrestleMania season ever!
How many new champions have been crowned lately? Penta, Cody Rhodes, Lash & Nia, AJ Lee! The odds are stacked against Jacy. Howard brings up Tatum beating Izzi, and Jacy can’t even. Fallon, you talk to him. Fallon is pretty sure he’ll bring up Wren Sinclair now, right? Everyone’s favorite little underdog, a leader of two people. Big deal. All Fallon has to do is win within five minutes. Oh, look, here they are! Wren steps in and says considering she beat Lyons and Thea in under three, she’ll have no problem beating Fallon in five. Kendal is also confident in that. And if we’re talking numbers, Fatal Influence is definitely losing one of their titles next week.
Oh, and Jacy, if you get past Sol and Zaria to make it to Stand & Deliver as she so desperately wants, just know Kendal will be the one she defends that title against. Lainey says enough. They don’t have time for this. Time to go. Fatal Influence leaves, WrenQCC is ready to bring the fight to them, but who will get to Stand & Deliver?
The Culling heads out.
Niko & Spears are ready to go for those tag titles, but then Tatum CLOBBERS Izzi! They start brawling, Izzi RAMS Tatum into the garage door, but The Culling and security separate these two! Stone sees this and shouts that this is enough! If they wanna get their hands on each other, fine! The rematch for the Women’s North American Championship is gonna happen in Houston! And in a STEEL CAGE!! Tatum loves that idea! Will she get to rip into Izzi without anyone getting in her way?
Backstage interview with Robert Stone.
Blake Howard catches up with Stone and says this is a huge night for NXT in Houston now. Stone says he’s even got stars from Raw & SmackDown texting him about it. Remember that this is Stone’s first road show for NXT, and he wants to make it special. Well, adding Tatum VS Izzi in a Steel Cage is huge, and Stone says yes, it has to end somehow with these two. Plus, the other two title matches, the NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat, and the Women’s Speed Championship. Then there’s the tag tournament, and we’re starting in Houston! Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Birthright. The tournament culminates on March 31st as NXT returns to NYC, winners going on to Stand & Deliver.
And also, and he hasn’t said anything yet, but… OTM AND DarkState are now OUT of the tournament. Between Vengeance and what happened just now in his office, it cannot keep happening. Vanity Project walks back in and Brad appreciates having all this time off. Smokes says he’s even gotten some invites to parties in Houston, so- Stone says don’t party too hard. W-Why? Because in Houston, they will be in Six Man Tag action against LOS AMERICANOS! What?! Yeah, sorry, gotta go. Man, Stone used to be cool! Stone promises that the Houston fans are gonna love this, but he’ll let Vic Joseph break this next bit of news!
Vic Joseph indeed takes up the mic to say this is big. Next week, NXT is live in Houston, the hometown of Booker T. And Vic doesn’t wanna let the cat out of the bag, but this duo was only meant to be a duo for three months. A lot of people didn’t know that, and this is three YEARS! So it is Vic’s honor to say that next Tuesday, it will be BOOKER T APPRECIATION NIGHT! All hail King Bookah~! The fans cheer that! Booker asks, why did they wait to say this? But between celebrating Booker T’s career both in the ring and at the desk and all those title matches, will NXT in Houston be the biggest episode ever?
Joe Hendry & Myles Borne VS Ricky Saints & Ethan Page!
Even after their big victories the last couple of weeks, The NXT Champion and the North American Champion are teaming up against their common enemies! Will Hendry & Borne prove they aren’t champions out of dumb luck? Or will these Absolute Egos earn themselves golden tickets to championship rematches?
NXT returns as Myles makes his entrance, followed by Joe Hendry. The teams sort out and Hendry starts against Saints. They tie up, Saints headlocks for the takeover, but Hendry headscissors. Saints kips free, but turns around into a tie up, and then Hendry headlocks for the takeover. Saints headscissors, Hendry kips free, and TURNS! The fans cheer, but Saints hits low! Saints ROCKS and whips, but Hendry reverses, blows past, and CLOBBERS Saints! The fans cheer, but Ethan runs up! Hendry HIP TOSSES Ethan, then he HIP TOSSES Saints! Hendry drags Saints up, tags Myles in, and they coordinate, for the DROPKICK SUPLEX COMBO!
The fans cheer as Myles waits on Saints, then scoops, for the FALL AWY SIDE EFFECT! Cover, TWO! Saints survives Myles pulling out a new move, but Myles fireman’s carries. Saints fights free, waistlocks, but Myles switches. Saints RAMS Myles into a corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Myles ducks Ethan’s cheap shot, DECKS him for it, but Saints ROCKS Myles! Saints hits a BIG back suplex, then he tags Ethan. They stomp Myles, then Ethan rains down fists. Ethan drags Myles up to suplex, but Myles fights it! Myles fires body shots, then ANARCHY SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Myles keeps on Ethan, but Ethan RAMS him into the corner!
Ethan RAMS Myles again and again, then stops as the ref counts 4. Ethan drags Myles up, but Myles fires body shots! And he ELBOWS Saints! Myles ROCKS Ethan, ROCKS Saints, repeat! The fans fire up as Myles UPPERCUTS then runs, but into a BOOT! The fans boo Ethan but he tells Saints to go get the belts! Saints grabs a belt, slides it in, but way out of the ring! Ethan is incredulous, and Saints says he is so, so sorry. Ethan says this wasn’t that hard, he’s right here! Saints apologizes, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Saints tries to explain himself to commentary, but Myles snatches Ethan into a cradle! TWO, and Ethan drags Myles from Hendry! ELBOW DROP! Ethan tags Saints, they stomp Myles down at the ropes, but step off as the ref counts. Saints drags Myles up to put through the ropes, and then CHOKE! The ref counts, Saints stops at 4, then taunts Hendry. Saints UPPERCUTS Myles down, then brings him back up. Saints tags Ethan back in, they mug Myles, and Ethan stays between Myles and Hendry. Ethan brings Myles around to suplex, but Myles slips free to roll Ethan up! TWO, and Ethan anchors Myles’ leg!
Ethan drags Myles back, tags Saints in, and Saints ELBOW DROPS Myles on the back of his head! Cover, TWO! Saints drags Myles up to wrench, then he goes up the corner. Saints tightrope walks, and he gives Myles the Old School AX HANDLE! Myles sputters, Ethan smiles, and Saints strikes his pose. Saints storms up on Myles but Myles fires body shots. Myles whips, Saints reverses, and Saints SPINEBUSTERS! Then he gator rolls Myles to tag in Ethan. Ethan steps in and ELBOW DROPS on Myles’ chest! Ethan scoop SLAMS Myles, tags Saints, and Saints goes up the ropes to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Myles survives, but Saints keeps Myles down with a chinlock. Myles endures, fights up, and NXT returns to single picture. Myles fires body shots but Saints KNEES low. Saints puts Myles in the corner, CHOPS, then tags Ethan. Ethan kicks Myles down, then he and Saints double whip. Myles reverses to send Saints & Ethan into each other! Myles DECKS Saints, but Ethan whips Myles to the corner. Ethan runs up, but Myles dodges the splash! Myles crawls, reaches out, but Saints YANKS Hendry down! The fans boo but Saints THROWS Hendry into barriers! Ethan SPLASHES Myles in the corner!
The fans are riled up as Ethan whips Myles corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Tag to Saints, then Ethan puts Myles up top. Saints joins in, and they DOUBLE ICONOCLASM! Then they YANK Myles up, ASSISTED TORNADO DDT! Cover, Hendry CLOBBERS Ethan onto it! The fans fire up, but Ethan TOSSES Hendry! Hendry lands safe on the apron, ROCKS Ethan, then steps in, only for Ethan to give him a CONFIDENCE BREAKER! Saints then SHOTGUNS Hendry down! The fans boo but Absolute Egos are on the same page now. Saints puts Myles up top, but Myles fires hands! Myles and Saints trade shots, then Myles ROCKS Saints!
Ethan runs up, Myles ROCKS him! Saints SMACKS Myles! Saints then runs side to side, tags Ethan, and he goes right up to get Myles! SUPER DUPER PLEX for the Power! Ethan adds a DIVING BODY PRESS for the Glory! Cover, TWO!! Myles survives and shocks Ethan! Ethan stomps Myles but the fans rally, “WE BELIEVE!” Ethan RIPCORDS Myles up, but Myles fights the slam to a REVERSE DDT! Myles crawls, reaches out, and this time, hot tags to Hendry and Saints! The fans fire up as Hendry rallies on Ethan & Saints! Then he kicks Ethan, spins him, and NECKBREAKER! Then he scoops Saints for the FALL AWAY SLAM!
Hendry kips up, and he dodges Ethan to scoop him! Pop up to the fireman’s carry, and the ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! Saints runs up, Hendry dodges, ANGLE SLAM! Hendry busts out all the hits! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Hendry as hard as they can, and he starts up the stomp stomp clap! But Ethan anchors Hendry! Hendry kicks free, he dodges Saints, but DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans rally up again, and now Saints wants Ethan to get a belt! Not this again! Ethan slides the belt to Saints properly this time, but the ref spots that! Saints swings, but the ref stops him! The fans fire up as Hendry then rolls Saints up, TWO!!
Saints runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and Ethan tags in before the SPEAR!! Saints hoists Hendry up, Ethan steps in, and only now does Saints realize Ethan tagged in! The fans rally as Myles is back! DROPKICK on Saints! Ethan just goes for Hendry, TWISTED GRIN on the gold!! Cover, ETHAN & SAINTS WIN!!
Winners: Ricky Saints & Ethan Page, by pinfall
Myles is furious, but Ethan rubs it in with his cocky grin. Saints says Ethan’s a genius! But using Saints’ logic earlier, if Ethan pinned THE NXT Champion, who’s really becoming the TWO-TIME NXT Champion?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT that basically acted as a go-home to the BIG Houston episode next week. Very good promo from Tatum given her title win, but naturally even she was annoyed with Izzi coming back for another match. Shiloh Hill doing more car shenanigans was great, and adding Tatum VS Izzi to next week is great stuff. I’m not usually one for Steel Cage matches, because you can just feel The Culling interfering on Izzi’s behalf and Shiloh countering. I would hope Tatum keeps the title, it’d be disappointing for her reign to only be 10 days. Very good promo from Blake Monroe with Blake Howard, clever way of pointing out the same names. And yeah, I would think Monroe wants that North American title back and will challenge Tatum at Stand & Deliver.
Great match from Sol VS Lainey, and I’m pleased Zaria let it play out. Great win for Sol, but still unclear if the Triple Threat will help Jacy win or give her a protected loss. Great Speed match from Wren VS Thea, and great win for Wren. I feel bad for Thea, especially since she is dealing with awful “fans” being, well, just awful to her on social media. Thea has been doing great work since day one, she deserves something good, and maybe she’ll finally reach the top of NXT after Stand & Deliver. As for Wren, great promo from her and Kendal with Myles and Hendry, and then a really good promo with Fatal Influence. And yeah, if any title changes, it might be Wren taking the Speed title from Fallon.
Awesome Triple Threat from Troy, Legacy, and Eli, even with Keanu Carver getting involved. Troy definitely looks like a monster coming back from that table spot and almost winning the match. Eli and Legacy both winning that match was really clever stuff, and a great excuse to make them a team for this “impromptu” tag tournament. Although, it just makes me wonder where the Dusty Cup went… And I like that we got six teams announced at first, only for OTM and DarkState to take themselves out because of their behavior. OTM VS DarkState can still happen as a grudge match, and the four teams will all have great matches on the road to what was going to be Roadblock.
Great development with Birthright. Fit Finlay & William Regal showing up and signaling Charlie Dempsey’s turn was a nice surprise. Now Birthright has the right number of people for a “golden prophecy.” Lexis King could make himself the top title guy, Stacks as the midcard guy, and then Charlie & Uriah as the tag team. Very good promo from Tony D, but duh, he was going to call his shot at the NXT Championship. Very good promo from Ethan & Ricky, especially with Ricky pointing out the usual rule of “pin a champ, get a title match.” Great tag team main event, especially with the blatantly bad pass from Ricky to Ethan. Ethan winning on Hendry was not only a surprise, but it was a great way to show Ethan wants THE title back.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Who the War Dragons survive round two?
The New Japan Cup is gaining speed, but only the best will gain any ground! Tonight is Shingo Takagi VS Don Fale, Yuya Uemura VS Drilla Moloney, whose time has come?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Aaron Wolf & Masatora Yasuda VS OSKAR & Yuto-Ice; Oskar & Yuto win.
- 10 Man Tag: Bishamon, Boltin Oleg, Toru Yano & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Hartley Jackson & Kosei Fujita VS Callum Newman & Zane Jay; Hartley & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Hontai VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Yota Tsuji & Daiki Nagai VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
- 2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Shingo Takagi VS Don Fale; Takagi wins and advances.
- 2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Yuya Uemura VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Yuya wins and advances.
PLAY BY PLAY
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Shingo Takagi VS Don Fale w/ Dick Togo!
The Rampaging Dragon is no stranger to the House of Torture, from feuding with them in Los Ingobernables de Japon and now the Unbound Company. And now, he faces the Rogue General who indeed had the House backing him just last round. Will Fale have another stacked deck here tonight? Or will it not matter when Takagi’s time has come?
No attack during the entrance or introductions, so there’s that. The bell rings and the fans rally up for “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” Fale and Takagi step up, stare down, and Takagi shoves Fale. Fale shoves back, so Takagi fires forearms, and a CHOP! Fale DECKS Takagi! Takagi gets up and RAMS Fale! Fale stays put so Takagi runs and RAMS him again! And again! Takagi fires up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he RAMS Fale! Fale stumbles into the ref, then out of the ring! The fans cheer, but Yoshinobu Kanemaru rushes in! Takagi dodges the bottle shot, then blocks the next! Takagi kick slow, takes the whiskey, and takes a swig! But Fale BODY BLOWS the whiskey out of him!
The fans boo but Fale CLUBS Takagi down! Fale then drags Takagi up, just to TOSS him out! Fale distracts the ref so that Kanemaru can whip Takagi into railing! Takagi writhes and the fans boo, but Kanemaru gets away with that. Takagi staggers away into the crowd, and Fale wants the ring count. The count begins, but Takagi walks back to ringside at 8, rolling in at 9 of 20. But Fale CLUBS him down, then stands on Takagi! The ref counts, Fale steps off at 4, then he stalks Takagi. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire up, then he ROCKS and KNEES and HEADBUTTS! The fans fire up as Takagi calls his shot!
Takagi goes to scoop, he gets Fale up, but falls under Fale’s weight! Fale covers, TWO! The fans rally for Takagi while he sputters. Fale stalks Takagi to the ropes, stomps him, then stands on him again! The ref counts again, so Fale steps off at 4. Fale argues with the ref, then drags Takagi up. Fale BODY BLOWS, and BODY BLOWS again! Takagi falls over, but Fale turns him over. Fale stands on Takagi’s back, using him as a surfboard! Then Fale covers, TWO! The fans rally behind Takagi has Takagi toughs it out. Fale brings Takagi up again, but Takagi KNEES low! And KNEES again! And again! Takagi goes for the scoop but Fale CLUBS him!
Fale scoops, but Takagi fights free! Takagi runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then RAMS Fale! Fale rebounds but into a kick! Takagi reels Fale in, but Fale BACKDROPS free! Takagi sunset flips, but Fale stays up! Fale HIP DROPS but flops as Takagi dodges! SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER! Both men are down but the fans fire up! Takagi rises up, and the fans join in with the “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs in and LARIATS Fale at the corner! The fans cheer and Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS! Takagi winds up to ROCK Fale! The fans cheer again, and Takagi goes up to ELEVATED DDT! Cover, TWO! Fale survives but the fans still rally for Takagi.
Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he looks to the cameras. “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans cheer and Takagi vows to lift Fale! Takagi reels Fale in, but Fale fights with body shots! Fale whips Takagi to a corner, runs up, and SPLASHES! Then he snapmares Takagi for the SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives and the fans cheer! Fale frowns but he calls his own shot. Fale waits on Takagi to stand up, and he guzels! Then the GRE- NO! Takagi breaks free, ducks the hand, to JAB! HEADBUTT! And then facelock! Fale is still really big, but TAKAGI SUPLEXES HIM! The fans are thunderous as Takagi manages the impossible!
Takagi then runs, PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, KANEMARU YANKS THE REF OUT! The fans boo but now Dick Togo slithers into the ring! Takagi shouts at Kanemaru, but turns around into the POCKET SAND! The fans boo again but Dick & Kanemaru mug Takagi! They choke him in the corner, then they set him up for Fale to SPLASH! Takagi falls, but Fale & Kanemaru set him up! DICK CHOP! The fans boo while Takagi writhes, but Dick puts the ref back in the ring. Fale runs to ELBOW DROP! But Gedo gets off commentary to argue with the ref! Fale’s cover goes uncounted! The fans cheer Gedo, but Fale storms over!
Gedo hides behind the ref while Kanemaru takes a swig. Dick stands Takagi up, but Takagi ducks the WHISKEY MIST! Kanemaru sprays Dick instead! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Down goes Kanemaru, but now Takagi takes a swig! The fans cheer as Takagi gives Fale a DRAGON WHISKEY MIST! Takagi then BLINDSIDE PUMPING, and runs to PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Blacksmith applauds as justice is served! Takagi tastes the bitter whiskey, but also sweet victory. He definitely prefers the latter, but will he continue the climb to the top?
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Yuya Uemura VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Heat Storm vowed last round that he would light that fire in NJPW as the shining sun leading the way, and winning the Cup would solidify that. But will Yuya still have the hot hand? Or will he be shot down by 44 Caliber?
The bell rings and the fans cheer as the two circle. Drilla and Yuya tie up, are in a deadlock, but Yuya wrenches to wristlock. Drilla spins to wrench in return, only for Yuya to roll and wrench right back. Drilla rolls, breaks the grip, then wrenches to wristlock. Yuya reaches out but Drilla keeps him from ropes. Yuya rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, spins to hammerlock, then he snapmares Drilla down for the armlock! The fans cheer the technical display. Drilla stands but Yuya wrenches again. Drilla rolls, rolls back, handsprings, then breaks free! The fans applaud that technical display, too.
Drilla and Yuya reset, and Drilla calls for the knuckle lock. Yuya obliges and they lock up. They feel out the other knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder for a Test of Strength! The fans rally as Drilla powers up and bends Yuya back! Yuya bridges to stay up, but Drilla hops on! Yuya is still up, so Drilla jumps on! Again, Yuya stays up! Drilla tries again but Yuya uses that to get up and kick free! Yuya arm-drags, Drilla headscissors, but Yuya kips free. Drilla headlocks for the takeover, and he fights off the headscissors! The fans cheer while Drilla grinds Yuya down. Yuya keeps his arms up, but Drilla squeezes tighter.
Yuya fights to his feet and pries the hold open, only for Drilla to clamp it on tighter. Yuya fires body shots, powers up and out, then arm-drags! And arm-drags! Then he dodges a lariat, to arm-drag again! The fans cheer the exchange as Yuya again has the armlock. Drilla endures the top wristlock as he moves around, but Yuya puts on the pressure. Drilla rises, Yuya wrenches, but Drilla works on the escape. Yuya grinds the arm but Drilla goes to the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, but Yuya whips Drilla. Drilla reverses, Yuya handsprings, but Drilla RUNS him over! The fans cheer as things keep moving, and Yuya arm-drags again!
Yuya has the armlock again, and the fans rally as Drilla fights it. Yuya fights off headscissors while putting pressure on the double wristlock. They stand, Drilal lifts Yuya, and Drilla puts him in the corner. Red Shoes calls the ropebreak, Drilla backs off, only to RAM Yuya low! Drilla then whips corner to corner, but Yuya goes up and over. Drilla fakes out the arm-drag! And he KICKS Yuya in the back! The fans cheer as Yuya gets right up. The two go face to face, then forearm for forearm! Yuya fires a forearm, KNEE, and CHOP, then runs, but Drilla hurdles! Drilla drops down, but Yuya avoids the dropkick! Drilla still CHOPS Yuya!
Drilla CHOPS Yuya to the corner, CHOPS him again, and the fans rally up. Drilla whips corner to corner but Yuya reverses. Drilla goes up and out, then he DUMPS Yuya to the floor! The fans fire up as Drilla builds speed, and he WRECKS Yuya with the dropkick! Yuya hits railing then slumps down while the fans cheer. Drilla drags Yuya up, brings him around, and whips him hard into railing! The fans rally while Yuya slumps back. Drilla brings Yuya around to put in the ring, and the fans rally behind him. Drilla storms in and brings Yuya up. Yuya breaks free to CHOP! Drilla slips around, ripcords, but Yuya blocks the chop!
Yuya swings, but into a clinch! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! A shoutout to The Rebel with that one and the fans rally up. Drilla stalks Yuya, KICKS him in the back, then brings him up. Drilla shoves Yuya into a corner, RAMS him in the back, then RAMS him again! And again! Drilla reels Yuya into a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Drilla looms over Yuya, and drags him into a chinlock, digging his knee into Yuya’s back. Yuya endures, fights forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Drilla lets Yuya go. Drilla looms over Yuya again, stands him up, but Yuya ROCKS him! Yuya fires another shot, but Drilla kicks low!
Drilla scoops Yuya for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Drilla clamps right onto an arm, traps it, and then has Yuya’s legs! MODIFIED TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! The fans rally as Yuya endures! Yuya crawls with his one arm, reaches out, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Drilla lets go. Drilla drags Yuya up, SLAPS him on the back, and eggs him on! Yuya stands, and he fires a forearm! And another forearm! And another! But Drilla CHOPS him back! Yuya sputters, Drilla whips, but Yuya reverses for the FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then a DROPKICK! The fans rally up again while both men are down!
Yuya and Drilla rise up, and Drilla goes to a corner. Yuya storms up and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Drilla shoves Yuya back, but Yuya comes back to DOUBLE CHOP, DOUBLE CHOP, and DOUBLE CHOP! Yuya whips corner to corner, runs in, and CHOPS again! The fans cheer as Yuya fires up, and he reels Drilla in for the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally again as Yuya waistlocks. Yuya goes to full nelson but Drilla breaks free and arm-drags! Then he RAMS Yuya in the corner! Fireman’s carry, tuck, and RUNNING AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer as Yuya survives, but Drilla shakes it off. Drilla goes to the apron while the fans rally up, and Drilla climbs the corner. Drilla aims for a MACHO ELBOW FLOP! Yuya gets the arm for the ARMBAR! Drilla clasps hands to fight it off, but Yuya shifts to ARMBAR the other arm! Drilla keeps his hands clasped, so Yuya sits up and twists for the double wristlock! The fans rally as Drilla still endures, and he kicks his way around. But Yuya rolls to throw Drilla to center! Then Yuya cording holds, but Drilla fights the suplex! JAWBREAKER! ENZIGIRI! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up!
Drilla and Yuya stir while the fans duel. Drilla headbutts the buckles a la Takagi, then runs in, but into a RANA! And then DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! The fans rally again as Drilla fights the hold! Drilla rises up, then fireman’s carries! Yuya slips free, Drilla ELBOWS him, but Yuya blocks a superkick! Yuya swings, but Drilla ducks to then fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY BOMB! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Drilla clutches the elbow and shakes out the bad arm while the fans rally. Yuya rolls over while Drilla rises up. Drilla brings Yuya up to his feet, then puts him on the top rope. Drilla CHOPS Yuya before he climbs up to join him.
The fans rally as Drilla goes to the very top, but Yuya fires body shots! Yuya then HEADBUTTS Drilla down! Yuya fires up as he rises, to CROSSBODY FLOP! Drilla avoids the High Fly Attack to then GORE! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Yuya survives! Drilla huffs ‘n’ puffs as he rises up again, and he brings Yuya up, only for the bad arm to hurt. Drilla puts Yuya in the drop zone and goes up top. The fans rally again for the MACHO ELBOW! Direct hit this time, and Drilla is fired up! The fans are with him as he goes back to Yuya and vows to end it. Drilla drags Yuya up, but the bad arm limits his lifting!
The fans rally as Drilla still tries, but Yuya resists. Drilla KNEES Yuya, then brings him around to Canadian Rack! But Yuya fights free! And he backslides Drilla, TWO! Drilla swings, but into the full nelson! Drilla breaks free, but Yuya GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! ARMBAR!! The fans fire up as Drilla is caught! Yuya breaks the grip to PULL on the arm! Drilla scrambles, fights to stack Yuya, ONE as Yuya keeps the arm up! TRIANGLE HOLD! Drilla endures again, but he seems to be fading! Red Shoes checks on Drilla, and he revives to fight around again! Drilla deadlifts Yuya for the fireman’s carry!
But then Drilla pops Yuya around to a shoulder rack, Canadian Rack, and DRILLA- NO! Yuya lands out to run and SUPERMAN CLUTCH!! TWO!! Drilla survives that shoutout to Colt Cabana, and he POP-UP POWERBOMBS! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Drilla fires up, the fans rally, and Drilla drags Yuya back up! Drilla hauls Yuya up, Canadian Racks, but Yuya slips free again! Cording hold! Cording hold! But Drilla fights the suplex! Drilla HEADBUTTS, but runs into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Yuya pulls on the arm but Drilla clasps his hands! The fans rally as the two struggle, and Drilla stacks Yuya! TWO!
Both men stand, and Drilla BOOTS! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya takes another swing, but Drilla ducks to ripcord and CHOP! But Yuya roars! Drilla SUPERKICKS! Yuya PELES! Then DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Drilla slumps over but that still saves him! Yuya roars and the fans are thunderous! Yuya goes up the corner, takes aim, and HIGH FLY- DROPKICK!! The anti-air hits and the fans fire up again! Drilla snarls, builds speed, and GORES!! But Drilla isn’t done there! He hauls Yuya back up, Canadian Rack, and DRILLA KILLA!! Cover, BUT YUYA ROLLS IT BACK! YUYA WINS!!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Yuya quite truly won by the seat of his pants, snatching victory from the jaws of this War Dragon! What will it take for Drilla to have that breakthrough to the next level?
As for Yuya, he’s very tired, but he still grabs the mic while resting on the mat. The fans cheer as Yuya manages to sit up. “To be honest, I thought today would be a no-go, but this is the soul of NJPW!” The fans cheer that! Yuya says the reason he was able to win today was because the fans supported him, and that gave him the energy! Thank you very much! The fans cheer again while Yuya stands back up, if just for a moment. Yuya asks if the fans love NJPW, and the fans cheer because they do. Yuya says if you like NJPW, come watch as the Spring’s hottest star, Yuya Uemura, becomes the strongest of all time!
The fans cheer again, and Yuya says he’ll speak for everyone’s hearts! Wait, did the mic go out? Oops. Yuya makes sure the mic is on as he repeats himself that he’ll speak for everyone’s hearts, and that he’ll continue to heat up this New Japan Cup! YOSHA! The fans cheer as Yuya falls back! Yuya gets another win, but will he keep it up all the way to the finals?
My Thoughts:
A great start to the second round, but I’m a little surprised we didn’t get more than two tournament matches. Takagi VS Fale was very good, even with the usual House of Torture overbooking. Gedo helping turn things around was great, too. Then awesome main event from Yuya VS Drilla. That sudden ending was a great move, they really made it seem like Drilla was going to win. But Yuya pulling it out was great, it builds his story of becoming the “sun,” aka the face of NJPW. He’s definitely proving himself worthy of being a top star in this generation, can’t wait to see how far he goes.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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