Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (10/9/23)
Another Big Time Raw!
The Man is still NXT Women’s Champion, for now!
WWE pulls out of the Fastlane and right into The Big Time as Becky Lynch defends her NXT Women’s Championship against Tegan Nox! Will the Shiniest Wizard take down Grand Slam Becks?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Viking Rules Match: Ivar VS Kofi Kingston; Ivar wins.
- Nia Jax VS Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Chad Gable VS Ricochet VS Bronson Reed; Bronson wins and will challenge Gunther for the title.
- Drew McIntyre VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio; McIntyre wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch VS Tegan Nox; Becky wins and retains the title.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions: Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso VS Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens; Cody & Jey win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins is here!
Omaha, Nebraska fires up as The Visionary swaggers his way out, still WWE World Heavyweight Champion after Fastlane’s brutal Last Man Standing match. Rollins of course reveals in the fans singing his song, “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Then he gets the mic and he welcomes Omaha to Monday Night Rollins! And he is feeling “some type a way tonight!” Adrenaline is a powerful, powerful thing, because past Saturday, Fastlane, Last Man Standing, Shinsuke Nakamura took Rollins to his limit. There were times when Rollins didn’t know if he could get back up, but he did. Fans cheer that!
There were times when Rollins didn’t know if he could keep Nakamura down, but he did. Fans cheer that, too! Rollins says when that was all over, the whole arena singing his song, Rollins felt he was on top of the world! Then Rollins went to the back, the adrenaline wore off, and he was very quickly reminded that his back… is still very broken. Rollins will level with us now: Being the World Heavyweight Champion has been one of the greatest honors of his career. Fans cheer that, too, which seems to make this harder for Rollins to say. Fans chant “Thank You, Rollins!” and maybe they already understand.
Rollins smiles and says, “But I want you to know… I’m just getting started, baby. HAHAHAHA! I’m still gonna be your fighting champion, baby! I’ll take on anyone, anytime, anywhere!” But maybe, just maybe, let’s go one Monday night without Rollins having to fight for his life out here, huh? Fans are a little disappointed by that but Rollins says c’mon, we can still sing. “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” There it is! Rollins says we can dance, sing, throw back some cold ones. Wait! Here comes Drew McIntyre! The Scottish Warrior walks up to the ring, gets a mic and then stands in front of Rollins as fans are a bit torn.
Rollins says yeah, McIntyre’s not here to party, is he? McIntyre shakes his head. So he wants a world title match, huh? McIntyre nods his head. Rollins mumbles that he just wanted one night to relax, but y’know what? He don’t give a damn if he ain’t 100%! He is a fighting champion, he just said anyone, anytime, anywhere, so if McIntyre will give him a minute, he’ll go to the back and get dressed! McIntyre tells Rollins to hold on and relax. The party is still on. We all know that it is only a matter of time before someone jumps Rollins from behind, backstage, in the parking lot, somewhere. McIntyre is gonna do this man to man and say he wants the shot.
Not only that, he wants Rollins as close to 100% as possible. So Drew’s thinking McIntyre VS Rollins can be for the world title at Crown Jewel. So, he’s not here to jump Rollins? Nope. And he wants Rollins at his best? Bingo. Well, Rollins isn’t used to this, so he is a bit unsure how to respond. Can he get some help? Yes, please. Rollins turns to Omaha, and they’re already fired up. Then here’s a question: How does this sound? Crown Jewel, World Heavyweight Championship, McIntyre VS Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins?! The fans cheer and Rollins says that is one more reason to party, cuz McIntyre has himself a match! HAHAHA!
But uh, Drew, hey, don’t leave! We’re just getting started. McIntyre used to be in a band, he can sing and dance. Let’s try it out. McIntyre says he’d love to, but he has business in the back. But if anyone sees him out and about tonight, buy him a pint. Okay then! Omaha, let’s sing it again! “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” But wait, DAMIAN PRIEST ATTACKS FROM BEHIND!! Fans boo as the Punisher proves McIntyre right! Choke grip, SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! McIntyre is conflicted as he watches, because here comes Judgment Day! Dominik Mysterio has the briefcase to bring to Priest! So McIntyre stops him!
McIntyre stands between Dom and Priest, and then GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS Dom down!! Fans fire up as McIntyre CHUCKS the briefcase to the stage! Priest is pissed, but Rollins is up to throw hands! Fans fire up as Rollins clotheslines Priest up and out! Rollins throws his chessboard jacket off and tells Priest if he wants it, he does it face to face! Will the Architect have plans to get past the Punisher to then face the Scottish Warrior in Saudi Arabia?
Xavier Woods hypes Kofi Kingston up.
Tonight is Viking Rules 1v1 with Ivar, and Woods is reminding Kofi of who he is and what he can do! Kofi is ready as he’ll ever be, will he survive the War Beard’s wrath?
Viking Rules Match: Ivar VS Kofi Kingston!
Through the course of the second war between Viking Raiders and New Day, Erik went down with injury but Ivar unleashed his fury on both New Day members at the same time. But now, Ivar and Kofi will settle this one on one! Will Kofi be able to stop Ragnarök? Or will he be destroyed by the raid?
The bell rings, Kofi runs in but Ivar BOOTS him down! Ivar hauls Kofi up, whips him to a corner, but Kofi goes up and up to CROSSBODY! Kofi rains down fists, then dumps Ivar out! Kofi runs to FLY! Direct hit and Kofi fires up! Fans fire up with Kofi but Ivar knees him low! Ivar RAMS Kofi into the row of shields! Kofi flounders, Ivar stalks him, but fans rally up. Ivar drags Kofi up to whip. Kofi jumps the steps, comes back and FLYING CROSSBODIES again! Kofi rains down fists, then stomps! Kofi lets off, and fans fire up as Kofi searches under the ring. Kofi brings out a TABLE! Fans fire up as Kofi props that up against the barriers.
Kofi fetches Ivar, but Ivar kicks low! Ivar puts Kofi in the ring, CLUBS him on the apron, and then climbs up to APRON SPLASH! Kofi sputters, Ivar shouts, “VIKING RAIDERS~!” and fans boo. Ivar drags Kofi up but Kofi THROWS Ivar off the apron! Ivar hits the floor and writhes, but then Kofi hops up the corner. Fans fire up as Kofi leaps, SUPER SPLASH!! Down goes Ivar and Kofi covers, TWO! Ivar is still in this and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and both men are up top. Kofi grabs the flag waving in that corner, and uses it to CHOKE Ivar, into a SUPER RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Ivar and Kofi stir, rise up, and drag themselves up. Ivar has the banner, swings, but Kofi dodges! Kofi fires off but Ivar knees low and whips. Kofi slides under the shield, ROCKS Ivar, then climbs up the corner. Ivar gets under the jump, but then Kofi dodges back. Kofi sends Ivar into the shield and it SHATTERS! Then Kofi hits the SOS! Cover, TWO!! Ivar survives, but Kofi PENALTY KICKS! Fans fire up as Kofi runs to hit the “NEW~ DAY~!” Wait, Ivar moves!
Kofi runs in, Ivar scoops him to POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Ivar snarls but Kofi isn’t a Grand Slam Champion for nothing. Ivar drags Kofi up, underhooks, but Kofi fights free! But Ivar ducks the SOS to flip Kofi through and hook him up again! TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Kofi survives and Ivar is furious now! Kofi crawls around, Ivar aims from a corner. Ivar runs in, but Kofi dodges! Ivar stops from hitting table, and he HEEL KICKS Kofi down! Ivar then climbs up a corner! Fans fire up as Kofi SMACKS Ivar with a shield! Kofi fires hands, then grabs that beard! Kofi THROWS Ivar down through a table!!
Omaha loses its mind as Kofi hurries to fetch Ivar from the wreckage. But SARAH LOGAN CLOBBERS KOFI! Fans boo as the Viking priestess saves Ivar, but here comes Woods! Woods protests that this is supposed to be 1v1! But Sarah is like a rabid animal as she barks at him. Sarah runs in but he dumps her into the timekeeper’s area! But then Ivar SPLASHES Woods against the barriers! But Kofi SUPERKICKS Ivar! Kofi CLUBS away on Ivar, hauls him into the ring, and goes to a corner. TROUBLE IN- NO, Ivar catches Kofi to SPINEBUSTER through the other table!! Ivar drags Kofi from that wreckage and into a drop zone!
Ivar climbs the corner again, to VIKING MOONSAULT!! Cover, Ivar wins!!
Winner: Ivar, by pinfall
Kofimania put up a fight, but it would seem the Norse gods were on Ivar’s side! But also Sarah was an insurance policy. Will the raid continue on until Raw belongs to Valhalla?
Backstage interview with Shinsuke Nakamura.
Byron Saxton is with the King of Strong Style and says Nakamura pushed Rollins to his limits, yet still came up short. How does he feel about that match? Nakamura scoffs, so Byron asks what are his goals going forward? But then Ricochet attacks! The One and Only still wants his pound of flesh from Nakamura! Adam Pearce and producers stop this, Nakamura slips away, and Ricochet asks if that’s all the coward’s got! Ricochet still has his Triple Threat #1 contender’s match to consider, which matters more to him? Gold or a grudge?
Judgment Day regroups backstage.
And Priest is choking JD McDonagh! Priest said these would be the consequences, so here they are! The others get Priest to stop and Priest says McDonagh deserves this! McDonagh tries to apologize but even Finn tells him to shut it! McDonagh’s caused enough problems as it is! Priest asks where Rhea and Finn were during all that. Finn says they were talking with Adam Pearce. They get a rematch for the tag titles next week on Raw. Good, right? Yeah, fine. But that still leaves McDonagh and McIntyre! Rhea says Priest doesn’t need to worry about McIntyre, there’s nothing to gain there. Nothing. In the end, Priest is still Mr. MITB. And next week, they also win back the tag titles.
Priest relaxes, and Rhea glares at McDonagh. Tonight, McDonagh proves himself by taking out McIntyre. McDonagh agrees, and Rhea says she has her own business to handle, so she heads out. Priest tells McDonagh that part of him really wants McDonagh to take out McIntyre. But the other wants to end McDonagh after McIntyre breaks him in half. So “good luck.” Now get out. McDonagh hurries away, will the Irish Ace be able to clear out one roadblock to the world title?
Nia Jax VS Raquel Rodriguez!
The Irresistible Force bulldozed and crushed several of the superstars in the Raw Women’s Division, and now they all want revenge! Will Ricky Desperado get hers here in Omaha? Or will she just get A-Nia-lated again?
Raw returns and Nia makes her entrance. The bell rings and Nia CLOBBERS Raquel! Nia dribbles Raquel off the mat then soaks up the heat. But Raquel SLAPS Nia back! Nia runs in but Raquel dodges and RAMS her into the corner! And again, and again! Raquel fires off hands on Nia but Nia shoves her away. Raquel just RAMS Nia again! Raquel scoops!? But Nia fights free and CLUBS Raquel down! Nia CLUBS Raquel more, then POSTS her! Raquel slumps out of the ring and to the floor while fans boo. Nia goes out after Raquel, stomps her around, then RAMS her into the apron! Fans boo and the ring count climbs, but Nia RAMS Raquel into barriers!
Nia paces and scowls while fans boo, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Raquel elbows free of a waistlock, only for Nia to scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Then ELBOW DROP! Nia soaks up more heat from the fans, then grins as she sits Raquel up. Nia has a cobra clutch and she thrashes Raquel around. Raquel fights up, throws elbows, and is free again, to short arm LARIAT! Nia stays up so Raquel LARIATS again! Nia swings, Raquel dodges and LARIATS! Nia rebounds into a BOOT! Fans fire up and Raquel hurries after Nia. Fireman’s carry!? But the back gives up! Nia CLOBBERS Raquel again! Nia drags Raquel up to whip and fireman’s carry, SAMOAN DROP!
Nia drags Raquel to a drop zone, and fans boo as she climbs up the corner. Nia grins, but Raquel gets up under her! Fans are thunderous for the TEXANA BOMB!!! But Raquel used all she had to do that, she can’t cover! Fans rally up but here comes Rhea! Mami TOSSES Raquel and fires off on Nia!
No Contest
ROUNDHOUSE for Nia drops her! Rhea HAMMERS away, but then Raquel short arm LARIATS Rhea! And again! And- NO, Rhea dodges the third to HEADBUTT! But Nia is up! So SHAYNA BASZLER knocks her down and fires off! Rhea pushes Shayna and the two argue about who gets their shot at Nia. But then Shayna waistlocks Rhea to GERMAN SUPLEX! And RUNNING KNEE! The Queen of Spades stands tall over the Women’s World Champion, but Nia gets away. Who proves to be THE Alpha Female of Monday Night Raw?
Rollins finds McIntyre backstage.
Great news! Rollins talked with Pearce, the match for Crown Jewel is official! That’s fantastic news! Yeah, but uh, Rollins would like to know, what the hell was McIntyre’s problem? He says he’s a man of integrity and when Rollins gets jumped, McIntyre does nothing. But the MITB contract shows up, then McIntyre is suddenly the hero. What game is he playing? McIntyre isn’t playing a game, he hasn’t told a single lie. McIntyre said that if it isn’t his business, he doesn’t get involved. But Judgment Day getting the world title, that IS McIntyre’s business, as well as the entire Raw roster’s.
And maybe Rollins wasn’t watching SmackDown, but the whole thing with The Bloodline, the numbers game, the Undisputed title going on three YEARS now, and McIntyre isn’t about to watch the sequel here on Raw. Oh, of course! Right, absolutely, that makes sense. Rollins appreciates McIntyre looking out for everyone here. But McIntyre doesn’t have to worry about Judgment Day. See, they couldn’t take this title from Rollins, and neither can McIntyre. Rollins smiles and leaves, but will McIntyre have the last laugh?
Backstage interview with Shayna Baszler.
Jackie Redmond tries to get a word from the Queen of Spades on the “mayhem” going on with the women’s division. Shayna says it doesn’t matter who it is, from Nia to Rhea to Raquel, if Shayna is standing in that ring, she is the baddest woman in there. And nobody, and she means nobody, sneak attacks her and gets away with it. Tozawa walks into view but then turns right around. Will Shayna make them all #TapNapOrSnap?
Michael Cole is in the ring.
He welcomes the NEW Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes! Main Event Jey and the American Nightmare make their entrances in turn, “WHOA~ OH~!” then join Cole in the ring. Cole has the fans give it up one more time for the champions, and then asks how it feels to be champs. Jey asks what Cole means by that? They’re turnt up right now! Jey is a TWO-TIME Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion! And his partner is Cody Rhodes, Uce! YEET! Cole says it was an incredible moment, he had goosebumps calling the match. Cody brought Jey back to the WWE, and not even two month slater, they’re champs.
But Cole wants to address something with Cody right here. Where does this massive responsibility of defending the tag titles all around the world, in front of the greatest fans on the planet, do to Cody’s original goal returning to the WWE of “finishing the story?” Now, we’ve seen the documentary, Cole and Cody have had real, personal conversations about it. Is Cody content with this? Defending the tag titles? Or does, perhaps, Cody doesn’t want another shot at the Universal title because he failed the first time around? No fault of his, mind you, but perhaps Cody is just afraid to try again because he’ll let people down.
Cody says Cole is right about one thing, Fastlane was a moment! And he’s right about Cody bringing Jey back. All this talent, you can’t just leave it on the shelf. And Cody is just excited like everyone else here to be Undisputed Tag Team Champion! Yes, that is great, but Cole wants to get to the main question. We’ve been along on the right, and Cody has had an incredible year. Cody won the Royal Rumble, main-evented WrestleMania, and came this close to winning the WWE Championship, just like his father came that close. So is that going to be the story? Fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” and Cody thinks on it.
Cody wants to say something, but then here comes Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens! Fans cheer as The Great Liberator & Prizefighter go to the ring, which surprises Cody. Sami has a mic to say he hasn’t heard his song in a minute. But Cole, full respect to you, everyone wants to talk about “finishing the story.” But here’s a story Sami wants to talk about real quick. The story of two guys, Jimmy & Jey Uso, who held those Undisputed Tag titles longer than anyone in history. And then two other guys, named Sami & Kevin, came around and won those tag titles in the main event of WrestleMania! Fans cheer that.
No love lost for Judgment Day, but they’re one of the hottest things going today. And yet, these two men, Cody & Jey, beat them for these titles! As far as Sami is concerned, that is the story we should be talking about right now! So Cody, Sami isn’t taking shots, he is here face to face to congratulate Cody. And Jey… Sami and Jey have bee through a lot, so Sami means this from the bottom of his heart, he is happy for Jey that he won the titles. Sami wants them to know he means all that. But… This is where it gets complicated and messy. There are mixed emotions here.
While Sami thinks Cody & Jey deserve this, and thinks the world of them, he sees them standing here, holding those belts, and Sami can’t help but feel like it should be him and Kevin. Like Sami said, mixed emotions. Kevin speaks up and says he doesn’t have mixed emotions. He is NOT happy to see Cody & Jey with the titles. Doesn’t matter how hard they worked to get those titles, Kevin wants those back. And what he’d love to do is to look them both in the eyes and challenge them to a tag team title match right here tonight. Fans love that idea! But then Kevin points out a problem: If he does, Cody & Jey won’t accept because Jey can’t handle the idea of losing to Kevin twice.
Jey gets up in Kevin’s face but Cody has him stop. They’re all friends here. At least, Cody thinks they are. But Kevin might be wrong here. Because Cody does accept! And why wait? They can do it here tonight on Monday Night Raw! Fans fire up for that, and it sounds like Pearce just has to give the word! Will the American Nightmare & Main Event Jey get through their first defense already? Or will Kevin & Sami fight their way into a rematch with the Judgment Day?
Chad Gable prepares for his Triple Threat match.
And he does it by having Otis CHOP him! And CHOP! “A Thank Yew! Again!” CHOP! Gable says he wins tonight to start his climb back to the Intercontinental Championship! That means getting his body in tip top shape! Now hit him again! CHOP! A THANK YEW~! Is he ready? Time for carnage! But then in walks Bronson Reed. If it isn’t Gable getting his hopes up again. Bronson says Gable isn’t getting anywhere near the title with Bronson in the way. Bronson beat Gable AND his number one guy, Otis. Bronson vows to punch his ticket, and hopes Gable won’t let his kids watch tonight, because it’s gonna be another heartbreaking loss for Daddy.
Bronson laughs and leaves, but Gable tells Otis to hit him again. CHOP! Gable is determined as ever, but will he be able to ground Ricochet while also avoiding a Tsunami?
WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Chad Gable VS Ricochet VS Bronson Reed!
Wait! Nakamura attacks Ricochet during his entrance! The King of Strong Style stomps The King of Flight, but then Ricochet fires back! They brawl, Nakamura throat chops! Nakamura fireman’s carries, to GO TO SLEEP!! Ricochet is down, but Nakamura wants to finish him! Producers and referees rush out to stop this, and Nakamura sighs. Ricochet sputters, can he still compete in the Triple Threat? Or will it end up just Gable and Bronson?
Raw returns and Bronson makes his entrance, followed by Gable making his. The bell rings and Bronson runs at Ricochet. Ricochet dodges, he and Gable mug Bronson but he shoves them away! Bronson CLOBBERS Ricochet, then scoops Gable! Gable slips free, waistlocks, and lifts?! But Bronson fights free, reels Gable in, and suplexes. Ricochet SOBATS Bronson and Gable is saved. Ricochet KICKS Bronson, CHOSP him, and Gable CHOPS! They fire off CHOPS together on Bronson, then stomp away in the corner! Fans fire up, Ricochet & Gable double whip, but Bronson blocks! Bronson reels them in to double whip them out of the ring!
Fans boo as Bronson stands tall in the ring. Maxxine checks Gable while Bronson storms out. Bronson aims and FLYING- DROPKICK! Ricochet intercepts the mass coming at him, but Gable waistlocks! Ricochet fights it, so Gable shifts to a full nelson! DRAGON SUPLEX onto Bronson! Gable stands and Maxxine joins in on “A THANK YEW~!” as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Bronson throws hands on Gable as he’s up top. But Gable grabs an arm, HANGING ARMBAR! And then Gable sits up to jump on for a SLEEPER! But Bronson RAMS Gable into the corner! Bronson is free, but Ricochet runs in! Only for Bronson to toss him up and over and into Gable! Bronson runs in to SPLASH them both! Ricochet falls, Bronson puts Gable back up top. Bronson fireman’s carries Ricochet, then adds Gable to it! DOUBLE SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives but Bronson keeps his cool. Bronson drags Ricochet up, reels him in, but Ricochet falls down.
Fans boo but Bronson grins as he gives thumbs down. Bronson hauls Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free! Ricochet dodges, CHOPS, and handsprings to BACK ELBOW! Bronson stays up, so Ricochet CROSSBODIES! But Bronson catches Ricochet! Ricochet slips free, goes to a corner, Bronson runs in but only gets buckles as Ricochet slips away! GAMANGIRI from the apron! Ricochet fires up, fans are with him, and Ricochet springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Bronson falls out and fans fire up again! But then Gable trips Ricochet to jackknife bridge! TWO as Ricochet bridges up! They spin and spin, and Gable has the crucifix lift!
RAZOR’S- RANA! Then CROSSBODY! Ricochet runs to SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!! Gable is still in this and Ricochet grows frustrated. Ricochet brings Gable up, fireman’s carries, but Bronson is back! Ricochet drops Gable to dodge Bronson, and TIGER WALL KICK! ENZIGURI! Gable waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX Bronson!!! Bronson flops out of the ring and “A THANK YEW~!” But Ricochet runs in, Gable ducks and Ricochet FLIES to take Bronson out! Ricochet RAMS into Gable, slingshots, but Gable rolls it through to an ANKLE LOCK! Ricochet endures, reaches out, but Gable still drags him back!
Ricochet rolls free, and V-TRIGGERS Gable! Ricochet goes up the corner, but Gable goes up after him! SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX!! But Ricochet lands on his feet! But his leg jams! Gable gets Ricochet for CHAOS THEORY!! But Bronson drags Ricochet up to SLAM on Gable! DOUBLE SENTON!! And then Bronson goes up top! TSUNAMI on Ricochet!!! Cover, Bronson wins!!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Intercontinental Championship)
Ricochet came in at less than 100% physically, and Gable couldn’t focus 100% mentally, and now next week’s “season premiere” has a COLOSSAL title match! Will Der Ring General survive when he’s against someone #WarReady like Bronson Reed?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Jackie Redmond knows The Man is preparing to defend her NXT Women’s Championship, and we know she’s always ready, but she wasn’t even cleared to compete last week. Where is she physically tonight? Becky says physically, The Man has come around to Omaha! And no, she is not 100%, she still has 11 stitches in her arm. But as a fighting champion, if you’re doing it right, you’re never really 100%. But Becky will say that what is 100% is the success of her book, “The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl.” Get it now at all fine book retailers. But the main release is in March, and this title match is the biggest opportunity of Nox’s career.
Becky will be a wounded animal so Nox better bring everything she has, cuz Becky’s gonna give it everything she’s got. But then Xia Li walks in! What about her? Uh, what about you? Well, Nox is getting her shot. So when will it be Xia’s turn? Becky isn’t hard to find, so just wait. Becky heads out, will The Man make it through one challenge to go right into another?
Drew McIntyre VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!
The Scottish Warrior has his shot at the World Heavyweight Championship on November 4th, mostly because he stopped the Judgment Day from cashing in. But will he make it there now that he’s made Judgment Day his enemy? Or will the Irish Ace redeem himself for the Fastlane flub by taking out the Crown Jewel contender?
Raw returns and the bell rings. McIntyre looks McDonagh up and down, then stands up next to him to show the difference. The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre powers McDonagh to a corner. The ref counts, McIntyre lets off and McDonagh SLAPS him! McDonagh made another mistake… But he dodges to CHOP again! And again! McIntyre glares and McDonagh runs for it! They go around the ring, into the ring, and then McDonagh ducks but McIntyre back drops him! Look at that hangtime! McIntyre then clinches to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! McIntyre runs up to clinch in the corner, and OVERHEAD suplex again!
McIntyre storms up on McDonagh, avoids the punch and hits a NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up and fans fire up as he goes to a corner. The countdown begins, but Dom gets on the apron! McIntyre runs him off but McDonagh CHOP BLOCKS a leg! McDonagh fires off, CLOBBERS McIntyre, then YANKS the bad leg! And drops an elbow! And another elbow! And then puts the leg on the ropes to HIP DROP the knee! Dom soaks up the heat while McIntyre bails out. McDonagh goes out and runs in, but McIntyre LARIATS him down! The ring count climbs, McIntyre puts McDonagh in at 6, but McDonagh distracts so Dom can POST McIntyre!
Fans boo but Dom just smirks. McDonagh goes to the apron to PENALTY KICK! And then ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and down goes McIntyre! Dom cheers McDonagh on as McDonagh puts McIntyre in the ring. McDonagh then grabs the bad leg, pulls it against ropes, then RAMS McIntyre down. McDonagh goes up the corner to GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP on the leg! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre is still in this and McDonagh argues with the ref. But Dom grabs McIntyre, only for McIntyre to BOOT him to the desk! McDonagh CLUBS McIntyre, but McIntyre gets FUTURE SHOCK outta nowhere!!
McIntyre hobbles, aims, and “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Even with one leg, McIntyre whoops two men! Dom & McDonagh scurry off to the back, will Mami be very cross with them?
Damian Priest is watching backstage, and he’s definitely not happy. He turns to Rhea and she says before he does anything, she has an idea. Just trust her. Rhea heads out and Priest says alright. What does Mami have as a back-up plan?
Wade Barrett has a sit-down interview with Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano.
He thanks them for taking this time, and he asks from their perspectives, what did we see at the end of last week’s Raw? Ciampa says that they’ve got some bad news for him. Hah, kidding. Good one, good one. But to be honest, this entire thing is seven years in the making. The team known as DIY has always been bigger than the two of them. The fans created this movement, made them undeniable. The fans made DIY into the first team to main event a TakeOver. This history is like no other. But now, they look to what is next.
Gargano says that for seven years, they’ve thought, “What if?” What if DIY was on Raw? How far could they go? And Gargano has been getting ready for his return for some time. And they were all in San Jose, and Gargano saw what happened when Imperium jumped Ciampa and wasn’t gonna let that happen. Gargano does believe that everything happens for a reason, and so the reason is that finally, this is their moment. Then if so, will we see DIY together as a team here on Raw? That is the question, now isn’t it? But before Gargano can go on, IMPERIUM ATTACKS! Vinci goes after Gargano, Ludwig is after Ciampa!
Wade gets outta the way as Imperium then focuses on Gargano. They RAM Gargano into the lockers! And then they sit him up to tell him in German that he will pay for what he’s done. They won’t get away with it! Not with Imperium! They SLAM Gargano down, and then storm off, will Ludwig & Vinci end DIY’s moment before it begins?
Tegan Nox speaks.
“In all honesty, I’m lucky to even be here right now. Days after I signed my WWE contract, I tore my ACL. A year later, I tore it again. But I would never give up on myself. I never gave up and I kept fighting. If anybody in that locker room wants to go, I’m happy to do it. I’ve been through it all. Enormous setbacks, crushing disappointments, and now I’m just here to win. It’s my time.”
Backstage interview with Tegan Nox.
Jackie Redmond is with Tegan right at gorilla and says Becky called this the biggest match of Nox’s career. How has she prepared for it? Nox says she’s been waiting to fight the right version of Becky for a long time. But tonight, Nox makes sure she brings the best version of herself. This isn’t a title match anymore. This is to show the world just who the hell Nox is! Natty walks in and tells Tegan that she wants her to know she meant what she said about being proud of her. And remind Becky of what you’re made of. Nox is born to do this. Natty and Nox hug, and Nox heads out. Will the Welsh Firecracker show she is ready for The Big Time?
Ricochet is hutting Nakamura backstage.
He shouts for where Shinsuke went, but Pearce stops him. He knows Ricochet is pissed but he can’t have more of what happened earlier tonight keep happening, so he had Nakamura escorted from the building. Well good! But since these two can’t seem to handle this in the ring, here’s what we do: Season Premiere of Raw next week, Ricochet VS Nakamura, FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE. That’s all he had to say. Ricochet heads out, but how will this fight end when they can do anything and end up anywhere?
NXT Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch VS Tegan Nox!
Raw returns as Becky makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly championship material!
The bell rings and fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, Becky wrenches and steps over but Nox rolls her up. Becky gets away and fans cheer. The two reset and circle again, then Nox sweeps to cover! ONE as Becky goes Matrix! But Nox O’Conner Rolls, ONE! Becky has the O’Conner, ONE! Becky goes for a leg, N ox hooks the arms to turn Becky to a backslide, TWO! Becky stands, spins, and facelocks to cradle! TWO and Nox has it! ONE, and the two get up. Becky clinches, Nox slips free but Becky gets away again. Fans fire up as the two reset one more time. They tie up, Becky headlocks and hits the takeover, but Nox turns it right around on Becky!
Nox grinds the hold, Becky fights up, and Becky powers out to reel her in. Nox powers out, things speed up, and fans duel as Nox runs Becky over! Nox says she’s getting that belt. Things speed up, Becky stays low then gets up, but Nox counters hip toss, only for Becky to do the same! Arm-drag to lateral press, TWO and Nox ghost pins! TWO, and Becky steps over to La Magistrol! TWO, Nox has the cradle, TWO! Becky runs Nox over! And she taunts Nox with some of her hair extensions. Things speed up, Nox arm-drags but Becky arm-drags back! The two stand off again and fans cheer the exchange.
Becky and Nox reset, circle, knuckle lock, and Becky kicks low. Becky bumps Nox off buckles, tells her to lay off the hair, and then bumps her off more buckles. Becky bumps Nox off the third corner, and fans rally up as Becky hits the fourth! Becky whips, Nox reverses, but Becky dodges to JUMP- NO, Nox blocks the kick to KICK an arm! Becky clutches the arm, that’s her stitched up arm! Nox bumps Becky, says no one cares about that book, and bumps Becky off more buckles! Nox runs corner to corner, to UPPERCUT! And she keeps going, to UPPERCUT again! Nox snapmares Becky, runs and BASEMENT UPPERCUTS! Cover, TWO!
Becky shakes her arm out, goes to ropes, and she BOOTS back! Becky puts Nox in the ropes, fires forearm, UPPERCUT and SOBAT! Fans fire up with Becky as she goes up the corner, to GUIL- NO, Nox avoids the leg drop to HOTSHOT Becky! Nox climbs, but Becky ROCKS her! Becky JUMP KICKS and Nox falls to the floor! Nox staggers back up and Becky builds speed, Becky WRECKS Nox with a dropkick! Becky goes to the apron and she jumps, but Nox sends her into barriers! Nox PENALTY KICKS from the apron! And then CANNONBALLS! Down goes Becky and Nox fires up! Fans cheer as Nox puts Becky in, covers, TWO!
Nox is frustrated as The Man hangs in there, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Becky fires off furious forearms on Nox! Fans fire up and Becky UPPERCUTS, SOBATS and runs. Becky then ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Nox! Fans fire up and Nox ends up in a corner. Becky runs in to forearm smash! And then BECKSPLODER! Nox flounders, Becky covers, TWO! Becky keeps her cool and brings Nox back up. Becky puts Nox in the ropes, fires forearm, uppercut and- NO, Nox blocks the sobat to trip Becky! Nox goes up the corner and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! A hard landing but Becky is still in this, which frustrates Nox again. Nox goes back to a corner, runs in, but Becky ducks the wizard!
Becky rolls Nox up, TWO! Becky wants the arm! Nox fights around, Becky wrenches and underhooks, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX into an ARMBAR! Nox clasps the hands, fights around, but Becky kicks at her. Nox fights up, but into the DISARM-HER! Nox schoolgirls Becky into buckles!! And runs in, CANNON-BOAR!! Nox drags Becky to a cover, TWO! Becky survives again and Tegan is beside herself. Becky goes to another corner, Nox runs in but is put on the apron. Nox ROUNDHOUSES Becky away! Fans rally, Nox climbs, but Becky ROCKS her first! Becky climbs, brings Nox up, but Nox fights with body shots!
Becky hits back but Nox steps into the corner. Nox slips under, but Becky throws down hands! Nox trips Becky up! And UPPERCUTS her in the back! Becky is in the Tree of Woe! CANNONBALL! Nox drags Becky to another cover, TWO!! But Nox has the arm! ARMBAR!! Nox is after that stitched up arm but Becky fights to a stack, TWO! Becky is free, clinches, but Nox RAMS Becky into buckles! Becky elbows back, goes up and out and baits Nox in to KICK her! And ROUNDHOUSE her! Becky goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Nox barely kicks out and neither Becky nor Omaha can believe it!
Becky shakes her bad arm out, fans rally up behind her, and Becky wants Nox to get up. Nox rises, Becky has her arm, but Nox moves around to whip and scoop, FALL AWAY BRIDGE! Cover, TWO!! Becky escapes that sudden improve move, and Nox is about to lose her mind! Nox goes up a corner, Becky rises, but Becky avoids the leap! MAN- NO, Nox slips out to crucifix takedown! TWO!!! DISARM- NO!! ROLL-UP!! TWO!! DISARM-HER!!! Nox taps, Becky wins!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by submission (still NXT Women’s Champion)
Becky was right that this was Nox’s biggest battle ever! And Nox was right that she brought the best version of herself! The only problem is, that version of Nox isn’t ready to be champion just yet. However, she does have Becky’s respect. They shake hands and fans cheer. When and where will Nox get another shot? Who is next for The Man now that she’s still the champ?
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell talk with Pearce.
They hope for an update on Gargano & Ciampa, and Pearce says it is good news, bad news. Gargano is banged up, but not injured. We’re still waiting on Ciampa’s condition. Okay, thank you. But then in step Rhea. She tells the others to get out so she can talk with Pearce. Oi, watch yourself, Rhea. Rhea shouts at them if she has to repeat herself! Pearce tells them all to calm down, and Candice has Indi exit. Pearce asks Rhea what else he can do for her tonight. Rhea says they need to get her division in order. And what does that mean? Rhea wants to make an example. She wants Shayna Baszler 1v1 next week! Make it happen!
Okay… Pearce has a loaded plate, but will the Women’s World Champion be able to trump the Queen of Spaces on the Raw Season Premiere?
Natty and Nox regroup backstage.
Natty says Nox did amazing, but Nox says she lost! Maybe she shouldn’t be here! Beating yourself up after doing so well isn’t gonna help, though. Kayden Carter & Katana Chance walk over and agree, Nox did great out there. That deserves a drink. They all encourage her, but then Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk in, and Chelsea tells Nox, “What a match! It almost distracts from the fact that you lost.” Oh, and what’s going on here? Is this a pity party? Uh, Natty, don’t ever interfere with Chelsea again, or else. Or else what? Natty steps up to Chelsea, and Chelsea says, “Or else… Or else…”
Piper says Natty will have to deal with her. Then name a time and place. Then how about next week? The Raw Season Premiere. Natty will see her there. Piper & Chelsea head out, will the Undisputed WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions end up in a big mess all thanks to the Hot Mess?
McIntyre fires Jey Uso backstage.
And he says he sees right through Jey. Sooner or later, Jey will show his true colors, and McIntyre will be there to drop him. Jey says it still sounds he feels a kind of way. They’ve got five minutes. Then make a move. But Sami walks in and asks if they’re all good here. McIntyre and Jey say yeah, all good. McIntyre heads out, and Jey asks where Sami came from. What? He was over there. Jey says he appreciates Sami having his back and all, but tonight… It’s go time, Uce. Sami says don’t worry. Jey doesn’t have to tell him twice. Sami heads out now, and the main event is here! Will Main Event Jey and Sami be able to fight as hard as possible given they’re still friends?
Ludwig Kaiser speaks.
“I don’t compare myself to other superstars. My competition is Picasso, Michelangelo, the Mona Lisa. I am living art. Ludwig Kaiser means European Elegance. A+ talent. A+ aesthetics. A+ everything. Because Ludwig Kaiser is an A+ specimen.” Will the Impeccable German prove himself to be more than just Gunther’s lieutenant?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions: Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso VS Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens!
Raw returns as Main Event Jey again makes his entrance, followed by The American Nightmare, “WHOA~ OH~!” The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who heads to the Raw season premiere as champions!
The teams sort out and Cody starts against Sami. Fans rally, the two circle and knuckle lock, then break. They feel things out as fans rally for “CODY! CODY!” They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, go around, and Cody puts Sami in a corner. Sami fights, the ref counts, and Cody lets off cleanly. Fans rally and the two go again. They tie up, and now Sami puts Cody in a corner. The ref counts, Sami lets off cleanly, and fans chant “UCEY! UCEY!” Sami CHOPS Cody, so Cody puts Sami in the corner to CHOP! Cody and Sami get chippy, Kevin and Jey get in and the ref has to keep all four men back. The teams settle down, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kevin has Cody’s arm for Sami to AX HANDLE! Sami then bumps Cody off buckles, bumps him off buckles again, and he goes up to AX HANDLE again! Cover, TWO! Sami brings Cody up, but Cody RAMS him into the corner and Jey tags in! Fans fire up as Sami and Jey finally square off. They circle, fans rally with “UCEY! UCEY!” and Jey tells Sami to bring it. They tie up, Jey headlocks, but Sami powers out. Things speed up, Sami hurdles and DECKS Jey! Fans rally, Sami CHOPS Jey, then CHOPS again! Fans “WOO~” while Sami whips. Jey drops to UPPERCUT Sami!
Sami tumbles away and Jey eggs him on more. Fans bounce with Jey, but Sami tags in Kevin. Kevin and Jey circle, tie up, and they go around. Kevin puts Jeyu in a corner but Jey turns it around, only for Kevin to turn it back around. Kevin lets off but pie faces, so Jey throws hands! They hockey scrum and Kevin TACKLES Jey! They go out of the ring, still throw hands, and fans fire up as Kevin has Jey against the desk! Jey turns it around on Kevin, Cody and Sami hurry over but then shove each other. Now the brawl is all four men! Fans fire up as Cody RAMS Sami into an apron and Kevin CLUBS away on Jey against the desk!
Sami hits Cody, Cody DECKS Sami! Kevin puts Jey on the desk to HEADBUTT! Kevin ROCKS Cody! Kevin slides in as the count climbs, and Sami joins him. They wait on Cody and Jey, and Jey storms up. Kevin DECKS Jey, goes back out and TACKLES Jey onto the desk! They scrap, fall off the desk, and now Cody and Sami get back into it! Fans fire up as the brawl keeps going on all around the desk! Cody tosses Sami over, hops up, but Sami ROCKS him first! Kevin goes after Cody again as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once again and Kevin has Jey down with a chinlock. Kevin leans on the hold and fans rally as Jey endures. Jey fights up, throws body shots, but Kevin throws him down by his hair! Then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Kevin mocks the bounce then says “SUCK IT!” Kevin stomps Jey, goes to a corner and climbs up, but Jey GAMANGIRIS first! Kevin wobbles but he grabs at Jey. Kevin throws hands but Jey throws them back! Jey climbs up, but Kevin hooks a leg! Jey fires body shots, but so does Kevin! Kevin HEADBUTTS Jey down, then adjusts to SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!!
Kevin rains down fists in frustration, and “This is Awesome!” as Kevin drags Jey up. Jey ROCKS Kevin! Kevin ROCKS Jey! Kevin gets the edge, knees low and whips, but Jey slips out of the pop-up to SUPERKICK! Kevin SUPERKICKS! Jey SUPERKICKS again! And again! But Kevin LARIATS! Both men are down and fans fire up! Kevin and Jey crawl, Kevin grabs Jey’s leg, and then he brings Jey around. Jey SUPERKICKS again! Both men go to corners, hot tags to Cody and Sami! Cody rallies on Sami, whips him to ropes but Sami reverses! Cody CLOBBERS Sami! Then Cody goes up and over, to POWERSLAM!
Fans fire up and Cody roars! Sami rises up, Cody springboards, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and Cody is frustrated. Cody waits on Sami to rise again, and then dragon sleepers! CROSS- NO, Sami knees free and reels Cody in! But Cody slips out of Blue Thunder to CROSS- NO! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO! Cody hangs tough but Sami keeps cool. Sami rises up, brings Cody around, and he throws hands. But Cody kicks, drops, RHODES UPPERCUT! Sami ends up in a corner, Codey runs in, but into a CORNER EXPLODER! Sami goes to the far side, and runs back in, but Cody catches Sami! CROSS RHODES!! Cover, KEVIN BREAKS IT!
Kevin CLUBS away on Cody, then lets off to go back to his corner. Cody and Sami stir, fans rally up, and Jey is back! Cody and Sami crawl but end up meeting each other. Cody throws a forearm, so Sami gives it back. Cody throws another, so Sami throws it back! They stand, Cody punches, kicks, reels Sami in and underhooks, but Sami back drops free! Both men are closer to their corners now! Hot tags to Kevin and Jey! Fans fire up as Kevin blocks a kick, gives a kick, but Jey stops the stunner! They both CLUB each other, Jey SUPERKICKS but then Kevin SUPERKICKS! Kevin SUPERKICKS again!
Jey SUPERKICKS again and Kevin falls! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Jey goes to the apron and drags himself up. Jey goes to a corner now and climbs up that. USO SPLASH but he has to bail out! Kevin hits a STUNNER!!! Cover, Cody breaks it!! Fans are thunderous as Cody gets even with Kevin! Cody and Jey bail out, but Sami FLIES out onto them! Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up again! Kevin hurries to fetch Jey into the ring. Kevin climbs, to SWANTON onto knees!! Jey fires up to SUPERKICK! Sami runs in, into a SUPERKICK! Cody gives Sami CROSS RHODES!! Jey & Cody DOUBLE SUPERKICK Kevin!!
Kevin wobbles, Jey & Cody coordinate, CODE D CUTTER!! Cover, Cody & Jey win!!
Winners: Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions)
The American Nightmare & Main Event Jey win in the main event, proving their team isn’t just a fluke! Will they be able to prove the same thing next week against the Judgment Day? Or will Raw’s season premiere be the finale of their reign?
As for Sami and Kevin, Kevin wants to leave, but Sami lingers. Sami shakes hands with Cody and Jey to show respect, so Kevin is obligated to do the same. Is Kevin finally forgiving Jey? Will they all be united knowing Judgment Day still wants to take over?
My Thoughts:
A really good Raw here to follow Fastlane while also setting up all this “season premiere” stuff. Great interplay of the various stories, too. Rollins opens, he is confronted by McIntyre but attacked by Priest, with McIntyre denying the cash-in because he wants Rollins for Crown Jewel, I bet you we get that “can they coexist?” situation of Rollins and McIntyre having to fight off Judgment Day together. Though, McIntyre handled McDonagh and Dom all on his own so maybe he doesn’t need Rollins to help. We also got good stuff in the further dysfunction of Judgment Day where the others were actually on Priest’s side this time. Maybe the faction is betting on Priest finally getting the world title, and so if/when Priest fails “on his own,” that’s the last straw for the rest of them.
Also great stuff from the Women’s World title story with Rhea wrecking the pretty good Nia VS Raquel match, which then brings Shayna out to go after them all. Rhea VS Shayna is probably gonna be the same: great match, but someone (Nia) attacks to ruin in. Somehow, someway, this has to be a Fatal 4 Way for the Women’s World title, maybe even at Crown Jewel to keep this streak of historic matches in Saudi Arabia going. Becky VS Nox was a great title match here tonight, and it really was one of Nox’s best. Then Natty and KC Squared consoling Nox backstage, being confronted by Chelsea & Piper, that is definitely a WWE Women’s Tag title Triple Threat in the making, and that is gonna be a lot of fun.
Great Viking Rules match to get the card going, Kofi reestablished how good he is as a singles guy, and Ivar actually got to show us that he can be a great singles guy, too. But of course Sarah interferes, the Viking Raiders are building up in the rankings even with it just being Ivar. Then we got more great story intertwining as Ricochet wants after Nakamura but that costs him in the long run since Bronson won the Triple Threat. Bronson VS Gunther is going to be awesome stuff, as will be Ricochet VS Nakamura in Falls Count Anywhere. Now, Nakamura lost at Fastlane so he has to win the FCA as redemption. And as great as Bronson is, he’ll end up the biggest notch on Gunther’s belt.
And then some interesting moves by Imperium. Their attack on DIY during the interview made sense, and that did help get Candice & Indi on camera as a response to that attack. But Ludwig having his own vignette where he essentially remixes the “Veni Vidi Vinci” gimmick to make it his own was surprising. Is Imperium just going to fall apart and the “European Elegance” gimmick will be Ludwig’s back-up plan? Can Ludwig and Vinci stick together when they realize they’re European Elegance and Gunther’s “a bully?” That’d be pretty wild. But main thing is, it feels like Imperium is gonna lose to DIY in a big tag match.
And then speaking of the tag division, great stuff with Cody, Jey, Kevin and Sami. This match tonight was exactly what I was expecting with Cody & Jey winning the tag titles, just not so soon. I thought Judgment Day’s rematch was going to be the first one for Cody & Jey but this was still great stuff. It also fast tracks Kevin forgiving and accepting Jey so that they can be united as we approach Survivor Series and what will surely be WarGames 2023.
My Score: 8.8/10
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The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Rockin’ around the Christmas Collision!
The Continental Classic continues on Christmas Collision, with crucial points on the line this close to AEW Worlds End! Who will finally take the lead in Gold League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; Kris wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia; Garcia wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos; Briscoe wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 2-2, 6 points
Komander: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Shelton Benjamin: 2-1, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.
He has Big Boom AJ & Big Justice with him in the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they’re ready to bring the BOOM~! They’re ready to watch the action tonight, and even the final face-to-face of MJF and Adam Cole. AJ says if MJF is gonna bring the doom, then you know he and Big Justice will bring the BOOM~! But tonight, their guy, Adam Cole will bring the BOOM~ too! And of course we have big Continental Classic action! Daniel Garcia VS Shelton Benjamin in a critical showdown, and while Shelton is tough, Garcia is going to bring the BOOM~! Plus, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos! The Chicken is their guy, time to bring the BOOM~!
In Gold League, we have Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, and the Swiss Superman is a DOOM~! Let’s go, Darby, bring that BOOM~! And then a match everyone wants to see, the fireworks rematch of Will Ospreay VS Ricochet! If you’re a fan of high-flying wrestling, this is the right night to be right here in AEW! Ricochet and their guy, Ospreay, will bring the BOOM~! But speaking of, that match is up first! The Aerial Assassin joins AJ & Big Justice in giving a BOOM~, but will Ricochet make sure tonight is #OuttaThisWorld?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet!
Wait, are the fans throwing white streamers or is that… No, yeah, it’s toilet paper! Ospreay laughs at the fans basically calling Ricochet crap. Ricochet throws the toilet paper back! The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans fire up for Ospreay as he and Ricochet circle. The fans also sing, “F HIM UP, OSPREAY, F HIM UP!” Ricochet shrugs that off, he and Ospreay tie up, and then Ricochet rolls. Ospreay shoots in, waistlocks, but Ricochet switches. They go around, Ricochet gator rolls with Ospreay, then floats to a headlock. Ricochet wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks again. Ospreay powers up and out, Ricochet runs him over, but Ospreay kips up!
The fans cheer and Ospreay smiles as he and Ricochet reset. They tie up, go around, and Ricochet wrenches to a wristlock. Ospreay rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Ricochet spins and wrenches to hammerlock. Ospreay reaches back, headlocks and hits a takeover. Ricochet rolls to a cover, TWO! Ospreay holds onto the headlock but Ricochet powers up and out. Ospreay runs Ricochet over, Ricochet bails out, and then Ospreay handsprings to fake Ricochet out! The fans cheer as Ospreay superhero lands out, and Ricochet is annoyed. Ospreay holds ropes open for Ricochet, but Ricochet goes around the way to step in on his own.
The fans boo Ricochet being a bad sport but Ricochet ignores that. Ospreay and Ricochet knuckle lock, then Ricochet kicks low! And CHOPS! Ricochet whips, Ospreay reverses, but Ricochet rolls off Ospreay’s back! Things keep moving, Ospreay avoids the handspring to then duck ‘n’ dodges and RANA! But Ricochet handsprings through! The fans fire up, and Ospreay arm-drags Ricochet down! The fans cheer while Ricochet endures the grind. Ricochet fights up and puts Ospreay on ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet and Ospreay slowly let g o, and Ricochet SLAPS Ospreay! Ospreay CHOPS Ricochet!
Ospreay takes a swing, Ricochet ducks under to roll back and RANA! But now Ospreay handsprings through! Ricochet dodges to waistlock but Ospreay bucks the O’Conner. Ricochet arm-drags Ospreay down, but Ospreay headscissors back! Ricochet pops free but Ospreay arm-drags! Ricochet headscissors, Ospreay pops free, and Ospreay handsprings, but Ricochet catches him! Ricochet then THROWS Ospreay into the Tree of Woe, and Ospreay falls down! The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, but Ricochet FOSBURY FLOPS! The fans boo but Ricochet takes the toilet paper to wipe himself, then he SMOTHERS Ospreay with it!
The fans boo that literally disgusting act of disrespect, but Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet taunts the fans, then drags Ospreay up. Ricochet puts Ospreay in, soaks up more heat, then KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Ricochet swaggers to taunt the fans more, then he goes back to Ospreay. Cover, ONE!! Another cover, TWO! Ricochet taunts the fans more, then goes back for Ospreay. Ricochet stands Ospreay up to CHOP, and Ospreay goes to a corner. Ricochet RAMS into Ospreay, RAMS him again, then snapmares to UPPERCUT in the back! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Ricochet drags him into a motorcycle stretch. Ospreay endures while Ricochet digs a knee into the back. Ospreay fights up, fights with elbows, then runs, but into a DROPKICK!
Ospreay is down in a daze but Ricochet has to shake out the stars in his own head. Ricochet covers, ONE! Ospreay then uses that one to flip off Ricochet. Ricochet RAMS Ospreay in the back! Ricochet then clamps on with a chinlock, and he digs his knee into Ospreay’s back. Ospreay endures, even as Ricochet JAMS Ospreay. Collision returns to single picture as the fans rally for Ospreay again. Ospreay fires up, fires hands, but Ricochet RAMS him into a corner. Ricochet runs up, RAMS into Ospreay, then goes to the apron. Ospreay takes a swing but Ricochet dodges and gets around him to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay runs, handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay goes to the apron, takes aim, and he springboards to PIP PIP CHEERIO! Down goes Ricochet, Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay stays focused and the fans rally up. Ospreay drags Ricochet up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Ricochet staggers, Ospreay runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS! Forearm, SOBAT, and Ricochet runs, but into a POP-UP, and STYLES- NO, Ricochet sits up, slips free, and he underhooks Ospreay for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Ricochet goes up.
Ricochet has to double clutch, the fans let him hear it, but Ricochet still MOONSAULTS! Ricochet lands out as Ospreay moves, and Ospreay runs up, but into an ELBOW! Ricochet handsprings, but into a pop-up, Electric Chair, spin around, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Ospreay is surprised. Ospreay pulls on the elbow pad and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Ospreay aims, but Ricochet bails out! The fans boo but Ospreay storms after Ricochet. They’re both on the apron and Ospreay goes up a corner. Ricochet anchors Ospreay first! Then Ricochet has the Electric Chair Lift!
Ospreay fights free, fights off a nelson, then he KICKS Ricochet! Ospreay runs, but into a pop-up APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Ricochet adds a SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Ricochet puts Ospreay in, then springboards to 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives, but then Ricochet AX KICKS! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, VERTIGO! Cover, TWO!? Ospreay survives and Ricochet is shocked! Ricochet snarls and he aims from a corner. The fans rally for Ospreay but Ricochet loads up. SPIRIT- NO, Ospreay ducks under! Ospreay gets up, Ricochet blocks a kick!
Ricochet V-TRIGGERS, then he reels Ospreay in! But Ospreay fights out of the bomb, but then Ricochet returns the favor! Ricochet suplexes, into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Ospreay springboards for the OSC- CUTTER FROM RICOCHET!! Ricochet hurries to get Ospreay up, powerbomb into fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! SPIRIT- HIDDEN BLADE!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ospreay and Ricochet both slowly sit up and the fans rally as hard as ever. Ricochet and Ospreay stare down, talk a bit of trash, then stand up. Ospreay draws a line in the sand and dares Ricochet to step up.
Ricochet steps right up, they stand toe to toe, literally! They start firing forearms! The fans cheer Ospreay, boo Ricochet, and Ricochet wobbles! But then Ricochet comes back with forearm after forearm! Ospreay wobbles, but he grins as he rises and roars! Ospreay fires a flurry on Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Ricochet flops over, Ospreay hauls him up! But Ricochet grabs at the ref! Ospreay kicks Ricochet’s arm away, but then Ricochet RAMS Ospreay into the ref! The fans boo but then Ricochet hurries to HOOK KICK! And VERTI- NO, Ospreay slips free to underhook! STORM BREAKER! Cover, but the ref is down!
The fans count, Ospreay would’ve won twice over! Ospreay calls to the ref, the ref sputters around, and Ospreay goes up. But then Ricochet kicks the ref into ropes! Ospreay gets tripped up and the fans boo more! Ospreay is confused as to what happened, but SPIRIT GUN hits the mark!! Cover, RICOCHET WINS!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Ospreay earns 0)
The One & Only got away with murder, but there’s nothing that can be done now! Ricochet has NINE points, will he be headed to Worlds End?
Adam Cole heads to the ring!
The fans cheer as the Panama City Playboy returns to the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they join in for the “BOOM~!” and the “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY~!” Cole grabs a mic, but he keeps his eyes on the ramp. That’s because we all know who’s next. MJF makes his entrance, but with a handful of security guards in front of him first. And not even AEW security, that’s his own personal security. MJF grabs a mic and has them cut his music. The fans boo but MJF tells them, “If I wanted your help, I’d ask for it. Sit down and shut up.” The fans tell MJF to STFU, but MJF shrugs that off.
MJF tells Cole that MJF is frustrated. It’s because for the past few months, MJF has had to listen to Cole say MJF is Cole’s biggest enemy! If memory serves, and MJF’s memory always does because unlike the fans here, he isn’t a complete moron… Didn’t Cole turn on MJF? But then does Cole realize he has bigger enemies out there? Like spray tan, cracks in the floor, gusts of win, and maybe… a cavity. Because last MJF heard, Cole’s dentist isn’t seeing him anymore. Cole was already staring daggers into MJF, but now he’s pissed. MJF has Cole calm down, and he tells the fans to shut up so he can shoot straight.
When MJF was the longest-reigning and greatest AEW World Champion of all time, Cole was nothing more than MJF’s cute little sidekick. That ate Cole up inside. Cole wanted to be MJF. Cole wanted #TripleB. But the sad truth is, Cole had many opportunities to win the title before MJF got anywhere near it. It’s almost like when it comes to Cole being elite enough to become world champion, just like his “s*itty little ankle,” Cole blows it. MJF laughs at his own joke, and then tells the fans he is talking, it is not that complicated. But this is why MJF doesn’t buy the hogwash that Cole turned on MJF because MJF would turn on Cole first.
Cole turned because he, like all these shmucks, is jealous of MJF. And who can blame Cole? MJF is rich, handsome, funny, entertaining, and then look at Cole. For crying out loud, Cole used to be ADAM COLE BAYBAY. Now, he’s just a crack baby! Cole asks if MJF is done. Was that the last line? Because it felt like MJF practiced that for two weeks in front of a mirror. But MJF killed it, really. Cole could come back with childish comments to hurt MJF’s feelings, but he won’t. Cole could mention MJF has had two surgeries on that fake head of hair of his while only in his 20s, which is hilarious, but he won’t.
Cole could talk about how MJF pulled some strings to get his girlfriend hired, like the real politician he is, but Cole won’t go there. Cole could talk about how every single time MJF enters a room, everyone waits for him to leave because he is loud, obnoxious and annoying as hell. But Cole won’t go there. Because Cole is not like MJF. They are nothing alike. That is why the friendship was ruined. Because, MJF, the truth is you say Cole is a failure, but in virtually every wrestling company Cole has worked for, he is the longest-reigning champion in so many!
In this very building, Cole bled BUCKETS against Kyle O’Reilly, wanting to prove he was one of the best in the world, and that is exactly what he did! Does Cole have regrets? Sure. Are there things Cole wishes he could take back? Absolutely. But Cole does NOT regret turning on MJF. The only reason it drives MJF insane is because Cole beat MJF to it. That’s MJF 101: Get close to someone, then turn on them. It’s what MJF does. Cole just did it better than MJF, and MJF knows it.
But Cole has been thinking, trying to understand what’s going on in MJF’s head, and he finally figured it out. MJF is terrified of having anyone close to him, because he feels it is a weakness. That hit a chord? Because not only does MJF act like a child, he thinks like a child! MJF knows in his heart that he was going to be the one to turn on Cole first! DAMN RIGHT HE WAS!!! MJF realizes he let the cat out of the bag. MJF says congrats, Cole, he solved the mystery! A regular Scooby-Doo! Great job, Adam.
But you want the truth? Here it is. The fact of the matter is, last year at Worlds End, MJF had every intention on stabbing Cole in the back that night. Cole just got lucky. When #BetterThanYouBaybay started, MJF didn’t give a damn about Cole. Cole was nothing more than a pawn. But MJF will admit, he did eventually start to care. For the first time in MJF’s life, he cared about someone else. Fans mockingly go, “Aww…” But MJF says that is just when Cole became a liability. And since Cole’s “a fragile little freak,” him jumping off that ramp and exploding his ankle made him a distraction!
Distractions, liabilities, emotions, there are no room for those when all you should be concerned with is maintaining the world championship! But Cole doesn’t get it, does he? Last year was a fluke. Cole ain’t the Devil, he just beat the Devil to it. But this year, Worlds End, December 28th, the same show where Cole tried to end MJF’s world, MJF ENDS Cole!! MJF throws down the mic and the fans are torn. Cole smirks and says MJF ends things then? Well, how about Cole ends this? COLE DECKS MJF! The guards rush in, but Cole fights them off! MJF sends more but Cole SUPERKICSK! And SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS!
But then MJF LOW BLOWS Cole! MJF tells the fans to shut up! MJF takes out the Dynamite Diamond Ring! But then The Kingdom rushes out here! MJF runs away from Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but he vows this ends at Worlds End. We have one week left, is that the last week Cole has in AEW? Or will MJF finally lose the one thing he has left in that diamond ring?
Backstage interview with Kris Statlander.
Lexy Nair is with the #BornAgainKristen and brings up her trying to make amends with Willow Nightingale last night, as well as making the save when Harley Cameron & Penelope Ford were beating Willow up. Kris says what she and Willow have to discuss is between them. But as far as her and Penelope go, they’ve got a lot of history, and if Ford wants a fight, Kris will give her a fight. Then speaking of history, Kris still has her eyes set on the TBS Championship, can she tells us more on that?
Kris says she looked back on 2024 and she had a downward spiral that started with losing that title. Maybe if she wins it back, Kris will right her wrongs. On that note, Mercedes Mone, you don’t have an opponent for Worlds End so here Kris is. Let her know when you’re ready for round two. Kris heads out, will she prove to everyone that she is still the Galaxy’s Greatest?
Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy.
AEW returns and Lexy is now with Freshly Squeezed. In exactly one week, he will compete against three other men for the AEW World Championship. There are a lot of combustible elements at play, and Cassidy says yeah, we saw that on Dynamite. Jay White, Hangman Page and Cassidy can’t exactly have a conversation. So really, Cassidy wants them to listen. “Between now and Worlds End, Jon Moxley can run and hide. He can hide behind his goons, he can run away in a pickup truck. But when that bell rings in seven days, he has nowhere to go. He will be in the ring with us. Us three. And you both know that we need to remove Jon Moxley from the equation.
“We can. We’ve done it. And after that, us three, we can fight for the AEW World Championship and one of us will become the AEW World Champion. Just something to think about. See you guys on Dynamite.” Cassidy is ready to remove the Maniac from the throne, but will the Switchblade and Cowboy listen to reason?
Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford!
As Kris just said, she’s calling out The CEO in hopes of one more TBS Championship match. But will the Superbad Girl be more like the Grinch for Kris this Christmas?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Kris circles with Ford. They tie up, Kris powers Ford to a corner, then throws Ford back into the corner! The ref counts, Kris lets off, but Ford shoves her! Kris ROCKS Ford, TOSSES her, then runs up on her. Kris whips, drops down, then hurdles over. Kris CLOBBERS Ford and the fans fire up as she flexes. Kris drags Ford up, reels her in, and suplexes, and she holds Ford up! The fans cheer and Kris goes all the way to TEN, but Ford slips into a SLEEPER! Kris pries the hold open and she brings Ford around for another suplex! The fans fire up as Kris holds Ford up for five before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Kris drags Ford up, whips her to the corner, but Ford goes up, only for Kris to Electric Chair Lift! Kris climbs, Ford fights with fists, and she shoves Kris down! Ford steadies herself, then hits a FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford is frustrated but she storms up on Kris. Ford bumps Kris off buckles but the fans rally behind Kris. Ford stomps a mudhole, but she lets off as the ref counts. Kris goes to the apron, but Ford jumps up to drop KNEES on her! The fans boo but Ford soaks up the heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ford brings Kris around to THROW her into railing! Ford soaks up more heat, then drags Kris up and RAMS her into the apron! Ford refreshes the count, then stalks Kris around the way. Ford whips Kris into the steel steps! Kris falls over in a heap but Ford drags her up into the ring. Ford covers, TWO! Kris stays in this but Ford kicks her around. Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes, thrashes around, but lets off as the ref counts. Ford drags Kris up and whips her to ropes, then LARIATS as Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes again! The ref counts, Ford lets off and Kris sputters to the apron. Ford runs and goes up, up, and KNEE DROPS on only apron! Kris then SHOTGUNS Ford off the apron! The fans fire up and Kris brings Ford up, to THROW into railing! Kris puts Ford in the ring, the fans fire up, but Ford kicks low. Ford reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford flounders to a corner but Kris has the fans rallying behind her. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT! Kris goes side to side but Ford dodges the knee! Ford hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Ford wasn’t quite perfect there but she watches Kris go to a corner. Ford runs corner to corner, handsprings, but Kris catches her! The fans fire up as Kris GERMAN SUPELXES, but Ford lands out! but Kris goes Matrix to dodge! So does Ford! STUNNER! Ford runs, Kris does her best to follow, but Ford hops up for a POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and the fans fire up! Ford is beside herself, but she drags Kris to a drop zone. Ford goes up top, and MOONSAULTS BUT FLOPS as Kris moves! Kris hurries to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! The fans fire up as Kris scoops to tuck Ford in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Ford gave Kris quite the fight, but Kris came out on top! Wait, here comes Mone! Kris did call the CEO out, so Santa Mone says, “Ho, ho, ho ho ho! New York Citaaaay~! Please say hello to your C E O! Kris, after the year I’ve been having, I was planning on taking Worlds End off. I was planning on going to the Ritz in Boston.” The fans boo Boston, but Mone says since it’s the holidays, Mone feels like being nice. She already beat Kris once anyway, so she’ll just beat her twice! At Worlds End, you see that money changes everything, because Mone is the greatest TBS Champion of all time!
The challenge has been accepted, and Mone is looking to be busy before the New Year. Will Kris make her regret it?
Big Boom AJ & Big Justice return to the ring.
They’re getting Christmas Collision ready to bring the BOOM, but out comes Chris Jericho, who is still ROH World Champion after overcoming Matt Cardona last night at Final Battle. And he has Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey with him as he asks if AJ has a permit for being here tonight. Did they talk with Mayor DeBlasio? Because they certainly didn’t run this past Jericho. Do they know who he is? Big Justice says yeah, he knows! “You’re a JACKASS!” Jericho is taken aback, but the fans agree with Justice. The Bad Apple says this is why dumbass kids should be sitting and not heard. Jericho says yeah!
And if being a jackass means he’s the King of New York, then Jericho’s the biggest jackass! And besides, Jericho talks for everyone here saying we do not want AJ & Justice here! The fans boo, they disagree with Jericho. But Jericho says they don’t even have Costcos in New York! New Yorkers shop at bodegas. Fans are torn, because they kind of agree. Jericho says his favorite is the Walgreens a few blocks over in Flushing. And speaking of Flushing, that’s where AJ & Justice belong: in the toilet! This is the Hammerstein Ballroom, the House that Jericho built! The fans boo that, it’s the House that Hardcore built.
But Jericho says there’s no time for goofy gimmicks like BOOM~, or bandit masks, or scissoring! Scissor me, Bad Apple~! But then wait! The Acclaimed is here! Well, Anthony Bowens is, at least. Bowens pushes past The Learning Tree and he joins AJ & Justice in the ring. Bowens has the music cut, and he tells Jericho that he doesn’t get why Scissor King is catching strays, but you caught his attention. Jericho is trying to intimidate a man in a walking boot and an 11 year old child while spouting nonsense about being the King of New York. Why doesn’t Jericho do what he has asked so many others in the past: SHUT THE HELL UP!
The fans cheer but Big Bill says, “As the Learning Tree always says, when a man tries to silence another man, he’s probably afraid of the truth.” The fans do cheer Big Bill because he is from New York. Bowens says he has no idea what that means, Bill. But he does know we’re live on TNT, Christmas Collision, Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City! So Chris, why not walk your ass to this ring and get it whipped by the Scissor King?! Jericho says if Bowens wants him to do that, then not tonight. Jericho waves bye, but AJ says hold on, listen up. We know Jericho is running scared, but we know at some point, Bowens will get to bring the-
Bowens stops the Boom? Because he wants to scissor! AJ says okay, and they SCISSOR BOOM~! But is that true? Will Anthony Bowens be the one to tear down the Learning Tree and be a champion?
Backstage interview with The Vendetta.
Lexy is now with Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie, and they’ve got a hot streak going. Deonna’s message last week was ominous, but who was it for? Taya says there are so many options. Everyone deserves a slice of The Vendetta. There’s Mercedes, Mariah, Toni Storm, even Lexy could get some, so watch your back. Speaking of Toni, she stumbles in and apologizes for interrupting. She just wants to say hi to everyone, hello. Oh, Deonna, a pleasure. Deonna says she knows who Toni is. R-Really? So cool! Taya says she’ll make a guess: Toni has a tattoo on her leg, a little duck with a knife through it.
Wow, how’d Taya know? Deonna says no no no, she is not doing this again. She does not get what sick crap Toni’s up to, but she is already done with it. So for Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street, Toni VS Taya! Taya says she’ll make Toni forget everything! Toni nervously thanks The Vendetta, and says this is a big opportunity to face someone like Taya. Toni leaves, Deonna and Taya sigh, and Lexy has no idea what to say. Is Toni’s mind unraveling before our eyes? Or is there still a bit of Timeless inside Toni Time?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia!
This showdown was inevitable, but it’s even more fitting after The Standard of Excellence beat up the TNT Champion just because he stood up to the Hurt Syndicate. Will Shelton continue to bring the pain? Or will he not survive Red Death?
The bell rings and Garcia goes right at Shelton! Garcia fires hands but Shelton RAMS him into the corner! Shelton fires hands but Garcia turns things around to fire more shots! The ref counts, Shelton shoves Garcia back, but Garcia runs up to fire hands! Shelton shoves Garcia again, but Garcia gets under the lariat to waistlock. Shelton fights the lift but Garcia shoves him to SLAP! And CHOP! Shelton just grins and he picks Garcia up again! Shelton TOSSES Garcia away and Garcia goes to ropes. Shelton brings Garcia back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then brings him up again. Scoop SLAM! Shelton drags Garcia up and puts him in a corner.
Shelton whips corner to corner hard and Garcia falls! The fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton drags Garcia around, stomps him around, then TOSSES Garcia out hard! Garcia sputters but Shelton storms outside. Shelton brings Garcia up but Garcia fires hands! Shelton RAMS Garcia into the apron, then railing, then back to the apron! And repeat! Garcia falls in a heap and the fans fire up. Shelton grins as he drags Garcia up, to then THROW into steel steps! Shelton leaves Garcia behind and the ring count climbs on Garcia. Garcia drags himself up at 7 but Shelton goes out after him again.
Shelton puts Garcia in the ring, then grabs at him. Garcia grabs ropes but Shelton stomps him. Shelton stands Garcia up to DECK him! The fans cheer but Shelton brings Garcia up again. Garcia fires a forearm, then he CHOPS! Shelton eggs Garcia on, so Garcia CHOPS! Shelton grins, Garcia CHOPS, but Shelton DECKS him again! The fans duel but Shelton whips Garcia to ropes, for a BIG backdrop! Garcia flounders and Collision goes picture in picture.
Shelton stalks Garcia to the ropes, brings him up and around, then puts him on other ropes so he can CHOKE him! The ref counts, Shelton steps off, and Garcia coughs and sputters to a corner. Shelton stalks behind Garcia, stands him up, and winds up to ROCK Garcia! Garcia flounders against ropes then falls to the mat! Shelton stands over Garcia, drags him up and puts him in the corner. Shelton throws hands and Garcia stumbles. Garcia falls, but Shelton stands on him. Shelton stomps Garcia, drags him up, but Garcia fires up! Garcia breaks free to fire CHOPS and forearms on repeat!
Garcia whips, Shelton reverses and Shelton BOOTS Garcia down! Cover, TWO! Shelton is still amused, and he clamps onto Garcia with a chinlock. Garcia endures as Shelton grinds him down, and Garcia fights up, only for Shelton to wrangle him back down! Shelton leans all his weight on the hold and he squeezes tight. Garcia fades but the fans rally, and Garcia gets a second wind! Garcia fights up, Christmas Colilsion returns to siongle cipture, and the fans duel as Garcia fires hands! Garcia runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS SHelton down! The fans fire up and Garcia aims from a corner. Garcia runs up, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans are torn while Shelton storms around. Shelton waits on Garcia, waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Garcia flops around but Shelton stalks him to the ropes. Shelton goes to the apron, runs up, but Garcia BOOTS him! Garcia takes a swing, but Shelton waistlocks! Garcia holds ropes to fight off the suplex to the floor! Garcia stands up and elbows Shelton away! Then Garcia LEAPS, but into Shelton’s clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY to the floor! Garcia flounders, fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton runs up but Garcia drop toeholds him into a chair! Shelton sputters and the fans rally up. Garcia makes Shelton take a seat, then rains down fists!
The fans count along and Garcia goes to nine, puts up the dukes, then hits TEN! Garcia gets space, runs back in, and he SHOTGUNS Shelton outta the chair! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes back for Shelton. Garcia drags Shelton up but Shelton pushes him away. Shelton LARIATS Garcia, then rolls into the ring. The ring count starts, the fans help Garcia stand, and the fans fire up! Garcia hurries to the ring, but Shelton BOOTS, only for Garcia to block! DRAGON SCREW! Garcia runs, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Even with a bad leg, Shelton has so much strength! Shelton storms up in the corner, but Garcia dodges!
Shelton’s knee hits buckles, and Garcia leg scissor rolls him! Garcia steps through for the DRAGON TAMER!! Shelton endures and the fans fire up! Garcia sits on the hold, but Shelton powers up! Shelton powers out of the hold, has Garcia’s legs, and he turns Garcia over into a QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Garcia endures, reaches out, and he army crawls his way forward! But Shelton drags Garcia back! Garcia cradles Shelton! TWO!! Shelton escapes, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shelton SUPERKICKS Garcia! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Shelton covers, TWO!! Garcia barely gets out of that and Shelton is furious!
“This is Awesome!” as Shelton looms over Garcia. Shelton drags Garcia up, but Garcia trips Shelton! Jackknife bridge, GARCIA WINS!!
Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Shelton earns 0)
A Christmas Collision miracle? Who knows! But Garcia is still alive in the C2, but Lashley snatches Garcia into a SLEEPER! The fans boo but MVP hands the pimp cane to Shelton! But here comes Mark Briscoe, and he has a chair! Security wants this to stop before it gets out of hand, and even producers get out here! But wait! Is that Swerve Strickland rushing in from the crowd?! It is! He goes right up top to SUPER SWERVE STOMP the Syndicate and security guards! Garcia gets free of the pile, Mark Briscoe is with him, and now the locker room hurries out here to stop this from getting worse!
The fans chant, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and Nana eventually hands the mic to Swerve. “Bobby FREAKIN’ Lashley! Didn’t I say I was gonna get my hands on you by the end of ’24? By the end of 2024, I said I was gonna get my hands on you, and that’s what I did, courtesy of the most dangerous man in AEW. Whose house?!” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve is still aiming for Lashley’s head, will he and Lashley have it out at Worlds End?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos!
After getting a couple shockers, The Sussex County Chicken could easily jump up to the front of the block with one more! But will he #ManUp and bring down the menacing minotaur? Or will The Beast be a massive spoiler for Briscoe?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock again. The fans rally and duel while both men fire up. They RAM shoulders, and then fire forearms! The fans fire up as Mark gets the edge, but Mortos swings! Mark dodges to CHOP, then fire forearms! Mark ROCKS Mortos, whips, but Mortos reverses and SPLASHES Mark! Mortos runs but Mark follows to LARIAT! Mark runs, Mortos follows, but Mark dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And forearm! And Mongolian Chop! Mark fires forearms against the ropes, then roars. Mark runs but Mortos follows to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, Mortos runs but Mark follows to FOREARM!
Mark runs, Mortos follows, and he slingshots to hook and backslide, TWO! Mark trips Mortos to jackknife, TWO! Mortos gets around, hammerlock and cradle, TWO! Mark slips around to roll Mortos, TWO! Both men stand, both men dodge, and the fans cheer the standoff. The fans cheer “BOTH THESE GUYS! BOTH THESE GUYS!” as they reset. Mark and Mortos run up to RAM shoulders again! And again! Mortos is getting the better of this, and he CLOBBERS Mark! The fans cheer Mortos while Mark goes to ropes. Mortos runs in but Mark TOSSES him up and out! Mortos clutches a leg, stands up, but Mark runs!
Mortos slides in, dodges, and he SPEARS Mark! The fans fire up and Mortos roars while Collision goes picture in picture.
Mark rolls to a corner while Mortos headbutts buckles. Mortos then runs corner to corner to DROPKICK Mark! Mark sputters, Mortos drags him to a cover, TWO! Mark stays in this but Mortos drags him into a chinlock. Mark endures, even as Mortos leans on the hold. Mark fights up as the fans rally, and Mark fires body shots. Mortos THROWS Mark down! Mortos then CRANKS Mark’s neck, then KICKS him in the chest! Cover, TWO! Mark is still in this and he goes to ropes. Mortos storms up but Mark CHOPS! Mortos SMACKS Mark and Mark falls into a corner. Mortos stomps Mark, then digs his boots in!
The ref reprimands and counts, Mortos steps off, then Mortos snapmares Mark so he can step on Mark’s face! Then NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! Mark stays in this and he goes back to ropes. Mortos waits on Mark to stand, then SMACKS him down! Mark dangles out of the ring in the ropes, but Mortos goes after a leg while Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Mortos has Mark in a corner. Mortos whips corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT, CHOP, and HEADBUTT! Mark staggers and the fans rally up for Mortos. Mortos brings down his kneepads, runs corner to corner, but Mark dodge! Mortos hits buckles then falls to the outside! The fans fire up as Mark then WRECKS Mortos with a dropkick! Mark builds speed and he DIVES, direct hit on Mortos! The fans fire up and Mark even hugs a few! Mark tosses a chair into the ring, and fans rally for #DEMBOYS. Mark sets the chair up, but Mortos anchors Mark’s legs! Mortos then SMACKS Mark!
Mortos drags Mark to the apron, Mark fires forearms. Mortos shoves Mark, but Mark fireman’s carries! Mortos fires elbows to get free! Mark REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Then APRON GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mortos falls to the floor while the fans lose their minds! Mark rises up, takes aim, and he fires the fans up more. Mark goes up a corner, for a SUPER SKY TWISTER! The fans are thunderous and Mark high-fives the front row. Mark then goes back to the ring and builds speed! Mark uses the chair to FLY! Direct hit and Mark even lands on his feet! The fans fire up and Mark hurries to get Mortos back up.
Mark puts Mortos in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Mark takes aim. FROGGY-BOW onto knees! Mortos saves himself there, and then roars! Mortos whips Mark, scoops him, and has the torture rack! BEAST BACKBREAKER! Then Mortos hauls Mark up for a POWER BREAKER!! The fans fire up for Mortos and he DISCUS- NO, Mark dodges, runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and the fans fire up again! Mortos snarls, hauls Mark up, and then scoops! But Mark slips free! Mark crane kicks, then underhooks! But Mortos backdrops free! Mark rises, Mortos runs, but into a fireman’s carry!
Mark hits a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then Mark goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO?!? Mortos survives but Mark shakes his head. Mark just goes back up top! Mortos sits up and roars! But Mark still FROGGY-BOWS!! And then he underhooks, lifts, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Mortos earns 0)
And with that, Mark is now even with Kyle Fletcher, who Mark already beat earlier on! That is all the difference between the one seed and the two seed, how will this final round shake out?
Julia Hart speaks.
“Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. I’m no coward. What you call tricks, I call advantages. I suggested that you watch your back. I gave you all the warnings. So I’m not understanding why you feel the need to call me classless and sneaky. I thought I was being more than reasonable. I know you’re strong, but are you smart? Are my ‘tricks’ too much for you? I guess we’ll find out January 1st, Fight for the Fallen. But remember: The House Always Wins.” The Princess of the Black Throne is ready, but will she learn Hayter Hits Hard?
Backstage interview with Mariah May.
Alex Marvez is with the AEW Women’s World Champion and says in one week’s time, it will be Mariah VS Thunder Rosa for the title, in a Tijuana Street Fight! Marvez notes that Mariah not only had some harsh words for Rosa, but for her father, as well. Mariah says, “Aw~, Papa Rosa is gonna be in the front row. Is that to watch the match? Or does Thunder need a new mami?” But speaking of Rosa, she RAMS Mariah right into the door! And dribbles her off it, too! Mariah pulls hair, Rosa tries to choke Mariah, and then Mariah shoves Rosa away. Mariah calls Rosa crazy, but Rosa says she’s not done with Mariah!
Rosa storms after Mariah into the hall, and then to the stage area! Mariah has made it to ringside, Nigel tries to warn her, but Rosa CLOBBERS Mariah! Rosa rains down fists, then stomps away! Rosa SMACKS Mariah off steel steps, then grabs a chair! Mariah sputters, but gets away before Rosa swings the chair! Security rushes out here for the third time tonight, and Rosa LEAPS! The cluster keeps her away from Mariah but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Rosa holds up the AEW Women’s World Championship, will she send the “Woman From Hell” back where she came from in order to have the gold again?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli!
While The Relentless One has been after each and every Death Rider, he gets one served up to him on a silver platter. But will Darby bring down the Swiss Superman before the final round? Or will Claudio crush Darby’s hopes and dreams this close to Christmas?
But before Claudio even gets in the ring, Darby DIVES out onto him! The fans fire up as Darby fires fast hands! Claudio gets away but Darby pursues, jumps on, and throws more hands! Claudio carries Darby up the ramp to then THROW him down! Darby writhes, Claudio drags him up, and Claudio gorilla presses! Darby slips free, goes to the entry, and then dodges Claudio to send him into the light truss! And then he shoves Claudio into it again! Claudio falls, and now Darby climbs up!? The fans fire up as Darby is up on the camera balcony! Darby SUPER CROSSBODIES Claudio down!
Claudio tumbles down the ramp and Darby sputters while fans lose their minds. The ref checks Darby, his fall was still really wicked. Claudio sits up in a daze as he’s now ringside, and somehow Darby pursues! They both get in the ring, the bell rings, and Darby runs up! But into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is already frustrated. Claudio drags Darby by his legs, to GIANT SWING~! The fans count as Darby goes around and around, and Claudio goes past TEN, past FIFTEEN, past TWENTY, and all the way to THIRTY!! Darby flounders out of the ring while Collision goes picture in picture.
The ref goes out to check on Darby, and somehow he’s okay to continue. Claudio steps out to fetch Darby, and lift shim up with one hand! Claudio then gut wrenches and carries Darby, to SLAM him onto railing! And DUMP him down! Claudio drags Darby up again, gut wrenches again, and he TOSSES Darby onto the railing! Darby flops back down and clutches his lower back, but Claudio leaves him behind. The ring count begins but Darby sits up. Claudio goes out after him again, and brings him up to CHOP! Darby staggers away to a corner, Claudio storms up and CHOPS again! Darby flops down but Claudio looms over him.
Claudio gets space, runs up, and he UPPERCUTS Darby against railing! Darby stumbles away, Claudio goes to the ring, but Darby rolls in, just to roll back out. Darby earns himself some time, but then Claudio storms out after him. Darby hurries int he ring to get away, but Claudio is after him there, too. Claudio stands on Darby’s hands, then stomps them! Darby writhes, but Claudio stomps his hands more! Darby goes to a corner. Claudio stands him up and CHOPS! Claudio UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and Christmas Collision returns to single picture. The fans duel, Darby fires hands, but Claudio UPPERCUTS!
Claudio whips, Darby springboards, COFFIN- NO, Claudio catches Darby! Darby fights free, runs, but Claudio runs up! Darby DUMPS Claudio, then runs to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans fire up again and Darby puts Claudio in. Claudio rolls out the far side but Darby DIVES again! Claudio is sent into railing but Darby goes up a corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER COFFIN SPLASH! Direct hit and both men are down again. The ref starts the ring count, the fans rally up, and Darby refreshes the count. Darby LEAPS onto Claudio for a SLEEPER! Claudio goes to steel steps and he steps up, but Darby squeezes tight!
Claudio steps back down, and he runs into the timekeeper’s area! BACKPACK SENTON through the table! The fans lose their minds again while Claudio leaves Darby behind in the wreckage. Darby stirs, the ref starts another ring count, and Darby crawls. “This is Awesome!” as Darby leaps in at 7! Claudio runs but Darby slips around! O’Conner Roll, TWO, springboard and SPALSH! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Claudio is up, but Darby sunset flips! Claudio stays up, and DOUBLE STOMPS! Claudio deadlifts Darby to then TOSS him out of the ring! Darby hits apron on the way out and fans tell Claudio he’s sick!
Claudio goes out after Darby and drags him up again. Claudio scoops and then POSTS Darby! And POSTS him again! Claudio TOSSES Darby aside, rolls into the ring, but only to refresh the count. Claudio then drags Darby by a leg and brings him over. Claudio SWINGS Darby into steel steps!! Claudio puts Darby in the ring, stands him up, and runs to LARIAT! Darby flips through the air! Claudio covers, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is frustrated. The fans rally for Darby but Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then Claudio tucks the arms, RICOLA- CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio escapes in time!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Darby and Claudio slowly rise, and Ricochet watches, very amused as Darby is his next opponent in the round robin. Darby crawls to a corner, climbs up, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio HEADBUTTS Darby, then climbs up again. Claudio brings Darby up and suplexes, but Darby fights around! SUPER SCORPION DEATH DROP!! The fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Darby rises up. Darby climbs to the very top, COFFION DROP onto knees! Claudio saves himself, then he hauls Darby up. Straitjacket and RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Darby survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio argues with the ref but the count was fair! Darby’s just that tough! Claudio goes back to Darby and ripcords him into the RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Claudio goes outside, and he brings out something from under the ring. He also has a chair! The ref takes the chair from Claudio, but Claudio has BRASS KNUCKLES! BRASS KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, CLAUDIO WINS!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Darby earns 0)
The Swiss Superman screws over Darby, but then he gets that chair back. But wait, Ospreay slides into the ring! And HE has the brass knuckles that Claudio tossed aside! Ospreay dares Claudio to do something, but Claudio simply leaves. Does this mean Ospreay’s ready to ride against the Death Riders with Darby? Or will we see a Miracle on 34th Street send Ospreay and Darby to Worlds End?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here as the last one before Worlds End, and therefore a bit of a go-home in itself. While the continued feud of MJF and Cole has still been a bit clunky since they did the double turn, their faceoff did a good job addressing some of that. They got good digs at each other as always, and MJF snapping and revealing “the truth” was their big move to recover this story. We of course got a brawl, and good save by The Kingdom. It feels like MJF still finds a way to hold onto the diamond ring, but c’mon, how fitting is it for Cole to get a diamond.
Good bit with Toni Storm and The Vendetta, and Deonna’s reaction to Toni was great. Deonna is justified in thinking this is still an act from Toni, not a legitimate psychological problem, and Toni VS Taya will be good stuff. Good promo from Kris Statlander, good match from her and Penelope Ford, and of course a good win for Kris. Good promo from Mone to make Worlds End official, but as I’ve been saying, Mone is more likely to lose the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship as part of the big NJPW Tokyo Dome weekend. The irony is, Mina Shirakawa is her challenger and Mina shows up plenty in AEW, so I don’t know how that math is supposed to work.
Good promo from Mariah May as it also turned into a brawl with Thunder Rosa. As it stands, Rosa standing tall holding up the belt means she is NOT winning at Worlds End, but they could still give us a little more from Rosa and Mariah on Dynamite’s Christmas episode to turn the tables. Good promo from Julia Hart to respond to Jamie Hayter, they’ll have a good match. Good promo from Orange Cassidy to try and reason with Jay White and Hangman Page, but that’s all the more reason Moxley likely uses the challengers all against each other like he did on Wednesday. Though, it would be fun if they at least started the match all annihilating Moxley with their finishers, making us think it’ll work out in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff with Big Boom AJ & Big Justice here tonight, both hyping up the show but also interacting with Jericho’s group and even Anthony Bowens. They’re adding some more foreshadowing to The Acclaimed breaking up, and I guess we’re supposed to see this as a positive move, Bowens feuding with Jericho. Unless Bowens is going to be the guy that dethrones Jericho for whatever ROH cable TV debut/return is planned, the Jericho Vortex strikes again. Bowens should be going for an AEW midcard title, but right now, those are all tied up what with the C2 going on and the International Championship being tied up in Worlds End and NJPW plans.
Speaking of the C2, great stuff with all the matches tonight. Shelton VS Garcia was great stuff, and while Garcia gets the win, they’re still giving us some set-up for a TNT Championship match of Garcia VS Shelton. Mark Briscoe of course made the save, but great surprise for Swerve to show up. Lashley VS Swerve for Worlds End just needs to be said, it already feels a given. All that brawling was also a good segue into Mark VS Mortos, and another great showing for Mortos, even in losing. But as Mark has already had all his matches and is at 9 points, Kyle doesn’t even need to win against Garcia, he just needs to draw so that Mark will be out, and Garcia with him.
While Ospreay VS Darby on Wednesday raised the bar, Ospreay VS Ricochet still had great stuff of its own. Plus, Ricochet is bringing out more of his Heel side what with using the ref, and Ricochet’s win puts the pressure on Ospreay for Christmas Dynamite. Now, no offense to Brody King, but I’m thinking Ospreay wins that to take one of the semifinal spots. Darby VS Claudio tonight was also great, but Darby doing his best Sting off the truss was not the best when he gets that whiplash on the floor. I really thought that match was going to be called for concussion protocol, but Darby’s weirdly indestructible.
Claudio still cheats this win so there’s more heat on the Death Riders and Darby is also behind the 8 ball. Ospreay making the save was good, we can definitely have another “Team AEW” VS Death Riders with Ospreay joining Darby and a couple others, but the way they did the order of matches, Claudio’s got a seemingly easy ride against Komander for Christmas. Though, how awesome would it be if Komander pulled off the spoiler? Or if they were really going to add some drama, they should create a situation where the Death Riders end up ringside, violating the Continental Rules of no cornermen and that disqualifies Claudio. Claudio misses out on the semifinals because of a technicality, sending Ospreay and maybe Ricochet to the semifinals.
My Score: 8.8/10
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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