Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Lonestar Shootout Results & Report! (11/10/23)
It’s the Wild Wild West!
Can #JustTrent slay the Rampaging Dragon?
As NJPW returns to Texas, Trent Beretta returns to NJPW as he goes after Shingo Takagi and the NEVER Openweight Championship!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Match – Strong Survivor: Matt Vandagriff VS Barrett Brown; Vandagriff wins.
- Kickoff Match – Fred Rosser VS Tom Lawlor; Rosser wins.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask, Atlantis & Metalik VS Rocky Romero, Ultimo Guerrero & Hechicero; Tiger Mask, Atlantis & Metalik win.
- Toru Yano VS Joey Janela; changed to…
- No Disqualifications: Toru Yano VS Joey Janela; Yano wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Guerrillas of Destiny & Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Bullet Club War Dogs; Bullet Club War Dogs win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS West Coast Wrecking Crew; ELP & Leo win and retain the titles.
- Mistico VS TJP; Mistico wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Satoshi Kojima; Eddie wins and retains the title.
- Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta VS David Finlay & KENTA; Moxley & Yuta win.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Mike Bailey; ZSJ wins and retains the title.
- IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani VS Stephanie Vaquer; Mayu wins and retains the title.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Trent Beretta; Takagi wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Toru Yano VS Joey Janela!
One man is NJPW’s Clown Prince, but the other is a Bad, Bad Boy. Will Yano be able to pull off all his tricks to properly “welcome” Janela? Or will this outlaw have tricks of his own to play?
After Yano’s very long and detailed introduction, Joey attacks! Fans boo but Joey soaks it up. He even snatches Yano’s spare rolls of tape, DECKS Yano, and goes out to get a mic. “Yano! Welcome to MY world! I want this NO DISQUALIFICATIONS!” Fans cheer that, Yano SPRAYS Joey with his hand spray! What a way to say yes!
No Disqualifications: Toru Yano VS Joey Janela!
Yano CHOKES Joey with his robe! The bell rings and Yano keeps going since Joey said No DQ! Yano stomps Joey down, and he unties the buckle pad! Fans cheer and Yano goes back to Joey. Yano goes to bump but Joey blocks! Joey throws hands, and he goes to bump, but Yano fights back! Yano whips, Joey reverses, but Yano stops himself. Fans cheer but Joey mule kicks! Joey whips, Yano reverses but Joey goes up and- Wait, Yano stays back to SLAP Joey on the head! Fans cheer and Yano brings Joey up, to BUMP him off the bare buckles! Joey goes down, and Yano unties the red buckle pad. And then the other white pad!
Fans cheer for the blue corner, and so Yano obliges! Yano unties the blue corner pad, and now all corners are exposed! Yano whips but Joey reverses and Yano hits buckles! Fans are losing their minds already, and Joey dumps Yano out. Joey AX HANDLES Yano, then CHOPS him down! Fans boo but Joey soaks up the heat. Joey ROCKS Yano, turns him around, and CHOPS him against railing. Joey then POSTS Yano and Yano falls! Joey goes looking under the ring, and he brings out chairs! Those are put in the ring, but then Joey grabs another chair and goes back to Yano. Joey JAMS Yano with the chair, then throws it in the ring.
Joey sets all the chairs together in a pile, and then picks up Yano’s red chair. Fans wanna see him use it, but Joey drops it out of the ring and flips every one. The Bad, Bad Boy does things his way, and he goes out to fetch Yano. Joey puts Yano in the ring, drags him up, but the fans rally for “YANO! YANO!” Joey ROCKS Yano, ROCKS him again, then has him over the chairs. Joey whips, but Yano holds ropes to stop! Joey UPPERCUTS Yano, runs, and LARIATS! Yano stays up!? Joey scowls, runs again, but Yano dodges! Clinch and BELLY2BELLY onto the chairs! Fans fire up while both men are down!
Yano stands, fans chant for “RED CHAIR! RED CHAIR!” Yano scoops Joey for ONI- NO, Joey fights to get to the ropes and the apron. Joey ROCKS Yano, and uses a cravat to drag him up and out. Joey then SUPERKICKS from the apron, and PENALTY- NO, Yano blocks to trip Joey up! Joey hits the apron hard, and Yano hurries back in. But Joey SUPERKICKS again! And he reels Yano in, PILEDRIVERÂ onto the chairs!! Cover, TWO!! Yano survives and fans fire up! Joey gets frustrated, and he sits one of the chairs up. He sits another chair up face to face with it, and he stalks Yano to the apron. Joey goes up the corner?!
Joey SWANTONS but Yano moves, Joey hits the APRON!! Yano hurries out, puts Joey back in, and hauls him up, ONIGOROSHIÂ onto the chairs!! The chairs get bent!! Cover, TWO?!? Joey survives and fans fire up! Yano moves the chairs aside, and fans want “RED CHAIR! RED CHAIR!” Yano sets up the last black chair, SMACKS Joey off it, then gets his spare wrist tape! Yano ties Joey up with it, wrapping around the tree! Joey is trapped and Yano says “Y! T! R!” Shrug. LOW BLOW from Joey!! Yano forgot about the legs! Joey has the ref untie him, and then ROLLING ELBOW! Fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVERÂ on the chair!
Joey puts the bent chair on Yano, goes up the corner, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS the chair in!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yano survives and shocks Joey! The fans fire up while Joey storms around. Fans chant for tables but Joey tapes Yano’s hands together! Fans boo now but Joey soaks it all up. Joey stomps Yano, kicks him around, and fans chant “We Want Red Chair!” Joey fetches Red Chair and fans cheer! Joey swings, but Yano dodges! Red Chair bounces off the ropes to SMACK Joey in the head! And then Yano LOW BLOW HEADBUTTS!! Joey somehow stays on his feet, but Yano AX HANDLE LOW BLOWS! Roll up, Yano wins!
Winner: Toru Yano, by pinfall
The Bad, Bad Boy played with fire and got burned! What a way to debut in NJPW. But Yano does apologize for what he had to do. Will Yano continue to add to the bag of tricks with this?
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS West Coast Wrecking Crew!
Just as the Headbanga & Young Guerrilla successfully defended these titles in Las Vegas, Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson had to ruin the fun! The WCWC doesn’t see ELP & Leo as a legit team, will they prove themselves right? Or will the former Bullet Club members prove they can still win a shootout?
The introductions are made, but then ELP & Leo just start throwing hands! Leo is after Isaacs and ELP is after Nelson! Fans fire up, the bell rings, and this is on record as Leo & ELP keep throwing hands! They send Nelson into Isaacs, then ELP BACK ELBOWS them both! ELP feeds Nelson to a BIG back drop, and in this smaller ring, Nelson reaches the other corner! ELP then sends Leo in to SPLASH Isaacs! ELP brings Nelson back up, the WCWC is sent into each other, and then Leo DOUBLE LARIATS them up and out! Fans fire up as Leo then gives ELP a boost up, tightrope and ASAI MOONSAULT! Down goes WCWC and fans fire up!
Leo goes out to stomp Isaacs, ELP ROCKS Nelson, and Nelson gets into the ring. ELP CHOPS Nelson, CHOPS him again, and fans “WOO~!” ELP brings Nelson around, whips, but Nelson ELBOWS him away! ELP runs in but Nelson FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS! Isaacs is there to suplex ELP out of the ropes and marches around the ring with him! ELP fights but can’t get free, and Nelson DIVES to take out Leo! Isaacs SLAMS ELPÂ onto Leo! Fans cheer the feat of strength and Isaacs drags ELP back up. Isaacs puts ELP in, Nelson drags ELP up and UPPERCUTS! Nelson runs corner to corner to SPLASH! Isaacs runs in to UPPERCUT!
Isaacs feeds ELP to Nelson’s BOOT! Isaacs then runs to drop an ELBOW! Isaacs tags Nelson in, the WCWC gets ELP up to DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Nelson dropkicks the legs out, and Isaacs deadlift suplexes! Isaacs holds ELP up again, for the count of TEN! SLAM, and Nelson covers, TWO! Nelson drags ELP over, tags in Isaacs, and fans rally for ELP while WCWC mugs him. Isaacs BLASTS Leo off the apron, then deadlifts ELP again, for a squat, squat and squat again. ELP is the barbell for Isaacs’ gut wrench workout, and then the SUPLEX! ELP flounders, Isaacs drags him to a cover, TWO! ELP is still in this and Leo rallies the fans.
Isaacs throws up the Westside W, then drags ELP back. Nelson tags in to stomp ELP down. Nelson digs his knee into ELP at the corner but the ref counts. Nelson lets off at 4, he tags Isaacs back in, and Isaacs kicks ELP around. ELP fights up but Isaacs holds him back. Tag to Nelson and he cartwheels, cartwheels and drop steps. He’s parodying ELP before he hip swivels and CLAWS ELP’s back! Isaacs BLASTS Leo, then WCWC flexes for the photo op. Fans boo, Nelson drags ELP up but ELP throws forearms! ELP whips, Nelson reverses, but ELP goes up and over and rolls, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Then LION-
NO, Nelson dodges! ELP dodges back, and RANAS Nelson out of the ring! The fans fire up, ELP crawls but sees he’s going the wrong way. ELP turns around and heads for Leo, but Nelson YANKS Leo down! Fans boo but Nelson RAMS ELP into the corner! Tag to Isaacs and WCWC wrench to double- NO, ELP lands out of the back suplex! ELP goes up and over and then under, but Isaacs grabs his legs! ELP BOOTS Isaacs into Nelson, rolls and hot tag to Leo! Leo rallies on the WCWC with haymakers! Isaacs dodges but runs into a BOOT! Leo scoops Nelson to SNAKE EYES and LARIAT! Fans fire up with Leo and he choke grips Nelson.
Isaacs staggers up, into the choke grip! WCWC breaks free, fires hands, and double whip. But Leo breaks the line to DOUBLE LARIAT them down! Fans fire up and now Leo aims at Isaacs. Choke grip, GOD- NO, Isaacs slips free to CHOP! Isaacs then dodges Leo’s chop, but runs into Leo’s POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Leo keeps cool and pushes Isaacs to the ropes. ELP holds Isaacs in place, and Leo CHOPS! Fans fire up for “One More Time! One More Time!” ELP stands Isaacs back up, and Leo CHOPS again! Isaacs falls over, but ELP drags him up. Straitjacket torture rack, Leo runs to BOOT, and that literally kickstarts the SWINGING NECKBREAKER!
Leo BLASTS Nelson off the apron for good measure, and then ELP covers Isaacs. TWO, but ELP & Leo keep cool. Leo and ELP go to corners, they tune up the band, and Isaacs stands. SUDDEN- NO, Isaacs blocks! But Leo still choke grips! Isaacs fireman’s carries?! But Leo fights free and goes back to the grip! ELP runs in, but Isaacs ducks, SUDDEN DEATHÂ hits Leo! ELP is stunned, Isaacs rolls him up! TWO!! Nelson JUMP KNEES ELP into Isaacs’ GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! ELP survives and fans fire up! Isaacs snarls, he tags in Nelson and the WCWC drags ELP up. Feed to the POP-UP POWERBOMB!
Nelson then has the legs, CATAPULT into Isaacs’ fireman’s carry. DEATH VALLEY DRIVER onto Nelson’s knees! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and Nelson can’t believe it! Nelson tags Isaacs, WCWC drag ELP up in the corner. Nelson runs to DOUBLE KNEE, then Isaacs reels ELP in for a BACKBREAKER! And then Canadian Rack, Nelson runs in, DOMINATOR CUTTER COMBO!! Nelson goes up, Isaacs brings ELP back up, PILEDRIVER and the MACHO ELBOW! Cover, but Leo BOOTS Nelson onto the ref! Isaacs CLUBS Leo and fires off! Leo ROCKS Isaacs back! Leo drags Isaacs up to CHOP! And ROCK!
But Nelson gets in with a title belt! Leo choke grips Nelson, but Isaacs LOW BLOWS Leo!! Fans boo, BELT SHOT from Nelson!! Fans boo even more, and now WCWC coordinate on ELP. Isaacs hauls ELP up, Nelson aims with the belt, but ELP ducks and the BELT SHOTÂ hits Isaacs! SUDDEN DEATH sends Nelson out of the ring! Cover on Isaacs, ELP & Leo win!
Winners: ELP & Hikuleo, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Team Filthy sure tried to do the boys dirty, but it all backfired! ELP & Leo win out, does this prove they’re a real team now? Or will the challenges only get tougher from here on out?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Satoshi Kojima!
The Mad King still has both his crowns, having just made it past Angelico in an ROH World Championship match. Will Eddie still be bringing both belts with him to ROH Final Battle? Or will the King of Bread Style rise to the occasion?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is NJPW Strong!
The bell rings and fans rally up for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” already. Eddie and Kojima stare down, step up, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Eddie finds a point of leverage. But Kojima turns it around to put Eddie in a corner. Kojima CHOPS as he lets off, but Eddie brushes that off. They tie up again, Kojima headlocks, but Eddie powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, but neither falls. Kojima runs again, and he RAMS Eddie again! And again! Eddie falls back to shake out the arm and fans fire up. The fans now rally for “KOJIMA! KOJIMA!” Eddie comes back and the fans rally for him again.
Fans then chant for “Both These Guys!” as they tie up. Eddie CHOPS! And CHOPS! And then URA- NO, Kojima ducks, kicks and runs Eddie over! Fans fire up and Eddie bails out again. That arm is really bothering Eddie, but Kojima gets his pecs dancing! Fans cheer for the pecs, and then Kojima goes out to fetch Eddie. Kojima kicks and CLUBS Eddie, follows him around the way, kicks and CLUBS him again, then goes to the railing. Kojima whips Eddie but Eddie reverses and Kojima hits railing! Eddie CHOPS Kojima, then ROCKS him with a haymaker! Eddie puts Kojima in to cover, TWO! Eddie keeps on Kojima with a chinlock.
Kojima endures, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! Eddie lets off quickly and shakes out the arm. Eddie stomps Kojima, Kojima stands up in a corner, but Eddie CHOPS! And JABS! And CHOPS! Eddie whips corner to corner, runs in, but Kojima dodges! Kojima CHOPS, CHOPS and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up while the ref counts, and Kojima tops it off with one more CHOP! Kojima then whips corner to corner, runs in, and forearm smashes! He’s gonna get ya- NO, Eddie ROCKS Kojima! And fires the MACHINE GUN CHOPS in return! Eddie CHOPS then EXPLODERS!
Fans fire up as Kojima tumbles away to the far corner. Eddie shakes out the arms, runs corner to corner, but Kojima BOOTS! Kojima goes up but Eddie SWATS him! Kojima falls to the outside and a ring count starts. Eddie waits while the count climbs, and it goes past 5 of 20. Kojima springs up at 8 to slide in at 9, but Eddie kicks him. Eddie goes to the apron with Kojima, but Kojima fights the half nelson! Kojima fires elbows, reels Eddie in, to APRON DDT! Fans fire up while Eddie falls, and the ring count starts again. Kojima stands over Eddie at 6 of 20, the fans rally as Kojima puts Eddie in at 8. Kojima steps in but Eddie rolls to the far side.
Kojima storms over, stands Eddie up and fires off forearms! ROLLING ELBOW! Kick! DDT! Eddie writhes but fans fire up. Kojima stands, fans rally up, and he drags Eddie back up. Cravat and- NO, Eddie throws body shots, to then SAIDO! Kojima rises to run in, but into a HALF NELSON SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Eddie’s bad arm couldn’t keep the legs hooked, but Eddie goes for the STRETCH PLUM! Kojima endures being twisted around and the fans rally up! Kojima pries at the hold, throws hands from below, and Eddie lets go. Eddie goes to a corner, Kojima stands, and the two stare down as the fans fire up.
Eddie runs in to LARIAT, but Kojima stays up! Eddie scowls and runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! The fans fire up as Eddie falls and Kojima stands! Kojima stands Eddie up, COZY CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Eddie survives but Kojima keeps his cool. Off comes the elbow pad! Kojima waits on Eddie to stand, then runs, but Eddie blocks the lariat! And URAKEN! Kojima stays up, so Eddie URAKENS!! And then URAKENS!!! The trilogy of Backfist to the Future hits, but Kojima LARIATS!! Both men fall and the fans are thunderous! Kojima rises, he storms up on Eddie, and he drags Eddie back up.
Eddie shoves Kojima away, flips him off, but Kojima ROCKS him! Kojima suplexes Eddie up for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Eddie survives by a literal foot! Fans fire up again as Kojima powers up the arm. Kojima runs, to COZY- LARIAT FROM EDDIE!! Fans are thunderous again, and Eddie suplexes, NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? Kojima survives but Eddie just powers up! URAKEN!! URAKEN!! And NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB AGAIN!!! Cover, Eddie wins!!
Winner: Eddie Kingston, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
Kojima proved he’s a living legend, withstanding all that damage! But in the end, Eddie proved why he is a Double Champion! Eddie and Kojima show respect to each other, will we get to see this one again in the future? Until then, who is next to- WAIT! GABE KIDD ATTACKS!! This Bullet Club War Dog knocks Eddie down, then grabs the title! Kidd talks a ton of trash before he BELT SHOTS Eddie back down! Kidd gets the mic while fans boo but he soaks it up. “Yeah, keep talking, I got the microphone! It’s always these guys! It’s always these top guys who wanna duck me, until I turn up and hit ’em in the back of the head!”
Fans boo and ask “WHAT?” but Kidd says Will Ospreay is one example! Ospreay made the same mistake, and Kidd will bury Ospreay on December 16th, Rev-Pro Uprising! But Eddie, when will Kidd come for Eddie? The answer is: Whenever the EFF he wants!! Fans boo as Kidd drags Eddie up, PILEDRIVER!!! Kidd then tells Boss Dog Finlay said bring gold or bring bodies. “Ey, boss! How ’bout both?!” Kidd stands over Eddie, holding up the belt. Kidd mockingly bows to Eddie before leaving. Is this rabid dog going to take that belt or just get put down?
Backstage interview with Trent Beretta.
Emily Mae catches Trent as he heads for his locker room and says we heard him make the challenge at the end of Fighting Spirit Unleashed, does he have anything else to say before tonight’s main event? Trent thinks about that. It has been four years since he left NJPW, and it’s been great in AEW & ROH. But he did still wonder what it’d be like if he didn’t. And tonight, he’s on his own, no Best Friends, and Trent will show NJPW, the fans, Shingo Takagi, and even AEW exactly who he is. Emily high-fives Trent and he heads out, will Trent prove he can stand on his own two feet?
Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta VS David Finlay & KENTA!
While the Maniac & Decoder are ready to tear into #OrangeHook this Wednesday on AEW Dynamite, there’s a war brewing in NJPW. Just last week, The Rebel ruined the confrontation Moxley had with Will Ospreay at the end of Power Struggle, and then he defiantly and violently SMASHED the IWGP United States and United Kingdom Championships! Will Finlay and the Fang Revived do even worse to Moxley & Yuta here? Or will Bullet Club get owned by the Blackpool Combat Club?
As usual, BCC makes their way in from the crowd. But as soon as they’re ringside, Finlay & Kenta attack! Finlay goes right after Moxley and Kenta beats down Yuta but the fans boo. Finlay claws Moxley’s face while Kenta rains down fists on Yuta. The ref reprimands but there’s nothing to be done when this isn’t a match yet. Kenta POSTS Yuta, but fans taunt Finlay with “Switchblade’s Better!” Yuta hits back, but Finlay fireman’s carries Moxley to SNAKE EYES off railing! Kenta RAMS Yuta into the apron, ELBOWS him in the head, and Finlay DECKS Moxley. Finlay then helps Kenta mug Yuta but the fans rally up for BCC.
Kenta stands Yuta up and Finlay CHOPS him! The War Dogs put Yuta in, the bell rings, and Kenta rains down fists! The ref reprimands about that, but Kenta lets off. Kenta stands Yuta up to bump off buckles, and then RAMS into him! And again! And again! Kenta then throws a hard body shot! Tag to Finlay and he CHOKES Yuta! The fans boo, the ref counts, but Finlay RAMS into Yuta! And again! And again and again and again! The ref backs Finlay down but Kenta gets a cheap shot in. Yuta hits back! But then Finlay smothers him and snap suplexes! Cover, ONE!! Yuta hangs tough but Finlay clamps on and stands Yuta up.
Finlay UPPERCUTS, but Yuta CHOPS! And CHOPS! Finlay pokes Yuta in the eye, then UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Kenta, and he sits Yuta up to KICK! And KICKS! Yuta eggs Kenta on, the Yes Kicks are harder. Kenta and Yuta start trading forearms, but Kenta claws the eyes! The ref reprimands but Kenta UPPERCUTS! Kenta runs, but into an atomic drop! And ENZIGURI! Fans fire up as Yuta crawls, hot tag to Moxley! Moxley RAMS Kenta into a corner! Moxley stomps a mudhole, fires off forearms and CHOPS on repeat, then goes up to rain down more fists! The fans count to TEN, then Moxley BITES Kenta’s forehead!
Moxley whips corner to corner, runs in and clotheslines! And then he reels Kenta in, for a stalling PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO! But Moxley just rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Fans rally and then Moxley lets off to run and- NO, Kenta blocks the Penalty Kick to KICK a leg! Moxley KICKS back, they KICK back and forth, harder and faster! Kenta gets the edge but then Moxley blocks a kick to trip Kenta for a TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! Fans fire up but Finlay BOOTS Moxley! Moxley holds on! So Finlay BOOTS him again! Moxley lets Kenta go to get in Finlay’s face, and then Yuta DECKS Finlay! But Kenta rolls Moxley up! TWO!
Moxley hits a CUTTER! Yuta drags Kenta up and reels him in, Moxley climbs a corner. The fans chant for “B C C!” but Finlay trips Moxley up! Kenta back drops Yuta away, Finlay shoves Moxley off the corner, and Kenta runs in to PENALTY KICK! Kenta drags Moxley over, tags in Finlay, and fans boo as Finlay rains down fists. The ref reprimands and counts, but Finlay BITES Moxley’s forehead now! Finlay SPITS at the crowd and fans boo. Finlay drags Moxley up to UPPERCUT! Finlay runs at the corner, UPPERCUT! BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Finlay keeps Moxley from Yuta and pulls him back in a fishhook.
Finlay CLUBS Moxley with a crossface forearm, fishhooks him again, and CLUBS him back down! Finlay repeats the process, then throws up the Too Sweet. But Moxley stands to put on a SLEEPER! Finlay backs Moxley down, and Kenta grabs on with a SLEEPER! Finlay is free, and he intercepts Yuta to TOSS him out! The ref reprimands, Kenta lets Moxley go but now he has no one to tag. Finlay stomps Moxley’s hand! Finlay bends the fingers, BITES the fingers, then lets off as the ref reprimands. Moxley goes to ropes, but Finlay CHOKES him! The ref counts, Finlay lets off, and the fans rally up for Moxley again.
Moxley eggs Finlay on, Finlay pie faces him, then stands Moxley up. Moxley SLAPS Finlay, then DISCUS LARIATS! Both men are down, they crawl for their corners, hot tag to Yuta! Yuta climbs up and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Yuta DECKS Kenta for good measure before he fires off forearms and CHOPS on Finlay! Fans fire up as Yuta rains down shots in a corner! Yuta whips corner to corner, A-LIST LARIATS, then he goes up top! Finlay stands, into the FLYING LARIAT! Yuta kips up and fans fire up, and Yuta brings Finlay around. Finlay whips Yuta away but Yuta rewinds and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!
Finlay escapes but Yuta keeps his cool. The fans rally behind Yuta and he brings Finlay around. Wrench and- NO, Finlay slips out of the lift to waistlock. Yuta throws elbows but Finlay lifts! Yuta wheelbarrows to a victory roll, TWO! Finlay clinches, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Fans boo but Finlay drags Yuta up again to Canadian Rack, and CLIFFHANGER DDT! Cover, TWO!! Tag to Kenta and he covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Yuta is still in this and Kenta argues with the ref. The ref defends his count, so Kenta drags Yuta up. Kenta whips, Yuta holds ropes and KICKS back!
Yuta swings, Kenta spins him, and DDT! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Kenta is frustrated but the fans rally up. Kenta drags Yuta up, fireman’s carries, but Yuta fights free! Yuta shoves and DROPKICKS Kenta down! Moxley rises! Fans rally up, Yuta brings Kenta around, but Finlay has the shillelagh! The ref stops Finlay, but Kenta has his Defy Wrestling Championship! Yuta dodges the belt shot, to wrench and PAIN THRILLER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Kenta and Yuta crawl, hot tags to Finlay and Moxley! The forearms are fast and furious, back and forth! Moxley gets the edge, fires palm strikes, but runs into an ELBOW!
Finlay runs, but Moxley SWATS the Polish Hammer, to then SAIDO! Finlay staggers up, ducks the lariat, and T-BONE SUPLEXES! Both men are down, but they rise to go forehead to forehead. They stand, and the forearms fly again! Moxley has the edge, he flips Finlay off and runs to BOOT! Finlay returns to SPEAR! Both men are down again, and Finlay crawls his way over, tag to Kenta. Kenta goes up top to DIVING DOUBLE STOMP!! Cover, TWO!! Moxley survives but Kenta fires up! Kenta slashes his throat, drags Moxley up and fireman’s carries, GO TO- NO, Moxley lands on his feet! The forearms fly!
Fans rally, and Kenta gets CROSS COUNTER after CROSS COUNTER! Kenta roars, fireman’s carries again, GO TO- DEATH RIDER!!! Cover, BCC wins!
Winners: Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta, by pinfall
The better Club stands tall, and Finlay seethes as he stares Moxley down. Whatever battle is coming between Moxley, Finlay and Ospreay, it will be for the title without a name. But will it be the American Maniac, the British Assassin or the Rebel without a country that holds up that gold in the end?
NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Mike Bailey!
The Front Man of TMDK has been keeping season one of this title going without any delays or interruptions, but he might be up against his fastest opponent yet! Will Speedball make big changes to this title’s run? Or will his 15 minutes of fame be over before he knows it?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who heads the Fall line-up!
The fans duel, “Let’s Go, Speedball!” “Z S J!” The bell rings, both men rush in, and Bailey gets ZSJ with a SOBAT! Bailey fires off fast palm strikes, fast kicks, but ZSJ blocks to UPPERCUT! ZJS whips, Bailey reverses, ZSJ reverses back but Bailey handsprings. ZSJ dodges, but turns around into the LIGHTNING KICKS! Bailey fires off from both sides, then ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up while ZSJ flops out of the ring. Bailey builds speed, but ZSJ is up, so Bailey BOOTS him back down! Then Bailey triangle jump MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and down goes ZSJ! The fans rally up and Bailey puts ZSJ against railing. Bailey KICKS ZSJ in the chest!
ZSJ sputters as he leans against railing but the fans rally up. Bailey whips ZSJ into more railing, then KICKS him again! ZSJ falls, Bailey stalks him, and Bailey puts ZSJ in. Bailey gives the belt a glance before going to the ring. Bailey runs but ZSJ dodges and the boot gets hung up on ropes! ZSJ trips Bailey, then TWISTS a foot! Then TWISTS the other foot! ZSJ swings Bailey around to get on the apron, and NECK TWIST! ZSJ holds on for a squeeze while slipping back into the ring. ZSJ has a DOUBLE ANKLE LOCK, but the ref counts. ZSJ lets off and fans sing “OH~ Zack Sabre Junior~!” ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow then drags Bailey to center.
ZSJ has a standing toehold, then he bends the toes! ZSJ ties the legs up, chinbars Bailey and brings him into the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Bailey endures so ZSJ sends him flying! ZSJ flexes, fans rally up, and ZSJ brings Bailey up. Bailey throws a body shot! The fans rally again, and ZSJ cravats to snapmare. ZSJ KICKS Bailey in the back, and mocks the crane stance. But Bailey scowls as he stands. Bailey fires off a flurry of forearms, then ROCKS ZSJ! Bailey whips, ZSJ reverses and traps the arm, to TWEAK it! ZSJ whips, Bailey handsprings, but into an ARMBAR! Fans fire up as Bailey clasps hands and scrambles around!
ZSJ pulls on the arm, Bailey moves and has the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go, the fans rally and duel again, and Bailey rises. ZSJ stands Bailey up, wrenches, wrenches, but Bailey clubs free to CHOP! ZSJ UPPERCUTS in return! Bailey CHOPS again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS back! That hurts ZSJ’s arm but he eggs Bailey on! Bailey CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Bailey’s arm! ZSJ runs, but into a BOOT! Bailey goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! We pass five minutes, but fans rally up as Bailey rises again. Bailey aims, SOBATS, then AX KICKS! ZSJ kneels, into another KICK! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!
ZSJ is still in this but there’s still a lot of time left. Fans rally up as Bailey aims again. ZSJ sits up, ducks the buzzsaw, duck the return, but then Bailey feints the third. ZSJ lets his guard down and the BUZZSAW hits! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives but the fans fire up with Bailey. Bailey aims again, but ZSJ ducks and rolls to get a foot! ZSJ TRIPS Bailey, but Bailey avoids the kick to kick low, snapmare and PENALTY- NO, ZSJ dodges and HEADBUTTS! ZSJ snapmares, then PENALTY- NO, Bailey ducks, kicks and snapmares, but ZSJ bridges up to snapmare back! But then Bailey bridges up to snapmare again!
ZSJ bridges up, but Bailey KICKS him! And then runs to PENALTY KICK! And then sets up to MOONSAULT KNEE DROP onto ZSJ’s knees! A double-edged save but fans still fire up. ZSJ and Bailey both clutch knees while the fans duel again. ZSJ scoots over to Bailey to kick him, but Bailey kicks back. ZSJ kicks, Bailey kicks, repeat! They each target hamstrings as they kick again and again. Both men let off, that hurts themselves more than anything. They both hobble up, and ZSJ fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! Bailey roars and BOOTS! Then ROUNDHOUSE, but ZSJ dodges the roundhouse! And he goes Matrix to avoid the thrust kick!
ZSJ SLAPS Bailey, runs, but into the THRUST KICK! Bailey runs in, but ZSJ KICKS the kick! Fans are thunderous while both men sit down and Bailey clutches his leg. “This is Awesome!” and ZSJ stalks Bailey. ZSJ drags Bailey back, hooks up the legs, and then STOMPS the knees! Bailey hobbles to a corner, ZSJ runs up and knuckle locks, to pop Bailey into a KNEEBAR! And then an INVERTED FIGURE FOUR! With ANKLE LOCK!! Bailey endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the toes!! ZSJ then shifts to deathlock, but he wants an arm! Bailey resists, so ZSJ gets the STF! Bailey still fights forward, to the ROPEBREAK!
Fans cheer as we finally hit ten minutes! ZSJ keeps cool, and he pulls on the toes to then have a HEEL HOOK! Bailey still hast he ropes so the ref reprimands and counts. They go to the apron, Bailey holds onto ropes so they don’t fall, and he stomps ZSJ! ZSJ just shifts on the Heel Hook! Bailey sits up to SLAP! ZSJ SLAPS! They SLAP back and forth, then ZSJ gives his own stomps. Bailey eggs ZSJ on, ZSJ kicks more and more, but Bailey doesn’t budge! If anything, he leans into the shots! Bailey has the leg, steps over, and then APRON MOONSAULT KNEE DROP!! Both men fall to the floor and the fans are thunderous again!
ZSJ sputters as he rolls away, but Bailey drags himself up to the apron. Bailey goes up the corner as he sees ZSJ go tot he ramp. Bailey springboards to CORKSCREW PLANCHA!! Direct hit and down goes ZSJ! We hit the three minute warning so Bailey gets ZSJ in. ZSJ goes to a corner, Bailey runs in, TATSU- NO, ZSJ avoids Tatsumaki, but Bailey avoids the Tornado DDT! TATSUMAKI SENPU!! Bailey goes up the corner, to ULTIMATE WEAPON!!! Cover, TWO!??! ZSJ survives those knees to his back but the fans are thunderous again! Bailey aims, to KICK, but ZSJ blocks! To get a SLEEPER, then a scoop, SABRE DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?!?
The fans are thunderous and hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but we’re at the two minute warning! This is coming to an end one way or another! ZSJ drags Bailey up but Bailey RANAS! Cover, TWO! ZSJ sunset flips, TWO! Bailey high stacks but ZSJ spins, only for Bailey to cartwheel! But then ZSJ kicks the legs out and has a SLEEPER! But Bailey rolls back to a cover, TWO! Bailey has the SLEEPER, ZSJ rolls back to EURO CLUTCH! TWO?!?! Bailey escapes and both men scramble up. ZSJ KICKS, runs, but into a SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!!! Bailey aims, PENALTY KCIK! Last minute, and Bailey feints the knee drop to turn ZSJ over! MOONSAULT KNEE DROP!!
ZSJ goes to a corner, Bailey runs in, TATSU- FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!! Bailey scrambles, ends up in a Triangle Hold, but he deadlifts, only for ZSJ to drag him down! 30 seconds, Bailey stomps but ZSJ shifts! RINGS OF SATURN!! CLARKY CAT!! ZSJ tortures the fingers, stomps away, but Bailey refuses! FINAL TEN SECONDS!! ZSJ BENDS the fingers, SNAPS the pinkie, and Bailey QUITS! ZSJ WINS!!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (still NJPW World Television Champion)
With literal seconds left on the clock, ZSJ brings this episode to an end! Bailey’s pinkie tells the tale, will anyone ever stop The Front Man at this rate? Or will he make it far beyond the one year mark in January?
IWGP Women’s Championship: Mayu Iwatani VS Stephanie Vaquer!
The Sky Blue Hyper Technician is just the third-ever champion, and has held onto this title since April when she dethroned Mercedes Mone, and held onto it through facing Utami Hayashishita, but now she’s up against La Primera, who is already the CMLL Women’s World AND Women’s Tag Team Champion! Will Vaquer win the shootout and become a THREE-BELT champion? Or will Mayu continue her historic reign beyond 200 days?
The introductions are made, the IWGP belt is raised, and we see who has what it takes to make history!
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Vaquer wrenches to fireman’s carry takeover, and then she has a double wristlock. Mayu moves around, wrenches back, but Vaquer rolls, handsprings and wrenches to wristlock. Mayu moves around, uses ropes to flip through, and then she wrenches to wrench again, then wristlock. Mayu shifts to a hammerlock but Vaquer uses her leg to hook free. Vaquer wrenches and hammerlocks, but Mayu throws elbows. Mayu headlocks, fans cheer the exchange, but Vaquer claws Mayu’s face! Vaquer puts Mayu on ropes, the ref counts, and Vaquer lets off.
Vaquer whips, Mayu rolls over the dropdown, and keeps moving to arm-drag! Vaquer avoids the dropkick but then so does Mayu! Mayu headlocks for the takeover but Vaquer headscissors. Mayu kips free, Vaquer trips her to cover, ONE! The fans cheer the standoff! Mayu and Vaquer circle, the fans rally, and the two rush in. Mayu SOBATS, whips, but Vaquer reverses. Mayu slips to the apron, schoolgirls but Vaquer rolls through, only for Mayu to basement dropkick! Fans rally with Mayu and she runs, but Vaquer pulls hair! Fans boo but Mayu gets free. Vaquer dodges to SUPERKICK! Mayu falls over and fans rally up.
Mayu goes to a corner, Vaquer runs in but into a BOOT! Vaquer comes back, puts one leg in the ropes and then DRAGON SCREWS the other! Mayu writhes, fans rally up, and Vaquer drags Mayu up. Vaquer fireman’s carries but Mayu fights to sunset flip. Vaquer stays up, to scrape soles off the face! Vaquer runs to hit the leg drop, brother! Cover, TWO! Mayu is still in this but Vaquer looms over her. Vaquer drags Mayu up, Mayu throws body shots but Vaquer wraps on a headscissors! Vaquer turns over to JAM Mayu into the mat again and again! Vaquer turns Mayu back over, ties up the legs and has a sit-down cradle, TWO!
Mayu is still in this and the fans rally up. Vaquer looms over Mayu, kicks her around, then stands her up to bump her off buckles! And again, and again, and again! Vaquer lets off as the ref reprimands, then she pushes Mayu down. Vaquer drags Mayu up but Mayu throws a forearm! Vaquer HEADBUTTS in return! That made Vaquer just as dizzy, and Mayu throws a forearm! Vaquer HEADBUTTS, HEADBUTTS and HEADBUTTS! Mayu falls against ropes, Vaquer stands on her to CHOKE her! The ref counts but fans cheer as Vaquer flexes. Vaquer scrapes Mayu’s face with her boot, then really digs it in!
Vaquer drags Mayu up, whips, but Mayu reverses to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Mayu gets running and she DROPKICKS Vaquer against ropes and out of the ring! Fans fire up as Mayu builds speed, but Vaquer GAMANGIRIS first! Vaquer steps up, springboards, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Mayu is still in this but Vaquer keeps her focus. Vaquer reels Mayu in and tucks the arms, but Mayu fights the piledriver! Vaquer kicks Mayu low, runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Fans fire up while both women are down! Mayu rises, reels Vaquer in but Vaquer swings! Mayu gets around to SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX!
Vaquer goes to the apron and fans rally up. Mayu rises and she builds speed, to DIVE! Direct hit into the railing! Fans lose their minds as Mayu stands back up! Mayu puts Vaquer back in, then she goes to the apron. Mayu climbs up, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives but Mayu nods. Mayu kicks Vaquer around, drags her to the drop zone again, and she heads back up. Fans rally, Mayu reaches the top to MOONSAULT! But into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Wait, it’s a FOOT CHOKE! Mayu flails inside Hell’s Gates while fans rally up! Mayu reaches out, but she’s fading! The ref checks, Mayu gets a second wind to get the ROPEBREAK!
The ref counts, Vaquer lets Mayu go at 4, and she stands Mayu up to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT again! But Mayu SHOTEIS! Mayu roars, but Vaquer reels her in, GERMAN SUPLEX!! Vaquer sends Mayu flying and fans are thunderous! Vaquer goes to a corner, runs in, METEORA in the corner! High stack, TWO!! Mayu survives and Vaquer grows frustrated. The fans rally up, Vaquer tucks and lifts, but Mayu fights! Mayu slips free to ROCK Vaquer! Mayu runs, gets around the lariat, CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives, but Mayu aims to SUPERKICK! But Vaquer rises up!
Vaquer shouts at Mayu, so Mayu BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives again but Mayu keeps her cool. Mayu drags Vaquer up, gut wrenches, and TOMBSTONES!! But Mayu isn’t done there, she goes back to the corner! Fans fire up as Mayu climbs, and MOONSAULTS!! Cover, Mayu wins!
Winner: Mayu Iwatani, by pinfall (still IWGP Women’s Champion)
And this is why Mayu is the Icon of Stardom! Mayu bests the best CMLL has to offer and holds onto NJPW’s title. Mayu does show Vaquer respect, and Vaquer accepts the handshake. Will Vaquer have to return the favor and give Mayu a match for the CMLL Women’s World Championship?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Trent Beretta!
Just as the Rampaging Dragon took this title off Tama Tonga in Las Vegas, he was called out by #JustTrent! Takagi doesn’t back down from a fight, but will he win the shootout? Or will Trent add this title to the Best Friends’ collection?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if it’s truly Takagi’s time!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two approach. They feel things out, tie up, and Takagi powers Trent back. Trent slips around to waistlock but Takagi switches. Trent wrenches out to hammerlock, but Takagi reaches around. Takagi drop toeholds then floats to a headlock. Trent fights up to his feet, powers up and out, but Takagi runs him over! Fans applaud while Trent sits up in a huff. Takagi clamps on a chinlock, leans on the hold, perhaps aware of Trent’s bad neck. Trent fights up again but Takagi goes for the arm. Takagi wrenches, gives a quick elbow breaker, then CLUBS the arm. Takagi ROCKS Trent with a forearm!
Fans rally behind Takagi and he facelocks. Trent throws body shots but Takagi knees low. Takagi whips, Trent reverses then drops down, to jump up, METEORA! Fans fire up while Takagi flounders to a corner. Trent storms over, stands Takagi up and CHOPS! Fans “WOO~!” but Trent bumps Takagi off buckles. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire himself up! So Trent kicks low! Trent whips, Takagi reverses, but Trent dodges in the corner to TORNADO- NO, Takagi powers out! But then Trent RANAS! And SUPERKICKS! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Trent is annoyed but the fans rally up as Takagi goes to the apron.
Trent storms over, stomps Takagi, then drags him back in. Trent CHOPS, Takagi forearms! And CLUBS and CLUBS and CLUBS! Takagi goes to scoop but Trent fights it. Trent CLUBS Takagi, ROCKS him with a forearm, then runs. Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up and Trent staggers to his feet, for Takagi to clothesline him up and out! Fans fire up with Takagi and he tells them, “TOKI GA KITA! <THE TIME HAS COME!>” Takagi goes out, drags Trent up, and whips, but Trent reverses to POST Takagi! Trent then runs in, but Takagi dodges and Trent hits railing! Fans fire up while Trent falls in a heap!
Takagi catches his breath, the ring count starts, and it passes 5 of 20. Takagi refreshes the count to then drag Trent up and SMACK him off the apron. Takagi asks if he should do it again, and fans cheer! Takagi SMACKS Trent again! The fans continue to cheer so Takagi fireman’s carries, to SNAKE EYES off the apron, kick and DDTÂ to the floor! The ref checks Trent and he’s okay to continue, so the ring count starts again. Takagi stomps Trent, puts him in at 6 of 20, and then stands on Trent at the ropes. The ref counts as Trent suffers, but Takagi lets go of the ropes. Not the problem! So Takagi DOUBLE STOMPS Trent!
Fans rally up, Takagi reels Trent in and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi pushes Trent down to elbow drop! Takagi then clamps on the body scissors! Fans rally as Trent endures the squeeze, and Trent throws elbows. Takagi BELL CLAPS back! Takagi then SENTONS! Fans rally up, Takagi brings Trent around and pushes him. Takagi JABS, Trent forearms! And again! And then CHOPS! Takagi JABS again! Trent wobbles and goes to ropes, but Takagi storms up on him. Takagi throws knees against the ropes, then he whips Trent to KNEE again! Takagi reels Trent in, but Trent fights the suplex!
Takagi turns around and he suplexes Trent, but Trent lands on the apron! Trent swings but Takagi counter punches! Takagi ROCKS Trent, HOTSHOTS, then runs, into a SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Fans fire up while both men are down! Trent drags himself around while Takagi goes to a corner. Fans rally, Trent runs in, and BACK ELBOWS! And TORNADO DDTS! Takagi flounders away and out of the ring, but Trent hurries to pursue. Trent aims from the apron, goes up the corner, and ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and Takagi hits railing! Trent stands and fans fire up with him! Trent gives the belt a glance, then moves it aside.
Trent is confiscating the timekeeper’s table! The fans fire up for that but the ref reprimands. Trent doesn’t care, he wants to bring it in. He has to untangle it from the mic, though. Then Trent CHUCKS the table into Takagi’s face! Trent puts Takagi in the ring, slides the table in, and he sets the table up in a corner. The ref says no but Trent shoves the ref! Fans are torn seeing Mean Trent here! Trent fireman’s carries, to DEATH VALLEY DRIVERÂ through the table!! Fans fire up, they’re starting to like Mean Trent! Trent moves the wreckage out of the way, and then picks up one of the pieces! Trent aims at Takagi as he stands up!
Trent swings, but Takagi dodges! Trent tries again, Takagi blocks, and he kicks low! Takagi SMACKS Trent with the table, and again, and AGAIN! Down goes Trent and fans fire up again! Takagi goes out as Trent flops to the floor. Fans fire up more as Takagi pounds the apron. Takagi takes that piece of table, and he CHUCKS it at Trent’s face! That’s a bit of payback but Takagi isn’t done with Trent just yet. Trent is busted open, and Takagi POSTS him! Trent falls and Takagi storms up on him. Takagi drags Trent up, puts him in the ring, and calls to the ref. Cover, TWO! Trent is still in this, even with a crimson mask forming.
Takagi CLUBS away on Trent’s head, then kicks him around. Fans rally, Takagi JABS! And JABS! Trent scowls, Takagi ROCKS him with a haymaker! Trent hits back! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- NO, Trent gets under and around to GERMAN SUPLEX! And GERMAN SUPLEX again! What a high arc! But Takagi fights the third with elbows. Takagi breaks free, swings, but into a HALF ‘N’ HALF! Trent goes to a corner, runs back in, BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and the fans are thunderous! Trent blinks through the blood pouring down that left side of his face, and he storms up on Takagi.
Trent stands Takagi up, Alabama Lifts, but Takagi fights it! And turns it to a backslide! TWO! ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint to DDT! Trent flops over, but he punches his own forehead to wake himself up. Trent goes to the corner, Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans join in. Takagi runs to the corner, to clothesline! Takagi keeps going, but Trent ducks the lariat! Trent swings, into a Gory Especial! NOSHIGAMI! Fans rally again and Takagi stalks Trent. Takagi wheelbarrows Trent to WHEELBARROW GERMAN Trent into the corner!! The ref checks Trent after that nasty impact into the buckles and ropes!
Trent is dazed but he’s still in this. The fans rally up, Takagi and Trent rise up again, and Takagi stands first. Takagi points to the sky and he drags Trent up. Takagi puts Trent on the top rope, climbs up after him, but Trent fires body shots! They brawl, Trent HEADBUTTS and SUPER SUNSET- NO, Takagi holds ropes! Takagi punches Trent away, turns around, but then Trent CHOPS! Trent CHOPS Takagi again, and Takagi wobbles atop the corner. Trent climbs up after Takagi, goes to the very top, but Takagi throws body shots! Takagi reels Trent into a fireman’s carry! And tucks the arm!? STAY DREAM!! Takagi crawls to cover, TWO!!!
Fans are thunderous as Trent survives! But Takagi again shouts “OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in, and Takagi powers up. Trent rises, Takagi pump handles, but Trent victory rolls! TWO!! Takagi escapes and fans rally again. Trent grabs Takagi by the hair but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Trent ROLLING ELBOWS! Takagi JABS, HEADBUTTS, SLIDING PUMPING!! Cover, ONE?!?! Trent is showing grit and the fans love it! But PUMPING BOMBER knocks him down!! Takagi won’t stop there, MADE IN JAPAN!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Trent survives again and no one can believe it! “This is Awesome!” as both men are down.
Takagi rises up, he drags Trent around, and he pump handles again. Trent fights the lift with elbows! Takagi LARIATS! Trent stays up but he sputters. Takagi LARIATS again, Trent wobbles, and Takagi says this is it! LARIAT! Trent roars!? Swings, but into a spin and- Alabama Lift!? DUDEBUSTER!!! Cover, TWO!!!! Takagi survives that Crunchy driver and the fans are electric! Trent and Takagi stir, both running on fumes. The fans rally up, Trent drags Takagi up to throw a haymaker. Takagi gives it back! Trent throws a forearm, so Takagi gives it back! Trent throws another, so Takagi throws another!
They stand now, and Trent throws another haymaker! Takagi staggers but he comes back to forearm! Trent wobbles, but he throws a forearm! Takagi ROCKS Trent! Trent goes to ropes, comes back, and he ROCKS Takagi! Takagi ROCKS Trent! Trent throws a forearm, Takagi fires a flurry of HEADBUTTS! Then the boxing elbows! Takagi goes all the way to TEN, but Trent gets around the lariat to backslide! Takagi rolls through, btu Trent reels him in for a GOTCH PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives, the fans fire up again, and Trent huffs and puffs as he sits back up. Trent drags Takagi up, but Takagi blocks the Alabama!
Takagi CLUBS away on Trent’s back, but Trent SLAPS him! Takagi staggers to ropes, comes back, into the JUMP KNEE! Alabama Lift, but Takagi fights it to trap the arms! TAKAGI DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO!!!! Trent survives and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi and Trent slowly rise, and Takagi reels Trent in. Trent gets up to ENZIGURI but Takagi ducks it! Takagi sits Trent up for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Fans fire up, then Takagi clamps on a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Trent flails around, but ends up in the GROUND COBRA!! Trent flails, reaches out, but Takagi thrashes him! Trent starts to fade, but he gets a second wind! He kicks and kicks, ROPEBREAK!!
Takagi lets go and we’re past 25 minutes! Trent goes to the apron, but Takagi rises up. Fans rally, Takagi drags Trent up, but Trent HEADBUTTS! Takagi wobbles, Trent SLINGSHOT- NO, Takagi blocks the spears, to make it the DRAPING GTR! And then pump handle, torture rack, LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! Cover, Takagi wins!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)
Trent may not have won, but he sure showed everyone what he’s made of! But at the same time, Takagi again showed everyone what he’s made of! Takagi shows Trent respect and Trent nods, perhaps these two will go another round some day. Will Trent return to AEW ready for anything now?
As for Takagi, he gets the belt back and the ref raises his hand in victory before he gets some water to refresh himself. Then Takagi gets the mic to say, “Trent! Next time, No DQ.” Fans like the sound of that! Takagi says it’s okay, he’ll get permission. Trent nods again, and fans are really looking forward to that rematch now. Takagi then catches his breath, and the fans cheer that, too. Takagi sits up and says, “My time… is coming! TOKI GA KITA~! Thank you, guys. Thank you, everybody. I’m happy. Did you enjoy?” The fans cheer because they sure did! Takagi then says, “Actually, I love Texas. So here, my second hometown!” Fans like the sound of that!
Takagi now stands, and he says this belt, the NEVER Openweight Championship, who is next? Huh? Who’s next!? Fans cheer and Takagi points to the stage. Come on down, somebody! C’mon! Oi, oi, oi, where are they? Maybe they’re all in Japan? But Takagi promises to come back to Texas, and between Japan and Texas, it will be an amazing match! Until then, he will fly on as a Rampaging Dragon! WAIT! The lights go down and a Guerrilla of Destiny is here! And it’s Tama Tonga! The Good Bad Guy gets in the ring, picks up the mic, and he says, “Shingo, since you asked so nicely for the next challenger, you’ve got one right here.”
Last time was Las Vegas, it didn’t go Tama’s way. And yeah, that stuff eats away at him. He can’t let that go. So how about it? Tama wants his rematch. Hell, Takagi wants that rematch. Hell, the FANS want that rematch! The fans cheer to confirm! Tama hands the mic back and Takagi has everyone settle down. “Tama… Yes, of course!” So that said, from Las Vegas to Tokyo, Japan! WrestleKingdom 18, in the Tokyo Dome!! Fans fire up as a big match is made for the biggest stage in NJPW! Will the Good Bad Guy take this title back once again? Or will nothing stop the Rampaging Dragon now?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for NJPW, the first with the new NJPW World website, but I do need to quickly say that it isn’t exactly an “improved” website. The streaming player itself is better, the website’s aesthetic is a bit more like other websites (hell, it looks almost exactly like ROH’s Honor Club). And the way they divided the show up by matches for watching On Demand is great, too, for someone who likes to skip around like I do. But in trying to skip around to the matches I want to cover, it was very glitchy, kept telling me I hit my maximum multiple streams or whatever, something they’ll need to iron out if they’re going to continue on with that format.
But of what I did cover, Yano VS Janela turning into a No DQ match was great stuff, definitely up Janela’s alley, and kudos to Yano for taking those chair spots. Unlike other promotions that might’ve given Janela a win for his debut, NJPW still had Yano go over given he has more experience not in No DQ but in being a trickster. But I’m sure Janela will still find great stories and give great matches in NJPW, maybe even getting in on the KOPW Championship to come up with some wild stipulations.
Great NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship match, and I figured ELP & Leo would retain, but a really good showing for WCWC. Great NJPW Strong Openweight Championship match from Eddie VS Kojima, and I figured Eddie would retain, but an awesome showing from Kojima. Gabe Kidd attacking to stake his claim to the next challenge is good stuff, and Kidd is definitely a good fit for facing Eddie given just how much Kidd mouths off. That match is going to be scrappy and rough, and that makes for a great time, can’t wait to see it. Also awesome to hear Kidd and Ospreay are having a match in Rev-Pro back in the UK.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to cover Moxley & Yuta VS Finlay & Kenta as it’s one of those “build momentum” matches, but it turned out great and I figured Moxley would win to have momentum going into all the things he’s doing. And I did chuckle at the chant, “Switchblade’s Better,” cuz… I don’t know why, but Finlay is feeling like bootleg Jay White in this, even though he technically has the better Bullet Club henchmen while White is stuck with The Gunns. Anyway, the NJPW World TV Championship was awesome with how it pushed the time limit, but I figured ZSJ would win out there.
The IWGP Women’s Championship was a great match, but I figured Mayu would retain there, too. Vaquer is definitely a great talent and CMLL certainly felt she was worthy of two titles, but three would be one too many for anyone. And an awesome main event from Takagi and Trent, and again, I figured Takagi would retain. Trent bleeding and using a table was great stuff, and I love that Takagi wants to go No DQ for real next time. Tama coming back for his rematch is fine, that will make for a solid WrestleKingdom match that could probably go either way. Though, if Takagi got it just to hot potato it back to Tama, I’m not sure what the point was then. So personally, I’m leaning towards Takagi holding onto the NEVER title so Tama can move up to like the US/UK/whatever it’ll be title next.
My Score: 9/10
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Opening weekend wraps up with the Funky Weapon!
There’s more mix ‘n’ match as Best of the Super Juniors 32 keeps going! But will Ryusuke Taguchi kick Bone Soldier butt in tonight’s main event?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Dragon Dia & Katsuya Murashima VS Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young; Akira & Jakob win.
- El Desperado & Shoma Kato VS Nick Wayne & Daiki Nagai; Nick & Daiki win.
- Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi VS Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson; Hiromu & Takagi win.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Robbie X; Mack wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS MAO; Mao wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Clark Connors; Connors wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Taiji Ishimori; Taguchi wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Robbie X!
It’s the return of the Mack! Will the American Ninja start to take the block? Or will he be unable to solve for X?
The bell rings and the fans rally while the two circle. They start a “NINJA! NINJA!” chant, but then Robbie brings out a copy of the Ninja Mack mask! Just to rip it up! The fans boo, but Robbie throws it at Mack, and then SMACKS him down! The fans boo but Robbie stomps Mack at the ropes! The ref reprimands but Robbie ROCKS Mack! Robbie whips, Mack reverses, and Robbie handsprings over to then handspring with the ropes! Mack catches him, shove shim, hurdles over him, then backflips over, only for Robbie to SOBAT! The fans cheer, Robbie whips, but Mack reverses. Robbie goes up and over and shows off with his own handspring!
Mack runs in, Robbie slips out to the apron to ROCK Mack! Robbie springboards but Mack gets under. Robbie handsprings through, comes back and RANAS, but Mack handsprings through! The fans fire up and the two reset. Robbie runs up, Mack TOSSES him up and out! The fans fire up as Mack builds speed, and he handsprings for the NINJA- NO, Robbie moves back! But the Ninja Special continues even on the floor! Robbie runs away but Mack catches up, to HANDSPRING KICK him down at the stage! The fans fire up for that Super Ninja Special, and Mack leaves Robbie behind for the ring count.
Robbie sputters and crawls at 4 of 20, but is still far away at 10! Robbie hurries, the fans rally, and Robbie runs at 15 to slide in at 17! But Mack is on him with a facelock! Robbie fights up, lifts Mack, and then throws him away! Mack comes back, but Robbie uses the ref as a shield! Then he throws Mack down by his mask! Robbie throws down forearms and a stomp! The fans are torn but Robbie storms up on Mack to BOOT him in the corner! Robbie brings Mack around, suplexes then covers, ONE!! Mack is tougher than that and the fans rally up. Robbie CHOKES Mack on the ropes, then soaks up the cheers and jeers.
The ref counts, Robbie steps off at 4, then he WRECKS Mack with a dropkick! Mack is on the ground but the fans rally up. Robbie stands Mack up, CHOPS him, then stalks him to railing. Robbie pushes Mack into the ring, clamps on with a half nelson and covers, TWO! The fans cheer and Robbie gets annoyed. Robbie hauls Mack up to a fireman’s carry, but Mack slips around to sunset flip! TWO, and Robbie SWATS Mack’s haymaker to CHOP! Robbie whips, Mack reverses, but Robbie slides and then dodges! Mack is on the apron, Robbie runs to CANNONBALL KICK! The fans fire up as now Robbie builds speed!
Robbie goes up, up, and he ESCALARAS! Down goes Mack and the fans fire up with Robbie! Robbie drags Mack up and puts him back in the ring. Robbie then slingshots for a stalling SENTON! Cover, TWO! Mack is still in this and the fans rally up. Robbie and Mack slowly rise, and Robbie takes aim. Robbie runs in but blocks a boot! Robbie puts the leg on the ropes, KICKS the ropes, then SPIN KICKS Mack! Robbie snapmares Mack, RUNNING SHOOTING STAR onto knees! Mack cradles Robbie, TWO! Mack waits on Robbie, and DOUBLE CHOPS him! Then he DOUBLE CHOPS against the ropes! Mack won’t let Robbie get away as he unleashes CHOP after CHOP!
The fans fire up and Mack whips. Robbie reverses, then Robbie runs past Mack to fireman’s carry! ROLLING SENTON, STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!! Robbie is frustrated but the fans fire up! Mack flounders to the corner, the fans rally up, and Robbie runs up to BOOT! Snapmare and now Robbie goes up the corner! From the top rope, X EX- NO, Mack dodges! Robbie rolls through, handsprings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Mack holds on but Robbie victory rolls! TWO!! Mack and Robbie hurry up, Robbie handsprings, but into a DREAMCAST KICK AND CRADLE!! MACK WINS!!
Winner: Ninja Mack, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
Innovating in the blink of an eye, Ninja Mack ends this just as quickly! Will every match Mack has be as fast ‘n’ furious as this? Or will someone find a way to slow Mack down?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS MAO!
The Jet may be All Elite now, but he’s always going to be #2Flyy! However, he’s up against DDT Pro’s Idol Wrestler. Can Knight get through the Michinoku Tornado? Or will his flight to the top be grounded?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Knight and Mao stare down. The fans seem strongly behind Mao as he and Knight circle. They tie up, Knight headlocks, then he hits a takeover. Mao fights around, stands back up, and he powers his way out of the headlock to have the armlock. Mao steps over to wrench the arm, but Knight rolls, handsprings, and wrenches back! Knight hammerlocks, but Mao reaches back to headlock. The fans applaud, but Knight rolls Mao to get free. Mao ducks a kick, Knight dodges a spin kick, and the fans cheer the standoff. Mao runs up, Knight dodges then arm-drags! Knight runs up, springboards and FLYING ARM-DRAGS!
Mao is up but Knight FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up and Knight runs corner to corner to LARIAT! Knight goes up to rally the fans, then he hops down to stomp and UPPERCUT on repeat! The ref counts as Knight stomps a mudhole in, and Knight snapmares Mao for a SLIDING SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans rally, Knight covers, TWO! The fans applaud while Mao grits his teeth. Knight stands Mao up but Mao fires body shots! Knight ROCKS Mao, runs, but Mao ELBOWS him! Mao runs, Knight follows, but Mao goes up and around! Knight tumbles out to the apron, but he ROCKS Mao first!
Knight springboards but Mao WHEEL KICKS him down! Mao wrenches an arm and SLINGSHOT CUTTERS! The fans fire up and Mao climbs up, to then SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO, but Mao goes right to the corner! Mao aims again, for a KING KONG KNEE DROP! Mao rolls off the impact, but then rolls back and has Knight in the COBRA TWIST! Knight endures, the fans rally, and Knight powers his way to switch the twist! Mao endures now and the fans rally more. Knight says he’s #MecchaTsuyoi, but then Mao throws elbows! Mao switches things back, and he says he is meccha, meccha, TSUKAKUI! Mao puffs up to show how strong and handsome he is!
The fans cheer, but Knight powers out with a HIP TOSS! But Mao drags Knight down into a JUST FACELOCK! Knight endures, reaches out, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer again while Mao lets go. Mao rises and the fans rally while Knight is on the ropes. Mao runs and CANNONBALLS Knight against the ropes! Knight writhes but Mao brings him up, only for Knight to fire a forearm! Mao fires one back! Knight fires another forearm, so Mao fires back! They go forearm for forearm, then Knight has the edge. Knight winds up but Mao SHOTEIS! Mao whips Knight to a corner, but Knight comes back to LARIAT!
Knight LARIATS again, then whips, but Mao reverses. Knight goes up and over, runs back in, and he LARIATS again! The fans fire up with Knight as he goes to a corner. Knight aims, runs in corner to corner, but Mao dodges! Mao runs, but into a DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Mao survives and Knight is stunned but the fans rally up! Knight fires up and the fans rally again. Knight runs up but Mao stops the satellite DDT! Mao BOOTS Knight against the ropes, then runs, but he goes Matrix to avoid Knight’s superkick! Mao BOOTS Knight’s lariat to SHOTEI, but Knight ROCKS Mao with a forearm! Mao REAR HEADBUTTS!
Mao runs, Knight hurdles over to PELE! But Mao tiger-feints and rewinds to SPIN KICK! The fans fire up even more while both men are down! Knight staggers to his feet, Mao ROCKS him with a hard right! Mao reels him in, but Knight suplexes first! The fans fire up and Knight covers, ONE as Mao goes Matrix again! Knight is stunned, runs up on Mao, but blocks a boot. Mao ENZIGIRIS Knight, goes up, only for Knight to go to the UPPER ROOM! The fans fire up as Knight hurries to the apron and then the corner. Knight climbs, but Mao rises again! Mao goes up the ropes to SUPER STEINER Knight in return!
The fans fire up as Mao hurries up top again, but Knight goes back up! But no Upper Room, this is a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! But Mao’s right up!? And so is Knight! But then both men fall over! The fans fire up as Knight and Mao slowly stir. They both rise up, but Knight goes to the apron. Knight springboards, but into a DREAMCAST KICK! Mao reels Knight in and gut wrenches, but Knight TORNADO DDTS free!! Knight roars, runs, but Mao uses the ref as a shield! Then Mao runs to jump over the ref, only for Knight to jump over Mao! ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!! Mao survives and the fans are thunderous!
Knight and Mao hurry back up, Knight runs up, but Mao stops the satellite again! MICHINOKU DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!? The fans rally as hard as they can and Mao aims, SUPERKICK! Cover, MAO WINS!
Winner: Mao, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
The Idol Warrior’s Samurai Kick strikes down the Knight! Knight shows respect with a bow, will we see these two meet again down the line? Will Mao soon take over the BOSJ for DDT Pro?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Clark Connors!
The Way of the Grandmaster is once again IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, but that just means he has a target on his back. Will Wato soon owe a golden ticket to this War Dog? Or will Wato be stronger than 100 Proof?
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. Connors and Wato circle, the fans rally more, and the two feel things out. Wato stays away from the leg takedown, then they feel out a knuckle lock. They back off, step forward, but Connors KNEES low! Connors ROCKS Wato, CHOPS Wato, then whips Wato. Connors bypasses but Wato hurdles over the backdrop! Connors still ROCKS Wato and has him in a corner. Connors runs in, but Wato BOOTS Connors, then BULLDOGS! The fans fire up with Wato and he KICKS Connors’ leg. And KICKS, and KICKS! Wato snapmares Connors, KICKS him again, then KICKS, KICKS, KICKS!
Connors ducks Wato, shoves him, and then hits the JEEP FLIPPER! Wato tumbles out of the ring but Connors pursues. Connors SMACKS Wato off the apron, then tells fans to move! The Young Lions usher fans out of the way, and Connors BOWLS Wato into the chairs! That was a STRIKE and then some! The fans fire up and even bark with Connors. Connors storms over to Wato, stomps him, then drags him up to his feet. Connors SMACKS Wato of a chair, then brings him back around. Wato fires elbows and CHOPS, but Connors CHOPS back! Wato staggers deeper into the crowd and Connors pursues!
The fans rally as Connors BOWLS Wato into more chairs! Connors has cleared out the whole section! The fans rally as Connors shoves the ref aside. Connors JAMS Wato up with a chair, then tells another section of fans to move! They hurry out of the way as Connors BOWLS Wato into even more chairs! Connors hits a turkey, aka bowling hattrick, and the fans fire up more. The ref reprimands but Connors clears out the chairs so he can stand Wato up. Wato fires body shots and forearms! Wato ROCKS Connors, and then Connors falls onto chairs! This entire area is a mess but Wato drags Connors up.
Connors body shots Wato, then POSTS him! Wato falls in a heap and the fans are torn. Connors intimidates commentary, then he goes looking under the ring. Connors brings out… a TIRE?! Why was one of those under there?! The ref reprimands Connors but Connors shoves him aside! Connors brings the spare tire over and JAMS Wato up! Connors sets the tire down, and he has Wato’s leg! Connors SMASHES Wato’s knee on the hubcap! The fans are torn but maybe so is Wato’s knee! Connors puts Wato in the ring, covers, TWO! Wato stays in this and the fans applaud, but Connors ties the legs up in a knot!
Wato endures, reaches out, and he claws his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Connors doesn’t let go. The ref counts so Connors stops at 4. Connors mocks the fans cheering Wato on, then drags Wato to his feet. Connors CHOPS Wato, whips him, but Wato blocks by holding ropes! Connors KNEES low, whips again, btu Wato reverses to ROCK, KNEE, and SHOTGUN Connors to a corner! The fans fire up and Wato rises. Wato runs in, Connors dodges, and Connors comes back, only for Wato to dodge! Wato then reels Connors in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Connors stays in this but Wato goes to the apron.
Wato slaps his leg into working, then watches Connors rise. Wato springboards but Connors gets under! Wato lands on his feet but his bad leg jams! Connors CHOP BLOCKS the leg! The fans are torn as Wato writhes, but Connors circles like a shark. Connors runs, but Wato catches him to a cradle! TWO!! Wato ROUNDHOUSE, but Connors blocks! And pops Wato up for a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Connors rises, drags Wato up, then whips, but Wato avoids the powerslam! Wato runs in, tilt-o-whirls, then hooks Connors up, RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO!!
Connors survives but Wato doesn’t stop! He body scissors and rolls Connors into VENDEVAL!! Connors endures, fights around with his legs, and he rocks the boat, only for Wato to pour on the pressure! Connors still fights, but Wato puts even more pressure on!! Connors powers through to have the ROPEBREAK!! The fans cheer while Wato lets go in frustration. Wato drags Connors up, reels him in, but Connors holds ropes to fight the suplex! Wato KICKS the arms, TSUTEN- NO, Connors mule kicks the legs! Wato SOBATS and runs, but into a POWERSLAM!! Wato rises up, into a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Wato survives, and Connors hurries to bring Wato up. Connors puts one out, but Wato fights No Chaser! ROUNDHOUSE, and Wato fires back up! The fans rally, Wato hooks Connors up, RECIENTE- NO, Connors slips free and reels Wato back in! NO CHASER!!! Cover, CONNORS WINS!!
Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
100 Proof gets his clear shot on Wato, and now he has both two points and a golden ticket for it! Will the DEFY Champion soon run the whole Junior Heavyweight Division?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Robbie Eagles!
The Direct Drive is also once again IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion alongside Wato, but that means the same target is on his back. Will Yoh owe this Ichiban Sweet Boy a title shot? Or can he shoot down the Sniper of the Skies first?
Wait, Yoh’s near jacket and gear is made with… recycled Ziploc bags? Well, guess that’s one way to stay fresh. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Yoh’s height gives him leverage to put Eagles on ropes. The ref counts, Eagles turns things around on Yoh, but he lets off slowly, to kiss Yoh on the cheek. The fans cheer, especially the ladies, and then Eagles asks Yoh for one in return. Yoh steps closer, but Eagles headlocks! Eagles hits the takeover, Yoh headscissors, and Eagles kips free. Roles reverse and Yoh headlocks for a takeover and Eagles headscissors. Yoh kips free, the two stand off, and the fans cheer.
Eagles steps closer and he gives Yoh another kiss on the cheek. Yoh still wants to reciprocate but Eagles says no thanks. Because right now, he wants to “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” And Yoh kisses Eagles on the cheek three times! The fans cheer and Eagles is stunned. Eagles slaps sense into himself, then SLAPS Yoh! Yoh runs up, Eagles trips him, but Yoh boots him away. Yoh drops down, bypasses, then drop toeholds Eagles! He calls Eagles a “hentai (pervert)” before he DROPKICKS Eagles!
Eagles tumbles out, Yoh PLANCHAS and direct hit! The fans fire up for Yoh, and he uses a fan’s towel to wipe his face. Yoh stalks Eagles, puts him in the ring, then hurries to a corner. The fans rally as Yoh climbs, and he CANNONBALLS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Eagles goes to a corner. Yoh stomps Eagles, throws forearms, then wrenches and whips corner to corner. Yoh runs in and ELBOWS Eagles, then turns him, but Eagles SAIDOS free! The fans fire up while both men are down! Eagles covers, TWO! The fans applaud and Eagles sits Yoh up to run and SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO!
Eagles is annoyed but the fans rally up. Eagles kicks Yoh around, drags him up, and reels him in for a scoop and SLAM! Eagles soaks up the cheers, then covers, TWO! Eagles eggs Yoh on, so Yoh fires a forearm then a kick, and repeat. Eagles kicks low, CHOPS, then whips. Yoh reverses but Eagles stops himself, so Yoh’s dropkick gets nothing. Eagles runs up to roll Yoh into a KNEEBAR! Yoh endures as Eagles grapevines the leg, and the fans rally up. Yoh reaches out, crawls around, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Eagles lets go. Eagles drags Yoh from the ropes to drop a KNEE on the knee!
The fans rally while Eagles paces. Yoh rises up, but Eagles KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! Yoh eggs Eagles on, so Eagles runs to LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Eagles drags Yoh up. Eagles cravats but Yoh fights the rest. Eagles CLUBS away on Yoh, UPPERCUTS, then ASAI- NO, Yoh slips free of the Asai DDT! But Eagles back suplexes! Yoh lands out and waistlocks but Eagles switches and CHOP BLOCKS! Eagles runs, but into a DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Yoh and Eagles go to opposite ends, then they both run up! Yoh rallies with forearm after forearm, then whips, only for Eagles to reverses. But Yoh FLYING FOREARMS!
The fans rally more and Yoh brings Eagles around. Yoh scoops and SLAMS Eagles, then he sets up to soak up cheers. Yoh soaks up quite a lot, and then Yoh ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO, SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Eagles stays in this and the fans rally up again. Yoh brings Eagles around, reels him in, but Eagles fights the suplex! Yoh CLUBS away on Eagles, then brings him up to suplex, only for Eagles to fight free! Eagles wrenches, but Yoh ROCKS him! And ROLLING ELBOWS! Yoh reels Eagles back in, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Eagles survives and the fans fire up again!
Eagles and Yoh stir and Yoh goes to a corner. Yoh tunes up and the fans rally. Eagles rises, Yoh aims, but Eagles ducks the superkick to trip Yoh and tie up the legs! RON MILLER SPECIAL!! ROPEBREAK, but Eagles brings Yoh up fast, ASAI DDT!! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up. Eagles drags Yoh up, but Yoh breaks free, only for Eagles to KNEE low! And KICK down! Yoh goes to a corner, Eagles runs in, DOUBLE KNEES! Eagles comes back but Yoh BOOTS him! Eagles returns again to BASEMENT 619, but Yoh jumps it! Yoh then JUMP KNEES Eagles! Eagles DOUBLE KNEES Yoh again!
Yoh sits down, Eagles runs in yet again, METEORA! The fans fire up as Eagles drags Yoh to center and covers. TWO, but Eagles stands Yoh up to hook him up! But Yoh fights the backpack to scoop and FALCON GOROSHI! The fans fire up while both men are down, and Yoh clutches his leg. Yoh crawls to the cover, TWO! Yoh clamps on an ANACONDA VICE!! Eagles endures as Yoh uses Tenzan’s signature hold! Eagles fights around, stands up, but Yoh SLAMS Eagles down! Yoh pulls on the hold but Eagles still endures! The fans rally, Eagles reaches out, then manages to sit up! Eagles stands again, fights towards ropes, but Yoh ripcords and reels Eagles in!
DIRECT- NO, Eagles BACKDROPS out of that! Yoh sunset flips but Eagles rolls through! Eagles steps through, but Yoh BOOTS him away! Both men stand and the fans rally. Yoh ROCKS Eagles, Eagles kicks the leg, and both men back up. Yoh slaps his leg into working, and DOUBLE FOREARMS collide! DOUBLE FOREARMS collide again! And then again! Both men stagger all the way back to the ropes, for DOUBLE I’LL BE BACK! Eagles and Yoh SUPERKICK each other down! The fans fire up and both men go to corners. Eagles runs in, Yoh pops him up! Eagles lands on the apron, KICKS the leg out, then springboards to SNIPER DROPKICK!
The fans fire up as Yoh flounders! Eagles aims again, HYPER- NO, Yoh ducks that and rolls Eagles. Eagles rolls through but Yoh blocks the superkick! But Eagles stops the dragon screw, grabs an arm, and YANKS Yoh up to the fireman’s carry! Eagles shifts Yoh around to the TURBO BACKPACK!! Cover, TWO!!! Yoh survives and Eagles is shocked! The fans fire up as Eagles takes aim, BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Eagles hurries up top, takes aim, and WARP 4.5!! Direct hit on Yoh’s legs, and then Eagles steps through. But Yoh cradle counters! TWO!! Eagles escapes but he and Yoh fight for facelock control!
Yoh suplexes, Eagles slips through to waistlock, but Yoh switches! Yoh half nelsons, but Eagles fights the suplex! Yoh powers up and gets the full nelson! Eagles breaks free, but Yoh hops up to POISON-RANA!! Eagles rises, into a SUPERKICK!! The fans fire up and Yoh powers up again! Yoh drags Eagles up and in, DIRECT- NO, Eagles arm-drags and steps through, but Yoh turns Ron Miller Special into an O’Conner! STAR GAZE- NO, Eagles pushes on the bad leg! Yoh falls forward and Eagles ties the legs up! RON MILLER SPECIAL!!! Yoh endures, flails, and claws at the mat while the fans rally! Eagles drags Yoh away from ropes, YOH TAPS! EAGLES WINS!!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by submission (gains 2 points; Yoh earns 0)
Both IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions have lost! A golden ticket to Clark Connors, a golden ticket to Robbie Eagles, will Wato & Yoh be busy after the Best of the Super Juniors? Will Eagles use this win to go for the trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Funky Weapon and the Bone Soldier have had quite a few battles through this tournament series, and more often than not, #ItsReborn! But will Taiji keep up that streak #ByGrace? Or will Taguchi finally get lucky here in the main event?
The bell rings and the fans rally behind “TA-GU-CHI!” Taguchi and Taiji circle, feel things out, then clinch. They go around, Taiji facelocks, but Taguchi wrenches out. Taiji wrenches in return and hammerlocks but Taguchi moves around. They stand, Taguchi switches the hammerlock, but Taiji drop toeholds. Taiji floats but Taguchi slips out the back to hammerlock again. The fans applaud this technical exchange, and Taguchi hooks an arm for a cover, TWO! Taguchi holds onto Taiji but Taiji fights up. Taiji wrenches out, but Taguchi rolls, trips Taiji and has the toehold. Taiji goes for an armbar but Taguchi goes for the leg!
Taiji scrambles forward and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Taguchi lets go. Taguchi scoots back and keeps his eyes on Taiji. The fans rally as Taiji stands and the two reset. They circle, tie up again, and Taiji headlocks. Taguchi powers up and out and RAMS shoulders with Taiji! The fans cheer as Taiji dares Taguchi to run. Taguchi runs, they RAM shoulders again, and now Taiji runs. Taguchi drops down, hurdles, but Taiji waistlocks. Taguchi elbows free, whips to arm-drag, then he RAMS Taiji! Taguchi springboards to FLYING ARM-DRAG! And DROPKICK! The fans fire up as the Dropkick Master returns!
Taiji bails out but Taguchi builds speed! Taiji runs away but Taguchi rolls back and swivels them hips! Then Taguchi does the dance moves! The fans cheer but Taiji is annoyed. Taiji rushes up but Taguchi HIP ATTACKS him down! Taguchi slingshots, but Taiji YANKS him down! Taguchi hits apron then the floor, and Taiji stomps him. Taiji drags Taguchi around and CATAPULTS him into the POST! Taguchi falls and clutches his arm but the fans rally up. Taiji paces around the outside while Red Shoes checks Taguchi. Taguchi is okay to continue, but Taiji undoes the blue buckle pad! Red Shoes is none the wiser as he starts the ring count.
Taguchi shakes out the bad arm while he’s down on the mat. We go past 5 of 20, then past 10. Taguchi stands at 14 and the fans applaud. Taguchi hears 17 and rolls in at 19! The fans cheer as Taguchi maximizes his rest time, but then Taiji stomps Taguchi down! Taiji pulls on Taguchi’s bad arm, twists the wrist, and even stands on Taguchi’s face! Red Shoes reprimands, and it sounds like a young fan in the crowd shouts at Taiji. Taiji tries to spot the kid but he just pulls on Taguchi’s arm more. Taguchi fights up, but Taiji hammerlocks and POSTS him! The fans boo as Taguchi is stuck in the bare corner. Taiji brings Taguchi out to snapmare and FIST DROP! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer but Taiji keeps Taguchi down with an armlock! Taguchi endures, and he reaches out to a ROPEBREAK with his foot! The fans cheer but Taiji holds on! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Taiji lets go at 4, and the fans rally more. Taiji has Taguchi on the apron and drags him up. Taiji wrenches to HOTSHOT the arm! Taguchi drops to the apron and rolls in, clutching that shoulder. Taiji grins and looms over Taguchi. Taguchi CHOPS from below, but Taiji CLUBS him! Taguchi CHOPS again, but Taiji CLUBS Taguchi again! Taiji then grabs the bad arm for a STRAIGHT ARM BAR! Taguchi scrambles around again, ROPEBREAK!
Taiji still holds on so Red Shoes counts again. Taiji lets go at 4 and Taguchi crawls to the ropes. Taguchi kicks from below but Taiji eggs him on. Taguchi kicks more, so Taiji stomps him down! Taiji taunts the fans as they rally up for Taguchi. Taiji drags Taguchi up, Taguchi fires body shots, and the fans rally again. Taguchi runs, but jumps into an atomic drop! Taiji runs, btu Taguchi follows! Only to get another atomic drop! Taiji laughs while Taguchi drops to his knees. Taiji waistlocks but Taguchi fires elbows. Taguchi runs but fakes Taiji out, and then HIP ATTACKS! Then Taguchi TRIANGLE JUMP PLANCHAS! Direct hit and the fans cheer!
Taguchi still clutches the bad arm and shakes it out, but both he and Taiji are down as the ring count starts. Taguchi sits up at 6, drags Taiji up at 10, and puts him in at 11. Taguchi steps in and HIP DROPS! And HIP DROPS! And HIP DROPS again! Taguchi then goes back out to the apron, and he fires the fans up for the SLINGSHOT HIP DROP, but onto knees! Taiji turns things around on Taguchi and Taguchi hobbles away to a corner. Taiji runs in, but Taguchi BOOTS him! Taguchi goes up to get Taiji for the DEADLY BUTT SHADE! Taiji staggers back, Taguchi goes up, FLYING HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up and Taguchi covers, TWO!
Taguchi kips up and the fans fire up! Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strange Style, “ORYA~!” KETSU- NO, Taiji rolls Taguchi up! TWO!! Taiji ROCKS Taguchi, whips, but Taguchi reverses. Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Taiji hobbles over to Taguchi, drags him up, and gut wrenches. Taguchi slips free and waistlocks but Taiji switches. Taguchi drop toeholds but Taiji scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi still uses OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Red Shoes reprimands, Taguchi stops, but then he drops KNEE after KNEE on Taiji’s ankle! Taguchi drags Taiji up and chicken wings!
DODON TO THE- NO, Taiji blocks the knees and deadlifts Taguchi into the CIPHER UTA- NO!! OH MY GAH- NO, VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Taiji runs up, Taguchi dodges, ENZIGIRI! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Taiji and Taguchi stir, and fans rally as Taguchi stands. Taguchi chicken wings but Taiji fights the lift! Taguchi CHOPS Taiji on the back, runs, but Taiji catches and spins him, to POST him again! Red Shoes reprimands but Taiji grabs Taguchi’s arm. Taiji hammerlocks one then half nelsons the other, but Taguchi fights the lift! Taiji powers through to hoist Taguchi up, SHOULDER BUSTER!
The fans rally while Taguchi writhes, and Taiji aims from the corner. Taguchi rises, Taiji runs in, LA MYST- NO, Taguchi powers through to roll Taiji up! TWO, and OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Taiji crawls, reaches out, but Taguchi drags him back! But Taiji drags Taguchi down! FUJIWARA, into the BONE LOCK!! Taguchi endures, fights around, reaches out, but Taiji rolls him away from ropes! Taguchi pops free to OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Taiji flails and reaches out, then grabs Red Shoes! Taiji YANKS Red Shoes into Taguchi, and that undoes the hold! Taguchi hurries back, but Taiji BOOTS Taguchi into Red Shoes!
The fans boo as Red Shoes goes down, but Taguchi rushes up on Taiji! Taiji slips around and hooks the arm, to LOW BLOW MULE KICK!! The fans boo more but Taiji GEDO CLUTCHES, TWO!!! Taguchi survives Taiji’s sneaky tactics and the fans fire up! Taiji, Taguchi and Red Shoes all slowly stand back up, and Taiji hobbles over to Taguchi. Taiji drags Taguchi up, but Taguchi is a ragdoll! Taiji snarls and he drags Taguchi up all the same, BLOODY- NO, Taguchi rolls through, and then has the OH MY GAH ANKLE!!! Taiji endures, Taguchi keeps him from ropes, and Taguchi pushes on that leg! The fans rally as hard as they can as Taguchi puts on the pressure!
Taiji grits his teeth, reaches out, but Taguchi twists the ankle more! Taiji fights forward, Taguchi drags him back, and repeat! Taguchi then yanks Taiji into the DODON BUSTER!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Taiji survives, but Taguchi just goes for OH MY GAH ANKLE!!!! The fans rally for Taguchi but Taiji rolls! Taguchi holds on!! Taguchi ELBOW DROPS the leg, then TWISTS the ankle!!! Taiji endures, but he TAPS!! TAGUCHI WINS!!!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by submission (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
Taiji tried and tried, but who knew Taguchi would take this one so seriously? Will it only be #ByGrace that Taiji can turn this around and reach the top?
As for Taguchi, he ices his arm while the fans cheer him on. Then he gets the mic to say, “Thank you for the chants.” The fans cheer, and Taguchi continues, “Thank you all for so many of you showing up here in Iwanuma, and thank you for all the support.” The fans cheer again, and Taguchi adds that he’d like to thank Mayo Junichi Sato, as well as the Iwanuma City Board of Education. “The elementary and middle school kids were able to come here for free today, so we got so much support from the kids. For you to understand how pro-wrestling can give you strength is something that brings me so much joy.”
The fans applaud that, too, and Taguchi hopes they’ve all found a new hobby today in pro-wrestling. Please keep watching pro-wrestling, as there are so many great wrestlers for you to discover and enjoy. He hopes watching wrestling makes their lives more fun. He wishes them all the best. The fans applaud, and Taguchi says not just his opponent tonight, Taiji, but also Yoh and Mao are from here in the Miyagi Prefecture. “We produce a lot of great wrestlers, but I guess the Saito brothers are most famous.” The fans have a good laugh at that, and Taguchi says he hopes he can be like them in terms of popularity. Please continue to support him!
The fans applaud, and Taguchi says Hirooki Goto is leading NJPW and his Goto Revolution. The fans do applaud that, and Taguchi says he is willing to follow Goto. The G in IWGP may be for Goto, but the T in “The” that is in “Best of The Super Juniors” will now stand for Taguchi! The fans do like the sound of that. Taguchi says the BOSJ’s T will send his love to Iwanuma today. The fans like that, and Taguchi sees the cheerers are here, as is the mascot! The fans applaud and “Chief Clerk Iwanuma” waves. Taguchi says this is also on NJPW World, so this is good promotion around Japan and the world. You will see how great Iwanuma is today!
So, let’s go! The T in Best of the Super Juniors is for Taguchi! Iwanuma, daisuki desu~!” And since it’s been awhile, let’s do that, huh? The fans cheer and clap along as Taguchi does his dance! Will the Funky Weapon get even funkier as this tournament goes on? Will he lead the Junior Heavyweight Division just as Goto leads all of NJPW?
Here are the updated A Block standings!
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-0, 2 points
Dragon Dia: 1-0, 2 points
Kosei Fujita: 1-0, 2 points
Ninja Mack: 1-0, 2 points
Clark Connors: 1-0, 2 points
Master Wato: 0-1, 0 points
KUSHIDA: 0-1, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
Robbie X: 0-1, 0 points
Here are the updated B Block standings!
El Desperado: 1-0, 2 points
Nick Wayne: 1-0, 2 points
MAO: 1-0, 2 points
Robbie Eagles: 1-0, 2 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-0, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 0-1, 0 points
Titan: 0-1, 0 points
SHO: 0-1, 0 points
YOH: 0-1, 0 points
Taiji Ishimori: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great second day for BOSJ’s opening weekend. Mack VS Robbie X was immediately a high bar with that extra special Ninja Special Mack pulled off, and even how the finish came about with that spin kick into a cradle. Knight VS Mao also had some great innovation, and a great first win for Mao in his first-ever BOSJ. Connors and Eagles each getting a win over the tag team champions was a bit surprising, but they could do some big stuff with the tag teams after the tournament. I did like Connors using a tire in this match, and it sounds like that’s part of a new gimmick or something he’s doing. Yoh’s Ziplock outfit is pretty fun, too.
And great stuff out of the main event with getting “Serious Taguchi” here tonight. Taguchi is usually such a jokester so it’s great when he busts out a banger like this, especially when he wins. I appreciate Taguchi giving such a promo where he genuinely wants the kids to know pro-wrestling can be a hobby but also a career. I also like that he brought out the comedy here, copying Goto’s “the G in IWGP is for Goto” but to where it’s something irrelevant. Taguchi rising back up as a serious contender would be something to see, especially with all these crossovers.
My Score: 9/10
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CM Punk is back! Will Seth Rollins’ vision already be in trouble?
Last Monday Night Raw, CM Punk & Sami Zayn helped Jey Uso against Seth Rollins & Bron Breakker. What happens tonight as they’re all in Louisville?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS Chad Gable; Penta wins.
- The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers w/ Chad Gable; The Creed Brothers win.
- AJ Styles VS Finn Balor w/ Judgment Day; Styles wins.
- Iyo Sky & Rhea Ripley VS Giulia & Roxanne Perez; Iyo & Rhea win.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE mourns the loss of “Sabu,” Terry Brunk.
CM Punk is here!
Louisville fires up for the Best in the World, and they know, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” Punk goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and asks, “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Louisville, Kentucky or what? I’m a pissed off man but I’m fortunate enough to say that this is my home! All the dust has settled from WrestleMania, and I waited a few weeks, and I’ve nursed a few injuries and a lot of hurt feelings, but I can’t shake being pissed off!” The fans cheer that! Punk says he has a lot of enemies. It’s really easy to list off who he’s NOT pissed off at. But number one with a bullet, a big, fat bullet…
The person that Punk is most pissed off at right now… is himself. The fans are surprised to hear that, but Punk says yeah, he’s mad at himself, mostly because we’ve been here before. This isn’t the first time Paul Heyman stabbed Punk in the back. Stab him in the back once, shame on you. Stab him in the back twice, shame on him. But he though the could trust his friend. Almost 12 years ago, Heyman smashed a ladder into Punk’s head, gave him 13 staples right down the middle, and they moved past that. At least, he thought they had. They had grown and matured as humans, or at least Punk knows Punk had.
And apologies to Jey Uso, but when Punk came back to the WWE, Jey had warned him about Paul Heyman, but Heyman is Heyman. Heyman is who he always has been: a fat little snake! So yeah, while Punk is pissed at Heyman, he’s more upset with himself. He might be upset with “Temu Punk,” Seth Rollins, but Punk will get them all. But we know how this ends, we’ve been down this road, Heyman knows how this ends, Punk can’t wait to get his hands around Heyman’s fat neck and squeeze until Heyman’s eyes pop out. But “Ladies and gentlemen…!” Punk says good, where are you, Penguin?!
Heyman storms out to the stage and Punk dares him to explain why he did what he did. And Wise Man, understand that whatever words you choose, they will be your last! But before that, here comes Rollins! The fans sing and Punk says that’s all Rollins is! But Rollins also has Bron Breakker by his side, and the trio stands together on stage. Rollins, in his all rattlesnake skin ensemble, is handed the mic. The fans chant for Punk but Rollins says, “Just when I think you can’t get any more selfish or any more egotistical, you find a way to top yourself. This man, Paul Heyman, was your best friend! Your best friend! And you made his life HELL on the Road to WrestleMania!
“And now you are out here in front of the entire world, gaslighting all of us, trying to make us believe that he betrayed you?” The fans seem to agree. Rollins says Punk makes him sick! Heyman believed in Punk for YEARS! YEARS, when no one else did. But y’know what Rollins believes? He believes Punk is scum, is trash, is excrement, and that he was right about Punk all along. And just when Rollins thinks he can’t hate Punk more than he already does, Punk stands there in that ring as THE reason Rollins is not World Heavyweight Champion right now! Punk says Rollins ain’t ever gonna be champ as long as Punk’s on two feet.
The fans cheer and Rollins groans. The fans chant for Punk but Rollins and Heyman chuckle. What is Punk’s deal? Does he love punishment? Does he love suffering? Does he love being on the wrong side of history? Wait, wait, wait. Rollins gets it now. Punk loves to play the victim. Punk loves to come out here and boo hoo, poor CM Punk~! Punk so desperately so wants to be a victim, he so desperately wants to die a martyr… The fans bark in anticipation, and Rollins says he believes that can be arranged. Rollins hopes Punk has prepared his last words. And with that, Bron is sent to the ring like the attack dog he is!
Punk says is the little doggy gonna bark or bite. And then the brawl is on! Bron RAMS Punk in the corner again and again, rains down fists, and the fans boo as Rollins swaggers into the ring. Bron runs but Punk BOOTS him! And TACKLES Rollins! The fans fire up but now it’s 2v1 as Bron gets back on Punk! But wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! Sami fires hands on Bron, then on Rollins! The fans fire up but Bron picks Sami up! EXPLODER! Punk is up to brawl with Rollins, but Bron joins in again! They mug Punk, and Heyman brings a chair! The fans boo but wait! JEY USO IS HERE! SUPERKICK and the chair is down!
Rollins and Jey brawl, Bron goes after Jey, it’s another 2v1 mugging! But then Sami is back, as is Punk, and they have chairs! They chase off Rollins, Bron & Heyman! The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Rollins has Bron stand down. Will Punk, Sami & Jey turn the tide when it’s their three against Rollins’ three?
PENTA VS Chad Gable w/ Ivy Nile!
While he still has #CeroMiedo, he also has zero titles because one way or another, Judgment Day screws him over! Of course, it was “El Grande Americano” who factored into things at Backlash, so Penta knows exactly who to go after this time! At least, maybe? Will Penta prove Gable and Grande are one in the same? Or will Gable #SHOOOOSH all the conspiracy theory noise?
Raw returns as Gable makes his entrance. Penta wants right after him but the ref keeps him back. And just as Michael Cole is wondering if Pat McAfee will make it tonight’s show, Pat arrives! Louisville cheers Pat and he gives high-fives on his way to commentary, still in one piece after his battle with Gunther. He even still has energy to hop up onto the desk to salute the fans.
The bell rings and Gable is a bit off balance from Pat’s entrance. Penta CLOBBERS Gable, stomps away on him, then KICKS Gable’s leg! Penta CHOPS Gable, CHOPS again, then CHOPS again! Penta whips, Gable ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING HEADBUTT! Gable rains down fists, then he paces around in a huff. Gable CHOPS Penta down, CHOPS him again, and CHPOS him again! Gable whips, then CLOBBERS Penta! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Penta and Gable is annoyed by that. Gable drags Penta up, but Penta fires body shots! Penta ELBOWS Gable, whips, but Gable reverses. Gable ELBOWS Penta down and he then hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!
Gable is annoyed but the fans rally for Penta. Gable drags Penta up, whips corner to corner hard, and Penta falls! Gable storms up to put Penta on the top rope. Gable climbs up, pulls on Penta’s mask, but the fans boo. Gable pries at the mask now but the ref reprimands. Penta fires elbows and Gable falls back! Penta leaps to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Gable is up, Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! Gable tumbles out, Penta says “CERO! MIEDO!” and builds speed. Gable moves, Penta adjusts to PLANCHA, but Gable HEADBUTTS him down! Gable shouts, “Lucha Libre SUCKS!” and fans boo, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and the fans rally for Penta as he fights up. Penta fires elbows and is free of the chinlock, only for Gable to throat chop! Gable whips, Penta reveres, but Gable ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Penta to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Ivy is worried, and the fans rally up. Penta runs in at the corner to GAMANGIRI! Gable sits down, Penta headstands and SWINGING DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Penta covers, TWO! Penta is annoyed but he shakes out his arm and brings Gable up. Penta half nelsons, pump handles, but Gable slips around to shove. Penta springboards but Gable catches him to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Penta escapes and Gable is upset. Gable drags Penta to the center of the ring, then goes up a corner. Gable DIVING HEADBUTTS into a CODE BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up while both men are down, and Gable flounders away. Penta rises up and the fans rally. Penta storms up, KICKS and CHOPS Gable, then CHOPS again! Gable whips, Penta goes up, stumbles, but still goes up! Gable grabs ropes to fight the backstabber, then BUCKS Penta away! Gable goes up, MOONSAULTS, cover, TWO!! But into an ANKLE LOCK!! Penta rolls to throw Gable away, and then SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up while both men are down again! Penta calls his shot, hammerlocks an arm, and he SLAPS Gable into giving up the other arm! But Gable powers out and has the ANKLE LOCK!! Penta endures, fights forward, and reaches out, only for Gable to drag him back! Penta fights up and rolls to victory roll! TWO, and Gable rolls Penta up! TWO! Gable throat chops Penta again! Gable hauls Penta up to the top rope, then climbs up after him! They are on the very top, but Penta fights with body shots! Gable gives shots back, then talks trash, but Penta tells him CERO MIEDO! Penta SHOVES Gable, Gable lands out, but Penta hits a FLYING DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Gable tried to belittle lucha libre, but it backfired! Penta comes through and gets even with at least one enemy, but will he even the score with “El Grande” and Judgment Day soon enough?
Roxanne Perez & Giulia speak.
Roxie says, “Tonight, The Prodigy & The Beautiful Madness take on the Genius of the Sky and Rhea Ripley. And I think we’ve made it very, very clear that this division isn’t safe anymore.” Giulia says in Japanese, “They are strong, but we are hungry. We didn’t come here to wait our turn. We came to take over.” Roxie says that means going after the very top. Iyo, Rhea, they don’t give a damn about your history because they’re here to make their own! You are looking at the future of this industry. And the future starts tonight. Will these former NXT Women’s Champions put the WWE Women’s World Champion & Mami in the past?
Judgment Day meets in the clubhouse.
Carlito knows with Liv Morgan off making her movie, Raquel Rodriguez doesn’t have anyone to hang out with, so he offers to hang out with her. Maybe get something to eat? Raquel rolls her eyes, but Dom finishes a phone call with Liv. Liv says she misses Dom, but the filming is going great. Though, she said “Good morning,” but it’s night here. JD McDonagh says surely this isn’t the first time Dom’s heard about time zones. Dom says he doesn’t really pay attention to that. But he does need to talk with Finn about something real quick. He knows at Backlash, Finn hesitated with the chair and that almost cost Dom. If not for Grande-
Whoa, easy, Dom. Don’t get all paranoid like Damian and Rhea. Remember what they were like as champions? It didn’t go smoothly, sure, but it all worked out, and Dom is still the champ. Finn pats the title, and says he’ll handle Styles for Dom. Dom knows he will. They fist bump and Finn heads out, and JD tells Dom they’ll explain this. The light is the sun, and this skull is Earth. When the Earth turns, the light is somewhere else. Liv is probably over here where there’s sunlight. Rudimentary science aside, will The Prince come through for the champ and cross off a phenomenal contender?
The fans cheer Pat’s match at Backlash.
Pat stands on the desk again and waves to Louisville. For what was shown in the highlight reel, everyone was making sure he was okay before letting him out here. Pat admits everything is sore head to toe. He got a blood vessel popped in his eye, but he is sure he gave something to Gunther. Pat has respect for everyone who gets in that ring, and he hopes Gunther has respect a bit for him and Cole.
BREAKING NEWS for Saturday Night’s Main Event in Tampa!
Saturday, May 24th, Sami Zayn & CM Punk will have a tag team match against Seth Rollins & Bron Breakker!
Sami and Punk regroup backstage.
Sami says the two of them, SNME, taking on Rollins & Bron. Is Punk good? Punk is, but he isn’t. He can’t really trust anybody right now. Fair enough. Sami gets that given he had a hard time trusting Punk back at WarGames. But it all worked out, right? And Sami isn’t stupid, he knows Punk likes to do things his way, has his goals. Sami isn’t that different. Sami has his ambitions, too. But the truth is, neither of them are going to get anything done if Rollins & Bron are in the way. Punk says that’s no lie. Sami says all they gotta do is work together and take Rollins’ team out. Punk agrees, they fist bump, and things are set. But will Punk & Sami be able to stop “the vision?”
The New Day is here!
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods strut out to the ring because the WWE World Tag Team Champions want to “grace us with their presence” on commentary. That, and they want to watch Julius & Brutus Creed fight Erik & Ivar in hopes of stopping the War Raiders from earning their title rematch. Will the Creeds come through for the New Day? Or will the raid have its redemption? We find out, after the break.
The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers!
Raw returns and both teams have made their entrances. The teams sort out, Erik and Julius tie up, and Erik snapmares to a cover, ONE! Julius snapmares to a cover, ONE! Erik runs, Julius drops down then hurdles over. Erik scoops to SLAM Julius, then he tags Ivar. New Day argue with Michael Cole how they cheated at Mania but Cole tried to help Pat by cheating at Backlash! Brutus tags in, he and Ivar circle, but Ivar scoops Brutus to SLAM! Tag to Erik, Julius runs in, but Ivar scoops and SLAMS him! Erik scoops and SLAMS Brutus, then they say “UP!” Erik scoops and SLAMS Ivar onto Brutus! The fans fire up with the Raiders!
Brutus sputters but Erik brings him up. Erik whips, Brutus ducks ‘n’ dodges and Julius sneaks a tag. Erik CLOBBERS Brutus but Julius LARIATS Erik! Julius ROCKS Erik, tags Brutus, and they mug Erik. The Creeds stomp a mudhole in, but stop as the ref counts. The fans boo but New Day puts the Creed Brothers over. Julius tags back in, the Creeds stomp another mudhole, and then they stop at 4. The fans rally, Erik fires body shots, and Erik backs Julius down, until Julius RAMS Erik into the corner! Brutus tags in and the Creeds continue to mug Erik! The ref counts, Erik gets away, and Brutus hits an AX HANDLE!
Tag back to Julius, he facelocks Erik, then BACKDROPS! Julius sucker punches Ivar, but Erik ELBOWS him away! Erik TOSESS Julius onto Brutus! New Day say Ivar is down because he’s a bad partner! Erik says forget it, and he DIVES, into a haymaker! Julius drags Erik out along the ropes, DRAPING BRAINBUSTER to the floor! The Creeds fire up, the New Day applaud, but the fans boo as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Ivar runs and SPLASHES Julius! Julius goes to a corner, Ivar whips him corner to corner, but Julius reverses. Ivar comes back with a SEATED SENTON! Brutus is in, Ivar cartwheels and LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up with Ivar, “WAR! WAR! WAR!” Ivar runs corner to corner and BRONCO BUSTERS Julius! Julius sputters into the drop zone and Ivar climbs. But Julius springs up after Ivar! Brutus tags in, Julius hits a SUPER DUPER PLEX for the Power! MOONSAULT from Brutus for the Glory! Cover, TWO!! Ivar is showing that grit, and then he catches Julius for a SPINNING POWERSLAM!
Both men crawl, Erik tags in! Erik intercepts Brutus to EXPLODER! Erik wrenches Julius to EXPLODER! Tag back to Ivar, then Ivar tags Erik back in. Ivar LARIATS, then feeds Julius to Erik’s KNEE! Erik picks Ivar up, SPINEBUSTER HIP ATTACK!! Cover, but Brutus breaks it! Brutus then CLOBBERS Ivar! Erik DECKS Brutus! Julius JUMP KNEES Erik! All four men are down, even New Day applaud this great match. Kofi takes credit for making this match, and then Julius and Brutus crawl to their corner. Erik crawls over, hot tags to Ivar and Brutus! Brutus ducks the leg lariat, and ANGLE SLAMS Ivar!!
Tag back to Julius and the Creeds double whip. Ivar breaks the double lariats, and then handsprings, but into a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX!! Cover, ERIK KNEES JULIUS! Erik TOSSES Brutus, but Brutus drags Erik out! Erik DECKS Brutus then shouts for Ivar to rise! Woods gets closer, but Erik glares at him. The fans boo New Day while Ivar climbs. But wait, Kofi sneaks over to ROCK Ivar!! Brutus CLOBBERS Erik from behind! Julius tags Brutus, then Electric Chair Lifts Ivar! BRUTUS BALL DOOMSDAY!! Cover, Creed Brothers win!!
Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall
New Day cheers on as their choices for this match win out! Will this lead to an American Made title opportunity?
Rollins and group regroup backstage.
Rollins looks at Bron seething in frustration, but Rollins says they probably think they got one over on “us.” “They probably think they’ve got us backed against the wall. They might even feel like they’re winning this battle. And maybe they feel like I’ve underestimated them.” Rollins chuckles and says, “They have no idea what I am capable of.” Bron calms down, and Rollins tells him there’s one more thing Bron has to do tonight before he leaves. Rollins whispers his instructions, and tells Bron to have fun with it. Bron smiles, what will Rollins’ attack dog do before the night is over?
Adam Pearce talks with Jey Uso.
The Raw General Manager knows the WWE World Heavyweight Champion was going to hear it at some point, but he wanted Jey to hear it from Pearce first. Jey says, “Yeet,” and they fist bump. Jey is now headed to gorilla, what news will he have to relay to the WWE Universe?
Jey Uso heads to the ring!
Louisville is ready to be #YEETVILLE as Main Event Jey makes his way through the crowd. They bounce along with that Day One Ish, and Jey even joins a young fan in the YEET! Jey reaches ringside, daps it up with Pat & Cole, then the YEET continues as Jey steps into the ring. Louisville is fired up even as Jey gets the mic, and they want that “ONE MORE TIME! ONE MORE TIME!” Jey hears the people, and he figures he’ll give the people what they want. Time for an encore of Day One Ish! Jey then says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey feels that energy.
Jey says there’s a lot going on. “YEET!” Big target on his big back. “YEET!” So let him get something off his big chest. “YEET!” “Logan Paul! You talking out the side of your neck, Uce. You say I’m not championship material. You say I’ve got a glass jaw. He keep on duckin’ me, he keep on sneakin’ me. But look, tho. At Saturday Night Main Event, it’s me and you, Uce. Yeah, yeah! Face to face, aight? Face to face. Two time world shocker, the arena shaker. I promise you this, after that Saturday night, I still will be your world-” GUNTHER IS HERE?! The fans are shocked to see Der Ring General interrupting, but perhaps this should’ve been expected.
Gunther goes to the ring, grabs himself a mic, and the fans taunt him with, “You Tapped Out!” Gunther is a bit annoyed by that, but he focuses on Jey. “The unimaginable came true. Jey Uso: World Heavyweight Champion. It’s the first time since that moment that we meet again.” Jey says, “You mean the moment where I made you tap out?” The fans cheer and keep chanting, “You Tapped Out!” Gunther says he understands what Jey is doing. Gunther knows what it is like to be a champion. 80% of his time here in WWE, he has been a champion. There is a lot of pressure on Jey right now.
But just because Gunther understands doesn’t mean his opinion has changed. He can feel this is not natural to Jey. Because unlike Gunther, Jey is not a natural champion. And since Jey likes to run his mouth, Gunther is surprised Jey hasn’t spread the news. Let this be Gunther’s pleasure. As Pearce told Jey earlier tonight, the winner of Jey VS Logan will have the honor of handing that title over to its rightful owner, DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! Jey, in one month from now, June 9th, Phoenix, Arizona, Gunther challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship on Monday Night Raw!
“And Jey… I really do hope it’s you. Because I would love nothing more than to shut you and all these people up for good! I would love nothing more than to get into this ring with you again, and remind you of where your place is! Jey-” Jey stops Gunther there and takes off the sunglasses. Remind him of his place? He is IN his place! THIS is his place! Jey runs this place! With this title on his arm, Jey will handle that YouTuber, and then he will run it back with Der Ring General! Jey will walk into this match the same way he walked out of WrestleMania: The WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Four letters, one word… Uh, uh, YEET!!
The fans fire up with the very fired up Jey Uso! But from Saturday Night’s Main Event to a hot Raw in Phoenix, will this be the Summer of YEET?
Iyo Sky speaks.
In a mix of Japanese and English, the Women’s World Champion says, “I tried to show Roxanne respect last week. But all she and Giulia proved is that talented as they are in the ring, they don’t deserve any respect! Tonight, you’ll both learn the same lessons that Bianca and Rhea did at WrestleMania. Nobody in this division can stop me. Nobody in this division will ever take this championship from Iyo Sky!” The Genius is ready, but will she and Mami get along in tonight’s main event?
Backstage interview with Ludwig Kaiser.
Jackie Redmond is with the Impeccable German, and says last year was such a breakout year for him. He got wins over Sheamus, Bron Breakker, was a top contender for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, but now we’re almost halfway into 2025, and it feels like we haven’t seen Kaiser in competition that much. The question is- Wait, something is going down! Bron just attacked Jey! Bron knocked Jey down into a road case, then he leaves as producers and refs hurry over. Was this on Rollins’ orders? Sami rushes in and wants to know what happened, and the others explain it was Bron. Punk also hurries over, Sami calls for medics, is Jey going to be okay?
AJ Styles VS Finn Balor w/ Judgment Day!
The Phenomenal One told everyone in the club that whoever had the WWE Intercontinental Championship after Backlash, Styles would be after them next. Dirty Dom is still the self-proclaimed greatest Intercontinental Champion ever, but will Finn remind everyone why he was the original Universal Champion? Or will Styles make sure things are too sweet tonight?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Finn hits a headlock takeover but Styles headscissors. Finn kips free, the two reset, and the fans cheer on Styles. Styles and Finn tie up again, Finn goes for an arm to wrench and wristlock, but Styles rolls, only for Finn to wrangle him. Finn kneels on the arm but Styles kips up. Styles wrenches back, but Finn rolls and hooks a leg, Styles fights the takedown to wrangle Finn now. Finn kips up, but into the headlock! Styles has Finn down but Finn rolls to headlock back! The fans rally as Styles rolls to a cover, ONE! Finn holds on, Styles powers up and out, and Styles hurdles, drops down, then DROPKICKS!
Finn flounders out of the ring and the fans fire up! JD & Carlito help Finn focus but a ring count begins. Styles waits on his old friend, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Finn RAMS into Styles at the corner again and again! The ref counts, Finn lets off and soaks up heat with the Too Sweet. Finn then storms up on Styles, but Styles BOOTS him! Styles scoops for a BACKBREAKER and the fans cheer. Styles drags Finn up, snap suplexes, then floats to a cover, ONE!! Finn is tougher than that but the fans still cheer Styles. Styles stays on Finn, brings him up, and he scoops Finn to SLAM him down! The fans rally, Styles runs, KNEE DROP! Finn flounders away to a corner but Styles is right on him. Finn kicks low, puts Styles in the corner and CHOPS! Styles just glares at Finn!
Finn throws hands but Styles CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHPOS in return! Finn FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Styles! Styles sputters on the mat while Finn paces. Finn runs to KICK Styles in the side! Finn jump stomps away on Styles again and again! The ref reprimands, Finn argues with him, and then Finn mocks Louisville. Finn drags Styles up, throws some body shots from the side, then clamps on for a COBRA TWIST! Styles endures, even as Finn digs an elbow into the ribs! The fans rally and Styles fights with elbows to Finn’s leg! Styles HIP TOSSES free, then he LARIATS! The fans fire up as Styles runs, SLIDING FOREARM!
Styles fires up and the fans are with him! Styles runs in at Finn to LARIAT in a corner! Then fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Carlito & JD grow worried. Styles stalks Finn, brings him up and in, but JD gets on the apron! The fans boo but Styles chases JD off. Styles goes back for Finn, but Finn cradles! TWO! Finn is up, he slips around, and he dragon sleepers, but Styles drops! Styles KICKS Finn away, then he fires off a Phenomenal Blitz! Finn dodges the lariat, comes back, DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans fire up while JD & Carlito coach Finn, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn brawls with Styles up top! Styles throws hands, then he brings Finn to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX! A hard landing and both men are down! The fans rally up while JD & Carlito are worried all over again. The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” as Finn and Styles rise up. Styles fires a forearm, Finn fires a haymaker, and repeat! They stand up now, and Finn fires a body shot! Styles fires a haymaker, but Finn fires back! Finn gets the edge again, then soaks up heat. But Styles ROLLING ELBOWS! But Finn PELES, only for Styles to block! Styles then clamps onto that leg, CALF CRUSHER!!
Finn endures, reaches out, and he fights around! Finn drags Styles along for the ROPEBREAK! The fans are torn while Styles lets go. Finn drags himself up with the ropes, but Styles is back on that leg! Finn slips around, dragon sleeper, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! The fans fire up while both men are down again! JD & Carlito coach Finn as he rises up in the corner. Finn aims, runs in, but Styles LARIATS! The fans fire up and Styles whips Finn to ropes. Finn SLINGBLADES first! Finn keeps moving, and he SHOTGUNS Styles into buckles! Styles falls, Finn goes up, and COUP DE- NO, Styles dodges! Finn falls to his knees!
Styles grabs that bad leg again, CALF CRUSHER!! Finn endures, reaches out, but Styles rolls him from the ropes! Deadlift STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Finn survives and now JD & Carlito are plotting. The fans rally as hard as they can, “This is Awesome!” Styles drags Finn up, reels him back in, but Carlito gets on the apron! The ref stops Carlito, JD grabs at Styles! Styles DECKS JD, then goes out, but Finn runs up! Styles ROCKS Finn, SLIDING KNEES Carlito, and then aims! Springboard, but Finn slips around! BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO?!?! Styles survives and he shocks Finn! And then PENTA is back! he CROSSBODIES Carlito!
Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Penta steps off JD to give Carlito a DESTROYER to the floor!! Styles BOOTS Finn, goes up and out, PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Cover, Styles wins!!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Penta gets even with Judgment Day after all! Styles gets the win thanks to Penta evening things up, but will Styles be able to take that Intercontinental Championship from Dirty Dom?
Becky Lynch is here!
Though, she isn’t very happy given she isn’t Women’s Intercontinental Champion right now. Becky sits up on a corner while she’s handed a mic and given the proper introductions. The fans are torn, but Becky says, “I… I wasn’t beaten on Saturday. No, no. Lyra was beaten on Saturday. Oh, oh, you don’t believe me? Well, one of us was taken to a hospital, her, and one of us went to their nice big bus, took a nice warm shower, drank a shot of tequila, and basked in their brilliance, me.” The fans are still torn, but Becky says, “Because even after everything that Lyra has done to me, after she came out week after week and attacked my character, the person that I am…
“I still made her the best version of herself! I gave her the best match of her career! And in just three weeks of standing on the outskirts of my spotlight, she has never mattered more than she does right now in her entire life, and it is not even close!” The fans boo that, but Becky hops down as she says, “But… when the bell ring after the match, I didn’t hear defeat. No, no, no. What I heard was an alarm ringing in my ear and I realized how much I had been manipulated not just by Lyra, but by all of you!” The fans definitely boo that. Becky asks if they wanna know why she walked away for almost a year.
“Because you asked me to! The last time that I won the world championship, I felt it, I heard the reaction, I saw all your comments online, and so I stepped away. Because if I’m not here to win world championships, then why am I here? But hey, hey, no, no. I’ve always been for the people. I’ve always been for the people. So whatever you want, because hey, man, I have you to thank for my career, right? You guys carried me on your shoulders into the main event of WrestleMania. You saw yourselves in me! I was you, you were me, we were in this together! Right? But then something happened. Something happened: I won!
“And you couldn’t see yourselves in me anymore, because you can’t recognize success. Because all you know is failure.” The fans boo more, but Becky scowls. Yeah, the fans hate what they cannot understand. You wanna know something? When Becky was out, one of her friends asked, “Do you miss it?” And she had a thought. She did miss being in the ring, but she liked herself more out of it. She didn’t understand what she was saying, but now she does. She wasn’t captured by all the fans! She didn’t have to listen to the fans tell her who she is and what she’s about!
She didn’t have to listen to all of the fans’ lies! The lies that are repeated from the one person she had hope for in this business! Becky didn’t have to spin her wheels to prove she isn’t what people said she was! But that all changes! From now on, whatever the fans say she is, then she is! If they say she’s selfish, then yes she is! If they say she’s greedy, then yes she is! If they say she’s cutthroat, then yes she is! And all those girls in the back that were happy Becky was gone, thought it was safe with the fire gone out inside Becky, well they’re gonna realize what it’s like to be held down by The Man! Will Becky look to burn it down from here on out?
Rusev speaks.
“I didn’t wanna do that, Otis. I don’t wanna do any of this. All I want is just… to go home and be rich. But I was once programmed by lesser people, too. And I can’t leave my brothers until you all wake up. Do you think these people care that you’re missing your family? Do you think these people care that each night, your choices are hurt or be hurt? Last week, Tozawa stepped up to me, and the crowd cheered him on. The world sent him straight into the frontline. And yet, you still seek their approval. That is because you let the sheep control the wolves. Get up off your knees, men! Don’t you see that their cheers are like a stone to a blade?
“But I can see right through them. That’s why they keep mocking me with chanting my name. But I will reclaim my own name once my job here is done. But until that day, remember this, my brothers. It will hurt me to hurt you. But I would rather you fall at my hand than fall out into the abyss.” Rusev is looking to redeem Monday Night Raw one brutal moment at a time, will no one be able to stop him?
Alpha Academy meets with Adam Pearce.
Maxxine Dupri & Natalya are with Akira Tozawa to encourage him to speak up. Tozawa says he wants a match with Rusev. Maxxine & Natty feel Tozawa can do this. Pearce respects Tozawa’s bravery, but think about this. Tozawa isn’t even medically cleared right now. Tozawa knows he will be soon. Pearce says he also knows that. And when Tozawa IS cleared, they will revisit this conversation. But then Sheamus steps in and says fair play, Tozawa. Good on him for not baking down. And Sheamus knows that when Tozawa is cleared, he’ll give Rusev hell. They fist bump, and Alpha Academy heads out.
As for Sheamus, Pearce says what a return. Sheamus says he needed that. He needed to shake off that ring rust. Well, not much rust, maybe it was in his head. But he wants to keep this momentum going. How about next week, Sheamus VS “that bouncing wallaby waster,” Grayson Waller. Pearce says consider that official, because that sounds like a banger. The Celtic Warrior shakes hands with the GM, will Sheamus make sure Waller feels what Austin Theory felt last week?
Iyo Sky & Rhea Ripley VS Giulia & Roxanne Perez!
Between Monday Night Raw and Tuesday Night NXT, we’ve seen the WWE Women’s World Champion battle The Beautiful Madness & The Prodigy multiple times already. The Genius was victorious alongside “Juggernaut” Jordynne Grace last week, but will she and the Eradicator have similar success? Or will this be the start of an NXT takeover?
Raw returns as Iyo makes her entrance, followed by Rhea’s. The fans hit that triple digit mark on the decibels as Mami makes her way to ringside. The teams sort out and Iyo starts against Roxie. They circle, but then Roxie goes to leave, only for Iyo to grab her feet! Roxie kicks Iyo away, but Iyo comes back with a THESZ PRESS! Iyo rains down fast hands, Roxie turns things around, but then Iyo turns it back around. They end up in the ropes, Iyo backs off, only to grab Roxie’s legs and YANK her from the ropes! Iyo covers, TWO! Iyo clamps onto Roxie with a headlock, but Roxie powers up, only for Iyo to hold on tighter!
Louisville rallies, “We Want Mami!” as Roxie powers up and powers out this time, only for Iyo to pull hair! Iyo brings Roxie around but Roxie SLAPS her! Iyo ROCKS Roxie, chase Giulia off, but Roxie ROCKS Iyo! Roxie bumps Iyo off buckles, stomps away, then tags Giulia. Roxie sends Giulia in and she ELBOWS Iyo! Giulia sends Roxie in for an UPPERCUT! Giulia then brings Iyo to ropes to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Giulia steps away, and that lets Roxie get a cheap shot! Roxie takes a bow while the fans boo, but Rhea runs up on her! Rhea TOSSES Roxie into the ring! The fans fire up as Rhea DROPKICKS Roxie back out!
Giulia and Rhea want after each other but the ref stops this. Giulia gets Iyo for a NECK TWIST! Giulia whips, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Giulia avoids the handspring! Only for Iyo to SHOTGUN Giulia down! The fans fire up and Iyo headlocks. Iyo reaches out but Roxie YANKS Rhea down! The fans boo but Giulia JAWBREAKERS free! Roxie SLAPS Rhea and laughs about it. Rhea just gets pissed! Rhea chases Roxie around the outside, but Giulia is there to CROSBODY! But Rhea catches her! Roxie DROPKICKS Rhea into the POST! But Iyo DIVES to take out Roxie! The fans fire up, but then Giulia DROPKICKS Iyo!
The ref reprimands everyone, starts a ring count, and the fans rally for Iyo & Rhea while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Roxie has Iyo with a bridging hammerlock. Iyo endures and the fans rally up. Iyo fights to her feet, fires elbows, then hits a FLYING-MARE! Both women are down, the fans fire up more, but Roxie grabs Iyo’s legs! Iyo BOOTS her away, Giulia runs in but Iyo TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Rhea! Rhea rallies on Roxie, whips, but Roxie reverses! Rhea reverses back to wrench and HOOK KCIK! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up with Rhea and she reels Roxie in! Canadian Rack, and RAZOR’S EDGE! Then a DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Roxie shows the toughness of a former NXT Women’s Champion but Rhea just stalks her.
Rhea hauls Roxie up, bumps her off buckles, but Roxie BOOTS her back! Roxie BOOTS Rhea down, then goes up, up, and LION- NO, Rhea gets under her for an Electric Chair Lift! Rhea SMACKS Roxie off buckles, then hoists her up there. Rhea climbs, positions herself just right, and has the Canadian Rack again! The fans fire up but Roxie fights free! Roxie ROCKS Rhea, goes up, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO!! Rhea shows her own championship grit, but Roxie tags Giulia! Roxie DROPKICKS Iyo off the apron while Giulia HEADBUTTS Rhea! Roxie SUPERKICKS Rhea, then Giulia reels Rhea in! Tag to Roxie and Giulia snap suplexes!
Roxie goes up, up, LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rhea but Roxie rains down fists! Rhea pushes Roxie away, but Roxie hurries to clamp on with a SLEEPER! Rhea rises as the fans rally, but Roxie THROWS Rhea down! Rhea goes to a corner, Roxie runs up and UPPERCUTS! Roxie rolls and returns, but Rhea picks her up, ATOMIC FACEBUSTER! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Rhea and Roxie crawl, hot tags to Giulia and Iyo! The fans fire up as Iyo dodges to SHOTEI! Iyo whips, Giulia reverses, but Iyo goes up and out! Iyo blocks a boot, ROCKS Giulia then goes up top! MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Iyo kips up!
Iyo is ready to run wild and the fans are with her! But Roxie is back in, only for Iyo to dodge! Rhea scoops Roxie but Roxie TORNADO DDTS! Iyo SHOTGUNS Roxie! Giulia reels Iyo in for a cradle, TWO!! Giulia drags Iyo up, hammerlock and scoop, GLORIOUS- NO, Iyo slips free to waistlock! Giulia switches, Iyo victory rolls, STOMP 182! The fans fire up and Iyo hurries to put Giulia in the drop zone! Iyo steps on Giulia and goes up the corner! The fans fire up for OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, Roxie breaks it! The fans boo but Roxie whips, Iyo reverses, Roxie tilt-o-whirls, but Iyo fights the leg sweep! Iyo hooks Roxie up but Roxie powers out!
Rhea is back, and she gives Iyo a boost! Roxie dodges, the SHOTGUN hits Giulia! Roxie SOBATS Rhea, runs up, POP- NO, Rhea pops out the back! MISSILE DROPKICK from Iyo! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo wants a high-ten. Rhea gives Iyo the high-ten, and then Rhea signals she’ll lift Iyo up! The fans fire up, but Giulia TRIPS Rhea first! Roxie runs up, Iyo BOOTS her, but Giulia is right up top! Giulia underhooks the arms, and she gives Iyo a SUPER DUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX!! Giulia roars, brings Iyo around, scoop and NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Cover, RHEA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, but Roxie DROPKICKS Rhea!
Rhea EDDY GORDO KICKS Roxie in return! Giulia KNEES Rhea down! Giulia then focuses on Iyo, but Iyo wrenches her! Iyo underhooks, TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo then fires up and the fans are with her! SHINKAN- NO, Giulia puts her on the apron! Iyo ROCKS Giulia, climbs up, and Rhea sneaks a tag. Iyo leaps, Giulia dodges, Rhea reels Giulia in. But then Roxie is up top, so Rhea shoves Giulia forward, the CROSSBODY hits Giulia instead of Iyo! Roxie is stunned, Rhea smirks, and Iyo BUZZSAWS Roxie! Rhea drags Giulia up, HEADBUTTS her, and hits a RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea & Iyo win!!
Winners: Iyo Sky & Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
The Eradicator had the champion’s back and vice-versa, and the top two women on Raw win out! But at the same time, Rhea still wants to be a champion herself. Will Mami get back on top soon enough? Or will the Genius be ready for that rematch, too?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here to not just follow Backlash but to turn the corner towards Saturday Night’s Main Event. Great promo segment from CM Punk and Seth Rollins to open, and it naturally brought out Sami Zayn and Jey Uso for a brawl. This gives us a good set-up for Punk & Sami VS Rollins & Bron at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Jey and Gunther had a good promo together, with Jey getting fired up again because he knows Gunther is again underestimating him. And while I expected Logan Paul bringing another sucker punch, Rollins sending Bron after Jey is just as good. Though I feel bad Kaiser’s interview was no longer an interview but just a way to give us Bron’s attack.
Obviously Rollins won’t give up on the world title so easily, so he’s just trying to soften Jey up to make it easier to take that title, but it might backfire if Logan or Gunther gets the title first. Well, hopefully not Logan but I’m not sure Gunther would either. Great promo from Becky to talk down to not just Lyra but the fans. While blaming fans is a cliche Heel trope, seeing how John Cena did it and now Becky is doing it in a similar way, it still works. And her saying Lyra went to the hospital plants seeds of an injury angle as I was expecting on Saturday, so I wouldn’t mind seeing something where Becky and Bayley fight not just for their own grudge but for one more chance at the title.
Great promo from Rusev to once again frame what he’s doing as if it is a noble mission, but it would be something if someone came around to see things the way Rusev does. Tozawa wanting after Rusev and Pearce saying not yet is good stuff, Pearce is being a responsible boss by not letting Tozawa go right into a one-sided fight. Sheamus wanting his match with Waller “as intended” is also good stuff, and it’ll give Theory a chance to return the favor by being mostly unbothered like Waller was last week. The A-Town Down Under break-up has been on far too slow a burn, it needs to happen now as Rollins’ faction is rising up and we get into MITB season.
Penta VS Gable was a great match that also tied well into the Judgment Day story. Great win for Penta, and it might establish that Gable can’t win unless he’s El Grande Americano and therefore able to load the mask with plates. Penta getting his revenge on Judgment Day while also helping Styles win was good stuff, too. I wonder if Styles and Penta team up against Judgment Day for just a moment, before “El Grande” obviously gets involved and gets a 1v1 match with Penta. There’s also going to be Money in the Bank qualifiers soon, so maybe we see Penta and “El Grande” get in on that while also feuding with each other. Also, hilarious bit with JD teaching Dom about time zones.
Great tag team match of War Raiders VS Creed Brothers with New Day on commentary. New Day of course cost the Raiders since they don’t want another rematch with them, but I feel like helping the Creeds will backfire in that the Creeds will be just as hard to beat in a tag match. And then great promos from the women in tonight’s main event. A little surprised we didn’t get a Rhea one, unless I somehow missed it. But that was also a great main event tag, great win for Iyo and Rhea as a duo, and Iyo VS Rhea feels like a clear choice for the next title match. Nothing in the women’s division has been set up for SNME, so maybe that’s where we’ll get Iyo VS Rhea.
My Score: 8.8/10
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