Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Crown Jewel Results & Report! (11/4/23)
Whose crown is it? With everybody saying…!
Who will the WWE Universe ACKNOWLEDGE?
Roman Reigns is the reigning, defending, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, but will the Mega Star soon change all of that?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Show – Sami Zayn VS JD McDonagh; Sami wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s World Championship Fatal 5 Way: Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Nia Jax VS Shayna Baszler VS Zoey Stark; Rhea wins and retains the title.
- John Cena VS Solo Sikoa; Solo wins.
- WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Logan Paul; Logan wins and becomes the new WWE United States Champion.
- WWE Women’s Championship: Iyo Sky VS Bianca Belair; Iyo wins and retains.
- Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest; Cody wins.
- WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS LA Knight; Roman wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Crown Jewel Kickoff Show!
Join Megan Morant, Matt Camp and Peter Rosenberg in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action set for Saudi Arabia!
Kickoff Show – Sami Zayn VS JD McDonagh!
The Great Liberator vows to be the resistance against the Judgment Day’s dictatorship on Raw, and now he’s set up against their pawn! Will Sami trump the Irish Ace with his heart and determination? Or will McDonagh finally earn a spot on the team with this one?
The bell rings and fans fire up for Sami. Sami and McDonagh circle, McDonagh tells the fans to hush, but the fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” for Sami. McDonagh and Sami feel things out, but McDonagh uses ropes to back Sami off. The fans boo but McDonagh and Sami reset. They feel things out, tie up, and McDonagh wrenches to YANK the arm. Sami spins, wrenches, and wristlocks and fans cheer as he hammerlocks. McDonagh slips around to switch the hammerlock onto Sami, then he wrenches to a wristlock. Fans rally, Sami rolls and kips to arm-drag free! And then another arm-drag! Fans fire up while McDonagh flails.
Sami cranks the armlock but McDonagh fights up. McDonagh puts Sami in a corner, the ref counts, but McDonagh kicks low. McDonagh CLUBS Sami, headlocks and grinds Sami down, but the fans rally up. Sami fights to his feet, powers out, and things speed up. Sami hurdles, then he MONKEY FLIPS McDonagh into the ropes! A rough landing for McDonagh but Sami has him in a corner. Sami climbs up to rain down fists! Fans count along, all the way to TEN! Sami stalks McDonagh to another corner but McDonagh kicks low. Sami blocks the buckle bump to give a buckle bump! And another! And another!
Fans cheer as Sami brings McDonagh up, but McDonagh throws body shots! McDonagh headlocks, whips, but Sami reverses, to BUMP McDonagh off the buckles! McDonagh goes tumbling away and the fans rally up. “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Sami reels McDonagh in, but McDonagh flails and gets away to the apron. Sami is after McDonagh again but McDonagh HOTSHOTS Sami! Fans boo but McDonagh rushes in to CLOBBER Sami! McDonagh drops an elbow, rains down fists, and fans chant “YOU SUCK!” McDonagh lets off to bring Sami up and wrench. McDonagh whips, then he CLOBBERS Sami again!
McDonagh CLUBS Sami, even as fans rally behind Sami, but McDonagh CHOPS and CHOPS! Sami CHOPS in return! McDonagh swings again, Sami dodges and CHOPS McDonagh down! Fans fire up as Sami hauls McDonagh up, but McDonagh JAWBREAKERS! Sami staggers, McDonagh powers Sami to a corner and to the top rope. McDonagh CHOPS Sami, ROCKS him, then climbs up. Sami fights the superplex and fans rally up! Sami throws body shots, then HEADBUTTS McDonagh away. Sami leaps, but into a DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Sami survives the anti-air and fans fire up again!
McDonagh fumes but he drags Sami up to fire forearms. McDonagh digs his boots in, the ref counts, but McDonagh lets off. The ref reprimands McDonagh but Sami ELBOWS McDonagh! And BOOTS him! Sami hops up, leaps, AX HANDLE! Fans fire up as McDonagh goes down! Sami comes around to fire off haymakers! Fans cheer each shot and Sami whips, but McDonagh reverses. Sami goes up and over to LARIAT McDonagh inside-out! McDonagh flounders to a corner, Sami runs up and blocks a boot to CHOP! Sami whips corner to corner, McDonagh bounces off buckles, into a BIG back drop!
Sami drags McDonagh up and “This is Awesome!” Sami CLUBS McDonagh, hauls him up, but McDonagh holds ropes to fight the lift! The ref counts, Sami lets off, and McDonagh elbows back! McDonagh runs, Sami follows, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! Sami is still in this but McDonagh hurries to a corner. McDonagh drags himself up top, and MOONSAULTS but into BOOTS! Sami then clinches McDonagh, CORNER EXPLODER! Fans fire up because they know what’s next! Sami aims from the far corner, McDonagh flounders to his feet, HELLUVA KICK! To a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, Sami wins!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall
The tiebreaker in this personal series goes to Sami! He cleared the pawn off the board, but will he be able to check all the names off the list? Will Cody Rhodes help with that as he faces Damian Priest later tonight?
“To be the best. First, you gotta believe.”
Believe in your undeniable ability to defy gravity. To shine. To never quit. To shake off the hate. To dominate, destroy and be their worst nightmare. To remain a champion. And now, with the whole world watching, it is time to believe in the big time. And with a remix of Imagine Dragons’ Believer, do they believe it? “What do you think?” Riyadh is big time. This is WWE Crown Jewel! Will you be a believer?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
The Visionary, the Revolutionary, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins hasn’t just been fighting tough opponents, he’s been fighting the excruciating pain in his back. But will he be able to make it through that and the Scottish Warrior to still be World Heavyweight Champion? Or will there be no more Broken Dreams, only broken reigns?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see which breaks first: body or spirit!
The bell rings and fans fire up already as these two stare down. Rollins and McIntyre circle, they tie up, and McIntyre powers Rollins back. They end up in a corner, McIntyre lets off and allows Rollins to come out. The two circle again, tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins then headlocks, but McIntyre powers up and out. McIntyre then runs Rollins over! Fans fire up, things speed up, Rollins hurdles and redirects to RAM McIntyre, but McIntyre stays up to rebound and run Rollins over! McIntyre does the Rinaldo goal celebration before he CHOPS Rollins! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Rollins CHOPS, but McIntyre CHOPS Rollins off his feet!
McIntyre stomps Rollins, snap suplexes him, and covers, ONE!! Rollins is showing his toughness and the fans rally up. McIntyre drags Rollins up, swings, but Rollins dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Rollins whips, McIntyre reverses but Rollins holds ropes. McIntyre runs in but Rollins dumps him out! Rollins WRECKS McIntyre with a dropkick, then FLYING KNEES from the apron! Fans rally as Rollins builds speed, to then DIVE! Direct- NO, McIntyre catches Rollins to THROW him with an overhead Belly2Belly! Rollins writhes but McIntyre goes after Rollins to put him in the ring.
Fans fire up as McIntyre stalks Rollins. McIntyre drags Rollins up, whips him hard to a corner, and Rollins bounces off buckles. Rollins writhes, but McIntyre looms over him. McIntyre taunts Rollins, slaps him around, but Rollins scowls. Rollins JABS, ROCKS and fires off more hands on McIntyre! Rollins whips, McIntyre reverses but Rollins KICKS back! Rollins runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! McIntyre sighs but he stays focused. Rollins sits up, McIntyre drags Rollins up, and then CHOPS him down! McIntyre looms over Rollins and then brings him up, to CHOP again! Rollins CHOPS back!
McIntyre CHOPS, Rollins CHOPS, repeat! Fans cheer with every CHOP, and Rollins gets the edge! Rollins whips, McIntyre reverses but Rollins goes up, only to get a BOOT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and McIntyre watches Rollins sit up. McIntyre stands Rollins up, reels him in, but Rollins fights the suplex with elbows! McIntyre still back suplexes! Rollins lands on his feet, but McIntyre powers through the boot to ELBOW him! McIntyre goes for the Inverted Alabama Lift, but Rollins kicks free! So McIntyre YANKS Rollins up! Rollins lands on his feet to PELE! Fans rally, McIntyre runs in but Rollins POSTS him!
Rollins catches his breath and the fans sing, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins nods and runs, to LARIAT! McIntyre stays up, so Rollins LARAITS again! Still not good enough, Rollins runs, dodges and mule kicks! Front kicks! LARIAT! Mule kick again, then SUPERKICK! Rollins runs to BOOT McIntyre down! Fans rally as Rollins goes to the apron, springboard and SWANTON! To a LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! McIntyre is still in this, even after that onslaught, but Rollins keeps his cool. “This is Awesome!” as Rollins brings McIntyre up and in. But McIntyre fights the suplex to suplex Rollins!
Rollins knees free, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and manages the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Both men sit up, but Rollins stands first. He kicks low but McIntyre fights the underhooks to underhook back. Rollins wrenches out to ROLLING ELBOW! Rollins runs in at the corner, but into an elbow! McIntyre goes up, out, and up again, but Rollins springs up there! SUPERPLEX! Roll through, but McIntyre suplexes! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives that turnaround and fans are surprised! Both men rise and now McIntyre stands first. McIntyre stalks Rollins to ropes.
McIntyre brings Rollins up to fireman’s carry, and he goes up a corner! But Rollins fights around, sunset flips, but McIntyre holds ropes! Rollins brings him off the corner, but the back gives up! FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, TWO!!! Rollins survives, McIntyre is frustrated, but the fans fire up! McIntyre aims from the corner, he wants Rollins to stand, but can he? Rollins clutches his back, McIntyre storms up and drags him up, but Rollins cradles! TWO!! Rollins almost had him! Rollins dodges to then clothesline McIntyre up and out! Rollins builds speed again, and he DIVES! Direct hit and down goes McIntyre!
Fans rally up as Rollins stands, and the ring count starts as he storms up on McIntyre. SPINEBUSTER into the steel steps! McIntyre storms up those steps, he drags Rollins up to join him, and he scoops, to hit a APRON SIDEWALK SLAM!! Rollins writhes and sputters, and McIntyre storms back in. McIntyre shakes his head as he looms over Rollins. Rollins looks up at McIntyre and scowls. Rollins SLAPS McIntyre, so McIntyre hits a GLASGOW KISS headbutt! McIntyre swings, but Rollins slips through to underhook and PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!!! McIntyre gets the arm up just in time! Fans fire up again!
Rollins and McIntyre rise, and Rollins brings McIntyre in for forearms! Rollins fires shots from all sides, then spins, ROLLING ELBOW! McIntyre wobbles, into the DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Rollins aims from the corner, runs in, but McIntyre catches him again! And RAMS him into a corner! OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Then another! Then the NECKBREAKER! Both men are down, and fans fire up as McIntyre kips up! McIntyre says it’s time! Here’s the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” SUPERKICK from Rollins!! And then the CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO?!?! McIntyre survives and no one can believe it!
Fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” as this one just keeps going! Rollins rises up, he drags McIntyre to a drop zone and then goes to a corner. Rollins talks himself through it, goes up top, PHOENIX- NO, McIntyre dodges! CLAYMORE!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Now Rollins survives and shocks everyone! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre sits up with a snarl. McIntyre reloads in the corner, fans are thunderous for “ONE MORE TIME!” But Rollins SUPERKICKS again! And then ducks the Claymore, to PEDIGREE!! And then the CURB STOMP!! But he can’t make the cover! Rollins has to crawl over, now he covers, and Rollins wins!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)
Rollins takes McIntyre down, but he also survived McIntyre! Is McIntyre regretting not taking Judgment Day up on their offer? WAIT! Speaking of, here comes Damian Priest! He has a ref and the Money in the Bank Briefcase! Is it time!? YES! But wait, SAMI attacks Damian! No cash-in tonight as Sami STEALS the briefcase! Fans cheer and Priest says Sami is dead! But Sami has done his part for the night, things will not go the Judgment Day’s way! So if not Priest, then who is next to step to Seth Freakin’ Rollins?
McIntyre encounters Rhea Ripley backstage.
Mami just shrugs. Perhaps an “I told you so” from the Women’s World Champion, but will she have better luck than McIntyre, even if she’s in a Fatal 5? We find out, next!
WWE Women’s World Championship Fatal 5 Way: Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Nia Jax VS Shayna Baszler VS Zoey Stark!
A 20% chance is all any one of these alpha females has in winning this match. They’re all powerful and dangerous in their own ways, but who defies the odds to leave as champion?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly THE most dominant woman on Monday Night Raw!
The bell rings and fans fire up as the five all look around. Nia bails out, she knows she’s the main target. So Rhea CLUBS Raquel, CLUBS Shayna, but Zoey gets around to roll Rhea up! ONE, but Shayna rolls Rhea up! TWO, and Zoey tries again with a backslide! TWO, and Shayna gets Zoey’s legs! It’s a double cover, TWO!! Zoey BOOTS Rhea, swings on Shayna but Shayna hits a back suplex. Zoey lands out of it, sunset flips, but Shayna sits on it! Raquel adds herself with a jackknife, TWO as Nia drags Raquel out! Nia RAMS Raquel, POSTS her, and then smiles. But Rhea DOUBLE DROPKICKS Zoey and Shayna, to then WRECK Nia!
Rhea goes out, but Nia trips Rhea up on the apron! Nia hurries in, DECKS Shayna, then scoops Zoey to SLAM her! Nia soaks up the heat but Shayna waistlocks! Nia fights the suplex, Rhea HEADBUTTS her! Raquel BOOTS Nia into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Nia falls out of the ring, and the other four stare down. Shayna brals with Raquel while Zoey has Rhea! Raquel corners Shayna, Rhea backs Zoey down! The hands keep flying, then Raquel TOSSES Shayna! Raquel whips Rhea to LARIAT! Then she LARIATS ZOey! Shayna dodges one but not the SOUTHPAW! Zoey staggers up, into a POWRSLAM!
Shayna stands, Raquel scoops for a SPINNING POWER SLAM! Rhea runs in, but into the TEXANA- NO, Rhea slips free to kick the legs out! Rhea basement dropkicks! Zoey fires off on Rhea but Rhea RAMS her into the corner! Shayna brings Rhea around, but Rhea gets around to atomic SLAM! Fans fire up as Rhea says “This is MY division!” But Nia’s back! Nia and Rhea finally get each other 1v1 and fans fire up! Nia pie faces Rhea, but Rhea SLAPS Nia! The forearms fly, Rhea has the edge and fans fire up! Rhea fireman’s carries!? But Nia fights free! Rhea ROUNDHOUSES back! Rhea roars, runs, but into a BODY CHECK!
Nia dribbles Rhea off the mat, then looms over her. Nia runs, to drop the leg, brother! Cover, Zoey BOOTS Nia over! Zoey drags Nia up but Nia HEADBUTTS her! Nia runs in, but Zoey dodges and Nia POSTS herself! Zoey BOOTS Nia down, then INSIDE OUT SENTONS! But Raquel CLOBBERS Zoey! Shayna blocks Raquel’s boot for an ANKLE LOCK! Then a deathlock! Rhea runs, but Shayna trips her! DOUBLE DEATHLOCKS! Nia is up, into a SLEEPER!! TRIPLE SUBMISSIONS!! Fans are thunderous, Nia is fading while the others grit their teeth. Zoey runs up to BOOT Shayna down, freeing everyone else! Cover on Shayna, TWO!
Zoey drags Raquel up, HALF NELSON SLAM! Zoey roars and fans fire up with her! Zoey goes up the corner, but Rhea ROCKS her first! And again, and again! Rhea climbs up but Zoey fires off forearms! They brawl up top, Rhea gets the edge, but then Raquel joins in! These two work together for now, to DOUBLE- NO, Zoey fights the superplexes, and Shayna adds on! TOWER OF DOOM!! Fans fire up for the Double Powerbomb Superplex combo, but Nia hurries to cover Zoey! Shayna KNEES her down! Shayna fires up but Nia SPLASHES her in a corner! Nia grins as she goes up, but Raquel drags Shayna away!
Rhea DORPKICKS Nia’s legs out! Raquel goes up, TWISTING VADER! Cover, Rhea drags her away! They argue, shove, shove some more, and then Rhea SLAPS! Raquel SLAPS! Fans fire up and Raquel dodges Rhea, but DOUBLE BOOTS take them both down! Fans fire up again as they both go to ropes. They both go to the apron and glare at each other, but then Zoey DOUBLE SHOTGUNS them down! Fans fire up as Zoey builds speed, goes up and up and ESCALARA CROSSBODIES!! Direct hit on Rhea, Raquel and even Shayna! Zoey puts Rhea in and springboards again, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Then the scoop, Z 360!! Cover, but Nia KICKS it apart!
Fans boo but Nia says SHE is the dominant force in the WEW! She YANKS Zoey off the mat, HEADBUTTS then BODY CHECKS! Then she drags Zoey to a drop zone and goes up the corner! But Raquel CLUBS Nia! And uses the corner to help in a TEXNA BOMB!! Cover, Rhea breaks it!! Rhea saves this match for herself and then brings Raquel up, But Shayna gets Rhea, KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Rhea flails, sputters, reaches out, but Raquel runs in to BOOT Shayna down! Rhea HEADBUTTS Raquel! Rhea has Shayna now, pump handle and RIPTIDE!! Cover, Zoey BOOTS it apart! Fans fire up as Zoey puts Rhea up top!
Zoey fires forearms, climbs up after her, and CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Rhea HEADBUTTS! Rhea pump handles Zoey up there, but Raquel covers Shayna! SUPER RIPTIDE to break it!! Cover on Shayna, Rhea wins!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s World Champion)
Mami isn’t just dominant, she’s strategic! She crushed three birds with one Riptide and took the win! If not even four opponents could stop her, will anyone ever take the title from Rhea? Or will Mami always be on top?
John Cena VS Solo Sikoa!
He may be the Greatest Of All Time, but even he knows he hasn’t won in five YEARS. Will Cena look to end that 2000+ day streak? Or will the Enforcer of the Island not just keep that streak going, but end Cena’s career?
The bell rings and the fans are fired up already. Solo already holds his thumb up to remind Cena the dangers of the Samoan Spike. Solo swings, Cena dodges, and fans rally up. “Let’s Go, Cena!” “Cena Sucks!” Cena watches Solo, dodges again to headlock then hit the takeover! Cena then goes for the arm to stomp the hand! Cena wants to neutralize that weapon, and he hits a straight arm lever! Then a wrench, and he RAMS the arm! Another wrench, and he RAMS the shoulder again! Fans rally as Cena runs Solo over! Cover, ONE! Cena is back on the arm with a cording hold! Solo fights but fans rally, “You Still Got It!”
Cena bends the fingers and thumb, then HIP DROPS the arm! Cena puts Solo in a corner, wraps the arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Cena lets off at 4, and he whips Solo out of the ring! Fans cheer as Cena goes out after Solo, and SMACKS the hand off steel steps! Cena puts Solo back in, storms up on him and throws him back out! Cena pursues, and the fans duel as Cena isolates the arm. Cena SMACKS the hand off the other steel steps! Solo shakes out the hand, Cena puts him back in the ring, and then Cena runs up to go after the arm. Cena wraps the arm around ropes, but Solo pulls Cena’s hair with the other hand!
Solo HEADBUTTS Cena down, then stomps away! Fans boo but Solo snarls as he shakes out the bad hand. Fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Solo but he HEADBUTTS Cena back down. Solo soaks up the heat from the fans, and he storms up on Cena to HEADBUTT again! Solo drags Cena around but the bad hand bothers him. Fans rally as Cena blocks the whip. Cena kicks low, kicks again, and he runs, but into a WHEEL KICK! Solo scowls and he drags Cena to a corner. Fans rally for Cena but Solo goes up the corner. BANZAI DROP! Fans boo but Solo stalks Cena. Solo pushes Cena down and taunts him.
Cena sits up, gets to his feet, and Solo prepares the thumb! But Cena ducks to fireman’s carry! But Solo fights free to SUPERKICK! Cena falls, Solo covers, TWO! Cena goes to a corner, Solo goes to the opposite end. Solo runs in, to HIP ATTACK! Solo fires up but the fans boo again. Solo eggs Cena on, and Cena rises up. Fans rally as Cena stands but Solo takes aim again! But Cena catches the arm into a CROSSFACE!! Solo endures, reaches out, but Cena thrashes him around! Solo powers Cena back to a cover, TWO! Cena lets go, and Solo LARIATS! Fans boo but Solo soaks it up. Solo drags Cena up to then put him on the top rope.
Solo drags Cena into the Tree of Woe, and he runs side to side, FALLING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Cena is still in this, but Solo knows he still has his best card to play. Solo stands Cena up, and hits a BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO! Fans chant “SOLO SUCKS! SOLO SUCKS!” but Solo just soaks it all up. Solo watches Cena sit up in the corner, and runs in to HIP ATTACK again! Cena flops over and Solo smirks. Solo looms over Cena as Cena rises up, and Solo clamps on! SAMOAN- NO, Cena dodges again, and starts on the shoulder tackles! Fans fire up as Cena rallies, gets around, SPINOUT BOMB! And he puts up the hand!
Fans fire up as Cena says “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” Cena runs for the FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! And then, Solo staggers up into the fireman’s carry! But Solo slips free, shoves and SAMOAN DROPS! Cover, TWO! Cena survives and Solo grows frustrated. Solo watches Cena go to a corner, and he takes aim again. Solo runs in, to HIP ATTACK again! Fans boo as Solo hits a hattrick of those. Fans chant “UMAGA! UMAGA!” for the late Samoan icon Solo is paying tribute. But then Cena HOTSHOTS the bad arm! And CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up while both men are down, and Cena goes to ropes.
Cena drags himself up, Solo stands, and Cena hurries to fireman’s carry! But solo fights free again, to SUPERKICK! And then SAMOAN- NO, Cena choke grips?! To CHOKE SLAM?! Cover, TWO!!! Cena shouts out the Deadman, and fans fire up as both men are down. Cena and Solo stand, and Solo HEADBUTTS! Cena throws a haymaker! Solo HEADBUTTS again! Cena throws a haymaker! And another, and another! Fireman’s carry, but Solo again gets loose! SPINNING SOLO! Cover, TWO! Cena survives yet again and Solo is seething! Solo storms up on Cena, clamps on and SAMOAN- NO!! Cena blocks the arm!
Cena and Solo fight, Cena drags Solo down! STF!! Fans fire up as Solo endures! Solo drags himself and Cena towards ropes, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Cena lets go, wants the legs again, but Solo BOOTS him away! Cena runs up, into the SAMOAN SPIKE!! But it hurts Solo’s hand just as much to do it! Fans fire up as both men stand, Cena clutching that throat. Solo SAMOAN SPIKES again!! Solo growls, fans boo, but Solo reloads. Cena stands, into a THIRD SAMOAN SPIKE!!! Cena flounders and sputters but Solo isn’t going for any pins. Solo wants Cena to stand again! Cena rises, fans rally behind him, and he manages to stand.
Solo has Cena again, a FOURTH SAMOAN SPIKE!!! Still no cover!? Solo wants to truly end Cena! A FITH, SIXTH, SEVENTH!! Solo just jams the thumb in again and again and again!! Cover, SOLO WINS!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
Fans boo because they cannot believe it! Cena’s must win match ends up a devastating defeat! But has The Enforcer truly disposed of Cena once and for all? Was this the last loss Cena ever suffers? If so, fans give a standing ovation and chant “Thank You, Cena!” as the GOAT gets to his feet.
The Miz is here!
Fans boo as the Hollywood A-Lister heads to the ring to host a Premium edition of MizTV. Miz gets the mic to welcome us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show in history, and he hopes they’re ready for this bad boy! Tonight’s guest is one of Saudi Arabia’s own, the star of Sattar, IBRAHAM AL HAJJAJ! Fans cheer as the Joy Award Winner joins Miz in the ring. Miz gives Ibraham another introduction, and he gives The Miz an introduction! Miz gives it back to Ibraham and they take their seats. Ibraham says it is a pleasure to be here in Riyadh.
So Ibraham’s character in Sattar has a dream of becoming a WWE Superstar. Is that based off of real life aspirations? Wait, what is Grayson Waller coming out here for? Waller says it is nice to have an actual movie star on MizTV. But Ibraham is a big star, so he needs to be treated with respect. Let’s get an actual talk show going! The Grayson Waller Effect?! Waller is taking over and Miz can’t believe they’re doing this. The crew is listening to Waller? Miz has been here 20 years, Waller’s been here for 20 minutes! Yeah, but it ain’t 2005 no more, it’s 2023! The hottest talk show int he WWE now is the Grayson Waller Effect!
Hottest? More like Aussie Public Access. Cheap shirt, cheap set. It’s like they’re getting Rinaldo, but they have to settle for the ball boy. Oh, soccer references, huh? Miz ain’t got no plants on his show, he’s just jealous! Ibraham says hey, there’s plenty of him to go around. He came here to be on the hottest talk show. Yeah, Waller’s show! Nope, MizTV! Um, Ibraham, you’re new here, right? You wanna try that again? You had the wrong answer. Right, okay. It’s… MIZTV! Um, if you look around, Waller’s name is all over the place, so this is his show, his ring, and so Ibraham is disrespecting Waller in his ring and he doesn’t like that.
So how about Ibraham get outta here right now? Fans boo and Miz steps up, but Ibraham has him stand down. Ibraham unoes his sleeves? Waller says he’s gotta be kidding. Wait, the robe comes off and fans fire up! Waller kicks Ibraham low and dumps him out! So Miz BOOTS Waller! Ibraham is back up, Miz throws Waller’s set outta there, “MASSIVE! BALLS!” Miz full nelsons, and then sends Waller into Ibraham’s GAMANGIRI! SKULL CRUSHING FINALE! Fans fire up as Miz and Ibraham stand tall! Fans chant for MizTV, which is a first. Ibraham isn’t done with Waller, either. Ibraham pulls up his sleeves, runs, and hits the PEOPLE’S ELBOW!
Fans are thunderous as Ibraham has his WWE Superstar moment! Will Waller ever live this viral moment down?
WWE United States Championship: Rey Mysterio VS Logan Paul!
The King of Lucha Libre has faced the Maverick before, and lost. But Logan himself said that was already awhile ago. Will Rey make sure to make up for that defeat? Or will that #OneLuckyPunch land and win Logan the gold he’s always wanted?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who returns stateside as America’s champion!
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up for Rey and the two tie up. Logan powers Rey to a corner, then lets off to pat Rey on the head. Fans boo but Rey shakes that off. The two circle, Rey gets around to waistlock, but Logan moves around. Logan wrenches free and knuckle locks, to then RAM shoulders with Rey. And again, and then another wrench for a straight arm lever! Logan drops Rey but holds onto the knuckle lock. Rey fights up to kick, and kick, but Logan knees low. Logan turns, throws Rey, but Rey lands out! Rey has Logan on a monkey flip, Logan gets up but Rey sunset flips over! Logan rolls through, Rey rolls him up!
Logan gets free, kicks low again, and he TOSSES Rey to a corner. But Rey ELBOWS back! And BOOTS! Rey goes up, leaps and RANAS Logan to the other corner! Rey then goes after an arm, but Logan scrambles free of the crossface. Fans boo as Logan bails out, but the ring count climbs. Logan hurries back into the ring, and he resets with Rey. They tie up, Logan waistlocks but Rey wrenches to a waistlock of his own. Logan elbows free, whips Rey to ropes, then hurdles, drops and- NO, Rey avoids the dropkick, then applauds. Fans cheer along, but Logan rolls his eyes. Logan swings, Rey dodges and returns to tilt-o-whirl RANA!
Logan’s on ropes and Rey dials it up! But Logan dumps Rey out! Rey ROCKS Logan in the back, ROCKS him in the face, then goes up top. Rey leaps to CROSSBODY, but Logan rolls and lifts! Fireman’s carry, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Logan hauls Rey back up, ROLLING SENTON! Then the LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Rey is still in this but Logan keeps cool. Logan storms up on Rey, throws body shots again and again, but lets off as the ref counts. Logan fires off more shots, then knees low! Logan whips corner to corner, Rey bounces off buckles and falls at Logan’s feet! Logan smirks while fans boo, and Logan talks trash on the champ.
Logan drags Rey up, reels him in to whip again, then waistlocks to SLAM Rey down! Logan holds on but Rey fights around. Logan leans on a rear bearhug, but the fans rally up. Rey fights around, gets to his feet, and fans continue to rally. Rey throws elbows, stomps a foot, and Rey runs to then KICK Logan! Rey ROCKS Logan with forearm after forearm, then whips. Logan reverses and scoops, BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Rey is still in this and Logan is annoyed. Logan drags Rey up, and trophy lifts him! Fans boo as Logan does presses, before the DROP! Logan mocks the Ultimate Warrior, runs and runs and WARRIOR SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Another cover, TWO! Another, TWO! Logan is frustrated now, but the fans rally up for Rey. Rey rises, Logan aims and clamps on the bearhug! Logan thrashes Rey but Rey endures. Logan thrashes Rey more but the fans continue to rally. Rey refuses to quit, and he throws elbows on Logan! Rey is free but Logan knees low! Logan then gut wrenches to a Canadian Rack! But Rey fights and arm-drags Logan away! Rey runs up, but Logan RAMS him into the corner! Logan RAMS Rey again and again, then lets off as the ref counts. Logan talks trash as he goes to the far side, then he storms back up on Rey to fire off hands!
Logan stands Rey up, runs corner to corner, but Rey dodges! Logan POSTS himself and falls to the floor! Rey then builds speed and he DIVES to take Logan down! Fans fire up as both men are on the floor! A ring count starts, Rey puts Logan in, and then Rey climbs a corner. Rey leaps to SEATED SENTON! And he keeps moving, to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Logan’s tougher than that, but Rey Oklahoma Rolls! TWO! Rey has the arm, steps through, LA MAGISTROL! TWO! Rey pushes Logan around, steps over again, and ghost pins, TWO! Logan escapes another pinfall but Rey doesn’t lose his cool.
Fans rally for Rey and he waistlocks. Logan fights, goes to ropes, and he HOTSHOTS Rey away! Logan slingshots, BUCKSHOT! Cover, TWO! Logan didn’t hit it as clean as he wanted and that might’ve saved Rey. Logan waits on Rey to stand up, says he has to end it, and he prepares that metal enforced fist! Rey ducks, dodges, tilt-o-whirls, and wrangles Logan into a CROSSFACE! Logan endures as Rey pulls on the bad arm! Logan claws his way around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Rey lets go in frustration but he KICKS Logan in the side. Rey eggs Logan on, and KICKS him again! And CLUBS him! Rey runs, springboards, but Logan manages to catch Rey!
Logan spins to POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Rey goes to the apron, Logan drags him up, and they go up the corner. Fans rally for Rey and he throws elbows! Rey HEADBUTTS Logan off the corner, then adjusts. Fans fire up, but Logan springs right up to CLUB away on Rey! Logan then scoops Rey, for a SUPER FALL AWAY MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!! Rey survives and fans fire up again! Logan gets up and he eggs the fans on even! Logan goes to a corner, climbs up, and gives some Latino Heat. But Rey avoids the Frog Splash! Logan kicks low, gets Rey up, but Rey RANAS Logan onto the ropes!
Fans fire up as Rey dials it up, but Logan blocks the call! Logan throws hands on Rey, but then Rey gets loose to GAMANGIRI! Rey goes up and fans fire up, but Logan anchors Rey’s feet! Logan CLUBS Rey, goes up to get under, but Rey throws hands! Rey spins around to SUPER SUNSET BOMB!! Logan hobbles up, into a CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Logan survives being thrown around and flounders to the apron. Wait, Logan’s friend slips him brass knuckles!? Flashback to SummerSlam and how Logan cheated Ricochet! Fans boo, Rey stands, but Rey POSTS Logan first! The knuckles fall to the floor!
Logan panics, his friend scurries over, but WAIT! Santos Escobar is there to stop him!! Fans fire up as the Emperor has Rey’s back! Santos scares Logan’s pal off, but he leaves the knuckles behind! Rey DROPKICKS Logan to ropes, and Logan finds the knuckles! Rey dials it up, 619!! Rey springboards, into a BRASS KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, Logan wins!!
Winner: Logan Paul, by pinfall (NEW WWE United States Champion)
Fans boo as the Maverick cheats to win his first WWE title! The ends may justify the means for the ImPAULsive Influencer, but will the LWO come back for revenge?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair!
Jackie Redmond says that in moments The EST takes on the Evil Genius for the first time since Iyo cashed in her MITB contract on Bianca. Bianca says yes, and she can’t be more excited. Damage CTRL thinks they could end Bianca’s career. And while they were gloating, Bianca was training and preparing for vengeance. We saw what she did to Bayley, right? That was phase one. Phase two is her 1v1 with Iyo. Iyo will have to fight this one on her own. Bianca gets her lick back, her payback, and best of all, the title back! Will this be the sweetEST revenge for Bianca here tonight? Or will the Evil Genius still have a plan?
WWE Women’s Championship: Iyo Sky VS Bianca Belair!
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the B E S T on SmackDown!
The bell rings and the two rush in! Bianca gets around to waistlock and SLAM! Then she drags Iyo up to SLAM again! Iyo fights free, runs hup and RAMS Bianca, but Bianca rebounds to run Iyo over! Iyo bails out and fans rally up. Bianca pursues, but Iyo kicks low. Iyo goes to bump but Bianca bumps her off the apron first! Bianca pursues and she SMACKS Iyo off the apron again! Bianca puts Iyo in, storms up on her and grabs her hair for once! The ref reprimands but Bianca suplexes, and she holds Iyo up! Fans cheer as Bianca goes all the way to TEN before the SLAM! And then the handspring MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!
Bianca is annoyed but she drags Iyo back up. Bianca whips Iyo into the corner, then climbs up. Bianca rains down fists and fans count along, all the way to TEN, but then Iyo slips free! Iyo grabs the braid, Bianca boots her away, and then Bianca says kiss this. Bianca backflips and DROPKICKS! Bianca kips up and fans fire up again. Bianca runs in, but Iyo dodges and Bianca POSTS herself! Iyo drags Bianca out to DRAGON SCREW the leg! Iyo goes after the leg, stomps it, then KICKS it! Iyo wants the leg again, and she drops knees on the knee! Bianca clutches the leg as she goes to a corner, but Iyo keeps on her with forearms.
Bianca shoves Iyo away, boots but Iyo blocks! Iyo puts that leg in the ropes, to then JAM up the other leg! Bianca flounders away, Iyo covers, TWO! Iyo goes for the leg, she kicks away on it, then stands on it. Iyo stomps the leg, drags Bianca up, but Bianca JAWBREAKERS free! Roll up, TWO! Bianca runs up, spins Iyo and reels her in, to snap suplex! Roll through and deadlift, but Iyo slips out of this suplex to CHOP BLOCK! And BULLDOG! Fans fire up as Iyo pulls on the bad leg, and then the other leg. They’re both feeling bad at this point, really. Fans rally as Bianca endures, and she kicks Iyo away.
Iyo returns, wheelbarrows and victory rolls, STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Iyo keeps Bianca in the ring, and Iyo keeps on the legs. Iyo ties the legs up in an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Bianca endures, fights around, but she drags Iyo around with her. Iyo pulls on the leglock more, but Bianca throws forearms! Bianca ROCKS Iyo and gets free, but Iyo is right back! Bianca boots Iyo away, hurries to run in, but only gets buckles! Iyo ROCKS Bianca, goes up a corner, and she MISSILE- NO, Bianca dodges! Iyo crash lands and both women are down! Fans rally, Bianca stands, and she ELBOWS Iyo away.
Bianca goes to a corner, Iyo runs in but only gets buckles! Bianca scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Iyo flounders away while Bianca kicks the legs, to then kip up! Bianca hobbles, she scoops Iyo and SLAMS her! Iyo is up again, but into another scoop and SLAM! And then another scoop and SLAM! Iyo still stands, Bianca still scoops, but Iyo slips free! Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls, but into a GUTBUSTER! Bianca covers, TWO! Fans rally up while both women are down. Bianca hobbles up and brings Iyo around, then RAMS her into a corner! Bianca puts Iyo up, ROCKS her, then climbs as the fans rally again.
Bianca brings Iyo up to the very top, but Iyo slips under! Iyo trips Bianca up, and has her in a Tree of Woe! Iyo CLUBS the bad legs, then she runs side to side, to SHOTGUN the knees! Bianca falls out of the tree, Iyo covers, TWO! But Iyo has a leg! STRETCH MUFFLER!! Bianca flails, reaches out, but Iyo thrashes the leg! Bianca fights, reaches, but Iyo reels her back! Waistlock, but Bianca switches! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bianca hurries to cover, TWO! Iyo is still in this but Bianca calms herself down. Bianca CLUBS Iyo, drags her up, and she throws hands! Iyo throws them back! They brawl, fans rally up, and Bianca gets the edge!
Iyo kicks a leg out! But Bianca ducks the shotei to chicken wing! But Iyo victory rolls, STMOP- NO, Bianca dodges and rolls Iyo up, TWO! Both women stand, Iyo sidesteps and then follows, but Bianca blocks the rana! Bianca powers Iyo up to ALLEY-OOP! Cover, TWO! Iyo is still in this and Bianca grows frustrated. Bianca storms up on Iyo, but Iyo knees low! And then puts Bianca outside! Iyo has the braid, but Bianca YANKS Iyo into the post! Iyo flops back, Bianca goes up the corner, and fans rally again. But wait, BAYLEY is here!? Where’d she come from?! Bianca still leaps, but Iyo avoids the splash! Cover, TWO!
Bayley is upset, but her distraction might’ve delayed the ref! Iyo says Bayley needs to go backstage but Bayley says no, just trust her! Iyo underhooks Bianca, and hoists her up, but Bianca slips free! Torture rack, but Iyo grabs ropes! Iyo goes to the apron, HOTSHOTS Bianca, then steps in, to TOSS Bianca out! Iyo throws knees while holding the braid! Bianca can’t get away! Iyo KNEES Bianca down, then calls her shot. The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo aims to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Down goes Bianca! Bayley fires up and Iyo puts Bianca back in. Iyo then aims, springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
Bayley is frustrated and Iyo is surprised, but Bayley coaches Iyo. Bianca crawls, Iyo CLUBS her and fires hands! Iyo SHOTEIS, then runs! But Bianca SPINEBUSTERS! High stack, TWO! Bayley paces while worrying about Iyo, but Bianca handsprings! MOON- NO, Iyo moves, then comes back to get around! Bianca switches, but Iyo HOTSHOTS Bianca in the ropes! Fans rally up and Iyo springboards, but Bianca catches her! Chicken wings, for the GlamEST Slam! Cover, but Bayley distracts! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Bianca runs up to DECK Bayley! Bianca goes back to Iyo to clotheslines her up and out!
Bianca storms over to PLANCHA Bayley down! Fans fire up and Bayley CLUBS away on Bayley! Iyo runs up, but Bianca dodges and Iyo CLOBBERS Bayley! Iyo is surprised but not upset, only for Bianca to RAM her into barriers! Bianca puts Iyo in, but Bayley anchors Bianca’s leg! Bianca DECKS Bayley, then torture racks! Bianca carries Bayley over to commentary! Bayley freaks out, but KAIRI SANE is back?!? And she saves Bayley to URAKEN Bianca!!! The Pirate Princess, Iyo’s old friend and tag partner, now aims to FLYING KABUKI ELBOW Bianca into the post!! Kairi hides from the ref while Bianca is down!
The ring count climbs, Iyo is willing to let the count climb. We pass 5, then 7! Bianca springs up an din at 9 of 10, but into OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, Iyo wins!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Champion)
Kairi joins DMG CTRL to help Iyo succeed! And now they beat Bianca down as friends! Fans boo this, but Iyo sets Bianca up for Kairi as she climbs! Anchors aweigh with the InSANE ELBOW!! Bayley is oddly surprised, did she not even know of The Evil Genius’ plan?
Cody Rhodes VS Damian Priest!
The American Nightmare wanted revenge for Judgment Day taking the tag titles away, but then the Punisher tried to completely shatter one of Cody’s ankles! Now Cody has even more of a reason to tear down Priest will he succeed? Or will Priest take the anger from his cash-in interruptus out on Cody?
Naturally, the fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH!” as Cody makes his entrance. But Priest attacks while Cody’s on the corner! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, and Priest backs off. Cody gets the coat off, and he rushes Priest! The bell rings and Cody rallies on Priest! Cody whips, Priest reveres but Cody ducks ‘n ‘dodges and slides, to then kick and RHODES UPPERCUT! And again! Priest goes to a corner, Cody fires hands then climbs! But Priest throws Cody away, only to run into a SIDE EFFECT! Fans fire up as Priest bails out and Cody pounds the mat. Cody builds speed, but he has to stop as Priest moves away.
Cody goes out after Priest but Priest mule kicks! Priest RAMS Cody into barriers! Priest puts Cody back in, then goes up the ropes to AX HANDLE! Fans rally for Cody but Priest storms around. Priest KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! Then ROLLING- SLAP from Cody! Cody SLAPS Priest again, whips him to a corner, but Priest reverses, Priest runs in, Cody goes up and over, but the foot jams! Priest DISCUS HAYMAKERS! Then clinches to FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Cody is still in this but that foot almost cost him. Priest looms over Cody, stalks him to the corner, and smirks as the fans continue to rally. Priest grabs the leg and wraps it around ropes!
Cody CLUBS Priest, Priest lets off and runs in, STADE DIVE ELBOW! Priest keeps going, to STAGE DIVE again! Fans boo but Priest keeps going, only for Cody to DROPKICK him down! Both men are down and fans rally up again. Cody JABS, JABS and JABS! Fans cheer as Cody flips, flops and- NO, Priest kicks low! Priest runs, Cody follows and CLOBBERS Priest! Cody goes up and over, and POWERSLAMS! Fans fire up as Cody fights through the pain, to springboards and BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! Cover, TWO! Priest is still in this and he goes to the apron. Cody has the fans rallying again as he goes out in pursuit.
Cody SMACKS Priest off steel steps! And again! The ring count climbs but Cody clears off commentary! Fans cheer for tables and Cody turns around, into a DISCUS LARIAT from Priest! Priest leaves Cody behind to refresh the count, and fans chant “We Want Tables!” Priest looks to oblige as he hauls Cody up! Canadian Rack, but Cody slips free! Cody dodges and POSTS Priest, then gets in the ring. Cody builds speed to DIVE! Priest ends up on the desk! Cody CLUBS him, goes up to join him, and fans fire up! But Priest BELL CLAPS! And RECKONING on the desk! Priest turns the tables around on Cody, no pun intended.
Fans want that “One More Time!” but Priest wags his finger, no no no. Priest puts Cody in, fans chant “YOU SUCK!” but Priest just soaks it up. Cody rises, Priest grins and reels him in, RECKON- NO, Cody spins it into the CROSS RHODES! Fans fire up while both men are down! But wait, here comes Finn Balor! The Prince has nothing else to do, but the ref sees him. The ref tells Finn to stay back, but wait! JD McDonagh sneaks in! But Cody DECKS him first! Priest choke grips! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives and fans fire up! The Judgment Day is freaking out, so Finn calls reinforcements!
Here comes Dirty Dom! Fans boo as he has a chair, too! But wait! JEY USO SUPERKICKS DOM! And he SUPERKICKS Finn! And he SUPERKICKS JD! Fans fire up and Priest is furious, but Jey has the chair to run the boys off! And then Priest turns around, into a roll up! TWO!! Cody dodges, springboards, CODY CUTTER!! Priest wobbles up, Cody JABS, JABS and JABS! Flip, flop and fly, BIONIC ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives but the fans fire up! Cody stalks Priest, brings him in, CROSS- NO, Priest KNEES and snapmares, to then JUMP KICK! Cody goes to a corner, and Priest runs in, but Cody puts him on the apron!
Cody runs up but Priest dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Priest goes up the ropes, springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Cody goes up and up and SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO?!? Priest survives again and “This is Awesome!” Cody nods, feeds off that energy, and he goes back to Priest. Cody roars and fans fire up with him! But then Priest scoops! Cody fights, flails, and he brings Priest down to scoop him! But Priest fights free, shoves, but Cody avoids the haymaker to hit CROSS RHODES! But Cody holds on, another CROSS RHODES! And then a THIRD CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Priest had his friends to help him, but so did Cody! Cody has his revenge, but will he and Jey Uso look to get their revenge by going after the Undisputed Tag Team Championships once again? Or will Cody focus on finishing the story?
WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS LA Knight!
The Tribal Chief may have smashed ’em, stacked ’em, pinned ’em. He may have survived the best and beaten the rest. He may have made the WWE Universe ACKNOWLEDGE HIM for almost 1200 days, but tell ’em whose game this is! The Mega Star doesn’t care about bloodlines or number of days, the only numbers he needs are those three seconds! Will this be LA’s night? Or will he be left in the wasteland while the title remains on the Island of Relevancy?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, this is the biggest moment of the year, YEAH!
The bell rings and Roman rushes up! But Knight fires off punches first! And a kick! And a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Knight gets Roman up to fire hands, then whips. Roman reverses and CLOBBERS Knight! Roman mocks spelling it out, then he paces around Knight. Roman stomps Knight, taunts Knight, but the fans rally up. Roman shakes his head, bumps Knight off buckles, then turns him around to ROCK him with a right! Roman whips, but Knight dropkicks the legs out! And basement dropkicks Roman down! Fans fire up with Knight and he brings Roman up. But Roman TOSSES Knight out!
Knight gets on the apron but Roman ROCKS him! Fans continue to cheer on Knight but Roman tells them to shush. Roman drags Knight up, but Knight HOTSHOTS Roman back! And slingshots to shoulder tackle! Cover, ONE!! Roman stands, but Knight whips him to ropes. Roman holds ropes, KICKS back, then runs, but Knight scoops! POWERSLAM! Fans fire up and Knight has us spell it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” But Roman bails out as Heyman distracts Knight! Fans boo but the Wise Man saves his Tribal Chief. But then Knight WRECKS Roman with a dropkick! Knight puts Roman on the apron, CLUBS him, then drags him down.
Knight goes up the apron and FLYING LARIATS! Fans fire up, then Knight clears a desk! The ring count climbs, but Roman CLUBS Knight first! Roman brings Knight around but Knight fights the bump to SMACK Roman off the desk! Knight stalks Roman, but Roman YANKS Knight into steel steps! Fans rally for Knight, the ring count is 5 of 10, but Roman stands and drags Knight up. Roman whips Knight, into the steel steps! Knight flounders and writhes, but Roman refreshes the ring count. Knight is down at 5 of 10, but Knight crawls to the ring at 7. Knight slides in at 8, and Roman chuckles.
Fans are torn and that annoys Roman. Roman stalks Knight, raises the finger because #HeTheOne, and he drags Knight up. Roman whips Knight corner to corner hard! Knight bounces off buckles and falls to the mat, but Roman tells the booing fans to hush. Roman drags Knight back up, and snap suplexes! Cover, ONE!! Knight shows his toughness but Roman keeps on him with a cravat neck wrench. Knight endures, fans rally, and Knight fights up to his feet. Roman wrangles Knight back down and grins as he says he calls the shots. Knight kicks around as he endures and the fans rally up again.
Roman is confused and upset that Knight rises up! Knight throws body shots! Knight is free, he whips, but Roman LEAPING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Roman wags his finger at the fans again as they rally up, but that makes them chant for Knight more. Roman runs to clothesline Knight in the corner! Roman again wags his finger, but fans tell him off! Roman is upset being called an A-Hole, and he runs in at Knight to clothesline again! Roman then pushes Knight down, soaks up more heat, and he taunts the fans. Roman runs in, but Knight ELBOWS him way! Knight goes to another corner, Roman runs in again, but into a BOOT!
Knight goes up to FLYING DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Knight and Roman rise, and the fans are thunderous for Knight! Roman ROCKS Knight, but Knight ROCKS Roman! Roman ROCKS Knight, Knight ROCKS Roman! “BOO~! YEAH!” Knight gets the edge, fans chant “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” with each punch! Knight whips, Roman reverses, but Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges and LEAPING LARIATS! Then a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Knight waits, kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Roman is tougher than that but Knight doesn’t lose focus. The fans chant “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” with the mudhole stomps!
The ref counts, Knight lets off, but then goes back for more! Knight runs corner to corner to KNEE WASH! Roman sputters and staggers, into a scoop! Roman slips free, clinches, URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Roman isn’t the People’s Champion, so that Rock Bottom style Urenage didn’t finish this. But Roman shakes his head as he storms around. Roman goes to a corner, locks ‘n’ loads, and he aims at Knight. SUPERMAN- NO, Knight gets around to torture rack! And NECKBREAKER! Knight doesn’t cover, he spells it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” But Roman SUPERMAN PUNCHES!! Cover, TWO?!? Knight survives, and “This is Awesome!”
Roman and Knight stir, Knight flounders to a corner and Roman goes to the other. Roman tells fans to hush, but the fans boo. Roman fires himself up, “OOOAH~!” Roman runs in, but Knight jumps! Roman hits buckles! Knight hauls Roman up to RAM into him again and again, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then hoists Roman up top, climbs up to join him, and picks Roman up, but Roman throws body shots! Roman HEADBUTTS Knight down, adjusts, but then Knight’s right back up! To the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Knight is right up to his feet, too! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!
Roman survives the Mega Star Elbow, but wait! Here comes Solo! Refs and security stop The Enforcer, but Jimmy Uso drags Roman out of the ring! Fans boo as the Bloodline has to save their chief again. But then Knight drags Jimmy up by his hair! Roman SUPERMAN PUNCHES Knight! Roman gets back to a corner, “OOOAH~!” SPEAR!! Cover, TWO?!?! Knight survives and shocks everyone!! Roman is furious and talking to himself again. Roman paces around, but fans again tell him off. Roman glares as Knight goes to ropes and drags himself up. Roman DECKS Knight, then stomps him, and then rains down fists!
Fans boo as Roman shouts, “WHAT NOW?!” Roman paces around, he goes back for Knight, and he tells Knight he’s just a flash in the pan. Roman waits on Knight to get up, fans chant “ROMAN SUCKS!” but Roman clamps on the GUILLOTINE!! Roman squeezes Knight’s head, Knight flails and reaches out but Knight still drops to his knees! The fans rally up but Roman pulls on the hold harder! Knight starts to fade! The ref checks Knight, but Knight revives! Roman is confused and upset again as Knight powers back up! Knight throws body shots, is free, but Roman clamps on again! Knight RAMS him into a corner!
Roman lets go, but only for a moment! Roman squeezes tight with the guillotine hold, but Knight HOTSHOTS Roman! And spins him, B F T!!!! Cover, JIMMY GIVES ROMAN THE ROPEBREAK!! Fans boo as Jimmy scurries away! Knight is pissed and he rushes out after Jimmy! Jimmy wants Knight to hold on, he actually likes Knight, Knight fires off haymakers, and SMACKS Jimmy off the desk again and again and again! But Roman runs out! Knight KNEES him low, and dribbles Roman off the desk! Knight whips and POSTS Roman! Fans fire up, but Jimmy kicks! Knight blocks, to BACK SUPLEX JIMMY THROUGH A DESK!!
But Roman SPEARS Knight through the barriers!! Fans lose their minds, Roman hauls Knight into the ring, and he aims from the corner. Fans boo as Roman runs in, to SPEAR!!! Cover, Roman wins!
Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Universal Champion)
Almost 1200 days as champion, and yet it’s the same thing every time! Roman’s family saves him from certain defeat, and he continues on his historic reign. Knight was cheated, but will this only prove that he is the next big thing? Will find a way to get another shot at the top spot?
My Thoughts:
A great Crown Jewel here, even though most of the status quo was kept. Roman Reigns VS LA Knight still met the main event level of expectations, and as I said leading up to this, Knight will be built up by how Roman needed all the tricks to beat him. I suppose it does test whether fans are optimistic or pessimistic about this, and I’m going with optimistic for Knight’s sake. Knight can bring up Roman needing the flunkies, he can go after Jimmy and Solo on SmackDown, maybe even have a big part to play in the Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber as he tries to get back to another shot.
But when it comes to Roman, it’s a bit harder when it’s just lather, rinse repeat. Yes, Roman’s getting 1200 days, and probably the lesser of Bruno Sammartino’s great reigns at 1237. Roman is definitely making it to WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia, which will take Roman to 1315 or so. Hulk Hogan’s 1474 might be the actual goal, but 160 days from Mania, puts it on Friday the 13th, in September of 2024. Now, I don’t necessarily want this cheating-to-survive reign to continue, but imagine how epic that episode of SmackDown could be if something were to actually happen with this story on that day. A celebration that then turns into a fight and a match and maybe, to shock us all, Roman loses! Wishful thinking, but a great plan if I do say so myself.
The one match that didn’t keep status quo I kinda wish they did, but as Heel wins go, Logan got one perfectly. He and Rey had a great match, but then whoever that was helping recreate the cheat from SummerSlam was good continuity. And Santos only kinda sorta stopping the brass knuckles from being involved, you could easily use that to create a divide in the LWO with Santos and Rey having it out to determine the true leader, the other being kicked out. And I would think it’s Rey being kicked out, Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde have been alongside Santos since they were Legado Del Fantasma in NXT and Cruz was Raul Mendoza.
Another shocker was Cena losing to Solo, but that perhaps works out for the better with Solo getting a win over “The Greatest Of All Time.” There’s the whole Hollywood Writer’s Strike and if that ends and other shows/movies can continue on, Cena’s probably gonna disappear again anyway so this was practically his sendoff match. And the tradition with those? Put the person who is staying over. An interesting move was having a MizTV VS Grayson Waller Effect segment with Saudi Arabia celebrity Ibraham Al Hajjaj getting to have his moment for his fans. All pretty good fun, and if only Miz was on SmackDown, he and Kevin could actually be a hilarious team to face Theory & Waller. Unless part of that happens at Survivor Series, the PPV for crossovers.
Great stuff connected to the Judgment Day, with Sami getting a great win off JD McDonagh and then preventing Priest from cashing in tonight. That was an awesome world title match from Rollins VS McIntyre, and it made sense that Rollins found a way to win. This is pushing McIntyre further to his Heel turn, with Rhea even giving him that shrug backstage. Sami stealing the briefcase from Priest is going to add something to this story on Monday, they might even fight for the briefcase. If Priest were to lose and no longer be Senor MITB, that could really put some heat on him within Judgment Day, all the more reason Rhea will want McIntyre to join and be their new muscle.
Rhea herself had a great showing tonight, from the Saudi Princes or some other important figures making that entrance with her to her still winning out of the Fatal 5. Good creativity in the finish, too, with a Riptide breaking up a cover. Rhea retains, and clearing these four out, I can only assume Becky Lynch comes after her next. Though at the same time, I wouldn’t mind 1v1 rivalries along the road to WrestleMania, but I guess we’ll have to see what happens on Monday.
And great stuff out of the WWE Women’s Championship, but the crowd seemed way too quiet for Bianca VS Iyo than the should’ve been. I suppose the prospect of either Iyo retaining VS Bianca getting back on top again wasn’t that appealing, but the action was still great stuff. Bayley showing up outta nowhere was also probably part of the problem, it was just more “DMG CTRL Wins LOL” but then in a great surprise, Kairi Sane is back in WWE! She had her return to Stardom in Japan but apparently that was only going so-so if she’s already back over here.
And as a bonus, the scared look on Bayley’s face since it was Bayley (and Sasha) who beat Kairi up before she went away. Now we could see Iyo siding with Kairi and they get rid of Bayley in Damage CTRL, Dakota having to decide if she’s Team Evil Genius or Team Role Model. This could be a very fun faction break-up story, and I’m just hoping Kairi gets treated like more of a star than she did while Vince was still in charge and misunderstanding Women’s Wrestling.
My Score: 8.8/10
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The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Rockin’ around the Christmas Collision!
The Continental Classic continues on Christmas Collision, with crucial points on the line this close to AEW Worlds End! Who will finally take the lead in Gold League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; Kris wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia; Garcia wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos; Briscoe wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 2-2, 6 points
Komander: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Shelton Benjamin: 2-1, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.
He has Big Boom AJ & Big Justice with him in the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they’re ready to bring the BOOM~! They’re ready to watch the action tonight, and even the final face-to-face of MJF and Adam Cole. AJ says if MJF is gonna bring the doom, then you know he and Big Justice will bring the BOOM~! But tonight, their guy, Adam Cole will bring the BOOM~ too! And of course we have big Continental Classic action! Daniel Garcia VS Shelton Benjamin in a critical showdown, and while Shelton is tough, Garcia is going to bring the BOOM~! Plus, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos! The Chicken is their guy, time to bring the BOOM~!
In Gold League, we have Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, and the Swiss Superman is a DOOM~! Let’s go, Darby, bring that BOOM~! And then a match everyone wants to see, the fireworks rematch of Will Ospreay VS Ricochet! If you’re a fan of high-flying wrestling, this is the right night to be right here in AEW! Ricochet and their guy, Ospreay, will bring the BOOM~! But speaking of, that match is up first! The Aerial Assassin joins AJ & Big Justice in giving a BOOM~, but will Ricochet make sure tonight is #OuttaThisWorld?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet!
Wait, are the fans throwing white streamers or is that… No, yeah, it’s toilet paper! Ospreay laughs at the fans basically calling Ricochet crap. Ricochet throws the toilet paper back! The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans fire up for Ospreay as he and Ricochet circle. The fans also sing, “F HIM UP, OSPREAY, F HIM UP!” Ricochet shrugs that off, he and Ospreay tie up, and then Ricochet rolls. Ospreay shoots in, waistlocks, but Ricochet switches. They go around, Ricochet gator rolls with Ospreay, then floats to a headlock. Ricochet wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks again. Ospreay powers up and out, Ricochet runs him over, but Ospreay kips up!
The fans cheer and Ospreay smiles as he and Ricochet reset. They tie up, go around, and Ricochet wrenches to a wristlock. Ospreay rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Ricochet spins and wrenches to hammerlock. Ospreay reaches back, headlocks and hits a takeover. Ricochet rolls to a cover, TWO! Ospreay holds onto the headlock but Ricochet powers up and out. Ospreay runs Ricochet over, Ricochet bails out, and then Ospreay handsprings to fake Ricochet out! The fans cheer as Ospreay superhero lands out, and Ricochet is annoyed. Ospreay holds ropes open for Ricochet, but Ricochet goes around the way to step in on his own.
The fans boo Ricochet being a bad sport but Ricochet ignores that. Ospreay and Ricochet knuckle lock, then Ricochet kicks low! And CHOPS! Ricochet whips, Ospreay reverses, but Ricochet rolls off Ospreay’s back! Things keep moving, Ospreay avoids the handspring to then duck ‘n’ dodges and RANA! But Ricochet handsprings through! The fans fire up, and Ospreay arm-drags Ricochet down! The fans cheer while Ricochet endures the grind. Ricochet fights up and puts Ospreay on ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet and Ospreay slowly let g o, and Ricochet SLAPS Ospreay! Ospreay CHOPS Ricochet!
Ospreay takes a swing, Ricochet ducks under to roll back and RANA! But now Ospreay handsprings through! Ricochet dodges to waistlock but Ospreay bucks the O’Conner. Ricochet arm-drags Ospreay down, but Ospreay headscissors back! Ricochet pops free but Ospreay arm-drags! Ricochet headscissors, Ospreay pops free, and Ospreay handsprings, but Ricochet catches him! Ricochet then THROWS Ospreay into the Tree of Woe, and Ospreay falls down! The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, but Ricochet FOSBURY FLOPS! The fans boo but Ricochet takes the toilet paper to wipe himself, then he SMOTHERS Ospreay with it!
The fans boo that literally disgusting act of disrespect, but Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet taunts the fans, then drags Ospreay up. Ricochet puts Ospreay in, soaks up more heat, then KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Ricochet swaggers to taunt the fans more, then he goes back to Ospreay. Cover, ONE!! Another cover, TWO! Ricochet taunts the fans more, then goes back for Ospreay. Ricochet stands Ospreay up to CHOP, and Ospreay goes to a corner. Ricochet RAMS into Ospreay, RAMS him again, then snapmares to UPPERCUT in the back! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Ricochet drags him into a motorcycle stretch. Ospreay endures while Ricochet digs a knee into the back. Ospreay fights up, fights with elbows, then runs, but into a DROPKICK!
Ospreay is down in a daze but Ricochet has to shake out the stars in his own head. Ricochet covers, ONE! Ospreay then uses that one to flip off Ricochet. Ricochet RAMS Ospreay in the back! Ricochet then clamps on with a chinlock, and he digs his knee into Ospreay’s back. Ospreay endures, even as Ricochet JAMS Ospreay. Collision returns to single picture as the fans rally for Ospreay again. Ospreay fires up, fires hands, but Ricochet RAMS him into a corner. Ricochet runs up, RAMS into Ospreay, then goes to the apron. Ospreay takes a swing but Ricochet dodges and gets around him to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay runs, handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay goes to the apron, takes aim, and he springboards to PIP PIP CHEERIO! Down goes Ricochet, Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay stays focused and the fans rally up. Ospreay drags Ricochet up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Ricochet staggers, Ospreay runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS! Forearm, SOBAT, and Ricochet runs, but into a POP-UP, and STYLES- NO, Ricochet sits up, slips free, and he underhooks Ospreay for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Ricochet goes up.
Ricochet has to double clutch, the fans let him hear it, but Ricochet still MOONSAULTS! Ricochet lands out as Ospreay moves, and Ospreay runs up, but into an ELBOW! Ricochet handsprings, but into a pop-up, Electric Chair, spin around, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Ospreay is surprised. Ospreay pulls on the elbow pad and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Ospreay aims, but Ricochet bails out! The fans boo but Ospreay storms after Ricochet. They’re both on the apron and Ospreay goes up a corner. Ricochet anchors Ospreay first! Then Ricochet has the Electric Chair Lift!
Ospreay fights free, fights off a nelson, then he KICKS Ricochet! Ospreay runs, but into a pop-up APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Ricochet adds a SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Ricochet puts Ospreay in, then springboards to 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives, but then Ricochet AX KICKS! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, VERTIGO! Cover, TWO!? Ospreay survives and Ricochet is shocked! Ricochet snarls and he aims from a corner. The fans rally for Ospreay but Ricochet loads up. SPIRIT- NO, Ospreay ducks under! Ospreay gets up, Ricochet blocks a kick!
Ricochet V-TRIGGERS, then he reels Ospreay in! But Ospreay fights out of the bomb, but then Ricochet returns the favor! Ricochet suplexes, into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Ospreay springboards for the OSC- CUTTER FROM RICOCHET!! Ricochet hurries to get Ospreay up, powerbomb into fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! SPIRIT- HIDDEN BLADE!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ospreay and Ricochet both slowly sit up and the fans rally as hard as ever. Ricochet and Ospreay stare down, talk a bit of trash, then stand up. Ospreay draws a line in the sand and dares Ricochet to step up.
Ricochet steps right up, they stand toe to toe, literally! They start firing forearms! The fans cheer Ospreay, boo Ricochet, and Ricochet wobbles! But then Ricochet comes back with forearm after forearm! Ospreay wobbles, but he grins as he rises and roars! Ospreay fires a flurry on Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Ricochet flops over, Ospreay hauls him up! But Ricochet grabs at the ref! Ospreay kicks Ricochet’s arm away, but then Ricochet RAMS Ospreay into the ref! The fans boo but then Ricochet hurries to HOOK KICK! And VERTI- NO, Ospreay slips free to underhook! STORM BREAKER! Cover, but the ref is down!
The fans count, Ospreay would’ve won twice over! Ospreay calls to the ref, the ref sputters around, and Ospreay goes up. But then Ricochet kicks the ref into ropes! Ospreay gets tripped up and the fans boo more! Ospreay is confused as to what happened, but SPIRIT GUN hits the mark!! Cover, RICOCHET WINS!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Ospreay earns 0)
The One & Only got away with murder, but there’s nothing that can be done now! Ricochet has NINE points, will he be headed to Worlds End?
Adam Cole heads to the ring!
The fans cheer as the Panama City Playboy returns to the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they join in for the “BOOM~!” and the “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY~!” Cole grabs a mic, but he keeps his eyes on the ramp. That’s because we all know who’s next. MJF makes his entrance, but with a handful of security guards in front of him first. And not even AEW security, that’s his own personal security. MJF grabs a mic and has them cut his music. The fans boo but MJF tells them, “If I wanted your help, I’d ask for it. Sit down and shut up.” The fans tell MJF to STFU, but MJF shrugs that off.
MJF tells Cole that MJF is frustrated. It’s because for the past few months, MJF has had to listen to Cole say MJF is Cole’s biggest enemy! If memory serves, and MJF’s memory always does because unlike the fans here, he isn’t a complete moron… Didn’t Cole turn on MJF? But then does Cole realize he has bigger enemies out there? Like spray tan, cracks in the floor, gusts of win, and maybe… a cavity. Because last MJF heard, Cole’s dentist isn’t seeing him anymore. Cole was already staring daggers into MJF, but now he’s pissed. MJF has Cole calm down, and he tells the fans to shut up so he can shoot straight.
When MJF was the longest-reigning and greatest AEW World Champion of all time, Cole was nothing more than MJF’s cute little sidekick. That ate Cole up inside. Cole wanted to be MJF. Cole wanted #TripleB. But the sad truth is, Cole had many opportunities to win the title before MJF got anywhere near it. It’s almost like when it comes to Cole being elite enough to become world champion, just like his “s*itty little ankle,” Cole blows it. MJF laughs at his own joke, and then tells the fans he is talking, it is not that complicated. But this is why MJF doesn’t buy the hogwash that Cole turned on MJF because MJF would turn on Cole first.
Cole turned because he, like all these shmucks, is jealous of MJF. And who can blame Cole? MJF is rich, handsome, funny, entertaining, and then look at Cole. For crying out loud, Cole used to be ADAM COLE BAYBAY. Now, he’s just a crack baby! Cole asks if MJF is done. Was that the last line? Because it felt like MJF practiced that for two weeks in front of a mirror. But MJF killed it, really. Cole could come back with childish comments to hurt MJF’s feelings, but he won’t. Cole could mention MJF has had two surgeries on that fake head of hair of his while only in his 20s, which is hilarious, but he won’t.
Cole could talk about how MJF pulled some strings to get his girlfriend hired, like the real politician he is, but Cole won’t go there. Cole could talk about how every single time MJF enters a room, everyone waits for him to leave because he is loud, obnoxious and annoying as hell. But Cole won’t go there. Because Cole is not like MJF. They are nothing alike. That is why the friendship was ruined. Because, MJF, the truth is you say Cole is a failure, but in virtually every wrestling company Cole has worked for, he is the longest-reigning champion in so many!
In this very building, Cole bled BUCKETS against Kyle O’Reilly, wanting to prove he was one of the best in the world, and that is exactly what he did! Does Cole have regrets? Sure. Are there things Cole wishes he could take back? Absolutely. But Cole does NOT regret turning on MJF. The only reason it drives MJF insane is because Cole beat MJF to it. That’s MJF 101: Get close to someone, then turn on them. It’s what MJF does. Cole just did it better than MJF, and MJF knows it.
But Cole has been thinking, trying to understand what’s going on in MJF’s head, and he finally figured it out. MJF is terrified of having anyone close to him, because he feels it is a weakness. That hit a chord? Because not only does MJF act like a child, he thinks like a child! MJF knows in his heart that he was going to be the one to turn on Cole first! DAMN RIGHT HE WAS!!! MJF realizes he let the cat out of the bag. MJF says congrats, Cole, he solved the mystery! A regular Scooby-Doo! Great job, Adam.
But you want the truth? Here it is. The fact of the matter is, last year at Worlds End, MJF had every intention on stabbing Cole in the back that night. Cole just got lucky. When #BetterThanYouBaybay started, MJF didn’t give a damn about Cole. Cole was nothing more than a pawn. But MJF will admit, he did eventually start to care. For the first time in MJF’s life, he cared about someone else. Fans mockingly go, “Aww…” But MJF says that is just when Cole became a liability. And since Cole’s “a fragile little freak,” him jumping off that ramp and exploding his ankle made him a distraction!
Distractions, liabilities, emotions, there are no room for those when all you should be concerned with is maintaining the world championship! But Cole doesn’t get it, does he? Last year was a fluke. Cole ain’t the Devil, he just beat the Devil to it. But this year, Worlds End, December 28th, the same show where Cole tried to end MJF’s world, MJF ENDS Cole!! MJF throws down the mic and the fans are torn. Cole smirks and says MJF ends things then? Well, how about Cole ends this? COLE DECKS MJF! The guards rush in, but Cole fights them off! MJF sends more but Cole SUPERKICSK! And SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS!
But then MJF LOW BLOWS Cole! MJF tells the fans to shut up! MJF takes out the Dynamite Diamond Ring! But then The Kingdom rushes out here! MJF runs away from Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but he vows this ends at Worlds End. We have one week left, is that the last week Cole has in AEW? Or will MJF finally lose the one thing he has left in that diamond ring?
Backstage interview with Kris Statlander.
Lexy Nair is with the #BornAgainKristen and brings up her trying to make amends with Willow Nightingale last night, as well as making the save when Harley Cameron & Penelope Ford were beating Willow up. Kris says what she and Willow have to discuss is between them. But as far as her and Penelope go, they’ve got a lot of history, and if Ford wants a fight, Kris will give her a fight. Then speaking of history, Kris still has her eyes set on the TBS Championship, can she tells us more on that?
Kris says she looked back on 2024 and she had a downward spiral that started with losing that title. Maybe if she wins it back, Kris will right her wrongs. On that note, Mercedes Mone, you don’t have an opponent for Worlds End so here Kris is. Let her know when you’re ready for round two. Kris heads out, will she prove to everyone that she is still the Galaxy’s Greatest?
Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy.
AEW returns and Lexy is now with Freshly Squeezed. In exactly one week, he will compete against three other men for the AEW World Championship. There are a lot of combustible elements at play, and Cassidy says yeah, we saw that on Dynamite. Jay White, Hangman Page and Cassidy can’t exactly have a conversation. So really, Cassidy wants them to listen. “Between now and Worlds End, Jon Moxley can run and hide. He can hide behind his goons, he can run away in a pickup truck. But when that bell rings in seven days, he has nowhere to go. He will be in the ring with us. Us three. And you both know that we need to remove Jon Moxley from the equation.
“We can. We’ve done it. And after that, us three, we can fight for the AEW World Championship and one of us will become the AEW World Champion. Just something to think about. See you guys on Dynamite.” Cassidy is ready to remove the Maniac from the throne, but will the Switchblade and Cowboy listen to reason?
Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford!
As Kris just said, she’s calling out The CEO in hopes of one more TBS Championship match. But will the Superbad Girl be more like the Grinch for Kris this Christmas?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Kris circles with Ford. They tie up, Kris powers Ford to a corner, then throws Ford back into the corner! The ref counts, Kris lets off, but Ford shoves her! Kris ROCKS Ford, TOSSES her, then runs up on her. Kris whips, drops down, then hurdles over. Kris CLOBBERS Ford and the fans fire up as she flexes. Kris drags Ford up, reels her in, and suplexes, and she holds Ford up! The fans cheer and Kris goes all the way to TEN, but Ford slips into a SLEEPER! Kris pries the hold open and she brings Ford around for another suplex! The fans fire up as Kris holds Ford up for five before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Kris drags Ford up, whips her to the corner, but Ford goes up, only for Kris to Electric Chair Lift! Kris climbs, Ford fights with fists, and she shoves Kris down! Ford steadies herself, then hits a FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford is frustrated but she storms up on Kris. Ford bumps Kris off buckles but the fans rally behind Kris. Ford stomps a mudhole, but she lets off as the ref counts. Kris goes to the apron, but Ford jumps up to drop KNEES on her! The fans boo but Ford soaks up the heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ford brings Kris around to THROW her into railing! Ford soaks up more heat, then drags Kris up and RAMS her into the apron! Ford refreshes the count, then stalks Kris around the way. Ford whips Kris into the steel steps! Kris falls over in a heap but Ford drags her up into the ring. Ford covers, TWO! Kris stays in this but Ford kicks her around. Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes, thrashes around, but lets off as the ref counts. Ford drags Kris up and whips her to ropes, then LARIATS as Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes again! The ref counts, Ford lets off and Kris sputters to the apron. Ford runs and goes up, up, and KNEE DROPS on only apron! Kris then SHOTGUNS Ford off the apron! The fans fire up and Kris brings Ford up, to THROW into railing! Kris puts Ford in the ring, the fans fire up, but Ford kicks low. Ford reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford flounders to a corner but Kris has the fans rallying behind her. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT! Kris goes side to side but Ford dodges the knee! Ford hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Ford wasn’t quite perfect there but she watches Kris go to a corner. Ford runs corner to corner, handsprings, but Kris catches her! The fans fire up as Kris GERMAN SUPELXES, but Ford lands out! but Kris goes Matrix to dodge! So does Ford! STUNNER! Ford runs, Kris does her best to follow, but Ford hops up for a POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and the fans fire up! Ford is beside herself, but she drags Kris to a drop zone. Ford goes up top, and MOONSAULTS BUT FLOPS as Kris moves! Kris hurries to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! The fans fire up as Kris scoops to tuck Ford in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Ford gave Kris quite the fight, but Kris came out on top! Wait, here comes Mone! Kris did call the CEO out, so Santa Mone says, “Ho, ho, ho ho ho! New York Citaaaay~! Please say hello to your C E O! Kris, after the year I’ve been having, I was planning on taking Worlds End off. I was planning on going to the Ritz in Boston.” The fans boo Boston, but Mone says since it’s the holidays, Mone feels like being nice. She already beat Kris once anyway, so she’ll just beat her twice! At Worlds End, you see that money changes everything, because Mone is the greatest TBS Champion of all time!
The challenge has been accepted, and Mone is looking to be busy before the New Year. Will Kris make her regret it?
Big Boom AJ & Big Justice return to the ring.
They’re getting Christmas Collision ready to bring the BOOM, but out comes Chris Jericho, who is still ROH World Champion after overcoming Matt Cardona last night at Final Battle. And he has Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey with him as he asks if AJ has a permit for being here tonight. Did they talk with Mayor DeBlasio? Because they certainly didn’t run this past Jericho. Do they know who he is? Big Justice says yeah, he knows! “You’re a JACKASS!” Jericho is taken aback, but the fans agree with Justice. The Bad Apple says this is why dumbass kids should be sitting and not heard. Jericho says yeah!
And if being a jackass means he’s the King of New York, then Jericho’s the biggest jackass! And besides, Jericho talks for everyone here saying we do not want AJ & Justice here! The fans boo, they disagree with Jericho. But Jericho says they don’t even have Costcos in New York! New Yorkers shop at bodegas. Fans are torn, because they kind of agree. Jericho says his favorite is the Walgreens a few blocks over in Flushing. And speaking of Flushing, that’s where AJ & Justice belong: in the toilet! This is the Hammerstein Ballroom, the House that Jericho built! The fans boo that, it’s the House that Hardcore built.
But Jericho says there’s no time for goofy gimmicks like BOOM~, or bandit masks, or scissoring! Scissor me, Bad Apple~! But then wait! The Acclaimed is here! Well, Anthony Bowens is, at least. Bowens pushes past The Learning Tree and he joins AJ & Justice in the ring. Bowens has the music cut, and he tells Jericho that he doesn’t get why Scissor King is catching strays, but you caught his attention. Jericho is trying to intimidate a man in a walking boot and an 11 year old child while spouting nonsense about being the King of New York. Why doesn’t Jericho do what he has asked so many others in the past: SHUT THE HELL UP!
The fans cheer but Big Bill says, “As the Learning Tree always says, when a man tries to silence another man, he’s probably afraid of the truth.” The fans do cheer Big Bill because he is from New York. Bowens says he has no idea what that means, Bill. But he does know we’re live on TNT, Christmas Collision, Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City! So Chris, why not walk your ass to this ring and get it whipped by the Scissor King?! Jericho says if Bowens wants him to do that, then not tonight. Jericho waves bye, but AJ says hold on, listen up. We know Jericho is running scared, but we know at some point, Bowens will get to bring the-
Bowens stops the Boom? Because he wants to scissor! AJ says okay, and they SCISSOR BOOM~! But is that true? Will Anthony Bowens be the one to tear down the Learning Tree and be a champion?
Backstage interview with The Vendetta.
Lexy is now with Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie, and they’ve got a hot streak going. Deonna’s message last week was ominous, but who was it for? Taya says there are so many options. Everyone deserves a slice of The Vendetta. There’s Mercedes, Mariah, Toni Storm, even Lexy could get some, so watch your back. Speaking of Toni, she stumbles in and apologizes for interrupting. She just wants to say hi to everyone, hello. Oh, Deonna, a pleasure. Deonna says she knows who Toni is. R-Really? So cool! Taya says she’ll make a guess: Toni has a tattoo on her leg, a little duck with a knife through it.
Wow, how’d Taya know? Deonna says no no no, she is not doing this again. She does not get what sick crap Toni’s up to, but she is already done with it. So for Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street, Toni VS Taya! Taya says she’ll make Toni forget everything! Toni nervously thanks The Vendetta, and says this is a big opportunity to face someone like Taya. Toni leaves, Deonna and Taya sigh, and Lexy has no idea what to say. Is Toni’s mind unraveling before our eyes? Or is there still a bit of Timeless inside Toni Time?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia!
This showdown was inevitable, but it’s even more fitting after The Standard of Excellence beat up the TNT Champion just because he stood up to the Hurt Syndicate. Will Shelton continue to bring the pain? Or will he not survive Red Death?
The bell rings and Garcia goes right at Shelton! Garcia fires hands but Shelton RAMS him into the corner! Shelton fires hands but Garcia turns things around to fire more shots! The ref counts, Shelton shoves Garcia back, but Garcia runs up to fire hands! Shelton shoves Garcia again, but Garcia gets under the lariat to waistlock. Shelton fights the lift but Garcia shoves him to SLAP! And CHOP! Shelton just grins and he picks Garcia up again! Shelton TOSSES Garcia away and Garcia goes to ropes. Shelton brings Garcia back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then brings him up again. Scoop SLAM! Shelton drags Garcia up and puts him in a corner.
Shelton whips corner to corner hard and Garcia falls! The fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton drags Garcia around, stomps him around, then TOSSES Garcia out hard! Garcia sputters but Shelton storms outside. Shelton brings Garcia up but Garcia fires hands! Shelton RAMS Garcia into the apron, then railing, then back to the apron! And repeat! Garcia falls in a heap and the fans fire up. Shelton grins as he drags Garcia up, to then THROW into steel steps! Shelton leaves Garcia behind and the ring count climbs on Garcia. Garcia drags himself up at 7 but Shelton goes out after him again.
Shelton puts Garcia in the ring, then grabs at him. Garcia grabs ropes but Shelton stomps him. Shelton stands Garcia up to DECK him! The fans cheer but Shelton brings Garcia up again. Garcia fires a forearm, then he CHOPS! Shelton eggs Garcia on, so Garcia CHOPS! Shelton grins, Garcia CHOPS, but Shelton DECKS him again! The fans duel but Shelton whips Garcia to ropes, for a BIG backdrop! Garcia flounders and Collision goes picture in picture.
Shelton stalks Garcia to the ropes, brings him up and around, then puts him on other ropes so he can CHOKE him! The ref counts, Shelton steps off, and Garcia coughs and sputters to a corner. Shelton stalks behind Garcia, stands him up, and winds up to ROCK Garcia! Garcia flounders against ropes then falls to the mat! Shelton stands over Garcia, drags him up and puts him in the corner. Shelton throws hands and Garcia stumbles. Garcia falls, but Shelton stands on him. Shelton stomps Garcia, drags him up, but Garcia fires up! Garcia breaks free to fire CHOPS and forearms on repeat!
Garcia whips, Shelton reverses and Shelton BOOTS Garcia down! Cover, TWO! Shelton is still amused, and he clamps onto Garcia with a chinlock. Garcia endures as Shelton grinds him down, and Garcia fights up, only for Shelton to wrangle him back down! Shelton leans all his weight on the hold and he squeezes tight. Garcia fades but the fans rally, and Garcia gets a second wind! Garcia fights up, Christmas Colilsion returns to siongle cipture, and the fans duel as Garcia fires hands! Garcia runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS SHelton down! The fans fire up and Garcia aims from a corner. Garcia runs up, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans are torn while Shelton storms around. Shelton waits on Garcia, waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Garcia flops around but Shelton stalks him to the ropes. Shelton goes to the apron, runs up, but Garcia BOOTS him! Garcia takes a swing, but Shelton waistlocks! Garcia holds ropes to fight off the suplex to the floor! Garcia stands up and elbows Shelton away! Then Garcia LEAPS, but into Shelton’s clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY to the floor! Garcia flounders, fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton runs up but Garcia drop toeholds him into a chair! Shelton sputters and the fans rally up. Garcia makes Shelton take a seat, then rains down fists!
The fans count along and Garcia goes to nine, puts up the dukes, then hits TEN! Garcia gets space, runs back in, and he SHOTGUNS Shelton outta the chair! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes back for Shelton. Garcia drags Shelton up but Shelton pushes him away. Shelton LARIATS Garcia, then rolls into the ring. The ring count starts, the fans help Garcia stand, and the fans fire up! Garcia hurries to the ring, but Shelton BOOTS, only for Garcia to block! DRAGON SCREW! Garcia runs, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Even with a bad leg, Shelton has so much strength! Shelton storms up in the corner, but Garcia dodges!
Shelton’s knee hits buckles, and Garcia leg scissor rolls him! Garcia steps through for the DRAGON TAMER!! Shelton endures and the fans fire up! Garcia sits on the hold, but Shelton powers up! Shelton powers out of the hold, has Garcia’s legs, and he turns Garcia over into a QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Garcia endures, reaches out, and he army crawls his way forward! But Shelton drags Garcia back! Garcia cradles Shelton! TWO!! Shelton escapes, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shelton SUPERKICKS Garcia! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Shelton covers, TWO!! Garcia barely gets out of that and Shelton is furious!
“This is Awesome!” as Shelton looms over Garcia. Shelton drags Garcia up, but Garcia trips Shelton! Jackknife bridge, GARCIA WINS!!
Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Shelton earns 0)
A Christmas Collision miracle? Who knows! But Garcia is still alive in the C2, but Lashley snatches Garcia into a SLEEPER! The fans boo but MVP hands the pimp cane to Shelton! But here comes Mark Briscoe, and he has a chair! Security wants this to stop before it gets out of hand, and even producers get out here! But wait! Is that Swerve Strickland rushing in from the crowd?! It is! He goes right up top to SUPER SWERVE STOMP the Syndicate and security guards! Garcia gets free of the pile, Mark Briscoe is with him, and now the locker room hurries out here to stop this from getting worse!
The fans chant, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and Nana eventually hands the mic to Swerve. “Bobby FREAKIN’ Lashley! Didn’t I say I was gonna get my hands on you by the end of ’24? By the end of 2024, I said I was gonna get my hands on you, and that’s what I did, courtesy of the most dangerous man in AEW. Whose house?!” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve is still aiming for Lashley’s head, will he and Lashley have it out at Worlds End?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos!
After getting a couple shockers, The Sussex County Chicken could easily jump up to the front of the block with one more! But will he #ManUp and bring down the menacing minotaur? Or will The Beast be a massive spoiler for Briscoe?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock again. The fans rally and duel while both men fire up. They RAM shoulders, and then fire forearms! The fans fire up as Mark gets the edge, but Mortos swings! Mark dodges to CHOP, then fire forearms! Mark ROCKS Mortos, whips, but Mortos reverses and SPLASHES Mark! Mortos runs but Mark follows to LARIAT! Mark runs, Mortos follows, but Mark dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And forearm! And Mongolian Chop! Mark fires forearms against the ropes, then roars. Mark runs but Mortos follows to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, Mortos runs but Mark follows to FOREARM!
Mark runs, Mortos follows, and he slingshots to hook and backslide, TWO! Mark trips Mortos to jackknife, TWO! Mortos gets around, hammerlock and cradle, TWO! Mark slips around to roll Mortos, TWO! Both men stand, both men dodge, and the fans cheer the standoff. The fans cheer “BOTH THESE GUYS! BOTH THESE GUYS!” as they reset. Mark and Mortos run up to RAM shoulders again! And again! Mortos is getting the better of this, and he CLOBBERS Mark! The fans cheer Mortos while Mark goes to ropes. Mortos runs in but Mark TOSSES him up and out! Mortos clutches a leg, stands up, but Mark runs!
Mortos slides in, dodges, and he SPEARS Mark! The fans fire up and Mortos roars while Collision goes picture in picture.
Mark rolls to a corner while Mortos headbutts buckles. Mortos then runs corner to corner to DROPKICK Mark! Mark sputters, Mortos drags him to a cover, TWO! Mark stays in this but Mortos drags him into a chinlock. Mark endures, even as Mortos leans on the hold. Mark fights up as the fans rally, and Mark fires body shots. Mortos THROWS Mark down! Mortos then CRANKS Mark’s neck, then KICKS him in the chest! Cover, TWO! Mark is still in this and he goes to ropes. Mortos storms up but Mark CHOPS! Mortos SMACKS Mark and Mark falls into a corner. Mortos stomps Mark, then digs his boots in!
The ref reprimands and counts, Mortos steps off, then Mortos snapmares Mark so he can step on Mark’s face! Then NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! Mark stays in this and he goes back to ropes. Mortos waits on Mark to stand, then SMACKS him down! Mark dangles out of the ring in the ropes, but Mortos goes after a leg while Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Mortos has Mark in a corner. Mortos whips corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT, CHOP, and HEADBUTT! Mark staggers and the fans rally up for Mortos. Mortos brings down his kneepads, runs corner to corner, but Mark dodge! Mortos hits buckles then falls to the outside! The fans fire up as Mark then WRECKS Mortos with a dropkick! Mark builds speed and he DIVES, direct hit on Mortos! The fans fire up and Mark even hugs a few! Mark tosses a chair into the ring, and fans rally for #DEMBOYS. Mark sets the chair up, but Mortos anchors Mark’s legs! Mortos then SMACKS Mark!
Mortos drags Mark to the apron, Mark fires forearms. Mortos shoves Mark, but Mark fireman’s carries! Mortos fires elbows to get free! Mark REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Then APRON GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mortos falls to the floor while the fans lose their minds! Mark rises up, takes aim, and he fires the fans up more. Mark goes up a corner, for a SUPER SKY TWISTER! The fans are thunderous and Mark high-fives the front row. Mark then goes back to the ring and builds speed! Mark uses the chair to FLY! Direct hit and Mark even lands on his feet! The fans fire up and Mark hurries to get Mortos back up.
Mark puts Mortos in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Mark takes aim. FROGGY-BOW onto knees! Mortos saves himself there, and then roars! Mortos whips Mark, scoops him, and has the torture rack! BEAST BACKBREAKER! Then Mortos hauls Mark up for a POWER BREAKER!! The fans fire up for Mortos and he DISCUS- NO, Mark dodges, runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and the fans fire up again! Mortos snarls, hauls Mark up, and then scoops! But Mark slips free! Mark crane kicks, then underhooks! But Mortos backdrops free! Mark rises, Mortos runs, but into a fireman’s carry!
Mark hits a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then Mark goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO?!? Mortos survives but Mark shakes his head. Mark just goes back up top! Mortos sits up and roars! But Mark still FROGGY-BOWS!! And then he underhooks, lifts, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Mortos earns 0)
And with that, Mark is now even with Kyle Fletcher, who Mark already beat earlier on! That is all the difference between the one seed and the two seed, how will this final round shake out?
Julia Hart speaks.
“Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. I’m no coward. What you call tricks, I call advantages. I suggested that you watch your back. I gave you all the warnings. So I’m not understanding why you feel the need to call me classless and sneaky. I thought I was being more than reasonable. I know you’re strong, but are you smart? Are my ‘tricks’ too much for you? I guess we’ll find out January 1st, Fight for the Fallen. But remember: The House Always Wins.” The Princess of the Black Throne is ready, but will she learn Hayter Hits Hard?
Backstage interview with Mariah May.
Alex Marvez is with the AEW Women’s World Champion and says in one week’s time, it will be Mariah VS Thunder Rosa for the title, in a Tijuana Street Fight! Marvez notes that Mariah not only had some harsh words for Rosa, but for her father, as well. Mariah says, “Aw~, Papa Rosa is gonna be in the front row. Is that to watch the match? Or does Thunder need a new mami?” But speaking of Rosa, she RAMS Mariah right into the door! And dribbles her off it, too! Mariah pulls hair, Rosa tries to choke Mariah, and then Mariah shoves Rosa away. Mariah calls Rosa crazy, but Rosa says she’s not done with Mariah!
Rosa storms after Mariah into the hall, and then to the stage area! Mariah has made it to ringside, Nigel tries to warn her, but Rosa CLOBBERS Mariah! Rosa rains down fists, then stomps away! Rosa SMACKS Mariah off steel steps, then grabs a chair! Mariah sputters, but gets away before Rosa swings the chair! Security rushes out here for the third time tonight, and Rosa LEAPS! The cluster keeps her away from Mariah but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Rosa holds up the AEW Women’s World Championship, will she send the “Woman From Hell” back where she came from in order to have the gold again?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli!
While The Relentless One has been after each and every Death Rider, he gets one served up to him on a silver platter. But will Darby bring down the Swiss Superman before the final round? Or will Claudio crush Darby’s hopes and dreams this close to Christmas?
But before Claudio even gets in the ring, Darby DIVES out onto him! The fans fire up as Darby fires fast hands! Claudio gets away but Darby pursues, jumps on, and throws more hands! Claudio carries Darby up the ramp to then THROW him down! Darby writhes, Claudio drags him up, and Claudio gorilla presses! Darby slips free, goes to the entry, and then dodges Claudio to send him into the light truss! And then he shoves Claudio into it again! Claudio falls, and now Darby climbs up!? The fans fire up as Darby is up on the camera balcony! Darby SUPER CROSSBODIES Claudio down!
Claudio tumbles down the ramp and Darby sputters while fans lose their minds. The ref checks Darby, his fall was still really wicked. Claudio sits up in a daze as he’s now ringside, and somehow Darby pursues! They both get in the ring, the bell rings, and Darby runs up! But into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is already frustrated. Claudio drags Darby by his legs, to GIANT SWING~! The fans count as Darby goes around and around, and Claudio goes past TEN, past FIFTEEN, past TWENTY, and all the way to THIRTY!! Darby flounders out of the ring while Collision goes picture in picture.
The ref goes out to check on Darby, and somehow he’s okay to continue. Claudio steps out to fetch Darby, and lift shim up with one hand! Claudio then gut wrenches and carries Darby, to SLAM him onto railing! And DUMP him down! Claudio drags Darby up again, gut wrenches again, and he TOSSES Darby onto the railing! Darby flops back down and clutches his lower back, but Claudio leaves him behind. The ring count begins but Darby sits up. Claudio goes out after him again, and brings him up to CHOP! Darby staggers away to a corner, Claudio storms up and CHOPS again! Darby flops down but Claudio looms over him.
Claudio gets space, runs up, and he UPPERCUTS Darby against railing! Darby stumbles away, Claudio goes to the ring, but Darby rolls in, just to roll back out. Darby earns himself some time, but then Claudio storms out after him. Darby hurries int he ring to get away, but Claudio is after him there, too. Claudio stands on Darby’s hands, then stomps them! Darby writhes, but Claudio stomps his hands more! Darby goes to a corner. Claudio stands him up and CHOPS! Claudio UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and Christmas Collision returns to single picture. The fans duel, Darby fires hands, but Claudio UPPERCUTS!
Claudio whips, Darby springboards, COFFIN- NO, Claudio catches Darby! Darby fights free, runs, but Claudio runs up! Darby DUMPS Claudio, then runs to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans fire up again and Darby puts Claudio in. Claudio rolls out the far side but Darby DIVES again! Claudio is sent into railing but Darby goes up a corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER COFFIN SPLASH! Direct hit and both men are down again. The ref starts the ring count, the fans rally up, and Darby refreshes the count. Darby LEAPS onto Claudio for a SLEEPER! Claudio goes to steel steps and he steps up, but Darby squeezes tight!
Claudio steps back down, and he runs into the timekeeper’s area! BACKPACK SENTON through the table! The fans lose their minds again while Claudio leaves Darby behind in the wreckage. Darby stirs, the ref starts another ring count, and Darby crawls. “This is Awesome!” as Darby leaps in at 7! Claudio runs but Darby slips around! O’Conner Roll, TWO, springboard and SPALSH! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Claudio is up, but Darby sunset flips! Claudio stays up, and DOUBLE STOMPS! Claudio deadlifts Darby to then TOSS him out of the ring! Darby hits apron on the way out and fans tell Claudio he’s sick!
Claudio goes out after Darby and drags him up again. Claudio scoops and then POSTS Darby! And POSTS him again! Claudio TOSSES Darby aside, rolls into the ring, but only to refresh the count. Claudio then drags Darby by a leg and brings him over. Claudio SWINGS Darby into steel steps!! Claudio puts Darby in the ring, stands him up, and runs to LARIAT! Darby flips through the air! Claudio covers, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is frustrated. The fans rally for Darby but Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then Claudio tucks the arms, RICOLA- CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio escapes in time!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Darby and Claudio slowly rise, and Ricochet watches, very amused as Darby is his next opponent in the round robin. Darby crawls to a corner, climbs up, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio HEADBUTTS Darby, then climbs up again. Claudio brings Darby up and suplexes, but Darby fights around! SUPER SCORPION DEATH DROP!! The fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Darby rises up. Darby climbs to the very top, COFFION DROP onto knees! Claudio saves himself, then he hauls Darby up. Straitjacket and RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Darby survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio argues with the ref but the count was fair! Darby’s just that tough! Claudio goes back to Darby and ripcords him into the RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Claudio goes outside, and he brings out something from under the ring. He also has a chair! The ref takes the chair from Claudio, but Claudio has BRASS KNUCKLES! BRASS KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, CLAUDIO WINS!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Darby earns 0)
The Swiss Superman screws over Darby, but then he gets that chair back. But wait, Ospreay slides into the ring! And HE has the brass knuckles that Claudio tossed aside! Ospreay dares Claudio to do something, but Claudio simply leaves. Does this mean Ospreay’s ready to ride against the Death Riders with Darby? Or will we see a Miracle on 34th Street send Ospreay and Darby to Worlds End?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here as the last one before Worlds End, and therefore a bit of a go-home in itself. While the continued feud of MJF and Cole has still been a bit clunky since they did the double turn, their faceoff did a good job addressing some of that. They got good digs at each other as always, and MJF snapping and revealing “the truth” was their big move to recover this story. We of course got a brawl, and good save by The Kingdom. It feels like MJF still finds a way to hold onto the diamond ring, but c’mon, how fitting is it for Cole to get a diamond.
Good bit with Toni Storm and The Vendetta, and Deonna’s reaction to Toni was great. Deonna is justified in thinking this is still an act from Toni, not a legitimate psychological problem, and Toni VS Taya will be good stuff. Good promo from Kris Statlander, good match from her and Penelope Ford, and of course a good win for Kris. Good promo from Mone to make Worlds End official, but as I’ve been saying, Mone is more likely to lose the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship as part of the big NJPW Tokyo Dome weekend. The irony is, Mina Shirakawa is her challenger and Mina shows up plenty in AEW, so I don’t know how that math is supposed to work.
Good promo from Mariah May as it also turned into a brawl with Thunder Rosa. As it stands, Rosa standing tall holding up the belt means she is NOT winning at Worlds End, but they could still give us a little more from Rosa and Mariah on Dynamite’s Christmas episode to turn the tables. Good promo from Julia Hart to respond to Jamie Hayter, they’ll have a good match. Good promo from Orange Cassidy to try and reason with Jay White and Hangman Page, but that’s all the more reason Moxley likely uses the challengers all against each other like he did on Wednesday. Though, it would be fun if they at least started the match all annihilating Moxley with their finishers, making us think it’ll work out in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff with Big Boom AJ & Big Justice here tonight, both hyping up the show but also interacting with Jericho’s group and even Anthony Bowens. They’re adding some more foreshadowing to The Acclaimed breaking up, and I guess we’re supposed to see this as a positive move, Bowens feuding with Jericho. Unless Bowens is going to be the guy that dethrones Jericho for whatever ROH cable TV debut/return is planned, the Jericho Vortex strikes again. Bowens should be going for an AEW midcard title, but right now, those are all tied up what with the C2 going on and the International Championship being tied up in Worlds End and NJPW plans.
Speaking of the C2, great stuff with all the matches tonight. Shelton VS Garcia was great stuff, and while Garcia gets the win, they’re still giving us some set-up for a TNT Championship match of Garcia VS Shelton. Mark Briscoe of course made the save, but great surprise for Swerve to show up. Lashley VS Swerve for Worlds End just needs to be said, it already feels a given. All that brawling was also a good segue into Mark VS Mortos, and another great showing for Mortos, even in losing. But as Mark has already had all his matches and is at 9 points, Kyle doesn’t even need to win against Garcia, he just needs to draw so that Mark will be out, and Garcia with him.
While Ospreay VS Darby on Wednesday raised the bar, Ospreay VS Ricochet still had great stuff of its own. Plus, Ricochet is bringing out more of his Heel side what with using the ref, and Ricochet’s win puts the pressure on Ospreay for Christmas Dynamite. Now, no offense to Brody King, but I’m thinking Ospreay wins that to take one of the semifinal spots. Darby VS Claudio tonight was also great, but Darby doing his best Sting off the truss was not the best when he gets that whiplash on the floor. I really thought that match was going to be called for concussion protocol, but Darby’s weirdly indestructible.
Claudio still cheats this win so there’s more heat on the Death Riders and Darby is also behind the 8 ball. Ospreay making the save was good, we can definitely have another “Team AEW” VS Death Riders with Ospreay joining Darby and a couple others, but the way they did the order of matches, Claudio’s got a seemingly easy ride against Komander for Christmas. Though, how awesome would it be if Komander pulled off the spoiler? Or if they were really going to add some drama, they should create a situation where the Death Riders end up ringside, violating the Continental Rules of no cornermen and that disqualifies Claudio. Claudio misses out on the semifinals because of a technicality, sending Ospreay and maybe Ricochet to the semifinals.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Bandwagon Nerds #266: Silver Age Supermen
The Nerds conclude their review of Game 7, plus the latest trailers and the official launch of the new DCU!
Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Tokyo Dome Results & Report! (12/22/24)
Empire VS Emperor!
#TheOddity 023: Just Use A Baby Sock
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (12/21/24)
Merry Collision!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: The Saturday Night Wrasslin Show!
With Saturday Night's Main Event in our rear view mirror, we talk about the MAIN event.
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (12/20/24)
Brody King is on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (12/20/24)
Who's dreaming of a gold Christmas?
Mitchell’s ROH Final Battle Results & Report! (12/20/24)
Is this the end of the Forever Reign?
DWI Podcast Classic: Scrooge McBitch
As the snow falls, enjoy this holiday classic from 4 years ago!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (12/19/24)
One last stop before Final Battle!
Classic POD is WAR: Banana Bamboo (112620)
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
