Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/11/23)
C M PUNK! C M PUNK!
Look in my eyes~, what do you see? CM Punk’s free agency!
He returned at Survivor Series, showed up on Raw, SmackDown, and even NXT Deadline! Where in the WWE will CM Punk choose to sign full-time?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre VS Jey Uso; McIntyre wins.
- Rhea Ripley VS Maxxine Dupri w/ Ivy Nile; Rhea wins.
- Bronson Reed VS Ivar w/ Sarah Logan; Bronson wins.
- Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell; Carter & Chance win.
- Six Man Tag: Imperium VS #DIY & ???; DIY & The Miz win.
- Cody Rhodes VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Nakamura wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Drew McIntyre VS Jey Uso!
After what the Scottish Warrior did to him last week, Main Event Jey isn’t waiting until the main event! This is about to explode, who will be left standing when the smoke clears?
Before the match, Jey gets the mic while fans chant “YEET! YEET!” Jey welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, and he’s got his YEET back! He’s excited about that, for real. But he’s also excited for CM Punk being in the building, and tonights Punk decides if he’s Raw or not. But if y’all wanna see Punk be Raw, lemme hear ya say “YEET!” “YEET!” They’ll gain a real one of he do. But we also lost a real one. Jey’s dwag, Sami Zayn, get well soon. Fans chant for “SAMI! SAMI!” Jey says it was by McIntyre’s hand, though. McIntyre went after Sami, went after Rollins and Jey after a hell of a main event last week.
But if you ask Jey, McIntyre ain’t being honest. His actions show different. He’s two-faced. But now McIntyre’s face to face with the Yeet Master! And tonight, he about to get got! But here comes McIntyre! McIntyre has the mic but fans boo as he stands on stage. McIntyre says, “Alright, enough of the arse kissing, Jey. Don’t you think that locker room is in a rough state with you in it? Adam Pearce, please hear me right now and trust me, let him go. Nick Aldis, you can have him on SmackDown, cuz trust me, we do not want CM Punk in that locker room! He will destroy this place from the inside out!
“Oh, I’m sorry, you acrtaully know him?” McIntyre has traveled with Punk, he knows how the story ends. But for now, this is about Jey. The fans chant for “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” McIntyre says Rollins deserved what he got. But Sami, Jey might have a point. MciNtyre knows Sami is at home, and maybe MciNtyre had a little to do with why. Sami did run his mouth a lot, talked bout McIntyre’s afmily. But McIntyre let Sami with one leg. So he’s sorry. SEE? That’s an apology! Not a good one but still! So you wanna keep booing him like he’s wrong?
Cleveland, imagine if you can someone hurt a family member of yours, they hurt you, your mom, dad, brother, sister. Woudn’t you want revenge? Imagine they never apologized. Now be honest, wouldn’t you want to take revenge on them? For a few of you, the truth will set you free. Guys, get a shot of this kid. He doesn’t care, he’s a coward! Aww… McIntyre tells he’s had enough of Jey’s half-arsed apologies, stupid made up word and this bouncing crap and it’s all forgiven? Jey says it ain’t like that. And clearly, McIntyre can’t dance. But if you wanna see McIntyre catch this YEET Down, lemme hear ya say “YEET!” “YEET!!”
The bell rings and Jey fires haymakers! Fans fire up with “YEET! YEET!” Mcintyre shoves Jey, Jey dodges and then clotheslines McIntyre up and out! Fans fire up with Jey, and McIntyre is furious while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Jey counter punches McIntyre! And again! Fans “YEET!” with every shot, then Jey whips. McIntyre reverses, Jey stops himself and UPPERCUTS! McIntyre kicks low, CLUBS Jey, and then drags him up to TOSS him out! Jey is on the apron, he GAMANGIRIS! Jey climbs up, leaps and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! McIntyre scrambles to a corner Fan srally for Jey and he runs up to whip. McIntyre reverses, then runs in to kick Jey down! McIntyre rains down fists, Jey guards but McIntyre still hammers away! Fans boo but McIntyre watches Jey. McIntyre deadlift suplexes Jey away!
Fans rally for Jey but McIntyre storms up on him. McIntyre stomps Jey, looms over him, then talks trash. McIntyre stomps Jey again, and says he doesn’t wanna just win, he wants to hurt Jey. Fans rally for Jey but McIntyre paces. Mcintyre swings, Jey UPPERCUTS! And again! And again! “YEET! YEET!” Jey CHOPS, whips, but McIntyre reverses and CLOBBERS Jey! McIntyre drags Jey up and puts him in a corner, to CHOP! Jey sputters and drops to his knees, but McIntyre has him in the ropes for a punch across the face! Jey flops to the floor but McIntyre goes out and runs in, but Jey dodges! McIntyre flies onto the desk!
Jey gets in the ring, builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and down goes McIntyre! The fans fire up again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Jey trips McIntyre up on the top rope! Jey throws hands and fans “YEET!” with each shot. McIntyre falls back, but then sits right up to SPIDER SUPLEX! Fans fire up while both men are down! The ref checks both men but McIntyre rises up first. McIntyre snarls and storms over while fans rally for Jey. McIntyre drags Jey up, Jey counter punches again! And again! And again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops ‘n’ locks and UPPERCUTS! But McIntyre hits a GLASGOW KISS! Then he runs in, but is put on the apron. McIntyre ROCKS Jey, climbs up, then FLYING- NO, Jey dodges!
Jey mule kicks, drops and UPPERCUTS! McIntyre swings, Jey dodges and SAMOAN DROPS! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Jey keeps his cool. McIntyre goes to a corner, Jey goes to the opposite. Fans rally up as Jey says “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs in, but McIntyre dodges the hip attack! McIntyre stands, dodges, NECKBREAKER! Both men are down, but then McIntyre kips up! Fans are torn and McIntyre takes aim. “Three! TWo! One!” SUPERKICK first! And then another SUPERKICK! Jey hurries to a corner and climbs up! USO SPLASH onto KNEES! McIntyre reels Jey in, FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, TWO!!
Fans are thunderous and McIntyre is fuming! McIntyre unties a buckle pad while the ref is checking Jey! Fans boo but McIntyre is willing to go to any depths to win this! McIntyre waits on Jey, CLAY- SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!! Jey is shocked but McIntyre survives! The ref then sees the bare buckle, and McIntyre CLAWS Jey’s face while the ref was busy with the pad! CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
If this is The Scottish Warrior’s true self, then he’s been a snake the entire time! But McIntyre still takes the win, is he not going to stop until he’s World Heavyweight Champion?
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
“Cody~. Cody~. Cody. I have watched you, week after week, time after time, talk about finishing your story. Yet you are no closer. You are a dog chasing a car. As great as you are, you are not enuogh. And never will be. You say you don’t respect me. That is your weakness. You strive for the admiration of others. I freed myself from that burden long ago. I draw my own destiny. I paint my own story. Shinsuke Nakamura has been reborn thanks to you, Cody. But now, I will bring your story to an end. I am the real nightmare. Always remember, you asked for this.”
The Judgment Day is in their clubhouse.
And no one is happy. Finn Balor tells McDonagh & Dom to listen up. He and Rhea aren’t here for one week, and they let the wheels fall off! McDonagh wouldn’t say it’s that bad, but Finn tells him not to back talk. Rhea tells JD to shut up. R-Truth continues to break into the clubhouse! Yeah, lock the doors, will ya? And then Dom & JD lose to the Creed Brothers. And it is a sensitive subject and all, but her Latino Heat lost his North American Championship at Deadline! Damian Priest says Dom losing that title does suck. People not showing up, that sucks. Clearly things haven’t been going their way.
But as far as The Creeds go, Priest & Finn are not gonna take those two lightly. They will handle business Judgment Day style. Rhea says that’s good, but saying you’re the leader is a lot easier than being the leader. Priest gets mad but Rhea says she isn’t talking just to Priest. She’s talking to the family! And she is sick of the disrespect. Time to remind everyone who runs Raw! Rhea will not let HER division disrespect her, so tonight, she makes an example out of Maxxine Dupri! Rhea heads out, is Mami going to put her foot down?
The Alpha Academy talk backstage.
Coach Gable knows Maxxine is up against Rhea, but that’s nothing to be nervous about. The Creeds & Ivy show up and they fire up! Ivy then says she’ll be in Maxxine’s corner, just in case. They like that, too! R-Truth walks in? He has a roll of Christmas lights? He’s gonna add these to the Judgment Day clubhouse. About time to get decorating for the holidays. But Truth… Please be careful. Judgment Day is dangerous. And not to break yoru heart, Truth, but you’re not in the group. Whoa, whoa, guys. You got them all wrong. Truth IS Judgment Day, and the others just misunderstood. Truth’s gotta go now. Happy Thanksgiving!
Well, Truth aside, the group goes back to encouraging Maxxine. Will the Alpha Queen stand a chance against a very angry Women’s World Champion?
Rhea Ripley VS Maxxine Dupri w/ Ivy Nile!
Raw returns and Maxxine makes her entrance, the Diamond Pitbull at her side. The bell rings and Rhea circles with Maxxine. Maxxine dodges Rhea, dodges her again, then SLAPS her! Fans fire up but Rhea is mad! Rhea reels Maxxine in, short arm LARIAT! And another! ANd another! Rhea drags Maxxine up again, “You wanna slap me, huh, Maxxine?!” Rhea gets Maxxine up, but Maxxine fights the bomb! Rhea CLUBS her, tries again, but Maxxine flails and RANAS! Rhea is fuming as she gets back up. Rhea turns around but Maxxine DROPKICKS her! “A THANK YEW~!” Maxxine then runs, dodges, and waistlocks!
They go to ropes, Rhea bucks the O’Conner to BOOT Maxxine down! Rhea drags Maxxine up, pump handle and RIPTIDE! But Rhea asks, “You think this is funny?” Maxxine wants to have a match with Rhea? She’s NOTHING but a stupid little girl! Rhea kicks Maxxine around, gets the legs, PRISM TRAP!! Maxxine flails, but taps, Rhea wins!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by submission
Rhea even leans on the hold to bend Maxxine more! Ivy storms into the ring and Rhea lets Maxxine go to stare Ivy down. Fans like the look of this match-up, will Ivy get her chance to go a round with Rhea?
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance speaks.
“It always seems impossible…” “…until it’s done.” The Life of the Party says if they accepted no for an answer, they wouldn’t be where they are today. The music concert party life, but also former tag team champions. “Every door that’s closed, we’ve ripped them off their hinges.” “And chased our dreams no matter what.” Now they want to get the tag team titles back, and that means it is only a matter of time. If you think you’ve seen everything they can do, you ain’t seen nothing yet. They take on Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell later tonight, will KC Squared find their way to the top?
Adam Pearce looks over his contract.
He walks the halls, and he finds CM Punk’s room. He knocks, is allowed in, and it’s almost time! Which brand will CM Punk choose?
Adam Pearce is in the ring.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the time for a sales pitch is over.” After talking with Aldis and HBK, the man Pearce is about to bring out needs no introduction, but will make a decision. Ladies and gentlemen, The Best in the World, C M PUNK! Fans fire up as Punk makes his way to the ring. Pearce hands over the mic while the fans chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Punk says he thought he was in a bit of a sullen mood and then he sees all the signs and hears all the people. Truth is, Punk does have a huge decision to make. “We, if I may, have a huge decision to make.”
Punk’s been thinking about it, and the reason he’s been so worrieda bout it is because he loves the fans. But the truth is, Cleveland, this building specifically, hasn’t always been kind to Punk. He walked back in here, there’s a lot of ghosts. He’s doing his best to face them head on. People may not know this, but Punk debuted in this building. Was anyone there? He had Mickie James with him, they both got in here, and it was so good, Punk went back and they said he was gonna go to Louisville, Kentucky to be in OVW, have luck.
Punk didn’t wanna go but he did, but while he was there, he embraced being uncomfortable and learned how to love it. Exactly like when Punk came to the WWE for the first time. He didn’t know what he was in for but he embraced being uncomfortable and learned to love it. He triumphantly returned to Cleveland, this building, as World Heavyweight Champion. He was ready to put on a show! And then Randy Orton kicks Punk in the head, and he wakes up to learn he was stripped of the title because he couldn’t compete, and is not the champ. He was like “CLEVELAND! AGAIN!?”
Was anyone here 10 years ago for the story he’s about to tell? He won’t bore us with details, a lot of it is the past, he’s focused on the future, the now, and everyone here. But Punk took himself off the wheel. For better or worse, he made the hardest decision of his life. He doesn’t regret it, he doesn’t look back, but there was always that part of him that wondered… If anyone paid to CM Punk, he walked out, were they disappointed? He saw Indi Hartwell, she told him she felt betrayed back then. He told her a story about how he saw Roddy Piper on WCW and as a young fan, he felt that exact same way.
So if you’re here now, or watching at home, disappointed about CM Punk’s walkout, he understands, and he apologizes. The fans cheer that! Punk listened to Aldis, he put together a very substantila offer. Punk hung out with HBK in NXT, there’s a 15 year old Punk that’s tickled to death that he got the offer to mold the next generation. Pearce has put up a deal that honestly is head and shoulders above those other deals. But can he just be very real and very honest right now? Punk’s mind was probably already made up when he saw Cleveland on the calendar. He is here to bury the ghosts, right some wrongs, and his future starts now!
Fans cheer and Punk says “You couldn’t write a better television show, ladies and gentlemen! 10 years, almost to the day, CM Punk walked out. And regardless of how you feel about it, CM Punk walks right back in! And if you’re happy about it, if you’re mad about it, you better learn to love it. Because congratulations, Adam Pearce. The newest Raw Superstar is named C M Punk, and C M Punk is home!” Punk and Pearce shake hands, hug it out, and fans are all fired up as Punk signs on the dotted line! But wait, here comes Seth Rollins! Fans sing ‘OH~ OHH~ OHHH~” as the Visionary makes his way to the ring.
Rollins throws his sunglasses aside, perhaps free souvenir for a fan. Rollins steps in to be face to face with Punk, even as Pearce tells him to keep it civil. The fans are going nuts seeing these two stare down. It’s a chaotic mix of “C M PUNK!” “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~” and “HOLY SHID!” and yet neither Rollins or Punk makes a move. Rollins then grabs himself a mic to finally speak. “Cleveland, Ohio. C M Punk. Welcome to Monday… Night… Rollins. I hope you know how incredibly fortunate you are to even be standing in this ring right now, but could you do me just one little favor, just one thing. One thing, please. Don’t you dare call this place your home.”
Fans start up again with the chants and the singing, but Rollins says Punk abandoned the WWE 10 years ago. Not only that, but he actively tried to tear it down. Punk spent 10 years slandering Rollins, slandering every single person back in that locker room, and Punk wants to walk in here to call this his home? This is NOT Punk’s home, this is ROLLINS’ home!! Fans keep the chanting and singing going, and Rollins says he has been here. Those people back there are his brothers and sisters. The fans here and watching at home are his family so this is THEIR home! Rollins will do everything in his power to protect it from people like Punk!
So to make one thing perfectly clear, Rollins doesn’t want there to be any confusion. He knows he’s worked up, he wants us to undersatnd. He will say it plainly with every fiber of his being: Rollins hates Punk. But… If Punk is going to be part of the WWE again, then Rollins wants Punk on Raw. Because the truth always comes out. The truth always comes out! Rollins knows, Punks knows, everyone knows, this is Punk’s last chance. And so, one of two things is gonna happen: Either Punk exposes himself, self-destructs like always, and Rollins will be the first person to slam the door shut on Punk’s legacy…!
Or if by some miracle, Punk has changed, and he has any gas left in that old tank, then maybe one day Punk will be lucky enough to stand across the ring from Rollins in a World Heavyweight Championship match. And then Rollins will expose Punk for the fraud that he is. Rollins will show Punk there are levels to this, wrestle circles around Punk, and let him understand in real-time what it means to BE The Best in the World. The chans and singing return, but Punk just shrugs. “Are you done?” This is Rollins’ one pass to speak like that without Punk coming after him. Punk never asked for anything to be handed to him, and always did things the hard way.
Pearce, where’d you go? Punk says if this is to be made official, let’s make it all official! Punk is entering the Royal Rumble! And WHEN Punk wins the Rumble, maybe it is Rollins Punk comes after! Punk drops the mic as he thrwos down the gauntlet! Will Punk win it all and make WrestleMania into Clobbering Time?
The Viking Raiders and Bronson Reed speak.
Sarah tells “Big” Bronson Reed that the Norse gods have spoken, and Bronson will be the sacrificial lamb that awakens the beast within “The One True Warrior,” Ivar! And Ivar says the first time, they were stopped before Ivar could destroy Bronson. But let those wounds be a warning, for tonight, Ivar puts Bronson down in agonizing defeat!
But Auszilla tells Ivar that he is not some chosen one. You think those useless guardsa nd suits were out there to stop them? They were there to save Ivar from Bronson! This time, no one is going to save Ivar! This won’t be Clash of the Titans! Tonight is a Viking FUNERAL! These kaiju collide once again, will anything be left standing?
Bronson Reed VS Ivar w/ Sarah Logan!
Raw returns and Ivar makes his entrance, “Valhalla” leading the way. The bell rings and the behemoths RAM each other! Ivar BOOTS Bronson, puts him in a corner and fires off elbow after elbow! The ref counts, Ivar lets off with a roar, and he runs, but into a BODY CHECK! Bronson runs to ELBOW DROP! Bronson fires haymakers on Ivar in a corner, then CHOPS! Bronson whips corner to corner hard and Ivar tumbles up and down the corner! Sarah coaches Ivar and he slowly rises. Bronson HEADBUTTS Ivar, Ivar ROCKS Bronson! Bronson ROCKS Ivar back, the haymakers fly! Bronson then fireman’s carries!
Ivar fights free, shoves Bronson but Bronson dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! Ivar bails out on one end, Bronson goes out the other. They stand, glare at each other, and they roar as they run in around the corner! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES bring both men down!! The fans are all fired up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and the forearms are flying back and forth! Fans rally up with “MEET! MEET!” as the lariats go back and forth! Bronson SUPERKICKS, runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bronson flounders to a corner, Ivar runs in, but Bronson avoids the Bronco Buster! And now Bronson goes up top! But Ivar UPPERCUTS first! Bronson goes to the apron, Ivar fires hands then LARIATS Bronson down! Ivar then goes up!? SUPER CANNONBALL!! Fans are thunderous and Sarah is loving this! Ivar puts Bronson back in, goes to another corner and climbs again. But Bronson hurries up to CLUB Ivar!
Bronson throws hands on Ivar, climbs up after him, but Ivar throws hands! Bronson hits back, they brawl, and Ivar CHOPS! CHOPS! Bronson HEADBUTTS! Bronson goes to the very top, brings Ivar up with him, for a SUPERSIZED SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Cover, BRONSON WINS!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
There wasn’t a Tsunami or Ragnarok, but this battle took a lot out of both monsters! Bronson wins this round, but is this only one battl ein a war?
CM Punk finds Judgment Day backstage.
Punk says hey and asks them where Rhea is. Hah, funny guy. But welcome to their show, Punk. And just between everyone here, they’re kinda hoping it’s Punk who finishes his story around here. Because if he does, Priest will be the one waiting. Have a good night. Judgment Day leaves to go to the ring, will they handle business like Mami wants? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns with The Judgment Day in the ring.
Everyone has mics, and Priest starts by saying he can’t help but feel the need to remind everyone just who they are! ALL RISE for the Judgment Day! Finn says, “And ALL RISE for the only two-time Undisputed Tag Team Champs, Damian Priest & Finn Balor! So Cleveland, the Judgmetn Day are in town. Step up, and get put down.” Priest says they have a simple message for every WWE superstar, and that is it doesn’t matter if you’ve already beem dealt with, it doesn’t matter if you’re returning, and it doesn’t matter if you’re new like The Creeds, you’re ALL officiall put on notice!
Dom starts and fans boo even harder. McDonagh says it’s alright, and Dom says The Creeds- Wait, Truth shows up? Fans cheer as Truth and his Christmas lights are here. Truth went by the clubhouse to do some decorating and they went and got a lock for the front AND back doors! How y’all gonna have a holiday party and he don’t get an invitation? McDonagh shouts at Truth that this isn’t a party he’s walking into! And even if it was, Truth wouldn’t be invited! Priest has JD calm down. But Truth, c’mere, Priest wants to hear what you have to say. Fans cheer as Truth joins the guys in the ring.
Truth says hold on, y’all. He has a lot of ideas he wants to share to help the group out. Can he? Finn says let’s hear ’em. Truth says first, he thinks they gotta kick JD out. Dom keeps JD back while everyone else laughs, even Finn. Truth says no one likes JD! And second, DP, you gotta stop calling yourself the boss. No, no, you are a fantastic boss, Truth likies you as the boss, but it makes Mami mad. Mami getting upset and confused, we- Truth, no, man… You’re funny. Priest gets why everyone likes Truth. Finn likes him, too. Pretty sure everyone in Cleveland likes Truth. Truth says, “WASSUP!” “WASSUP!” Everybody loves R-Truth!
Except Priest. Huh? Priest CLOBBERS Truth! And then JD fires off! Dom and Finn join in, but here come The Creeds! Fans cheer as Julius & Brutus rush in, fight the Judgment Day, but they’re getting mugged 4v2! Julius gets thrown ou, JD & Dom go after him while Finn & Priest focus on Brutus! JD & Dom double whip but Julius reverses that to DOUBLE NORTHERN LIGHTS! Fans fire up as now Julius gets at Finn! Finn whips, Julius reverses and TOSSES Finn out, to then DROPKICK him down! Priest choke grips Julius, then Brutus! But Brutgus braeks free to SMASH! And then the Creeds DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER!
The Judgment Day bails out and regroups to fall back! They’re furious, Dom says he told them how they’ve gotta be careful! Priest says he gets it. Will Prince & Punisher have to game plan for Julius & Brutus?
CM Punk comes across McIntyre backstage.
McIntyre says he doesn’t care about Punk’s story, or Cody’s story. He wants to finish his story. And they got it figured out, didn’t they, Pearce? Yes they did. McIntyre leaves and Pearce honestly thought McIntyre would be happier. But it’s nothing Punk did. McIntyre is getting his World Heavyweight Championship match with Seth Rollins on the “Day One” edition of Monday Night Raw. Well good for him. And then Kofi Kingston is here! Punk says Jamaican him crazy! No, man, he doesn’t do that anymore. But good to see ya. Gable & Ricochet are there, too, to say hey. Punk says he has heard a lot about them both, such as Ricochet is bad at video games.
Punk says he’ll catch up more later, he’s gotta lots to do. Pearce is happy Kofi, Gable & Ricochet are all here now, because he has an idea involving the Intercontinental Championship. They can all talk about it in his office. All three walk in and they’re ready for whatever this idea might be. But what will this idea be for it to involve all these former champions?
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell!
It’s party time! KC Squared won big last week, will they keep winning big until they get their shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships? Or will the Poison Pixie & #IndiWrestling simply get in the way?
Raw returns and Chelsea & Piper are on commentary as Candice & Indi make their entrance. The teams sort out and Indi starts against Carter. They tie up, Indi headlocks and Carter powers out. Indi runs her over, does her own hip swivel, but Carter trips Indi! Carter shows Indi how it’s done, then dropkicks her! Carter runs up in the corner, SPLASHES and tags in Chance. Indi shoves Carter away, then shoves Chance, but Chance & Carter dosido. Chance trips Indi, Carter BOOTS! Chance slingshot SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Chance drags Indi up but Indi lifts! Chance sunset flips but Indi stays up!
Indi drags Chance up, takes a swing, but Chance dodges and combines with Carter for SILLY STRING RANA! Candice tags in, Indi BOOTS Chance but Carter SUPERKICKS Indi! Candice blocks the superkick to trip and STEP-UP SENTON! cover, ONE!! Chelsea is upset with Maggle roasting her over last week’s scuffle. We also see Natty & Nox watching backstage, having lost last week to KC Squared. Candice whips Carter to the corner, runs in to back body block, then tags in Indi. Feed to the half nelnson and GUTBUSTER, then BACKBREAKER NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, Chance breaks it!
Candice throws Chance out, Indi whips Carter, Carter dodges the boot and comes back, into a SPINEBUSTER! Tag to Candice, and they set up, wheelbarrow SPLASH onto knees! Indi is flustered, she hurries to wheelbarrow Carter, but Carter victory rolls and SUPERKICKS! Tag to Chance, she goes up, for the AFTER PARTY!! Cover, KC Squared win!
Winners: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance, by pinfall
Chelsea is upset, saying the fans only care about the champions, aka her and Piper! And these titles are NOT for KC Squared! But will Carter & Chance look to change that when they get their chance?
#DIY talks backstage.
Johnny Gargano has the Cleveland Browns NFL Legacy title, and says it is Victory Monday! Big Browns win, Gargano smashed the guitar, and he is here in his hometown! Ciampa loves the sound of all that, but uh… Can DIY trust “him?” Gargano doesn’t like it any better, and he wants the match anyway. Imperium walks in and Ludwig says this is interesting. All day, they’ve heard about this mystery partner. Who would possibly team up with DIY? So tell us, who is this mystery man? Oh, they shouldn’t worry about that. Worry about what Der Ring General will say when Imperium disappoints him, again.
They argue about this, but Gunther walks in. He smirks, and says they’re very confident. Good luck. But he doubts they’ll find someone who wants to publicly associate with two “weirdos” like them. Imperium heads out, but will the answer be more obvious than they think?
Becky Lynch is here!
The Land fires up as The Man heads to the ring! Becky gets a mic to say, “The Man has come around to Cleveland! And I’ll cut to the chase, I’ve come out here to call out Nia Jax.” They’ve never gone 1v1, but the last five years, they’ve been linked together because of this. Flashback to November of 2018, the huge brawl between Team Raw and Team SmackDown, and the right hand from Nia that broke Becky’s nose giving us the iconic moment of bloody Becky becoming “The Man.” Becky says it may be petty, but well, she’s petty!
Considering the last five years, nearly everyone else has tried to use that moment as a burn on Becky, it is time to get to the root of the problem. The last five years, they’ve kept missing each other. Becky went on to main event WrestleMania, Nia went on to get double ACL surgery because Nia is so unlikeable, even her own knees won’t stand up for her. Then Becky had a baby, Nia got fired, but now it’s 2023, they’re both here and- Well, Nia actually makes her way out here! Fans boo as the Irresistible Force storms her way down to the ring.
Nia gets a mic for herself, says she’s not fired anymore, and is right here, in front of Becky, better than ever. And y’know, that punch? That was a lucky swing that almost ended Becky’s career. A lucky swing that Nia didn’t even get all of. But imagine if Nia had Becky right in front of her and punched with her full force. Becky wouldn’t even get up. And everyone’s so mad that Nia broke Becky’s face, but this is a contact sport. What else did Becky expect? Becky didn’t expect anything less. She doesn’t even hold it against Nia! Everyone knows Nia is the most dangerous in the ring. They’v all been injured, hospitalized, some almost had their careers ended.
And that is why people haven’t stopped talkinga bout Nia the two years she’s been gone. And ironically, talking about the careers she nearly ended, Becky has Nia to thank for hers. See, this is what Becky does hold against Nia. This is the narrative Becky needs to change. If it was just about the broken face, the people would’ve chedk out the moment the blood dried. But it is about what that night represents, what “The Man” represents. It is about getting knocked down, dusting yourself off and fighting like hell! Because that is what Becky has done her whole life, it is what she did that night and has done every since.
But Nia and her minions have been going around saying Becky isn’t a main event star. But then she proved them wrong! So they said Becky is only a star because of Nia. That is a lie! That lie needs to end, and if Becky can’t end the lie, then she’ll just end Nia! Fans fire up but Nia just laughs. She gets it. Becky needs Nia. Becky needs to prove that she isn’t just about that one moment. More importantly, Becky needs to prove to herself that her career wasn’t just some accident after Nia broke her face. Otherwise, Nia will always be the woman who made The Man.
Becky says what she needs now is for Nia to shut the hell up. Because Becky didn’t just come here to talk, she came here looking for a fight! Fans fir eup as Becky puts the mic down and her hair up! She dares Nia to do that punch like she promised! Fans fire up, Nia is flustered, but Nia says Becky needs this a lot more than she does. Nia drops her mic and bails out. The fans boo, but will there be no running from this forever?
Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.
Jackie Redmond wants to start with the news that CM Punk has officially signed with Raw. Cody says congrats to Pearce for getting it done. Cody is happy for the fans, for USA Network, and for Punk. But Royal Rumble is right around the corner. Can’t finish two stories at once, so certainly Cody and Punk will clash. Then to tonight. After last week, what is going through Cody’s mind as he prepares for Nakamura? Cody says if we strip this back, had Nakamura not misted Cody in the eyes, Cody would be much more excited to talk about this first-ever match.
Nakamura is a former Royal Rumble winner, is a former champion, and has a 14 year legacy in Japan before he ever came here. But what Cody has discovered for himself is that Nakamura is vicious. And that is okay by Cody. Got a problem? Cody knows where to solve it. It is Monday Night Raw here in Cleveland, Ohio! Stardust debuted here, did you know that? Talk about Undesireable to Undeniable! But Nakamura says Cody asked for this? Damn right he did. Cody heads out, will the American Nightmare be able to trump the King of Strong Style?
Six Man Tag: Imperium VS #DIY & ???
Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci have been a bit curt with each other over both trying to impress Gunther time and again. But will they all be united against their common enemies and their mystery man? Who is the third man, brother? We find all of that out, after the break!
Raw returns as Gargano & Ciampa make their entrance. And then their partner is… THE MIZ! Another Cleveland star is here, and he’s way more excited about it than Gargano or Ciampa. But they all go to the ring, the teams sort out, and Gargano starts against Vinci. Fans rally for “Johnny Wrestling!” but then Gunther tags in. The Intercontinental Champion smirks as Miz gets all fired up now. Miz reaches out, but then Gunther CLOBBERS Gargano! Fans boo as Gunther drags Gargano away, wrenches and CHOPS! Tag to Ludwig and Ludwig bumps Gargano off buckles. Ludwig talks trash, then UPPERCUTS!
Ludwig bumps Gargano off buckles, tag sVinci, and they argue. Gunther tells them to stop already. Vinci brings Gargano up but Gargano fires off forearms! Vinci knees low, CLUBS Gargano, and scoops, but Gargano slips free to waistlock. Vinci elbows free, Ciampa tags in! Gargano dodges a boot, ROCKS Vinci, Ciampa CHOPS, Gargano CLUBS, CIampa JAWBREAKERS! Ciampa runs while gargano clinches Vinci, feed to the LARIAT! Fans fire up and Miz cheers. Ciampa taunts Gunther, whips Vinci, but Vinci reverses. Ciampa dodges but Ludwig dumps Ciampa out! Fans boo as Gunther goes out to BOOT Ciampa!
Fans boo more as Imperium stands tall over Ciampa. Miz and Gargano coach Ciampa up but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Ciampa CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Ludwig! Lludwig shoves Ciampa away, then fireman’s carries on the rebound, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Tag to Gunther and he smirks at Miz and Gargano as he stands between them and Ciampa. Gunther pushes Gargano then BOOTS Miz! Ciampa fires hands while Gargano checks Miz. Ciampa reaches out, Gunther keeps him from Gargano, and knees low! Tag to Vinci and builds speed, Gunther sets Ciampa up for the CROSSBODY! Vinci stomps Ciampa in the corner, taunts Gargano, then runs in, but only gets buckles! Ciampa hurries, hot tag to Gargano!
Fans fire up as Gargano BOOTS Ludwig and CLOBBERS Vinci! ENZIGURI for Ludwig! forearm for Vinci! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! Fans fire up with Gargano, then he runs in at Ludwig. Ludwig puts him on the apron but Gargano GAMANGIRIS back! And SLINGSHOT SPEARS! Cover, Vinci breaks it! Fans boo but Vinci & Ludwig regroup. Vinci runs in but Gargano dodges, Vinci’s knee hits buckles and he tumbles up and out! Gargano BOOTS Ludwig, goes up and leaps, into an UPPERCUT! Ludwig fireman’s carries, but Gargano slips free to SUPERKICK! Fans fire up while both men are down, and Miz rises!
Gargano and Ludwig crawl, hot tags to Gunther and Miz! The A-Lister dodges to fire off haymakers on Gunther! The fans fire up as Miz hammers away in the corner! The ref backs Miz off but he runs corner to corner, A-LIST LARIAT! The fans fire up with Miz, he GAMANGIRIS Gunther, then springboards to CROSSBODY! And he rains down more fists! Miz BOOTS Gunther and Gunther goes to ropes! The fans fire up as Miz KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Miz then powers up, runs in, but Gunther blocks a kick to CHOP Miz down! And right into a BOSTON CRAB!! Ciampa KNEES Gunther down!
Ciampa hobbles, but Vinci & Ludwig get in, HIGH LOW!! They kick Ciampa out, but Gargano and Miz are up! They dodge Imperium to DOUBLE TILT-O-WHIRL DDT!! The Cleveland boys are all fired up but then Gunther BOOTS Gargano! Miz DRAGON SCREWS Gunther, steps through, and has the FIGURE FOUR! The fans are thunderous as Gunther flails! Gunther endures, reaches out, Ludwig gets in but Gargano catches him, LA MYSTICA into GargaNO Escape!! Vinci reaches out ot tag in! MACHO ELBOW on Miz! Vinci stomps Gargano then reels Miz in! POWER- NO, Miz slips free, slips around, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, MIZ & DIY WIN!!
Winners: #DIY & The Miz, by pinfall
The Land rejoices as their hometown hero wins this one for the team! Will this momentum help Miz & DIY get after the gold?
Imperium regroups backstage.
Gunther chews Ludwig & Vinci out, but then turns around to see The Miz. Miz says he wants his title match. Gunther says Miz is a pain in the… Well, fine, but under one condition. If Gunther beats Miz again, Miz can NEVER challenge for this title again while Gunther is champion! Done. Gunther chuckles and grins while Miz takes his leave. Will Miz’s next chance be his last chance?
Cody Rhodes VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
The American Nightmare being the catalyst to the King of Strong Style’s transformation is certainly an interesting angle to take. There are parallels in their stories, but there are also major differences. Will it be those differences that help Cody be one step closer to finishing his story? Or will Nakamura take the pen from him and write his own ending?
Raw returns and Cody makes his entrance. Fans sing the song, “WHOA~ OH!” and Cody gives his weight belt to a young fan and his parents in the front row. Cody gets in the ring, “WHOA~ OH!” and the pyro goes off. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Cody headlocks. Cody hits a takeover, Nakamura headscissors but Cody kips free. The two reset, Nakamura kicks Cody’s hand away but Cody comes back. They knuckle lock, Nakamura kicks low, wrenches and wristlocks, but Cody puts him on the ropes. The fans rally behind Cody, the ref counts and Cody lets off, egging Nakamura on.
Nakamura gets in Cody’s face, but Cody kicks low, drops but Nakamura avoids the uppercut! Cody avoids the Penalty Kick, things speed up and Cody DROPKICKS! Cody then drags Nakamura up to a corner, and climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count along all the way to TEN! Cody then hops down to hip toss Nakamura away and he goes up. But Nakamura trips Cody up! TOP SHELF KNEE! Cody flops to the apron, Nakamura runs to BASEBALL SLIDE! Cody hits the floor and Nakamura soaks up the heat as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nakamura gives Cody BAD VIBRATIONS! Then he stomps away! The ref counts, Nakamura lets off, and he drags Cody up. Cody throws body shots, Nakamura snapmares and drops a knee! Cover, TWO! Nakamura brings Cody up, Cody throws hands and he CLUBS Nakamura. Cody runs but Nakamura GAMANGIRIS! Nakamura then wraps on a chinlock. Cody endures, fights up, and fans rally. Cody throws elbows and body shots, but Nakamura throws a knee! Nakamura clinches, REVERSE EXPLODE, but Cody lands on his feet! Cody kicks low, drops and RHODES UPPERCUT!
Cody springboards, but into an ARMBAR!! Nakamura pulls, Cody clasps hands, and then they roll! Cody drag sleepers, but Nakamura drops down to drag Cody down again! ARMBAR!! Cody flails, reaches out, claws at the legs and moves around again. Cody kicks his way over to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Nakamura lets go, and Cody goes to a corner. Nakamura runs in, blocks Cody’s boots and puts him in the ropes! SLIDING GERMAN! Nakamura grins as he returns into the ring, and he goes up a corner. Cody rises, into the FLYING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Nakamura is furious but he goes to the other corner.
Nakamura aims, runs in, but Cody dropkicks the legs out! Cody hurries to get that leg, and he DRAGON SCREWS it! Nakamura flounders, goes to the apron, but Cody drags him up. Cody has the leg, to DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Nakamura is stuck in the ropes, so Cody drags him back up. Cody suplexes but Nakamura fights it! Cody still tries, and he gets Nakamura up for the GOURD BUSTER! Cody grabs the leg, pulls on it, and he turns Nakamura over! HALF CRAB! Nakamura endures, flails, reaches out, crawls his way forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! Cody lets go in frsutration and Nakamura bails out.
Cody builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and both men hit barriers! The fans fire up again while Raw goes back to break!
Raw returns once again and Nakamura ENZIGURIS Cody! Cody staggers, but he ducks the roundhouse! DOUBLE LARIATS collide and both men are down again! The fans fire up and rally as Cody stirs. Nakamura sits up, Cody goes after him with a forearm! Nakamura forearms in return! Cody hits back, Nakamura hits again! They go back and forth, the fans behind Cody. They go faster and faster, then Nakamura gets the edge! Strike fest! Nakamura runs, Cody follows and CLOBBERS him! Cody then goes to a corner, baits Nakamura in, and goes up and over to then SPIN POWERSLAM!
Fans fire up as Cody rises again, and he gets the leg! Cody steps through but Nakamura drags him down into a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Cody flails but he’s caught in body scissors! Cody fights the sleeper, moves around, and he stands up with Nakamura as a backpack. Cody BACKPACK SENTONS! Fans fire up as Cody is free, huffing and puffing. Cody drags Nakamura up, runs, and BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cover, TWO! Cody dares Nakamura to get up, and Nakamura rises, into JAB! JAB! JAB! Flip, flop, fly and BIONIC ELBOW! Cody roars and the fans fire up again! Cody runs again, CODY CUTTER!!
Cody is all fired up and the fans are thunderous! Cody drags Nakamura up, dragon sleepers, CROSS- NO, Nakamura slips out, and RED MISTS!!! The ref calls it!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification
But Nakamura doesn’t care, he throws KNEE after KNEE into Cody’s side! Then he kicks and stomps Cody around! The ref gets Nakamura to back off, but Nakamura then shoves Cody! Cody comes back and swings wild! Nakamura dropkicks a leg out! BLINDSIDE KINSHASA!! Fans boo and the ref reprimands but Nakamura grins with the red still in his teeth. Wait, Nakamura then gets a chair! Fans boo as Nakamura gets in the ring with it, but more refs are here. The Creeds rush out! Nakamura leaves, the refs get Cody a towel and some water, but will Cody still be seeing red as he looks for revenge on Nakamura?
The Creeds help Cody out of the ring, then refs help Cody up the ramp. But Nakamura returns to KINSHASA Cody down!! The fans boo but the King of Strong Style is deaf to them. Will nothing stop Nakamura from making this his story?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of Raw, and of course Punk “signs” with Raw. Because of course he and Rollins interact to tease their feud, and Punk entering the Rumble. And Drew McIntyre beats Jey in an awesome opening match, with a very clever Heel way to win. McIntyre gets to face Rollins on “Day One 2024” Raw, no idea if that is when McIntyre wins the title, but between McIntyre, both Punk and Cody in the Rumble, and Priest still Senor MITB, it definitely feels like Rollins has the walls closing on him. Which in a way, that’s how it should be for the Face champ, or any champ really.
Chelsea is starting to feel that, as Carter & Chance are building momentum with a great win against Indi & Candice tonight. Natty & Nox were still watching, too, but we still need input from SmackDown’s side in the form of Fyre & Dawn making their presence known again. Great promos from Becky and Nia to hype up their coming match, with Nia of course backing down per usual Heel tactics. That match is going to be great for the story, but I can’t see them stretching this out for over a month just so it can interweave with Royal Rumble. Nia VS Becky 1v1 needs to happen on that Day One Raw, and then maybe fallout is explored in the Rumble.
Bronson VS Ivar was awesome stuff, too, especially with the finish not being anyone’s finisher but just a super heavyweight superplex. I hope we get more of this, with special stipulations like Falls Count Anywhere or Last Man Standing. I also like that there’s something cooking for the Intercontinental Championship with Kofi, Gable and Ricochet being involved. Imperium VS DIY & Miz was great stuff, as I knew Miz would join DIY against Imperium, their common enemies. Miz going for that last chance match, he’s definitely losing that to force him out of the story and bringing Pearce’s match idea in.
Great stuff out of Judgment Day tonight. For one, McDonagh’s shirt specifically added his name to the team via tape and pen. The tensions are running high as Rhea and Priest have their comments about who is/isn’t leading the team, and of course Truth is amazing no matter what he does. The Judgment Day does agree on beating Truth down, though, and Rhea squashes Maxxine, but it seems Diamond Mine is ready to take them all one as we’re getting Priest & Finn VS Creeds and more than likely getting Rhea VS Ivy. Diamond Mine is going to have awesome showings in those matches, but I don’t see them winning any of the titles just yet.
And then a great main event from Cody VS Nakamura. Both guys had great promos tonight, this match was great, and I didn’t see that red mist happening. Creeds making the save was an interesting move, too, but I suppose with Sami injured, Jey getting beat hard by McIntyre and Rollins not really his friend, there wasn’t gonna be anyone else to save him. At this point, I expect Nakamura to enter the Rumble to not just try and win it but to make sure Cody doesn’t. If anything, making sure Cody doesn’t win might be more important to Nakamura than winning, given how he just threw this match to beat Cody down.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHIÂ FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHASÂ but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKONÂ feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Another Harbaugh Bowl Incoming
Josh Allen and the Bills deal KC their first loss of the season but, is this Buffalo team now favorites...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Who’s Your Fav Ninja Turtle?
Every team has now played more than half of their schedule and Tunney and Balaz got you covered as we...
Hockey Talk- The Hall Finally Calls [111224]
Hockey Talk celebrates Jeremy Roenick finally getting inducted into the Hall of Fame 16 years after his last game and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Are The Lions Better Than The Chiefs?
With Rey Cash out on assignment, Andrew and PC take you through Weapon and Dumbass of the week along with...
Hockey Talk- Capital Gains [110524]
Hockey Talk looks at the surprising Washington Capitals and their captain, Alex Ovechkin, as he draws closer to the goal...
Bandwagon Nerds #263: Dawn Patrol
BWN continues its coverage of Game 7 featuring the 1987 Stanley Cup Final between the Oilers and Flyers, plus Star...
Bandwagon Nerds #262: Curse of the Great Bambino
BWN begins its coverage of Game 7 featuring the 2003 ALCS clash between the Yankees and Red Sox, plus MCU...
Bandwagon Nerds #261: Flying Figgity
The Bandwagon begins its 6th year by concluding its review of Agatha All Along and mulling over the question of...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (10/31/24)
IT'S TIME!
Hockey Talk- Jet Setters [102924]
Hockey Talk looks at the red-hot start to the season of the Winnipeg Jets and discusses how the defending champion...
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (11/20/24)
Dynamite is Freshly Squeezed!
Greg DeMarco Show: Looks That Kill
Patrick O'Dowd went to Arizona and he and Greg had themselves an extended weekend with IZW Looks That Kill!
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/19/24)
It's Tag Season again!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (11/19/24)
There's a lot on the line tonight!
Classic POD is WAR: What Is Thank You Alex Trebek? (111220)
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (11/18/24)
It's a BIG night!
#TheOddity 018: That’s Alot Of Chalamets
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! (11/16/24)
Championship or Bust!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Posthumously? Really??
Smash or Trash is back this week as the guys are talking beverages! Plus, some thoughts on the Mike Tyson/Jake...
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (11/15/24)
Ricochet is on a Rampage!
