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
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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