Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/15/24)
Will Rollins hinder Jinder?
The World Heavyweight Championship is Raw!
They’ve battled for the NXT and Intercontinental Championships before, but now Seth Rollins and Jinder Mahal battle for THE World Heavyweight title! Who wins the epic third part of the trilogy?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- #DIY VS Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh; DIY wins.
- Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven; Candice & Indi win.
- Xavier Woods VS Ludwig Kaiser; Ludwig wins, by disqualification.
- Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri VS Ivar w/ Sarah Logan; Tozawa wins.
- Finn Balor & Damian Priest w/ Judgment Day VS The Miz & R-Truth; Finn & Priest win.
- Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark VS Tegan Nox & Natalya; Shayna & Stark win.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins VS Jinder Mahal w/ Indus Sher; Rollins wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE celebrates the life and honors the memory of Martin Luther King Jr.
His dream for America and the world lives on today, so long as we choose to live that dream.
Seth Rollins shows his daughter around backstage.
The Visionary may be preparing for his World Heavyweight Championship defense, he’s still a good father showing Roux the sights and sounds of the WWE.
Cody Rhodes is here!
Little Rock, Arkansas is covered in snow tonight, but they are heating up for the American Nightmare! The fans chant for Cody while he gets the mic, and he says, “So, Little Rock… What do you guys wanna talk about?” There’s a song about Little Rock, and his wife Brandi loves it. They could talk about that song, or about Cody fighting and defeating Shinsuke Nakamura last week. Or we could talk about the reason he is standing here. The reason Cody came back to the WWE, the thing Cody came back to the WWE for. The Royal Rumble is right around the corner, and he- is interrupted by Drew McIntyre!
The Scottish Terminator makes his way out to the ring, and though he brings the fire, he sure gets a chilly reception from Little Rock. McIntyre storms into the ring and grabs a mic of his own. Fans boo but McIntyre says, “So, Cody… What do you wanna talk about?” McIntyre says he and Cody haven’t had a chance to catch up. They go way back. They grew up in the WWE together. Same age, similar career paths, so McIntyre wants to say this to Cody’s face, he’s proud of Cody. Proud of the man Cody’s become, the performer he’s become, and looking back at how far they’ve both come, they were practically kids, 23 to 24 years old.
McIntyre and Cody were even WWE Tag Team Champions together! Google that to find it. Remember the name? Cody says, “The Dashing Ones.” Yes! TO think they didn’t go to the top with that name. But the reason they didn’t go to the top is that at the time, they didn’t have the perspectives they have now. They both saw themselves as top singles guys. They both had to leave the WWE to get their heads screwed on right and get that perspective. And they weren’t any ordinary wrestlers outside the WWE, were they? No, they redefined what it meant to be outside the WWE, they laid out a blueprint!
They became verbs! To pull a Drew, to pull a Cody! To become become so undeniable that the WWE called them back! But remember the last match McIntyre had before he returned to the WWE? It was with Cody. And he remembers what Cody said after that match. Cody told Drew he was gonna be a future world champion. McIntyre’s done it twice. So McIntyre will say it here in front of the world. We’ve seen what people have said. The gifs, the jokes, but screw it. Put your head down, keep doing what you’re doing, and you will be the first member of the Rhodes family to hold up the world championship. Fans cheer that!
Cody seems touched by those words as McIntyre says Cody will finish his story. But not before McIntyre finishes his. Cody says, “Is that so?” McIntyre has declared for the Rumble, Cody’s declared for the Rumble. So yeah, McIntyre could win. Jey Uso could win. A man who is very hungry and who wants to solidify his legacy in one CM Punk could win. Fans fire up for those names, but Cody says he doesn’t plan on letting that happen, but here’s the thing. They’ve both stood and won the Rumble, so you can’t count anyone out. McIntyre says this isn’t about anyone else, this is about him and Cody.
And since Cody’s following in McIntyre’s footsteps, McIntyre has some advice for Cody. “Just be yourself, man. You don’t have to wear the suits all the time. You’re not running for office. You don’t have to use all the big words like a thesaurus or a word-of-the-day toilet paper. And the biggest of one all, just don’t smile all the time. You’ve got that big dumb smile, and I can say that because I did it, too! I felt like even when I was angry, frustrated, sad, I had to be that beacon of light for the roster, I had to be that leader, I had to put that big dumb smile on my face. Wipe it off, mate. Be the real Cody.
“And if anybody has an issue with the real Cody, they can step up to you and you can drop them on their arse.” Cody says if we’re talking about stepping up… Cody steps up to McIntyre and assures him, this is not an act. Cody smiles when he comes out here because this is what he loves. HE appreciates the opportunities that he’s got because he made them for himself. They are similar, yes, but the major difference right now is Cody is thankful, grateful, and he cherishes his second chance while McIntyre just stands here complaining about his. Oh, so this is the real Cody, huh? Is he a wolf in politician’s clothing?
If not, then why they hell would Cody bring Jey to Raw, knowing the trouble it’d cause? Is that some “friends close and enemies closer” stuff? Or what about endorsing Punk? Cody knows what Punk’s like! Cody was there back in the day, and he was alongside Punk a bit more recently, so Cody should know! Is this to make Cody happy? Or to make everyone else happy? McIntyre doesn’t like Cody being a kiss-arse, but McIntyre still does like Cody, and he wishes this conversation wasn’t happening. But if not for Damian Priest being an idiot cashing in when he did, McIntyre would be World Champion so he and Cody wouldn’t be talking like this, but they are.
So then, Cody is just standing in McIntyre’s way. And like Punk learned, you will get eaten alive. McIntyre is on a different level. When he feels like this, when he is 100% himself, he’s not what is best for business, he IS this business! And at WrestleMania, the story belongs to Drew McIntyre! Cody says “IF IF IF!” If not for Priest, if not for Jey, that’s all it is with McIntyre! IF IF IF! They’re not the same, McIntyre is brimming with grievances and he wants that for Cody. But the difference is, when Cody thinks about it, when he speculates on finishing the story, he doesn’t look at McIntyre. He looks right here, in his heart, and out there to the crowd.
The fans cheer, and Cody says IF McIntyre wants to settle this in the Rumble match, then Cody will gladly give McIntyre something else to complain about. And McIntyre mentioned their “last match” they had, the last one between just them. Here’s something Cody wants to ask McIntyre: Who won? Cody drops the mic and heads out, leaving McIntyre stewing. There are so many stories on this road to WrestleMania, but who will be holding the pen?
Damian Priest confronts R-Truth backstage.
Priest asks Truth just what is wrong with him. He’s a funny guy and all, but now he’s selling modified Judgment Day merch in the parking lot?! At some point, it’s no longer funny. This is embarrassing! Truth says no, man, it’s wholesale, flipping it, and retail! No, stop! Enough is enough! But then Truth gives Priest a fat stack. That’s his cut! Every member gets their cut. Truth even has ones for “Tom and Nick.” Tom and Nick? Yeah, is Nick okay? Truth can’t find him on Facebook. Priest says fine, sell the merch, just don’t be too loud about it. The rest of the crew is really not happy with Truth. Got it, dawg!
And one last thing. In tonight’s match, don’t tag in. Don’t? Don’t. Ohhh…! Gotcha, wink wink. He won’t tag in. Here, take a shirt for the road. Wink wink. Priest may have just put the fix in, but will it fix the problems going on inside Judgment Day?
#DIY VS Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh!
Speaking of Judgment Day, Tommaso Ciampa got a win over Finn Balor last week, and now he and Johnny Gargano look to get another one together! Will they take down Dirty Dom & The Irish Ace to prove they’re worthy of an Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship match? Or will Dom & JD cross one problem off the list?
Raw returns as DIY makes their entrance. The teams sort out, and Johnny Wrestling has the fans behind him as he starts against the Necessary Evil. The two circle, feel things out, and tie up. JD wrenches, wristlocks, but Gargano rolls, wrenches and drop toeholds. JD scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, but Gargano lets off quick. The two reset, circle, and feel things out. JD shoots in to get a leg, trips Gargano, and rolls him to a facelock. Fans rally as Gargano endures, and Gargano rolls free to facelock back. Gargano rolls with JD to keep the facelock, then he gator rolls to a cover. TWO, and fans cheer as the two reset again.
Gargano and JD circle, feel things out, knuckle lock and JD wrenches to top wristlock! JD wrangles Gargano, but Gargano moves around. Gargano endures as JD leans on the hold, then JD shifts to grind the shoulder. Dom cheers but the fans rally for “Johnny Wrestling!” Gargano kips up but JD kicks low! JD whips, Gargano goes up and over and gets around to shove, dodge, and RANA! Fans fire up while JD bails out. Gargano builds speed but Dom dumps him out! Fans boo Dom but he revels in in. Only for Ciampa to DECK him! Fans fire up as Ciampa TORNILLO PLANCHAS! Direct hit, but then JD runs in!
Ciampa dodges JD, Gargano DIVES and sends JD over the desk! Fans fire up as DIY pats themselves on the back, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and JD looms over Ciampa now. JD stands Ciampa up, whips him to ropes, but Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER JD! Both men fall over in a daze and the fans rally up. JD brings Ciampa up and they start throwing forearms back and forth! The fans rally up behind Ciampa but JD whips again. Ciampa tags Gargano, slides under JD, CHOP and CLUB and JAWBREAKER into the wrench, whip and LARIAT! Fans fire up with DIY while JD sputters! Gargano drags JD up, CHOPS him against ropes, then whips. JD reverses, Gargano holds ropes and ELBOWS back! JD distracts the ref, Dom sucker punches Gargano!
Fans boo, JD runs to FALLING AX HANDLE! Tag to Dom and fans boo even harder as Dom rains down fists on Gargano! Dom flexes on Ciampa, then he stomps Gargano. Dom taunts Ciampa, ROCKS Gargano, then puts Gargano in the corner. Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” at Dom, but Dom throws hands. Tag to JD, and they mug Gargano. JD stomps away at the ropes, the ref reprimands, but JD lets off. Tag to Dom, he CLUBS away on Gargano with crossface forearms, then he clamps on a chinlock. The fans rally for Gargano as he endures, and Gargano fights up. Gargano throws body shots but Dom shoves him to the corner.
Gargano BOOTS back, RCOKS JD, then goes up and over Dom to schoolboy and KICK! Fans fire up as Gargano and Dom crawl, but JD hurries in! JD distracts the ref, he misses the hot tag to Ciampa! The fans boo as the ref says Ciampa has to get out! Dom stomps away on Gargano! JD gets some shots in, too! Fans boo as the Judgment Day gets away with that one, then Dom tags JD in. Dom & JD double whip but Gargano KICKS Dom away! Then Gargano DUMPS JD out! Then he SLINGSHOT SPEARS Dom down! The fans fire up as Gargano crawls over! Ciampa reaches out, but JD YANKS Ciampa down!
Fans boo as the Judgment Day isolates Gargano, and Dom DROPKICKS Gargano down! Cover, TWO! DIY is still in this as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again, things are speeding up! Ciampa rallies on Judgment Day and he clotheslines JD in a corner! Then he clotheslines Dom in another! Then back to JD! Then back to Dom! Fans fire up as Ciampa just keeps going, he ducks ‘n’ dodges Dom to DOUBLE LARIAT Dom AND JD! The fans are thunderous, Ciampa brings JD up to whip and back drop! JD flounders, Ciampa brings him back around, REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up, Ciampa drags JD up and underhooks, to FAIRY- NO, JD slips free to tag Dom! Ciampa runs in but only gets buckles! JD trips Ciampa, Dom slingshot sentons!
Dom drags Ciampa up, JD joins in, and they double- NO, Gargano tackles JD! Ciampa cradles Dom, TWO!! Dom escapes, swings, but into a ripcord and HAYMAKER! Tag to Gargano, they coordinate for the BACK SUPLEX BOMB COMBO!! Cover, JD BREAKS IT! Fans boo but JD made it just in time! Ciampa ROCKS JD, JD ROCKS Ciampa, repeat! Ciampa gest the edge but JD kicks. Ciampa blocks to KNEE back, but JD HEADBUTTS! Gargano SUPERKICKS! Dom SUPERKICKS! Gargano DISCUS LARIATS!! All four men are down and Little Rock is thunderous with “This is Awesome!”
Ciampa and JD bail out, but Dom and Gargano crawl for the corners. Hot tags to Ciampa and JD, and JD dodges. Ciampa dodges, redirects, but JD SPANISH FLIES! JD drags Ciampa to a drop zone, goes up top, MOONSAULT! Cover, Gargano SUPERKICKS it apart!! Dom is back but Gargano fires off forearms! Dom ducks one to DROPKICK Gargano onto ropes! Dom dials it up while fans boo, but Gargano blocks the call! Ciampa KNEES Dom down to the floor!! JD is up, he shoves Ciampa into Gargano! Gargano falls out, JD rolls Ciampa with tights! TWO!! JD kicks and ripcords, but Ciampa SATELLITE DDTS!
Tag back to Gargano and DIY sets up! JD sits up while DIY MEET IN THE MIDDLE!! Cover, DIY WINS!
Winner: #DIY, by pinfall
And the momentum continues to build! Johnny Wrestling and the Sicilian Psycho are hunting down the Tag Team Champions, will The Prince & Punisher no longer be undisputed?
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell meet with Adam Pearce.
Speaking of tag titles, they’re talking about making 2024 their year. Pearce loves the energy, and he will- be interrupted by Chelsea Green & Piper Niven. Chelsea asks if Pearce even watches Raw. Well, she feels he doesn’t, because otherwise, he would’ve seen her pinning Kayden Carter, but that bum ref was the slowest counter ever. They should be fired for that. But Chelsea will take a rematch. Pearce says that ref is Eddie Arango, so respect him or change your tone. And as far as a rematch, that was their rematch, so too bad. But if they’re looking for a fight, Candice & Indi are looking for a chance, so how about this? These two teams, tonight!
Indi & Candice accept! And Indi says that count wasn’t slow, it got to two. Does Chelsea know how to count? Chelsea says she’ll show Indi who can count! Chelsea & Piper storm out, but will they have to move out of the way after tonight?
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven!
Raw returns as the Poison Pixie & #IndiWrestling make their entrance. The teams sort out, but Chelsea BOOTS Candice down! Piper CLUBS Indi, the ref reprimands, and hey it’s Eddie again! Piper CLUBS Indi, brings her around, and scoops to SHOULDER BUSTER! Fans boo but Chelsea & Piper soak up the heat. Piper BLASTS Candice off the apron, cobra clutches Indi, then tags in Chelsea. Ripcord and SLAP! Then LARIAT! Chelsea hurries to cover, ONE!! Chelsea pie faces Indi but Indi throws body shots. Chelsea CLUBS Indi, whips her, but Indi reverses to send Chelsea to the apron. UPPERCUT and- NO, Chelsea avoids the boot!
Chelsea drags Indi out to the apron, shoves her down, then PENALTY- NO, Indi ducks the kick to trip Chelsea! And now Indi BOOTS her! Fans cheer while Indi shoves Chelsea back in. Piper tags, and she dodges Indi to then block a kick. Piper HEADBUTTS, whips, and Indi hits buckles hard! Piper stomps Indi, goes up the corner, and she VADER BOMB FLOPS as Indi moves! Indi hurries, Kayden & Katana are watching as Indi hot tags Candice! Candice fires off on Piper, then kicks a leg out! ENZIGURI! Piper flops over, Candice step-up SENTONS! Then step-up SENTONS again! Chelsea runs in, but into a step-up CODE BREAKER SENTON COMBO!
Fans fire up as Candice then hurries to tag Indi back in. They work together, wheelbarrow SPLASH combo! Cover, Chelsea breaks it! Chelsea BOOTS Candice down, but Indi SPINEBUSTERS Chelsea! Piper wrenches Indi to scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Then Piper runs, Chelsea tags in but Indi avoids Piper’s basement crossbody! Indi WRECKS Piper, tags Candice, but Chelsea gets Indi’s arms! Indi powers out, sets Chelsea in ropes, and Candice LIONSAULTS!! Cover, Candice & Indi win!
Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by pinfall
Big wins all around for The Way! Will we see Candice & Indi hold tag titles up alongside Gargano & Ciampa? And with Kayden & Katana defending those titles on Friday, will they still be the ones Candice & Indi face?
Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser are backstage.
Imperium’s Ring General returns, what will he have to say about his 2024 plans as the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion ever?
Nia Jax speaks.
A highlight reel of her dominance plays, and to cap it off, the Irresistible Force says, “At the Royal Rumble, no one is beating me. Period.”
The Judgment Day regroups backstage.
Dom asks Rhea who she thinks Nia is referring to. Rhea says she’s gotta go address her division. She heads out as Priest walks in, they say hey, and Finn asks where Priest’s been. Where he’s been? Well, since he’s apparently the only one with issue over McIntyre running his mouth, he went to talk with Pearce about it. Any other questions? Yeah, JD has one: why aren’t they beating Truth down tonight? Y’know what, JD? Focus less on Truth and more on what happened tonight so it doesn’t happen again! Finn has Priest slow down. Is Priest actually defending Truth? No, man! Then what does Truth bring to the crew?
This is what: He earns money! Finn sees the fat stack and asks, “What is that?” This is just Priest’s cut. If he was them, he’d go find Truth and get their cuts. What about JD? Oh, who knows. JD’s name isn’t on the shirt. But seriously, though, let’s just focus on handing business. Priest and Finn fist bump, will they be able to handle the Awesome Truth?
Ludwig Kaiser is on stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen…! I demand all your gratitude, for the return of the longest reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion in history… Derrrr RING GENERAL…! GUUUUUUNTHER~!” Gunther steps out onto stage and leads the way to the ring, his reign now standing at 584 days. Gunther & Ludwig step into the ring, and Gunther gets the mic. Fans are torn having Gunther back, but Gunther is amused either way. Gunther eggs them on, Ludwig tells them to respect the champ, and Gunther says, “We are two weeks away from the Royal Rumble, and I can literally feel the desperation around this place.
“Well, I can literally smell the desperation around here. And since we’re in Arkansas, I think I can smell excrement, too.” Fans boo, but Gunther grins. Gunther says when he was away and observing what has unfolded, all he saw was his fellow superstars coming out here, arguing desperately about who will win the Royal Rumble and who will win at WrestleMania. So he had to come back and remind everyone about one thing: last year he entered the Rumble at number one, made it all the way to the end, and was one enemy away from winning! But the fans chant “CODY! CODY!” and Gunther says he lasted longer than any man in history before!
So this year, Gunther vows that the longest reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time will WIN the Rumble and main event WrestleMania! Fans boo but Gunther says enough about that. Now, he wishes to focus… on Ludwig. Oh? Gunther says let us take a moment to review what happened while Gunther was away. Last week was Kofi taking the fight to Ludwig, the match ending in a count-out draw, but Ludwig standing tall as he crushes Kofi against steel steps! Gunther tells Ludwig in the present, “What I saw there, I love to see that. You showed a side of you I always wanted to show you!
“You showed grit, you showed confidence, you showed courage! My friend, well done.” Gunther has Ludwig bring it in for a hug! Fans boo, but then the New Day’s music hits! Xavier Woods makes his way out here, and he has a mic to say, “No, no no no. Ludwig, you and I have a problem. Because last week, you took it ten steps too far when you dropkicked Kofi’s head into those steel stairs.” Woods talked with Kofi, and Ludwig is the reason Kofi is not here tonight. But unfortunately for Ludwig, Woods IS here. Woods is here to extract his pound of flesh, so tonight, this is what happens: Ludwig VS Woods.
Ludwig can step up, or maybe he has to ask Daddy Gunther for permission. Gunther smirks but fans chant, “Who’s Your Daddy?” Gunther offers the mic to Ludwig, and Ludwig accepts it. Ludwig then tells Woods, “So after you’ve seen what I did to Kofi last week, you’re really standing here right now and dare to challenge me? Woods, what I did to your friend last week was NOTHING compared to what I’m gonna do to you tonight! I will take your head, as well! I accept.” The Impeccable German then tries to take a cheap shot! Woods is ready as he RAMS into Ludwig, then dumps Ludwig out! Woods then FLYING LARIATS Ludwig from the apron!
Woods fires off on Ludwig, the fans fire up, but the ref backs Woods down! Woods goes into the ring, Little Rock cheers him on, and this match is going to happen, after Raw goes to break!
Xavier Woods VS Ludwig Kaiser!
Raw returns as the match is underway, and Woods has Ludwig in a corner. Woods CHOPS, then CHOPS, then CLUBS Ludwig to another corner. Woods fires off body shots and haymakers, the ref counts, but Woods lets off. Ludwig kicks low, then he LARIATS Woods down! Fans boo but Ludwig rains down fists! Ludwig lets off and storms around while fans boo again. Woods throws hands again but Ludwig bumps him off buckles. Ludwig CHOPS, then UPPERCUTS, then stomps! Woods fires hands, they scrap, Woods RAMS into the corner again and again! The ref counts, but Woods CHOPS again!
Ludwig comes back to CHOP! Woods CHOPS again! Ludwig UPPERCUTS, then stomps Woods down. The ref counts, Ludwig lets off, but Woods kicks him low! Ludwig smothers Woods in the corner, rains down fists, but lets off as the ref counts. The fans boo but Ludwig soaks it up. Ludwig brings Woods up but Woods throws hands. Ludwig shoves but Woods CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Ludwig sputters and goes to a corner, but comes right back to UPPERCUT Woods down! Cover, TWO! Ludwig smothers Woods into the mat, CLUBS away on him, then drags Woods around to rain down more fists.
Ludwig KICKS Woods in the back, pushes Woods around and talks trash. Woods SLAPS Ludwig back! Woods stands, runs up, and he SPLASHES! Woods climbs up to rain down fists! Ludwig slips out at five to CHOP BLOCK Woods down! Woods is stuck in the corner but Ludwig CHOKES him again! The ref counts, Ludwig lets off, and Woods sputters. Ludwig storms up on Woods, drags him up and claws at his face! The ref counts, Ludwig KICKS Woods back down! Ludwig eggs Woods on, pie faces him around, then digs his boots in! The ref counts, Ludwig lets off again, then runs up to PENALTY KICK!
Woods sputters and writhes, Ludwig covers, ONE!! The fans rally with “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” but Ludwig glares at them. Woods throws body shots and CHOPS in return! Ludwig kicks low, whips, but Woods CLOBBERS him! Fans fire up and Woods stands. Woods CHPOS, CHOPS and whips, but Ludwig puts Woods on the apron. Woods GAMANGIRIS! Woods steps in, into an UPPERCUT! And a LARIAT! Ludwig snarls as he storms up and brings Woods around. Ludwig POSTS Woods, then has him stuck in the ropes! Ludwig runs side to side to DROPKICK Woods to the floor! Fans boo but Ludwig stands tall as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Woods sputters on the apron. Ludwig taunts him as Woods drags himself up. Ludwig grabs at woods but Woods HOTSHOTS him back! And GAMANGIRIS! Woods steps in, TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up and Woods is feeling it! Woods has blood in his mouth but that might just be fueling him! Ludwig CHPOS, Woods CHOPS, repeat! Ludwig CHOPS and CHOPS but Woods CHOPS and forearms and repeat! The fans fire up as Woods fires off again and again and again! Woods hammers away in the corner! The fans are thunderous as Woods roars! Ludwig goes to ropes, Woods runs up to clothesline Ludwig up and out!
Woods builds speed and he WRECKS Ludwig with a dropkick! Deja vu as Ludwig goes up and over the desk! Woods roars, but Ludwig CHUCKS the armchair! Woods dodges it!! Woods CLUBS Ludwig onto the desk and throws more hands! But Ludwig fishhooks Woods’ mouth! The ref reprimands, Woods gets free to mule kick Ludwig! Woods has the armchair, and he SLAMS it onto Ludwig!!
Winner: Ludwig Kaiser, by disqualification
Fans boo but Woods doesn’t care anymore, he gets a steel chair! Fans fire up, Woods storms over, but Ludwig GAMANGIRIS the chair into Woods’ face!! Ludwig snarls as he again stands tall! But that isn’t enough, he drags Woods over to the steel steps! The ref says no, but Ludwig wants to do what he did to Kofi just last week! Ludwig runs in around the way, but Woods gets up to DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Woods now pulls the steps apart! Woods runs at Ludwig, the steps hit POST! Ludwig freaks out and runs away! Woods is denied his vengeance, but will he not stop until he’s torn Ludwig apart?
Bronson Reed speaks.
“There is a man right now who holds a championship in WWE who doesn’t realize that soon than later, it will belong to BIG BRONSON REED!” The Colossal Aussie is aiming for gold, but who does he mean? Will it matter once they’re hit with the Tsunami?
Backstage interview with Xavier Woods.
Byron Saxton finds him and apologizes for the timing, but where is Woods emotionally? Where do you think they are? You saw what happened last week, so Woods isn’t- LUDWIG ATTACKS!! Ludwig beats Woods down in an ambush, but then Jey Uso runs up! Ludwig backs off, refs rush in to keep this from exploding into another fight. Jey checks on Woods, is Main Event Jey gonna have to get Ludwig now?
Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri VS Ivar w/ Sarah Logan!
The Stamina Monster keeps wanting to go big in the New Year, but he just keeps getting his hopes (and himself) crushed! Will tonight be no different? Or will Tozawa find a way to stop the raid all by himself?
Raw returns and Ivar makes his entrance, “Valhalla” by his side. The bell rings and Ivar BOOTS Tozawa down! Tozawa writhes but Ivar says he already told him, “You’re a little man!” Ivar kicks Tozawa around, puts him in a corner and pie faces him over and over, The ref counts, Ivar lets off, but Tozawa SLAPS back! Fans fire up, Ivar snarls, but Tozawa dodges to SOBAT, spin, slide under and SCREW HIGH KICK! Ivar wobbles but he blocks the whip! Ivar whips, then pops Tozawa up, but Tozawa SATELLITE DDTS! The fans fire up and Tozawa rips his shirt open! Tozawa runs, but Ivar scoops to SPINNING SLAM!
Ivar runs to BASEMENT CROSSBODY! Ivar then drags Tozawa to the drop zone and he goes up the corner. Fans rally, Maxxine gets on the apron and pleads for him not to! She also distracts him a bit with that new jersey and matching shorts. Tozawa hurries to GAMANGIRI! Ivar wobbles, Tozawa goes up, SUPER SUNSET BOMB!! High stack, TOZAWA WINS!!
Winner: Akira Tozawa, by pinfall
But then Sarah CLOBBERS Maxxine for the distraction! Sarah puts Maxxine in the ring and smothers her! Tozawa runs in but Ivar HEEL KICKS him down! Sarah fishhooks Maxxine to stand her up, then POP-UP HEADBUTTS! Sarah DROPKICKS Maxxine out of the ring, and Ivar drags Tozawa back into the drop zone. Ivar climbs, and fans boo as he hits the DOOMSAULT!! Ivar crushes Tozawa after all, is this the end of Tozawa’s New Year’s Resolution?
CM Punk posts to Instagram!
“I think it’s time you asked me what I wanna talk about, American Nightmare.” The Best in the World wants to be face to face with Cody Rhodes next week in New Orleans, what will these two have to say before the Royal Rumble?
The Alpha Academy regroup backstage.
Chad Gable & Otis check on Tozawa & Maxxine, with the Creed Brothers there, too. Otis says Sarah & Ivar are cowards for doing that. Ivy Nile storms in and says enough! She talked to Pearce. Valhalla will pay for this. Ivy storms off again, Julius & Brutus following her, will the Diamond Pitbull take a bite out of Sarah Logan? As for Gable, he says he’s proud of Tozawa. Tozawa is on his way to graduating. But Ivar was a coward! Savage! Idiot! And next week, Ivar learns the difference between being a coward, and being an alpha! And Master Gable will be the one to teach him! Tozawa says arigato, will Gable be the one to finally stop the raid?
Rhea Ripley heads to the ring!
Just as she promised, the Women’s World Champion makes her way out to address her Women’s Division. Fans cheer for “Mami! Mami!” while Rhea gets the mic. Rhea then says, “I am so sick and tired of people like Nia Jax running their mouth and claiming that this is their division. This is MY division. That’s why this is MY championship.” The fans cheer that! Rhea says take this as a warning for whoever wins the Women’s Rumble. “If you decide to waste your WrestleMania, then I would advise you to choose me. But if you don’t wanna waste that opportunity of yours… Choose someone else.
“Because it’s gonna end up just like it did last year. Because Mami is always on top!” Fans cheer that, but then here comes Becky Lynch! Now fans cheer for The Man as she makes her way out here! Becky steps right into the ring to get a mic of her own. She and Rhea circle while fans cheer Becky on. Becky then says, “So here we stand. Two very different people with two very similar journeys. Two women from foreign lands who dreamt of coming here and becoming the very best to ever do it. Both spent years meandering, trying to figure it out. Both went from being afterthoughts at WrestleMania one year, to becoming the faces of the industry the next.”
Becky says there’s one major difference: One went on to win the main event of WrestleMania, the other did not. But there’s a reason for that: one of them has a natural ability and a finesse that is unmatched; they have the strength of a bear, the other has the heart of a lion, and a relentlessness and determination that is unmatched. So here we are, two of the very best to do it! But there is this thought, this voice in Becky’s head, this thing that is keeping her awake at night. It is asking and saying to Becky, “I think you might be better than me.” Rhea smirks at Becky, but Becky says she needs to prove that she’s not!
So to do that, Becky needs to take the title from Rhea. And to do that, Becky needs to win the Women’s Royal Rumble. To point at the sign. To declare at WrestleMania, it will be Mami VS The Man! Fans like the sound of that, but Rhea tells Becky, “There’s only one other person that wants you to win the Royal Rumble match more than yourself, and that’s me.” Rhea smiles as she says, “See you at WrestleMania.” The Eradicator wants to go Big Time, but will Becky make it through 29 other women to stay on the Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Jackie Redmond welcomes the World Heavyweight Champion and Rollins says, “OHHH~ Little Rock~, HAHAHA! It’s freezin’ cold, but welcome to Monday Night Rollins! HAHAHAHA~!” Yes, it is cold, Jackie can almost see Rollins’ breath. But she wants to ask, Rollins wants to bring this title into WrestleMania, and yet he is the one who asked for a match against Jinder Mahal. Why take the risk? Rollins says he has been World Heavyweight Champion for over 200 DAYS. With every single defense, Rollins gets stronger! He gets better! So the way he sees it, the only way he can do what he has set out to do is to continue to be who he is: a fighting champion! A workhorse champion!
Now as for Jinder, this ain’t their first dance. But this Jinder isn’t the same Jinder that Rollins beat to become the very first NXT Champion. No no no, this Jinder is a former WWE Champion! “This is the best version of Jinder Mahal, this is a deserving Jinder Mahal! And Jackie, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because I am a Visionary, I am a Revolutionary, I am SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS!” Rollins is ready, but will he make it through the most intense and hungry Maharaja that has ever been?
Finn Balor & Damian Priest w/ Judgment Day VS The Miz & R-Truth!
The Prince & Punisher know DIY is chasing them down for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships, but this match is about handling business. Will Truth remember his deal with Priest? Or will the Awesome Truth make him free to win some golden tickets of his own?
Raw returns as the Judgment Day makes their entrance, with Truth having added himself to the graphic! He is even following behind Finn, Priest, Dom & JD! Well, since he thinks he’s in the group, and Priest is stringing him along, this actually makes sense per Truth’s logic. But Miz does his best to remind Truth that he’s still on Miz’s team for this match. Truth says right, of course! Wink wink. Truth makes sure to give Finn’s cut, though he kinda spills it… He and Finn pick up the bills and stuff them in Finn’s jacket pocket, and then Truth gives Dom his cut! Truth and Dom hug it out, and JD asks where is his money. JD, you’re not in the group!
Miz again has to remind Truth whose team he’s really on, and Truth says he was just giving the boys their cut, that’s all. The teams sort out, and even though Truth was told not to tag in, he ends up starting! Finn CLOBBERS Truth, soaks up the heat, and he drags Truth up. Finn puts Truth in a corner, Truth dodges, but then Finn puts him back in the corner. Truth dodges the kick, then dodges the splash! Finn storms up, Truth kicks but Finn blocks! Finn spins Truth, but Truth does the splits to then ROCK Finn! Truth feels bad now! He apologizes, but Miz asks what Truth is sorry about! Finn trips Truth to DOUBLE STOMP him!
Fans boo as Finn stomps Truth, but Truth bails out. Truth asks Priest what’s going on, they’re supposed to be working together, wink wink. The fans rally for Truth all the same, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn has Truth in a chinlock. The fans rally up, Truth fights to his feet, but Finn wrangles him back down. Finn grinds Truth down but the fans continue to rally. Truth fights up, throws body shots, but Finn knees low! Tag to Priest, and Finn tells him to handle this. Truth still isn’t Judgment Day, so it should be easy. Priest still seems hesitant, and he drags Truth up, only to get a JAWBREAKER! Truth crawls, Finn tags back in and gets Truth’s leg! Truth ENZIGURIS Finn away! Fans fire up as Truth crawls, hot tag to Miz! Fans fire up again as Miz rallies on Finn! And then he dodges Priest to clothesline Priest up and out!
Miz TOSSES Finn out, slides under him, then YANKS Finn down! Finn hits apron, Priest runs in but Miz sends him into desk! Then over the desk! Miz puts Finn in, dodges Dom & JD, and then runs up on Finn. Finn shoulders in but misses, and gets a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Miz stands up, and he says, “MASSIVE! BALLS!!” Full nelson, but Finn arm-drags free! Finn runs up on Truth, Truth gets away, and Miz hits an A-LIST LARIAT! Truth tags in, that’s not part of his deal with Priest! But Truth still hits the SCISSOR KICK! And then he realizes what he’s doing!
Dom is upset, Truth apologizes, but Miz DECKS Dom! JD gets up, Truth DECKS JD! Because again, JD “isn’t” in Judgment Day! But Priest ROUNDHOUSES Miz! Truth sees Priest, he winds up, and but then Priest says hey, what’s he doing! Is Truth joining the group or not? Finn rolls Truth up! Truth slips free to CALF KICK Finn down! Dom distracts the ref, Priest choke grips Truth! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Priest lets Finn cover, Judgment Day wins!
Winners: Finn Balor & Damian Priest, by pinfall
No golden tickets for The Awesome Truth, and other than Priest, Judgment Day is glad to be standing over Truth. Will this finally get it through to Truth that HE is the one on the outside looking in?
Jinder Mahal meditates.
Jackie walks over and apologizes for interrupting, but it is almost time for the main event. She was hoping to get his thoughts before tonight’s title match. Jinder says, “Absolute clarity for the Modern Day Maharaja. A seven year drought, but the whispers are pouring in, making me the most talked about star of 2024. Everyone is divided, but my focus is singular. 12 years in the making, narrowed down to one night. And tonight, everyone is unified when I beat Seth Freakin’ Rollins and become World Heavyweight Champion.” Jinder heads out, just as ready as Rollins. Will nothing hinder Jinder now?
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
“Last week, I could not cause the damage I desired, which made me angry. And that has left me hungry. Cody, you should keep an eye open because our story doesn’t end until I say so. But now… I turn my hunger towards the Royal Rumble. A hungry Shinsuke is a dangerous Shinsuke. 29 other men, all hoping to make it to the top. 29 men, I will feast on their dreams.” The King of Strong Style is looking to completely derail everyone else’s stories, will he be the only one left on the Road to WrestleMania?
Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark VS Tegan Nox & Natalya!
The Queen of Spades and The Hunter are sticking together, and once again take on the Welsh Firecracker and Queen of Harts! With the tag title chase never ending, who moves into pole position for the next shot?
Raw returns as Nox & Natty make their entrance. The teams sort out and Stark starts against Nox. Nox rushes in at the bell but Stark dodges to SUPERKICK her down! Stark looms over Nox, scuffs her, then drags her over to put her in the ropes. ENZIGURI, then tag to Shayna. They coordinate, STOMP NECKBERAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! The tag champs are watching again as Shayna twists Nox’s arm and bends the elbow! Nox kicks and throws hands, but Shayna still YANKS the arm! Shayna digs her knee into Nox at the ropes, the ref counts, but Shayna lets off at 4. Shayna stalks Nox while fans rally up.
Shayna brings Nox up to throw body shots, then she tags Stark. Stark stomps Nox, then Shayna tags back in. Shayna stands Nox up to throw more body shots, then she tags Stark back in. Stark CHOPS Nox and Nox flops down! Shayna loves that one, and Stark stands Nox back up. Stark CHOPS again but Nox fires forearms and haymakers in return! Fans fire up with Nox but Stark knees low. Stark bumps Nox off buckles, tags Shayna, but Nox still fights back! The fans rally as Nox fires hands on Shayna and Stark! Nox ROUNDHOUSES Stark, but Shayna KNEES Nox down! Shayna drags Nox to a cover, but Natty breaks it!
Fans cheer but Shayna TOSSES Natty out. Shayna soaks up the cheers and jeers, then drags Nox up to the top rope. Shayna SLAPS Nox, climbs up after her, and fans rally up. Nox resists the lift, then SUPER GOURD BUSTERS Shayna! Nox adjusts, to CROSSBODY! Nox rolls through, UPPERCUTS Shayna down, but now she’s far away from Natty! Nox hurries, hot tag to Natty! Stark also tags in but Natty fires off on her first! Stark staggers around, Natty reels her in, snap suplex into a corner! Natty then fires off fists, lets off to get under Stark, and she rebounds Stark to sit her down! Natty DECKS Shayna, steps on Stark and basement dropkicks!
Stark staggers up, Natty ducks a haymaker to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up with Natty and she DISCUS- NO, Stark gets under, around, and ELBOWS Natty, into Z 3- NO! Natty blocks the knee, trips Stark up, but Stark boots Natty away! Shayna tags in, Nox does, too. Stark runs up, Natty & Nox dodge to DOUBLE LARIAT! Shayna waistlocks Nox but Natty makes the save! DISCUS LARIAT! PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Shayna survives but Nox tags Natty back in! They coordinate, for the HART- NO, Stark trips Nox! Stark drags Nox out to SUPERKICK! Natty DECKS Starks, but Shayna has the KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!
Natty kicks off the ropes, rolls it back, TWO!!! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Natty endures but she’s fading! Natty taps, Shayna & Stark win!
Winners: Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark, by submission
Shayna & Stark are 2-0 against Natty & Nox, are they shoe-ins for facing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions next? Will it still be Kayden & Katana with those titles after this Friday?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins VS Jinder Mahal w/ Indus Sher!
The Visionary said himself that this isn’t the same Jinder Mahal from way back when. And as Veer & Sanga walk up behind the Modern Day Maharaja, that is proof enough that this won’t be like those previous battles. Is this going to be the night Jinder returns to the top of the mountain? Or can Rollins make it through another high caliber contender?
Raw returns and Rollins makes his entrance. The fans sing his song, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Jinder’s drought ends in reign!
The bell rings and Rollins circles with Jinder, but he’s wary of Veer & Sanga ringside. Sanga distracts and Jinder attacks! Jinder CLUBS and stomps Rollins, then scoops and SLAMS him! Rollins snarls but Jinder fireman’s carries. Rollins fights free, but Jinder switches! Jinder wants the clinch but Rollins elbows free, mule kicks, only for Jinder to avoid the Curb Stomp! Rollins kicks Jinder, underhooks, but Jinder back drops Rollins out of the ring! Rollins hits the floor, right between Veer and Sanga. Jinder storms out to BOOT Rollins down! Sanga & Veer cheer Jinder on but Rollins CHOPS and CHOPS! Jinder throat chops!
Jinder scoops Rollins, and he aims, only for Rollins to slip off and POST him! Rollins goes to the apron, fans sing the song, and Rollins FLYING KNEES Jinder down! Rollins dares Veer to do something, then he puts Jinder in the ring. Rollins dares Sanga to try something, too, but they tell him to focus on Jinder. But wait, Rollins looks up the ramp and sees Priest! Priest has his MITB briefcase, the walls are closing in on Rollins, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Priest is sitting ringside as Jinder stretches Rollins with the Cobra Twist! Rollins endures, fights with elbows, and then CHOPS! And ROCKS! And ROCKS again! Jinder shoves Rollins to ropes to then CLOBBER him on the rebound! Jinder springboard KNEE DROPS again and again, but then Rollins BOOTS him away! Rollins stands, but Jinder kicks him low. And it’s back to the Cobra Twist! Rollins endures, pries Jinder’s grip away, but then Jinder just shifts to have an arm! Rollins throws elbows into Jinder’s leg, gets free of the hold and LARIATS! Jinder stays up, Rollins LARIATS, but still Jinder stands!
Rollins runs, Jinder ROCK Shim, but Rollins fires back! They go back and forth, Rollins wobbles but then comes back! Jinder ROCKS Rollins, Rollins fires a flurry! ROLLING ELBOW! Jinder wobbles, into a DISCUS LARIAT! Fans fire up while Indus Sher is worried. Jinder goes to a corner, Rollins runs in, but Jinder puts him on the apron! Rollins ROCKS Jinder, climbs up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! SUPERKICK! Jinder falls over, Rollins hurries out, but Indus Sher dares him to climb. Rollins changes his mind, and he SPRINGBOARD SWANTONS! Then somersault to the LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!
Rollins grits his teeth, his back or perhaps even a leg bothering him. Rollins still fights to his feet and storms up on Jinder. Fans sing, but Jinder blocks the suplex! Jinder suplexes Rollins up, holds him, but Rollins turns things around to FALCON ARROW! The bad leg slows Rollins down, though, but he still goes to a corner. The fans fire up as Rollins runs in, but into a THRUST KICK! Rollins SUPERKICKS in return! Rollins reels Jinder in, underhooks, and hits the PEDIGREE!! But the bad leg holds Rollins back!! Rollins has to crawl to get the cover, ROPEBREAK thanks to Indus Sher! Fans boo but this is why Jinder has them ringside!
Rollins snarls, goes up the corner, and he CROSSBODIES Veer!! Fans fire up as Sanga checks on Veer and Rollins goes back up a corner! Rollins FROG SPLASHES but FLOPS as Jinder moves! Both men are down, and Priest stands up! Priest tried something like this last time, is he going to try again? But wait, MCINTYRE appears! The Scottish Terminator stares Priest down, they both talk trash, and they start throwing hands! The fans fire up, McIntyre RAMS Priest into barriers! Priest POSTS McIntyre! They brawl their way up the ramp, the ref tells them both to get outta here, and Sanga ROCKS Rollins!!
Jinder fireman’s carries, to GUTBUSTER DROP!! Cover, TWO!!! Rollins survives and Jinder can’t believe it! Neither can Indus Sher after they made sure Rollins was out of it! Jinder snarls, he rains down fists on Rollins, and then he calls to Indus Sher. Veer gets on the apron to distracts the ref, and Sanga sends a chair in! Rollins DECKS Jinder first! The ref sees the chair, Rollins rushes Veer, but Veer CRACKS Rollins with Priest’s MITB briefcase!! And then Jinder clinches Rollins, for the KALLAS!!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Rollins survives again and no one can believe it! Indus Sher is furious, but the ref says no, they gotta go! The ref EJECTS Indus Sher!!
Jinder drags Rollins up, but Rollins arm-drags free! CURB STOMP!!! Cover, Rollins wins!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)
Despite the deck being stacked against him, the Visionary survives and holds onto the gold! But clearly, things are taking their toll, how much longer can the workhorse world champion keep this up?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, but things felt like they really dragged in the third hour. Shayna & Stark VS Nox & Natty felt like filler, and I’m not even sure why their rematch happened. It wasn’t necessarily better than the first time around, and it was still Shayna & Stark on top rather than tying things up 1-1. But we did get a good promo from and really good tag match out of Candice & Indi VS Chelsea & Piper. Good win for Candice & Indi, here’s hoping HHH can finally find a way to book them stronger and get them in the title scene.
For that matter, great tag match out of DIY VS JD & Dom that of course DIY wins. Great stuff out of Judgment Day as always, and Truth continues to add amazing humor to all of this. Great promos with Truth and Priest and then Priest explaining things to the others, and another great tag match. The Awesome Truth was of course losing, but I would love if only now, after Priest choke slammed Truth does Truth realize he isn’t actually Judgment Day. Good video for Nia, then Rhea kinda stammered through her promo, probably unsure what exactly to say to be menacing while waiting for Becky. Becky had a good promo, and they’ve all but told us this is the WrestleMania main event, so let’s just hope that stays the case.
Great promo from Gunther where he actually starts to be nice to Ludwig again, and great stuff from Ludwig and Woods in their match. I started to think Woods and Ludwig were setting up a No Disqualification match here, and that would set up Woods for going after Gunther and the Intercontinental Championship. But then Ludwig’s attack backstage and Jey making the save all makes me think it’ll be Jey VS Gunther now, though I’d still like Woods VS Ludwig in No DQ on the side to avenge Kofi. Jey wants singles gold, the Intercontinental Championship is a great choice, but I’m not sure his chances of dethroning Gunther unless it’s at WrestleMania, and even then that’s tough.
Really good stuff from this building Alpha Academy VS Viking Raiders story. Fun win for Tozawa but of course Ivar & Sarah beat Tozawa & Maxxine down. No mixed tag, we’re going to Ivy VS Sarah and that’ll be great stuff. I don’t know the injury status of Erik (Ray Rowe) but if he makes a return soon, we might get Mixed Six of the full Viking Raiders VS Diamond Mine, which would be a lot of fun given who good both the Creeds and Erik & Ivar are. But either way, it feels like Ivy should beat Sarah and Ivar will beat Gable to keep each of them strong in their respective title chases.
And speaking of, Bronson Reed calling out a champion without naming the champion is an interesting move, but I do like it. He can be going after Gunther, but he can also be going after Rollins because why wouldn’t he want the world title? Bronson VS Gunther and Bronson VS Rollins will both be great matches, so I’m cool with whatever we get. Great promo segment from Cody Rhodes with Drew McIntyre, and it was basically a parallel to McIntyre getting in Punk’s face last week, because while McIntyre does say some true stuff, he also ends up being shut up as the other guy gets the last word. Punk wanting to talk with Cody is an interesting move, that is gonna be a promo to watch.
Good promo from Nakamura to call out not just Cody but everyone in the Rumble, I hope Nakamura has a great showing in the Rumble even though I’m sure someone else wins. And then of course, really good promo from Rollins and really good promo from Jinder. The match could’ve been better, maybe just needed more time, but I appreciate that Indus Sher tried to help Jinder cheat this one. Also great brawl of Priest and McIntyre on the side. But naturally, Rollins retains so that he can continue on this story of being the fighting champion that is running himself into the ground. At this point, I don’t think he’s going to have a match at Rumble but who knows, they could easily throw one together next week on the go-home, with that really feeding into the story.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Will this become King of the YEET?
Though he lost the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Jey Uso has a chance to be King of the Ring, if he can beat Sheamus, Rusev and Bronson Reed!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Stephanie Vaquer VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Ivy Nile VS Asuka; Asuka wins and advances to the next round.
- AJ Styles VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio; Styles wins.
- Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane; Kairi wins, by stoppage.
- King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Sheamus VS Rusev VS Bronson Reed VS Jey Uso; Jey wins and advances to the next round.
PLAY BY PLAY
Liv Morgan & Dominik Mysterio are here!
Green Bay is a bit torn as the Bonnie & Clyde of WWE go to the ring together, proudly wearing their belts. And Liv seems extra proud of herself after insulting and then knocking out Nikki Bella last week. Liv grabs the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Monday Night Morgan~! And please make some noise for the most gorgeous man in WWE. He is the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time, Dominik Mysterio~!” The fans make noise, but it isn’t all positive. Dom has the mic and thanks Liv, but tonight is not about him. Tonight is all about Liv! The fans boo again but Liv thanks Dom for that.
Liv says respect is the thing she is out here to talk about. Everyone needs reminding that this is LIV’s division! And when you talk about her division, you talk about HER! See, Nikki Bella had to learn that the hard way, and now she’s home all beat up, watching Liv on her TV, which is where she should be! Wanna know what was worse than that? The fact that Iyo Sky claimed Nikki paved the way for them all. What a joke. No one paved the way for Liv, and especially not Nikki! Liv paved her own way, and she became the history-making, record-breaking, FOUR-TIME WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion!
The fans boo a bit more but Liv asks the fans if they know what that makes her. What it makes her is the greatest WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion of ALL~ TIME! So she is not asking for respect anymore, she’s demanding it! Just like she is demanding for a rematch she never got over the Women’s World Championship. So Iyo, they can do this the easy way or the hard way. Well, here comes Iyo! The fans cheer the Genius as she holds up the Women’s World Championship and goes to the ring. Iyo grabs herself a mic while the fans cheer her on. Iyo tells Liv, “Do everyone a favor, and shut your mouth!”
The fans cheer and Liv is upset, but Iyo says all Liv does is whine and show disrespect. Iyo rants in Japanese a second and the fans appreciate that. But Iyo says Liv disrespected Nikki Bella, and she disrespected Iyo! If Liv wants to fight, then Iyo is right here! The fans cheer that and Liv says okay, okay. She does wanna fight her, but only for the title. But if Iyo is scared because Liv has beaten her more than any other woman in the WWE, then Iyo can just hand the title over, Liv doesn’t mind. Liv smiles and Iyo sneers. Iyo is not handing Liv anything. If Liv wants it, she has to earn it. Liv can’t just steal it like she stole Dirty Dom from Rhea!
Dom says hold on, hold on! The fans boo Dom but Dom says let’s just make this easy for Liv and give her what she wants! Like Dom does every single day! Liv tells Iyo to listen to Dom, he’s smart. Just shine the belt up and hand it over, thanks. Oh, Liv wants it? Yes, she wants it. Iyo says alright, she can have it. Catch! Liv catches the belt, and then she gets a DROPKICK! And a BUZZSAW! Dom is upset but then Iyo ROUNDHOUSES him! The fans fire up as Iyo holds up her title while Dom & Liv run away! Liv still has to face Kairi Sane later tonight in a rematch of their own, will the Pirate Princess just add insult to injury?
Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Stephanie Vaquer VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Ivy Nile VS Asuka!
The final Fatal 4 Way for the Queen of the Ring is here, with Alexa Bliss awaiting the winner! But will it be La Primera making big moves in her “rookie year” on Raw? Will Big Mami Cool make up for Liv falling short? Will this tournament soon be American Made? Or will the Empress of Tomorrow have a massive return?
Raw returns and Raquel gets ready backstage. Liv finds her and tells her to win, no matter what. Raquel says got it, then she makes her entrance. Ivy is already in the ring, so that leaves Asuka to make her entrance for the first time in just over a year! The fans fire up to see her back, from classic theme to the face paint. The bell rings, Raquel rushes Asuka and Ivy is after Vaquer! They brawl, and then Ivy and Raquel whip! Vaquer reverses, Asuka CLOBBERS Ivy, and then the two work together against towering Raquel! KICK after KICK, then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up and chant, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!”
Asuka and Vaquer tie up, Vaquer ducks a kick to shove, then follow. Vaquer dodges a lariat, sweeps to cover, ONE! Asuka sweeps to cover, ONE! The two standoff and the fans cheer. But Ivy CLOBBERS Vaquer! Raquel puts Asuka in a corner, but Ivy tries to roll Raquel up! Raquel YANKS Ivy up to PUSH her away! Asuka headscissors, but Raquel uses that to POWERBOMB Asuka onto Ivy & Vaquer! Ricky Desperado stands tall while the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Vaquer ROCKS Ivy! Vaquer fires more hands, then runs, itl-ow-rhils and rolls Ivy up, TWO! Ivyh swings, but Vaquer spins her and snap suplexes her! But Raquel is up, only for Vaquer to serv eher SOLE FOOD! Asuka is back, Vaquer dodges to mule kick! Vaquer runs and METEORAS Raquel in a corner! Vaquer runs up, blocks Asuka’s boot, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS her! Asuka writhes but she goes to a corner. Ivy runs up, but into a BIG back suplex! Vaquer grins as she wraps on the headscissors! The fans fire up for the DEVIL’S KISSES! AH AH AH AH, but then Raquel KICKS Vaquer in the side!
Raquel drags Vaquer up, suplexes, but Vaquer slips free! Vaquer wrenches, snapmares, and now she puts Raquel in the headscissor! DEVIL’S KISSES, but Raquel Electric Chair Lifts! The fans fire up for that feat of strength, but Asuka runs in! Raquel BOOTS Asuka, but Vaquer RANAS Raquel to the apron! And she holds on, for DEVIL’S KISSES on the apron!! AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH, YEEEEAH~! The fans fire up and Vaquer smiles. Raquel flounders around, Vaquer climbs and springboards, CROSSBODY! Asuka is in to clinch, chicken wing, but Vaquer fights the rest of the Asuka Lock!
The two fight for control, Vaquer pulls hair but can’t get a grip. Vaquer RAMS Asuka into a corner, Ivy RIDER KICKS Vaquer down! Ivy then fires off on Asuka! Ivy whips Asuka, Asuka KICKS back! Ivy staggers, Asuka runs up, but Ivy dodge! HIP ATTACK for Raquel! Ivy cradles Asuka, TWO! Ivy waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Ivy is surprised! Ivy says she was that close, and talks trash on Asuka while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Vaquer has Asuka up top. Ivy joins in, Asuka blocks the suplex, but then Raquel joins in! Raquel Electric Chair Lifts both Vaquer and Ivy, and Asuka MISSILE DROPKICKS them all down! The fans fire up as Asuka rises! Asuka KICKS Vaquer, KICKS Ivy, and repeat! Asuka SUPERKICKS Vaquer, then spins to BUZZSAW Ivy! Raquel runs up, Asuka bobs ‘n’ weaves, fires off palm strike after palm strike, and then a SOBAT! And a front KICK! CODE BREAKER! Raquel staggers, Asuka fires up and the fans are with her! Asuka runs up and SOBATS! ROUNDHOUSE for Ivy! Asuka waistlocks, Ivy takes a swing, but gets a POP-UP KNEE for it!
Asuka covers, but Vaquer breaks it! The fans fire up as these two meet again. Vaquer and Asuka smile as they circle. Vaquer dodges a shot to fire of fa flurry! Vaquer whips, Asuka reverses, and Vaquer RAMS Asuka! Asuka fire sup, so the shots keep going! The fans fire up with Asuka, but Vaquer fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Vaquer runs, Asuka UPPERCUTS her at the ropes! Asuka grins, runs, but Vaquer KNEES her low! Vaquer whips just to reel Asuka in, snap suplex! Vaquer goes to a corner, takes aim, but Asuka runs up! Vaaquer goes up and over, DROPKICKS Asuka, then shakes out her own leg.
Vaquer underhooks, lifts, and TIGER BUSTER! Cover, Ivy drags Vaquer away! Ivy TOSSES Vaquer, scoops Asuka, SWINGING POWERSLAM! Cover, Vaquer breaks it up! Vaquer underhooks Ivy now, but Ivy wrenche sout. Vaquer JAWBREAKERS and ROUNDHOUSES! But Raquel BOOTS Vaquer! Raquel drags Vaquer up, “This is Awesome!” TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, RHEA DRAGS RAQUEL OUT! The fans go nuts for Mami as she waves hi. Rhea BOOTS Raquel, then hits a RIPTIDE to the floor!! Rhea then tosses Raquel back in for someone, anyone! Asuka runs up with the HIP ATTACK! Cover, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
The #EmpressImpact certainly made an impact, but so did Rhea! Will Rhea and Raquel have to run back their own classic feud to put this to rest? Cathy Kelley interviews Asuka in the ring to congratulate her on this huge return win. How is Asuka feeling? Asuka smiles and the fans cheer, and Asuka says, “The fire didn’t die! It’s still alive! I will be the Queen of the Ring! No one is ready for Asuka!!” The fans cheer that! And will this big win help Asuka turn this into The Empress of the Ring? Or will Alexa Bliss “welcome” Asuka back by eliminating her from the tournament?
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
Roxanne Perez talks with Dom, Finn & JD about some things, Raquel ices from her match, and Liv says they need to go talk strategy for fighting Kairi. Raquel says she’s not really cleared for anything more tonight. Liv says oh, okay, she’ll go handle it herself then. Liv storms off, Dom wants to follow her, but JD has Dom hold on. Isn’t Dom supposed to help JD & Finn get the tag titles? Oh, yeah, but AJ Styles has been breathing down Dom’s neck. So JD can handle AJ for him, then they can get the tag titles. Finn agrees, he’ll be out there to have JD’s back. Actually… Finn was supposed to handle Styles last time, but he didn’t, so…
Dom suggests Finn stays back to hold down the fort. Finn frowns, but then he says Dom is right. He will stay in the back. But then Dom should go out there to watch JD’s back and make sure things go well. Dom agrees and heads out with the Irish Ace. Will JD handle the Phenomenal One so Dirty Dom doesn’t have to? Finn meanwhile talks with Raquel about that stuff with Liv. Don’t worry about her, things are going to work out. Raquel thanks Finn for that, and Finn tells Roxie that while Liv said she wants to handle things herself, but Finn has an idea. Finn and Roxie go off to talk, what is The Prince getting up to tonight?
Gunther is here!
Green Bay is rather conflicted seeing Der Ring General as World Heavyweight Champion again, but Gunther smiles as he makes his way to the ring. Gunther shows off the belt around his waist, and even eggs the fans on with their cheers and jeers. Gunther even gives the belt a kiss before holding it up, and off goes celebratory pyro! Gunther then grabs himself a mic, and while the fans boo, he says, “At WrestleMania…” The fans boo more and Gunther chuckles. “Look, guys, I’m man enough to admit that at WrestleMania, Jey Uso was the better man. He was the better man for one night! Because on every other single night, I am UNTOUCHABLE!”
The fans boo more, but Gunther just grins. Gunther continues by saying he has heard all the rumors and the chatter about what is next for him. The fans chant, “GOLD~BERG! GOLD~BERG!” Gunther says no, no, definitely NOT that guy! Gunther punked Goldberg out in front of his family, Goldberg learned his lesson! Gunther doesn’t care about rumors, he cares about reality. Seth Rollins has that Money in the Bank contract, and Gunther has what he wants! Gunther tells Rollins that he’ll say this directly to him. “A few weeks ago, you said to me when I win your World Heavyweight Championship back, I’m a target.
“Well, since I’m a target, I wanna make it very easy for you. I am right here! So don’t waste anymore time.” WAIT! GOLDBERG IS HERE?! Green Bay fires up as the living legend steps out on stage, gets his pyro, then storms down to the ring! Goldberg thanks the fans for that, and then he tells Gunther don’t be confused, it is all good. Tonight is Gunther’s night! Tonight, Goldberg is here to celebrate Gunther winning the World Heavyweight Championship. Goldberg’s been there before, he knows how Gunther must feel. So congratulations! But y’know what? Before Goldberg leaves, a few months ago, Gunther started something with Goldberg’s family in Atlanta!
And Goldberg is gonna make sure that he ENDS it, in Atlanta! So July 12th, Saturday Night’s Main Event, “You’re MINE! Because YOU’RE NEXT!” Gunther frowns but the fans all cheer on “GOLD~BERG!” Will Goldberg get himself one more win in his storied career? Or will Gunther make sure July 12th is Goldberg’s last match, period?
AJ Styles VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!
The Phenomenal One has been chasing the WWE Intercontinental Championship for the last few months, and with no spot in the King of the Ring tournament left to him, he’s come back around to try again. But will he be able to trump the Irish Ace? Or will the Judgment Day use their usually dirty tricks to deny him again?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Styles puts JD in a corner, but JD pulls the hair to put Styles in the corner. The fans rally for Styles as JD lets off. Styles dodges a haymaker to hit a headlock takeover. Styles grinds JD down but JD fights up. JD powers up and out to then reel Styles in for a headlock. Styles powers up and out, but JD RUNS him over! Things keep moving, but Styles trips JD to then float to a headlock. JD rolls to a cover, ONE, and Styles holds on. JD powers up and out, Styles sunset flips, TWO! JD hurries to high stack, TWO! Styles pops JD into the sunset, TWO! Styles arm-drags!
The fans fire up, JD headscissors, but Styles flails. Styles moves around to headstand then jackknife, TWO as JD bridges up! JD powers through to spin Styles for a backslide! Styles rolls through but JD gets away before the Clash! The fans oddly sing for “Dirty, Dirty Dom~!” while JD and Styles tie up. JD kicks low, then stomps away in the corner! JD digs his boots in, the ref counts, and JD steps off. JD soaks up heat, then he stalks Styles to the ropes. JD CHOPS Styles, whips him corner to corner, but Styles catches JD to a COBRA TWIST! JD resists, Styles rolls JD and has the CALF CRUSHER! JD scrambles around, but Styles rolls him away!
Styles pulls on the leg, JD fights the other way, and Dom pushes the ropes forward! The ref reprimands but JD still makes the ROPEBREAK! Dom helps JD out of the ring, but Styles goes out there. Styles storms up on Dom, they go running around the outside! Dom tries to get to the crowd but Styles grabs that vest! JD FLIES in over the barriers to wipe Styles out! Dom applauds and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and JD has Styles in the chinlock. The fans rally, Styles fights up, and Styles fires body shots. JD THROWS Styles down by his hair! The fans boo but JD stands on Styles’ hair! The ref reprimands but JD pulls Styles’ arms to also pull hair! The fans rally for Styles, the ref counts, and JD stops at 4. Just to do it again! The ref counts again, JD stops, and Styles KICKS JD from below! Styles rises to fire off a Phenomenal Blitz, with the LARIAT! And SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up while JD goes to a corner. Styles runs and LARIATS, then fireman’s carries for an USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!
JD stays in this and Styles frowns. The fans rally, Styles reels JD in, but JD wrenches out to HEADBUTT! JD suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and JD is furious! The fans rally up again as JD brings Styles up. JD puts Styles in a corner, ROCKS him, then hoists him to the top rope. Styles fires hands on JD, but JD CHOPS! JD climbs, Styles fires hands, and JD drops back. JD ROCKS Styles again, climbs back up, but Styles fires body shots! Styles HEADBUTTS and JD falls! Styles steadies himself on the top rope, adjusts, then aims, but Dom gets on the apron! Styles scares Dom off, but JD kicks Styles low!
JD hits a ripcord, but Styles turns that into a headlock takeover! Styles deadlifts JD into the STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Dom runs up, Styles dodges! PELE! Dom staggers around, Styles runs up, but Dom puts him on the apron! Styles ROCKS Dom, but Finn rushes out here! Finn gets Dom outta there, but the belt was left behind! Styles picks the belt up and the fans cheer! Will Styles make this title phenomenal? Wait, Finn and Dom coordinate, and JD is up. Judgment Day flanks the ring, but Styles slips right past them all! Styles still has the belt in hand, but will he finally get his shot at it?
Sheamus prepares backstage.
The Fella spots The Alpha Academy walking over and asks Natalya, Maxxine & Tozawa what’s the crack. How’s Otis doing? Doing better, he’ll be back soon. But they know Sheamus has a match tonight, so how is he feeling? Natty says from one vet to another, he has to take care of Rusev. No problem there, Natty. Sheamus will bully the bully. Tozawa shouts, “Sheamus! Kick his ass!” The Celtic Warrior nods, will he get revenge for the Alpha Academy?
Bayley heads to gorilla.
The Role Model wants revenge of her own on Becky Lynch, but uh, what’s going on over here? New Day stands with Grayson Waller as Waller argues with Austin Theory. A-Town Down Under is falling apart, but will Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods be the reason it all ends?
Bayley goes to the ring!
Raw returns as The Role Model makes her entrance, and Green Bay cheers her on. Bayley grabs a mic and says, “Ding dong, Green Bay!” The fans cheer again, and Bayley says it feels so amazing to be back. She missed the fans so much! She smiles as the fans sing and chant for her, and she says we all know that classic quote: You don’t know what you have ’til it’s gone. But every time Bayley gets in this ring, she knows exactly what she has. She knows what it feels like to be here, and she doesn’t take any of it for granted. Every single time she gets an opportunity to be in front of the fans, she revels in it! This is what she was born to do!
The fans cheer, and Bayley says this is what is most important to her, what she puts her heart and soul into every single night. And two months ago, Bayley was stripped of an opportunity. She was robbed of a WrestleMania match! The fans boo, and Bayley says she was robbed of her tag title shot, a division she holds near and dear to her heart. But luckily for her, Bayley doesn’t come in here day in and day out, Raw, SmackDown, NXT, losing sleep and putting her body on the line, just for one night of the year! She doesn’t do it just for the big moments, the titles, or WrestleMania, but for nights like tonight and for people like the fans in Green Bay!
The fans cheer Bayley on more, and she says, “So Becky Lynch… If you think you taking me out for WrestleMania hurt me, if you think it broke me, I want you to know that you’re wrong. It healed me, Becky! It made me better, Becky! That it made me stronger!” The fans cheer again and Bayley paces. Bayley says, “Now, I may have said in the past, hell, right up to WrestleMania, how much it bothers me, how much you’ve been a chip on my shoulder, how you’ve always been just two steps ahead, you’ve always been just two rungs ahead of me and I could never make it there. Yeah, that at at me, Becky!
“But y’know what? I’m climbing that ladder, Becky, and I’m coming straight for you. I’m knocking you down, and I’m taking everything that you took for me! So you better get your ass out here right now!” The fans cheer that! And then here comes Becky! The fans are torn as The Man struts out in Chicago Bears merchandise, holding up her title belt. Becky joins Bayley in the ring and grabs her own mic while the fans boo. Green Bay chants, “Bears Still Suck! Bears Still Suck!” Becky says the Bears still beat Green Bay last time. And Becky has always been a chip on Bayley’s shoulder? No, Bayley, you and Becky are the same!
Becky and Bayley were “never meant to be at the top of this division,” yet here they are! The difference is, Bayley accepts being second fiddle, Becky does not! Y’know, kinda like the Packers. Bayley would rather have her group of friends than a legacy. Becky would rather have a legacy than a group of fake friends! Legacy!? Bayley did build a legacy! She’s a future Hall of Famer! Right, Michael Cole? That’s right! She built her legacy, and is so confident in it, she doesn’t mind helping the locker room. She doesn’t mind bringing people up that need help. Oh, okay, the people, right. Bayley fights for the people~!
Becky used to fight for the people, but the people stopped fighting for her, so that’s why Becky stopped fighting for them! So hey, here’s a secret: The people stopped fighting for Bayley, too. Where’s the proof? It was when Bayley got taken out of WrestleMania and Becky stepped in, and no one gave a DAMN about Bayley! No one cared that Bayley was no longer there, they all cheered for Becky! Bayley asks if Becky can hear herself. She sounds like an idiot! The fans can see it! Becky is so insecure! Becky is so worried about what everyone thinks! She took an entire YEAR off, and she worried about whether fans would cheer or boo, and that’s why Becky took Bayley out!
Becky didn’t know if the fans would care, so she had to make it a surprise! And 24 hours later, it still didn’t sit right. Becky probably couldn’t sleep that night, and then she went and took Lyra out, too, because Becky couldn’t hack it if the fans weren’t going to cheer. Becky says they did cheer for that, too. Bayley asks Becky if she forgot how it is to fight for everything. To fight for WrestleMania, for championships. Or maybe is Becky’s too far up her own ass that she doesn’t know what it is like anymore. Becky says no, she has forgotten what the struggle is like. But has Bayley forgotten what championship gold feels like?
The fans boo but Bayley says maybe she has. Remind her. C’mon, stop hiding and get over here! Becky says no, she’s not turning her back to Bayley. Becky snakes away saying Bayley’s the sneaky one. But if Bayley wants a match, they can have a match. But not here in Green Bay! And not even for the title! See you in Columbus, Ohio! Then Becky SLAPS Bayley! So Bayley DECKS Becky!! The fans fire up as The Man scurries away! Bayley smiles, will she get to do that all over again when she and Becky throw down?
Backstage interview with Jey Uso.
Cathy Kelley is now with Main Event Jey and says it was a bit of a setback last week, losing the world title to Gunther. But how important is it he moves forward with this King of the Ring match tonight? Jey says it is very important. He won his first world title from Gunther, he has Gunther’s respect. Then Gunther won it back, so Gunther got Jey’s respect. So as far as Jey sees it, that makes them 1-1. Gunther can look past Rollins, look past Goldberg, but they’ll run it back one day. If that means winning KOTR, then say less. Four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! But then, will Jey also make that one word, “King?”
Nick Aldis is backstage.
The SmackDown General Manager is here, and he meets with AJ Styles. Aldis thanks Styles for handing over the Intercontinental Championship, and Aldis will make sure it is returned to Dom in a timely fashion. But good news! Styles has a chance to get this title permanently. It is now official for Night of Champions! Dom VS Styles for the Intercontinental Championship! Styles thanks Aldis for that and heads out. Then Bayley steps in and Aldis says he heard all that out there. So speaking of making it official, Becky VS Bayley will happen. But Aldis is putting a little twist on it. As he sees it, WrestleMania was when Becky took Bayley’s title match.
So now, Bayley is owed a title match in return. Next week, Raw in Columbus, it will be Becky VS Bayley for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship! Bayley thanks Aldis and says this is why she always liked him. But then Lyra Valkyria walks over. The Morrigan welcomes Bayley back, and congratulates her on the title match. Bayley says she’s just trying to do what’s best for her. She is sorry that she didn’t get back to Lyra on the texts or calls, it was a rough two months. But it wasn’t personal. Lyra gets it, this is what is best for Bayley. But Lyra just wants Bayley to know, if Bayley wins the title, then Lyra will do what’s best for Lyra and come after her for it.
Lyra heads out, and things have really escalated. Will the Role Model tear down The Man, only to battle someone else who was once a friend?
Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane!
The greatest women’s tag team champion of all time has been having a hard time against the Pirate Princess. A loss because Roxie and Raquel argued, then Raquel takes a loss because Iyo got the better of Liv, and then the losses in the Queen of the Ring tournament, no wonder Liv lashed out against Nikki. But will Liv take her frustrations out on Kairi in this rematch? Or will Kairi only add to the misery with another defeat?
Raw returns and Liv is back in the ring. The bell rings, Liv runs up, but Kairi dodges! Kairi then blocks a kick, trips Liv, and floats to a headlock. Liv scrambles to the outside and clutches her arms. Is Liv still hurting from things last week? The ref has Kairi wait while the medics check Liv. Liv’s arm is definitely the concern, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, and unfortunately, that rough landing from the takedown did in fact jam up Liv’s arm, she cannot continue. Kairi wins by stoppage, but will Liv’s misery only continue in and out of the ring?
Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.
Cathy Kelley is with the Honorary Uce and she congratulates him on advancing in the KOTR. Friday Night SmackDown will see Sami take on Randy Orton, how is he feeling? Sami isn’t sure. He feels he’s talked about the World Heavyweight Championship so much lately, and now somehow, the opportunity is here. Sami has had the chance a few times to challenge for that title, but something about this time feels different. Karrion Kross walks in and says, “Oh, this is so disturbing! It feels… different? There’s absolutely nothing different about this! Sami, you know you’re an insane person, right?
“You know what an insane person does? They do the exact same thing every day, expecting a different result. Lemme explain to you what’s going to happen. You’re going to go to Friday Night SmackDown, and you’re going to compete against one of the most diabolical people this business has ever seen, a guy who knows how to in, The Viper, Randy Orton. And then, you’re gonna lose! And he’s gonna go on to become a FIFTEEN-TIME World Champion, and you are gonna stay at zero.” Sami smiles and says, “You think I’m crazy? You know what I think you are? I think you’re a coward. I think you hide back here, and you talk, and you hide in the shadows, and you lurk, and you talk in riddles.
“Why? You don’t go out there, because maybe all the big talk when you go out there, maybe you can’t back it up?! Maybe you don’t have the courage to talk a big game, and maybe you fall on your face, and you don’t have the courage to go back out there, cuz trust me, I’ve talked a big game, I’ve gone out there, and I’ve lost, and I have the courage to pick myself back up and go out there again. Can you say the same? I didn’t think so. So I’m done listening to you talk, you understand me? Right now, my focus is the King of the Ring, that’s my priority. But I’m telling you now, the second that’s done, the second that’s done, I am going to Adam Pearce.
“And you and me, we’re gonna have this match once and for all.” Kross says, “It’s about time.” Mr. Doomsday leaves, has Sami just sealed his doom?
Jey Uso enters through the concourse.
The fans young and old are fired up as Jey asks them to play his music! Four letters, one word, UH UH… YEET! Jey heads down the bleachers, and fans show off the new foam YEET hands! Will Jey get his hands on that ticket to the next round? Or will someone else have that semifinal match with Cody Rhodes?
King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Sheamus VS Rusev VS Bronson Reed VS Jey Uso!
Raw returns and Rusev makes his entrance. Following that, The Celtic Warrior enters, leaving the Colossal Aussie for last. Paul Heyman accompanies Bronson, but why is Heyman holding Rollins’ MITB briefcase…? The bell rings and Bronson goes after Sheamus while Rusev goes after Jey! They end up in the corners, Rusev stomps a mudhole into Jey but Sheamus dodges Bronson. Sheamus CHOPS and ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson hits back! Bronson HEADBUTTS Sheamus, then SHOVES Sheamus up and out of the ring! Bronson goes to the apron but Sheamus CLUBS a leg out! Sheamus sends Bronson into barriers!
Rusev keeps beating Jey down, and Bronson sends Sheamus into steel steps! Then into barriers! Rusev drags Jey up to fire body shots on those wrapped-up ribs. Rusev shoves Jey, runs up, but Jey DUMPS Rusev out! Rusev is right up to ROCK Jey, but Bronson YANKS Rusev down! Bronson and Rusev brawl now, and Bronson HEADBUTTS! Bronson whips, Rusev reverses, and Bronson is sent into steps! Jey then DIVES out onto Rusev! The fans fire up and YEET with Jey, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Bronson is beating up on Jey now. Bronson fireman’s carries Jey but Jey slips free! Jey ROCKS Bronson, counter punches, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks, and puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! The fans fire up as Jey mule kicks, then UPPERCUTS! Bronson blocks the next kick, but Jey DRAGON WHIPS! Bronson tumbles out, Sheamus slides in, btu Jey SUPERKICKS Sheamus! Rusev is back, Jey SUPERKICKS him! Rusev wobbles, Jey SUPERKICKS again! Rusev is still up, Jey runs, but Rusev LARIATS! The fans fire up, Sheamus and Bronson brawl, and Bronson whips. Sheamus reverses to POST Bronson!
Sheamus runs up on Bronson, but Bronson DUMPS Sheamus into the crowd! The fans fire up with Sheamus at their feet, and Bronson gloats. But Sheamus rises up to get Bronson’s arms! Sheamus gives Bronson BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes TEN! The fans fire up and Sheamus adds another TEN, so that’s TWENTY! The fans fire up with Sheamus, but Jey SUPERKICKS Sheamus at the barriers! But Bronson runs up, only to be sent into barriers! Jey lines up a shot, “UCE! OH!” Jey runs in, but Rusev is there to CLOBBER him first! Rusev roars, the fans are torn, but Rusev goes to the ring.
Sheamus is there, and the fans rally up as these former friends are 1v1. The fans cheer for “RUSEV DAY!” as the forearms fly! They fire hands, haymakers, body shots, and then Sheamus fires off with forearms! Sheamus whips, Rusev ducks ‘n’ dodges to WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up and Rusev watches Sheamus flounder. Rusev runs in at the corner, but Sheamus BOOTS him! Rusev just roars! Rusev runs back in, Sheamus scoops Rusev to POWERSLAM! The fans rally as both men rise up. They throw more haymakers, and the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Sheamus!” “RUSEV DAY!” Bronson CLOBBERS both men because he’s just that big!
Wait, Sheamus and Rusev get up, just to brawl with each other! So Bronson SPLASHES them both in the corner! Jey BOOTS Bronson from the corner! Jey CROSSBODIES, but Bronson catches him! WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!! Bronson roars, the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again, and Rusev sputters from being thrown onto the announce desk! Sheamus leaves Rusev behind to go after Jey. The fans rally for m ore tables, but Sheamus and Jey fire haymakers! They go shot for shot, then it is fast ‘n’ furious! Sheamus blocks the kick, ducks the Dragon Whip, and fireman’s carries! Jey fights free to the apron, but now Sheamus has Jey on the ropes! Jey fires elbows to stop the Bodhrain, and he GAMANGIRIS! Jey hurries inside, but Sheamus gives him an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! But Bronson runs up to HEADBUTT Sheamus down! Bronson wobbles, but he brings Sheamus back up.
Bronson reels Sheamus in, says thumbs down, but Sheamus fights the lift! Sheamus fireman’s carries Bronson!? The fans go nuts for that alone! And then, WHITE NOISE!! Right on the Slim Jim logo! Cover, TWO!! Rusev hurries to stomp Sheamus, and he URENAGES Sheamus onto Bronson! Rusev snarls, the fans are torn, but they do agree, “This is Awesome!” Rusev sees Jey in a corner, runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Bronson is back up, Jey SUPERKICKS him! And he SUPERKICKS Sheamus! Jey aims again, SUPER- NO, Rusev blocks to ROUNDHOUSE Jey! And then ACCOLADE!! Jey endures, the fans fire up, but Jey gets an arm free!
Rusev traps that arm again, pulls on Jey’s back, but Jey keeps fighting! Sheamus gives Rusev a KNEE CAPPER! Rusev flounders away, Bronson is up but he gets a KNEE CAPPER! MACHKA KICK for Sheamus! Sheamus BROGUES Rusev! Cover, SENTON from Bronson! Bronson hurries up a corner while Sheamus is in the drop zone! The fans are going nuts, TSUNAMI onto Sheamus!! Cover, JEY BREAKS IT!! The fans fire up and Heyman is stunned, but Jey keeps this one going! Bronson snarls, runs up, but Jey dodges! And SPEARS!! Jey topples Bronson, but he hurries to the top rope!
The fans are thunderous, but oh no, h ere comes Bron Breakker!! Bron SHOVES Jey off the corner, and he laughs at Jey! The fans bark, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is after Bron! Sami won’t let them screw Jey over! He POSTS Bron! Sami then lines up a shot, runs in, but Bron catches Sami first! And he military presses Sami to TOSS him onto and over the desk!!! But wait, PENTA FLIES ONTO BRON!! The fans are thunderous as #CeroMiedo gets payback on Bron! But Bronson gives Jey a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Bronson hurries up top, takes aim, but then L A KNIGHT is here! And he SHOVES Bronson off the top, YEAH!!
The fans are going nuts as Jey hurries to SUPERKICK Bronson! And then SPEAR!! Jey hurries back up like he wanted, and he gives Bronson an USO SPLASH!! But Jey won’t stop there, he knows Bronson is tougher than that! So Jey hits another USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
The Mega Star smiles as he screws over the guys who screwed him over, and now Main Event Jey Uso is moving on! But wait! Seth Rollins storms out here now! He is furious that his plan has been foiled! Rollins throws off his Chicago Bears colored jacket and tie, rolls up his sleeves, and has Jey all to himself in that ring. Except CODY RHODES is here! The fans are thunderous as the American Nightmare makes sure Rollins can’t make a move! The fans sing along with Cody’s song while Cody stares down with Rollins. Green Bay is losing their minds as Rollins is about to explode with anger, but then that anger subsides…?
Rollins lets Cody and Jey have their moment, and Rollins’ team regroups on the ramp. The Wise Man says this is the right move, because now Cody and Jey are going to be opponents in the semifinals. Jey and Cody look to each other, knowing that in order to get back to the top, they must go through the other. They shake hands and the fans cheer. But will Cody and Jey be able to stay friends after battling it out next week in Columbus?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw with more great build for Night of Champions. Judgment Day ties stories together, with a very good promo from Liv & Dom with Iyo to hype up a possible title match. Unfortunately, Liv legitimately dislocated that shoulder in her match with Kairi. Hopefully for her sake and everything else going on, it isn’t serious and she can still be on TV. And even if not, there is a way to keep the story going in Judgment Day if they were to have Roxanne Perez step in and help defend the tag titles with Raquel in place of Liv. Maybe half the reason Judgment Day loses those titles is because Roxie and Raquel can’t get along while Iyo & Kairi can.
Great Fatal 4 Way for Queen of the Ring, and nice touch with Rhea going after Raquel. Asuka winning is a great way for her to return. Asuka VS Alexa will be really good but I can’t be sure who wins that when there’s also Jade and Roxie on the other side. But I feel like the Women’s Division has a more open title story than the Men’s, because the main thing is that Naomi is Miss Money in the Bank and can cash-in to “ruin” things for whoever is Queen of the Ring and the champion they’re challenging. Though with that, Jade Cargill is probably still the favorite, especially when she towers over Roxie and Alexa, and could overpower Asuka.
Good stuff with Styles VS JD and how he outsmarted the Judgment Day boys. Aldis being here to make matches was a bit of a surprise, but good on him to make a match for Night of Champions. Styles VS Dom could probably go either way, but it’d be a great moment if Finn screws Dom over in that match. Very good promo from Bayley and Becky, and I appreciate Lyra feeling just a touch disrespected with Bayley getting her title match first. Making the title match for next week is fine, Becky VS Bayley will definitely get ratings and be a great match, but I wonder if something involving Lyra is made for Night of Champions. I only count four matches with KOTR, QOTR, Cena VS Punk and now Styles VS Dom.
Gunther had a good promo, and while he said he doesn’t put stock in rumors, the rumors were true and Goldberg is back. That match not being for Night of Champions is a touch surprising, but I suppose having Goldberg as the hometown hero for Saturday Night’s Main Event works out better. Remember what happened the last time Goldberg had a high profile match in Saudi Arabia? And even without that, two weeks is not enough time for Goldberg to get ready, both in kayfabe and shoot. Pushing it to just under a month is better for Goldberg, and I would certainly hope Gunther retains. Remember the last time Goldberg just suddenly had a title match against a younger talent?
Great promo from Sami with Kross, but I feel like it foreshadows Sami not winning KOTR. Though how great would it be if Sami becomes KOTR, takes the title off Gunther like he did with the Intercontinental Championship, and then Sami and Kross feud over the world title. That aside, also good stuff with the promos going into tonight’s main event. And while I figured Jey would win, they did a great job with the overbooking to help it. Great stuff from Sheamus and Rusev as they’re starting a feud, and then of course LA Knight showed up to screw Bronson Reed. Bron Breakker going Knight and then Penta joining in, that was also great stuff, perhaps we get Penta & Knight VS Bron & Bronson as part of something.
Cody protecting Jey is good stuff, and Rollins standing down works so well. Rollins understands what we should all understand: Cody and Jey will battle, the winner of that is probably the favorite to be King of the Ring, but Rollins could make it to where they’re still challenging him. Cena VS Punk at Night of Champions is the first real tease of where Rollins can strike, because Rollins can’t resist screwing his most hated enemy in Punk and the guy who is retiring anyway in Cena. Then if that doesn’t work out and Rollins still has the briefcase, he could go after Gunther during his match with Goldberg at SNME. Or he just waits until SummerSlam when KOTR challenge whoever it is, and we get the next best “heist of the century.”
My Score: 8.8/10
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Who makes NJPW their dominion?
NJPW returns to Osaka-Jo Hall, and Hirooki Goto defends the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Shingo Takagi! Will the Fierce Warrior slay the Rampaging Dragon?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai & Masatora Yasuda; Kato & Murashima win.
- 8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS House of Torture & “Don Fale”; The House of Torture wins.
- El Phantasmo & Shota Umino VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuya Uemura; Tanahashi wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO &
Yoshinobu KanemaruDouki; Sho & Douki win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. - IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan VS Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii; Taichi & Ishii win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg; Oleg wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch: David Finlay VS EVIL; Evil wins.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins and becomes the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Shingo Takagi; Goto wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS House of Torture & ???
While their leaders will battle in a Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch later tonight, Chase Owens, Clark Connors, “Drilla” Moloney & Taiji Ishimori will wage war with Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi, Sanada, and the newest member of the House. But will it not matter who Evil recruited? Or could new blood be just the thing to turn the tide?
Sanada walks out in a very odd body suit. It’s like he wants to walk out here in a leopard speedo but not really. Also, he’s now the “Cold Blooded Snake,” so clearly he is still evolving. But then, who is this mystery partner? Wait, is that Bad Luck Fale?! A founding member of Bullet Club has now betrayed Bullet Club!? And now he’s “Don Fale?!” Then is this the dawn of a new era in NJPW?
The brawl is on as Taiji, Connors & Drilla rush Sanada, Ren & Yujiro, but Chase wants to know why Fale, why? Chase and Fale were tag partners and friends! But Fale grabs Chase by the neck! Connors rushes in and CLUBS Fale, but Fale BODY BLOWS Connors! Drilla attacks Fale, but Fale BODY BLOWS and BODY BLOWS, and then TOSSES Drilla! Taiji fires off but Fale BODY BLOWS him, too! The bell rings to finally put this on record as Fale steps on Taiji in the corner! The fans rally, Fale drags Taiji to the ropes, and Fale stands on Taiji for the Bullet Club Massage! Or, perhaps the House of Torture Massage now!
Tag to Yujiro and he drops a leg, brother! And then another leg! Cover, TWO! Yujiro CHOKES Taiji as a cover, the ref reprimands, and Yujiro stops at 4. Tag to Ren and he BLASTS the Bullet Club corner! Ren bumps Taiji off buckles, SCRAPES Taiji’s face off the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. The fans rally for Taiji while Ren TOSSES him! Ren distracts the ref, which lets Fale whip Taiji hard into the railing! Yujiro drags Taiji up to put in the ring and Ren covers, TWO! Taiji stays in this, Drilla glares at Ren, but the ref has Drilla back down. Taiji fires hands on Ren, but Ren CHOKES Taiji! Ren puts Taiji in the corner, but stops as the ref counts 4.
Tag to Yujiro and Sanada distracts the ref. Ren snapmares Taiji and holds him open! But as Yujiro lines up the shot, Taiji UP KICKS Ren! Yujiro kicks low, whips, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans rally, hot tag to Connors! Connors CLOBBERS Ren, CLOBBERS Yujiro, KICKS ropes to jam up Sanada, and the fans fire up! Connors runs to ELBOW Ren in one corner, then runs to ELBOW Yujiro in the other! Connors reels Ren in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Connors and they bark it up. Connors aims at Yujiro, but Fale drags him out!
Fale whips Connors into railing! Chase gets in Fale’s face but the ref has them both back down. Drilla pushes Fale, so Fale whips Drilla into railing! Wait, Connors has Wheel-san! Connors CLOBBERS Fale with Wheel-san! The fans fire up and Connors hurries back into the ring. Connors whips Yujiro to SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tokyo Pimp toughs it out but Connors vows to end it! Connors drags Yujiro up, but Yujiro BITES Connors’ hand! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but then Connors ROCKS Yujiro! Connors runs up, but Yujiro FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Connors! And then he BOOTS Connors!
Yujiro runs, but Connors goes the other way! JEEP FLIPPER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yujiro and Connors crawl, hot tags to Sanada and Drilla! GORE OUTTA NOWHERE! The fans fire up as Drilla shows off his dancing pecs and drags Sanada up. DRILLA- NO, Sanada slips free! Drilla HEADBUTTS, Sanada drops, but Drilla blocks the sneaky low blow! Drilla whips and SPINEBUSTERS! The fans fire up and bark with Drilla, then he drags Sanada back up. Gut wrench and DRILLA- NO, Sanada BOOTS the ref! Sanada then slips free, reels Drilla in, and MAGIC SCREW! The fans rally but the House goes after Bullet Club on the outside!
Sanada grabs his guitar! The fans boo as this Cold Blooded Snake steps inside. Chase stops Sanada! He takes the guitar, gives it to Drilla, then sets Sanada up. Drilla takes aim, but then Chase LOW BLOWS Drilla?!? The fans don’t understand! Why did the Crown Jewel do that?! NO WAIT, he’s joining the House, too!?? SMASH HIT from Sanada to Drilla!! It wasn’t just Fale as Mr. X, there was a MOLE inside the club! Sanada covers Drilla, the House wins!!
Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall
Taiji asks why, Chase, why, but he just gets a LOW BLOW for it!! The old guard of Bullet Club is leaving them all behind to join up with Evil! Then is there nothing to stop this from being a HOT boy summer?
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuya Uemura!
The Ace Final Road continues to make connections, and that leads to his first and last 1v1 match with the Heat Storm. Will Tanahashi continue to ride high on his retirement tour? Or will Yuya only get hotter with the summer?
The bell rings and the fans rally for Tanahashi already. Tanahashi and Yuya circle, feel things out, and tie up. Tanahashi waistlocks, Yuya switches, and repeat. Tanahashi trips Yuya but Yuya switches. Tanahashi switches, Yuya switches, repeat, and then the two separate. The fans applaud this opening exchange, and the two reset. They circle, tie up, and Yuya wrenches to hammerlock then headlock, then he spins through to hammerlock, headlock, and hit the takeover! Tanahashi headscissors, Yuya kips free, but now Tanahashi hits a headlock takeover. Yuya headscissors. Tanahashi kips free, and Yuya headlocks.
Tanahashi fires body shots, powers out, but Yuya slides under! Yuya arm-drags! Tanahashi arm-drags, and he has the armlock! The fans rally, Yuya tries to headscissors but Tanahashi fights that off. Yuya rises up, Tanahashi grinds the arm, but Yuya wrenches and SAYANAGIS! Yuya then steps over to SNAP LOCK the arm! The fans rally while Yuya runs, and he basement DROPKICKS the arm! Tanahashi clutches the elbow and the fans rally more, but Yuya drags him up. Yuya wrenches the arm, wrenches again, then snapmares for Short Arm Scissors! Tanahashi endures, even as Yuya puts on the pressure.
Tanahashi turns, clasps hands, and he kicks his way over. Tanahashi reaches out but Yuya turns him back to keep on the scissors! The fans rally as Tanahashi continues to endure, and Tanahashi fights to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Yuya lets go, and the fans applaud. Yuya brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi fires forearms. Yuya wrenches the arm! Tanahashi fires more forearms, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Yuya stands Tanahashi up. Yuya wrenches and whips, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! And then he ELBOWS Yuya, whips him to ropes, and BACKDROPS him!
The fans fire up and Tanahashi storms over to Yuya. Tanahashi drags Yuya up to scoop and SLAM into the drop zone! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up the corner, SUNSET SENTON! A rough landing but Tanahashi stands back up. The fans rally and Tanahashi waits on Yuya. Yuya slowly rises, Tanahashi builds speed, but Yuya dodges the slingblade! Tanahashi blocks a kick, and waves bye before he DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Tanahashi resets and runs again, SLING- NO, Yuya slips through to trap the arms! Tanahashi kicks at Yuya’s legs, whips, but uses that to reel Yuya in for a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!
The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he tries once again. SLINGBLADE! Down goes Yuya and Tanahashi covers, TWO! Yuya stays in this and the fans rally up. Tanahashi hurries up the corner, aims, but Yuya stands. Tanahashi hits a HIGH FLY- NO, Yuya dodges the High Fly Attack, and now he goes up top! FROG- NO, Tanahashi dodges the Frog Splash Attack! The fans fire up while both men writhe. Yuya clutches his arm, the same arm that he injured all those months ago, and the fans rally. Tanahashi crawls his way over, drags Yuya up, and he fires a forearm! Yuya comes back with a forearm of his own!
The two stand, Yuya fires up, and the fans fire up with him! The forearms go back and forth, the fans cheering both men! Tanahashi eggs Yuya on, so Yuya fires a flurry! Tanahashi fires a strike fest! Yuya goes to a corner, Tanahashi storms up and whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And ARMBAR! Tanahashi clasps hands and the fans rally! Tanahashi fights around, but Yuya pulls on the arm! Yuya CLUBS Tanahashi’s grip and has the ARMBAR! Tanahashi has the ROPEBREAK, but Yuya drags him up into a cording hold! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS, then DRAGON SUPLEXES!
The fans fire up with Tanahashi builds speed. But Yuya catches him for a RANA! Then ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks the cover, TANAHASHI WINS!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
Yuya doesn’t realize it as he goes for a cover of his own, but he missed the kick-out by a thin margin! Tanahashi shows Yuya respect with how close that was. But is this really the only time Yuya gets to test himself against one of the best ever? Or will Tanahashi’s Final Road bring them back around before the year is over?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Direct Drive & The Way of the Grandmaster surprised a lot of people taking these titles off of the Ichiban Sweet Boys, but now some familiar foes come around to take these titles from them. We saw the House of Torture add new members, will they be adding new gold as well? Or can Yoh & Wato keep it fresh like Ziploc?
Wait, Sho grabs a mic. And he talks trash about how in Best of the Super Juniors, Wato lost in a “terrible effort” against Kanemaru, and yet he managed to hurt Kanemaru in the process! Sho also talks trash on Osaka, too, saying Kanemaru is above competing here in Wato’s hometown. The fans boo but Sho says these two don’t even have the right to call themselves proper champions! But don’t worry, Sho has a replacement for Kanemaru! Wait, really? Sho drops the mic and the House has yet another new member! It’s… DOUKI?! What?! Back from injury, and yet he’s turned to the dark side! Will Japones Del Mal make things very, very bad for Yoh & Wato?
Oh, of course Sho & Kanemaru still have to attack from behind! The shock of this return was the perfect distraction! Sho TOSSES Yoh out, Kanemaru kicks Wato out for Douki to RAM into the railing! Douki stomps Wato, drags him around, and then SMASHES the knee off the floor! Sho talks more trash but Douki puts Wato in the ring. The bell sounds so this is finally a match!
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO & Douki!
The fans boo as Douki and Sho stomp away on Wato, and the ref reprimands. One in, one out! Douki & Sho say hold on, and they stand Wato up to double whip. Wato grabs ropes, and he BOOTS Sho, ELBOWS Douki, and RAN- NO, Sho stops the rana and Douki basement DROPKICKS! Then they SMASH both knees off the mat! Yoh rushes in and fires off on Douki & Sho! Yoh CLUBS Douki, but Sho BODY BLOWS Yoh! Sho & Douki whip Yoh into bare buckles! Kanemaru still does his part in bringing out the House Special! And then Douki distracts the ref so Sho can hold Yoh open! Kanemaru climbs up, and that bad arm isn’t even hurt! Kanemaru uses it to DICK CHOP!
The fans boo as the House gets away with stooping even lower than usual! Douki brings Wato up but Wato fires body shots. Douki TOSSES Wato out, and he distracts the ref so Kanemaru can SMASH Wato’s knee on the floor! Then Sho SMASHES Wato’s knee off the floor! Then they DOUBLE SMASH the knees off the floor! The fans boo as Sho & Kanemaru mug Wato, then Sho drags Wato to his feet. The ref reprimands, Sho puts Wato in, and Douki DDTS a foot! And then Douki turns Wato over for the HALF CRAB! Wato endures, reaches out, and Sho keeps Yoh down on the outside! Wato crawls forward, but Douki drags him back!
Douki sits deep on the leg and the fans rally harder! Wato endures, pushes up, and he reaches out again! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Douki holds! The ref counts and Douki lets go at 4. Douki kicks Wato and taunts him. Wato grits his teeth but Douki stomps him. Wato rises up to throw body shots and chops but Douki laughs them off. Wato fires a forearm but Douki kicks low! Douki clamps onto a leg but Wato CLUBS away on him! Douki kicks the bad leg, runs, but Wato manages a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Wato crawls, but so does Douki, and Sho tags in first!
Sho BLASTS Yoh from the corner, then he drags Wato back. Douki KICKS Wato’s bad leg! The ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Douki watches Wato go to the corner. Douki runs in, Wato dodges, and he BOOTS Sho! Wato sends Douki into Sho, then he DOUBLE BULLDOGS! The fans fire up while all three are down! Wato crawls, hot tag to Yoh! The fans fire up as Yoh rallies on Sho & Douki with forearm after forearm! Yoh whips Sho into the bare buckles! Then he whips Douki into the bare buckles! Then Yoh PLANCHAS onto Kanemaru! Yoh then whips Kanemaru into railing! Yoh roars and the fans fire up with him!
Yoh goes up a corner, takes aim, and he CANNONBALLS into Sho! Cover, TWO! Yoh drags Sho up, brings him in, but Sho bends fingers! Yoh ROCKS Sho, turns him, but Sho still bends fingers! The ref reprimands but Sho whips. Yoh avoids hitting bare buckles, then he dodges Sho. Sho avoids hitting buckles but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Then he SPEARS Yoh down! Both Sho and Yoh are down but Sho crawls over, tag to Douki! Douki runs up on Yoh to LARIAT in a corner! Douki scoops and SLAMS Yoh, then runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Then Douki WRECKS Wato with a dropkick!
Douki goes outside and SMASHES Wato’s knee off the floor! The fans boo Douki as he swaggers around the way. Douki aims at Yoh, DAY- NO, Yoh ducks the Daybreak to UPPERCUT! Yoh runs, but Sho trips him up! The ref reprimands but Sho holds Yoh up. Douki runs, but Wato trips him up! The fans cheer and Yoh breaks free. Yoh sets up for WATO IN MOTION! Down goes Sho, and then Wato runs to BOOT Douki down! Wato fires up and the fans cheer as he FLIES! Down goes Douki at the ramp! Wato hobbles but he fires up even more! The fans cheer their hometown hero and he puts Douki back in the ring.
Yoh tags Wato in and then brings Douki up! FALCON ARROW! Kanemaru distracts the ref, Sho RAMS Yoh into the ref! Kanemaru SHOVES Wato down, Sho sends Yoh into bare buckles! The fans boo as now Kanemaru gets his whiskey bottle and Sho gets his Torture Tool! They aim at Wato & Yoh, but Wato & Yoh dodge! Kanemaru & Sho avoid colliding, but they take DOUBLE SUPERKICKS instead! Wato & Yoh aim at Douki, the fans rally up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up as Wato helps the ref back to his feet. Yoh suplexes Douki, but Douki slips free, and he shoves Yoh into the ref! Sho LOW BLOWS Yoh!
WHISKEY MIST for Wato! The fans boo but Sho has the Torture Tool! Sho CLOBBERS Yoh with it! The fans boo and Wato hobbles up, but Sho spins him around for Douki’s #DeathPipe! HOMERUN to the legs!! The fans boo but Sho laughs as he brings Wato around. Sho puts Wato on the ropes, holds the bad leg out, and Douki goes up! FLYING DEATH PIPE STRIKE!! Wato writhes, the fans boo more, but there’s nothing to stop Douki from putting Wato in the PARADISE FIGURE FOUR!! Sho keeps Yoh back, Wato TAPS, the House wins!!
Winners: Sho & Douki, by submission (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions)
The Young Lions try to stop Douki from inflicting more damage, but Sho & Kanemaru TOSS them all out! The House mugs Wato, adding insult to injury! Douki beats Wato down with the pipe! Yoh tries to go after him but Sho CHOKES him with the wrench! Douki then CLOBBERS Yoh! Sho is now a DOUBLE champion, and Douki holds gold after his first match back! How much more will the House stack the deck?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan VS Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii!
The United Empire has gone through changes, and they are calling for NJPW to do the same. But is the future here with the younger generation? Or will the Holy Emperor & Stone Pitbull prove old dogs can still learn new tricks?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if past or future is our present!
The teams sort out and Taichi starts against Callum. The bell rings, the two run up, and Taichi BOOTS! Callum BOOTS back, and Taichi eggs him on! Callum fires a forearm, Taichi fires a ridge hand chop, and repeat! They go back and forth, then they add KICKS to the mix! Callum fires a flurry, whips, but Taichi reverses. Callum BOOTS Taichi, Taichi SOBATS and ROUND KICKS! Callum falls but kips up to DROPKCIK! Taichi is up and the two tie up! They scrap, end up in the Empire’s corner, and Khan tags in. The Empire mugs Taichi, Mongolian Chop to a PENALTY KICK! Ishii storms in but Callum BOOTS him!
Khan grabs Ishii’s leg and THROWS him down! Callum DOUBLE STOMPS Ishii, then Callum rains down forearms on Taichi! The ref reprimands so Callum stops and steps outside. Khan drags Taichi up and KNEES him low! And KNEES him again! Khan MONKEY FLIPS Taichi, then fireman’s carries for the SLAM! Khan stands Taichi up again for a SAYANAGI! Cocky cover, TWO! The fans rally as Khan drags Taichi up, his tearaway pants already starting to tear away. Khan CLUBS Taichi into the corner, then hops up to sit on his throne! The fans applaud, the ref reprimands, and Khan hops down,
Khan brings Taichi around to Mongolian Chop him down! Cover, TWO! Ishii coaches Taichi up while the fans rally, but Khan gives Taichi mocking kicks. Khan then BLASTS Ishii off the apron! Khan mockingly asks Taichi what’s wrong, then slaps him around. Taichi fires RIDGE HAND after RIDGE HAND! Khan winds up but Taichi CHOPS him first! Taichi reaches out but Khan keeps him from the corner. Khan UPPERCUTS and whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down, but Taichi manages to tag Ishii! Ishii ROCKS Khan, then dodges Callum to send that BOOT into Khan!
Ishii whips Callum into Khan at the corner, then runs up. Callum dodges so Ishii LARIATS Khan! Callum returns but Ishii dodges, so Callum forearm SMASHES Khan! Ishii RUNS Callum over, then suplexes Khan high and hard! The fans fire up and Ishii looms over Khan. Ishii drags Khan up to CHOP! And CHOP again! Khan staggers but he shakes his head. Khan blocks the next chop to wrench, ELBOW BREAKER, and then KNEE the arm! Mongolian Chop to the arm! Ishii CHOPS, though a bit double-edged. Ishii runs, but into a SAYANAGI! Khan holds that bad arm out for Callum to PENALTY KICK into the ARMBAR!!
Ishii endures and the fans rally up! Ishii kicks around, fights his way over, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Khan lets go, and Khan tags Callum. The Empire double whip just to YANK Ishii’s bad arm, CLUB it, BOOT Ishii, then KNEE him down! Cover, TWO! Ishii toughs it out but Khan drags him back up for a waistlock. Callum runs, but Ishii BOOTS him away! Ishii ELBOWS Khan, then ducks so Callum’s ROUNDHOUSE hits Khan! Ishii then GERMAN SUPLEXES Callum! Callum tumbles away and the fans rally up! Ishii crawls, hot tag to Taichi! The fans fire up and Taichi runs corner to corner.
Taichi BOOTS Callum, and the fans rally behind him. Taichi runs, Callum avoids the Ax Bomber, swats the return, then BODY BLOWS! Callum KICKS Taichi to a corner, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! The fans fire up, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims at Callum, winds up, but Callum ducks the buzzsaw to roll Taichi up! TWO, and Callum ducks a backhand! Taichi avoids the spin kick! Taichi reels Callum in for a DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire up! Taichi feeds off that energy and takes aim. Callum rises, but Khan rushes in! Khan stops the Tensho Jujihou to THROW Taichi down!
Ishii runs in, Khan blocks the lariat and runs to LARIAT Ishii! Khan picks Taichi up and RAMS him into a corner! Khan then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan climbs up the corner and he drags Taichi up to join him! Taichi fights with ridge hands! Khan falls, but Callum DROPKICKS Taichi to the floor! The fans fire up and Khan brings out the Monster Rage! Khan PLANCHAS Ishii down!? Callum builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit on Taichi and Callum rolls through! The fans fire up while all four men are down on the outside! Callum rises first and he puts Taichi in the ring. Callum climbs the corner and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!
Taichi survives and the fans fire up! Khan keeps Ishii on the outside while Callum rises up. The fans rally more and Callum roars! Callum brings Taichi up, BLOODY- NO, Taichi slips out and back suplexes! Callum lands out, and feeds Taichi to a KNEE from Khan! Callum ROCKS Taichi, then coordinates with Khan. ROLLING ELBOW IRON RIGHT COMBO!! Callum then drags Taichi up, hooks up the legs, FIREBOLT!! Cover, ISHII BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, and then Khan CLOBBERS Ishii! Khan throws up the crown, then he fireman’s carries Taichi! Callum says crowns up, runs the ropes, but Ishii CLOBBERS him!
The fans fire up as Taichi slips free of Khan, shoves him at Ishii, and Ishii LARIATS! Ishii blocks Callum’s boot to HEADBUTT! DOUBLE GIRI COMBO!! The fans are thunderous as Taichi stands Callum up! Alabama Lift, but Khan has a SLEEPER on Ishii! Callum fights free, kicks off Ishii, and TORNADO DDTS Taichi! Khan GERMAN SUPLEXES Ishii away! The fans rally up while Callum watches Taichi runs. Callum runs in, V-TRIGGER! Callum runs again, but into a FOREARM! Callum V-TRIGGERS again! Taichi roars and runs in, but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous while Callum is furious!
Callum shakes his head, mostly to shake out the doubt. The fans rally even harder for Taichi as Callum runs. Springboard and OSC- TENSHO JUJIHOU!! Alabama Lift, Ishii ROCKS Callum into the BLACK MEPHISTO BRAINBUSTER!!! Khan returns but into a TENSHO JUJIHOU!!! Taichi roars because he’s not done with Callum! BLACK MEPHISTO!!! Cover, TAICHI & ISHII WIN!!!
Winners: Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
The United Empire could not conquer the past, and now Taichi & Ishii reign! This perhaps makes up for how Douki betrayed Just4Guys to make them Just3Guys, but perhaps they can just join Hontai now? As for the Empire, what are they to do after losing what little gold they had?
NJPW announces the participants in G1 Climax 35!
Naturally, Hirooki Goto is in, but will he still be world champion? Joining him in A Block will be: Boltin Oleg; Yuya Uemura; Yota Tsuji; David Finlay; Evil; Sanada; and Hiroshi Tanahashi in his FINAL G1! B Block has: El Phantasmo; Shota Umino; Shingo Takagi; Zack Sabre Jr; Great-O-Khan; Gabe Kidd; Ren Narita; and Konosuke Takeshita to represent AEW & DDT Pro! The remaining spots are up for grabs as part of play-in matches during the New Japan Soul tour! Two on June 23, the other two on July 4th, who will be lucky enough to be chosen for this opportunity?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg!
The Alpha of AEW is back, and though he is planning for a big summer, he has a big title defense to start it off! Will Konosuke keep this title going into G1 Season? Or will he be put behind BARS?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if things NEVER change!
The bell rings and the two run up to tie up! Konosuke headlocks, Oleg powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Oleg rebounds to RAM Konosuke, Konosuke rebounds to RAM Oleg, then Konosuke BOOTS Oleg! Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses, but Konosuke RAMS Oleg! Oleg rebounds to CLOBBER Konosuke! The fans fire up with Oleg and he runs at Konosuke in the corner! SPLASH! Oleg keeps moving, but Konosuke meets him with a JUMP KNEE! The fans duel while Oleg bails out. Konosuke builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Oleg at the ramp and the fans fire up! Konosuke rises and the fans cheer him on.
Konosuke drags Oleg up and into the ring. Konosuke brings Oleg to the apron, but Oleg blocks the suplex! Konosuke powers through to FALCON ARROW Oleg into the ring! The fans rally and Konosuke climbs up. He gets the fans fired up, and then SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Oleg is still in this and the fans applaud. Konosuke paces around while Oleg rises. Konosuke brings Oleg around as the fans rally for “BO-RU-TIN!” Oleg fights the back suplex and throws elbows. Konosuke keeps Oleg from running and ROCKS him in the back! Konosuke shoves Oleg to the ropes and ROCKS him in the back again!
Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses but Konosuke TAKESHITA LINES into a fireman’s carry! The fans fire up and Konosuke panics! Oleg F5s Konosuke to the outside!! The fans fire up as Konosuke crashes down! Oleg crawls to the apron and then storms up on Konosuke at the ramp. Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, but Konosuke hits back! Oleg ROCKS Konosuke again, and they go further up the ramp. Konosuke ROCKS Oleg in return, but then Oleg ROCKS Konosuke again! They’re up on stage now, and the ALPHA ELBOW knocks Oleg down! The fans fire up while Oleg sputters and rises again. Konosuke uses the full length of the stage for a running start!
Oleg meets Konosuke for DOUBLE LARIATS! Oleg CHOPS, then he gut wrenches! The fans fire up for the Shake, Rattle and THROW down the ramp! Konosuke tumbles all the way from the D to the N in “DOMINION!” The fans fire up for Oleg as he hobbles after Konosuke. The ref finally starts a ring count, as is his discretion, and Oleg rolls into the ring at 7 of 20. Konosuke stands at 10, hobbles his way over, and rolls in at 14. The fans applaud as this continues, and then Oleg runs up, jumps up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Oleg drags Konosuke up. Oleg runs, but Konosuke ROCKS him!
Oleg swings, but into a cording hold! ALPHA ELBOW! Konosuke hauls Oleg up for BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! But right into a BOSTON CRAB! Konosuke sits deep on the hold, wanting to take Oleg down with a “Young Lion” hold! The fans rally for Oleg and he fights around! Oleg reaches out, powers up, and almost throws Konosuke off! Oleg pushes forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Oleg is freed. But Konosuke runs and LARIATS Oleg down! Konosuke vows to end this now, and he reels Oleg in. But Oleg blocks the suplex! Konosuke tries, but Oleg lifts him first! But Oleg’s back gives out!
Konosuke waistlocks for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Konosuke grows frustrated but the fans still rally behind Oleg. Konosuke goes to the corner and climbs up. Konosuke fires up and the fans cheer. Konosuke reaches the top, but Oleg ROCKS him first! Oleg climbs up after Konosuke now! Konosuke fires body shots, then LARIATS Oleg off the corner! But Oleg rises!? And he ROCKS Konosuke again! The fans fire up as Oleg climbs up, and he drags Konosuke onto his shoulders for the fireman’s carry! SUPER DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and now Oleg grows frustrated!
The fans rally as Oleg tries another fireman’s carry! Konosuke flails and slips down to have a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Oleg endures as Konosuke squeezes tight, but the fans rally up! Oleg gets a second wind, Konosuke CLUBS away on him, but Oleg BACKDROPS free! Both men rise, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS Oleg!! Konosuke drags Oleg up, but Oleg fireman’s carries through! The fans fire up as Oleg hits a POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZE!! Cover, TWO?!? Konosuke survives and the fans fire up! Konosuke and Oleg both catch their breath before they rise again.
Konosuke ROCKS Oleg, Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, repeat! The forearms keep going back and forth and the fans rally up! Oleg gets the edge, but then Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS again! Konosuke pulls off his elbow pad, winds up again, but Oleg DECKS Konosuke!! Oleg roars, the fans fire up, and Oleg runs! Konosuke dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Konosuke runs, but Oleg LARIATS through!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg rises, he fireman’s carries Konosuke, but Konosuke slips down to waistlock! Full nelson, and DRAGON SUPLEX!! But Oleg stirs!? Konosuke hurries to ALPHA ELBOW again!!
Oleg falls in a heap but Konosuke isn’t done! He vows to end this, and he stands Oleg up, but Oleg SHOTGUNS! Konosuke ruses, POWER- NO, Oleg stops the knee attack and fireman’s carries! KAMIKAZE!!! Cover, OLEG WINS!!
Winner: Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
His first singles championship, and it comes off the incredibly accomplished Konosuke Takeshita! Oleg shows The Alpha respect, but this title is now going to be with Oleg for the G1! Will Oleg be the one to define the NEVER fighting spirit?
Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS EVIL w/ The House of Torture!
If tonight has shown us anything, it’s that the Dog Pound Cage Match barely settled anything! The War Dogs may be THE Bullet Club now, but the House of Torture has been making moves in the shadows. But can The Rebel still put the King of Darkness down? Or will we have to admit that Everything is Evil?
Well, given this is a No Disqualification match, Evil is putting all the cards on the table by having all nine of his henchmen at ringside! Finlay makes his entrance, and it seems he only has Gedo with him. To be fair, his dogs got beat up in the 8 Man Tag, and Gabe Kidd has to focus on his own goal of the Global Heavyweight Championship. Wait, Finlay has Gedo go to the back? Evil chuckles, surely Finlay doesn’t think he can win 1v10. Wait, the rest of the dogs are still here! Connors, Drilla & Taiji walk with Finlay, but they’re still outnumbered 2:1. Even so, five War Dogs step up to the stacked deck of 10.
Finlay has the chain, and he has his boys throw up the Too Sweet. Osaka barks for the War Dogs as Finlay puts his collar on. Evil has his boys put one out, and he smirks as he picks up his collar. Evil puts it on, the factions stay outside, and the bell rings. The fans rally as Finlay and Evil gather up slack, and they circle as they get closer. The tug-o-war gets tenser, but Evil lets some slack go so the distance stays the same. The two feel things out using the slack as a weapon. Evil takes swipes, and then he stands on the chain! Finlay uses that trick against Evil and trips him up! Finlay rains down fists, but Evil scrambles out of the ring!
Finlay quickly reminds Evil that they’re stuck together by reeling him back in! Finlay CLUBS away on Evil, the fans and the War Dogs fire up, and then Finlay throat chops Evil in the corner! And throat chops again! Finlay climbs up to rain down fists, then he wraps the chain around the post! Finlay CHOKES Evil, then RAMS him! Finlay wraps the chain around the post again and he pulls! Payback for when Evil did this in the dog pound! Finlay stomps Evil, CHOKES him, but Evil refuses to give up. Finlay fires point-blank LARIATS again and again and again, all the way to TEN! The fans cheer while Evil sputters.
Finlay lets Evil out of the corner, gathers up some slack, and he LASHES Evil on the back! Finlay then TOSSES Evil over the top rope, and HANGS him! The warring factions keep each other at bay, and then Finlay lets Evil drop to the floor! Finlay takes his time going outside, but Evil YANKS the chain and FLINGS Finlay into railing! The Rebel crashes down and the ref checks him. Evil has the ref check him, but this is a distraction! The House swarms Finlay! The War Dogs rush in, but again, this is a 2:1 ratio, the House beats up on the War Dogs! Evil drags Finlay into the crowd! The fans fire up but they clear out of the way as Evil PUNCHES Finlay!
Evil CHOKES Finlay with the chain! The ref reprimands but there’s nothing more he can do. The factions brawl more at ringside, and oh look, the blue buckle pad is gone! The House Special is waiting while Evil BOWLS Finlay into chairs! The fans clear out a bit more as Evil looms over Finlay. Evil ROCKS Finlay, talks trash, then drags him back to ringside. Evil throws more headlock punches, then he stands on Finlay’s head! The ref reprimands, Evil steps off, and Evil drags Finlay up. Finlay is busted open, but Evil GAGS Finlay with the chain! Finlay flails, fans have to move aside, and Evil CHOKES Finlay on the railing!
The fans boo Evil and rally for Finlay, but Evil brings Finlay back to the ring. The House has thoroughly beat down the War Dogs, and Evil GAGS Finlay again! Finlay can only suffer as Evil wraps the chain around his head a bit more, then BOOTS him down! Evil drags Finlay up, then SMACKS him off bare buckles! The fans boo and the War Dogs coach Finlay on. Evil tells them to shut up, and then he puts Finlay in a Tree of Woe! The bare buckles make that hurt more. Evil’s collar comes undone, and he “complains” to the ref! That’s all a distraction so Dick and the House can CHOKE Finlay using the chain!
The fans boo, the ref does reprimand about the chain detaching from Evil’s collar, but Evil claims it was totally by accident. Finlay is freed from the Tree, the ref grabs the chain, and he reattaches it for Evil. Finlay coughs and sputters while Gedo protests, this has to be because of something Evil did to the chain. Evil whips Finlay hard into more bare buckles, because the House undid one of the neutral corners! And then the same on the other neutral corner! Evil laughs at Finlay but Gedo and the dogs coach Finlay up. Evil whips Finlay back into the House corner and Finlay falls in a heap. Evil says the ref should just call it.
Finlay refuses to let Evil win like that, so Evil whips him at the red corner! Finlay avoids hitting those bare buckles, then he dodges Evil! Evil avoids hitting the bare buckles, but Finlay YANKS the chain and LOW BLOWS Evil! Finlay storms up on Evil, and now Evil is sent into bare buckles! The King of Darkness tastes some of his own medicine! Finlay gathers up the slack and LASHES Evil again and again! Ren, Yujiro & Sanada get on the apron, but Finlay BLASTS them all down! Finlay then stands Evil up to CHAIN PUNCH! The fans fire up and Evil looms over Evil. Finlay drags Evil up, reels him in, and POWERBOMBS him out onto the House!
The fans fire up as The King of Darkness is used to wipe out about seven of his pawns! Finlay goes outside again, and he wraps up his fist again. Finlay says no more games, and he punches away on Evil’s forehead! The fans bark, Finlay shouts, “WAR DOGS~!” and the fans cheer! Finlay fetches Evil, whips him hard into railing, then laces through a corner. Finlay reels Evil in with the chain and has him against the corner! Finlay then runs around Evil to wrap him up! Evil is trapped, and Finlay fires away with HAYMAKERS! Finlay BITES Evil’s forehead, then spits out that awful taste. Finlay unwraps Evil by running around the other way, only for Evil to YANK Finlay into POST!
Finlay is in a daze, and Evil brings out chairs! Evil has Dick distract the ref. No Disqualification or not, Evil wants to escalate things! He puts the chair around Finlay’s head, and then YANKS him into the POST!! Finlay falls in a heap while the fans boo Evil! The ref checks on Finlay, and somehow Finlay is still able to continue. Evil drags Finlay up with the chain, reels him into the ring, and Evil LASHES Finlay now! Finlay writhes but Evil LASHES him again! Finlay flounders but Evil LASHES him again! The fans rally for Finlay but Evil drags him up, to LARIAT! Finlay staggers around, Evil LARIATS again! Finlay leans on Evil, then slumps down.
The fans rally for Finlay but Evil wraps his arm in chain. Evil winds up and stands Finlay for the CHAIN LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and the fans fire up! Evil brings Finlay back up, fireman’s carries, and DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay is still in this and the War Dogs rally the fans! Evil is annoyed but he vows to end this now. Evil drags Finlay up, reels him in, EVERY- NO, Finlay slips free and suplexes! INTO OBLIVION!! The fans fire up as Finlay turns this around! Both men are down, but Finlay uses the chain to bring Evil over. Finlay reels Evil in, lifts, and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Evil falls in a heap from hitting off bare steel!
Finlay shows no mercy, and he POWERBOMBS again! Finlay wobbles but then leans against the ropes. Evil sputters, the House is worried, but Finlay is on Evil again! POWERBOMB!! Finlay staggers, but even the War Dogs want more! Finlay storms over to Evil, uses the chain to CHOKE him, then turns around. But Evil reels the ref in and CHOKES him! Evil and the ref fall, and Finlay realizes what happened. Finlay says that won’t spare Evil, and he KNEES Evil down! Finlay says Evil wanted this, now he’s gonna pay! Finlay stands Evil up to KNEE him down again! The fans cheer Finlay on as he drags Evil back up.
Finlay reels Evil in for another KNEE! Finlay slashes his throat and vows to end this! The fans fire up and bark with Finlay. Finlay wraps his knee with the chain, but Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! Gedo gets in and uses the chain to CHOKE Dick! Sanada CLUBS Gedo! Connors CLUBS Sanada! Sho hits Connors with the Torture Tool! Drilla kicks Sho low and reels him in, DRILLA- NO, Ren uses the PUSHUP BAR! Taiji fires off hands on Ren, but Yujiro uses the PIMP CANE! Finlay CLOBBERS everybody, but Chase is in! Finlay SMACKS that traitor, then goes after Ren! WHISKEY MIST! DEATH PIPE!! Chase gives Finlay a C-TRIGGER!!
The fans boo as all these traitors help Evil! They even bring in a table! They CHUCK the table right at Finlay’s head! Then they set it up near a corner, and Fale climbs up!?! Finlay is put on the table, and Fale DIVING SPLASHES through the table!! The fans boo as Finlay is completely wrecked! Evil makes sure the collar is back on as if nothing happened. Evil calls for the ref, then he wraps the chain around Finlay’s neck! Evil CHOKES Finlay, a new ref comes in as a replacement, and Evil uses the chain to help with the SCORPION DEATHLOCK!! Finlay endures as Evil bends him back and pulls on the chain!!
The fans boo but Finlay can only endure! Bloody forehead, bloody back, and he’s PASSING OUT!! EVIL WINS!!
Winner: Evil, by submission
The King of Darkness let The Rebel have the name, “Bullet Club,” because clearly he wants what matters more: POWER! The House of Torture is a force of nature at ten men strong, will no one stop them from taking over NJPW?
As for Finlay, the medical team is brought in, and they bring a backboard and stretcher. Will their boss dog ever be able to bark again?
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd!
When these two battled last, it went to a time limit draw, and obviously everyone was left wanting more. But will sixty minutes be enough this time around? Or will the Gene Blast and Mad Man fight forever?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and these two finally run it back!
Gabe surprisingly shows respect by offering a handshake. Yota accepts and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the two slowly circle. The fans duel, with plenty of “YOTA!” and “GABU!” Gabe then SMACKS Yota, SAIDOS, and Yota tumbles out! “I’m a Mad Man, y’know!” Gabe runs and FLIES! Down goes Yota and the fans fire up! Gabe goes back to Yota, drags him up and into the ring, and the fans cheer. But then Yota BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Yota runs to FOSBURY FLOP! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Both men are down from bringing out the big moves early, and a ring count begins. Both men stir at 8, and Yota rises at 10 of 20.
Yota brings Gabe up at 13 but Gabe fights the scoop! Yota fights the driver, we pass 15! And then 17! Yota fights the suplex, both men hear 19 and they LEAP in! The fans cheer as these two avoid a rather quick draw. The two then tie up, Gabe headlocks, and Yota powers up and out. Gabe RUNS Yota over, then things speed up. Yota bypasses then HIP TOSSES Gabe, and adds a basement DROPKICK! The fans rally while Gabe goes to ropes. Yota storms up but Gabe CHOPS! Gabe fires forearms and UPPERCUTS! Gabe whips, Yota reverses and hit a KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Gabe sputters but Yota brings him up for a scoop and SLAM!
Yota runs, and he SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head, he’s tougher than that, but Yota stays calm. Yota storms over to Gabe, stands him up, and CHOPS him back down! Gabe huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises up, but Yota fires a forearm. Gabe fires back, they trade shots, but then Yota BODY BLOWS! Gabe falls in a heap and sputters again. Yota brings Gabe back up, then runs to RUN Gabe over! The fans cheer and Yota pushes Gabe to a cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head and the fans applaud but Yota grins. Yota brings Gabe up, ROCKS him, and has him in a corner. Gabe eggs Yota on so Yota CHOPS him!
Yota stands Gabe up, RAMS into him again and again, but Red Shoes reprimands. Yota snapmares Gabe, then wraps on body scissors! Gabe endures the squeeze, fights off the chinlock, and he eggs Yota on again. Yota fires a forearm, Gabe SLAPS, and repeat! Yota SLAPS Gabe now! Gabe sputters and Yota turns scissors into a top mount so he can CHOP Gabe! Gabe snarls and grabs at Yota, but Yota CHOPS him again! Yota paces, then he scuffs Gabe. Gabe sits up with a scowl, but Yota scuffs him again. Gabe gets in Yota’s face, so Yota fires forearms. Gabe tells Yota off but Yota fires a flurry! Then he DECKS Gabe!
Yota smiles and paces while Gabe slowly sits back up. Gabe shakes out the stars, but Yota fires even more forearms. Gabe powers Yota to the ropes! Yota HAMMERS Gabe, but Gabe SHOVES Yota up and out! Yota tumbles to the floor but is otherwise okay, so a ring count begins. The fans rally, Gabe sits cross-legged, but Yota is still down at 10 of 20. Yota stands at 13, rolls in at 15, and Gabe says F YOU! LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Yota survives and the fans cheer but Gabe is annoyed. Gabe barks, the fans join in, and Gabe stands Yota up. Gabe winds up to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP as he has Yota against ropes! Gabe then LARIATS and CROSSBODIES!
Yota tumbles away and Gabe snarls. Gabe runs in at the corner and LARIATS! Then he clinches to EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head and paces around Yota. Gabe runs, but Yota ducks the lariat to COMPLETE SHOT, then deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Gabe tumbles to a corner, the fans rally up, and Yota growls. Yota runs corner to corner to V-TRIGGER! Gabe falls, Yota grins, and Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Gabe dodges! Gabe runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Gabe is still in this but Yota stays focused. The fans rally and duel as Yota brings Gabe up.
Yota reels Gabe in, suplexes, but Gabe blocks! They fight for suplex control now, and Gabe fires a body shot! Gabe then hangs Yota out to dry and BOOTS him! Gabe goes up the corner now, and he GUILLOTINE SENTONS! Not the best hit and Gabe may have taken as much damage as Yota on that. Gabe crawls over to bring Yota up, and he SAIDOS! Cover, TWO! Yota is still in this and the fans cheer. Both men are down but Gabe sits up. Gabe shakes his head, he doesn’t care about that. He eggs Yota on and dares him to bring the fight! Gabe SLAPS Yota, then eggs him on more. Yota CHOPS in return and the fans fire up!
Yota eggs Gabe on, then catches him for the BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER and STOMP! The fans fire up as the Gene Combination hits! Yota watches Gabe bails out, so Yota builds speed again! Yota DIVES and down goes Gabe! But Gabe’s right up to BOOT Yota! Gabe runs up, but Yota pops him up! Gabe mule kicks, then goes up, up, and ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and then Gabe inverted suplexes into a gut wrench! TOMBSTONE on the floor!! Gabe and Yota are both down while the fans fire up! Gabe rises and the fans cheer him on! Gabe puts Yota in the ring, hauls him up, and suplexes for the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer as Yota stays in this, but Gabe frowns. Gabe grabs Yota’s legs and GIANT SWINGS him! Gabe borrows from his new friends in the Death Riders, and then he turns Yota over for a BOSTON CRAB! Gabe wants to use that Young Lion hold to humiliate Yota! The fans rally as Yota endures and powers up! Yota storms his way forward, but Gabe drags him back and sits deep! The fans rally more as Yota powers up again! Yota grits his teeth and fights forward, but Gabe sits deeper! Yota still manages the ROPEBREAK! Gabe lets go in frustration, and he stomps and kicks Yota at the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands but Gabe eggs Yota on.
Gabe tells Yota that this is NJPW, so get up! Yota rises, and he fires a forearm. Gabe shakes his head so Yota fires more shots. Gabe says they’re still not good enough, and he CHOPS in return! Yota sputters, the fans rally, and Gabe waits on Yota. Yota rises to fire a forearm, Gabe CHOPS again, and Yota staggers back. Yota storms up to fire a forearm, but Gabe gives that back. The forearms go back and forth, speed up even, and the fans rally. Yota fires a flurry, then a CHOP! Gabe felt that one! Gabe still comes back and fakes a chop to JAB! Red Shoes reprimands about closed fists but Gabe kicks and CHOPS Yota!
Yota stands to HEADBUTT! Gabe falls right over! Yota waits on Gabe, winds up, but Gabe catches him to a nelson! Yota breaks it but ends up in a COBRA TWIST! The fans fire up, Yota reaches out, but Gabe rolls Yota up! TWO, and Gabe SMACKS Yota! Gabe reels Yota in, but Yota Alabama Lifts! DEADEYE! Yota then reels Gabe in, lifts, and hits a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and Yota grows frustrated but the fans love it! Yota runs to CURB STOMP Gabe, then he goes up the corner! The fans fire up for the MARLOWE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans cheer again. Yota roars and the fans duel again!
Yota aims from a corner as Gabe rises. GENE- KNEE!!! Gabe roars, KICKS Yota in the face, then reels him in! LEG TRAP PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and no one can believe it! The fans rally up again and Gabe roars! Gabe brings his kneepad down and takes aim at Yota! O- NO!! Yota pops Gabe up for a KNEE of his own! And then a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans rally up again. Yota goes to a corner, Gabe stands, GENE- LARIAT!! Gabe counters again, and then he hauls Yota up! Yota fights the driver, wrenches, but Gabe SMACKS him! Yota V-TRIGGERS!
Gabe rebounds, Yota dodges, but then Gabe rebounds again, COMEBACKER!! The fans are thunderous and Gabe aims from the corner! O- GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Now Gabe survives and the fans are electric! Yota roars and he reloads! Gabe stands, into the GENE- NO! Gabe facelocks, PARADIGM SHIFT?!?! And then the LEG TRAP DRIVER!!!! Cover, GABE WINS!!!
Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Mad Man used The Maniac’s move and made himself a champion! Gabe has been saying he wants to restore the feeling of Strong Style in NJPW, but did he prove he can also be elite?
After being presented the belt, Gabe grabs the mic. “Tsuji, wait, wait, wait.” Gabe hobbles over to his rival and the fans applaud. Gabe tells Yota that NJPW in the 1990s, it was Hashimota and Mutoh. In the 2000s, it was Tanahashi and Nakamura. And then the late 2010s, it was Okada and Omega. But now, with 2025, it will be them, Tsuji and Kidd!! Gabe wants Tsuji to understand, he will see him again later. Gabe then asks if anyone minds that he speaks English. No, let’s be real. It is very public what happened to him, the struggles he has been through. “Getting sectioned in a side checker hospital, not wanting to live anymore…”
But none of that matters now, because he is now the GLOBAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! The fans cheer Gabe on as he holds up the belt. Gabe revels in that praise, and then says that he wants challengers now! Who is it gonna be? OI! HIROSHI TANAHASHI! Get out here, ya bastard! The fans cheer Tanahashi on, and Gabe says hurry up, get out here. Here comes The Ace! The fans cheer as Tanahashi makes his way back out here, and Gabe holds the ropes open for the President. The fans applaud, and now they’re face to face in the ring. Gabe says this is Tanahashi’s Final Road. Then let’s go, President! They’ll fight one last time!
The fans cheer that idea! Will Tanahashi and Gabe light it up even before entering the G1? Will the Mad Man regret gambling with The Ace?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ YOSHI-HASHI VS Shingo Takagi!
The dream finally came true earlier this year at the New Beginning in Osaka as the Goto Revolution dethroned Zack Sabre Jr. Goto was handed the banner of Hontai by Hiroshi Tanahashi, and then Goto overcame ZSJ again in their rematch. But now, this former ungovernable has come back to regain former glory! Will this become the Takagi Revolution? Or will the Fierce Warrior slay this Rampaging Dragon?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes this their Dominion!
The bell rings and the fans fire up already. The dueling is strong between “GO-TO-O!” and “TA-KA-GI!” The two feel things out, knuckle lock, then clinch, only to separate. They go again, then separate, and the fans continue to rally. The two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Takagi powers Goto to the ropes. Goto turns things around on Takagi, lets off slowly, and pats Takagi on the shoulders. Takagi rushes Goto and kicks low! Takagi CLUBS Goto, clamps on a headlock, but Goto poewrs up and out. GOto headlocks inr eturn, but now Takagi powers up and out. They RAM shoulders and Takagi just brushes it off.
Takagi runs to RAM Goto, but Goto grits his teeth. Goto and Takagi egg each other on, then Goto runs. Goto RAMS Takagi, Takagi rebounds and RAMS Goto! Goto rebounds and RAMS Takagi again, and both men stand their ground. The fans rally as Goto fires a forearm and Takagi fires a CHOP, then repeat! They both throw forearms now, but then Goto knees low, snapmares, and KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stands to CHOP! The fans fire up and Takagi whips. Goto reverses, Takagi blocks the hip toss, and Takagi THROWS Goto down. Goto avoids the senton and he hits a takeover. Takagi headscissors, Goto kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff.
Goto and Takagi reset while the fans rally. They approach, and Takagi offers a handshake? Goto is wary, but Takagi promises a clean fight. Goto accepts the handshake, but then Takagi KNEES low! Goto fights the pump handle, dragon sleepers, but Takagi arm-drags free. Takagi bypasses Goto, but Goto counters a hip toss with a hip toss! Goto then RUNS Takagi over! Takagi bails out and goes to the crowd. Takagi dares Goto to come get him, but Goto tells Takagi to get in the ring. Takagi stretches out his arms and legs, then steps back to the apron. Red Shoes has Goto stay back, but then Takagi steps in and Goto attacks!
Goto CLUBS away on Takagi in the corner, then he whips Takagi to ropes. Goto ELBOWS Takagi down, then ELBOW DROPS! Takagi sputters, Goto drops an ELBOWS on the back! Cover, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Goto brings Takagi up. Goto digs his knee into Takagi’s back as part of the chinlock. Takagi endures, but Goto ELBOWS him in the head! Red Shoes reprimands but Goto stomps Takagi around. Goto and Takagi trade forearms but Goto stomps Takagi in the corner. Goto whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS! The fans fire up with Goto and he headlocks, but Takagi fights off the bulldog!
Goto fires knees, but Takagi shoves Goto away! Goto comes back, but into the ELBOW! Takagi goes up and reels Goto in, TORNADO DDT! Takagi then runs up and LARIATS Goto up and out of the ring! The fans cheer, then they duel while Goto is down on the outside. Takagi goes out to fetch Goto, and he brings Goto around the way to whip hard into railing! Yoshi-Hashi has to stay back as Takagi storms over that way. Takagi brings Goto around to SMACK him off the apron! Takagi then fireman’s carries for a SNAKE EYES off the apron! Takagi doesn’t stop, he brings Goto to the ramp! Snap suplex onto the ramp! Right on the N and I!
Goto writhes, clutching his leg, and Red Shoes has Takagi stay back. Takagi waits, and Goto is okay to continue. Takagi stomps Goto, drags him up, and Takagi brings Goto to the ring. Takagi then drops an ELBOW of his own! And a SENTON! The fans applaud and rally up again. Takagi brings Goto up, puts him on the ropes, and KNEES him low! And KNEES him again! Takagi backs off as Red Shoes reprimands, and then Takagi whips to KNEE Goto again! Takagi runs to RUN Goto over! The fans fire up and Takagi flexes. Takagi drags Goto back up, reels him in, and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO!
Takagi looks to the camera, but then says not yet. Takagi wraps on the body scissors! Goto fights around as he endures the squeeze. Takagi clamps on a chinlock, Goto still fights, so Takagi shifts to make it part COBRA TWIST! The fans rally as Goto still endures and still fights around! Goto kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Takagi holds on! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, so Goto lets go at 3. Takagi stands while the fans rally. Takagi kicks Goto around, then stands him up. Goto fires CHOP after CHOP, but Takagi RIDGE HAND CHOPS, and RIDGE HAND CHOPS, then DOUBLE CHOPS!
Takagi has Goto in the corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs in, but blocks a boot! Takagi LARIATS through and the fans fire up! Takagi stands Goto up to JAB, CHOP, and repeat! The fans rally with every JAB, then Takagi CHOPS! Takagi then whips Goto back the other way, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into BOOTS! Takagi runs, Goto follows and LARIATS! The fans cheer while both men are down. Goto rises as the fans rally and duel again. Goto storms over to Takagi in the corner, fires forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in and MURAMASA to the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and the fans cheer.
The dueling continues as “GO-TO-O!” rises and storms over to “TA-KA-GI!” Goto scoops, Takagi slips free to the apron, but Goto ELBOWS Takagi. Goto runs up but Takagi RAMS him! Takagi looks to the floor and nods. Takagi brings Goto up but Goto DECKS him! Takagi goes to the floor and leans on the railing. Goto rolls out to go after him, but Takagi RAMS Goto into the apron! Takagi has media clear out, and he whips Goto. Goto stops from hitting railing, then he picks Takagi up! Goto has Takagi on the railing, for a DRAPING SHOTO to the floor! The fans fire up and Red Shoes checks both men. They’re both able to continue, and Goto rolls into the ring first.
The ring count is climbing, Takagi is still down at 7 of 20. Takagi stirs, rises up, and he uses the railing to stand at 11. But then he falls back! Takagi rises again at 15, and he slides in at 17! The fans applaud, and Goto storms his way over. Goto stomps Takagi, brings him up, but Takagi fires a forearm! Goto fires back, but then Takagi CHOPS! Goto ROCKS Takagi, Takagi HEADBUTTS Goto, repeat! Takagi then runs, but Goto catches him to URA GTR! Goto runs and LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and Goto snarls. The fans rally and Goto brings Takagi up. Takagi fights the fireman’s carry and CLUBS away on him!
Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up while Goto is down! Takagi drags Goto back up while the fans rally, but Goto takes a swing! Takagi catches him, spins him, and hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Takagi then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Goto stays in this and the fans applaud. Takagi shouts to Osaka and says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as Takagi stands Goto up and pump handles. Goto fires elbows and gets free, to then fire forearms! Goto runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! And SAIDO! Goto stands?! But Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- NO, Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI!
The fans fire up again while both men are down! The dueling begins again and is strong as ever. Goto stands first, he runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Takagi drops to his knees while Goto staggers back, and the fans rally up again. Takagi and Goto DOUBLE LARIAT again! Goto roars, runs, but Takagi swats a lariat to BLINDSIDE LARIAT, then PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi hauls Goto up to POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Goto stays in this and the fans fire up. Both men slowly rise up, and Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in, Takagi runs corner to corner and LARIATS! The fans fire up while Goto sputters.
Takagi roars, the fans fire up more, and Takagi puts Goto up top. Takagi climbs up but Goto fires body shots! Goto shoves Takagi down but Takagi fires ridge hands! Takagi climbs up again, but Goto fires forearms! Takagi HEADBUTTS, Goto HEADBUTTS, and they keep going back and forth! Goto then pushes Takagi down so he can climb up, SUPER KAI TEN!! High stack cover, TWO!! Takagi survives that super sunset bomb and the fans are thunderously dueling! Goto fireman’s carries, G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives again and the fans rally up more. Goto roars and drags Takagi into a dragon sleeper!
But Takagi spins it around! Takagi squeezes tight, but Goto drops down! Takagi holds on, but Goto fires hands from below! Goto is free, runs up, but Takagi puts him in the ropes! Takagi hits the DRAPING GTR! And then he pump handles to hit MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Goto survives and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi drags Goto up, runs, and PUMPING BOMBER! The fans are thunderous as Takagi stands Goto up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, TWO!??! Goto survives and the fans are electric! Takagi is beside himself but the fans continue to duel between them!
Takagi rises and he goes over to Goto. Takagi pump handles again but Goto fires elbow after elbow! Takagi POINT-BLANK LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men stay up, and Takagi LARIATS again! Goto drops to a knee, but Takagi brings him back up. Goto fires forearms! Takagi fires boxing elbows! Goto HEADBUTTS into a FOREARM! But then Goto and Takagi DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Goto fires up, but Takagi JABS! And HEADBUTTS! And POINT-BLANK- NO, Goto catches Takagi to facelock! Takagi fights the suplex, and then he suplexes! But Goto fights that and suplexes, SHOTEN KAI!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!
Goto and Takagi stir, the fans rally as hard as they possibly can, and Goto rises first. Goto goes to a corner, roars, and he powers up! Takagi sits up, into the BUZZSAW! But then he springs up!? But Goto LARIATS Takagi back down!! Osaka is erupting as Goto dragon sleepers! But Takagi fires hands! So Goto grabs the arm, only for Takagi to somersault clutch! TWO, and SLIDING D!! Both men are down again, and the fans duel as hard as they can! Takagi roars, and then he drags Goto back up! Takagi pump handles, torture racks, but Goto slips down! G T R!!! Goto has to crawl to the cover! TWO?!?!?
The fans are electric as Takagi survives! Goto is almost foaming at the mouth, but he brings Takagi up for HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! And yet Takagi rises!? Takagi says he’s not done yet, but Goto HEADBUTTS him! And then URA SWING into G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Fierce Warrior reveals he is still growing and evolving as he busts out a brand new take on his classic finisher! The Rampaging Dragon has been slain, but can he rise back up in the heat of the G1?
As for Goto, Hashi helps put the belt back around his waist, and Goto shows Takagi respect by holding out his hand. Takagi stands up, applauds Goto, and then shakes his hand. The fans applaud, will these two run it back soon enough? As Takagi makes his leave, Goto grabs the mic. The fans cheer Goto on, and he says, “The Goto Revolution is all about the will of a veteran.” The fans cheer, and Goto says that in a sense, Takagi is part of that revolution. Goto tells Takagi not to give up. “You’ll find yourself a nice wife. You have to create your own future.” The fans chuckle but they do applaud Goto supporting Takagi both professionally and personally.
Goto says, “As for me, it is my mission to create the future for NJPW!” The fans applaud, and Goto adds, “The Goto Revolution is far from over. Please keep following me until the very end!” The fans applaud again and Goto says they will close with Goto’s G’s. “Let’s go, Osaka-Jo!” The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP stands for Goto!” With that, Goto puts down the mic and the streamers fly! If the Goto Revolution is keeping the G in IWGP, will the Fierce Warrior also make the G1 into the Goto 1?
My Thoughts:
A great night for NJPW, a very packed show, even though I skipped ELP & Shota VS ZSJ & Oiwa. Bullet Club and House of Torture sure had a big night tonight, with “Don Fale” defecting from Bullet Club and apparently bringing Chase Owens with him, and Douki replacing Kanemaru to not only have a shocking return but to take those titles off Yoh & Wato. And then all of this factors into that dog collar match to help Evil win, showing the House of Torture is the new big bad faction everyone has to worry about.
Tanahashi VS Uemura was very good, and a part of me figured Tanahashi would win to stay strong as he goes into the second half of his final year. Oleg VS Konosuke was great stuff, especially for Oleg to win the NEVER Openweight title. Konosuke is still going to be in the G1 but I wonder if after that, Konosuke focuses more on AEW related story, especially since things will sort out between the Continental & International Championships. Yota VS Gabe was great, but that flying senton was perhaps a spot Gabe hadn’t practiced, he really overshot it. Gabe winning was still the right move after how strong he’s been going and is becoming NJPW’s favorite anti-hero. Gabe VS Tanahashi will be great stuff, but I would think Gabe retains the title.
And the main event was awesome, both guys still very popular and still going strong. Goto retaining made sense, there’s still a lot he can do as champion. He will definitely be tested in the G1, with every match being the other guy giving their best against him. But I don’t expect Goto to win the whole thing, or maybe even A Block, with quite a few top names in there. Tanahashi might make a good push, it could be between him and Goto since this is Tanahashi’s last G1.
My Score: 9/10
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