Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/5/24)
The story isn’t over yet!

The King of Strong Style isn’t done with the American Nightmare!
Just when Cody Rhodes was free and clear, Shinsuke Nakamura comes back for revenge, in the first bull rope match on Monday Night Raw in SEVENTEEN YEARS!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Contenders Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers VS Imperium VS The New Day; DIY wins and advance to the #1 contender’s match.
- Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Becky Lynch VS Shayna Baszler; Becky wins and advances to Elimination Chamber: Perth.
- Mixed Tag: Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri VS Ivar & “Valhalla” Sarah Logan; Ivar & Sarah win.
- The Miz VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio; Miz wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; The Kabuki Warriors win and retain the titles.
- Bull Rope Match: Cody Rhodes VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Cody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins is here!
St. Louis fires up for the Visionary, the Revolutionary, the World Heavyweight Champion, and they sing his song! “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins has a brace on the leg so no competing tonight, but he still gets the mic and revels in the “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins tells St. Louis, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” The fans continue to sing and Rollins smiles. Rollins says this sounds like a pretty big pop to him. Because he is a Visionary, a Revolutionary and “Seth! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS!” Another big pop, how ’bout that? But it has been one hell of a week in the WWE. And after last Friday, Rollins certainly smells what’s cooking.
Fans boo and Rollins is surprised. The fans chant for “CODY! CODY! CODY!” and Rollins senses they want Cody. The fans cheer that! Well, good news for the fans tonight, because Rollins wants Cody, too! And after last Friday, he’s got more questions than answers so Rollins ain’t wasting no more time! Cody Rhodes, c’mon down! And so he does! The fans now cheer on The American Nightmare and sing his song, “WHOA~OH~!” Cody joins Rollins in the ring and gets himself a mic. “So, World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Freakin’ Rollins, and St. Louis…! What do we wanna talk about?”
Fans chant “ROCKY SUCKS!” and that takes Rollins by surprise. Rollins says he has to be honest, he didn’t think he was ever gonna hear that one. But it has been a hell of a week for Cody. Fans chant “We Want Cody!” and Cody revels in it. The “ROCKY SUCKS!” returns, and Rollins says he’ll cut to the chase. Rollins gets what Cody is going through, he’s been there, but we need answers. Last week, Rollins said his WHC is the most prestigious championship in the entire industry and stands by those words. St. Louis, understand, if Rollins is being perfectly honest, he needs this match as much as Cody does.
Fans boo but Rollins is being real right now. He’s gotta know that he is better than he was the last time they did this dance. He’s gotta know that he is the best! And the only way he can know if he’s the best is if he tests himself against the best, and Cody Rhodes, YOU are the best! Fans cheer that! So let’s cut the crap and let’s have an answer. Is Cody gonna fight Rollins at WrestleMania?! Cody looks around as the fans say “NO! NO! NO!” but then here comes Drew McIntyre! The Scottish Terminator steps on stage, down the ramp, and into the ring. McIntyre gets himself a mic, and he says, “I think I speak on behalf of everybody when I say… What the hell?”
McIntyre laid both men up perfectly for Mania and now they’re gonna screw it all up! Rollins is the only other person that hates CM Punk as much as McIntyre does! Rollins knew how bad Punk would be for the WWE, and McIntyre took him out! They were supposed to be talking about their main event match for the WHC at WrestleMania! Fans seem to like that! McIntyre even had a shirt made! He unzips his hoodie to show the meme! The extra small for Rollins is in the back. But why did Rollins have to get in Cody’s head? And Cody, don’t listen to Rollins! Cody has GOT to #FinishTheStory! McIntyre fakes being dramatic but fans still cheer.
McIntyre says we’ve been talking about it for two years now, and wants Cody to realize all the work he put in on TV, off TV and the media events. Cody EARNED his moment!! Don’t let McIntyre down, don’t let the Rhodes family down, and don’t let the fans all around the world down! McIntyre doesn’t wanna go there, because everyone else already does, but he was close to the man down in Florida Championship Wrestling. Don’t let Dusty down! Cody rolls his eyes and Rollins says hey, don’t be a prick, Drew. What in the world even makes McIntyre think that if Cody doesn’t accept Rollins’ challenge that McIntyre just automatically gets it?
They’ve done the dance twice, and uh, McIntyre lost. McIntyre says we all know there were outside reasons as to why he lost. But is this pot calling kettle black? Didn’t Rollins lose to Cody three times? Then here’s something nice he’ll say. McIntyre heard everything Rollins had to say last week, and everything Roman had to say last Friday. If Rollins is that insecure, McIntyre will tell him personally. Rollins has done an amazing job with the WHC! He worked his ass off every single week to make it mean something, it IS the workhorse title! Ignore Roman, ignore the fans. This is a case where when they fight for Roman’s title, no one “fights” for it, the family gets in the way every time.
Did it to McIntyre, to Cody, to everyone! The WHC is the title of “may the best man win!” Except, y’know, the couple times where stuff screwed McIntyre over, but still. And he has Cody hold on, he’s not done yet. Fans boo that but McIntyre says if Rollins was a real workhorse, he would’ve been shot dead the first time. But 17 injuries later, it is time for someone to do that. Rollins has done an amazing job taking the title this far, but it is time for McIntyre to take it from here. Then McIntyre GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Cody fires off on McIntyre, DECKS him out of the ring, but McIntyre just grins as he gets up.
The fans fire up behind Cody as he defends Rollins, but McIntyre says maybe it SHOULD be Cody who faces Rollins. Will the Scottish Terminator still get what he wants one way or another?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Contenders Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers VS Imperium VS The New Day!
We already know Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne await, but now Raw pits the best of its tag division against each other! Will it be Gargano & Ciampa, Julius & Brutus, Vinci & Kaiser or Kofi & Woods that meet British Strong Style this Friday Night SmackDown?
The teams sort out, and just like on SmackDown last Friday, only two teams are legal at a time. Therefore, Ciampa starts against Woods. The fans rally as these two circle, and the chant of “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” echoes out. Ciampa and Woods tie up, Ciampa headlocks, but Woods powers up and out. Ciampa runs Woods over, then things keep moving. Woods hurdles, then DROPKICKS! Woods brings Ciampa up, tags Kofi, and Kofi RAMS into Ciampa! Woods rolls Ciampa for Kofi to SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Kofi wrenches Ciampa, tags Woods, and they hit the speed combo! KICK, LARIAT, SPLASH and FIST DROP! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally, Woods brings Ciampa up again and wrenches. Tag back to Kofi, he climbs up, and he DOUBLE STOMPS Ciampa’s arm! Kofi scares off Imperium, waistlocks Ciampa but Ciampa elbows free. Things speed up, Kofi hurdles, hurdles, but Ciampa slides to BOOT Kofi! Vinci tags in off Ciampa, but Ciampa DECKS him for it! Kofi DROPKICKS Ciampa but Kaiser POSTS Kofi! Imperium meets at the corner for the DOUBLE DROPKICKS! Kofi is down, Imperium soaks up the heat, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kaiser CLUBS away on Kofi in the ropes! The fans rally, the ref reprimands, and Kaiser lets off. Kaiser keeps Kofi from the corners but Kofi throws body shots! Kaiser CLUBS Kofi down, then brings him up to whip. Kofi goes up and leaps away from Vinci to CLOBBER Kaiser! Both men crawl, hot tags to Vinci and Woods! Woods rallies on Vinci, BLASTS Kaiser, then whips Vinci to LEG LARIAT! Ciampa gets in to whip Woods but Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides to ROLLING ELBOW! Julius whips Woods, runs in but into a BOOT! Woods hits the HONOR ROLL! Fans fire up as Woods dodges Vinci to SUPERKICK!
Vinci goes to ropes, Woods runs but Gargano tags in to SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Woods falls out, Brutus runs in! Brutus sends Gargano into Ciampa but DIY stops from colliding. Ciampa then pushes Gargano so he can ELBOW Brutus! Gargano then cravats Brutus, Ciampa gives Gargano the boost, SLICED BREAD! DIY then aim at The Creed Brothers on the outside, DOUBLE PLANCHAS! DIY sit on the apron, they applaud and pat themselves on the backs! But then they turn around and Kofi DOUBLE SHOTGUNS them down! The fans fire up as Kofi builds speed, but Imperium trips him up! Imperium mugs Kofi while fans boo!
But then Gargano DIVES and wipes Imperium out! But Julius goes up and up and SUPER CANNONBALLS onto everyone!! The fans fire up as those five men are down, but then Woods climbs a corner! But Ciampa CHOPS him first! Ciampa throws body shots, climbs up and fireman’s carries Woods, but Woods CLUBS away on Ciampa! Ciampa CLUBS Woods back, the others are brawling, and Ciampa manages the fireman’s carry again! SUPER AIR RAID CRASH onto everyone!!! The fans are losing their minds as all eight men are down at ringside! “This is Awesome!” as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Gargano brawls with Julius while Vinci has Brutus up top. Brutus tries to lift Vinci! Vinci fights that to BACK DROP Brutus onto both Gargano and Julius! But Ciampa then ROCKS Vinci! Ciampa goes up after him, fireman’s carries, but Vinci throws down elbows! Vinci CHOPS Ciampa, then Kaiser joins in. Imperium goes after Ciampa but The New Day join in! They get Imperium, we get a TOWER OF DOOM!! The fans lose their minds over the Double Powerbomb Superplex, but now Brutus climbs! Brutus aims at Kaiser, to MOONSAULT!! Cover, but The New Day breaks it!
The fans rally up again, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Vinci tags in and he LARIATS with Brutus! And they LARIAT again! Vinci ducks ‘n’ dodges and BODY CHECKS Brutus! Vinci turns around, into a JUMP KNEE from Julius! But Julius turns around into an ENZIGIRI from Gargano! Kofi swings, misses, and ends up in the schoolboy, but he ducks the kick! FAMOUSER for Gargano! Kaiser DISCUS LARIATS Kofi, but Woods fireman’s carries Kaiser to a GUTBUSTER! Ciampa puts Woods in ropes to V-TRIGGER him down! Ciampa runs, but Brutus POUNCES!! The fans are torn as Brutus turns around, Vinci CROSSBODIES!
But Brutus rolls through! Brutus has Vinci in an ANKLE LOCK!! The fans fire up, but then Kaiser runs in! Julius intercepts, OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Julius kips up, he gets Gargano for an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Julius kips up, Kofi is up top! Kofi leaps, but into a clinch and OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! But Ciampa jumps on Brutus! Julius drags Ciampa off Brutus, then he blocks Woods’ superkick! DOUBLE OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY!!! And the straps come down! Brutus still has Vinci’s leg, but Gargano, Kaiser, and well, EVERYONE attacks the Creeds!! All eight men are down in the ring and the fans are loving it!
Vinci clutches his ankle, “This is Awesome!” as the teams all stir and regroup. Kaiser runs up at Woods to BLAST him down! But Kofi CROSSBODIES Kaiser and himself out! New Day mugs Kaiser, but Vinci LEAPS in! Those four brawl right in front of commentary! Brutus is up top! BRUTUS BALL!! Those five go down and the fans go nuts! Brutus drags Vinci up, puts him in, and Julius is there! Electric Chair but Ciampa tags in before the BRUTUS BALL TOWER! Ciampa KNEES Brutus down! Gargano SUPERKICKS Julius! DIY aims at Vinci! MEET IN THE MIDDLE!!! Cover, DIY WINS!!!
Winners: #DIY, by pinfall (advance to the #1 contender’s match)
The fans give this one a standing ovation, it was an absolute classic! And in the end, the Sicilian Psycho and Johnny Wrestling are heading to SmackDown for a showdown with the Big Strong Boi & Bruiserweight! Will Ciampa & Gargano get another shot at Finn Balor & Damian Priest? Or will it be British Strong Style that faces Judgment Day?
Shayna Baszler speaks.
“The last time I was in an Elimination Chamber match, I destroyed everybody in it in order to get to Becky Lynch. But that didn’t go the way I wanted. But tonight, I don’t have to do all that. I get Becky right away, and I can take care of her and tear her apart limb by limb.”
Becky Lynch speaks.
“Last time I fought Shayna Baszler, I wanted to beat her because my title was on the line. But this time, when I face Shayna, I need to beat her because my future is on the line.” The Man is ready, the Queen of Spades is ready, but who proves they are worthy of going to Perth and fighting for a WrestleMania moment? We find out, after the break!
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Becky Lynch VS Shayna Baszler!
Raw returns and Shayna makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally for Becky and Shayna is annoyed, but they tie up. Becky waistlocks but Shayna wrenches. Becky gets around but Shayna again gets the arm. Becky clinches, Shayna hammerlocks, headlocks, but Becky slips out to a headlock. Shayna switches then SLAMS Becky down. Becky moves around, goes for an arm, but Shayna rolls and headlocks. Becky slips out again, still wants the arm, steps over, but Shayna stays up. Becky tries the Oklahoma Roll but Shayna blocks that! Shayna goes for the sleeper but Becky JAWBREAKERS! Becky then victory rolls, TWO!
Becky wants the arm again! Shayna shoves her away and the fans cheer the standoff. Zoey Stark watches as her tag partner circles with Becky. Shayna kicks, Becky dodges but then Shayna dodges back! Becky dodges the Penalty Kick, wants the arm, but Shayna arm-drags! Shayna then KNEES Becky in the corner! The fans boo but Shayna just soaks it up. Shayna stalks Becky, drags her up and around to then SLEEPER! Becky runs to ropes and throws Shayna out! Fans fire up as Becky runs, and she WRECKS Shayna with a dropkick! Becky then aims from the apron, leaps, but into the SLEEPER! Becky fights free but Shayna ROUNDHOUSES her!
Shayna storms up on Becky, puts Becky’s hand inside the steel steps’ handle, and STOMPS! Becky writhes, fans boo but Shayna soaks it all up again as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the forearms are flying! Becky gets the edge but Shayna shoves her. Becky UPPERCUTS, SOBATS and runs, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Shayna! The fans fire up and Becky runs in at the corner to forearm again! Then she clinches, but Shayna fights around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Becky sits up, into the SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Becky toughs it out but Shayna taunts the fans, “That’s your hero?!” Shayna gets Becky’s arm, isolates it, but the fans rally up. Becky avoids the stomp! Then she clinches, but Shayna fights the lift! Becky slips around to SLEEPER, but Shayna goes after the arm!
Becky changes sides, but Shayna arm-drags free. Becky runs in but is put on the apron. Becky ROCKS Shayna, goes up, and she leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! But into the DISARM-HER!! Shayna endures, fights up, and shoves Becky into ropes! Becky sputters to the apron, Shayna shakes out her arm, and she runs up, into a KNEE! Becky has Shayna in the ropes, ROUNDHOUSES her, then goes up top! But Shayna GAMANGIRIS first! Then she TOSSES Becky down! Shayna runs up to KNEE Becky again! Cover, TWO!!! Becky survives by nanoseconds and Shayna is beside herself.
Liv Morgan is watching, she has a qualifier next week. The fans rally, Shayna stalks Becky and waistlocks, but Becky throws elbows. Becky switches, Shayna switches, repeat! Becky hits the EYE OF THE STORM! Cover, TWO! Shayna survives and Becky thinks what she has to do. Becky fires herself back up and the fans are with her! Becky wants Shayna to get up, and then she storms up to clinch. But Shayna slips free, rolls Becky and has the ANKLE LOCK!! Becky endures, reaches out, but Shayna drags her back! Becky moves around, goes the other way, and she rolls! Shayna ends up on the apron, Becky hurries to UPPERCUT, SOBAT and fire off furious fists!
The ref counts, Becky lets off to go to the corner. GUILLOTINE- NO, Shayna avoids the leg drop to HOTSHOT the arm! Shayna wraps that arm around the ropes and tuck sit into Becky’s own leotard! Shayna goes up, but Becky gets loose! Becky ROCKS Shayna first, climbs up after her and they brawl! Becky fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, then gets Shayna up for the SUPERPLEX! Roll through to the ARMBAR! Shayna blocks but Becky breaks the grip! Shayna rolls, gut wrenches and SLAMS Becky down! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives again and Shayna sighs in frustration. Shayna storms up and kicks Becky around.
Shayna says Becky can’t beat her and she knows it! But Becky SLAPS her! Shayna returns fire, they slap and slap and chop, then KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Becky flails, reaches out, pushes back to cover, TWO, into the ARMBAR!! Shayna rolls, gut wrenches, but Becky rolls through! She rolls Shayna, dodges the knee, and clinches! MANHANDLE SLAM!! cover, Becky wins!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall (advances to Elimination Chamber)
For the first time ever, Becky will be inside the sinister structure that is THE Elimination Chamber! Will Becky use that massive match to return to the Big Time?
Backstage interview with Liv Morgan.
Cathy Kelley says Liv is in her own qualifying match next week against Zoey Stark, how is Live feeling since her return? Well first, Stark is pretty incredible. “But respectfully… these girls have absolutely nothing to do with my business. And my business has absolutely nothing to do with these girls. I had almost one whole year of my career taken away from me, Cathy Kelley. Now just think about that for a second. That is a really long time. So next week… is about my revenge. And my revenge is about Rhea. Ripley. Watch me.” Liv calls out the Eradicator, will the Road to WrestleMania be headed for ObLIVion?
Adam Pearce meets with Drew McIntyre.
The Raw General Manager doesn’t understand what McIntyre is doing, so he wants McIntyre to make it make sense. What is it about “not medically cleared” that McIntyre doesn’t understand? CM Punk isn’t cleared, McIntyre goes after him. The World Heavyweight Champion is out there on one leg, and McIntyre headbutts him! But since McIntyre doesn’t seem to understand “not medically cleared,” how about this? If McIntyre goes home and checks his bank account to find a few zeros are missing, then that means he’s been fined! And if he sees that stupid meme shirt again, Pearce will double it!
What Pearce wants is to maintain some order around here. McIntyre says okay, but instead of shouting at him, why not just do your job? And at this moment, to Pearce’s surprise, Rhea Ripley heads to the ring! McIntyre says she doesn’t look too happy so Pearce should deal with that. Yeah, nice advice. Pearce heads out and McIntyre says at least there’s one strong leader around here.
As for Rhea, the fans fire up as she makes her way to the ring. The Women’s World Champion is taking things into her own hands, and also gets a mic. The fans chant for “MAMI! MAMI!” but Rhea says yeah, Becky Lynch just qualified for the Elimination Chamber. “But I’m not out here to talk about qualifying matches! I’m out here because I want Nia Jax, in this ring, one-on-one, so I can rip her BLOODY HEAD OFF!!” Rhea advises Nia to show up right now so she can fight her! But Pearce says hold on, no, no, no. They both know this is NOT the time for this. Everyone can see Rhea is upset, but this isn’t happening right now.
Fans boo, they wanna see it. Pearce understands what Rhea is after, so here’s what he’s done. He’s giving Nia Jax to Rhea, for the title at Elimination Chamber: Perth. Is that good? Rhea says yes, so Pearce says good, but please, we have to keep the show going. WAIT! Here comes Nia! Rhea grins, Pearce is furious, and he hurries to stop Nia, only for her to blow right past him! Nia ROCKS Rhea, Rhea ROCKS Nia, and Nia bumps into Pearce! Nia and Rhea fire off furious fists, and then Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner! Pearce shouts for security to rush in there! Rhea hammers away on Nia but security pulls her back!
The fans boo, Nia shrieks, then she runs in to CLOBBER them all!! Nia SWATS the security left standing, then shrieks again! The fans boo but Nia goes up the corner! Pearce says no but too late, A-NIA-LATOR!! Nia tells Rhea she’ll see her in Perth! Nia then SLAPS Rhea before soaking up the heat and taking her leave. Is Rhea going to learn to be more careful with what she asks for?
Mixed Tag: Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri VS Ivar & “Valhalla” Sarah Logan!
The Alpha Academy’s Stamina Monster and Alpha Queen are ready to represent, but will they be able to settle the score with the Viking Raiders? Or will all their heart and determination be trampled by the raid?
Raw returns as Ivar & Sarah make their entrance. The teams sort out and then all the teams just rush in! Tozawa & Maxxine dodge to DOUBLE SCREW HIGH KICK! Ivar falls out but Sarah stays up, and she kicks Maxxine into the corner! Tozawa rips the shirt open and the fans go wild! Sarah rushes Tozawa, he dodges to then DIVE onto Ivar! Direct hit and down goes Ivar! Sarah whips Maxxine, she goes up and over to sunset flip! Not the cleanest, but still a cover, TWO! ENZIGIRI! Maxxine handsprings to BACK ELBOW! “A THANK YEW~!” Tozawa tags in, he goes up, and he CROSSBODIES, but Ivar catches him!
Maxxine goes up, she CROSSBODIES and topples Ivar! Double cover, but Sarah breaks it! Sarah swings, Maxxine dodges but not the SOUTHPAW! Sarah drags Maxxine out, but Maxxine LARIATS in return! The ladies are down, Ivar runs up to LEG LARIAT OF DOOM! Tozawa flounders, Ivar goes up, but Maxxine asks hey, h old on. But then Sarah gets Maxxine, POP-UP HEADBUTT! But Tozawa GAMANGIRIS Ivar! Tozawa goes up, SUPER SUNSET FLIP- NO, Ivar blocks that one! He kicks Tozawa away, then choke grips, for a deadlift into the SUPER POWERSLAM!! Cover, The Vikings win!
Winners: Ivar & Sarah Logan, by pinfall
The Academy tried the same trick as last time, but it didn’t work out like before. Will nothing stop the raid from storming up the Road to WrestleMania?
Judgment Day talks backstage.
Finn Balor looks at the two options in the #1 contender’s match. Pete ‘n’ Tyler, DIY. Pete ‘n’ Tyler, DIY. Doesn’t matter to him who they beat. What about Damian Priest? Priest says it doesn’t matter to him, either. Dom shows up, says hey to everybody, and says Rhea is good, just not happy. Give her some space. JD McDonagh says Rhea will be alright. And Nia’s got her work cut out for her now when Rhea gets her hands on her. Priest says no doubt. Rhea’s got her division on lock, and they’ll continue having theirs on lock. Bet. Tonight, JD handles The Miz.
R-Truth walks in and says que paso! What’re y’all talking about? Priest sighs and Truth apologizes for being late. JD says Truth is so lucky he has a match with Miz, or else he’d wipe the floor with Truth. Truth says JD should wipe the windowsills, those’re getting dusty. Dom keeps JD back and they head out for gorilla. Truth knows what’s going on. He feels bad, but he’s in-in now, right? All that before was a pre-initiation, and last week’s beating was a re-initiation, right? Truth, no! There was no initiation EVER. What planet is he even on? Priest, you deal with this. Finn is out. Truth says Finn must feel bad.
Priest tells Truth… Never mind, make yourself at home. Much obliged, DP! Truth sits down, and sees they got a box of shirts just waiting to be sold. And then he gets an idea. What even is going on with Truth’s Judgment Day status anymore!?
The Miz VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!
The Hollywood A-Lister made the save for Truth but also got beat down, so now he wants his payback! Will Miz trump the Irish Ace? Or will he suffer at the hands of the “Necessary Evil” once again?
Raw returns and Jackie Redmond interviews The Miz at gorilla. After what happened last week, and considering Truth’s “tumultuous” relationship with Judgment Day, how is Miz approaching tonight’s match? Miz knows Truth still believes he is Judgment Day 4 Life, and Miz isn’t sure if that means Truth is crazy or a genius. But one thing about Truth is, he finds that fine line between crazy and genius and that is why we love him, that is why we always have his back. Truth thinks that was an initiation last week, but Miz says that is a declaration of war! The battlelines have been drawn, and the Judgment Day have no idea what’s in store!
Because he is The Miz, and he is…! AWESOME~! The music hits and Miz heads to the ring. The bell rings and Dom distracts Miz so that JD can CLOBBER him! JD drops elbows on Miz, stomps away at the ropes, but he lets off to bring Miz up. JD bumps Miz off buckles, stomps away, then lets off as the ref counts. JD whips Miz to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then talks trash. JD drags Miz up, DECKS him, then stalks him to ropes again. JD CHOPS Miz, whips him to ropes, but Miz catches the dropkick! Miz CATAPULTS JD into the buckles! Then Miz runs not LARIAT JD down! The fans fire up as Miz glares at Dom.
Miz stalks after JD, throws knees and has him in a corner. Miz whips corner to corner, JD tumbles up and out then back in, Miz back drops him away! Fans rally, Miz runs up and clotheslines JD up and out! JD flounders around, Miz goes out after him, but he keeps his eyes on Dom. Miz whips JD hard into barriers! JD tumbles up and over into the timekeeper’s aera and Miz storms up. Miz brings JD up to suplex JD to the floor! Miz grins and fans cheer while JD writhes. The ring count climbs, Miz revels in the cheers, and then Miz brings JD up. Miz SMACKS JD off the desk! Miz puts JD in the ring and aims, but Dom creeps up.
Miz BOOTS JD, JD distracts the ref, and Dom grabs at Miz! Fans boo but JD BLASTS Miz into the desk! Fans boo more, and even Michael Cole and Pat McAfee tell Dom he sucks! Dom just shrugs, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Miz throws elbows to get free of a chinlock. JD knees low, whips Miz to a corner, but Miz BOOTS back! Miz runs up, but into an URENAGE and STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Dom argues the count but the ref says it was fair. JD drags Miz to the drop zone, goes up the corner, but here comes Truth! The fans fire up as Truth is now being a merchandise seller? He throws the R-Truth edition Judgment Day shirts! The fans cheer as Truth goes along, hands shirts, throws shirts, and so on. JD refocuses, MOONSAULTS, but Miz BOOTS him! Fans fire up while both men are down, and Truth is still going through the crowd!
Miz hurries after JD and throws haymakers! Miz backs JD down, kicks and kicks and kicks in the corner! Miz goes corner to corner as the fans fire up, A-LIST LARIAT! Fans fire up and Truth gives more shirts out. Miz goes up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Dom is annoyed by all the things, but Miz fires up to say, “MASSIVE! BALLS!” Full nelson and- NO, JD arm-drags free! JD runs in but Miz TOSSES him out! Miz then WRECKS Dom with a dropkick! And RANAS JD for good measure! Truth has made it ringside while Miz puts JD in. Truth puts a shirt on over Dom’s head! Dom is upset, it’s not his size! Miz BOOTS Dom down!
The fans fire up, Truth is confused, and Miz gets in to get JD up. JD HEADBUTTS Miz back!! Miz falls, JD goes up, and Truth helps Dom back up. JD MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Miz survives and Truth calls to JD! Truth brings out JD’s cut! Money money money~! JD grabs the money, figures why not, and then Miz full nelsons! SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, Miz wins!!
Winner: The Miz, by pinfall
The money goes flying so Truth hurries to grab it up! Dom argues with Truth about what’s going on! Miz leaves the winner, is Truth’s blend of genius and madness going to be just the thing that tears the Judgment Day down?
Imperium meets with Pearce.
Kaiser wants to make absolutely sure, because it is very, very important. Is everything prepared? Pearce says he’ll say it again and much slower: Everything, will be, just as they discussed. Gunther will have a great ceremony, don’t worry about it. It better be, because we are talking OVER 600 DAYS as Intercontinental Champion! This has to be absolutely perfect! It will be just as discussed, Gunther will be more than happy, and if they don’t mind, he needs the room because he has a very important meeting. Speaking of, there’s a knock at the door. And in walks Bron Breakker! Bron smiles at Imperium, Imperium takes their leave.
Pearce welcomes Bron, thanks him for his time, and wants Bron to know that whatever Nick Aldis has promised, he’s overpromised, but Pearce is willing to beat it. They go over the contract, and Bron has a lot to think about. The Wolf Dogs won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, but is Bron only gonna be in it for himself?
WWE followed CM Punk through his week.
It was time for surgery on his triceps. Always a “fun” day. Punk was checked in, went under, and some time later, he was done. Punk knows the hardest part is doing the simplest things. He is in pain, but it is more mental than anything. He can power through physical pain and therapy, it is the mental and emotional that are the challenge. But the Best in the World plans to have the best comeback of all time.
Imperium is in the ring.
Fans boo but Ludwig Kaiser has the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen… I demand all your gratitude for the longest reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion… SIX HUNDRED DAYS of… Derrrrrr RIIING GENERAL~! GUUUNTHERRR~!” And with that, Gunther makes his entrance, and he gets pyro! The fans boo as Gunther is handed the mic, but he just smiles. Gunther says, “To the surprise of absolutely nobody, I’m standing here today, celebrating the jubilee of 600 days as Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion. But to be honest, Ludwig, I really appreciate the gesture of setting all of that up. But I don’t want it anymore going forward.
“Because what’s the point? 600 days, 700 days, 800 days. ONE THOUSAND DAYS! All of that is a given anyway! Because one thing will never change, and that is Der Ring General being the greatest and longest reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time! And the matter of fact is, I’m running out of competition here. There is no man back there that is worthy of challenging me for this great championship. I mean, who is it? You tell me!” “USOOO~!” The fans fire up as Main Event Jey makes his way out! Jey goes to the ring, and even Pat is bouncing along to the beat.
Jey is all fired up as he gets himself a mic, the fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~!” Gunther gets it, yeah, it’s fun. Simple gestures for a simple audience. Fans boo the insult but Imperium chuckles. Gunther says the last time they saw each other, Gunther eliminated Jey from the Royal Rumble. So he expected Jey wanted to have a word with Gunther, but this is not the way. This is still a celebration, so this is disrespectful. Fans chant “YEET! YEET!” but Jey says no disrespect, Uce. Gunther’s earned his stripes. We all see the work he’s put in. 600+ days, the longest IC Champion in WWE history, the Ring General, Gunther!
Gunther thanks Jey for that. But he also has to say, Jey is accomplished himself. One of the most decorated tag team champions of all time. “Yeet!” Jey was part of the best tag team in WWE history. “Yeet!” Heck, Jey even holds the record for longest reigning tag team champions of all time. “YEET!” And best of all, Jey only had to put in 50% of the work! Fans boo that and Jey says Gunther’s got jokes. But see, this is why Gunther is confused. Unlike Jey, Gunther achieved all of this doing ALL the work, on his own. Fans boo that, but Jey says that just means Gunther’s about to get 100% of this work then! Fans cheer that!
Jey says, “Allow me to reintroduce myself! They call me UUUUSO~! 1000+ days as tag team champ! First tag team to main event WrestleMania! And uh oh, it’s 2024! First singles champion, and if you want Jey to be the NEW Intercontinental Champion, then let me hear ya say ‘YEET!'” “YEET!” The fans want it, Jey wants it, and Imperium is confused. Gunther says good for Jey. After 15 YEARS, Jey finally has the guts to step out of the shadow of his family to achieve something for himself. So Gunther will put it plain and simple: Jey is not the first and he won’t be the last that wants to ride on Gunther’s coattails.
But when Gunther beats Jey, he will beat him worse than his own family ever did! Gunther will beat Jey so bad, he’ll wish for the good ole days where fans couldn’t tell Jey & Jimmy apart! Fans boo but Gunther mocks “Uce!” then shoves Jey! Jey TACKLES Gunther! Imperium jumps on Jey, they mug him, but here comes The New Day! Woods & Kofi run Imperium off, their own issues still not settled! Woods says it is 3v3 now, let’s go! When and where will we see that match? And will we see Gunther VS Jey at WrestleMania?
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
“Cody, you want to fight me so badly, fine. You chose a Bull Rope Match because you thought it’ll bring you an advantage. But the only thing it will do is bring embarrassment to your family name when I beat you in the match your family made famous. That is what you will get from this match. Pain. Loss. Shame. I see people saying, ‘We Want Cody~.’ But no, no, no, no. I want Cody!” The King of Strong Style will get Cody, but will he regret not leaving well enough alone?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!
The Empress of Tomorrow & Pirate Princess are back on their thrones after winning these titles a couple weeks ago, but the former champions are looking to keep the party going. Will KC Squared be better prepared this time? Or is no one ever ready for Asuka & Kairi?
Raw returns as the Kabuki Warriors make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if DMG CTRL still has control!
The teams sort out and Katana starts against Asuka. The bell rings, the two circle and the fans rally. They tie up, Asuka throws Katana away and then taunts her. Katana comes back, dodges Asuka and fires forearms! Katana runs, but Asuka dodges to then CLOBBER Katana! The rest of the Raw Women’s Tag Division watches as Asuka stomps Katana around. Asuka kicks Katana, taunts her, and pie faces her over an dover. Asuka smothers Katana into the mat but the ref counts. Asuka lets off, she drags Katana up and talks trash, but Katana SLAPS her! Asuka says okay, and she gives Katana some Kawada Kicks!
Asuka throws Katana by her hair, then stalks her. Katana fights the waistlock, slips under then goes Matrix to avoid the roundhouse! Roll-up, TWO! SOBAT and Asuka backs away! Katana runs up, Asuka dodges but Kayden tags in. Asuka runs back up, Katana dodges the hip attack to KICK Asuka! Kayden drags Asuka out, Kairi goes after Kayden, but Katana WRECKS the Kabuki Warriors with a dropkick! Kayden then sends Asuka into Kairi, and Katana runs in for the ALLEY-OOP ATTACK! Down go the Kabuki Warriors! Katana says those titles are coming back home with them, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kairi drags Kayden over. Asuka tags in. the Kabuki Warriors double whip to bypass, KICK, AX KICK, BULLDOG and BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Asuka keeps on Kayden while the other teams are still watching. Asuka keeps Kayden from Katana, Kayden fires forearms! Asuka ROCKS Kayden, whips her to an open corner, then runs up. Kayden BOOTS Asuka, dodges Kairi, then dodges Asuka! Kairi hurries to tag in and climb up! FLYING KABUKI- NO, Kayden avoids the elbow to then GAMANGIRI! Kayden crawls, but Kairi anchors her by a leg! Kairi drags Kayden away but Kayden BOOTS her! Hot tag to Katana!
Katana trips Kairi, BLASTS Asuka, then BULLDOGS Kairi! Fans rally, Katana ducks ‘n’ dodges to SHOTGUN! Kairi ends up in a corner, Katana stomps a mudhole in! Katana roars, the fans fire up, and she A-LIST LARIATS! Katana puts Kairi in ropes, KNEES her, then goes up! GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Kairi survives and Katana grows frustrated. Katana hauls Kairi up, whips her to ropes, but Kairi holds ropes and Asuka tags! Kairi BOOTS Katana, Asuka hits the CODE BREAKER! BLOCKBUSTER added on! The fans boo but the DOUBLE SLIDING FOREARM hits! Cover, TWO!!
Katana survives but Asuka coordinates with Kairi. Asuka hauls Katana up but Katana fights the lift! She trips and jackknife bridges, TWO! Katana BLASTS Kairi, dodges Asuka and RAMS her! Katana whips, Asuka reverses but Katana reverses back! Katana blocks the boots, ROCKS Asuka and has her in the ropes. Tag to Kayden, and Katana runs corner to corner for the ALLEY-OOP METEORA! Katana then goes up, Kayden sets Asuka up, AFTER PARTY!! Cover, KAIRI BREAKS IT! Fans boo but Katana TOSSES Kairi! Kayden drags Asuka around and wants to go for more! Tag to Katana and she goes up!
But Kairi trips Kayden! The Keg Stand crashes ‘n’ burns! Kairi then sends Kayden into steel steps! Asuka runs up to BUZZSAW Katana! Tag to Kairi, she climbs and Asuka dragon sleepers, In-SANE DDT!! Cover, Kabuki Warriors win!
Winners: The Kabuki Warriors, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Asuka & Kairi ruined the party before, and they ruined the party again! But will nothing stop DMG CTRL from having control of the gold?
Jackie Redmond has a sit-down interview with Sami Zayn.
It was before the show began that they sat in the bleachers to talk. It is no secret that Sami’s faced adversity lately. He was in the stands since arriving, what is going on in his mind? And how much of it involves Drew McIntyre? Sami says he has been thinking a lot, and some of it has to do with McIntyre. He’s had a great year, and he remembers back to this time just last year. The period between the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, the biggest match of Sami’s career, facing Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship in his hometown. Cinderella story, he comes up a little short. He’s learned to not let that eat him up.
But then there was a conversation he had after that match that he can’t get out of his head. Triple H pulled him aside, saw Sami was down, but said he had nothing to be down about. Sami gave the performance of his life out there. Sami is Rocky Balboa, the underdog. Rocky overcame all these obstacles, and sure he lost in Rocky 1, but he goes the distance, makes a name for himself. That is what Sami did that night. And Sami wants us to know, in the ring, he will fight like that every single night. Really, he will give 100% of himself every single time, like it is life or death, because it is for him. If he doesn’t feel alive in the ring, he might as well be dead.
Sami will fight like an underdog, but he isn’t just an underdog anymore. He is a contender now. And he is a contender who will be champion again. Then what is it about being champion? Is there part of him that feels he has something to prove? Yeah, of course. Part of him wants to prove it to himself, but he also wants to prove it to the people in these seats, proving it to them. Proving that they didn’t believe in Sami for nothing. They have believed in him, so he wants to prove they are right for doing so. That is what this is about now. Jackie thanks Sami for his time, will Sami have his time at the top soon enough?
Bull Rope Match: Cody Rhodes VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
Fourteen feet of braided rope, a cast-iron cowbell in the middle, and no rules holding them back! That is what this match has, but what this match means is the American Nightmare continuing a legacy and the King of Strong Style looking to end it. Nakamura attacked Cody out of nowhere at a house show over the weekend, will he make sure Cody falls with the entire world watching? Or will nothing keep Cody from finishing his story?
Fans sing along with Cody’s song for his entrance, but they also sing along with Nakamura’s song for his entrance. The ref straps the bull rope onto Cody’s wrist, and then onto Nakamura. Nakamura gathers up the slack already but the ref has him hold on. The strap is secure, Nakamura tosses the slack to Cody, and then ROUNDHOUSES Cody down! The fans boo but Nakamura fires off knees! The bell rings and this is on record now as Nakamura grins. Fans boo more but Nakamura paces around. Cody staggers to his feet, and he kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody and Nakamura fire forearms and the fans fire up!
Cody whips, kitchen sink knees, then shakes the cowbell! The fans cheer for that but Nakamura bails out. Cody pursues, and pulls on the rope to remind Nakamura there’s no leaving! Cody then YANKS Nakamura into the barriers! Cody rains down fists right in front of the fans, the fans fire up, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Cody uses the rope to YANK Nakamura into a post! The fans fire up as Cody YANKS Nakamura back in! Nakamura falls back, but Cody uses the rope to drag Nakamura to his feet, and YANK him in again! Cody gets in the ring, reels Nakamura in like a fish, and then headlocks for a punch! Fans fire up with Cody, Cody runs, but Nakamura YANKS the rope to mess up the springboard! Nakamura stalks Cody, stomps him around, then drags him up. Nakamura bumps Cody off buckles, KICKS him in the corner, then KICKS him again. Cody staggers to a corner, the fans rally, but Nakamura gives Cody BAD VIBRATIONS~!
Nakamura paces but Cody goes outside. But Nakamura YANKS Cody into the apron! Nakamura drags Cody back in, he stands on Cody’s hand, then drops a knee on Cody’s head! Cover, TWO! Nakamura is annoyed but he kicks Cody around. Nakamura stands on Cody’s neck, talks trash, but Cody powers up! Nakamura stomps him back down! Nakamura gathers up the slack to LASH Cody! Then he fireman’s carries Cody to put him on the top rope. Nakamura CLUBS Cody, runs back in, and hits the TOP SHELF KNEE! Cody falls, Nakamura covers, TWO! Nakamura paces around, kicks at Cody, and then KICKS Cody!
Cody grits his teeth but Nakamura KICKS again! The fans rally for Cody but Nakamura kicks, only for Cody to block! Nakamura ENZIGIRIS! Nakamura runs but Cody dropkicks the legs out! Cody steps through, FIGURE FOUR! The fans “WOO~!” and Nakamura endures! Nakamura reaches out, grabs the cowbell and CRACKS Cody! Cody lets go of the hold but both men are down as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Cody fights up out of a headlock. But Nakamura knees low, reels Cody in, and back suplexes, only for Cody to land on his feet! Cody waistlocks, Nakamura elbows free then runs, but Cody follows to CLOBBER Nakamura! Cody goes to a corner, he baits Nakamura in and dodges, SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Cody, and he runs to springboard, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cover, TWO! Nakamura is still in this but Cody fires off haymakers. Cody whips Nakamura but Nakamura reverses, then blocks boots to put Cody in the ropes! ROUNDHOUSE and SLIDING GERMAN!
Fans boo but Nakamura storms back in to KNEE Cody in the side! And again! And again! Nakamura paces around, opens up the shirt and he takes aim. KIN- SUPERKICK! Cody then springboards, CODY CUTTER!! Both men are down but the fans fire up! Cody rises, fires off forearms but so does Nakamura! They go back and forth, harder and harder, and the fans rally! Nakamura fires a strike fest, but Cody blocks the kick to CLUB the leg! Cody JABS, JABS, JABS, then flips, flops and- NO, Nakamura kicks low! But Cody avoids the Ax Kick! BIONIC ELBOW! But Nakamura PELES! The rope might’ve been involved in it, too!
Nakamura drags Cody up and reels him in, INVERTED EXPLODER! Nakamura then aims from the corner, runs in, but Cody rolls him up! And rolls through to underhook, PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives and Cody is beside himself! Cody grabs the cowbell! Fans fire up as he shakes it up, and then aims at Nakamura! Nakamura rises, but he uses the RED MIST!! Cody flails blindly while fans boo, but Nakamura clamps on! Cody snapmares free! Dragon sleeper, CROSS RHODES!! Cody finds Nakamura, covers, TWO!!! Nakamura survives and Cody is stunned! Cody wipes the mist from his face and stands back up.
Cody storms up on Nakamura but Nakamura CRACKS him with the cowbell again! And again! And again! And again! Then KIN- NO, the cowbell was Cody’s shield! Nakamura hobbles, kicks, but Cody ducks it! ROPE YANK LOW BLOW!! And then a YANK to throw Nakamura around, into the CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
The American Dream is surely smiling down on his son after this one! Cody finally puts an exclamation point on this chapter with Nakamura, and surely he’ll be in Las Vegas for this Thursday’s WrestleMania Press Event. WAIT! McIntyre CLOBBERS him from behind!! The Scottish Terminator rains down fists and elbows while the fans boo, but there’s nothing that can stop McIntyre! He aims from a corner, CLAYMORE!!! McIntyre looks up at the WrestleMania sign, is he planning to do Cody like he did to CM Punk?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, even with them following up the moment on SmackDown that was head-scratching for some and infuriating for others. I do want to note that when it came to the World Heavyweight Championship and Universal Championship situation, commentary was doing their best to smooth it over by saying nothing was official and that this week’s press event in Vegas would be where it is all hashed out. At the same time, that means nothing, it surely does feel like they’re still defaulting to Cody VS Rollins and Roman VS Rock, and clearly everyone in St. Louis was of the mindset that this is a dumb move.
To that point, Cody and Rollins did their best to handle the fans chanting what they wanted to about “We Want Cody (VS Roman)” and “Rocky Sucks!” I also really liked Drew McIntyre voicing those opinions of the fans not liking this change, while still riding that line of being sarcastic and passive aggressive. Also, I really like that McIntyre made the meme into a shirt, I hope WWE sells copies of that to make some serious money. McIntyre beating up Rollins and brawling with Cody, then arguing with Pearce, and then of course attacking at the end of the night, I would hope we get McIntyre VS Cody on the road to Cody VS Rollins, with McIntyre hoping to use that as his way to the title.
Cody VS Nakamura in the Bull Rope Match was great stuff, too, and of course Cody won. Not sure where Nakamura goes from here, outside of perhaps getting in on a Men’s Elimination Chamber match of some sort. Maybe there will be one to determine a #1 contender to the Intercontinental Championship. Jey getting in on Gunther’s “celebration” was a good promo to tease that match, but Gunther obviously isn’t gonna just give Jey the match so Jey has to earn it. Winning the Chamber would be a great singles win for Jey to then get his title match, which could also be an even greater win for Jey.
And speaking of that segment, great set up for a Six Man Tag of Imperium VS Jey & New Day, too, that’ll be a lot of fun. I also like that Bron got to join in during Imperium’s meeting with Pearce to plug his story. I almost want Bron to do a Steiner Math promo on the three brands, aka “THEY SAY ALL BRANDS ARE CREATED EQUAL!” Bron & Corbin are headed for the tag titles but Bron is also being courted by Raw and SmackDown, we could get some interesting story stuff across the entire week of WWE programming with this.
Awesome Fatal 4 Way Tag, and while everyone got a great showing, I do like that it’s DIY winning out. Ciampa & Gargano VS Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne is most certainly about two of HHH’s favorite teams facing off, but I’m not complaining because that match is going to be awesome stuff and both sides deserve something big. But DIY just had their shot, so I would love seeing British Strong Style win to move on to WrestleMania for their big moment. In a perfect world, Trent Seven would get to come back for full British Strong Style so that Seven could counter Judgment Day’s extra guys, but Seven only just signed with TNA Impact back in December.
The Mixed Tag was a little disappointing because it was over so quickly. But I figured Ivar & Sarah would win, and this probably gives Ivar momentum going into the potential Men’s Chamber match. Really good Women’s Tag Title match, about the same as the previous, but I wish the fans got a bit more fired up at the start. They were booing Asuka & Kairi being they’re the Heels, and that is good, but I wish they’d been doing that more to show they were still awake out there.
And once again, great stuff from Judgment Day all night. Rhea VS Nia for the title at Elimination Chamber makes sense, as that leaves the Women’s Chamber match to determine a WrestleMania opponent. Becky VS Shayna was awesome stuff tonight, and of course Becky wins. Liv has a good promo, and maybe it’s just me but she leaned into the crazy girl stuff a little much there. But Liv VS Stark will be a really good match next week, and I would think Liv wins. Not sure who else is getting in this match with quite a few women in the tag division right now. Unless… Jade Cargill makes her return to action? That’d be pretty cool.
And pun not intended but awesome stuff with Miz, Truth and the Judgment Day boys. Another hilarious promo where Truth still doesn’t get that he isn’t actually part of Judgment Day, and then Priest just letting him stay because it’s easier than beating him up again. And then of course Truth finds a way to cost JD McDonagh against Miz. Maybe Awesome Truth isn’t so much getting a title match with Judgment Day but a grudge match with like JD & Dom. Either way, Truth being the comedic genius he is, a national treasure in pro-wrestling, he deserves to be part of WrestleMania somehow, and that’d be a fun way to get there.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Three days until All In!
As AEW counts down to All In: Texas, Dynamite goes big in Garland! It’s an All In All Star 8 Man: Moxley, Claudio & Young Bucks VS Hangman, Ospreay, Shibata & Hobbs!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Samoa Joe VS Wheeler Yuta; wins.
- Women’s Casino Gauntlet Number Two Spot Fatal 4 Way: Megan Bayne VS Tay Melo VS Queen Aminata VS Thekla; wins and will start the All In: Texas Women’s Casino Gauntlet.
- 8 Man Tag: Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & The Young Bucks VS Hangman Page, Will Ospreay, Katsuyori Shibata & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs; win.
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Who will head for Evolution?
WWE Evolution returns this Sunday, and a battle royal waits! Who will General Manager Ava announce as NXT’s participants?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Vanity Gauntlet Match: Ricky Saints VS The Vanity Project; Saints wins and will challenge for the NXT North American Championship at the Great American Bash.
- No Quarter Catch Crew Stakes: Charlie Dempsey VS Tavion Heights; Dempsey wins and keeps Tavion in the NQCC.
- Joe Hendry & Mike Santana VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont w/ Wes Lee; Hendry & Santana win.
- Lainey Reid VS Kelani Jordan; Kelani wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Shawn Spears & Niko Vance; Hank ‘n’ Tank win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Vanity Gauntlet Match: Ricky Starks VS The Vanity Project!
The Absolute wants one more shot at All Ego for the North American Championship, but he’s willing to earn it. However, he’ll have to evolve before our eyes by getting through Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes & the WWE Evolve Champion, Jackson Drake! Can he do it? Or will Ethan Page’s new pals help him cross off his most hated rival?
The fans rally behind Saints while Ethan joins commentary to watch this. Brad starts for Vanity Project, and he waistlocks. Brad CLUBS Saints, fires forearm sand UPPERCUTS, but Saints turns things around to COHP! Brad turns things around, but Saints turns it back around for a CHOP! Brad goes to another corner, Saints bumps him off buckles! Saints UPPERCUTS Brad, ROCKS him, but Brad hits back! Brad whips, Saints reverse, but Brad turns that back around to send Saints to a corner! Brad shouts, “Swipe Right!” but he runs into a BOOT! Saints goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Then a scoop and BACKBREAKER!
The fans fire up with Saints and he stalks Brad to ropes. Brad wants help but this isn’t a tag match! Saints drags Brad back but Brad kicks him away. Saints comes back, Brad wrenches and throat chops! Brad reels Saints in for a suplex and GHOST BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Saints survives but Brad is right on him! Brad CLUBS Saints again and again, then shouts, “Swipe Right!” Brad stalks Saints, has him in a corner, and Brad stomps a mudhole in. Brad ROCKS Saints, CLUBS him, but Saints ROCKS Brad! And ROCKS him again! Brad blocks a kick to kick and BUTTERFLY ANARCHY! Cover, TWO!
The fans chant “Swipe Left! Swipe Left!” Brad snarls, drags Saints up, and snapmares to run and KNEE DROP, but he misses as Saints moves! Saints CHOPS Brad, ROCKS him, then fires more hands. Saints whips, LARIATS Brad, then LARIATS again! Saints waits for Brad to get up so he can BACKDROP! The fans fire up and Saints runs in for an ELBOW! Saints says, “This is MY house!” The fans cheer, Saints dodges Brad to hit a TORNADO DDT! High stack, Saints ELIMINATES Brad! Jackson asks Ethan who goes next, and Ethan sends Smokes! The fans rally for Saints but Smokes fires forearms! Smokes GAMANGIRIS Saints, then fireman’s carries!
Saints fires elbows to slip free! Smokes feints a chop to reel Saints in, snap suplex! The fans chant “Let’s Go, Ricky!” “Ricky Sucks!” Smokes covers, TWO! The fans boo Smokes while NXT goes picture in picture.
Smokes huffs ‘n’ puffs, then he sits Saints up to KNEE him in the back! Smokes pushes Saints down for a KNEE DROP! Smokes pushes Saints down to a cover, ONE! Smokes clamps onto Saints with a chinlock and grinds him down. Saints endures, fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS! Then snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Smokes stays in this but Saints stays on him. But Smokes fires body shots! Smokes ROCKS Saints, whips him to ropes, but Saints reverses. Smokes reveres back, but Saints BOOTS him! Saints storms up, but Smokes DUMPS him to the apron! Saints ROCKS Smokes, reels him in, and SUPLEXES HIM TO THE FLOOR!
Vanity Project freaks out while Saints puts Smokes back in the ring. But Smokes distracts the ref so that Drake can RAM Saints into barriers! Drake gets away with it, and Saints drags himself into the ring. Smokes stomps away on Saints, puts him in a corner, and stomps him more. The ref backs Smokes off, but Smokes stands Saints up. Saints fires hands, backs Smokes down, but Smokes fires a body shot! Smokes stomps Saints again, then whips corner to corner hard! Saints falls back, but Smokes covers, TWO! Smokes is annoyed but he drags Saints up to fireman’s carry. The fans rally as NXT returns to single picture.
Smokes hits USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Saints is still in this and the fans rally up. Smokes drags Saints up, CLUBS away on Saints’ neck, but the fans still chant “Swipe Left!” Smokes traps Saints’ arm, winds up, but Saints ducks the lariat! Saints shoves Smokes, scoops and URENAGES! The fans fire up as Saints LARIATS, whips, then OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! The fans fire up as Smokes staggers, into a REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO! Smokes survives but Ethan seethes. Ethan tells Saints to keep his eyes off him and on his opponent. Smokes runs up, Saints puts Smokes in the ropes! Saints then has Smokes dangling off the ropes!
Smokes slips free, rolls Saints up, TWO! Smokes swings, misses, but dodges Saints, only to run into an atomic drop and deep jackknife! SAINTS ELIMINATES SMOKES! Fans cheer the superior Ricky, and now it’s all down to The Carolina Reaper. Drake slides into the ring, talks a lot of trash, but Saints resets with him. They fire forearms, Saints ROCKS Drake, Drake shots body shots, but Saints ROCKS him again! Drake kicks Saints, pushes him into the corner, and stomps a mudhole! The fans rally for Saints and he CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Drake SOBATS, snapmares, then he KICKS Saints in the back! Cover, TWO!
Saints toughs it out but Drake keeps on him with an ANKLE LOCK! Then Drake ties the legs up, stomps Saints again and again, and Ethan loves it as Drake pulls Saints into the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Saints pries at the grip and pops free of the hold! Drake CLUBS Saints, whips, but Saints reverses. Drake dropkicks the legs out! Drake kips up and BUZZSAWS! Drake then fireman’s carries for a GUT BUSTER DROP!! Cover, TWO!! Saints survives and the fans fire up again! Drake aims from a corner, runs up, but Saints stops the superkick! Saints spins Drake, fireman’s carries, and hits a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Drake survives, and Saints hauls Drake up to hit a back suplex! Drake lands out and ENZIGIRIS! Drake aims from a corner, runs in, UNALIV- NO, Saints dodges! Drake hobbles up, Saints runs in, but Drake goes up and over! Drake then SUPERKICKS Saints down! Drake goes out, goes up, and he springboards to SWANTON BOMB but onto Saints’ knees! LARIAT!! Saints reels Drake in, Canadian Rack, ROSHAMBEAUX!! Cover, Saints wins!
Winner: Ricky Saints, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT North American Championship)
It was a hard fought gauntlet, but that was an Absolute victory! Saints grabs a mic to tell Ethan, “The ball’s in my court! This Saturday, Great American Bash, for the North American Championship, I’m gonna dog walk your ass all over Atlanta!” The fans like the sound of that! Saints says the best match he knows how, it will be FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE! Ethan is furious but the match is made! Will either man make it back to Orlando after tearing it down in Atlanta?
#ZaRuca, Lola Vice & Kelani Jordan talk backstage.
They’re all excited by the news of Sol Ruca & Zaria going to Evolution to be part of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way. Sol says she will handle Izzi Dame on Saturday to retain her NXT Women’s North American Championship, and then ZaRuca will get that tag gold! Lainey Reid walks in and asks if Sol will even have anything left for Sunday. If not for her friend, Zaria, Sol might not even have lost to Izzi. Sol keeps Zaria back, but Lainey says this is what happens when you mess with Tatum Paxley and her business. Kelani Jordan says Lainey is the last one to talk about getting into someone else’s business. And really, she’s been doing that a lot lately.
Lola says Lainey just got here, she’s overstepping. Kelani says yeah, Lainey should worry more about Thea Hail. Oh, please! Thea’s no big deal. Sol says she and Zaria are just going to go, they have to worry about their matches this weekend. Good luck to any and all who are in the Evolution Battle Royal. Lainey says yes, she should be in that match, because she is the future of this division. Kelani asks what she has even done. Lainey says she has no problem showing her. Then do it! Lainey says fine, and heads out. But will the Southern Belle get her bell rung when she takes on the Standout?
Jordynne Grace works out in the gym.
And while she’s watching her phone count down for her planking, Blake Monroe calls! Grace sits up to answer, and she asks where Blake even is, they’re supposed to be training. Blake says oh, she’ll take a guess and say Grace is in the gym, in a black sports bra, black leggings, and even trainers. Uh, yeah… But wait, where is Blake then? She sent her driver, and it is time for a Glamour Workout. Um, Grace can’t lift an SUV. No, no, the driver is there to pick Grace up. They’ll do nails, hair, maybe even a massage! Grace will learn what she has been missing! And Atlanta won’t know what hit them when The Glamournauts-
Grace stops Blake there. She’ll come if she stops saying what she’s saying. Blake says JG is so funny. See you soon~! The phone call ends, Grace hops in the SUV, and it takes her to a boutique! Grace already doesn’t like the look of it, but will this “workout” work out for them?
No Quarter Catch Crew Stakes: Charlie Dempsey VS Tavion Heights!
Myles Borne beat the team captain and got his “graduation” from the NQCC, and finally Dempsey gives that same deal to Tavion. But will Dempsey really keep Tavion down? Or is this just the beginning of Tavion reaching new heights in NXT?
The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. Dempsey hits the headlock takeover, Tavion powers out, then he hits a throw of his own! The two reset, tie up, and Dempsey arm-drags! Tavion is up, he arm-drags in return, and he runs up on Dempsey. They tie up, Dempsey UPPERCUTS Tavion out of the ring, then goes out after him. Dempsey UPPERCUTS while Wren Sinclair does her best to coach both sides. Dempsey stands Tavion up and puts him in the ring. Tavion DROPKICKS Dempsey outta the ring! Tavion goes out after Dempsey, CLUBS him, then throws him into the ring. Tavion brings Dempsey up but Dempsey shoves him away.
The two go again, Dempsey cravats for the neck wrench, but the fans rally as Tavion endures. Dempsey rolls with Tavion, rolls again, and then CRAVAT PLEXES! Cover, ONE, but Dempsey keeps the hold on tight. Tavion scoops Dempsey to SLAM him! Dempsey tumbles away, comes back, but Tavion arm-drags! Tavion has the armlock and grinds Dempsey down! Dempsey fights up, the fans rally, and Dempsey UPPERCUTS! Dempsey SNATCHES the face brace! Tavion asks what the heck, but Dempsey SLAPS him! Tavion is furious and he TACKLEDS Dempsey! The fans fire up as Tavion rains down fists!
Tavion hauls Dempsey up, whips him and LARIATS! The fans fire up and Tavion goes out after Dempsey. Both men run up, both men DECK the other! The NQCC is down and NXT goes to break!
NXT returns, Dempsey KNEES Tavion low then chicken wings! Tavion fights off the crossface portion, then scoops Dempsey and SLINGSHOT GUT WRENCH SLAMS him! The fans fire up for Tavion and he rises up! Tavion hits a HIP LOCK THROW, then another! Then and OVERHEAD SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Tavion waits on Dempsey. Dempsey kicks but Tavion blocks! Tavion clinches but Dempsey fights, they tumble out to the floor again! The fans fire up and Wren is worried, but both men stand. Tavion blocks a slap to SLAP Dempsey! Dempsey tumbles, Tavion drags Dempsey up the steps, but Dempsey trips Tavion!
Tavion gets his leg stuck between steps and post and Dempsey hurries back up! Dempsey STOMPS away on Tavion’s leg! The fans boo, the ref counts, and Wren freaks out, but Dempsey stops so he can refresh the ring count. Dempsey goes out to drag Tavion up and into the ring. Dempsey grabs the bad leg and turns Tavion for a HALF CRAB! Dempsey pulls that leg back! Tavion endures, reaches out, and he claws his way forward! But Dempsey drags him back! Dempsey STOMPS the bad leg! Then he steps over, HEEL HOOK! Tavion endures, reaches out, and he fights his way forward again! Dempsey drags him back again!
Dempsey KNEES Tavion int he back, then has a modified STF! Tavion endures, but he shakes his head. Wren has a towel, and she throws it in?!? Dempsey wins!
Winner: Charlie Dempsey, by submission (Tavion stays in NQCC)
Tavion didn’t give up, but Wren couldn’t stand to watch him suffer. Tavion is stuck under Dempsey’s thumb, how much worse can it get?
Hank ‘n’ Tank talk backstage.
Walker & Ledger are fired up for this title match tonight! They’re gonna be like Joey Chestnut going after a plate of glizzies! Tonight, they send The Culling back to the boiler room they crawled out of, because there won’t be any sneak attacks, no chair shots, no- LEXIS KING, stop it!! The Drama King keeps tugging at the garage door chain, but Tank says there will only be a head-on collision waiting for Spears & Vance! Je’Von Evans walks over and is fired up for the blue collar belly bandits! The Culling tried to put them out, just like Jasper Troy did to him, but guess what? Je’Von got his lick back! So tonight, Hank ‘n’ Tank get theirs!
Je’Von says he needs to see that, uh, RAH RAH RAH! They all swivel hips, but TROY CLOBBERS JE’VON! And right into the garage door! Did Lexis set this up for Troy!? Hank ‘n’ Tank try to get Troy off of Je’Von but Troy just RAMS the Young OG again! Will Troy make sure Je’Von never bounces again?
Joe Hendry & Mike Santana VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont w/ Wes Lee!
It’s not just TNA VS NXT here, it is two men who want to clear out the pawns protecting Trick Williams. Will the Prestigious One and the Proud Boricuan make us all believers just 12 days from Slammiversary? Or will they fail to get over the High Ryze?
The teams sort out and Hendry starts against Igwe. They circle, tie up, and Igwe wrenches to wristlock. Igwe RAMS shoulders, but Hendry rolls, kips up, and wrenches back. Hendry hits a headlock takeover but Igwe headscissors. Hendry kips free and the fans continue to sing the song. Hendry and Igwe back off and tag in Santana and Dupont. They circle, Santana rolls but Dupont stays clear. They tie up, Dupont RAMS Santana into the corner! Dupont RAMS Santana again and again, tags Igwe, then sends Igwe in. Santana BOOTS Igwe, goes up and over Dupont, then SHOTGUNS Igwe! Santana kips up and the fans fire up!
Dupont runs up, Santana dodges, and Hendry scoops! Hendry shows off that strength as he FALL AWAY SLAMS Dupont! Hendry kips up, the fans fire up, and Hendry TURNS! Santana points to Hendry and nods while NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Dupont runs up on Hendry, only for Hendry to roll him up! ONE, but Hendry wrangles Dupont to another cover, TWO! Dupont UPPERCUTS Hendry down! Cover, TWO! Hendry stays in this but Dupont stays on him. Dupont drags Hendry over, tags Igwe, and Igwe runs to SOMERSAULT SENTON! Then Dupont adds a SPLASH DOWN! Igwe sets up while Dupont BLASTS Santana! STANDING MOONSAULT from Igwe! Cover, TWO! Hendry toughs it out but Igwe clamps on with a facelock. Igwe grinds Hendry, Hendry fights up, and Hendry powers up, only for Igwe to add body scissors!
Igwe grinds Hendry down to the mat, the fans rally up, and Hendry powers his way back to his feet! Hendry suplexes high and hard! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Hot tags to Dupont and Santana! Santana rallies on Dupont & Igwe, then fires a flurry of haymakers on Dupont! Santana whips, Dupont reverses, but Santana blocks Igwe’s boot! Igwe BOOTS Santana away after all, but Santana uses that to roll and STUNNER for Dupont! Igwe runs up, Santana fireman’s carries for the FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up and Santana FLIES out onto Dupont! Not the cleanest but it was enough! The fans fire up more as Santana puts Dupont in. Cover, Igwe breaks it!
Hendry storms in and throws hands with Igwe! Igwe ROCKS Hendry, runs up, but Hendry DUMPS him out! Hendry then builds speed and HIGH JUMPS! Down goes Igwe! Santana has Dupont, but Dupont ducks the lariat to full nelson and- ARM-DRAG! Santana sends Dupont away, then dodges a lariat to hit the SIDE EFFECT! The fans fire up and Santana goes up! But Wes distracts from the apron! Trick Williams RAMS Hendry into the steel steps! The fans boo, Santana still leaps, but he goes over Dupont so he can somersault and SHORYUKEN Wes! The fans fire up, and then Santana dodges Dupont to SPIN THE BLOCK!! Cover, Santana & Hendry win!
Winners: Joe Hendry & Mike Santana, by pinfall
Santana scores, but then a TRICK KICK hits! Trick talks trash, but Hendry is back up! Hendry fires haymakers on Trick! But Wes SUPERKICKS Trick down! Igwe & Dupont get up, now all of High Ryze mugs the TNA wrestlers! The fans boo but Dupont & Igwe set Hendry up for the TRICK SHOT! Will Hendry and Santana even make it to Saturday and the contract signing for this world championship Triple Threat?
Dark State speaks.
Dion Lennox says, “Ey, y’all thought ‘Ain’t nobody safe’ was just a catchphrase? Man, hell naw! That’s what we live by! Any place, any time, and that includes TNA! Matt Cardona found out real quick what happens when them lights go out!” Saquon Shugar says, “Yeah, we scheming on TNA, but that ain’t the only thing we be scheming on. We got our hands in erry cookie jar. So TNA, we gonna see y’all real soon. But don’t think it’s sweet over here on this side either.” Cutler James says, “We should take a real close look at that tag title match tonight. Yeah, I just don’t hope Hank ‘n’ Tank are feeling a little better after that ‘mysterious attack’ the other week.”
Osiris Griffin says, “Man, these people think they know everything, don’t they, huh, Cutty? I mean, they say the eyes don’t lie, right? I mean, that may be so. But don’t think for a second they can’t be lied to. Seeing is believing, but the truth? Well, that’s just an illusion.” Dion says everybody better keep their head on a swivel! No one knows when, where, or how Dark State is gonna strike. But what everyone does know is that when Dark State strikes, ain’t nobody safe. Then just who will end up their next victims?
Yoshiki Inamura & Josh Briggs are here!
The NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Championship and his best pal are here, both excited for what’s coming this Saturday at Great American Bash. Even Inamura’s peers over at Pro-Wrestling NOAH are excited, having put their support behind him. Inamura grabs a mic, and here comes Oba Femi! The Ruler is ready to have a final face-to-face with Inamura before their match. Inamura starts by saying Oba wanted to see if Inamura was worthy, if he had grit. Inamura beat Jasper Troy just like he beat Trick Williams. Oba will be Inamura’s greatest challenge! But Inamura is ready! The fans applaud that!
Inamura says the people support him, Briggs supports him, his friends and family in Japan support him. And now, Inamura must make them all proud! The fans cheer, and Inamura says at the Great American Bash, he will fight with honor. And Inamura will become the NEW NXT Champion! The fans cheer that, too! Oba grins and says, “Oh no, oh no…! At least you have the support of the fans and your family and your friends, like Josh. So maybe they will be the ones to pick up the pieces when I beat you. Because you talk about honor, fighting for honor. Well, this Saturday, why don’t you ask yourself, can you lose with honor?
“Because when it is all said and done, my friend, the truth will prevail: You are not worthy of taking this title from me.” The fans cheer, but now Briggs speaks up? “Inamura is being polite, but brother, did you see what he did to Jasper Troy last week? C’mon! Let’s be real here! He beat him easier than Oba did! He’s gonna do the same exact thing that he did to Jasper to The Ruler~!” The fans boo, but Briggs says what Inamura is too honorable to say is… At The Great American Bash, Inamura’s gonna beat Oba’s ass! Look, look, Inamura is a man of honor, but brother, Briggs is not. He is not done talking, either!
Briggs is not a man of honor but of mayhem, and he promises to do everything in his power to make sure his friend leaves as NXT Champion, because this is their only chance! Oba tells Briggs this is not his fight. Yoshiki should tell his friend to get out of Oba’s face before he breaks Briggs’. Inamura does talk Briggs down, but then Briggs pushes past to throw hands with Oba! The fans fire up, Oba ROCKS Briggs, ROCKS Inamura, but Briggs jumps back in! The hands keep going, and then Oba LARIATS Briggs up and out! Inamura ROCKS Oba! And scoops him for a SLAM! The refs rush out here but Inamura stands down.
The fans want to “Let Them Fight! Let Them Fight!” but Inamura gives way to his honorable nature. Inamura is willing to wait for Saturday, but will he be the one to dethrone The Ruler?
The “Glamour Workout” continues.
Grace is not feeling this spa-boutique stuff, so she’s gonna just Uber back to the Performance Center. No, no, hold on, “Muscle Muffin.” Blake knows Grace trains her body all the time. It is time to treat her! And in a way, this is training: recovery, self-care, and glamour. Just please try. Grace gives in, and montage time! Blake says time for ropes and slippers, Grace says no, but she again gives in. Well, she does make one adjustment: she RIPS the sleeves away! Way to make it your own! Hopefully that doesn’t cost extra… They get manicures, massages, but the masseuse isn’t even strong enough for Grace to feel it through all those muscles.
Blake says Grace is like a stray dog in a Dior store. Grace has to understand muscles and “me time” can coexist. Now, face back in the hole. They also get make-up down, and that much Grace enjoys. They also soak their feet. Grace says she still doesn’t feel this is her vibe. Blake says it is! Grace has to see that her self-esteem is something she can lift. And she has to lift it up high to be a champion. They’ve gotta get that title off Jacy Jayne one way or another. Grace sighs, and admits she’s been chasing the title for awhile. And she admits, she likes the pampering. See? One day with The Glamour, and Grace looks more like a champ!
Grace says Blake isn’t so bad herself. But isn’t this kinda what she always looks like? Sure, but she’s also having fun. Okay, okay, first: They beat Fatal Influence at Great American Bash. Second: Grace beats Jacy at Evolution. And… thanks for this. Grace relaxes and Blake is happy to have helped. Will this spa day be just the thing to energize the Juggernaut into steamrolling the Toxic Rockstar?
Lainey Reid VS Kelani Jordan!
The Southern Sensation may be the new girl, but her attitude has already skyrocketed up the ranks past The Standout’s new edge. Will Lainey just keep on adding to her ego with another win? Or will she learn that no one does it like Lani?
NXT returns and Lainey makes her entrance. The bell rings and Reid takes a swing! Lani dodges, then trips Reid up to cover, ONE! Reid handsprings over and takes a curtsey. But Lani arm-drags her down! Reid headscissors, Lani kips free, but Reid trips her up! Cover, ONE as Lani goes Matrix! Lani wags her finger, does a curtsey, but Reid runs up! Lani dodges, drops down with the splits, then MONKEY FLIPS! Reid flounders, Lani DROPKICKS her and Reid tumbles out of the ring! Lani aims, PLANCHA, but Reid moves! Lani lands safe on the apron, avoids a leg sweep, then kicks, but Reid blocks to DRAGON SCREW!
Reid SLAMS Lani’s leg on the apron, SLAMS it again, then pushes it against the ropes! The ref reprimands, Reid storms in and drops a KNEE on Lani! Reid traps Lani’s leg in the ropes, YANKS the arms, and Lani writhes. The fans duel while Reid steps over. Lani kicks and kicks, but Reid spins through. Lani counters with a cradle, TWO! Both women stand, and Lani BODY SHOTS! And BODY SHOTS! Then she ROCKS Reid with a forearm! Reid dodges the next shot to SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! HALF CRAB! The fans rally as Reid pulls on the leg and Lani endures! Lani reaches out but Reid drags her back!
Lani SCORPION KICKS from below! Reid stays up, Lani kicks more, but Reid blocks to have the FULL BOSTON CRAB! Lani endures, reaches out, claws at the mat, and she powers up to FLING Reid into a corner! Reid slumps down while Lani shakes her leg. Reid storms up but into more body shots! Lani blocks a lariat to ROCK Reid, ROCK her again, and again! Lani whips, LARIATS, and then LARIATS again! Lani DROPKICKS, rolls back, and runs up to handspring and BACK ELBOW! Then she kips up! The fans fire up as Lani fights through the pain! Lani fireman’s carries Reid, but Reid fights free!
Lani powers up to fireman’s carry Reid again! WASTELAND SLAM, then SPLIT-LEG- NO, Reid catches Lani’s leg! Lani KICKS free, adjusts, but Reid GAMANGIRIS! Reid goes up, goes to the very top, but Lani fights with body shots! The fans rally as the two fight for control! Reid rains down elbows, but Lani fires them in return! Lani DECKS Reid, adjusts, and JUMPS into the SPLIT-LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, Lani wins!
Winner: Kelani Jordan, by pinfall
Now that was one of a kind! But will this help the inaugural NXT Women’s North American Champion have a spot in the Evolution Battle Royal? WHOA, Thea Hail goes right after Reid! The fans fire up as Thea and Reid brawl their way up the ram! HEADBUTT from Thea! Thea keeps after Reid and Kelani says she told Reid to watch out. Will Thea make sure Reid learns a lesson or two for the summer?
Je’Von is in the medical center.
The trainer checks the Young OG out, and he’s very sore from what Troy did to him. But then Troy LEAPS onto Je’Von again! There is no mercy from the big man, and it takes half a dozen security guards to drag him away! Will nothing short of breaking Je’Von in half satisfy Troy’s anger?
The former D’Angelo Family meets backstage.
Tony D arrives first, followed by Luca Crusifino. Channing Lorenzo walks in, Heritage Cup in hand, but before anything pops off, Adriana Rizzo appears! And she tells everyone to sit down. They do as told, and Luca asks Rizzo what this is about. Rizzo says, “What? Did you think I was gonna stay in hiding forever? Tucked away, watching while Rome burns?” Stacks says it was definitely burning with how Tony was leading. Rizzo says she called this “final sit down.” And she knew if she told any of them what it was about, none of them would show up. Tony says that’s not wrong.
Rizzo says while she was in the safehouse, she watched all three of them lose focus on what this family has accomplished here in NXT. Tony, Stacks, you two created a legacy. You brought in Rizzo and Luca. They had so many great memories in the restaurant, as well as taking people to “the bridge,” “the woodshop,” but also winning championships, and being a family. And they destroyed it all! Tony says Rizzo should take it easy. But Rizzo brings up how she and Tony talked in Vegas, about sitting down with everyone to resolve this. But Tony didn’t wanna do that. Now look at everything!
Luca asks Rizzo if she thinks talking will really bring this family back together. She did. But there’s no saving this, is there? So there is one last piece of family business. And what’s that? Before she gets into it, she has to say this: Stacks, you were Underboss for a long time, and feel you deserve better; Luca, every time you signed a document as Consigliere, you wondered if Tony had everyone’s best interests at heart; and even if there was a point to saving all this, The Don will always wonder if someone is gonna stab him in the back. “Once trust is broken, doubt creeps in, and it just doesn’t work.”
If Rizzo left these three to it, it’d never end. So she did what she had to do, and she talked to Ava. They now have a Triple Threat next week. This is the WWE, so she can’t guarantee if their paths will ever cross again. But as far as family business goes, this is the final battle. Stacks says they’re just setting him up! Tony laughs and Stacks asks why. Because it is hilarious! The rat thinks he’s getting set up for a trap. Typical rat behavior. Luca admits, he agrees with Tony on that: this all started cuz Stacks turned first. But then Tony hits Luca with, “Look who’s talking!” Mr. I Wanna Do My Own Thing! As far as Tony’s concerned, they’re the same.
Stacks says he grew bigger than the family, and the others couldn’t handle it. Especially Tony! He is Heritage Cup Champion now, he’s bigger than all of them! And he’ll prove it next week. Tony says he hates Stacks, Stacks says he hates Tony. Tony says Stacks & Luca should split the Cup. And he doesn’t give it even a week before Stacks loses it again. Luca says he needs to get away from Stacks and out of Tony’s shadow. Tony says yeah, okay, both of them are happy where they are now. Good talk, Rizz, but it’s over. Que sara sara. The Don is done. All three men stand up, but Stacks promises, Tony better not let Stacks catch him all alone.
Luca says the one time he tries to do things… Tensions are high, but it is going to explode next week. Who will be left standing after it all goes down?
Jasper Troy is in the ring!
The LFG Season 1 Champion has a mic to shout, “I’m done with Je’Von Evans! You hear me? I’m DONE with Je’Von! Ava, you know what to do! Make the match at the Great American Bash a Triple Threat for the NXT title!” The fans are torn on that, but then Je’Von rushes out here! He slides into the ring and throws hands on Troy! The fans fire up but Troy KNEES Je’Von low! Je’Von sputters, security focuses on Troy, and Je’Von SUPERKICKS Troy! Troy tumbles out of the ring, Je’Von builds speed, and he FLIES! Down goes Troy and the security guards! The fans fire up for the Young OG, is he about to bounce back and tear Troy down?
The Culling meets backstage.
Izzi Dame smiles as Tatum Paxley takes her seat in the circle, and both Shawn Spears & Niko Vance welcome her. Tatum says this place is incredible! She feels right at home here. Izzi says their home is now Tatum’s home, and Tatum says they’re the best. Izzi says they’re all equal, Tatum. But thanks to Tatum, the boys have their chance at the NXT Tag Team Championships. Niko says damn right. And it’ll happen. He has put Hank ‘n’ Tank down once, and he plans to do it again. Spears smiles and nods as Niko says Hank ‘n’ Tank will regret accusing them of that attack. If it was The Culling, you’d know it was them, because they’d stop at nothing to make Hank ‘n’ Tank feel pain!
Spears says easy, Niko, easy. The truth will come to light in time. But for now, they can reap the benefits of the assumption. For now, stay levelheaded, with eyes on the goal. Izzi says Spears is right. Tonight, Niko & Spears win the tag titles, then on Saturday, Izzi wins the Women’s North American Championship. Tatum says that is right! Then all her new best friends will have gold belts to go with their gold hearts! Izzi says that’s because The Culling always prevails. Will that painful truth be proven right? Or will a bit of HONK HONK break right through the delusion?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Shawn Spears & Niko Vance!
NXT returns as the blue collar belly bandits make their entrance. And they don’t care about formalities, they attack The Culling! The fans fire up as the brawl is on! Tank TACKLES Niko, Hank ROCKS Spears, and the bell rings to get this on record! Hank storms up on Spears in the corner but Spears kicks low! Spears puts Hank in the corner to ROCK then whip, but Hank reverses to run up and SPLASH! Hank then short arm LARIATS Spears and the fans fire up! Niko and Tank continue to brawl on the outside, and Tank RAMS Niko into the apron. Niko rains down elbows in return, but Hank runs to BODY CHECK Niko off the apron!
The fans fire up with Hank ‘n’ Tank, they go back to the ring, but Spears dropkicks Hank’s legs out! Spears throws hands, then snapmares and stomps! Spears tags Niko, the Culling mugs Hank, and then Niko bumps Hank off buckles. Niko bumps Hank off more buckles, then UPPERCUTS him! Hank ELBOWS Niko, but Niko tries another buckle bump. Hank blocks that, ELBOWS Niko, then he bumps Niko off buckles! The fans rally as Hank pushes Niko to ropes, tags Tank, and then whips Niko for the misdirect! Tank CLOBBERS Niko! The champs rev it up and the fans fire up! Tank runs then hops onto Hank, DOUBLE SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!
Tank clamps onto Niko with a chinlock and the fans rally behind the champs. Niko fights up, powers Tank to ropes and powers out, only for Tank to wrench. Niko HEADBUTTS Tank down! Tag to Spears, turns Tank, NECKBREAKER! Then a leg drop! Cover, ONE! Spears is annoyed but he stays between Hank ‘n’ Tank. Spears stands Tank up but Tank fires hands! Tank whips, Spears reverses and KNEES low! Spears tags Niko, they mug Tank, then Niko ROCKS Tank with a haymaker! Tank goes to a corner, Niko RAMS into him, but Tank ELBOWS in return! Tank ROCKS Niko, but Niko BODY SHOTS!
Niko whips, Tank grabs ropes, and he BOOTS in return! Hank tags in, Tank bumps Niko off buckles. Hank runs up to LARIAT and BULLDOG! Tank runs to SPLASH Spears off the corner! Tank SENTONS Niko, Hank goes up! Niko avoids the flying lariat! Hank tumbles out, but Izzi & Tatum stand in his way! The fans boo, Hank keeps his distance as he walks around the ladies, but Niko POUNCES Hank over the desk! Booker T gets wiped out in the process! The fans go nuts and NXT goes to break!
NXT returns again and Niko has Hank up top. They brawl, and Hank DECKS Niko! Hank rises, Niko stands, and Hank FLYING LARIATS! The fans fire up and rally as both men crawl. Hank and Niko crawl, hot tags to Spears and Tank! Tank rallies on Spears with LARIAT and UPPERCUT and BIG atomic drop! Spears staggers around, Tank goes up and up to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Tank keeps moving and he DIVES! Down goes Niko and the fans fire up! Tank hurries back, he blocks a kick then cartwheels, but Spears SUPERKICKS after all! Tank stays up, Spears SUPERKICKS again! Niko tags in and he DIVING HEADBUTTS! Cover, HANK BREAKS IT!
The fans fire up and Niko is furious! Niko drags Hank up, “This is Awesome!” as Niko TOSSES Hank out! Izzi & Tatum are there to laugh at Hank, and Niko tags Spears. Spears brings Tank up, but Tank fireman’s carries! Spears shouts for Tatum and Tatum distracts from the apron! Spears slips free and he THROWS Tank tot he ropes! Izzi BOOTS! Spears hits the IMPALER! Cover, TWO!! Tank survives and the entire Culling is shocked! The fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” ZaRuca attacks Izzi & Tatum! Well, Sol brawls with Izzi, and Zaria carries Tatum away like she did before! Spears & Niko freak out, but they don’t see Hank ‘n’ Tank rise up!
Hank ‘n’ Tank throw off the shirts! They and The Culling then throw hands! Niko RAMS Hank into a corner but Tank DECKS Spears! Niko whips, Hank reverses, and Tank LEAPING LARIATS! The fans are thunderous as the champs go to the corners. HONK HONK! Spears shoves Niko to take the BELLY SANDWICH! Hank LARIATS Niko, scoops Spears, and they hit the GRIDIRON! Tank covers, Hank ‘n’ Tank win!
Winner: Hank ‘n’ Tank, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
The Culling does not prevail, step on of their golden agenda has fallen apart! But will Izzi make up for that by taking the Women’s North American Championship from Sol? Or will she just get her soul snatched?
BREAKING NEWS for The Great American Bash!
With the multiple attacks just this evening, Jasper Troy will have to give Je’Von Evans a fair fight! They will now go 1v1 in Atlanta, will Troy not leave even a piece of Je’Von left?
Andre Chase finds Kale Dixon backstage.
Mr. Chase is fired up for his freshman to have his match, but then what’s he doing in the medical room? Kale says he can’t. His blood pressure is through the roof! He’s not mentally prepared for this! His arm is numb! Chase says c’mon, they were preparing for this all week! Kale apologizes, he can’t go out there, he can’t feel his arm! That’s because Uriah hasn’t stopped pumping the cuff! Uriah stops, the air is let out, and Kale feels much better. But still, Kale can’t go out there right now, he is freaking out! Chase looks Kale in the eyes, and says okay, it’s fine. They’ll reschedule and figure this out.
Kale thanks Mr. Chase, but Mr. Chase is seeing the uphill battle ahead of them both. Can Chase find a way to reach these kids?
Ava Raine is in the ring.
The NXT General Manager stands at the podium, and she says, “October 28th, 2018: the first women’s Evolution.” The fans cheer that. Ava was in high school at the time, and watching that event, she thought how amazing it would be to be part of something so monumental. Iyo Sky was in the finals of the Mae Young Classic, and she is now Women’s World Champion. Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch put on an undeniable Last Woman Standing match. And a history-maker in her own right, Nikki Bella was in the main event. All of those women continue to push women’s wrestling forward in everything that they do.
And now, as the first female GM in NXT history, she is so proud that NXT is going to be all over Evolution. #ZaRuca have the opportunity to become THE WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Jordynne Grace takes on Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women’s Championship. And six women from NXT will represent this brand in the battle royal! The fans cheer as Ava says they have a chance to move on to the Clash in Paris for a main roster women’s title opportunity. And those six women are: Jaida Parker; Lola Vice; Kelani Jordan; Lash Legend; Izzi Dame; and Tatum Paxley! Those women will show everyone that not only does NXT always show up, they always show out!
The fans cheer, and Ava says this is the most stacked Women’s Division in the world! NXT is the land of opportunity and- Fatal Influence interrupts. Ava sighs and smirks as Fallon Henley, Jazmyn Nyx & Jacy Jayne walk out here. Jacy already has a mic to say, “Um, I’m sorry. Ava, hi, remember me? Your NXT Women’s Champion?” Yes, Ava just mentioned you. Well, right, then to be honest, Jacy feels it is weird that Ava talks about everyone else when Jacy’s match and her title are gonna be the highlight. In fact, Ava doesn’t even need to talk about that battle royal, and when she talks about the Women’s Division, she’s really just talking about Jacy Jayne.
NOT the sentimental favorites, the TNA “tourists,” and certainly not that flash in the pan- WAIT, Grace interrupts! And she says, “Jacy Jayne, running her mouth again. But let’s all act surprised. Evolution is a groundbreaking event, but you don’t make it special. It’s about the women who paved the way for us. And when I take that NXT Women’s title from you, I’m gonna be the one steering this division into the future.” WAIT, Lash Legend is here! And she opens with “SKRRRRRR~! Oh, see, I love this. I love this! Y’all two can go ahead, keep it going, keep it going, because this must be a gift for me. Y’all two can keep on fighting over that NXT Women’s Championship.
“But as for me, Lash Legend, the Bougie Bully? You best believe I’m gonna be the talk of Evolution when I go on and win the Women’s Battle Royal in my hometown, Hotlanta, and theeen go on to Clash in Paris and finally win a women’s championship.” But wait! Stephanie Vaquer is back! The fans fire up as La Primera has the mic, and she says, “It’s amazing to be back. Jacy, Jacy, Jacy. You are the NXT Women’s Champion now, I respect that. You beat me. But on Sunday, Jordynne is getting the victory. Just like I will in the battle royal to become a new champion.” But wait! Natalya is here, accompanied by Maxxine Dupri!
And Maxxine has the mic to have everyone hold on. She knows all these girlies are discussing Women’s Wrestling history without mentioning The BOAT, the lowkey legend, Natalya! The fans cheer, and Maxxine says Paris might be the fashion capital of the world, but it is also where one of them will become the NEW WWE Women’s Champion! Natty says that is so sweet of Maxxine to say. But the Dungeon Dolls didn’t come here to play, they’re here to win! And at Evolution, they will be the last two women in that battle royal, locked in, until the very end. Wait, wait, more women sneak in from the outside!
Zelina Vega, Ivy Nile, Lola Vice, Giulia, Candice LeRae, and Jaida Parker are here! And Miss Parker has the mic to tell everyone else to hold on, cuz they’re not the only ones who want opportunities. Just look around! The entire women’s division is stacked! But go ahead, keep that same energy. Cuz Jaida Parker is going to step into the battleground that is Evolution and be on point. The fans applaud as the walls start closing in on Fatal Influence, but then Jaida says she’ll also throw all y’all little asses over the top rope while she’s at it! Then she makes her way to Paris, get herself a title, bring it back to NXT or even stay on Raw & SmackDown.
Either way, in Atlanta, best believe it is Jaida’s time! And now a brawl pops off! The fans fire up for this preview of the battle royal! Ava stands aside as the fans cheer for “NXT! NXT!” Izzi & Tatum also watch from a distance, enjoying every bit of this. Refs rush out here but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” The fighting does indeed continue, but not for lack of trying from the refs! Who proves themselves worthy of glory and gold when WWE reaches Evolution?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT as the go-home to the big ATL weekend, but with some seemingly last minute additions to the American Bash. Ricky Saints making it through the Vanity Project was a given, but Falls Count Anywhere was not what I expected. Either way, Ethan VS Ricky will be great stuff, really elevate the show overall, and could easily have Ricky be the new champion despite the go-home math here. Dempsey VS Tavion was a great match, but I figured Dempsey would win. The faction isn’t going to last if another member leaves, but maybe they should think about reloading with some Evolve/LFG talent.
Very good promo from the D’Angelo Family to set up a Triple Threat as the blowoff. Hard to call it, but I feel like Stacks wins as he’s the Heritage Cup Champion. Very fun promo from Chase U with Kale being too nervous for his first singles match in NXT, but it doesn’t really work when he used to job in singles matches before this story. Great tag match of Hendry & Santana VS High Ryze, and both parts of the finish were expected. Hendry & Santana win cuz Santana alone has proven he’s a top level tag guy in his career while Ty & Ty are just starting. And also, Trick joins in on the beatdown, but that’s because the contract signing on Saturday is the true go-home, and we’ll just see who stands tall then.
Another very good promo from Dark State, but Dion and Saquon continue to be the stronger half. I feel like their “invasion” of TNA will result in a big match for Slammiversary, not an NXT program. Great promo segment from Inamura, Briggs and Oba, and it really feels like Briggs is gonna cost Inamura when he tries to help. I also liked the videos they got from the stars of NOAH, and the match of Oba VS Inamura is also a sign that NOAH is working much closer with WWE than before. It might be in part why I haven’t seen as much NJPW-NOAH crossover lately, either. If NOAH is on WWE’s team, NJPW can’t really work with them while also working with AEW.
Very good promo from Hank ‘n’ Tank with Lexis King being strange in the background, but I really think that Lexis was in on setting Je’Von up for that attack against the garage door. The medical room one was definitely all Troy, though. Troy VS Je’Von will be a great addition to Great American Bash, too, but it also feels like WWE is only bolstering that show up to compete against AEW All In. Good promo from The Culling, but great main event for the tag titles. Great move with ZaRuca going after Izzi & Tatum to take away The Culling’s advantage, and then great win for Hank ‘n’ Tank to retain.
And great stuff all over the Women’s Division. Good promo from ZaRuca with Kelani, Lola and Reid to hype up ZaRuca getting in the Women’s Tag title match. The vignettes from Grace and Monroe were fun, though maybe like if you turned up the contrast on the ZaRuca friendship building promos. But then we got a great “Evolution Summit,” with many, many stars of the division showing up. Classic move having a big brawl send us off before a battle royal scenario, as just about anyone can win. But in the end, I don’t think the NXT women are winning it. Stephanie Vaquer is a top choice as she’s on Raw and has no title yet, but Nikki Bella is in the match so maybe she gets one more title match.
As for Grace’s situation, she and Monroe certainly win so Monroe gets her first WWE PLE win, but Jacy has the Fatal Influence to help her cheat as she always does. Monroe could counter them and help Grace win, but then TNA has declared Masha Slammovich is gonna go title VS title, Winner Takes All with the NXT Women’s Champion at Slammiversary. A rematch of Masha and Grace would be great, while Masha would definitely beat Jacy. If Trick is to make it through Slammiversary as TNA World Champion, it’d be fitting if a TNA talent became the new NXT Women’s Champion.
My Score: 8.8/10
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