Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (3/11/24)
Time to run the gauntlet!
Who will face Der Ring General?
As we continue down the Road to WrestleMania, a #1 contender to the Intercontinental Championship will arise through a star-studded six man GAUNTLET!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan; Becky wins.
- Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri; Candice & Indi win.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors VS Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark; The Kabuki Warriors win and retain the titles.
- R-Truth VS Damian Priest; Priest wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Gauntlet: Sami Zayn wins and will challenge Gunther for the title at WrestleMania 40.
PLAY BY PLAY
Drew McIntyre is here!
The Scottish Terminator heads to the ring, feeling good after beating Jey Uso last week, though with a lot of help from The Bloodline. McIntyre gets his pyro, gets the mic, and Houston is torn as McIntyre looks to the WrestleMania sign. “Selfish, delusional, arrogant, hypocrite junkie. You couldn’t help yourself, Seth, could you? You had to accept the tag match, two main events back to back. You just had to get that fix. Junkie! Y’know, at least when I dropped Cody, he saw sense, he chose to finish his story. I drop you, Seth, what do you do? You find that energy and fire you’ve been missing, you decide to channel it into your own selfish agenda because of course you do.
“Say ‘what’ if you’re glad I took out CM Punk.” The fans boo as he almost got them. McIntyre says he always tells the truth and always has the answers. Do you wanna know what “the bigger picture” is? Do they want that answer? The fans chant for “C M PUNK!” instead. McIntyre chuckles and says no, that’s not it. Punk should have a handwritten thank you card ready because McIntyre’s the one keeping Punk relevant. The bigger picture isn’t Cody, Roman, Seth Rollins or even McIntyre. “The bigger picture is The Rock!” Fans boo but McIntyre wants them to hear him out. Think about the history of our industry.
Wait, most Houstoners don’t even know the history of America, so here’s a refresher on pro-wrestling. We started in the carnivals, then the armories, then arenas like this, and then stadiums and billion-dollar deals! What do you think the next evolution is? It’s working together with one of the most powerful people on planet Earth! Obviously The Rock is upset with Cody! What’d Cody do? He promised a match, took it away! He’s a liar, he insulted The Rock’s family. It is none of McIntyre’s business and it is none of Rollins’ business. But Rollins thinks this industry revolves around him. The minute Rollins realizes the business is bigger than Rollins, then he might become the legend he is in his own mind!
And everyone’s prayers will have been answered! From the locker room to the crowds to the top of the board, we will have a future champion in McIntyre that we can invest in and be proud of! Tell him he’s wrong! Wait, here comes Rollins! He tells “Drew, Drew, Drew, Drew, Drew… Would you do us all a favor and shut your mouth, big man?” The fans sing with the song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHHH~!” and Rollins says we’ll get to that. But McIntyre has been begging for attention! So let’s give him a little rub, shall we? Goo d news, Drew! Now that Night One’s main event is in the bag, Rollins has been thinking about that Claymore from last week.
McIntyre almost got Rollins’ full attention with that shot. Maybe we can go all the way with one more Claymore right here and right now. The fans fire up as Rollins stares McIntyre down. Rollins dares McIntyre to show us what’s under taht kilt! He’ll even make it easy and kneel! Rollins takes off the sunglasses and waits. Oh, wait, right, McIntyre’s a coward so he’ll turn around. Rollins waits, the fans sing, but McIntyre chuckles. “Before this gets any weirder, I just want to talk to you. I just want hyou to listen. For once, don’t just listen. Actaully hear me! I wanna tell you that you were right!”
Rollins turns around to hear that better as McIntyre says Rollins is right. Before their last match, the one Damian Priest screwed up for him, Rollins told McIntyre that McIntyre has to get over The Bloodline because they’re over him. “Get over it!” McIntyre says Rollins is right! McIntyre got over it! It kills him when Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso get involved, he wants to drop them on sight, but he did what Rollins said. He focused on the task at hand to get the wins, get the momentum, because he does it for the world title, for Monday Night Raw, because as a champion, that his all he should care about!
Then McIntyre returned the favor. He pleased with Rollins to take his own advice, but he didn’t because all Rollins cares about is Rollins. Rollins tells Drew that he’s starting to remind him of someone. Can’t quite remember that guy. McIntyre doesn’t like the guy, has a lot of tattoos, he’s from Chicago… The fans chant “C M PUNK!” Oh, yeah! McIntyre is like Punk! Because Rollins always thought that guy was the biggest hypocrite, until he met Drew. For years and years, McIntyre has gone on about The Bloodline screwed him, cost him the title, cost him the big match. Until a few weeks ago, McIntyre was saying it over and over!
And now, it’s like McIntyre wants to be an Honorary Uce! Houston, help Rollins with this. McIntyre beat Cody Rhodes, but did he do that without The Bloodline? “NO!” What about beating Jey Uso? “NO!” Rollins doesn’t buy this bull crap about McIntyre not wanting interference. McIntyre would love nothing more than for the Bloodline to help take the title off Rollins’ waist! McIntyre would love to stand next to The Rock, to be the People’s Champion’s Chosen One. But newsflash, jack: it ain’t gonna happen. Rollins will lay it out for us: Night One, Seth & Cody will take down The Bloodline!
Then on Night Two, Rollins VS McIntyre, the same thing happens that always happens when it’s them 1v1 for the title! Rollins will stomp McIntyre’s head into the mat, pin his shoulders, and the last thing McIntyre hears in the biggest moment of his career is the fans singing Rollins’ song! “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” McIntyre scowls and says he knows what Rollins is trying to do. Rollins wants McIntyre to put him out of his misery, to swing on him, to drop him. McIntyre won’t do it, because he has to face Rollins at Mania, pin him at Mania, and there is nothing Rollins can say that will provoke him.
McIntyre leaves but Rollins calls after him. Does McIntyre wanna know why Rollins hasn’t paid much attention to him on this Road to WrestleMania? Because of all the things, all the threats, the list of threats that Rollins is worried about going into WrestleMania, from the The Rock to Roman Reigns to the bad back and bad knee, at the very bottom of that list… the thing Rollins is worried about least, is Drew McIntyre. McIntyre turns around and storms up to the ring! Rollins is ready, but then McIntyre stops short. McIntyre storms away, controlling his anger. Is Rollins going to regret pushing the buttons? Or will nothing stop the Visionary from making it through WrestleMania 40?
What does it mean to “run the gauntlet?”
Colloquially, it means “to go through an intimidating or dangerous experience in order to reach a goal.” Chad Gable says he’s been running the gauntlet in his own head since his match with Gunther last September. The only tears you wanna wipe off your child’s face should be tears of joy. But if Gable wants that chance, this new gauntlet stands before him. His path to Heaven runs through the gauntlet from Hell. “A gauntlet filled with demons from my past that I’m gonna have to overcome this time, in order to earn my date with destiny. My date with redemption.
“It’s a rare chance to rewrite history, we don’t get those every day, so I intend to claim it and become a beacon of perseverance that my fans and my family can be proud of.” Gable vows to endure, “because for Chad Gable, this match just means more.” The Alpha Academy’s fearless leader wants to finally hold singles gold, will he survive the star-studded six pack to get back there?
Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan!
The Man is ready for Rhea Ripley and the Women’s World Championship, but her Road to WrestleMania ran afoul of Liv Morgan’s revenge tour! Will Becky keep her momentum up? Or is she running into a big time speedbump?
Raw returns and Liv makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, end up in a corner, then go along ropes into another corner. Liv lets off to shove Becky! Fans are torn but Becky gets around to waistlock and SLAM! Becky drags liv back up but Liv throws elbows. Liv headlocks, Becky powers up and out, but Liv runs her over! Liv grins and runs, but Becky drops, runs the other way, then runs Liv over! Becky dusts herself off but Liv gets up to SLAP! So Becky SLAPS back! Liv fires forearms, Becky ROCKS Liv and bumps her off buckles. Becky bumps Liv off another corner, but then Liv bumps Becky back!
Liv brings Becky around, grabs an arm, but Liv moves around! Liv arm-drags free, runs up but Becky dodges! Becky BLASTS Liv off the apron, then builds speed, but Liv avoids the baseball slide! Liv gets in to build speed and she DIVES! Not the cleanest flight but she still takes Becky down, and the fans fire up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Becky storms up to Liv in a corner. Liv ELBOWS Becky away, waistlocks, but Becky bucks the O’Conner! Liv runs Becky over with shoulder tackle after shoulder tackle, then kicks, KICKS and ENZIGIRIS! Liv kips up and the fans fire up! Liv runs in at the corner now, back body blocks, then runs, rolls and comes back. Becky dodges to JUMP KICK! Then she clinches, BECKSPLODER! Liv stands into another clinch, another BECKSPLODER! The fans rally up and runs to WRECK Liv with a dropkick! Becky goes to the apron, leaps and CLOBBERS Liv with a flying forearm!
Becky puts Liv back in the ring, goes up a corner and the fans rally. Becky leaps, into a CODE BREAKER! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks, they’re both okay to continue, and the fans rally and duel! “Let’s Go, Becky!” “Let’s Go, Liv!” Becky crawls after Liv as Liv goes to ropes. Becky ROCKS Liv, Liv ROCKS Becky! Becky ROCKS Liv, but Liv ROCKS Becky! They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans fire up! Becky gets the edge, UPPERCUTS and SOBATS, then runs, but Liv follows! Springboard CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Becky survives and Liv is frustrated!
Becky stands, Liv runs up but into a BOOT! Becky whips but Liv reverses to put Becky on the apron., Liv runs up but Becky KICKS her! Becky brings Liv to the apron, but Liv fights the suplex! Liv pushes Becky, ROCKS her, but Becky ROCKS her back! Becky waistlocks and aims for the floor! Liv holds on for dear life and throws elbows! Becky lets go, Liv BOOTS her to the corner! Becky staggers, Liv SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS to the floor!! The fans are all fired up and Liv hurries to get Becky in the ring! Liv hurries to cover, TWO!! Becky survives and shocks everyone! Liv works to calm down, because Houston knows “This is Awesome!”
Liv refocuses and brings Becky up. Becky resists the lift, to clinch, MAN- NO, Liv victory rolls! TWO, and Liv runs up! But into the MANHANDLE SLAM!! But Liv flops out of the ring to deny Becky the pinfall! Becky is stunned, the fans fire up, and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once again and Becky looms over Liv. Becky grabs an arm but Liv rolls her up! TWO, and Liv clamps on with RINGS OF SATURN!! Becky fights, moves, rolls free and kicks low! Underhooks for the BUTTERFLY SLAM into an ARMBAR! Liv flails, reaches out, fights up and stacks Becky, TWO! Back to RINGS OF SATURN!! Becky flails, kicks, make sit a cover, TWO and Liv ghost pins! TWO, both stand up and Liv slips around to DDT!! Becky flounders to ropes, stands up, into OB-LIV-ION!! But now Becky flops outta the ring! Liv is seething as Becky survives! A ring count starts but Liv goes out after Becky.
Liv DRIBBLES Becky’s face off the apron edge! Liv puts Becky in, sees her go to a corner, and she runs up! Becky sends Liv into buckles! Becky comes back but Liv slips out and Becky hits buckles! Liv KNEES Becky away, goes up and leaps, but into the MANHANDLE SLAM!!! Cover, Becky wins!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall
That battle was itself worthy of the Women’s World Championship, but it is still The Man heading down the Road to WrestleMania! Becky does nod Liv respect, will they look to run this back one day? Will Becky be the world champion by then? But speaking of, here comes Rhea Ripley! Houston fires up as Mami swaggers her way out, title in hand. Rhea looks at Liv and Liv says she’ll be the one to take everything Rhea loves! Rhea just blows her a kiss, then goes to the ring with a mic to stare down Becky. The fans chant for “MAMI! MAMI!” but Rhea says, “Congratulations, Becky. You beat Liv Morgan. Now was it all worth it?
“Because every single week, you seem to be getting into these fights and leaving everything you have in this ring. And every single week that goes by, we seem to be getting closer and closer to WrestleMania. But that’s what The Man is all about, right? You fight anyone, anywhere. You say that you do it for these people, you say that you do it for your family. See, I know the real reason as to why you do it, Becky. You say that you have to prove to yourself that you’re still the best here. But the thing is, you know deep down that I am better than you.” So that is why Becky keeps accepting all these matches! She wants an excuse as to why she can’t beat Rhea!
Rhea promises that if Becky doesn’t step into Mania 100%, she won’t be walking out “The Man!” She will be nothing but a disappointment. The fans are torn and Becky paces. Becky has a mic to say before the Royal Rumble, she looked Rhea in the eye and said Rhea might be better than her, and that Becky needs to prove Rhea is not. And that little bit of doubt, that planted a seed. That seed grew into a tree with branches and leaves and roots and vines that are wrapping around the whole world. But what you need to understand about Becky, when people believe in her, she is good. But when people doubt her, she is GREAT!
So Rhea, if it has to be Becky against the whole world, then the whole world doesn’t stand a chance. Becky drops her mic and storms off, ready to give it her all and then some! Will that be just enough to finally take down The Eradicator?
BREAKING NEWS for WrestleMania!
Both the Raw and SmackDown General Managers, Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis, stand side by side as they give us this announcement. As they work together to make WrestleMania 40 the greatest event in wrestling history, they are here tonight. It is their distinct honor and privilege as not just GMs but as fans of tag team wrestling and this “unbelievably deep tag division” in WWE today, to announce that at WrestleMania 40, Judgment Day will defend their tag titles against FIVE of the very best tag teams in WWE today in a very special match that matches the magnitude of the biggest Mania of all time.
It will be a SIX PACK LADDER MATCH! Over the next few weeks, teams from both Raw and SmackDown will compete to earn spots in that match, and the opportunity to walk away with the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania. Pearce and Aldis wish all the teams good luck, but is it Finn & Priest who will need a miracle to survive?
Judgment Day talk about this in their clubhouse.
Priest says he’s never had a problem with a GM before now. FIVE teams?! They wanna go to his office and talk to “that Nick fella.” JD McDonagh also joins Finn & Priest in storming their way out, but will they fail to change management’s mind?
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri!
The Poison Pixie got a little spicy last week and took her frustrations out verbally on poor Maxxine the Alpha Queen. Ivy and Indi know Maxxine’s doing her best, but will her best just not be enough? Or will Ivy & Maxxine find the way to win against former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions?
The teams sort out, Ivy and Indi start. They tie up, Ivy arm-drags but then Indi arm-drags! Indi grinds the arm, whips, but Ivy holds ropes. Ivy ROUNDHOUSES Indi, but Candice gets a cheap shot in! Fans boo but Indi didn’t see it. She tags Candice, but Ivy UPPERCUTS! Ivy and Candice DOUBLE LARIAT, and the fans rally up while they’re both down. Ivy and Candice crawl, hot tags to Indi and Maxxine! Maxxine wrenches and ROUNDHOUSES Indi, then ENZIGIRIS! The fans cheer as Maxxine SHOTGUNS! Maxxine is all fired up, she runs up and SPLASHES! Indi flops down, and Maxxine shouts out Otis with the hip swivel!
Maxxine shimmies, shakes, handsprings, and REVERSE CATERPILLARS, but into Candice! Candice says Maxxine just looks stupid! Maxxine is bullied into the corner, and Candice says, “You know why people are booing you, right? Because you don’t belong here!” Maxxine looks close to tears and Candice says if hearing what the internet has to say hurts, try listening to what the others in the locker room are saying! Candice mocks Maxxine’s tears. Candice says it is a good thing her dead brother isn’t here to see what an embarrassment Maxxine’s become! Maxxine pushes Candice away and wants out, but Indi BOOTS her down!
Candice BOOTS Ivy, tells Indi to pin! Indi does, she and Candice win!
Winner: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by pinfall
The poison inside the pixie is truly corrosive, and Indi has no idea what to make of it. Will Maxxine be able to recover from Candice’s toxic words?
The GMs talk in their office.
They talk out the details, and Aldis says it will be three teams from Raw and two from SmackDown. Pearce is quite the tough negotiator. Pearce takes that as a compliment, and they both know it will be one incredible match. Between this and NXT’s Tag Team Eliminator Tournament, the WWE Tag Division is- But then Finn walks in and says, “Excuse me, muchachos, but what the hell is going on around here? Is this some sort of a joke? Me and Damian have to defend our two titles against five teams, at WrestleMania, in a ladder match!? Everyone knows I don’t like ladders!” McDonagh says yeah, Finn’s afraid of heights.
What? This is the biggest Mania of all time. But think of it this way: If Judgment Day wins, they cement their legacies as the greatest tag team of all time! Priest says stop, stop! They already have proven they’re the best! It’s why they have the belts! Whose idea even was this? Was it Pearce? Was it Aldis? Aldis says it is better left unsaid. Pearce has everyone calm down, they take ideas from all over. They should see social media. Finn asks if he is invisible. What about his ideas? He has great ideas! No one listens to his ideas! Okay, okay, since they’re so adamant about it, Pearce & Aldis had a conversation with Miz & Truth-
OH, SERIOUSLY!? That’s who they’re getting advice from? In that case, give them Miz & Truth in a match, tonight! Well too bad, they’re not here tonight, they’re off doing media appearances. Wait, Truth walks in!? Isn’t he supposed to be in Philadelphia? Oh, that’s on Monday, bro. Truth, it IS Monday. Oh… That’s why Miz ain’t here, huh? Priest says he’ll settle for just Truth. Make the match. The Judgment Day heads out and Truth asks what they’re so mad about. Pearce will try to explain, but will it even matter?
Michael Cole is in the ring.
He has chairs prepared because he is going to interview a man who had quite a historic night on SmackDown last Friday. We watch a recap package, and then Cody Rhodes makes his entrance! Houston fires up for the American Nightmare and they sing his song, “WHOA~ OH~!” The pyro goes off, Cody gets the fans even more fired up, and then he joins Maggle in the ring. They sit down and Cole asks Cody what he wants to talk about. But to cut to the chase, The Rock trumpeted the fact that he is on the Board of Directors, and made it clear as Cody’s boss that if Cody doesn’t get it done at WrestleMania, he may never, ever challenge for another title again.
So then, why did Cody slap him? Cody smirks, the fans chant “ROCKY SUCKS!” and Cody says he knows The Rock is saying that he is Cody’s boss. Not sure that’s really the case, but if The Rock is, then it feels good to slap your boss. And before the red carpet premieres and sipping tequila and promoting energy drinks, etc, etc, The ROck was a wrestler. A great one at that, one of Cody’s favorites, so The Rock knows what that slap was: it was a receipt. Then Cole wants to know why he agreed to that night one tag match. To be fair, Rollins is the one who answered for them, and then Cody did later.
Cody has so much at stake on Sunday, “finishing the story” with Roman, why put that in jeopardy? So much can go wrong in that 24 hour period, including how if he and Rollins lose, the match becomes “Bloodline Rules,” aka no rules. More importantly, and hear Cole out, Rollins and Cody have a long history. Rollins has made it very clear that he wants to be THE top champion in the WWE, and he is the last person to have defeated Roman Reigns 1v1. It was via disqualification but still, and he never got a rematch. Perhaps it is Rollins wanting to be the one to finally end Roman’s streak. With all that said, how the hell can Cody trust Rollins?
Cody smirks and says, “People change, Michael. It wasn’t that long ago you were sitting over there in a Plexiglas enclosure, wearing a Syracuse wrestling singlet, heckling everyone of the boys. Hell, I went off in the distance, I smashed the throne, and the person who sits on that throne has now become my closest working ally. I even teamed with Jey Uso!” The fans “YEET!” for that one. Cody says he and Rollins have not always gotten along, that is true, but Rollins has always had Cody’s respect. If he has to go to war with anyone, he happily does it with Rollins. Besides that, this is Cody’s one shot, the one opportunity at getting a fair fight against Roman Reigns.
Cody knew he’d be talking tonight, he and Cole are old friends. But here is an answer to a question the last time they were both in the ring. Flashback to October when he and Jey were tag team champions. Cole brought up Cody’s great year: Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, and that close to winning the title, same as Dusty Rhodes. Is that going to be Cody’s story? Cody was flustered at the time, but here tonight, Cody says that was a good question. Even now. So here’s another: Does Cody look nervous? Fans so “NO!” and Cody asks if he looks afraid. Because to be honest, he is nervous, he is scared, and he knows there are these “old head podcasters” who want this Jerry Springer thing.
The suit, the big words, admitting to being afraid. Cody can’t say “I’ll get ’em next time,” because that already happened. But the story is no longer about Roman’s championship and Cody. The story is about all of the fans who have followed Cody to the absolute ends. The story is all about a young girl named Hannah, blind, held up a sign for Cody just to feel it. There’s Cody’s friend, Harley, was in the front row, went through spinal fusion, who wanted the weight belt. Cody’s own family, like his sister, the one The Rock didn’t even mention. The original shotgun-riding kid for Dusty, who went from watching him in front of thousands of people, to driving him to signings where there were only 40.
Or even Cody’s mother, the only one left. Cody can’t hand it to Dusty Rhodes, but he sure can hand it to Michelle Rubio. The fans cheer as Cody gets emotional here. Cody then says, “How about my number one fan? Someone you know really well because you hired her, my wife, Brandi Rhodes. The most beautiful woman on the Earth. She took a shot on me when I was wearing a goofy mask and taking RKOs every night. If anyone deserves it…” The story is beyond Cody. But it is still up to him. Cody tells Roman now that last year, Roman said this was the third inning. But Cody wants to say this, and he’s sure Roman knows it, too. We are no longer in the third, this is the bottom of the ninth!
And Cody is so glad to have this moment. Night two of WrestleMania, Cole can say for the first time in the history of this company, for the first time in the history of Cody’s family, a RHODES will be Undisputed WWE Champion! Cole gets to say at WrestleMania 40, “Cody Rhodes finished the story!” Cody and Cole shake hands and hug it out, but will the American Nightmare make that dream come true?
More of the gauntlet competitors speak.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Ricochet returns tonight for in-ring action for Monday Night Raw. He actually returns for an opportunity to reclaim something that was taken from him.” He’s said it once and he’ll say it again, from day one stepping into the WWE, Ricochet has known where he wants to be. And tonight, after he runs through the gauntlet, where he is going to be will be WrestleMania to reclaim his Interconnectional Championship. So his Road to WrestleMania starts tonight.
JD McDonagh say that he woke up and in the mirror, he saw a guy “who after a lifetime of effort is now just one match, one win, away from WrestleMania. I saw a guy looking back at me who is willing to do anything, to sink to any depth, to MAIM to get to WrestleMania. And most importantly, I saw a guy looking back at me that I KNOW can beat Gunther. If you don’t believe me, I don’t give a damn. But I will tell you this: You never bet against an Ace.”
The One and Only and the Necessary Evil are ready, but will either of them make it to the end?
Becky finds Liv backstage.
Liv stands up to stare down Becky eye to eye, but Becky offers a handshake. Liv takes it, but then Nia CLOBBERS them both!! Nia says, “Aw, how cute! You guys supposed to make up, huh?” Nia TOSSES Liv into a road case! Nia tells Becky they’re not done. URENAGE through a table!! Refs and producers rush over, Nia tells them to back off, then she leaves. Will nothing stop The Irresistible Force from getting her way on the Road to WrestleMania?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors w/ Damage CTRL VS Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark!
The Empress of Tomorrow & The Pirate Princess have been dominating since coming back together, but they’re up against a combo that’s just as tough and just as mean! Will Asuka & Kairi not be ready for the Queen of Spades & Hunter? Or will Damage CTRL still be in control?
Raw returns and Shayna makes her entrance, followed by Zoey. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who truly dominates the tag division!
The teams sort out, Asuka and Stark start. They tie up, Stark headlocks but Asuka powers out. Stark ducks then handsprings and the fans cheer. Things speed up, Stark dodges then drops to then hurdle, roll back, but into a basement dropkick! Asuka swaggers, runs up at Stark in a corner, but Stark goes up and over then DROPKICKS back! Cover, TWO! Tag to Shayna, Stark snapmares Asuka for Shayna to KICK! And KICK! And KICKS! Asuka blocks, throws Shayna down, then aims to KICK! And KICK! And KICK! Shayna block snow, and goes for the ANKLE LOCK! Asuka hops and reaches out, but Shayna brings her away to go for an arm!
Asuka endures the double wristlock, pulls hair, and then tags Kairi. They whip Shayna away and Asuka drops so Kairi can LARIAT! Cover, ONE! Kairi pie faces Shayna, pie faces her again, but Shayna wrenches and brings her over! Tag to Stark, Shayna GERMAN SUPLEXES Kairi and Stark runs up to SLIDING BOOT! Stark BLASTS Asuka, too, then aims at them both! Springboard DOUBLE CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as the challengers stand tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Asuka headlocks Shayna, but Shayna hits a BIG back suplex out of it! They’re both down, the fans rally as they crawl, hot tags to Kairi and Stark! Stark LARIATS, LARIATS again, then runs to CLOBBER Kairi! The fans fire up with Stark, she ROCKS Kairi and whips her to a corner. Stark runs in, SPLASHES, then hoists her up top. The fans rally behind Stark as she ROCKS Kairi, ROCKS her again, then climbs. Kairi CLUBS away on Stark, Stark hits back, and Stark brings Kairi to the very top! But Kairi throws more shots! Kairi trips Stark up, HEADBUTTS her into the Tree of Woe, then stands!
The fans are torn as Kairi aims, and she WOE STOMPS Stark down! Cover, TWO! Stark survives and Kairi is furious! Kairi goes corner to corner, SLIDING D into a BOOT! Stark hurries to her corner but so does Kairi, hot tags to Shayna and Asuka! Shayna dodges to fire off a strike fest! She KICKS a leg out but Asuka dodges to URAKEN! SOBAT! KICK! URA- No, Shayna ducks to ROCK Asuka! Shayna runs up, Asuka ELBOWS her! Tag to Kari, CODE BREAKER to BLOCKBUSTER! Kairi keeps moving, she tags back to Asuka, then she BLASTS Stark! The Kabuki Warriors line it up, SLIDING D GAMANGIRI COMBO! Cover, Stark breaks it!!
The fans fire up but Kairi CLUBS Stark! Stark still TOSSES Kairi, goes out after her, and Shayna ROUNDHOUSES Asuka! Shayna tags Stark, Stark brings Asuka up! Fireman’s carry and- NO, Asuka slips free! Asuka blocks the roundhouse to slip around and GERMAN SUPLEX! Tag back to Kairi and she climbs! Asuka has Stark in position, but Stark powers out to shove Asuka! Kairi leaps over, Stark avoids the lariat to SUPERKICK! Tag to Shayna and they set Kairi up! Z360!! Kairi sits up into the RUNNING KNEE!! Cover, ASUKA BREAKS IT! Stark runs up to SUPERKICK Asuka! Asuka bails out, Stark PLANCHAS but FLOPS as Asuka moves!
Kairi and Shayna stands! Shayna blocks the uraken to KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! The fans go wild, Kairi kicks and rolls back to a cover, TWO!! Kairi is still caught! She reaches out for ropes but Shayna gets that arm! But then Dakota grabs a leg! Shayna kicks Dakota away, the fans boo, but Kairi URAKENS! Tag back to Asuka and Asuka BUZZSAWS! Tag back to Kairi and they get Shayna in position now! In-SANE DDT!! Cover, Kabuki Warriors win!
Winners: The Kabuki Warriors, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
#CobraKai made sure her girls didn’t lose control! But she has to face Bayley this Friday now, will the Role Model get a small part of revenge before going for the Evil Genius, Iyo Sky?
Judgment Day talks backstage.
They’re all still annoyed about this ladder match business, but then Andrade walks in. Priest asks, “Can we help you?” Andrade says tranquilo, big man. Rhea says it’s fine, she asked him to stop by. Rhea tells Andrade that unfortunately, Dom isn’t here tonight, but he has spoken extremely highly of Andrade. So maybe when Dom is back, we can all talk business. Is that something that interests him? Andrade says of course, he is all about business. Just let him known when. Okay, they’ll speak soon. Hasta luego. Andrade leaves and Finn says not for nothing, but he’s known that lad a long time. Finn agrees with Dom, Andrade brings a lot to the table.
Rhea says yes, it is intriguing. Priest says great, can they get back to focusing on their own business? Because it starts tonight when Priest handles Truth. They all agree there. Will Senor Money in the Bank punish Truth for thinking up this wild ladder match?
More gauntlet competitors speak.
The King of Strong Style says, “This fight is the Road to WrestleMania and championship gold. It’s worthy for me to let my emotions, anger and frustrations out. Gunther, don’t just sit back and watch. Keep your eyes wide open.” And the Colossal Aussie says, “All these losers are crying about how hard they’ve worked, and how they deserve their moment. You don’t know what real hard work is! You’re entitled and embarrassing! You deserve what you can take, and I’m taking it all! Tonight, Big Bronson Reed punches his ticket to WrestleMania!”
R-Truth VS Damian Priest!
Raw returns and Priest makes his entrance, looking to do this alone. And he just CLOBBERS Truth the moment he’s in the ring! The fans boo, the bell rings, and Priest stomps away on Truth in the corner! The ref has Priest let off, and Priest runs corner to corner, only for Truth to dodge the clothesline! Truth fires off haymakers and the fans fire up! Priest HEADBUTTS Truth away, then ROCKS him with a right! Truth leans against ropes, and Priest tells Truth to suggest something stupid now! Priest ROCKS Truth, whips him, but Truth KICKS back! Priest is furious, and he DECKS Truth with a forearm!
The fans rally for Truth but Priest just smirks. Priest TOSSES Truth out hard, then soaks up the heat. But wait, DIY is here! They cheer Truth on but Priest dares them to do something. Priest reels Truth in, hoists him up, but Truth slips free! Truth baits Priest into the POST! The fans fire up and Truth gets in the ring. Truth then goes to the apron, and he leaps to FLYING LARIAT Priest down! The fans fire up again as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Truth ROCKS Priest, ROCK Shim again, then runs, but into the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Truth still lives and the fans fire up! Priest paces, he kicks at DIY as he goes to the apron and then up a corner. Truth stands, and he hits ropes to trip Priest! Priest falls to the mat then hobbles around. Truth runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he shoulder tackles! And shoulder tackles! SPIN-OUT BOMB! Shout out to Cena with “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then sets up, fireman’s carries, and ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! The fans fire up as Truth covers, TWO!!
Truth doesn’t stop, he steps through to STF!! The fans fire up as Priest endures! But then JD & Finn CLOBBER DIY! The fans boo as those four brawl! Truth lets Priest go to go up the corner! Truth SUPER CROSSBODIES and wipes everyone out! The fans lose their minds, Truth manages to stand back up, and he hurries back in! But Priest LARIATS Truth right down! Priest pulls down the straps and vows to end this! Choke grip, SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest wins!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
The Judgment Day didn’t let Truth and “Regeneration X” have their way! In fact, JD CLUBS Ciampa, but Gargano goes after JD! Finn goes after Gargano, he and JD stomp Gargano out! Priest gives Ciampa an APRON CHOKE SLAM! JD kicks Truth around while Finn gives Gargano a COUP DE GRACE!! The fans boo but the Judgment Day does what they want to who they want! Will they do even worse to make sure none of the teams at WrestleMania win out?
Becky Lynch speaks.
She’s in the trainer’s room and says she knows she shouldn’t be doing this so close to WrestleMania, but it is her against the world. “So next week, Nia Jax, you, me, Last Woman Standing!” As if the Road to WrestleMania wasn’t in the Big Time already! Will Becky prove she’s unstoppable? Or will Nia end up removing Becky from the title picture after all?
Jey Uso is here!
Houston fires up as Main Event Jey, the #YEETMASTER, makes his way to the ring! They bounce with Jey and he points to Pat bouncing on the desk. Jey gets the mic to say “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your city~!” The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and Jey calls out Jimmy Uso. “Big Jim. Big brother Jim, lemme holla at you for a minute. I said I came to Monday night Raw for a fresh start. I said I came to Monday Night for a fresh start.” “YEET!” “But the Bloodline won’t let me go!” “YEET!” Jimmy won’t let Jey go. “YEET!” So how ’bout this? Brother VS Brother, Twin VS Twin, Blood VS Blood, USO VS USO! Jey VS Jimmy, AT WRESTLEMANIA!!
The fans are thunderous for that idea! Jey then tells Jimmy, “Accept my challenge. Cuz I’m gonna knock the yeet out yo’ ass!” Going from a tag team main event last year to a Bloodline grudge match this year, will Jimmy accept? Will The Tribal Chief even let Jimmy accept?
Backstage interview with Gunther.
Jackie Redmond is with the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, and says there are some who believe he has become a little overconfident and is underestimating the six superstars in tonight’s gauntlet. What does he say to that? Gunther asks her, “Who believes that?” Well, there are just speculation among the WWE Universe. Gunther says that whoever believes that is not really his concern. He focuses on his legacy and facts. 640 days ago, Gunther beat Ricochet to become Intercontinental Champion, and he took on the responsibility for himself and for the legacy of this great prize.
And since then, he has elevated this title to heights never seen before. So tonight, the creme de la creme of Monday Night Raw will step into that ring and leave it all out there to compete against him for this great prize at the Grandest Stage of Them All, WrestleMania. And he’s flattered. This is such an affirmation of the work he has put in. But it takes a lot. It takes a lot to be in Gunther’s position. So to whoever wins this gauntlet tonight, good luck. Gunther chuckles and grins, but will he not be so confident once he sees who survives this star-studded field?
WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Gauntlet!
First out is the One and Only Ricochet, and he has already said he’s ready to finally be where he’s always wanted to be. Will the King of Flight make it through ’til the end? We find out his opponent after the break!
Raw returns and starting against Ricochet is the Irish Ace, JD McDonagh. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, JD wrenches and wristlocks but Ricochet spins, slips through and waistlocks back. JD wrenches out, wrangles Ricochet with the wristlock, but Ricochet rolls, kips up and wrenches to then CLUB the arm, trip JD, and run up. JD BOOTS Ricochet away, but Ricochet rebounds and jumps over. JD gets around, Ricochet switches, but JD elbows free! Things speed up as Ricochet hurdles then MONKEY FLIPS JD! JD gets up into a DROPKICK! Ricochet keeps JD from getting away and whips, but JD reverses.
Ricochet holds ropes to stop himself, then he TOSSES JD up and out! The fans fire up, Ricochet builds speed, and he slides, but JD dodges! Ricochet hurries up to the apron, RAMS into JD, then springboards into a GUTBUSTER! JD then TOSSES Ricochet back out, storms out after him, and whips him hard into barriers! Then into more barriers! Then back into more barriers! JD pushes Ricochet into the ring, storms up behind, but Ricochet ELBOWS back! Ricochet runs up, but JD scoops to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ricochet gasps and sputters but JD looms over him. JD drags Ricochet up and puts him in a corner.
JD whips corner to corner hard and Ricochet falls back! JD wants after Ricochet but the ref keeps him back. The ref and JD argue, but JD drops an elbow on Ricochet! The fans rally, JD CHOKES Ricochet on ropes! The ref counts, JD lets off, and JD soaks up the heat. JD points to the WrestleMania sign then goes after Ricochet. Ricochet throws body shots and forearms, but then JD ducks to URENAGE, and STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives but JD keeps his cool. JD brings Ricochet up to snap suplex! JD runs to drop the leg, brother! Ricochet sputters and JD mocks the fans, and they just boo back.
JD ROCKS Ricochet and has him in a corner. Ricochet fights back with forearms and UPPERCUTS, but JD kicks low! JD whips, Ricochet handsprings to back elbow! The fans rally and Ricochet runs corner to corner, to RAM into JD and go to the apron! Springboard and CROSSBODY! Ricochet bounces off, clutches the ribs, but he still LIONSAULTS but onto knees! JD turns things around to then suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives and JD is frustrated! JD watches Ricochet writhe while the fans rally up. JD SLAPS Ricochet, so Ricochet SLAPS back! JD SLAPS again, and the forearms start flying!
The fans fire up as Ricochet UPPERCUTS, ROLLING ELBOWS, but JD ROCKS him again! Ricochet HEEL KICKS, then POISON-RANAS! Ricochet runs but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down and the fans fire up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Ricochet is on the apron. JD goes out after him, stands him up, and blows a kiss to fans before he SLAPS Ricochet! Ricochet SLAPS back! JD SLAPS, then blocks the kick to CHOP, ENZIGIRI, and he reels Ricochet in! But Ricochet fireman’s carries! APRON DEATH VALLEY!! The fans go nuts while the ref checks both men! JD is somehow still in this so a ring count starts. Ricochet rises and stands at 5 of 10, then slides in before 6. JD crawls around at 7, drags himself up at 8, and rushes to slide in at 9.5! But Ricochet LIONSAULTS! Then he reels JD in for the NORTHERN LIGHTS! Ricochet rolls through to deadlift BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!!
The fans fire up and Ricochet is frustrated, but Ricochet stands back up. Ricochet waits on JD to rise and the fans rally up. JD stands, Ricochet fireman’s carries, but JD claws the face! JD POSTS Ricochet, then drags him to a cover, TWO! JD is frustrated now and he kicks and stomps away on Ricochet’s ribs and back! Fans boo but JD stands Ricochet up to then suplex him to the top rope. JD CHOPS Ricochet, then climbs up after him. JD fires forearms, then he goes to the very top! Ricochet fights with elbows then shoves JD down! JD is in the drop zone, and Ricochet aims, SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! Cover, Ricochet ELIMINATES JD!!
But as if that first round wasn’t hard enough, the 330 pounds of BEEF is coming! Bronson Reed is ready for war, will he become a juggernaut in this match? Wait, Ricochet DIVES out to hit Bronson! Bronson wobbles and staggers but doesn’t fall, so Ricochet shoves him into the ring!
Ricochet VS Bronson Reed!
Ricochet springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK Bronson outta the ring!! The fans fire up as Ricochet builds speed and FLIES! The Fosbury Flop takes Bronson down and the fans fire up again! Bronson still stands up before Ricochet does and Bronson gets himself into the ring. Ricochet follows, but Bronson swings! Ricochet ducks, GAMANGIRIS, then springboards again! Bronson catches Ricochet this time, and RAMS him into a corner before hitting the RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives but Bronson hauls him right back up. Bronson reels Ricochet in, hoists him up, but Ricochet slips free!
Ricochet Tiger Wall Kicks, ENZIGIRIS, and fires back up! Ricochet runs up, hops on, throws down fists, then spins, wheelbarrows, only for Bronson to SLAM him and SENTON! Bronson goes to a corner and the fans feel it coming! TSUNAMI!! Cover, Bronson ELIMINATES Ricochet! But here comes the Master Strategist! Sami Zayn has said he wants to do something truly historic for WrestleMania, will that start by a historic run through the gauntlet?
Bronson Reed VS Sami Zayn!
Sami slides in, dodges Bronson and then baits Bronson into throwing him out of the ring! Sami goes out to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! Bronson CHOPS in return! And HEADBUTTS! The fans rally behind Sami, but Bronson lines up the shot. Bronson whips, Sami goes up the barriers to QUEBRADA! Direct hit and down goes Bronson! Houston is fired up with Sami and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and the fans rally for Sami as he endures the chinlock. Sami fights up, throws body shots, but Bronson CLUBS him back down. Bronson whips Sami, Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges but Bronson CLOBBERS him! Bronson hauls Sami up to ANARCHY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Sami is still in this but Bronson vows to end this. SENTON FLOPS as Sami moves! Sami goes to a corner, drags himself up, and the fans rally up. Bronson runs in but Sami ELBOWS him away! Sami goes up the corner, leaps, but into the URENAGE! Bronson then runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Sami survives again but Bronson is just getting mad.
Bronson puts Sami in a corner, CHOPS him, then hoists him up top. Bronson HEADBUTTS Sami, climbs up after him, and hoists Sami up with a fireman’s carry! Fans freak out but Sami kicks and moves around, SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! Cover, Sami ELIMINATES Bronson!! Even Sami’s a bit shocked, but then the King of Strong Style makes his way out. Wait, Bronson DECKS Sami! The Colossal Aussie is a sore loser, as he goes up to hit a TSUNAMI!! Nakamura grins as Bronson has just served Sami up on a silver platter. Other refs rush out here to get Bronson to the back, but Nakamura slides in the corner to pick the bones!
Sami Zayn VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
Nakamura aims, runs in, but Sami gets around to roll him up! TWO!! SLIDING ENZIGIRI! Sami flounders to ropes, Nakamura stomps away on him! Nakamura lets off as the ref counts, and Sami flops out of the ring. Nakamura goes out the side to pursue, and he runs in to BOOT Sami over the desk! Nakamura paces around and looks to the WrestleMania sign as Raw goes back to break.
Raw returns again and Nakamura gives Sami some Bad Vibrations in the corner! The ref counts, Nakamura lets off, and is stomping Sami while we get some telestrator action on Bronson hitting Sami with the Tsunami. Nakamura paces around Sami, slaps him around, but the fans rally up. Nakamura KICKS Sami, scuffs him, then KICKS again! Sami roars, then blocks a kick! But the ENZIGIRI hits! Sami wobbles, Nakamura whips, but Sami goes up and over, gets around and hits a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives but Sami is too tired to be upset. Sami drags Nakamura back up, ducks a roundhouse but not the WHEEL KICK!
Nakamura aims from the corner again, wanting to end this! KINSHA- NO, Sami blocks! Nakamura fights the clinch with elbows, then he AX KICKS Sami down! Nakamura goes up the corner, aims, FLYING- NO, Sami gets under! Nakamura ends up in the other corner and Sami runs right in to HELLUVA KICK!! Cover, Sami ELIMINATES Nakamura!! Sami survives the screw job by Bronson, but now it’s just him and Chad Gable. Gable said this means more to him than it does to everyone else, will he prove it?
Sami Zayn VS Chad Gable!
Gable storms into the ring with a lot of fire, but he sees Sami still down and stops himself. Gable says Sami has to get up. This is about going to WrestleMania, Gable won’t take it the easy way. Sami sits up, Gable stands him up, and Gable says let’s do this right. The fans cheer the respect and sportsmanship, and the two circle. Sami fires himself up and they tie up. Gable gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! And GERMAN SUPLEX again! Sami fights the hattrick with elbows, then switches. But Gable rolls to get the ANKLE LOCK! Sami moves around, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Gable lets off and Sami goes to the apron.
Gable runs up but Sami RAMS into him! Gable comes back, slides, and he trips Sami into the ANKLE LOCK! Sami BOOTS Gable into steel steps! Both men are down and the fans fire up while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Gable has Sami up top! Gable and Sami brawl, body shots and CHOPS and haymakers! Gable ROCKS Sami, ducks Sami’s haymaker, and then brings him up to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Gable crawls to the cover, TWO!! Sami survives and Gable can’t believe it! Gable pushes Sami around, has him in a drop zone, and then goes to the corner. But Sami anchors a foot! Gable kicks and kicks and gets free! Gable goes up top, but Sami CLUBS him! And CLUBS him again! The fans rally as Sami goes up, but Gable blocks the lift! Gable throws hands, and even elbows! Sami falls back, Gable adjusts and MOONSAULTS onto knees!
Sami cradles Gable, TWO!! The fans rally up as both Sami and Gable stir. Sami rises up, Gable uses the ropes. Sami ROCKS Gable, then ROCKS him again! Gable fires back! And again! Sami fires a forearm, Gable fires back, and Gable gets the edge! Gable fires off at the ropes, then CHOPS! Sami CHOPS! And SLAPS! And fires off fast hands! The brawl is on and the fans are loving it! It is fast and furious but then it slows down. They fire forearms again and again, then Sami BOOTS! Sami reels Gable in, BLUE THUNDER- NO, Gable slips free to pick the leg and ANKLE LOCK!! Sami flails while fans fire up!
Sami reaches, Gable leans on the leg as hard as he can! Gable says he needs this way more than Sami! Sami endures, proving with actions that that’s not true! Sami reaches out for the ropes, and has the ROPEBREAK!! Gable lets go in frustration, but he refocuses. The fans fire up as Gable storms up behind Sami. Sami fights the waistlock with elbows, but Gable pushes to the corner! Sami bucks the O’Conner Roll, Gable comes back, into the CORNER EXPLODER! Gable flounders around and Sami goes to the far side. Sami fights through the pain to run, but Gable drops down to get the leg! ANKLE LOCK!!
Sami rolls but Gable rolls with him! Sami still endures, Gable pushes the ankle as far as he can! Sami still fights, but Gable drags him back!! Gable leans, Sami turns over! Sami BOOTS but Gable rolls through!! Gable keeps on the Ankle Lock and Sami is flailing! Sami reaches out, but Gable brings him up, LEG TRAP GERMAN!! Gable goes up top to MOONSAULT but Sami moves!! Gable flounders, Sami hobbles but still runs to HELLUVA KICK!!! Sami has to crawl to the cover! TWO?!? GHOST PIN!! TWO?!?!? Both men escape disaster and “This is Awesome!” Sami clutches his leg as he sits up, but he still clubs Gable.
Gable waistlocks and he drags Sami up! Sami throws elbows so Gable fires crossface forearms! And from all sides! Gable roars, brings down the straps, and says “This is MY moment!” Fans are torn as Gable deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES!! Bridging cover, TWO!?!?! But Gable has the ANKLE LOCK!!! Sami endures, flails, tears at his own hair and beard, and he rolls to a victory roll! SAMI WINS!!!!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Gable can’t believe it! But somehow, someway, Sami got through Bronson Reed, Shinsuke Nakamura and even Chad Gable to earn this opportunity! Gable helps Sami up, and the two show each other respect. But then Gunther makes his way out here! Der Ring General smiles as he looks at Sami from the ramp. We now know it will be these two fighting for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania40! Will Sami’s historic moment be him ending Gunther’s historic reign?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, so much going towards some extra WrestleMania builds. The Six Pack Ladder Match is way more than I expected they’d do and that is great. I thought it was gonna be a Triple Threat with just one team each from Raw and SmackDown, but I like that we’re getting something this big for the biggest WrestleMania ever. And understandably, Judgment Day was upset about that, and we got good promos out of them that also gave us Priest VS Truth. Truth’s dive from the top was a bit scary because he wasn’t caught by anyone the way pro-wrestlers are supposed to stand there and take the hit. I think the brawling of Finn, JD and DIY went a little long, they forgot to cluster together, and Truth has a rougher landing than intended, but I would think he’s okay, he finished the match.
Great promo segment from Rollins and McIntyre to open the night. McIntyre calling Rollins a junkie parallels a bit of way back when, Chris Jericho accusing CM Punk of still being a drinker/smoker, but maybe that’s just me and not what they’re intending. But then Rollins saying McIntyre is being hypocritical a la Punk was great stuff, too. Both men have such beef with CM Punk, if only Punk was healthy to make this the Triple Threat for the apparent tradition. McIntyre also holding back on beating up Rollins after Rollins was pushing his buttons was a great detail, it really muddies the Face-Heel dynamic of these two and that’s a lot of fun.
Awesome match from Becky VS Liv tonight, probably one of Liv’s best ever. Becky of course won, though, and of course Nia attacked her and Liv at some point. Becky had a great promo with Rhea, and she’s going to have an awesome Last Woman Standing match with Nia. Becky probably still wins, and I thinks he’s actually going to make a point of going into Mania banged up to be an underdog challenger that takes down Rhea, assuming she’s going to beat Rhea at all. Great Women’s Tag Team Championship match, they made Shayna & Zoey look really good even in their defeat, and those two were even kept strong by Dakota helping Asuka & Kairi cheat to win.
Great promo from Jey that was pretty much to the point: he wants Uso VS Uso, and we most certainly are getting Uso VS Uso. Depending on which night they have it, Jey can personally make sure Jimmy is not able to help Roman Reigns during his match with Cody. And Cody had an awesome interview promo segment with Cole, but I can’t say how that factors into the dream team tag match. That could still go either way because both scenarios, Cody VS Roman fair and square or Cody VS Roman under Bloodline Rules, are really intriguing.
And after really good promos from Gunther and all the competitors, we got an awesome gauntlet match. Ricochet and JD had a great opening round, Bronson had a good showing and even a good Heel spot of beating down Sami, but I figured Sami was making it through to the end. Sami VS Gable was incredible stuff, and of course Sami won out. Sami VS Gunther is going to be great stuff, and who knows who wins that. It’d be awesome for Sami since that’s how the story feels this is going, but who knows. Bash in Berlin isn’t until August, so it’s not like Gunther has to reign all the way until then. Gunther could even go for the World Heavyweight Championship by then.
The only thing about tonight I’d criticize is how Candice won the match against Ivy & Maxxine. I do appreciate them coming up with a story to reference Maxxine getting fan heat at house shows, but it felt like Candice was peeling away the kayfabe about how Maxxine looks dumb doing the Reverse Caterpillar and how she wasn’t gonna let Indi “take” it. Then Candice goes and brings up Maxxine’s late brother and that’s a little too much like other controversial moments under the Vince era (promos for Nikki Bella VS Brie Bella and Paige VS Charlotte come to mind). I know the HHH Era isn’t going to reinvent pro-wrestling, but I would hope his team avoids the worst parts of Vince’s time.
My Score: 8.9/10
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So close to the crowns, we can almost taste them!
Randy Orton and Asuka are waiting, who will join them in the King & Queen of the Ring finals set for Night of Champions?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman; Bron wins.
- Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Jade Cargill VS Roxanne Perez; Jade wins and advances to the finals.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch VS Bayley; Becky wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.
- King of the Ring Semifinals: Cody Rhodes VS Jey Uso; Cody wins and advances to the finals.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins is here!
Columbus, Ohio is ready to #BurnItDown as they sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” The Visionary leads the way for Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed, The Wise Man handling the Money in the Bank briefcase. They’re all feeling good after devastating LA Knight to the point of indefinite leave of absence from the bruised ribs caused by multiple Spears and Tsunamis. Rollins revels in the singing in his best Michael Jackson’s Bad ensemble. Heyman hands Rollins the mic, and Rollins says, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins! I am a Visionary, I am a Revolutionary, I am…” “SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS!”
Rollins takes off the sunglasses while the fans bark for Bron, and Rollins says, “Columbus, you are sending me mixed signals here. So let me ask you a question: All of you, everyone in this building, what do you want?” There is barking but there also seems to be chants for CM Punk. Rollins says exactly! One minute, the fans chant for CM Punk, then the next minute is the OTC, and then they’re barking for “The Dog,” then they’re singing his song! Which they do again.
Rollins says it is painfully obvious that the fans have no damn idea what they want, so Rollins does not care what they want! They don’t know what is good for them, so they need people like Rollins, visionaries like Rollins, to tell them what IS good for them! Rollins wants to try an experiment. Wrap your tiny little brains around this: Even the things that you think you want are because of Rollins. Roman Reigns, the OTC? He exists because of Rollins! CM Punk came back to the WWE because the fans chanted his name? No, CM Punk is back in the WWE because this company wanted to cash in on how much Rollins HATES CM Punk!
Cody Rhodes, The American Nightmare… There is no second coming of Cody unless Rollins is there to put Cody on the map! The World Heavyweight Championship? Rollins was the first! NXT Championship? Rollins was the first! Those things exists as they are because ROLLINS built them in HIS image! Rollins is the creator, the prime mover, the past, present, and FUTURE of this company! Rollins says between him and his “Oracle,” Paul Heyman, they know a thing or two about revolutions. And every revolution faces opposition. Rollins will deal with that opposition diplomatically until that opposition pushes Rollins and forces his hand.
That is exactly what happened to L A Knight, YEAH! Knight stuck his nose in Rollins’ business, and he got Tsunami after Tsunami after Tsunami for it! And… In a few minutes’ time, Rollins’ dog, Bron Breakker, has an opportunity to do the same thing to another person that has been a thorn in Rollins’ side: Penta. The fans cheer but Rollins will spell it out for us. There are a lot of people who think they’ve got what it takes to exist at the very top. Champions like John Cena and Gunther, or even their challengers like CM Punk and Goldberg, or even the King of the Ring entries, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso and Randy Orton!
But what they all fail to understand is they are all running a race for second place. “This (MITB briefcase) is the finish line. This is the endgame. It has and always will be Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!” But wait, here comes Bron’s opponent! Will Penta’s #CeroMiedo be the key to ruining Rollins’ plans? We find out, after the break.
PENTA VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman!
Raw returns and the match is already underway as Bron rains down fits in the corner. The ref counts, Bron drags Penta up and whips him to ropes. Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges then RANAS! The fans fire up as Bron tumbles around! Bron sputters to his feet in a corner, and Penta GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up, Penta brings Bron out, but Bron fires body shots. Bron shoves Penta, Penta dodges again to springboard and CROSSBODY! Penta keeps going, GAMANGIRI in the corner again! Then a HEADSTAND DROPKICK! The fans cheer Penta on while Bron bails out. Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” and Columbus joins in.
Penta builds speed, but Bron is back in! BACKDROP! The fans bark while Bron seethes. Bron stomps Penta, digs his forearms into Penta’s face and throat, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Bron reels Penta in, suplexes, and paces. The fans rally as Bron circle Penta. Bron stands Penta up but Penta fires body shots. Penta CHOPS, the fans cheer, but Bron kicks low. Bron whips, scoops, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Penta survives but Bron is amused now. Heyman coaches Bron to keep on Penta, and Bron RAMS into Penta again and again. The fans rally for Penta and the ref counts. Bron stops at 4 to bring Penta around.
Bron headlocks, Penta powers up and out, but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges now! Bron builds speed and LARIATS! The fans bark and Bron says, “Since his first day here, he’s been trying to keep up with me. You’re never gonna beat me, ever!” Bron stomps Penta at the ropes, the ref counts, but Bron stops at 4. Bron stares down the fans as they either cheer or bark. Bron stands Penta up and scrapes Penta’s face off ropes! Bron hoists Penta up top, climbs up to get him, but Penta fires hands! The fans rally for Penta, Bron staggers back, but then Bron UPPERCUTS! Penta flops to the apron! Bron climbs, he drags Penta up by his mask, but Penta CHOPS! And CHOPS!
Penta runs and jumps to RANA! The fans fire up as Bron tumbles away! Penta KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! Penta fires up, aims, and SUPERKICKS! But Bron just gets mad! Bron runs up, but Penta DUMPS him out! Penta then PLANCHAS, but Bron catches him to a fireman’s carry! But Penta slips free! Penta POSTS Bron, slides in the ring, and Penta KICKS Bron from the apron, Penta builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Bron at the ramp but Penta is also in bad shape. The ref hurries to check while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and now Bron and Penta are down behind the desk! It was first Bron hitting a GOURD BUSTER on the post, then Bron hitting his signature FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, “This is Awesome!” as Bron and Penta rise. Bron brings Penta around the way to put him back in the ring. Bron stomps Penta, and stomps, and stomps, stomps, stomps! Bron then whips Penta to a corner, but Penta BOOTS back! Penta then ELBOWS Bron, runs up, but Bron grabs him by the neck! Gorilla press for the GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Penta stays in this and Bron grows frustrated, but Columbus cheers Penta on!
Bron looms over Penta, clamps on a headlock, and he grinds Penta down. Penta endures as Bron claims Penta wants to quit. Heyman says a smart person would quit! The fans rally, Penta fights up, and Penta fires body shots! Penta whips, Bron reverses, but Penta KICKS back! Penta dodges Bron, kicks the legs out, then runs to SLING-DOG! Bron flounders into a corner and the fans fire up with Penta! Penta winds up to CHOP! Penta whips corner to corner, Bron reverses, but Penta goes up and over! Bron holds onto ropes to stop the Backstabber, so Penta O’Conner Rolls, then rolls through, PANCAKE PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Bron escapes but Penta rises up! The fans fire up as Penta calls his shot! Penta runs in, DEST- NO, Bron throws Penta back! Penta SUPERKICKS, goes up, but Bron somersaults?! Bron JUMP KNEES Penta! Bron then runs back up, goes right up, SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up again! Heyman grows frustrated, but Bron brings down the straps. Bron builds speed while the fans bark, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta calls his shot, runs up, but Bron grabs Penta again! Another gorilla press, but Penta DDTS out of it! And now, RUNNING DESTROYER!!! Cover, TWO!!
Bron survives and shocks Penta! The fans can’t believe it either, but “This is Awesome!” Penta and Bron rise, and Penta brings Bron in. Penta pump handles but Bron switches! Bron back suplexes, Penta lands out and mule kicks the legs! Penta fires up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, springboard into the SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall
Bron ends this one in the blink of an eye with a rather badass counterattack! Rollins returns to ringside to celebrate with Bron, and he tells Penta this is his final warning: Stay out of Rollins’ way! Will Penta listen? Or will Penta stay in the fight against Rollins’ “revolution?”
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
The Raw General Manager is discussing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships with the SmackDown General Manager, Nick Aldis, but has to end the call as someone walks in. AJ Styles is here and asks why Pearce wanted to see him. Pearce says that Liv Morgan is out with injury, but apparently Dominik Mysterio is, too. What? What’d Dom do, strain his mustache? Pearce says the paperwork is legitimate so now the match at Night of Champions is off. Styles says this is just Dom ducking him! He’s gonna go make sure Dom’s hurt. Pearce stops Styles there and says to trust him. When Dom is 100%, Styles is first in line to challenge him.
Styles says fine, he will be waiting. Styles exits, but is Dirty Dom just pulling some kind of charade to avoid a phenomenal title defense? That aside, The New Day walks in, along with Grayson Waller. Xavier Woods says go on, Styles, go on. Kofi Kingston says champions are dropping like flies. A shame, really. Woods is happy they have time to talk with Pearce, they have an idea for a photoshoot. New shirts, great abs, it makes sense. Pearce says he actually wants to talk with them about a match. A MATCH!? Yes. For the tag titles. Against Finn Balor & JD McDonagh. WHAT!? But also, guess what else? It. Don’t say it! Is… Don’t…!! Official! NO!!
Pearce thanks them for dropping by, and Kofi says he is so bad! Pearce knows. Waller hangs back and tells Pearce not to treat his new friends, the NEW~ DAY~, like that! Waller leaves, Pearce sighs, but will the Judgment Day have their day against the New Day next Monday Night Raw?
Exclusive interview with Bill Goldberg.
Michael Cole sat down with the living legend to talk about the revenge he wants against Gunther for the comments made last year. That revenge will be Saturday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta. What is it about Gunther that put Goldberg in this kind of mood? Goldberg answers with his own question: Did we expect anything less from Goldberg? Was there any way he was going to let those comments slide? Cole knows that’s a no. Goldberg takes his family to a WWE event as a fan. They try to relax and have a good night, no worries about opponents. And he steps into a verbal assault from Gunther.
The lack of respect from Gunther that Goldberg say that night was pretty unbelievable. Astonishing even. Did Gunther embarrass Goldberg in front of his wife? Yes. Did he embarrass Goldberg in front of his son? Absolutely. Did he embarrass Goldberg in front of his fans and adopted home of Atlanta? 100%. So there was no way Goldberg was going to let Gunther get away with it. Goldberg didn’t know where and he didn’t know when he would seek revenge, but he was going to introduce Gunther to the true Goldberg. And it didn’t matter if he was 58 or 28, Goldberg could have one foot in the grave, no one is going to talk to him like that.
So yeah, Gunther embarrassed Goldberg in front of his family. So as Goldberg is vying for a retirement match, wondering who his opponent would be, it was rather serendipitous that Gunther has put himself in that spot. This is the logical choice. As long as Goldberg can step foot into the ring, he will make Gunther pay. Goldberg vows to beat to F outta Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event! Goldberg is fired up for what will be his FINAL match, and it will be for the World Heavyweight Champion! Will Goldberg add one more reign to his legacy? Or will Der Ring General crush the seemingly unbreakable?
Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.
With WWE 2K on autopilot in the background, the supposedly hurt Dominik says he misses Liv already. Raquel does, too, we all do. Even Finn. But they all know Liv, and they all know Liv wouldn’t want them sitting around and sulking. Dom is still Intercontinental Champion, and once he’s cleared to compete, he’ll show Styles exactly why he is “Dirty Dom.” And Roxie, she faces Jade Cargill tonight. When Roxie beats Jade, she’ll go on to become Queen of the Ring! And then he and JD have a tag title match next week, and they will bring those belts home! And Raquel, she IS the Women’s World Tag Team Championship, she’s got this!
Raquel brings up that Aldis and Pearce are working out a decision on these titles. Finn says they’ll cross that bridge when it comes. And well, maybe if Rhea shows up… WHAT WAS THAT?! See? That’s the fire Finn wants from Raquel! That’s the enforcer they know! Raquel can’t just let Rhea walk all over her. She needs to be the enforcer, and the enforcer they know would make Rhea pay. Raquel agrees with that! She’ll go take care of her! Raquel heads out and Dom still misses Liv. Roxie assures him, it’ll all be okay. Dom wishes Roxie luck tonight, and now Roxie heads out. The boys are a bit torn, but will Finn be right about everything?
Lyra Valkyria finds Bayley backstage.
The Morrigan asks if The Role Model has a second to chat. Lyra wishes Bayley luck tonight against Becky Lynch, and apologizes for being a bit salty last week. Nobody knows more than Lyra how much Bayley has earned her match with Becky. Speaking of, Becky was walking this way, but sees these two and turns around. Bayley says wow, she didn’t know she needed Lyra’s approval to get this title match. Lyra says that’s not what she means. Bayley cools off and apologizes. This match has been on her mind all week, but she promises that when she beats Becky, Lyra is first in line. Lyra says okay, so they’re cool? They’re cool.
Lyra wishes Bayley luck and heads out. Bayley finishes preparing, but will she be able to bring down The Man? Or will #FiveStarBecks stay golden?
Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Jade Cargill VS Roxanne Perez!
The Storm is in Columbus, and she wants to reign as the Queen of the Ring. But The Prodigy has a long list of accomplishments backing her up, will she just add QOTR finalist to it? Or is Jade about to step right over her to go against Asuka?
Raw returns as Roxie makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. Jade and Roxie approach, but then Roxie bails out. The fans boo but Roxie says we do this on her time. Jade dares Roxie to bring it, and Roxie takes her time stepping back inside. Roxie and Jade circle, feel things out, but Roxie smirks as she goes to the apron. The fans boo more but Roxie just smiles. Jade scowls but Roxie steps back in. They circle again, but Roxie dodges Jade to SLAP her! Then Roxie runs for it! Jade gives chase, they get back in the ring and Roxie headlocks. Jade blocks the takeover to THROW Roxie to a corner!
Jade runs in, blocks a boot, then ROCKS Roxie. Jade pops Roxie up and holds her up, but Roxie slips through to sunset flip! Jade YANKS Roxie back up, puts her back in the corner, and runs in again. Roxie dodges, then she ROCKS Jade! Roxie takes a bow, but Jade huffs ‘n’ puffs. Roxie gets worried, apologizes and then bails out again. Jade again gives chase, they go back in the ring, and Roxie runs up. Roxie ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the FLAPJACK still finds her! Roxie flounders around but Jade eggs her on. Jade stands Roxie up to SLAP her back! Roxie flops out of the ring and Jade goes after her. Roxie HOTSHOTS Jade in the ropes!
Roxie runs and tilt-o-whirls, but Jade stops that to hit a BACKBREAKER! Jade storms up on Roxie, TOSSES her across the way, and she fires Columbus up. Jade does push-ups because Roxie isn’t enough of a workout! The fans cheer while Roxie flops out of the ring. Jade storms after Roxie, the cat ‘n’ mouse continues, and Jade avoids hitting steps! Jade ELBOWS Roxie back, then fireman’s carries. Jade carries Roxie around, high-fives some fans, then goes up the steel steps! But Roxie slips free and CHOP BLOCKS! Jade sits down hard on the steps, then Roxie DROPKICKS one of the knees! Jade writhes and Roxie goes back for more!
Roxie stomps away on Jade’s leg while the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Roxie UPPERCUTS Jade in the corner! Roxie rolls, comes back, and UPPERCUTS again! Roxie rolls again, runs back in again, but Jade catches her! Jade hits a back suplex but Roxie lands out! CHOP BLOCK! Jade is down and Roxie runs, UPPERCUT against the ropes! Jade falls back, Roxie goes up, up, and LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and Roxie shrieks in frustration! Roxie grabs a leg, steps over, and has the standing toehold! The fans rally while Jade endures. Jade keeps her shoulders up as she reaches for Roxie, and the fans rally up again. Jade kicks at Roxie with her free leg, then BOOTS her down!
Roxie flounders to a corner, runs up on Jade, but Jade scoops! Roxie slips around to have a SLEEPER! Roxie is a backpack and she brings Jade down to a knee! But Jade fights up and RAMS Roxie in to a corner! The fans fire up as Jade is free! Roxie goes up a corner while the fans duel, and Roxie CROSSBODIES! But Jade catches her! The fans fire up as Jade then FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jade shakes her bad leg out, kips up, but the bad leg still bothers her. Jade runs, and she rallies on Roxie with ax handles! Then a BOOT! Roxie rebounds into a SPINEBUSTER! Jade fires up, slaps the leg into working, and the fans rally behind her.
Jade waits on Roxie, brings her up with a choke grip, and she gets a taste! CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Roxie survives the slam dunk and Jade is stunned! Jade hurries to grab at Roxie but Roxie grabs ropes. Jade throws Roxie, then SUPERKICKS! Roxie wobbles, Jade chicken wings, but Roxie victory rolls! And then a step over to an O’Conner BRIDGE! TWO!! Jade kicks, Roxie dodges, and Roxie SUPERKICKS! Roxie shrieks, runs, and tilt-o-whirls, LA MSYTICA! Then the handspring, DOUBLE KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Roxie is furious that Jade survives! Roxie shrieks as she flails and hammers away!
Roxie drags Jade up, tells her she’s messing with the wrong prodigy, but then Jade ROCKS Roxie! Roxie SOBATS, then hops on, but Jade slips free! BOOT! A glancing blow, but Jade hurries to get Roxie up! POWERBOMB! High stack, Roxie fights, so Jade spins her and chicken wings! JADED!!! Cover, Jade wins!!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
Roxie may be a prodigy, but Jade is proving to be a force of nature! And wait! Here comes Asuka! The Empress of Tomorrow struts her way out on stage, and she takes off her kabuki mask to look Jade in the eyes. Jade is the storm, but Asuka has the fire, will these two change the entire landscape of the WWE Women’s Division?
Sheamus talks with the Alpha Academy.
The Fella says he told them before, Natalya & Maxxine have a great chance at those Women’s Tag Team Championships. Natty thanks Sheamus, that is appreciated, but Sheamus did a great job in last week’s KOTR Fatal 4 Way. He shouldn’t lose sight of how great he is. Maxxine says sorry it didn’t work out. Sheamus says it’s fine, at least he got to put Rusev in his place. Akira Tozawa says next time… Oh, but here come Rusev. Rusev tells Tozawa to go, and Sheamus has The Alpha Academy move on. Rusev asks if Sheamus is still pretending to be everyone’s friend. This place is full of people like that. They smile to your face, but then stab you in the back.
Is Rusev trying to rile Sheamus up? Cuz Sheamus is used to beating his own drum. And that drum is ten beats o’ the Bodhrain, and he’d love to do it on Rusev’s chest. Rusev says he does his damage in the ring like a god, while Sheamus does his back here like a snake. Oh, Rusev’s a god now? Some god. Rusev was the most embarrassing and egotistical member in the League of Nations. That’s what Sheamus remembers. And he’s tired of talking. So no more BS. Put up or shut up! Rusev vows to make new memories. Rusev leaves, but when and where will Bulgarian Brute and Celtic Warrior have their grudge match?
GUNTHER is here!
The fans are a bit torn seeing the World Heavyweight Champion make his way to the ring, belt around his waist, and surprisingly no suit jacket. That must ironically mean Gunther is all business as he grabs himself a mic. The fans boo, but Gunther says, “Last week was supposed to be my celebration. Me, celebrating regaining what’s rightfully mine, the World Heavyweight Championship! But instead, none other than Bill Goldberg walked down here, looked me straight in the eye, and told me that I am next. So I did a lot of thinking. I thought a lot about what it means to be ‘next.’
“Usually being next means getting speared outta your boots, Jackhammer, 1-2-3, and waking up, looking at the lights. Bill Goldberg is the most destructive man of his generation. But it is not 1999 anymore! It is 2025, and right now, I’M THE GUY!” The fans are torn on that, surprisingly. Gunther says he is the best wrestler in this company, and the world title around his waist proves it! Gunther says he heard what Goldberg said. Intense as always. But nothing changes Gunther’s perception about him: That is a 58-year-old one trick pony that can’t lace Gunther’s boots! The fans are torn again, but Gunther wants to take this moment to apologize.
Gunther apologizes to Goldberg’s wife and son… for everything he is about to do to the man that used to be Goldberg! Gunther is unlike anyone Goldberg has ever faced! Gunther embarrassed him once, and he will embarrass Goldberg again at Saturday Night’s Main Event! It is Gunther’s personal responsibility to make sure that the myth that is Bill Goldberg DIES! Der Ring General storms back out and the fans are just as fired up! Will this be a human demolition derby in Atlanta?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Jackie Redmond is with The Man and apologizes for interrupting as Becky prepares for her match. But Jackie was hoping for her thoughts on- Becky interrupts and says her thoughts are on how she just saw Bayley and Lyra conspiring to work together! That is the only way they can get this title off her! Well, she’s said too much already. Becky hurries off, is paranoia getting to her? Meanwhile, Jackie spots Sami Zayn. Jackie asks Sami if he has a second. He is coming off a loss to Randy Orton, but we all know how much becoming world champion means to him. She has to ask, how is he processing the loss?
Sami starts with, “Um,” but then Karrion Kross joins. Kross mockingly asks what kind of response is, “Um.” But he isn’t trying to upset Sami. Sami must be really, really happy. Kross believed everything Sami said last week. “I’m good enough to become the world champion!” But what happened? What Kross said would happen: Sami wrestled The Viper, and got dropped. Kross wants Sami to get it through his thick skull: the way Sami is now, the way Sami wants to be, that Sami will never be world champion. Sami shakes his head, but then says, “Okay. Okay.” Then Sami DECKS Kross! Sami tells Kross he is done talking! Sami talked to Pearce. Their match is official! Tick-tock.
Sami leaves, Scarlett checks on Kross, but then she says, “Stop it.” They were both playing along and they’ve suckered Sami in! Will Sami’s time fade away as he goes up against Mr. Doomsday?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch VS Bayley!
Well, you can’t spell “megalomaniac” without “MAN,” and that’s what The Man has become. But will all the power and glory Becky has cheated to gain go away? Or will she foil the “conspiracy” between Role Model and Morrigan?
Raw returns as Becky makes her entrance in a very big fur coat. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see which horsewoman wears the gold!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Becky and Bayley slowly circle, talk a little trash, and then tie up. They go around collar ‘n’ elbow, and Becky pulls Bayley’s hair! Bayley puts Becky in the corner, grinds forearms in, but then Becky shoves Bayley. Bayley eggs Becky on, so Becky SLAPS Bayley! Bayley fires a flurry of forearms in the corner! The erf counts, Bayley whips Becky corner to corner and fires more forearms! The ref counts again, Bayley climbs up, but Becky slips free! Bayley runs to CLOBBER Becky! Bayley then runs to ELBOW Becky in the back! And then SLIDING- NO, Becky rolls through the lariat to have the arm!
Bayley fights, stands, and steps over, but Becky trips Bayley up! Becky goes for the arm again, they go around and around, and Bayley TOSSES Becky through ropes! Becky shoves Bayley away, then RAMS into her! Becky steps in, but Bayley HOTSHOTS her after all! Becky flops to the floor and the ring count starts. Bayley slides out, runs up the steps, and she FLYING ELBOWS Becky down! The fans fire up and Bayley brings Becky up. Bayley ROCKS Becky, Becky BODY SHOTS, but Bayley SMACKS Becky off barriers! Bayley puts Becky in at 7 of 10, then she goes up the corner. AX HAN- NO, Becky grabs the arm!
Bayley fights the takedown and shoves Becky away. Bayley runs up but Becky puts her on the apron. Bayley ROCKS Becky, climbs up, but Becky goes to the apron. Bayley drags Becky up by her hair, but Becky HOTSHOTS Bayley’s arm! Bayley falls to the floor and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans rally as Bayley rises back up. Becky flounders to ropes, Bayley runs up and LAIRATS! And LARIATS! And then dodges a haymaker to SAIDO! Becky stands, Bayley runs, and Bayley KNEES Becky down! Bayley then fireman’s carries, swings, and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Becky survives and Bayley grows frustrated. Bayley huffs ‘n’ puffs as she stalks Becky. The fans rally, Bayley clinches, but Becky slips free! Becky dragon sleepers, Bayley snapmares and hooks Becky up! Becky fights to a SAIDO! Becky then clinches, MANHAND- NO, Bayley fights that to BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up while both women are down! Bayley and Becky each stir, then they roll away to opposite corners. Becky drags herself up with the ropes, Bayley runs in, but Becky dodges! JUMP KICK blocked and Bayley THROWS Becky into buckles! Bayley runs in, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Bayley drags Becky into a cover, TWO! Becky survives but Bayley brushes that off to go up the corner. The fans rally, but Becky ROCKS Bayley first! Becky climbs up after Bayley, she and Bayley trade shots! Becky CLUBS away on Bayley’s back, the fans rally up, and Becky hits a SUPERPLEX! Then she grabs the arm, ARMBAR!!
The fans fire up, Bayley stacks Becky, TWO! Becky hast he arm again, but Bayley flips Becky over! O’Conner style cover, TWO! Bayley comes back, gets the legs again, but Becky kicks and kicks and kicks! Bayley still turns her for a HALF CRAB! Bayley can only hold onto the one leg with her one arm, and Becky crawls forward! ROPEBREAK! Bayley lets go at 4, then runs back up to ROCK Becky! Bayley runs up again but Becky BOOTS her! Becky runs up but Bayley ROCKS her back! They go forearm for forearm, the fans duel with every shot, but Bayley has the majority. This turns into a scrap and the fans all fire up!
Becky catches Bayley, but Bayley fights free! Bayley now catches Becky to steal the MANHANDLE SLAM!! But Becky flops all the way out of the ring! The fans fire up while Bayley grows frustrated. The ring count starts but Bayley pursues. Becky stands, and she THROWS Becky over the desk! Becky hurries over, and she shoves the chairs onto Bayley! Becky grabs other chairs and adds to the pile! Becky is literally burying Bayley then leaves her behind! The ring count continues, but wait! Lyra is here and she unburies Bayley! Becky runs up on Lyra to DECK her! Lyra is pissed but Becky gets away!
Lyra wants after Becky but she holds back because this would be a disqualification! Bayley pushes Lyra aside, but Becky DECKS her now! Then Becky runs, but Lyra takes the dropkick for Bayley! Bayley SMACKS Becky off the desk, TOSSES her over the desk, then drags her back up! Bayley POSTS Becky, but the ring count climbs as she THROWS Becky into barriers! Bayley puts Becky in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Bayley climbs up! But Lyra attacks Becky!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by disqualification (still WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)
Lyra is pissed but so is Bayley! Lyra still WRECKS Becky with a dropkick! Bayley drags Lyra into the ring and asks what the hell! Bayley had this match won and Lyra had to go and lose her temper! Becky grins as she gets to scurry away with the title. Lyra realizes her mistake a little too late, but was it really a mistake? Or does she just want to be the one that dethrones The Man?
Chad Gable talks with Ivy Nile.
He tells her not to tell The Creed Brothers, but she has always been his favorite. Now, she should’ve won MITB, and she should still be in QOTR, but she has had Stephanie Vaquer in the way. Next time, do what Gable does like he did to Rey Mysterio, to Otis, and others: Wipe ’em out completely, regardless of the cost. Gable spots someone and says they’ll finish this lesson later. Gable walks over to Penta and says far be it for him to laugh at someone else’s misfortune. That is, unless they deserve it. But in this case, Penta, it was Gable’s pleasure watching Bron destroy him earlier. Maybe Gable will finish the job!
Penta tells Gable to shut up but Gable says maybe he’ll rip that mask right off Penta’s head to show his ugly face! Penta shoves Gable, Gable takes a swing, and Penta dodges! Penta SUPERKICKS Gable down! Penta says he warned Gable! SACRIFICE on the arm!! Refs and producers rush in, as do the Creeds, and Penta leaves for Gable to writhe in pain. Will this keep Gable and El Grande Americano out of action for awhile?
Raquel Rodriguez is in the ring.
Ricky Desperado has a mic, and she calls out Rhea! She insults her in Spanish, and then tells Rhea in English that she won’t screw Raquel outta QOTR and get away with it! Raquel tells Rhea that she could drag her out here by her nose ring, or Rhea can make it easy and walk out here to take the beating she deserves! Rhea makes her entrance and the fans fire up! Mami stares Big Mami Cool down the whole way, and then the fight is on! Rhea dodges to fire hands! Raquel shoves Rhea, runs up, but Rhea dodges, only for the AX HANDLES to find her! Rhea comes back to BOOT Raquel! Raquel bails out and Rhea is fired up!
Rhea steps outside but Raquel RAMS her into the apron! And then THROWS her over the barriers! Rhea lands in the timekeeper’s area, but Raquel says she’s not done! Raquel goes under the ring to bring out a TABLE! The fans fire up for that as Raquel puts the table in the ring. But Rhea stands on the desk! FLYING FOREARM! Down goes Raquel, and then Rhea RAMS her into steel steps! The fans fire up and Rhea grins. Rhea says if Raquel wants tables, then she’ll get tables! Rhea sets that table up in the ring, positions it near a corner, then fetches Raquel. Rhea pump handles Raquel, but here comes Roxie!
Roxie jumps on Rhea as a backpack, but Rhea pops her up onto the Electric Chair! SLAM off the top buckles! But Raquel gets up and under, TEXANA BOMB through the table!! The fans boo but Raquel and Roxie just took down the Eradicator! Will they actually end up amigas because of this?
Raw returns and…
Rhea storms into Pearce’s office! She demands a match with Raquel! Pearce says sure, how about a Street Fight? Even better! Then it’s official! Pearce says he couldn’t have said it better himself. Rhea got up after that table Texana Bomb, but will she make sure Raquel doesn’t get up after their grudge match?
PROGRAMMING NOTE for next week!
It will be a special early edition of Monday Night Raw that starts at 6PM Eastern, 3PM Pacific, live from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!
King of the Ring Semifinals: Cody Rhodes VS Jey Uso!
The American Nightmare and Main Event Jey Uso have a long and storied history, from battling Roman Reigns and The Bloodline together, to holding the tag team championships together, to holding the top championships in the WWE at the same time. But now, only one of them can go for the crown. Will there be adrenaline in the soul? Or will we all YEET on the way to the Night of Champions?
The fans want to YEET “One More Time!” so Jey says why not. The music starts and Columbus gets to YEET again! Then Cody makes his entrance, and the fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~!” The pyro goes off, the bell rings, and the fans duel between “Cody! Cody Rhodes~!” and “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Cody and Jey soak in the moment, nod and shake hands, and the fans cheer the sportsmanship. These two circle, feel things out, then tie up. They’re in a deadlock, and Cody powers Jey back, only for Jey to headlock. Cody powers up and out but Jey RUNS him over! Cover, ONE! Cody sweeps to cover, ONE! The fans cheer the standoff!
Cody and Jey reset, the fans duel even harder, and the two feel things out. They tie up, Cody wrenches and wristlocks, then cranks on the arm. Cody puts Jey in a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Jey goes up and over. Jey arm-drags Cody, Cody arm-drags Jey, and the fans cheer the new standoff! Jey shakes out his arm and resets with Cody again. They tie up, Cody waistlocks, then headlocks. Jey endures the grind while fans sing for Cody some more. Jey wrenches at the hold, headlocks in return, but Cody powers up and out. Cody stays back of the up ‘n’ over, then dragon sleepers! Jey snapmares free, but Cody narrowly avoids the superkick!
Jey says it was that close, YEET! Cody nods and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Cody has Jey in a FIGURE FOUR! Jey endures, reaches out, and the fans rally! ROPEBREAK! Cody lets go quickly and he brings Jey back around. Cody spins Jey but Jey DRAGON WHIPS! Jey then mule kicks, pops, locks ‘n’ UPPERCUTS! But Cody kicks to then RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody runs but into a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this but Jey stays focused. Cody crawls away, Jey backs up to the opposite corner, “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cody sputters, Jey goes up the corner, and USO SPLASH onto knees! Cody drags Jey into a KIMURA!! Cody uses what The Beast once used on him!
The fans rally, Jey endures, but Cody cranks on the arm! Jey fights up, whips Cody away, and then Jey has the SLEEPER! Jey uses what he used on Gunther! Cody fights and flails but he’s fading! Cody drops to a knee, and Jey becomes a backpack! Cody gets a second wind, but even that fades! Cody gets a third wind and he hoists Jey up! The fans fire up as Cody then runs and DUMPS Jey up and over the top rope! The fans rally while both men are down! The ref calls to Jey and starts a ring count. Jey stirs at 3 of 10 while Cody huffs ‘n’ puffs and stands back up. Cody builds speed, and Cody DVIES into an UPPERCUT!
The fans fire up and Jey hurries to the corner. Jey climbs, but Cody ROCKS Jey first! Cody climbs up to get Jey, “This is Awesome!” as the two brawl up top! Cody goes to the very top, but Jey HEADBUTTS him down! Jey adjusts, but Cody springs right back up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cody and Jey both writhe, and Cody goes to the apron while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Cody fires hands on Jey! Jey is down on his knees, Cody CLUBS and ROCKS him again! Jey shoves Cody, but Cody fires more shots! Jey counter punches! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” But Cody JABS! JABS! JABS! Cody flips, flops, and- UPPERCUT from Jey! Jey pops, locks, puts some stank on it, but Cody ROCKS Jey! Jey ROCKS Cody, then runs, btu Cody follows and CLOBBERS Jey! Cody goes to a corner, Jey runs in, but Cody goes up and over! Only for Jey to fake Cody out on the snap powerslam! Cody staggers up, into Jey’s SNAP POWERSLAM! Jey uses a very Cody kind of move, and then he puts on a dragon sleeper!
Cody KNEES Jey away, then runs to springboard, CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and Cody is a bit surprised. “This is Awesome!” and Cody watches Jey stir. Jey rises, Cody brings him around, springboard and- NO, Jey ducks the Disaster Kick to SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!!! Cody survives and Jey is the one surprised! The fans rally up as both men go to ropes. Jey aims from a corner, runs in, but into a KICK! Cody goes to the corner, goes up, up, and SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!?! Jey survives and Cody is shocked! But then Cody fires himself back up, the fans rally even harder, and Cody waits on Jey.
Jey rises, Cody dragon sleepers, but Jey spins it around?! CROSS RHODES from Jey!! Cover, TWO!!! Cody survives his own move and Jey is beside himself! Columbus is thunderous as Jey goes back to a corner. Jey watches Cody rise up now, and he SUPERKICKS Cody back down! Jey dares Cody to get back up, and Cody does rise back up. Jey SUPERKICKS again! Cody falls but Jey drags him around. Jey whips, runs, and SPEARS!! But that isn’t all as Jey puts Cody in a drop zone. Jey climbs up a corner, but Cody is right back up!! Jey and Cody go for a ride in the SUPER DUPER CODY CUTTER!!!
The fans are electric as Cody puts Jey in the dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!!! Cover, CODY WINS!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
These two know each other so well, that’s how they were able to push each other this far! And while he is still Main Event Jey Uso, he loses out to The American Nightmare! Cody shows his friend great respect by kneeling down and looking him in the eye. The fans cheer as the friends stand up together and hug it out. But now this puts Cody on a collision course with his friend and mentor, Randy Orton! Will Cody or Orton be crowned King of the Ring?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw as the go-home to Night of Champions, which is still happening as of this moment. Great opening promo from Rollins to put everything in perspective, while also calling out the fans at the same time. Great segue into Bron VS Penta, and that was a great opening match. Bron winning makes sense, the henchmen need to stay strong if they’re also to be contenders in their own right, whether for tag titles or midcard titles. And great bit with Penta and Gable, this would be a great way to expose El Grande as Gable with the “bad arm.”
Good promo from Sheamus with Alpha Academy and then with Rusev. Sheamus VS Rusev 1v1 is going to be big, but I suddenly want there to be a “Best of” series, so they can go like four, five, six matches, or as Sheamus would put it, banger after banger. Then the winner is more than primed for a title shot, either Intercontinental or World Heavyweight, and they could make a very good case for winning. Speaking of which, not sure how real Dom needing time to heal up is, but Judgment Day said Dom needed it so I guess it isn’t them fooling everyone. Styles VS Dom might be set up for Saturday Night’s Main Event with this delay to help build that show up.
The New Day had a good promo with Adam Pearce, too, with them being so offended at the idea of defending the tag titles, and now Waller trying to be the new third man or something. But hey, I’ve been wanting to see someone somewhere book a Heel VS Heel thing, so here we are, and Waller can make a great counter to like, Dom being the cornerman for Finn & JD. Also, good stuff with Raquel, Rhea and Roxie. Roxie helping Raquel get one over on Rhea is a nice touch, and it probably leads to Roxie & Raquel defending the tag titles together. Whether or not Roxie screws Raquel over is still up in the air with Liv’s shoulder injury so much worse than expected.
Goldberg and Gunther had very good promos to hype their match, and I kinda liked Columbus, OH being on Gunther’s side there. And with it being a combination of retirement match yet also title match, that practically screams, “Rollins is going to cash-in.” Maybe, just maybe, Goldberg wins to have that last title reign and then Rollins cashes in, making it one of the shortest reigns ever. Or to get even more heat from Goldberg’s fans, Rollins cashes in during the match to parallel his Heist of the Century moment.
Good promo for Bayley and Lyra, and very good promo from Becky where she assumes the worst. Becky VS Bayley was great, but they could’ve done a lot better with Lyra messing up the finish for Bayley. Lyra running in there when Bayley was up top felt like Lyra was being far too foolish. Now granted, the other way would’ve been an “accidental” punch on Bayley where Lyra was aiming for Becky, so they were kinda stuck. But obviously, this helps them set up a Triple Threat for the title, and they should put it for Evolution.
Great promo from Sami and Kross, especially with Sami finally hitting Kross. Sami VS Kross being for Night of Champions is great stuff, because Sami finally gets to be part of a big PLE again. And since this is all working to Kross’ plans, maybe this brings Sami closer to turning Heel. Great tournament matches tonight, Jade beating Roxie made sense when Roxie has her Judgment Day story to fall back on, and Asuka VS Jade is certainly a big deal. I feel like either woman could win, but given the stories we’ve got going, I’m leaning towards Jade because of Naomi being Miss MITB, but we definitely need to see Asuka VS Iyo happen for the Women’s World title, too.
Cody VS Jey was awesome, practically a PLE match, but as I figured, we are now getting Cody VS Orton in the finals. That is because Cody will win, then face Cena at SummerSlam, and I would think Cody wins there, too. It makes me also think that we could get a wild double turn. Fans are loving what Cena is doing, he could go back to being Face while we finally get that Homelander Heel Cody fans have been curious about during his time in AEW.
My Score: 8.9/10
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May your New Japan Soul reach the Climax!
With spots left open in the G1 Climax, it’s win-and-you’re-in as NJPW pits Tomohiro Ishii against “Drilla” Moloney and Taichi against Callum Newman!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Zane Jay; Time Limit Draw.
- Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Yasuda wins.
- 10 Man Tag: Toru Yano, YOH, Master Wato, Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins, by disqualification.
- 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Yuya Uemura & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Uemura & Taguchi win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS Gabe Kidd & Taiji Ishimori; Gabe & Taiji win.
- Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Boltin Oleg & Shota Umino VS TMDK; Goto, Oleg & Umino win.
- G1 Climax 35 B Block Play-In: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins and advances to the G1.
- G1 Climax 35 A Block Play-In: Taichi VS Callum Newman; Callum wins and advances to the G1.
PLAY BY PLAY
G1 Climax 35 B Block Play-In: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
It’s a dogfight in Korakuen Hall! But will the Stone Pitbull beat some respect into this whelp? Or will this War Dog take a big bite out of the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion?
The bell rings and the fans rally up already. The two tie up as the fans duel, and Drilla headlocks. Ishii powers up and out, Drilla RAMS him, but Ishii comes back. Drilla dodges, Ishii dodges, Drilla hurdles, but Ishii spins him for a suplex. Drilla fights that and lifts, but Ishii fights free! Drilla ducks the enzigiri, but then Ishii avoids the Gore! The fans fire up for the standoff. Ishii and Drilla reset, and Ishii shoves Drilla. Drilla CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, and repeat! The fans cheer as the CHOPS keep going back and forth! CHOP after CHOP, but Ishii starts to feel those! Drilla CHOPS and CHOPS, but Ishii ducks!
Ishii waistlocks, Drilla switches, Ishii elbows free then runs, but into Drilla’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Ishii bails out. Drilla builds speed and he WRECKS Ishii with the dropkick! Ishii hits railing and the fans fire up! Drilla huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes out to fetch Ishii. Drilla CHOPS Ishii again and the fans applaud. The ref wants this back inside so Drilla pushes Ishii in the ring. Drilla taunts the fans, “The F you say?” then he steps inside. Drilla CHOPS Ishii but Ishii eggs him on. Drilla CHOPS again, and CHOPS again, but Ishii SPITS at Drilla! Drilla BOOTS, CHOPS, then he SPITS at Ishii! Drilla snapmares Ishii to KICK him in the back!
Ishii snarls and the fans fire up. Ishii shakes his head and Drilla scuffs him. Drilla gives mocking kicks, eggs Ishii on, and the fans rally up. Ishii eggs Drilla on, so Drilla gives him more kicks. Ishii rises to fire forearms! Drilla ROCKS Ishii! And ROCKS him again! Ishii winds up but Drilla ROCKS him a third time! Drilla reels Ishii in, lifts, but Ishii fights the suplex! They fight for control, the fans duel, and it’s Ishii who suplexes Drilla up and over! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ishii rises, he brings Drilla up, but Drilla CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Drilla fires up and CHOPS! Ishii scowls and CHOPS back!
Ishii reels Drilla in but Drilla fights with elbows. Drilla whips, Ishii reverses, and reels Drilla in for a SAIDO! The fans fire up and Ishii rises again! Ishii stalks Drilla to a corner, winds up and CHOPS! CHOPS! And ROCKS! Ishii CHOPS and ROCKS Drilla again and again, Drilla sputters and the fans fire up. Ishii comes back to stand Drilla up. Ishii whips, Drilla reverses, and Drilla DROPKICKS! Ishii stays up!? And POUNCES Drilla in return! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Ishii drags Drilla up, puts him on the top rope, then climbs. The fans rally as Ishii brings Drilla to the very top, for a SUPERPLEX!
The fans fire up again and Ishii hurries to cover, TWO! Drilla survives and the fans cheer. Ishii stands, and he looms over Drilla. Drilla sits up, Ishii brings him up, but Drilla SLAPS! Ishii SLAPS, and now it is a SLAP fight! The fans fire up as the SLAPS go fast ‘n’ furious! Ishii ROCKS Drilla with one, then kicks him! So Drilla SLAPS back! And then DECKS Ishii!! The fans fire up while Ishii is down! Ishii stirs, Drilla roars, and Drilla runs, but Ishii SWATS the lariat to fire boxing elbows! But Drilla spins, but Ishii ROCKS him first! Ishii runs, but into a wrench and short arm LARIAT! ROLLING ELBOW! Drilla runs to GORE, but Ishii stuffs it!
Ishii lifts, Drilla wrenches free, but Ishii ROCKS him! Ishii runs, but into Drilla’s SPINEBUSTER! Drilla runs and GORES!! Cover, TWO!?! Ishii survives and the fans are thunderous. The fans rally up and duel between Ishii and Moloney. Drilla rises, staggers a bit, but he steadies himself. Drilla brings Ishii up and puts him on the top rope. Drilla ROCKS Ishii, fires the fans up more, and the fans bark along with Drilla. Drilla rises, but Ishii fires body shots! Ishii HEADBUTTS Drilla, but Drilla GAMANGIRIS in return! Drilla climbs back up, drags Ishii onto his shoulders, and he fireman’s carries for a SUPER DUPER LANDSLIDE!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Ishii survives, the fans are thunderous, and we’re only ten minutes in?! Drilla drags Ishii up, reels him back in, but Ishii fights the lift! Drilla still hits a PILEDRIVER!! But Ishii’s right up!?! He dodges a boot, blocks the next kick, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Both men are down and the fans rally even harder! Ishii crawls away to a corner, and he fires himself up as he rises. Drilla stands, Ishii runs up, but Drilla BOOTS the lariat! Ishii spins to LARIAT, but Drilla ENZIGIRIS! Ishii comes back, but into a pump handle! MADE IN JAPAN!?! Cover, TWO!!! Drilla tried to be a Rampaging Dragon but he couldn’t put Ishii down!
The fans are thunderous again as Drilla rises and Ishii stirs. Drilla drags Ishii up, reels him in, Canadian Rack! Ishii slips free, Alabama Lifts, but Drilla fights that! They fight for control, and Ishii lifts for a BEACH BREAK!! A shoutout to Ishii’s Freshly Squeezed friend, and both men are down! Ishii crawls over, he sits Drilla up and runs, but Drilla avoids the Sliding Lariat! Drilla takes a swing, but into a full nelson! DRAGON SUPLEX! But Drilla is right up?!? Only for Ishii to LARIAT him back down! The fans are electric as Ishii sits Drilla up, for the SLIDING LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Drilla survives and the fans continue to rally!
Ishii huffs ‘n’ puffs and roars to his feet! Ishii brings Drilla up, suplexes, but Drilla slips free! STEP-UP KNEE! Ishii drops down but Drilla reloads! Drilla runs up, but Ishii RAMS him first! Ishii HEADBUTTS, Drilla UPPERCUTS, but Ishii DECKS Drilla!! Ishii roars, the fans are with him, and Ishii runs! LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Drilla survives again and the fans are electric! Ishii brings Drilla back up, suplexes, BRAIN- NO, Drilla fights it off at the last second! Drilla suplexes to BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!??! Ishii survives his own signature move, but Drilla vows to end this now! Drilla hauls Ishii up, reels him in, and Canadian Racks!
But Ishii fights free! Drilla ducks the lariat to wrench and ripcord, but Ishii HEADBUTTS! Ishii then SLIDING HEADBUTTS!! Cover, TWO!!! Drilla survives again but Ishii just stands him up. DOUBLE HEADBUTTS collide! ENZIGIRI from Ishii!! Drilla roars and GORES!!! But Ishii’s back up!??! So Drilla GORES again!!! And with some extra stank on it! Drilla hurries to get Ishii back up, Canadian Racks, DRILLA KILLA!!! But he isn’t done?!? ANOTHER DRILLA KILLA!!!! Cover, DRILLA WINS!!
Winner: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, by pinfall (advances to G1 Climax 35, B Block)
A dogfight indeed, and both men brought everything they had and a little extra! But it is the young gun that wins his way into the G1! Will no one survive facing 44 Caliber?
G1 Climax 35 A Block Play-In: Taichi w/ Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Callum Newman!
The Holy Emperor & Stone Pitbull won the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships off The United Empire, but there’s always more to win. Will Taichi make up for missing out on the G1 last year? Or will the Prince of Pace run through Taichi to join the round robin?
The bell rings and both men run up! Taichi BOOTS first, but Callum BOOTS back! Callum eggs Taichi on and Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Callum comes back to fire a forearm! Taichi RIDGE HANDS, Callum fires a forearm, repeat! The fans fire up with Taichi and he fires another RIDGE HAND! Callum shakes that off to fire forearm after forearm! Callum runs, BOOTS Taichi, but Taichi BOOTS back! Callum BOOTS again, Taichi BOOTS, but Callum blocks! Callum then ducks ‘n’ dodges the haymakers to JUMP KICK! Taichi falls and goes outside while the fans fire up. Callum goes to the apron and he PENALTY KICKS!
The fans cheer as Taichi falls! The ref checks and Taichi is alright to continue, so Callum hops down. Callum drags Taichi up, then whips him at the railing! Taichi hits hard and slumps down! The fans rally while the ref reprimands, and Callum brings Taichi up. Callum CHOPS and Taichi sputters away! Callum pretends even his ears are ringing from that pop sound. Callum puts Taichi in, the fans applaud, and Callum covers, ONE! Taichi is tougher than that and the fans rally behind him. Callum stays cool as he sits Taichi up. Callum mockingly claps along, then KICKS Taichi in the back! Taichi eggs Callum on!
Callum KICKS, and Taichi stands right up! RIDGE HAND! BACKHAND! KICK! But then Callum BODY SHOTS! Callum runs up but Taichi BOOTS him! Taichi runs, dodges a shot to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum crawls to a corner, Taichi runs in, and Taichi BOOTS! Callum slumps down and the fans applaud. Taichi drags Callum up to snapmare and KICK! Callum writhes, the fans applaud, and Taichi KICKS again! Callum eggs Taichi on, so Taichi KICKS again! Now Callum stands up to KICK Taichi in the chest! Taichi snarls and KICKS Callum in the chest!
Callum SOBATS but Taichi ENZIGIRIS! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Taichi rises, the fans rally, and OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up as Taichi takes aim from the corner. Callum slowly stands, TENSHO- Callum dodges and ENZIGIRIS! Then he SWEEPS the legs to DOUBLE STOMP! The fans rally while both men are down again. Callum stands, storms over to Taichi, and brings Taichi to his feet. Callum UPPERCUTS Taichi to a corner, but Callum needs a second to catch his breath. Callum then CHOPS Taichi and Taichi slumps down. Callum shakes out the stars, winds up again and CHOPS!
Taichi stands, Callum CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Taichi eggs Callum on, so Callum ROCKS him with an elbow! Taichi RIDGEHANDS in return! Callum fires a flurry of forearms, sits Taichi down with them, and keeps raining forearms! The ref counts, then he backs Callum off at 4! Callum goes back to Taichi, scuffs him, then stands him up. Callum hoists Taichi up top, then ROCKS him with a right! The fans rally as Callum climbs, but Taichi fights the suplex! Taichi shoves Callum away, but Callum comes back to DROPKICK Taichi down! Taichi tumbles to the apron then the floor while the fans fire up!
Callum goes out to fetch Taichi again, and he RAMS Taichi into railing! The fans rally while Taichi slumps down. The ref wants this back inside so Callum puts Taichi in the ring. But then Callum drags Taichi to the apron and stands him up! Callum reels Taichi in, but Taichi fights the suplex! Taichi fires body shots, then RIDGE HANDS! DANGER- NO, Callum fights the saido with elbows! Callum then goes up the corner, APRON OSC- BOOT!! Taichi knocks Callum out of the sky and Callum falls to the floor! Taichi slumps down from the apron and the fans rally up. A ring count starts while both men are on the ground.
The fans rally as we pass 5 of 20, and Taichi sits up at 8. Callum stirs at 11, Taichi rises up to jump into the ring! Callum is still down at 15! The fans rally harder as Callum rises, and he staggers around at 18! Callum lunges in at 19! BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and the fans fire up! Taichi stands over him, brings him up, and the fans rally. The ref has Taichi hold on, and he checks Callum. Callum stirs, sputters, and sits up. Taichi grabs at him, Callum pushes him away, but Taichi kicks him around. The fans rally more, and Taichi eggs Callum on. Callum tells Taichi to bring it, so Taichi KICKS him down!
The fans rally up, Callum sputters again, but Taichi sits him up for another KICK! Callum flops back over but Taichi eggs him on. Taichi kicks at Callum, Callum rises up, and Callum shoves the ref aside. Callum eggs Taichi on and the fans fire up. Taichi KICKS Callum down again! The fans cheer and Taichi eggs Callum on. Taichi scuffs Callum, Callum pushes him, and Callum puts his arms back?! The fans cheer Callum’s grit, and Taichi KICKS again! Callum goes right back down! Callum takes a moment, but he sits right back up! Taichi KICKS him right back down! Taichi eggs Callum on, and Callum sits up again.
Callum SPITS at Taichi, Taichi wipes that away, and KICKS, only for Callum to block! Callum then stands to CHOP! Taichi RIDGEHANDS! Callum ROUNDHOUSES! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Callum goes to ropes, the fans rally up, and Callum drags himself up the corner. Callum reaches the top, steadies himself, then DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Direct hit but Callum can’t cover from the pain in his own ribs! The fans rally while both men writhe, and Callum manages to stand. Callum hobbles his way over, brings Taichi up, but his ribs won’t let him suplex so easily. Taichi wrenches out and RIDGE HANDS!
Callum snarls and ROCKS Taichi with a forearm! Then he hooks the leg, FIREBOLT!! The fans fire up, Callum covers, TWO!! Taichi survives and the fans fire up again! Callum sits Taichi up to fire Kawada Kicks, then he calls his shot. Callum runs, springboards, and OSC- NO, Taichi blocks and DANGEROUS SAIDOS!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Taichi crawls to a corner and roars as he rises! Taichi takes aim again, and as Callum stands, TENSHOU- JUMP KNEE from Callum! And then a forearm! ROLLING ELBOW! ROLLING- ELBOW from Taichi! Then a ROLLING ELBOW from Taichi!
Taichi roars and DANGEROUS- JUMP KNEE form Callum again! Taichi rebounds, AX- NO, Callum ducks and runs, but into the AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and Taichi fires up again! DANGEROUS SAIDO, with BRIDGE! TWO?!? Callum survives, the fans rally for Taichi, but there might be some cheers for Callum in there. Taichi vows to finish this, and he brings Callum up. Taichi Alabama Lifts, but Callum fights it down! Taichi tries again but Callum CLUBS away on Taichi’s back! Callum lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! AX- NO, Callum slips around to DRAGON SUPLEX! Taichi flounders to the ropes, Callum runs up to KNEE Taichi down!
Callum pushes Taichi to the drop zone, then climbs up the corner. The fans rally, Callum DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS Taichi while he’s standing! Callum goes back up top, DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!?! Taichi survives again and shocks Callum! The fans are thunderous as they duel. Callum rises, looks to the corner, and he calls his shot! Callum goes up, up, and- NO, Taichi CLUBS him on the top rope! Taichi then climbs up after Callum, CLUBS him again and again, then brings him up! SUPER DUPER SAIDO, but Callum lands out! Callum BOOTS Taichi! Callum runs in, Taichi dodges and Taichi GAMANGIRIS!
Taichi roars, the fans fire up, and Taichi runs, but into a SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Callum drags Taichi up again, but the ref has him wait. The ref checks Taichi, Taichi is okay to continue, and Callum brings him up. BLOODY- NO, Taichi fights the lift, wrenches out, but Callum avoids the lariat to DREAMCAST KICK! And then FIREBOLT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Taichi survives and the fans are thunderous! Callum is beside himself but the fans rally up again! The fans chant, “Let’s Go, Taichi!” but Callum shakes his head. Callum brings Taichi up, reels him in, but Taichi fights free of the hold to JAWBREAKER and FIGURE FOUR JACKKNIFE! TWO!!!
Callum escapes, but Taichi ROUNDHOUSES! And GAMANGIRIS! Taichi roars, the fans fire up, and Taichi hurries to Alabama Lift! BLACK- NO, Callum slips free, jumps up, and POISON-RANAS!! Taichi staggers around, Callum runs up to BUSAIKU KNEE!! Callum roars, reels Taichi back in, PRINCE’S CURSE!!! Cover, CALLUM WINS!!
Winner: Callum Newman, by pinfall (advances to G1 Climax 35, A Block)
And once again, the younger generation triumphs! While Taichi might be champion, will he have to admit the times are changing?
As for Callum, he catches his breath to pick up the mic. “Oh my God… Chotto matte <Hold on a moment.> Taichi-san, honto tsuyoi ne. <Taichi, you’re really strong.>” The fans applaud, and Callum says he was rather surprised. Then he apologizes, that’s the limits of his Japanese. But he said once in an interview, that when he was 16 years old, he snuck backstage of a show, no ticket. The first person he saw was Taichi. The fans applaud that, and Callum says he won’t kiss up to Taichi, Taichi wouldn’t want it. But Callum says that honestly, Taichi is probably one of the best wrestlers in the world today.
The fans cheer that, and Callum continues with saying he is so sorry that they had to do it like this. It was either Callum or Taichi, and Callum was going to make it himself. But Taichi should honestly be in every G1 Climax he can make. Callum encourages Taichi to give us more anytime, and anywhere. The fans applaud in agreement there. Taichi seems rather emotional being praised like this. Taichi manages to stand, and he shakes Callum’s hand. The fans cheer as Taichi now encourages Callum, and even raises Callum’s hand in victory. Taichi goes to his corner before giving another bow of respect. The fans cheer Taichi on as he makes his exit.
Callum continues by calling to Yuya Uemura. “Now or later, your choice.” Yuya says that he looks forward to facing Callum in the G1. Callum says please do. Callum says to speed things along, he is in the G1, baby! The fans cheer that! Callum says he had no idea what he was going to say because he wasn’t sure he’d win. But he will say one thing: Everyone wants to talk about being a leader, whether that’s leading this generation, NJPW as a company, or their own faction. Callum DGAF! “No matter who you are, where you are, no matter how much money you earn elsewhere, NJPW is the place where everyone wants to be!”
The fans cheer and Callum says last year, well, he’s barely been in NJPW for about two years then. And already, he has been in two New Japan Cups, one World Tag League, is a TWO-TIME IWGP Tag Team Champion, is the YOUNGEST challenger to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, and now he’s in his second G1! As long as there is a heart beating in this chest, as long as there is air in his lungs, he will be a NJPW wrestler! He will win the G1 as one of the best in the world, because this is CALLUM! EFFIN’! NEWMAN!! Mic drop and the fans fire up! Will The Prince of Pace soon make himself the King of the Climax?
My Thoughts:
Another great New Japan Soul here. The House of Torture winning both matches again comes with a hilarious disclaimer: The 10 Man Tag had a TRIPLE Eddie Guerrero “caught red-handed” moment, but Yano and his team figured if they were gonna lose cuz of cheating, they would do it themselves. Yano, Yoh & Wato got to clobber Narita, Sho & Douki with their signature weapons, and then declared they wanted not only the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag titles back, but even want to go after the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles. Those will be great matches, and the factions probably split the difference.
The G1 Climax Play-In matches were great, but I figured the younger guys were both making it in. Taichi & Ishii just won the tag titles, they can worry more about that story than a G1 story. But I do appreciate Callum telling Taichi and the world that Taichi is sill so good and deserves much more. Ishii VS Drilla was much more high impact, but Taichi VS Callum was a bit grittier, a bit more story and psychology to it, so I see why it was the main event. And Callum is certainly rising up the ranks, NJPW sees what he’s got, and he could make a good run. I can’t be sure what singles title Callum gets, but he’s deserving of something between now and WrestleKingdom.
My Score: 8.8/10
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