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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Will it end before it even begins?
AEW Blood & Guts is just days away, and advantage is STILL up in the air! Will Jon Moxley put down Roderick Strong to give the Death Riders the edge? Who comes through for Team Mone and Team Statlander?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- FTR w/ Stokely Hathaway VS Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson; Gunn & Robinson win.
- AEW TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher VS Ace Austin; Fletcher wins and retains the title.
- TayJay VS Maya World & Hyan; TayJay wins.
- Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 2: Jamie Hayter VS Skye Blue; Hayter wins and ties the series.
- Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Harley Cameron VS Thekla; Thekla wins advantage for Team Mone.
- Men’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Roderick Strong VS Jon Moxley; Roddy wins advantage for The Conglomeration.
PLAY BY PLAY
FTR w/ Stokely Hathaway VS Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson!
Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler fueled the rage of Bandido & Brody King on Wednesday, they might have their head on a swivel from now until Full Gear. Will they be able to focus on the “Collision Cowboys” in Houston? Or will it be #GunnsUp against the #1 contenders to the tag team titles?
The teams sort out and Dax starts against Austin. The fans rally, “Gunns Up! WOOP WOOP!” Dax talks trash on Austin and the two tie up. Dax headlocks, hits a takeover, but Austin headscissors. Austin shouts, “GUNNS! UP!” The fans cheer but Dax frowns. Dax and Austin circle, tie up, and they go around. Dax puts Austin in the corner, Cash tags in, but Austin arm-drags! Austin grinds the armlock and the fans cheer. Cash fights up, fires a forearm, but Austin powers puts pressure on the arm. Cash fires another shot, whips Austin, but Austin slips free of the scoop! Austin shoves, ducks, and arm-drags!
The fans fire up with Austin as he wrenches, and he tags in Juice! The fans fire up as Juice goes up, but Cash gets free. Cash runs away to the FTR corner, Juice hops down and high-fives Austin. Cash tags Dax in, but the fans rally for “JUICE! JUICE! JUICE!” Juice and Dax tie up, Dax headlocks, but Juice powers up and out. Dax RUNS Juice over, things keep moving, and Juice hurdles, but Dax counters hip toss with HIP TOSS! Juice UP KICKS, then he scoops and SLAMS! Dax trips Juice, both men get up, but Dax headlocks for a takeover! Juice headscissors, Dax kips free, but Juice hits the arm-drag and takedown!
The fans fire up while Dax endures the grind. Dax fights up, Juice wrenches, but Dax pulls hair! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Dax lets off, only to BODY BLOW! And CHOP! Dax says that was for those fans right in the corner. The fans taunt Dax with “BALD! BALD! BALD!” and we see that “Big Bill” and Bryan Keith are watching backstage. They still have beef with the Bang Bang Gang, and they nod as Dax CHOPS Juice! But then Juice CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS in return! The fans fire up, Juice roars, and the fans cheer even louder! Juice climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count along, but Cash runs up! Juice CROSSBODIES Cash down!
The fans fire up as Juice rains down fists on Cash, but Dax pulls Juice’s hair! Austin gets in and DECKS Dax! The Bang Bang Gang double whip FTR to then STEREO BACKDROP! Then Austin LARIATS Dax up and out! Juice feeds Cash to Austin to TOSS out onto Dax! A rough landing for FTR but the fans cheer as it is Gunns Up! Dax rises, Juice drags him into the ring, and Juice wrenches to wristlock. Dax pulls hair again and puts Juice in the corner. Juice fires hands and elbows, then gets under to lift. Cash tags in before the atomic drop! Juice ELBOWS Cash, then whips Dax. Dax reverses, Juice rebounds to LARIAT, but Cash CHOP BLOCKS Juice!
The fans boo but Cash drops ELBOW after ELBOW on the leg! Then he HIP DROPS at the ropes! The fans boo but Cash drags Juice around, steps through, LEG DROP on the leg! Cash drags Juice around again, hooks the leg up, and he SNAP LOCKS it! The fans boo more but Cash soaks it up. Cash steps through but Juice BOOTS him into the POST! The fans fire up but Dax hurries to tag in! Dax intercepts Juice with a facelock! The fans boo but Austin still reaches out. Dax scoops and SLAMS Juice, but Juice avoids the elbow drop! And he avoids another elbow drop! Juice slips outside, and he ROCKS Dax with a right!
Cash runs up to anchor Juice, but Juice DECKS Cash! Juice RAMS Dax, slingshots up and over, sunset flip! TWO and both men hurry to their feet! Dax lifts Juice, throws him back, and Cash is there! Juice slips out, runs up, but FTR both keep him back! So Juice DOUBLE DDTS! The fans fire up while Juice and FTR are all down! Stoke panics as Juice stirs. The fans rally as Juice crawls, hot tag to Austin! Austin LARIATS Dax again and again, then gets moving to SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up, Austin dodges Cash and trips him up! Then he bobs ‘n’ weaves with Dax to JAB, JAB, JAB, swivel hips, and he DECKS Dax!
The fans fire up as Austin then dodges Cash, QUICK DRAW on Cash! Austin whips, Dax reverses, but Austin catches Dax to a cradle, TWO! Austin backslides! TWO! Austin kicks low, but Cash runs up! Austin kicks Cash, sets him up, but Cash dodges the Famouser! Austin avoids the lariat to DUMP Cash out! Dax runs up on Austin and whips, then drops down, and Cash DUMPS Austin out! Austin hits the apron hard and flops to the floor, and fans boo as FTR has taken back control while Collision goes picture in picture.
Dax stays in the ring while Austin sputters on the floor. The ring count climbs as Austin slowly sits up. But then Cash sends Austin into railing! The fans protest and the ref reprimands but Cash CHOPS Austin! And SMACKS him off the apron! Cash leaves Austin behind as the count begins again. Cash is the legal man now as FTR waits on Austin. Austin stands at 6, staggers at 7, stumbles back at 8, and the ref stops to check on Austin. Austin’s alright, and he gets back in the ring! Cash stomps away on Austin at the ropes! The ref counts, Cash stops at 4, and Cash soaks up heat. Cash tells Houston to “SUCK IT!” before he drags Austin up.
Tag to Dax, he CHOPS Austin in the corner, then CHOPS again! Dax JABS, JABS, JABS away on Austin until the ref counts 4. Austin sputters and crawls but Dax stomps him down. Collision returns to single picture and the fans rally for Austin. Dax tags Cash, they drag Austin up to double whip, but Austin TOSSES Dax! Then he dodges Cash, but Cash dodges Austin! DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans fire up as Austin and Cash crawl for their corners. Hot tag to Dax, then he swings on Juice! Juice avoids the haymaker, Austin BACKDROPS Dax! Hot tag to Juice! Juice fires off JAB after JAB, “JUICE! JUICE! JUICE!”
Cash runs up, Juice JABS, JABS, JABS! Then atomic drop for Dax! Atomic drop for Cash! Juice brings FTR together, MEETING OF THE MINDS! The fans fire up and Juice LARIATS Cash up and out! Juice dodges Dax to then LEG LARIAT! The fans fire up with Juice again, and he aims at Dax! CANNONBALL! Juice then PLANCHAS out onto Cash! The fans fire up, Stoke is panicked again, and Juice goes up. Dax stands, Juice CROSSBODIES! But Dax rolls through, pulling tights! TWO!! Juice escapes and the fans fire up! Dax brings Juice around, but Juice kicks low! Dax wrenches out, trips Juice, but Juice blocks the step-through!
Juice drags Dax down into a cradle, TWO!! Dax escapes, bobs ‘n’ weaves, but Juice ducks! LEFT HAND O’ GOD! Cash runs up, Juice dodges, but then Cash catches Juice into a POWERSLAM! Austin is back, he dodges Cash, and he LARIATS Cash and himself up and outta the ring! Houston is fired up as Juice crawls to a cover, TWO! Dax survives and all four men are down! “This is Awesome!” Stoke taunts fans wearing Bandido masks, then SNATCHES those masks?! But then surprise, it’s the REAL Bandido, and his brother, Gravity! Stoke freaks out, but the brothers chase him around ringside! Stoke goes up the ramp, but #JetSpeed is there!
The fans fire up as #BigStoke is surrounded! SUPERKICK from Bandido to Stokely! Cash runs up, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Dax is furious, but Austin gets him with a GUILLOTINE FAMOUSER in the ropes!! Then LEFT HAND O’ GOD from Juice!! JUICE IS LOOSE!! Cover, Bang Bang Gang wins!!
Winners: Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson, by pinfall
Bandido and his amigos tipped the scales, and now FTR is on the back foot going towards Full Gear! Will Dax, Cash & Stokely just have to rethink their strategy once the titles on the line? Or will Brodido find a way to take the #TopGuysOut?
AEW shares a post-Dynamite backstage interview with Kyle Fletcher.
Renee Paquette is with The Protostar and brings up that it was decided that Kyle Fletcher VS Mark Briscoe Round 6 would be for the TNT title, but if Briscoe loses, he MUST join the Don Callis Family. But Kyle’s title is still on the line in a No Disqualifications match. Why was Kyle so quick, and even pleased, to jump on this opportunity? Kyle says he was excited. But the more he thinks about it, maybe he should be concerned. The deck is stacked against him as he faces Briscoe, “a deranged human being” in a No DQ match where Briscoe could literally do anything to him. Briscoe might win the title!
But even if Briscoe loses, he still wins because he has the honor of joining The Don Callis Family, literally the best thing that’s ever happened to Kyle! Oh, speaking of the Family, Kazuchika Okada steps in. Kyle says great to see Okada, and Okada says he is sorry that Konosuke Takeshita wasn’t here to support Fletcher. But Okada is! Because Okada and Fletcher are basically the captains of the Don Callis Family. And after Full Gear, when Fletcher beats Briscoe, they will both still be champions. They will be the #PROTOKADA! Kyle thinks about how that sounds. Not bad, really.
Is Okada really going to replace Takeshita as Fletcher’s tag partner? Is Fletcher already looking past the title match made for tonight on Collision?
AEW TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher VS Ace Austin!
Collision returns as the Aussie Arrow makes his entrance, followed by the Bang Bang Gang’s third man. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see is a new champion is Inevitable!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Fletcher powers Austin to the ropes, then backs off as the ref counts. Austin and Fletcher reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock. Austin kicks and wrenches to headlock. Fletcher endures the grind, wrenches out, and ELBOW BREAKERS! Then he powers on a wristlock, but Austin rolls, handsprings, only for Fletcher to wrangle him. Fletcher has the cording hold but the fans boo. Austin fights up, slips around, and waistlocks. Fletcher switches, then he SLAMS Austin down! Fletcher flexes and the fans are torn, but Austin goes to a corner. The fans rally for “ACE! ACE! ACE!” and he resets with Kyle.
The two circle, tie up, and Ace headlocks. Kyle powers up and out, RUNS Ace over, and keeps moving. Austin stays low, then hurdles, but Fletcher blocks the hip toss. Austin ducks the lariat to wrench and arm-drag! Fletcher runs up, but into a headlock takeover. Austin traps an arm, turns Kyle for a ghost pin, TWO! Fletcher scrambles and Austin says it was that close. The fans cheer but Kyle frowns. The two reset, circle, but then Fletcher bails out. The fans boo but Fletcher lets the ring count climb. Fletcher then talks trash on the fans before he tells Austin to back off. Austin steps back, Fletcher steps in, and the two circle.
Fletcher BOOST Austin right down! The fans are torn but Fletcher dusts himself off. Austin rises up, Fletcher clamps on with a facelock, but Austin wrenches out to drop toehold and KICK! Then he steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and Austin DROPKICKS Fletcher to a corner! The fans fire up, Austin runs up, CHOP! Then Austin whips corner to corner, runs in, but Fletcher puts him on the apron. Austin RAMS Fletcher, springboards, but Fletcher catches him! SWINGING BACKBREAKER, then a FULL NELSON SLAM! The fans are torn but Fletcher smirks. Fletcher soaks up cheers and jeers on the corner while Collision goes picture in picture.
Fletcher goes back to Austin, slaps him around, then drags him up. Scoop and SLAM! Fletcher mocks the fans cheering “ACE! ACE! ACE!” Fletcher then stalks Austin to the ropes, and he STOMPS Austin down! Austin goes to a corner, Fletcher stomps him again, and again, and again! Fletcher digs his boots in, the ref counts, and Fletcher backs off. Fletcher grins while Austin sputters in the corner. Austin drags himself up with the ropes but Fletcher is right on him. The ref reprimands as Fletcher winds up and CHOPS! Austin sputters again, Fletcher taunts the fans, and Fletcher stands Austin up in a corner while Collision goes to break.
Collision returns and Fletcher has Austin a chinlock. Austin endures, the fans rally up, but Fletcher grinds Austin down. Austin fights to his feet, fires body shots, but Fletcher KNEES low, and KNEES him again! Fletcher runs, blocks Austin’s boot, then FLIPS Austin to the apron. But Austin blocks a forearm to ROCK Fletcher! Austin steps in, Triangle Jump, but Fletcher ducks the Flying Chuck! Both men run up, Austin wrenches to short arm LARIAT! Then a KNEE, KICK, and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! The fans fire up, Austin STANDING LEG DROPS! Fletcher flounders and bails out. Austin aims and builds speed to FOSBURY FLOP!
The fans fire up as Austin takes Fletcher down! Austin rises, Houston roars, and Austin puts Fletcher back in the ring. Austin reels Fletcher in, Fletcher wrenches out, but Austin dodges to JUMP KNEE! The fans rally and even duel as Austin crosses arms, BLACK DRAGON DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Fletcher survives and Austin is beside himself! Fletcher goes to the outside again as the fans duel even harder. Austin PLANCHA, but Fletcher moves! Austin lands safe on the apron, avoids the leg sweep, then handsprings over the next! But Fletcher blocks the kick! Electric Chair, then he spins Austin around, APRON POWERBOMB!
The fans fire up more and Fletcher puts Austin in. Austin staggers to the ropes, Fletcher runs up to CALF KICK! Fletcher reels Austin in, lifts him up, LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Austin survives and the fans are thunderous while Fletcher is furious! Austin sputters to a corner while the fans duel even harder. Fletcher aims from the far corner, then runs in, GAMANGIRI! Then the suplex, but Austin slips free! BLINDSIDE DROPKICK! Fletcher goes to the corner, Austin runs in, A-LIST LARIAT! Then he HAMMERS away with more lariats! The fans fire up again as Austin hoists Fletcher up, then ENZIGIRIS!
Fletcher wobbles up top, and Austin gets space! Austin runs side to side and jumps up, but Fletcher BLOCKS the flying rana! Fletcher hoists Austin right up, but Austin RANAS through!! The fans are thunderous as Austin runs up, DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!!! Fletcher survives and everyone is shocked! “This is Awesome!” as Austin draws his ace! THE- NO, Fletcher avoids The Fold, then goes up and over! Austin comes back, slips free of a scoop, waistlock and O’Conner, but he abandons the roll? THE- NO, Fletcher pops Austin up from The Fold to then LAWN DART! And then GAMAN- NO, Austin ducks and the kick hits buckles!
Austin hits the TRIANGLE JUMP FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up again, and Austin shuffles, THE FO- BRAINBUSTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Austin survives and no one can believe it! But they all love “A E DUB! A E DUB!” for giving it to us! Fletcher drags Austin up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Austin cradles! TWO!!! Fletcher escapes, runs up, but Austin rolls, stacks, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH! TWO!! SUPERKICK! Austin ROCKS Fletcher with a right, but Fletcher SUPERKICKS in return! Austin SUPERKICKS again! Fletcher LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous again, and Fletcher aims again! Corner to corner, GAMANGIRI!!
Fletcher puts Austin up top, climbs up after him, and then suplexes! TOP ROPE BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Fletcher wins!
Winner: Kyle Fletcher, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)
Ace Austin gave Fletcher a run for his money, but The Protostar is still the Face of TNT! But will that still be the case in just two weeks? Or will the Sussex County Chicken use everything he has to dethrone Fletcher once and for all?
Kris Statlander speaks.
“Mercedes, you have a lot that I will never have. More success, more accolades, more confidence, and more legacy than any woman in wrestling history. But there is one thing… Well, maybe two…. that I have and you don’t. Focus. I have complete and total focus on being THE AEW Women’s World Champion, and you don’t. If you think this is just some other side piece you can scribble on a cake or have a nameless male bimbo you can carry behind you, than you would be wrong in the most extraordinary of ways. You were eliminated from the tag tournament because you were not focused on me.
“And now I will follow you into Blood & Guts, and I will go through whoever I have to until you are focused on me! And then, at Full Gear, one year after we fought for the very first time, in a completely different world… Your focus will be full, your vision will be clear, and it still won’t make a difference.” The Galaxy’s Greatest has warned The CEO, but will she make Mone understand with actions? Or will that Money Train just continue full steam ahead towards more gold?
AEW shares more post-Dynamite footage.
Jon Moxley walked with the Death Riders and said, “We should just give them the advantage at Blood & Guts as a courtesy. They’re weak, they’re hurt, they’re tired, and deciding match three, this is already in the bag.” But then Don Callis is there. The Jackal has them all calm down, and says that they’ve all successfully stayed out of each other’s business for some time to mutual benefit. And on the subject of that, Fletcher has a very high stakes match with Mark Briscoe at Full Gear. Callis knows that Briscoe is part of The Conglomeration team going against them at Blood & Guts, and Callis is just saying that he’s very happy when he thinks about what they could do to him.
Pac tells Callis that everybody knows The Death Riders are done playing games. In Greensboro, North Carolina, they leave five bodies in that cage. So whatever Callis chooses to do with what’s left of Briscoe, that’s his prerogative. They couldn’t give a piss. Callis says he loves the sound of that. And if that were to be the case, which he is pretty sure it will, he’d owe them a tremendous favor. Anything they want! Moxley steps up, leans in, and tells Callis, “Do we look like we need a favor from anybody?” Callis is twitchy given the scar Moxley left on him from a long time ago, so he stays quiet. The Death Riders leave, though Claudio does give a glance at the TNT title.
Fletcher says that went well. Will The Death Riders dismantle Darby & The Conglomeration? Will The Don Callis Family be next?
TayJay VS Maya World & Hyan!
The Blackbelt Beauty & The Queenslayer know they’ve got a Problem and a Megasus in their way on the road to the AEW Women’s Tag Team Championships, but they aren’t worried. Will the long time dynamic duo be more than ready for Marina & Megan? Or are they underestimating #ThatGirl & The Renaissance Woman?
The teams sort out and Tay Melo starts against Maya. They circle, tie up, and the fans rally. Tay headlocks, Maya powers up to wrench free. Tay wrenches back and waistlocks, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Tay runs up, but Maya dodges the boot to roll Tay! Tay rolls through and DECKS Maya! Maya flounders to the corner, Tay tags Anna, and the fans rally as Anna ROCKS Maya again and again! Anna snapmares Maya, Tay joins in, PENALTY KICK to a NECK SNAPPER! Cover, Hyan breaks it just in time! Tay CLUBS and THROWS Hyan, then she and Anna do the secret handshake before a DOUBLE BOOTY BUMP!
The fans cheer and Maya sputters. Anna drags her up, Maya JAWBREAKERS free! Hot Tag to Hyan! The fans fire up but then Anna ROCKS Hyan! Anna whips Hyan to the corner, ELBOWS her, and tags Tay. Tay runs to BLAST Maya, then she returns to BOOT Hyan! Tag to Anna and Tay sends her in for a LEG LARIAT! Hyan sputters, Anna lifts Hyan into the Gory Especial! TAY-K-O 2.0! Cover, TayJay wins!
Winner: TayJay, by pinfall
TayJay wins the tune-up and are just waiting on the tournament. Will they make it through the opening round? Or will Marina & Megan make them both #BowDown?
Backstage interview with Athena.
Former Minion Bestie, Lexy Nair, is with the ROH Women’s World Champion, and brings up how Athena and Mone were eliminated from the AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament. Now Athena will defend her title against Harley Cameron- Athena stops Lexy there. Does Lexy even remember who she is? HMM!? Lexy runs through the nicknames very quickly: The Fallen Goddess, the Minion Overlord, the Forever ROH Champion, Athena. YES, the FOREVER ROH Champion! So then, why doesn’t Athena feel like she’s the Forever Champion?! She’ll tell you why! It’s because for only the fifth time in five YEARS, Athena got pinned.
And this one hurts the most, because it was that evil little puppeteer, Harley Cameron. And y’know what? Harley must feel special, very special, but she’s not! If Kris Statlander didn’t poke her nose in Athena’s business, if Billie Starkz could just do the right thing for once, and if Mercedes Mone would’ve had Athena’s back like Athena had hers, Athena would NOT be in this predicament, which is her doubting herself. So if Harley Cameron, by some miracle, survives Blood & Guts, she’ll realize that Athena doesn’t need five other people by her side, or a cage, or the weapons, to beat the CRAP out of her!
Athena promises to do it not for her minions, not for anyone that she genuinely cares about. She does this for her. And then she will make Harley Cameron a little puppet for MIT. What’s Lexy think about that? Yes, Minion Overlord. That’s right. Put some pep in your step next time. Athena storms off, but will she still be the ROH Women’s World Champion then, now, and forever? Or will she #FeelTheWarth of Harley Cameron on ROH TV?
Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 2: Jamie Hayter VS Skye Blue!
Speaking of Blood & Guts, Team Statlander is up against the wall after Mina Shirakawa lost to Megan Bayne and must win this match to force the third match. The Southampton Slugger has already beaten Chicago Skye once, but can she hit the homerun needed to survive?
The bell rings and the fans fire up behind Jamie. Skye runs up, Jamie avoids the boot and rolls Skye up, ONE! Oklahoma Roll, ONE! Skye runs up again, but Jamie scoops. Skye slips free, she rolls Jamie and bridges, TWO! Jamie swings but into a backslide, ONE! Jamie ROCKS Skye, then ripcords, but Skye ducks the Hayterade! Skye bails out, the fans boo, but Skye wags her finger. Jamie storms out after Skye, chases her around the way, and the fans cheer as Jamie gains ground! Skye rolls into the ring but Jamie drags her back out! Jamie kicks, suplexes, but Skye slips free and RAMS Jamie into the steel!
The fans are torn as Skye scrambles into the ring. Skye wants the ring count because any win seals the deal. Jamie is already back in the ring at 2 of 10, so Skye stomps and CLUBS and HAMMERS away! The fans boo, Skye tells them to shut up, and she stands Jamie up. Skye whips, Jamie reverses to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Jamie CHOPS away, then whips Skye, but Skye ducks ‘n’ dodges. Skye leaps, but into a SPINEBUSTER! And fast hands! Jamie HAMMERS Skye, then drags her back up. Jamie bumps Skye off buckles, climbs up, and she rains down fists! The fans count along, all the way to nine, then Jamie flexes, TEN!
The fans cheer as Skye flops down. Jamie drags her back up, whips her corner to corner, then runs up again, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Skye turns the tides and the fans boo. Skye waves them off, then runs back in, handspring and- ELBOW from Jamie! Jamie goes up, up, and MISSILE- FLOP as Skye dodges! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Jamie survives and Skye seethes, but the fans rally up as Collision goes picture in picture.
Skye stalks Jamie to the ropes, then CHOKES her! The ref reprimands, Skye stops at 4, and she soaks up the heat from Houston. Skye drags Jamie up, runs her side to side and SMACKS her off buckles! Skye then runs Jamie into another corner to bump off buckles! Skye climbs up, and she rains down fists! But Jamie SHOVES Skye down at eight! Skye comes back to ROCK Jamie, then digs her boots in. The ref counts, Skye steps off at 4, and she goes to the apron. Skye drags Jamie out to SMACK her off the steel steps! Jamie sputters, Skye argues with the ref and taunts the fans. Skye stalks Jamie to commentary, but Jamie ROCKS Skye!
Jamie snap suplexes Skye to the floor! Both women are down, Skye crawls away to the steps, but Jamie storms up. Jamie whips, Skye reverses, and Jamie hits the floor! Skye puts Jamie in the ring, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Jamie toughs it out but Skye seethes. Skye CLUBS Jamie, Jamie hits back, repeat. They fire forearm after forearm, but Skye THROWS Jamie down by her hair! The ref reprimands but Skye just smirks as she drags Jamie around. Skye clamps on a chinlock and grinds Jamie down. Jamie endures, fights her way up, but Skye wrangles her back down! Skye squeezes tight while having a sinister smile, but Jamie still fights up.
Jamie fires body shots on Skye, but Skye CLUBS Jamie! Collision returns to single picture as Skye runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up as both women rise, and Jamie clinches to EXPLODER! Skye flounders into the corner, but Jamie runs in! Skye dodges, Jamie goes up, and Jamie MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Jamie and she throws off the armbands! LARIAT in the corner! Then SAIDO! Skye flounders, Jamie covers, TWO! The fans rally behind Jamie as she drags Skye up. Jamie whips and BOOTS Skye down! Cover, TWO! Jamie huffs ‘n’ puffs and kicks Skye around. Jamie vows to end this and the fans fir eup!
Jamie waistlocks, ripcords, but Skye wheelbarrows to victory roll! TWO, Jamie has it, TWO! Skye has it back, TWO! Jamie and Skye hurry back up, and Jamie BOOTS Skye! Skye kicks, Jamie blocks, but the SUPERKICK returns! Jamie ENZIGIRIS! Skye wobbles, Jamie runs, but Skye fireman’s carries! Jamie slips free, Skye fires a forearm, but Jamie fires back! They go back and forth, the fans cheering Jamie and booing Skye! They go shot for shot, faster and faster, and then DOUBLE HEADBUTTS! Jamie falls on the cover, TWO!! Skye survives and the fans fire up! Jamie and Skye stir, the fans rally again, and Skye crawls away to a corner.
The fans rally up more as Jamie rises, and she storms up on Skye. Jamie puts Skye up top, climbs, and she CLUBS away! Skye fires body shots, then ROCKS Jamie! Jamie holds onto ropes, fires forearms in return, then HEADBUTTS! Skye slips under, tucks Jamie in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Then a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Jamie survives and Skye shrieks in anger! The fans fire up as Skye drags Jamie up, runs and hops on, CODE- NO! Jamie sits on Code Blue, TWO!! Skye rises, but Jamie catches her! Skye arm-drags free, but Jamie ducks a roundhouse! HAYTERADE!! Cover, Jamie wins!
Winner: Jamie Hayter, by pinfall; ties the series 1-1
Hayter Hits Hard indeed, and now there will be need for that third showdown! But speaking of, Julia Hart & Thekla rush out here to mug Jamie! The fans boo as The Triangle of Madness tries to get the edge even now! They TOSS Jamie, then mug Jamie more! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Julia & Thekla stomp away on Jamie! But here comes Willow & Harley! The Babes of Wrath get Julia & Thekla off Jamie to put in the ring! They brawl, security rushes out, but the fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Willow and Julia aside, Harley and Thekla will fight, after the break!
Women’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Harley Cameron VS Thekla!
Collision returns and the bell rings! The fans are already fired up as Thekla and Harley rush each other! THESZ PRESS for the Wild Aussie and she HAMMERS the Toxic Spider down! The fans fire up, Thekla turns things over, and Thekla HAMMERS away on Harley! Thekla drags Harley up, wrenches hair, and THROWS Harley down by her hair! Then she wrenches the hair to THROW Harley again! Thekla ROCKS Harley with a forearm, whips her to ropes, but the fans cheer on Harley as she ducks ‘n’ dodges. Harley THROWS Thekla down, then runs to basement DROPKICK! Thekla flounders out of the ring, the fans rally up, but Harley goes out after her.
Harley CHOPS Thekla, the fans fire up, and Harley whips Thekla hard into the railing! Harley wrenches Thekla to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP to the floor! Harley SMACKS Thekla off the apron, puts her in the ring, and Harley storms back in. Harley has Thekla in a corner and RAMS into her! And RAMS her again! And again! Harley whips corner to corner, then runs up to SPLASH Thekla! The fans chant, “Feel The Wrath!” as Harley climbs up. Harley rains down fists and fans count along! Thekla CLAWS Harley’s hand at seven! The ref reprimands, but Thekla YANKS Harley down. Thekla then snarls and runs up on Harley, BOOT WASH!
Harley flops to the floor and the fans boo but Thekla just soaks up the heat. Thekla mocks the fans who think Harley can win this, and she goes out to drag Harley up. Thekla kicks low, reels Harley in, and snap suplexes to the floor! Thekla soaks up m ore heat, then she drags Harley back up. Thekla brings Harley around, talks more trash, and she again snap suplexes to the floor! The fans boo but Thekla soaks up the heat. “This is Blood & Guts, baby! We’re not playing around!” Thekla pushes Harley into the ring, then drags her back to the apron. Thekla brings Harley around to show the fans, and she reels Harley in for a third snap suplex to the floor!
Thekla shouts at the fans, the fans shout back, and Harley writhes while Collision goes picture in picture.
Thekla drags Harley up and puts her in the ring. Thekla covers, TWO! Harley toughs it out but Thekla paces. Thekla stalks Harley to the ropes, CHOKES her, and the ref reprimands. Thekla stops at 4, Harley flounders around, and Thekla puts her in a corner. Thekla CHOKES Harley in the corner! The ref counts, Thekla taunts everyone, and she stops at 4 again. Thekla snapmares Harley, winds up, and basement SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Thekla pushes Harley down for a third cover, TWO! Harley shows that grit but Thekla THROWS her down! Thekla digs her boot into Harley’s face but the ref counts.
Thekla steps off at 4, Harley flounders to another corner, but Thekla kicks her around. Thekla gives toying shots, but Harley fires off a flurry! Harley HAMMERS Thekla in the corner while Collision goes to break.
Collision returns again and Thekla grinds Harley down in a RINGS OF SATURN! Thekla fishhooks Harley’s mouth with both hands but the ref counts. Thekla stops at 4 and argues with the ref while the fans rally behind Harley. Harley sits up, Thekla stands her up, but Harley JAWBREAKERS! Thekla staggers to a corner, Harley runs up, but Thekla BOOTS her! Thekla then reels Harley in for a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! The fans boo, the ref counts, but Thekla stops at 4. Thekla hangs upside-down while Harley staggers away. Thekla has a sinister smile as she storms into the ring and kneels on the cover, TWO!
Thekla slaps Harley around, toys with her, taunts her, but the fans cuss her out. Thekla kicks low, whips Harley, but Harley ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds up speed! FLYING FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down again! Harley rises as the fans cheer her on, and she goes to a corner while Thekla stands. Thekla runs up, but into BOOTS! Thekla rolls, comes back, but Harley dodges! ROUNDHOUSE! Harley stomps a mudhole into Thekla and the fans fire up! Harley stops, runs, and SPLASHES! Then she keeps going, to ELBOW Thekla! Harley keeps going, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!
Thekla survives but the fans rally behind Harley. Harley fireman’s carries, Thekla slips free to mule kick! Harley ducks the buzzsaw but not the HEEL KICK! Harley goes to a corner, Thekla runs up, but Harley slips out and ROUNDHOUSES! Thekla staggers, the fans fire up, and Harley climbs up. Thekla ROCKS Harley first! Thekla climbs up, but Harley tripos her up! Harley and Thekla brawl up top and the fans rally! Harley fires a flurry, Thekla falls into the Tree of Woe, but she sits right up! Harley is shocked, but then she blocks a shot to BITE Thekla’s forehead! Harley then makes Thekla MOTORBOAT her!
The fans fire up as Harley HEADBUTTS Thekla, then sunset flips! Thekla holds on, so Harley CHOPS her, puts her in the Tree of Woe, and runs side to side! DROPKICK! Thekla falls, Harley covers, TWO! Thekla survives but the fans fire up for Harley! Harley rises up, brings Thekla around, and then climbs back up. Harley aims from up top, SWANTON FLOP as Thekla moves! Thekla Spider-Walks, for the SPIDER SPEAR!! Cover, Thekla wins!
Winner: Thekla, by pinfall; Team Mone has Blood & Guts Advantage
Thekla caresses Harley’s face with a sinister style, because now her team has that one-up advantage! Will Mercedes Mone, Megan Bayne, Marina Shafir & The Triangle of Madness completely dominate inside the double cage? Or can Kris Statlander, Toni Storm, Mina Shirakawa, Jamie Hayter, Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron find a way to survive?
Backstage interview with #JetSpeed.
Lexy is now with Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey to bring up their part in FTR losing to the Bang Bang Gang earlier tonight, but also that they have an announcement to make. Bailey says yes, but he wants to make it clear that it is far from over between them, FTR, and “Little Strokely.” But while FTR’s busy challenging for the AEW World Tag Team Championships at Full Gear, Bailey & Knight aren’t the kind to sit by and watch. Knight agrees, they are not. So at Full Gear, there is the Casino Gauntlet Match to crown the first-ever AEW National Champion, and JetSpeed as fly as they are, they’re putting their names in the hat, then throw that hat into the ring.
Then it is official, they’re both in the gauntlet? Yes, and that doubles their chances of winning. If it comes down to just the two of them, may the best man win. They shake on it, but will JetSpeed be 2Fly2Stop now that they’re going Full Gear?
Backstage interview with Max Caster & Anthony Bowens.
Collision returns as Lexy is now with Platinum Max & The 5 Tool Player. Despite being on the same team again last week, they ended up literally fighting each other. But it is apparent Bowens has something to say to Caster? Yes, and Bowens wanted everyone to hear it: The Acclaimed is NEVER coming back, it is done! They tried as a favor to Jerry Lynn, but it is clearly not working and Bowens is sick of it. He’s over it! Bowens’ first step forward, the opportunity in his home state of New Jersey during Tailgate Brawl! What does Caster think about that?! Caster says great, he’ll also be at the Tailgate Brawl, so see you there, just don’t get in his way.
What’s Caster going to do? He isn’t booked! Caster says he will be, but Bowens says maybe if it’s to be a dumbass. Lexy stops the arguing because Tony Khan has made note that they do higher ratings when they’re on screen together. Their merch sales have gone up since being back on screen together, and the net value cash flows of their contracts are also higher. The numbers don’t lie. So if they’re going to be part of Tailgate Brawl, then it’ll be together. They argue with Lexy but she says this is all direct from Tony Khan, do not shoot the messenger. The two calm down, understanding that.
Caster then tells Tony through the camera, “This is really what you think of me? You know how insulting this is? I promise, you will regret the way that you treated me, cuz you can’t act like people don’t love The Best Wrestler Alive alone. And you can’t act like he (Bowens) doesn’t represent your company at all those outside events by himself. I don’t go to those, and he’s not the Best Wrestler Alive.” Bowens tells Caster to shut up already! But Bowens does tell Tony that Caster’s right, Bowens is NOT doing this! Cancel the match! He’s done! So is Caster! They both storm off, but will The (Not) Acclaimed NOT have a choice in working at Full Gear?
Men’s Blood & Guts Advantage Series, Round 3: Roderick Strong VS Jon Moxley w/ Marina Shafir!
Darby Allin defeated Daniel Garcia, Claudio Castagnoli defeated Orange Cassidy, so now it is all decided with this Collision! Will the Savior of the Backbreaker save The Conglomeration? Or will this Maniac make sure The Death Riders dominates inside the steel?
The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. They feel things out, and Moxley drops back to the ropes for defense. The fans boo but Roddy stays back. Moxley steps back up, the two feel out a knuckle lock, and then a clinch. The fans rally behind Roddy but Moxley shoots around to waistlock. Roddy switches, Moxley hooks a leg and drop toeholds, but Roddy stay sup. Roddy turns Moxley over, half nelsons, but Moxley powers his way out the back. Moxley waistlocks, facelocks, and he grinds Roddy down. Roddy endures, Moxley pushes Roddy to a lateral press, but Roddy is out before there’s even a count.
Roddy has Moxley in an armlock now and the fans cheer. Moxley endures, fights around and rises up, but Roddy wrenches. Roddy YANKS the arm, wristlocks, but Moxley spins and wrenches. Moxley wristlocks, then goes for a double wristlock. Moxley wrangles Roddy to the mat but Roddy fights around with his legs. ROPEBREAK! The fans rally, even duel now, as the two let off. Moxley shoves Roddy, Roddy SHOVES Moxley, and Moxley bails out! The fans boo but Moxley paces. Roddy waits on Moxley as Moxley goes around the outside. Moxley flips off Houston, then slowly steps inside. The two tie up, and Roddy puts Moxley on ropes.
The ref counts, Moxley turns things around, and he CHOPS! Roddy CHOPS right back! And CHOPS again! Roddy fires furious fists, but then Moxley kicks low! Moxley CHOPS and ROCKS Roddy in the corner. Moxley climbs up, and he CLAWS Roddy’s face before he rains down fists! The fans count, Moxley goes to seven before he CLAWS Roddy’s face again! Moxley hops back while the ref reprimands, but Moxley then wrenches and spins Roddy. Moxley wrangles Roddy with a top wristlock and the fans rally again. Roddy endures, bridges to stay up, but Moxley STOMPS the arm! The fans are torn while Roddy goes to a corner.
Moxley storms up and fires body shots! Moxley ROCKS Roddy, stalks him to another corner, and RAMS in! Roddy flops to the apron, hobbles away, and the fans rally up. Moxley goes out after Roddy, but Roddy fires hands! Moxley fires back, then wrenches the arm. Moxley bends the fingers! And he SNAPS them! The fans boo but Moxley CLUBS ROddy. Moxley whips ROddy, but Roddy reverses! Moxley hits steel steps hard! The fans fire up while Moxley is down, and Roddy hurries to fetch Moxley. BARRIER BACKBREAKER! Moxley hobbles away, but Roddy runs up and hits another BARRIER BACKBREAKER!
The fans fire up but Marina seethes. Roddy lifts Moxley, Moxley fires elbows, then he clinches to RAM Roddy into the steel steps! Roddy writhes and Moxley seethes while Collision goes picture in picture.
Moxley pushes the steel steps around, kicks at Roddy, then stands him up. Moxley full nelsons and THRASHES Roddy around. Roddy endures, claws at the grip, but Moxley puts on the pressure. Then Moxley SMACKS Roddy off the steps! Roddy flounders while Moxley refreshes the ring count. Roddy leans against the railing, Moxley storms up, but Roddy CHOPS! And CHOPS! Roddy then ROCKS Moxley with a forearm, before he CHOPS again! And again! And again! Roddy CHOPS Moxley until he slumps down against the barriers! Roddy argues with Marina, but then she SPITS at him! Roddy glares at The Problem, but he goes back to Moxley.
Moxley pokes Roddy in the eyes! Then he puts Roddy in the ring and drags Roddy up. Moxley puts Roddy in a corner, grinds a forearm in his face again and again, but stops as the ref counts. Moxley digs his boot into a leg, then runs side to side. Moxley DROPKICKS the leg! Moxley then DRAGON SCREWS Roddy down, steps through, and has the FIGURE FOUR! Roddy endures and reaches out, but Moxley keeps hold of the foot. Roddy powers the plant leg away, but Moxley powers it back down! Roddy and Moxley sit up, and Roddy fires forearm after forearm! Moxley lets the leglock go, both men stand again, and Collision returns to single picture.
Moxley DROPKICKS the legs out again! Moxley drags Roddy, pulls on the bad leg, and he turns Roddy over for the HALF CRAB! Roddy endures and the fans fire up as Moxley then drops into a CALF KILLER! The fans rally, Roddy crawls and drags Moxley along, ROPEBREAK! Moxley lets go at 4 but he looms over Roddy. Moxley drags Roddy up, CHPOS him in the corner, then puts him up top. Moxley ROCKS Roddy, climbs up again, and he CLAWS Roddy’s back! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but now Moxley TWISTS Roddy’s ear! Moxley flips off the ref! The ref reprimands, Moxley hits a SUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX! Cover, TWO!
Roddy survives and Moxley seethes but the fans are on Roddy’s side. Moxley grows frustrated with Roddy, but Roddy JAWBREAKERS! And CHOPS! Roddy BOOTS from the ropes, then LEAPING LARIATS! And CALF KICKS! The fans fire up and Roddy fireman’s carries! Moxley slips free, shoves Roddy, but Roddy dodges to GAMANGIRI! RUNNING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Roddy just brings Moxley right up, underhooks and TIGER DRIVER! High stack, TWO, but into the STRONGHOLD!! Moxley endures, he drags Roddy into a cradle, TWO! Roddy swings but into a SLEEPER! Roddy endures, ELBOWS free, and they start trading shots!
The fans fire up for Roddy as he gets the edge with boxing elbows! Moxley RABBIT PUNCHES, then BODY BLOWS, then he ROCKS Roddy! Moxley runs, into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Roddy has Moxley in a corner. Roddy puts Moxley up top, climbs up to join him, and the fans rally again. SUPER DUPER PLEX! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! They cheer “A E DUB! A E DUB!” for making this main event possible. Roddy has Moxley, but Moxley shots around to SLEEPER! Roddy powers up to fireman’s carry! GUT BUSTER DROP! Roddy rises, runs, but MARINA TRIPS HIM! The ref saw that plain as day, but Moxley hits PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, TWO!!
Kyle O’Reilly rushes out here, and Marina is in his face! But Wheeler Yuta CHOP BLOCKS Kyle! The ref reprimands everyone, the fans tell off Yuta, but Moxley stalks Roddy. Moxley drags Roddy up, TOSSES him out, and he storms around. But Yuta has a chair now! The ref stops Yuta there, and EJECTS the Death Riders!! The fans cheer but Yuta & Marina are pissed! BUT HE FORGETS ABOUT PAC! The Bastard BOOTS Roddy!! The fans boo as the numbers game keeps giving The Death Riders an advantage! Moxley lets the ring count climb while he flexes and soaks up the heat. The fans rally for Roddy as hard as they can, but he’s still down at 6 of 10!
Roddy rises at 7, then leaps in at 9! CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!! Roddy lives and Moxley is furious! Moxley rains down forearms from all sides, then pushes to an ARMBAR! Roddy endures, clasps hands, but Moxley pulls on the arms! ARMBAR!! Roddy flails, fights, and has the ROPEBREAK! Roddy survives by a literal foot and Moxley lets go. Moxley argues with the ref, but the ref warns him! He could’ve ended this with the Marina crap! But Pac is sneaking back up! Pac looks for something under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! The fans are torn, they like the table but they’re not into the Death Riders anymore.
The ref warns Pac to stop it, but the table is already set up. Moxley drags Roddy up, reels him in, but Roddy fights for life! And Kyle CLOBBERS Pac! The fans fire up as Roddy fireman’s carries Moxley! Moxley slips free, but Roddy GAMANGIRIS! But then GARCIA is here! Roddy gets Garcia for a FULL NELSEON SLAM through the table!! The fans are thunderous, but now Moxley POSTS Roddy! Moxley then drags those steel steps over, fetches Roddy, and he brings Roddy up the steps! But Roddy fights the lift! FULL NELSON SLAM on the steps!! Houston is thunderous while Moxley writhes! The ring count is climbing, Roddy is in at 5 of 10!
Moxley flounders, he drags himself up at 8, but someone anchors Moxley’s foot! Moxley is STUCK, THE COUNT IS TEN! Roddy wins!!
Winner: Roderick Strong, by count-out; The Conglomeration has Blood & Guts Advantage
The Death Riders return to protest, but they’re hypocrites for it. And then that someone TAZES Pac!! Because that was DARBY ALLIN under there! The fans fire up as The Relentless One dares someone to get the next one! Roddy WRECKS Yuta with a dropkick! Darby jumps into the crowd, dares Moxley to come at him, then scares him off with the stun gun! Houston is all fired up, but will Darby & The Conglomeration burn it all down in Greensboro? Or will The Death Riders find a way to win without the numbers advantage?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here, but there was a rather stark contrast between the two hours being “Blood & Guts related” and “Not Blood & Guts related.” Great match from FTR VS Gunn & Robinson, and I really liked Bandido & Gravity pulling a double “Sting wearing a Sting mask” gag. Them and JetSpeed scaring Stokely and taking him out of the equation was great, and FTR losing for that is great because they get what they deserve but in a way that keeps them strong going towards Full Gear. I’d still love to see Bandido & Gravity VS FTR or some combination of singles matches to build the tag title match, but that depends on if Gravity is actually cleared to compete.
TayJay of course won a tune-up match tonight, they made quick work of Maya & Hyan. TayJay is going to fight their hearts out against Megan & Marina, but it feels like Megan & Marina are going to win in the end. TayJay can still find their spot in the Women’s Tag Division as the Face team chasing Heel champions, but it’s just a bit of bad luck that pieces have moved around like this. Very good promo from Athena calling out pretty much everyone, from Statlander to Mone to even Billie. Athena VS Billie 3 at Final Battle 2025 would be rather redundant after how Billie should’ve won last year, but it’d still be better than like Mone taking Athena’s title to add to that insane collection.
Only Tony Khan would work-shoot the ratings and merch sales into the Acclaimed dysfunction story. I’m writing a Legend of Zelda pro-wrestling promotion on here, and I’m still nowhere as nerdy as that. Caster & Bowens still made chicken salad out of that chicken crap, and I can’t wait to see where they go with that Tailgate Brawl match. Though, can we stop doing Tailgate Brawl on TV? It has been annoying the last two times because it just doesn’t make sense when Zero Hour is online for free.
Fletcher VS Ace Austin was a great match, and a great showing for Austin, but c’mon, this was just typical filler from TK, giving us a title match before the major title match they have been building. Fletcher had a good promo with Okada hyping up the No DQ match with Briscoe and teasing that Fletcher is the key piece in what will surely be a Don Callis Family Civil War, led by Team Takeshita and Team Okada. Also, really good promo from Fletcher & Callis with the Death Riders teasing a feud between the factions. No matter if Death Riders wins or loses at Blood & Guts, Death Riders moving on to DCF would be great stuff.
And of course, great stuff in all the Blood & Guts advantage matches. Obviously Thekla VS Harley was going to “be needed,” so of course Hayter beat Skye. The Heels having the advantage there makes me think Team Statlander comes through, helping build momentum for the teams still in the tag tournament. Plus, it isn’t the go-home so Mone can turn things around on Kris to then set herself up to fail at Full Gear. Moxley VS Roddy was great stuff, too, with The Death Riders obviously doing their best to screw Roddy over. But it was of course genius for Darby to cheat Moxley right back. But now that the Faces have advantage, do the Death Riders actually win at Blood & Guts? It would help them bounce back after Moxley lost to Darby, but then do we get one last Moxley VS Darby match at World’s End? It would be a fitting place to end something…
My Score: 8.7/10
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Who’s the baddest man from Gifu now?
Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Road passes through Anjo, and he defends his personal honor against the upstart Yuto “Ice” Nakashima!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Katsuya Murashima VS Tatsuya Matsumoto; Murashima wins.
- Taichi & Masatora Yasuda VS Zane Jay & Shoma Kato; Taichi & Yasuda win.
- Six Man Tag: Boltin Oleg, Tiger Mask & Tomoaki Honma VS Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young; Khan, Callum & Jakob win.
- Six Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS SHO, DOUKI & Yujiro Takahashi; Takagi, Ishimori & Gedo win.
- Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Yota Tsuji, OSKAR & Daiki Nagai; Shota, Yuya & Taguchi win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado & Bishamon VS Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Desperado & Bishamon win.
- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano VS EVIL, Dick Togo & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Yoh, Wato & Yano win and retain the titles.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuto-Ice; Tanahashi wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
After Six Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS SHO, DOUKI & Yujiro Takahashi…
Bone Soldier Reborn gets the win by using the House of Torture’s tricks against them, dealing out LOW BLOW after LOW BLOW while the ref is down, then tops it off with BLOODY CROSS on Sho! Then Taiji gets the mic to say tell Sho that he has nothing to do with this, so get outta here! As for Douki, don’t you go running off so soon! Taiji hasn’t forgotten what Douki did to keep the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! When’s Douki gonna defend that title? Douki says he’s not doing it on Taiji’s time! But then to everyone’s surprise, El Desperado sneaks out here! The Rogue Luchador pats Douki on the shoulder, and completely spooks him!
Despy stalks Douki back to ringside, and gets a mic for himself. “Just a second, I need a minute here. You stole my belt, and ever since then your title matches have sucked. Fujita said the same. Don’t run from me. You have unfinished business with me, that superhuman and Fujita as well!” Douki says shut up, he doesn’t care about a bunch of losers! Douki leaves, but Taiji concludes that whether it’s him, Despy, Fujita, or all of the above, Douki’s defending that title! In the backstage interview, Douki says HE’s not fighting all three of them! They can fight it out in a #1 contender’s match, with SHO as the fourth man!
Japonese Del Mal just made The Murder Machine his scapegoat! But will the pawn play his part and cut off three challengers at once? Or will he just be a sacrifice before the title match?
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano VS EVIL, Dick Togo & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Drive of the Grandmaster could not take down #Shouki in the Super Junior Tag League, and now they’re on the defensive as The House of Torture launches another attack on these Six Man titles! Evil wants to be the undisputed NEVER Champion once more, will The Spoiler & The Heel Master help him make that happen? Or can The Joker help trump The King?
The House behaves themselves by not attacking early, but then Evil protests that Aaron Wolf is accompanying Hontai. The introductions are made, the Six Man titles are raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!
The trios sort out, and Hontai attacks! The fans cheer as they turn the tables on The House! Wato TOSSES Kanemaru, Yoh TOSSES Dick, and Yano TOSSES Evil, all as the bell rings to get this on record! But then Evil sends Yano into railing! Kanemaru & Dick turn things around on Wato & Yoh, too, as Dick SMACKS Wato off the apron and Kanemaru sends Yoh into railing! The fans boo but Dick ROCKS Wato with a right, and Kanemaru ELBOWS Wato in the head. They put Wato in the ring, Kanemaru whips him to a corner, and then Kanemaru runs up, but into BOOTS! Wato BULLDOGS and the fans cheer!
Dick kicks and CLAWS Wato, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Wato as he runs up on Kanemaru. Kanemaru BOOTS Wato now, then DUMPS Wato out! Evil is there to whip Wato into railing while Kanemaru BLASTS Yoh off the apron! Evil then whips Wato hard into more railing! The fans boo but Evil drags Wato up and puts him back in the ring. Kanemaru drags Wato up, suplexes high and hard, then covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Wato stays in this, but Kanemaru TOSSES Wato out! Kanemaru distracts the ref so Evil & Dick can mug Wato. They put Wato in the ring, the ref reprimands, but Kanemaru scoops to SLAM!
Kanemaru tags Evil and Evil drags Wato up by a hand. Evil taunts Wato before he TOSSES him back out! And now Evil distracts the ref so Yujiro Takahashi can JAM Wato up with a chair! The fans boo as The Tokyo Pimp gets in on this, but Dick puts Wato in the ring. Evil drags Wato back up and reels him in, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Evil is upset but the fans cheer. Wato tags Dick and Dick taunts Wato to go crawl for his corner. The fans rally, but then Dick stomps away on Wato. Wato sputters, Dick runs up, FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Wato toughs it out but Dick stays between him and his corner.
Dick stomps Wato, eggs him on, then JABS! JABS! JABS! Dick flips, flops, and flies, BIONIC ELBOW! “Dick Rhodes” then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Wato is tougher than that but Dick tags Kanemaru. Kanemaru suplexes Wato but Wato fights it! The fans rally as Kanemaru tries again. Wato suplexes Kanemaru up and over! The fans cheer, but then Evil stomps away on Wato! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Evil CHOPS Wato down! Wato sputters, Kanemaru tags Evil in, and Evil drags Wato up to suplex high and hard! Cover, Yoh breaks it! The fans cheer but Yoh runs away to hide behind Wolf.
Evil tags Dick and Dick eggs Wato on. Wato rises but Dick ROCKS him with a right! And another! And another! Dick then snapmares Wato to SCRAPE his sole off Wato’s face! Tag to Kanemaru, and he also SCRAPES sole off Wato’s face. Kanemaru whips Wato to ropes, but Wato stops himself to KICK back! Wato ROCKS Kanemaru, but Kanemaru blocks the kick to CLUB the leg and CLAW the eyes! Kanemaru whips, Wato reverses, CALF KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato and Kanemaru crawl, hot tag to Yoh! Yoh goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS! Then he BLASTS Dick, DECKS Evil, and dodges Kanemaru!
Yoh runs to FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up with Yoh and he goes back to Kanemaru. Yoh scoops, SLAMS, then ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO and KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru survives Yoh’s triple hit combo, but Yoh reels Kanemaru in for a suplex. Kanemaru slips free, pulls hair, but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs buit inot a cheap shot from Evil! Kanemaru DROPKICKS the legs out! Tag to Evil, he and Kanemaru DOUBLE SMASH the knees! Evil kicks Yoh around, runs, but Yano gets a cheap shot in! Yoh DROPKICKS Evil’s legs out! The fans rally, Yoh hot tags Yano!
Yano goes right to the open corner! Yano takes off the buckle pad, then whips Evil. Evil reverses, Yano stops short. Yano then dodges, Evil stops short, and Yano says darn it. Yano runs in but Evil dodges, Yano hits bare buckles! Yano falls, Evil has the ref check Wato, and then Evil CHOKES Yano using his shirt! The fans boo, Hontai protests, but then Dick DECKS Wato! The House whips Yano to the safe corner, Dick runs in and ELBOWS! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Evil LARIATS! They snapmare Yano, Yujiro distracts the ref, and Dick mocks the “Y T R!” before the DICK CHOP! The fans boo but Evil covers, TWO!
Evil is upset but the fans cheer as Yano survives. Evil says fine, he’ll just end this himself! Evil drags Yano up, but Yano slips free of the STO! Yano shoves Evil at the ref, but Evil spots Yano before the low blow! The fans cheer the standoff, but Yano tries a kick. Evil blocks the kick, hands it to the ref, and then mule kicks! Evil whips, but Yano reverses to THROW Evil down by his hair! The fans fire up as both men crawl, hot tags to Wato and Dick! Wato dodges to fire off forearms! Wato whips, Dick avoids the dropkick, and Dick stomps Wato down. Dick drags Wato up, calls his shot and whips, but Wato avoids the lariat!
Wato shoves Dick to the corner, ELBOW! Yoh jumps in, DRIVE IN MOTION! Then a DOUBLE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Yoh and Wato roar! They get Dick up, but Dick avoids the High-Low! Dick shoves Yoh into Wato, jackknife bridges Wato, but Yoh breaks it up! Then they get Dick up, but Dick slips around! Dick shoves Yoh at the ref, then winds up, but Yoh BLOCKS the low blow! The fans cheer as Wato then sunset flips! Dick stays up, Yoh SUPERKICKS him into the cover! TWO, but into VENDEVALL!! Dick endures, but Evil YANKS the ref out! The fans boo but then Kanemaru STOMPS Wato!
Yano runs up but Kanemaru DECKS him! Kanemaru TOSSES Wato, and Evil has a chair! But then Wolf steps up! Evil tells him to back off, he’s just a Young Lion here! Evil JAMS Wato, but then Wolf shields Wato! so Evil SMACKS Wolf for it! But then Yoh LOW BLOWS Evil! And he shoves Kanemaru into Dick! DOUBLE LOW BLOW! Yoh uses WHISKEY MIST!! He CRACKS Yujiro for good measure, and Wato SPRINGBOARD UPPERCUTS Dick! Then RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO, into VENDEVAL!!! Dick endures as Wato thrashes about! DICK QUITS, HONTAI WINS!
Winners: Yoh, Master Wato & Toru Yano, by submission (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)
The House of Torture tried to stack the deck, but Aaron Wolf was the trump card up the proverbial sleeve! Will Evil look to make Wolf’s career a living Hell soon enough? Or will there be justice served in the NEVER Openweight Division?
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuto-Ice!
The Ace had his Final Homecoming, but he fell short of winning the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. But as Tanahashi’s Final Road passes through Anjo on the way to Tokyo Dome, another man from Gifu wants his shot! Is Nakashima’s Ambition getting him in over his head? Or will it be Ice High over the High Fly Flow?
Tanahashi shows off the abs and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Yuto and Tanahashi step up, the fans strongly behind “TA-NA-H’SHI! TA-NA-H’SHI!” Yuto fires the first forearm! Tanahashi fires back, and they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, harder and harder, and Yuto just fires up for it! The shots keep going, but then Tanahashi gets the edge. Yuto comes back to BOOT Tanahashi down! The fans applaud, and Yuto storms up as Tanahashi goes to ropes. Yuto fires forearm after forearm in the corner but Red Shoes counts. Yuto HAMMERS Tanahashi until he’s seated, then he backs off.
Yuto argues with Red Shoes while the fans rally. Yuto runs up, only for Tanahashi to ELBOW him away! Then Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Down goes Yuto and the fans cheer for the air guitar! Tanahashi “throws the guitar” to the fans, but then Yuto CLOBBERS him from behind! Tanahashi bails out, Yuto pursues, and Yuto fires hands! Yuto whips Tanahashi hard into railing! Yuto storms up on Tanahashi, brings him around, and he SMACKS Tanahashi off the apron! The fans rally, but Yuto whips again! Only for Tanahashi to reverse! Yuto hits railing, but he comes back to BOOT Tanahashi down!
The fans rally but Yuto looms over Tanahashi. Yuto drags Tanahashi up, puts him in the ring, and he gets space. Yuto runs back up and KNEE LIFTS Tanahashi into the ring! The fans are torn but Yuto has a smirk on his face as he swaggers back over. Yuto steps into the ring, stomps Tanahashi down, then kicks Tanahashi around. Yuto eggs Tanahashi on while he scuffs him in the face. Yuto then KNEES low, snapmares Tanahashi, and KICKS him in the back! Cover, ONE, and the fans applaud. Yuto sneers, but he brings Tanahashi up to KICK him in the chest! And KICK again! And again! Tanahashi ends up in the corner, and Yuto KICKS again and again!
Tanahashi sits down, Red Shoes reprimands, but Yuto fires up. “BOMBACLAT!” and DOUBLE KNEES! Tanahashi flops over, Yuto kicks him to center then has a cocky cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Tanahashi stays in this, and a chant of “GO ACE!” begins. Yuto paces around Tanahashi, then kicks him around. Tanahashi snarls as he sits up, but Yuto KICKS him! Yuto pie faces Tanahashi, but Tanahashi comes back to ROCK Yuto! And ROCK him again! And again! The fans rally, Tanahashi fires more shots, but Yuto KNEES low! Yuto puts Tanahashi on the ropes, whips him to ropes, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS!
The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he looms over Yuto. Tanahashi brings Yuto up, fires the signature Tanahashi strike fest, and he backs Yuto down to a corner. Tanahashi scoops to SLAM! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up and SUNSET SENTONS! Yuto sputters from that solid landing, Tanahashi covers, TWO! The fans rally as Tanahashi waits on Yuto. Tanahashi runs, but Yuto follows to ROCK him! Yuto runs, but Tanahashi DROPKICKS the leg! Yuto kicks, but Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi drags Yuto by his legs, ties them up, but Yuto has the ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go, but he stomps Yuto right after.
The fans rally as Tanahashi stomps Yuto more. Tanahashi stands Yuto up, but Yuto breaks free! DRAGON PALM and Yuto falls! The fans rally behind Tanahashi as he drags Yuto back up. Tanahashi half nelsons, full nelsons, but Yuto CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands but Yuto is still free, and he LARIATS Tanahashi down! Yuto snarls again as he goes back to Tanahashi. Yuto stands over Tanahashi, then rains down PALM STRIKE after PALM STRIKE! Yuto stomps Tanahashi for good measure, but then Tanahashi gets right up! Tanahashi HEADBUTTS Yuto! Yuto drops to his knees, but Tanahashi HEABDUTTS again!
Yuto said he wanted Tanahashi’s scary side, so here it is! Tanahashi stalks Yuto to the corner, and HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Yuto sits down, but Tanahashi stands him back up, for more HEADBUTTS! Then a DRAGON PALM! Red Shoes reprimands but Tanahashi steps back. Tanahashi stands Yuto up, Yuto pushes free, but Tanahashi blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Yuto shouts in pain as he leans against the ropes! Tanahashi trips Yuto, to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then he has the leg again, REVERSE GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuto writhes but Tanahashi ties the legs up, for the TEXAS CLOVERHOLD!
Yuto endures as Tanahashi puts on the pressure! The fans rally but Yuto fights forward! Yuto military crawls but Tanahashi bends him back! The fans fire up as Tanahashi sits deep on the hold! Yuto is still fighting, still clawing, still crawling! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Tanahashi lets go. Tanahashi fires up and wants Yuto to rise. Yuto does stand, into the SLING- NO, Yuto dodges to AMBITION RIGHT!! Yuto runs, ICE HIGH!! Cover, TWO!?! Tanahashi survives but Yuto roars! The fans fire up and Yuto goes to a corner! Yuto reloads the leg while Tanahashi slowly rises. Yuto runs in again, ICE- SLINGBLADE!!
The fans fire up and Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi climbs the corner and aims at Yuto, HIGH FLY FLOW, but onto knees! Yuto saves himself, though maybe a little double-edged. Yuto still loads up again, and as Tanahashi sits up, BLINDSIDE CRUELLA!! But Yuto’s bad leg won’t let him cover! The fans rally harder and harder while both men are down! Yuto and Tanahashi rise up, and they crawl over to each other. They’re forehead to forehead, then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, harder and harder, then faster and faster! Yuto bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP, SLAP, SLAP! And then again to SLAP!!
Tanahashi wobbles, Yuto winds up, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Anjo is thunderous! Yuto roars as he vows to end this now! Yuto drags Tanahashi but Tanahashi is a ragdoll! Red Shoes checks but Yuto just reaches down, only for Tanahashi to cradle! TWO, and Yuto BOOTS! Yuto runs, into a LARIAT! Tanahashi rarely uses a lariat but he still aces that one! Tanahashi then runs the ropes, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Yuto survives but Tanahashi fires up again! Tanahashi climbs, aims, and HIGH FLY FLOW!! Direct hit and Tanahashi covers, TWO!! Yuto survives and the fans are thunderous again!
Tanahashi just goes right back up, but Yuto stands! So he takes a HIGH FLY ATTACK! Tanahashi reloads again and the fans fire up! HIGH! FLY! FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
Yuto-Ice couldn’t freeze out The Ace, and now he’s the one who needs the icepacks. But with everything he showed here against one of the best ever, is that all a sign Yuto Nakashima will be one of the best yet?
As for Tanahashi, he shows respect to the ambitious Yuto-Ice, and that alone means a lot to Nakashima. Oskar is there to help Yuto to the back, and Tanahashi gets the mic. “NJPW has returned to Anjo!” The fans cheer that, and Tanahashi thanks everyone for being here. “There’s not much time left for me as a wrestler, so I’m glad I could come to Anjo. I’ll do my best to the end!” Tanahashi wants to leave it at that, but the fans cheer him on, so he of course gives us the air guitar concert! But he needs his air guitar first, so Murashima tosses him one! Big pass, and Tanahashi makes the catch! The fans cheer, and the concert begins!
The fans cheer, Tanahashi “throws the guitar” to the fans, but they want an encore! Tanahashi says okay, is there another guitar? Matsumoto finds one now, and he makes an even bigger throw! Tanahashi catches it, and “LASTO!” The fans cheer on the encore, and Tanahashi of course “smashes” the guitar. Tanahashi “clears the ring” and the fans cheer for even more! Tanahashi looks to the fans, they throw one to him, and we get a special Anjo encore! The fans cheer again, and Tanahashi “falls over.” Tanahashi carefully tosses this guitar back to the fan and the crowd cheers. Tanahashi takes the mic to say, “I’m not tired. Let me say that- I’ve never been tired. So I’ll give it my all to the end!”
Tanahashi then promises that from here to the Tokyo Dome, “ANJO…! AISHITEMAAASU~!” BUT THEN A COIN DROPS?! The fans all go nuts because yes, THE RAINMAKER returns to NJPW! And Gedo is with him! A blast from the past right here in his hometown, on HIS birthday! Talk about a Rainmaker Shock. But Okada goes right to the ring and once again stands face to face with his greatest rival. The fans cheer while he grabs the mic, and Okada says, “Tanahashi-san. Congratulations on your retirement. And also, thank you for all your hard work.” The fans do applaud that.
Okada takes a moment before saying, “On January 4th, 2026… If you’d like, I will be your final opponent.” The fans are all fired up for that! Okada adds, “So don’t get tired until then, ya bastard!” Okada then adds that for now, he’ll let Gedo speak. The fans cheer the nostalgia trip, and Okada hands the mic to Gedo. “If the Rainmaker is here, it’ll be the best of all retirements. You know why?” The fans cheer the old line, and Gedo says, “He’s on a whole other level, ya bastards!” The fans cheer again, and Gedo says, “The rain will fall on Wrestle Kingdom 20 in the Tokyo Dome!” Okada strikes his signature pose, but so does Tanahashi!
The fans cheer as The Sun of NJPW and the Rainmaker will truly have one more clash, and it will truly be the final chapter in this storied rivalry! Will The Ace go out on top? Or will it be less a Rainmaker Shock as a Rainmaker Farewell? Okada & Gedo leave, so Tanahashi picks the mic back up. Tanahashi knows they already did this, but how about they do it again? “ANJO…! AISHITEMAAASU~!” The fans cheer, and Tanahashi has his final destination. What will happen on the most historic WrestleKingdom ever?
My Thoughts:
A great New Japan Road event, even with it still mostly tune-ups and filler. Taiji calling out Douki for the Junior Heavyweight title, and then having Desperado and Fujita join in on that was great. That Fatal 4 Way Contender’s match will be great stuff, Sho clearly trying to be Douki’s way out, but I bet Sho takes the loss to whoever will challenge Douki at WrestleKingdom. Douki also might end up in double duty territory unless they choose contenders to face #Shouki in what time we have left before World Tag League.
Great NEVER Six Man title match, especially with Hontai getting on over on The House of Torture with some help from Aaron Wolf. Pretty sure Evil VS Wolf is going to be a thing, but probably not for the NEVER Openweight Championship. That might be too much for a debuting name like Wolf, who is only now making the jump from judo to pro-wrestling. But also, what a great way to shake things up if he went right past Young Lion to established talent. Great stuff in Ace VS Ice, and as I said last week, this was of course Tanahashi’s rebound win after losing to Yota Tsuji. But Yuto really did have a great showing, this means a lot for him going forward.
Okada showing up was an awesome surprise, and it was a lot of fun seeing Gedo in the throwback bandana and all that. Tanahashi VS Okada: One Last Time is definitely the right move for Tanahashi’s retirement, even with Okada out of NJPW and a champion in AEW. Who knows, by January, Okada might actually drop the Unified Championship to Takeshita or something. Tanahashi losing his retirement match would be tradition, but it’s not like Okada would be hurt losing to one of the best ever. Plus, WrestleKingdom 20 is a historic milestone, it should have a historic and celebratory moment to punctuate it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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