Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (3/25/24)
LOOK IN MY EYES~!
What do you see~? CM Punk on your TV!
With Monday Night Raw coming to Chicago, it was only natural that CM Punk would be here! What will he have to say this close to WrestleMania?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ricochet VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio; Ricochet wins.
- Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell VS Ivy Nile; Candice wins.
- The New Day VS #DIY; No Contest.
- Andrade VS Giovanni Vinci; Andrade wins.
- Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed; Bronson wins.
- Jey Uso VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Jey wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
Chicago fires up for the American Nightmare and sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets both rounds of pyro, then steps into the ring. The fans cheer in him and he revels in it a moment before saying, “So, Chicago…! What do you wanna talk about? I mean, I could say nothing. You get it, right? We’re in that final, awkward two weeks before WrestleMania where the time for talk is really over, the time for action has arisen, the wagon is in the barn. Last week on SmackDown, well even before SmackDown, in his media rounds, Roman Reigns…” The fans boo here. “Roman Reigns said a lot, particularly on my friend, Pat McAfee’s show. Let’s hear it for Pat.” The fans cheer here.
Cody says there’s 15 THOUSAND here, let’s hear it for Pat! The fans cheer more, and Cody has them dial it back, it’s just Pat. What about Michael Cole? The fans cheer for Cole, and Cody says see, that awkward two weeks. There are people freaking out backstage, Cody isn’t sure where they’re going with this. Oh, right, Roman Reigns. The fans boo again. Cody says yes, Roman Reigns, he referred to Cody as a politician. The fans chant “Roman Sucks! Roman Sucks!” Cody continues by saying Roman would double down in their face-to-face and say Cody’s been making promises he cannot keep, and that got under Cody’s skin.
The reason being: this city more than any other that when Cody makes a promise, he absolutely, 100% keeps it! The fans are all in on that! Cody says there was a unique ask. A man last night used a sign to ask Cody if he’d be the best man and the guy’s wedding. So explain that to Cody’s wife: Cody is going to this guy, Anthony’s wedding, and paying for the bachelor party. Honey, who is Anthony? No idea. But he’s still doing it! A little boy named Hudson is having a birthday party, asked if The American Nightmare would be there, and Cody said absolutely!
The Wrestling Club, men and women just wanting to attend WrestleMania, both nights. Cody says this and asks for nothing in return. The reason Cody does what he does is lost on Roman Reigns. Roman thinks it is desperation. Maybe it should be, as this is Cody’s final crack at the Universal Championship. But it isn’t desperation. Cody dresses how he dresses, talks how he talks, walks how he walks and spends all this time for a simple reason. He pretends to be the champion because the champion isn’t here! The fans fire up and chant for Cody again.
Cody says he has filled the air, filled the ring with positive platitudes. He clearly respects The Tribal Chief. But make no mistake, Cody is fully aware that Roman Reigns is the man who screwed Cody out of the biggest dream he’s ever had in his life last year at WrestleMania. So while Cody respects Roman, please understand that he also hates Roman’s guts! And it is totally fine if Roman hates Cody, too. It is Cody’s fault that Roman and his cousin can’t have this “wank fest” they were hoping to have at Mania. And it is pretty simple: It is Cody’s fault because he won the Royal Rumble! Not once, but twice!
Now, everyone knows the winner of the Rumble points at the sign. And if Cody has learned anything, pointing at that sign, WrestleMania 39 and now WrestleMania 40, Cody cannot do it alone. He said he’d ask for nothing back but this time, he is. April 6th, the biggest tag match in WWE history, Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins VS Roman Reigns & The Rock, will you, the fans, ride with him? The fans cheer yes! Cody says on April 7th, hopefully what will be a fair fight with Roman Reigns, will the fans fight with him? The fans cheer yes again! Then how about we have a little moment here with 15 thousand strong.
If Cody is going to point at the WrestleMania sign, please point along with him. Cody looks around and asks if they’re ready. The fans cheer, and Cody points. Everyone points with him! And pointing at the sign means just what Cody said: WrestleMania 40, two main events, defeating The Final Boss, defeating- WAIT! The Rock is here tonight!? The Final Boss promised he’d be here on April 1st but maybe that was the prank all along! Chicago can’t believe it, but The Rock, in another Versace vest, goes right to the ring. The Rock hits his pose on the corner, then steps inside. The Rock walks past Cody to pose on another corner.
The Rock then paces around Cody, and the fans are torn between cheers and jeers. The Rock stares Cody down, the fans start losing their minds, and then they calm down as the stare down continues. “This is Awesome!” as The Rock and Cody continue to stand still. The Rock finally steps forward, and now Chicago chants for “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” The Rock then holds his hands out to his side, showing that he comes in peace. He even puts his hands behind his back before stepping closer. The stare down intensifies and The Rock says something without a mic. Fans want to know what he said, but then The Rock steps away.
Cody seems confused, and then The Rock exits the ring. Fans boo, hoping there was more to this surprise than just the surprise. Cody’s confusion shifts to frustration but The Rock just goes up the ramp to take his leave. The fans chant “ROCKY SUCKS! ROCKY SUCKS!” but The Rock just smirks and chuckles. The Final Boss exits to the back, but just what was this visit about?
Backstage interview with The Rock.
Jackie Redmond waves him down and asks what we all want to know: What exactly did he just say to Cody out there? The Rock says to go ask Cody. The Rock continues making his exit, will we be able to get an answer out of Cody?
The Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.
Priest is throwing darts with Finn while Rhea & Dom talk. Rhea gets it, Dom has unfinished business with his dad, but he could’ve told them his plan. Rhea would’ve loved to join in. Plus, communication is key. Dom says Mami’s right, sorry. Won’t happen again. Priest says cool, and now to the business at hand tonight. JD, you better handle Ricochet like they know he can. Finn is sick and tired of JD & Dom being made to look like fools against that clown! Priest has Finn calm down, and they trust JD will take care of things. Priest also has a plan for how the odds can be in their favor at WrestleMania. Finn loves it!
JD says no worries, he’s got Ricochet’s number tonight. Rhea says just win. Please? Dom assures Rhea that he will make sure things go their way. Good. They all fist bump and the boys head out.
Ricochet VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!
The One and Only is currently 2-0 with Judgment Day, having beat The Prodigal Son 1v1 then beating the Necessary Evil at the start of the Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Gauntlet. Will it be a hattrick for the human highlight reel? Or will the King of Flight fail to trump the Irish Ace?
The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Ricochet puts JD on ropes but JD turns things around. The ref counts, separates the two, and the fans chant “DOM, YOU SUCK!” Ricochet gets distracted by Dom and JD sucker punches him! JD brings Ricochet up to whip, then he ELBOWS Ricochet down! Dom cheers, the fans boo, and JD lifts Ricochet up. JD back suplexes but Ricochet lands on his feet! Ricochet rolls off JD’s back, rolls under then handsprings back to headscissor! Kip up and DROPKICK!
JD tumbles outside, Ricochet builds speed, but he fakes JD out with the handspring! Then he FLIES the other way! Direct hit and the fans fire up! Ricochet is feeling it as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and JD has Ricochet in a corner. JD RAMS into Ricochet, stands him up, and the fans rally for Ricochet as JD CHOPS! Ricochet fires forearms in return! Ricochet runs, but JD kitchen sink knees! The fans boo but JD clamps on a rear bearhug! Ricochet endures the squeeze, throws elbows, then reaches out, tot he ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, JD holds on, but Ricochet fires elbows! JD lets go, Ricochet swings, but into an URENAGE! STANDING MOONSAULT FLOPS as Ricochet moves! The fans fire up and Ricochet dodges a haymaker to handspring and BACK ELBOW! Both men are down but Chicago rallies up!
JD goes to ropes, Ricochet stands, and JD swings! Ricochet blocks, fires shots in return then a JUMP KNEE! JD goes to a corner, Ricochet runs corner to corner, but JD puts him on the apron! Ricochet RAMS into JD, springboards and FLYING LARIATS! The fans fire up for the STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this, but Ricochet stays cool. Ricochet waits on JD to rise, the fans rally behind him, and JD stands. Ricochet fireman’s carries, pop-up, but JD blocks the kick! JD stands Ricochet up but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS then ENZIGIRIS! Ricochet runs, into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!
JD hurries to suplex, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives and Dom is beside himself! JD goes to ropes, Dom coaches him up, but the fans rally for Ricochet. JD storms back up on Ricochet, drags him up, and puts him in a corner. JD puts Ricochet up top, CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! JD climbs up after Ricochet now, but Ricochet fights the clinch! Ricochet CLUBS JD again and again, then adjusts his position. SUPER POISON-RANA!! Ricochet fired up, he runs in, RECOIL!! Cover, Dom helps with the ropebreak!! The fans boo as Dom saves JD! Ricochet is mad at Dom but Dom gets away.
Ricochet hurries to springboard and 450Â onto knees!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and the fans are thunderous as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Ricochet trades forearms with JD. Ricochet BOOTS JD, but JD ducks the heel kick to DISCUS LARIAT! JD reels Ricochet in to SITOUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Ricochet stays in this! JD is beside himself, but Dom coaches him back up. JD has an arm, but Ricochet ROCKS JD first! JD kicks Ricochet, Ricochet fires SLAP after SLAP, but JD fires Kawada Kicks! Ripcord, but DESTROYER!! Ricochet turns things around on JD and he hurries up a corner! The fans are thunderous ag Ricochet climbs! Dom panics, he gets on the apron! The ref tells him to stop!
The fans boo, but Dom SLAPS the ropes to trip Ricochet! The ref says that was blatant, so he EJECTS Dom! The fans fire up as Dom gets what he deserves! JD panics now, but he hurries to go after Ricochet! But Ricochet shoves him back down! SHOOTING STAR CROSSBODY!!! Cover, Ricochet wins!!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
Dom tried to screw Ricochet over but he just gave Ricochet the highlight of the night! Now that he’s 3-0, does The One and Only just have Judgment Day’s number?
CM Punk is here!
Chicago’s own gets a warm welcome as he steps out on stage in the Allstate Arena. His arm is in a brace, but he’s still able to check and say, “It’s Clobbering Time!” Punk also high fives and shakes hands on his way down the ramp and around the ring. Punk gets a mic then stands on top of the desk! The fans cheer, then Punk hops down to get in the ring. “Oh, I gotta lot of things I wanna say and a lot of business I gotta get to, but before that, is it good to be alive in Chicago on a Monday night or what?” The fans cheer that! Punk continues by saying everyone is asking Punk if he’s gonna be at WrestleMania. The short answer is: YES!
Punk says everyone is asking how his elbow is doing. Not great, not 100%. Not medically cleared, but dammit, his mouth works. We’re not on Netflix yet, April knows what he’s talking about. But not only are people asking if he’ll be at Mania, but people have suggestions. Is he gonna host it? Who knows. Ten years ago, he would’ve thought hosting Mania was beneath him. But he wants to be in front of the fans, he wishes Mania was in Chicago. Hint hint. But people say Punk’s great in the ring, on the mic, at commentary, why not be a referee? He thought, “Hmm… Is there a title match that maybe needs the ‘most impartial’ referee?” Who knows.
But is seems people also talk about him. A lot of people talk about him. Even if they hate him, they certainly need to talk about him. Pat McAfee! You got a little program, right? Punk apologizes for not being a regular listener, but he had a guest on that show by the name of Roman Reigns. Fans boo Roman again, as they did earlier. Punk sat back and thought why did Roman need to bring little ol’ one-armed Punk up? Roman earned that right, Punk respects him for it. But Punk has a feeling that him coming back and climbing his way up, while Roman’s on the way back down, they’ll see each other soon.
Another guy that likes to talk about Punk is Seth Rollins. Fans are torn here but Punk says they go way back. They don’t see eye to eye, mostly because Rollins wears high heels now and has somehow found a way to make himself taller than Punk. But LOL’ing that Punk hurt his arm paying the price of being a pro-wrestler since he was 15 years old, maybe Rollins has earned that right. Though coming from someone with two bad knees, that’s funny. Someone who has NOT talked about Punk, not a word, is The Rock. Maybe because 10 years ago, The Rock remembers coming face to face with The Second City Saint, and realizing his arms were just too short to box with God!
The fans fire up remembering back to those days. Punk says, “Then there’s Drew McIntyre.” Punk hasn’t said a word, because he doesn’t perpetually live on the internet. Punk handles business live and in living color! Because when you’ve got a problem in Chicago, you handle it face to face like a man! Well speak of the Scottish Terminator, and here he comes! Punk tells them to turn off that stupid song off, no one wants to listen to it! The fans cheer that! Punk says he ain’t medically cleared but he ain’t looking for a match, so McIntyre should get his b*tch ass in here! Fans chant “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” for that one.
McIntyre says he would love to get into that ring and beat Punk’s arse, but doesn’t he remember what happened the last time? McIntyre stomped that stupid little arm because Punk deserved it. McIntyre prayed for this, and it happened. Punk asks if McIntyre is really the Scottish Psychopath in a kilt, or just a troll in a skirt? Let’s find out! McIntyre says this is 2024, you could get canceled for talking like that. But no, tonight is perfect. McIntyre couldn’t have prayed for better. Punk is in the ring, hurt, we’re less than two weeks to Mania, we’re in Chicago, McIntyre is in the World Heavyweight Championship match. This is divine intervention!
McIntyre realizes he’s wearing the shirt, this was bad manners. McIntyre shows off that first on the checklist that’s on the back is “Injure CM Punk.” Punk tells McIntyre that he never had to put another man’s name on a shirt just to sell it! McIntyre takes off that shirt to show off his other shirt, the tombstone meme. McIntyre says that was a struggle because of his big biceps, something else Punk’s never had. McIntyre then gets on the desk so everyone can see him. McIntyre the most ironic thing about this: Punk is straight edge. Never drinking, never doing drugs, yet he spends all his time in rehab.
McIntyre sees in Punk’s eyes that he doesn’t like McIntyre. And Punk thinks McIntyre hates Punk like Rollins does. Maybe at one time, McIntyre did hate Punk. And maybe those issues do need resolving. But right now, McIntyre doesn’t hate Punk. Punk completes him! Punk says boo this man, tell him who you paid to see. But McIntyre says no, when he can’t get that last rep using weights Punk could never manage in his prime, that weight magically goes up. In the Elimination Chamber, when McIntyre was the first man up, 30 minutes in, burst eardrum, equilibrium shot, couldn’t possible win, McIntyre thins of Punk and he gets the job done! Punk is his muse!
Punk says he can’t hear a word McIntyre’s saying from way over there. Maybe get in this ring and say it right into Punk’s good ear. C’mon, coward! McIntyre says he’d love to get into the ring, but he knows what Chicagoans are like! Punk probably has a weapon to shank McIntyre with before Mania! Punk rests on the mat, but then McIntyre sits cross-legged. Don’t look up the kilt, pervs. But c’mon, Punk, listen to McIntyre. McIntyre knows Punk wants to be at Mania, so does McIntyre. McIntyre wants Punk to be in the front row. Punk honestly believes he should be in McIntyre’s spot, but he shouldn’t.
People are starting to realize what McIntyre has known all along, and that is that McIntyre has always been The Chosen One! Chosen One?! Who chose you!? Who?! What was that guy’s name?! You got the balls to say that? Then what paragon of virtue chose McIntyre back in the day? It ain’t anyone in Chicago! It ain’t anyone in San Antonio, when they went off the air chanting “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” McIntyre says yes, please, get it all in while you can. Punk’s still gonna be out for months anyway! McIntyre’s all excited, he feels like a fan right now.
But maybe, since McIntyre is on commentary, if Punk wants to be part of the show, and he’s only good at talking, Punk could be guest commentator for the World Heavyweight Championship! Then he’d have to watch as McIntyre finally has his moment when he raises the world title in front of live fans! But wait, here comes THE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins! The fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as Rollins struts his way down to ringside. Rollins steps into the ring with Punk, looks him up and down, then gets a mic for himself. The fans continue to sing as Rollins also looks at McIntyre.
Rollins turns around to stare Punk down, the singing giving way to “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” Rollins then tells Chicago, “Welcome to Monday… Night… Rollins! And now that we’ve firmly established whose show this is, whose show this has been, and whose show this is going to be…” The fans continue to chant “CM PUNK!” “If you two children…” Punk says this may be Rollins’ show but this is HIS city. Rollins says yes, this may be an away game for him, but if Punk and McIntyre are done trying to out troll each other, let’s get to business.
If these morons had even one brain cell between the two of them, they’d know they don’t make decisions in regard to the world title match when you’re NOT in it! Rollins then says since they wanna take everyone’s opinion’s into account aside from the champ’s, why not take a poll of the entire city of Chicago? So, WrestleMania 40, Drew McIntyre VS Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, should Punk be on commentary? Chicago starts chanting “REFEREE! REFEREE!” Punk smiles at that. But Rollins says if you don’t know, the bad arm is his counting arm. Punk then gets down and uses his left arm to count three!
The fans cheer, and Punk says in all fairness, he probably wouldn’t be able to be fair “with these two dip*hits” anyway. McIntyre says keep it PG, Punk. Rollins is amused and the fans continue to chant for Punk. Rollins says you wanna know what he thinks? Nope. Oh, well, that’s ironic. Because Rollins doesn’t think about Punk. In fact, Punk hasn’t crossed Rollins’ mind since the last time they were in this ring together. Rollins doesn’t give a damn about Punk. If Punk wants to be on commentary, a referee, it doesn’t matter! But the irony is, Punk talks about everyone needing him, but the fact is… Punk needs Rollins to have a WrestleMania moment.
Commentary is great to Rollins, as the irony of Punk narrating Rollins’ finest hour is not lost on Rollins. And truthfully, the way things are going for Punk, that’s about as close to a world title as Punk’s gonna get again. So look, Punk can do whatever he wants at Mania, but the one thing Rollins needs him to know and to do… is stay out of Rollins’ way. Punk nods and says okay, it is decided. Punk will put some cans on, sit with Michael Cole and the Cole Miners, and even Pat, do some commentary.
And Punk will guarantee, he will do something that McIntyre, with the lipstick on his boots, polish in his beard and that stupid sword, and something that Rollins, with his bellbottoms, his world title, his wife, and Punk’s ten year absence could never do: Make these two interesting! Now hit the music! Cult of Personality plays, Punk takes his exit, but McIntyre says no, Punk doesn’t get the last word! He’s not even in the match! McIntyre says the only thing he is obsessed with is the title! Punk is obsessed with McIntyre because McIntyre is living the dream! Punk is McIntyre’s biggest stan, write him back just to chill. Truly yours, This is Phil.
Rollins SUPERKICKS McIntyre! The fans fire up, and Rollins runs up, to CURB STOMP!! McIntyre may have had the last word, but Rollins is the one who sends a message! If Punk is going to be on commentary, will he have to eat his words when The Visionary makes it through Mania? Or will he have to eat his words when the Scottish Terminator stands tall?
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
“Jey Uso gets to go to WrestleMania XL to have his dream match against his brother. It’s unfair. Why? Why does Jey’s dream get to come true? What about Shinsuke Nakamura’s Dream? Tonight, Nakamura is going to turn Jey’s dream into a nightmare!” The King of Strong Style wants to ruin the Road to WrestleMania, but will nothing stop Uso VS Uso from happening?
Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell VS Ivy Nile!
The Poison Pixie has been getting more and more toxic, and the Diamond Pitbull isn’t standing for it anymore! Will Ivy get back at Candice for how she treated Maxxine Dupri? Or will Candice find a way to get through this tiny titan?
The bell rings, the two rush in, and Ivy hits a SPINEBUSTER! Ivy rains down fists on Candice, then runs up to run Candice over! Candice goes to a corner but Ivy runs up to DROPKICK! Ivy then brings Candice around, suplexes, and she holds Candice up! The fans fire up and Candice tries to get free, but Ivy SLAMS her down first! Cover, TWO! Candice flounders to ropes, Ivy runs up, but Candice drop toeholds her onto ropes! Candice dropkicks Ivy to the floor, wants the ring count, but also wants Indi to get involved. Candice distracts the ref, and Indi hesitates. Ivy gets int he ring but Candice hammers away on her!
Candice TOSSES Ivy back out, again distracts the ref, and again wants Indi to get toxic with her! But Maxxine gets on the apron tot ell Candice to stop that. Candice BLASTS Maxxine, then she fakes a knee injury! She blames Maxxine for it! The ref is distracted again, this is Indi’s third chance, but she doesn’t do anything. Ivy runs up but the ref holds her back! Candice then trips Ivy, high stack with feet on the ropes! Candice wins!
Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall
Another win by bending the rules of decency, and Candice celebrates all the way up the ramp! Indi has no idea what to make of this, is Candice losing her way?
The New Day talks with #DIY backstage.
Kofi Kingston wants to know why is it DIY, Do It Yourself, when there’s two of them. It makes no sense! Ciampa laughs that off and says why’re they still The New Day when they’re no longer new. Wait, is that Paul Heyman in the back talking with McIntyre? Anyway, Woods says what’ll be new is DIY at Mania, since they’ve never been good enough to get there before. Gargano says New Day has how many wins at Mania? ZERO! Kofi says tonight is friendly competition, okay? But Mania will be real interesting. Wait, in step The Awesome Truth, with R-Truth sporting the Chicago Sox MLB Legacy title, as made by WWE.
Truth says this is gonna be the best match ever! Yeah, the Six Pack Ladder Match is gonna be something else. No, Truth is talking about tonight. The NEW~ DAY~ VS DX! Truth is so hyped, he told JBL that Miz & Truth are going to join commentary. Miz says it’s McAfee, and Truth says gesundheit. What? Miz tries to explain to Truth that it isn’t JBL, it is McAfee now. Oh so JBL changed his name again? Never mind… Truth is still hyped! Will “DX” be able to do it themselves tonight? Or will the New Day show they’re still as fresh as they were on day one?
The New Day VS #DIY!
Raw returns as these teams are already in the ring, with The Awesome Truth on commentary. Truth asks where JBL’s cowboy hat went, and McAfee tries to explain he’s Pat. Kofi starts against Ciampa, they circle, tie up, and Ciampa headlocks. Kofi tops wristlocks, then spins to a headlock, then spins to a waistlock. Ciampa throws elbows to get free, runs up and CHOPS! The fans rally as Ciampa goes up to MONKEY FLIP, but Kofi flips through to land on his feet! Kofi then dodges and DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Kofi brings Ciampa up to whip, Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges then tags Gargano! Ciampa slides under, CHOPS, and Gargano LARIATS!
Ciampa JAWBREAKERS, Gargano ripcords and Ciampa LARIATS! The fans fire up and Gargano CHOPS Kofi in a corner. Gargano whips, Kofi reverses but Gargano goes up and rolls Kofi to schoolboy, but Kofi ducks the kick to FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO! Kofi keeps on Gargano, HEADBUTTS him to the corner, and Woods says it is time to turn up! The stomping stampede begins! Kofi tags Woods, stomp stomp stomp, then tag back to Kofi. Kofi stomps again, then Woods tags back in. Woods stomps away, then tags back to Kofi. Ciampa runs up, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Ciampa falls into a corner, New Day runs to DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICK!
The fans fire up, and Truth says we’ll be right back with action after this break!
Raw returns again and Ciampa has New Day in corners! He clotheslines Woods, clotheslines Kofi, then back to Woods! Ciampa keeps going, he dodges New Day to DOUBLE LARIAT them down! The fans fire up with Ciampa and he tags in Gargano. Ciampa & Gargano ENZIGIRI-KNEE COMBO on Kofi! Then Woods runs up, but Ciampa catches him! ENZIGIR, FOREARM, and ASSISTED SLICED BREAD! New Day ends up on the apron, Ciampa KNEES them down! Ciampa holds the ropes open for Gargano to DIVE! Down goes New Day! But then JUDGMENT DAY attacks them all!
No Contest
The fans boo and Truth says they’re on commentary, they can’t fight right now! Woods is sent into steps, Finn & JD have Gargano and Kofi int he ring, then Priest CLOBBERS Kofi! And he stomps Gargano! Ciampa gets in to DECK JD! Ciampa fires off on Finn but Priest POSTS Ciampa! The fans want Truth to do something but Finn hits a DDT on Gargano! Dom goes up top to FROG SPLASH! Miz has had enough! Miz and Woods get in to fire hands! Truth says he’s on commentary, he wasn’t gonna fight! FLATLINER for Woods! Miz gets mugged! SOUTH OF HEAVEN for Miz! Then they see Truth and Truth panics! They owe him money!
Truth wants this to go to break but it doesn’t work like that. Finn tells Truth if he wants a break, they’ll break him! Priest puts Truth in the ring! But Truth DECKS Finn! And DECKS Dom! And CALF KICKS JD! And TACKLES Finn! Priest storms in, drags Truth up, and has him right up for the RAZOR’S EDGE!! Priest then drags Truth into position for Finn’s COUP DE GRACE!! Priest’s plan of beating the absolute snot out of Raw’s contenders is a success, but will this really make things easier for them at WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.
Jackie is with the American Nightmare and of course everyone is talking about that moment in the ring with The Rock. The Rock told us to ask Cody for what he said, can Cody share that? Cody apologizes to everyone but it isn’t something Cody would like to repeat. However, it was a promise that The Rock cannot keep. Cody heads out, is nothing going to stop The American Nightmare from finishing his story?
Backstage interview with Gunther.
Cathy Kelley is with the Intercontinental Champion and says in a few moments, we will see Giovanni Vinci face Andrade. But before that, Cathy wants to ask his thoughts on what Sami Zayn said last week, that Gunther is looking in the eyes of the man that will take him down at WrestleMania 40. Gunther says he would’ve answered directly, but Sami then stormed out like a child. So Gunther has thought to it, there isn’t much to say. Those words were empty. Deep down, Sami doesn’t believe he can win. And we’re in Chicago tonight. There are thousands of “shlubby nerds” sitting out there who are just like Sami Zayn. And all of them don’t believe Sami can win, either.
Matter of fact, Gunther doesn’t believe Sami can even beat Bronson Reed tonight. Then will Gunther be out there to watch that match and scout Sami tonight? Gunther chuckles and again says he doesn’t believe Sami will win tonight. Gunther takes his leave, but will he regret underestimating the underdog?
Andrade VS Giovanni Vinci!
El Idolo promises to make this his era, but he’s still gotta prove it. Will this be the first big step towards making WWE tranquilo? Or will Imperium make the mat sacred?
The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, then Vinci pie faces Andrade! So Andrade CHOPS Vinci! Vinci throws hands, CHOPS, and whips, but Andrade reverses. Vinci whips Andrade away but Andrade tranquilos int he ropes! Vinci runs up, but Andrade blocks a kick to CHOP and whip. Vinci reverses, runs up, but is put on the apron! Vinci ROCKS Andrade, springboards in, but into a DROPKICK from Andrade! Vinci bails out, the fans rally up, and Andrade hurries to the corner. Andrade smiles as he climbs, and SUPER MOONSAULTS! A shoutout to his Queen, and Andrade puts Vinci back in.
Andrade goes up the corner again, to MOONSAULT, land on his feet, and MOONSAULT again! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Andrade stalks Vinci. Andrade hauls Vinci up, snap suplexes, Uno Amigo! Andrade brings Vinci up but Vinci throws hands! Vinci suplexes, Andrade lands out but Vinci UPPERCUTS! Vinci runs, into a BOOT! Andrade runs, Vinci follows and CROSSBODIES! Vinci fires up while fans boo, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Vinci has Andrade in a cobra twist. But Andrade powers out to hip toss Vinci away! Andrade ROCKS, CHOPS and CHOPS again! Vinci kicks, Andrade blocks, and DRAGON SCREW! Andrade gets that leg again, another DRAGON SCREW! Andrade runs, CLOBBERS Vinci, then kips up! The fans fire up and Andrade aims as Vinci goes to a corner. Andrade runs corner to corner and back again, CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TWO! Vinci survives but Andrade stays cool. Andrade drags Vinci up, waistlocks, but Vinci throws elbows. Vinci puts Andrade in a corner, blocks a boot and CLOBBERS Andrade!
Vinci hauls Andrade up, reels him in, but Andrade slips out of the bomb! Andrade waistlocks, Vinci fires elbows and a CHOP! Vinci runs, into the boot feint and ELBOW! Underhooks and ANARCHY SUPLEX! Or as Andrade calls it, THE MESSAGE! Cover, Andrade wins!
Winner: Andrade El Idolo, by pinfall
The Message was sent and it was clear! But will anyone heed that message? Or will Andrade make his way to the top of the WWE despite no one listening?
Rhea Ripley heads to the ring!
Chicago fires up as The Women’s World Champion, with Dominik Mysterio by her side, makes her way down the ramp. They step into the ring and fans cheer for “MAMI! MAMI!” as Rhea gets the mic. Rhea tells Dom, “I feel like I’m not getting enough attention.” Fans cheer more, but Rhea says she feels like a certain someone isn’t giving her their full attention. Dom says it’s not him. Rhea says Becky Lynch continues to fight week after week, and honestly, Rhea could’ve gotten Becky’s attention by attacking her. But no, Rhea was being respectful. But now she’s getting impatient! WrestleMania is just around the corner, and don’t you think Becky should be giving Rhea her full attention?
Tell ’em, Dom. Dom takes the mic and fans boo. Dom says Becky- IS HERE! The Man interrupts Dirty Dom since no one wanted to hear him anyway, and Chicago fires up as she heads to the ring. Becky gets in the ring, checks all sides to get the fans cheering, but Rhea just smiles. Becky gets a mic to say “The Man has come around to Chicago!” The fans cheer, and Becky says look at her coming out here when Rhea’s fresh as a daisy. Becky doesn’t have to wait until Rhea’s wrestled a 20 minute match before feeling confident enough to confront her, which is what Rhea’s done the last month now.
But no, no, Rhea, Becky could never do that to Rhea. Because Rhea doesn’t wrestle on TV anymore! Rhea laughs that off and asks, why would she want to compete before the biggest match in her career? Rhea doesn’t have to get in this ring just to get these people’s attention. She could just post a photo or video online, and watch the freaks eat it up! Right, Dom? Exactly. It is that easy for Rhea. Rhea doesn’t have to prove herself again and again, week after week- Becky fakes gagging and says listen to yourself, Rhea! This is the problem! They have very different interpretations of what it is to be a champion.
Rhea thinks all she has to do is post her ass on the internet. But for Becky, it is about busting her ass night in and night out! The fans seem to be of both minds, but Becky says this is the thing: there will always be someone newer and younger, someone hotter. But the long game in this business is skill and merit. And survival! It is how you come back after you are in the muck, when the chips are down, and when you’re not “The Chosen One” anymore. But Rhea hasn’t felt that yet. But at WrestleMania, The Man will give Rhea that experience. Rhea says okay, yeah, Becky’s right. Becky’s been through everything. We get it.
Becky IS a survivor, no one can take that from her. In fact, she reminds Rhea of something! Becky’s a roach! Really hard to kill, but it isn’t impossible. Now while Rhea won’t take it that far, she wants to leave Becky alive to sit on the couch and watch Rhea do what she does, with her daughter calling Rhea “Mami!” The fans fire up now as Becky squares her jaw. Becky tells Rhea this is her one pass. You mention Becky’s daughter again, those will be the last words you ever say. You think that’s just a fun little line you can throw out? It’s not funny! Understand, Becky’s dad never got to meet his granddaughter.
Becky knows her dad was proud of her for everything she’s ever done in this ring, but the one thing he would’ve been most proud of is the mother she’s become! So that might be a joke to you, but that ain’t a joke to her! The fans fire up again but Rhea rolls her eyes. Becky says again that is NOT a joke to her! And Rhea says she didn’t attack out of respect? There is nothing respectful about Rhea! Rhea didn’t attack because she knows when she throws the first punch, there’s no going back. At WrestelMania, neither one of them will ever be th esame gain. The mics drop and the two get face to face. Dom has Rhea stand down and fans boo.
Becky says yeah, hide behind your boy. That’s a first. Dom gets up in Beck’s face now, so Becky DECKS him! Then the hands start flying between Man and Mami! Rhea shoves Becky, BOOTS her down, then POSTS her! Becky falls back and Rhea says you don’t do that to HER Dom! Rhea goes out to help Dom up and they retreat. But Becky runs out to CLOBBER them both!! The fans fire up as Becky and Rhea brawl on the ramp! Refs rush in to stop this, Dom hurries to get Rhea to safety, but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Becky gets free and DECKS Dom again! The brawl resumes and more refs hurry!
Dom again gets up to keep Rhea back but things are explosive to say the least! Who will be standing when they’re finally allowed to have it out?
Chad Gable and Sami Zayn cross paths.
Gable finishes his talk with Maxxine to then talk with Sami. Gable wants to talk about how they ending things last week. Sami says no, there’s nothing to say. Gable said his part, thinking Sami can’t beat Gunther, and that’s his opinion. Gunther feels the same, and that’s his opinion. Gunther even thinks Sami can’t beat Bronson, so tonight is about proving Gunther wrong. Gable says no, it’s not about Gunther. Bronson Reed is who is in front of Sami, and this is what Gunther wants. Gunther wants to ruin Sami’s focus! Sami’s gonna let him? Focus on the task at hand, get your head outta your ass!
Sami stares Gable down, and says yeah, he’s right. WrestleMania is two weeks away, Sami knows what he needs to do tonight. And he appreciates that Gable said it. They shake hands, Sami heads out. But will the Great Liberator be able to avoid the Tsunami? Or will he be crushed by the Colossal Aussie heading his way?
Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed!
Raw returns as Sami makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Sami headlocks, but Bronson picks Sami up. Sami thrashes the hold, the fans sing “Ole~ Ole ole ole~!” Bronson powers out and he runs Sami over! Bronson drags Sami up, HEADBUTTS him, then whips. Sami holds ropes to stop himself, then ELBOWS Bronson away! Sami dodges Bronson, drops down, then hurdles over, to bypass and TOSS Bronson out! The fans fire up and Sami builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit and down goes Bronson! The fans fire up again as Sami stands again. Sami puts Bronson in the ring, then goes to the corner.
Sami climbs, leaps, but Bronson catches him! But Sami fires elbows to get free! Sami CHOPS ROCKS and whips, but Bronson blocks! Bronson whips Sami, Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges but Bronson CLOBBERS him! Bronson stalks Sami, drags him up, and then ROCKS him with a right. Sami leans against ropes, and Bronson CHOPS him! Sami sputters and falls out of the ring, but Bronson goes to the apron! Bronson waits as Sami rises, and then runs to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Sami takes a tumble while Bronson soaks up the heat, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Sami fights up from a facelock. Sami throws body shots, forearms, but Bronson scoops to SLAM! Bronson then runs to ELBOW DROP! Sami sputters, Bronson has a bloody nose, but Bronson stands up and brings Sami around. Bronson whips, Sami KICKS back! Sami runs up, LARAITS, but Bronson stays up! Sami CHOPS, CHOPS and runs, to LARIAT again! Bronson is still standing, so Sami fires more CHOPS! Bronson CHOPS in return! Bronson whips again, Sami goes up and over! Then LARIAT!! Bronson falls and the fans fire up! Sami stands, but wait, Gunther is on stage!
The fans boo as Der Ring General ends up scouting after all. Sami stares Gunther down, but Bronson waistlocks! Sami fires elbows, gets around, but he can’t lift Bronson! Or can he!? Bronson fights with elbows, then HEADBUTTS! Bronson runs in at the corner, but Sami dodges the splash to roll Bronson up! TWO!! Bronson escapes, Sami is frustrated but Gunther smirks. Sami brings Bronson up, kicks low, and clinches. Sami scoops, but falls over under Bronson’s weight! Bronson then kicks Sami, gets him up, ANARCHY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Sami stays in this but Bronson snarls.
The fans rally for Sami as Bronson has him in a corner. Bronson CHOPS, CLUBS and repeat! The ref counts, Bronson puts Sami up top but Sami fires hands! Sami kicks and kicks and kicks, then he reels Bronson in! TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Bronson ends up in a corner! Sami glances at Gunther, runs in, but into a LARIAT! SENTON! Bronson puts Sami in the drop zone and goes up! TSUNAMI!! Cover, Bronson wins!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
Gunther said Sami couldn’t beat Bronson, and his very presence made that a reality! Can Sami win the mind games Gunther is playing? Bronson says he should be the one going to Mania, will this win make sure he’s first in line on the other side?
Jey Uso speaks.
“Okay! C’mon, Shinsuke Nakamura Uce! Huh!? You hating on me, saying my dream match about to become a nightmare. Look! The problem is, you’ve been sleeping on Main Event Jey Uso for way too long. And tonight, you about to get woke, Uce!” But then in steps Solo Sikoa. And Jimmy Uso. Jimmy says, “No Yeet.” The Bloodline leaves, simply giving Jey a warning. Will Jey stay strong going towards Uso VS Uso? Or will the King of Strong Style make his own dreams come true?
Sami Zayn is furious backstage.
Gable finds him and has him calm down. Also we can see Dom talking with Andrade in the background, perhaps working on that recruitment spiel. Sami says he let Gunther get in his head. He knew what Gunther was doing and still let him get in his head! How?! How does Sami let that happen!? With everything at stake, how… Gable says this is what Gunther does, he’s been telling Sami. Gunther plants the seeds of doubt. Gable was in the ring with Sami, Sami showed physicality and resilience. Sami is one of the best Gable’s ever been in the ring with. But with Gunther, it’s about m ore than physicality. It is mental!
Gunther will beat you down again and again with those doubts, and you can’t do that. You wanna make it to the other side of Mania with your hand raised? You need a different approach. And if that’s what Sami wants to talk about, he and Gable can talk. Sami says okay. Is Gable going to help Sami do things the Alpha way?
Rollins finds Jey at gorilla.
Jey’s getting ready for the main event but Rollins says something doesn’t feel right about tonight. Rollins and Cody have Jey’s back if he needs it, but just get that W. They fist bump and Jey says, “YEET!” Main Event Jey heads to the ring, will he be able to handle the King of Strong Style before The Bloodline decides his time is up? We find out, after the break!
Jey Uso VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
Raw returns as Nakamura makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans fire up already. The two tie up, Nakamura puts Jey in a corner, and the ref counts. Jey turns things around, but Nakamura pulls hair! Nakamura swings, Jey dodges and he fires body shots and haymakers! “YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, Nakamura reverses but Jey stops himself to come back and UUPPERCUT! Nakamura bails out, Jey builds speed and he DIVES into a GAMANGIRI! Nakamura runs in to AX KICK Jey down! Nakamura then whips Jey to a corner, but Jey reverses! Jey runs in but Nakamura dodges the splash, and Jey hits post!
Nakamura puts Jey on the top rope, then runs up to TOP SHELF KNEE! Jey is still up there, so Nakamura hushes the fans and runs in to TOP SHELF KNEE again! Jey tumbles to the floor, Nakamura mocks the bounce, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and both men are down. They both stand, Jey blocks a haymaker to fire haymaker! “YEET! YEET! YEET”! Jey pops ‘n’ locks and puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! Jey whips, Nakamura reverses but Jey ducks and mule kicks! Then UPPERCUTS! Then kicks, but Nakamkura blocks! The DRAGON WHIP still hits! Nakamkura falls into a corner, the fans fire up and Jey says “UCE! OH!” HIP- NO, Nakamura dodges the hip attack! Nakamura comes back, blocks boots, puts Jey in ropes and KICKS, to then SLIDING GERMAN! Nakamura hurries in to cover, TWO! Nakamura is frustrated but the fans rally.
Nakamura goes up a corner, takes aim as Jey rises, and FLYING- NO, Jey gets away! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up but Nakamura BLINDSIDE KINSHASAS!! The fans fire up, but then they boo as Jimmy & Solo storm over the barrier! But wait! Cody & Rollins intercept! They brawl with the Bloodline, and Cody brings Jimmy up the ramp! Cody sends Jimmy into the LED boards and then backstage. Meanwhile, Rollins POSTS Solo, then CLOBBERS him over the barrier! Only for McIntyre to attack Rollins! Now Rollins meets POST! And then FUTURE CSHOCK to the floor! The fans chant for Punk but what can he do?
Jey snarls at McIntyre, but Nakamura gets him for a SLEEPER! INVERTED EXPLODER but Jey lands out! SUPERKICK! And SPEAR!! Cover, Jey wins!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
The Bloodline tried to ruin Main Event Jey’s night, but he comes away with a win! Rollins still got got for it, and we see Jimmy and Cody brawling even in the back! Cody ROCKS Jimmy with haymaker after haymaker, then THROWS him into doors! But Solo has caught up! Cody fights Solo, SMACKS him off a table, then rains down fists! But then THE ROCK sucker punches Cody!! The Rock SMACKS Cody off the table! “Look at you now, boy!” The Rock SMACKS Cody off trash cans, then shoves him around. The Rock CHUCKS the can at Cody! You think Rock was just gonna let Cody talk trash!?
The Rock brings Cody around to RAM him into production cases! The Rock dumps a toolbox’s contents all over Cody and continues to say, “Look at you now.” The Rock whips Cody into spare railing! And he chucks another trash can! They spill out into the parking lot in the back and The Rock says this is perfect, Chicago! They were upset The Rock didn’t say anything? He’s got your attention now, doesn’t he? The Rock cusses Chicago out, and he stalks Cody into the rain. The Rock rips Cody’s shirt up, and kicks him around in the puddles. The Rock stands Cody up to ROCK him with another right, and eggs him on.
Cody hobbles and crawls but The Rock just kicks him down. The Rock says he’s the Final Boss. You wanna run your mouth and be a hero? The Rock has Cody against the ledge! The Rock then whips Cody into the side of his own buss! Cody staggers around, and The Rock says just look at your hero now, world. The Rock tells Mama Rhodes to look at her son. The Rock has a special gift for you now, Mama! Another throw into bus! The Rock stomps Cody’s legs, and says this is what happens. The Rock again throws Cody into the Nightmare Express one more time!
The Rock tells the world that if they wanna know why The Rock is the Final Boss, “Did you think for one single, solitary second that The Rock was gonna let this piece of trash talk a bunch of s*it? NO! Not by a long shot! Because at the end of the day, to all you Cody Crybabies, to him, to Mama Rhodes, and to everybody, at the end of the day, it didn’t have to be like this. But it is like this now, because of him, of Cody Rhodes! He stuck his nose in The Rock’s business. Oh, and the prophecy has come true. Look at this.” Cody sits up, forehead bloodied. The Rock DECKS Cody, then looks at the blood on his hand.
The Rock wants Mama Rhodes to watch as he SMACKS Cody off the picture of Pharaoh. And then SLAPS Cody! Mama Rhodes, here is that special gift. The Rock brings out a custom weight belt, but it now has “MAMA RHODES” on it instead! The Rock is a man of his word! He said he’d put Cody’s blood on this belt, and then her tears. The Rock makes sure the cameraman looks at this as The Rock smears Cody’s blood all over the white leather. There’s the blood, and then The Rock brings Cody up. Look at your son, Mama Rhodes! The blood on his face! This is gonna happen at Mania, too! Cody’s blood, on The Rock’s hands.
Cody’s dad talked about hard times, and Cody’s gonna learn about hard times. The Rock will learn you some hard times, for life! This is what happens, MOTHER EFFER, when you mess with The Final Boss! The Rock RAMS Cody into the door of the bus one last time, and lets him fall over. The Rock spits on Cody, then looks to the camera. “Look at your son, Mama Rhodes. It didn’t have to be this way. But now, this is the only way.” Is this how Cody’s story will end at WrestleMania 40?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here, though the major bulk of what was so great was The Rock. He surprised us during Cody’s promo to open the show, and then holy crap everything we just saw to end the show. Cody getting beat down, bloodied, in the rain, like a gritty action movie, was definitely not expected, but it definitely amped things up. At the same time, how can Cody not be winning in the end? The Rock cut a promo aimed at “Mama Rhodes” the entire time, put Cody’s blood on the belt, Cody has to win the Universal Championship belt from Roman. And that is regardless of what happens on Night One in the dream team tag match. Cody will win if it’s fair and square, he will win if it’s Bloodline Rules, because that is what the hero does after facing all this adversity.
On the side of all that, great stuff with Bloodline. Jimmy & Solo showing up wasn’t just to intimidate Jey, they wanted after Jey, too. Great match of Jey VS Nakamura even with that, and with how Cody & Rollins set both men up for taking falls. Heyman talking with McIntyre after that really good promo segment of McIntyre, Rollins & Punk was a great detail in this story, as this HHH Era has been great about doing. Now, there’s still next week, so you can’t say McIntyre standing tall tonight automatically means Rollins wins. Go-home math might not even apply to this feud with Punk now on commentary, and let’s be honest, even Priest still being Mr. MITB is a factor on this title.
As such, great stuff from Judgment Day all night. Great group promo before the great match of Ricochet VS JD, and great win for Ricochet. Great promo from New Day, DIY & Awesome Truth with Truth again being a comedic genius. But then Judgment Day “ruining” the great tag match of New Day VS DIY was of course the move Priest was talking about. They wipe out the Raw field but I wonder if they try to do the same this Friday on SmackDown to at least one of the winners in the little tag tournament that’s going on. Maybe to New Catch Republic since those guys came super close to winning 2v2.
We got an awesome promo segment turned brawl with Rhea, Dom & Becky. That punch to Dom was so good, and kudos to him for taking it. And in relation to Judgment Day, Andrade got a great match out of Vinci and a great win. The match was originally supposed to be against Ivar, commentary said Ivar wasn’t cleared to compete, hopefully it isn’t anything serious for Ivar, he just got going again. Maybe part of this was they didn’t want Andrade beating Ivar, and also that Andrade’s new finisher wouldn’t work on a man as big as Ivar.
Candice VS Ivy went pretty quick but Candice faking the bad leg was very clever, especially with how she didn’t show mercy to Katana’s “bad leg” last week. Indi has to confront Candice and have it out with her, even if it isn’t at Mania or in a kickoff show. I’d also appreciate if there was some connection between this story and DIY, Gargano should also be concerned why Candice is getting like this. Meanwhile, great stuff with Sami, Gable, and Gunther. Good promos, great match from Sami VS Bronson, and it was actually a good move for Sami to lose. Sami is frustrated, but Gable is there to apparently be his coach now, so that’ll be good stuff.
My Score: 9/10
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Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHIÂ FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHASÂ but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKONÂ feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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