Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/22/24)
It’s a golden Raw!
When it comes to becoming champion, you gotta do it yourself!
While DIY challenge Awesome Truth for the World Tag Team Championships, the Raw Women’s Division battle (royal) to be THE Women’s World Champion!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS DIY; Awesome Truth wins and retain the titles.
- The New Day VS Imperium; New Day wins.
- Sheamus VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Sheamus wins.
- Ricochet & Andrade El Idolo VS
Dominik MysterioSantos Escobar & JD McDonagh; Ricochet & Andrade win. - Vacated WWE Women’s World Championship Battle Royal: Becky Lynch wins and is the new WWE Women’s World Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
Michael Cole & Pat McAfee are in the ring!
They welcome us to the show, and note that Rhea Ripley had to vacate her Women’s World Championship last week due to injury. And so in the majestic state of O H I O, this is one of the biggest matches in WWE history! For the fourth time ever, a battle royal will determine a new champion! Nearly every woman on Raw is in this match, and the last one standing will be the BRAND NEW Women’s World Champion! Columbus loves the sound of that, and we get a recap package of Rhea’s emotional departure.
Jey Uso is here!
Columbus is bouncing with the YEET Master, as is Pat, as we’re just weeks away from Backlash and the World Heavyweight Championship match. Jey gets a mic to tell Columbus, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your city~!” Jey continues by saying Backlash is in two weeks. “YEET!” Backlash is in two weeks! “YEET!” So he’s got a lot to prove! “YEET!” To the world! “YEET!” That he is Main Event Jey Uso! “YEET!” Jey has to beat Damian Priest. He has to make sure everything he’s been through was worth it. But wait, here comes Priest! The World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out, without the rest of the Judgment Day, to go right to the ring.
Priest gets a mic as he steps in and tells Jey to take it easy. Whatever Jey thins Priest is here for, he’s wrong. Priest just wants to tell Jey that his whole presentation, the YEET, “Main Event Jey,” that vibe… It suits Jey. Congratulations. The fans applaud the respect shown. Priest then tells Jey that they went to war last year. But Priest wants to talk about one specific night. Priest’s never said this publicly, and Jey will know if he’s lying. But there was one night where Jey whooped Priest’s ass so bad, that Priest then went up to Jey backstage and told him to his face that Jey earned Priest’s respect. That’s why Priest wanted Jey in the Judgment Day.
And then Priest said they were going out and drinks were on him. Now, Priest doesn’t remember much else, but he does remember one: he paid the bill, Jey had that Bloodline good stuff. Jey admits, they needed Uber. And two: Jey said something to Priest that Priest is very proud of. Jey told Priest that they were next. Jey said that “We next, Uce.” Priest stands here now, proud to stand with Jey, because Jey was right. The fans applaud, and Priest says if he’s being honest, Jey was half right. Priest was next. Jey says hey man, you almost had him liking you. But Priest says the world title proves why he’s next. And why he’s the now.
It’s okay, though, Jey. Jey is just the first on a list of many that the machine is going ot feed Priest to make sure this looks good on him. Nothing to be ashamed of! Nothing at all! First to fall, but then first to lead the people. The first to lead the fans all across the world in making sure… they all rise for El Campeon. The fans boo Priest’s arrogance, but then Jey says hold on, hold on. Take it easy, Priest. Come on back, let him holla at you. Priest isn’t sure what Jey can say, but go ahead. Jey asks if that’s all Priest sees him as. As just one of the Usos, huh? Tough talk coming from the leader of the Judgment Day.
But the only reason why Priest is in charge is cuz Rhea’s hurt. By the way, how Mami doing? Tell her he said hi! Hey, champ, y’know what that makes you? Dom Mysterio’s B*TCH!! Priest is mad but Jey says GOTTEE! Yeah, Priest did what he did. He cashed in at Mania, made himself World Heavyweight Champion. But you think they’re just feeding Jeyu to Priest? No, Priest’s getting fed to Jey! Jey’s next! The NEXT World Heavyweight Champion! Ohio, if you rocking with Jey Uso, lemme hear ya say “YEET!” “YEET!!” The fans are fired up with Jey and Priest, but then JD McDonagh runs in! Jey dodges JD, who almost runs into Priest!
Jey takes aim, JD ducks, SUPERKICK hits Priest! Whoops! The Irish Ace messed up and Jey says his bad. Jey leaves, JD apologizes, but will Priest have to handle things himself at Backlash?
“The time draws near…”
“The throne… is calling. The King and Queen… will be crowned.” The champions of tomorrow are forged in combat, and victory will set you on a path to greatness. Future Hall of Famers take their first steps towards immortality, and in May, we begin again! Who will make it through the tournament to seize destiny and don the crowns?
WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS DIY!
The Miz & R-Truth won the Raw Tag Team Championships at Mania, and were gifted the newly minted World Tag Team Championships just last week. However, all the fun could be done for #RegenerationX as they now face off as opponents. Will these titles still be Awesome? Or will Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano finally have gold again?
Raw returns as the champs make their entrance, “What’s Up?” The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who are truly championship material!
The teams sort out and Truth circles with Gargano. The fans rally behind Truth, he high-fives Gargano then they tie up. Truth wrenches, wristlocks, but Gargano rolls, wrenches and wristlocks back. Truth rolls, rolls, rolls, then gets free. Gargano runs up but into an arm-drag! Truth has the armlock, Gargano fights around, and Gargano powers up to arm-drag free! Truth sweeps, covers, ONE! Gargano goes to sweep but Truth jumps it to do the splits! The fans cheer and even Gargano is impressed. They shake hands, reset, and tie up again. Gargano headlocks but Truth powers out. Miz tags in and Awesome Truth DOUBLE HIP TOSS!
Awesome Truth do their secret handshake then DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Cover, ONE!! Miz whips Gargano, Gargano goes up and over to roll Miz, but Miz blocks the kick! Gargano kicks free of the Figure Four, tag to Ciampa! Ciampa runs up, fights the full nelson, and elbows free! Miz sees Ciampa means business, so he runs up! Ciampa dodges to CHOP, forearm, and CHOP! Miz swings, but into a dragon sleeper! Miz turns that around, BACKBREAKER, but Ciampa turns neckbreaker into backslide! TWO, Miz trips Ciampa and steps through! FIGURE FOUR! Ciampa endures as the fans fire up, Gargano DROPKICKS Miz!
Truth runs up to whip but Gargano reverses! Truth tumbles out, Miz TOSSES Gargano! Ciampa rolls Miz! TWO, tag to Gargano! Miz swings, Ciampa dodges and Gargano SLINGSHOT SPEARS! Miz tumbles out, Ciampa shakes out his leg to go after Truth. Gargano PLANCHAS onto Miz, DIY meet around the way to pat themselves on the back and applaud! The fans are torn, but DIY is in control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Truth suplexes Ciampa for a GOURD BUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ciampa and Truth crawl, hot tag to Miz! Miz rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT, then KICK after KICK! Miz fires off in the corner, then goes corner to corner to A-LIST LARIAT! Miz goes to the apron, Gargano runs up but Miz kicks low! APRON DDT! Miz then resets, RAMS into Ciampa, and springboards, into a JUMP KNEE! Cover, TWO! Miz survives but Ciampa keeps his focus. Ciampa drags Miz up, reels him in, but Miz drops under! Miz reaches out, but Ciampa drags him away from the corner! Miz BOOTS Ciampa away, hot tag to Truth!
Truth rallies on DIY! HE dodges Ciampa to shoulder tackle! And shoulder tackle again! Then the SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up for the Cena shoutout as Truth says “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” But Gargano SUPERKICKS him! Ciampa says “SUCK IT!” Kick and underhooks, PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!! Truth survives and DIY can’t believe it! Ciampa BLASTS Miz, then Gargano DIVES to take Miz down! Ciampa gets Truth up, but Truth cradle counters! TWO!! Ciampa escapes, Truth kicks and runs, to SCISSOR- NO, Ciampa dodges! And ROLLING ELBOWS! Down goes the kneepad, Ciampa KNEES Truth down!
Tag to Gargano, and DIY have the corners! Truth sits up, for DIY to MEET IN THE MIDDLE!! Cover, MIZ DRAGS GARGANO OUT!! Ciampa is furious, then hurries out after Miz! But Miz DUMPS Ciampa into the front row! Miz puts Gargano in, Truth crawls over and tags Miz in! Miz swings, Gargano dodges and tilt-o-whirls! Miz stops that but Gargano victory rolls! TWO!! Miz catches Gargano this time, Truth joins in, THE TRUTH-CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, Awesome Truth wins!!
Winners: The Awesome Truth, by pinfall (still WWE World Tag Team Champions)
Miz & Truth manage to hold off DIY in the first defense of these belts, but they also show respect. They shake hands and hug it out, except for Ciampa. Ciampa is understandably frustrated, but will DIY find a way to another shot? Will the Awesome Truth be there to meet them when they do?
The Judgment Day regroups backstage.
JD is upset about what Jey said. He knows that didn’t go as planned, but- Priest stops him there to say there was NO plan. Priest didn’t ask for JD’s help here. Not this week, and not last week. Which JD failed both times, by the way. But Priest got kicked in the face this time! JD apologizes, but then Dom walks in, arm in a sling! And he’s also brought Santos Escobar! Priest asks what is going on here. Dom says he was supposed to have the match alongside JD against Ricochet and Andrade tonight, but he’s a bit banged up. So instead, he asked Santos to return the favor from WrestleMania. Santos will team up with JD, the GMs approved it.
Is there a problem? Yes! But we don’t have a choice, huh? So Santos, do them all a favor and handle this. Santos says Priest has nothing to worry about. Dom apologizes but Priest stops him. Just go out there and handle business! And while they’re at it, just stay out of his. JD says yeah, they’ll handle Judgment Day business. JD wants a fist bump, but Priest refuses. JD and Dom fist bump then heads out with Santos. Is Judgment Day falling apart without Mami on top of things?
Shawn Michaels speaks.
HBK is proud to announce that NXT Battleground is coming to Las Vegas and the UFC Apex! Sunday, June 9th, NXT hits Sin City and this state of the art facility! The partnership under TKO is already making history, but who will reign in NXT for the Summer?
Imperium is here!
Der Ring General returns after his defeat at WrestleMania, flanked by Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci, and they go right to the ring. Kaiser hands Gunther the mic, and Gunther takes a moment before speaking. “I know what you expect me to say up here. Talk about WrestleMania, take some shots at Sami Zayn, but I’m sorry to disappoint you. That’s not what I’m gonna do. See, I took some time away to digest everything that happened, and I wanna say this. For 666 days, I elevated the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship to heights never seen before.” The fans do applaud that.
Gunther says in that process, he became the greatest champion in that title’s history. His name, Der Ring General Gunther, will forever be embedded in the Intercontinental Championship. However, that also means for almost two years, he was walking around here with a big target on his back, the pressure of living up to everyone’s expectations, and his own. That weight has now been lifted. So to Sami Zayn, Gunther wants to thank you. The fans applaud that, too. Gunther says now, he isn’t a target anymore. he is going from being the hunted to being the hunter. He can do whatever he wants.
This is a brand new era, and no matter which brand Gunther is drafted to, he will make sure his name will be embedded in this new era. So therefore, Gunther officially declares his participation in the King of the Ring Tournament! The fans love the sound of that! Gunther says after that, it is up to Gunther to decide which championship he takes next. Whether it is Sami Zayn and Gunther’s IC title, or any other title in the WWE. “But fair warning. As a champion in WWE, you will be targeted, you will be hunted by a challenger that is not only able of winning titles, but is also able to hold on longer to them than anybody else!”
“Already, The General of the Ring, SOON to be the King of the Ring, Der Ring General, GUNTHER!” The fans are fired up with Gunther, will he assume the throne- Wait! The New Day is here! Xavier Woods tells everyone to hold on and sound the alarm. Sound the alarm! Kofi Kingston says Gunther is correct, this is a new era. But what better way to usher in this new era than with ya bois the NEW~ DAY~! See, what you’re looking at is the reigning, defending, King, of the RING~! Woods & Kofi step into the ring, and Woods says Gunther is an USURPER to the throne. A PRETENDER! And he’s not the only one thinking about legacy.
Woods is going to cement his legacy when he becomes a TWO-TIME King of the Ring! Say it again! TWO~ time King of the Ring! Three times for emphasis! TWO~! Gunther says okay, we got it, Clown King. But let’s make it clear. After Gunther wins, he will reestablish the image of that tournament. Then Woods will be remembered as someone who won by accident and pretend to be champion. Oh, champion, huh? The thing Gunther used to be? He lost his gold to Sam Zayn! Where your gold at, Gunther? Kofi & Woods make it a song and the fans join in! Gunther says enough! This is beneath him. Vinci & Kaiser will take care of this.
NO NO NO! Woods & Kofi have faced them enough already. Woods and Gunther will handle their business during King of the Ring. But if his “bump boys” want a match here and now tonight in Columbus, Ohio~! That’s right, COLUMBUS, OHIO~! Then they will gladly beat those cheeks! BECAAAAAUSE~! NEW! DAY ROCKS! The fans fire up, but will Der Ring General’s soldiers finally finish this feud once and for all? Or will Woods & Kofi be building momentum back to the throne?
The New Day VS Imperium!
Raw returns as Kofi circles with Kaiser. They tie up, Kaiser headlocks and grinds the hold. Kofi powers up and headlocks back, but Kaiser powers up and out. Kofi ducks ‘n’ turns hip toss into MONKEY FLIP! Then he DROPKICKS Kaiser down! The fans rally, Kaiser staggers up and Kofi clinches. Kaiser pulls hair, puts Kofi in the corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Kaiser blocks Kofi’s kick and says “NEIN!” UPPERCUT, snapmare, cover, ONE! Kaiser stays between Kofi and Woods. Kaiser bumps Kofi off buckles, tags Vinci, and Imperium mugs Kofi. Vinci brings Kofi around to UPPERCUT!
Kofi goes to a corner, dodges Vinci, then CHOPS back! And CHOPS and CHOPS and then brings Vinci around. Tag to Woods, Kofi wrenches and Woods goes up, to AX HANDLE the arm! Woods wrenches, CLUBS the arm again and again, then tags Kofi. Whip into Kofi’s shoulder, then roll up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Kofi whips, Vinci BOOTS back and Kaiser tags in. Imperium POSTS Kofi, then they run to DOUBLE DROPKICK at the corner! Imperium soaks up the heat, Kaiser digs his boot in, but lets off as the ref counts. The fans rally for “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Kofi throws body shots then JAWBREAKERS!
Kofi reaches but Kaiser keeps him from Woods! Kaiser reaches out to tag Vinci, but Kofi TOSSES Kaiser! Kofi ROCKS Vinci, but Kaiser returns, HIGH LOW!! Then they CLOBBER Woods! Cover, TWO! The fans boo but Gunther is still impressed as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kaiser drags Kofi up by his hair. Kaiser clinches but Kofi fights free. Kofi fires body shots, haymakers, then forearms! Kofi reaches out but Kaiser keeps him from Woods! Kaiser whips, Kofi goes up and up and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kaiser and Kofi crawl, hot tags to Woods and Vinci! Woods rallies on Vinci with big LARIATS! Woods whips, LEG LARIATS, then whips again. Vinci reverses, but Woods tilt-o-whirls and brings Vinci in to suplex! Gunther is annoyed as Woods BLASTS Kaiser! Woods drop toeholds Vinci onto ropes, then runs to SLIDING ATTACK! Woods even hits Kaiser as part of it!
Woods hurries back up, step-in DDT! Cover, TWO! Vinci stays in this but Woods stays cool. Woods brings Vinci up to CHOP! Tag to Kofi, New Day double whips but Vinci KICKS Woods down! Kofi kicks, Vinci blocks for a short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Kofi stays in this and Gunther grows further annoyed. Kaiser gets in, goes up, and Vinci hauls Kofi up. But Woods SHOVES Kaiser down, and bomb becomes RANA! Kofi then clotheslines Kaiser up and out! Woods aims, and he FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES Kaiser! Kofi BOOTS Vinci, tags Woods, and they get Vinci up! UP UP, DOWN DOWN! Cover, New Day wins!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall
Der Ring General is rather beside himself. In fact, he CHUCKS his armchair away! Gunther is very disappointed in Kaiser & Vinci, but will he just have to take his frustrations out on whoever is in his way during the King of the Ring Tournament?
As for Kaiser & Vinci, Kaiser does his best to encourage Vinci and help him up to his feet. They leave together, having been left behind by Gunther. The Draft is coming, will these two be able to stick together like always? OH NO! Kaiser RAMS Vinci into the LED boards! The Impeccable German PENALTY KICKS the Pride of Italy! Kaiser SPITS on Vinci, drags him back up, and then POSTS him! Gunther’s disappointment in Kaiser leads to Kaiser’s anger towards Vinci as he CLUBS away on Vinci! Vinci hobbles up, Kaiser SMACKS him off the desk! Kaiser says, “How many years?!” Kaiser CHOPS Vinci down!
Kaiser gets Vinci up again, to RAM him into steel steps! Vinci tumbles up and over, clutches his knee, but Kaiser drags him onto the steps now! Kaiser snarls, but referees and producers hurry out here to stop him from doing anything worse! Kaiser leaves Vinci behind now, fans booing his mistreatment of a former friend. But then Kaiser jukes the producers, runs around the ring, and he DROPKICKS Vinci against the steps!! The fans lose their minds at Kaiser’s savagery! Cameras follow Kaiser to the back and he asks if Gunther saw that. Kaiser told Gunther he would get things done. Gunther smiles, has Imperium cut Vinci off like he’s dead weight?
Andrade El Idolo speaks.
“Be careful when you hear about a problem. You might be hearing it from the problem. I am many things, but the one thing I am not is someone’s fool.” As he sees it, he didn’t betray The Judgment Day and Legado Del Fantasma. “How can you pressure someone when from the beginning, they were never loyal? They didn’t want to do business with me. They didn’t want a business partner. They wanted a servant. Nobody tells me what to do. So now, they’re right. I am now their biggest problem.” El Idolo es Ingobernable, will he and the King of Flight be unstoppable against The Irish Ace and the Emperor of Lucha?
Drew McIntyre is here!
The Scottish Terminator makes his way to the ring, gets a mic, and hears the fans chant “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” McIntyre sits down on the mat cross-legged, his own shot at the Second City Saint. “As usual, don’t shoot up my kilt, ya perv.” Then he asks the fans, “Why do you insist on chanting his name every single time I come out?” The fans chant for Punk again, but the amount of evidence we’ve had over the years, don’t they realize Punk actually hates the fans? The only person he hates more than the fans is himself! Did you ever love something so much that it doesn’t quite love you back as much? That is McIntyre’s relationship with pro-wrestling.
Say “What” if you French kiss your cousins. “WHAT?” “You’re sick.” The fans don’t get complex relationships, because most guys in here, the most complex relationship they’ve had is with their own right hands. McIntyre could sit here and complain all night, but he’s not gonna do that, even though at WrestleMania, he was attacked from behind but that coward, CM Punk! Priest who could’ve never beat McIntyre 1v1, used his briefcase like a coward! Then that next Monday, McIntyre didn’t get an automatic rematch like everyone else would. No, McIntyre was in a Fatal 4 Way, beat everyone’s asses, but Punk had to screw him over again, and Jey takes advantage, like a coward!
But McIntyre won’t complain. As usual, his back is against the wall but he’ll come out swinging and target his next prize, the King of the Ring! But next week, it doesn’t matter about the Draft, he- SHEAMUS IS HERE! The Celtic Warrior has Columbus all fired up, and he has a mic to tell Drew, “What’s going on, man? I don’t get it. You’re sitting in the ring here sulking. Complaining about how everybody’s a coward, yeah? How are you, by the way? But let’s be honest, man. All I see is the only person here who’s not gonna take responsibility for his own mistakes.” Sheamus steps in the ring and says that makes McIntyre the coward.
Sheamus wants to continue but he asks if McIntyre’s still gonna sit there or what. McIntyre stands, and Sheamus says good, because after all this time, he’s earned that respect. They’ve known each other 20 YEARS. And yet for the last four, all McIntyre’s gone on about is how he was robbed of his career-defining moment. Then at WrestleMania 40, he did it! McIntyre got his moment! He became World Heavyweight Champion, in front of a live crowd! His brother, John Galloway, was there! His wife, Caitlyn, was there! They kissed and hugged! And then McIntyre blew it! Over some stupid social media spat!
McIntyre should be here the World Heavyweight Champion. But over memes and T-shirts, McIntyre threw it all away. Is Sheamus to keep wearing black after that bleeding burial at Mania? Sheamus wants McIntyre to hear him out. They’re friends, traveled the world together, had epic booze ups together, and banger after banger after banger matches. So to tell McIntyre the hard truth, a one-armed CM Punk kicked McIntyre’s ass. McIntyre is incensed, especially with fans chanting for Punk again. McIntyre says he doesn’t care what the fans think they know, Sheamus knows what Punk did to McIntyre. How that affected McIntyre’s career. Sheamus knows better than anybody!
Yes, but this obsession is tearing McIntyre’s career down! He has to get it out of his head! McIntyre says fine, Sheamus wants to do this in front of the world, this is a conversation they’ve had backstage before. But go ahead, tell the world the truth now! Before Sheamus was hurt, it was banger after banger. But since Sheamus’ return, looks more like it’s been burger after burger. The fans boo and Sheamus laughs off the fat jokes. Sheamus will say, since he’s been gone, McIntyre is getting good at one-liners. And Sheamus deserves that. But the thing is, he could still lose the weight. McIntyre can’t lose his stupid.
So then stop blaming everyone else! But it IS everyone else! Burger after burger, the Ginger Pillsbury Dough Boy! Flubber Man! That’s not McIntyre’s words, that is what everyone was saying during Sheamus’ match! McIntyre was standing up for him! Sheamus says it doesn’t matter what anyone says! It doesn’t bother Sheamus! But it bothers McIntyre! They’re still friends! Whether Sheamus gets it or not, or if the fans get it or not, McIntyre tells the truth. And he’s Sheamus’ only real friend here! In the past, they’d throw hands, then throw back pints. McIntyre is past that, he only fights if it is worthwhile. So this here… isn’t.
But McIntyre will still be there for Sheamus. McIntyre will be ringside, at commentary, and he will watch Sheamus’ back. Shinsuke Nakamura makes his entrance, will the Celtic Warrior get a workout from the King of Strong Style?
Sheamus VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
Raw returns and the two circle. They tie up, Nakamura waistlocks then CLUBS away on Sheamus. Nakamura KICKS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses. Nakamura holds ropes, DUMPS Sheamus to the apron, but Sheamus body shots back! Sheamus then brings Nakamura around, but Nakamura slips free to throw elbows! Nakamura winds up but Sheamus SWATS the kick! Sheamus DECKS Nakamura, goes up, but Nakamura kicks Sheamus’ legs out! Nakamura CLUBS Sheamus on the top rope, then runs to TOP SHELF KNEE! McIntyre reminds Michael Cole & Pat McAfee that he can hear them both talking about him.
Nakamura digs his boots into Sheamus to give BAD VIBRATIONS! McIntyre does his best to put Sheamus over while Nakamura eggs Sheamus on with “C’MON!” Sheamus eggs Nakamura on in return! Nakamura stomps but Sheamus blocks! Sheamus ROCKS Nakamura, ROCKS him again and again, then swings. Nakamura dodges to fire a strike fest! Nakamura KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! Then AX KICK! Sheamus drops to his knees, Nakamura runs, but Sheamus CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up while Sheamus stares McIntyre down. McIntyre gives a thumbs up, and Sheamus stalks Nakamura to ropes.
Sheamus stands Nakamura up against ropes, and the fans fire up for BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus goes all the way to nine, then winds up for TEN! Nakamura sputters and Sheamus goes out after him. Sheamus brings the kneepad down, takes aim, KNEE CAP! Sheamus drags Nakamura back up, puts him in, but Nakamura bails out the side. Sheamus pursues, McIntyre says go ahead. Sheamus scoops Nakamura, but Nakamura slips free! ROUNDHOUSE! Sheamus wobbles, Nakamura SMACKS him off the desk! And again, and again! Nakamura goes up the barriers and aims, for a FLYING KNEE DROP!!
The Celtic Warrior is down, the King of Strong Style stands tall, and the Scottish Terminator shakes his head, all while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Sheamus fires body shots. Nakamura KICKS back, runs, but into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! And another IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus climbs a corner, Nakamura stands, and Sheamus FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Sheamus drags Nakamura up, fireman’s carries, but Nakamura fights free! Sheamus blocks one kick but not the ENZIGIRI! Nakamura runs in at the corner, blocks boots and puts Sheamus in ropes! Nakamura KICKS, runs, and SLIDING GERMANS! Sheamus flounders, Nakamura goes up a corner, and FLYING KNEE ATTACKS! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally as Sheamus stays in this. Nakamura clamps on with a SLEEPER, then he drags Sheamus up. The fans rally, Sheamus fights, but Nakamura becomes a backpack! So Sheamus RAMS Nakamura into buckles! Sheamus fires elbow after elbow, lets off as the ref counts, and he fireman’s carries Nakamura up the corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER WHITE NOISE!! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives and Sheamus is beside himself! Sheamus goes back to the corner, the fans rally up, and McIntyre coaches Sheamus, only for Nakamura to KNEE him down! cover, TWO! Nakamura snarls but he takes aim from the corner.
Nakamura waits as Sheamus rises, “YAO~!” Nakamura runs in, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Sheamus fires up with the fans and he aims from the corner. The fans shout along as Sheamus beats his chest. Nakamura rises, but dodges the Brogue! Roll up, TWO! Sheamus ducks one kick, another kick, KNEE CAP! cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives but Sheamus hauls him back up. Sheamus reels Nakamura in, Canadian Rack, but Nakamura fights free! V-TRIGGER! Then BOOT! Sheamus wobbles, Nakamura aims, runs in, into a BROGUE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
A banger to be sure, and the Celtic Warrior shows off the beef! McIntyre also applauds, but will he really be Sheamus’ friend through all of this?
Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.
Cathy Kelley is with the Intercontinental Champion and notes the recap of what happened in Montreal. Has Sami been able to process everything? Sami isn’t sure. He’s been angry, hurt, and there’s a lot he’d really like to say. But he is biting his tongue. He heard Chad Gable is going to address what he did last week, so Sami will be listening like everyone else. Sami just doesn’t see how Gable could defend his actions. But then in steps Bronson Reed. He says never mind Gable, Sami has bigger problems to deal with. Sami says if this title is what Bronson wants, then any time, any place. Bronson says okay.
The Colossal Aussie leaves, Cathy still wants Sami to expound on his feelings, but then Bronson returns to CLOBBER Sami!! And he throws Sami around against the road cases! Bronson says he already warned everyone that if he wants to take that title, he will! You’re looking at the NEW Intercontinental Champion! Refs and producers rush in, Bronson backs off, and Sami gets to his feet. Bronson CLOBBERS Sami again!! Another blindside attack for Sami, will there be anything left of him to even defend the title?
Chad Gable heads to the ring.
The Alpha Academy still follows their mentor out here, but they are perhaps as confused and concerned as anyone else. What will Gable say about him snapping on Sami? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns as the Academy is in the ring. A new QR code flashes… Raw shares footage from the Pat McAfee Show as Charles Barkley says Gable can’t go whooping a man’s ass after a match, and certainly not in front of that man’s wife, kids and family. In the present, Gable has the mic but the fans boo. Gable says after what happened to Sami backstage, it is safe to say he’s had a rough couple of weeks. Now look, at least what Gable did to Sami was justified. It was…? Gable paints us a picture: capacity crowd in Montreal! Intercontinental Championship match, Gable VS hometown hero, Sami Zayn.
They tear the house down, and Sami walks out as champion. A great story, right? One Gable could accept, even if he didn’t want to. But not Sami, no. That wasn’t good enough. Sami saw Gable weeping in the corner, he placed the title right in front of him. Gable took that on the chin, got up and raised Sami’s hand in the ring to give Sami his moment. But even that wasn’t enough. What’d Sami do? Went up to his wife in the front row, brought that title to celebrate with her, when he knew Gable was standing there! That should’ve been Gable at Mania! That should’ve been Gable with his wife and daughter in the front row!
But Gable was wasting his time training Sami Zayn! And training a bunch of freakin’ losers! The fans boo as Gable insults the Academy! Gable asks if Tozawa has a problem with that. Go ahead, say something. Because Gable has a problem with Mr. Funny Man! All Tozawa does is come out here, do his little dance, and he gets loss after loss! It’s PATHETIC! The fans boo more but then Gable goes to Maxxine. “Sweet Miss Maxxine. Pretty as a princess, right? But dumb as a box of rocks.” What else does Gable have to do? He’s given everything and gotten nothing in return! It’s PATHETIC!! And that leaves Otis. “Don’t even get me started on you.”
Gable looks at Otis, the fans rallying behind him. Gable says his “prized pupil,” his “number one guy,” has proven himself beyond a shadow of a doubt… to be the biggest disappointment of them all. Guys, hold on, let’s back up a second. This is why they signed up, right? For feedback on how to get better. They can’t be upset with him. Just get on the same page and know that from now on, they focus… on Gable. They will all win Gable’s Intercontinental Championship together. They are going to help him no matter what. Right? The fans say “NO! NO! NO!” Gable wants them to say it, though. “No matter what.”
Otis, Maxxine and Tozawa look to each other. Gable doesn’t hear Otis. Say it. Gable holds the mic to Otis’ face, the fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” Otis says, “No matter what…” Gable says, “Good.” Master Gable has become a tyrant, but will he have the title no matter what he has to do?
Dominik finds Ricochet backstage.
Dirty Dom tells Ricochet that he’s lucky Dom isn’t cleared tonight, or else Dom would- Yeah, yeah, yeah, Ricochet gets it. Dom would should what happens when you mess with The Judgment Day. But Ricochet is with Dom. There is no one more upset that Dom isn’t cleared than Ricochet. Because Ricochet was looking forward to beating Dom specifically. But hey, he and Andrade will now settle for Dom’s boys, JD and Santos. By the way, if Dom sees Bobblehead JD before Ricochet, tell him that Ricochet will also see JD this Wednesday for WWE Speed, where Ricochet will further embarrass him. Because Ricochet IS like that.
Ricochet leaves, Dom says keep walking. Dom turns around to see Liv Morgan. Liv looks at Dom’s arm in a sling, and they both know the issues here are far from settled. Will Liv win the Women’s World Championship tonight to make sure Mami comes back for her?
Nia Jax speaks.
“Tonight, we’re having an all-star battle royal for the Women’s World Championship. Fourteen women. That means there’s 13 females and one monster. And I’m that monster. I’m gonna terrorize each and everyone of them, and I’m gonna eliminate them one by one by one. Until I’m the last woman standing, and I become your Women’s World Champion.” Will the Irresistible Force be unstoppable on her way to the top?
Ricochet & Andrade El Idolo VS Santos Escobar & JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!
Raw returns as Andrade makes his entrance to join Ricochet in the ring. The Judgment Day make their entrance, followed by the Emperor of Lucha. The teams sort out and Andrade starts against JD. The bell rings, JD takes a swing but Andrade dodges to fire back! Andrade clamps onto an arm, wrangles JD, but JD fights up to chinbar Andrade to ropes. The ref counts, JD takes a swing but Andrade dodges to CHOP! JD staggers, tags Santos, and the fans rally up as we get multi-generational luchadores meeting. They tie up, Andrade waistlocks but Santos elbows free. Santos whips, things speed up, and Andrade rolls off Santos’ back!
Andrade runs Santos over, the fans fire up, and he brings Santos up. Tag to Ricochet, Andrade whips Santos, they both hurdle to then DOUBLE ELBOW Santos down! Double BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Santos goes to a corner, Ricochet brings him up and UPPERCUTS! And DROPKICKS! And then snapmare for the running ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Ricochet clamps onto Santos with a chinlock, then wrenches to an armlock. Ricochet hooks Santos up to trap the arm and chinbar, then ghost pin, TWO! Ricochet drags Santos up, but Santos swings! Ricochet dodges, handsprings and RANAS!
Ricochet kips up, DROPKICKS Santos down, then covers again, TWO! The fans chant “DOM, YOU SUCK!” and Ricochet taunts JD. But Santos YANKS Ricochet onto ropes! Santos brings Ricochet up, JD tags himself in, and they mug Ricochet. JD stomps away, then brings Ricochet up. JD wrenches, whips, and ELBOWS Ricochet down! Cover, TWO! JD keeps cool and he brings Ricochet around. JD wrenches to hit a BIG back suplex! JD paces, the fans tell Dom, “SHAVE YOUR MUSTACHE!” Ricochet headlocks but JD powers up and out. Ricochet reverses but JD avoids the kick! Ricochet blocks a boot to UPPERCUT!
Santos distracts the ref, Dom trips Ricochet up! JD KNEES Ricochet outta the ring! JD then BLASTS Andrade, Santos FLYING RANAS Ricochet down! Santos and the boys soak up the heat while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ricochet fires hands on Santos! Santos ENZIGIRIS Ricochet down! Santos brings Ricochet up, puts him in the corner, then runs up to DOUBLE KNEE! JD tags in, he reels Ricochet in to snap suplex! JD runs and tags Santos in, to drop a leg, brother! JD BLASTS Andrade, Santos SPLASHES down, TWO! The fans rally for Ricochet but Santos stays on him. Santos whips, runs in, but Ricochet ROCKS him! Ricochet fires elbows and hands, ENZIGIRIS JD down, then dodges Santos! Hot tag to Andrade! Andrade dodges Santos to CLOBBER JD, then DRAGON SCREW on Santos! Another DRAGON SCREW!
Andrade ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Santos, and then he kips up! The fans fire up with El Idolo as he has Santos in a corner! “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs corner to corner, Santos is CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TWO! Santos survives but Andrade keeps cool. Andrade drags Santos up, underhooks, but Santos RAMS him into buckles! Ricochet tags in, Andrade BOOTS Santos away! Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up with Ricochet, and he STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, JD breaks it! But Andrade runs up! JD HEADBUTTS Andrade down, dodges Ricochet, but Ricochet blocks a kick to KNEE JD!
Santos runs in, Ricochet dodges, DOUBLE FLYING FOREARMS take both men down! The fans fire up and the ref checks. Ricochet and Santos stir, rise up, and the fans rally. Santos and Ricochet crawl, reach out, hot tags to JD and Andrade! Andrade fires off with JD, they go back and forth! The fans fire up as the forearms fly, then Andrade gets the edge! JD knees low, but Andrade snap suplexes first! Uno Amigo! The fans cheer as Andrade hits Dos Amigos! Santos gets in to save JD, they DOUBLE SUPLEX Andrade! They high-five but Ricochet springboards in, only for Santos to KNEE him outta the sky!
JD & Santos get a man each, and they go to corners. They put Andrade and Ricochet up top, then climb up. But Andrade & Ricochet fight back! Andrade HOTSHOTS JD, Santos SUPER STEINERS Ricochet, but Ricochet uses that to 450 LEG DROP onto JD!! Fans lose their minds, and Andrade boot feints to ELBOW Santos down! Andrade gets JD up, for THE MESSAGE! Cover, Andrade & Ricochet win!
Winners: Ricochet & Andrade El Idolo, by pinfall
Dom is disappointed, but then Priest gets in to POST Andrade! And SUPERKICKS Ricochet! The Punisher is pissed, and he gives Ricochet the RAZOR’S EDGE! Priest then gets Andrade up and around, to go SOUTH OF HEAVEN! El Campeon handled business for The Judgment Day, and tells Dom that in Spanish. JD asks what that means, and Priest tells JD that he doesn’t need them, they need him. Priest storms off, but is that true? Is Priest the only reason Judgment Day even has anything right now?
Zoey Stark speaks.
“Well, ladies and gentlemen, it has been one year since I have been drafted to Monday Night Raw. And what a year it has been! When I first got here, I was told to go in the corner and watch, learn, stay humble and be patient. No. See, instead, Trish Stratus? Hit her with a Z360, sent her packing. Becky Lynch, The Man? I beat her 1-2-3. Money in the Bank, I was inches from that briefcase. And at Survivor Series, one on one against Rhea Ripley, and I was this close to becoming Women’s World Champion. See, this last year has been a hell of a year. The scariest part of it all is that I’m just getting started.”
Backstage interview with Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell.
Jackie Redmond is with the Poison Pixie & #IndiWrestling just moments from our main event. In recent weeks, some would argue that they’ve used underhanded tactics to win. But tonight, it is every woman for herself. Then what is she implying? Indi doesn’t say it was underhanded, it’s just that the way Candice does things- Candice stops Indi, too, and says that they don’t need to defend their wins. And that is what they are: wins. But then something goes down nearby?! Nia and Liv want after each other! Tensions are running high just moments before the battle royal, and Becky walks by to say hey.
Becky knows Jackie does a bang-up job as an interviewer. The Man wears many hats, can she try Jackie’s on? Jackie says sure, and lets her have the mic. Becky is walkin’ and talkin’ as she says it is CHAOS~ back here! Pure chaos! And it’ll get even more chaotic out in the ring, because we are about to have the most important battle royal in the history of Raw. She passes by Ivy and Maxxine and stops to check in with them. Maxxine’s first time for a world title, right? Becky wants Maxxine to go out there and show everyone why it won’t be her last. Becky keeps going and says how we got here wasn’t ideal. But to Rhea Ripley, when you’re ready, Becky will be here waiting.
With that all said and done, The Man has come around to Columbus, Ohio, and she’s looking for a fight! Becky gets to gorilla, makes her entrance, and this main event is about to hit the Big Time! But will Becky win the belt here despite her losing out at WrestleMania?
Vacated WWE Women’s World Championship Battle Royal!
Mami’s misfortune is now a golden opportunity for the rest of Raw! Liv Morgan, Nia Jax, Natalya, Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Indi Hartwell, Candice LeRae, Ivy Nile, Maxxine Dupri, and even The Man, Becky Lynch, all have an equal opportunity, but there can only be one! Who will replace Rhea Ripley as the NEW WWE Women’s World Champion?
Raw returns as Liv makes her entrance, with Natty, Candice, Indi, Zoey, Shayna, Maxxine, Ivy, Piper and Chelsea already waiting with Becky. Kayden & Katana make their entrance together as always, followed by Nia’s entrance. The belt is raised, the bell rings, and the fight is on! The field divides up to go after Nia and Piper, the biggest and the baddest in here! But they both explode free! The fans fire up as Piper and Nia storm up and start throwing hands! Nia gets the edge then HEADBUTTS! But then the others all get up. Becky fires off on Nia but Natty GERMAN SUPLEXES her! Natty puts Becky on the apron, but theN Nia scopos Natty!
Nia puts Natty on the apron, Becky gets up and around on Nia for a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Becky into buckles, gets free, then runs in, only for Becky to POST her! Indi and Candice fight with Ivy and Maxxine given their beef over the past few weeks, and Natty puts Liv on the apron. Liv RAMS into Natty, Shayna has Becky but Becky turns that around into a BECKSPLODER! Chelsea and Piper work together, of course, going after KC Squared with Zoey Stark. Becky HOTSHOTS Shayna, Natty scoops Stark. Nia is after Shayna, Liv helps Candice with Ivy, but then goes after Candice! Ivy ROCKS Candice, but Candice kicks back!
Maxxine DUMPS Candice and ELIMINATES her! The fans fire up, “A THANK YEW~!” But then Indi DECKS Maxxine! Indi drags Maxxine up, whips, but Maxxine reverses to TOSS and ELIMINATE Indi!! The fans fire up again, “A THANK YEW~!” as Maxxine makes sure there’s no way Candice & Indi get their way! But that still leaves a dozen stars left as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and while Katana has Maxxine in a corner, Chelsea is helping Piper out of another, Kayden has Shayna in the third, and Nia CLOBBERS Liv and Ivy in the fourth! Natty and Becky are on ropes, Zoey runs in at Kayden but is sent into Shayna instead! Kayden then sits them both down, gets space, then waits on Katana. Katana SHOTGUNS Ivy down, then runs to Kayden, MONKEY FLIP CANNONBALL on Shayna & Zoey! Then MONKEY FLIP CANNONBALL onto Ivy & Maxxine! The fans fire up for the party girls, but Shayna dumps Kayden out! Then she dumps Katana, but Kayden helps Katana get back in and RANA!
The fans fire up, but Stark whips Katana! Katana reverses to put Stark on the apron! Stark fights off KC Squared but still gets a SUPERKICK! Shayna fireman’s carries Katana, tosses her out, but Kayden catches her! But Stark SUPERKICKS Kayden, she and Katana fall, DOUBLE ELIMINATION! Natty fires hands on Chelsea, Piper shoves Maxxine aside, and Nia hauls Ivy up! But Ivy clamps on a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Nia puts Ivy up top, throws body shots, then swings, but into a HANGING ARMBAR! Stark EXPLODERS Liv, Nia SWINGS Ivy into the post! Ivy lets go and falls to the floor, Nia ELIMINATES her!
Nia soaks up the heat, but then Maxxine glares at her. Maxxine won’t let Nia’s size intimidate her! So Nia SHOVES Maxxine down! Maxxine gets back up, dodges Nia to ROUNDHOUSE! And ROUNDHOUSE! And ENZIGIRI! Maxxine runs up, but Nia blocks the boot! Nia DUMPS and ELIMINATES Maxxine! The fans boo but Nia mocks the “A Thank Yew.” Nia then runs to SPLASH Natty in a corner! Shayna is there to KICK Nia! Piper SPLASHES Becky in a corner, SPLASHES her again, then runs up at the ropes! Becky BOOTS back! Liv CLUBS away on Stark while Becky ROCKS Piper! PIper runs up again but Becky DUMPS her to the apron!
Becky runs up as Piper holds on, FOREARM SMASH! Piper wobbles, Becky SHOTGUNS her down and ELIMINATES her! Chelsea is upset her insurance policy is gone, but then Piper drags Becky out from under the bottom rope! Piper RAMS Becky into steel steps, gets space, and CANNONBALLS into her! Chelsea fights off Nia, but those fists don’t do much… Piper clears off the desk! Piper gets Becky up, Nia still dares Chelsea to fight her. Piper HEADBUTTS Becky, puts her on the desk, and CHOPS her! Chelsea LARIATS Nia, but Nia doesn’t budge! Nia fireman’s carries Chelsea, Piper hurries to go after Nia!
Nia TOSSES Chelsea away, goes under teh bottom rope and she ROCKS Piper! Nia clinches Piper, the refs and fans freak out, URENAGE onto Becky!! Piper and Becky are both on the desk, but then Nia drags Piper up! Fireman’s carry, SAMOAN DROP onto Becky and the desk!! Chelsea is furious, but Natty DUMPS her out and ELIMINATES her!! But the refs don’t see it while checking on Becky, so it doesn’t count!? Natty is mad, she fires off on Chelsea in a corner! Natty whips, Chelsea reverses and POSTS Natty while Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once again, Becky is still down in the wreckage of the desk. In fact, it got wrecked over the break from Nia’s POWERBOMB! Stark & Shayna stomp away on Liv, Natty CLUBS away on Chelsea. Chelsea fights free, shoves Natty, but Natty RANAS! They both end up on the apron, then they start throwing hands! Natty ROCKS Chelsea, Chelsea ROCKS Natty, repeat! Chelsea BOOTS Natty into the post! Chelsea gets in safe, but Stark clotheslines Chelsea up and out to officially ELIMINATE her! Then Shayna BOOTS Natty down to ELIMINATE her, too! The teammates high-five, and they see Nia and Liv in the corners.
Shayna runs up to KNEE Nia, Stark HEEL KICKS Liv! They get Liv up, ALLEY-OOP KNEE!! But Nia CLOBBERS Stark! Shayna jumps on Nia for a SLEEPER! Stark SUPERKICKS Nia but that sends her and Shayna into buckles! Stark runs, but Nia scoops her! Nia puts Stark on the apron, DECKS her and ELIMINATES her! Then Nia runs in at Shayna! Shayna dodges, runs up, but Nia dumps her out! Stark saves Shayna, but Nia CLOBBERS Shayna onto Stark, to ELIMINATE her! The fans fire up as the final three are Nia, Liv and Becky, because yes, Becky rises like the phoenix to get back in the ring!
Nia is furious and she runs up, but Becky BOOTS her! Liv runs up, Becky ROCKS her! Becky fires off on Nia but Nia CLOBBERS her! Liv ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl Nia onto ropes! Liv then runs up to SHOTGUN Nia in the back! The fans fire up as Liv runs in, but Nia dodges the back body block! Liv runs up again, but no Code Breaker! Becky adds on, CODE BREAKER NECKBREAKER COMBO!! The fans are thunderous while all three women are down! The fans rally for Becky as she rises, and she TOSSES Liv! Liv lands safe on the apron, and Nia gets Becky in a fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DROP!
Nia runs up on Liv but Liv gets in the ring first. Nia hits a SAMOAN DROP anyway! Nia soaks up the heat from the fans, then she drags Liv up. Becky ROCKS Nia first, though! Becky fires off forearms, UPPERCUTS, and a SOBAT! Becky TOSSES Liv, but Nia DUMPS Becky! Then she runs up, but they DOUBLE HOTSHOT her! Liv and Becky get in to fire off on Nia, then reel her in! The fans fire up but Nia is too big to double suplex! Nia DOUBLE SUPLEXES Becky and Liv!! Nia drags them both into a drop zone, and then goes up a corner! But Becky & Liv DUMP Nia to the apron! Becky fires hands, Nia ROCKS her!
Nia steps through but into Liv’s CODE BREAKER! Becky goes up, GUILLOTINE LEG DROP!! Nia flops to the floor, Becky & Liv ELIMINATE her!! The fans are thunderous as it comes down to two! Liv and Becky square off, and they fire off furious fists! The fans fire up, Liv TOSSES Becky! Becky holds on, KICKS and ROUNDHOUSES Liv in return! Becky goes up and leaps in, but Liv gets under! Then Liv runs up to whip! Becky reverses, TOSSESS Liv, but Livv ROCKS Becky back! Liv drags Becky out to the apron for a risky move! They brawl, Becky kicks low and reels Liv in! But Liv throws body shots! Becky still tries but Liv fights the suplex!
Liv drops to a knee, but Becky gets around to waistlock! Liv holds ropes to resist the suplex again! Liv throws elbow after elbow, then kicks and KICKS and CODE BREAKERS! Becky staggers, Liv runs up, but Becky blocks ObLivion! Becky shifts to clinches, APRON MANDHANDLE SLAM! Liv falls, BECKY WINS!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s World Champion)
Columbus fires up as Becky wins lucky number seven! She couldn’t knock Rhea Ripley off the throne, but she did survive thirteen other stars to shine bright once more! She goes out into the crowd to celebrate with the fans, and she grabs a fan sign that says “Women Run the WWE!” Becky even finds a fan wearing a Monday Night Mami shirt to celebrate with her, because as Becky said, she’s waiting for Rhea’s return as eagerly as anyone. Will The Man be the champion when that day comes?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw as both the go-home to the WWE Draft, I just hope some of the stories they’ve set up aren’t going to get shafted because of the Draft. For one, great video package to hype up the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments, and really good promo from Gunther to stake his claim to the crown. Woods also wants to get back to that, feels like he and Gunther could have a great semifinal match. Really good tag match from New Day VS Imperium, good win for New Day, and it seems Vinci has once again been separated from Imperium. Maybe the Draft will move Vinci to whatever brand Gunther & Kaiser aren’t on, and Vinci will return to that Veni Vidi Vinci persona he had in NXT 2.0.
Really good stuff in the Judgment Day story, though the pacing of the promo between Jey and Priest was odd. It felt like they were actually trying to make room for the fans to “YEET!” during it. But I do appreciate that Priest showed some respect, and then immediately didn’t by talking down to Jey. I also appreciate that Priest wants to do things cleaner than Judgment Day usually does, with how JD’s attack was all his idea, not Priest’s. Now, Priest did beat the crap outta Ricochet & Andrade after they won the match, but that was him showing his dominance. Priest VS Jey is going to be great stuff, and there is a lot of intrigue on how it’ll affect Priest’s standing within Judgment Day.
Great tag title match from Awesome Truth and DIY, and of course Awesome Truth won. The fans love Truth and mostly like Miz, they only just got the new belts after only just winning the titles at Mania. And interesting detail that Ciampa didn’t want to shake hands, but it works that it was Ciampa. He was the one that turned Heel first back when DIY was in NXT, maybe Gargano will end up following suit if things don’t turn around for DIY. That with how Candice is basically Heel and Indi is one step away from turning Heel herself, maybe we get a Heel main roster version of The Way after The Draft.
Great promo from McIntyre and Sheamus to not only bring back their rivalry but to work-shoot the whole chubby Sheamus thing from over the last week. Great match from Sheamus VS Nakamura, but clearly we’re going to get Sheamus VS McIntyre again between now and Clash at the Castle: Glasgow in June. That is going to be awesome stuff, so hopefully the Draft keeps them both on the same brand. Great Heel move from Bronson to attack Sami, there’s your Backlash Intercontinental title match. And great Heel promo from Gable, and it seems the Alpha Academy are going to follow him for now. Surely Gable pushes things too far and it’ll be Otis who stands up to him, thus ending the Alpha Academy as a stable.
Great news from HBK here to learn where NXT is going for June. Now, the UFC Apex doesn’t look any different than the WWE Performance Center but hey, still cool that they have a guaranteed Las Vegas venue whenever they want it. And great promos from a handful of the ladies before tonight’s main event, and that was an awesome battle royal. For one, very clever to have a missed elimination because the refs were busy with Nia, Piper and Becky. Now, I will say I was a little surprised Becky won, or that she was even in the match given she lost at Mania, but at the same time, why wouldn’t they go with Becky? She’s incredibly popular, her book is a New York Times Best Seller, and she will definitely carry this title well for however long until Rhea’s 100%.
My Score: 8.7/10
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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 KOKESHI 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 PLANCHAS 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! YUKON 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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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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