Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/6/24)
Let the tournaments begin!
The King & Queen of the Ring tournaments return!
And Raw has a stacked opening round! Who will step towards the thrones that away in Saudi Arabia?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- King of the Ring Opening Round: Finn Balor VS Jey Uso; Jey wins and advances.
- Queen of the Ring Opening Round: Iyo Sky VS Natalya; Iyo wins and advances.
- King of the Ring Opening Round: Ricochet VS Ilja Dragunov; Dragunov wins and advances.
- Queen of the Ring Opening Round: Ivy Nile VS Zoey Stark; Stark wins and advances.
- Chad Gable VS Bronson Reed; No Contest.
- Queen of the Ring Opening Round: Lyra Valkyria VS
AsukaDakota Kai; Lyra wins and advances. - King of the Ring Opening Round: Gunther VS Sheamus; Gunther wins and advances.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Judgment Day is here!
Hartford, Connecticut boos as Damian Priest, Finn Balor, JD McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio make their way to the ring. The Punisher is still El Campeon thanks in large part to The Prince & The Irish Ace helping him out. Priest gets a mic while fans boo more, and he says, “Main Event Jey Uso…” Fans “YEET!” in response to that. Priest asks if the fans love him. “YEET!” Well, seems the entire country of France did, too. But in the end, it didn’t matter, because Priest is still champion! ALL RISE for El Campeon! But even so, Priest feels the need to talk about what went down at Backlash.
Finn speaks up to tell “Big Man” that they went over this 100 times. Finn and JD apologized, they meant it! They’re sorry. Priest says no, they’re good. That’s not what he meant. He meant after the match. He needs everyone to know, and is saying this publicly. That was all on him, he lost his cool. They were there to support him, make sure he stayed champ, and he did. Like it or not, he is still champion, so sincerely, he is sorry, and he thanks them. JD, Priest appreciates you, man. And Finn, c’mon, you’re like a brother! They hug it out and the fans boo more. Even Dom joins in, even though he couldn’t make the trip.
Priest says no more group hug, it’s back to business. He is STILL El Campeon, Judgment Day is STILL the most dominant faction in WWE, and Finn is your NEXT King of the Ring! And seeing as poor McIntyre ain’t medically cleared, guess who gets a first round bye? Uh, FINN! They all high-five, and Finn says that means he’s one step closer to The Prince becoming The King! Bow down to the King! Finn wants Samantha Irvin to announce it, but then Adam Pearce says hold on! Finn might be confused. Yes, Drew is out, but Finn is NOT getting a bye. The fans like the sound of that! And if Finn doesn’t like it, too bad!
Pearce says being crowned KOTR is one of the biggest honors, so Finn is gonna have to earn his way! What happened at Backlash won’t happen tonight! Finn’s match is next, and his opponent now… IS MAIN EVENT JEY USO!! Hartford fires up as Jey is looking to get some payback! Will Jey YEET Finn right outta the first round?
King of the Ring Opening Round: Finn Balor VS Jey Uso!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Finn and Jey stare down, circle, then tie up. Finn rolls Jey up, TWO! Finn hurries to headlock and grind Jey down. Jey powers up and out but Finn runs him over. Cover, ONE, but Finn clamps onto an arm. Jey fights up as the fans rally, but Finn wrenches to wristlock. Jey slips around, trips Finn, gets an arm, La Magistrol! TWO, and Finn goes to a corner. Finn kicks low, bumps Jey off buckles then fires off hands and stomps! The ref counts, Finn lets off, then soaks up the heat. Finn drags Jey up, bumps him off buckles, then swings. Jey dodges to ROCK Finn! And again! And again!
Jey whips, Finn reverses, but Jey goes up and over! “YEET!” and UPPERCUT! The fans fire up with Jey, and they all “YEET!” together. Finn stands and Jey whips, but Finn reverses. Jey sunset flips but Finn rolls through to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Finn CLUBS Jey, CLUBS him again, then ELBOWS him in the head! Finn stomps Jey down, then soaks up the heat. Finn drags Jey up to CLUB him again, then he clamps on a chinlock. Jey endures, even as Finn grinds him down. The fans rally, Jey fights up, but Finn CLUBS him in the back! Finn wrangles Jey down to the mat but the fans continue to rally.
Jey endures, fights back up, and the fans rally behind him as he puts Finn on ropes. The ref counts, Finn avoids the haymaker to CHOP! Finn throws body shots, bumps Jey off buckles, then RAMS into him again and again! The ref counts but Finn CHOPS! Jey falls, Finn covers him, TWO! The fans cheer but Finn looms over Jey. Finn drags Jey back up, DECKS him with a haymaker, then mocks the fans. Finn drags Jey up again, SCRAPES Jey’s face off the ropes, then whips. Jey reverses to TOSS Finn out! Jey builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up! Jey stands, Finn staggers around, and Jey puts Finn in the ring.
Jey hurries up but Finn hurries out the other side. The fans boo but then Jey goes around the outside. Jey uses steps to leap, but into a BODY BLOW! Finn then brings Jey around to POST him! And then Finn THROWS Jey over the desk! Finn stands on the desk to soak up the heat and mock the yeet bounce. The fans boo but Finn just soaks it up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Jey rains down fists in a corner! Fans “YEET!” up to nine, then Jey winds up, only for Finn to YANK him down! Finn then stands Jey up so he can climb up and rain down fists of his own! The fans boo as Finn goes to TEN, then CHOPS! Finn snapmares Jey, runs and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Finn snarls as he paces around, then he sits Jey up to ELBOW him in the head again. Finn clamps on a chinlock and grinds Jey down. The fans rally as Jey endures, but Finn leans on the hold. Jey fights up, throws body shots, but Finn knees low! Finn CLUBS Jey again, but Jey UPPERCUTS!
Jey ROCKS Finn again, and again, and again! Jey pops ‘n’ locks and puts stank on the HAYMAKER! The fans fire up again and Jey runs in at the corner. Finn puts Jey on the apron, but Jey GAMANGIRIS! Jey goes up, to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Finn stays in this but Jey stays cool. Finn flounders to a corner, the fans rally up and Jey goes to the other end. “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and Jey runs in, but Finn LARIATS Jey down! The fans boo but Finn snarls as he storms over to springboard stomp away on Jey! The ref counts, Finn lets off and then soaks up more heat. Finn goes after Jey but Jey fireman’s carries!
Finn CLAWS Jey’s face to get free, then hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Finn aims from a corner, Jey slowly rises, and Finn runs in, but Jey denies Slingblade to whip! Jey then dodges to mule kick! UPPERCUT! SUPERKICK! Finn is down in a drop zone and Jey hurries up top! USO SPLASH but he has to roll through! Finn avoids disaster, runs back in, SHOTGUN! Jey is down but Finn makes sure he’s in the right spot! Finn goes up the corner, and COUP DE- NO, now Jey moves outta the way! SPEAR!! Cover, TWO?!? Finn survives and Jey is frustrated, but then here comes Drew McIntyre! The bad arm keeps McIntyre out of the tournament but not away from the arena!
McIntyre hops the barriers, has a stare down with Jey, but Finn rolls Jey up! TWO!! Jey escapes, but Finn SLINGBLADES! Finn growls, fans taunt McIntyre with “C M PUNK!” Finn runs in, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Jey wins!!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
McIntyre storms in but Jey gets out. The Scottish Terminator has no spot in the tournament, Jey is moving on in his place! Will we soon see the crowning of #KingYEET?
Drew McIntyre complains to Adam Pearce.
It just had to be Jey Uso of all people! Punk screws McIntyre in the #1 contender’s match that Jey won, and now they’re being rewarded? This is not about Jey, this is about McIntyre’s arm! McIntyre says he doesn’t care about the arm, he could just tape it up like a real man and still compete! Not like Punk! Pearce stops McIntyre there. The world thought McIntyre’s arm was fine until he told the world it wasn’t, so Pearce had to have it checked out! McIntyre’s arm isn’t fine, so that’s why he can’t compete. McIntyre says he’s sick of this BS, then goes to his car and drives off in a huff. Another QR code pops up, but then another car pulls in. It’s CM Punk!!
Pearce says Punk is late and he says he knows, it’s been quite a weekend. Where’s McIntyre? Uh, just missed him, thank God. What? Oh. Punk feels disappointed but then asks Pearce to get the truck to play his music. Punk’s got something to say. Pearce can do that. Punk heads to gorilla and we can already hear the fans chanting his name. Punk passes by Chad Gable chewing out The Alpha Academy, then passes through the curtain! The fans sing along with Cult of Personality as The Best in the World says it’s CLOBBERIN’ TIME~! Punk goes down to the ring, and he revels in the cheers while he gets the mic.
“Is it good to be alive on a Monday night in Hartford, Connecticut or what?” The fans cheer that! Punk apologizes for being late, he had a rough weekend getting locked in the WWE HQ. By the time he got out, he realized they’re at the XL Center, so he drove straight here to be with the beautiful maniacs. He also wanted a fight with McIntyre but McIntyre left the building. So Pat McAfee, if you recall, just as McIntyre got stuck in the cheap seats, Punk said he could take care of business in less than 5 minutes and 45 seconds, the amount of time McIntyre was champ. Not that he wants to make that a thing, but hey, 5:45.
Now, Punk showed up, McIntyre just left, and this won’t be a popular decision backstage, but what if we go overtime? What if Punk stayed here long enough for McIntyre to come back? Because you know McIntyre is stopped at a redlight and isn’t texting his wife but scrolling through social media. So please, get your phones, take some pics, tweet out now that Punk is here live and in living color! And if McIntyre isn’t a coward, IF, then he will turn around and come right back to this building, at the center of the ice where that Gordie Howe skated on for the Hartford Whalers, he can catch the beating he deserves! The fans cheer that!
The fans chant for Punk, Pat does his best to get a post out, and Punk says he means what he says. He’d hold Raw hostage if he has to. He’d even ask what we wanna talk about, but that’s another guy’s thing. So instead, Punk wants to ask if they wanna hear a story. Sort of a recap. Royal Rumble in January, McIntyre DDTs Punk so hard, that when Punk posted his arm, he tore his triceps. That broke Punk’s heart. And the same for the fans. Punk thought McIntyre ruined Punk’s Mania dreams. But then Punk had a good cry, a great surgery, picked himself back up, and realized that McIntyre didn’t ruin anything. If anything, McIntyre simply postponed those dreams.
Because in baseball, they’d call Punk a Five Tool Player. he can do anything! Commentary, which is what he did at Mania! Punk’s a Five Tool Player, McIntyre is just a tool. And we’re waiting. For weeks that turned into months, Punk tuned into the show he was excited to be back on, and he heard McIntyre just run his mouth about how he prayed for Punk to get hurt and proud that he did it. McIntyre picked a personal fight with the pettiest man on the roster! Maybe even on Earth. But Punk said it last week he’d make McIntyre’s life Hell, and he meant that. But then McIntyre’s b*tching and complaining turned.
It went from McIntyre hurt Punk to “Punk ruined MY Mania plans! Punk ruined MY title aspirations! Punk broke MY elbow!” McIntyre is a hater! From how Punk looks to how he walks to how he talks! But when Punk tunes in, all McIntyre does is talk about Punk! All McIntyre does is sit in the ring like Punk! All McIntyre does is try to talk like Punk! He tries to BE Punk, and it dawned on Punk… Does McIntyre hate Punk? Or does he hate himself!? Because McIntyre is a choke artist! Not like how Punk is, that’s a very different thing. But McIntyre prayed for this. Punk is the unforgiving consequences to his actions.
“Drew, you prayed for this, and I broke your elbow. And if you show up now, or the next time I see you, I’m gonna break your face! And then I’m gonna break your heart. And all this praying you do… I don’t know if you’re a God fearing man, but the fact you haven’t shown up yet tells me that there is one thing that you fear. One name, three syllables, C M PUNK!” Punk tells McIntyre that he will find him. If he has to, he’ll chase McIntyre to Glasgow, pop out of some haggis, and hit McIntyre right in his face! Punk double checks his watch, but we’re clearly in overtime. Will the Scottish Terminator ever get past Punk?
Backstage interview with Ricochet.
Cathy Kelley is with the WWE Speed Champion, noting he has been on an absolute tear lately. But now he has a King of the Ring tournament match. What will be his biggest facing Ilja Dragunov for the first time ever? Ricochet says it is interesting. He is very aware of Dragunov and everything he has done in NXT, this is KOTR. Tonight is Ricochet’s chance, the first step, to defining a legacy. But then Braun Strowman says hey to his old teammate! They shake it out, and Ricochet is glad to have Braun back. Cathy says while he’s here, she’ll ask him why he interjected in Judgment Day’s business last week?
Braun says he had and always will be the one to stand up for the “little guy,” to take the fight to the bullies. But this isn’t about him, tonight is about Ricochet going out there and reminding everyone why he is KING Ricochet. Braun heads out, will the King of Flight look to really speed things up towards becoming a legend?
Queen of the Ring Opening Round: Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL VS Natalya!
Damage CTRL may be without their championships, but the Evil Genius is now chasing down a crown! Will Iyo take control of this tournament right from the start? Or will The BOAT start her journey towards truly being the Queen of Harts?
Raw returns and Natty makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Natty wrenches an arm to wristlock. Iyo moves around, rolls, kips up and wrenches back. Natty rolls, handsprings, then slips through to back drop! Natty covers, TWO! Natty keeps on Iyo with a waistlock, but Iyo fights the lift! Iyo switches, Natty switches back, then rolls Iyo to a HEEL HOOK! Iyo endures, kicks at Natty, but Natty SLAPS Iyo down! Iyo kicks, Natty kicks, but Iyo stomps at Natty! Natty stands but Iyo fights with more kicks! Natty stomps Iyo, steps through, but Iyo boots her away! Iyo gets up to ROCK Natty!
Iyo UPPERCUTS then fires off forearms and a CHOP in the corner! Iyo fires up, Hartford is torn, but Iyo runs in, Natty puts Iyo on the apron, but Iyo counter punches! Natty runs up, baseball slides but Iyo jumps over! Natty grabs a leg, Iyo kicks her away! Iyo fires up and ASAI MOONSAULTS, but Natty moves! Iyo rolls back to her feet, but Natty gets her up to rebound off barriers and throw into the apron! Iyo staggers, into a BOOT! Iyo hits apron again, then Natty pushes her in. The fans rally, Natty covers, TWO! Natty waistlocks to drag Iyo up, but Iyo switches. Natty bumps free, switches again, but Iyo still fights!
Iyo runs to ropes to HOTSHOT Natty! Natty staggers away, the fans fire up with Iyo and she springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Natty stays in this but Iyo stays fired up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the standing switches continue, until Natty arm-drags Iyo away! Iyo comes back, and they start trading forearms! Iyo gets the edge, then SHOTEIS! Iyo runs, but Natty scoops her to MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Iyo survives and goes to a corner, but Natty runs in. Iyo BOOTS her, goes up and up, but Natty storms up after her! Natty ROCKS Iyo, climbs up, and then fires off more haymakers! The fans fire up with Natty as she brings Iyo to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Natty covers, TWO! Iyo survives but Natty is too sore to be upset. The fans rally and DMG CTRL coach Iyo as she and Natty stir.
Natty sits up first, and she heads for Iyo. Natty gets the legs, but Iyo tripos her up! Iyo gets a CROSSFACE! Natty endures, reaches out, but Iyo thrashes her around! Natty still powers up, throws elbows to get free, then whips. Iyo turns pop-up into wheelbarrow and victory roll, STOMP 182! Iyo fires up and runs, to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Natty stays in this and Iyo grows frustrated! Iyo roars, reels Natty in and underhooks, but Natty back drops free! Iyo sunset flips that, TWO! Natty sits on it, TWO! Natty rolls through the sunset, but Iyo trips her! Jackknife, but Natty rolls through to get Iyo up! SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up while even DMG CTRL is shocked! Iyo flounders to a corner, but Natty is on her! Natty CLUBS Iyo, puts her up top, REBOUND SIT- NO, Iyo victory rolls, STOMP- NO, Natty avoids that to schoolgirl! ROPEBREKA! Dakota barks at Natty, Natty tells her to stop that! Natty turns Iyo over but Iyo rolls Natty into buckles! Iyo goes corner to corner, SHINKANSEN! Natty is in the drop zone now and Iyo goes up top! OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Iyo wins!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
A little help from Dakota Kai goes a long way for Iyo Sky! A former NXT Women’s Champion, former NXT Tag Team Champion, former WWE Tag Team Champion, former Miss Money in the Bank, and a former WWE Women’s Champion, is Iyo going to be the new Queen of the Ring? As DMG CTRL celebrates, Dakota gets a mic to say two years ago, DMG CTRL took over Raw when they took out Becky Lynch. And now they’re back to put EVEYRONE on notice! Iyo just dominated, and Dakota will stand in for Dakota who is unfortunately injured, to take on “Bird lady” Lyra Valkyria! Dakota mocks the fans by saying, “If you suck, say ‘What.'” “WHAT?” Gottee!
But anyway, now that DMG CTRL is here, Dakota gives this warning for free. Jade, Bianca, enjoy those tag titles while you still have them. And as for you, Becky, once you’re done with that charity case, Liv Morgan, DMG CTRL is going to take everything, whether they like it or not! #CobraKai is ready to strike, will she start with The Morrigan? Or will Lyra be another former NXT Women’s Champion that moves on to the next round?
King of the Ring Opening Round: Ricochet VS Ilja Dragunov!
The One and Only Speed Champion knows how to redline it, but The Mad Dragon knows how to push past limits to find new ones! Only one gets to move forward, who wins what might end up more a demolition derby than a match?
The bell rings and the the two rush in! Ricochet dodges the boot, waistlocks, but Dragunov wrenches to waistlock. Dragunov shoves, Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges then rolls off Dragunov’s back! Dragunov blocks a kick, flips Ricochet, but Ricochet goes Matrix! He still turns around into a CHOP! The fans fire up, but then Ricochet kips up! Ricochet smirks, but Dragunov spins to CHOP him down again! Dragunov deadlifts Ricochet, but Ricochet elbows free! Ricochet ROCKS Dragunov, Dragunov rebounds to PELE! Ricochet runs to JUMP KNEE! Both men are down and the fans rally up while Raw goes to break!
Raw returns as Ricochet CHOPS Dragunov! Ricochet whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Dragunov puts him on the apron. Ricochet GAMANGIRIS, then springboards in, FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up with Ricochet and he aims from a corner, RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Dragunov is tougher than that but Ricochet still has more to give. Ricochet waits on Dragunov, but Dragunov ducks the buzzsaw to JUMP KICK! Dragunov then waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Dragunov holds on, but Ricochet throws elbows! Dragunov still GERMAN SUPLEXES! And he still holds on!
Dragunov brings Ricochet up again but Ricochet pries the waistlock open! Ricochet shows his own strength and then elbows free! Ricochet runs, handsprings, but into a waistlock! GERMAN SUPLEX, but Ricochet lands on his feet! Dragunov runs up, Ricochet puts him on the apron! Triangle jump DROPKICK! Dragunov falls to the floor, and Ricochet takes aim! Ricochet goes up and out and up again, ASAI MOONSAULT, but Dragunov gets clear! Waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX to the floor! Dragunov puts Ricochet in, goes up a corner, and he gives Ricochet a COAST2COAST DROPKICK!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and shocks Dragunov!
Dragunov storms around, he brings Ricochet into a drop zone, then he climbs again. The fans rally as Dragunov reaches the top, but Ricochet UPPERCUTS first! Ricochet climbs up after Dragunov but Dragunov fires headbutts! Dragunov dumps Ricochet to the apron, then steadies himself. Ricochet gets up to springboard and SUPER STEINER!! But Dragunov tumbles all the way out! Ricochet doesn’t mind, he just DIVES! Direct hit and Dragunov goes a tumbling again! Ricochet gets back in, builds more speed, and DIVES again! Dragunov still stumbles around, ends up by the ramp, and Ricochet keeps going! Ricochet FLIES!! Direct hit and down goes Dragunov!
Hartford is thunderously losing their minds while both men are down by the ramp! This match will continue, but Raw has to go to break!
Raw returns yet again and both men are in the ring, trading forearms! Dragunov ROCKS Ricochet, fireman’s carries, but Ricochet slips free to shove him into buckles! Ricochet waistlocks, Dragunov reaches back to throw down elbows! Dragunov runs, CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! Cover, TWO! Ricochet stays in this but Dragunov stays on him! Dragunov drags Ricochet to the drop zone and goes back up the corner! Fans fire up for Dragunov’s SUPER SENTON!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives even with that deep hook on the pin, but Dragunov puts Ricochet in a corner. Dragunov CHOPS! CHOPS! And MACHINE GUN CHOPS!
Ricochet sits down but now Dragunov scrapes his boot off Ricochet’s face! Dragunov goes side to side, but runs into a SUPERKICK! Ricochet fireman’s carries, but Dragunov slips free! Dragunov BOOTS, Ricochet HEEL KICKS, and both men wobble! Ricochet fireman’s carries again, for a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Dragunov survives, showing Hartford why he’s a former NXT UK and former NXT Champion! But Ricochet won’t stop, “This is Awesome!” as he drags Dragunov to a corner. Ricochet climbs now, but has to leave over Dragunov! Dragunov comes back to KNEE him low!
Dragunov runs up to KNEE Ricochet down! Dragunov still isn’t done, he gets Ricochet up and POWER- NO, Ricochet slips free, ducks the Uraken and POISON-RANAS!! Ricochet fires up, runs, springboards, but into a CHOP!! Dragunov hauls Ricochet up to POWERBOMB! H-BOMB FOREARM!! Dragunov goes to a corner, “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!!” TORPEDO- RECOIL!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Ricochet counters Dragunov’s best shot with one of his own, but it’s still not enough! Ricochet hurries up top, but Dragunov hurries to UPPERCUT! Dragunov goes up to go to the very top, SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Roll through, and Dragunov powers up from the corner!
FLYING H-BOMB FOREARM!!! Cover, Dragunov wins!!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Both men had speed, both men had strength, but it was Dragunov’s inhuman endurance and intensity that brought him the win! Will he look to rename this “The Czar of the Ring?” But perhaps best of all, he and Ricochet show each other respect with a handshake, and Ricochet says this isn’t the last time they’ll meet. But with this loss, will Ricochet simply have to define his legacy without the crown?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Jackie Redmond is with The Celtic Warrior, a former King of the Ring winner, and notes he is looking to get back there, as he takes on one of his biggest rivals in Gunther. How has he been preparing for tonight’s main event? Sheamus says that people may not know, but Sheamus has undergone medical procedure after medical procedure just to get back to the WWE ring. But it is no secret he doesn’t like Gunther, and Gunther likes Sheamus even less! Gunther gets under Sheamus’ skin more than anyone he’s ever faced. Can you imagine “King Gunther?” Unbearable to say the least, yeah?
Now, everyone knows Clash at the Castle was a banger! And then WrestleMania 39, that was a banger! Banger after banger! But tonight, Sheamus is finally gonna kick Gunther’s arse, become a TWO-TIME King, and then claim the moniker used back home in Ireland: The Ruaidrí , aka “High King.” Will tonight be the moment Sheamus finally takes down Der Ring General? Or will Gunther make his history with Sheamus repeat itself to keep Sheamus’ history from repeating itself?
Queen of the Ring Opening Round: Ivy Nile VS Zoey Stark!
The Diamond Pitbull and the Hunter both have a lot to prove in their young careers, and a win in this tournament will go a long way. But who moves forward while the other gets left behind?
The bell rings, the two circle, and Zoey runs up to RAM Ivy into a corner! Zoey fires off hands, lets off as the ref counts, then whips corner to corner. Ivy reverses, runs in, but Zoey goes up and over! Zoey has a stumble but she comes back, only for Ivy to wrench and fireman’s carry! Zoey fights free, shoves, then LARIATS! The fans are torn but Zoey storms up on Ivy. Ivy fires hands with Zoey, then headlocks. Zoey powers out but Ivy runs her over! Ivy keeps moving, then turns dropdown into gator roll! Ivy floats all over, then has a REAR NAKED CHOKE! Zoey rolls back, covers, TWO! Ivy facelocks and suplexes!
The fans cheer as Ivy holds Zoey up, then marches around! Ivy SLAMS Zoey down, then kips up! The fans fire up with Ivy and she runs in at the corner to JUMP KICK! Zoey staggers, Ivy ENZIGIRIS! Zoey ends up on the apron, Ivy brings her up, but Zoey HOTSHOTS back! Zoey hurries back up, GAMANGIRIS, and Ivy staggers away. Zoey snarls, springboards, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Ivy stays in this but Zoey stays focused. Zoey drags Ivy up, brings her around, and puts her up top on the corner. Zoey CLUBS Ivy, climbs up behind her, then goes to the very top! Zoey brings Ivy up, but Ivy throws elbows!
Zoey hops down, Ivy turns around and fans fire up, for a SUPER BULLDOG! Cover, TWO!! Zoey survives and shocks Ivy! The fans rally, Ivy drags Zoey up, but Zoey ROCKS Ivy! Ivy kicks, Zoey blocks, then ducks the enzigiri! HEEL KICK clips Zoey and she staggers. Zoey SUPERKICKS in return and Ivy falls! Zoey runs to SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Ivy survives and Zoey is losing her cool! The fans rally, but Zoey rains down forearms! Zoey drags Ivy around, stomps her, then goes up a corner. Zoey reaches the top, but Ivy SLAPS her! And SLAPS, and SLAPS! Ivy goes up again, but Zoey resists the lift!
Zoey throws a HARD body shot, then CLUBS away on Ivy! Ivy hits back with heavy shots of her own! Ivy wants Zoey up again, but Zoey slips inside! Zoey then gets under, YANKS Ivy down, and then HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEX! Zoey won’t stop there, she looks to end it with Z 360!! Cover, Zoey wins!
Winner: Zoey Stark, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
A hard-hitting fight from both women, but the Hunter takes down her prey! Will she shoot down more targets on her way to the throne?
R-Truth talks with Adam Pearce backstage.
Truth says he’s got a good idea for their next tag title defense. Champions VS Champions. Pearce likes it already. Then let Truth introduce to you, the 2023-2024 Champions, the back-to-back champs! UConn head coach, Dan Hurley! The Miz steps in, says it is an honor to meet Coach Hurley, but um, Truth, you need to talk with Miz before coming up with another title match! The Awesome Truth cannot face UConn! What? Truth apologizes to Pearce, and points out that Coach Hurley is part of a small, independent wrestling promotion: NCAA! Smalltime, but this is the Dogs! Hurley does point out they’re The Huskies, not dogs. Oh, right, sorry.
Miz again explains to Truth, they can’t fight the Huskies! Why not? Because that’s basketball! Truth says a sport is a sport! And in trying times like these, we can all agree on that. Miz tells Pearce he will get back to him on their next title defense. Truth says okay. Miz, Truth and Hurley head out, Pearce feels like he needs a drink. But in steps Bron Breakker first. Pearce welcomes Bron to the flagship show and asks what he can do for him. Well, Bron wants to know why he is NOT in the KOTR tournament! Oh, yes, Pearce had a feeling he’d want answers. They can go into Pearce’s office and talk about it. Bron accepts that, but what will he be offered in place of the crown?
The Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.
Finn says he feels like he’s apologizing week after week, he feels like he should’ve had this one! He should’ve had Jey! Priest and JD say it’s fine, he has nothing to apologize for. That was one loss, it happens. Finn’s still The Prince, they will rise. And JD says Finn wasn’t even 100% after that “big dope,” Braun Strowman stormed out there. Yeah, that big lug needs to be taken care of. Priest says he will be. In fact, it’ll be taken care of by JD. JD is a little surprised to hear that, and then Dom walks in, with Carlito? Priest stops Dom before he starts and says it’s actually good Carlito is here. Because one year ago, Carlito cost Priest his moment in Puerto Rico and will never forget it!
Now, Priest doesn’t know what’s going on with Carlito and Rey, but if Carlito’s looking for new friends, it ain’t here. Carlito says look, that’s the past. This is Judgment Day! They rule Raw! And that’s cool! Priest doesn’t budge, so Carlito says he needs some help. And it seems Judgment Day needs some help, too. Y’know how it goes: you scratch his back, he scratches yours. Got it? Got it. Just get him outta here. Dom tells Carlito the guys will come around. They leave, and then JD asks what that was about Strowman. Is Caribbean Cool only going to get the cold shoulder? Is the Irish Ace about to get torn up by the Monster Among Men?
Chad Gable VS Bronson Reed!
Both men have missed out on the Intercontinental Championship, but most recently it was because ol’ Shorty G screwed the Colossal Aussie over! They battle it out 1v1, but will the winner be primed for another shot at Sami Zayn?
Raw returns and Bronson makes his entrance. The bell rings and Bronson runs in! Gable dodges to CHOP, but Bronson CHOPS back! The CHOPS keep going, then Gable dodges to CHOP, CHOP and CHOP! Bronson grabs Gable with both hands, hauls him up for a fireman’s carry, and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Gable is still in this but Bronson says he’s gonna end this! SENTON FLOPS as Gable moves! Gable storms up to waistlock!? And he GERMAN SUPLEXES Bronson!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Gable doesn’t stop, he goes up top, and DIVING HEADBUTT FLOPS! Bronson SENTONS after all!
Bronson storms back to a corner and goes up top! Fans fire up as Gable gets up after Bronson! Gable clinches to SUPER EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! And then here comes Sami!! He TACKLES Gable!
No Contest
Sami fires off hands on Bronson, too! The fans fire up as Sami stomps a mudhole into Bronson, then chases Gable away. Sami comes back to clothesline Bronson up and out! But then Gable returns! GERMAN SUPLEX! Gable brings down the straps and flexes, but the fans boo. Gable runs corner to corner, but Sami catches him for a CORNER EXPLODER! Sami storms to the other corner, runs back in, but Bronson grabs him first! URENAGE! And then URENAGE for Gable! Auszilla stands tall again, will he crush Sami and Gable to get the gold he wants?
In face, Bronson goes to gorilla and Pearce is there. Pearce asks what is wrong with them. Can’t they just settle things? Can’t control themselves? Bronson says he doesn’t care about Gable or Sami. He just wants the Intercontinental Championship! This is business to him. If Pearce wants control, then he knows what he has to do. Bronson storms off, will the only answer be to let them fight?
Gunther speaks.
“Tonight, I’m facing Sheamus in the first round of the King of the Ring Tournament. And I already heard that Sheamus is very concerned about putting on banger after banger. Well, I do not care about bangers. I care about being the greatest of all time. And if I need to expose Sheamus again for the weak-minded, people-pleasing person that he is, then so be it. Because he will be no obstacle for me to win the King of the Ring Tournament. Already, The General of the Ring, soon to be your King of the Ring.” Gunther is ready, but will he have to put on a banger if he wants to beat Sheamus again?
Michael Cole is in the ring.
And he formally introduces the Women’s World Champion, Becky Lynch! The fans fire up as Raw now hits the Big Time! Becky holds the title high as she joins Cole in the ring. She gets a mic to say, “The Man has come around to Hartford!” The fans cheer, she and Cole take their seats, and he congratulates her. As Women’s World Champion, and a multiple time champion at that, Becky surely understands… The fans chant for “Becky! Becky!” and she says she understands that these fans are awesome! Cole finishes by saying she understands she represents the WWE around the world, including this past weekend.
Becky & Seth were at the 150th Kentucky Derby, and Cole would like her to explain the outfit. The silver dress and the shiny saucer hat. Well, yes, being champion means representing at the biggest events possible, in the biggest hats possible. She isn’t sure, but she thought it looked good. But just what is that hat? Is it a hat? Becky says she got it on Etsy. Does it work? The fans sure think so! Cole says Becky can pull it off. But let’s talk WWE. The Draft rosters locked in, the Queen of the Ring tournament is underway, and Becky will be facing any number of the other competitors over the next few months.
So then, who are some of the Raw superstars she wants to step into the ring with? Yes, there is a newness in the air. The winds of change are slapping Becky in the face. And as she sits here holding the title, there are definitely a lot of superstars who wanna slap her in the face, and she loves it! She respects it, and she welcomes it. She came to Raw nine years ago, wanting to make a change, to be a groundbreaker. She feels that same energy in that locker room from all these new additions. Alba Fyre, former and longest reigning NXT UK Women’s Champion, which also makes her the longest reigning Women’s Champion period!
Isla Dawn, Fyre’s tag partner, is an enigma with passion. Kiana James is here, and Becky’s already been in the ring with her. Kiana is athletic, but you can’t trust her, though. But Becky would trust Lyra Valkyria. Cole likes that Becky brought Lyra up. Lyra is competing tonight in the first round of the QOTR. Lyra and Becky have an interesting history. They’re both Irish, and battled over the NXT Women’s Championship. Becky says yes, they did, and Lyra is the most gifted competitor she has been in the ring with. Lyra loves this more than anything. Plus, Lyra’s got that fighting Irish spirit, and that’s always worked out for Becky.
Cole also points out there’s the first-ever Queen of the Ring, Zelina Vega. Yes, Zelina is hungry, also has passion. Cole wants to talk this past month. It has been bittersweet: WrestleMania against Rhea Ripley, Becky had strep throat and- Yes, yes, she was sick. But she isn’t making excuses, the better woman won that night. Becky’s journey has always been about overcoming and she has done that. But that loss will haunt her, make her a better fighter, and it already has. Because two weeks later, Becky beat 14 others to become the NEW Women’s World- Wait, here comes Liv! The fans cheer as Liv also has a mic as she makes her way down.
Liv says, “Blah, blah blah, blah blah. This girl, that girl, Kentucky Derby, my hat~! And no mention of Liv?” Liv’s a little offended, as she has always been overlooked and underestimated. The fans cheer that! Liv says in case anyone forgot, she is a Ms. MITB, a former women’s champion and tag team champion! She beat Nia Jax in this ring just last week, not to mention she is the one who took out Rhea, you’re welcome! The fans are a bit more torn on that last part but they still cheer Liv. And Liv says after all that, the fact she still can’t get an ounce of respect literally blows her mind. Wanna talk talk talk? Then let’s talk about the match Becky just promised Liv.
Okay, let’s talk about it! Liv didn’t let her finish! In three weeks, Liv’s got it. It will happen at the King & Queen of the Ring event in Saudi Arabia. And Liv wants to talk about the things she’s done? Well, Liv’s never beat Becky! Liv sighs and says she’s glad Becky just brought that up. Because yeah, Liv’s never beaten Becky 1v1. And even after listing all her accomplishments, it wasn’t until just now that Liv realized what she’s been missing: purpose. And now that Liv has purpose, she knows she can finally beat Becky! Because Liv’s purpose is getting revenge on Rhea, taking everything that she loves, and becoming NEW Women’s World Champion!
Fans are still a little torn, but then DMG CTRL makes their way out here! Dakota has a mic to say, “Aw~! Look at that, Liv Morgan gets a title shot that she did absolutely nothing to earn!” But that’s fine. They’ll let Liv and Becky fight it out. Meanwhile, DMG CTRL has QOTR on lock! Iyo’s advanced, and Dakota will do the same. But they’re out here now to remind them who really runs Raw! Liv and Becky stand their ground, but then Liv bails! Liv laughs because why would she stick her neck out for The Man? But Becky still fires off forearms! That’s 3v1 so she gets mugged, but here comes Lyra!
The fans fire up as Lyra blows past Liv, gets in the ring and DECKS Kairi! Then ROCKS Lyra! Then repeat! Becky gets Dakota outta the ring, DMG CTRL regroups, and Morrigan stands tall alongside The Man! Lyra and Dakota will have it out after the break, who will step forward in the tournament?
Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.
Jackie knows Sami is all riled up, but this issue with him and Gable is getting personal, and now Bronson adds on, things are just intensifying. Where does this end? Sami says that is all true, it is all a personal issue. This should’ve been over weeks ago in Montreal, but here we are. And then there’s this personal grudge with Gable, and now a professional one with Bronson Reed. Bronson isn’t even coming after Sami, he’s after the Intercontinental title. Sami is juggling the emotional and the business side, so how does it end? There’s only one way it can: TRIPLE THREAT at King & Queen of the Ring in Saudi Arabia!
Sami’s gotten knocked down a million times, will probably be knocked down a million more. But when the pressure is on, and this title is on the line, in Saudi Arabia, his homeland, Sami will be at his best and STILL be Intercontinental Champion! The match has been made, will Sami defy the odds like he has before?
Queen of the Ring Opening Round: Lyra Valkyria VS Dakota Kai!
Raw returns and the bell rings. The two tie right up, go around, and Lyra arm-drags Dakota away! The fans rally up as the two go again. They tie up, Lyra headlocks, then hits a takeover. Dakota moves around, fights up, and powers out. Lyra rolls over, drops down, then hip tosses! Cover, TWO! We go picture in picture to plug Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes while Lyra keeps on Dakota with a facelock. Dakota fight sup, but Lyra shifts to a cravat. Lyra then headlocks, but Dakota powers up and out. We return to single picture as Lyra goes up and over, ducks under a boot, then ENZIGIRIS! Dakota gets up, but into a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!
Lyra keeps focused on Dakota, brings her up again, and FISHERMAN- NO, Dakota cradle counters! TWO! Dakota bumps Lyra off buckles, then runs corner to corner, but Lyra BOOTS back! Lyra goes up and up but Dakota YANKS her down! Lyra hits buckles on the way, and Dakota goes out to get her on the apron! BOOT! Lyra flops to the floor, Dakota grins and soaks up heat, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again as both women rise up. Lyra counter punches, then fires palm strikes! Lyra windmill CHOPS, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Lyra SOBATS, KICKS, HEADBUTTS, KICKS then HEEL KICKS! Dakota flops out of the ring but Lyra builds speed! Lyra WRECKS Dakota with a dropkick! The fans fire up and Lyra puts Dakota back in the ring. Lyra climbs a corner, to CROSSBODY! Lyra rolls off the cover but brings Dakota up, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Dakota stays in this but Lyra stays calm. Lyra drags Dakota back up with a cravat, then fireman’s carries. But Dakota fires elbows to get free!
Dakota throws Lyra down by her hair, and says she’s smarter than that. Dakota drags Lyra up, puts her in the ropes, and then JUMP STOMPS her down! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives and Dakota is annoyed. Dakota stalks Lyra, the fans rally up, but Dakota aims. Dakota runs Around the World, but Lyra dodges! Lyra rolls Dakota up, TWO! The ref almost gets hit, Lyra runs up to ROCK Dakota! Dakota shoves back but Lyra returns to forearm! Lyra runs, but Dakota goes Around the World! BOOT!! Cover, TWO!! Dakota is seething, but she hauls Lyra up to a fireman’s carry! DETONATOR- NO, Lyra blocks that kick to stand Dakota up!
Dakota ducks the roundhouse to SCORPION KICK! Lyra wobbles, Dakota runs up, but Lyra fireman’s carries through! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Cover, Lyra wins!
Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Morrigan turns fortunes around in an instant, and now she is moving on! But with Zoey Stark waiting in the next round, will Lyra be able to evade the Hunter and head for new heights?
Kofi Kingston speaks.
“This King of the Ring Tournament was supposed to be were Xavier ran it back. It was supposed to be where Xavier Woods made history by becoming the second-ever two-time King of the Ring. But Gunther took that away from him. Because of Gunther, Xavier Woods is unable to compete in this tournament, and to be honest, I don’t really know when he’s gonna be back. But what I do know is that if Gunther advances, then I can’t wait to face him and give him what he deserves. But first, I gotta get through one of the greatest of all time, the legend, the icon, the Hall of Famer, Rey Mysterio. Someone who I looked up to so much growing up.
“But with as much respect as I have for Rey, I gotta put him down unapologetically, as if my name was Kendrick Lamar or Drake. I have to win this tournament, for Woods. I have to become the next King of the Ring for Woods, in his name and his honor, because after all this time, after all these years, there’s three words that still ring as true now as they did then. And I think we all know what those three words are: New Day Rocks.” Kofi is ready to represent, but will he make it through the King of Lucha Libre?
King of the Ring Opening Round: Gunther w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS Sheamus!
We’ve heard from both Der Ring General and The Celtic Warrior on their epic rivalry, and now there is another chapter added here tonight. This is most certainly going to be a banger, but who comes out of it all banged up while the other punches his ticket to round two?
The bell rings and the fans fire up already as the two stare down. They circle, feel things out, then tie up. They go around, end up in a corner, but then go around and around. They end up on ropes, Gunther lets off slowly but the fans rally for Sheamus. Sheamus and Gunther reset, tie up again, and Gunther puts Sheamus in a corner. The ref counts but Gunther CHOPS! Sheamus fires a forearm! They CHOP back and forth, faster and faster, and then Gunther headlocks! But Sheamus turns that into a BIG back suplex! Sheamus fires body shots and UPPERCUTS, but Gunther CHOPS in return! The shots keep going!
The fans fire up but then Gunther headlocks again. Sheamus powers out, they RAM shoulders, but then Gunther BOOTS Sheamus down! The fans are torn while Sheamus goes to the apron. Gunther storms up, stands Sheamus up, and turns him around. Gunther wants to steal Sheamus’ move! BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN, but Sheamus blocks at three! Sheamus turns around to ROCK Gunther! Gunther hits back, they brawl with the ropes between them! Sheamus ROCKS Gunther again, and then has him in the ropes! But Gunther powers up and throws elbows! Then he LARIATS Sheamus down! Sheamus sputters as he sits up, but Gunther goes out after him!
Gunther brings Sheamus up and in, but Sheamus fights the lift! Sheamus back drops Gunther onto the apron! Gunther flops to the floor, Sheamus FLYING AX HANDLES! Sheamus shouts “FELLA~!” and the fans fire up with him while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Sheamus fires hands on Gunther! Sheamus whips, runs up, but into a BOOT! Gunther CHOPS Sheamus on the back! Sheamus falls forward, Gunther uses his legs in a NECK TWIST! Sheamus writhes but Gunther throws down elbows! Gunther KICKS Sheamus in the back, then stalks him to ropes. Gunther claws at Sheamus’ face, but the ref counts. Gunther ELBOWS Sheamus as he lets off, then he drags Sheamus back up. The fans rally but Gunther clamps on a cravat! Sheamus endures, even as Gunther cranks the neck. Sheamus goes to the mat, and we get a look at the handprint on his shoulder!
Gunther grinds the hold but the fans continue to rally. Sheamus gets that second wind and fights up to throw body shots! Sheamus is put in a corner for a CHOP! And another CHOP! But Sheamus eggs Gunther on!? Hartford fires up for it as Gunther CHOPS! And CHOPS! Sheamus fires forearm sin return! Sheamus ROCKS Gunther, whips, then runs in, but into a BOOT! Gunther swings, but into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Gunther staggers, Sheamus scoops, but Gunther slips free to CLUB him! Gunther runs, to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Sheamus is still in this but Gunther drags him right back up.
Gunther reels Sheamus in, but Sheamus fights the lift! Sheamus fireman’s carries, to a WHITE NOISE! Cover, TWO! Gunther is still in this and Ludwig Kaiser is relieved. Gunther goes to the apron, Sheamus storms after him. Sheamus drags Gunther up, but Gunther HOTSHOTS him back! Gunther then runs, but into a scoop! POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Gunther survives and goes back to the apron, but Sheamus just storms up after him. Sheamus has Gunther against the ropes! The fans fire up for the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus goes all the way to TEN, then past it to SEVENTEEN before Gunther flops over!
The fans are thunderous and Sheamus is feeling it! He beats his chest, the fans shout with him, and then Sheamus runs in! But Gunther gets around the Brogue to waistlock! Sheamus elbows free of that, runs up again, but is hung up on ropes! Sheamus still elbows Gunther away, but Kaiser traps Sheamus’ leg like Woods’ was last week! Gunther CHOPS Sheamus on the back! Gunther pulls on the leg, the ref counts, and Gunther lets off at 4. Gunther argues with the ref, allowing Kaiser to DROPKICK the leg!! The fans boo as Sheamus falls! The ref suspects something, though! The ref EJECTS Kaiser!! The fans cheer while Kaiser is furious!
Gunther is disappointed Kaiser got caught, but also smirks because the damage has been done. The ref checks on Sheamus, Sheamus refuses to let him call this, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Gunther has Sheamus’ leg in a HEEL HOOK! Sheamus CLUBS at Gunther, but he falls back, and that’s a cover! TWO, and Sheamus fires more hands on Gunther! Gunther KICKS Sheamus down, that’s a cover, TWO as Sheamus sits up! Sheamus still endures, he kicks and kicks and kicks with his free leg, and that gets Gunther to let go! Both men stand, Gunther runs up to kick the bad leg! Gunther rips the kneepad right off to then drop knee on knee! Sheamus clutches the joint but Gunther pushes him down! Another knee right on the knee! The fans boo while Gunther drags Sheamus up.
Gunther reels Sheamus in but Sheamus resists the lift! Sheamus fireman’s carries, but the bad leg won’t let him! Gunther KICKS the leg out! Gunther then brings Sheamus up, to CHOP the leg! Sheamus drops down, Gunther winds up, and Gunther runs, but into a LARIAT from Sheamus! The fans fire up again as Sheamus hobbles over. Sheamus reels Gunther in, Canadian Rack, but again the bad leg stops him! But then he KNEE CAPS Gunther!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives but Sheamus falls back to a corner. The fans rally up as hard as they can for Sheamus as he stands back up. Sheamus runs in, but the leg jams!
Gunther reels Sheamus in, GENERAL BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! But Gunther has the leg for a HALF CRAB!! Sheamus scrambles forward, ROPEBREAK! Gunther lets go, to STOMP the leg! Gunther then storms his way to a corner and climbs up! Sheamus stands and ROCKS Gunther first! And ROCKS Gunther again! Sheamus turns Gunther around, and uses the corner to help in the lift! CELTIC CROSS!! Sheamus crawls to the cover, TWO!! Gunther survives, but Sheamus is too sore to be upset. “This is Awesome!” as both men slowly rise again. Sheamus hobbles over, stands Gunther up and fires a forearm! Gunther KICKS the leg, then GERMAN SUPLEXES!
Sheamus sits up and shouts, “C’MON!!” The fans are thunderous as Sheamus rises, and he KNEE CAPS again!! Sheamus goes to the corner, runs up, BROGUE!!! But Sheamus can’t make the cover! Sheamus has to crawl over, now he has the cover, TWO!!! Gunther survives because of the delay!! The fans are losing their minds, but then Gunther hooks Sheamus with a leg to get that leg! HALF CRAB!! Sheamus endures, reaches out, fights forward, but Gunther drags him away! HALF CRAB and it’s deep!!! But Sheamus is still reaching out! Hartford is trying their hardest, too, but Sheamus taps! Gunther wins!!
Winner: Gunther, by submission (advances to the next round)
Hartford feels robbed! Kaiser played a part in Gunther’s victory to ensure Sheamus lost! Will Imperium do it all again in the quarterfinals? Or will the winner of Kofi VS Rey make sure justice is served?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw to not just follow an awesome Backlash, but to get things going for King & Queen of the Ring. A bit of a shame that they couldn’t do ALL eight matches here tonight, leaving Shayna VS Zelina and Kofi VS Rey for a house show coming up. That’s nice for the people at the coming live event but kinda lame for everyone else who would’ve watched it on TV. But great promo from Kofi to help us understand that Woods is out of action and Kofi must now avenge him. As such, I figured Gunther would win against Sheamus, but it feels a bit booty for it to be because Kaiser helped out. I suppose that keeps Sheamus strong in the loss in case Sheamus aims for the Intercontinental Championship, the one thing he still hasn’t had.
Really good match from Ivy VS Zoey, good win for Zoey. Great match from Iyo VS Natty, and great win for Iyo. A shame that Asuka is hurt, but Lyra VS Dakota was still a great match. Dakota taking the loss was probably better in the end, Lyra getting a win over Asuka might’ve been a bit much too soon. The interview promo segment with Becky was a bit lacking, even with them poking fun at Becky’s Kentucky Derby outfit. But then Liv showed up and livened things up, no pun intended. Good Heel move in ditching Becky, leaving Lyra to of course make the save to also segue into the match. Becky VS Liv for Saudi Arabia is going to be awesome, and I feel if Liv wins, it’s because she cheats.
Another funny promo from Awesome Truth, and Bron even had a good part as he of course plays entitled new kid on the block. Good promo from Ricochet and with Braun making a surprise appearance. Ricochet VS Dragunov was awesome stuff, perhaps match of the night. Ricochet is Speed Champion so it’s not like he had to win here. Also if you can’t tell, I haven’t been covering WWE Speed because it’s on Twitter/X instead of other, better social media. Dragunov got an awesome win off Ricochet here, there is a very good chance Dragunov meets Gunther in the Raw bracket finals before going to KQOTR.
Good detail during Punk walking to the ring to give us Gable being mean Gable again. Really good start of a match with Gable and Bronson, and naturally Sami got involved to return the favor from Gable’s attack. And naturally, this brings about a Triple Threat. Bronson stood tall tonight because logically, why wouldn’t he? He’s big, mean, and so far his emotions haven’t been a liability like it has with Gable and Sami. He’s laser focused, and if it wasn’t for the match being in Saudi Arabia, I’d think he’d win the title because Sami and Gable cost each other. Instead, this might be more like the other Triple Threats we’ve seen so far (Logan VS Randy VS Kevin, and Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany) where the champion manages to find the opening and retain the title.
And very good intertwining of stories again as McIntyre’s story with Punk sidetracks him again and then Judgment Day still gets hit with payback as Jey Uso gets in the tournament. Great match from Finn VS Jey, and real good promo from Judgment Day with Carlito backstage. I think Dom just needs to admit that he wants to do like LWO Wolfpac or something with other Latino wrestlers going into a new rivalry with Rey. It’s also funny that Priest is sending tiny JD against Braun Strowman, knowing JD is gonna get eaten alive. And then CM Punk had a great promo to again tear into McIntyre, though he was definitely stretching just a little bit to make it to six minutes or so. And honestly, why not find a way to stretch this to Clash at the Castle Glasgow in June to really get the crowd all hot.
My Score: 8.8/10
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The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Rockin’ around the Christmas Collision!
The Continental Classic continues on Christmas Collision, with crucial points on the line this close to AEW Worlds End! Who will finally take the lead in Gold League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; Kris wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia; Garcia wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos; Briscoe wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 2-2, 6 points
Komander: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Shelton Benjamin: 2-1, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.
He has Big Boom AJ & Big Justice with him in the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they’re ready to bring the BOOM~! They’re ready to watch the action tonight, and even the final face-to-face of MJF and Adam Cole. AJ says if MJF is gonna bring the doom, then you know he and Big Justice will bring the BOOM~! But tonight, their guy, Adam Cole will bring the BOOM~ too! And of course we have big Continental Classic action! Daniel Garcia VS Shelton Benjamin in a critical showdown, and while Shelton is tough, Garcia is going to bring the BOOM~! Plus, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos! The Chicken is their guy, time to bring the BOOM~!
In Gold League, we have Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, and the Swiss Superman is a DOOM~! Let’s go, Darby, bring that BOOM~! And then a match everyone wants to see, the fireworks rematch of Will Ospreay VS Ricochet! If you’re a fan of high-flying wrestling, this is the right night to be right here in AEW! Ricochet and their guy, Ospreay, will bring the BOOM~! But speaking of, that match is up first! The Aerial Assassin joins AJ & Big Justice in giving a BOOM~, but will Ricochet make sure tonight is #OuttaThisWorld?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet!
Wait, are the fans throwing white streamers or is that… No, yeah, it’s toilet paper! Ospreay laughs at the fans basically calling Ricochet crap. Ricochet throws the toilet paper back! The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans fire up for Ospreay as he and Ricochet circle. The fans also sing, “F HIM UP, OSPREAY, F HIM UP!” Ricochet shrugs that off, he and Ospreay tie up, and then Ricochet rolls. Ospreay shoots in, waistlocks, but Ricochet switches. They go around, Ricochet gator rolls with Ospreay, then floats to a headlock. Ricochet wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks again. Ospreay powers up and out, Ricochet runs him over, but Ospreay kips up!
The fans cheer and Ospreay smiles as he and Ricochet reset. They tie up, go around, and Ricochet wrenches to a wristlock. Ospreay rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Ricochet spins and wrenches to hammerlock. Ospreay reaches back, headlocks and hits a takeover. Ricochet rolls to a cover, TWO! Ospreay holds onto the headlock but Ricochet powers up and out. Ospreay runs Ricochet over, Ricochet bails out, and then Ospreay handsprings to fake Ricochet out! The fans cheer as Ospreay superhero lands out, and Ricochet is annoyed. Ospreay holds ropes open for Ricochet, but Ricochet goes around the way to step in on his own.
The fans boo Ricochet being a bad sport but Ricochet ignores that. Ospreay and Ricochet knuckle lock, then Ricochet kicks low! And CHOPS! Ricochet whips, Ospreay reverses, but Ricochet rolls off Ospreay’s back! Things keep moving, Ospreay avoids the handspring to then duck ‘n’ dodges and RANA! But Ricochet handsprings through! The fans fire up, and Ospreay arm-drags Ricochet down! The fans cheer while Ricochet endures the grind. Ricochet fights up and puts Ospreay on ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet and Ospreay slowly let g o, and Ricochet SLAPS Ospreay! Ospreay CHOPS Ricochet!
Ospreay takes a swing, Ricochet ducks under to roll back and RANA! But now Ospreay handsprings through! Ricochet dodges to waistlock but Ospreay bucks the O’Conner. Ricochet arm-drags Ospreay down, but Ospreay headscissors back! Ricochet pops free but Ospreay arm-drags! Ricochet headscissors, Ospreay pops free, and Ospreay handsprings, but Ricochet catches him! Ricochet then THROWS Ospreay into the Tree of Woe, and Ospreay falls down! The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, but Ricochet FOSBURY FLOPS! The fans boo but Ricochet takes the toilet paper to wipe himself, then he SMOTHERS Ospreay with it!
The fans boo that literally disgusting act of disrespect, but Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet taunts the fans, then drags Ospreay up. Ricochet puts Ospreay in, soaks up more heat, then KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Ricochet swaggers to taunt the fans more, then he goes back to Ospreay. Cover, ONE!! Another cover, TWO! Ricochet taunts the fans more, then goes back for Ospreay. Ricochet stands Ospreay up to CHOP, and Ospreay goes to a corner. Ricochet RAMS into Ospreay, RAMS him again, then snapmares to UPPERCUT in the back! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Ricochet drags him into a motorcycle stretch. Ospreay endures while Ricochet digs a knee into the back. Ospreay fights up, fights with elbows, then runs, but into a DROPKICK!
Ospreay is down in a daze but Ricochet has to shake out the stars in his own head. Ricochet covers, ONE! Ospreay then uses that one to flip off Ricochet. Ricochet RAMS Ospreay in the back! Ricochet then clamps on with a chinlock, and he digs his knee into Ospreay’s back. Ospreay endures, even as Ricochet JAMS Ospreay. Collision returns to single picture as the fans rally for Ospreay again. Ospreay fires up, fires hands, but Ricochet RAMS him into a corner. Ricochet runs up, RAMS into Ospreay, then goes to the apron. Ospreay takes a swing but Ricochet dodges and gets around him to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay runs, handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay goes to the apron, takes aim, and he springboards to PIP PIP CHEERIO! Down goes Ricochet, Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay stays focused and the fans rally up. Ospreay drags Ricochet up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Ricochet staggers, Ospreay runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS! Forearm, SOBAT, and Ricochet runs, but into a POP-UP, and STYLES- NO, Ricochet sits up, slips free, and he underhooks Ospreay for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Ricochet goes up.
Ricochet has to double clutch, the fans let him hear it, but Ricochet still MOONSAULTS! Ricochet lands out as Ospreay moves, and Ospreay runs up, but into an ELBOW! Ricochet handsprings, but into a pop-up, Electric Chair, spin around, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Ospreay is surprised. Ospreay pulls on the elbow pad and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Ospreay aims, but Ricochet bails out! The fans boo but Ospreay storms after Ricochet. They’re both on the apron and Ospreay goes up a corner. Ricochet anchors Ospreay first! Then Ricochet has the Electric Chair Lift!
Ospreay fights free, fights off a nelson, then he KICKS Ricochet! Ospreay runs, but into a pop-up APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Ricochet adds a SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Ricochet puts Ospreay in, then springboards to 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives, but then Ricochet AX KICKS! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, VERTIGO! Cover, TWO!? Ospreay survives and Ricochet is shocked! Ricochet snarls and he aims from a corner. The fans rally for Ospreay but Ricochet loads up. SPIRIT- NO, Ospreay ducks under! Ospreay gets up, Ricochet blocks a kick!
Ricochet V-TRIGGERS, then he reels Ospreay in! But Ospreay fights out of the bomb, but then Ricochet returns the favor! Ricochet suplexes, into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Ospreay springboards for the OSC- CUTTER FROM RICOCHET!! Ricochet hurries to get Ospreay up, powerbomb into fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! SPIRIT- HIDDEN BLADE!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ospreay and Ricochet both slowly sit up and the fans rally as hard as ever. Ricochet and Ospreay stare down, talk a bit of trash, then stand up. Ospreay draws a line in the sand and dares Ricochet to step up.
Ricochet steps right up, they stand toe to toe, literally! They start firing forearms! The fans cheer Ospreay, boo Ricochet, and Ricochet wobbles! But then Ricochet comes back with forearm after forearm! Ospreay wobbles, but he grins as he rises and roars! Ospreay fires a flurry on Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Ricochet flops over, Ospreay hauls him up! But Ricochet grabs at the ref! Ospreay kicks Ricochet’s arm away, but then Ricochet RAMS Ospreay into the ref! The fans boo but then Ricochet hurries to HOOK KICK! And VERTI- NO, Ospreay slips free to underhook! STORM BREAKER! Cover, but the ref is down!
The fans count, Ospreay would’ve won twice over! Ospreay calls to the ref, the ref sputters around, and Ospreay goes up. But then Ricochet kicks the ref into ropes! Ospreay gets tripped up and the fans boo more! Ospreay is confused as to what happened, but SPIRIT GUN hits the mark!! Cover, RICOCHET WINS!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Ospreay earns 0)
The One & Only got away with murder, but there’s nothing that can be done now! Ricochet has NINE points, will he be headed to Worlds End?
Adam Cole heads to the ring!
The fans cheer as the Panama City Playboy returns to the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they join in for the “BOOM~!” and the “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY~!” Cole grabs a mic, but he keeps his eyes on the ramp. That’s because we all know who’s next. MJF makes his entrance, but with a handful of security guards in front of him first. And not even AEW security, that’s his own personal security. MJF grabs a mic and has them cut his music. The fans boo but MJF tells them, “If I wanted your help, I’d ask for it. Sit down and shut up.” The fans tell MJF to STFU, but MJF shrugs that off.
MJF tells Cole that MJF is frustrated. It’s because for the past few months, MJF has had to listen to Cole say MJF is Cole’s biggest enemy! If memory serves, and MJF’s memory always does because unlike the fans here, he isn’t a complete moron… Didn’t Cole turn on MJF? But then does Cole realize he has bigger enemies out there? Like spray tan, cracks in the floor, gusts of win, and maybe… a cavity. Because last MJF heard, Cole’s dentist isn’t seeing him anymore. Cole was already staring daggers into MJF, but now he’s pissed. MJF has Cole calm down, and he tells the fans to shut up so he can shoot straight.
When MJF was the longest-reigning and greatest AEW World Champion of all time, Cole was nothing more than MJF’s cute little sidekick. That ate Cole up inside. Cole wanted to be MJF. Cole wanted #TripleB. But the sad truth is, Cole had many opportunities to win the title before MJF got anywhere near it. It’s almost like when it comes to Cole being elite enough to become world champion, just like his “s*itty little ankle,” Cole blows it. MJF laughs at his own joke, and then tells the fans he is talking, it is not that complicated. But this is why MJF doesn’t buy the hogwash that Cole turned on MJF because MJF would turn on Cole first.
Cole turned because he, like all these shmucks, is jealous of MJF. And who can blame Cole? MJF is rich, handsome, funny, entertaining, and then look at Cole. For crying out loud, Cole used to be ADAM COLE BAYBAY. Now, he’s just a crack baby! Cole asks if MJF is done. Was that the last line? Because it felt like MJF practiced that for two weeks in front of a mirror. But MJF killed it, really. Cole could come back with childish comments to hurt MJF’s feelings, but he won’t. Cole could mention MJF has had two surgeries on that fake head of hair of his while only in his 20s, which is hilarious, but he won’t.
Cole could talk about how MJF pulled some strings to get his girlfriend hired, like the real politician he is, but Cole won’t go there. Cole could talk about how every single time MJF enters a room, everyone waits for him to leave because he is loud, obnoxious and annoying as hell. But Cole won’t go there. Because Cole is not like MJF. They are nothing alike. That is why the friendship was ruined. Because, MJF, the truth is you say Cole is a failure, but in virtually every wrestling company Cole has worked for, he is the longest-reigning champion in so many!
In this very building, Cole bled BUCKETS against Kyle O’Reilly, wanting to prove he was one of the best in the world, and that is exactly what he did! Does Cole have regrets? Sure. Are there things Cole wishes he could take back? Absolutely. But Cole does NOT regret turning on MJF. The only reason it drives MJF insane is because Cole beat MJF to it. That’s MJF 101: Get close to someone, then turn on them. It’s what MJF does. Cole just did it better than MJF, and MJF knows it.
But Cole has been thinking, trying to understand what’s going on in MJF’s head, and he finally figured it out. MJF is terrified of having anyone close to him, because he feels it is a weakness. That hit a chord? Because not only does MJF act like a child, he thinks like a child! MJF knows in his heart that he was going to be the one to turn on Cole first! DAMN RIGHT HE WAS!!! MJF realizes he let the cat out of the bag. MJF says congrats, Cole, he solved the mystery! A regular Scooby-Doo! Great job, Adam.
But you want the truth? Here it is. The fact of the matter is, last year at Worlds End, MJF had every intention on stabbing Cole in the back that night. Cole just got lucky. When #BetterThanYouBaybay started, MJF didn’t give a damn about Cole. Cole was nothing more than a pawn. But MJF will admit, he did eventually start to care. For the first time in MJF’s life, he cared about someone else. Fans mockingly go, “Aww…” But MJF says that is just when Cole became a liability. And since Cole’s “a fragile little freak,” him jumping off that ramp and exploding his ankle made him a distraction!
Distractions, liabilities, emotions, there are no room for those when all you should be concerned with is maintaining the world championship! But Cole doesn’t get it, does he? Last year was a fluke. Cole ain’t the Devil, he just beat the Devil to it. But this year, Worlds End, December 28th, the same show where Cole tried to end MJF’s world, MJF ENDS Cole!! MJF throws down the mic and the fans are torn. Cole smirks and says MJF ends things then? Well, how about Cole ends this? COLE DECKS MJF! The guards rush in, but Cole fights them off! MJF sends more but Cole SUPERKICSK! And SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS!
But then MJF LOW BLOWS Cole! MJF tells the fans to shut up! MJF takes out the Dynamite Diamond Ring! But then The Kingdom rushes out here! MJF runs away from Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but he vows this ends at Worlds End. We have one week left, is that the last week Cole has in AEW? Or will MJF finally lose the one thing he has left in that diamond ring?
Backstage interview with Kris Statlander.
Lexy Nair is with the #BornAgainKristen and brings up her trying to make amends with Willow Nightingale last night, as well as making the save when Harley Cameron & Penelope Ford were beating Willow up. Kris says what she and Willow have to discuss is between them. But as far as her and Penelope go, they’ve got a lot of history, and if Ford wants a fight, Kris will give her a fight. Then speaking of history, Kris still has her eyes set on the TBS Championship, can she tells us more on that?
Kris says she looked back on 2024 and she had a downward spiral that started with losing that title. Maybe if she wins it back, Kris will right her wrongs. On that note, Mercedes Mone, you don’t have an opponent for Worlds End so here Kris is. Let her know when you’re ready for round two. Kris heads out, will she prove to everyone that she is still the Galaxy’s Greatest?
Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy.
AEW returns and Lexy is now with Freshly Squeezed. In exactly one week, he will compete against three other men for the AEW World Championship. There are a lot of combustible elements at play, and Cassidy says yeah, we saw that on Dynamite. Jay White, Hangman Page and Cassidy can’t exactly have a conversation. So really, Cassidy wants them to listen. “Between now and Worlds End, Jon Moxley can run and hide. He can hide behind his goons, he can run away in a pickup truck. But when that bell rings in seven days, he has nowhere to go. He will be in the ring with us. Us three. And you both know that we need to remove Jon Moxley from the equation.
“We can. We’ve done it. And after that, us three, we can fight for the AEW World Championship and one of us will become the AEW World Champion. Just something to think about. See you guys on Dynamite.” Cassidy is ready to remove the Maniac from the throne, but will the Switchblade and Cowboy listen to reason?
Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford!
As Kris just said, she’s calling out The CEO in hopes of one more TBS Championship match. But will the Superbad Girl be more like the Grinch for Kris this Christmas?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Kris circles with Ford. They tie up, Kris powers Ford to a corner, then throws Ford back into the corner! The ref counts, Kris lets off, but Ford shoves her! Kris ROCKS Ford, TOSSES her, then runs up on her. Kris whips, drops down, then hurdles over. Kris CLOBBERS Ford and the fans fire up as she flexes. Kris drags Ford up, reels her in, and suplexes, and she holds Ford up! The fans cheer and Kris goes all the way to TEN, but Ford slips into a SLEEPER! Kris pries the hold open and she brings Ford around for another suplex! The fans fire up as Kris holds Ford up for five before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Kris drags Ford up, whips her to the corner, but Ford goes up, only for Kris to Electric Chair Lift! Kris climbs, Ford fights with fists, and she shoves Kris down! Ford steadies herself, then hits a FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford is frustrated but she storms up on Kris. Ford bumps Kris off buckles but the fans rally behind Kris. Ford stomps a mudhole, but she lets off as the ref counts. Kris goes to the apron, but Ford jumps up to drop KNEES on her! The fans boo but Ford soaks up the heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ford brings Kris around to THROW her into railing! Ford soaks up more heat, then drags Kris up and RAMS her into the apron! Ford refreshes the count, then stalks Kris around the way. Ford whips Kris into the steel steps! Kris falls over in a heap but Ford drags her up into the ring. Ford covers, TWO! Kris stays in this but Ford kicks her around. Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes, thrashes around, but lets off as the ref counts. Ford drags Kris up and whips her to ropes, then LARIATS as Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes again! The ref counts, Ford lets off and Kris sputters to the apron. Ford runs and goes up, up, and KNEE DROPS on only apron! Kris then SHOTGUNS Ford off the apron! The fans fire up and Kris brings Ford up, to THROW into railing! Kris puts Ford in the ring, the fans fire up, but Ford kicks low. Ford reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford flounders to a corner but Kris has the fans rallying behind her. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT! Kris goes side to side but Ford dodges the knee! Ford hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Ford wasn’t quite perfect there but she watches Kris go to a corner. Ford runs corner to corner, handsprings, but Kris catches her! The fans fire up as Kris GERMAN SUPELXES, but Ford lands out! but Kris goes Matrix to dodge! So does Ford! STUNNER! Ford runs, Kris does her best to follow, but Ford hops up for a POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and the fans fire up! Ford is beside herself, but she drags Kris to a drop zone. Ford goes up top, and MOONSAULTS BUT FLOPS as Kris moves! Kris hurries to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! The fans fire up as Kris scoops to tuck Ford in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Ford gave Kris quite the fight, but Kris came out on top! Wait, here comes Mone! Kris did call the CEO out, so Santa Mone says, “Ho, ho, ho ho ho! New York Citaaaay~! Please say hello to your C E O! Kris, after the year I’ve been having, I was planning on taking Worlds End off. I was planning on going to the Ritz in Boston.” The fans boo Boston, but Mone says since it’s the holidays, Mone feels like being nice. She already beat Kris once anyway, so she’ll just beat her twice! At Worlds End, you see that money changes everything, because Mone is the greatest TBS Champion of all time!
The challenge has been accepted, and Mone is looking to be busy before the New Year. Will Kris make her regret it?
Big Boom AJ & Big Justice return to the ring.
They’re getting Christmas Collision ready to bring the BOOM, but out comes Chris Jericho, who is still ROH World Champion after overcoming Matt Cardona last night at Final Battle. And he has Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey with him as he asks if AJ has a permit for being here tonight. Did they talk with Mayor DeBlasio? Because they certainly didn’t run this past Jericho. Do they know who he is? Big Justice says yeah, he knows! “You’re a JACKASS!” Jericho is taken aback, but the fans agree with Justice. The Bad Apple says this is why dumbass kids should be sitting and not heard. Jericho says yeah!
And if being a jackass means he’s the King of New York, then Jericho’s the biggest jackass! And besides, Jericho talks for everyone here saying we do not want AJ & Justice here! The fans boo, they disagree with Jericho. But Jericho says they don’t even have Costcos in New York! New Yorkers shop at bodegas. Fans are torn, because they kind of agree. Jericho says his favorite is the Walgreens a few blocks over in Flushing. And speaking of Flushing, that’s where AJ & Justice belong: in the toilet! This is the Hammerstein Ballroom, the House that Jericho built! The fans boo that, it’s the House that Hardcore built.
But Jericho says there’s no time for goofy gimmicks like BOOM~, or bandit masks, or scissoring! Scissor me, Bad Apple~! But then wait! The Acclaimed is here! Well, Anthony Bowens is, at least. Bowens pushes past The Learning Tree and he joins AJ & Justice in the ring. Bowens has the music cut, and he tells Jericho that he doesn’t get why Scissor King is catching strays, but you caught his attention. Jericho is trying to intimidate a man in a walking boot and an 11 year old child while spouting nonsense about being the King of New York. Why doesn’t Jericho do what he has asked so many others in the past: SHUT THE HELL UP!
The fans cheer but Big Bill says, “As the Learning Tree always says, when a man tries to silence another man, he’s probably afraid of the truth.” The fans do cheer Big Bill because he is from New York. Bowens says he has no idea what that means, Bill. But he does know we’re live on TNT, Christmas Collision, Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City! So Chris, why not walk your ass to this ring and get it whipped by the Scissor King?! Jericho says if Bowens wants him to do that, then not tonight. Jericho waves bye, but AJ says hold on, listen up. We know Jericho is running scared, but we know at some point, Bowens will get to bring the-
Bowens stops the Boom? Because he wants to scissor! AJ says okay, and they SCISSOR BOOM~! But is that true? Will Anthony Bowens be the one to tear down the Learning Tree and be a champion?
Backstage interview with The Vendetta.
Lexy is now with Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie, and they’ve got a hot streak going. Deonna’s message last week was ominous, but who was it for? Taya says there are so many options. Everyone deserves a slice of The Vendetta. There’s Mercedes, Mariah, Toni Storm, even Lexy could get some, so watch your back. Speaking of Toni, she stumbles in and apologizes for interrupting. She just wants to say hi to everyone, hello. Oh, Deonna, a pleasure. Deonna says she knows who Toni is. R-Really? So cool! Taya says she’ll make a guess: Toni has a tattoo on her leg, a little duck with a knife through it.
Wow, how’d Taya know? Deonna says no no no, she is not doing this again. She does not get what sick crap Toni’s up to, but she is already done with it. So for Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street, Toni VS Taya! Taya says she’ll make Toni forget everything! Toni nervously thanks The Vendetta, and says this is a big opportunity to face someone like Taya. Toni leaves, Deonna and Taya sigh, and Lexy has no idea what to say. Is Toni’s mind unraveling before our eyes? Or is there still a bit of Timeless inside Toni Time?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia!
This showdown was inevitable, but it’s even more fitting after The Standard of Excellence beat up the TNT Champion just because he stood up to the Hurt Syndicate. Will Shelton continue to bring the pain? Or will he not survive Red Death?
The bell rings and Garcia goes right at Shelton! Garcia fires hands but Shelton RAMS him into the corner! Shelton fires hands but Garcia turns things around to fire more shots! The ref counts, Shelton shoves Garcia back, but Garcia runs up to fire hands! Shelton shoves Garcia again, but Garcia gets under the lariat to waistlock. Shelton fights the lift but Garcia shoves him to SLAP! And CHOP! Shelton just grins and he picks Garcia up again! Shelton TOSSES Garcia away and Garcia goes to ropes. Shelton brings Garcia back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then brings him up again. Scoop SLAM! Shelton drags Garcia up and puts him in a corner.
Shelton whips corner to corner hard and Garcia falls! The fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton drags Garcia around, stomps him around, then TOSSES Garcia out hard! Garcia sputters but Shelton storms outside. Shelton brings Garcia up but Garcia fires hands! Shelton RAMS Garcia into the apron, then railing, then back to the apron! And repeat! Garcia falls in a heap and the fans fire up. Shelton grins as he drags Garcia up, to then THROW into steel steps! Shelton leaves Garcia behind and the ring count climbs on Garcia. Garcia drags himself up at 7 but Shelton goes out after him again.
Shelton puts Garcia in the ring, then grabs at him. Garcia grabs ropes but Shelton stomps him. Shelton stands Garcia up to DECK him! The fans cheer but Shelton brings Garcia up again. Garcia fires a forearm, then he CHOPS! Shelton eggs Garcia on, so Garcia CHOPS! Shelton grins, Garcia CHOPS, but Shelton DECKS him again! The fans duel but Shelton whips Garcia to ropes, for a BIG backdrop! Garcia flounders and Collision goes picture in picture.
Shelton stalks Garcia to the ropes, brings him up and around, then puts him on other ropes so he can CHOKE him! The ref counts, Shelton steps off, and Garcia coughs and sputters to a corner. Shelton stalks behind Garcia, stands him up, and winds up to ROCK Garcia! Garcia flounders against ropes then falls to the mat! Shelton stands over Garcia, drags him up and puts him in the corner. Shelton throws hands and Garcia stumbles. Garcia falls, but Shelton stands on him. Shelton stomps Garcia, drags him up, but Garcia fires up! Garcia breaks free to fire CHOPS and forearms on repeat!
Garcia whips, Shelton reverses and Shelton BOOTS Garcia down! Cover, TWO! Shelton is still amused, and he clamps onto Garcia with a chinlock. Garcia endures as Shelton grinds him down, and Garcia fights up, only for Shelton to wrangle him back down! Shelton leans all his weight on the hold and he squeezes tight. Garcia fades but the fans rally, and Garcia gets a second wind! Garcia fights up, Christmas Colilsion returns to siongle cipture, and the fans duel as Garcia fires hands! Garcia runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS SHelton down! The fans fire up and Garcia aims from a corner. Garcia runs up, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans are torn while Shelton storms around. Shelton waits on Garcia, waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Garcia flops around but Shelton stalks him to the ropes. Shelton goes to the apron, runs up, but Garcia BOOTS him! Garcia takes a swing, but Shelton waistlocks! Garcia holds ropes to fight off the suplex to the floor! Garcia stands up and elbows Shelton away! Then Garcia LEAPS, but into Shelton’s clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY to the floor! Garcia flounders, fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton runs up but Garcia drop toeholds him into a chair! Shelton sputters and the fans rally up. Garcia makes Shelton take a seat, then rains down fists!
The fans count along and Garcia goes to nine, puts up the dukes, then hits TEN! Garcia gets space, runs back in, and he SHOTGUNS Shelton outta the chair! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes back for Shelton. Garcia drags Shelton up but Shelton pushes him away. Shelton LARIATS Garcia, then rolls into the ring. The ring count starts, the fans help Garcia stand, and the fans fire up! Garcia hurries to the ring, but Shelton BOOTS, only for Garcia to block! DRAGON SCREW! Garcia runs, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Even with a bad leg, Shelton has so much strength! Shelton storms up in the corner, but Garcia dodges!
Shelton’s knee hits buckles, and Garcia leg scissor rolls him! Garcia steps through for the DRAGON TAMER!! Shelton endures and the fans fire up! Garcia sits on the hold, but Shelton powers up! Shelton powers out of the hold, has Garcia’s legs, and he turns Garcia over into a QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Garcia endures, reaches out, and he army crawls his way forward! But Shelton drags Garcia back! Garcia cradles Shelton! TWO!! Shelton escapes, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shelton SUPERKICKS Garcia! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Shelton covers, TWO!! Garcia barely gets out of that and Shelton is furious!
“This is Awesome!” as Shelton looms over Garcia. Shelton drags Garcia up, but Garcia trips Shelton! Jackknife bridge, GARCIA WINS!!
Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Shelton earns 0)
A Christmas Collision miracle? Who knows! But Garcia is still alive in the C2, but Lashley snatches Garcia into a SLEEPER! The fans boo but MVP hands the pimp cane to Shelton! But here comes Mark Briscoe, and he has a chair! Security wants this to stop before it gets out of hand, and even producers get out here! But wait! Is that Swerve Strickland rushing in from the crowd?! It is! He goes right up top to SUPER SWERVE STOMP the Syndicate and security guards! Garcia gets free of the pile, Mark Briscoe is with him, and now the locker room hurries out here to stop this from getting worse!
The fans chant, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and Nana eventually hands the mic to Swerve. “Bobby FREAKIN’ Lashley! Didn’t I say I was gonna get my hands on you by the end of ’24? By the end of 2024, I said I was gonna get my hands on you, and that’s what I did, courtesy of the most dangerous man in AEW. Whose house?!” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve is still aiming for Lashley’s head, will he and Lashley have it out at Worlds End?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos!
After getting a couple shockers, The Sussex County Chicken could easily jump up to the front of the block with one more! But will he #ManUp and bring down the menacing minotaur? Or will The Beast be a massive spoiler for Briscoe?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock again. The fans rally and duel while both men fire up. They RAM shoulders, and then fire forearms! The fans fire up as Mark gets the edge, but Mortos swings! Mark dodges to CHOP, then fire forearms! Mark ROCKS Mortos, whips, but Mortos reverses and SPLASHES Mark! Mortos runs but Mark follows to LARIAT! Mark runs, Mortos follows, but Mark dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And forearm! And Mongolian Chop! Mark fires forearms against the ropes, then roars. Mark runs but Mortos follows to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, Mortos runs but Mark follows to FOREARM!
Mark runs, Mortos follows, and he slingshots to hook and backslide, TWO! Mark trips Mortos to jackknife, TWO! Mortos gets around, hammerlock and cradle, TWO! Mark slips around to roll Mortos, TWO! Both men stand, both men dodge, and the fans cheer the standoff. The fans cheer “BOTH THESE GUYS! BOTH THESE GUYS!” as they reset. Mark and Mortos run up to RAM shoulders again! And again! Mortos is getting the better of this, and he CLOBBERS Mark! The fans cheer Mortos while Mark goes to ropes. Mortos runs in but Mark TOSSES him up and out! Mortos clutches a leg, stands up, but Mark runs!
Mortos slides in, dodges, and he SPEARS Mark! The fans fire up and Mortos roars while Collision goes picture in picture.
Mark rolls to a corner while Mortos headbutts buckles. Mortos then runs corner to corner to DROPKICK Mark! Mark sputters, Mortos drags him to a cover, TWO! Mark stays in this but Mortos drags him into a chinlock. Mark endures, even as Mortos leans on the hold. Mark fights up as the fans rally, and Mark fires body shots. Mortos THROWS Mark down! Mortos then CRANKS Mark’s neck, then KICKS him in the chest! Cover, TWO! Mark is still in this and he goes to ropes. Mortos storms up but Mark CHOPS! Mortos SMACKS Mark and Mark falls into a corner. Mortos stomps Mark, then digs his boots in!
The ref reprimands and counts, Mortos steps off, then Mortos snapmares Mark so he can step on Mark’s face! Then NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! Mark stays in this and he goes back to ropes. Mortos waits on Mark to stand, then SMACKS him down! Mark dangles out of the ring in the ropes, but Mortos goes after a leg while Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Mortos has Mark in a corner. Mortos whips corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT, CHOP, and HEADBUTT! Mark staggers and the fans rally up for Mortos. Mortos brings down his kneepads, runs corner to corner, but Mark dodge! Mortos hits buckles then falls to the outside! The fans fire up as Mark then WRECKS Mortos with a dropkick! Mark builds speed and he DIVES, direct hit on Mortos! The fans fire up and Mark even hugs a few! Mark tosses a chair into the ring, and fans rally for #DEMBOYS. Mark sets the chair up, but Mortos anchors Mark’s legs! Mortos then SMACKS Mark!
Mortos drags Mark to the apron, Mark fires forearms. Mortos shoves Mark, but Mark fireman’s carries! Mortos fires elbows to get free! Mark REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Then APRON GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mortos falls to the floor while the fans lose their minds! Mark rises up, takes aim, and he fires the fans up more. Mark goes up a corner, for a SUPER SKY TWISTER! The fans are thunderous and Mark high-fives the front row. Mark then goes back to the ring and builds speed! Mark uses the chair to FLY! Direct hit and Mark even lands on his feet! The fans fire up and Mark hurries to get Mortos back up.
Mark puts Mortos in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Mark takes aim. FROGGY-BOW onto knees! Mortos saves himself there, and then roars! Mortos whips Mark, scoops him, and has the torture rack! BEAST BACKBREAKER! Then Mortos hauls Mark up for a POWER BREAKER!! The fans fire up for Mortos and he DISCUS- NO, Mark dodges, runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and the fans fire up again! Mortos snarls, hauls Mark up, and then scoops! But Mark slips free! Mark crane kicks, then underhooks! But Mortos backdrops free! Mark rises, Mortos runs, but into a fireman’s carry!
Mark hits a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then Mark goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO?!? Mortos survives but Mark shakes his head. Mark just goes back up top! Mortos sits up and roars! But Mark still FROGGY-BOWS!! And then he underhooks, lifts, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Mortos earns 0)
And with that, Mark is now even with Kyle Fletcher, who Mark already beat earlier on! That is all the difference between the one seed and the two seed, how will this final round shake out?
Julia Hart speaks.
“Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. I’m no coward. What you call tricks, I call advantages. I suggested that you watch your back. I gave you all the warnings. So I’m not understanding why you feel the need to call me classless and sneaky. I thought I was being more than reasonable. I know you’re strong, but are you smart? Are my ‘tricks’ too much for you? I guess we’ll find out January 1st, Fight for the Fallen. But remember: The House Always Wins.” The Princess of the Black Throne is ready, but will she learn Hayter Hits Hard?
Backstage interview with Mariah May.
Alex Marvez is with the AEW Women’s World Champion and says in one week’s time, it will be Mariah VS Thunder Rosa for the title, in a Tijuana Street Fight! Marvez notes that Mariah not only had some harsh words for Rosa, but for her father, as well. Mariah says, “Aw~, Papa Rosa is gonna be in the front row. Is that to watch the match? Or does Thunder need a new mami?” But speaking of Rosa, she RAMS Mariah right into the door! And dribbles her off it, too! Mariah pulls hair, Rosa tries to choke Mariah, and then Mariah shoves Rosa away. Mariah calls Rosa crazy, but Rosa says she’s not done with Mariah!
Rosa storms after Mariah into the hall, and then to the stage area! Mariah has made it to ringside, Nigel tries to warn her, but Rosa CLOBBERS Mariah! Rosa rains down fists, then stomps away! Rosa SMACKS Mariah off steel steps, then grabs a chair! Mariah sputters, but gets away before Rosa swings the chair! Security rushes out here for the third time tonight, and Rosa LEAPS! The cluster keeps her away from Mariah but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Rosa holds up the AEW Women’s World Championship, will she send the “Woman From Hell” back where she came from in order to have the gold again?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli!
While The Relentless One has been after each and every Death Rider, he gets one served up to him on a silver platter. But will Darby bring down the Swiss Superman before the final round? Or will Claudio crush Darby’s hopes and dreams this close to Christmas?
But before Claudio even gets in the ring, Darby DIVES out onto him! The fans fire up as Darby fires fast hands! Claudio gets away but Darby pursues, jumps on, and throws more hands! Claudio carries Darby up the ramp to then THROW him down! Darby writhes, Claudio drags him up, and Claudio gorilla presses! Darby slips free, goes to the entry, and then dodges Claudio to send him into the light truss! And then he shoves Claudio into it again! Claudio falls, and now Darby climbs up!? The fans fire up as Darby is up on the camera balcony! Darby SUPER CROSSBODIES Claudio down!
Claudio tumbles down the ramp and Darby sputters while fans lose their minds. The ref checks Darby, his fall was still really wicked. Claudio sits up in a daze as he’s now ringside, and somehow Darby pursues! They both get in the ring, the bell rings, and Darby runs up! But into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is already frustrated. Claudio drags Darby by his legs, to GIANT SWING~! The fans count as Darby goes around and around, and Claudio goes past TEN, past FIFTEEN, past TWENTY, and all the way to THIRTY!! Darby flounders out of the ring while Collision goes picture in picture.
The ref goes out to check on Darby, and somehow he’s okay to continue. Claudio steps out to fetch Darby, and lift shim up with one hand! Claudio then gut wrenches and carries Darby, to SLAM him onto railing! And DUMP him down! Claudio drags Darby up again, gut wrenches again, and he TOSSES Darby onto the railing! Darby flops back down and clutches his lower back, but Claudio leaves him behind. The ring count begins but Darby sits up. Claudio goes out after him again, and brings him up to CHOP! Darby staggers away to a corner, Claudio storms up and CHOPS again! Darby flops down but Claudio looms over him.
Claudio gets space, runs up, and he UPPERCUTS Darby against railing! Darby stumbles away, Claudio goes to the ring, but Darby rolls in, just to roll back out. Darby earns himself some time, but then Claudio storms out after him. Darby hurries int he ring to get away, but Claudio is after him there, too. Claudio stands on Darby’s hands, then stomps them! Darby writhes, but Claudio stomps his hands more! Darby goes to a corner. Claudio stands him up and CHOPS! Claudio UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and Christmas Collision returns to single picture. The fans duel, Darby fires hands, but Claudio UPPERCUTS!
Claudio whips, Darby springboards, COFFIN- NO, Claudio catches Darby! Darby fights free, runs, but Claudio runs up! Darby DUMPS Claudio, then runs to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans fire up again and Darby puts Claudio in. Claudio rolls out the far side but Darby DIVES again! Claudio is sent into railing but Darby goes up a corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER COFFIN SPLASH! Direct hit and both men are down again. The ref starts the ring count, the fans rally up, and Darby refreshes the count. Darby LEAPS onto Claudio for a SLEEPER! Claudio goes to steel steps and he steps up, but Darby squeezes tight!
Claudio steps back down, and he runs into the timekeeper’s area! BACKPACK SENTON through the table! The fans lose their minds again while Claudio leaves Darby behind in the wreckage. Darby stirs, the ref starts another ring count, and Darby crawls. “This is Awesome!” as Darby leaps in at 7! Claudio runs but Darby slips around! O’Conner Roll, TWO, springboard and SPALSH! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Claudio is up, but Darby sunset flips! Claudio stays up, and DOUBLE STOMPS! Claudio deadlifts Darby to then TOSS him out of the ring! Darby hits apron on the way out and fans tell Claudio he’s sick!
Claudio goes out after Darby and drags him up again. Claudio scoops and then POSTS Darby! And POSTS him again! Claudio TOSSES Darby aside, rolls into the ring, but only to refresh the count. Claudio then drags Darby by a leg and brings him over. Claudio SWINGS Darby into steel steps!! Claudio puts Darby in the ring, stands him up, and runs to LARIAT! Darby flips through the air! Claudio covers, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is frustrated. The fans rally for Darby but Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then Claudio tucks the arms, RICOLA- CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio escapes in time!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Darby and Claudio slowly rise, and Ricochet watches, very amused as Darby is his next opponent in the round robin. Darby crawls to a corner, climbs up, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio HEADBUTTS Darby, then climbs up again. Claudio brings Darby up and suplexes, but Darby fights around! SUPER SCORPION DEATH DROP!! The fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Darby rises up. Darby climbs to the very top, COFFION DROP onto knees! Claudio saves himself, then he hauls Darby up. Straitjacket and RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Darby survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio argues with the ref but the count was fair! Darby’s just that tough! Claudio goes back to Darby and ripcords him into the RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Claudio goes outside, and he brings out something from under the ring. He also has a chair! The ref takes the chair from Claudio, but Claudio has BRASS KNUCKLES! BRASS KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, CLAUDIO WINS!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Darby earns 0)
The Swiss Superman screws over Darby, but then he gets that chair back. But wait, Ospreay slides into the ring! And HE has the brass knuckles that Claudio tossed aside! Ospreay dares Claudio to do something, but Claudio simply leaves. Does this mean Ospreay’s ready to ride against the Death Riders with Darby? Or will we see a Miracle on 34th Street send Ospreay and Darby to Worlds End?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here as the last one before Worlds End, and therefore a bit of a go-home in itself. While the continued feud of MJF and Cole has still been a bit clunky since they did the double turn, their faceoff did a good job addressing some of that. They got good digs at each other as always, and MJF snapping and revealing “the truth” was their big move to recover this story. We of course got a brawl, and good save by The Kingdom. It feels like MJF still finds a way to hold onto the diamond ring, but c’mon, how fitting is it for Cole to get a diamond.
Good bit with Toni Storm and The Vendetta, and Deonna’s reaction to Toni was great. Deonna is justified in thinking this is still an act from Toni, not a legitimate psychological problem, and Toni VS Taya will be good stuff. Good promo from Kris Statlander, good match from her and Penelope Ford, and of course a good win for Kris. Good promo from Mone to make Worlds End official, but as I’ve been saying, Mone is more likely to lose the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship as part of the big NJPW Tokyo Dome weekend. The irony is, Mina Shirakawa is her challenger and Mina shows up plenty in AEW, so I don’t know how that math is supposed to work.
Good promo from Mariah May as it also turned into a brawl with Thunder Rosa. As it stands, Rosa standing tall holding up the belt means she is NOT winning at Worlds End, but they could still give us a little more from Rosa and Mariah on Dynamite’s Christmas episode to turn the tables. Good promo from Julia Hart to respond to Jamie Hayter, they’ll have a good match. Good promo from Orange Cassidy to try and reason with Jay White and Hangman Page, but that’s all the more reason Moxley likely uses the challengers all against each other like he did on Wednesday. Though, it would be fun if they at least started the match all annihilating Moxley with their finishers, making us think it’ll work out in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff with Big Boom AJ & Big Justice here tonight, both hyping up the show but also interacting with Jericho’s group and even Anthony Bowens. They’re adding some more foreshadowing to The Acclaimed breaking up, and I guess we’re supposed to see this as a positive move, Bowens feuding with Jericho. Unless Bowens is going to be the guy that dethrones Jericho for whatever ROH cable TV debut/return is planned, the Jericho Vortex strikes again. Bowens should be going for an AEW midcard title, but right now, those are all tied up what with the C2 going on and the International Championship being tied up in Worlds End and NJPW plans.
Speaking of the C2, great stuff with all the matches tonight. Shelton VS Garcia was great stuff, and while Garcia gets the win, they’re still giving us some set-up for a TNT Championship match of Garcia VS Shelton. Mark Briscoe of course made the save, but great surprise for Swerve to show up. Lashley VS Swerve for Worlds End just needs to be said, it already feels a given. All that brawling was also a good segue into Mark VS Mortos, and another great showing for Mortos, even in losing. But as Mark has already had all his matches and is at 9 points, Kyle doesn’t even need to win against Garcia, he just needs to draw so that Mark will be out, and Garcia with him.
While Ospreay VS Darby on Wednesday raised the bar, Ospreay VS Ricochet still had great stuff of its own. Plus, Ricochet is bringing out more of his Heel side what with using the ref, and Ricochet’s win puts the pressure on Ospreay for Christmas Dynamite. Now, no offense to Brody King, but I’m thinking Ospreay wins that to take one of the semifinal spots. Darby VS Claudio tonight was also great, but Darby doing his best Sting off the truss was not the best when he gets that whiplash on the floor. I really thought that match was going to be called for concussion protocol, but Darby’s weirdly indestructible.
Claudio still cheats this win so there’s more heat on the Death Riders and Darby is also behind the 8 ball. Ospreay making the save was good, we can definitely have another “Team AEW” VS Death Riders with Ospreay joining Darby and a couple others, but the way they did the order of matches, Claudio’s got a seemingly easy ride against Komander for Christmas. Though, how awesome would it be if Komander pulled off the spoiler? Or if they were really going to add some drama, they should create a situation where the Death Riders end up ringside, violating the Continental Rules of no cornermen and that disqualifies Claudio. Claudio misses out on the semifinals because of a technicality, sending Ospreay and maybe Ricochet to the semifinals.
My Score: 8.8/10
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