Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (7/29/24)
Time to lay down the law!
He is a Visionary, he is a Revolutionary, he is the Special Guest Referee!
Before SummerSlam sees the grudge match of McIntyre VS Punk, Seth Rollins is going to give his official referee instructions tonight on Raw! Will they respect his authority?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Creed Brothers w/ Chad Gable VS Otis & Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri; The Creed Brothers win.
- Sheamus VS Bronson Reed; Bronson wins.
- Carlito VS Jey Uso; Jey wins.
- Xavier Woods VS Karrion Kross w/ The Final Testament; Kross wins.
- Dominik Mysterio VS Sami Zayn; Sami wins, by disqualification.
- Six Woman Tag: Lyra Valkyria, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark; Sonya, Shayna & Zoey win.
- Finn Balor VS GUNTHER; Gunther wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins is here!
St. Paul, Minnesota fires up as The Visionary struts his way out in a very unique referee uniform. Are those puffy shoulders? Well, either way, Rollins goes to the ring while fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins tells St. Paul, “Welcome to Monday… Night… Rollins!” St. Paul cheers, and Rollins says he is our host for this evening’s events. Oh, St. Paul, HAHAHAHA! “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins says he is a Visionary, he is a Revolutionary, and he is Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins! The fans cheer, and Rollins says SummerSlam is just FIVE days away. Five days from the highly anticipated contest of Drew McIntyre VS CM Punk.
“And we are here tonight to lay out some rules and regulations for that contest. So without further ado, St. Paul, let’s bring out these two morons. How ’bout it? HAHAHAHA!” First is the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, CM Punk! Punk goes to stage left and high-fives the front row. Punk then goes to stage right and gets up on the road cases so he can see the fans over there. Punk blows a kiss, hops down, and finally tells us, “It’s CLOBBERIN’ time!” Punk goes down the ramp, high-fiving fans as he goes, and even high-fives the front row all along ringside. Then he steps into the ring with referee Rollins.
And now the Scottish Terminator makes his entrance! The fans boo as McIntyre takes his time walking down the ramp and into the ring. Punk keeps his eyes on McIntyre while they both get mics. St. Paul chants for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Rollins says alright, alright, alright. There is a lot of tension here, and we’re talking rules and regulations, but we gotta get something out of the way first. This comes directly from Adam Pearce, and he says these two are NOT to even lay a finger on one another or the match for SummerSlam is off. One step further, if they touch Rollins at all, the match for SummerSlam is off.
Punk goes out of the ring to sit at commentary but Rollins tells him hey! McIntyre says he has self-control, Punk doesn’t need to be a coward. Punk isn’t scared of McIntyre or Rollins. Punk is worried about what he’ll do himself, so he’ll just be calm, cool and collected over here. Rollins say she knows Punk likes calling the shots, acting like he’s in charge, getting his way, but that is not how this is going to work, and it is not how SummerSlam will work. Rollins didn’t have to be the ref, but he volunteered since these two idiots scared off every other official back there. But hey, Rollins can go back there, take off the ref shirt, hand it to Pearce, and the whole thing’s off!
The fans boo, they want to see the match. Rollins tells Punk that he does want to see these two fight! The fans cheer that! Rollins knows McIntyre wants it, and he knows St. Paul wants it! So if Punk wants this fight, he better get his ass back in Rollins’ ring. Oh there he is, the boot-licking office boy! Punk is sure Rollins loves that he can lord this over him so enjoy it while he can. McIntyre says Rollins shouldn’t listen to Punk. Just listen to McIntyre. They don’t always like each other, but their relationship is a professional rivalry. Sometimes McIntyre’s an arse, sometimes it’s Rollins. But they just want what is best for the future of the WWE.
But Punk is not what is best! Rollins said it himself, Punk is a cancer! “Corporate Man Punk” is poisoning the minds of NXT after all the hard work of the true workhorses. And Punk is gonna screw it all up. Remember that on Saturday, Punk is the real enemy. Rollins says McIntyre is an idiot, has said a lot wrong in his life, but if there’s one thing he’s right about, is that if anyone hates Punk as much as McIntyre, it is Rollins. The thing McIntyre is overlooking is that if there’s anyone that hates McIntyre as much as Punk, it’s also Rollins. So if these two wouldn’t mind shutting up, he will get to the rules for what will be a violent masterpiece at SummerSlam!
The fans cheer, and Rollins says there is only one rule for this match. There is only one regulation! McIntyre and Punk will listen to EVERYTHING Rollins has to say! He calls the shots, he is the boss, he is the law. He counts to three when he wants. They tap out when he says they tapped out. If there’s a ring count to be done, who knows? There might not be a count, there might be a 10 count, there might be a 20 count, there might be a MILLION count! Disqualifications? Eh. Referee’s discretion. The bottom line is, if either of them get out of line, they’ve got a problem with Rollins or his rules, he’s not someone they can push around.
No, Rollins is a spiteful little bastard, and he will put their heads in the dirt! Punk says this is a hat on a hat. The way Rollins dresses, he probably likes that. Hopefully, Rollins officiates better than he dresses. Punk doesn’t believe a word of this, he thinks Rollins will be biased. If he does call it down the line, fine. If Rollins screws Punk, fine, Punk will deal with that Saturday. But one think Punk doesn’t want Rollins to do, hating each of them equally, then don’t help Punk. Punk has never needed Rollins’ help, doesn’t want it, and will never listen to Rollins.
McIntyre says Punk is worried about the wrong guy right now. Worry more about the 6’5″, 280 pound man he’s screwed over and over again! The fans cheer that! McIntyre says he hates Punk, can’t stand him, he’s like a Charles Manson type who has poisoned even the fans! They chant Punk’s name at McIntyre even at the supermarket! McIntyre has spent 7 MONTHS saying what he’s had to say. McIntyre just wanted to rough Punk up a bit at the Royal Rumble, and ended up injuring him. That was for seven months without even trying. Punk screwed McIntyre at WrestleMania, then in Scotland.
So what’s happening on Saturday? Right now, McIntyre is chill. The real enemy is the bell. When it sounds, McIntyre will violently assault Punk. McIntyre will blacken both eyes, break his jaw, and McIntyre says Rollins will have to find compassion in his soul because McIntyre isn’t stopping until Punk’s heart does. In Cleveland, that’s a stadium. McIntyre will make so much money doing something he’d do for free. Punk smirks while the fans still cheer him on. Punk says for 10 YEARS, he was absent from WWE, and the fans chanted his name. They sing Rollins’ song, they chant Punk’s name, McIntyre is the third wheel here!
The one positive from “Punk Derangement Syndrome” is that they are in his orbit. They breathe the air that Punk produces. Hopefully, McIntyre enjoyed the last 7 months. Because hurting Punk was the best thing to happen to McIntyre, but it was also the worst thing to happen to him. For all McIntyre’s accomplishments, for how big and tall he is, for how mean and strong he is, he’s STUPID, and he dumbs himself out of positions! Punk may be an enemy, but not his worst. McIntyre is his own worst enemy! And he’ll just dumb himself out of this again. Punk isn’t as big, as tall, or as fast, but he has MORE HEART!
You know what else Punk has? Punk also has the people! What does McIntyre got? McIntyre shows off the bracelet. The very one he stole from Punk. And Punk storms right up to McIntyre, but he can’t touch him. McIntyre tells Punk he has no idea what’s coming on Saturday. But could that be the same for McIntyre?
Someone trashed the Judgment Day clubhouse!
JD McDonagh says this is worse than R-Truth and jelly rolls. Carlito says they broke the PS5! Dominik asks who did this, but Rhea says duh! Read the literal writing on the wall! Liv Morgan is pissed! But hey, they can rebuild all this. But Liv can’t undo the damage Rhea’s gonna do, especially after this. Carlito asks if they are getting a new PS5. Dom says not the time. Dom and Carlito leave and Rhea asks why Carlito’s still coming around. JD says Carlito does leave a certain smell, and Rhea tells him she will end him if he jokes around. But will there be no laughing when Mami finally gets her hands on Liv?
Raw returns and…
Judgment Day is still cleaning up the mess. Dom found one black rose not all smashed. Damian Priest walks in and figures it was Liv who did this. Priest then tells Finn that while they talked before, Priest still feels he should be out there when Finn faces Gunther. Finn says no, Priest needs to focus on SummerSlam. Gunther didn’t just insult Priest last week, he insulted everyone in The Judgment Day. While they fix up the clubhouse, Finn will take care of Gunther, alone. They can also take care of Sami & Jey, right? Priest says they already took care of Sami & Jey. They’re going backwards, dealing with issues they don’t need to.
Rhea says she’s been saying the same. Well, okay, then let the others handle it. JD will handle it right now! Priest says fine, go ahead. Dom says it should be Carlito and Sami. Carlito says way ahead of you. He’ll go talk with Adam Pearce. Caribbean Cool heads out, but will he be able to take down the Intercontinental Champion?
The Creed Brothers w/ Chad Gable VS Otis & Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri!
Julius & Brutus rather surprisingly replaced the tree trunk and the Stamina Monster in “Master Gable’s” Alpha Academy, but now they’ll have it out in the ring! Will Gable’s new students make an example out of the old? Or will Otis & Tozawa prove they no longer need Gable’s drama?
We return to the ring as Gable leads The Creeds to the ring for their entrance. The teams sort out and Otis starts against Julius. The bell rings and Julius runs up to ROCK Otis! Julius fires off, puts Otis in the corner, but Otis fights back! Julius CLUBS Otis, Brutus tags in, and the brothers mug Otis. The fans rally for Otis but Brutus tags Julius back in. They double whip but Otis breaks the double clothesline to CLOBBER both Creeds! Brutus tumbles out, Otis tags Tozawa. Tozawa climbs, Otis ROCKET LAUNCHES him at Julius! Cover, TWO! Maxxine cheers Tozawa, but Julius suplexes Tozawa while sitting down!
Julius tags Brutus, and Julius GUT WRENCH SLAMS Brutus onto Tozawa! Cover, TWO! Brutus drags Tozawa, suplexes, but Tozawa kicks free! Tozawa SOBATS, spins, slides under, then SCREW KICKS! The fans fire up, Tozawa runs in, but Brutus puts him outside! Tozawa GAMANGIRIS, goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Brutus tumbles out. Tozawa builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and down goes Brutus! Tozawa hurries to put Brutus back in! Tozawa climbs, but Julius drags Brutus out! Tozawa drops down, but Brutus gets in to LARIAT! The fans boo, Gable fist bumps The Creeds, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Brutus hoist Tozawa up. Tozawa fights the fireman’s carry, but Brutus keeps him from the corner Brutus whips, but Tozawa SATELLITE DDTS! The fans are thunderous as Otis rises up! Hot tags to Julius and Otis! #FreeOtis rallies on Julius with LARIAT after LARIAT! Then he rolls past Julius to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Otis ELBOWS Julius in a corner, then POSTS him! Otis says “SUCK IT!” then he revs up the- NO, Gable gets on the apron! Otis swipes at Gable, Julius runs up, but Otis catches him! POWERSLAM, and off comes the shirt! Free souvenir for a fan, and then the CATERPILLAR ELBOW hits!
Otis isn’t done, he goes up the corner! But Brutus CLUBS him first! Brutus climbs, the fans boo, but Otis TOSSES Brutus away! Gable gets up but Otis DECKS him! The Creeds mug Otis and go up top together! The fans boo but they hit a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, The Creeds win!
Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall
Gable’s new number one guys come through for him, but now they sit Otis up! Gable gets in Otis’ face and says GABLE is the only reason Otis was ever anything! Tozawa gets in, Brutus DECKS him! Gable has an ANKLE LOCK on Otis! Maxxine JUMPS on Gable! Gable shrugs Maxxine off, and says Maxxine should’ve also listened. But then Maxxine SLAPS Gable! The fans fire up and Maxxine stands her ground! Gable storms up on her, but then the lights start turning off! Maxxine gets the boys outta there, because the fireflies are out! The piano starts playing and Gable’s group is on the defensive!
The fog rolls in, the light shines, and here come the Wyatt Sick6! Ramblin’ Rabbit, Mercy the Buzzard, Huskus the Pig Boy, they all storm down to ringside. They get up on the apron, they stare Gable & The Creeds down, and the fans fire up again! Masks off, and reveal! It’s Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy! Gable turns around, NIKKI CROSSBODY! Down goes Gable, and then Gacy & Lumis DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM the Creeds! Lumis runs, gets a boost from Gacy, POP-UP BOMB SENTON COMBO! The fans are losing their minds as now Rowan has a go! DOUBLE CROSSBODY from the Wyatt OG!
And then, as Gable stumbles his way up the ramp, trying to run away, “There you are~!” Uncle Howdy, or rather Bo Dallas, stands in his way! Gable runs away through the backside of the stage, and Bo laughs into the night. They’re here, who have they to fear?
Carlito returns to the clubhouse.
So did he get the match? Yes, it is official. When is Carlito’s match with Sami then? What? No, the match is Dom VS Sami. What?! No, Carlito was supposed to handle Sami! Oh, Carlito thought Dom… Oops. Rhea says fine, Dom can handle Sami. And now that Carlito is free, he can take Jey, right? Carlito says he’d have to oil up but- Rhea says this is Carlito’s mess, time to clean it up. Carlito sighs and says he’ll go back to Pearce. Rhea says good. And Carlito has to handle Jey alone. Carlito sighs again then leaves. Is Carlito ever gonna catch a break?
Sheamus VS Bronson Reed!
The Celtic Warrior already had a run-in with the Colossal Aussie, but clearly the fighting is far from over! Will Sheamus be able to deliver another banger against Big Bad Bronson? Or will this be when he’s washed away by a Tsunami?
The bell rings and the fans rally for the big meaty men! They RAM and RAM then fire haymakers back and forth! Sheamus gets the edge, whips corner to corner, but Bronson reverses. Bronson runs in, Sheamus dodges and Bronson hits buckles! Sheamus jumps on for a SLEEPER! Bronson RAMS him into buckles, then ROCKS him! And CHOPS him! And CHOPS again! Sheamus dodges the next chop to body shot and UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT! Sheamus reels Bronson in but Bronson HEADBUTTS! Bronson whips, Sheamus KICKS then runs, to LARIAT Bronson up and out! The fans fire up with The Fella!
Sheamus goes out to then climb up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT takes down Bronson! The Fella is even more fired up, and then he runs up, but Bronson SAMOAN DROPS him onto the desk! Bronson roars, the fans boo, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Sheamus fights up while in a chinlock. Sheamus fires body shots then UPPERCUTS! Sheamus runs, but Bronson LARIATS him down! Bronson looms over Sheamus, talks trash on him, then stands him up. Bronson says Sheamus ain’t got it anymore. But Sheamus gets mad! Sheamus blocks Bronson’s lariat to LARIAT, LARIAT, and LARIAT again! Sheamus winds up, short arm LARIAT! Bronson drops to a knee, but now Bronson roars! Fireman’s carry, but Sheamus slips free! Sheamus KNEES Bronson down! Cover, TWO! Bronson stays in this but Sheamus stays on him, with a fireman’s carry!
Bronson fights that off, then shoves Sheamus to a corner. Bronson runs in but into a BOOT! Sheamus skins the cat to the top rope! Sheamus then aims to FLYING- NO, Bronson dodges the lariat to fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives and the fans fire up! Bronson snarls, thinks on what he has to do, and he drags Sheamus to a drop zone. Bronson climbs, the fans rally for Sheamus, and Sheamus rises! Sheamus fires haymakers on Bronson! Sheamus climbs, brings Bronson up, and that feat of strength alone is wild! But now, SUPER WHITE NOISE!! Cover, TWO?!?
The fans cannot believe it! Bronson survives that landing, and both men are down! Bronson rolls away, Sheamus pushes himself up. Sheamus sees Bronson on the apron, and Sheamus storms up on him! Sheamus clamps on for BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus goes all the way to TEN, then goes past that for SIXTEEN before the ref backs him off! Bronson flounders, gets stuck in ropes, but the ref manages to free that leg. Sheamus powers up, but here comes Pete Dunne! SHILLELAGH SHOT?!?! The ref missed it all but the fans saw it! The fans boo but Bronson grins as he goes to the corner!
Bronson climbs, Dunne is hiding, and the TSUNAMI hits!! Cover, Bronson wins!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
The Bruiserweight gives Bronson the assist, then just shrugs. Dunne’s starting trouble wherever he’s going, will it all catch up to him soon enough?
Damian Priest speaks.
“There’s been a lot of talk about my past. How I was raised, how I lived on the street. And all this talk is coming from the one guy who has no understand, has no idea of what that’s like. Here’s a guy, Gunther, who grew up with ‘Here you go’s.'” You want the best training? Here you go. A group of people to tell you how great you are? Here you go. But what Gunther doesn’t have is what could never be handed to him: heart. Gunther says Priest is street trash? That translates to him being a Puerto Rican badass, so yes, he is! To Priest, Gunther is just some feat of European ingenuity. AKA, Gunther’s an a-hole!
The WWE ring is about salvation, for people to forget about their past. But this Saturday, it becomes the streets, and Gunther’s ass is gonna get mugged. Priest will rob Gunther of this idea that he can take the world title from Priest. Priest lived to fight for everything he got, and now he’s willing to die for everything he has. Is Gunther? Welcome to Priest’s neighborhood, “General.” El Campeon is ready to bring out The Punisher, will the King of the Ring survive?
Bron Breakker speaks.
“I don’t care to talk down on Sami Zayn. Hell, I don’t even dislike Sami Zayn. He’s at the top of his game, at the top of his profession: stand-up comedy. See, at Money in the Bank, I didn’t take him seriously. I thought I was fighting a stand-up comic, I put my hands behind my back. I didn’t take him seriously, and y’know what? That’s on me. Rookie mistake. But it made me realize the difference between me and Sami Zayn. See, Sami Zayn has already accepted the fact that he’s going to lose at SummerSlam. There’s nowhere for Sami to run any longer, because he’s preparing for a life after WWE. Preparing for a life after Bron Breakker.
“Sami Zayn and Friends? Hahaha… You’ve seen it. They promote it every single week here on Monday Night Raw. And while you, Sami, tell jokes for your preparation, I’ve been in the gym, hungry, training, like a dog. Redefining the words effort, attitude, and toughness. And it’ll be on full display this Saturday at SummerSlam, when the joke is on you, and the Intercontinental Championship will be on me.” Cleveland is all about the Dog Pound, will Bron leave Sami black ‘n’ blue in the home of the Browns?
Carlito VS Jey Uso!
Finn Balor says there’s a mess to be cleaned up, so Caribbean Cool has to do his part. Will he spit in the face of Main Event Jey? Or will Jey just YEET Carlito right back to the clubhouse?
Raw returns and Carlito makes his entrance. The bell rings and Carlito runs up on Jey! Jey dodges to SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Carlito is still in this but also in a daze. The fans rally while Jey bails out. Fans “YEET!” with Jey and he builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Carlito, the fans “YEET!” more and Jey drags Carlito up. Jey puts Carlito in the ring, brings him back up, and ROCKS him with a right hand. Jey fires more hands, the fans “YEET!” and Carlito sits down. Jey lets off to “YEET!” Jey storms back up but Carlito POSTS him! Jey flops to the apron, Carlito drags him up and onto ropes, for a DRAPING NECKBREAKER!
Jey flounders, Carlito soaks up the heat, then covers, TWO! Jey is still in this, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Carlito has Jey down with a motorcycle stretch. Jey fights up, stomps Carlito’s foot, then mule kicks! And UPPERCUTS! Jey runs, but into a fireman’s carry! T K O! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Jey goes to a corner, and Carlito frowns. Carlito runs in corner to corner, but Jey dodges the splash! Jey ROCKS Carlito again and again, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks ‘n’ puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! Carlito staggers, into a kick! Carlito blocks, spins Jey, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Carlito flops to a corner, Jey throws off the armband, then says “UCE! SO! UCE! SO!” Jey runs in, Carlito puts him on the apron!
Jey GAMANGIRIS Carlito, goes up, and leaps, but Carlito dodges! Jey keeps moving, but Carlito SPINEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Carlito rains down fists on Jey, but lets off while the fans boo. Carlito goes to a corner, and he grabs his green apple! The fans are torn as Carlito takes a big bite. Carlito chews it up, but Jey rolls Carlito up! TWO!! Jey dodges Carlito, then SPEARS! The apples go flying, Jey covers, Jey wins!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
Carlito just makes more of a mess with those chunks of apple everywhere! But will Dom at least do better against Sami? Or will this problem the Judgment Day has only grow bigger and bigger?
Backstage interview with Zelina Vega.
Jackie Redmond is with La Muneca, and notes that Zelina won big over Zoey Stark, despite the bad arm. Jackie has to ask, how is the arm? Zelina feels better now. But she was lucky to have Lyra, Katana & Kayden backing her up. But at the same time, “Team Forehead” had to stack the deck against Zelina. Zelina needed that, though. What was done to Zelina created her, and reminded her of just who the hell she is. Zelina Vega is a threat in this division, and they know it. But then Shayna, Zoey & Sonya walk over. A threat, huh? Well, it took three women to beat Zoey so… Where are they now?
Sonya says let’s se who is a threat. But Zelina fires first! That only gets her mugged, and then Shayna grabs the bad arm! Shayna BOOTS the arm against the wall! Producers and refs hurry over, did Shayna just reinjure Zelina’s arm back to zero percent? Will The Morrigan & KC Squared make Sonya’s squad pay for it?
Raw returns as Zelina is checked by medical.
Lyra, Kayden & Katana are also there, and they promise they’ll get payback. Will Zelina be out of action much longer this time?
Backstage interview with The Miz.
Cathy Kelley is with The Hollywood A-Lister, and he has a very special announcement regarding SummerSlam. The Miz says that’s right! Live from Cleveland, SummerSlam will be hosted by The Miz! That’s right, he is hosting in his house of Cleveland, Ohio! R-Truth walks in and asks what’s up. WWE brought back In Your House? That’s what’s up! No, Miz is just saying Cleveland is “his house,” it’s just a saying. Doesn’t Miz live in LA, though? Yes, but he grew up in Cleveland. Then how is he going to host SummerSlam in his house, in Cleveland? No, he just is hosting SummerSlam. Whachu talkin’ bout, Miz?
Miz is in Cleveland, hosting SummerSlam, simple as that. Okay, then he has to have party favors, hors d’oeuvres, and Truth will bring ice. No, Miz isn’t doing any of that. Then he’s a bad host. Miz isn’t a bad host! Truth says he’s got this, #SayLess. So no hors d’oeuvres? NO! There are not hors d’oeuvres. Who even wants hors d’oeuvres? Truth and Cathy do. Okay fine, Miz will bring hors d’oeuvres. Is Miz going to be in over his head trying to host SummerSlam in his hometown?
Xavier Woods VS Karrion Kross w/ The Final Testament!
The New Day has been through quite a lot, but Woods is still standing! Will he use all that Power of Positivity to hold it down? Or will Doomsday make him #FallAndPray?
But as Kross steps in the ring, he also grabs a mic. Kross says he has something he wants to address. Kross was just notified that Kofi Kingston reinjured his shoulder during the Japan tour, and that’s why he’s not here tonight. Does anyone really believe that? Kross thinks Kofi’s skipping town because one: the whole world isn’t revolving around him anymore, it’s revolving around Woods, and Kofi can’t stand that; and two: no one wants to be in the hellhole of Minnesota. The fans boo but Kross says he’ll give Woods a way out of this beating. Just a couple things. One: Woods needs to join The Final Testament! And two: Tell the kids at home that the Power of Positivity was always a lie.
The fans boo but Kross says one more thing, it is important to Kross. Woods needs to tell Kofi that he should’ve retired after losing the WWE Championship after just six seconds. Woods DECKS Kross! The bell rings and Woods rains down fists! Kross pushes free, Woods runs up to LARIAT Kross up and out! Woods builds speed, and he WRECKS Kross with a dropkick! The fans fire up with Woods as he storms up on Kross, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kross has Woods down with a SLEEPER! The fans rally, Woods fights up and fires body shots! Woods CLUBS Kross, CLUBs him more, but Kross knees low! Kross whips Woods to a corner, runs in, and LARIATS, ELBOWS and ROLLING ELBOWS! Kross says Woods is dead! Kross brings Woods up for an EXPLODER! Woods flounders, Kross soaks up the heat, and then he covers, TWO! Kross says Woods should’ve just joined him. He says New Day is dead, and Woods is the worst King of the Ring ever! Kross is trying to help Woods, “you piece of trash!” But Woods fires haymakers and CHOPS!
Woods CHOPS, JABS, and repeat! The fans fire up as Woods just keep son firing shots! Woods whips, Kross reverses but Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges to slide and ROLLING ELBOW! The fans fire up, Woods runs in at the corner, forearm SMASH! Woods then brings Kross out, but Kross wrenches and fireman’s carries! Woods slips free, O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Woods ends up in ropes, Akam gets a cheap shot! The fans boo but Kross pump handles for a scoop, only for Woods to slip free! SUPERKICK! Kross staggers, swings, but Woods dodges to DIVE onto Akam! Woods gets payback, then he baits Rezar in! Rezar runs up, but is sent into POST!
Woods hurries back up, he GAMANGIRIS Kross down! Woods goes up, and MACHO- FLOPS! Kross laughs as he avoids the elbow. Then FINAL PRAYER! Cover, Kross wins!
Winner: Karrion Kross, by pinfall
Scarlett celebrates with Kross, and the rest of The Final Testament steps inside. They all stand over Woods, but will they ever convince him to stand with them?
Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.
Jackie is with the Great Liberator, noting that while he’s moments away from facing Dominik Mysterio, he is also just days away from defending the Intercontinental Championship against Bron Breakker. What is his reaction to Bron’s comments from earlier tonight? Sami says it’s funny Bron thinks Sami is going to lose this match just because he’s got a comedy show the night before. But if Sami remembers correctly, he did that in Toronto and he still beat Bron. Bron even said it himself that Bron lost because he took it as a forgone conclusion that he was just gonna destroy Sami and get the title, just like that. Bron underestimated Sami.
And clearly, Bron isn’t doing that anymore. Sami knows Bron will take every chance to jump him from behind. Even last week, when Sami finally gets a moment, shares a moment with his Uce, his dawg, Jey Uso. Reunited in the ring, and yet again, a cheap shot from Bron. So spear after spear, fine. Bron’s young and hungry, that’s fine. But this time around, Sami’s attitude is different, too. This isn’t about teaching the young guy about respect, or teaching him some lesson. This is about kicking his ass at SummerSlam! And as far as Judgment Day goes, Sami will handle business right now. Sami heads out, will he be rolling into his next defense?
Liv Morgan speaks.
“Do you know how it feels to have your heart ripped out? It takes your breath away. It feels like you can barely even breathe. I would’ve done anything for you, Dominik. I put you on a pedestal. I treated you like the man I thought that you were. But you’re not a man.” Liv burns the pictures of them together (mostly just screenshots from Monday Night Raw). Liv says Dom is just Rhea’s little b*tch. She wants to take back every tear that she wasted on Dom, but she can’t. So all she can do now is make his and Rhea’s lives a living hell. At SummerSlam, Liv will complete her revenge tour when she beats Rhea and leaves Dom with whatever’s left of Mami.
Meanwhile, Liv will be standing in the ring, with her arm raised as she hears those three little words: “Women’s World Champion. Watch me.” Hell hath now fury like a woman scorned, is Dom going to regret choosing Rhea’s side?
Dominik Mysterio VS Sami Zayn!
Raw returns and Dom makes his entrance alone. The bell rings and the two step forward. Dom sidesteps the tie-up to soak up heat on the corner. The ref has Sami stay back, Dom hops down, and the two feel things out. Dom kicks low, wrenches to wristlock, but Sami spins and wrenches to WRING Dom out! Sami clamps onto the arm, drags Dom up, but Dom powers Sami to a corner. Dom throws hands, stomps away, but Sami hits back with haymakers! Sami whips, Dom holds ropes then bails out. The fans boo but Dom wants a timeout. There are no timeouts, and Sami chases Dom! They go around the ring, into the ring, then Sami hurdles to TOSS Dom out!
The fans fire up as Sami mule kicks from the apron. Then Sami ARABIAN PRESS SAULTS! Down goes Dom and the fans fire up while Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and the fans rally, but Dom stomps away on Sami! The fans chant “DOM, YOU SUCK!” but he CLUBS away on Sami. Dom wraps on a chinlock, leans on the hold, but Sami fights up. The fans rally, Sami RAMS Dom into a corner, then RAMS him again and again. Sami is free of the chinock, btu Dom elbows him back. Dom then hops up to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Sami goes to ropes, but Dom fires hands. Sami shakes his head, Dom throws body shots then another haymaker. Dom whips, Sami goes up and over, then LARIATS! The fans fire up as Sami goes to a corner.
Dom rises up, runs in, but into an ELBOW! Sami goes up, FALLING AX HANDLE! The fans fire up again and Sami waits on Dom. Dom swings, into a BLUE THUNDER- NO, Dom fights that with elbows! Dom suplexes, Uno Amigo! Dom drags Sami up to suplex again, Dos Amigos! The fans boo but Dom brings Sami up again, THREE AMIGOS! Dom then goes to a corner, climbs up, and FROG SPL- NO, Sami moves! Dom rolls through, runs back up, but into a CORNER EXPLODER! Sami goes to the far corner and the fans fire up! But wait, here comes Carlito & JD McDonagh! Sami has them stay back, but DOm rolls Sami uP! TWO!!
Sami escapes but Dom CLUBS him! Dom reels Sami in, but Sami back drops free before any amigos! Carlito gets up, Sami DECKS him! JD gets up, Sami DECKS him, too! Dom DROPKICKS Sami onto ropes! Dom dials it up, but Sami LARIATS first! The call disconnected, and Sami hits the BLUE THUDNER BOMB! Cover, JD & Carlito attack!!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by disqualification
The fans boo but Judgment Day mugs Sami! They stomp away on Sami at the ropes, but here comes Jey! Jey baits Carlito in, DUMPS him out, then he runs to SPEAR JD! The fans fire up, Dom runs up, but Jey TOSSES him! Jey builds speed and he FLIES! Down goes Judgment Day! Sami rises, nods, but then BRON CLOBBERS SAMI! The fans boo but the Big Bad Booty Nephew is doing just as Sami knew he would! Bron builds speed, but Sami BOOTS him first!! Sami and Bron goes to corners, Bron runs up, into a CORNER EXPLODER! Sami storms to the other corner and takes aim! But Bron bails out!
The fans boo but Sami dares Bron to get back in! Bron snarls, storms in, but then Sami BOOTS him back out! Sami stands tall in St. Paul, but will he pull off another underdog victory in Cleveland?
The Wyatt Sick6 share another video.
This week’s “session” has Dexter Lumis in the chair. “A man just looking for mercy. They built their empire next to the sea, and laughed as they watched you drown. But there’s freedom in sinking. Look at what you’ve become! Tell me, brother… Tell me. What should they do when the buzzards start circling? What should they do?” Lumis looks at the camera, and says “RUN!” Will there be no mercy for those Lumis and the Wyatts now target?
Chad Gable & The Creeds talk with Adam Pearce.
Gable says once again, he is doing everyone’s jobs. He figured out the identities of the other members of the Wyatt 6. Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Erick Rowan. Pearce says he knows that, they’re all still under WWE contract. Oh, okay, so then they can compete? Generally, that’s how that works. What is Gable’s point? His point is that next week, on Raw, he and the Creeds VS “those three freaks” in a Six Man Tag. Pearce hopes they’re sure that’s what they want. It is. Make it happen. Then consider it official. Gable & The Creeds head out, and Pearce says, “Be careful what you wish for.” The Wyatts may be disturbing, but is Gable the one that’s crazy wanting this fight?
Rhea Ripley speaks.
“Liv Morgan. You wanna burn and break things that don’t belong to you. You so badly, so badly wanna be the victim in your little revenge tour fantasy. But that’s all it is: a fantasy. The reality is, that this Saturday at SummerSlam, your little revenge tour, it comes to an end. There’s no more running, there’s no more hiding, there’s no more manipulating. You thought that I was brutal the last time I attacked your shoulder? But that’s what happened after I warned you multiple times to stay out of my business. Now, now you’ve not only taken three months of my career by injuring my shoulder, touché by the way, but you’ve taken my championship.
“You’ve tried to manipulate my family, MY Latino Heat. You so badly want me to be the demon in your little fantasy dream. But at SummerSlam, it’s time that I get MY revenge.” Mami has spoken, will she demolish what is left of Liv’s broken heart?
Six Woman Tag: Lyra Valkyria, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark!
Lyra’s learning how to let loose thanks to the party girls, but this isn’t about having fun. The Morrigan & KC Squared want to humble the newest bullies on the block. But will they avenge Zelina Vega? Or will Deville and her dangerous new crew ruin everyone’s good time?
Raw returns and Sonya’s squad makes their entrance. The trios sort out, Sonya starts against Lyra, and the two tie up. They go around, Sonya pulls hair but the ref reprimands. Lyra chinbars, but so does Sonya. Lyra powers Sonya into a headlock, but Sonya powers up and out. Lyra slides under to RAM Sonya, then she reels Sonya in, Sonya wrenches out, then ROCKS Lyra! Sonya KNEES Lyra, whips her to the corner, then tags Shayna. They mug Lyra, then Zoey tags in. Shayna wrenches to hold Lyra up, and Zoey MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Zoey drags Lyra up, scoops but Lyra slips free.
Lyra sends Zoey into buckles, then wrenches to WRING her out! Lyra clamp onto the arm, brings Zoey over, and tags in Katana. Katana tags Kayden, Lyra sends Zoey into the corner, then sends Kayden. Kayden SPLASHES, then she and Lyra set up so Katana can run up, PARTY IN MOTION! Zoey flops out of the ring, Katana helps Kayden go up and out to the apron! Lyra tags in, Kayden dodges Zoey to SUPERKICK! Then Lyra runs to WRECK Zoey with a dropkick! The fans cheer as Lyra, Kayden & Katana are vibing, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Lyra fights out of a chinlock. But Sonya RAMS her into the corner! Sonya fires hands, tags in Shayna, and they mug Lyra. Shayna stomps away, Sonya tags back in. Sonya drags Lyra up to fire body shots again and again, then lets off as the ref counts. Sonya runs up but Lyra BOOTS her! Lyra ELBOWS Shayna, ELBOWS Zoey, then goes up and over Sonya as she returns! Lyra hurries but Sonya grabs her legs! Sonya drags Lyra back, Lyra BOOTS her away, hot tag to Kayden! Kayden runs up dodges Shayna, and DECKS Kayden! ROUNDHOUSE for Sonya, leg trip for Shayna! BUZZSAW!
Kayden CLOBBERS Shayna again and again, and the fans fire up! Kayden brings Shayna up for fast hands but Shayna shoves her back. Kayden runs back up to ROCK Shayna! Kayden whips Shayna, Shayna reverses, but Kayden wheelbarrows. Victory roll, and SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Kayden storms up on Shayna. Kayden springboard LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO! Kayden runs side to side, but Shayna dodges! Shayna KNEES Kayden down, and she tags in Zoey! Zoey reels Kayden in, ALLEY- RANA! Kayden then baits Shayna and TOSSES her! Zoey SUPERKICKS but Katana tags in! Kayden ELBOWS Zoey while Katana tags Lyra.
Kayden gives Katana a lift, then a TOSS, CODE BREAKER! Lyra is there to gut wrench and POWERBOMB! Cover, Shayna breaks it! Sonya adds a KNEE! Zoey covers, Kayden SUPERKICKS her! Katana jumps in, KC Squared TOSS Shayna & Sonya! They drag Lyra to safety, then Kayden tags in. Kayden drags Zoey up, tags Katana back in. Katana goes up, but Sonya trips Kayden! No After Party yet, and Shayna gets on the apron. Katana BOOTS her away, but then Zoey gets up! Zoey grabs at Katana, but Katana turns toss into victory roll! TWO!! Zoey KNEES Katana, then drags her up! Z 360!! Cover, Deville’s crew wins!
Winners: Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark, by pinfall
A dangerous trios indeed, but wait! Damage CTRL is back! The Japan tour has reinvigorated them, and now Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai storm the ring! DMG CTRL dodges Deville and her team, to then BOOT, DROPKICK and DECK them all! The fans fire up, and Iyo goes up top! ARIHARA MOONSAULT onto them all!! Iyo then joins Kairi & Dakota in the ring to stand tall. Just who runs Raw? Perhaps these trios will have to fight it out and find out!
Gunther speaks.
Sometime before the show, Der Ring General went to the empty bleachers to say, “Last week, I offered Damian Priest the easy way out for the second time in a row. And his reaction was a reaction of a weak man. A reaction of a man who doesn’t have control over his own emotions. But that’s okay. Damian Priest doesn’t have to pretend anymore, because I exposed him for what he is: an emotional wannabe that abuses this great business as a cure for his childhood trauma.” Gunther says as far as tonight, Finn Balor is someone he used to look up to. Finn used to be one of the greatest pro-wrestlers in the world. And he still is, as he is World Tag Team Champion.
But let’s be honest. They both know Finn was destined for much greater things. But ever since he decided to surround himself with “those Judgment Day weirdos,” Finn became just like them: street trash. It will be Gunther’s pleasure tonight to find out how much of that old Finn Balor is still left. And as for Priest, know this: Gunther will never forgive Priest for abusing this great sport to cover up his pathetic existence. After SummerSlam, Priest and the rest of the world will forever remember the day when Der Ring General “saved this great sport and the World Heavyweight Championship.”
Backstage interview with Damage CTRL.
Cathy catches Iyo, Kairi & Dakota as they return backstage, and brings up that quick brawl out there with “the group that claims to be in control of Raw” while they were away. Iyo gets upset and says in Japanese that DMG CTRL are the ones who run Raw! Kairi adds her own comments in Japanese, and that WWE belongs to DMG CTRL. Dakota says the only reason Sonya and them have been “running the place” is because DMG CTRL was gone. Now that they’re back, it is time to reestablish a certain order of things. In fact, how about this? Dakota calls out Sonya for a match next week! Let’s see how long that little social club lasts after Dakota cuts the head off the snake.
DMG CTRL heads out, is #CobraKai going to leave Deville snakebit when Raw rolls into Baltimore?
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
Between Carlito and Dom each taking a loss, Rhea says, “What did you expect?” Carlito wants to point out that he was left alone out there but then they helped Dom. Rhea says she said this was gonna happen. JD says they can’t let Jey & Sami walk all over them. Finn says hold on, Rhea is right. They got themselves into this mess together. Let’s wait until after SummerSlam to get out of the mess together. Rhea says yeah, time to focus. And she’ll just put it out there… If Finn does need help with Gunther, they’ve got him. Just say the word.
Finn asks how many times they gotta go over this. At SummerSlam, Rhea is going it alone against Liv, and Priest is going it alone against Gunther. So tonight, he’s gotta step up and go it alone. Unless they don’t think he’s good enough. No, it’s not like that. Their problem is Gunther. They don’t trust that Gunther won’t try something stupid. But as his brother in arms, Priest knows Finn can handle Gunther. Go out there and show him who Finn Balor is. Finn says as Priest’s brother, he’ll soften up Gunther for Priest on Saturday.
They fist bump, JD helps Finn prepare, and the team is confident. But will the Prince be able to put a dent in the King of the Ring? Or will he be made into an example?
Finn Balor VS GUNTHER!
Raw returns and the two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and Gunther hits a headlock takeover. Finn headscissors, Gunther kips free but Finn goes for the headlock. Gunther blocks the takeover, lifts Finn, but Finn hits a flying takeover! Gunther scrambles up, powers up but can’t power out as Finn holds tight. Gunther puts Finn in a corner, the ref counts, and Finn lets go. Gunther swings, misses, and Finn CHOPS! Gunther snarls, so Finn CHOPS! Gunther eggs him on so Finn CHOPS! Gunther CHOPS and Finn falls! Gunther hauls Finn up, but Finn fights the bomb! Finn powers up and back drops! Gunther sunset flips, but Finn rolls through to basement dropkicks!
Finn fires up, the fans are with him, and he runs to KICK Gunther in the side! Finn then stomps at the ropes, the ref counts, and Finn stops at 4. Gunther stands, Finn runs back in but into a BOOT! The fans boo but Gunther paces around while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Gunther looms over Finn. Gunther brings Finn up to scoop and SLAM! Finn grits his teeth while writhing, and Gunther says he’s gong to become champion. But Finn CHOPS, and CHOPS and CHOPS! But Gunther CHOPS Finn down again! Gunther hauls Finn up to hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Finn stays in this but Gunther stays on him with a CHOP! Gunther turns Finn over into a BOSTON CRAB! Finn endures, the fans rally, and Finn fights his way over! Finn has the ROPEBREAK! Gunther lets go quickly, and he drags Finn up into a corner. Gunther CLUBS Finn, then puts him up top.
Gunther SLAPS Finn on the back, but Finn throws elbows! Gunther CHOPS Finn on the back, then climbs up behind him! Gunther brings Finn up for a SUPER- CROSSBODY! Finn turns things around in time and both men are down! The fans fire up while Gunther sputters. Gunther slowly rises, as does Finn. They both stand, and Finn BOOTS Gunther! Finn ducks a chop to CHOP back! Finn fires forearms and body shots, but Gunther scoops! Finn slips free, into the EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Finn aims from a corner. Gunther rises, but he dodge the slingblade to have a SLEEPER!
Finn endures, Gunther drags him back up but Finn arm-drags free! Gunther CHOPS! SLEEPER!! Finn flails, fans rally, and Gunn leans on the hold! Finn fades, Gunther spins him around and POWER- SATELLITE DDT! Finn turns things around, runs and LARIATS, but Gunther stays up! Finn keeps moving, Gunther LARIATS back! Cover, TWO! Finn survives but both men are down. The fans rally up more as the two men stir. Finn and Gunther slowly rise, but Gunther stands first. Gunther kicks Finn, Finn CHOPS! Gunther CHOPS! Finn staggers, but he SLAPS! Gunther CHOPS, Finn SLAPS, back and forth!
The shots keep going, Finn CHOPS, Gunther UPPERCUTS! Gunther reels Finn in to POWER- NO, Finn slips free, duck sunder and comes back, SLINGBLADE! Gunther falls and Finn takes aim! The fans fire up as Finn runs in, but into a SLEEPER! REAR NAKED- NO, Finn rolls out of the body scissors to DOUBLE STOMP! Finn trips Gunther, and DOUBLE STOMPS again! Gunther sputters, Finn hurries to DOUBLE STOMP again! Finn aims from a corner, runs in, SHOTGUN! Gunther hits buckles then falls! Finn hurries up the corner while fans fire up! COUP DE- NO, Gunther moves! SLEEPER!! Finn flails but Gunther squeezes tight!
Finn is fading, but he finds a second wind! So Gunther reels him in and lifts, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Finn survives so it’s back to the SLEEPER!! Finn flails, reaches out, but he’s fading again! Gunther leans on the hold, Finn gets a third wind! The fans rally as Finn rises up, and he pries at Gunther’s arms! Finn ELBOW BREAKERS one, but Gunther just clamps on with the other! Finn is back down, the ref checks him! Finn is OUT, Gunther wins!!
Winner: Gunther, by submission
The King of the Ring got a fight out of The Prince, but then he CLAMPS THE SLEEPER BACK ON!! Gunther wants to humiliate and hurt Finn as a message to Priest! But here comes El Campeon! The fans fire up as Priest runs in, and he fires off hands on Gunther! They brawl, the fans fire up, and Priest DECKS Gunther! Gunther bails out but Priest pursues to fire off more hands! Gunther RAMS Priest into barriers, Priest pushes him back and ROCKS him with haymaker after haymaker! They go around ringside, Priest CHUCKS Gunther over the desk! The fans are thunderous as Priest rains down fists on the desk!
Gunther can only guard as Priest stomps at him! Gunther staggers, Priest LEAPS onto him! Priest stomps away against the barriers, this is that street mugging he promised! He throws Gunther into the Prime hydration station! Gunther and cart tumble, Gunther tries to get away, but Priest HAMMERS him on the barriers! The Punisher is giving Gunther what he deserves already, but will Gunther still get what he wants at SummerSlam?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw as the go-home for SummerSlam here, but with quite a bit more prepared for next week’s aftermath episode. Great tag match of Otis & Tozawa VS The Creeds, with Gable of course cheating to help the now Heel Creeds. At the same time, great appearance by Wyatt Sick6, great team combo from Lumis and Gacy, and I again enjoyed Gable being arrogant, thinking he figured out some secret that the Wyatts gave up willingly. As I figured, a Six Man Tag is happening and it’ll be next week, not at SummerSlam. That is fine, as being a kickoff show match doesn’t seem big enough for the in-ring return of Gacy, Lumis & Rowan.
Good match from Kross with Woods but of course Final Testament had to interfere. I want the blowoff, the match that determines if Woods joins Final Testament or stops them, to be a pure 1v1 match but that probably isn’t happening, given they might want to give Kofi a triumphant return. Though, perhaps such a return ends up exactly why Woods joins Kross, because on some level, it proves Kross is right. I do feel like it’d be the more intriguing story if, after all this time, New Day stopped being a team. Woods doesn’t even have to join Kross, he just has to see he doesn’t need Kofi anymore.
While Sonya’s group hurting Zelina seems a bit unnecessary, we got a very good Six Woman Tag. Good win for Sonya’s group which really needs a name, but also great return for DMG CTRL, with a look that hearkens back to Lucha Underground’s Black Lotus Triad, aka the one-off of Iyo & Kairi teaming with Mayu Iwatani to beat up on Pentagon Jr. Dakota VS Sonya will be good stuff, and really, should be Dakota’s win so DMG CTRL’s return is even stronger. Then we can do other singles matches, some tag matches, and of course the eventual Six Woman Tag. Though I wonder if Lyra & KC Squared get involved for a triple trios thing.
Sheamus VS Bronson was a great rematch, but I was just wondering when Dunne would show up. I didn’t think he’d use a shillelagh, though. Great win for Bronson, he could use this to go after whoever wins the Intercontinental Championship after SummerSlam. As for Dunne, he and Sheamus might end up having a Donnybrook match. It’ll hearken back to when The Brawling Brutes were a thing, it’d help bring out Dunne’s motivations in this feud, and it’d just be a lot of fun seeing them go all out, smashing up a tiny bar or some wood barrels.
As for SummerSlam build, a very good though rather long opening promo segment. Rollins didn’t go as crazy with his ref outfit as I was expecting, but the leather pants, zebra stripe boots and puffy shoulder shirt is still good stuff. And I do like that his rules will be very lax, bordering on No Holds Barred because he just wants to see McIntyre and Punk beat each other to a pulp. Now, it’d be rather cliche if like, Punk upsets Rollins somehow and Rollins screws him out of this, but it would be fitting of the story. Punk warned Rollins, that felt like foreshadowing, and what a great way to transition feuds than for Punk to want after Rollins now.
Judgment Day was of course a great throughline on the night. Liv bashing up the clubhouse, and the PS5, while also having her promo with the trash can fire, was good stuff. Rhea’s response was also good, can’t wait to see how their title match goes down. Very good promos from Priest and Gunther to call each other out, and it is intriguing how Finn seems to be the one insisting on “Stand on your own, handle the business,” even though they in no way had to have Carlito lose to Jey or Dom lose to Sami. I’m still hoping to see that Judgment Day Civil War type break-up, Finn bringing JD & Carlito with him to join Liv, so that the real business they need to handle is, “Who is better Judgment Day?”
Sami and Jey got great momentum off those matches, but we also got a good promo from Sami and Bron. Bron going after Sami but being run off, that go-home math has to mean Sami loses. I’m still a little surprised Sami won at MITB, so I think this is when Bron wins. Bron’s promo does have a point about “life after Bron,” because Sami and Jey could move over to go after the tag titles since this thing with Judgment Day is heating up. And then, if Survivor Series brings back Brand VS Brand, Sami & Jey are champs on Raw but Bloodline’s Tama & Jacob Fatu are champs on SmackDown… It isn’t quite a WarGames of Bloodline Civil War, but it’d be pretty good all the same.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Will this become King of the YEET?
Though he lost the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Jey Uso has a chance to be King of the Ring, if he can beat Sheamus, Rusev and Bronson Reed!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Stephanie Vaquer VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Ivy Nile VS Asuka;Â Asuka wins and advances to the next round.
- AJ Styles VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio; Styles wins.
- Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane; Kairi wins, by stoppage.
- King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Sheamus VS Rusev VS Bronson Reed VS Jey Uso; Jey wins and advances to the next round.
PLAY BY PLAY
Liv Morgan & Dominik Mysterio are here!
Green Bay is a bit torn as the Bonnie & Clyde of WWE go to the ring together, proudly wearing their belts. And Liv seems extra proud of herself after insulting and then knocking out Nikki Bella last week. Liv grabs the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Monday Night Morgan~! And please make some noise for the most gorgeous man in WWE. He is the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time, Dominik Mysterio~!” The fans make noise, but it isn’t all positive. Dom has the mic and thanks Liv, but tonight is not about him. Tonight is all about Liv! The fans boo again but Liv thanks Dom for that.
Liv says respect is the thing she is out here to talk about. Everyone needs reminding that this is LIV’s division! And when you talk about her division, you talk about HER! See, Nikki Bella had to learn that the hard way, and now she’s home all beat up, watching Liv on her TV, which is where she should be! Wanna know what was worse than that? The fact that Iyo Sky claimed Nikki paved the way for them all. What a joke. No one paved the way for Liv, and especially not Nikki! Liv paved her own way, and she became the history-making, record-breaking, FOUR-TIME WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion!
The fans boo a bit more but Liv asks the fans if they know what that makes her. What it makes her is the greatest WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion of ALL~ TIME! So she is not asking for respect anymore, she’s demanding it! Just like she is demanding for a rematch she never got over the Women’s World Championship. So Iyo, they can do this the easy way or the hard way. Well, here comes Iyo! The fans cheer the Genius as she holds up the Women’s World Championship and goes to the ring. Iyo grabs herself a mic while the fans cheer her on. Iyo tells Liv, “Do everyone a favor, and shut your mouth!”
The fans cheer and Liv is upset, but Iyo says all Liv does is whine and show disrespect. Iyo rants in Japanese a second and the fans appreciate that. But Iyo says Liv disrespected Nikki Bella, and she disrespected Iyo! If Liv wants to fight, then Iyo is right here! The fans cheer that and Liv says okay, okay. She does wanna fight her, but only for the title. But if Iyo is scared because Liv has beaten her more than any other woman in the WWE, then Iyo can just hand the title over, Liv doesn’t mind. Liv smiles and Iyo sneers. Iyo is not handing Liv anything. If Liv wants it, she has to earn it. Liv can’t just steal it like she stole Dirty Dom from Rhea!
Dom says hold on, hold on! The fans boo Dom but Dom says let’s just make this easy for Liv and give her what she wants! Like Dom does every single day! Liv tells Iyo to listen to Dom, he’s smart. Just shine the belt up and hand it over, thanks. Oh, Liv wants it? Yes, she wants it. Iyo says alright, she can have it. Catch! Liv catches the belt, and then she gets a DROPKICK! And a BUZZSAW! Dom is upset but then Iyo ROUNDHOUSES him! The fans fire up as Iyo holds up her title while Dom & Liv run away! Liv still has to face Kairi Sane later tonight in a rematch of their own, will the Pirate Princess just add insult to injury?
Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Stephanie Vaquer VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Ivy Nile VS Asuka!
The final Fatal 4 Way for the Queen of the Ring is here, with Alexa Bliss awaiting the winner! But will it be La Primera making big moves in her “rookie year” on Raw? Will Big Mami Cool make up for Liv falling short? Will this tournament soon be American Made? Or will the Empress of Tomorrow have a massive return?
Raw returns and Raquel gets ready backstage. Liv finds her and tells her to win, no matter what. Raquel says got it, then she makes her entrance. Ivy is already in the ring, so that leaves Asuka to make her entrance for the first time in just over a year! The fans fire up to see her back, from classic theme to the face paint. The bell rings, Raquel rushes Asuka and Ivy is after Vaquer! They brawl, and then Ivy and Raquel whip! Vaquer reverses, Asuka CLOBBERS Ivy, and then the two work together against towering Raquel! KICK after KICK, then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up and chant, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!”
Asuka and Vaquer tie up, Vaquer ducks a kick to shove, then follow. Vaquer dodges a lariat, sweeps to cover, ONE! Asuka sweeps to cover, ONE! The two standoff and the fans cheer. But Ivy CLOBBERS Vaquer! Raquel puts Asuka in a corner, but Ivy tries to roll Raquel up! Raquel YANKS Ivy up to PUSH her away! Asuka headscissors, but Raquel uses that to POWERBOMB Asuka onto Ivy & Vaquer! Ricky Desperado stands tall while the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Vaquer ROCKS Ivy! Vaquer fires more hands, then runs, itl-ow-rhils and rolls Ivy up, TWO! Ivyh swings, but Vaquer spins her and snap suplexes her! But Raquel is up, only for Vaquer to serv eher SOLE FOOD! Asuka is back, Vaquer dodges to mule kick! Vaquer runs and METEORAS Raquel in a corner! Vaquer runs up, blocks Asuka’s boot, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS her! Asuka writhes but she goes to a corner. Ivy runs up, but into a BIG back suplex! Vaquer grins as she wraps on the headscissors! The fans fire up for the DEVIL’S KISSES! AH AH AH AH, but then Raquel KICKS Vaquer in the side!
Raquel drags Vaquer up, suplexes, but Vaquer slips free! Vaquer wrenches, snapmares, and now she puts Raquel in the headscissor! DEVIL’S KISSES, but Raquel Electric Chair Lifts! The fans fire up for that feat of strength, but Asuka runs in! Raquel BOOTS Asuka, but Vaquer RANAS Raquel to the apron! And she holds on, for DEVIL’S KISSES on the apron!! AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH, YEEEEAH~! The fans fire up and Vaquer smiles. Raquel flounders around, Vaquer climbs and springboards, CROSSBODY! Asuka is in to clinch, chicken wing, but Vaquer fights the rest of the Asuka Lock!
The two fight for control, Vaquer pulls hair but can’t get a grip. Vaquer RAMS Asuka into a corner, Ivy RIDER KICKS Vaquer down! Ivy then fires off on Asuka! Ivy whips Asuka, Asuka KICKS back! Ivy staggers, Asuka runs up, but Ivy dodge! HIP ATTACK for Raquel! Ivy cradles Asuka, TWO! Ivy waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Ivy is surprised! Ivy says she was that close, and talks trash on Asuka while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Vaquer has Asuka up top. Ivy joins in, Asuka blocks the suplex, but then Raquel joins in! Raquel Electric Chair Lifts both Vaquer and Ivy, and Asuka MISSILE DROPKICKS them all down! The fans fire up as Asuka rises! Asuka KICKS Vaquer, KICKS Ivy, and repeat! Asuka SUPERKICKS Vaquer, then spins to BUZZSAW Ivy! Raquel runs up, Asuka bobs ‘n’ weaves, fires off palm strike after palm strike, and then a SOBAT! And a front KICK! CODE BREAKER! Raquel staggers, Asuka fires up and the fans are with her! Asuka runs up and SOBATS! ROUNDHOUSE for Ivy! Asuka waistlocks, Ivy takes a swing, but gets a POP-UP KNEE for it!
Asuka covers, but Vaquer breaks it! The fans fire up as these two meet again. Vaquer and Asuka smile as they circle. Vaquer dodges a shot to fire of fa flurry! Vaquer whips, Asuka reverses, and Vaquer RAMS Asuka! Asuka fire sup, so the shots keep going! The fans fire up with Asuka, but Vaquer fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Vaquer runs, Asuka UPPERCUTS her at the ropes! Asuka grins, runs, but Vaquer KNEES her low! Vaquer whips just to reel Asuka in, snap suplex! Vaquer goes to a corner, takes aim, but Asuka runs up! Vaaquer goes up and over, DROPKICKS Asuka, then shakes out her own leg.
Vaquer underhooks, lifts, and TIGER BUSTER! Cover, Ivy drags Vaquer away! Ivy TOSSES Vaquer, scoops Asuka, SWINGING POWERSLAM! Cover, Vaquer breaks it up! Vaquer underhooks Ivy now, but Ivy wrenche sout. Vaquer JAWBREAKERS and ROUNDHOUSES! But Raquel BOOTS Vaquer! Raquel drags Vaquer up, “This is Awesome!” TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, RHEA DRAGS RAQUEL OUT! The fans go nuts for Mami as she waves hi. Rhea BOOTS Raquel, then hits a RIPTIDEÂ to the floor!! Rhea then tosses Raquel back in for someone, anyone! Asuka runs up with the HIP ATTACK! Cover, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
The #EmpressImpact certainly made an impact, but so did Rhea! Will Rhea and Raquel have to run back their own classic feud to put this to rest? Cathy Kelley interviews Asuka in the ring to congratulate her on this huge return win. How is Asuka feeling? Asuka smiles and the fans cheer, and Asuka says, “The fire didn’t die! It’s still alive! I will be the Queen of the Ring! No one is ready for Asuka!!” The fans cheer that! And will this big win help Asuka turn this into The Empress of the Ring? Or will Alexa Bliss “welcome” Asuka back by eliminating her from the tournament?
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
Roxanne Perez talks with Dom, Finn & JD about some things, Raquel ices from her match, and Liv says they need to go talk strategy for fighting Kairi. Raquel says she’s not really cleared for anything more tonight. Liv says oh, okay, she’ll go handle it herself then. Liv storms off, Dom wants to follow her, but JD has Dom hold on. Isn’t Dom supposed to help JD & Finn get the tag titles? Oh, yeah, but AJ Styles has been breathing down Dom’s neck. So JD can handle AJ for him, then they can get the tag titles. Finn agrees, he’ll be out there to have JD’s back. Actually… Finn was supposed to handle Styles last time, but he didn’t, so…
Dom suggests Finn stays back to hold down the fort. Finn frowns, but then he says Dom is right. He will stay in the back. But then Dom should go out there to watch JD’s back and make sure things go well. Dom agrees and heads out with the Irish Ace. Will JD handle the Phenomenal One so Dirty Dom doesn’t have to? Finn meanwhile talks with Raquel about that stuff with Liv. Don’t worry about her, things are going to work out. Raquel thanks Finn for that, and Finn tells Roxie that while Liv said she wants to handle things herself, but Finn has an idea. Finn and Roxie go off to talk, what is The Prince getting up to tonight?
Gunther is here!
Green Bay is rather conflicted seeing Der Ring General as World Heavyweight Champion again, but Gunther smiles as he makes his way to the ring. Gunther shows off the belt around his waist, and even eggs the fans on with their cheers and jeers. Gunther even gives the belt a kiss before holding it up, and off goes celebratory pyro! Gunther then grabs himself a mic, and while the fans boo, he says, “At WrestleMania…” The fans boo more and Gunther chuckles. “Look, guys, I’m man enough to admit that at WrestleMania, Jey Uso was the better man. He was the better man for one night! Because on every other single night, I am UNTOUCHABLE!”
The fans boo more, but Gunther just grins. Gunther continues by saying he has heard all the rumors and the chatter about what is next for him. The fans chant, “GOLD~BERG! GOLD~BERG!” Gunther says no, no, definitely NOT that guy! Gunther punked Goldberg out in front of his family, Goldberg learned his lesson! Gunther doesn’t care about rumors, he cares about reality. Seth Rollins has that Money in the Bank contract, and Gunther has what he wants! Gunther tells Rollins that he’ll say this directly to him. “A few weeks ago, you said to me when I win your World Heavyweight Championship back, I’m a target.
“Well, since I’m a target, I wanna make it very easy for you. I am right here! So don’t waste anymore time.” WAIT! GOLDBERG IS HERE?! Green Bay fires up as the living legend steps out on stage, gets his pyro, then storms down to the ring! Goldberg thanks the fans for that, and then he tells Gunther don’t be confused, it is all good. Tonight is Gunther’s night! Tonight, Goldberg is here to celebrate Gunther winning the World Heavyweight Championship. Goldberg’s been there before, he knows how Gunther must feel. So congratulations! But y’know what? Before Goldberg leaves, a few months ago, Gunther started something with Goldberg’s family in Atlanta!
And Goldberg is gonna make sure that he ENDS it, in Atlanta! So July 12th, Saturday Night’s Main Event, “You’re MINE! Because YOU’RE NEXT!” Gunther frowns but the fans all cheer on “GOLD~BERG!” Will Goldberg get himself one more win in his storied career? Or will Gunther make sure July 12th is Goldberg’s last match, period?
AJ Styles VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!
The Phenomenal One has been chasing the WWE Intercontinental Championship for the last few months, and with no spot in the King of the Ring tournament left to him, he’s come back around to try again. But will he be able to trump the Irish Ace? Or will the Judgment Day use their usually dirty tricks to deny him again?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Styles puts JD in a corner, but JD pulls the hair to put Styles in the corner. The fans rally for Styles as JD lets off. Styles dodges a haymaker to hit a headlock takeover. Styles grinds JD down but JD fights up. JD powers up and out to then reel Styles in for a headlock. Styles powers up and out, but JD RUNS him over! Things keep moving, but Styles trips JD to then float to a headlock. JD rolls to a cover, ONE, and Styles holds on. JD powers up and out, Styles sunset flips, TWO! JD hurries to high stack, TWO! Styles pops JD into the sunset, TWO! Styles arm-drags!
The fans fire up, JD headscissors, but Styles flails. Styles moves around to headstand then jackknife, TWO as JD bridges up! JD powers through to spin Styles for a backslide! Styles rolls through but JD gets away before the Clash! The fans oddly sing for “Dirty, Dirty Dom~!” while JD and Styles tie up. JD kicks low, then stomps away in the corner! JD digs his boots in, the ref counts, and JD steps off. JD soaks up heat, then he stalks Styles to the ropes. JD CHOPS Styles, whips him corner to corner, but Styles catches JD to a COBRA TWIST! JD resists, Styles rolls JD and has the CALF CRUSHER! JD scrambles around, but Styles rolls him away!
Styles pulls on the leg, JD fights the other way, and Dom pushes the ropes forward! The ref reprimands but JD still makes the ROPEBREAK! Dom helps JD out of the ring, but Styles goes out there. Styles storms up on Dom, they go running around the outside! Dom tries to get to the crowd but Styles grabs that vest! JD FLIES in over the barriers to wipe Styles out! Dom applauds and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and JD has Styles in the chinlock. The fans rally, Styles fights up, and Styles fires body shots. JD THROWS Styles down by his hair! The fans boo but JD stands on Styles’ hair! The ref reprimands but JDÂ pulls Styles’ arms to also pull hair! The fans rally for Styles, the ref counts, and JD stops at 4. Just to do it again! The ref counts again, JD stops, and Styles KICKS JD from below! Styles rises to fire off a Phenomenal Blitz, with the LARIAT! And SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up while JD goes to a corner. Styles runs and LARIATS, then fireman’s carries for an USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!
JD stays in this and Styles frowns. The fans rally, Styles reels JD in, but JD wrenches out to HEADBUTT! JD suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and JD is furious! The fans rally up again as JD brings Styles up. JD puts Styles in a corner, ROCKS him, then hoists him to the top rope. Styles fires hands on JD, but JD CHOPS! JD climbs, Styles fires hands, and JD drops back. JD ROCKS Styles again, climbs back up, but Styles fires body shots! Styles HEADBUTTS and JD falls! Styles steadies himself on the top rope, adjusts, then aims, but Dom gets on the apron! Styles scares Dom off, but JD kicks Styles low!
JD hits a ripcord, but Styles turns that into a headlock takeover! Styles deadlifts JD into the STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Dom runs up, Styles dodges! PELE! Dom staggers around, Styles runs up, but Dom puts him on the apron! Styles ROCKS Dom, but Finn rushes out here! Finn gets Dom outta there, but the belt was left behind! Styles picks the belt up and the fans cheer! Will Styles make this title phenomenal? Wait, Finn and Dom coordinate, and JD is up. Judgment Day flanks the ring, but Styles slips right past them all! Styles still has the belt in hand, but will he finally get his shot at it?
Sheamus prepares backstage.
The Fella spots The Alpha Academy walking over and asks Natalya, Maxxine & Tozawa what’s the crack. How’s Otis doing? Doing better, he’ll be back soon. But they know Sheamus has a match tonight, so how is he feeling? Natty says from one vet to another, he has to take care of Rusev. No problem there, Natty. Sheamus will bully the bully. Tozawa shouts, “Sheamus! Kick his ass!” The Celtic Warrior nods, will he get revenge for the Alpha Academy?
Bayley heads to gorilla.
The Role Model wants revenge of her own on Becky Lynch, but uh, what’s going on over here? New Day stands with Grayson Waller as Waller argues with Austin Theory. A-Town Down Under is falling apart, but will Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods be the reason it all ends?
Bayley goes to the ring!
Raw returns as The Role Model makes her entrance, and Green Bay cheers her on. Bayley grabs a mic and says, “Ding dong, Green Bay!” The fans cheer again, and Bayley says it feels so amazing to be back. She missed the fans so much! She smiles as the fans sing and chant for her, and she says we all know that classic quote: You don’t know what you have ’til it’s gone. But every time Bayley gets in this ring, she knows exactly what she has. She knows what it feels like to be here, and she doesn’t take any of it for granted. Every single time she gets an opportunity to be in front of the fans, she revels in it! This is what she was born to do!
The fans cheer, and Bayley says this is what is most important to her, what she puts her heart and soul into every single night. And two months ago, Bayley was stripped of an opportunity. She was robbed of a WrestleMania match! The fans boo, and Bayley says she was robbed of her tag title shot, a division she holds near and dear to her heart. But luckily for her, Bayley doesn’t come in here day in and day out, Raw, SmackDown, NXT, losing sleep and putting her body on the line, just for one night of the year! She doesn’t do it just for the big moments, the titles, or WrestleMania, but for nights like tonight and for people like the fans in Green Bay!
The fans cheer Bayley on more, and she says, “So Becky Lynch… If you think you taking me out for WrestleMania hurt me, if you think it broke me, I want you to know that you’re wrong. It healed me, Becky! It made me better, Becky! That it made me stronger!” The fans cheer again and Bayley paces. Bayley says, “Now, I may have said in the past, hell, right up to WrestleMania, how much it bothers me, how much you’ve been a chip on my shoulder, how you’ve always been just two steps ahead, you’ve always been just two rungs ahead of me and I could never make it there. Yeah, that at at me, Becky!
“But y’know what? I’m climbing that ladder, Becky, and I’m coming straight for you. I’m knocking you down, and I’m taking everything that you took for me! So you better get your ass out here right now!” The fans cheer that! And then here comes Becky! The fans are torn as The Man struts out in Chicago Bears merchandise, holding up her title belt. Becky joins Bayley in the ring and grabs her own mic while the fans boo. Green Bay chants, “Bears Still Suck! Bears Still Suck!” Becky says the Bears still beat Green Bay last time. And Becky has always been a chip on Bayley’s shoulder? No, Bayley, you and Becky are the same!
Becky and Bayley were “never meant to be at the top of this division,” yet here they are! The difference is, Bayley accepts being second fiddle, Becky does not! Y’know, kinda like the Packers. Bayley would rather have her group of friends than a legacy. Becky would rather have a legacy than a group of fake friends! Legacy!? Bayley did build a legacy! She’s a future Hall of Famer! Right, Michael Cole? That’s right! She built her legacy, and is so confident in it, she doesn’t mind helping the locker room. She doesn’t mind bringing people up that need help. Oh, okay, the people, right. Bayley fights for the people~!
Becky used to fight for the people, but the people stopped fighting for her, so that’s why Becky stopped fighting for them! So hey, here’s a secret: The people stopped fighting for Bayley, too. Where’s the proof? It was when Bayley got taken out of WrestleMania and Becky stepped in, and no one gave a DAMN about Bayley! No one cared that Bayley was no longer there, they all cheered for Becky! Bayley asks if Becky can hear herself. She sounds like an idiot! The fans can see it! Becky is so insecure! Becky is so worried about what everyone thinks! She took an entire YEAR off, and she worried about whether fans would cheer or boo, and that’s why Becky took Bayley out!
Becky didn’t know if the fans would care, so she had to make it a surprise! And 24 hours later, it still didn’t sit right. Becky probably couldn’t sleep that night, and then she went and took Lyra out, too, because Becky couldn’t hack it if the fans weren’t going to cheer. Becky says they did cheer for that, too. Bayley asks Becky if she forgot how it is to fight for everything. To fight for WrestleMania, for championships. Or maybe is Becky’s too far up her own ass that she doesn’t know what it is like anymore. Becky says no, she has forgotten what the struggle is like. But has Bayley forgotten what championship gold feels like?
The fans boo but Bayley says maybe she has. Remind her. C’mon, stop hiding and get over here! Becky says no, she’s not turning her back to Bayley. Becky snakes away saying Bayley’s the sneaky one. But if Bayley wants a match, they can have a match. But not here in Green Bay! And not even for the title! See you in Columbus, Ohio! Then Becky SLAPS Bayley! So Bayley DECKS Becky!! The fans fire up as The Man scurries away! Bayley smiles, will she get to do that all over again when she and Becky throw down?
Backstage interview with Jey Uso.
Cathy Kelley is now with Main Event Jey and says it was a bit of a setback last week, losing the world title to Gunther. But how important is it he moves forward with this King of the Ring match tonight? Jey says it is very important. He won his first world title from Gunther, he has Gunther’s respect. Then Gunther won it back, so Gunther got Jey’s respect. So as far as Jey sees it, that makes them 1-1. Gunther can look past Rollins, look past Goldberg, but they’ll run it back one day. If that means winning KOTR, then say less. Four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! But then, will Jey also make that one word, “King?”
Nick Aldis is backstage.
The SmackDown General Manager is here, and he meets with AJ Styles. Aldis thanks Styles for handing over the Intercontinental Championship, and Aldis will make sure it is returned to Dom in a timely fashion. But good news! Styles has a chance to get this title permanently. It is now official for Night of Champions! Dom VS Styles for the Intercontinental Championship! Styles thanks Aldis for that and heads out. Then Bayley steps in and Aldis says he heard all that out there. So speaking of making it official, Becky VS Bayley will happen. But Aldis is putting a little twist on it. As he sees it, WrestleMania was when Becky took Bayley’s title match.
So now, Bayley is owed a title match in return. Next week, Raw in Columbus, it will be Becky VS Bayley for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship! Bayley thanks Aldis and says this is why she always liked him. But then Lyra Valkyria walks over. The Morrigan welcomes Bayley back, and congratulates her on the title match. Bayley says she’s just trying to do what’s best for her. She is sorry that she didn’t get back to Lyra on the texts or calls, it was a rough two months. But it wasn’t personal. Lyra gets it, this is what is best for Bayley. But Lyra just wants Bayley to know, if Bayley wins the title, then Lyra will do what’s best for Lyra and come after her for it.
Lyra heads out, and things have really escalated. Will the Role Model tear down The Man, only to battle someone else who was once a friend?
Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane!
The greatest women’s tag team champion of all time has been having a hard time against the Pirate Princess. A loss because Roxie and Raquel argued, then Raquel takes a loss because Iyo got the better of Liv, and then the losses in the Queen of the Ring tournament, no wonder Liv lashed out against Nikki. But will Liv take her frustrations out on Kairi in this rematch? Or will Kairi only add to the misery with another defeat?
Raw returns and Liv is back in the ring. The bell rings, Liv runs up, but Kairi dodges! Kairi then blocks a kick, trips Liv, and floats to a headlock. Liv scrambles to the outside and clutches her arms. Is Liv still hurting from things last week? The ref has Kairi wait while the medics check Liv. Liv’s arm is definitely the concern, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, and unfortunately, that rough landing from the takedown did in fact jam up Liv’s arm, she cannot continue. Kairi wins by stoppage, but will Liv’s misery only continue in and out of the ring?
Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.
Cathy Kelley is with the Honorary Uce and she congratulates him on advancing in the KOTR. Friday Night SmackDown will see Sami take on Randy Orton, how is he feeling? Sami isn’t sure. He feels he’s talked about the World Heavyweight Championship so much lately, and now somehow, the opportunity is here. Sami has had the chance a few times to challenge for that title, but something about this time feels different. Karrion Kross walks in and says, “Oh, this is so disturbing! It feels… different? There’s absolutely nothing different about this! Sami, you know you’re an insane person, right?
“You know what an insane person does? They do the exact same thing every day, expecting a different result. Lemme explain to you what’s going to happen. You’re going to go to Friday Night SmackDown, and you’re going to compete against one of the most diabolical people this business has ever seen, a guy who knows how to in, The Viper, Randy Orton. And then, you’re gonna lose! And he’s gonna go on to become a FIFTEEN-TIME World Champion, and you are gonna stay at zero.” Sami smiles and says, “You think I’m crazy? You know what I think you are? I think you’re a coward. I think you hide back here, and you talk, and you hide in the shadows, and you lurk, and you talk in riddles.
“Why? You don’t go out there, because maybe all the big talk when you go out there, maybe you can’t back it up?! Maybe you don’t have the courage to talk a big game, and maybe you fall on your face, and you don’t have the courage to go back out there, cuz trust me, I’ve talked a big game, I’ve gone out there, and I’ve lost, and I have the courage to pick myself back up and go out there again. Can you say the same? I didn’t think so. So I’m done listening to you talk, you understand me? Right now, my focus is the King of the Ring, that’s my priority. But I’m telling you now, the second that’s done, the second that’s done, I am going to Adam Pearce.
“And you and me, we’re gonna have this match once and for all.” Kross says, “It’s about time.” Mr. Doomsday leaves, has Sami just sealed his doom?
Jey Uso enters through the concourse.
The fans young and old are fired up as Jey asks them to play his music! Four letters, one word, UH UH… YEET! Jey heads down the bleachers, and fans show off the new foam YEET hands! Will Jey get his hands on that ticket to the next round? Or will someone else have that semifinal match with Cody Rhodes?
King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Sheamus VS Rusev VS Bronson Reed VS Jey Uso!
Raw returns and Rusev makes his entrance. Following that, The Celtic Warrior enters, leaving the Colossal Aussie for last. Paul Heyman accompanies Bronson, but why is Heyman holding Rollins’ MITB briefcase…? The bell rings and Bronson goes after Sheamus while Rusev goes after Jey! They end up in the corners, Rusev stomps a mudhole into Jey but Sheamus dodges Bronson. Sheamus CHOPS and ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson hits back! Bronson HEADBUTTS Sheamus, then SHOVES Sheamus up and out of the ring! Bronson goes to the apron but Sheamus CLUBS a leg out! Sheamus sends Bronson into barriers!
Rusev keeps beating Jey down, and Bronson sends Sheamus into steel steps! Then into barriers! Rusev drags Jey up to fire body shots on those wrapped-up ribs. Rusev shoves Jey, runs up, but Jey DUMPS Rusev out! Rusev is right up to ROCK Jey, but Bronson YANKS Rusev down! Bronson and Rusev brawl now, and Bronson HEADBUTTS! Bronson whips, Rusev reverses, and Bronson is sent into steps! Jey then DIVES out onto Rusev! The fans fire up and YEET with Jey, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Bronson is beating up on Jey now. Bronson fireman’s carries Jey but Jey slips free! Jey ROCKS Bronson, counter punches, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks, and puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! The fans fire up as Jey mule kicks, then UPPERCUTS! Bronson blocks the next kick, but Jey DRAGON WHIPS! Bronson tumbles out, Sheamus slides in, btu Jey SUPERKICKS Sheamus! Rusev is back, Jey SUPERKICKS him! Rusev wobbles, Jey SUPERKICKS again! Rusev is still up, Jey runs, but Rusev LARIATS! The fans fire up, Sheamus and Bronson brawl, and Bronson whips. Sheamus reverses to POST Bronson!
Sheamus runs up on Bronson, but Bronson DUMPS Sheamus into the crowd! The fans fire up with Sheamus at their feet, and Bronson gloats. But Sheamus rises up to get Bronson’s arms! Sheamus gives Bronson BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes TEN! The fans fire up and Sheamus adds another TEN, so that’s TWENTY! The fans fire up with Sheamus, but Jey SUPERKICKS Sheamus at the barriers! But Bronson runs up, only to be sent into barriers! Jey lines up a shot, “UCE! OH!” Jey runs in, but Rusev is there to CLOBBER him first! Rusev roars, the fans are torn, but Rusev goes to the ring.
Sheamus is there, and the fans rally up as these former friends are 1v1. The fans cheer for “RUSEV DAY!” as the forearms fly! They fire hands, haymakers, body shots, and then Sheamus fires off with forearms! Sheamus whips, Rusev ducks ‘n’ dodges to WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up and Rusev watches Sheamus flounder. Rusev runs in at the corner, but Sheamus BOOTS him! Rusev just roars! Rusev runs back in, Sheamus scoops Rusev to POWERSLAM! The fans rally as both men rise up. They throw more haymakers, and the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Sheamus!” “RUSEV DAY!” Bronson CLOBBERS both men because he’s just that big!
Wait, Sheamus and Rusev get up, just to brawl with each other! So Bronson SPLASHES them both in the corner! Jey BOOTS Bronson from the corner! Jey CROSSBODIES, but Bronson catches him! WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!! Bronson roars, the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again, and Rusev sputters from being thrown onto the announce desk! Sheamus leaves Rusev behind to go after Jey. The fans rally for m ore tables, but Sheamus and Jey fire haymakers! They go shot for shot, then it is fast ‘n’ furious! Sheamus blocks the kick, ducks the Dragon Whip, and fireman’s carries! Jey fights free to the apron, but now Sheamus has Jey on the ropes! Jey fires elbows to stop the Bodhrain, and he GAMANGIRIS! Jey hurries inside, but Sheamus gives him an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! But Bronson runs up to HEADBUTT Sheamus down! Bronson wobbles, but he brings Sheamus back up.
Bronson reels Sheamus in, says thumbs down, but Sheamus fights the lift! Sheamus fireman’s carries Bronson!? The fans go nuts for that alone! And then, WHITE NOISE!! Right on the Slim Jim logo! Cover, TWO!! Rusev hurries to stomp Sheamus, and he URENAGES Sheamus onto Bronson! Rusev snarls, the fans are torn, but they do agree, “This is Awesome!” Rusev sees Jey in a corner, runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Bronson is back up, Jey SUPERKICKS him! And he SUPERKICKS Sheamus! Jey aims again, SUPER- NO, Rusev blocks to ROUNDHOUSE Jey! And then ACCOLADE!! Jey endures, the fans fire up, but Jey gets an arm free!
Rusev traps that arm again, pulls on Jey’s back, but Jey keeps fighting! Sheamus gives Rusev a KNEE CAPPER! Rusev flounders away, Bronson is up but he gets a KNEE CAPPER! MACHKA KICK for Sheamus! Sheamus BROGUES Rusev! Cover, SENTON from Bronson! Bronson hurries up a corner while Sheamus is in the drop zone! The fans are going nuts, TSUNAMI onto Sheamus!! Cover, JEY BREAKS IT!! The fans fire up and Heyman is stunned, but Jey keeps this one going! Bronson snarls, runs up, but Jey dodges! And SPEARS!! Jey topples Bronson, but he hurries to the top rope!
The fans are thunderous, but oh no, h ere comes Bron Breakker!! Bron SHOVES Jey off the corner, and he laughs at Jey! The fans bark, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is after Bron! Sami won’t let them screw Jey over! He POSTS Bron! Sami then lines up a shot, runs in, but Bron catches Sami first! And he military presses Sami to TOSS him onto and over the desk!!! But wait, PENTA FLIES ONTO BRON!! The fans are thunderous as #CeroMiedo gets payback on Bron! But Bronson gives Jey a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Bronson hurries up top, takes aim, but then L A KNIGHT is here! And he SHOVES Bronson off the top, YEAH!!
The fans are going nuts as Jey hurries to SUPERKICK Bronson! And then SPEAR!! Jey hurries back up like he wanted, and he gives Bronson an USO SPLASH!! But Jey won’t stop there, he knows Bronson is tougher than that! So Jey hits another USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
The Mega Star smiles as he screws over the guys who screwed him over, and now Main Event Jey Uso is moving on! But wait! Seth Rollins storms out here now! He is furious that his plan has been foiled! Rollins throws off his Chicago Bears colored jacket and tie, rolls up his sleeves, and has Jey all to himself in that ring. Except CODY RHODES is here! The fans are thunderous as the American Nightmare makes sure Rollins can’t make a move! The fans sing along with Cody’s song while Cody stares down with Rollins. Green Bay is losing their minds as Rollins is about to explode with anger, but then that anger subsides…?
Rollins lets Cody and Jey have their moment, and Rollins’ team regroups on the ramp. The Wise Man says this is the right move, because now Cody and Jey are going to be opponents in the semifinals. Jey and Cody look to each other, knowing that in order to get back to the top, they must go through the other. They shake hands and the fans cheer. But will Cody and Jey be able to stay friends after battling it out next week in Columbus?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw with more great build for Night of Champions. Judgment Day ties stories together, with a very good promo from Liv & Dom with Iyo to hype up a possible title match. Unfortunately, Liv legitimately dislocated that shoulder in her match with Kairi. Hopefully for her sake and everything else going on, it isn’t serious and she can still be on TV. And even if not, there is a way to keep the story going in Judgment Day if they were to have Roxanne Perez step in and help defend the tag titles with Raquel in place of Liv. Maybe half the reason Judgment Day loses those titles is because Roxie and Raquel can’t get along while Iyo & Kairi can.
Great Fatal 4 Way for Queen of the Ring, and nice touch with Rhea going after Raquel. Asuka winning is a great way for her to return. Asuka VS Alexa will be really good but I can’t be sure who wins that when there’s also Jade and Roxie on the other side. But I feel like the Women’s Division has a more open title story than the Men’s, because the main thing is that Naomi is Miss Money in the Bank and can cash-in to “ruin” things for whoever is Queen of the Ring and the champion they’re challenging. Though with that, Jade Cargill is probably still the favorite, especially when she towers over Roxie and Alexa, and could overpower Asuka.
Good stuff with Styles VS JD and how he outsmarted the Judgment Day boys. Aldis being here to make matches was a bit of a surprise, but good on him to make a match for Night of Champions. Styles VS Dom could probably go either way, but it’d be a great moment if Finn screws Dom over in that match. Very good promo from Bayley and Becky, and I appreciate Lyra feeling just a touch disrespected with Bayley getting her title match first. Making the title match for next week is fine, Becky VS Bayley will definitely get ratings and be a great match, but I wonder if something involving Lyra is made for Night of Champions. I only count four matches with KOTR, QOTR, Cena VS Punk and now Styles VS Dom.
Gunther had a good promo, and while he said he doesn’t put stock in rumors, the rumors were true and Goldberg is back. That match not being for Night of Champions is a touch surprising, but I suppose having Goldberg as the hometown hero for Saturday Night’s Main Event works out better. Remember what happened the last time Goldberg had a high profile match in Saudi Arabia? And even without that, two weeks is not enough time for Goldberg to get ready, both in kayfabe and shoot. Pushing it to just under a month is better for Goldberg, and I would certainly hope Gunther retains. Remember the last time Goldberg just suddenly had a title match against a younger talent?
Great promo from Sami with Kross, but I feel like it foreshadows Sami not winning KOTR. Though how great would it be if Sami becomes KOTR, takes the title off Gunther like he did with the Intercontinental Championship, and then Sami and Kross feud over the world title. That aside, also good stuff with the promos going into tonight’s main event. And while I figured Jey would win, they did a great job with the overbooking to help it. Great stuff from Sheamus and Rusev as they’re starting a feud, and then of course LA Knight showed up to screw Bronson Reed. Bron Breakker going Knight and then Penta joining in, that was also great stuff, perhaps we get Penta & Knight VS Bron & Bronson as part of something.
Cody protecting Jey is good stuff, and Rollins standing down works so well. Rollins understands what we should all understand: Cody and Jey will battle, the winner of that is probably the favorite to be King of the Ring, but Rollins could make it to where they’re still challenging him. Cena VS Punk at Night of Champions is the first real tease of where Rollins can strike, because Rollins can’t resist screwing his most hated enemy in Punk and the guy who is retiring anyway in Cena. Then if that doesn’t work out and Rollins still has the briefcase, he could go after Gunther during his match with Goldberg at SNME. Or he just waits until SummerSlam when KOTR challenge whoever it is, and we get the next best “heist of the century.”
My Score: 8.8/10
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Who makes NJPWÂ their dominion?
NJPW returns to Osaka-Jo Hall, and Hirooki Goto defends the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Shingo Takagi! Will the Fierce Warrior slay the Rampaging Dragon?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai & Masatora Yasuda; Kato & Murashima win.
- 8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS House of Torture & “Don Fale”; The House of Torture wins.
- El Phantasmo & Shota Umino VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuya Uemura; Tanahashi wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO &
Yoshinobu KanemaruDouki; Sho & Douki win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. - IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan VS Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii; Taichi & Ishii win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg; Oleg wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch: David Finlay VS EVIL; Evil wins.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins and becomes the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Shingo Takagi; Goto wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS House of Torture & ???
While their leaders will battle in a Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch later tonight, Chase Owens, Clark Connors, “Drilla” Moloney & Taiji Ishimori will wage war with Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi, Sanada, and the newest member of the House. But will it not matter who Evil recruited? Or could new blood be just the thing to turn the tide?
Sanada walks out in a very odd body suit. It’s like he wants to walk out here in a leopard speedo but not really. Also, he’s now the “Cold Blooded Snake,” so clearly he is still evolving. But then, who is this mystery partner? Wait, is that Bad Luck Fale?! A founding member of Bullet Club has now betrayed Bullet Club!? And now he’s “Don Fale?!” Then is this the dawn of a new era in NJPW?
The brawl is on as Taiji, Connors & Drilla rush Sanada, Ren & Yujiro, but Chase wants to know why Fale, why? Chase and Fale were tag partners and friends! But Fale grabs Chase by the neck! Connors rushes in and CLUBS Fale, but Fale BODY BLOWS Connors! Drilla attacks Fale, but Fale BODY BLOWS and BODY BLOWS, and then TOSSES Drilla! Taiji fires off but Fale BODY BLOWS him, too! The bell rings to finally put this on record as Fale steps on Taiji in the corner! The fans rally, Fale drags Taiji to the ropes, and Fale stands on Taiji for the Bullet Club Massage! Or, perhaps the House of Torture Massage now!
Tag to Yujiro and he drops a leg, brother! And then another leg! Cover, TWO! Yujiro CHOKES Taiji as a cover, the ref reprimands, and Yujiro stops at 4. Tag to Ren and he BLASTS the Bullet Club corner! Ren bumps Taiji off buckles, SCRAPES Taiji’s face off the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. The fans rally for Taiji while Ren TOSSES him! Ren distracts the ref, which lets Fale whip Taiji hard into the railing! Yujiro drags Taiji up to put in the ring and Ren covers, TWO! Taiji stays in this, Drilla glares at Ren, but the ref has Drilla back down. Taiji fires hands on Ren, but Ren CHOKES Taiji! Ren puts Taiji in the corner, but stops as the ref counts 4.
Tag to Yujiro and Sanada distracts the ref. Ren snapmares Taiji and holds him open! But as Yujiro lines up the shot, Taiji UP KICKS Ren! Yujiro kicks low, whips, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans rally, hot tag to Connors! Connors CLOBBERS Ren, CLOBBERS Yujiro, KICKS ropes to jam up Sanada, and the fans fire up! Connors runs to ELBOW Ren in one corner, then runs to ELBOW Yujiro in the other! Connors reels Ren in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Connors and they bark it up. Connors aims at Yujiro, but Fale drags him out!
Fale whips Connors into railing! Chase gets in Fale’s face but the ref has them both back down. Drilla pushes Fale, so Fale whips Drilla into railing! Wait, Connors has Wheel-san! Connors CLOBBERS Fale with Wheel-san! The fans fire up and Connors hurries back into the ring. Connors whips Yujiro to SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tokyo Pimp toughs it out but Connors vows to end it! Connors drags Yujiro up, but Yujiro BITES Connors’ hand! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but then Connors ROCKS Yujiro! Connors runs up, but Yujiro FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Connors! And then he BOOTS Connors!
Yujiro runs, but Connors goes the other way! JEEP FLIPPER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yujiro and Connors crawl, hot tags to Sanada and Drilla! GORE OUTTA NOWHERE! The fans fire up as Drilla shows off his dancing pecs and drags Sanada up. DRILLA- NO, Sanada slips free! Drilla HEADBUTTS, Sanada drops, but Drilla blocks the sneaky low blow! Drilla whips and SPINEBUSTERS! The fans fire up and bark with Drilla, then he drags Sanada back up. Gut wrench and DRILLA- NO, Sanada BOOTSÂ the ref! Sanada then slips free, reels Drilla in, and MAGIC SCREW! The fans rally but the House goes after Bullet Club on the outside!
Sanada grabs his guitar! The fans boo as this Cold Blooded Snake steps inside. Chase stops Sanada! He takes the guitar, gives it to Drilla, then sets Sanada up. Drilla takes aim, but then Chase LOW BLOWS Drilla?!? The fans don’t understand! Why did the Crown Jewel do that?! NO WAIT, he’s joining the House, too!?? SMASH HIT from Sanada to Drilla!! It wasn’t just Fale as Mr. X, there was a MOLE inside the club! Sanada covers Drilla, the House wins!!
Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall
Taiji asks why, Chase, why, but he just gets a LOW BLOW for it!! The old guard of Bullet Club is leaving them all behind to join up with Evil! Then is there nothing to stop this from being a HOT boy summer?
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuya Uemura!
The Ace Final Road continues to make connections, and that leads to his first and last 1v1 match with the Heat Storm. Will Tanahashi continue to ride high on his retirement tour? Or will Yuya only get hotter with the summer?
The bell rings and the fans rally for Tanahashi already. Tanahashi and Yuya circle, feel things out, and tie up. Tanahashi waistlocks, Yuya switches, and repeat. Tanahashi trips Yuya but Yuya switches. Tanahashi switches, Yuya switches, repeat, and then the two separate. The fans applaud this opening exchange, and the two reset. They circle, tie up, and Yuya wrenches to hammerlock then headlock, then he spins through to hammerlock, headlock, and hit the takeover! Tanahashi headscissors, Yuya kips free, but now Tanahashi hits a headlock takeover. Yuya headscissors. Tanahashi kips free, and Yuya headlocks.
Tanahashi fires body shots, powers out, but Yuya slides under! Yuya arm-drags! Tanahashi arm-drags, and he has the armlock! The fans rally, Yuya tries to headscissors but Tanahashi fights that off. Yuya rises up, Tanahashi grinds the arm, but Yuya wrenches and SAYANAGIS! Yuya then steps over to SNAP LOCK the arm! The fans rally while Yuya runs, and he basement DROPKICKS the arm! Tanahashi clutches the elbow and the fans rally more, but Yuya drags him up. Yuya wrenches the arm, wrenches again, then snapmares for Short Arm Scissors! Tanahashi endures, even as Yuya puts on the pressure.
Tanahashi turns, clasps hands, and he kicks his way over. Tanahashi reaches out but Yuya turns him back to keep on the scissors! The fans rally as Tanahashi continues to endure, and Tanahashi fights to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Yuya lets go, and the fans applaud. Yuya brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi fires forearms. Yuya wrenches the arm! Tanahashi fires more forearms, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Yuya stands Tanahashi up. Yuya wrenches and whips, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! And then he ELBOWS Yuya, whips him to ropes, and BACKDROPS him!
The fans fire up and Tanahashi storms over to Yuya. Tanahashi drags Yuya up to scoop and SLAM into the drop zone! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up the corner, SUNSET SENTON! A rough landing but Tanahashi stands back up. The fans rally and Tanahashi waits on Yuya. Yuya slowly rises, Tanahashi builds speed, but Yuya dodges the slingblade! Tanahashi blocks a kick, and waves bye before he DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Tanahashi resets and runs again, SLING- NO, Yuya slips through to trap the arms! Tanahashi kicks at Yuya’s legs, whips, but uses that to reel Yuya in for a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!
The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he tries once again. SLINGBLADE! Down goes Yuya and Tanahashi covers, TWO! Yuya stays in this and the fans rally up. Tanahashi hurries up the corner, aims, but Yuya stands. Tanahashi hits a HIGH FLY- NO, Yuya dodges the High Fly Attack, and now he goes up top! FROG- NO, Tanahashi dodges the Frog Splash Attack! The fans fire up while both men writhe. Yuya clutches his arm, the same arm that he injured all those months ago, and the fans rally. Tanahashi crawls his way over, drags Yuya up, and he fires a forearm! Yuya comes back with a forearm of his own!
The two stand, Yuya fires up, and the fans fire up with him! The forearms go back and forth, the fans cheering both men! Tanahashi eggs Yuya on, so Yuya fires a flurry! Tanahashi fires a strike fest! Yuya goes to a corner, Tanahashi storms up and whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And ARMBAR! Tanahashi clasps hands and the fans rally! Tanahashi fights around, but Yuya pulls on the arm! Yuya CLUBS Tanahashi’s grip and has the ARMBAR! Tanahashi has the ROPEBREAK, but Yuya drags him up into a cording hold! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS, then DRAGON SUPLEXES!
The fans fire up with Tanahashi builds speed. But Yuya catches him for a RANA! Then ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks the cover, TANAHASHI WINS!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
Yuya doesn’t realize it as he goes for a cover of his own, but he missed the kick-out by a thin margin! Tanahashi shows Yuya respect with how close that was. But is this really the only time Yuya gets to test himself against one of the best ever? Or will Tanahashi’s Final Road bring them back around before the year is over?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Direct Drive & The Way of the Grandmaster surprised a lot of people taking these titles off of the Ichiban Sweet Boys, but now some familiar foes come around to take these titles from them. We saw the House of Torture add new members, will they be adding new gold as well? Or can Yoh & Wato keep it fresh like Ziploc?
Wait, Sho grabs a mic. And he talks trash about how in Best of the Super Juniors, Wato lost in a “terrible effort” against Kanemaru, and yet he managed to hurt Kanemaru in the process! Sho also talks trash on Osaka, too, saying Kanemaru is above competing here in Wato’s hometown. The fans boo but Sho says these two don’t even have the right to call themselves proper champions! But don’t worry, Sho has a replacement for Kanemaru! Wait, really? Sho drops the mic and the House has yet another new member! It’s… DOUKI?! What?! Back from injury, and yet he’s turned to the dark side! Will Japones Del Mal make things very, very bad for Yoh & Wato?
Oh, of course Sho & Kanemaru still have to attack from behind! The shock of this return was the perfect distraction! Sho TOSSES Yoh out, Kanemaru kicks Wato out for Douki to RAM into the railing! Douki stomps Wato, drags him around, and then SMASHES the knee off the floor! Sho talks more trash but Douki puts Wato in the ring. The bell sounds so this is finally a match!
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO & Douki!
The fans boo as Douki and Sho stomp away on Wato, and the ref reprimands. One in, one out! Douki & Sho say hold on, and they stand Wato up to double whip. Wato grabs ropes, and he BOOTS Sho, ELBOWS Douki, and RAN- NO, Sho stops the rana and Douki basement DROPKICKS! Then they SMASH both knees off the mat! Yoh rushes in and fires off on Douki & Sho! Yoh CLUBS Douki, but Sho BODY BLOWS Yoh! Sho & Douki whip Yoh into bare buckles! Kanemaru still does his part in bringing out the House Special! And then Douki distracts the ref so Sho can hold Yoh open! Kanemaru climbs up, and that bad arm isn’t even hurt! Kanemaru uses it to DICK CHOP!
The fans boo as the House gets away with stooping even lower than usual! Douki brings Wato up but Wato fires body shots. Douki TOSSES Wato out, and he distracts the ref so Kanemaru can SMASH Wato’s knee on the floor! Then Sho SMASHES Wato’s knee off the floor! Then they DOUBLE SMASH the knees off the floor! The fans boo as Sho & Kanemaru mug Wato, then Sho drags Wato to his feet. The ref reprimands, Sho puts Wato in, and Douki DDTS a foot! And then Douki turns Wato over for the HALF CRAB! Wato endures, reaches out, and Sho keeps Yoh down on the outside! Wato crawls forward, but Douki drags him back!
Douki sits deep on the leg and the fans rally harder! Wato endures, pushes up, and he reaches out again! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Douki holds! The ref counts and Douki lets go at 4. Douki kicks Wato and taunts him. Wato grits his teeth but Douki stomps him. Wato rises up to throw body shots and chops but Douki laughs them off. Wato fires a forearm but Douki kicks low! Douki clamps onto a leg but Wato CLUBS away on him! Douki kicks the bad leg, runs, but Wato manages a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Wato crawls, but so does Douki, and Sho tags in first!
Sho BLASTS Yoh from the corner, then he drags Wato back. Douki KICKS Wato’s bad leg! The ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Douki watches Wato go to the corner. Douki runs in, Wato dodges, and he BOOTS Sho! Wato sends Douki into Sho, then he DOUBLE BULLDOGS! The fans fire up while all three are down! Wato crawls, hot tag to Yoh! The fans fire up as Yoh rallies on Sho & Douki with forearm after forearm! Yoh whips Sho into the bare buckles! Then he whips Douki into the bare buckles! Then Yoh PLANCHAS onto Kanemaru! Yoh then whips Kanemaru into railing! Yoh roars and the fans fire up with him!
Yoh goes up a corner, takes aim, and he CANNONBALLS into Sho! Cover, TWO! Yoh drags Sho up, brings him in, but Sho bends fingers! Yoh ROCKS Sho, turns him, but Sho still bends fingers! The ref reprimands but Sho whips. Yoh avoids hitting bare buckles, then he dodges Sho. Sho avoids hitting buckles but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Then he SPEARS Yoh down! Both Sho and Yoh are down but Sho crawls over, tag to Douki! Douki runs up on Yoh to LARIAT in a corner! Douki scoops and SLAMS Yoh, then runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Then Douki WRECKS Wato with a dropkick!
Douki goes outside and SMASHES Wato’s knee off the floor! The fans boo Douki as he swaggers around the way. Douki aims at Yoh, DAY- NO, Yoh ducks the Daybreak to UPPERCUT! Yoh runs, but Sho trips him up! The ref reprimands but Sho holds Yoh up. Douki runs, but Wato trips him up! The fans cheer and Yoh breaks free. Yoh sets up for WATO IN MOTION! Down goes Sho, and then Wato runs to BOOT Douki down! Wato fires up and the fans cheer as he FLIES! Down goes Douki at the ramp! Wato hobbles but he fires up even more! The fans cheer their hometown hero and he puts Douki back in the ring.
Yoh tags Wato in and then brings Douki up! FALCON ARROW! Kanemaru distracts the ref, Sho RAMS Yoh into the ref! Kanemaru SHOVES Wato down, Sho sends Yoh into bare buckles! The fans boo as now Kanemaru gets his whiskey bottle and Sho gets his Torture Tool! They aim at Wato & Yoh, but Wato & Yoh dodge! Kanemaru & Sho avoid colliding, but they take DOUBLE SUPERKICKS instead! Wato & Yoh aim at Douki, the fans rally up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up as Wato helps the ref back to his feet. Yoh suplexes Douki, but Douki slips free, and he shoves Yoh into the ref! Sho LOW BLOWS Yoh!
WHISKEY MIST for Wato! The fans boo but Sho has the Torture Tool! Sho CLOBBERS Yoh with it! The fans boo and Wato hobbles up, but Sho spins him around for Douki’s #DeathPipe! HOMERUN to the legs!! The fans boo but Sho laughs as he brings Wato around. Sho puts Wato on the ropes, holds the bad leg out, and Douki goes up! FLYING DEATH PIPE STRIKE!! Wato writhes, the fans boo more, but there’s nothing to stop Douki from putting Wato in the PARADISE FIGURE FOUR!! Sho keeps Yoh back, Wato TAPS, the House wins!!
Winners: Sho & Douki, by submission (NEWÂ IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions)
The Young Lions try to stop Douki from inflicting more damage, but Sho & Kanemaru TOSS them all out! The House mugs Wato, adding insult to injury! Douki beats Wato down with the pipe! Yoh tries to go after him but Sho CHOKES him with the wrench! Douki then CLOBBERS Yoh! Sho is now a DOUBLE champion, and Douki holds gold after his first match back! How much more will the House stack the deck?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan VS Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii!
The United Empire has gone through changes, and they are calling for NJPW to do the same. But is the future here with the younger generation? Or will the Holy Emperor & Stone Pitbull prove old dogs can still learn new tricks?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if past or future is our present!
The teams sort out and Taichi starts against Callum. The bell rings, the two run up, and Taichi BOOTS! Callum BOOTS back, and Taichi eggs him on! Callum fires a forearm, Taichi fires a ridge hand chop, and repeat! They go back and forth, then they add KICKS to the mix! Callum fires a flurry, whips, but Taichi reverses. Callum BOOTS Taichi, Taichi SOBATS and ROUND KICKS! Callum falls but kips up to DROPKCIK! Taichi is up and the two tie up! They scrap, end up in the Empire’s corner, and Khan tags in. The Empire mugs Taichi, Mongolian Chop to a PENALTY KICK! Ishii storms in but Callum BOOTS him!
Khan grabs Ishii’s leg and THROWS him down! Callum DOUBLE STOMPS Ishii, then Callum rains down forearms on Taichi! The ref reprimands so Callum stops and steps outside. Khan drags Taichi up and KNEES him low! And KNEES him again! Khan MONKEY FLIPS Taichi, then fireman’s carries for the SLAM! Khan stands Taichi up again for a SAYANAGI! Cocky cover, TWO! The fans rally as Khan drags Taichi up, his tearaway pants already starting to tear away. Khan CLUBS Taichi into the corner, then hops up to sit on his throne! The fans applaud, the ref reprimands, and Khan hops down,
Khan brings Taichi around to Mongolian Chop him down! Cover, TWO! Ishii coaches Taichi up while the fans rally, but Khan gives Taichi mocking kicks. Khan then BLASTS Ishii off the apron! Khan mockingly asks Taichi what’s wrong, then slaps him around. Taichi fires RIDGE HAND after RIDGE HAND! Khan winds up but Taichi CHOPS him first! Taichi reaches out but Khan keeps him from the corner. Khan UPPERCUTS and whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down, but Taichi manages to tag Ishii! Ishii ROCKS Khan, then dodges Callum to send that BOOT into Khan!
Ishii whips Callum into Khan at the corner, then runs up. Callum dodges so Ishii LARIATS Khan! Callum returns but Ishii dodges, so Callum forearm SMASHES Khan! Ishii RUNS Callum over, then suplexes Khan high and hard! The fans fire up and Ishii looms over Khan. Ishii drags Khan up to CHOP! And CHOP again! Khan staggers but he shakes his head. Khan blocks the next chop to wrench, ELBOW BREAKER, and then KNEE the arm! Mongolian Chop to the arm! Ishii CHOPS, though a bit double-edged. Ishii runs, but into a SAYANAGI! Khan holds that bad arm out for Callum to PENALTY KICK into the ARMBAR!!
Ishii endures and the fans rally up! Ishii kicks around, fights his way over, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Khan lets go, and Khan tags Callum. The Empire double whip just to YANK Ishii’s bad arm, CLUB it, BOOT Ishii, then KNEE him down! Cover, TWO! Ishii toughs it out but Khan drags him back up for a waistlock. Callum runs, but Ishii BOOTS him away! Ishii ELBOWS Khan, then ducks so Callum’s ROUNDHOUSEÂ hits Khan! Ishii then GERMAN SUPLEXES Callum! Callum tumbles away and the fans rally up! Ishii crawls, hot tag to Taichi! The fans fire up and Taichi runs corner to corner.
Taichi BOOTS Callum, and the fans rally behind him. Taichi runs, Callum avoids the Ax Bomber, swats the return, then BODY BLOWS! Callum KICKS Taichi to a corner, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! The fans fire up, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims at Callum, winds up, but Callum ducks the buzzsaw to roll Taichi up! TWO, and Callum ducks a backhand! Taichi avoids the spin kick! Taichi reels Callum in for a DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire up! Taichi feeds off that energy and takes aim. Callum rises, but Khan rushes in! Khan stops the Tensho Jujihou to THROW Taichi down!
Ishii runs in, Khan blocks the lariat and runs to LARIAT Ishii! Khan picks Taichi up and RAMS him into a corner! Khan then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan climbs up the corner and he drags Taichi up to join him! Taichi fights with ridge hands! Khan falls, but Callum DROPKICKS Taichi to the floor! The fans fire up and Khan brings out the Monster Rage! Khan PLANCHAS Ishii down!? Callum builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit on Taichi and Callum rolls through! The fans fire up while all four men are down on the outside! Callum rises first and he puts Taichi in the ring. Callum climbs the corner and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!
Taichi survives and the fans fire up! Khan keeps Ishii on the outside while Callum rises up. The fans rally more and Callum roars! Callum brings Taichi up, BLOODY- NO, Taichi slips out and back suplexes! Callum lands out, and feeds Taichi to a KNEE from Khan! Callum ROCKS Taichi, then coordinates with Khan. ROLLING ELBOW IRON RIGHT COMBO!! Callum then drags Taichi up, hooks up the legs, FIREBOLT!! Cover, ISHII BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, and then Khan CLOBBERS Ishii! Khan throws up the crown, then he fireman’s carries Taichi! Callum says crowns up, runs the ropes, but Ishii CLOBBERS him!
The fans fire up as Taichi slips free of Khan, shoves him at Ishii, and Ishii LARIATS! Ishii blocks Callum’s boot to HEADBUTT! DOUBLE GIRI COMBO!! The fans are thunderous as Taichi stands Callum up! Alabama Lift, but Khan has a SLEEPER on Ishii! Callum fights free, kicks off Ishii, and TORNADO DDTS Taichi! Khan GERMAN SUPLEXES Ishii away! The fans rally up while Callum watches Taichi runs. Callum runs in, V-TRIGGER! Callum runs again, but into a FOREARM! Callum V-TRIGGERS again! Taichi roars and runs in, but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous while Callum is furious!
Callum shakes his head, mostly to shake out the doubt. The fans rally even harder for Taichi as Callum runs. Springboard and OSC- TENSHO JUJIHOU!! Alabama Lift, Ishii ROCKS Callum into the BLACK MEPHISTO BRAINBUSTER!!! Khan returns but into a TENSHO JUJIHOU!!! Taichi roars because he’s not done with Callum! BLACK MEPHISTO!!! Cover, TAICHI & ISHII WIN!!!
Winners: Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
The United Empire could not conquer the past, and now Taichi & Ishii reign! This perhaps makes up for how Douki betrayed Just4Guys to make them Just3Guys, but perhaps they can just join Hontai now? As for the Empire, what are they to do after losing what little gold they had?
NJPW announces the participants in G1 Climax 35!
Naturally, Hirooki Goto is in, but will he still be world champion? Joining him in A Block will be: Boltin Oleg; Yuya Uemura; Yota Tsuji; David Finlay; Evil; Sanada; and Hiroshi Tanahashi in his FINAL G1! B Block has: El Phantasmo; Shota Umino; Shingo Takagi; Zack Sabre Jr; Great-O-Khan; Gabe Kidd; Ren Narita; and Konosuke Takeshita to represent AEW & DDT Pro! The remaining spots are up for grabs as part of play-in matches during the New Japan Soul tour! Two on June 23, the other two on July 4th, who will be lucky enough to be chosen for this opportunity?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg!
The Alpha of AEW is back, and though he is planning for a big summer, he has a big title defense to start it off! Will Konosuke keep this title going into G1 Season? Or will he be put behind BARS?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if things NEVER change!
The bell rings and the two run up to tie up! Konosuke headlocks, Oleg powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Oleg rebounds to RAM Konosuke, Konosuke rebounds to RAM Oleg, then Konosuke BOOTS Oleg! Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses, but Konosuke RAMS Oleg! Oleg rebounds to CLOBBER Konosuke! The fans fire up with Oleg and he runs at Konosuke in the corner! SPLASH! Oleg keeps moving, but Konosuke meets him with a JUMP KNEE! The fans duel while Oleg bails out. Konosuke builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Oleg at the ramp and the fans fire up! Konosuke rises and the fans cheer him on.
Konosuke drags Oleg up and into the ring. Konosuke brings Oleg to the apron, but Oleg blocks the suplex! Konosuke powers through to FALCON ARROW Oleg into the ring! The fans rally and Konosuke climbs up. He gets the fans fired up, and then SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Oleg is still in this and the fans applaud. Konosuke paces around while Oleg rises. Konosuke brings Oleg around as the fans rally for “BO-RU-TIN!” Oleg fights the back suplex and throws elbows. Konosuke keeps Oleg from running and ROCKS him in the back! Konosuke shoves Oleg to the ropes and ROCKS him in the back again!
Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses but Konosuke TAKESHITA LINES into a fireman’s carry! The fans fire up and Konosuke panics! Oleg F5s Konosuke to the outside!! The fans fire up as Konosuke crashes down! Oleg crawls to the apron and then storms up on Konosuke at the ramp. Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, but Konosuke hits back! Oleg ROCKS Konosuke again, and they go further up the ramp. Konosuke ROCKS Oleg in return, but then Oleg ROCKS Konosuke again! They’re up on stage now, and the ALPHA ELBOW knocks Oleg down! The fans fire up while Oleg sputters and rises again. Konosuke uses the full length of the stage for a running start!
Oleg meets Konosuke for DOUBLE LARIATS! Oleg CHOPS, then he gut wrenches! The fans fire up for the Shake, Rattle and THROW down the ramp! Konosuke tumbles all the way from the D to the N in “DOMINION!” The fans fire up for Oleg as he hobbles after Konosuke. The ref finally starts a ring count, as is his discretion, and Oleg rolls into the ring at 7 of 20. Konosuke stands at 10, hobbles his way over, and rolls in at 14. The fans applaud as this continues, and then Oleg runs up, jumps up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Oleg drags Konosuke up. Oleg runs, but Konosuke ROCKS him!
Oleg swings, but into a cording hold! ALPHA ELBOW! Konosuke hauls Oleg up for BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! But right into a BOSTON CRAB! Konosuke sits deep on the hold, wanting to take Oleg down with a “Young Lion” hold! The fans rally for Oleg and he fights around! Oleg reaches out, powers up, and almost throws Konosuke off! Oleg pushes forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Oleg is freed. But Konosuke runs and LARIATS Oleg down! Konosuke vows to end this now, and he reels Oleg in. But Oleg blocks the suplex! Konosuke tries, but Oleg lifts him first! But Oleg’s back gives out!
Konosuke waistlocks for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Konosuke grows frustrated but the fans still rally behind Oleg. Konosuke goes to the corner and climbs up. Konosuke fires up and the fans cheer. Konosuke reaches the top, but Oleg ROCKS him first! Oleg climbs up after Konosuke now! Konosuke fires body shots, then LARIATS Oleg off the corner! But Oleg rises!? And he ROCKS Konosuke again! The fans fire up as Oleg climbs up, and he drags Konosuke onto his shoulders for the fireman’s carry! SUPER DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and now Oleg grows frustrated!
The fans rally as Oleg tries another fireman’s carry! Konosuke flails and slips down to have a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Oleg endures as Konosuke squeezes tight, but the fans rally up! Oleg gets a second wind, Konosuke CLUBS away on him, but Oleg BACKDROPS free! Both men rise, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS Oleg!! Konosuke drags Oleg up, but Oleg fireman’s carries through! The fans fire up as Oleg hits a POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZE!! Cover, TWO?!? Konosuke survives and the fans fire up! Konosuke and Oleg both catch their breath before they rise again.
Konosuke ROCKS Oleg, Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, repeat! The forearms keep going back and forth and the fans rally up! Oleg gets the edge, but then Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS again! Konosuke pulls off his elbow pad, winds up again, but Oleg DECKS Konosuke!! Oleg roars, the fans fire up, and Oleg runs! Konosuke dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Konosuke runs, but Oleg LARIATS through!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg rises, he fireman’s carries Konosuke, but Konosuke slips down to waistlock! Full nelson, and DRAGON SUPLEX!! But Oleg stirs!? Konosuke hurries to ALPHA ELBOWÂ again!!
Oleg falls in a heap but Konosuke isn’t done! He vows to end this, and he stands Oleg up, but Oleg SHOTGUNS! Konosuke ruses, POWER- NO, Oleg stops the knee attack and fireman’s carries! KAMIKAZE!!! Cover, OLEG WINS!!
Winner: Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
His first singles championship, and it comes off the incredibly accomplished Konosuke Takeshita! Oleg shows The Alpha respect, but this title is now going to be with Oleg for the G1! Will Oleg be the one to define the NEVER fighting spirit?
Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS EVIL w/ The House of Torture!
If tonight has shown us anything, it’s that the Dog Pound Cage Match barely settled anything! The War Dogs may be THE Bullet Club now, but the House of Torture has been making moves in the shadows. But can The Rebel still put the King of Darkness down? Or will we have to admit that Everything is Evil?
Well, given this is a No Disqualification match, Evil is putting all the cards on the table by having all nine of his henchmen at ringside! Finlay makes his entrance, and it seems he only has Gedo with him. To be fair, his dogs got beat up in the 8 Man Tag, and Gabe Kidd has to focus on his own goal of the Global Heavyweight Championship. Wait, Finlay has Gedo go to the back? Evil chuckles, surely Finlay doesn’t think he can win 1v10. Wait, the rest of the dogs are still here! Connors, Drilla & Taiji walk with Finlay, but they’re still outnumbered 2:1. Even so, five War Dogs step up to the stacked deck of 10.
Finlay has the chain, and he has his boys throw up the Too Sweet. Osaka barks for the War Dogs as Finlay puts his collar on. Evil has his boys put one out, and he smirks as he picks up his collar. Evil puts it on, the factions stay outside, and the bell rings. The fans rally as Finlay and Evil gather up slack, and they circle as they get closer. The tug-o-war gets tenser, but Evil lets some slack go so the distance stays the same. The two feel things out using the slack as a weapon. Evil takes swipes, and then he stands on the chain! Finlay uses that trick against Evil and trips him up! Finlay rains down fists, but Evil scrambles out of the ring!
Finlay quickly reminds Evil that they’re stuck together by reeling him back in! Finlay CLUBS away on Evil, the fans and the War Dogs fire up, and then Finlay throat chops Evil in the corner! And throat chops again! Finlay climbs up to rain down fists, then he wraps the chain around the post! Finlay CHOKES Evil, then RAMS him! Finlay wraps the chain around the post again and he pulls! Payback for when Evil did this in the dog pound! Finlay stomps Evil, CHOKES him, but Evil refuses to give up. Finlay fires point-blank LARIATS again and again and again, all the way to TEN! The fans cheer while Evil sputters.
Finlay lets Evil out of the corner, gathers up some slack, and he LASHES Evil on the back! Finlay then TOSSES Evil over the top rope, and HANGS him! The warring factions keep each other at bay, and then Finlay lets Evil drop to the floor! Finlay takes his time going outside, but Evil YANKS the chain and FLINGS Finlay into railing! The Rebel crashes down and the ref checks him. Evil has the ref check him, but this is a distraction! The House swarms Finlay! The War Dogs rush in, but again, this is a 2:1 ratio, the House beats up on the War Dogs! Evil drags Finlay into the crowd! The fans fire up but they clear out of the way as Evil PUNCHES Finlay!
Evil CHOKES Finlay with the chain! The ref reprimands but there’s nothing more he can do. The factions brawl more at ringside, and oh look, the blue buckle pad is gone! The House Special is waiting while Evil BOWLS Finlay into chairs! The fans clear out a bit more as Evil looms over Finlay. Evil ROCKS Finlay, talks trash, then drags him back to ringside. Evil throws more headlock punches, then he stands on Finlay’s head! The ref reprimands, Evil steps off, and Evil drags Finlay up. Finlay is busted open, but Evil GAGS Finlay with the chain! Finlay flails, fans have to move aside, and Evil CHOKES Finlay on the railing!
The fans boo Evil and rally for Finlay, but Evil brings Finlay back to the ring. The House has thoroughly beat down the War Dogs, and Evil GAGS Finlay again! Finlay can only suffer as Evil wraps the chain around his head a bit more, then BOOTS him down! Evil drags Finlay up, then SMACKS him off bare buckles! The fans boo and the War Dogs coach Finlay on. Evil tells them to shut up, and then he puts Finlay in a Tree of Woe! The bare buckles make that hurt more. Evil’s collar comes undone, and he “complains” to the ref! That’s all a distraction so Dick and the House can CHOKE Finlay using the chain!
The fans boo, the ref does reprimand about the chain detaching from Evil’s collar, but Evil claims it was totally by accident. Finlay is freed from the Tree, the ref grabs the chain, and he reattaches it for Evil. Finlay coughs and sputters while Gedo protests, this has to be because of something Evil did to the chain. Evil whips Finlay hard into more bare buckles, because the House undid one of the neutral corners! And then the same on the other neutral corner! Evil laughs at Finlay but Gedo and the dogs coach Finlay up. Evil whips Finlay back into the House corner and Finlay falls in a heap. Evil says the ref should just call it.
Finlay refuses to let Evil win like that, so Evil whips him at the red corner! Finlay avoids hitting those bare buckles, then he dodges Evil! Evil avoids hitting the bare buckles, but Finlay YANKS the chain and LOW BLOWS Evil! Finlay storms up on Evil, and now Evil is sent into bare buckles! The King of Darkness tastes some of his own medicine! Finlay gathers up the slack and LASHES Evil again and again! Ren, Yujiro & Sanada get on the apron, but Finlay BLASTS them all down! Finlay then stands Evil up to CHAIN PUNCH! The fans fire up and Evil looms over Evil. Finlay drags Evil up, reels him in, and POWERBOMBS him out onto the House!
The fans fire up as The King of Darkness is used to wipe out about seven of his pawns! Finlay goes outside again, and he wraps up his fist again. Finlay says no more games, and he punches away on Evil’s forehead! The fans bark, Finlay shouts, “WAR DOGS~!” and the fans cheer! Finlay fetches Evil, whips him hard into railing, then laces through a corner. Finlay reels Evil in with the chain and has him against the corner! Finlay then runs around Evil to wrap him up! Evil is trapped, and Finlay fires away with HAYMAKERS! Finlay BITES Evil’s forehead, then spits out that awful taste. Finlay unwraps Evil by running around the other way, only for Evil to YANK Finlay into POST!
Finlay is in a daze, and Evil brings out chairs! Evil has Dick distract the ref. No Disqualification or not, Evil wants to escalate things! He puts the chair around Finlay’s head, and then YANKS him into the POST!! Finlay falls in a heap while the fans boo Evil! The ref checks on Finlay, and somehow Finlay is still able to continue. Evil drags Finlay up with the chain, reels him into the ring, and Evil LASHES Finlay now! Finlay writhes but Evil LASHES him again! Finlay flounders but Evil LASHES him again! The fans rally for Finlay but Evil drags him up, to LARIAT! Finlay staggers around, Evil LARIATS again! Finlay leans on Evil, then slumps down.
The fans rally for Finlay but Evil wraps his arm in chain. Evil winds up and stands Finlay for the CHAIN LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and the fans fire up! Evil brings Finlay back up, fireman’s carries, and DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay is still in this and the War Dogs rally the fans! Evil is annoyed but he vows to end this now. Evil drags Finlay up, reels him in, EVERY- NO, Finlay slips free and suplexes! INTO OBLIVION!! The fans fire up as Finlay turns this around! Both men are down, but Finlay uses the chain to bring Evil over. Finlay reels Evil in, lifts, and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Evil falls in a heap from hitting off bare steel!
Finlay shows no mercy, and he POWERBOMBS again! Finlay wobbles but then leans against the ropes. Evil sputters, the House is worried, but Finlay is on Evil again! POWERBOMB!! Finlay staggers, but even the War Dogs want more! Finlay storms over to Evil, uses the chain to CHOKE him, then turns around. But Evil reels the ref in and CHOKES him! Evil and the ref fall, and Finlay realizes what happened. Finlay says that won’t spare Evil, and he KNEES Evil down! Finlay says Evil wanted this, now he’s gonna pay! Finlay stands Evil up to KNEE him down again! The fans cheer Finlay on as he drags Evil back up.
Finlay reels Evil in for another KNEE! Finlay slashes his throat and vows to end this! The fans fire up and bark with Finlay. Finlay wraps his knee with the chain, but Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! Gedo gets in and uses the chain to CHOKE Dick! Sanada CLUBS Gedo! Connors CLUBS Sanada! Sho hits Connors with the Torture Tool! Drilla kicks Sho low and reels him in, DRILLA- NO, Ren uses the PUSHUP BAR! Taiji fires off hands on Ren, but Yujiro uses the PIMP CANE! Finlay CLOBBERS everybody, but Chase is in! Finlay SMACKS that traitor, then goes after Ren! WHISKEY MIST! DEATH PIPE!! Chase gives Finlay a C-TRIGGER!!
The fans boo as all these traitors help Evil! They even bring in a table! They CHUCK the table right at Finlay’s head! Then they set it up near a corner, and Fale climbs up!?! Finlay is put on the table, and Fale DIVING SPLASHES through the table!! The fans boo as Finlay is completely wrecked! Evil makes sure the collar is back on as if nothing happened. Evil calls for the ref, then he wraps the chain around Finlay’s neck! Evil CHOKES Finlay, a new ref comes in as a replacement, and Evil uses the chain to help with the SCORPION DEATHLOCK!! Finlay endures as Evil bends him back and pulls on the chain!!
The fans boo but Finlay can only endure! Bloody forehead, bloody back, and he’s PASSING OUT!! EVIL WINS!!
Winner: Evil, by submission
The King of Darkness let The Rebel have the name, “Bullet Club,” because clearly he wants what matters more: POWER! The House of Torture is a force of nature at ten men strong, will no one stop them from taking over NJPW?
As for Finlay, the medical team is brought in, and they bring a backboard and stretcher. Will their boss dog ever be able to bark again?
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd!
When these two battled last, it went to a time limit draw, and obviously everyone was left wanting more. But will sixty minutes be enough this time around? Or will the Gene Blast and Mad Man fight forever?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and these two finally run it back!
Gabe surprisingly shows respect by offering a handshake. Yota accepts and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the two slowly circle. The fans duel, with plenty of “YOTA!” and “GABU!” Gabe then SMACKS Yota, SAIDOS, and Yota tumbles out! “I’m a Mad Man, y’know!” Gabe runs and FLIES! Down goes Yota and the fans fire up! Gabe goes back to Yota, drags him up and into the ring, and the fans cheer. But then Yota BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Yota runs to FOSBURY FLOP! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Both men are down from bringing out the big moves early, and a ring count begins. Both men stir at 8, and Yota rises at 10 of 20.
Yota brings Gabe up at 13 but Gabe fights the scoop! Yota fights the driver, we pass 15! And then 17! Yota fights the suplex, both men hear 19 and they LEAP in! The fans cheer as these two avoid a rather quick draw. The two then tie up, Gabe headlocks, and Yota powers up and out. Gabe RUNS Yota over, then things speed up. Yota bypasses then HIP TOSSES Gabe, and adds a basement DROPKICK! The fans rally while Gabe goes to ropes. Yota storms up but Gabe CHOPS! Gabe fires forearms and UPPERCUTS! Gabe whips, Yota reverses and hit a KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Gabe sputters but Yota brings him up for a scoop and SLAM!
Yota runs, and he SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head, he’s tougher than that, but Yota stays calm. Yota storms over to Gabe, stands him up, and CHOPS him back down! Gabe huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises up, but Yota fires a forearm. Gabe fires back, they trade shots, but then Yota BODY BLOWS! Gabe falls in a heap and sputters again. Yota brings Gabe back up, then runs to RUN Gabe over! The fans cheer and Yota pushes Gabe to a cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head and the fans applaud but Yota grins. Yota brings Gabe up, ROCKS him, and has him in a corner. Gabe eggs Yota on so Yota CHOPS him!
Yota stands Gabe up, RAMS into him again and again, but Red Shoes reprimands. Yota snapmares Gabe, then wraps on body scissors! Gabe endures the squeeze, fights off the chinlock, and he eggs Yota on again. Yota fires a forearm, Gabe SLAPS, and repeat! Yota SLAPS Gabe now! Gabe sputters and Yota turns scissors into a top mount so he can CHOP Gabe! Gabe snarls and grabs at Yota, but Yota CHOPS him again! Yota paces, then he scuffs Gabe. Gabe sits up with a scowl, but Yota scuffs him again. Gabe gets in Yota’s face, so Yota fires forearms. Gabe tells Yota off but Yota fires a flurry! Then he DECKS Gabe!
Yota smiles and paces while Gabe slowly sits back up. Gabe shakes out the stars, but Yota fires even more forearms. Gabe powers Yota to the ropes! Yota HAMMERS Gabe, but Gabe SHOVES Yota up and out! Yota tumbles to the floor but is otherwise okay, so a ring count begins. The fans rally, Gabe sits cross-legged, but Yota is still down at 10 of 20. Yota stands at 13, rolls in at 15, and Gabe says F YOU! LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Yota survives and the fans cheer but Gabe is annoyed. Gabe barks, the fans join in, and Gabe stands Yota up. Gabe winds up to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP as he has Yota against ropes! Gabe then LARIATS and CROSSBODIES!
Yota tumbles away and Gabe snarls. Gabe runs in at the corner and LARIATS! Then he clinches to EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head and paces around Yota. Gabe runs, but Yota ducks the lariat to COMPLETE SHOT, then deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Gabe tumbles to a corner, the fans rally up, and Yota growls. Yota runs corner to corner to V-TRIGGER! Gabe falls, Yota grins, and Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Gabe dodges! Gabe runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Gabe is still in this but Yota stays focused. The fans rally and duel as Yota brings Gabe up.
Yota reels Gabe in, suplexes, but Gabe blocks! They fight for suplex control now, and Gabe fires a body shot! Gabe then hangs Yota out to dry and BOOTS him! Gabe goes up the corner now, and he GUILLOTINE SENTONS! Not the best hit and Gabe may have taken as much damage as Yota on that. Gabe crawls over to bring Yota up, and he SAIDOS! Cover, TWO! Yota is still in this and the fans cheer. Both men are down but Gabe sits up. Gabe shakes his head, he doesn’t care about that. He eggs Yota on and dares him to bring the fight! Gabe SLAPS Yota, then eggs him on more. Yota CHOPS in return and the fans fire up!
Yota eggs Gabe on, then catches him for the BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER and STOMP! The fans fire up as the Gene Combination hits! Yota watches Gabe bails out, so Yota builds speed again! Yota DIVES and down goes Gabe! But Gabe’s right up to BOOT Yota! Gabe runs up, but Yota pops him up! Gabe mule kicks, then goes up, up, and ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and then Gabe inverted suplexes into a gut wrench! TOMBSTONE on the floor!! Gabe and Yota are both down while the fans fire up! Gabe rises and the fans cheer him on! Gabe puts Yota in the ring, hauls him up, and suplexes for the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer as Yota stays in this, but Gabe frowns. Gabe grabs Yota’s legs and GIANT SWINGS him! Gabe borrows from his new friends in the Death Riders, and then he turns Yota over for a BOSTON CRAB! Gabe wants to use that Young Lion hold to humiliate Yota! The fans rally as Yota endures and powers up! Yota storms his way forward, but Gabe drags him back and sits deep! The fans rally more as Yota powers up again! Yota grits his teeth and fights forward, but Gabe sits deeper! Yota still manages the ROPEBREAK! Gabe lets go in frustration, and he stomps and kicks Yota at the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands but Gabe eggs Yota on.
Gabe tells Yota that this is NJPW, so get up! Yota rises, and he fires a forearm. Gabe shakes his head so Yota fires more shots. Gabe says they’re still not good enough, and he CHOPS in return! Yota sputters, the fans rally, and Gabe waits on Yota. Yota rises to fire a forearm, Gabe CHOPS again, and Yota staggers back. Yota storms up to fire a forearm, but Gabe gives that back. The forearms go back and forth, speed up even, and the fans rally. Yota fires a flurry, then a CHOP! Gabe felt that one! Gabe still comes back and fakes a chop to JAB! Red Shoes reprimands about closed fists but Gabe kicks and CHOPS Yota!
Yota stands to HEADBUTT! Gabe falls right over! Yota waits on Gabe, winds up, but Gabe catches him to a nelson! Yota breaks it but ends up in a COBRA TWIST! The fans fire up, Yota reaches out, but Gabe rolls Yota up! TWO, and Gabe SMACKS Yota! Gabe reels Yota in, but Yota Alabama Lifts! DEADEYE! Yota then reels Gabe in, lifts, and hits a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and Yota grows frustrated but the fans love it! Yota runs to CURB STOMP Gabe, then he goes up the corner! The fans fire up for the MARLOWE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans cheer again. Yota roars and the fans duel again!
Yota aims from a corner as Gabe rises. GENE- KNEE!!! Gabe roars, KICKS Yota in the face, then reels him in! LEG TRAP PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and no one can believe it! The fans rally up again and Gabe roars! Gabe brings his kneepad down and takes aim at Yota! O- NO!! Yota pops Gabe up for a KNEE of his own! And then a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans rally up again. Yota goes to a corner, Gabe stands, GENE- LARIAT!! Gabe counters again, and then he hauls Yota up! Yota fights the driver, wrenches, but Gabe SMACKS him! Yota V-TRIGGERS!
Gabe rebounds, Yota dodges, but then Gabe rebounds again, COMEBACKER!! The fans are thunderous and Gabe aims from the corner! O- GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Now Gabe survives and the fans are electric! Yota roars and he reloads! Gabe stands, into the GENE- NO! Gabe facelocks, PARADIGM SHIFT?!?! And then the LEG TRAP DRIVER!!!! Cover, GABE WINS!!!
Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Mad Man used The Maniac’s move and made himself a champion! Gabe has been saying he wants to restore the feeling of Strong Style in NJPW, but did he prove he can also be elite?
After being presented the belt, Gabe grabs the mic. “Tsuji, wait, wait, wait.” Gabe hobbles over to his rival and the fans applaud. Gabe tells Yota that NJPW in the 1990s, it was Hashimota and Mutoh. In the 2000s, it was Tanahashi and Nakamura. And then the late 2010s, it was Okada and Omega. But now, with 2025, it will be them, Tsuji and Kidd!! Gabe wants Tsuji to understand, he will see him again later. Gabe then asks if anyone minds that he speaks English. No, let’s be real. It is very public what happened to him, the struggles he has been through. “Getting sectioned in a side checker hospital, not wanting to live anymore…”
But none of that matters now, because he is now the GLOBAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! The fans cheer Gabe on as he holds up the belt. Gabe revels in that praise, and then says that he wants challengers now! Who is it gonna be? OI! HIROSHI TANAHASHI! Get out here, ya bastard! The fans cheer Tanahashi on, and Gabe says hurry up, get out here. Here comes The Ace! The fans cheer as Tanahashi makes his way back out here, and Gabe holds the ropes open for the President. The fans applaud, and now they’re face to face in the ring. Gabe says this is Tanahashi’s Final Road. Then let’s go, President! They’ll fight one last time!
The fans cheer that idea! Will Tanahashi and Gabe light it up even before entering the G1? Will the Mad Man regret gambling with The Ace?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ YOSHI-HASHI VS Shingo Takagi!
The dream finally came true earlier this year at the New Beginning in Osaka as the Goto Revolution dethroned Zack Sabre Jr. Goto was handed the banner of Hontai by Hiroshi Tanahashi, and then Goto overcame ZSJ again in their rematch. But now, this former ungovernable has come back to regain former glory! Will this become the Takagi Revolution? Or will the Fierce Warrior slay this Rampaging Dragon?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes this their Dominion!
The bell rings and the fans fire up already. The dueling is strong between “GO-TO-O!” and “TA-KA-GI!” The two feel things out, knuckle lock, then clinch, only to separate. They go again, then separate, and the fans continue to rally. The two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Takagi powers Goto to the ropes. Goto turns things around on Takagi, lets off slowly, and pats Takagi on the shoulders. Takagi rushes Goto and kicks low! Takagi CLUBS Goto, clamps on a headlock, but Goto poewrs up and out. GOto headlocks inr eturn, but now Takagi powers up and out. They RAM shoulders and Takagi just brushes it off.
Takagi runs to RAM Goto, but Goto grits his teeth. Goto and Takagi egg each other on, then Goto runs. Goto RAMS Takagi, Takagi rebounds and RAMS Goto! Goto rebounds and RAMS Takagi again, and both men stand their ground. The fans rally as Goto fires a forearm and Takagi fires a CHOP, then repeat! They both throw forearms now, but then Goto knees low, snapmares, and KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stands to CHOP! The fans fire up and Takagi whips. Goto reverses, Takagi blocks the hip toss, and Takagi THROWS Goto down. Goto avoids the senton and he hits a takeover. Takagi headscissors, Goto kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff.
Goto and Takagi reset while the fans rally. They approach, and Takagi offers a handshake? Goto is wary, but Takagi promises a clean fight. Goto accepts the handshake, but then Takagi KNEES low! Goto fights the pump handle, dragon sleepers, but Takagi arm-drags free. Takagi bypasses Goto, but Goto counters a hip toss with a hip toss! Goto then RUNS Takagi over! Takagi bails out and goes to the crowd. Takagi dares Goto to come get him, but Goto tells Takagi to get in the ring. Takagi stretches out his arms and legs, then steps back to the apron. Red Shoes has Goto stay back, but then Takagi steps in and Goto attacks!
Goto CLUBS away on Takagi in the corner, then he whips Takagi to ropes. Goto ELBOWS Takagi down, then ELBOW DROPS! Takagi sputters, Goto drops an ELBOWS on the back! Cover, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Goto brings Takagi up. Goto digs his knee into Takagi’s back as part of the chinlock. Takagi endures, but Goto ELBOWS him in the head! Red Shoes reprimands but Goto stomps Takagi around. Goto and Takagi trade forearms but Goto stomps Takagi in the corner. Goto whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS! The fans fire up with Goto and he headlocks, but Takagi fights off the bulldog!
Goto fires knees, but Takagi shoves Goto away! Goto comes back, but into the ELBOW! Takagi goes up and reels Goto in, TORNADO DDT! Takagi then runs up and LARIATS Goto up and out of the ring! The fans cheer, then they duel while Goto is down on the outside. Takagi goes out to fetch Goto, and he brings Goto around the way to whip hard into railing! Yoshi-Hashi has to stay back as Takagi storms over that way. Takagi brings Goto around to SMACK him off the apron! Takagi then fireman’s carries for a SNAKE EYES off the apron! Takagi doesn’t stop, he brings Goto to the ramp! Snap suplex onto the ramp! Right on the N and I!
Goto writhes, clutching his leg, and Red Shoes has Takagi stay back. Takagi waits, and Goto is okay to continue. Takagi stomps Goto, drags him up, and Takagi brings Goto to the ring. Takagi then drops an ELBOW of his own! And a SENTON! The fans applaud and rally up again. Takagi brings Goto up, puts him on the ropes, and KNEES him low! And KNEES him again! Takagi backs off as Red Shoes reprimands, and then Takagi whips to KNEE Goto again! Takagi runs to RUN Goto over! The fans fire up and Takagi flexes. Takagi drags Goto back up, reels him in, and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO!
Takagi looks to the camera, but then says not yet. Takagi wraps on the body scissors! Goto fights around as he endures the squeeze. Takagi clamps on a chinlock, Goto still fights, so Takagi shifts to make it part COBRA TWIST! The fans rally as Goto still endures and still fights around! Goto kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Takagi holds on! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, so Goto lets go at 3. Takagi stands while the fans rally. Takagi kicks Goto around, then stands him up. Goto fires CHOP after CHOP, but Takagi RIDGE HAND CHOPS, and RIDGE HAND CHOPS, then DOUBLE CHOPS!
Takagi has Goto in the corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs in, but blocks a boot! Takagi LARIATS through and the fans fire up! Takagi stands Goto up to JAB, CHOP, and repeat! The fans rally with every JAB, then Takagi CHOPS! Takagi then whips Goto back the other way, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into BOOTS! Takagi runs, Goto follows and LARIATS! The fans cheer while both men are down. Goto rises as the fans rally and duel again. Goto storms over to Takagi in the corner, fires forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in and MURAMASA to the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and the fans cheer.
The dueling continues as “GO-TO-O!” rises and storms over to “TA-KA-GI!” Goto scoops, Takagi slips free to the apron, but Goto ELBOWS Takagi. Goto runs up but Takagi RAMS him! Takagi looks to the floor and nods. Takagi brings Goto up but Goto DECKS him! Takagi goes to the floor and leans on the railing. Goto rolls out to go after him, but Takagi RAMS Goto into the apron! Takagi has media clear out, and he whips Goto. Goto stops from hitting railing, then he picks Takagi up! Goto has Takagi on the railing, for a DRAPING SHOTO to the floor! The fans fire up and Red Shoes checks both men. They’re both able to continue, and Goto rolls into the ring first.
The ring count is climbing, Takagi is still down at 7 of 20. Takagi stirs, rises up, and he uses the railing to stand at 11. But then he falls back! Takagi rises again at 15, and he slides in at 17! The fans applaud, and Goto storms his way over. Goto stomps Takagi, brings him up, but Takagi fires a forearm! Goto fires back, but then Takagi CHOPS! Goto ROCKS Takagi, Takagi HEADBUTTS Goto, repeat! Takagi then runs, but Goto catches him to URA GTR! Goto runs and LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and Goto snarls. The fans rally and Goto brings Takagi up. Takagi fights the fireman’s carry and CLUBS away on him!
Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up while Goto is down! Takagi drags Goto back up while the fans rally, but Goto takes a swing! Takagi catches him, spins him, and hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Takagi then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Goto stays in this and the fans applaud. Takagi shouts to Osaka and says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as Takagi stands Goto up and pump handles. Goto fires elbows and gets free, to then fire forearms! Goto runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! And SAIDO! Goto stands?! But Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- NO, Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI!
The fans fire up again while both men are down! The dueling begins again and is strong as ever. Goto stands first, he runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Takagi drops to his knees while Goto staggers back, and the fans rally up again. Takagi and Goto DOUBLE LARIAT again! Goto roars, runs, but Takagi swats a lariat to BLINDSIDE LARIAT, then PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi hauls Goto up to POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Goto stays in this and the fans fire up. Both men slowly rise up, and Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in, Takagi runs corner to corner and LARIATS! The fans fire up while Goto sputters.
Takagi roars, the fans fire up more, and Takagi puts Goto up top. Takagi climbs up but Goto fires body shots! Goto shoves Takagi down but Takagi fires ridge hands! Takagi climbs up again, but Goto fires forearms! Takagi HEADBUTTS, Goto HEADBUTTS, and they keep going back and forth! Goto then pushes Takagi down so he can climb up, SUPER KAI TEN!! High stack cover, TWO!! Takagi survives that super sunset bomb and the fans are thunderously dueling! Goto fireman’s carries, G TÂ W!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives again and the fans rally up more. Goto roars and drags Takagi into a dragon sleeper!
But Takagi spins it around! Takagi squeezes tight, but Goto drops down! Takagi holds on, but Goto fires hands from below! Goto is free, runs up, but Takagi puts him in the ropes! Takagi hits the DRAPING GTR! And then he pump handles to hit MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Goto survives and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi drags Goto up, runs, and PUMPING BOMBER! The fans are thunderous as Takagi stands Goto up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, TWO!??! Goto survives and the fans are electric! Takagi is beside himself but the fans continue to duel between them!
Takagi rises and he goes over to Goto. Takagi pump handles again but Goto fires elbow after elbow! Takagi POINT-BLANK LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men stay up, and Takagi LARIATS again! Goto drops to a knee, but Takagi brings him back up. Goto fires forearms! Takagi fires boxing elbows! Goto HEADBUTTSÂ into a FOREARM! But then Goto and Takagi DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Goto fires up, but Takagi JABS! And HEADBUTTS! And POINT-BLANK- NO, Goto catches Takagi to facelock! Takagi fights the suplex, and then he suplexes! But Goto fights that and suplexes, SHOTEN KAI!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!
Goto and Takagi stir, the fans rally as hard as they possibly can, and Goto rises first. Goto goes to a corner, roars, and he powers up! Takagi sits up, into the BUZZSAW! But then he springs up!? But Goto LARIATS Takagi back down!! Osaka is erupting as Goto dragon sleepers! But Takagi fires hands! So Goto grabs the arm, only for Takagi to somersault clutch! TWO, and SLIDING D!! Both men are down again, and the fans duel as hard as they can! Takagi roars, and then he drags Goto back up! Takagi pump handles, torture racks, but Goto slips down! G T R!!! Goto has to crawl to the cover! TWO?!?!?
The fans are electric as Takagi survives! Goto is almost foaming at the mouth, but he brings Takagi up for HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! And yet Takagi rises!? Takagi says he’s not done yet, but Goto HEADBUTTS him! And then URA SWING into G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Fierce Warrior reveals he is still growing and evolving as he busts out a brand new take on his classic finisher! The Rampaging Dragon has been slain, but can he rise back up in the heat of the G1?
As for Goto, Hashi helps put the belt back around his waist, and Goto shows Takagi respect by holding out his hand. Takagi stands up, applauds Goto, and then shakes his hand. The fans applaud, will these two run it back soon enough? As Takagi makes his leave, Goto grabs the mic. The fans cheer Goto on, and he says, “The Goto Revolution is all about the will of a veteran.” The fans cheer, and Goto says that in a sense, Takagi is part of that revolution. Goto tells Takagi not to give up. “You’ll find yourself a nice wife. You have to create your own future.” The fans chuckle but they do applaud Goto supporting Takagi both professionally and personally.
Goto says, “As for me, it is my mission to create the future for NJPW!” The fans applaud, and Goto adds, “The Goto Revolution is far from over. Please keep following me until the very end!” The fans applaud again and Goto says they will close with Goto’s G’s. “Let’s go, Osaka-Jo!” The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP stands for Goto!” With that, Goto puts down the mic and the streamers fly! If the Goto Revolution is keeping the G in IWGP, will the Fierce Warrior also make the G1 into the Goto 1?
My Thoughts:
A great night for NJPW, a very packed show, even though I skipped ELP & Shota VS ZSJ & Oiwa. Bullet Club and House of Torture sure had a big night tonight, with “Don Fale” defecting from Bullet Club and apparently bringing Chase Owens with him, and Douki replacing Kanemaru to not only have a shocking return but to take those titles off Yoh & Wato. And then all of this factors into that dog collar match to help Evil win, showing the House of Torture is the new big bad faction everyone has to worry about.
Tanahashi VS Uemura was very good, and a part of me figured Tanahashi would win to stay strong as he goes into the second half of his final year. Oleg VS Konosuke was great stuff, especially for Oleg to win the NEVER Openweight title. Konosuke is still going to be in the G1 but I wonder if after that, Konosuke focuses more on AEW related story, especially since things will sort out between the Continental & International Championships. Yota VS Gabe was great, but that flying senton was perhaps a spot Gabe hadn’t practiced, he really overshot it. Gabe winning was still the right move after how strong he’s been going and is becoming NJPW’s favorite anti-hero. Gabe VS Tanahashi will be great stuff, but I would think Gabe retains the title.
And the main event was awesome, both guys still very popular and still going strong. Goto retaining made sense, there’s still a lot he can do as champion. He will definitely be tested in the G1, with every match being the other guy giving their best against him. But I don’t expect Goto to win the whole thing, or maybe even A Block, with quite a few top names in there. Tanahashi might make a good push, it could be between him and Goto since this is Tanahashi’s last G1.
My Score: 9/10
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