Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Bash In Berlin Results & Report! (8/31/24)
Wer ist der Beste?
Will Der Ring General still be Der World Champion?
Randy Orton battles Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship, Kevin Owens battles Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship, all in Berlin!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Kevin Owens; Cody wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill; Bianca & Jade win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
- Four Corners Strap Match: CM Punk VS Drew McIntyre; Punk wins.
- Mixed Tag Match: Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan VS Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley; Priest & Rhea win.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Randy Orton; Gunther wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Bash In Berlin Countdown Show!
Join Michael Cole, The Miz & Big E in discussing, analyzing, and predicting all the action happening for this historic PLE return to Germany!
Michael Cole sits down for an interview with Randy Orton.
Cole says he’s been looking forward to this, because there’s a lot to talk about. They’ll start at Survivor Series, November 2023. Orton returned after a year and a half with a serious back injury. Did he think he was ever coming back? Orton says there was about six months that went by where he thought no, that was it, he was done. It hit him like a semi-truck. This is who he is. Being a pro-wrestler, a WWE Superstar, is everything. He went through a lot of agony with the procedure they used, but then three months later, he could start training again. He started the process slowly, and found himself stronger in the gym, recovering very quickly.
And before he knew it, he called Hunter and started at the Performance Center. Cole says it was clearly all worth it, because when he returned, it was a monster pop. What’d that feel like? Orton was so nervous. It happens to a lot of wrestlers. He talked with HBK, Hunter, Austin, Taker, and when you come back, everyone deals with that moment of things getting in your head. Will the fans remember? Or even care? So his confidence was a 3 out of 10, but then by WrestleMania, he was good.
Cole says Survivor Series was also a weird moment because not only did Orton return, but after the WarGames match… Orton figured this is where Cole would go. CM Punk returned that night, what did Orton feel? Orton says Hunter told him they needed to talk. This and that, glad to have Orton back, and one more thing: Punk’s coming back tonight. Orton asked if he was messing with him. But hey, he was fine to be back, so he let it happen. As he waited on Punk, he realized he had his moment, Punk gets his moment, it was all okay after. But going into it, it was a “mind eff.” But in the end, Orton’s glad Punk is back, they talked, and they can look back and laugh now.
Cole says a lot has changed in WWE. Is it for the better? 100%. Once Orton was back on the road, he saw things operate so much more smoothly. The morale in the locker room has changed, too. They get to go home now! A family matter, daughter being born, sure, you can have time off. Been working hard for three years? Take a few weeks off. And if the roster is happy and healthy, it’ll show, and the fans will respond to that. Cole says the WWE isn’t the only thing that’s change. Orton himself has changed, right? Orton says yeah, of course.
Then if the Orton of 2024 could talk to a 23-year-old Orton, what would he say? Orton would tell himself, “Don’t do what those other guys are doing.” There were examples of “too much too soon.” At the same time, if those things hadn’t happened to him, he might not be here today. Thinking from the fan side, they’ve seen Orton grow up and mature. That was fun for him, hopefully it was good for the fans, too. Cole also followed that ride. Fans are on his side now, does that affect his approach? It does. Orton remembers John Cena’s prime. That was a teachable moment. That is how a good Face interacts with fans both on and off camera.
So a younger Orton would look for the most vulnerable child in the first few rows, lock eyes, and then make it his job to make that kid to cry. That might be a part of him that still wants to do that, but he’s suppressed those thoughts. So he hates to say that he hates to say it, but he likes being a good guy. He enjoys the respect from the fans. It was a long, hard earned respect. It was faster for guys like Cena, but it took Orton longer because it took him longer to find himself. More with The Viper coming, later in the show.
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill.
Peter Rosenberg greets The StrongEST Duo as they walk in, and says it’s been since Fanatics Fest that they talked. How was the trip over? Oh, it was a long trip, a long tour, but they are ready to go for those titles. About that, this is an interesting situation. This team is such a force, but now they’re the challengers. Does that add pressure? It does. But losing the titles is the best thing that could’ve happened to them, because it makes them mentally stronger. At the end of the day, did they lose the titles? Yes. But it was a Triple Threat, so did Alba & Isla pin them? No. In the history books, there is no asterisk over that, they’re the champs, and that’s what matters here.
Bianca & Jade know it is going to be a hard match tonight, but they will take those titles back. This is more than just a match. They have so much to prove. Jade says Alba & Isa are keeping the belts warm. Bianca is doing her best to put those two over because she cares for them, but Jade does not. Jade & Bianca are taking back what is respectfully theirs. So tonight is their night. Time to take over and take back the Women’s Tag Team Titles! Bianca & Jade are ready, will Alba & Isla be unable to stop them?
Backstage interview with Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan.
Jackie Redmond is with “Dirty Dom” and the Women’s World Champion. Tonight is one of the more personal and polarizing matches tonight. Many fans sympathize with Damian & Rhea, but why are Dom & Liv the ones that feel betrayed? Liv says wow, what a dumb question. Not only did Rhea turn on Liv when they were tag team partners, but she made sure Liv & Raquel Rodriguez lost the tag titles. And then, days later, Rhea injured Liv’s shoulder. Liv can keep going if Jackie wants. As for Dom, Rhea & Priest are just the worst, Liv is way better, and he gets tendies whenever he wants.
But what is funny, is Liv feels when she and Dom were with Rhea, they wanted to share success and love with her, but she wouldn’t have it. Now that they’re against her, they’re sharing love and success with each other. How poetic. Yes… Jackie wishes them luck, but will this “power couple” feel powerless against The Terror Twins?
Backstage interview with Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley.
Cathy Kelley is with said Terror Twins, and says Liv Morgan has been flaunting both the world title and Dom around this week. They all used to be friends, family even, is there any hesitation or regret going into this? Rhea says she and Damian are very different people from when they first joined Judgment Day. They made regrettable decisions, yes, but Liv’s little revenge tour has gone beyond revenge, so now she and the rest of Judgment Day will regret their decisions. Priest adds that everyone has a past, and sometimes that past isn’t the best version of yourself. Some learn from that past, they grow and they change. Some.
Dom is still the same immature scumbag little kid that Priest met. And tonight, the Judgment Day receives their punishment! Rhea smiles, will she and Priest get to eradicate Dom & Liv tonight?
Backstage interview with Triple H.
Byron Saxton sits down with The Game as he has the pleasure of talking with the Chief Content Officer. They shake hands and HHH says it’s always good to see Byron. Byron says Bash In Berlin is a major event for WWE and Germany, but this also means a lot to HHH. HHH was here in 1997, during the Monday Night Wars, Raw from Germany. How does it feel to be back? Amazing, but too long. 27 years ago, HHH wrestled here against Bret Hart in front of six thousand at the time. But Germany was always one of HHH’s favorite destinations, especially over the years with Motorhead.
But now, 2024, it is massive tonight. Over 13 thousand, sold out, hottest ticket in town, and in incredible event. History will be made here. Tonight, the highest grossing arena event in WWE history, a record set at Clash at the Castle, broken by Backlash in France. All sell outs, seventh international PLE for the year, which speaks to the dedication to the international fanbase. Those fans are second to none. HHH is looking forward to bringing this to wherever they’re going.
Then for HHH personally, how special is it to see on an almost monthly basis? Humbling. He sees how hard everyone works, but it pays off when they come to another side of the world and just have people losing their minds. France, Germany, Japan, seeing this reaction, seeing the popularity of the superstars, Fanatics Fest in the US was a big one. The most popular thing, it is an incredible time, not lost on the WWE, and they are doing everything they can to show we’ve seen nothing yet. Byron thanks HHH for his time, and hopes everyone enjoys the show.
Jackie Redmond tags in for Michael Cole.
The Miz welcomes her with donuts from right here in Berlin, Germany. They all get a donut, and take a bite! Jackie says these are legit. The Miz loves these donuts, but he can’t have more because of his diet. But there’s no love lost in the story of Drew McIntyre and CM Punk. They cue up a video package to share the brutal history of the Strap Match and all its related wrist-bound match types. Who will use those thirteen feet of leather to leave the other bloody and broken?
Corey Graves has a sit-down interview with Cody Rhodes, and Kevin Owens.
He thanks them both for their time, and wants to start with this friendship. How long have they known one another? What were initial impressions? Kevin met Cody around 2015, when he was first called up to the main roster. Kevin being in NXT, becoming NXT Champion, he of course knew Cody’s dad, Dusty, and so he already liked Cody before meeting him. Kevin liked Cody right away. Cody says yeah, they were friends from the start. There’s a photo of when the Rhodes family revealed the Dusty statue, and so it is all family, and then Kevin on the end. It still fit somehow.
Cody’s journey away from the WWE, a large part of that is thanks to Kevin. Kevin gave Cody the names of some friends, as well as their numbers, and also he called those people to vouch for Cody. Kevin says he was still watching Cody wherever he went. Kevin saw the Cody that Cody wanted to be, and told him, “That’s it.” Then how did it feel for Kevin to watch Cody #FinishTheStory? It was incredible. Cody had a vision of how he should be treated and what he could accomplish, and he was right. Seeing him win was the last missing piece.
Corey says they’ve both been on a roller coaster journey. Kevin has had Cody’s back against The Bloodline, so why was he hesitant to take this title match? Kevin feels he doesn’t deserve it. His win-loss record should matter. Triple H was once literally handed a title. Kevin hated that! Sorry, Hunter. But Kevin doesn’t want that for the fans. Then why was it bringing up Roman Reigns that made Kevin accept. Because of what Roman did to both Kevin and the rest of the roster was despicable. Roman can’t just walk back in. If it was a choice between Roman and Kevin, Kevin sure wasn’t letting Roman get it.
Cody says he does wish there was another way to have gotten here, but he feels Kevin still would’ve earned this opportunity. Kevin says he’d feel better if he had earned it, but it is all moot now. Kevin isn’t thrilled, is all. Then to play Devil’s Advocate, Corey brings up those who say Cody chose Kevin because Kevin is someone Cody feels he can beat. Is that the case? Not at all. Let’s run the numbers: AJ Styles; Solo Sikoa; Logan Paul. Kevin can beat all those guys. Kevin feels that way, too. He hasn’t beaten them in awhile. Corey says that having these doubts doesn’t sound like Kevin. Cody agrees, and that this is becoming a rather awkward interview.
Kevin says this isn’t doubt. He isn’t confident or arrogant anymore, either. He is just realistic. Cody says it just seems odd, no one in the history of pro-wrestling has ever been told they are getting such a title opportunity, and they come back like Kevin has with, “No, I don’t want it.” That’s not what Kevin said. He of course wants it, just not like this. He wanted to earn it, so he can look at himself and know he worked his way there. Then is there any chance this match temporarily or permanently affects their friendship? Kevin doesn’t. He is excited to be in the first PLE in Germany in history, he’ll give everything he can. If not, his kids will kill him.
Cody says he is more focused than he ever has been. He is in the quarterback spot, he is not giving the ball over, even to a good friend. Corey hopes this friendship remains in tact, and he wishes the best of luck to both men. They shake hands, but will the friendship survive the gold? We won’t have to wait too long, because the Undisputed WWE Championship will open the show!
Backstage interview with Gunther.
Sebastian Hackl of WWE German commentary has the honor of speaking with Der Ring General, and asks how he is feeling. Very good, thank you. Gunther said the other day on the kickoff show, it’ll be a slap left, a slap right, then he goes home. Does he really think it’ll be that easy against Randy Orton? Gunther says no, not that easy, obviously. Orton is a 14-time World Champion, but that means he lost 14 times. Gunther has won it once, he plans on never losing it. Then as the fans said, “What a wonderful day!” Is this the best day in his career so far? He isn’t sure. Every match is very special, but especially here in Berlin.
Being the representative of the German speaking wrestling community is a big responsibility. He is here to be in those big pressure situations, and he can’t wait to go out there and be the World Heavyweight Champion against one of the greatest. Hackl says this is the calm before the story, will Gunther strike like lightning? Or will The Viper strike outta nowhere?
WWE now presents part two of the Randy Orton interview.
Michael Cole says one of the things that’s cool about Bash In Berlin is something that wouldn’t have been done in the past. King of the Ring, Gunther and Orton have an incredible match. Gunther wins, but with some controversy. Things would’ve moved on. HHH did say there was a mistake, this is making up for that. Orton loves the fact we can call back even just that far. Orton said it himself, Gunther only had his shot at SummerSlam because he “beat” Orton. Great story, very real. Cole says that match as fabulous. Orton thanks him for that. That was their first match against each other. Like him or hate him, Gunther is one of a kind.
When Orton came back, Gunther was on the short list of guys Orton wanted to watch out for. Orton knew he could handle a bomb or a clothesline, but now he’s even more confident. He is flying his wife to Berlin so she can watch in person. The energy in the venue is going to be so cool, he wants her to feel that. Orton can’t wait for this match. He can’t wait for the fans to react. Cole is excited to call this thing. He also wants to see how the fans react to Orton. They might sing his song, cheer for him, but then there’s Gunther, born in Austria but made his name in Germany, a hero to the people. Yes, he’s a living legend in Europe. It will be interesting, but Orton is still the Legend killer, so…
Now, with all of Gunther’s talent, why does Orton feel Gunther had to dig into the dirt? Bringing up the Orton family, Randy’s own past, all that. The match was set for the title, that prize makes this match what it is. But if Orton is Gunther, the only reason to make it personal is because the other guy has a leg up on him. So did all that bother Orton? Of course, no one likes hearing negative things about their family or themselves. But did it get under Orton’s skin? Not really.
Then some final questions. First: Orton is creeping up to history. He and HHH are 14-time world champions, that is a tie for second. But if Orton wins and becomes a 15-time, he stands alone as second place, just behind the record of 16, held by John Cena and Ric Flair. Does Orton think about it? Being tied with Hunter, and only behind Cena and Flair, that’s a great spot already. But if Orton could break another record, and holding such a prize more times than anyone else, that’s every little kid’s dream. Orton has broken records, set some others, but one record he’s always been after is the world title reigns, but that might also be the most difficult one at this point.
Cole reminds us that when Orton won his first, he was the youngest to ever hold a world title. 20 years later, Orton is a surefire Hall of Famer. Cole is honored to have watched Orton’s growth, it has been sensational. Cole wishes Orton luck on getting that 15th. Tonight is already historic, will this main event make it an amazing night?
Backstage interview with CM Punk.
Cathy Kelley is with The Second City Saint, and says he has been vocal about the pain he wants to inflict on Drew McIntyre. But could he elaborate on the emotional damage he plans to deal. Punk chuckles and says, the closer we get to bell time, the more weight I feel on my shoulders. This is a fight, and it’s personal. So yeah, I’m gonna hurt him. I’m gonna try and inflict every single piece of damage he did to me over the past six months, and that’s physically as well as mentally. I’ll be fighting for my pride and my family, I’m gonna make sure he’s fighting for his life.” Will the Best in the World give McIntyre the worst whipping of his life?
In the world of professional wrestling, one word drives everything: Momentum.
Triple H says, “We are in the What’s Next business, and what’s next… Is pretty damn special.” WWE continues its overseas expedition, and are enjoyed every minute of it. For Der Ring General, his momentum began forming long ago. The World Heavyweight Championship is his greatest achievement so far, but this is just the beginning. And Gunther didn’t do it alone, as Ludwig Kaiser has been by his side since the beginning. Nothing catches him off guard. But The Viper says that’s fine, he wants Gunther to see what’s coming.
The American Nightmare’s key to success is moving swiftly from what was to what’s next. Everything he went through to become WWE Champion, imagine the lengths he will go to stay champion. He promises Kevin Owens will be surprised by how much of his game Cody knows. And tonight, on one of Europe’s biggest stages, the hope is that this momentum will lead to success. No one can run forever, and much of this has been a long time coming. This is WWE Bash In Berlin!
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS Kevin Owens!
The American Nightmare offered this shot to a man he felt was deserving, but that man didn’t feel the same way. But that man wasn’t about to let the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, or anyone else from The Bloodline get this shot, so he had no choice but to accept. Will Kevin bring out “The Prizefighter” that was once the top champion in WWE? Or will Cody’s story not end here?
The fans of course sing along with Cody’s sing, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we again hit triple decibels like last night. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly deserving of it when they hold it up high overhead!
The fans already sing for “Cody, Cody Rhodes~! Cody, Cody Rhodes~!” The bell rings, Kevin stares Cody down, and the fans now sing a Berlin fight song. Kevin hops off the corner, the fans cheer more, and both Kevin and Cody take a moment just to hear it all. Berlin is already thunderous with a chant of “In Your Face!” in German, and then Cody and Kevin shake hands. The two circle, tie up, and Cody wrenches. Cody has the wristlock, the fans duel, and Kevin puts Cody on ropes. Kevin lets off cleanly, and the two reset. They circle, Kevin stays back from Cody’s leg pick, and then Kevin facelocks. Cody wrenches out to hammerlock, then headlock back.
The fans cheer, and Kevin slips out the back to headlock in return. Cody powers up and out, but Kevin runs him over! The fans cheer again, and Cody gets up. Cody and Kevin go around again, Kevin headlocks, and he grinds Cody down. Cody grabs at a leg, the fans rally up, and Cody fights up. Cody powers up and out, but Kevin runs him over again! Things speed up, Cody hurdles, and springboards, but Kevin catches the cutter! Kevin shoves Cody away, then wags his finger. The fans cheer and the two reset again. Cody and Kevin circle, tie up, and Cody waistlocks. Kevin switches, Cody grabs for a leg but Kevin steps back.
Cody works on the hold, breaks free, springboards, but Kevin dodges the Beautiful Disaster Kick to SENTON! The fans cheer, Kevin kicks Cody around, and Kevin fires body shots. Kevin brings Cody around to CLUB him, then shove him, to CLUB him again! The fans duel, Kevin bring Cody up and back suplexes, but Cody lands out! Cody dragon sleepers! Kevin snapmares free, kicks, but no stunner as Cody pushes free! The fans cheer as these two get face to face! Kevin and Cody reset, feel things out, Kevin waistlocks. Cody pries the hold, switches, but Kevin elbows free. Kevin runs up but Cody tosess him out!
Cody builds speed to DIVE! But Kevin catches Cody and RAMS him into the apron! Kevin goes up to then CANNONBALL! The fans fire up for Kevin, and he brings Cody around. Kevin throws Cody back in, goes up, but Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Kevin falls back, Cody builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit this time, and Kevin hits the barrier! Cody stands up on the barrier and fans fire up even more! Cody goes back to Kevin, drags him up and puts him in. The fans sing for Cody again as Cody covers, ONE! Cody stays cool, then brings Kevin up. Cody hits a hip toss, then clamps on a short arm scissor!
Kevin endures, the fans rally, and Kevin fights around. Kevin rolls to roll Cody, and they end up in the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Cody lets off cleanly, and the fans duel again. Cody storms up but Kevin fires a body shot! Cody CHOPS, whips, then kitchen sink knees! Cover, TWO! Or as the fans let us know, “ZWEI~!” Cody stomps Kevin’s leg, stomps it some more, and Kevin goes to ropes. Kevin CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Cody DROPKICKS! Cody has the leg, steps through, and the fans “WOO~” for the FIGURE FOUR! Kevin grabs at Cody and the fans rally! Kevin’s shoulders are down, ONE as he sits up!
Kevin pries at the legs but Cody puts on the pressure! Kevin still fights, still reaches out, and he pushes on the legs to get the ROPEBREAK! Cody lets off, Kevin stands, and then Kevin CHOPS! Cody ROCKS Kevin! Cody runs, but Kevin dumps him to the apron! Kevin kicks the supposed bad leg, then he BLASTS Cody off the apron! Cody hits barriers, and Kevin hits a FROG SPLASH from the apron! The fans fire up, and Kevin puts Cody in the ring. Cover, TWO! Kevin clamps onto Cody with a cording hold, and he digs his elbows into ribs. Cody fights back so Kevin stomps Cody. The fans rally up and Kevin has Cody on ropes.
“This is Awesome!” as Kevin keeps on Cody, then stomps him in a corner. Kevin brings Cody around to whip, and BODY SHOT! Then a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Kevin clamps onto Cody with a waistlock, the fans rally up, and Cody endures this rear bearhug. Cody fights to his feet, throws elbows, then BELL CLAPS! And BELL CLAP again! Kevin lets go but then headlocks. Cody powers up and out, but Kevin RAMS Cody! Cody stays up, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans fire up! Cody and Kevin rise, and Kevin atomic drops! Cody dodges the lariat to run and CLOBBER Kevin!
Cody goes to a corner, baits Kevin in to go up and over, then SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and Cody grits his teeth. Cody rises, the fans fire up more, and Cody springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! Cover, TWO! Kevin is still in this but Cody just catches his breath. Cody pounds the mat, the fans clap along, and Kevin rises. Cody springboards, CODY- NO, Kevin again catches the cutter, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES! The fans cheer, and then Kevin SUPERKICKS Cody! Kevin keeps Cody up to whip, but Cody CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives as Cody brings that one outta nowhere!
The fans rally up again as both men rise. Kevin goes to ropes, Cody storms over, and Cody fires a forearm! Kevin steadies himself, Cody eggs him on, so Kevin CHOPS! Cody fires another forearm, Kevin fires one back! The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster! Cody fires haymakers, kicks then whips, but Kevin reverses, wrenches, pump handle, GHOSTBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives Kevin busting out something new, but Kevin stomps him for it. Kevin goes to a corner, climbs up, but Cody runs up to ROCK him first! Cody fires more hands, adjusts Kevin’s position, then CHOPS! Cody climbs, but Kevin fights back!
The fans rally and duel as the shots keep going! Cody goes to the very top, but Kevin makes it a fireman’s carry! SUPER ROLLING SENTON!! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives again and “This is Awesome!” Kevin drags Cody up, whips him, but Cody BOOTS back! Cody runs, springboards again, but into a kick! Still no Stunner as Cody CROSS RHODES!! Cover, TWO?!? Kevin survives and the fans are thunderous! Cody is stunned, but the energy builds higher as he puts Kevin in a corner. Cody hoists Kevin back up top, climbs up to join him, and yet Kevin makes it a SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Kevin still cannot be superplex’d!
The fans lose their minds, and Kevin crawls to a cover! TWO!! Cody survives again but Kevin is too tired to be upset. Kevin goes to ropes, the fans rally up even harder, and both men rise. Kevin storms over to Cody, brings him around and fires a forearm! Cody comes back with a forearm! Kevin hits right back! Cody body shots! Kevin HEADBUTTS! Cody HEADBUTTS! Kevin SLAPS Cody, Cody SLAPS Kevin, it goes from SLAP fight to haymakers! Cody SUPERKICKS, but Kevin SUPERKICKS! Cody SUPERKICKS again! Kevin stagers, Cody blocks the superkick to kick and RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody tries again, goes up and up, and the leg buckles!
Kevin was right, Cody’s leg is in a bad way! Kevin wants to strike but something is keeping him from doing it! Is this the tainted victory Kevin didn’t want? Cody bails out, Kevin follows, and the ref checks. Cody pushes Kevin, then fires a forearm! And another, and another! Kevin kicks the bad leg! The fans cheer, that is The Prizefighter! Kevin huffs ‘n’ puffs to reel Cody in, and now… No, he reconsiders going that far into his past. Kevin shoves Cody down, but fans boo. Kevin drags Cody up and puts him in the ring. Kevin tells Barrett to shut up about killer instinct. But then Cody snatches Kevin to a cradle, TWO! STUNNER!! Cover, TWO!!
Kevin is frustrated but the fans are loving this! Kevin rises, paces, shakes his head, and he goes back for Cody. He tells Cody like he did last night, Cody asked for this! Kevin whips, but Cody reverses! Cody catches Kevin to a CROSS RHODES! Cody holds on, to CROSS RHODES again!! Cody drags Kevin up one more time, but Kevin pops free! STUNNER!! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives again and Kevin is beside himself while the fans are losing their minds! The fans again declare “This is Awesome!” as Kevin rises up. Kevin goes to a corner, climbs up, and he SWANTON BOMBS onto knees!! A little double-edged for Cody but he drags Kevin up.
Cody dragon sleepers, for a CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
While Cody hit four Cross Rhodes, Kevin’s hesitation and internal conflict is what lost it for him. The singles title drought of seven years, the world title drought of eight, all because Kevin didn’t go all out against Cody. Cody wants to show Kevin respect, but Kevin is too upset with himself. The fans cheer for Kevin, and Kevin hugs it out with Cody! Kevin raises Cody’s hand in victory, and he won’t let Cody return the favor. It is clear The American Nightmare will be the target of Solo Sikoa, will Kevin stay by Cody’s side to fight The Bloodline all over again?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill!
Clash at the Castle was a chaotic Triple Threat that saw Scotland’s hometown lasses standing tall. However, they still must settle things with The StrongEST Duo, the odd team out in that match. Will Bianca & Jade take these belts back now that it’s 2v2? Or will the Unholy Union have some new tricks up their proverbial sleeves?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team is truly the B E S T!
The teams sort out and Bianca starts with Isla, but then Alba slips in. Bianca isn’t sure who is really legal now, but Jade steps in to back her up. The fans rally up, and the brawl is on! Jade fires hands on Isla, Bianca has Alba! The ref reprimands, Jade scoops Isla to BACKBRAEKER! Alba ROCKS Bianca, Bianca scoops back, and hits a GUTBUSTER! The fans cheer and Bianca puts Alba in the corner. Bianca stomps away, tags Jade, then Jade stomps away. Jade tags back to Bianca, she brings Alba out, but Alba fires a knee! Alba CLUBS Bianca, but Bianca blocks the superkick! Bianca drop steps, waistlocks, then suplexes high and hard!
Bianca fires up and the fans are with her! Bianca RAMS into Alba, then climbs up to rain down fists! Fans count all the way to eight, but Isla gets in Bianca’s face! Alba grabs the braid! Bianca backflips! Isla runs up but Bianca DECKS her! Alba KNEES low! Alba POSTS Bianca and Bianca falls right to the floor! Alba distracts the ref and Isla gets a shot in! Jade storms over, but Alba DIVES onto her! The fans fire up as Alba & Isla stand tall! Alba tags Isla, but they both get Bianca up to RAM her into barriers! Jade is up and storms up, but the ref has her stand down! Isla & Alba taunt Jade, the fans boo, but Alba & Isla mug Bianca.
Isla puts Bianca in, pushes her down and covers, ONE! Isla drags Bianca up, tags Alba, and they mug Bianca more. Alba sends Bianca into the TARANTULA! SUPERKICK! Bianca falls, Alba covers, TWO! Alba drags Bianca up, wrenches and whips to drop toehold! Bianca hits ropes, Isla tags in and KNEES Bianca from the apron! Cover, TWO! Isla keeps Bianca down with a chinlock, but the fans rally up. Bianca rises, fires body shots, but Isla knees low. Isla whips Bianca, RAMS her, and soaks up the heat. Isla KNEES Bianca in the side, fires more shots, then wrenches. The fans rally for Bianca and she sunset flips over!
Isla stays up, tags Alba, and Alba KICKS Bianca! METEORA from Isla! Alba covers, TWO! Alba stomps Bianca around, then brings her up. Alba CLUBS Bianca, but Bianca fires body shots. Alba whips Bianca to the corner, stomps her, then CHOPS her! The fans “WOO~!” and Jade reaches out, but Alba KNEES Bianca. Alba taunts Jade, and tilt-o-whirls into an IRON OCTOPUS! Bianca stay sup, the fans fire up, and she reaches for Jade! Alba lets go to grab the braid! Isla tags in, and they both YANK Bianca into the corner! Isla wraps the braid around ropes then stomps away! The fans boo, the ref stops Isla, and Isla just taunts Jade.
Isla runs in but Bianca BOOTS her! Bianca DECKS Alba, dodges Isla, and hurries! But Alba stops her from reaching Jade! Bianca fires more forearms, reaches out, but then Alba waistlocks. Bianca elbows free, runs up, but Alba wrenches, and kicks Jade to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Jade storms in, the ref keeps her back, and Alba drags Bianca over. The champs mug Bianca! The fans boo, Alba lets off to bring Bianca around, and GOURD BUSTER! Isla is in, she runs but Bianca dodges! Isla’s knees hit buckles! The fans fire up while both women crawl! Alba runs up but Bianca TOSSES her out! But then Isla grabs Bianca!
Isla back suplexes, Bianca lands out, and she hits a BIG back suplex on Isla! The fans fire up, Bianca crawls, hot tag to Jade! The fans fi reup as Jade jumps in to rally on Isla! And on Alba! Jade roars, then DOUBLE LARIATS! Jade SPINEBUSTERS Isla, then fireman’s carries Alba! Pop-up into the FALL AWAY SLAM! And a kip up! The fans fire up with Jade, and she runs in to SPLASH Alba! And SPLASH Isla! And another for Alba! SUPERKICK for Isla! Isla staggers into Jade’s suplex, for the JACKHAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! Isla survives and Jade is surprised, but she fires back up. The fans rally, and Jade hoists Isla up.
Isla slips free of the fireman’s carry but Jade RAMS her into a corner! Alba sneaks the tag, Jade snapmares Isla, but Alba grabs Jade’s hair. Jade ELBOWS Alba away, BOOTS Isla, then tags Bianca, But Alba shoves Jade to catch Bianca! Bianca fights free, but Alba brings her back in! Gory Especial, Isla joins in for SOMETHING WICKED!! Cover, Jade breaks it!! The fans fire up as this continues! Isla drags Jade up, but Jade TOSSES her! Isla is on the apron, Jade BOOTS her down again! Alba CLUBS Jade, Bianca BOOTS Alba! Alba SUPERKICKS Jade! Alba reels Jade in, kicks at Bianca, but Bianca catches her!
The StrongEST Duo DOUBLE PRESS SLAM! And now, the handspring into the DOMINATOR SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Alba survives, Isla storms in, but Jade is after Isla! Jade CHOKE- NO, Isla slips free to RUONHDHOUSE! Bianca torture racks Isla! But Alba makes the save, and HEADBUTTS Bianca down! Isla hurries to the corner, tags in, and then Alba goes up. Isla hits a BACKSTABBER, then Alba adds the SWANTON BOMB!! But Jade uses Bianca’s braid to pull her out of harm’s way! Alba lands on Isla instead!! The fans are thunderous, and Bianca TOSSES Alba out to Jade! Jade SLINGS Alba into barriers! Isla rolls up Bianca! TWO!!
Jade sneaks a tag, Bianca pops Isla up to SPINEBUSTER! Jade wheelbarrows Isla, STORM PLEX!! Cover, Jade & Bianca win!!
Winners: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
The spell has been broken with the power of Black Girl Magic! Will they make this the biggEST, the strongEST, the longEST and the B E S T reign yet?
Four Corners Strap Match: CM Punk VS Drew McIntyre!
From the Second City Saint’s return to the WWE in November 2023, to the Scottish Terminator’s Future Shock that tore Punk’s arm up in the Royal Rumble, to the long Road to WrestleMania and that long road to recovery, things have only gotten more and more heated, and more and more personal between these two men. McIntyre has been borderline blasphemous talking about how he prayed for Punk’s suffering, then became the man who made it happen, all the while taunting Punk with the bracelet he stole. Will McIntyre pile on from SummerSlam with another humiliating defeat? Or is this where Punk finally gives “DM Hunk” his comeuppance?
The fans sing along with Cult of Personality, and join with Punk in saying, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” The introductions are made, but McIntyre CLOBBERS Punk! McIntyre goes after Punk from behind, fires hands, then SMACKS him off steel steps! It’s hypocritical but also merciless as McIntyre TOSSES Punk onto the German announce desk! The fans boo, but McIntyre CHOPS Punk! Punk hits back but McIntyre DECKS him! McIntyre puts Punk in, rains down fists, and the ref reprimands! The ref stops McIntyre, but McIntyre grabs the strap! McIntyre winds up, and he LASHES Punk!
Punk writhes, the ref reprimands, but McIntyre straps in. The fans chant for Punk so McIntyre LASHES Punk! McIntyre tells the ref to get Punk strapped in! McIntyre does it himself, and then he DECKS Punk! The ref rings the bell, and McIntyre BOOTS Punk! McIntyre CHOPS Punk in a corner, then LASHES him! Punk sputters, McIntyre brings him around, and he uses the strap in a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! The fans are torn, but McIntyre is distracted by all the “CM PUNK” chants! Punk slides out of the ring, but McIntyre YANKS him into the apron! And then again! And then he drags Punk in to LASH him!
McIntyre LASHES Punk more, then stands him up to CHOP him down! McIntyre soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then tags his first corner. Red light for McIntyre, but he dares Punk to get up. McIntyre CHOPS Punk down, the fans tell McIntyre off, but McIntyre just smiles. McIntyre swings, but Punk ducks and fireman’s carries! GO TO SLEEP!! Both men are down, and the lights reset! At least, they should turn off. Punk says his turn, but then says hold on. Punk LASHES McIntyre again and again, all in return for McIntyre’s cheap shot! Punk stands McIntyre up to NECKBREAKER! The fans cheer and Punk lets McIntyre slide out.
Punk YANKS McIntyre into the apron, stomps McIntyre’s hand, then goes out after him. Punk looks under the ring, but McIntyre CLOBBERS Punk! McIntyre drags Punk up to SMACK him off the English commentary desk! McIntyre tells Cole off, then goes up onto the desk. The fans rally up, McIntyre reels Punk in, and he takes his time with the underhooks. But Punk fights it! Punk back drops free and McIntyre hits the desk hard! The fans fire up and Punk LASHES McIntyre again! And again! And again! Then Punk goes looking under the ring, and fans fire up as Punk brings out a TABLE! But McIntyre LASHES Punk!
McIntyre BOOTS Punk down, then he puts the table back! The fans boo, but McIntyre LASHES Punk again! McIntyre then grabs a chair from the timekeeper’s area! McIntyre JAMS Punk! Punk coughs as he falls to his knees, and McIntyre stands him up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Punk fights back with forearms! McIntyre CLAWS Punk’s eyes! McIntyre puts Punk in the ring, and uses the strap to stand him up, to scoop and SLAM onto the chair! Punk writhes, but McIntyre looks him in the eyes. Punk’s head is busted open, and McIntyre smears the blood. McIntyre fires hands, but so does Punk!
McIntyre rains down HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Punk writhes, the fans rally up, and McIntyre puts the chair in a corner. McIntyre wedges that nice and tight in the bars, but Punk SHINING WIZARDS first! And BULLDOGS! McIntyre flops out of the ring and the fans fire up! Punk goes out the opposite end, and he YANKS McIntyre into a POST! McIntyre falls, the fans rally up, and Punk slips around the corner. Punk brings that table back out! The fans cheer as Punk starts setting it up at ringside! McIntyre rises, and he goes into the ring. Punk storms in after him, but then a CLAYMORE OUTTA NOWHERE!! The fans fire up while both men are down!
McIntyre rises, he tags a corner. He staggers, but he goes to the second counterclockwise. Punk stirs, McIntyre has three corners! Punk hurries out of the ring to YANK McIntyre into his own chair trap!! The lights reset, Punk tags that closest corner. The fans rally for Punk as he works counterclockwise. That’s two corners, but he drags McIntyre along so he can go to the third. Just one left, but McIntyre fires hands! McIntyre CHOPS Punk, whips him corner to corner, then runs in. Punk dodges, to SHINING WIZARD again! But no bulldog as McIntyre lifts and THROWS Punk down through the table!! The fans are losing their minds while the ref checks Punk.
The fans sing as McIntyre uses the strap to reel Punk in like a fish! McIntyre fireman’s carries Punk, and he uses his free hand to tag the bottom left corner. But Punk also tags! This is the JBL Batista maneuver! They’re all getting the corners, and Punk fights free! They struggle to go for the fourth corner! McIntyre and Punk push each other with one hand, reach out with the other, and the fans are thunderous! McIntyre ROCKS Punk, but Punk ROCKS McIntyre! The lights reset, and the fans cheer Punk’s every punch! They boo McIntyre’s every shot, too. Punk ROCKS McIntyre, but McIntyre ROCKS Punk! It goes fast and furious and the fans fire up!
Both men stagger, and both men BOOT! Both men fall and the fans are thunderous! Punk sits up first, and he ankle locks McIntyre to turn him over into a SHARPSHOOTER! Punk puts on the pressure! McIntyre TAPS! Not that it matters, but Punk loves this moral victory! McIntyre even grabs the ropes! But nothing can save him, Punk holds until McIntyre passes out! Punk tags the top left corner! Then he staggers his way along, the fans cheer, and he… No, McIntyre revives to anchor Punk! Punk still touches the corner, he’s halfway done! But then McIntyre YANKS Punk in for a NECKBREAKER! The lights must reset!
The fans rally while both men are down again! McIntyre kips up! The fans are torn, and McIntyre decides to bring out the bracelet! It was down his trunks, but now McIntyre puts it on his other wrist. McIntyre aims from a corner, gives the bracelet a kiss, and gives the countdown! “DREI! ZWEI! EIN!” CLAYMORE!! Direct hit, but McIntyre must now touch buckles! Tag to one corner, then he staggers to tag the second. McIntyre reaches the third, but Punk wakes up! He keeps McIntyre back! Fireman’s carry, ANOTHER GO TO SLEEP!! McIntyre falls, the lights reset again! Berlin is thunderous as both men stir!
Punk hurries to his feet, but McIntyre grabs Punk’s foot! Punk sees the bracelet! Punk reels McIntyre back in, a third G T S!! One corner! Two corners! Punk has to drag a half-conscious McIntyre along, and he then drags McIntyre up for a FOURTH G T S!! Three corners! McIntyre is in a daze, and Punk feels the energy! Punk uses that energy to hobble forward, but he says hold on. Punk drags McIntyre up, fireman’s carries again, a FIFTH G T S!!! Punk then snatches the bracelet back! The fans cheer as Punk has that, and the fourth corner! Punk wins!
Winner: CM Punk
The moral AND physical victories, a truly definitive win for CM Punk! Will this be the punctuation on the story between these bitter enemies? Can Punk finally move past this and again focus on being The Best in the World?
Sebastian Hackl is in the ring!
Germany’s own addresses the fans to review the international series WWE has been building. Here in the Uber Arena, Bash In Berlin, the HIGHEST GROSSING arena show in WWE history! The fans cheer this historic feat achieved here in Berlin! Will WWE’s global touring only get bigger and bigger from here?
Mixed Tag Match: Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan VS Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley!
What a twisted love story. Boy meets girl, calls her “Mami,” Mami turns Boy against his father and join a “new family.” But then another girl comes along, calls him “Daddy,” and she gets the boy even more turned around. But now, after drama and betrayals that tore the family apart, it’s time to fight it out! Will Dirty Daddy Dom & Lil’ Liv give their wretched romcom a happy ending? Or will the real heroes of this story prevail?
The teams sort out and Dom starts against Priest. Then Priest runs up and Dom goes to hide in an open corner! The fans boo but Priest backs off. Dom and Priest reset, but then Dom goes to the other corner to hide! Priest drags him out, Dom dodges a haymaker, and then dodges again. Dom kicks low, kicks and CHOPS, but Priest just scowls. Priest BOOTS Dom right in the mustache! Priest puts Dom in a corner to windmill those haymakers! The fans fire up, Priest lets off, to wind up and UPPERCUT! Dom staggers along the ropes while the fans fire up. Priest whips but Dom ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Priest JUMPING ELBOWS!
The fans fire up and Rhea smiles. Priest knuckle locks and twists the wrist! Dom endures, Priest straight arm levers, to then drop Dom down! The fans chant, “We Want Mami!” but Priest whips Dom to a corner. Dom staggers forward, into a BOOT! Priest points to Rhea and the fans fire up! Rhea is all excited, but Dom scrambles away! Liv tags in, talks smack on Priest, but uh, Rhea still gets to come in… Priest says talk to the hand, then Rhea DROPKICKS Liv! Rhea grins as she scoops Liv, to FALL AWAY SLAM! Rhea drags Liv back up, to TOSS her across the way! Liv staggers up, Rhea RAMS into her!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea rains down fists on Liv! The fans count, Rhea goes to five before she HEADBUTTS! Liv flounders, Rhea taunts Dom that he chose this over Mami. Rhea gives some Latina Heat, then suplexes to hold Liv up, before the SLAM! Liv scrambles away, Dom checks on her, and she tags him in. Rhea dares Liv to come back but Priest is now legal. Priest storms up to grab Dom and drag him in! The fans fire up and Priest whips Dom to ropes. Dom holds ropes, but Priest LARIATS Dom up and out! Priest stalks Dom, ROCKS him, and then scoops him to SNAKE EYES off the apron!
Dom flops back, the fans chant, “Who’s Your Daddy?” Priest puts Dom in, but Liv anchors Priest on the apron! The fans boo, but Dom BLASTS Priest! Priest hits desk, Dom runs out to CLOBBER him into steel steps! The fans boo but Dom blows Liv a kiss for the assist. Rhea storms over but Dom puts Priest in the ring. Dom soaks up the heat, tells the fans to shove it, then he slingshot SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Priest is tougher than that, but Liv gets a cheap shot in! Rhea is furious, the ref has her back down. Dom taunts Rhea, but the fans tell Dom off. Dom fires hands on Priest, but Priest ROCKS Dom back!
Priest stands to ROCK Dom again! Dom staggers to a corner, Priest runs up, but into BOOTS! Dom goes up and TORNADO DDTS! Cover, ONE?! Dom is shocked, he argues with the ref, but that lets Liv SLAP Priest! Liv laughs and Dom clamps onto Priest to throw crossface forearms! Dom clamps onto a chinlock, but Priest is pissed! The fans rally up, Priest fights up, and Priest pries the hold open! Dom is shocked, but he kicks low! Dom gives some Latino Heat, but Priest hits a BROKEN ARROW! Dom flounders away while the fans fire up! Priest hot tags Rhea! Rhea rallies on Liv with LARIAT after LARIAT!
Rhea stomps a foot, SMASHES Liv’s face, then DISCUS LARIATS! The fans fire up as Rhea sits Liv up, to then basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up, Rhea waistlocks, and she GERMAN SUPLEXES Liv, then KNEES her down! Dom staggers to his feet, and Rhea locks eyes with her former Dom Dom. Dom panics, then offers a hug in apology? Rhea laughs. Rhea ELBOWS Liv as she tries to cheap shot her! Rhea then short arm LARIATS Dom! And again! And then an atomic FACEBUSTER! Rhea puts Dom in a HANGING HEADSCISSOR! The fans reach triple digits again! Liv runs up, Rhea BOOTS her down! And then SHOTGUNS her!
Liv tumbles away, Rhea storms up on Dom, and brings him around to pump handle! But Liv saves her Dom Dom! Liv kicks, BOOTS, and ENZIGIRIS! Rhea wobbles, into a BACKSTABBER! How fitting of these two! Liv runs up to SHINING WIZARD in the corner, then she pushes Rhea down! The fans rally but Liv laughs. Liv steps over to trap an arm, ROLLING COBRA!! Cover, TWO!! Rhea survives Liv busting out something new and the fans fire up! Liv kicks at Rhea, but the fans continue to rally. Rhea BOOTS from below! Rhea and Liv both crawl, reach out, hot tag to Priest! Dom runs in but Priest FLAPJACKS him!
Priest KICKS, KICKS and KICKS, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Then Priest DECKS Dom with a forearm! Dom stands, Priest BACK ELBOWS in the corner! Clinch and FLATLINER! The fans fire up again and Priest takes aim. Dom stands, Priest runs, LARIAT! Cover, Liv breaks it! So Rhea CLOBBERS Liv! The Terror Twins stand tall over the traitors, and the fans fire up! Rhea nods, and they DOUBLE BELL CLAP! Then they reel Dom and Liv in, double crucifix lifts! DOUBLE RAZOR’S EDGE!! The fans are thunderous, and Rhea TOSSES Liv out! Rhea says they finish this! Priest brings the straps down, and he stalks Dom.
But wait, the rest of Judgment Day is here! Priest DECKS JD McDonagh, Rhea SMACKS Carlito off the apron! But Liv leaps to SUNSET BOMB Rhea into barriers!! Priest is stunned, Dom is up top! Dom leaps, but into Priest’s hands! JD distracts the rf, Finn Balor SLINGBLADES Priest!! Dom dropkicks Priest onto ropes! Dom dials it up, 619!! The fans boo as Dom climbs, and Dom FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!?! Priest survives Dom’s best shots and Finn is pissed! But then Finn tells Dom to tag Liv, Rhea’s in a bad way! Dom tags Liv, Finn sets Rhea up, and Liv DIVES! A huge shot, and Liv puts Rhea back in!
Liv watches Rhea flounder to ropes, and then OB-NO! Rhea hits a BACKBREAKER! Rhea roars, but JD is there! Rhea swings on JD, JD gets away! Liv jumps to FLYING CODE BREAKER! Liv crawls, but she’s in bad shape, too! Priest POUNCES JD over the desk! Priest BOOTS Carlito, SUPERKICKS Finn, and Priest clears the English desk! Priest drags Finn up, but Dom DIVES onto Priest! Priest ends up on the desk! Dom HAMMERS Priest while fans boo! Dom goes up onto the German desk, and he runs up , into a LARIAT! Dom goes flipping and flopping off the desk! Liv is furious, but she has bigger problems!
Rhea stalks up behind Liv with a big grin, and Liv feels it. Liv slowly turns around, into a HEADBUTT! Rhea reels Liv in, for RIPTIDE!! Cover, The Terror Twins win!
Winners: Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
Justice has been served! Judgment Day betrayed the two most powerful members in the team and have paid for it! But bigger than that, Rhea just pinned the Women’s World Champion! Will this bad blood continue until Rhea takes back what matters?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Randy Orton!
Der Ring General became The King of the Ring to then become the champion at SummerSlam. In fact, Gunther has been for about 1500 of the 2000 days he’s been under WWE contract! Will his incredible career only become more and more legendary in the country where it all began? Or will The Viper bring out that Legend Killer to have his fifteenth world championship reign?
The fans sing along with Voices as Orton makes his entrance, but they still fire up for Gunther. The introductions are made, Ludwig Kaiser giving Gunther’s. “Ladies and gentlemen… I demand all your gratitude for YOUR World Heavyweight Champion…! Derrrrrrr RING GENERAL…! GUUUUNTHERRR!” The fans cheer that! The belt is raised, and we see what kind of history is made to wrap this historic night!
The bell rings and the fans sing for Berlin and for Germany. Gunther and Orton take a moment to listen, and the fans are bordering on triple digit decibels again. Oh, there it goes! This is the loudest they’ve been all night! Orton applauds as the song wraps, and he circles with Gunther. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Orton drops to a knee, but he fights back up. They end up on ropes, go around, and end up in a corner. Orton RAMS into Gunther, but he lets off. Gunther facelocks to smother Orton but the ref counts. Gunther lets go, Orton backs up, and the fans cheer. The two reset and circle again.
Orton and Gunther tie up, Gunther headlocks for a takeover. Orton headscissors, Gunther pops free. Orton headlocks for the takeover, Gunther headscissors, and Orton pops free. The fans cheer this exchange and the two reset. They circle, the fans sing a bit more, and Orton smiles. Orton and Gunther tie up, Orton waistlocks, but Gunther drops while prying the hold. Gunther wrenches to double wristlock, but Orton has the ROPEBREAK. “This is Awesome!” as Gunther lets off slowly. The two go again, circle and tie up. They are in another deadlock, but Orton goes for an arm now. Gunther works to have a modified SLEEPER!
Orton endures, but he’s already a bit red. Not quite red as his new trunks but still red. The fans do a wave? As long as they’re not bored… Orton fights up, powers Gunther to a corner, and the ref counts. Gunther lets go, Orton steps away, and they reset. The fans keep the wave going, and Orton notices it. The fans cheer as Orton and Gunther circle again. Orton and Gunther can’t help but smirk seeing all this energy, and then Orton joins in! The fans are thunderous again as Orton and Gunther circle. They feel things out, then Gunther CHOPS! And CHOPS! Orton falls, scrambles to a corner, but Gunther is on him.
Gunther RAMS into Orton again and again, then UPPERCUTS! Gunther snapmares Orton while the fans sing again. NECK TWIST! Orton writhes, then goes to ropes, but Gunther storms over. Gunther drags Orton up and around, grinds the arm and CLUBS it! And CLUBS it again! Then he CHOPS Orton back down! Orton gets right up and goes to a corner. Orton kicks Gunther, kicks again, then fires forearms. Gunther fires back! Gunther ROCKS Orton, Orton ROCKS Gunther, repeat! Gunther CHOPS Orton down again! Orton sputters, goes to an apron, but Gunther goes out the side. Gunther storms up to SMOTHER Orton against the post!
The ref counts, Gunther lets off quickly, but then he whips Orton. Orton reverses and Gunther hits steel steps! The fans fire up as Orton looms over Gunther, then refreshes the count. Orton CLUBs the bad arm, YANKS it again and again, then he whips Gunther back into steel steps! The steps go tumbling away while Gunther writhes! The fans fire up as Orton drags Gunther by a leg and brings him to the desks. Orton thinks which desk to use, and he YANKS Gunther’s arm again and again! Then he DESK BACK SUPLEXES on the English commentary! The fans rally up more as Orton DESK BACK SUPLEXES Gunther again!
Gunther falls to the floor, Orton drags him up and twists his wrist! Orton drags Gunther around, CLUBS the arm again and again, then hits another DESK BACK SUPLEX! Orton refreshes the count in time, the fans rally for “GUNTHER~! GUNTHER~!” but Orton hits a third DESK BACK SUPLEX! Gunther flops to the floor, clutching his arm. Orton puts Gunther in, storms up, but Gunther CHOPS! A double-edged move now because the arm hurts! Orton RK- NO! Gunther catches Orton to a SLEEPER! But Orton has the bad arm! ELBOW BREAKER after ELBOW BREAKER, and then he WRINGS Gunther out!
Gunther writhes, but Orton SLAMS the bad arm! And SLAMS it again! Cover, ONE!! Gunther stays in this but Orton stays on the arm! Orton kneels on Gunther, and grins as the fans boo. The fans rally, Orton SLAMS the bad arm again, then he stalks Gunther. Gunther kicks back, CHOPS, but again that’s the bad arm! So Gunther CHOPS with his left! Almost as good, but Orton kicks low. AMBAR DDT! Cover, TWO! Orton looms over Gunther, clamps on a chinlock, and the fans rally up. Orton has a top wristlock but Gunther still endures. Gunther fights up, knees low, but Orton scoops! Orton hits a FALL AWAY SLAM!
Orton crawls over to the cover, ONE!! The delay may have helped there, but both men rise. Orton is after the bad arm, and he KICKS Gunther, CLUBS him, then pushes him onto ropes. The fans sing even as Orton CHOKES Gunther! The ref counts, Orton lets off at 4, and then he drags Gunther up. Orton whips Gunther, Gunther KICKS back! Gunther runs up, to LARIAT! But still double-edged from using the bad arm! Gunther LARIATS again, and still not enough! So Gunther BOOTS! Orton staggers, Gunther winds up and runs, but Orton SWATS the lariat! Orton LARIATS in return! The fans are torn but Orton stalks Gunther.
Gunther swings, Orton dodges, and SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! The fans rally again, and Gunther goes to ropes. Orton stalks Gunther and brings him up through the ropes. Orton KICKS Gunther, brings him up, but Gunther fights free! Gunther CHOPS with the left! Then he HOTSHOTS Orton away! Orton falls to his knees, clutching his neck. The fans rally up and Gunther rises! Gunther goes up the corner! But Orton ROCKS him first! Orton fires hands, then CHOPS! Orton HEADBUTTS Gunther, steadies himself, and then climbs up! The fans rally up more as Orton brings Gunther up for the SUPERPLEX!
Both men writhe and the fans fire up! Orton crawls his way over again and covers, ONE!! Gunther is still in this, and he gets his bad arm moving. The fans rally up again, and Orton rises first. Orton stalks Gunther, throws hands, but Gunther shakes his head. Gunther stands, and he CHOPS Orton! Still hurts to use the bad hand, but Gunther comes back. Orton kicks low, UPPERCUTS, but Gunther CHOPS with the left! Orton CHOPS with the left! Gunther CHOSP again, so Orton CHOPS again! The CHOPS go back and forth, then they fire forearms! Gunther still hurts his arm so Orton fires off haymakers!
Orton puts Gunther in a corner, but Gunther fires back! Gunther kicks and kicks and kicks! Orton pokes Gunther in the eyes! The fans are torn as Orton grins. Orton puts Gunther through ropes, brings him out along the ropes, and the fans are torn over the DRAPING DDT! Gunther sputters, Orton also needs to catch his breath, and the fans rally up more. Orton rises, the fans fire up again, and Orton makes sure all the fans get to see him. Orton then snarls and hears those voices! Gunther stirs, Orton stalks him, and Gunther stands! RK- NO, Gunther waistlocks, to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up as Gunther stumbles to a corner.
Gunther watches as Orton slowly rises. Orton sits up, drags himself to his feet with the ropes, and turns around into the SHOTGUN! Gunther then goes up the corner! Orton’s in the drop zone for the GUNTHER SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” Gunther stands, and he fires up now! The fans fire up with Gunther and he reels Orton in! But Orton fights the bomb, and the bad arm gives up! Gunther staggers back, but he winds up to SOUTHPAW LARIAT! The fans fire up again and Gunther drags Orton back to his feet. Gunther tries again, but Orton again fights!
Gunther holds on, he CLUBS away on Orton, and tries one more time! Orton still fights the bomb, and he clamps onto Gunther’s leg! Orton then Alabama Lifts Gunther! But Gunther kicks and flails to fight that, then powers through to POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther is stunned but the fans are loving this! Gunther drags Orton back up, reels him back in, and he powers through again, but he can’t hoist Orton up! Orton RKOS OUTTA NOWHERE!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Gunther survives and that shocks Orton! The fans also lose their minds, very few people survive an RKO! Orton goes outside, and the fans rally up.
Orton leans on the German announce desk, then he clears it off! Orton tips the Hydration Station over in the process, then goes to pull the steel steps apart. Orton drags the base piece around to put it by the desk. Gunter slides out to go after Orton! Gunther ROCKS Orton, SMACKS him off the English desk, but Orton BODY SHOTS! Orton gives Gunther a STEEL STEP BACK SUPLEX! Gunther writhes and flops off the steps, and the ring count is climbing. The fans rally up more as Orton digs into his energy reserves. Orton goes to fetch the smaller half of the steps while Gunther refreshes the count. Gunther is still on the apron, though, and Orton… puts the steps back together?
Orton stalks Gunther again, SMACKS him off the desk, then refreshes the count himself. Orton SMACKS Gunther off the desk again, then brings him to the steps. Orton SMACKS Gunther off the steps again and again and again! The fans fire up and duel as Orton goes up the steps. Orton somehow drags Gunther to the very top to join him! And then SUPER DESK BACK SUPLEX!!! The desk falls apart and the fans go nuts! Orton poses on the steps and the fans cheer! Orton finally drags Gunther from the wreckage and brings him back to ringside. Orton puts Gunther in the ring, then rolls his way in. Orton talks Gunther again as the fans rally back up.
Gunther stirs as the fans get louder and louder, and Orton again hears those voices! Orton pounds the mat, Gunther rises, R K- NO!! Gunther shoves Orton down and Orton lands hard! Orton sits up, into a SLEEPER!! Orton flails, but Gunther drags him down! Orton fights around, rises up, but Gunther holds on tight! Orton still fights and RAMS Gunther into buckles! Gunther still holds on! Orton RAMS Gunther in again! Orton arm-drags, but Gunther holds on! Gunther squeezes on the hold, but Orton still fights! Orton reaches for ropes, claws at the hold, and he goes for the bad arm! Orton slips his arms in, to R- NO, Gunther powers out to CHOP Orton on the back!
Gunther puts the SLEEPER back on!! Gunther then HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS away on Orton! A shoutout to the American Dragon perhaps? Gunther goes back tot he SLEEPER! Orton sputters, but he gets a second wind! Orton rises, with Gunther as a backpack! BACKPACK SENTON!! Orton is free, but Gunther sits up! SLEEPER!!! Body scissors locked on!! Orton flails, moves around, gets free, but Gunther hits more HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! SLEEPER!!! Orton is red again! He’s fading! The ref checks, Orton is OUT!! GUNTHER WINS!!
Winner: Gunther, by submission (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)
The Viper tried, but he could not bring down Der Ring General! Gunther powers through the pain Orton put him through, and just like that sleeper, Gunther has an iron grip on this title! But in the end, there is respect as the two shake hands! Will Orton ever find his way to a 15th reign? Will anyone ever take this title from Gunther?
My Thoughts:
A great night for the first-ever Bash In Berlin event, but I am starting to question having two hour long pre-shows with not one match. Or just the length of time at all. Granted, they got a lot of great interview promos in on this one, a lot more than I remember even SummerSlam having. But I’m not on the East Coast, I had to get up earlier than I’d like on a Saturday to make sure I didn’t miss anything. But even with that, everything else was so much fun, as have all the events outside of the USA. I really appreciate them bringing in the sound meter, it was fun to see the fans blast into the triple digits for the big moments.
As such, I was rather surprised the Undisputed Championship opened tonight. I thought this meant we were getting a huge moment, namely Kevin Owens snapping and turning and being Heel Prizefighter again. However, the story of the match went just as I expected: Kevin was conflicted on bringing out that merciless side of himself, and he lost because of it. Kevin kept his cool after losing, and showed Cody respect. But c’mon, something has to happen to make Kevin turn on Cody. Chances are, with Solo Sikoa claiming he’s got next and that means Bloodline will go after Cody again, I’m sure there will be plenty of chances for Kevin to turn on Cody, even if it’s just abandoning him over hurting him directly.
Great tag title match, a little janky at first, but it was much more crisp by the end than other matches. I am actually surprised Jade & Bianca won, but I suppose this was to be their comeback story. Alba & Isla had these belts three months but they didn’t really get to do much, and it’s hard to know why. It is hard to balance all these divisions and these different stories, and the Women’s Tag Division was more about the teams coming for the champs than the champs themselves. Maybe with the belts back on Jade & Bianca, they’ll get the titles some spotlight again, going between both brands and getting all the other teams up and running, too.
While I didn’t like them going Four Corners with the Strap Match, and I still really don’t, Punk and McIntyre did a great job with this one. I mentioned it during the match, but I vividly remember Batista carrying JBL in a fireman’s carry, and JBL sneaking tags while Batista went around, so nice to see McIntyre and Punk using the same idea. I still think NJPW did this better with their KOPW Championship, Great-O-Khan and Tonga Loa tagging corners and then those indicators stay on, none of this restarting stuff just to drag it out.
And even then, I thought Punk was going to win this in a way that McIntyre could then say, “Well, it’s not like you pinned me or made me tap out.” Because guess what? McIntyre tapped out! The Sharpshooter made McIntyre tap before he passed out! I would’ve maybe skipped McIntyre tapping, have him try the ropes, and then pass out. But at least Punk also gets his bracelet back. McIntyre might still find some flimsy excuse because of his pride and his anger, and we go to a third match of these two, something even bigger like Last Man Standing or Hell in a Cell to make Bad Blood a big night.
Great Mixed Tag here, and of course we got the overbooking of Judgment Day running out there. And great win for the Terror Twins, this will definitely lead to Rhea VS Liv in a rematch for the title, maybe they escalate from a normal match since it’s a given Judgment Day will try and help Liv. Maybe just a standard No Disqualification for it to get just crazy enough. And then we got an awesome main event out of Gunther and Orton. I didn’t think they were going to go that long, but if any two guys could, it’s Gunther and Orton. Great stuff with the steps and the desks, the false finish off the RKO, and Gunther selling arm to compel him to use his left. Gunther using a sleeper to have Orton pass out is a great finish, Gunther is as dominant as ever, can’t wait to see who’s next.
My Score: 9/10
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Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!
Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
- Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
- Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is in the concourse.
The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.
Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.
Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.
Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.
And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!
And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”
The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!
Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.
Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!
Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?
Heyman returns backstage.
He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.
Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?
PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!
The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?
Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.
JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.
Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!
Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!
The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?
Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.
The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?
Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???
Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.
Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.
Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.
Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?
BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!
Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.
Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?
Chad Gable is backstage.
“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.
Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?
Becky Lynch goes to the ring.
Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!
That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!
Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.
Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.
But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.
What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!
The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?
Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!
The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?
Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!
Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!
Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!
Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!
Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!
Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?
Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!
Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!
Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!
Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!
Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.
Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!
Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.
Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.
They both grew up wanting to be in this business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.
And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!
“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”
Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!
To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?
Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!
The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!
Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!
The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!
Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!
Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.
Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!
Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.
Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!
Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!
Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)
Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?
My Thoughts:
A great Monday Night Raw as the go-home to Backlash, but everything with the world title match was both great and curious. No Logan Paul here in Omaha is a mixed bag itself. From the story side, he should’ve, so he and Jey could’ve had a face-to-face. But as a person, I was glad we didn’t have to endure Logan being smug. And quite the audible bringing Heyman out to talk with Jey. Heyman’s passion was great, really adds some stuff to help us understand his side. And I like that they “suckered” Jey into this match. It was definitely an awesome match, even with the overbooking that eventually threw it out.
Sami and Punk showing up was all fine in story, but after what happened last week, I feel like Sami shouldn’t have come back so soon. But that aside, Jey, Sami and Punk make for a good unit to counter Rollins’ team. Though, Rollins will need another member who can wrestle since Heyman won’t be of any use. Here’s hoping it is Austin Theory given how Theory is upset with Waller after that switcheroo. Good return for Sheamus, though I feel like Sheamus has done more returns in the last 12 months than just about anyone ever. Here’s hoping Sheamus still gets in on the Intercontinental Championship story.
Speaking of, great match from Penta VS McDonagh, even with the overbooking. A bit surprising Penta overcame all that to win, but it works since now Dom and Penta are now set for an Intercontinental Championship. And there is room on the card as it doesn’t seem Jey VS Logan is happening for Backlash. Makes me wonder if they started us on a Jey VS Logan feud before they were really ready, as Backlash “isn’t big enough” for Logan’s “star power.” I like that Styles also got in on this, Styles VS Finn is going to be awesome, and can certainly set up the winner as the next challenger. It really depends on what happens with Dom VS Penta.
Gable getting involved as also good, given how he and Penta had their confrontation last week. New Day had a good promo with Gable to gas up American Made. That is to say, New Day is using American Made as a shield against The War Raiders, but it’ll only help Erik & Ivar earn their rematch. Great return match for Rusev with Otis looking strong even in defeat. Rusev doesn’t waste time teasing he’s a Tweener, he goes right to blindsiding Tozawa and beating Alpha Academy down. Not sure who is next for Rusev, as there aren’t as many Faces not really tied into anything on Raw. Maybe whatever WWE Draft we get moves Rusev to SmackDown, or at least moves some names from SmackDown and NXT to Raw so Rusev can face fresh meat.
Great promo from Becky and Lyra to help hype Becky VS Lyra. Good brawl, but now Lyra standing tall makes me think Lyra loses the title. Becky can start on some sort of second Grand Slam or something like that, but also she and Lyra will be 1-1 and the rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental title can be the tiebreaker at like MITB or SummerSlam. Iyo VS Roxie was a great match, but of course Giulia showed up. No reinforcements with Rhea promoting Crown Jewel: Perth, and sadly, Dakota Kai being hurt and now released, no Damage CTRL to help either. But the Heels did need a moment where they stood tall, and one of them could even get a world title shot.
And honestly, Pat and Gunther had an awesome promo to hype their match. Pat put over Maggle, he put over Nebraska, and quite perfectly framed this story as the hungry dreamer in Pat himself and the complacent veteran who has already done so much. Gunther’s response was also great, because now he’s angry enough to get that hunger and that fire back. I would think Gunther wins, as he needs the rebound from WrestleMania and Pat doesn’t really need much. But Pat can get a moral victory of sorts by lasting longer than Gunther or any of us expect. Pat can just keep getting up after every chop, have a false finish or two, but ultimately lose because his body can’t come through for his fighting spirit. Respect for Pat but momentum for Gunther, that’s the best outcome.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/25)
It’s a Wrestling Dontaku Weekend finale!
Who will stand atop the NJPW mountain?
The Goto Revolution finally leads NJPW, but will the Fierce Warrior be conquered by The United Empire as Callum Newman goes after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS Hitamaru Sasaki & Jet Wei; Taguchi & Murashima win.
- Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS MENTAI KID & Batten Burabura; Taiji & Gedo win.
- YOSHI-HASHI & Master Wato VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Hashi & Wato win.
- Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori; Maika, Hazuki & Koguma win.
- El Phantasmo & Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; ELP & Boltin win.
- 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK; Tanahashi, Yano, Yoh, Chikuzen & Tajiri win.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Callum Newman; Goto wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori!
It’s a Stardom Showcase as The Crimson Cannon Empress, The Wildheart & The High Speed Genius take on The Masked Idol, High Speed Bomb Girl & Kumamoto’s Unsinkable Ship! Which side of Stardom shines brightest in Fukuoka?
The trios sort out and Koguma starts against Starlight Kid. The fans cheer and the two circle. They approach, but Koguma dodges to do her bear taunt. But then Starlight CLUBS her! Starlight whips, Koguma whips but Starlight handsprings over. Starlight whips, runs up, but Koguma puts her on the apron. Koguma runs up, Starlight slips under and sunset flips, TWO! Starlight runs up, but into an arm-drag! Starlight comes back to hit a headlock takeover! Koguma headscissors, Starlight kips free, and the two strike their animal poses! The fans cheer as bear and tiger reset. They tie up, Koguma spins Starlight, then goes for the arms!
Starlight fights free of being made to bear pose! But then Koguma kicks low, runs, but Starlight blows past her to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Starlight tags Yuna. Yuna runs up to run Koguma over, then fires up as she keeps moving. But Hazuki jumps in and helps Koguma ELBOW Yuna down! Then they double Yuna into Maika’s shoulder tackle! The fans fire up for the TRIPLE DROPKICK! The ref reprimands but Koguma tags Hazuki in. Hazuki rallies the fans while she stands on Yuna! Then she scrubs her with the boot again and again! Hazuka runs to BOOT WASH her!
Hazuka bumps Yuna off buckles, tags Maika, and the fans cheer as Maika scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuna stays in this but Maika kicks her around. Maika eggs Yuna on, but Yuna rises to CLUB Maika in the chest! Maika comes back to DECK Yuna! Yuna flounders, Maika brings her up and whips her to a corner. Maika runs up but Yuna BOOTS her down, somersaults, and SHOTGUNS! Yuna hurries and she tags in AZM! The fans rally up for AZM as she climbs, then leaps, but into Maika’s arms! Maika throws AZM back, kicks her, and she has Koguma help double whip. But AZM sends Maika into Koguma, and Starlight jumps in!
Starlight hits a TAKEOVER HEADSCISSORS COMBO! Then AZM DOUBLE DROPKICKS Maika & Koguma! The fans fire up for Starlight’s team as she and AZK put Maika & Hazuki at the center of the ring. They coordinate, STANDING MOONSAULT and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Maika is tougher than that, but AZM drags her into a drop zone. AZM goes up, DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Maika avoids the stomps to then scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this but the fans rally behind Maika. Maika drags AZM up, reels her in, and suplexes, only for AZM to fight free! Maika kicks and runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE!
Maika just roars and comes back! Maika spins AZM, suplexes, but AZM has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally as Maika endures, powers up, and suplexes again! BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! The fans rally as Maika and AZM crawl, hot tags to Yuna and Hazuki! Hazuki sends Yuna to an open corner, runs up, but Yuna puts her on the apron! Only for Koguma to SPLASH Yuna! Hazuki then goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Yuna! Koguma goes up to CROSSBODY! Hazuki hurries to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives, but is now in a CROSSFACE! Koguma & Maika intercept AZM & Starlight!
The fans rally while Yuna endures, and then AZM & Starlight break free! They both stomp Hazuki! Koguma & Maika drag Starlight & AZM back out, Hazuki CLUBS Yuna and whips her to ropes. Yuna reverses, Hazuki grabs ropes, then she DUMPS Yuna out! Yuna skins the cat to then LARIAT! The fans fire up with Yuna, she and the others coordinate! TRIPLE DROPKICK at the corner! Yuna then goes out while Starlight goes up! UFO SPLASH! Starlight sets Hazuki up for AZM’s DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yuna adds the fireman’s carry and TROPICAL VALLEY BOMB! Cover, Maika breaks it! The fans fire up, but Starlight runs in and RANAS Maika!
Koguma runs in and spins Starlight around for a DDT! AZM runs up, Koguma blocks the kick to CUTTER! The fans fire up with Koguma as she and Hazuki coordinate. The “Double Crazy” combo DIVE and CROSSBODY!! Everyone is down at ringside and the fans fire up! Hazuki puts Yuna back in and the fans rally up more. Hazuki springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives but Hazuki keeps on her. Hazuki whips Yuna to a corner, Koguma hits a SPLASH, and then Hazuki adds an ELBOW! Maika adds a LARIAT, then she puts Yuna up top! Now we get Triple Crazy as Maika lifts and the others climb!
The fans fire up for the TRIPLE CRAZY BOMB!! Cover, but Starlight Kid breaks it!! Koguma CLOBBERS Starlight, Maika keeps AZM on the outside, and Hazuki drags Yuna up. Hazuki suplexes, Yuna slips free and she trips Hazuki up! Yuna hammerlocks an arm, turns Hazuki over, TROPICAL CRADLE!! TWO!??! Hazuki escapes, but Yuna runs up! But Hazuki spins her to a suplex and stalling BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Triple Crazy wins!
Winners: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma, by pinfall
A fast ‘n’ furious fight from three rising stars, and it was the Wildheart that finishes it off! Will we see this Triple Crazy trio soon go for the IWGP Women’s and/or NJPW Strong Women’s Championships?
10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK!
As The Ace’s Final Road continues to roll on, this is quite the unique stop. Sure, he’s teamed with the Clown Prince and Mr. Direct Drive before, but he is now honored to be teaming with The Makai Love Machine and yes, THE Japanese Buzzsaw! Will Tanahashi & Tajiri add to their legends with this epic team-up? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Just as always, Tanahashi shows off the abs, the fans cheer, and Yano even adds a “Sugoi~!” The teams sort out and ZSJ calls out Tajiri! The fans fire up as Tajiri accepts. The bell rings, ZSJ and Tajiri circle, and Fukuoka are strongly behind “TA-JI-RI! TA-JI-RI!” Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock, and ZSJ rolls to then wrench and wristlock. Tajiri seems rather unbothered, and he slips under ZSJ to then trip him and spread the legs! ZSJ reaches back but Tajiri uses his whole body length! ZSJ pushes up, crawls back, wrenches and hammerlocks, then half nelsons to cravat. Tajiri spins through to wrench and trip ZSJ!
Tajiri has the legs, ZSJ resists then hooks Tajiri to trip him. ZSJ returns the leg sprawl, then has a STRETCH MUFFLER! ZSJ uses it as a means to an end so he can have the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Tajiri pops free and turns ZSJ over to have a headlock. ZSJ slips out the back, they each want the other’s arm, but then ZSJ top mounts. Tajiri pushes ZSJ away and the fans cheer the standoff! Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock again, and ZSJ turns Tajiri. Tajiri turns that back around but ZSJ has an arm. ZSJ hammerlocks but Tajiri steps through the ropes, then steps back inside, and he has ZSJ’s arm wrapped around ropes!
The fans cheer, but Tajiri shows respect by respecting the ropebreak. The fans applaud, as does ZSJ, and then they tag out to Yoh and Eagles. The fans join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” but Yoh rolls Eagles up! TWO and Yoh kicks low! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles but Yoh dodges to RANA! The fans fire up but Fujita storms in and CHOPS! The Ichiban Sweet Boys double whip, but Yoh ducks the lariats! Yoh kicks and kicks, but the Sweet Boys CHOP and CHOP! They double wrench, and MAX- NO, Yoh fights free! Yoh crisscrosses the Sweet Boys into each other, and DOUBLE BULLDOGS!
Tag to Yano and the fans cheer, only for the Sweet Boys to double kick! They double whip, but Yano grabs the ropes! Yano then sends Fujita into Eagles, and he SLAPS them both on the heads! Yano then unties the buckle pad! The fans fire up, but Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE KICK! The Sweet Boys BLAST Yano’s corner, then Eagles brings Yano to the Mighty corner. Eagles bumps Yano off buckles then tags in Hartley. Big Hartley UPPERCUTS then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Yano is a bit tougher than that so Fujita tags in. Fujita drags Yano up to CHOP! And CHOP!
Fujita whips Yano corner to corner, runs up, but Yano puts him on the apron! Fujita SLAPS Yano back! The fans rally and Fujita aims, springboard for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita tags Oiwa and he drags Yano up. Oiwa whips Yano to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays on Yano but Yano pulls on the mullet! Oiwa kicks free, runs, but into an atomic drop! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Yano tags in Ryota! Ryota CHOPS Oiwa! Ryota eggs Oiwa on, but Oiwa fires a forearm! Ryota CHOPS again! Oiwa fires another forearm!
Ryota CHOPS, Oiwa ROCKS him, repeat! The fans rally as Oiwa fires a flurry! ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, but into a BACKDROP! Fujita runs in, but into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Eagles runs in, into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up with Ryota, and he invites Tanahashi in! They double whip Oiwa, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! And then Ryota says, “Genki de masu!” The fans cheer as Ryota and Tanahashi have energy to spare, and Ryota drags Oiwa up. Ryota reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights the lift! Oiwa powers up to BACKDROP Ryota! The fans rally, Oiwa runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally more as Oiwa and Ryota rise. Oiwa whips Ryota to a corner, runs up, but Ryota LARIATS him down! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Ryota! Both me are down now and the fans rally again. Hot tags to ZSJ and Tanahashi! One more meeting between these two after yesterday’s final singles match, and the two dosido in a battle of Cobra Twists! Tanahashi has the COBRA TWIST! ZSJ pries free to have the COBRA TWIST in return! But Tanahashi powers out, has a leg, DRAGON- NO, ZSJ sits down for the ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks ZSJ, TWO! ZSJ RAMS Tanahashi, snapmares, but Tanahashi UP KICKS!
Tanahashi kicks low, snapmares, and he NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him to wrench! PELE to the arm! Then a STOMP to the elbow! Tag to Hartley and the fans rally up. Hartley runs corner to corner and SPLASHES Tanahashi against bare buckles! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The Sweet Boys BLAST Tanahashi’s corner, then they send Tanahashi to a neutral corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP! Oiwa adds an ELBOW! Eagles adds a FOREARM! Then Oiwa scoops Tanahashi to SLAM him! ZSJ NECK TWISTS! Hartley SENTONS! Cover, Tajiri SLAPS Hartley on the head!
Tajiri scurries away before ZSJ can get him! The fans fire up and now Yoh & Yano mug Hartley. They double whip, but Hartley DOUBLE LARIATS! “Jackson Number One!” Hartley fireman’s carries Tanahashi, but Tajiri slips in and dosidos with the ref! GREEN MIST for Hartley!! Ryota runs up and SLINGBLADES!! Tanahashi hurries up top while his team keeps TMDK out! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi’s team wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Yoh, Ryota Chikuzen & Tajiri, by pinfall
Legends working together makes for a classic finish to this match! Will this moment be one to remember as The Ace continues his countdown to the end?
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku!
As Wrestling Dontaku wraps up the weekend, Tetsuya Naito and Bushi have reached the end of their NJPW run. Will they be victorious one last time alongside Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi? Or will the Roughneck, Stone Pitbull, Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker make this parting a bitter goodbye?
For one last time, Naito takes his time with the elaborate entrance attire. It also seems rather clear that Bushi is emotional over this being his farewell match. The fans rally and the teams sort out. The fans call for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” LIJ fust bump, the fans cheer, and Naito steps up for the team. The fans rally behind him more as he starts against Taichi. The bell rings and Fukuoka cheers even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” But then Naito tags out to Bushi. The Black Mask has the fans on his side, too, and he circles with Taichi. They approach, Bushi kicks low then runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but Bushi TOSSES him out!
Bushi DECKS Taka, but Shota & Ishii attack! They double whip, Bushi sends Shota into Ishii, then Bushi DOUBLE RANAS! BUSHIROONI~! Taichi is back but Bushi DECKS him! Takagi sets Taichi up but Taka trips Bushi! The fans boo but Taichi storms in and stomps Bushi. Taichi CLUBS Bushi, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Bushi runs up and RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi stands and he tags in Hiromu. Hiromu BLASTS Ishii, then Takagi tags in! Hiromu & Takagi double whip Taichi to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they flex! The fans cheer the side chest.
Hiromu stands Taichi up to CHOP him to the corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then snapmares, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Taichi wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Shota BLASTS Takagi because he can, and Taichi tags in Taka. Taka BOOTS Naito down, then stomps Hiromu around. The fans rally but Taka brings Hiromu up. Hiromu CHPOS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taka gets mad, and he pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to the corner, stomps and knees him, then tags Ishii. Ishii winds up to CHOP! Hiromu grits his teeth and CHOPS back, but Ishii doesn’t budge!
Ishii CHOPS Hiromu and eggs him on! Hiromu stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii gives more trash talk and more mocking kicks. Hiromu stands to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up as Ishii staggers, but then Hiromu CHOPS again! And again! Ishii ROCKS Hiromu, suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes first! But Hiromu’s right up!? And he dodges Ishii to SNAP GERMAN! Ishii’s right up!? SAIDO! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii hot tags Shota, and Shota BLASTS Takagi again! Shota then runs up on Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!
Shota hits buckles, hurries after Hiromu, but Hiromu fights the half nelson. Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, and then DRAGON SCREWS! Hot tag to Naito! The fans erupt as Naito kicks and CLUBS Shota again and again! Naito whips to arm-drag Shota! And ELBOW him down! And basement DROPKICK! TakaTaichi attack and double whip, but Naito reverses to send Taka into Taichi! Drop toehold for Taichi and Bushi basement DROPKICKS! Naito kicks and whips Taka, Taka reverses, but Naito reverses back to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he tags in Takagi. Takagi runs up on Shota, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through!
Takagi keeps moving, but Shota SWATS the lariat! Takagi YUKON LARIATS, but Shota roars as he stays up! Shota fires boxing elbows, but Takagi shakes his head! Takagi fires boxing elbows of his own! He ROCKS Shota, runs, but Shota LARIATS at the ropes! Shota runs, Takagi LRIATS! Takagi runs, Shota dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota stays up but the ELBOW and JAB hit! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Takagi and he whips Shota. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota LARIATS Takagi down! But then Shota falls over, too! The fans fire up while both men crawl.
Taka tags in, he BOOTS Naito and BLASTS Bushi! Taka runs, redirects, redirects, and BOOTS Takagi down! The fans rally up as Taka brings Takagi up. Takagi ROCKS Taka! Taichi runs up to RIDGE HAND! Ishii ROCKS Takagi! Then we get a RIDGE HAND BACKHAND COMBO! SUPER K from Taka!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Taka goes to scoop! Takagi is too big, so Taka pokes him in the eyes! Takagi still ELBOWS! JABS! Taka UPPERCUTS, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Bushi slips in, as does Hiromu, and they double whip Taka to a corner. Hiromu runs up to forearm SMASH! Bushi adds an ELBOW!
Takagi LARIATS, then he snapmares Taka! Naito is in, LIJ hits a QUADRUPLE DROPKICK!! The fans fire up and Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up more as The Rampaging Dragon drags Taka up. Taka fights the lift, and Shota SHOTGUNS Takagi! Hiromu dropkicks Hiromu’s legs! Hiromu dodges Ishii, he and Naito give Ishii TENDEDERO! Taichi runs up, he breaks through the line, but Hiromu sends him into an atomic drop! Takagi BLINDSLIDE BOMBERS! LARIAT in the corner, feed to a SUPERKICK! Naito wrenches Taichi for DESTINO!!! The fans are thunderous after seeing that final Destino!
Bushi then runs in and BLASTS Shota! Bushi keeps moving, for one last DIVE!! Down goes Shota and the fans are thunderous! Takagi has the fans join in for “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs, Taka dodges, and Taka BOOTS! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi drags Taka up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, LIJ WINS!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
Their final battle in Fukuoka, their final battle with their friends, and their final battle in NJPW, it was all victorious! Naito & Bushi stand with Hiromu & Takagi to celebrate this final win. The fans cheer on “NA-I-TO!” as Naito leads the group in one last LIJ fist bump. The wild ride is over for the Uncontrollable Charisma, and he poses with his team one last time. Burn this moment into your memories, for we may never see Naito & Bushi back in a NJPW ring again.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!
The Gene Blast may be one of the Reiwa Era Three Musketeers, but the Heat Storm vows to be the face of this new generation. A match meant to happen months ago finally does happen, but who will truly be the frontrunner of the future?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the true global star!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as Yota and Yuya stare down. Fukuoka duels, but the “YO~TA!” sounds stronger than the “YU~YA!” They circle, feel things out, then circle a bit more. They feel out the knuckle lock, then Yuya rolls. Yota keeps him at bay as they clinch, then they go around. Yuya waistlocks, Yota wrenches free and waistlocks in return, but Yuya switches. Yota headlocks, Yuya rolls him to the mat and headlocks in return. Yota keeps his shoulders up, then fights to his feet. Yuya hits a takeover, Yota headscissors, but Yuya kips up. Yuya is fired up and the fans cheer him on.
Yota stands up and the two reset. They circle while the fans duel, and the two tie up. Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock but Yota switches and full nelsons. Then Yota headlocks and grinds Yuya down. Yuya fights up, pries at the hold, but Yota powers it on tighter. Yuya powers up but Yota squeezes the headlock even tighter! The fans applaud while Yuya endures. Yuya fires body shots, then powers up and out, drops down, but Yota avoids the dropkick! Yota dodges but Yuya arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Yuya has the armlock and the fans cheer again. Yota pulls at the hold, then fights up. Yuya grinds the elbow but Yota reaches for ropes.
Yota has the ROPEBREAK but Yuya brings him away from the ropes quickly. Yota fires forearm after forearm until Yuya lets go. Yota runs up but Yuya arm-drags! Only for Yota to drag Yuya down, trap an arm, and SACRIFICE the other arm! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Yuya shakes out the bad arm but Yota brings him back up. Yuya fires a forearm! Yota grins so Yuya fires more shots! Yota wrenches and serves up SOLE FOOD to the arm! Yuya staggers away to a corner and the fans rally more. Yota storms up on Yuya, puts him in the corner, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts as Yota pulls, so Yota lets go at 4.
Yota brings Yuya out to snapmare, then he has the bad arm in a top wristlock! Yuya endures, the fans rally, but Yota puts on the pressure! Yuya fights forward, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the arm! Yuya still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Yota legs go. Yota paces while Yuya shakes out the bad arm. Yota comes back to stomp the arm! Yota then wrenches Yuya, KNEES the arm, then KNEES it again! Yota KNEES Yuya into the corner, then paces again. Yuya stands, Yota runs in, but Yuya BOOTS him away! Yota runs back in, Yuya dodges and CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans fire up as Yuya winds up, but Yota dodges! Yota BOOTS Yuya in the corner!
The fans rally as Yota whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while both men are down. The fans rally again as Yuya rises up. Yuya roars, the fans fire up more, and Yuya brings Yota up to wrench and BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally and Yuya brings Yota up. Yoga fights with elbows, then wrenches to YANK the arm! And YANK! And YANK! Yota whips, Yuya reverses, but Yota RANAS! Yuya tumbles out and the fans rally as Yota aims. Yota builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya is sent into railing!
The fans fire up while Yuya stumbles and falls, and Yota fires back up! Yota has the fans rally more as he takes a lap. Yota comes back for Yuya, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota steps in, stands Yuya up, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yota powers through, but Yuya fights free! Yuya CHOPS, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yota grits his teeth. Yota storms around, goes to a corner, and he aims as Yuya rises. Yota runs in, STINGER SPLASH! The fans fire up while Yota snapmares Yuya down. Yota goes up, up, but Yuya avoids the Marlowe Crush!
Yuya dropkicks Yota’s leg, then has it for a SHIN BREAKER! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuya then hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! Yota endures and the fans fire up! Yuya pulls on the main leg but Yota works to turn things over! The fans duel as Yuya fights against that, but Yota does turn the hold over! Yuya endures now, so he hurries to turn things over! Yota uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Yuya and the ref undo the hold, and Yuya stands over Yota. Yuya brings Yota up to scoop and SLAM him down! Yuya then goes to a corner, climbs up, only for Yota to GAMANGIRI! Yuya is dazed up top, so Yota climbs up after him!
Yota brings Yuya up, throws forearms, then goes to the very top! But Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls, Yuya adjusts, and Yuya leaps! Yota avoids the crossbody but Yuya rolls through! Yota comes back, Yuya slips around and full nelsons! But Yota powers up to break the hold! Only for Yuya to GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuya runs, but into a BOOT! Yuya comes back and takes a swing, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Yuya avoids the stomp! Yuya shoves Yota, but Yota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Yota keeps moving, and then Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!
The two men crawl away to the corners while the fans rally up. Yuya runs in corner to corner, but Yota BOOTS him! Yota runs up, but Yuya clinches! Yota fights free, ROCKS Yuya, and Yuya staggers to the ropes! Yota whips, Yuya ducks ‘n’ dodges but Yota blows past, only for Yuya to get under! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up! Yuya shakes out the bad arm, then he stands Yota up for a scoop. Yuya SLAMS, then he fires back up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he climbs again! Yuya is up top, for the FROG SPLASH! But he FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota runs back in, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Yuya clasps hands, but Yota breaks the grip! ARMBAR!! Yuya endures, flails, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the bad arm! Yuya fights around, but Yota just keeps after the arm! Yuya uses his core strength to sit up, but Yota PULLS the arm straight! Yuya falls over, fights around, and he turns over. Yota does his best to keep the armbar, even with this mounted angle! Yuya bites his thumb to ignore the pain in his arm! Yuya then reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Yota lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya clutches his elbow but Yota paces around. Yota drags Yuya up from the ropes, but Yuya CHOPS! Yota brushes that off, but Yuya CHOPS again!
Yuya can’t put enough power behind the strikes with that bad arm, but he keeps trying! Yota BOOTS Yuya, Yuya drops to his knees, and the ref checks with him. Yuya refuses to let the bad arm cost him again, and he rises up to CHOP! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Yota ROCKS him!! And then KNEES him down! The fans fire up while Yota stands tall! Yota goes to a corner, watches Yuya sputter and rise, GENE- DROPKICK to the leg! Yuya hurries to grab that leg, but Yota fires off forearms! Yuya eggs Yota on, so Yota HEADBUTT! But Yuya still DRAGON SCREWS!! Yuya steps through again, FIGURE FOUR!!
The fans fire up as Yota endures again! Yuya puts as much pressure as he can, Yota pries at the hold, but Yuya thrashes around! Yota reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, and he drags Yuya along towards ropes! But Yuya drags Yota back from ropes! Yuya thrashes as hard as he can, we hit 20 minutes, and Yota still endures! The fans rally harder and harder as Yota fights to turn this over! Yota does, but then Yuya turns it back! But this time, Yuya turns back the other way to keep Yota from the ropes! And then he PULLS on the leg! Yota lunges for the ROPEBREAK!! The fans fire up while the ref again frees Yota.
Yota clutches his leg while he crawls away, but Yuya is right on him! Yuya has the leg, but Yota ENZIGIRIS! Yuya falls, but he also manages to waistlock! Yuya drags Yota up, but Yota fires elbows! Yuya still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yuya holds onto Yota and the fans fire up! Yuya full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Yuya is furious! Yuya roars, the fans are with him, and he reels Yota in! SAIDO BACKBREAKER! Then he puts Yota in the drop zone! Yuya climbs, the fans rally more, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and Yuya is beside himself!
Fukuoka is thunderous as Yuya rises! Yuya brings Yota up, cording holds one arm, swings to get the other, but Yota STUNNERS free! Yota roars, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Yota just comes back, GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya hurries to lock in those arms, but Yota fights off the clinch! They go around and around, and Yota frees an arm! But Yota brings it back in! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!!! Yuya roars, the fans are electric, GENE BLASTER outta nowhere!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Heat Storm was certainly on fire, but Tsuji was volcanic! The gold stays with Yota, will he and those left in LIJ make sure NJPW stays tranquilo?
Speaking of which, the rest of LIJ returns to the ring so they can stand with their guy. Tsuji gets to also have his final photo op with the group as we know it. We also get one last LIJ fist bump with the five of them, and then Naito & Bushi let Yota, Takagi & Hiromu have the ring. Yota hurries to get the mic to tell Naito & Bushi, “Let me have one last word.” The fans applaud, and Naito & Bushi stop to hear him out. “Naito and Bushi leaving could signal the end of Los Ingobernables de Japon. But remember this: We’re ungovernable. We’ll always be connected in our hearts. Until next time.” The fans applaud that! Naito even gives one last fist bump salute.
The fans cheer as the LIJ Era has changed, and Bushi makes sure we see his mask where it says, “Adios.” Then Yota continues to say that he is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, and that he’ll continue to defend the cerulean blue mat of NJPW. The fans applaud, and Yota says he is fortunate to have such a great rival in Uemura. And another in Gabe Kidd. So, who should he defend this belt against next? Well, he said the man’s name, so here comes the Mad Man! The fans bark it up for the War Dog, and Gabe gets right in Yota’s face. Yota says nic eto see him. Should they pick up where they left off?
Gabe takes the mic to say, “You’re an IWGP champion?” No, no, Yota beat Evil and Yuya, but in Osaka… It was a double knockout! Yota never beat Gabe! The fans cheer that point! Gabe says on June 15th… In Osaka Jo-Hall… “Let’s find out who the strongest is!!” The fans love that idea! Gabe heads back out, the fans bark more, and Yota tells Gabe, “Let’s show ’em our NJPW.” The fans also like that, and Yota asks if they’re ready! The fans cheer because they are, but who will make this their Dominion?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!
The Fierce Warrior finally put the G in IWGP at the New Beginning in Osaka when he won this title. But now, the Prince of Pace is looking to blow right past him as the top guy in NJPW! Will the Goto Revolution stay the course? Or will it be conquered by the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the G of IWGP!
The bell rings and the fans rally strongly for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum doesn’t let that bother him, and he runs up to BOOT Goto! Callum fires forearms, whips, but Goto reverses! Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to build speed, but then Goto dodges! The fans cheer as Goto is at least agile like Callum. They tie up, then they just fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Goto gets the edge, headlocks, but Callum powers out. Goto runs Callum over, but Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum TOSSES Goto out, then PLANCHAS! The fans fire up while Goto goes down!
Callum fires himself up and the fans cheer. Callum brings Goto up, the fans duel a bit more evenly, and Callum whips. Goto reverses and Callum hits railing! But he comes back to BOOT Goto down! Callum snarls, drags Goto back up, and now Callum sends Goto into railing! Goto comes back but Callum BOOTS him down again! And then PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally, Hashi coaches Goto, but Callum KICKS Goto in the back! Callum puts Goto in the ring, the fans applaud, and Callum sits Goto up again. Callum hits another PENALTY KICK! Callum then goes to the corner and climbs up, calling his shot.
Callum aims, DIVING- NO, Goto dodges! Callum comes back, but Goto dodges! Goto LARIATS, then he clinches for the SAIDO! Callum flounders away and the fans fire up. Callum goes to a corner, Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then Goto puts Callum up top! Goto climbs up after Callum, just to drag him into a draped position! SUPER DRAPING NECKBREAKER!! Callum flounders out of the ring, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira check on him, as does Red Shoes. Callum winches, clutches his shoulder, but he manages to sit up. Callum has speed but Goto is taking advantage of his skinnier frame.
Red Shoes starts the ring count and Goto stays back, which annoys Callum. Callum storms into the ring, but Goto kicks him down! Goto has Callum up for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans fire up, but Goto stays right on Callum. Goto drags Callum up, but Callum clutches his shoulder, so Goto lets him be. We’re only five minutes in as the fans rally up, and Goto stomps Callum around. Callum crawls away to a corner but Goto grabs at him. Callum wants Goto to hold on, and Red Shoes has Goto step back. Callum’s neck and shoulder are really bothering him, but Goto just storms up to stomp him!
Goto drags Callum up, snapmares, then clamps on a chinlock. Callum endures as Goto’s knee digs into the back and neck. Goto then ELBOWS Callum in the head, stomps him around, and brings him up. Goto CLUBS Callum’s neck, but Callum CHOPS! The pain in his shoulders holds Callum back, but Goto clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then a GROUND OCTOPUS! Callum endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up. Goto thrashes around but Akira & Khan coach Callum. Callum kicks around but Goto shifts to a headscissor necklock! Callum endures the squeeze, kicks and kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Goto lets go in frustration. Goto drags Callum up but he’s a ragdoll again. Goto still brings Callum around, snapmares him back down, then KICKS him in the back! And ELBOW DROPS! Callum sputters but Goto just ELBOW DROPS again! Akira & Khan coach Callum but Goto looms over him. Goto ELBOW DROPS onto Callum’s back! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but Goto is still calm. Goto stands Callum up, kicks him low, but Callum fires a forearm! And another! The pain in the neck holds those back, and Goto CLUBS Callum! Goto runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Khan & Akira coach Callum, Hashi coaches Goto, and both Goto and Callum crawl to the apron. Goto goes to the floor, and Callum smiles. The fans rally as Callum builds speed and FLIES!! Callum does a full 360 to hit Goto and then rolls through more to stand back up at the ramp! The fans are thunderous and Callum fires himself back up! Callum drags Goto to his feet and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Callum hurries back in. Callum aims from a corner while Goto flounders away. The fans rally more, and Callum runs corner to corner. FLYING DROPKICK! Callum then chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!
But the bad neck won’t let Callum bridge! Callum hurries to lateral press, TWO! And we’re just 10 minutes in! The fans rally, Callum fires up with a very Will Ospreay style “OI! OI! OI!” The fans rally behind that, and Callum brings Goto up. Callum reels Goto in, hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Goto slips free of Firebolt, waistlocks, but Callum fights the lift. Callum runs, Goto follows, but then Callum dodges! Goto dodges, Callum dodges, then Callum hurdles! But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up for that high speed exchange! Goto has the crowd behind him again as he rises up.
Goto storms up on Callum, stands him up, but Callum fires a forearm! Only to fall to his knees! Callum rises up but Goto DECKS him! Callum is running on fumes, but the fans do rally for him, too. Goto eggs him on and Callum manages to stand. Callum fires a forearm, drops to a knee, but Goto stands him up. Goto DECKS Callum again! Callum shakes out the stars and he snarls! Callum fires another forearm, but Goto DECKS him a third time! Goto eggs Callum on, the fans rally again, and Callum rises. Callum puts his hands behind his back and dares Goto to hit him! So Goto DECKS Callum a fourth time!
Khan & Akira coach Callum on but Red Shoes asks if Callum wants to stop. Callum shakes his head, he’s not gonna stop here. Callum stands again, leans on the ropes, then comes back for more! Callum even SPITS at Goto! The fans boo that, but Goto DECKS Callum for it! Goto watches Callum sputter, and Callum slowly rises again. But then he falls back over! Callum headbutts the mat to fire back up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto winds up and ROCKS Callum! Callum is back to get in Goto’s face! Goto fires a flurry of forearms! Callum CHOPS! Goto feels that one! The fans fire up and Callum roars, but Goto spins him! URA G T R!
Goto goes to run but Callum reels him in! GERMAN SUPLEX! ROUNDHOUSE! Callum runs, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! We’re 15 minutes in as Goto stalks Callum to the apron. Goto stomps Callum, then stands him up. But Callum fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto still lifts! Callum flails, slips down, and KICKS Goto! Callum goes up, up, and OSCUTTER 2.0 on the apron!! Both men fall to the floor and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks, both men are able to continue, so a ring count starts. Khan fans off Callum while the fans rally. The count already passes 7 of 20, then hit 10, but both men are still down!
Callum rises at 13, drags himself in at 17, but Goto is still down! Goto rises up and springs in at 19! The fans fire up as this continues! Callum goes to a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE! Then he hurries to bring Goto into the drop zone! Callum roars, climbs, and the fans fire up! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Goto survives the coup de grace and Callum can’t believe it! Akira & Khan tell Callum to keep going, he’s almost done it! The fans rally and duel as Callum hobbles over. Callum stands Goto up, then runs, but Goto swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT again!
The fans fire up, Callum returns, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Callum waistlocks, ripcords, RAINMAKER?!? Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Callum shouts out the former leader of Chaos! The fans are thunderous, Callum feeds off that energy, and Callum drags Goto up. Callum calls his shot, springboards, OSC- NO, Goto blocks the cutter! DISCUS- NO, Callum dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER 2.0!!! Cover, TWO!??! But Callum hooks a leg! FIREBOLT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Goto survives again and the fans are electric! Callum is unsure what to do as we pass 20 minutes, but the fans dueling shakes the arena!
Callum drags Goto up, but Goto wrenches out! Goto spins Callum, dragon sleepers, but Callum slips free! Backslide! Goto rolls through, PENALTY KICK BLOCKED! Goto HEADBUTTS Callum, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Goto rises, he brings Callum up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto HEADBUTTS away on Callum, then brings him up to HEADBUTT again! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again, as Goto suplexes for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Callum survives and Goto cannot believe it! The fans duel harder than ever before, and Goto rises again!
Goto roars and focuses his power! Callum sits up, into a BUZZSAW! But then Goto brings Callum around, but Callum drops to victory roll! TWO!! Callum SUPERKICKS, but Goto LARIATS!! Goto stands Callum up, dragon sleepers, but Callum fires shots from below! Goto blocks that arm, traps it, and G T R KAI!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Prince of Pace did his best to follow in the Aerial Assassin’s footsteps, but he is still a long way from reaching the top of the mountain. However, if this is how close he came on his first try, will nothing stop Callum Newman from being the future of NJPW?
As for Goto, the belt is put back around his waist, and he watches Callum walk away. Callum takes a moment to bow in deep respect to Goto before he and the Empire leave. Goto then grabs the mic, and the fans cheer him on. “No matter what anyone says, this is MY time!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues, “Who’s my next opponent? As a fighting champion, I’ll take on all challengers!” Wait! Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way back out here! Goto took this title from ZSJ so clearly ZSJ wants a rematch. ZSJ grabs a mic to tell Goto in Japanese, “Good work tonight. That was a fantastic match! Truly fantastic.
“You’ve been on a roll lately! You’re indeed a great champion. But I’m you’re next challenger!” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says, “I accept!” The fans really like that, and the two shake hands on it. Will the Submission Master make sure that- WAIT! Shingo Takagi is here?! He storms into the ring with a mic to say, “Pardon the intrusion!” The fans cheer as Takagi asks, “Mind if I speak my piece? Zack, hold on a moment. OI, GOTO! You really are something. You got a belt, a wife, and kids! And on top of that, you’re in Hontai!” The fans do applaud that with a bit of a chuckle.
Takagi points out that he, on the other hand, has no belt, no wife, no kids. “And now it looks like my faction is done… But that doesn’t mean I need to hang my head. I’ll soar to the top!” The fans applaud, and Takagi says the G in IWGP stands for Goto, right? But oi, oi, oi! You can’t spell “Shingo” OR “Takagi” without a G! He has two G’s, so he wants his shot at the title. At least, he’d like to say that. But he has no objects to Zack. Takagi did lose to ZSJ last time. So then Takagi will wait to challenge the winner of Goto VS ZSJ! The fans like that, too! Takagi says if it’s about G’s, Goto can’t argue Takagi’s point!
The three men all look to each other, and it looks like the deal is struck. Fierce Warrior VS Front Man, and the Rampaging Dragon gets the winner! Who will stand on the summit of NJPW going into the summer? Takagi and ZSJ take their leave, and Goto continues. “Again, thank you very much for coming today!” The fans applaud, and Goto says, “No matter who I’m up against, I will not be defeated. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Follow it until the very end! Let’s end with Goto’s G’s.” The fans chuckle, and Goto says he knows most of the locales had G in their names. But not in Fukuoka…
Even so, Goto still has this IWGP World title around his waist, so no worries there. IKU ZO! The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP is for GOTO!” The streamers fly, and the Fierce Warrior is ready to lead NJPW on! But will things only heat up from here on out?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for Wrestling Dontaku’s finale, and we’re already building towards Dominion next month. I was rather surprised that the Six Woman Tag was so quick. Well, I feel like a lot of Stardom matches on a NJPW show end up like that… But the 10 Man Tag with Tanahashi’s team beating TMDK, and then the 8 Man Tag of LIJ winning, both of those matches felt just as fast/short. I suppose on some level, they did it because we all had a feeling who was winning. Tanahashi’s team wins because he also had special guests Tajiri and Ryota, so that was just a great moment for some longstanding legends.
LIJ winning was apparently to also commemorate their last match as a faction. With Titan being their CMLL member, we only have Hiromu, Takagi and Tsuji. I suppose a trio isn’t necessarily a faction, but I’m surprised they just sprang this dissolution on us. Great match from Yota VS Yuya, but I think they dragged it out a bit at the start. It got hot by the end, and Yota retaining was a great move. Gabe Kidd calling his shot is also a great move, he and Yota are going to have a great rematch from their time limit draw. And then awesome main event from Goto VS Callum, with Callum looking great even in defeat. Callum is definitely on his way, maybe he’ll really build up his power level in the G1 Climax this year.
Great promo to close, with Goto, ZSJ and Takagi establishing the next couple of title shots. I think Goto VS ZSJ has been made for Resurgence this Friday, so they’re getting that right out of the way so Takagi can face the champion at Dominion. At the same time, they kinda have to because Best of the Super Juniors is going to dominate May. Resurgence would be a wild place for a title change since it’s in the US and it’s a true PPV, so I’m not liking ZSJ’s chances.
My Score: 9.1/10
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