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Mitchell’s NJPW Power Struggle Results & Report! (11/4/24)

Is NJPW going to be Mighty?

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If The Mighty Don’t Kneel, then will they stand atop the mountain?

TMDK is all over this card, from Zack Sabre Jr. defending his world title to the Super Junior Tag League finals! Will TMDK win the Power Struggle?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff – Tiger Mask, Capitan Suicida & Shoma Kato VS YOH, Ninja Mack & The DKC; Yoh, Mack & DKC win.
  • 10 Man Tag: Intergalactic Jet Setters, VeloCities & Katsuya Murashima VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
  • 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Ryusuke Taguchi, Dragon Dia, Tori Yano & Tomoaki Honma; LIJ wins.
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Boltin Oleg VS EVIL & Ren Narita; Evil & Ren win.
  • Shota Umino VS SANADA; Shota wins.
  • IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholas VS Great-O-Khan & HENARE; Khan & Henare win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
  • 2024 Super Junior Tag League Finals: Ichiban Sweet Boys VS Catch 2/2; Ichiban Sweet Boys win and will challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships at WrestleKingdom 19.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS Master Wato; Douki wins and retains the title.
  • IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay VS Taichi; Finlay wins and retains the title.
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Shingo Takagi; ZSJ wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

After Hiroshi Tanahashi & Boltin VS EVIL & Ren Narita…

As you might guess, The House of Torture had to cheat to win this one, with Yoshinobu Kanemaru tipping Oleg over so Ren could roll him up. But another obvious move, The House of Torture starts beating up on The Ace & BARS afterward! The fans boo but nothing can stop them from stomping away! Then Yujiro & Kanemaru sit Tanahashi up while Evil grabs a mic. Evil tells Tanahashi that if he really thinks he has another year left as a wrestler, he’s wrong! Tanahashi’s career will end THIS January! Be grateful that Evil will be the one to end him at WrestleKingdom! The fans boo more but then Dick hands Evil a pair of scissors!

Evil says he’s gonna cut away what makes Tanahashi Tanahashi, but then Jado runs in for the save! Jado gets mugged now and fans boo more. Kanemaru CHOKES Jado, and Evil still drags Tanahashi up. Evil TOSSES Tanahashi out, then drags him up the ramp! The fans boo but the mugging continues! The scissors have disappeared, but Boltin runs at Ren! Ren LOW BLOWS Boltin, and hits him with DOUBLE CROSSER!! The Ace is being kidnapped while The Souled Out Son of Strong Style holds his NJPW World Television Championship over Oleg. But wait! TMDK’s Mullet Man, Ryohei Oiwa, is here!

Ryohei gets the mic to tell Ren that their match is already finished. Ryohei hates the way the House does business, so HE will be the one to take this title off this punk! Ren laughs at Ryohei, and basically says he’d like to see him try. But then here comes Jeff Cobb! The Imperial Unit quit literally shoves Ryohei aside to get in Ren’s face! Triple Threat or not, we all know Ren took the low road to win that belt! The fans fire up as Cobb eggs Ren on, but Ryohei fires a forearm on Cobb! Cobb hits back! Then he kicks Ren, whips him, but Ren runs away! Ryohei and Cobb argue, they each want after Ren first!

Ren just laughs and leaves while the other two start shoving. Will Ren have the last laugh as these two fight it out for the title shot?

 

Shota Umino VS SANADA!

While Shingo Takagi is getting his shot tonight, and while Cold Skull already had his shot at Royal Quest 4 last week, The Roughneck still wants his turn. Will he earn it by taking down a former world champion? Or will Sanada prove it’s still too early for Shota’s Paradigm Shift?

The bell rings and Shota CLOBBERS Sanada! And CLOBBERS him again! Shota whips, Sanada reverses, but Shota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER him again! Fans fire up with Shota and he storms up on Sanada. Shota whips Sanada corner to corner, then runs in, and UPPERCUTS! Shota then FISHERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota shows respect to Kobayashi-san. Shota then drags Sanada up, clinches, but Sanada fights it. Sanada fires elbows and Shota backs away to ropes. Sanada storms up, whips Shota, but Shota reverses, only for Sanada to grab ropes! Shota’s dropkick misses!

Sanada runs to a corner! ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada lands out as Shota moves. Shota runs up but into a fireman’s carry. Shota slips free to waistlock but Sanada switches. Shota elbows free, runs, but Sanada dropkicks the legs! Then he DROPKICKS Shota down! The fans fire up for Sanada while Shota bails out. Sanada takes his time walking over, to then PLANCHA, but Shota moves! Shota comes back to SHOTGUN! The fans rally and Shota drags Sanada back up. Shota reels Sanada in, but Sanada blocks the suplex! They fight for control as the fans rally, and Shota still lifts Sanada! But Sanada fights it back down!

Sanada suplexes Shota to the apron, MAGIC SCREW to the floor! The fans fire up while the ref checks Shota. Shota is still in this, though he clutches an arm, and Sanada walks over to him. Sanada drags Shota up, then brings him through the gate! And into the crowd! Fans barely have time before Sanada THROWS Shota into chairs! Sanada then drags Shota up, and whips him back in! Sanada picks up the spare and the ref reprimands. Sanada moves chairs aside then drags Shota up to his feet. Dragon sleeper! Sanada squeezes the air out of Shota but the ref reprimands again. Sanada lets Shota go, then leaves him behind.

The fans rally again as the ring count starts. Sanada waits in the ring as we reach 7 of 20. Shota crawls at 10 of 20, but is still only at the railing by 15. Shota hobbles the rest of the way and rolls in at 18! The fans applaud, but then Sanada is on Shota with a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Shota stays in this and the fans cheer, but Sanada clamps on a chinlock. Sanada grinds Shota down but Shota endures the squeeze. Sanada shifts to have a knee dig into Shota’s back! Shota still endures, but Sanada thrashes him around a bit. The fans rally as Shota continues to fight, and Shota scoots forward. Shota kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer and Sanada lets go slowly. Sanada paces while Shota sputters. Sanada comes back to stomp Shota! Shota growls and shakes his head. Sanada throws a punch, but Shota just grits his teeth. Sanada fires another punch, and another, but Shota feeds off that! Sanada eggs Shota on, so Shota fires a forearm! And another forearm! Sanada sways but then Shota ROCKS him again! Sanada dropkicks the legs! Shota hobbles away and the fans continue to rally. Sanada runs up, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down. Shota rises and gets the fans rallying even more!

Sanada rises and Shota runs up, slingshot APRON DDT! The fans fire up while the ref checks Sanada. Sanada is still in this so Shota brings him back up. Shota puts Sanada in and the fans rally up. Shota climbs a corner, takes aim, and he goes COAST2COAST to hit Sanada! Shota then hurries to EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Sanada stays in this, and Shota keeps his cool. Shota waits on Sanada, then he runs to IGNITION! Cover, TWO! Sanada survives but the fans fire up with Shota. Shota goes to a corner, fires the fans up more, and he takes aim. BLAZE- NO, Sanada ducks! But then Shota avoids the Shining Wizard!

Shota ROCKS Sanada, then ROLLING- NO, Sanada spins Shota through to put on ropes! MAGIC SCREW! Shota is down and the fans fire up while Sanada catches his breath. Sanada drags Shota into the dragon sleeper! But Shota fights free, arm-drags, and then runs corner to corner. Sanada BOOTS him away! Sanada QUEBRADA, then dragon sleeper! Shota flails but Sanada drops back into the SKULL END! The fans rally as Shota endures, but the body scissors are in tight! Shota reaches out but he’s fading! Sanada lets Shota go to then climb up! ROUNDING BODY PRESS! And then a clinch! DEAD- NO, Shota slips around! Backslide!

Sanada rolls through so Shota reels him in! ELEVATED DEATH RIDER! Shota can’t make the cover, he’s still catching his breath! The fans rally up while both men are down! Sanada and Shota slowly sit up, and they head for each other. They go forehead to forehead as they stand up, and then Shota UPPERCUTS! Sanada UPPERCUTS in return! The fans rally as Shota shakes that off, and he comes back to UPPERCUT! Sanada shakes that off, and he UPPERCUTS! The fans continue to duel while Sanada eggs Shota on. Shota winds up, to UPPERCUT! Sanada UPPERCUTS! They UPPERCUT again and again, back and forth!

The fans rally more, and Sanada gets the edge! He UPPERCUTS again, and again, and again! Shota wobbles, Sanada eggs him on, and the fans fire up! Shota winds up to ROCKS Sanada with a forearm! ROLLING ELBOW! ENZIGIRI! Sanada rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Shota pops up to BLAZE BLADE! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Shota rises and roars, and he brings Sanada up. Shota pump handles, half nelsons, and scoops, to POWERSLAM! Then he hurries to bring Sanada up into underhooks. But Sanada slips out, O’Conner Roll BRIDGE! TWO!! Fans fire up as Shota escapes in time!

Sanada SHINING WIZARDS! The fans fire up even more as Sanada rises. Sanada brings Shota up, clinches, but Shota slips free again! Shota underhooks, but Sanada wrenches! DEAD- NO, Shota rolls Sanada, but Sanada rolls through, into the DEATH RIDER!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!

Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall

Some might call it an upset, others might just be upset about it, but the Roughneck found a way to win! At the same time, Shota does show respect to Sanada by offering a hand. Sanada declines and simply makes his exit. But is this  win proof enough that Shota is ready for the next level? Or is it simply one step on a long journey ahead?

 

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholas VS Great-O-Khan & HENARE!

It isn’t just Ryohei and Cobb fighting it out, TMDK and the United Empire is fighting for these titles! Will Hysterical Haste & Mad Mikey still be dual tag team champions? Or will The Dominator & Face of Fury conquer The Mighty?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is THE tag team in NJPW!

Tensions rise as the teams sort out as Henare and Mikey want after each other. But for now, it is Shane and Khan that start. The fans rally with the bell as Shane and Khan circle. They feel things out, even test the water with kicks, then Khan goes for a leg. Khan trips Shane, sits him up, then runs to run Shane over! Khan poses, then sucker punches Mikey! Khan drags Shane up to a SLEEPER, and while the ref is busy keeping Mikey back, Henare steps in! Henare uses Shane as a punching bag, then Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Henare KICKS Shane, Khan SPLASHES down! Cover, ONE!! Shane toughs it out but Khan clamps onto an arm.

Khan has the double wristlock, and he brings Shane over. Henare tags in and Henare KICKS Shane’s legs. Shane hobbles, Henare BLASTS Mikey, then Henare CLOBBERS Shane! The fans cheer while Henare kicks Shane around. Henare eggs Shane on and Shane stands to KICK! And KICK! And BOOT! Henare growls, Shane fires forearms. Henare winds up to BODY BLOW! Shane falls to his knees, but Henare fireman’s carries to WASTELAND SLAM, and SENTON! Cover, TWO! Henare keeps his eyes on Mikey, but then goes back to Shane. Shane UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Henare eggs him on so Shane BOOTS! And BOOTS!

Shane kicks but Henare HEADBUTTS the foot! Henare runs, but Shane DROPKICKS him down! The fans fire up, hot tag to Mikey! Mikey fires forearms on Henare, then BLASTS Khan! Henare storms up but the forearms start flying! Mikey gets the edge, SLAPS Henare, then runs. They RAM shoulders, but neither man falls! Henare returns the forearms and SLAP! Henare runs, they RAM shoulders again, and then Mikey CHOPS! Henare snarls and the fans fire up. Henare winds up to KICK! Mikey stays up, and he comes back to CHOP! Henare comes back to KICK! Mikey still CHOPS! Henare headbutts buckles to fire up!

The fans rally as the KICK and the CHOP go back and forth again and again! Mikey ROCKS Henare, reels him in, and has a COBRA TWIST! Henare powers out but Mikey HEADBUTTS! Mikey learns that was a mistake, Henare’s head is too hard! In fact, Mikey busted himself open from that shot! Mikey wobbles and falls to his knees in a daze while Henare growls. The fans fire up as Mikey rises, but Henare runs up! Mikey SPINEBUSTERS first! And then he sits Henare up, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, Khan breaks it! Khan stomps Mikey but Mikey fires forearms! Mikey fireman’s carries but Khan slips free. Khan ducks an elbow, but Mikey hits a DDT!

Henare returns, but Mikey gets around him. Henare switches, and he catches Mikey’s elbow! Henare goes for the full nelson but Mikey fights back! Mikey ELBOWS free, then he gets Henare with the DDT! But Henare is right up! Mikey isn’t sure what to make of it, but he still runs in! But Henare scoops for a BESERKER BOMB! But Mikey’s right up!? SLIDING LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Mikey and Henare stir, and then crawl for their corners, hot tags to Shane and Khan! Shane LARITS, but Khan stays up! Khan BOOTS but Shane stays up! Shane swings, into a SAYANAGI!

Khan drags Shane back up, and hits a fireman’s carry takeover! The fans rally as Khan keeps wrist control, then reels Shane in for a MONKEY FLIP! And then ARMBAR! Shane scrambles to clasp hands but Khan brings him back down! ARMBAR! Shane flails, reaches out, fights around, but Khan pulls on the arm! Shane still finds the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Khan lets go at 4. Khan scuffs Shane around, drags him up, but Shane UPPERCUTS! But that’s the bad arm…! Khan eggs Shane on, and Shane UPPERCUTS! And RAMS Khan! The fans rally as Shane shakes out the bad arm.

Shane UPPERCUTS again and again and again! Shane runs, but into a clinch! ELBOW BREAKER! Khan hauls Shane up to RAM him into a corner! Khan then bumps Shane off buckles, and he hops up, onto his- NO, Shane slips free to SHORYUKEN! Shane climbs up after Khan, but Khan resists the suplex! The fans rally, Khan BODY BLOWS, and Shane hops down! Mikey UPPERCUTS Khan, then gives Shane a boost! SUPERPLEX POWERBOMB! Mikey drags Shane onto the cover, TWO! Khan stays in this and the fans rally up. Shane crawls over, tag to Mikey, and Mikey sends Shane at the corner to LARIAT!

Mikey runs up to LARIAT Khan, then feeds Khan to Shane’s LARIAT! Shane also BLASTS Henare off the apron while Mikey SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Khan survives all the lariats but TMDK drags him up. Mikey scoops, Shane runs up, TANKBUSTER! Cover, HENARE BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but TMDK goes after Henare now. Henare CHOPS Shane, ROCKS Mikey, repeat! But TMDK SLAP, SLAP, and SLAP! Henare roars, runs up, but into the URENAGE POWERBOMB COMBO! Khan PANCAKE PLEXES Mikey! Shane breaks the cover! Khan Mongolian Chops Shane! IRON CLAW for Mikey!

Shane Mongolian Chops Khan! So Khan IRON CLAWS Shane! Khan squeezes TMDK, but TMDK fights free! URENAGE BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives and the fans fire up! The fans rally, Shane climbs up, and Mikey brings Khan up. Scoop and- NO, Khan slips free! Khan shoves Mikey into Shane and Shane falls to the floor! Mikey comes back, into Henare’s fireman’s carry! Khan runs up, IMPERIAL DROP!! Cover, UNITED EMPIRE WINS!!

Winners: Great-O-Khan & Henare, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they do drop! And in this case, they just dropped the belts! The Monster Rage is now in victory as The Face of Fury & Dominator are on top! Khan is a DOUBLE CHAMPION at that! Will NJPW soon belong to The United Empire?

 

Kenny Omega is here!

The fans cheer as The Best Bout Machine has returned to Osaka and to NJPW! Omega waves to fans, high-fives a few, then goes to the ring. Omega is then handed the mic so that he may speak. The fans chant “KE-NI-Y! KE-NI-Y!” Omega says in Japanese, “I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to be here or not, but well, NJPW made an announcement, so if that’s the case, I had to show up.” The fans cheer that! Omega says recently, he met with Hiroshi Tanahashi, it was a very good talk. Tanahashi had an interesting comment that if Kenny Omega is “back,” then he should take on one of NJPW’s young stars. And Omega replied, “Not a bad idea.”

But that said, there was also another idea. To be honest, Omega is still a little far off, still a bit ill, but he is getting better. So in just a little bit, Omega WILL be able to wrestle again. The fans like the sound of that! Omega says he is still a full-time member of AEW, but… If he may return, and when he does, he’d love to first return to a NJPW ring! The fans love that idea! So while Omega can’t say when and where that will be, but maybe… January 5th? The fans cheer, and Omega asks they please understand, he hoped he could say that.

If he may, he quickly translates for the English speaking fans that the goal is to return in NJPW for a brand new star and really test himself at WrestleDynasty on January 5th! Because NJPW still IS the King of Sports, it still IS the best pro-wrestling on the planet, and it still IS one of his favorite places because it is his home! So… Until we meet again. He must bid us adieu. So goodbye, MWAH, and goodnight, BANG! The fans cheer hearing that again, and surely we will all see Omega wrestling again. Who will it be that tests Omega at the very first WrestleDynasty?

 

2024 Super Junior Tag League Finals: Ichiban Sweet Boys VS Catch 2/2!

We just saw a heavyweight battle of TMDK VS United Empire, but now it’s time for a speed blitz! Will Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita conquer the Super Junior Tag League? Or will TJP & Francesco Akira go back to back in the league?

The teams sort out and the fans already clap for “CATCH! 2/2! CATCH! 2/2!” But then Robbie starts up the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” The fans cheer and then Akira steps up to Fujita. The bell rings, the two run up and dropkicks cancel out! Akira headlocks, Fujita powers out, but Akira runs Fujita over! Things keep moving, Akira rolls over the dropdown then bypasses Fujita, but Fujita RANAS! Robbie hurries to BLAST TJP! The Sweet Boys double whip Akira to trip, KICK and SOMERSAULT SENTON!

Akira sits up into a basement dropkick from Robbie! Akira bails out, TJP is there, but Robbie gets them both! Fujita climbs, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! The fans fire up as the Japanese Young Punk wipes out Catch 2/2 and even Jakob Austin Young! Fujita puts Akira back in, then wrenches to whip him into a corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP! The fans cheer, and Fujita snapmares to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! TJP runs in but Fujita knees him low. Robbie hops in, TMDK double whips, but TJP KNEES the lariats! TJP blocks a kick from Robbie, gives it to Fujita, then fires off fast hands on Fujita! TJP SOBATS Fujita, but Robbie kicks TJP after all.

Robbie whips, TJP goes up and over, then TJP gives Akira the boost for the SHOTGUN! Robbie tumbles out, and Catch 2/2 double whip Fujita. They DOUBLE HIP TOSS, ELBOW DROP, and BASEMENT BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up and TJP rallies the fans, “CATCH! 2/2!” TJP WRECKS TMDK with the dropkick, then holds the ropes down for Akira to FLY! TMDK falls again and the fans fire up more! Akira brings Fujita up and into the ring, then snapmares him down. Akira tags TJP, and then he runs. Akira hops up, “Take a picture! Take a picture!” And then BACK SUPLEX SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

TJP keeps the fans fired up, and he steps through on Fujita’s legs! TJP has the deathlock, but then Robbie runs up! TJP catches him for a COBRA TWIST! The fans rally, and then TJP sets Robbie up so Akira can RANA! Then TJP drops into the MUTA LOCK! Fujita endures, so TJP focuses on the legs. Fujita pulls TJP’s hair but the ref reprimands. Fujita legs go, and TJP stands up to shift around, and BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Fujita flails and manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while TJP lets go. TJP keeps the “CATCH! 2/2!” going, and then he whips Fujita corner to corner. TJP runs in, to BACK ELBOW!

TJP sits Fujita down and he scrubs Fujita’s face! Fans rally up, and TJP goes side to side to BOOT WASH! The fans cheer and chant, “MOIKAI! MOIKAI!” So TJP obliges with more scrubbing! TJP runs, but Fujita gets up! TJP avoids the lariat to SOBAT! TJP runs again, but into a GAMANGIRI! Both men down and the fans fire up again! Fujita and TJP crawl, hot tags to Akira and Robbie! Robbie ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Then he WHEEL KICKS and kips up! Fans fire up as Robbie keeps moving, GAMANGIRI! Akira flops to a corner and Robbie runs in, to DOUBLE KNEE! Robbie rolls back, comes back, but into a BOOT!

Robbie tries again but gets an ELBOW! So Robbie basement 619s! Akira sits down, and Robbie METEORAS! The fans fire up and Robbie drags Akira to a cover. TWO, and the fans cheer again. Robbie has Akira in a drop zone so he goes up top. WARP- NO, Akira moves so Robbie rolls through. Akira dodges Robbie’s kick to ENZIGIRI! Robbie drops to his knees but Akira storms over. Akira chicken wings, but Robbie fights towards ropes! Akira has the arms, TIGER- NO, Robbie fights the suplex with elbows! Akira CHOPS, whips, but Fujita tags in! Robbie wheelbarrows Akira so Fujita can CHOP! Then they double wrench to MAXXY BOMB! Cover, TJP breaks it!

Robbie TOSSES TJP, and he drags Akira up. Robbie scoops Akira but Akira slips free! Akira shoves Robbie into Fujita, then he POISON-RANAS! Akira blocks Fujita’s kick, slips under, and SIT-OUT POWERBOMBS! Everyone is down and the fans fire up! Akira fires himself up and he reels Fujita in! Fujita wrenches free, pops Akira up, but Akira fights with elbows! So Fujita CHOPS! Fujita runs up, but Akira puts him up top! TJP tags in, Fujita is in the Tree of Woe! Akira runs to BASEMENT DROPKICK! Then TJP adds WOE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Fujita survives and the fans fire up again!

Catch 2/2 reset and they drag Fujita up. TJP has the dragon sleeper while Akira climbs, but Fujita wrenches free! Fujita shoves TJP into Akira and Akira falls! Fujita runs back in, TJP goes up and over! TORNADO- NO, Fujita fights the DDT off! Robbie is back, TMDK whips, but TJP reverses, only for TMDK to break both grips! ENZIGIRI HEEL KICK COMBO! TJP sputters and Robbie runs, to DIVE onto Akira! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up! Fujita whips TJP to pop him up into the HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!! TJP survives, but Fujita holds on! The fans rally as Fujita spins TJP around!

Fujita slashes his throat, but TJP suplexes instead! FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives and the fans fire up again. The rallying is now for “FU-JI-TA! FU-JI-TA!” as he and TJP stir. TJP grabs at Fujita first, brings him up, and fires a forearm! Fujita fires one in return! TJP fires another, Fujita fires another, then TJP fires a flurry! Fujita fires up to CHOP! Fujita runs, but TJP LARIATS! Down goes Fujita, but Robbie TOSSES TJP! TJP goes Spider-Man, then lures Robbie in. Robbie gets stuck in the ropes and gets a DROPKICK SANDWICH! The fans fire up again and Akira ASAI MOONSAULTS! Down goes Robbie!

The fans fire up as Akira hurries back in, and Catch 2/2 sets up! Fujita sits up, into TWO BY- NO, Fujita sends TJP into Akira, then O’Conner BRIDGE! TWO!! Akira whips Fujita, into the ALLEY OOP! The fans are thunderous as Akira climbs and TJP Electric Chair Lifts Fujita! But Robbie jumps in! He SUPER STEINERS Akira away! Fujita slips down to waistlock TJP! TJP RAMS Fujita into a corner, but Fujita holds on! TJP fights the lift but Fujita CLUBS away! TJP still RAMS Fujita into a corner! Robbie tags in, springboard MISSILE DROPKICK to the leg! Fujita then QUEBRADAS Akira down! The fans fire up, but then TJP cradles Robbie! TWO!!

Robbie ROUNDHOUSES TJP, and Fujita joins in! POP-UP DDT!! Cover, TWO!!! TJP survives and the fans are thunderous again! TMDK calls for the end! Scoop and SWEET BUSTER!! Cover, AKIRA BREAKS IT!! The fans are thunderous while Fujita kicks Akira out! TMDK reset and the fans rally up. Robbie sends Fujita in, but TJP puts Fujita out! Robbie runs up, TJP dodges and Fujita takes the knees! TJP Electric Chair Lifts Robbie! Akira is right up top, LEANING TOWER CUTTER!! Cover, FUJITA BREAKS IT!! The fans are electric as this one continues! TJP TOSSES Fujita, then he and Akira set up in corners!

The fans rally, “CATCH! 2/2!” Robbie sits up, but then ducks! TJP dosidos with Akira, and they set up side-by-side! But then Fujita trips Akira up! TJP tilt-o-whirls but Robbie has him in position! SWEET- NO, Akira HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES Fujita! TJP slips out, waistlocks, but Robbie ducks, Akira’s SUPERKICK hits TJP! Robbie SUPERKICKS Akira! Robbie roars, but TJP trips him! But Robbie cradles TJP! TWO!!! The fans are going wild as Robbie scrambles to ropes. Akira returns, but Robbie TOSSES him back out! TJP SUPERKICKS Robbie! TJP runs, but Robbie wrenches him into the backpack! TJP wrenches out to dragon sleeper!

Robbie drops, but TJP sits on him for a cover!! TWO!??! Robbie escapes, SCHOOLBOY BRIDGE! Fujita anchors Akira, TMDK WINS!!

Winners: Ichiban Sweet Boys, by pinfall (2024 Super Junior Tag League Champions)

Robbie is stunned and even emotional as he and Fujita pull it off! No two in a row for Catch 2/2, and they’re just as emotional over that. The trophies are presented to Robbie & Fujita, and they stand together to hold them up high! Then as is tradition for TMDK, they sit on the apron together to show off their prize. Robbie says they didn’t stop working all year, this is that work paying off! But then TMDK steps back inside the ring, and Robbie offers a handshake to his old friend. TJP accepts it and the fans cheer. Akira and Fujita are also able to shake hands, and the fans cheer. But Catch 2/2 lets TMDK know, they’ll be back for another round.

Oh, Robbie gets the mic to say something. “Osaka… everyone here… WE WON~!” Robbie then encourages Fujita to say something, as do the fans. Fujita says that it is absolutely 100% established that the TMDK Era has arrived. And it is because his teammate is the man known as Robbie Eagles that they pulled this off. Because they won Super Junior Tag League, that means they will challenge Kushida & Kevin Knight for the titles. That’ll be later, but they wanna talk to the Intergalactic Jet Setters now! TMDK waits, and here they come! The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions make their way out, and they applaud the league winners.

The fans also applaud, and now champions join challengers in the ring. Kushida has the mic to say in English, “Congratulations.” Knight says it in Japanese, “Omedeto.” Kushida says they accept the challenge! BUT… Where is Catch 2/2? Why? Well, Catch 2/2 did beat the Jet Setters. Knight asks why he’s bringing that up now. Well, Catch 2/2 return, having heard their names. Kushida now says okay, good. Kushida asks when will it be? Knight says WrestleKingdom! TMDK says okay, they’ll wait their turn. Catch 2/2 and Jet Setters can settle their Tag League beef, and then- THE WAR DOGS ATTACK!? WITH CHAIRS!!

The fans freak out as Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney beat up TMDK, Catch 2/2 and the Jet Setters! Connors says it’s a War Dog party, baby! The fans boo but Connors & Drilla laugh it up. Drilla takes a seat, grabs the mic, and he says, “Hold on a sec, okay, okay. Lemme get this right, Clark.” TMDK beat Catch 2/2, but Catch 2/2 beat Jet Setters, but then TMDK also beat Jet Setters, but THE WAR DOGS have chewed up and spat out every tag team in the Junior Heavyweight Division! The fans are torn on that point. Drilla says congrats on the great fight, it was cute. But it ain’t no party like a War Dog party!

And it ain’t no WrestleKingdom without The War Dogs! The fans boo as the former champs stake their claim to a rematch. Then who is it that will start 2025 with the gold?

 

BREAKING NEWS!

It would seem the War Dogs are warring on multiple fronts! While the Super Junior Tag League final was happening, Gabe Kidd went after Kenny Omega backstage! We knew he was a Mad Man, but does this mean he’s #WarReady for WrestleDynasty?

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: DOUKI VS Master Wato!

After years of struggling and ridicule, Japones Del Mal is finally getting some respect on his name as he’s made it through some top tier contenders! But after facing ridicule of his own, and even coming back from injury, The Way of the Grandmaster wants some of that! Will Wato take this title and the respect that comes with it? Or will there be no stopping the era of Douki?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see whose hardships were worth it all!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two stare down as the energy builds. Wato and Douki step forward, then tie up. They’re in a deadlock at center, but Wato’s height becomes leverage. Wato has Douki on ropes, Douki turns it around, repeat. Douki still puts Wato on ropes, but he lets off slowly. But Wato shoves Douki! The forearms start flying back and forth! Neither man backs down, and they even speed up! Douki ROCKS Wato, fires more shots, but Wato fires them in return! Douki CHOPS and the fans fire up! Douki CHOPS again, then CHOPS again! Wato SOBATS! Wato whips, but Douki reverses!

Douki drops then hurdles. Douki drops again but Wato leaps over. Wato bypasses Douki, dodges him, then RANAS! Douki bails out, fans fire up, and Wato builds speed. Douki moves so Wato slows down. The fans cheer and Douki runs back in, but Wato scoops! Wato SLAMS and JUMP ELBOW DROPS! Cover, ONE! Wato clamps onto Douki with a chinlock, and also digs his knee in. Douki fights around, fights forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Wato slowly lets go, but then Wato stomps Douki. Douki fires a body shot, but Wato CHOPS! Wato whips corner to corner, then runs in, but into a BOOT!

Wato comes back but Douki puts him on the apron. Douki swings but Wato blocks the shot to ROCK Douki! Wato slingshots, but Douki DROPKICKS him down! The fans fire up as Douki builds speed, to DIVE! Direct hit into railing, right in front of English commentary! The fans fire up and Wato writhes, but Douki brings Wato back up. Douki puts Wato on the railing, then goes to the apron! The fans rally up as Douki DIVING STOMPS Wato off the railing! Wato writhes and Douki leaves him behind. The count begins, and Wato is still down at 5 of 20. Douki paces while the count reaches 10 of 20, and Wato rolls in.

Fans cheer while Douki drags Wato up, and Douki CLUBS Wato on the neck. Douki brings Wato around again, to CLUB him on the neck! Douki then turns Wato for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Douki clamps on with a chinlock and he digs a knee into Wato now. Wato fights around, but Douki drags him back! Douki puts on a headscissor squeeze! The fans rally, Wato fights, but Douki pushes up to put on more pressure! Wato moves around, but Douki traps an arm! Wato kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Douki lets go of Wato. Douki taunts Wato a bit, scuffs him around, but Wato rises.

Wato CHOPS, SLAPS, then SLAPS again! Wato fires more CHOPS but Douki CHOPS Wato off his feet! Douki whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Wato BOOTS him! Wato dodges Douki, then reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Wato grits his teeth, and he has fans behind him. Douki also rises, and Wato runs up to CLOBBER Douki! And CLOBBER him again! Wato whips, Douki reverses, but Wato ELBOWS Douki down! Then he DROPKICKS Douki out of the ring! The fans fire up and Wato builds speed. Wato FLIES! Down goes Douki at the ramp!

The fans fire up again, but Wato has to catch his breath. The ring count starts, and Wato sits up at 4 of 20. Wato stands at 8 and he fires Osaka up. Wato goes to Douki at 11 of 20, drags him up, and throws him in at 15. The fans applaud and Wato aims from the corner. Wato watches Douki rise, then he springboards in to FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Douki stays in this and the fans rally more, but Wato hooks Douki up! Douki fights the Mouse Trap so Wato sunset flips! TWO, into VENDIVAL! Douki flails, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Wato lets Douki go, and Douki goes to the apron.

Wato storms over and he brings Douki up. But Douki RAMS into him! DAY- NO, Wato stops Daybreak to DECK Douki! Douki flops back to the apron and Wato brings him back up. Wato suplexes but Douki fights! Douki HOTSHOTS Wato, then slingshots to arm-drag! Wato bails out and Douki WRECKS him with a dropkick! The fans fire up and Douki hurries to the apron. Douki climbs up a corner, but Wato springs up after him! Wato drags Douki down in a waistlock, but Douki holds ropes! Douki fires elbows to fight free, but then Wato KICKS him! And APRON- NO! Douki grabs ropes again!

Douki spins things around on Wato, APRON DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Wato is dazed from the impact, but Douki resets up top! Douki still wants to DOUKI BOMB SENTON!! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Both men are down, so the ring count starts on them both now. Douki drags himself up at 8 of 20 and he fires up! The fans are with Douki as he drags Wato up and in at 13! Douki then goes up a corner, and he takes aim, to DIVING DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! But Douki drags Wato into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Wato flails around, reaches out, and manages the ROPEBREAK!

The fans cheer as Wato survives by a literal foot. Douki only lets go at the ref’s count, and then he fires himself back up. The fans rally as Douki wheelbarrows Wato into SUPLEX- NO, Wato fights the full nelson! Douki ENZIGIRIS! Douki runs up but is put on the apron. Douki RAMS Wato, slingshots, DAY- NO! Wato again stops Daybreak, to pop Douki around and T T D!! Cover, but Wato himself can’t keep it! Wato hurries back to the cover, TWO!! Douki survives the Tenzan Tombstone Driver and the fans rally again. Wato flounders to a corner and drags himself up. The fans duel and Wato takes aim, to KICK! And KICK! And KICK!

Douki stands up, blocks a kick, but Wato dodges a haymaker! Wato tilt-o-whirls, then hooks Douki up! MOUSE TRAP DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Douki escapes the trap and the fans fire up again! Wato roars, and he drags Douki back up. Wato waistlocks but Douki fights the suplex with elbows. Douki goes to run, Wato reels him in, but Douki uses the British Escape. Douki kicks low but then Wato ducks the enzigiri! Wato waistlocks to HIGH- NO, Douki victory rolls! TWO, but into a wheelbarrow! SUPLEX- NO, Wato swings around to sunset flip! TWO, into VENDIVAL!! Douki flails but he endures the hold!

The fans rally and duel as Douki shifts around. Douki kicks and moves towards ropes, but then Wato rolls him away into a cradle, then VENDIVAL!! Wato thrashes Douki but Douki endures! Douki kicks, fights, rocks the boat, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Wato lets go more in disbelief than frustration. Wato then drags Douki up, wrenches, and reels him into the fireman’s carry. WASTELAND SLAM, and Wato goes to the corner! The fans rally as Wato climbs, for the DIVING- NO, Douki avoids the stomps, then catches Wato, SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down again.

Douki and Wato stir, then crawl. They find each other and grab at the other’s hair. The ref reprimands but Wato fires a forearm. Douki shakes his head, then fires a forearm back! Wato fires another forearm, but Douki fires back! They rise, the forearms keep going, and the fans rally up more. Wato and Douki start picking up speed with their forearms, but then Douki wobbles! Wato ROCKS Douki, ROCKS him again, and Douki drops to a knee! Wato fires more shots to put Douki on the mat! The ref checks, could this be a knockout? Douki is still conscious so Wato stands Douki up. Douki ducks the roundhouse to HELL STAB!

Douki ROCKS Wato, spins, but Wato ROUNDHOUSES! Wato BOOTS Douki at ropes, then runs, but into a LARIAT! Both men are down, but then Douki fires back up! The fans are with Douki and he runs, into a scoop and torture rack! Wato hits a RACK CUTTER! The fans fire up with Wato now and he KICKS! KICKS! KICKS! Wato KICKS from all sides, then BUZZSAWS! Douki flops over, Wato covers, ONE?!? Douki is hitting that new gear he unlocked against Taiji and Sho, but then the DREAMCAST KICK hits! The fans fire up and Wato TSUTENKAKU GERMANS! Bridging cover, TWO!?!? Wato cannot believe it!

The fans fire up but Wato drags Douki up. Wato roars, the fans are with him, and he half nelsons, into MOUSE- NO, Douki slips free! And he drags Wato down into ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! Wato stays up but Douki pulls on the arms! Wato endures, fights around, and he drags Douki with him, but Douki rolls Wato away from ropes! But then Wato jackknifes! But Douki rolls through, to get ITALIAN STRETCH 32 back! The fans rally harder as Wato continues to fight! But then Douki rolls him away from ropes again! Only for Wato to stand up with Douki in a cradle! Wato powers Douki into T T- NO, Douki flips it around, IMPALER!

ITALIAN STRETCH 32!!! The fans are thunderous, but Wato is fading! Wato flops over and the ref checks! Wato IS OUT, Douki wins!!

Winner: Douki, by submission (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

Wato fought as hard as he could, but he could not endure. How much harder must he fight to become the Grandmaster?

As for Douki, he stands tall, only for EL DESPERADO to appear! The fans all cheer to see The Rogue Luchador and this year’s Best of the Super Juniors winner to make his way out. Desperado wears a Headbanga shirt to show his love to El Phantasmo, who is now fighting cancer. But right now, Desperado and Douki are once again face to face. Desperado has the mic to say that Junior Heavyweight wrestling is pretty damn great! So that is why he is proud of this division, he LOVES Junior Heavyweight wrestling! And that is why Desperado wants to challenge Douki for Tokyo Dome. The fans love the sound of that!

Desperado then says that there are a lot of people who will have something to say about that, a few complaints, and while the fans should be happy, Desperado knows that this is really about him and Douki. Desperado wants Douki to show him personally what these last six months have given Douki. Desperado has been watching, but everyone should know that watching it and feeling it are two very different things. The fans fire up for that! So Desperado wants Douki to show him every bit of it! After all their ups and downs, Desperado wants Douki to give every single thing that he loves about wrestling.

Desperado hands the mic to Douki, and Douki tells Desperado that they were brothers in Suzuki-Gun, but right now, Douki is champion. And as such, Douki has beaten some of the best here. But if it’s Desperado, Douki will gladly stand across the ring from him one more time to have the best possible match! Douki will show the world the very best in Junior Heavyweight wrestling! The mic goes back to Desperado, and he smiles as he says Hiromu must hate this. Hiromu is on commentary, but he says go ahead, Desperado. Then maybe after Desperado beats Douki, Desperado and Hiromu can go another round.

Desperado smiles at his old amigo, and tells him see ya later. Another big battle has been put together for WrestleKingdom, but Douki has one more thing to say. He is the winner here, so HE should have his song playing! The fans cheer that, and Douki’s theme does play. Will Japones Del Mal have a very good start to the New Year? Or will Desperado remind us that he is the Best of the Super Juniors?

 

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Taichi w/ Taka Michinoku!

The King of Savages crossed the line when he called out the injured Yuya Uemura, then acted like Yuya was the coward. Can The Holy Emperor bring the Rebel to justice? Or will the War Dogs continue to do what they want to who they want?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who truly reigns!

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. “Let’s Go, Taichi!” greatly drowns out the “Let’s Go, Finlay!” but that doesn’t bother Finlay at all. Finlay circles around Taichi, then the two tie up. They go around, and Finlay puts Taichi on ropes. The ref counts the break, and Finlay slowly lets off. Finlay pats Taichi on the head, the ref has him back off, but Taichi fixes his hair. Finlay fires forearms but Taichi just eggs him on! Taichi leans into the shots, so Finlay SPITS at him! Taichi DECKS Finlay! The fans fire up as Finlay flounders away, clutching his jaw! Taichi waits on Finlay to get up, then he runs up to BOOT him!

The fans cheer and Taichi snapmares Finlay, to KICK him in the back! Finlay writhes more, but then Taichi KICKS him again. And again! Finlay writhes, Taichi kicks him again, and Gedo starts to worry. Finlay sits up, and Taichi KICKS him again! The fans cheer while Finlay flounders. Taichi brings Finlay up but Finlay fights the saido! Finlay grabs ropes, Gedo wants the break, but Taichi pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Gedo protests, but Taichi LCUBS Finlay! And CLUBS him again! Finlay ROCKS Taichi, runs, but into a BACKDROP! Finlay writhes from the crash landing and the fans fire up.

Taichi storms over but Finlay fireman’s carries! HOTSHOT SNAKE EYES! Finlay then rains down fists! The ref reprimands, Finlay shows he has open palms now. Finlay rains down those strikes and now Taka has reason to protest. The fans rally but Finlay SPITS at them! The fans boo Finlay, so he flips them off now. Finlay pushes Taichi out, they go to commentary, and Finlay RAMS Taichi in! Finlay taunts Hiromu, then RAMS Taichi in again! Finlay says one more, then he slaps stuff off the desk! Finlay drags Taichi up again, for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Taichi flops to the floor and Finlay says this is too easy.

Finlay paces, Gedo likes what he sees, and Finlay asks if Taichi wants to quit. Gedo talks trash with Taka while Finlay puts Taichi back in. Finlay digs his elbow into Taichi’s face! The ref reprimands, Finlay stops, and he claims it was a cover. Finlay drags Taichi up and whips him hard into a corner! Taichi falls, and Finlay does pushups just to show off. Finlay says this is just too easy, and he drags Taichi back up. But Taichi KICKS Finlay in the leg! And then ROCKS him! Finlay comes back but Taichi just fires more shots! Taichi runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him! Only for Taichi to DANGEROUS SAIDO Finlay up and out!!

The fans are just as shocked as Finlay falls against railing! The ref checks on Finlay, and he’s somehow okay to continue. The fans rally that much harder for Taichi as he goes out to fetch Finlay. Gedo is upset, the ref says Taichi shouldn’t, btu Taichi still whips Finlay hard into railing! And then hard into more railing! Finlay staggers and hobbles away in a hurry, but Taichi is on him again. Taichi whips Finlay hard into more railing! Finlay falls in a heap, but Taichi grabs a chair! The ref stops Taichi here, so Taichi lets him have the chair. Taichi drags Finlay up, the ref wants this in the ring, but Taichi POSTS Finlay instead!

Taichi stalks Finlay while Gedo protests, but Taichi still puts Finlay in the ring. The fans applaud, and Taichi stalks Finlay. Taichi scuffs Finlay, kicks him around, but Finlay grits his teeth. Finlay fires a forearm, but Taichi scowls. Taichi eggs Finlay on so Finlay fires more shots. Taichi wrenches to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! Cover, TWO! Finlay stays in this but Taka says keep on him. Gedo tells Finlay to get up but Taichi looms over him. Finlay ducks the buzzsaw, and he IRISH- NO, Taichi arm-drags Finlay away! Finlay runs back in, but Taichi BOOTS him! Finlay ROCKS Taichi with a forearm, but Taichi ENZIGIRIS!

Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Taichi rises and the fans rally behind him. And OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up as Taichi takes aim and powers up. TENSHO- NO, Finlay dodges the superkick to clinch and IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Taichi writhes but Finlay’s own back keeps him from making the cover. Finlay grits his teeth and Gedo says to finish this! Finlay grins as he crawls over to Taichi. Finlay pushes Taichi to the apron, then goes out after him. But Taichi ridge hand chops! Finlay fires a forearm! Taichi BOOTS Finlay, Finlay ROCKS Taichi! The fans rally as the brawl continues!

Finlay fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Finlay reels Taichi in, but Taichi fights the lift! Taichi lifts Finlay, but Finlay scrambles in and around, to then POST Taichi! Taichi falls to the floor and Gedo applauds. Finlay grins and taunts Taichi. Finlay flips off Osaka and insults it but the fans boo. Finlay drags Taichi up, fireman’s carries, and he runs to LAWN DART Taichi into the post! The ref checks Taichi as Taichi clutches his arm. Finlay Too Sweets with Gedo, but the ring count begins. Finlay backs Taka off before he drags Taichi up. The count is 10 of 20 but Finlay shoves Taichi back into the ring. Cover, TWO!!

The fans cheer as Taichi manages to stays in this, but Finlay jokes he just wants more punishment. Finlay suplexes and THROWS Taichi! Finlay flexes then flips everyone off, then he goes back to Taichi. Finlay CLUBS Taichi with a crossface forearm! And another! Finlay says the fans are calling Taichi’s name but Finlay doesn’t need that. Cocky cover, TWO! Finlay says okay, and he drags Taichi up. Canadian Rack, CANADIAN HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Taichi survives and Finlay says his bad, he did a bad cover. The fans rally but Finlay asks how many bombs Gedo wants to see. Gedo says six or seven is good.

Finlay gets Taichi up, but Taichi RANAS! Taichi then dodges Finlay to DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Finlay is down and sputtering and the fans fire up again! Taichi and Finlay stir and the fans rally behind Taichi. Taichi goes to a corner, he runs in at Finlay, and he BOOTS! But Finlay blocks! Finlay backs Taichi down, fires a forearm, but Taichi KICKS! Forearm, KICK, repeat, then Taichi SOBATS! Finlay ROLLING ELBOWS! Taichi RIDGE HANDS, BLINDSIDE AX BOMBERS, and GAMANGIRIS! Then AX BOMBER!! Taichi brings Finlay up, DANGEROUS SAIDO BRIDGE! TWO!! Finlay survives but the fans are thunderous for Taichi!

Finlay clutches his head while Gedo shouts for him to get up! Taichi rises, the fans are with him, and he reels Finlay in. Finlay grabs a leg to stop the lift, but Taichi gives him Kawada Kicks! Then a PUNT!! Taichi reels Finlay in, hauls him up, but Finlay slips free! INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!! Taichi survives and Gedo is furious! Finlay doesn’t bother being shocked, he just hauls Taichi up to POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives again and Finlay is frustrated now. So much for being easy work! Finlay slashes his throat and vows to end this, but the fans boo. Finlay hauls Taichi up, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS

Taichi reels Finlay in, but Finlay powers up to Alabama Lift, and steals BLACK MEPHISTO!!! Cover, TWO!!! Taichi survives his own move, but Finlay won’t let him rest. The fans are thunderous for Taichi but Finlay shakes his head. Finlay suplexes, for OVER- NO, Taichi blocks the leg! Body scissors, GEDO CLUTCH!! TWO!!! Finlay escapes, but Taichi scoops him! EMERALD FLOWSION!!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans are thunderous again as Finlay survives! Gedo panics as he tells Finlay to get up! Taichi and Finlay stir, and Sanada has appeared ringside for more support from Just5Guys! The fans rally and Taichi goes to a corner.

Taichi roars and takes aim! Finlay rises, into TENSHO- NO, Finlay rolls Taichi up, holding tights! TWO!! Taichi escapes, but Finlay ROLLING ELBOWS! And ROLLING- ROUNDHOUSE from Taichi! TENSHO- NO, Finlay blocks the kick again! And he reels Taichi in, for a BUCKLE BOMB!! But Taichi’s up to TENSHO JUJIHO!!! The fans are thunderous as Taichi roars! Taichi reels Finlay in, but now Gedo is on the apron! Taka grabs Gedo and drags him down! Taichi brings Finlay up, BLACK MEPHISTO!!!! Cover, WHO yanks the ref out?!? SANADA did?!? WHY?!?! Why did The Cold Skull just betray The Holy Emperor?!?

Taichi is most confused of all, but is this Sanada being petty over how he couldn’t beat Finlay? Even Gedo isn’t sure what this is about! But he doesn’t really care, he kinda likes that his guy’s not dead yet. But then Sanada unzips his jacket, to reveal a WAR DOGS SHIRT?!? Who convinced Sanada to turn?!? And now Finlay has the shillelagh! Finlay CLOBBERS Taichi!!! Sanada puts the ref back in and Finlay grins. Finlay says this is for Sanada. OVERKILL!!! Cover, Finlay wins!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)

No one can understand why Sanada would join Finlay of all people, but it’s too late to do anything about it now. Taka gets in to confront Sanada, but Gedo CLUBS Taka! And Sanada LOW BLOWS Taka to boot! Sanada says no hard feelings, Taichi. He helps Taichi up, but Taichi still can’t understand why. And then DEADFALL!!! Sanada continues to add insult to injury! Sanada revels in the fans telling him to go away, but wait, Douki is here now! Douki is just as upset over this, but he can’t stand against Sanada and Finlay alone. The fans boo more as Sanada hands Finlay this win on a silver platter.

Finlay grabs a mic to say, “And STILL~ IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, yours truly, The Rebel, Boss Dog, Savage King, David Finlay! I want you to get a good look at this face. This is the face of a man that didn’t cry, that didn’t complain, that didn’t bitch online, moan, whine, what have you. I observed, I waited, I watched, I schemed, and I put together the most savage, ruthless, violent brotherhood this company has ever seen.” Fans boo but he tells them to shut up. Now, Finlay did warn Taichi that there was a wolf in the pack, but Taichi’s thick skull didn’t pick up the wisdom Finlay was putting down.

The thing about the War Dogs, the entrance fee is bodies or gold, and main man Sanada will bring plenty of both now. But let’s be honest. Tonight’s title match only happened because Yuya was too scared to face Finlay. That’s fine, there is still a man who thinks he is better than Finlay. Yota Tsuji! It’s one thing to have one win over Finlay, but nobody gets two and gets away with it. See, Finlay’s been watching Yota a long, long, long time, and he’s tired of waiting. Get your fat ass out here so he can handle some business! Oh, there he is! Yota makes his way out here, and Finlay says to hurry up, we don’t have all night.

Yota goes to the ring at the same pace anyway, and Finlay says any day now. Yota grins as he steps into the ring with Finlay, and Finlay promises he won’t hurt Yota. We all know it is Tokyo Dome Season, and with Finlay as the most valuable champion, he gets to call the shots. So how about this? Finlay VS Tsuji for Finlay’s Global Heavyweight Championship at WrestleKingdom? The fans do like the sound of that. Yota picks up the mic to say, “Oi, Finlay! Good to see you didn’t run away. And in the G1 Climax, you lost to me, twice. So now you want revenge, huh? I accept your challenge! January 4th, Tokyo Dome, for this title. The question is, are you ready?”

Finlay holds up his belt as he gets in Tsuji’s face. Tsuji still grins, and will he have an even bigger smile after hitting the Rebel with a Gene Blast?

 

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. w/ TMDK VS Shingo Takagi!

From using his G1 Climax Right to Challenge at the Ryogoku Kokugikan to defending this title the week after, The Front Man is certainly leading the way for TMDK! But now he runs into the Rampaging Dragon who NEVER backs down from a fight! It is Champion VS Champion but with only one title on the line. Will Takagi soon become a Two Belt Dragon? Or will ZSJ make him #JustTapOut?

The introductions are made, the top belt is raised, and we see who survives the Power Struggle!

The bell rings and the fans rally up already as the two stare down. The chants of “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” and “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” echo out, perhaps leaning in Takagi’s favor. The two feel things out, circle, then clinch. They fight for control, and Takagi has the facelock. Takagi brings ZSJ down, floats to a waistlock, but ZSJ wrenches out to then flip Takagi over. Takagi keeps an arm up but ZSJ keeps moving around. ZSJ wants an arm but Takagi goes for a leg. ZSJ turns that around on Takagi but Takagi slips away, and the fans cheer as the two reset. They feel things out again, then clinch. They knuckle lock, and Takagi powers ZSJ right down!

ZSJ fights up to go shoulder to shoulder with Takagi, but Takagi powers ZSJ down again! It’s a cover, ONE as an arm comes up! Takagi pushes that arm down, ONE as the other arm comes up! Takagi puts that back down, ONE as ZSJ bridges up! ZSJ then kips up, rolls, and he reverses the pressure of the knuckle locks. Takagi fights up, puts ZSJ in a corner, and Red Shoes calls the break. Takagi and ZSJ slowly let go, but ZSJ avoids a chop! ZSJ cravats Takagi, but Takagi arm-drags free! ZSJ runs up, Takagi dodges to waistlock. ZSJ switches, half nelsons, then snapmares, but Takagi kicks him away! ZSJ avoids a sliding lariat, but Takagi avoids the Penalty Kick!

The two back up and the fans cheer the standoff. Takagi and ZSJ take a moment to reset, then feel things out again. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, but ZSJ chinbars. ZSJ then wrenches an arm, steps over, and adds the cravat. ZSJ then shifts to a headlock, but Takagi fights up. Takagi powers up and out, but ZSJ RAMS him! Neither man falls, and the fans cheer. ZSJ runs, and he RAMS Takagi, but still Takagi stands! Takagi eggs ZSJ on, and ZSJ runs to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds, but ZSJ slips around to COBRA TWIST! But Takagi powers up and out with a hip toss! Then Takagi runs to RUN ZSJ over!

The fans fire up and Takagi stalks ZSJ. Takagi brings ZSJ up, bumps him off buckles, then RAMS into him! And RAMS in again! And again! ZSJ sits down, but Takagi stands ZSJ up to CHOP! Takagi then brings ZSJ around to whip and KNEE at the ropes! ZSJ falls, clutching his stomach and ribs, but Takagi follows him tot he apron. Takagi goes to fireman’s carry but ZSJ holds ropes. ZSJ then BOOTS, BOOTS, and runs up, but into a fireman’s carry! ZSJ slips out to SLEEPER over the ropes! Takagi ELBOW BREAKERS! But then ZSJ catches Takagi’s shoulder ram into a NECK TWIST! The fans rally up while Takagi falls back.

Takagi bails out the side and Red Shoes checks with him. Takagi is okay to continue, so ZSJ walks over. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Takagi, and UPPERCUTS him again! And again! Takagi leans on the railing in front of English commentary but ZSJ snapmares, NECK TWIST! The fans rally again while ZSJ leaves Takagi behind. Red Shoes checks Takagi again, but Takagi is still okay to continue. The ring count starts, and Takagi is still down at 8 of 20. Takagi drags himself up with railing to stand at 11, and he sees both NEVER Openweight and IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on the timekeeper’s table.

Takagi hurries into the ring with that motivation and the fans applaud. ZSJ has Takagi in a cravat and leg hook to really wrench the neck. Takagi endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK. ZSJ lets go, but then brings Takagi up to UPPERCUT! The fans rally and duel as ZSJ UPPERCUTS again! And again! Takagi headbutts buckles to fire up! Takagi gets in ZSJ’s face, so ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Takagi scoops to SLAM and SENTON FLOP as ZSJ moves! ZSJ gets Takagi for another NECK TWIST! ZSJ fires up and the fans fire up, too! ZSJ paces, then he wraps Takagi up in a neck lock. ZSJ also wants an arm but Takagi resists, so ZSJ CRANKS the neck lock!

Takagi scrambles around to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go and the fans rally up again. Takagi rises, but ZSJ scuffs him. Takagi JABS! JABS! And JABS! Then CHOP! Then CHOP again! ZSJ blocks a chop, but Takagi powers out. ZSJ RAMS and cravats but Takagi shoves ZSJ down! ZSJ sits up, into a BLINDSLIDE SLIDING LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! The fans still rally stronger for “TA-KA-GI!” then “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” Both men rise, and ZSJ RAMS Takagi! Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, but ZSJ jumps on for a GUILLOTINE! But Takagi powers up to THROW ZSJ away! Then he SENTONS! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally up while both men are down. Takagi calls to Osaka, and says it- NO, ZSJ grabs his hand to isolate and STOMP the arm! It is not Takagi’s time just yet! ZSJ looms over Takagi, steps on the bad hand, then wrenches the arm. ELBOW BREAKER! Wrench, and ELBOW BREAKER! Then wrench and- NO, Takagi grabs ZSJ in a SLEEPER! ZSJ slips that around to a SLEEPER, but Takagi hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Takagi drags ZSJ up, turns his uppercut into a backslide, but ZSJ rolls through! Takagi catches ZSJ, STOMP the hands and NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as Takagi gives ZSJ a taste of his own medicine!

Takagi realizes it’s here! “TOKI GA KITA! <The time has come!>” The fans fire up for Takagi as he runs up on ZSJ! Takagi blocks a boot to LARIAT! And then he hits a BIG suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Takagi rises again, and he drags ZSJ up. ZSJ fights the back suplex and throws down elbows. Takagi shoves ZSJ to a corner, then Gory Especial! But ZSJ reaches back to a SLEEPER! Then he shifts to IRON OCTO- NO, Takagi powers up! But ZSJ just shifts for an IRON OCTOPUS all the same! Takagi endures, fights up, and fireman’s carries, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! ZSJ sits up, into SLIDING- NO, ZSJ catches Takagi’s arm!

ZSJ shifts around, he wants both arms! Takagi kicks around but he’s still in CLARKY CAT! Takagi endures, fights over, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go in frustration but he clamps back onto an arm. ZSJ grinds the shoulder, then STOMPS it! Takagi clutches the arm but ZSJ needs to catch his breath. ZSJ then stomps away on Takagi. Takagi rises up, ZSJ runs in, but Takagi blocks a boot! Takagi puts the leg in the ropes, to then DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up. Takagi shakes out the bad arm, brings ZSJ up, and fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT!

Takagi runs, but ZSJ boots him! Takagi LARIATS anyway! But that’s the bad arm! ZSJ BOOTS Takagi! Takagi LARIATS! Even still, Takagi has power behind it! ZSJ comes back, Takagi blocks the boot to CLUB the leg! But ZSJ blocks the lariat to UPPERCUTR the arm again and again! ZSJ runs but Takagi follows, LEFT ARM LARIAT and SAIDO! ZSJ is up and gets around, SNAP GERMAN! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- ZSJ blocks to PELE the arm! Takagi spins, but ZSJ BOOTS the lariat! Takagi spins back around, YUKON feint and DD- NO, ZSJ slips free! PENALTY KICK! But Takagi’s right up, to PUMPING BOMBER!!

Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Takagi rises up and the fans join in on “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs at ZSJ to LARIAT in the corner! ZSJ SLAPS Takagi! And UPPERCUTS! UPPERCUTS! UPPERCUTS! ZSJ runs, into a SLEEPER! ZSJ sits down, but Takagi chicken wings him! ZSJ fights around but Takagi hits a TIGER SUPLEX! And PUMPING BOMBER!! The fans are fired up again and Takagi roars! Takagi drags ZSJ up, pump handles, but ZSJ pries free to have both arms! CLARKY CAT! Takagi turns over but ends up in a modified TRIANGLE HOLD! Takagi endures, fights around, but into a proper TRIANGLE HOLD!

ZSJ squeezes tight, the fans rally and duel, and Takagi powers up! Deadlift, fireman’s carry, and now Takagi goes up the corner?! ZSJ fires elbows, but Takagi still hits STAY DREAM!! Both men are down from that rough landing but the fans fire up again! Takagi rises and he brings ZSJ around again. Takagi wrenches, ducks a kick, and pump handles! MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans rally again! Ryohei coaches ZSJ, the fans rally more, and Takagi rises. Takagi brings ZSJ up to the pump handle and torture rack. ZSJ slips free, trips Takagi, but Takagi fights off the Japanese Bridge!

Takagi has a SLEEPER, but ZSJ rolls and has the legs! ZSJ STOMPS the legs! A very American Dragon move that keeps this Rampaging Dragon down! The fans rally again as Takagi goes to ropes and ZSJ clutches his side. ZSJ goes to ropes on the other end, and then heads for Takagi. Takagi rises, ZSJ rolls to get a leg. ZSJ ducks an enzigiri, and has the ANKLE LOCK! Takagi rolls free, ROKCS ZSJ, then SWATS ZSJ’s kick! But ZSJ catches Takagi to a scoop, ZACK DRIVER!! Both men are down as ZSJ cannot make the cover! The fans rally up even harder, and now the “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” is ahead of “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!”

ZSJ sits up, then heads over to Takagi. ZSJ tries another scoop but Takagi fights it. ZSJ powers through, but Takagi slips around! Dragon sleeper becomes facelock, for the TAKAGI TWIST! Both men are down again and the fans continue to rally! Takagi rises, he stands ZSJ up, and he fires boxing elbows! Takagi stops but ZSJ falls forward! ZSJ slowly sits up, but Takagi stands him up. ZSJ SLAPS! And SLAPS! And RAPID FIRE PALM STRIKES! Takagi JABS! And HEADBUTTS! And SLIDING FOREARMS! Then another American Dragon move, the HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Takagi drags ZSJ into a REAR NAKED CHOKE!!

ZSJ endures, reaches out, but Takagi has those body scissors in deep! ZSJ works to pry those open, then works on the sleeper, but Takagi has a tight grip on both! TMDK coaches ZSJ but he’s turning red! Fans rally and duel as hard as they ever have, but ZSJ manages to roll and roll and roll into the ROPEBREAK! Takagi lets ZSJ go and Red Shoes checks on ZSJ. ZSJ sits up in a bit of a daze, but he tells Red Shoes that he’s not done. The fans fire up and Takagi brings ZSJ up for RIDGE HANDS! Takagi goes to fireman’s carry, but ZSJ wants an arm! ZSJ slips free, shoves Takagi, then goes up and around to TORNADO DDT!

ZSJ scoops Takagi for a SABRE DRIVER!!! Cover, TWO!! But ZSJ has the KNEEBAR!! Takagi flails as ZSJ shifts the grip around for a HEEL HOOK on top of it!! The fans rally and duel again as Takagi reaches around. Red Shoes checks with Takagi but Takagi bites a finger to ignore the leg pain! But then ZSJ makes it an INVERTED FIGURE FOUR!! Takagi flails, rolls around, and finds the ROPEBREAK!! ZSJ lets go in frustration while the fans fire up again! Takagi crawls but ZSJ stands. The fans rally up more as Takagi still tries to chase ZSJ. ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Takagi! Takagi stays up and shakes his head.

ZSJ KICKS, and KICKS, and KICKS, but Takagi block! DRAGON- NO, ZSJ slips free, to NECK TWIST! Takagi still rises, and he scoops, MICHINOKU DRIVER!! Then the pump handle! ZSJ kicks and kicks, only for Takagi to SNAP LAST OF THE DRAGON!!! But Takagi’s leg slows him down, and ZSJ rolls away from the cover!! The fans are rallying as hard as they can as both men stir. Takagi brings ZSJ up, to LARIAT! But there was almost nothing to it! Takagi LARIATS again, but still not enough! Takagi LARIATS, ZSJ BOOTS, Takagi rebounds to PUMPING BOMBER!!! The fans are thunderous as Takagi rises!

Takagi hobbles over, pump handles again, but the bad leg gives up! ZSJ has the SLEEPER, then a GERMAN SUPLEX! Then a PENALTY KICK! Cover, ONE?!?! How does Takagi have that much left?! The fans are thunderously dueling, and both men run up to LARIAT! Takagi ducks the roundhouse but ZSJ KICKS the leg! And dropkicks the bad leg! And then fisherman for the SABRE DRIVER REMIX!!! Cover, ZSJ WINS!!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

Another instant classic from The Front Man! And that’s taking nothing away from the NEVER Openweight Champion and a former world champion in his own right. But if Takagi can put up this level of a match challenging for a belt, will no one ever take the gold Takagi has already?

As for ZSJ, he grabs a mic quickly to tell Takagi, “Damn that hurt. But also, thank you.” The fans cheer that, and Takagi says he’ll get him next time. ZSJ continues with saying that he is tired, that match was long. But hey, it’s nothing, he’s not even warm. Well, okay, he is a bit warm. But uh, why waste time? Who’s his next challenger? Who’s next? Oh, that takes him back. “Da re desu ka?” But please, come on out. They’re short on time. Fans are torn as Shota Umino appears! They were okay with him winning over Sanada, especially in retrospect, but Shota for the world title…? ZSJ says hey, it’s okay, it’s okay.

ZSJ tells Shota it’s alright, come to the ring. But, make it quick. The fans continue to boo as Shota grabs a mic. Shota tells ZSJ, “Amazing. What a fantastic, hot blooded match. Nice work.” ZSJ thanks Shota as Shota bows in respect. Shota then tells Zack in English that he wants to face him again. Shota wants to be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Shota wants to challenge ZSJ! The fans boo, but ZSJ teases that he doesn’t understand English, please say that in Japanese. The fans have a good laugh, and Shota says okay. Since he is the challenger, he won’t call the shots. Anywhere, anytime, that’s fine by Shota. He leaves it up to the champion, please and thank you.

The fans do cheer that, and ZSJ tells “Shota-kun” that anytime and anywhere is fine by him, too. “Ganbate ne. <Do your best.>” Shota replies in English, “Thank you, d*ckhead.” ZSJ gives back, “Yarimasho <Let’s do it>, d*ckhead.” The two then shake hands after their strange show of respect, and the fans are still iffy on this. When and where will Shota look to bring about his Paradigm Shift?

Shota then takes his leave, and ZSJ admits he can’t do much more in Japanese, everything hurts so much already. ZSJ does say he had “three dreams” for this year. First: win the G1. Check. Second: win the IWGP World title. Check. Third: main event in the Tokyo Dome! The fans love the sound of that! ZSJ then thanks the fans here in Osaka, drops the mic, and the fans cheer as the streamers fly! Wait, the music cuts off? Why? BECAUSE RICOCHET’S MUSIC STARTS! The One & Only is here?! AND COMING IN FROM THE CROWD! ZSJ turns around in time for the springboard FLYING LARIAT!!

The fans are going nuts for Ricochet as he takes out the champ! Ricochet grabs the mic to tell, “Osaka! Hisashiburi yo! Choto matte, choto matte.” Ricochet then goes to ZSJ, and says that he never really got to formally congratulate ZSJ on winning the G1 Climax, then going on to winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. So before anything else, Ricochet will say, congrats. The fans applaud, and Ricochet says in the world of wrestling, it is widely known that he who holds the IWGP World title is regarded as one of the best wrestlers on this planet. And it is also known that he who holds that title holds all the power here in NJPW.

And Ricochet wants that. He wants that power. So what better way to prove to everybody, to himself, that this fire inside burns brighter than ever before, by taking that title from ZSJ and proving he is still the EFFIN MAN around here!? So Ricochet challenges ZSJ for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship for WRESTLEDYNASTY!! But before that, here’s a little parting gift. Ricochet takes off his jacket, loads up the finger gun, and he says bang! But then Shota runs out here! The fans are torn about Shota being the hero here, but Ricochet says they’ll sort this out soon enough. Shota picks ZSJ up, but ZSJ attacks Shota!

ZSJ TOSSES Shota, dares Ricochet to get back in here, but then Shota gets ZSJ! DEATH RIDER!! The fans boo Shota and Ricochet equally, but Ricochet smirks. Shota picks up the world title, and he tells ZSJ to NOT look past him! ZSJ is NOT the best wrestler yet! The fans boo, but the walls are already closing in on ZSJ. Will ZSJ’s dream of having the main event in the Tokyo Dome soon become a nightmare?


My Thoughts:

An awesome event for NJPW, especially to finish up the Super Junior Tag League. Though, there were a lot of interesting moves, maybe even confusing, when it comes to what’s next. I was genuinely surprised to see Khan & Henare win the Heavyweight Tag titles, but how great for Khan to be a double champion. And it seems TMDK and United Empire will be feuding as factions since both Ryohei and Cobb want the NJPW World TV Championship. A match between them would be great, but I feel like another Triple Threat is the better option. It’s how Narita won the title, and it’d be great if that’s how he loses it. It’s mostly because I don’t see Ryohei overcoming Cobb 1v1.

The SJTL final itself was awesome, and what a great finish. But then I wasn’t really sure what to make of the move after. I get the logic of Catch 2/2 beating Jet Setters and being owed a title match, and I get the logic of War Dogs wanting the rematch they never got. I also get they’re trying to add some intrigue as to who gets the WrestleKingdom match, but it should really be TMDK and only TMDK. Doing a Fatal 4 Way undercuts TMDK winning tonight because then the other teams just get in on the title match. At the same time, there’s little time before World Tag League takes over, so unless Fighting Spirit Unleashed and New Japan Road have tag titles matches, WK will end up having a Fatal 4.

While I didn’t cover the match, Evil & Narita of course cheated to win, but of course Evil wants to face Tanahashi for WrestleKingdom this year. That means we have a full two months to build. And if we go by the scissors, does Evil want a Hair VS Hair match? Something about that makes sense given Tanahashi’s hair is almost as iconic as anything else. But since Tanahashi is going to continue until WrestleKingdom 20, he has to be winning one way or another. And if it IS Hair VS Hair, seeing Evil shaved as his punishment for all the cheating he’s done would be amazing. Great match from Shota VS Sanada. Shota beating Sanada was expected as he’s moving up the ladder, whether fans like it or not.

Seeing Kenny Omega return was great, and great to hear that he’s just two months away from returning. The first ever WrestleDynasty got big just off that. And since Gabe Kidd attacked him backstage, tada, there’s the match. Gabe is a great choice for Omega’s first match back, and Gabe will look great regardless of the outcome. And since WrestleDynasty is the huge crossover event, Omega can easily segue into something AEW related. After all, The Young Bucks will be there, too.

Great match from Douki VS Wato, and Wato looked about the best he’s ever looked. But in the end, Douki retains and that’s just fine. And then Desperado returning to challenge Douki, that is going to be a great rematch that could go either way. But after this point, things get weird. Taichi VS Finlay was awesome, and they really made Taichi look great, but something about that was foreshadowing enough for Finlay surviving this match. What I don’t understand is Sanada being the guy. Was Sanada losing to Shota “the last straw” or something? Was there tension in Just5Guys? Maybe there was backstage promo stuff I missed, but Sanada joining the War Dogs seems too out there.

ZSJ VS Takagi was an awesome match so it was a good palate cleanser, because then things got weird again. I figured ZSJ was winning, no problems there. But then as the fans are souring on Shota, he steps up to be the challenger. Shota tries to get back some of that attitude he had when he was with Moxley, but it didn’t really land with the crowd tonight. And then Ricochet shows up and basically lets out his Heel side on ZSJ. Yes, it makes sense that NJPW and AEW both realized this was the time to make a dream match like ZSJ VS Ricochet for WrestleDynasty, but looking at the big picture, it gets confusing.

Face Ricochet is feuding with Konosuke Takeshita over the AEW International Championship, but now Heel Ricochet wants the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. I would think that Ricochet VS Takeshita happens at Full Gear, and maybe, just maybe, Ricochet wins the International Championship. Then Ricochet can bring that belt to WrestleDynasty. Not even to do a Winner Takes All but to raise the star power like how ZSJ VS Takagi was Champion VS Champion here tonight. Because trust me, just like Takagi here tonight, Ricochet will put on a classic with ZSJ only to lose.

My Score: 9/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (3/25/25)

La Primera Double Header!

Published

on

So much gold is on the line!

Stephanie Vaquer is the first ever NXT Women’s Double Champion, and she’s willing to defend both belts separately! Will Vaquer still be golden after tonight?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • NXT Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer VS Jaida Parker; Vaquer wins and retains the title.
  • Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont w/ Wes Lee; Igwe & Dupont win.
  • NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS Je’Von Evans; Lexis wins and retains the title.
  • Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson; Gigi & Tatum win.
  • Ethan Page VS Andre Chase w/ Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors; Ethan wins.
  • NXT Women’s North American Championship: Stephanie Vaquer VS Fallon Henley; Vaquer wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer VS Jaida Parker!

The Dark Angel starts her Double Header to start the show, and Miss Parker is ready to take her shot on goal! Will Jaida get out the mud with this one? Or will she learn that La Primera don’t play, either?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and both title and history are on the line!

The bell rings and the fans duel already. The two tie up, go around, and Jaida knees low! Jaida wrenches, wristlocks, and YANKS the arm. Jaida wrenches, YANKS, and wrenches again, but Vaquer rolls, handsprings, and wrenches to a wristlock in return. Jaida powers through to scoop and SLAM! She eggs Vaquer on, scoops her again, and SLAMS her! Jaida talks trash, the fans rally, and Vaquer goes for a leg. Jaida stops Vaquer with a facelock, shifts to hook the arms, but Vaquer slips through to trip Jaida up! Vaquer has the toehold, then ties Jaida’s legs up into a DEATH LOCK! The fans fire up while se see Ava Raine and the Women’s Division watching backstage.

Jaida endures, crawls back, and reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Vaquer lets go, but Jaida runs up. Vaquer dodges, comes back, and tilt-o-whirls to a roll-up! TWO, Vaquer dodges Jaida and sits her down for body scissors! Gedo Clutch, TWO! Jaida escapes that one and the fans fire up. The two reset, circle again, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Jaida powers her way to a facelock. Jaida CLUBS Vaquer, headlocks, then THROWS Vaquer down! Jaida wraps on the body scissors, but Vaquer pushes back to a cover, TWO! Jaida CLUBS away on Vaquer, rolls her over to a cover, TWO!

Jaida facelocks, drags Vaquer up, but Vaquer wrenches free. Vaquer whips, Jaida reverses, but Vaquer RANAS! Jaida tumbles to a corner and the fans fire up. Vaquer runs up and LARIATS, but Jaida fires a forearm! Vaquer CHOPS, SOBATS, and whips corner to corner. Jaida goes up, over, and HIP DROPS! Jaida caught Vaquer with that one and the fans fire up! Jaida talks more smack before she rains down fists, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Jaida lets off of Vaquer to clap back at the Vaquer fans. Jaida whips Vaquer to a corner hard, then scoops for a BACKBRAEKER! Vaquer writhes, Jaida drags her back up, and Jaida whips Vaquer to then ROCK her! Jaida whips Vaquer and CLUBS her, then she brings Vaquer around for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Jaida stays on Vaquer with a facelock, and snap suplexes again! Cover, TWO! Jaida is annoyed, but she whips Vaquer, only for Vaquer to fire off forearms! Vaquer dodges a lariat, ROCKS Jaida again and again, but Jaida knees low! Jaida stands Vaquer up, runs and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO!

Jaida grows frustrated but she pushes Vaquer over. Jaida digs a knee into Vaquer’s back and pulls her back! Vaquer endures, fights to her feet, but Jaida wrangles her back down. Jaida digs her knee in more but Vaquer still endures. Vaquer fights back up, only for Jaida to CLUB her back down! Jaida whips Vaquer to a corner, then whips her back in! Jaida talks some smack while NXT returns to single picture. Jaida whips Vaquer back into the corner, then corner to corner. Vaquer staggers, Jaida scoops, but Vaquer slips free and drops down, VICTORY- NO, Jaida stuffs it! TWO, and both women stand! Jaida blocks a shot, wrenches and slips around, BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally up as Vaquer goes to a corner. Jaida runs in, but into a BOOT! Jaida comes back, but into a HANGING TRIANGLE! The fans fire up, the ref counts, and Vaquer lets go at 4. Jaida staggers away, Vaquer springboards in and CROSSBODIES! Direct hit, and the watch party loses a few guests, such as Jordynne Grace. The fans fire up as Vaquer runs and dials it up, 619! Jaida flounders, Vaquer storms up, and the fans fire up for the headscissors! Vaquer turns Jaida over for the PRIMERA DRILLER! Vaquer goes all the way to TEN, then brings Jaida up. Vaquer underhooks but Jaida wrenches free!

Jaida knees low, reels Vaquer in and suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Vaquer survives and Jaida grows further frustrated. Jaida drags Vaquer up, dragon sleepers, “This is Awesome!” as Vaquer slips free. Vaquer waistlocks. Jaida switches and shoves, then SPINEBUSTER! Jaida drags Vaquer back up, POSTS her, then has her in the ropes! Jaida CHOPS Vaquer, then runs to TEARDROP! Jaida high steps, but GRACE is ringside! The Juggernaut is not happy with how Jaida interrupted her last week! Jaida frowns, but she still blocks Vaquer’s kick! Jaida ROCKS Vaquer, runs and builds speed, into a victory roll! VAQUER WINS!!

Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)

Jaida is beside herself, but she let someone else get in her head before the end. Refs rush out here to keep Jaida from going after Jordynne. The bottom line is that Vaquer still has the top title in the NXT Women’s Division. But FATAL INFLUENCE ATTACKS! The fans boo as Fallon, Jacy & Jazmyn mug Vaquer, wanting to soften her up for the main event! Jacy drops a SENTON, then another SENTON! Then a third SENTON! The fans boo as hard as they can, but will NXT once again be under the Influence?

 

Trick Williams paces backstage.

But he spots someone walking in and says he doesn’t wanna hear any of that, he doesn’t have time for it today. But Je’Von Evans says, “Deadass, I didn’t like how you pushed me to the side last week. I was focused on Dark State, and I was trying to tell you and Oba that-” Trick says Je’Von still doesn’t get it! Just because they’re from the Carolinas, they’re supposed to be brothers? Trick told him once and he’ll tell Je’Von again, the focus is on Stand & Deliver and the NXT Championship. Je’Von knows Trick’s obsessed with Oba, he’s been that way for the last four months! How is Trick focused so hard on Oba that he couldn’t do what Je’Von did and just drop him?

Trick says be real. Je’Von only dropped Oba because Oba was focused on Trick. Oh, really? Well, if Trick keeps on doubting Je’Von, then Je’Von will just keep on shocking him. Trick said Je’Von would never be champion, but tonight, Je’Von proves Trick wrong again. Trick says yeah, Je’Von has potential, good for him. Randy Orton said Je’Von’s got potential, there’s all these “cosigns,” but there’s a difference between having potential and having the title. Everybody can’t hold that title in the air. Je’Von says he thought Trick was mad before. But that title has really changed Trick into someone else.

Trick says it’s a champion thing, dawg. That’s something Je’Von doesn’t understand. Well, after tonight, Je’Von will. The Young OG heads out, but will he take the Drama King’s throne as Heritage Cup Champion?

 

The NXT Women’s Division Watch Party continues.

As the others murmur about how the opening match ended, Ava says she needs to go check on Vaquer. But Lash Legend says, “SKRRT! Excuse me, Miss Mayor.” Ava says, “Yes, Lashes?” Lash needs to check into why Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley have a title match with the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions when it should be the Meta Girls. Ava tries to start, but Gigi says maybe it’s because Ava is tired of giving Lash & Jakara opportunities and they lose. Ever think about that? Tatum says first, Gigi & Tatum will beat Ash & Heather By Elegance, and then they’ll bring those TNA titles to NXT!

Jakara says whatever, she and the Bougie Bully have been a real tag team a lot longer than anyone else in this room. Zaria steps up but Sol Ruca has her calm down. Lash tells them both to sit back down. Jakara says you don’t send girls to do a woman’s job. They ran up on Ash & Heather but Gigi & Tatum went and took their shot. Oh, “took their shot,” huh? Please, Miss Jackson. If you’re about the action, Gigi & Tatum will show them something. Lash says don’t even go there. The Meta Girls head out, telling Ava to fix this. Ava has a lot on her plate, but will Gigi & Tatum show they can make an impact?

 

Sit-down interview with Ricky Saints.

Vic Joseph sits down with The Absolute and says he has been waiting for this moment ever since Ricky arrived over a month ago. Ricky has already had some big moments, but there are those in the locker room that say Ricky doesn’t belong. It’s Stand & Deliver Season, tensions are high, is that all white noise or motivation? A bit of both. Ricky thinks it is funny, as there are superstars back there that have had a head start on him. And it wasn’t until he actually showed up that the decided to up their game. Vic and the fans are finding out just how confident Ricky is as a performer. And confidence can scare people.

That is what Ricky has been dealing with all his life. So coming here and getting that is nothing new to Ricky. Then where does Ricky find that inner confidence? Ricky says when he was breaking into the business, he was living out of his car. There were times he didn’t know how he was going to eat for that weekend. He didn’t know if he’d have money for food or clothes. But at the end of those days, the only thing he actually had was his confidence. The confidence in the fact that he was going to get out of that situation. That is why he’s sitting with Vic right now, in NXT and the WWE. It is because of that confidence.

Ricky wears the scars and battle wounds as pride. But wait, Shawn Spears interrupts? Vic tries to explain this is an exclusive interview, but The Chair Man says he is going to take it from here. Vic steps aside and Spears tells Saints to relax, he’s just sitting down. Spears says they’ve known each other a long time. Ricky says too long. Then why does Ricky think Spears didn’t ask Ricky to join The Culling. Because Spears knew Ricky would say no. Spears knew Ricky would say that, and tells Ricky that he’s wrong. Remember that conversation in Philly? How many times has Spears had to talk Ricky off the metaphorical ledge?

How many times did Ricky not believe in himself? All the advice he’s given over the years. The reason Spears didn’t offer is because, sadly, Ricky is still the same man he left over a year ago. Nothing’s changed. This arrogance is a plague everywhere Ricky goes. All he does is create a long line of enemies, and it is all his fault. Wow, what’s really weird to Ricky is that Spears doesn’t get how if he wants to be number one here in not just NXT but in WWE, it’s that he’s going to make enemies. Spears has heard that same thing, “You wanna make friends? Or do you wanna make money?” That is Spears’ point with Ricky!

Look at Spears! He is a champion in the WWE, with three of his best friends, family even, right by his side. Ricky says they’re the only reason he has that title. And Ricky is going to be the one to take it from Spears. Oh, so Ricky wants the North American Championship? Is he sure? Even though they both know what the outcome’s going to be? Do not add Spears to your long list of enemies, Ricky. You know what they are capable of. Jensen, Niko & Izzi step in, but Spears has them stay back. Spears tells Ricky that in case it doesn’t work out, he can always go back to… Oh, no, never mind. They both know Ricky burnt every bridge.

The Culling leaves, and Ricky says he’ll just have to win then. Will Spears still be so high and mighty when Saints comes marching in?

 

Other superstars finish watching the interview.

Wes Lee’s guys, Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont, cannot believe this. What is Ricky doing? He can’t be for real. Wes says no, he is. It’s “Ricky ‘Everything is About Me Once I Walk Through the Door’ Saints.” But in time, he’ll realize he ain’t the guy around here. But don’t sweat it, it’s almost time for their match. Let’s get it. The Wes Side heads out, Ethan Page puts his coat up, and Kale Dixon tells Uriah Connors that Ricky is pulling an Ethan Page. That’s what All Ego did, didn’t he? That’s gotta suck. Ethan says two more words, and Kale will get knocked out again. Uriah steps up for Kale, but then Andre Chase steps in.

Chase tells Ethan, “What the hell is your problem? You know that’s not how we handle things here.” Oh, and this isn’t a classroom, professor, this is the real world. Yeah, and Ethan knows better. Kale & Uriah are young and inexperienced. Oh, then Chase better teach them that their words have consequences. Actually, Ethan forgot that their dead-end university is closed. Oh, is that how Ethan feels? Yeah! Then maybe Chase should teach them about sensitive tough guys like Ethan who can’t handle the truth. Ethan says, “We’ll see.” Ethan heads out, Chase tells Kale & Uriah that he’ll handle this. And seeing how eager they are, Chase lets Kale & Uriah follow.

Kale & Uriah are excited to see Mr. Chase handle business, but will All Ego stomp all over the name of Chase U?

 

Hank ‘n’ Tank walk ‘n’ talk.

They’re riled up from last week, being talked down to by Wes, but forget about last week. Right here, right now, these two will prove they’re not just two individuals. They are two minds intertwined! Nobody is more connected than the Bodacious Belly Boys! What does Motor City Machine Guns say to that? Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin are waiting and they like the energy. Hank ‘n’ Tank have got this! One time for the boys! HONK HONK! MCMG wants to see Hank ‘n’ Tank bring out that it factor, will this be the night they level up? Or will Ty & Ty show them what it takes to evolve?

Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont w/ Wes Lee!

NXT is picture in picture for entrances, and while the teams sort out. Igwe starts against Tank and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock as Igwe is taller but Tank is wider. The two reset, tie up again, and Igwe waistlocks. Igwe SLAMS Tank down, holds him down, but Tank fights back up. Tank wiggles and swivels and switches, but Igwe fires elbows! Igwe goes to ropes, bucks Tank, then runs him over! Igwe drags Tank up, tags Dupont, and they double wrench to double YANK the arms! Tank goes to ropes, Dupont brings him around, and Dupont CLUBS the arm! Dupont wrenches to RAM shoulders, then taunts Tank.

Dupont stands Tank up but Tank rolls Dupont up! TWO, and Tank wrenches to YANK the arm! Tank wrenches the arm again, Dupont fights the elbow breaker, but Tank powers him into the corner! Hank tags in, sets up, and Tank HONK HONKS the ELBOW BREAKER! Hank runs up and LARIATS Dupont! Hank bumps Dupont off buckles, then goes corner to corner with Dupont to bump him off more buckles! Hank whips, Dupont reverses, and Dupont SPLASHES! Dupont talks trash, then whips corner to corner. Hank goes up and over, and he BODY BLOWS! NXT returns to single picture as Hank climbs up!

Igwe storms in but Tank intercepts! The fans fire up as Tank bumps Igwe off buckles and climbs up! Hank ‘n’ Tank coordinate, and they rain down fists! The fans count along, and we go to nine, wind up, and TEN! Hank ‘n’ Tank send Ty & Ty into each other, and then HONK HONK, BIG BELLY SANDWICH! Igwe falls out, Wes is annoyed, and Hank wrenches Dupont to YANK the arm. Tag to Tank, drop toehold and ELBOW DROP! Tank then sits Dupont up for Hank to run, run, and run, to DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Tank hurries to get Dupont for a cover, TWO! MCMG watches this backstage, Tank whips but Dupont blocks!

Dupont reels Tank in to LARIAT! Tag to Igwe, Ty & Ty double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Igwe snarls, but Tank avoids the stomp! Igwe hobbles, Dupont tags in and he CLOBBERS Tank! Dupont talks trash, whips Tank, but Tank KICKS Dupont! Tag to Hank, and Hank TOSSES Dupont onto Igwe! The fans fire up as Tank holds the way open! Shoutout to MCMG, Hank DIVES! Direct hit and Hank even hits the desk! The fans are losing their minds over the world’s biggest “five hole goal” as Hank puts Dupont in the ring. Dupont goes to a corner, Hank runs in, BACK BODY BLOCK and BULLDOG! The fans fire up with Hank, but Wes distracts him!

Hank takes a swipe, Wes gets away, and Dupont UPPERCUTS Hank down! Tag to Igwe, he stomps away, and Igwe clamps onto Hank’s arms, to then pull and STOMP! Igwe then drags Hank up to fire hands, then he lines up a shot. Hank wobbles, Igwe BOOTS him down! Igwe drags Hank up, whips him to the corner, then he runs up to RAM into Hank! Dupont tags in, but Hank fights back! Dupont full nelsons, Igwe BODY BLOWS, and Dupont FULL NELSON SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Hank survives that mugging but Dupont drags him back up. Dupont has the full nelson and he thrashes Hank around! Hank fights up and hits a JAWBREAKER!

Dupont staggers, Igwe tags in! Igwe drags Hank from Tank, but Hank fights and flails! Hank powers up, the fans rally, and Hank steps forward. Igwe CLUBS Hank on the back! Igwe keeps the facelock, but then takes a swing on Tank! Tank dodges. then Hank dodges, hot tag to Tank! Tank rallies on Ty & Ty with big forearms and LARIATS! Tank dodges Igwe to then OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Dupont storms up but Tank ROCKS him, and BLASTS him! Wes is freaking out as Tank cartwheels past Igwe to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Tank suplexes Igwe, FISHERMAN SPINEBUSTER! Cover, DUPONT BREAKS IT!

The fans rally, Igwe goes to a corner, and Tank runs in. Igwe runs up, Tank dodges to go up, up and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Tag back to Hank, and Tank goes up? Hank turns Igwe, but Wes slides in! The ref stops Wes, but that lets Dupont trip Tank up! No Skull ‘n’ Bones, Igwe shoves Hank away! BOOT and Hank is on spaghetti legs! Dupont tags in, SLAM DUNK SAIDO!! Cover, Ty & Ty win!

Winners: Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont, by pinfall

The Wes Side used numbers against Hank ‘n’ Tank trying to use another legendary team’s style. Will Hank ‘n’ Tank ever find that thing that makes them a legendary tag team?

 

Ava Raine checks on Vaquer.

Vaquer is being iced and taped up from that attack earlier, and the NXT GM says she should’ve known better. Is Vaquer sure she can defend the North American Championship tonight? After what Fatal Influence did, Ava- Vaquer stops Ava there. Vaquer is the double champion, and she will keep her word to Ava, to the NXT Women’s Division, and to her home country of Chile. Vaquer IS La Primer. Fallon will still get her title match. Okay, but is Vaquer sure? They can always reschedule. Vaquer says she’s sure, thank you. Vaquer heads out with both belts in hand but ice wrapped around her waist. Will Vaquer still make history by successfully pulling off the double header?

 

Backstage interview with Fraxiom.

Sarah Schreiber is with the NXT Tag Team Champions and brings up that the last time we saw them, they were battling it out with The Hardy Boyz at Roadblock. What was it like for Axiom to go home to Spain and push Der Ring General, Gunther, to his limits? Axiom says that was a dream come true. Axiom pushed the WWE World Heavyweight Champion to his limits in front of Axiom’s home crowd. His friends, his family! That’s a moment he’ll never forget. Nathan Frazer says him, too, amigo. Because Frazer didn’t get invited to that. But hey, it’s Stand & Deliver Season, and-

Axiom stops Frazer there. They talked about this. It was all meant to be a big surprise for everyone, and… Frazer has a big mouth. So- Oh, what is that supposed to mean? Does Axiom think Frazer was going to tweet it out or something? Well, he’s kinda done something like that before… Hey, maybe if Frazer was there, Axiom would’ve beat Gunther! Okay, what is that supposed to mean? Wait, as Fraxiom argue, someone pulls up. It’s OBA FEMI! And The Ruler does not look happy. Axiom gets out of there, and Frazer is unsure where he’s going. Frazer follows, will the dysfunction start up all over again?

 

NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS Je’Von Evans!

The Drama King continues to talk a big game, but perhaps changing the rules from British Rounds to First Fall might come back to bite him. Will this Cup still be Lexis’ prized possession? Or will the Young OG shock the world by adding his name to the Heritage Cup legacy?

NXT returns as Lexis makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the trophy is raised, and we see if this is still Lexis’ way and Lexis’ life.

The bell rings and the two approach. Lexis takes a swing, Je’Von dodges, and Je’Von asks if Lexis is still mad about last week. Lexis runs up, Je’Von headlocks, and Je’Von thrashes the hold. Lexis powers up but can’t power out. Je’Von thrashes the headlock more, but Lexis pries at the grip. Lexis pulls hair, puts Je’Von in a corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Je’Von dodges the sucker punch to hit a headlock takeover! The fans cheer as Je’Von shows he has that technical side, but Lexis headscissors. Je’Von kips free, headlocks again, but Lexis fires body shots. Je’Von CLUBS Lexis and CHOPS him, then it’s back tot he headlock.

But Lexis hits a BIG back suplex! The fans boo but Lexis stomps away on Je’Von. Lexis soaks up the heat, drags Je’Von up and scoops for a SLAM! Cover, TWO! Je’Von is tougher than that and Lexis stays focused. Lexis taunts Je’Von, clamps on the chinlock, but Je’Von endures. Je’Von fights up, but Lexis crossface forearms Je’Von down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for “YOUNG O G!” Lexis tells them to shut up, then he winds up. Je’Von dodges to springboard and FLYING SCHOOLBOY! TWO, and Lexis swings, into a wrench! Je’Von goes up the ropes, BOUNCY~” RANA! Lexis gets up, Je’Von dodges him, for a springboard CROSSSBODY! Cover, TWO!

Je’Von DROPKICKS Lexis right down and the fans fire up! Lexis bails out, Je’Von grins and builds speed. Je’Von DIVES, direct hit on Lexis and he ends up on the desk! The fans fire up as Je’Von cheers himself on, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Je’Von perches on the desk as he waits for Lexis to get up. The ref reprimands and wants this in the ring, so Je’Von hops down to fetch Lexis. Je’Von CHOPS Lexis, brings Lexis around, but Lexis SHOVES Je’Von into steel steps! Je’Von writhes, Lexis talks trash, and he drags Je’Von up to put him in the ring. Lexis drags Je’Von up to scrape laces off the face, then he KICKS Je’Von in the back! Je’Von grits his teeth but Lexis stands him up. Lexis bumps Je’Von off buckles, then headlocks to throw in some sneaky punches! The ref sees those and reprimands, but Lexis drags Je’Von up. Je’Von stops the buckle bump to give a buckle bump!

Je’Von CHOPS and Lexis sputters! Je’Von CHOPS again, but Lexis dodges to throat chop! The ref reprimands, but Lexis stomps Je’Von around. Lexis hoists Je’Von up for a BIG back suplex, covers, TWO! Lexis looms over Je’Von, stomps him, then drags him up to bump off buckles. Lexis uses the ropes so he can dig both boots in! The ref counts, Lexis backs off, and he drags Je’Von out from the corner. Je’Von fires body shots, then whips, only for Lexis to reverse. Lexis DROPKICKS Je’Von down, covers, TWO! Je’Von stays in this but Lexis stays on him with a chinlock. Lexis leans on Je’Von but Je’Von still endures.

NXT returns to single picture as Je’Von rises up. Je’Von arm-drags free, then BODY BLOWS! And BODY BLOWS! Lexis ROCKS Je’Von right back! Lexis runs up to LARIAT in the corner, and CHOP! Lexis wrenches, then has an inside fisherman, for a FISHERMAN DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Je’Von survives and Lexis is furious! The ref defends his count was fair, so Lexis drags Je’Von back up. Lexis talks trash, Je’Von CHOPS! The fans fire up while Lexis sputters and drops to his knees! Je’Von then goes to a corner, and Lexis snarls. Lexis runs up, blocks a boot, but Je’Von stands on Lexis’ foot! Je’Von ROCKS Lexis, UPPERCUTS, then runs and hits a SUPER OG PUNCH!

The fans fire up and Je’Von keeps moving, springboard and DREAMCAST KICK! The fans fire up as Je’Von hurries to the apron! Je’Von then climbs, FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!? Lexis survives and the fans are thunderous! Je’Von just brushes that off and brings Lexis up. Je’Von underhooks, “This is Awesome!” but Lexis BACKDROPS free! Je’Von lands on his feet! Lexis runs up to SUPERKICK! Lexis snarls, drags Je’Von back up and reels him in! “LONG! LIVE! THE KING!” CORO- NO! Je’Von wrenches out, whips, but Lexis reverses! Je’Von hits a NEURALIZER! Lexis tumbles out while the fans fire up!

Je’Von shakes the ropes, he is all fired up! Je’Von runs and FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up again! Je’Von hurries to get Lexis in, then he goes up the apron. Lexis distracts the ref, OBA GRABS JE’VON! APRON POWERBOMB!!! The Young OG writhes, the fans boo, but the ring count is climbing! The Ruler counts along as we pass 5 of 10, and then 8! 9! TEN! Lexis wins!!

Winner: Lexis King, by count-out (still NXT Heritage Cup Champion)

The King keeps his crown thanks to The Ruler getting revenge on Je’Von! And while Oba stalks Je’Von back into the ring, the lights go out! Because THEY are here! Dark State is in the crowd! Je’Von fights Oba while Dion, Saquon, Cutler & Osiris creep closer! Oba ROCKS Je’Von, reels him in, but Je’Von gets out of the bomb! Trick Williams runs in, Oba dodges, TRICK SHOT hits Je’Von!! Trick is a bit stunned, but refs and security rush out here! Dark State waits at the barriers to see how this plays out. Fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” but the refs won’t let Trick and Oba get started! Dark State is loving this! Will NXT truly fall into chaos?

 

Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson!

It was last week that these teams “crossed the line” into TNA to call out Ash & Heather By Elegance, but it was the “weird girls” who were given the title opportunity. Will Gigi & Tatum make Lash & Jakara understand why? Or will the Meta Girls make them pump the brakes?

The teams sort out and Gigi starts against Lash. They circle, tie up, and go around. Gigi arm- NO, Lash blocks the arm-drag to then press Gigi down. But then Sol & Zaria walk out on stage to watch this in person. Lash whips and THROWS Gigi away! Lash talks smack on Sol & Zaria, then tags in Jakara. The Meta Girls double whip Gigi to the corner, then Lash sends Jakara in for a back body block! Lash runs up to SPLASH, then she feeds Gigi to Jakara’s SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Gigi stays in this but Jakara stays on her. Gigi reaches up to RANA Jakara to the corner! Gigi back body blocks, tag to Tatum!

Gigi sends Tatum and she CROSSBODIES Jakara in the corner! Tatum sets up, Gigi runs up, POETRY IN BRONCO BUSTER! Gigi gives Jakara a wild ride, then Tatum high stacks, TWO! Jakara toughs it out and then ROCKS Tatum with a right! But Tatum drop toeholds! Tatum drags Jakara back, then top mounts to hook the legs, and she turns Jakara over for the SPIDER-WEB SURFBOARD! Jakara endures, Lash storms in and pushes things over! Lash drags Tatum up, tells her off, and then Jakara HOTSHOT BULLDOGS! Tatum flounders, Jakara tags Lash, and Lash BOOTS Tatum down! Lash puts Tatum on the ropes and dares Zaria to do something.

Tag to Jakara, and she drops a knee on Tatum’s face! And another knee! Jakara runs to cartwheel ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Jakara drags Tatum up, tags Lash, and then Jakara feeds Tatum to Lash’s scoop! Lash SLAMS Tatum, talks trash to Zaria & Sol, then covers Tatum. TWO, and Lash is annoyed. Tag to Jakara, the Meta Girls mug Tatum, but Jakara swaggers too soon! Tatum BOOTS her away! Tatum breaks free of Lash, leaps, but Lash catches her! Tatum still reaches out, tag to Gigi! Lash throws Tatum back, Tatum dodges Jakara, Jakara ROCKS Lash! Gigi goes up to DOUBLE FLYING LARIAT the Meta Girls!

The fans fire up as Gigi hurries to DECK Jakara! SUPERKICK for Lash! Gigi wrenches and ROCKS Jakara, to then ripcord and LARIAT! Tag back to Tatum, Gigi gives her a boost to ENZIGIRI Lash! Tatum & Gigi then set Jakara up, DOUBLE HEADBUTT SANDWICH!! But that’s not all! They hook Jakara up, CEMETERY DRIVE!! Cover, Tatum & Gigi win!

Winners: Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley, by pinfall

The combination of STO and Lightning Spiral is certainly deadly! Will it help them knock out the Knockouts Tag Team Champions?

 

Tony D’Angelo is at the restaurant.

The cousins tell The Don, “the streets are talking.” “And they’re talking a lot.” Tony knows that. He hears everything. He’ll handle it. The rest of the Family arrives, and they sit with Tony. Luca asks how he’s doing, and Tony says he’ll be alright. Those four guys put a pretty good beating on him. Tony doesn’t even know who they are. Tony wants intel. He wants to know who they are, what’s their motive, what’s their purpose, and where they eat before they even do. Understood? Rizzo says got it. They’ll take care of it. Luca says Tony can count on them. Tony says he knows he can. Stacks stays silent, but then Tony tells him to hold on.

Stacks sits back down while the others leave, and Tony asks if Stacks is good. Yeah, everything’s alright. Besides this “Dark State.” But why? Tony says Stacks is Underboss for a reason. They grew up together. Remember back in high school, when Stacks and Ralphie Ziparetto hit that high roller card game? Yeah, he does. There were some big sharks there. That there were. And remember when they tried to pull his card and Tony had to step up and convince them to give Stacks a pass? Yeah, he remembers. He’ll never forget what Tony’s done for him. Tony knows Stacks won’t. Because Tony believes in Stacks, trusts him, and can always trust him. Right?

Stacks stands up and pats Tony on the shoulder. “You can always trust me, T. Always.” Stacks leaves, but is that enough for Tony to believe him? Or is something brewing in the background of all this?

 

Hank ‘n’ Tank regroup with MCMG.

Tank doesn’t get it! They did everything Sabin & Shelley said: Stay connected, step in unison! Shelley says okay, enough. Let’s talk them off the ledge. MCMG thinks Hank ‘n’ Tank did great. But hey, they’ve also been in this game a long time, wrestled all sorts of teams from all over the world. They definitely feel Hank ‘n’ Tank are future champions, but… They have to remember that everyone’s process is different. Everyone takes a different path to the top. It’s short term pain for long term gain. There are levels to this, but a couple words of advice: trust your partner, and don’t compare yourselves to other teams. MCMG’s been together well over a decade.

But y’know what? This isn’t linear, it is undulating. It took MCMG a long time to get to the top, to get to the WWE. And within weeks, they were WWE Tag Team Champions! The most important thing: Don’t give up. Don’t give up! Tank says yeah, they’ll get there, and they’ll see MCMG down the line. They all fist bump, but what path will it be? Will Hank ‘n’ Tank just need more time? Or will they find a major breakthrough as soon as next week?

 

Ethan Page VS Andre Chase w/ Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors!

While All Ego and The Professor have different philosophies, they do have something in common: They both want to rebound from some disappointing losses. Wait, Ricky Saints pushes right past Ethan to join commentary. The Absolute wants to watch this in person, will he see Ethan rebuild his ego? Or will we finally see some school spirit again?

NXT returns and Chase makes his entrance, still a bit worse for wear, but Kale & Uriah are pumped up enough for all three of them. Chase has them remember, it’s not Chase U, though. Even so, Uriah & Kale put up that U and cheer Mr. Chase on. On commentary, Vic apologizes for Shawn Spears interrupting their interview. Ricky says hey, just one more Canadian wrestler who doesn’t like him. The bell rings and the two tie up. Chase headlocks, Ethan pries at the hold, and Ethan powers up and out. Chase goes up the corner and around to roll Ethan up! TWO, Chase trips Ethan, steps through, but Ethan boots him away.

Chase comes back, Ethan drops down, but Chase counters hip toss with a hip toss! Ethan hits a headlock takeover, and he holds Ethan down as Ethan kicks around. Ethan fights up, the fans chant, “We Want Thea!” Ethan stomps Chase’s foot, headlocks back, but Chase powers up and out. Ethan runs Chase over! Things speed up, Ethan counters hip toss with hip- NO, Chase MONKEY FLIPS that hip toss away! The fans fire up and Chase headlocks. Ethan powers up to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans rally but Ethan KNEES Chase in the side, stomps away, then drops an ELBOW! Ethan brings Chase up, but Chase stops the buckle bump!

Chase fires forearms, then whips, but Ethan reverses to DECK Chase! Ethan DECKS Chase again, then looms over Chase at the ropes. The fans boo but Ethan drags Chase up again. Ethan whips Chase to ropes, but Chase grabs ropes! Chase DUMPS Ethan out, then takes aim, only for Ethan to step aside. Ethan glares at Kale & Uriah, but Chase is on the apron! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up for Chase as he FLYING LARIATS! Down goes Ethan and the fans fire up! Chase wants Kale & Uriah to calm down, and NXT goes picture in picture.

Chase drags Ethan up, puts him in the ring, then storms up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Ethan is tougher than that but Chase brings him back up. Chase whips Ethan to a corner, but Ethan reverses. Ethan runs in, Chase ELBOWS him away, then Chase goes up. Ethan ROCKS Chase first, then brings him off the corner for an OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Ethan stomps Chase, then drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Ethan clamps onto Chase with a chinlock and he grinds Chase down. Chase endures, Uriah & Kale rally the fans, and Chase fights up! Chase fires body shots, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Ethan covers, TWO!

Ethan grows frustrated, but he clamps back on with a chinlock. Chase endures, even as Ethan grinds him into the mat. Kale & Uriah keep cheering Chase on with the U, and Chase fights up again. Chase JAWBREAKERS free! Ethan staggers, but he still scoops and SLAMS Chase! And back to the chinlock! Chase endures all over again as Ethan squeezes tight. Chase fights up, pries at the hold, and NXT returns to single picture as Chase fires body shots. Ethan knees low, then whips, but Chase KICKS Ethan back! Chase then wrenches and SWINGING NECKBREAKERS! The fans fire up while Ethan and Chase are both down.

Chase and Ethan go to corners, and Ethan runs up, only for Chase to dodge! Chase rallies with ELBOW after ELBOW! Chase whips, Ethan reverses, but Chase reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! The fans fire up and Chase starts to spell it out, but he feels so conflicted! Uriah & Kale tell him it’s okay! Spell it out! Chase says alright! “C! H! A! S!” But Ethan blocks the E! Only for Chase to dodge the roundhouse and SIDE EFFECT! Cover, TWO! Ethan stays in this but Kale & Uriah coach Mr. Chase to keep going. The fans fire up, Chase storms up on Ethan and brings him around. Chase goes up the corner, reels Ethan in, but Ethan wrenches out! ICONOCLASM!

Ethan then RIPCORD CODE BREAKERS! Cover, TWO!! Chase survives and the fans fire up! Ethan is frustrated but Uriah is relieved and Kale is pumped up! Ethan and Chase rise up, and Ethan pie faces Chase. “Stay down! Stay down!” Chase eggs Ethan on! Ethan SLAPS! Chase SLAPS! Chase CHOPS, CHOPS, runs, but Ethan BOOTS him! Ethan goes to the apron to get Chase, and brings him up, only for Chase to APRON NECKBREAKER! Chase hurries in, goes up, and TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives and the fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” Chase hurries back up top, but Ethan hits the ropes! Chase gets tripped up!

Ethan goes up the corner, hoists Chase onto his shoulder, and fans boo as Ethan hits a SUPER POWERSLAM!! Cover, TWO?!?! Chase survives and the fans are thunderous! But TWISTED GRIN!! Cover, Ethan wins!

Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall

Chase gave Ethan much more of a fight than expected, but Ethan still won out. All Ego talks trash on Ricky, Ricky says if Ethan wants some, he’s right here. But then SHAWEN SPEARS CLOBBERS RICKY! The Culling mocks Ricky’s pain and Ethan smirks. Will they all make sure Ricky has nothing to show for showing up in NXT?

 

Dark State speaks.

They post to X as Dion shouts, “Y’all like that, huh? Y’all like that?! We ain’t even gotta do nothing and y’all go crazy!” Cutler says, “Just ask Tony D what happens when we decide to get involved!” Osiris says, “When the lights go out, anxiety goes through the roof!” Saquon asks, “Are y’all slow? When are y’all gonna realize that when Dark State strikes, ain’t nobody safe! NOBODY!” They head out into the night, when will they strike again?

 

NXT Media catches up with Trick Williams.

The reporter asks if Trick meant to hit Je’Von earlier tonight. Trick says everyone wants to talk about Je’Von. Everyone who can see knows Trick was aiming for Oba. Je’Von was just collateral damage. Nah, forget that! Je’Von’s a distraction! Just like how Eddy Thorpe was a distraction! A distraction from what Trick wants. Everyone’s a distraction from the fact that Trick is the man around here! Trick is supposed to be NXT Champion. Oba knows it. And if Oba is still The Ruler, then he knows where to find Trick right here next week. Trick turns to go but the reporter asks his opinion on Dark State.

Tricky says that ain’t his business. Trick leaves, not interested in distractions. But is he overlooking a major problem gnawing away at the foundation of NXT?

 

NXT Women’s North American Championship: Stephanie Vaquer VS Fallon Henley w/ The Fatal Influence!

La Primera made it through Jaida Parker, perhaps in part thanks to Grace. But Fatal Influence still had to stack the deck against Vaquer with an ambush. Will the Toxic Cowgirl just be picking the bones like a vulture? Or will the Dark Angel still have gold on each shoulder?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Vaquer can defy the odds to make history again!

The bell rings and the fans rally behind “LA PRIMERA!” But Jacy distracts Vaquer and Fallon RAMS her into the corner! Fallon RAMS in again and again, then drags Vaquer out to snap suplex! Vaquer writhes, Fallon covers, TWO! Fallon top mounts but Vaquer pushes her up and away. Vaquer then fires a flurry of forearms! Fallon kicks low then whips Vaquer. Fallon KNEES low, the fans boo, but Fallon covers, TWO! Fallon snarls, storms around, and she drags Vaquer up. Fallon bumps Vaquer off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in. Fallon whips corner to corner, runs up, but Vaquer BOOTS her away! Vaquer then DROPKICKS Fallon down! Cover, TWO!

Vaquer and Fallon rise up, and Fallon BOOTS Vaquer down! Fallon drags Vaquer to then stomp her in the stomach and ribs! The fans rally but Fallon covers, TWO! Fallon frowns, but she clamps on with a REAR BEARHUG! Vaquer endures, the fans rally for her, and Vaquer pries at the grip. Vaquer turns around to JAWBRAEKER, and SUPERKICK! Fallon falls onto ropes, Vaquer dials it up, but Jacy & Jazmyn warn Fallon! Fallon ducks the 619, then RAMS into Vaquer! Fallon POSTS Vaquer, then runs to swing and TIGER FEINT Vaquer down! The fans boo but Fatal Influence soaks up that heat while NXT goes picture in picture.

Fallon storms back into the ring, stalks Vaquer, and drags her up. Vaquer fires body shots, but Fallon KNEES low! Vaquer falls over, clutches the ribs, but Fallon drags her back up. Fallon bumps Vaquer off buckles, stomps her down, then talks trash. Fallon stomps away on Vaquer, digs her boot in, but steps off as the ref counts. Fallon drags Vaquer up, TOSSES her out, then paces. The ring count starts while Vaquer writhes. Fallon storms out to stand Vaquer up, and she RAMS Vaquer into the apron! Fallon drags Vaquer up again, SMACKS her off the desk, then puts her in the ring. Fallon stomps away on Vaquer, covers, TWO!

Vaquer toughs it out and Fallon grows frustrated. Fallon drags Vaquer by her hair, talks smack on the fans, but Vaquer ROCKS Fallon again and again! Vaquer SOBATS, runs, but Fallon BOOTS her down! Fallon huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Vaquer around again. Fallon clamps on a top wristlock and grinds the arm. Vaquer endures, fights up, and NXT returns to single picture. Vaquer fires shots, but Fallon kicks low! The fans boo but Fallon whips and ROCKS Vaquer! Fallon cravats, Vaquer powers out, but Fallon comes back to get around. Fallon waistlocks and sits Vaquer down! Fallon then runs to SLIDING FOREARM!

Fallon keeps moving and she KICKS Vaquer in the side! Vaquer writhes, but Fallon drags her up to bump her off buckles. Fallon goes out to the apron, and she redials, but Vaquer dodges the feint kick to bump Fallon off the buckles! Then they go side to side, but Fallon blocks the buckle bump! Fallon SMACKS Vaquer, goes up the corner, but Vaquer SMACKS Fallon back! Vaquer goes up, but Fallon fights back. Vaquer HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Then she brings Fallon up for a SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” while both women are down! Fallon and Vaquer crawl to each other, and Fallon SLAPS Vaquer!

Vaquer HEADBUTTS Fallon! Fallon ROCKS Vaquer! Vaquer HEADBUTTS again! Fallon kicks low, Vaquer sits down, but Fallon is right on her. Fallon whips, Vaquer reverses, EAT DA FEET! Vaquer bumps Fallon off buckles again and again and again, all three levels! Vaquer scrubs Fallon’s face with her boot, then goes corner to corner! METEORA! The fans fire up as Vaquer snapmares Fallon, and wraps on the headscissors! But Fallon victory rolls, and she STOMPS Vaquer’s ribs! Fallon then drags Vaquer up, clinches, pump handle, FALL AWAY SLAM! Fallon stomps Vaquer again whiel fans boo.

Fallon stands Vaquer up, runs, but Vaquer victory rolls! TWO!! Fallon SOBATS, then she TOSSES Vaquer out! The ref argues with Fallon, but that lets the Influence rush in! Vaquer dodges Jacy to SUPERKICK! But Jazmyn’s NYX KICK hits!! The fans boo as Jazmyn puts Vaquer in, and Fallon goes up, up, and BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Vaquer survives and Fallon is shocked! Fallon argues with the ref, then she snarls at Vaquer. Fallon runs in, Vaquer dodges! SUPERKICK! Vaquer tucks the arms, but Jazmyn gets on the apron! Vaquer runs up but Jazmyn scurries away. Fallon hooks Vaquer up again, but Vaquer slips underneath!

Vaquer shoves Fallon into Jazmyn! Then roll-up, roll through, and tuck! S V B!! Cover, Vaquer wins!!

Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s North American Champion)

The Influence is shocked, but their numbers game backfired! La Primera keeps both titles, but then Jacy & Jazmyn attack! The fans boo as they and Fallon stomp Vaquer again! They set her up, but HERE COMES JORDYNNE! The Juggernaut is back, and she picks Fallon up, BOOTS Jacy, and then SMACKS Jazmyn using Fallon! Grace ELBOWS Fallon down, then LARIATS Jacy! A BACKHAND for Fallon, and the fans fire up! Grace picks up both belts, and she hands them back to Vaquer. But she kinda holds on, too… Grace lets them go, Vaquer gets fired up, but then Jaida SHOVES Grace into Vaquer!

Jaida fires hands on Grace, but Grace DECKS her in return! And then she runs up to HIP ATTACK Jaida down! Grace shows Miss Parker isn’t the only one that’s hip-notic. But then Vaquer turns Grace around so they can stare down. Grace bailed Vaquer out two times tonight, will Vaquer have to face Grace two times in one night?

We cut back to the watch party, and Ava tells Stevie Turner that this is historic. No one has pulled off two defenses in one night, but Vaquer did. Lola Vice steps up and says she wants next. Kelani Jordan says nope, not before her! She deserves her own shot at the title. Cora Jade says she wants in, but so does Izzi Dame, Karmen Petrovic, and pretty much everyone else in the room. Ava says okay, okay! She will figure this out! Just what will Mayor Ava choose for Stand & Deliver Season?


My Thoughts:

An awesome NXT, really packed for just the two hours, and with some great story intertwining. Saints VS Spears next week for the North American Championship is a touch surprising, but they laid the groundwork really well tonight. Good interview promo where Spears “interrupts” and gives Ricky that not so subtle threat. Then with that promo, they cleverly used it to make Ethan VS Chase and put Ricky on commentary. I wonder, though… Ricky’s line about Canadians hating him, was that a shot at Adam Copeland taking those cheap shots at him last year?

That aside, great match from Ethan VS Chase, but I figured Ethan would win, this keeps building anticipation for the moment Chase U returns. But also, Ricky jawing with Ethan was a good distraction for Spears to attack. It feels like Ricky is going to win, but The Culling could easily cheat him out of the title and we extend things towards Stand & Deliver. Igwe & Dupont VS Hank ‘n’ Tank was a great match, but between Wes interfering and Hank ‘n’ Tank clearly trying to do things like MCMG and not their own way, Hank ‘n’ Tank were of course losing. I believe I said this when “going extreme” like the Hardys didn’t work out that Hank ‘n’ Tank just need to find a team more their style, aka The Dudleys.

Very good promo from Tony D with The Family, with Tony’s strength as The Don being questioned by “the streets,” but also perhaps Tony questioning if Stacks is going to stay loyal this time. They teased Stacks turning on Tony way back when The D’Angelos were feuding with Gallus, but they might actually pull the trigger now. The Culling is working to replace The D’Angelos as the top faction, Tony has done almost everything in NXT, and something would be very fitting if Tony was betrayed before he can win THE NXT Championship and become the Grand Slam Champion.

Very good stuff in this Dark State story, though it’s really more the others in it, like Je’Von, Trick and Oba. Je’Von VS Lexis was a great match, but I should’ve figured Oba would cost Je’Von. Also, good promo from Fraxiom to revive their dysfunction while also segueing into Oba showing up. Trick hitting Je’Von by accident was also a good touch, and he had a good promo after. Him claiming he doesn’t care about Dark State is intriguing, too. Could Trick be working with them behind the scenes? It’d be very “CM Punk helped The Shield” of them to do in this story. Perhaps Dark State affects the NXT Championship match for that purpose.

And of course, the highlight of the night, the throughline story, is NXT’s incredible women’s division. Opening with Vaquer VS Jaida for THE NXT Women’s Championship was rather telling that Jaida would lose, but it’s a bit disappointing it had to be because of Jordynne. I get wanting to keep Jaida strong and they’re clearly planting sees of Jaida VS Jordynne there, but it doesn’t really help Vaquer. Though they also have Fatal Influence attack to put Vaquer in the underdog position with the beat up ribs. Vaquer does get to show her grit by overcoming the unofficial 3v1, but all that could’ve still happened without Jordynne costing Jaida on some level.

I also did appreciate that the watch party had a part to play. Gigi & Tatum VS Meta Girls was really good stuff, and I really like that team finisher from Gigi & Tatum. They probably won’t beat Ash & Heather By Elegance, but they can have a great showing. And all the other women wanting their shot at Vaquer’s belts, Ava can definitely give us something big in the last three weeks before Stand & Deliver. Maybe a small tournament, maybe a battle royal, it really depends on if Vaquer will defend the belts in another double header or in a Winner Takes All match.

My Score: 9/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (3/24/25)

ADRENALINE! IN GLASGOW!

Published

on

The American Nightmare is in Scotland!

After confronting a “whiny” John Cena in Brussels, Belgium, Cody Rhodes is now in Glasgow, Scotland! Will there be another Raw encounter between champion and challenger?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso VS A-Town Down Under; The Usos win.
  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Raquel Rodriguez w/ Liv Morgan; Lyra wins and retains the title.
  • Dragon Lee VS Chad Gable; changed to…
  • Dragon Lee VS El Grande Americano; Grande wins.
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS PENTA; Bron wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

JOHN CENA IS HERE!

Glasgow erupts with boos just like Brussels did last week, and then “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” Cena wears the custom Scotland “The Last Time is Now” merchandise, and fans show their Cody Rhodes signs. Cena goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans boo again. Cena hears those boos, and then says, “Is something on your mind? Seems like you have something you want to say to me.” The fans keep booing, and there’s still dueling even now. Cena says yeah, they’re ready to do their worst tonight, aren’t they? It’s because they finally understand what is going on. Cena has turned the spotlight onto the fans, and now they know that he can pick apart any one of these random ticket holders to shreds!

Cena knows they know that no one is safe! Cena put a clueless kid on blast! His poor, pathetic face was everywhere! WWE posted it! And you all loved it. The fans tell Cena off, and Cena just smiles. Cena says who is better: him, the one guy who actually tells the truth; or all the fans, whose collectively best idea is to use profanity! The fans are the ones who loved to watch and rewatch and meme up a poor, defenseless kid getting destroyed! Cena doesn’t need to single out anyone here, because they are ALL horrible people! No, tonight, the fans get to find out how Cena makes them pay for the abuse they have put him through.

For 25 YEARS, Cena has listened to their lies and their noise! But he didn’t waste that time being mean, he paid attention. Fans tell Cena to STFU, and Cena says, “You make this so easy. While you were chanting profanity at the top of your lungs, I’ve been paying attention. I’ve been learning from you, quizzing you, studying you, testing you, prodding you, rewarding you for playing along with your stupid, curse ridden nursery rhymes. And in doing so, you have told me every single thing about your. You know nothing about me, I know more about you than you.” The fans boo, but Cena says the truth is, “Your life is sad!

“Because this is the best it’s gonna get. This is all you have! But to me, you have been nothing more than an experiment. You have been rats in a cage. Oh, you don’t believe me? Pick out any moment in my career, and I’ll tell you what I learned from you. When I bled, you thought I was tough. When I spoke, you were inspired. When I was edgy, you were excited. When I was vanilla, you were bored. When I was loyal, you were loved. When I was selfish, you were disrespected. When I speak in rhythmic tones, you say, ‘What.’ You make this so, so simple. You will always tell me everything about yourselves, because you so desperately want to matter.

“And the most important thing you ever told me was in April 2005. It was the day I gave you my greatest idea. I gave you the WWE Spinner Championship! And just like right now, you ate me alive. All you have to do is google, ‘Negative comments about the spinner belt.’ You all told me loud and clear how stupid I was, because I changed your championship into a toy, and the championship is not a toy. The championship is a symbol of the center of all this, and the toy belt I made for you disrespected tradition and disrespected your legacy. Listen closely, because that was the biggest mistake you ever made.

“In that one single moment, you were vulnerable enough to tell me what means the most to you in this life. And now that I know that… I am going to ruin wrestling. I am going to ruin wrestling for every fan, for every wrestler, for everyone. At WrestleMania, I make history by winning a 17th (world) championship. And I finally force you to forget the name of the fun machine, jet-flying WOO~, Ric Flair. You will forever say the name ‘John Cena.’ But even worse… I’m going to win that championship, the center of every superstar of this entire business, of every fan in this building, I will win that championship and retire with it. I am taking it home with me!

“And leaving all of you to create a brand new toy belt, because the real one comes home with me! I will be the LAST REAL CHAMPION in WWE! Revenge is best served cold, and I pay you back by ripping your heart out and forcing you to watch as I just walk away with your memories, and your traditions, and your dreams, and there is nothing you can do to stop me!” But wait! Here comes Cody Rhodes! Glasgow fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives the fans, and joins Cena in the ring. Cody grabs his own mic, the fans cheer, and Cena just glares the entire time. Cody raises the belt and the fans cheer again.

The fans sing “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” Cody then lifts the mic to say, “I’m sorry, what’d you say? You said you were going to take this away from them? Don’t you think you need to take it away from me first? Admittedly, I made a mistake last week. I looked at you, I talked about Old John, I talked about New John, I didn’t look hard enough. Hearing it, seeing it now, you are clearly sincere, you are clearly angry, and you are clearly willing. Perhaps you’re the most dangerous John Cena has ever been. But you have made a massive mistake. And the mistake was not hitting me upside the head with this at Elimination Chamber.

“Oh, no, no. The mistake was saying what you just said in front of these lovely people while I was in the building!” The fans cheer and sing for “CODY! CODY RHODES~!” Cody asks Cena if all that bothers him. Because it doesn’t bother Cody. What bothers Cody is that he didn’t unpack their history. But Cena should know well enough just how hard Cody fought just to hold this title ONE time, just to validate ONE name! And if Cody understands Cena right, Cena is saying that the timeline of all pro-wrestling hangs in the balance because of Cena’s vanity? Cena wants the title, right? He wants to take it?

Cody sets the belt down on the mat, and says he’ll give Cena that chance right now. The fans fire up as Cody takes off the tie, and dares Cena to take it! The mics drop, Cena prepares to draw as the two square up, but then Cena steps back. The fans boo as Cena leaves, not giving Cody the satisfaction of doing things his way. Cody picks up his mic again and shouts, “JOHN!” Cena turns around, comes back down the ramp, and the fans cheer as Cody dares him to bring it! Cody’s jacket comes off now, the fans fire up more, but Cena shakes his head and leaves again. Cody tells Cena, “one thing, John. I cannot let you do it. I cannot have that on my conscience.

“Right now, I need you to see me, I need you to see all of them, and I need you to understand that your psychotic need to take this does not outweigh OUR right to keep it!” The fans cheer that! Cody says the champ is no longer standing there, the champ is standing in the center of this ring! And Cena walking away empty handed, that is how he walks away from WrestleMania, and that is how he walks away from the WWE! The fans cheer as Cody says the champ is here! But will Cena use whatever means he has to in order to carve his name into eternity?

 

Jey Uso & ??? VS A-Town Down Under!

Main Event Jey put Austin Theory away so fast, you’d blink and miss it. Theory & Waller want revenge, but who’s joining Jey tonight? Why none other than JIMMY Uso! It’s an Uso Reunion in Glasgow, will they put Theory & Waller in the Uso Penitentiary? Or will they suffer the Grayson Waller Effect #AllDay?

While we get an accidental non-ad break for the YEETing, we also get ATDU making their entrance. And after a quick self-plug for the WWE original series, Stephanie’s Places, the teams sort out. Theory starts against Jey for revenge from last week. They tie up, Jey headlocks, but Theory powers up and out. Jey runs Theory over, the fans fire up, and Jey says “YEET!” Jey runs, Theory stays low to then hurdle, but Jey stops the hip toss! Jey then LARIATS Theory! Theory scrambles away, and he tags Waller in while Waller is busy taunting Glasgow. Waller says he ain’t impressed, but Jey says YEET! Jey blocks a kick, then plays keep away before he SMACKS Waller!

Jey BODY BLOCKS and PELES Waller in the corner, then tags in #BigJim! The fans fire up as Jey whips Waller, and the Usos DOUBLE ELBOW, then handshake DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! They DOUBLE LARIAT Waller up and out, but here comes Theory! The Usos TOSS Theory out, and then Jimmy FLIES! Down goes ATDU and the fans fire up! YEET! Jimmy high-fives some fans before fetching Waller into the ring. Jimmy storms up but Waller mule kicks! Waller CLUBS Jimmy, CLUBS him again, then whips corner to corner. Jimmy goes up and over, then UPPERCUTS! Cover, TWO! Waller stays in this but Jimmy stays calm.

Jimmy CHOPS Waller to a corner, but Waller kicks low! Waller swings but Jimmy dodges, and Jimmy CHOPS! Waller flops down, the fans chant, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy CHOPS Waller, whips, but Waller grabs ropes. Theory tags in, Waller KICKS Jimmy, then Waller TOSSES Jimmy! Waller builds speed, slides, but Jimmy dodges! Jimmy UPPERCUTS Waller, but then Theory DECKS Jimmy! The fans boo, Jey checks on his brother, but Theory mocks the Yeet. Theory puts Jimmy in, dares him to reach for Jey, then stomps Jimmy’s hands. The Usos are in trouble while Raw goes… Well no, another not ad break?

Theory taunts the fans, the fans boo, but Theory taunts Jey. Theory drags Jimmy onto ropes to CHOKE, but he stops at 4. Waller gets a cheap shot in as Theory argues with the ref! Jey protests but now Theory rains down fists on Jimmy. Theory mocks the Yeet, says “SUCK IT!” then drags Jimmy up. Tag to Waller, ATDU mugs Jimmy, and Waller CLUBS Jimmy down! Waller lines up a shot, and he KNEES Jimmy in the side! Waller drags Jimmy up, fires hands, but Jimmy SMACKS back! And he CHOPS Theory! Jimmy ROCKS Waller, then ELBOWS Theory! Waller blocks boots, puts Jimmy in ropes, and CLUBS him!

Waller runs to ROLLING ELBOW Jimmy in the back! Tag to Theory, DRAPING JUMP STOMP! Cover, TWO! Theory clamps onto Jimmy with a chinlock and grinds him down. The fans rally up, Jimmy fights to his feet, and Jimmy reaches out. Jimmy fires body shots, then hits a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down! Jimmy and theory crawl, hot tag to Waller, and he BLASTS Jey off the apron! Waller rains down fists, then talks trash. The fans boo, Waller paces, and Waller steps on Jimmy’s face! The ref reprimands, but Waller clamps on a cravat. Jimmy endures the neck wrench, and the fans tell Waller he’s a wanker.

Waller puts on more pressure, and we fade to block for just a second. Jimmy fights up, the fans rally up, and Jimmy fires body shots. Waller knees low, then sucker punches Jey! But Jimmy UPPERCUTS Waller! Waller goes to the apron, Jimmy storms over, but Waller HOTSHOTS! Waller then somersaults in, but into a SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up as Jimmy and Waller crawl again, hot tags to Theory and Jey! Jey LARIATS Theory, DECKS Waller, then fires haymakers on Theory! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Pop, lock ‘n’ put some stank on the YEET! Then an UPPERCUT! Theory blocks a kick, but not the DRAGON WHIP!

The fans fire up with Jey and they “YEET!” with him. Jey dodges Waller to HIP ATTACK Theory! SUPERKICK for Waller! SUPERKICK for Theory! Cover, TWO! Jey stays cool and the fans rally up again. Theory rises, Jey waits on him, and fireman’s carry for a- NO, Theory fights free, tag to Waller! Jey dodges Theory to UPPERCUT! Waller grabs Jey, and DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOWS connect! Then they double whip to POP-UP DOUBLE HAYMAKER! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives but Waller hurries to a corner. Waller goes up, and he hits a BALLER- NO! Jey dodges, that was an airball! Hot tag to Jimmy! Jey POPS Waller up for Jimmy’s SAMOAN DROP!

The fans fire up as Jimmy goes from Alley-Uce to the top rope. Theory runs up, Jimmy kicks him down, but Waller hits the ropes! That trips Jimmy up and Waller drags Jimmy into a fireman’s carry, Jimmy slips free, tag to Jey! SUPERKICK for Waller! Theory sneaks a tag! Theory hides, Waller BOOTS Jimmy away! Waller runs up, Jimmy ALLEY-UCE into the SPEAR!! The fans fire up but Waller’s not the legal man! Theory is back, but he runs into a ONE D!! Cover, Usos win!

Winners: The Usos, by pinfall

One and done for the Day One Ish! BUT GUNTHER YANKS JIMMY OFF THE CORNER!! The fans boo, but Gunther and Jey start brawling! Then a SUPERKICK for Gunther! Jey SUPERKICKS again! Gunther ends up in a corner, Jey runs in, but he trips?! Gunther pounces to attack with elbows and fists! Jimmy runs in with a chair! Gunther gets away while he can, but he mocks what happened to Jey tripping. Jimmy has his brother’s back, but will Der Ring General keep up the blindside attacks?

 

The Judgment Day is backstage.

Raquel Rodriguez stretches, and she says she’s missing something. Liv Morgan says, “Imagine how you’d feel with one of these on each shoulder by the end of the night.” Liv has Raquel hold up the title belt and Raquel likes that idea. Dominik Mysterio & Carlito walk in, and Dom says Finn hasn’t talked with any of them since last week. Liv says typical Finn. She loves the guy, but he is always more concerned about his own problems. Dom gets that, he just wishes things went different last week. Liv says it’s fine, things are turning around for the better. Liv beat Jade Cargill just last Friday, and Raquel will become the NEW Women’s Intercontinental Champion! #DoubleChamp!

And just because Finn didn’t win last week doesn’t mean they have to give up on the Men’s IC title. Liv wants Dom to talk with Adam Pearce, and Carlito interrupts by saying Liv’s right. Now it’s time for Carlito to go for the gold. Um, yeah… But also, Dom should go talk with Penta again. Dom says Finn is already against that idea, but Liv says Finn was against Liv joining, and look how that turned out? Dom has the brains, he should just trust himself. Liv says she and Raquel are going to go, Dom wishes them luck. Carlito says yeah, they brought him in, too, and look how that turned out. Okay but can he share his apples? Nope.

The Judgment Day is doing what they want, but not really consulting all members on that. Will things really work out for the better? Or are they just one move away from everything falling apart?

 

Lyra Valkyria prepares for her match.

Bayley is there to give her a fist bump of encouragement before she heads to gorilla. Lyra also passes by Adam Pearce talking with the LWO. Is the Raw General Manager going to help Dragon Lee get a fair fight with Chad Gable? Or could “El Grande Americano” still make an appearance?

 

The rich and illustrious history of lucha libre…

… is filled with legends like Blue Demon, The Guerrero Family, and Mil Mascaras. But one star shines brighter than all the rest: El Grande Americano! Hailing from the Gulf of America, El Grande Americano was raised to be the ultimate luchador. He quickly rose to the top of the industry, and for decades was the face of Lucha Libre. But after being blackballed by his jealous enemies, he disappeared without a trace. Now, the legend has returned to bring honor and glory back to this beautiful sport! He is an icon! He is a trailblazer! He is… El Grande Americano!”

Adam Pearce talks with The LWO.

Rey Mysterio asks just what the Hell is that video. That is the introduction to the newest member of the Raw roster… That’s ludicrous! It’s all just Chad Gable! Gable steps in and says they’re wrong. He also coughs and wheezes a bit. Gabel says he knows there are physical similarities, but he is not Grande Americano. He also doesn’t have the energy to argue right now, he got sick on the way over. Sadly, he cannot compete tonight. He has a doctor’s note. Pearce reads it, and it is legit. Rey cannot believe this. But whatever, it’s okay. They’ll just see Gable in the parking lot! Pearce has Rey stand down, and Gable says whoa now. Let him finish.

Gable suggests that Lee should take on the new guy, Grande Americano, and see what he’s got. Rey & Lee are still incredulous, but Pearce says his hands are tied. Rey says he gets it. Lucha libre tradition is about not backing down. Lee says whether Americano is Gable or not, Lee will take the match. Then it’s official! Lee glares at Gable, and Rey says Gable’s a jackass. The LWO walks out, Gable says he can’t believe Pearce is going to let them talk to him like that, but Pearce can’t believe Gable needed a doctor’s note. Gable coughs as if on cue, but will the Boy Wonder still get a big win here in Glasgow?

 

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Raquel Rodriguez w/ Liv Morgan!

The Morrigan has been undefeated in title matches ever since winning the tournament, but she is quite literally up against her biggest challenge yet. Will Lyra still fly high this close to home? Or will Big Mami Cool become Double Champ Rodriguez?

The introductions are made, Lyra’s belt is raised, and we see who holds the #ShinyShiny!

The bell rings, the two circle, and they feel things out. Lyra dodges Raquel, then gets around to waistlock. Raquel THROWS Lyra off with ease but the fans boo. Lyra brushes herself off while Raquel tells the fans to shut up. The two tie up, Lyra goes for a leg, but Raquel gut wrenches to SWING Lyra around, and then THROW her away! The fans boo but Liv applauds. Raquel drags Lyra up with both ands, then THROWS her into a corner! Raquel runs up, Lyra dodges and headlocks! Raquel powers up and out, Lyra goes up, but Raquel catches her! Lyra holds on, Raquel yanks her from the corner, but Lyra slips free.

Lyra dropkicks legs out, then she gets under Raquel. Raquel fights the Northern Lights to gut wrench and Gory Especial! Lyra sunset flips, but avoids a stomp! Lyra headlocks again, but Raquel powers up and out again. Lyra ducks ‘n’ dodges, wheelbarrows, and victory rolls Raquel out of the ring! The fans fire up with Lyra and Lyra builds speed, but Raquel stops the dropkick! Raquel drags Lyra out but Lyra RANAS her into the desk! Liv panics, Lyra waistlocks, and Lyra puts Raquel in the ring. Lyra hurries up the steps, Liv coaches Raquel, and Raquel stands. Lyra leaps, into a BOOT! The fans boo but Liv cheers, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Raquel has Lyra on the ropes to CHOKE her! Raquel steps off as the ref counts, and Raquel drags Lyra up. The fans rally for Lyra, but Raquel reels her in to suplex. Raquel SLINGSHOT JACKHAMMERS! Cover, TWO! Lyra survives and Raquel is frustrated, but Liv coaches her to keep going. Raquel pie faces Lyra, drags her to a drop zone, and then goes up the ropes. Raquel soaks up the heat before the VADER- FLOP! Lyra dodges, goes up a corner, and the fans fire up again! TURN OF FORTUNE!! Cover, TWO?!? Raquel survives that flying leg drop and Lyra is shocked! The fans rally as Lyra fireman’s carries!

Raquel kicks and flails, slips free, then shoves Lyra to a corner. BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Raquel goes up, VADER SENTON! Cover, TWO! Lyra survives and Raquel grows frustrated. Liv coaches Raquel and she drags Lyra up again. The fans rally, Raquel bumps Lyra off buckles, and then Raquel puts Lyra up top. Lyra BOOTS the haymaker away, then she fires forearms! Raquel wobbles, Lyra adjusts, and Lyra CROSSBODIES, but into Raquel’s arms! Raquel pops Lyra up to a suplex, but Lyra DDTS! Cover, Liv gives Raquel the ROPEBREAK! The fans boo and Lyra knows something is up! Lyra glares at Liv but Liv just taunts Lyra.

Lyra hurries to bring Raquel up again, fireman’s carry, but Raquel powers out. Raquel shoves, Lyra dodges the boot and WRECKS Liv with a dropkick! But Raquel drags Lyra into a scoop, but Lyra slips around to victory roll! LYRA WINS!!

Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)

Lyra couldn’t outpower Raquel, but she did outthink her! But now Liv attacks from behind! The fans boo as Liv & Raquel mug Lyra, but here comes Bayley! The Role Model ROCKS Liv, then gives her a HOTSHOT in the ropes! Bayley fires haymakers on Raquel but Raquel knees low! Raquel hoists Bayley up, but now Lyra saves Bayley! And together, they grab legs and DUMP Raquel up and out! The fans fire up as Bayley & Lyra send Judgment Day into retreat! But will Lyra thank Bayley by giving her a title match?

 

Jimmy & Jey regroup backstage.

Jimmy asks Jey what’s up, and that for the last couple of weeks, Jimmy sees Jey is all up in his own head. Jimmy doesn’t get it. Last week, Jey was hitting that dive for 15 years, and then he becomes a joke! A meme even! What’s with him? Tonight, that killshot was right there, but Jey’s out here slipping. Jey keeps this up, he will not win at WrestleMania. Jey knows that! Jey knows. But everyone reminds him every week. He ain’t beat Gunther, he’s 0-3! But you know what else? He doesn’t know if he can beat Gunther. Jimmy says he can’t?! Jey gets up, Jimmy keeps him from going off somewhere.

Jimmy says Jey can’t beat him. Not this Jey Uso. The Jey that Jimmy knows, the Right Hand Man, that’s the Jey that can! The one that become Main Event Jey, that’s the Uce we need! The one that won the Royal Rumble, THAT’S the Jey we need! Understand him? Jimmy then spots someone off to the side. Jimmy says he’s got Jey on this. Jimmy confronts Gunther! Gunther grins as he walks over, and Jimmy says Gunther VS Jimmy next week! Wow, really? Sure. So long as Jimmy doesn’t trip and fall like his brother. Jimmy SLAPS Gunther for that one! The Usos head out, Gunther leaves it at that. But then Gunther grins. Is Gunther going to make Jimmy an example to Jey?

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

The Raw GM says, “We are officially on the Road to WrestleMania!” The fans cheer that, and Pearce shows the contract for the WWE Women’s World Championship match between Bianca Belair and Iyo Sky. Last week, Rhea Ripley came out here, thought it was appropriate to start a fight, to pick a pen up off the ground, and to scribble her signature onto the contract, as if that makes anything official. Pearce assures us, and he wants this to be crystal clear, Rhea Ripley is NOT in the title match. Glasgow boos, Pearce says they can do that all they want, but the match is Iyo Sky VS Bianca Belair!

Furthermore, the signature Rhea put down means nothing, because Miss Ripley already knows that she has a rematch. A rematch Pearce has tried to get Rhea to settle down on for weeks now, that in the meantime, Bianca won the Elimination Chamber and the right to call herself THE #1 Contender. So that is the issue here. Bianca earned hers, Rhea is owed one, but Rhea seems to want it on her time. Pearce ain’t doing it that way, so therefore- Iyo interrupts! The fans cheer the Evil Genius as she has both belt and mic in hand while heading to the ring. Iyo tells Pearce, “I don’t care about contracts. Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, it doesn’t matter who it is.

“I’ll take on BOTH of them! Because… I am the Women’s World Champion~!” The fans like that, and Pearce says he appreciates her being a fighting champion. But if you’d just let him- Nope, Bianca interrupts! The fans cheer the EST as she has her own mic to say, “Oh, girl, uh-uh, hold up, hold up! No, Pearce, you are right, I earned that #1 Contender’s spot. And I… went through Elimination Chamber to get to WrestleMania. So I am not about to let Rhea headbutt her way into this match! If she did not earn it, then she does not deserve it.” Pearce agrees, so if everyone- NOPE, Rhea interrupts!

The fans fire up as Mami makes her way out, and Pearce is beside himself. Rhea has a mic to say, “Honestly, I don’t give a damn about WrestleMania. And I don’t care who I have to go through to get MY title back. All I want is my rematch.” Oh, now she wants that? Pearce has been talking about it for weeks! Bianca says if Rhea wants her rematch, well, she already waited three weeks, so she can wait three more. Then she can get her rematch after WrestleMania, with Bianca. Yeah, she said what she said. Iyo says hold on, but Rhea pushes her aside. The fans boo, but that’s the last straw for Iyo!

Iyo runs up but Pearce gets in there! Pearce shouts “ENOUGH! ENOUGH!” He’s glad they’re all out here, because he was going to give his solution, if they’d just give him a second! NEXT WEEK, Rhea gets her rematch! Then the winner faces Bianca at WrestleMania! Ladies, thank you, have a very nice Monday. Pearce storms off, Bianca and Rhea still argue, but Iyo says bet! She leaps over Bianca to DDT Rhea! Bianca ROCKS Iyo, torture racks, but Iyo fights free with an arm-drag! Rhea BOOTS Bianca, gets around Iyo, but Iyo lands out of the back suplex! SHOTEI! Bianca chicken wings Iyo! Iyo victory rolls Bianca at Rhea, and Bianca LARIATS rhea!

Iyo dodges Bianca again, HOTSHOTS from the apron, then goes up the corner! She FLYING RANAS Rhea on the ramp! Bianca is up, Iyo takes aim, and the fans cheer Iyo on as she springboards! Bianca dodges, torture racks again, KISS OF DEATH to the outside, onto Rhea! Bianca holds up the belt, but will this be how WrestleMania ends? Who will it even be against after next week’s rematch?

 

Dominik finds Penta backstage.

Dirty Dom asks if Penta has a second to talk. Penta nods, and Dom says he knows Penta is good, but he could be great. Dom is willing to offer Penta a spot in the Judgment Day, and then maybe things will go Penta’s way. Penta wants to speak but Dom says hold on. Penta could be Intercontinental Champion tonight. Just think about it. Dom heads out, Penta looks like he’s already decided. Will the Man with Cero Miedo really need allies like The Judgment Day?

 

The New Day barge into Adam Pearce’s office.

He’s already exasperated as Kofi Kingston tells him that The New Day is the greatest tag team on Planet Earth! Xavier Woods says that means they deserve a shot at the WWE World Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania. Oh, are they really asking for a title match at WrestleMania? No, they are DEMANDING one! Wow, really? Do they watch the show? Guess not, or else they wouldn’t be coming in here and demanding a title match just because they’re the New Day, greatest team of all time! Instead, they’d want a chance to prove it, and ask for a match. When they’re ready to do that, come back and see him. For now, get out, and don’t let the door hit you where the Good Lord split you!

New Day tells Pearce to check his blood pressure. They leave, but Bianca barges in. There is way too much going on! Who is she facing at WrestleMania? Pearce says it’ll be clear next week after Iyo VS Rhea. And now, Bianca won’t just be sitting ringside to watch, she’ll be the one in that ring calling it right down the middle! That’s right, Bianca is now the special guest referee!! The EST doesn’t know how to referee! Well, she has a week to figure it out! Now bye, drive save. Bianca storms off, Pearce is losing his cool, but what will this mean for the Road to WrestleMania?

 

Dragon Lee VS El Grande Americano!

The LWO doesn’t care one way or another if “The Big American” luchador is Chad Gable or someone else entirely, because they just want payback for the interference that’s been happening week after week. Will the Boy Wonder shine brighter than this supposed lucha legend? Or will we all be saying “UH GRACIAS~!” after tonight?

The bell rings and the fans rally. The two tie up, “Grande” waistlocks but Lee switches. Grande switches back, trips Lee, and then rolls to facelock, float, and armlock. The fans sing “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~!” while Lee fights up. Gable- Er, Grande steps over, arm-drags, and then soaks up the cheers and jeers. Grande runs up to CHOP, then whip. Lee reverses, runs in, but Grande puts him on the apron. Lee jumps up but Grande DECKS him! “GRACIAS~!” Grande then builds speed, but Lee is back to RANA! Grande tumbles out, Lee builds speed, and Lee DIVES! Direct hit and down goes Grande!

The fans fire up, Lee puts Grande in the ring, and then clamps on a GROUND COBRA TWIST! Lee grabs at the mask, the ref reprimands, and Lee stops. Grande throat chops! Grande whips, Lee reverses to kick low and reel Grande in. But Grande RANAS free! Grande FLYING HEADBUTTS, then covers, TWO! The fans again sing, “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~!” Grande goes to the apron with Lee, then he fires a forearm. Lee V-TRIGGERS, then runs up, but into an EXPLODER to the floor! Both men have a hard landing but the fans fire up while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns as Grande has Lee in an inverted Gory Especial! The fans rally as Lee sits up, and he rains down fists! Lee victory rolls Grande, TWO! Grande stands, ducks ‘n’ dodges, FLYING HEADBUTT into the V-TRIGGER! Grande ends up on the apron, Lee goes out the side. Lee drags Grande up to the top rope, the fans rally, but Grande fires body shots. Lee drops back, but he ROCKS Grande! Grande is in the Tree of Woe! Lee goes up, aims, APRON WOE STOMPS!! Grande flops to the floor but even Lee clutches a knee from that landing. The ring count starts and the fans rally. Both men are down at 5 of 10, but slowly rising.

Lee and Grande hear 8, and they spring in at 9! The fans cheer, and Grande fires a CHOP! Lee fires a CHOP! The CHOPS keep going, harder and harder, then Grande CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Grande runs, Lee dodges and CHOPS! And BOOTS! Grande ROCKS Lee! But Lee dodges to snap GERMAN SUPLEX! Grande flounders, Lee fires up, SUPERKICK! Grande falls again but Lee takes aim! Lee runs in, but Grande OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES him into the corner! Lee is in a heap, Grande covers, TWO!! Lee survives and the fans fire up! The fans again sing “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~!” as Grande climbs!

Grande aims to MOONSAULT, but he has to roll through as Lee dodges! Lee runs in, swings through the lariat, and he gets Grande up for a LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Grande survives but Lee vows to end it! Lee brings Grande up, puts him up top and CLUBS him! The fans declare “This is Awesome!” as Lee climbs. Grande is back in the Tree of Woe, but he sits up to pull at Lee’s mask! Grande UNMASKS Lee!! Lee falls, covers his face, and Grande sits up! The fans boo, but Grande gets after a leg! ANKLE LOCK!! The fans boo, Lee can’t fight while also covering his face, so Lee TAPS! Grande wins!

Winner: El Grande Americano, by submission

A controversial way for a luchador to win a match, but it seems El Grande Americano is willing to do anything! Will we ever get to the bottom of this not so mysterious mystery?

 

CM Punk is here!

Glasgow fires up and sings along with Cult of Personality as the Second City Saint makes his way out here. Punk says, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” and continues down to the ring. What will he say in the fallout of Friday Night SmackDown’s brawl in Bologna? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns and Punk has the mic while fans chant “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Punk says, “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Glasgow or what?” The fans cheer that! Punk says that unfortunately while he’s happy to be here, always great to spend quality time with Glasgow, he is not in a good mood. He’s pissed off, but it’s hard to stay mad hearing an ovation like that. Punk says he’s also a little tired, very jetlagged, hasn’t slept well, mostly because of the uncertainty of his Road to WrestleMania. By the way, he apparently has a match now. Did you see the nice graphic? It’s beautiful.

But what Punk wants, he’s not getting. Or is he? Punk says what he wanted was win the Royal Rumble. he didn’t. Then it became what he needed to do, and that was win Elimination Chamber. But because the more things change, the more they stay the same, he work with children. The undisputed heavyweight champion of being a diaper piss baby is Seth Rollins, and he screwed Punk at Elimination Chamber. That doesn’t get Punk to what he wants. For two people, it is clearly personal, but for Punk, it’s just business. It has become simple math: the two men that want to stand in Punk’s way of getting what he wants have go tot go.

Seth Rollins takes it personal because he’s been crying ever since Punk came back to the WWE, because the magnitude of Punk and the shadow he casts belittles everything Rollins is about. Roman Reigns takes it personal, which Punk acknowledges, because Roman sees in real-time that his Wise Man isn’t just his Wise Man. So while it’s personal for the, it is business for Punk, and it’ll be business on Friday in London. It’ll be a good ol’ fashioned contract signing. The fans boo but Punk asks why. Because they wanted it here, right? The fans cheer that! Well, so did Punk, which is why Punk’s here!

Punk can’t wait to get his hands on the contract, read the fine print, and see if the contract gets Punk any bit closer to what he wants… or if it’s just another rug pull from the Powers That Be. So Seth, Roman, fuel up the jet. Since you couldn’t grace them with your presences here in Glasgow, see you in London! But before you put pen to paper, listen to two things and understand them very well. One: neither of you have defeated Punk without the other one’s help, because you can’t! And two: Punk brought them into the WWE, so he cannot wait to be the man to take them both out of it! Punk drops the mic, will he be the one that ends The Shield’s story?

 

Logan Paul speaks.

Via his Instagram, The Maverick tells AJ Styles, “Congrats, you’ve been added to the list of people whose downfall I’ve been preying on. What you did to me in Madison Square Garden is unforgivable. I’m in London on March 31st, Monday Night Raw, I wanna see you face to face. Bring your A Game, bring your soccer mom haircut, I’ll see your b*tch ass there.” Logan ImPAULsively called out The Phenomenal One, will he be the one to regret it?

 

Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.

Cathy Kelley is with the badass Intercontinental Champion and notes that he puts that title on the line in the main event, against one of the fastest rising stars in Penta. Earlier tonight, Dom approached Penta to join Judgment Day, is Bron at all concerned that Penta could be bringing backup in an onslaught of new friends? Bron says that’s Penta’s business, it is none of his concern. But as far as tonight, Bron will beat Penta in the center of that ring, then retain this title for one reason: The dogs are barking in Glasgow! Bron barks it up, then heads for gorilla. Will the Big Bad Booty Nephew not worry about the numbers and just go for the win? Or will he learn that #CeroMeido is math he can’t ignore?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS PENTA!

Raw returns as Penta makes his entrance, followed by Bron’s. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is really the biggest badass!

The bell rings and the fans bark as Bron stares Penta down. They slowly circle, tie up, and Penta waistlocks. Bron pries at the grip, wrenches out to wristlock, and the fans duel. Penta wrenches, wristlocks, and headlocks in return, but Bron powers up! Bron shoves Penta away, but then Penta dodges to KICK a leg! And KICK it again! Penta whips, Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges, then builds speed to LARIAT! The fans bark for Bron while Penta flounders to a corner. Bron runs up to RAM into Penta! And RAM again! And again! The ref counts, Penta sputters, and Bron brings Penta up. Bron whips, Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS!

Brun tumbles into the ropes then out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta goes up, up, and- JUMP KNEE from Bron! Penta falls to the floor and Bron grins. The fans bark while Penta sputters to the desk. Bron aims for that FLYING LARIAT! Bron and Penta crash onto and over the desk! The fans bark more while both men are down! The ref checks on both men, but Dom & Carlito come out here? The fans boo, is Dom just assuming Penta’s decision? We’ll have to see, after the break.

Raw returns again and the fans rally as Penta fires body shots. Penta CHOPS, but Bron just frowns. Bron ROCKS Penta, eggs him on, but Penta CHOPS! Bron frowns again, then he ROCKS Penta! Penta comes back with a flurry of forearms! The fans fire up, Penta runs, but Bron ROCKS him again! Bron runs, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Bron wobbles, Penta runs up, but into another KNEE! Bron runs, runs, and- SUPERKICK from Penta! Both men fall and the fans fire up! The fans rally while Bron and Penta slowly rise. Penta has Bron first, reels him in, but Bron shoves Penta away. Penta comes back and KICKS Bron!

Penta then gets around Bron to mule kick a leg! Penta runs to SLING-DOG Bron down! Bron flops out, the fans fire up, and Penta builds speed to DIVE into an UPPERCUT! Bron hurries back in, fireman’s carries Penta, but Penta pops up to BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Carlito says that alone proves Penta is Judgment Day material, but Penta calls his next shot. Bron rises, Penta runs in, DEST- NO, Bron stops that to make it a fireman’s carry, then a military press! GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives, Bron is a bit surprised, but the fans still bark. Bron vows to end this and he goes to a corner.

Bron aims, Penta rises, and Bron runs in, into another SUPERKICK! Penta then GAMANGIRIS in the corner! Penta puts Bron up top, climbs up after him, but Bron shoves him down. Bron fires hands, then he hoists Penta up! Bron fireman’s carries Penta, but Penta fights free! Penta hops down to the apron so he can jump up and RANA Bron off the corner! Bron tumbles out, Penta builds speed, and Penta FLIES! Dom & Carlito love the tope conjilo, and Glasgow says, “This is Awesome!” Penta drags Bron up and into the ring, then takes aim again. MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!! Born survives and Carlito is shocked!

The fans rally as hard as they can, and Dom coaches Penta up. Penta tells Dom to watch himself, then he drags Bron up. Penta pump handles Bron, but Bron fights free! Penta goes to a corner, BOOTS in return, and then goes up. Bron anchors Penta, Penta CLUBS away on Bron, then ROCKS him! Bron staggers away, but he springs right up top to SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO! Penta survives the “Breakkensteiner” and Bron is frustrated. The fans rally up as Bron brings down the straps! The fans bark as Bron takes aim from the corner. But Dom gets on the apron! Carlito grabs Bron, but Bron TOSSES Carlito!

Bron runs and he SPEARS Carlito! The fans fire up, the ref reprimands Judgment Day, but Dom CHOP BLOCKS from behind! The ref catches it, the match is over!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by disqualification (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

The fans boo but Dom rains down fists on Bron! If Dom is trying to get Penta to join up, he sure messed up that! The fans tell Dom off, but Bron ROCKS Dom with haymakers! FINN BALOR SMACKS BRON WITH A CHAIR! The Prince is here after all, and he SMACKS Bron again! Penta doesn’t even realize what happened, and then Finn glares at Dom?! Finn decides to give Dom the chair, and Dom JAMS it into Bron again and again! Penta understands now that Judgment Day screwed this up for him, but Dom offers him the chair? The fans say “NO! NO! NO!” but Penta still takes the chair. Dom says take Bron out, Cero Miedo!

Penta aims, but while Dom is encouraging Penta to do it, Finn is upset with Dom about it! Penta throws the chair at Dom to SUPERKICK into his face! Finn is even more upset because he knew this would happen. Finn CLOBBERS Penta, stomps away on him, and the fans boo more. Finn grabs the chair again, and he SMACKS Bron back down! Bron tumbles out, and Finn tells Dom he’s too stupid to be making decisions. Finn goes up, and he gives Penta a COUP DE GRACE! Judgment Day has no new members and no new gold, but will Finn get Dom to understand that they can still run Monday Night Raw?


My Thoughts:

Another great Raw, especially with this Glasgow crowd. Cena continues to be the perfect “Justified Heel” with another great promo, and it is amazing that he uses the Spinner Championship as the cornerstone of all of this. I almost thought he was going to say he would remake the spinner belt using the current title’s design. But at the same time, it’s good enough that he vows to retire that belt with his retirement so that whatever comes next will only ever be second place. Or third, given how there’s the WWE World Heavyweight Championship again. And Cody had a good retort again, but Cena is the one bringing the better promos.

While there was speculation that Glasgow would get to believe in Joe Hendry tonight, I knew it just makes sense in story that Jimmy would be the mystery partner for Jey. Very good match from Usos VS ATDU, very good win for the Usos, and a great promo where Jimmy lights that fire in Jey before slapping Gunther. Gunther VS Jimmy is going to be really good, and this fits a bit more of what I was hoping we’d get in the build. Gunther and Jimmy can tear it up while Gunther still wins out, a real example set for Gunther VS Jey at Mania, but also incredible motivation for Jey given he’ll be watching his brother get beat up.

Very good promo from Punk, a touch better than Rollins’ last week, but both boil down to hyping up what’s happening on SmackDown this week. Great stuff with this Chad Gable/El Grande Americano stuff. That video package was like 90% AI generated images, 10% Photoshop, but I guess that adds to how Grande Americano’s legacy is fake and it’s just Gable. Lee VS Grande Gable was great stuff, and what a wild way for Grande Gable to win with Lee’s mask coming off. Rey will surely want his own match with Grande Gable, and I feel like this has to come down to a Mask VS Mask match so that when Grande loses, he is exposed as Gable all along.

Great promo stuff for the Women’s World Championship, as Pearce puts his foot down and has them do things his way. No Triple Threat, at least not yet, as we instead get Rhea VS Iyo one more time, but Bianca being the Special GuEST Referee is of course going to create shenanigans that then compel a Triple Threat. New Day complaining and demanding a title match is good stuff, too, and I would think Pearce is going to put New Day into a big contenders match. Honestly, all tag teams on Raw should be put in that: New Day, A-Town Down Under, Alpha Academy, Creed Brothers, LWO’s Wilde & Del Toro, winners face War Raiders.

And the Judgment Day were once again a great throughline for Raw. Good promo from the group to set up things for tonight while also keeping the dysfunction in mind. Lyra VS Raquel was a great title match, great win for Lyra, and good stuff with Bayley making the save. I feel like we might get a tag match of Lyra & Bayley VS Liv & Raquel before we get Lyra VS Bayley for the title. I still feel like they could escalate and make it more than just 1v1 for WrestleMania, as Liv can even get herself in on the Intercontinental Championship, but we should also really get others like Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark and even Natalya going again or else they’re signed for no reason.

And of course, awesome stuff with the Men’s Intercontinental Championship. It plays up the Judgment Day drama of Finn and Dom each trying to be the mastermind, but everyone wanting titles. Bron is still great in the ring but his character isn’t getting much other than “bark bark.” Even if he went back to talking a lot like Uncle Scott Steiner, that would be a bit more fun. But right now, he’s just this obstacle that the others are trying to get past while also dealing with their own stuff. Judgment Day standing tall because of Finn’s surprise appearance certainly cues up at least a Triple Threat of Bron VS Penta VS Finn, but maybe Dom gets himself in that match to “improve Judgment Day’s odds,” which just pisses Finn off and creates the real fallout in the group.

My Score: 8.9/10

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