Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/20/25)
WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!
Time to burn it down!
Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
- Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!
The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?
Jey Uso is here!
Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!
But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.
The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.
Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.
Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!
Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?
The New Day walks the halls.
And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!
Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXT and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.
Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!
Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”
The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.
Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!
Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!
Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!
The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?
Backstage interview with Team American Made.
Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.
Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?
Sami Zayn is here!
Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.
Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.
Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.
Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.
Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!
And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.
Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!
Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?
Bayley VS Nia Jax!
The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!
Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!
The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!
Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!
The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!
Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”
The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?
Judgment Day meets with American Made.
The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!
Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.
Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?
WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.
Seth Rollins warms up backstage.
Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?
PENTA VS Pete Dunne!
#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?
The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.
Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!
Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!
Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”
CM Punk is here!
The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.
But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.
This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!
Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!
This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?
The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!
Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.
Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!
Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!
Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall
PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!
McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!
McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!
Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!
McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!
McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.
McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!
McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode coming in at just two hours and 35 minutes or so. I don’t mind things “ending early” compared to the usual three hour run, but I am curious as to how they’re only using two-and-a-half hours. I suppose they have their plan and just go with it. That way, if things go long, they have breathing room for it. But they really could’ve added like one more thing to this and it would’ve been fine, I think. That said, good go-home stuff for Saturday Night’s Main Event, such as a good promo from Jey and Gunther. Though, they didn’t really add more to what last week had, other than that brawl. Jey stood tall, go-home math would suggest he loses.
Sheamus and Bron had a good promo to put the final touches on their build, but as I said last week, this is a rather interesting one. Sheamus really should win that Intercontinental Championship already, but I don’t know if Saturday Night’s Main Event is a “big enough stage” for such a moment. Great stuff with Bayley, Nia and Rhea tonight, especially that match. It seems the Transfer Window is finally putting some actual transfers in, what with Wyatt Sick6 on SmackDown and now Bayley on Raw. Rhea VS Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event is going to be an awesome title match, but it feels like Rhea will retain to solidify her as champion past the Royal Rumble.
And speaking of the Rumble, Bayley is certainly a top choice to win. For one, it’d be historic for Bayley to not just win back-to-back, but to also be the first woman to have won two Rumbles at all. Very good promo from Punk to hype himself up for the Rumble, and he did mention a favor… Though, it’d be rather Heel of Punk to use a favor from Heyman to basically rig the Rumble or give him protection during it, but it’d also be great continuity as The Shield was to shield Punk. Sami of course declared for the Rumble, but Kevin showing up was a great surprise. And Kevin clearly implies that if Sami helps Kevin cheat the ladder match, Kevin will help Sami cheat the Rumble. Or rather, if Kevin does help Sami win the Rumble, Sami better help Kevin win the ladder match.
Sami also had a good promo with Rollins backstage, with the real fun part being Kross watching from the background. Kross needs a new feud with the Wyatts going to SmackDown, and moving on to names like Rollins and Sami would be some big stuff for him and The Final Testament. Rollins VS McIntyre was a great main event, and classic move having the quick pin win this so that McIntyre is still strong even in defeat. Sami making the save was also a nice touch, as was the Helluva Kick accidentally hitting Rollins. The Rumble has a lot of feuds crossing over, and Kross can add onto what happened here, we’ll get some really good chaos in that match.
Great promo between New Day and JBL to where even JBL, notorious as one of the meanest, most obnoxious Heels of his time, is on Big E’s side. And we finally got New Day back in the ring, but it’s a little disappointing that it wasn’t a tag match. Dragon Lee hasn’t gotten to do much, and he’s doing even less now. It was still a great match from Kofi VS Rey, with Rey getting his own quick pin win. New Day beating Rey up of course brought out the LWO, and I’m sure we’ll get New Day VS Cruz & Wilde next. We can only hope for Dragon Lee’s sake that he gets to be part of the blowoff for this feud. Actually, better yet would be him in the Intercontinental Championship scene.
Penta might also make a great choice for the Intercontinental Championship scene. Penta had another awesome match, as Pete Dunne is always a great opponent. Maybe Penta gets in on the Rumble so he can check that off his bucket list. He doesn’t need to win, he can just have a great showing, and rivalries can spark from those interactions. Lyra had a very good promo but I was hoping for a little more after her winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. DMG CTRL VS PFC was a great tag match, and a great win for DMG CTRL. Dakota and Iyo could each make a case for a match with Lyra, but clearly Ivy will be up first. She would make a solid first defense for Lyra, and then Lyra can have rematches from the tournament with Kai and Iyo.
At the same time, PFC might already be thinking about changing up the team with Zoey taking the loss. Good stuff with Judgment Day. Dom and Liv plotting and scheming while being passive aggressive is a fun phase for them. They’re probably plotting on how Liv can win the Women’s Rumble, but it’ll likely backfire and that’ll push the Liv x Dom break-up. Also, you can bet Finn won’t like Dom taking his spot against the War Raiders, especially if they win. That said, I don’t see them winning, Erik & Ivar should definitely be able to handle Dom & JD. It certainly feels more likely the Creeds can take the tag titles than Judgment Day.
I do wonder who Dom recommended to Gable, though. It’d be cool if WWE brought in some other lucha legends, as WWE seems to be expanding their partnerships. WWE is working more closely with TNA now, and I believe TNA still has a working relationship with AAA, especially after AEW moved over to working with CMLL because of the relationship with NJPW. Also a super crossover like NXTNAAA would be a lot of fun to see for WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/25/25)
Round 8, all together!
The penultimate round of this round robin!
Best of the Super Juniors 32 enters round 8, and there are still a lot of moving pieces! Who will be that much closer to the finals?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Titan; Yoh wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Robbie X; Dia wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS Nick Wayne; Mao wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Ninja Mack; Mack wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS SHO; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Clark Connors; Connors wins, by disqualification.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Kevin Knight; Desperado wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Master Wato: 5-2, 10 points
Clark Connors: 4-3, 8 points
Francesco Akira: 4-3, 8 points
Kosei Fujita: 4-3, 8 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 4-3, 8 points
Robbie X: 3-4, 6 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-4, 6 points
KUSHIDA: 3-4, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 3-4, 6 points
Ninja Mack: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current B Block standings!
YOH: 4-3, 8 points
Nick Wayne: 4-3, 8 points
MAO: 4-3, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-3, 8 points
El Desperado: 4-3, 8 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-4, 6 points
Kevin Knight: 3-4, 6 points
SHO: 3-4, 6 points
Titan: 3-4, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 3-4, 6 points
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Robbie Eagles!
The Funky Weapon fell short in last round’s main event, but he proved he’s still got it. But can he get it going again this late into the tournament? Or does the Sniper of the Skies have the kill shot waiting?
The bell rings, Eagles runs up, wheelbarrows, victory rolls and has the legs, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Taguchi claws at the mat, drags Eagles along, and makes it to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Eagles drags Taguchi back, but Taguchi kicks Eagles down to have OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, Eagles bails out, and Taguchi goes to the corner, TRIANGLE- NO, Eagles moves, Taguchi lands safe on the apron, but then the leg jams! Eagles 619s the legs out! Taguchi falls to the floor, Eagles brings him around, and he KICKS the bad leg! The fans rally, Eagles taunts Taguchi, then drags Taguchi around.
Eagles SMASHES Taguchi’s knee off the floor! The fans cheer, Eagles stands Taguchi up, and he puts him in the corner. Eagles pulls Taguchi’s legs against the crossbar! The ref reprimands and counts, Eagles lets go at 4, but he sits on Taguchi! Eagles eggs Taguchi on as he hops down, then rallies the fans. Eagles aims from the apron, springboards in, but into ANTIAIR HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi clutches his leg but he rolls his way to Eagles. Taguchi has Eagles on ropes and rubs it in his face! POINT BLANK HIP again and again! Taguchi then runs, to HIP ATTACK! Eagles sputters and the fans cheer!
Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strange Style, “ORYA~!” KETSU- NO, Eagles rolls up with bridge, TWO! Taguchi rolls Eagles, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles scrambles, rolls, and KICKS Taguchi down! The fans rally while Eagles shakes out the bad leg. Eagles stands, hobbles, and he shows some cheek! HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Taguchi sputters, Eagles fires the fans up with some swivel, but Taguchi blocks the hip attack to HEADBUTT the butt! The fans cheer and Taguchi HEADBUTTS Eagles’ stomach! The forearms fly, Taguchi gets the edge, but Eagles ROUNDHOUSES! SUPERKICKS! ENZI- NO, Taguchi ducks! OH MY GAH ANKLE!
Eagles rolls and kicks free, then catches Taguchi. Taguchi shoves free to HIP ATTACK! Eagles says I’LL BE BACK, but Taguchi catches him! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles reaches out, crawls forward, and the fans rally up! Taguchi stands Eagles up, Eagles cravats, ASAI- NO, Taguchi slips free of the DDT! Drop toehold, and OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles endures, the fans fire up, but Taguchi yanks Eagles back! Chicken wings, DODON- NO, Eagles victory rolls! TWO and Taguchi has it! TWO and they roll, roll, roll, roll, roll! In the end, Taguchi has it, TWO!!! Eagles escapes but both men are dizzy! Taguchi fires up, the fans are with him, but both men fall over!
The fans rally hard, and this is just the first five minutes! Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Eagles is against ropes, but he comes back to HYPERION!!! Cover, EAGLES WINS!!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
It was a wild shootout from the start, but it is Eagles who hits the mark! Will the Sniper still take aim at the top? Or will someone else in the block block his path?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Time Splitter and the Heel Master are on that bubble, one loss means the end for them! Will Kushida pick up speed and make it Back to the Future? Or does Kanemaru have one last cheap trick up his sleeve?
Kushida is on the corner for his entrance, and Kanemaru attacks! And ROCKET LAUNCHES him! The bell rings and Kanemaru whips to then DROPKICK the legs! Kanemaru steps through for a FIGURE FOUR! Kushida scrambles and rolls all the way to the ROPEBREAK! The ref reprimands, Kanemaru lets go, and Kushida scrambles away to the other side. Kanemaru drags Kushida back from ropes, holds him open, then gives a foot to the ref to split the wishbone! The fans cheer, Kanemaru turns Kushida over and SMASHES the knee! Kushida writhes more but Kanemaru is on him again, to YANK the leg!
Kanemaru taunts Kushida, mockingly asking what’s wrong. Kanemaru kicks Kushida to ropes, but Kushida CHOPS! Kanemaru kicks the leg, Kushida CHOPS, then Kushida CHOPS again! Kushida KICKS Kanemaru’s arm! The fans rally, Kushida whips, but Kanemaru reverses. Kanemaru handsprings, but Kanemaru DROPKICKS the legs! FIGURE FOUR!! The fans rally for Kushida while he endures, and he fights to push the main leg! Kanemaru powers the hold back down! Kushida endures, fights over, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud but Kanemaru holds on until the ref reprimands. Kushida hobbles to the apron, and Kanemaru runs up.
Kushida RAMS Kanemaru, HOTSHOTS him away, then hurries up the corner. Kushida leaps but Kanemaru moves! Kushida’s leg jams, and Kanemaru trips him! Step through, but Kushida cradles, TWO!! Kanemaru escapes, Kushida waistlocks, but Kanemaru switches. Kushida slips under, FLIPS Kanemaru, and has the HOVERBOARD! Kanemaru fights up, spins through, and kicks the bad leg! Kushida PELES! Kanemaru goes to a corner, Kushida runs in, but Kanemaru BOOTS Kushida! Kanemaru runs, Kushida drops then HIP TOSSES into the ARM- NO, Kanemaru stacks Kushida, TWO! Kanemaru kicks and scoops, BRITISH-
NO, Kushida wrenches through to hop on, HOVERBOARD!! Kanemaru endures as Kushida thrashes the arm, and he grabs the ref! Kanemaru sends the ref into Kushida then ENZIGIRIS! Kushida and the ref are both down, so Kanemaru takes a swig of his whiskey! Kushida stands, but he smothers Kanemaru! Then TANAKA FASTBALL sends the mist flying! Backslide, KUSHIDA WINS!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Another fast and furious match as this night gets going, and Kushida turns things around! Kanemaru is more than likely out of the running now, but can Kushida still make it to the finals? Or is time running out?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Titan!
One man is near the front but the other is near the back! Will Direct Drive kick it into gear and keep it fresh? Or will El Inmortal stay alive for a little longer?
The bell rings and the two rush in! Titan DROPKICKS Yoh and Yoh tumbles out! Titan builds speed, Yoh is back and he trips Titan! Yoh ties Titan up in the Paradise Lock! Milano Collection AT can’t believe what he’s seeing! Yoh fires the fans up, then runs to DROPKICK Titan out of Paradise! Yoh hurries to suplex, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Titan stays in this but Yoh stays focused as the fans rally up. Titan stirs while Yoh tunes up! SUPER- NO, Titan ducks the kick, shoves, and then goes Matrix to dodge! CALF KICK! Yoh tumbles, Titan runs, but Yoh puts Titan on the apron. Titan GAMANGINRIS in return!
Titan then springboards and FLYING RANAS! Yoh tumbles out again and Titan FLIES! Down goes Yoh and the fans fire up again! The fans fire up, Titan puts Yoh in the ring, and then Titan springboards again! DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Yoh stays in this and the fans rally more. Titan waits on Yoh, pounds the mat, and the fans rally back up. Yoh stands, Titan throws off his elbow pads, and he FRAME- NO, Yoh BOOTS Titan first! Titan comes back but Yoh ducks a lariat to full nelson! Titan breaks free, switches, but Yoh elbows and runs! Titan follows to TORNADO DDT, and he brings Yoh up! But Yoh suplexes, FALCON GOROSHI!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Titan sputters, and Yoh roars as he rises up. The fans cheer and Yoh brings Titan around. Yoh underhooks but Titan fights it! The fans rally, Titan wrenches and tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Then he drags Yoh up to suplex, GOURD BUSTER! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up with Titan and he hurries to the corner! Titan skins the cat up top, aims and LA LANCER!! Yoh spasms, Titan covers, TWO!!! Yoh survives and the fans fire up again! Titan loosens his mask a bit, roars and the fans are with him! Titan drags Yoh up, reverse rack, but Yoh slips out of the yoyo! SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Titan still lives, but Yoh roars again! Yoh drags Titan up, underhooks, DIRECT DRIVE!! Cover, YOH WINS!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titan earns 0)
It’s like everyone is going for a speed record in this round! Yoh seals the deal like Ziploc, and now leads with 10 points! Is it freshness guaranteed for the finals?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Robbie X!
The block is sorting out with every match, but both men are on the bubble! Will the Infinite Carat Diamond be greater than X? Or will the X Express stay on track?
The bell rings and the fans rally. Robbie gets fans to bark for the War Dogs, and he ties up with Dia. Robbie puts Dia on ropes, the ref counts, and Robbie lets off, to CHOP! Robbie CLUBS Dia, stomps him down, then drags him back up. Robbie ROCKS Dia, whips, but Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges then slides to tilt-o-whirl and arm-drag! Then DROPKICK! Robbie tumbles out, Dia FLIES! Down goes Robbie and the fans fire up! Dia brings Robbie back up, puts him in the ring and covers, TWO! Robbie bails back out but Dia waits. Robbie shakes out an arm, rolls back in, but bails out again. Dia rushes after Robbie, but Robbie picks him up and POSTS him!
Dia writhes but Robbie KICKS him in the back! Robbie then stands Dia up just to DECK him! Robbie tells fans to move aside, and he grabs one of the chairs. Robbie brings that over, sits Dia down and CHOPSS! Robbie wants more chairs so he takes another one from the crowd. Robbie sets that chair up, runs up, and leaps to CANNONBALL Dia down! The fans fire up with Robbie, and he goes back to Dia. Robbie drags Dia up, puts him in the ring, then pushes to a cover, TWO! Dia stays in this and the fans applaud. Robbie stomps Dia on the back, then stands him up to whip corner to corner. Dia hits buckles hard and falls to the mat!
Robbie stands on Dia’s back, shouts for the War Dogs, and the fans cheer. Robbie sits Dia up, steps over, and he BITES Dia’s fingers! The ref reprimands and counts, Robbie stops and tells the ref to shut up. Robbie drags Dia back up, but Dia CHOPS! Robbie eggs Dia on, but Dia CHOPS again! Robbie CHOPS in return! Dia goes to a corner, Robbie runs up, but Dia BOOTS then RANAS! The fans fire up as Robbie staggers away. Dia growls and rises up. The fans rally and Dia runs in, but Robbie dodges. Dia dodges in return, then goes to the apron to trip Robbie! TORNILLO SPLASH! The fans fire up again as Robbie is on the ropes!
Dia dials it up, 619! Robbie flops back, Dia STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Robbie stays in this but Dia fires up more! The fans are with Dia and he goes to the corner. Dia climbs, watches Robbie rise, D D D- NO, Robbie stops the 4DT and suplexes! Robbie hangs Dia out to dry, then goes to the corner! GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Dia survives and the fans fire up again! Robbie is frustrated but he drags Dia back up. Robbie CLUBS Dia, suplexes, but Dia cradles! TWO!! Robbie escapes, hobbles away, but Dia runs up. Robbie BOOTS Dia, goes up, but Dia GAMANGIRIS! Dia goes up to get Robbie, ASTRO SCISSCORS!
Dia goes back up, D D D D T!! Cover, TWO!! Robbie survives going 4D but Dia just fires up more! Dia runs, rolls, REPTILI- NO, Robbie stops the rana! And makes it a SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Dia survives and the fans are thunderous! Robbie thinks on what he must do next, but he rises up while the fans rally again. Dia is in the corner, Robbie LARIATS! Robbie puts the leg in ropes to KICK, then he SPIN KICKS! RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Dia stays in this but Robbie stays on him! “You’re dead, b*tch!” Robbie handsprings, Dia dodges, DOUBLE CORK!!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Robbie survives, but Dia SOBATS! ENZIGIRIS! But Robbie PELES! And DREAMCAST KICKS! Then Robbie reels Dia in, lifts, but Dia REPTILIAN RANAS!!! Cover, DIA WINS!!
Winner: Dragon Dia, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
Both men love to go “X-treme,” but this skater boi is the one still standing! Will the Infinite Carat Diamond continue to shine until he’s holding up the trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS Nick Wayne!
DDT Pro collides with AEW/ROH, with both men just a step behind first place! But will the Strange Love Connection throw the Prodigy off his game? Or will the Idol Warrior see he just lives in Wayne’s World?
The bell rings and the two rush in! Mao BOOTS but Nick brushes that off! Nick and Mao fire forearms, Mao gets the fans to cheer him, then he kicks low! Mao whips, Nick reverses, then hurdles, then bypasses to UPPERCUT! Nick kips up and the fans fire up. Nick then covers Mao, TWO! The fans cheer while Nick flexes. Nick drags Mao up to CHOP! Mao comes back to SMACK Nick down! And then Tsukakui! The fans cheer as Mao waits on Nick. Nick rises, Mao winds up, and Mao kicks, kicks, and KICKS! Mao whips, Nick reverses, but Mao DROPKICKS! Mao kips up, and Tsukakui! The fans rally and Mao claps along.
Mao runs to BOOT Nick against ropes, then he runs again to CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Nick stays in this but Mao has JUST FACELOCK! Nick endures, and the fans rally as he reaches out, fights around, then finds the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Mao lets go. Mao gets a Shikaku chant going, then he brings Nick up. Mao whips, Nick grabs ropes and KICKS back! Nick kicks again but Mao blocks to step over and WHEEL KICK! Mao then reels Nick in and calls his shot, but Nick suplexes first! The fans cheer all the same while both men are down. Mao goes to ropes, Nick rises up, and the fans rally again.
Mao is in a corner, Nick runs in, and Nick UPPERCUTS! Nick snapmares then runs up, spins Mao, and ASAI DDTS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Nick keeps his cool. Mao sits up and checks his head. Nick stalks Mao, waistlocks, but Mao fights the nelson! Nick still powers through to have half, but Mao REAR HEADBUTTS! Mao whips, Nick reverses, then Nick avoids the knee to SHOOTING STASR! Cover, Mao goes Matrix! GEDO CLUTCH BRIDGE! TWO, and Nick has the body scissors the JAPANESE LEG ROLL! TWO, and Mao has a waistlock! This is a DOUBLE COVER, TWO!!! Both men get up and the fans fire up!
Mao says look but Nick says shut up! Nick says look, Mao says he can shut up! Mao ROCKS Nick! Nick SUPERKICKS back! Nick goes up the corner, WAYNE’S- NO, Mao ducks the cutter, keeps moving, SPIDER-MAN into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Nick handsprings to STUNNER! Bit Mao kips up to STUNNER!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down again! Mao sits up first and the fans rally. Mao and Nick crawl to each other, go forehead to forehead, then they stand to go forearm for forearm! Mao gets the Shikaku chant going again, then he ROCKS Nick! Nick comes back to ROCK Mao!
The forearms keep going and the fans rally up. Nick fires a flurry, but Mao winds up to SMACK Nick! Mao powers up, runs, OSAKA- NO, Nick BOOTS the uppercut! Mao avoids the roundhouse! Mao SLAPS, SLAPS, but Nick CROSS COUNTERS! Nick fires up and runs, but Mao uses the ref as a shield! Then LEAP FROG into the GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Mao survives the turnaround but Nick fires back up! The fans rally, Nick says “IKU ZO~!” and he hooks Mao up! But Mao fights the Prodigy Plex! Mao spins Nick around and around and around, then reels him in for a POWERBOMB! Nick stands, Mao hits a DESTROYER!
Nick ends up in a corner, Mao runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Nick goes up to FLYING CRUCIFIX DRIVER! The fans fire up with Nick as he goes up, up, and WAYNE’S WORLD, but Mao handsprings through!? To STEAL WAYNE’S WORLD!!! Cover, TWO!??! But into the JUST FACELOCK!!! Nick scrambles, Mao rolls him away, DICK KILLER!!!! NICK TAPS, MAO WINS!!
Winner: Mao, by submission (gains 2 points; Nick earns 0)
More like the Nick Killer, but the point is, Mao overtakes The Prodigy to be right behind Yoh! But Mao still shows Nick respect with a handshake. Will these two run it back one day? Will one of them be the Best of the Super Juniors when they do?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Ninja Mack!
The Japanese Young Punk is mighty, and he is just outside the front of this block. However, the American Ninja Warrior, for all his speed and agility, has fallen completely out of the race. Will Mack manage to spoil something for Fujita? Or will even he see that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The bell rings and Mack offers the handshake. The fans applaud but Fujita dismisses it. Mack and Fujita circle, feel things out, then tie up. Fujita powers Mack back but Mack breaks free. They go again. fight for control, and Fujita pushes Mack to ropes. Mack powers his way back, then shoves Fujita way. The fans cheer and both men fire up as they go again. They clinch, fight for control, and Fujita puts Mack on the ropes. The ref counts the break, Fujita lets off with pats on the shoulder, but then CHOPS! Mack CHOPS, but Fujita CHOPS again! Mack CHOPS again, but so does Fujita! The fans rally as the CHOPS keep going!
Fujita CHOPS and Mack wobbles! Fujita CHPOS, CHOPS, CHPOS, then runs, but Mack UPPERCUTS! Mack runs, leaps over the dropdown, then TOSSES Fujita out! Mack builds speed, Fujita slips in, and he catches Mack in the handspring to GERMAN SUPLEX! Mack tumbles out and the fans fire up! Fujita goes up the corner and the fans rally, SUPER CANNONBALL! Down goes Mack and the fans fire up again! Fujita puts Mack in, then aims to ROUNDHOUSE! Cover, ONE!! Mack is tougher than that and the fans rally. Fujita stomps Mack, pushes him down, then yanks his leg for a HEEL HOOK!
Mack endures as Fujita grinds the hold, but Mack SLAPS and CHOPS! Fujita CRANKS the foot, but Mack scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Fujita DDTS the leg! The ref reprimands but Mack writhes. Fujita drags Mack around, and he SMASHES the knee! Mack writhes more but Fujita has him again. Fujita brings Mack around, turns him over, and has a HALF CRAB! Fujita pulls way back on that leg but Mack refuses to quit! Mack powers up, but Fujita brings him away from the ropes! Fujita has a deep angle on that leg, but Mack still makes the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Fujita lets go at 4, and the fans rally again.
Fujita stomps Mack, brings him up and CHOPS! Mack calls to his “little ninja” fans but Fujita CHOPS! Mack goes along ropes, the fans rally, but Fujita whips him corner to corner. Mack goes up and over, rolls, then comes back to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Mack rises, hobbles his way over, and he brings Fujita up with a waistlock. GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE, but Mack holds on! Fujita reaches for ropes, Mack GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Another bridging cover, TWO! Mack still holds on, and he GERMAN ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! The fans fire up but Fujita scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!
Mack lets go and the fans rally again. Mack brings Fujita up, bumps him off buckles, and then RAMS him in the back! And RAMS him again! Mack goes up, climbs up, and he CLUBS away on Fujita’s back. Mack drags Fujita up the corner, adjusts position, and the fans anticipate something wild already. Fujita fires body shots, he stands up, but Mack swings! Fujita ducks the punch to SUPER DUPER GERMAN!! The fans are thunderous while Mack flounders around! Fujita hurries to cover, TWO!! Mack survives but Fujita roars and the fans cheer again. Fujita brings Mack up, reels him in, and ABANDON- NO, Mack fights the suplex!
Mack wrenches through, but Fujita wrenches and drop toeholds! Fujita ties up the legs, grabs Mack’s head and has the chinlock! Mack endures, crawls, but Fujita pulls him back! Mack keeps fighting, keeps crawling, but Fujita has the arms! Mack resists against the Nemos Lock to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Fujita lets Mack go. Mack writhes but Fujita brings him up. Fujita hooks a leg, suplexes to the torture rack, but Mack fires body shots! Mack slips down, shoves Fujita, then goes Matrix to then HANDSPRING CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Another cover, TWO! Mack is frustrated but the fans rally back up.
Mack rises, he dares Fujita to get up, and the fans rally more. Fujita rises, but he blocks the buzzsaw! Fujita CHOPS, but Mack ducks the heel kick to leg sweep! SHURIKEN KICK!! Mack goes up, up, and NINJA BOMBS!! Cover, MACK WINS!!
Winner: Ninja Mack, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Fujita earns 0)
The underdog comes out on top as Mack still gets another win! Will Mack spoil Fujita’s chances at the finals? Or is there still hope for this Ichiban Sweet Boy?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS SHO!
The Bone Soldier is building momentum in the latter half of this tournament, but now he runs into the Murder Machine, who has done his best to cheat every opponent so far. Will Sho manage to stack the deck again? Or will be #ByGrace that Taiji avoids disaster?
Taiji turns the tables on Sho by attacking first! The fans fire up as Taiji runs Sho over from behind, then drags him to ringside, so he can POST him! Taiji has fans clear out, and then he BOWLS Sho into the chairs! STRIKE! Then he SMACKS Sho with a chair! Taiji CHOKES Sho with a chair, the ref reprimands, but this isn’t even a match yet! Taiji still leaves Sho behind so that he can go for the red buckle pad! The Bullet Club Special is now in play but Sho is still down. Taiji JAMS Sho up but almost knocks the ref over! Taiji CLAWS Sho’s eyes, drags him to ringside, and then puts Sho in the ring. Now the bell rings and the fans cheer Taiji on.
Taiji CHOKES Sho but Sho scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Taiji stops at 4, but then he CHOKES Sho some more! The ref counts, Taiji stops, and Sho sputters. Sho then CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Sho bails out, Taiji pursues, and Taiji has Sho at the ramp. Sho wants to retreat into the crowd but the railing won’t give. Sho goes to the entryway, Taiji pursues, but then something goes on backstage! Sho leaves Taiji behind and acts like it is all okay. But YUJIRO TAKAHASHI is choking Taiji with the pimp cane! The fans boo as this is literally happening behind the ref’s back! Yujiro throws Taiji down and Sho laughs.
Sho stomps Taiji, drags him up, and he has fans move! Sho BOWLS Taiji into chairs, STRIKE! Sho says that’s what Taiji gets! Sho then storms up on Taiji, twists his wrist, and brings him back to ringside. They go in the ring, Sho drags Taiji up, and he whips Taiji into the bare buckles! Taiji suffers his own trickery and Sho says this isn’t on him for once. Sho digs a knee into Taiji’s back while he has the chinlock, but Taiji BITES Sho’s hand! The ref reprimands, but then Sho CLAWS Taiji’s face! The ref reprimands Sho now, and Sho stops at 4. Sho drags Taiji up, TOSSES him out, then goes out to grab a chair!
The ref stops Sho, but this lets Yujiro use the chair to JAM Taiji up! The fans boo but Tokyo Pimp gets away with another one. Sho drags Taiji up, puts him back in, then covers, TWO! Taiji stays in this but Sho drags him back up. Sho TOSSES Taiji back out, distracts the ref, but the ref won’t fall for it this time! The ref stops Yujiro, but then that lest Sho JAM Taiji up! The fans boo more as the ref can’t keep up with both guys. The ref does say Yujiro needs to go, but Sho puts Taiji in the ring. Sho kicks Taiji around but Taiji CHOPS! And CHOSP! And then he CLAWS Sho’s eyes! Taiji runs, but Yujiro is still here to trip Taiji!
The fans boo as Yujiro gets in the ring while Sho is in the ref’s face! Yujiro whips Taiji, but Taiji stops from hitting buckles! Yujiro runs in, and Taiji dodges! Yujiro hits steel, Sho whips Taiji, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans cheer, and Taiji grins as he brings Sho up. Taiji whips Sho into the bare buckles! Sho falls and writhes but Taiji keeps on him. Taiji wrenches and POSTS Sho! The fans cheer while Sho clutches his arm. Taiji brings Sho out, hammerlocks then scoops, but Sho slips free to bend Taiji’s fingers! Taiji CLAWS Sho’s eyes! Taiji runs, the ref is used as a shield! Sho SPEARS Taiji!
The fans boo Sho while both men are down. Sho rises up, he bends Taiji’s fingers, then wrenches to kick, KICK and SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Taiji stays in this and Sho grows frustrated. Sho aims his bow and he drags Taiji up. Sho reels Taiji in, tucks the arms, SHOCK- NO, Taiji slips free to BLOODY- NO, Sho fights free, but Taiji JUMP KNEES first! Sho drops down, Taiji aims and runs in, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Sho endures as Taiji pulls on the hold! Sho fights around, Taiji rolls him away to then RAM into Yujiro! Down goes Tokyo Pimp, but then Sho whips Taiji into the ref! LOW BLOW!! The fans boo but Yujiro is back to stomp Taiji!
Yujiro drags Taiji up while Sho crawls to his corner. Sho grabs for his “Torture Tool!” The fans boo as Sho takes aim, but Taiji BOOTS Sho! And LOW BLOWS Yujiro! ZIGZAG for Sho!! And then BONE LOCK!! Sho endures, but where’s the ref? Gedo gets off commentary, but here comes SANADA! Gedo helps the ref, but The Cold Blooded Sanada uses the wrench to CLOBBER Taiji!! The fans boo but Sanada stands Taiji up for the DEADFALL!! Sanada leaves Taiji for Sho, the ref is up, and Gedo is stunned! Sho covers, and SHO WINS!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
The House of Torture pulls out all the stops, but Sho is still only 4-4. Will Sho need to cheat one more time to finish above .500? Or was spoiling things for Taiji more than enough?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Clark Connors!
This could be a very explosive combination as The Crown of Fire and 100 Proof are both a step behind the leader. Will Akira conquer this War Dog for the United Empire? Or will War Dogs Racing still have a chance at that final lap?
Oh, what’s this? Akira waits at the ramp for Connors? A bold strategy, Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for him. Connors steps out, sees Akira, and smirks. Connors likes Akira’s guts, and after he puts his things aside, Connors runs up! The two brawl on the ramp and the fans fire up! They RAM into railing, then more railing, then more railing! The railing almost falls over! Akira POSTS Connors hard and then keeps after him around the way! Akira CHOPS Connors, CHOPS again, and then again! And again! Akira is really fired up and the fans join in. But Connors UPPERCUTS Akira, SMACKS him off the apron, but Akira hits back!
Akira CHOPS, and he wants to go bowling! But Connors reverses the whip! Akira puts on the brakes, but the JEEP FLIPPER sends him into the chairs! The fans fire up and bark with Connors while he clears out space. Connors drags Akira up, brings Akira over, and puts him in the ring. But Akira is up to PLANCHA! Down goes Connors and the fans fire up with Akira! Akira drags Connors up, puts him in the ring, and this is finally a match! Akira reels Connors in, SPEEDFIRE! Akira aims, the fans rally, NOVA FIRE- NO, Connors ducks! And SPEARS!! The fans fire up and Connors has a wild look in his eyes as he wants more.
Connors puts one out, drags Akira up, and NO CHA- NO, Akira wrenches out to ROCK Connors! Connors runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Connors comes back, Akira dodges, THE SPEAR HITS THE REF!!! The fans go nuts but Connors isn’t all that bothered. Connors hurries to aim at Akira, runs up again, but Akira dodges the lariat to CHPO, CHOP, and CHOP! The fans fire up but Connors shoves Akira, then SNAP POWERSLAMS! Connors goes out and he finds WHEEL-SAN! The fans cheer, but wait, that’s not what he wants? Connors brings out a TABLE! Table-san is put in the ring and Connors props it up in the corner.
Connors fetches Akira but Akira fires body shots. Akira CHOPS, Connors KNEES low, and then Connors SMACKS Akira off the table! Connors lines up the shot, runs in, but Akira dodge! Connors slams on the brakes, Akira comes back, and Connors LARIATS! Connors says Akira can’t get the better of him, and now he grabs Wheel-san! The fans cheer as Connors slides Wheel-san into the ring. Gedo wants Connors to kill Akira with this one, but the fans rally up. Connors drags Akira over, but Akira blocks the hubcap bump! Connors CLAWS Akira’s eyes, and he DRIBBLES Akira off the hubcap! The fans rally, and the ref is being carried away!
Connors smirks as he now can do whatever he wants. Connors puts Wheel-san over Akira’s face, and he CURB STOMPS!! Gedo loves it, but this isn’t the end! Connors brings Akira up, grins as he SLAPS the bloody forehead! But Akira CHOKES Connors! Akira is furious as he SLAPS and fires hands! Akira trips Connors and he rains down forearms!! The fans fire up as Akira brings it back to when Empire and War Dogs feuded so violently in the past! Akira takes off his belt, and he brings it over to LASH Connors! The fans fire up while Akira LASHES Connors again! Gedo does NOT like this as Akira LASHES Connors again and again and again!
Akira TOSSES his belt aside, that’s a free souvenir now. Akira won’t stop here, though, as he goes looking under the ring. Akira brings out chairs! Akira puts those in, then drag Connors over. Red Shoes is here and he says don’t do it, Akira! Akira stops himself, letting his rage subside. Akira tries to reason with Red Shoes, Red Shoes won’t let it go, so Akira SHOVES Red Shoes down! Connors has a chair, but Akira blocks the shot! Akira JAMS Connors up! Red Shoes says no, he can still stop now! Gedo says just end the match anyway! Akira SMACKS Connors with the chair again and again!! DISQUALIFICATION!
Winner: Clark Connors, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
But Akira doesn’t care, his rage has boiled up, and he SMACKS Connors again!! He gave Connors the points he wanted, was settling the grudge worth giving up a spot in the finals? Wait, Akira isn’t done, he wedges a chair in a corner, and then drags Connors up! Red Shoes reprimands, commentary all shout for Akira to stop, but Akira puts Connors against the chair. Young Lions rush in but Akira shoves them all away! The Young Lions come back, they keep Akira from running at Connors! Akira powers up and gets free, but Connors SPEARS Akira through the table!!! Both men are down in the wreckage, is nothing settled between Empire and War Dogs?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Kevin Knight!
The Rogue Luchador said at the start of this that anyone could win at any given time, no matter who they are and where they’re from. At the same time, he vowed just the other day that he would finish this off and win the whole thing! Will the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion stop The Jet from taking off? Or will Knight win that golden ticket shortcut to the top?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Knight and Despy circle, feel things out, and Knight waistlocks. Despy wrenches free but Knight rolls, kips up, and wrenches back to waistlock. Then Knight arm-drags for a takedown, and he drops a knee on the arm! The fans cheer, Knight wristlocks, then double wristlocks, but Despy fights up to the ROPEBREAK! Knight lets go slowly, and the fans cheer as Knight flexes. Knight teases Despy’s lack of abs, and Red Shoes checks. Despy says stop, and the two reset. They tie up, Despy trips Knight, then thigs speed up. Despy avoids the hurdle, but not the BACKDROP! Despy tumbles out and the fans rally.
Knight aims to PLANCHA, but Despy blocks his kick! Despy trips Knight up and Knight hits off the apron! Despy then goes for the leg, STRETCH MUFFLER! Red Shoes reprimands, Despy lets go, but he YANKS Knight’s leg. Knight hobbles but Despy kick shim down. Despy stalks Knight around the way, brings him up, but Knight fires body shots! Despy CHOPS back and Knight staggers away. Knight returns to CHOP, so Despy UPPERCUTS! Despy puts Knight in the ring, storms up on him, and hits a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer and Despy covers, ONE!! Knight is tougher than that but Despy taunts him.
Despy stands Knight up but Knight fires body shots. Despy kicks the leg, then grabs it, SHIN BREAKER! Knight hobbles and falls, and Despy looms over him. Despy grabs a leg but Knight kicks and kicks and kicks! Despy kicks in return, then brings Knight in, only for Knight to BACKDROP again! The fans rally as Knight rallies with LARIATS! Knight whips, Despy reverses, but Knight goes up and over! Knight comes back to LARIAT again! Knight then runs corner to corner, BIG LARIAT! Knight powers up to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Despy stays in this, and Knight says he was that close.
Knight goes to the corner and the fans rally as he takes aim. Knight springboards but Despy DECKS him! Despy goes out to the apron and stands Knight up, but Knight fires forearms first! Despy SMACKS Knight in return! Despy underhooks, but Knight holds on for dear life! The fans rally, Knight fights free, and he SUPERKICKS Despy! Then he APRON SATE- NO, Despy just shrugs Knight off! Despy laughs as Knight falls on the floor. Despy then grabs a leg and SMASHES it on the floor! Despy YANKS the leg, then has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Red Shoes reprimands as Despy thrashes Knight’s leg! Despy stops and he leaves Knight behind.
Knight writhes and Red Shoes checks him, and somehow Knight is able to continue. The ring count starts, Knight seethes as he sits up, but we already pass 10 of 20! Knight hobbles at 14, grits his teeth, and he rolls in at 17! Despy is on him with a gut wrench! GUITARRA POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but the STRETCH MUFFLER returns! Knight endures, reaches out, but Despy rolls him from the ropes! They go around, Despy has NUMERO DOS! Knight activates the core to sit up! Knight reels Despy into an IRON OCTOPUS! Despy sits down but Knight pulls on the arm more! The fans rally as Despy fights around, and finds the ROPEBREAK!
Knight lets go in frustration but now things are even. Knight roars and rises up to bring Despy around. Despy shoves Knight, Knight comes back, but Despy ROCKS Knight! Despy fires more shots, but Knight fires back! Knight ROCKS Despy, roars, but the bad leg won’t let him jump! Despy KICKS the legs out! Despy then storms up to whip, but Knight reverses and SKY 2 HIGH! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans cheer! Knight snarls, he pushes Despy to the drop zone, and Knight climbs the corner! Bad leg or not, Knight aims, but Despy SHORYUKENS! Despy then ROCKET LAUNCHES Knight off the top!
Knight sputters, Despy goes up, but Knight rises! UPPER ROOM!! The fans fire up as Knight manages that jump, and he goes back up top! MOTHERSHIP UFO SPLASH FLOPS as Despy dodges! SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives, Despy is frustrated, but the fans fire up again! Despy drags Knight up, underhooks, but Knight wrenches out! Cradle, TWO!!! Despy escapes, Knight slips around, backslide! TWO!! Despy and Knight stand, Knight SUPERKICKS! Despy LOCO ELBOWS! Despy runs, into a DROPKICK!! The fans fire up as Knight still manages that jump, too! Knight then takes aim and waits on Despy.
Despy rises, Knight somersaults, and SATELLITE DDTS!! Cover, TWO?!?! Despy survives and Knight is shocked but the fans fire up again! Knight backs away to the corner and he climbs up again. The fans fire up as Knight reaches the top, but Despy rises! Despy hits the ropes to trip Knight up! A savvy move and Despy goes after Knight. Despy brings Knight up but Knight fires body shots. Despy HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! Knight fires more shots, but Despy ROCKS him! Despy goes to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men writhe and the fans are thunderous! Despy crawls and covers, TWO!!!
The fans fire up again as Knight survives! Despy roars, he drags Knight up, and he underhooks for PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Knight survives and shocks everyone! The fans love it but Despy is frustrated with Knight. Despy drags Knight up, underhooks him again, FACEBUSTER! Roll through and PINCHE- NO, Knight fights the lift! Knight reaches out, but Despy pulls that arm back! Despy underhooks again, for PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, DESPY WINS!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
Knight gave it his all but he could not bring down the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion! The Jet is now on the outside looking in, will Desperado make it to his back-to-back BOSJ wins?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Hiromu Takahashi!
The winner of BOSJ 30 now runs into the FOUR-TIME BOSJ winner, and it could all come down to this win! Will the Way of the Grandmaster continue on to the top of the block? Or will the Ticking Timebomb blow up all of Wato’s plans for the future?
The bell rings and the fans strongly rally for “HI-RO-MU!” The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Wato digs in and powers Hiromu to the ropes, but Hiromu turns it around. Red Shoes calls the break, Hiromu slowly lets off, and the fans applaud. But then Hiromu takes a swing! Wato dodges, headlocks, but Hiromu powers out. Wato RUNS Hiromu over, things keep moving, and Hiromu hurdles. Wato leaps over, then keeps moving to RANA Hiromu! Hiromu tumbles out, Wato builds speed, but Hiromu is back to ELBOW Wato! Hiromu whips Wato to a corner, Wato BOOTS in return and BULLDOGS!
The fans fire up with Wato and he goes back to Hiromu. Wato wrenches but Hiromu fights Recientemente. Wato KNEES low, whips, but Hiromu grabs ropes. Hiromu BOOTS Wato and then reels him in for a HANGING HEADSCISSORS! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets go to then whip Wato to a corner. LARIAT and snapmare, basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer, Hiromu covers, TWO! Hiromu keeps on Wato with the headscissors squeeze! The fans rally as Wato endures and moves around. Wato reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go, Wato goes to the outside, but Hiromu is after him.
Hiromu CHOPS Wato, stalks Wato around the way, and they go past commentary. Hiromu stands Wato up to CHOP again! Wato flounders but Hiromu stays after him. Hiromu stands Wato up, CHOPS him again, and Wato falls back down. Hiromu brings Wato up, fakes putting him in and CHOPS! Then snap suplexes to the floor! Wato writhes, Red Shoes insists this be in the ring, then starts a count. Hiromu goes back to Wato, brings him up at 5 of 20, and puts him in at 8. The fans applaud and Hiromu covers, TWO! Wato toughs it out but Hiromu is right on him with a CAMEL CLUTCH! Hiromu sits deep on the hold already but Wato endures!
The fans rally, Wato frees an arm, and he uses that to crawl forward! Hiromu sits back down to bend Wato, but Wato still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Hiromu lets go. Hiromu paces while Wato writhes, and we pass five minutes. Hiromu brings Wato back up, just to CHOP him back down! Hiromu eggs Wato on, and the fans rally again. Wato rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Hiromu CHOPS Wato right down! The fans rally, Hiromu drags Wato up to whip, but Wato reverses and CALF KICKS! Hiromu goes to ropes, runs up, but Wato scoops to BACKBREAKER! Hiromu tumbles out and the fans rally up again.
Wato builds speed and he FLIES! Down goes Hiromu and the fans fire up again! Wato drags Hiromu up, puts him in, and goes to the apron. Wato springboards in, FLYING UPPERCUT! The fans cheer, Wato covers, TWO! The fans rally up as Wato rises, and Wato fires himself back up. Wato wrenches and hooks Hiromu up, but Hiromu fights Recientemente! Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Wato fights free! Wato SOBATS, then wrenches again, but Hiromu fireman’s carries! Wato sunset flips, into VENDEVAL! Hiromu endures as Wato pulls on the head and neck! Hiromu rocks the boat to then head for ropes! Wato lets Hiromu go so he can body scissors and roll!
VEND- NO, Hiromu makes it a cradle, TWO! VENDAVAL!! Hiromu endures all over again and the fans rally up! Hiromu leans, but he’s fading! Red Shoes checks Hiromu, but he gets that second wind! Hiromu seesaws around, but he is still fading! A third wind helps Hiromu make it to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Wato lets go in frustration. Wato waistlocks but Hiromu fights the lift! Hiromu reaches out again, but Wato brings him away from ropes! Hiromu fires elbows to get free, but Wato swings through the lariat, CRUCIFIX DRIVER, then RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up!
Wato is frustrated but he just fires up more! The fans rally, Wato brings Hiromu up and chicken wings. RECIENTE- NO, Hiromu fights off The Second with an arm-drag! Wato is up but Hiromu mule kicks! Front KICKS! Hiromu SWATS the roundhouse to SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs, but Wato dodges! Wato tilt-o-whirls, schoolboys, but Hiromu rolls through to then HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Both men rise and the fans rally up again! Wato runs up, but Hiromu scoops to SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Wato is still in this and the fans still rally. Hiromu roars, the fans fire up with him, and he brings Wato into the dragon sleeper!
Wato fires knees from below, Hiromu staggers, and Wato ROUNDHOUSES! Hiromu roars, but the DREAMCAST KICK hits! Wato roars, the fans fire up, and Wato drags Hiromu up. Wato waistlocks to TSUTENKAKU!! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and Wato is beside himself! The fans rally even harder as Wato rises. Wato drags Hiromu back up, chicken wings again, RECIENTE- NO, Hiromu flips through! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER meets KOZY LARIAT!! Hiromu slumps down and Wato stands tall! The fans are thunderous and Wato roars! Wato drags Hiromu up,b ut HIromu SUPERKICKS!
Wato kicks, Hiromu ducks, and CODE BREAKAER! Then HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!! Wato survives and the fans are thunderous! Hiromu hauls Wato up, fireman’s carries, and the TIMEBOMB 1.5!! But Hiromu isn’t done, he dragon sleepers and TIMEBOMB 2.0!!! Cover, HIROMU WINS!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
To battle like this, these two truly are two of the Best of the Super Juniors! But in the end, four times beats one time, and Wato falls off the top spot. Will Wato still find his way into the finals?
As for Hiromu, he does offer a handshake of respect, but Wato refuses, too frustrated with himself to accept. Hiromu goes to the mic to tell Wato, “Where’s your belt? Aren’t you a tag champion? Take it easy, it’s okay. I figured I’d challenge. And as for my partner… Me and Kanemaru will challenge! I think! Understand, yesterday wasn’t really how Kanemaru felt. Me and him are challenging, so get ready!” The fans applaud, but is The Ticking Timebomb serious about the Heel Master coming around?
Moving on from that, Hiromu admits he’s really feeling that match now. Maybe Hiromu can’t go anymore. Hiromu thanks you for all your support, please chant for him. The fans do chant for “HI-RO-MU!” and he feels better. And it has been a little while since he’s done one, so maybe let’s do a little Hiromu survey! Don’t be shy, if this is your first time watching wrestling live, please raise your hand. Oh, a lot of you! And you didn’t even leave during this pointless promo! Thank you! The fans cheer and Hiromu wonders… Anyone planning on going to the finals in Ota? Yes, some, but not enough! Hey, Ota is near Nagoya, when you think about it.
In fact, nothing is “too far” within Japan! Everywhere is local in Japan! Everywhere is local in Japan! Right? The fans echo that, and Hiromu says, “Thank you for chanting that!” Hiromu says these are real fans here! The fans cheer that! Now, going through BOSJ, there is one thing Hiromu is sure of. He guarantees that BOSJ will be the best tour in ALL of NJPW! The fans cheer that! Hiromu vows that he will definitely win! IF he has your support! The fans cheer, and Hiromu says no really, he needs you! The fans chant his name again, and he powers up again. Hiromu thanks them, and promises that for the rest of BOSJ…
Hiromu will make it “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!!” Fun for everyone!! The fans cheer as Hiromu sets down the mic, but will he get into the finals? Or could he still be one stumble away from missing out?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-3, 10 points
Master Wato: 5-3, 10 points
Clark Connors: 5-3, 10 points
Francesco Akira: 4-4, 8 points
Kosei Fujita: 4-4, 8 points
KUSHIDA: 4-4, 8 points
Dragon Dia: 4-4, 8 points
Robbie X: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ninja Mack: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
YOH: 5-3, 10 points
MAO: 5-3, 10 points
El Desperado: 5-3, 10 points
Nick Wayne: 4-4, 8 points
SHO: 4-4, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-4, 8 points
Robbie Eagles: 4-4, 8 points
Kevin Knight: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
A great round here, but thankfully the last time all 10 tournament matches are on one card. I also appreciated that so many of those matches in the first half of the card were so fast and short. And at this point in the tournament, it makes sense a good chunk of each block goes down into mathematically eliminated territory. Mack still getting a win despite that was great for him, and he might’ve been the final nail in Fujita’s own run, depending on how the ninth round goes. The blocks still parallel each other at this point, three guys at 5-3 for 10 points, and it will really come down to who loses rather than who wins.
Wato may have lost tonight, but he could beat Kanemaru and still make it in. Hiromu has Robbie X, Connors has Fujita, one of those could end up a huge upset, but so could Kanemaru cheating Wato to then add onto this idea that Hiromu will team with him even though he isn’t going to be House of Torture. On the other side, Desperado VS Eagles, Yoh VS Taiji, and Mao VS Sho, those are also intriguing match-ups. I would think Despy makes it in as both champion and last year’s tournament winner, so the other two are going to be really tricky. And if this is where Nick Wayne’s run ends with him and Titan in a somewhat do-nothing match, it’s still a great first run, and he can be home in the USA and AEW in time for Fyter Fest.
My Score: 9/10
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Who will be the W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~?!
Tonight on Raw, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods defend the WWE World Tag Team Championships in a Triple Threat against War Raiders and Creed Brothers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: PENTA VS Dragon Lee VS Chad Gable; Penta wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- Rusev VS Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: The New Day VS The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers; The New Day win and retain the titles.
- Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez VS Kairi Sane w/ Iyo Sky; Kairi wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn VS Finn Balor; Rollins wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins is here!
The Visionary leads the way for The Wise Man, the Badass and the Colossal Aussie as they head down the runway. The fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHHH~!” as Rollins steps into the ring in his mint blue floral suit. Rollins revels in the singing a little longer, then the fans bark for Bron Breakker. Paul Heyman has a mic and he gives his introductions. “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. Let’s see who the players are without even the benefit of a scorecard. First…” The fans bark as Heyman steps to his left. “A man, an attack dog, a badass, THE badass, in a true bloodline of badasses.
“And not just a badass, but the key to the future. If Skynet sent a Terminator from the future to this plane today and you asked that Terminator, ‘Who’s gonna main event WrestleManias 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and so on?’ That terminator would tell you the answer to that question is BRON! BREAKKER!” Fans are a little torn on that but Heyman says he’ll put his reputation on the line tonight. That’s not a prediction, that is a damn spoiler! The fans chant for “CM PUNK!” but Rollins smirks. Heyman asks Rollins if the fans realize that CM Punk is not here tonight. The fans boo, but Heyman says that is all thanks to “Big Bronson Reed!”
“WWE would never put him in the ring with top tier talent. Why? Because they were afraid of him! Not just the WWE, but the top tier talent here in the WWE! Why? Cuz he’s too reckless! Why? Cuz of the Tsunami! Why? Cuz he’s a violent man in the PG Era, and he’s gonna put everyone down in front of him! So what’d Bronson Reed do? He took the initiative! He went after THE top star in WWE! He went after the legacy player, the future of this industry! Bronson Reed targeted Seth Freakin’ Rollins. In one night, Bronson Reed put a beating on Seth Rollins worse than Roman Reigns ever put on Seth Rollins in ten years.
“In ONE night, Bronson Reed put a beating worse on Seth Rollins than CM Punk was able to do in his entire career! In ONE NIGHT, Seth Rollins fought Roman Reigns and CM Punk in essentially a handicap match at WrestleMania, and they couldn’t do the damage to him that Bronson Reed did to him in ONE NIGHT! Get down on your hands and your knees and thank the Heavens above for the altruism of this man to my right. The sacrifice that Seth Rollins is willing to make for each and every single one of you so that the trajectory of this industry going into the future is bigger than ever before.
“I give to you the most generous man I have ever met in my entire life. I give to you the epitome of the epiphany. I give to you a Visionary! I give to you an Architect! I give to you the future of this entire industry! Ladies and gentlemen… ACKNOWLEDGE Seth Freakin’ Rollins!” The fans boo and Rollins smiles, but then the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Rollins takes a moment, listens for the fans singing his song, but also hears the fans chant, “We Want Roman!” Rollins waits for that to die down, then he says, “Make no mistake about it. Tampa, this is the vision. This is MY vision. This is the way forward! This is how we secure the future of the industry!
“We do it through total control! Through total domination! Through complete POWER!” The fans chant, “You Sold Out!” Rollins asks to who? To himself? Are they outta their minds? Rollins has not changed a beat! He told us exactly what he would do at WrestleMania, and he did it! Rollins takes a moment, but the fans cuss him out. Rollins says the fans are questioning his integrity right now. They are questioning him. Need he remind them, less than five minutes ago, everyone in this building was singing HIS song! And now, NOW, you wanna chant profanity at him? You wanna question HIS integrity?
The singing does return, and Heyman conducts it, but Rollins has everyone hold on. “You people, you morons, don’t even know right from left! You don’t know what’s good for you! But you’re telling ME that I’M the bad guy here, that I don’t deserve the power. I’m the only one who does. I’m the only person capable of leading this company into the future. I’m the only person capable of wielding that power! And that power comes through championships! And I tell you, I would be standing here before you, right now, World Heavyweight Champion, if it wasn’t for Sami Zayn… And C… M… Punk.” The fans chant for Punk again and Rollins sighs.
Rollins stands with Bronson and says, “CM Punk found out on Saturday exactly what happens when you underestimate me! Sami Zayn will figure that out tonight, because ladies and gentlemen, I have found something more powerful than championships. I have found an object that allows me to control the fates of those championships.” Rollins looks up to the Money in the Bank briefcase. Heyman smiles and Rollins says, “I’m going to qualify for Money in the Bank. I am going to win the Money in the Bank contract. And I am going to cash-in the MITB contract.
“But here’s the beauty of it: I can do it whenever I want; I can do it however I want; I can cash-in on whomever I want; and there is NOBODY who can stop me! And THAT is complete domination! THAT is total power! And THAT is why I am a Visionary! I am a Revolutionary! I am SETH! FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!” The mission statement is crystal clear, but will all of the gold soon belong to Rollins and his team?
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: PENTA VS Dragon Lee VS Chad Gable!
Speaking of MITB, this could be one of the fastest and wildest qualifiers yet! But will a luchador win their way to LA? Or will Chad Gable give himself a very busy Saturday with both a Worlds Collide AND MITB match?
Raw returns as Gable is frustrated already seeing his Worlds Collide opponent, El Hijo del Vikingo, in the crowd to watch this. The bell rings, Gable, Penta and Lee watch each other. The fans rally, Lee and Penta realize Gable is the common denominator, so they DOUBLE SUPERKICK! They take turns stomping Gable, but then they argue over who gets to do more. They shove each other, then agree to keep on Gable together. They TOSS Gable out, Gable tumbles, and now Penta rolls Lee! TWO, and Lee says okay, if that’s how it is… Lee dodges Penta, runs up, but Penta puts Lee on the apron. Lee RAMS Penta, bumps and ROUNDHOUSES him, then RANAS!
Penta ends up in a corner, Lee runs corner to corner, JUMP KCIK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION DRAGON! But Gable is back to ROCK Lee! Gable whips, Lee reverses and Lee DROPKICKS! Lee runs to DROPKICK Penta! Lee comes back for Gable, but Gable catches him for an EXPLODER! Gable dodges Lee, Penta springboards, but Gable catches him! GERMAN SUPELX! The fans boo but Lee RAMS Gable. Lee slingshots but Gable NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Gable snarls and he drags Lee up. Gable THROWS Lee out, goes back to Penta, but Penta fires body shots. Gable CHPOS, whips, but Penta KICKS Gable!
Penta dodges Gable, mule kicks a leg, then SLING-DOGS! Lee is back but Penta pops him up in the corner, SUPERKICK to Lee! Gable runs up, into a BACKBREAKER! Penta picks Lee up into the Gory Especial, then he reels Gable in! Underhook, TIGER DRIVER GORY BOMB COMBO!!! The ref checks Gable as he flops out of the ring, but Lee also goes out, only for Penta to FLY! Direct hit and the fans fire up while Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Gable whips Penta, but then Penta grabs ropes. Gable runs up, Penta TOSSES him, but then Lee runs up. Penta SUPERKICKS Lee, goes out, but Gable anchors his foot! Gable YANKS Penta down, then SMACKS him off the desk! Gable talks trash on Vikingo, goes back for Penta, then throws hands! Gable wants Vikingo to know what’s waiting for him on June 7th! But Lee FLIES! Gable moves, Lee lands right on Penta and they both fall off the desk!! Everyone loses their minds, even Gable! Gable sucker punches Vikingo! The fans boo and Michael Cole tells Gable to focus on the match! How dare he assault a guest?
Gable puts Penta in the ring, CHOPS him, but Penta just gets mad. The fans fire up as Penta winds up and CHOPS! Gable snarls and CHOPS! Penta CHPOS, Lee SUPERKICKS Gable! Penta SUPERKICKS Lee! Lee DRAGON TRIGGERS! And POISON-RANAS! Gable lariats, Lee slips through and lifts! LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives landing on his head again, and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” and Lee rises up. Lee has Penta for a fireman’s carry, but Penta fights free with elbows! Penta spins Lee, pump handles, but Gable waistlocks! GERMAN SUPLEX PUMP HANDLE SLAM COMBO!!!
The fans are thunderous and Gable has the straps down! “A THANK YEW~!!” Gable goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS onto Penta! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and Gable is furious! Lee runs up, but Gable THROWS him overhead! Lee hits buckles, Gable goes up, but Vikingo trips Gable! GAMANGIRI! Gable is in the Tree of Woe and Vikingo cheers on Lee! Lee climbs, aims, and WOE STOMPS Gable!! But Penta hits Lee with a DESTROYER!! Penta gives Gable the PENTA DRIVER!!! Cover, PENTA WINS!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Vikingo gets even with Gable, but they’ll surely go above and beyond at Worlds Collide! As for Penta, will #CeroMiedo be the one holding the MITB contract?
Judgment Day hangs out in the clubhouse.
JD McDonagh wants to talk tag titles but Finn Balor says one thing at a time. Finn’s gonna focus on MITB first, then they get back to business. As for Carlito & Dominik, they’re too busy playing WWE 2K and the WarGames match. But Roxanne Perez is here? She has a whole platter of chicken nuggets and offers him some. And then she says his shoulders seem tense. Roxie starts massaging Dom’s arm, and then LIV MORGAN walks in! She is absolutely livid, and Dom says hey, she’s back! Roxie wants to introduce herself but Liv hushes her. What’s been going on? Well, see, the time zones and nuggets and-
Liv stops Dom there, because Raquel already filled her in. And something is about to get very interesting. Liv will address that, but not before asking Adam Pearce for an MITB qualifier. Liv tells “Sister” Raquel time to head out, and Raquel tells Dom in Espanol that he messed up. Liv & Raquel head out, Finn chuckles and Dom plays it off by saying it’s so great to have Liv back. Finn says yes it is. Carlito says stop eating Roxie’s nuggies. Is Liv feeling what it’s like to have the tables turned on her? Or will she assert her dominance soon enough?
WWE honors our armed forces on this Memorial Day.
Home of the free because of the brave. Cody Rhodes narrates by saying it is easy to speak of sacrifice and harder to live it. Some did. From Normandy to Vietnam, across the Gulf War deserts and mountains of Afghanistan. Not for praise, but for freedom, for each other, and for all of us. Today, remember the selfless who stood in harm’s way and gave their all. Because of them, we live free. Because of them, we carry on. To them, we say thank you.
Rusev VS Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri!
The Redeemer all but demolished The Dozer, and that is why the Stamina Monster is already raging as he stands in the ring. Will Rusev continue to “fix” the Raw roster by breaking them down? Or can Tozawa stop the rampage?
The bell rings and Tozawa rips his shirt! Rusev runs up, Tozawa dodges to fire off hands! Rusev shoves Tozawa, Tozawa is back to throw more hands! Rusev shoves Tozawa to a corner, runs in, but Tozawa dodges! Tozawa runs up but Rusev puts him on the apron. Tozawa GAMANGIRIS, goes up, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Rusev tumbles, but he comes back to LARIAT! The fans are torn but Rusev roars and stomps around! MACHKA KICK!! Rusev roars, “RUSEV! MACHKA!!” And then the ACCOLADE!!! Tozawa TAPS, Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev makes Tozawa suffer, he bends Tozawa back! The fans are torn and the ref tries to pry that grip open! But wait! Here comes Sheamus! Rusev throws Tozawa aside, and Bulgarian Brute stares down The Celtic Warrior. They were once friends, but that was a long time ago. The fans rally behind Sheamus, and Rusev stands down. Does Rusev feel Sheamus does not need his “help?” Or is he not deserving?
Backstage interview with Burt Kreischer & Tom Segura.
Cathy Kelley tells Burt welcome back, and brings up Segura being a bit critical of the WWE in the past. What brings him by tonight? Segura knows he’s done stupid things in his life, saying that stuff was part of it. But Cody Rhodes was on their podcast recently, it was a great time, and a real eye-opener. Plus, Burt had such a blast at the show he attended, so Tom couldn’t turn it down. Cathy knows that’s true. They were interrupted last time, so maybe Burt can plug his stuff now? Burt says yes, his new special is called Lucky, on Netflix, watch now. Something has Bur’s attention and he excuses himself.
Cathy knows Tom has something coming up, too, and he says yes, his own special will be a wild sketch show and- Wait, Burt is calling for Tom. Tom says this happens every time… Tom heads over, and Burt’s got his shirt off as he’s excited to see the War Raiders in person! It’s like they could all be related! Ivar says time to fire up! Ivar CHOPS Burt on the chest, Burt is already red, and they chant “WAR! WAR! WAR!” The Raiders head out, Tom has Burt calm down cuz Erik & Ivar left. Burt asks how does he look. Very red. Tom suggests they check with a medic to check before he and Burt go to their seats.
Sami Zayn is backstage.
Sami says he can’t stand listening to those guys talk! Heyman, Rollins, running their mouths, Sami should’ve gone out there to interrupt. But for what? Jey Uso says it would’ve been 1v3. Gotta be smart, Uce. Gotta pick the right time. Rollins wants the power, but this is how they stop him! Sami goes out there, wins the qualifier, and snatch that briefcase. If anything gets messy out there, Jey has Sami’s back. Sami nods, and Jey has him bring it in for the secret handshake. Jey wishes Sami luck, but will the Underdog from the Underground be on top? Will the Visionary’s plan continue to succeed? Or will The Prince have his own golden ticket to LA?
WWE World Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: The New Day VS The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers!
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods certainly tried to use their opponents against each other in hopes of crossing one off the list, but now they’ll be facing them both! Will the New Day survive a night in Tampa? Will Erik & Ivar have redemption from WrestleMania? Or will Julius & Brutus make sure these titles are now American Made?
Raw returns as the titles are raised and Burt is seen chugging beer! Tom joins in, and then the War Raiders attack the New Day! The fans fire up, the ref reprimands, but the Raiders TOSS the Creeds! This has to come down to 1v1 but Erik & Ivar throw hands on Woods & Kofi! The Creeds return, but the Raiders stereo scoop and SLAM them! Then Erik scoops and SLAMS Woods! Ivar & Erik scoop Kofi to LAWN DART him out onto the rest! The fans fire up, the Raiders say “UP!” Erik scoops Ivar, and from the apron he THROWS Ivar onto everyone! The fans fire up, Ivar rises, and he puts Kofi in. The bell rings as Erik brings Kofi up.
Ivar climbs a corner, but Woods anchors Ivar’s leg! Kofi BOOTS Erik, Julius DROPKICKS Ivar to the floor! Woods & Brutus THROW Erik into barriers! Julius & Kofi do the same! The New Day and American Made have made an alliance, and they all RAM Erik together! They they go to the ring and stand tall together. The fans boo while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the Raiders are back. Kofi has Erik but Erik fires body shots. Kofi KNEES low, facelocks, and he puts Erik in the ropes. Kofi KNEES away on Erik, then tags Woods. Woods goes up the corner to GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMP! The fans boo but Woods struts around. “NEW~ DAY~!” “SUCKS!” Woods talks trash on Erik, brings him up, but the fans rally. Erik shoves Woods and ROCKS him! Both men fall and the fans fire up! Woods sputters but Erik crawls, hot tag to Ivar! Julius runs in but Ivar BACKDROPS him! BOOT for Woods! Scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM for Brutus!
Kofi runs in, Ivar dodges then scoop shim, SIDEWALK SLAM onto Brutus! Ivar runs and he DOUBLE SPLASHES! Julius is up, the fans fire up with Ivar, and Ivar runs in, only for Julius to dodge. Julius comes back, into the SEATED SENTON! Ivar TOSSES Woods, dodges Brutus and LARIATS him up and out! Kofi runs up but Ivar TOSSES him out onto Woods & The Creeds! The fans fire up more as Ivar says “UP!” Ivar climbs the corner! But Kofi jumps up to GAMANGIRI! Ivar falls but Erik DECKS Kofi! Brutus ROCKS Erik! Brutus RAMS Erik, hoists him up, but Erik SMACKS Brutus! Brutus ROCKS Erik then climbs.
Erik DECKS Brutus, but Julius springs up! The fans fire up for the SUPER DUPER PLEX! Woods hits the LIMIT BREAKER ELBOW on Erik! But Ivar is up top! WAR BEARD SPLASH!! Cover, Kofi & The Creeds break it! The fans fire up while all six men are down! “This is Awesome!” as the teams regroup. Kofi runs up on Erik, but Erik ducks the kick! EriK DECKS Kofi! The Creeds CLOBBER Erik! Ivar breaks their line to handspring DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! And then HEEL KICK for Woods! Ivar helps Erik wake up, and he says it is time to end this! Erik feeds Woods to Ivar, but Julius tags in! Ivar DECKS Julius, Woods FACEBUSTERS Erik!
Kofi KICKS Ivar, he and Brutus TOSS Ivar out! Brutus springboards to BRUTUS BALL Erik! Kofi DIVES at Ivar, but Ivar catches him! And RAMS him into the LED apron! The fans fire up for Ivar, and he runs up, CROSSBODY against the LED board! Ivar goes up, up, but Julius JUMP KNEES him! Woods rolls Julius up with tights! NEW DAY WIN!!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (still WWE World Tag Team Champions)
Well, The New Day used their opponents against each other all over again and came away with the titles! Will no one ever stop Kofi & Woods as the W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, Champions~?
Liv & Raquel walk ‘n’ talk.
And then they spot something. It’s Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane! What is this? A DMG CTRL reunion? Isn’t that group as dead as Kairi’s chances of winning MITB? Iyo says keep walking. Oh, they will! Liv is gonna walk right into Adam Pearce’s office and get herself a qualifier. And when she wins the briefcase, she cashes in on Iyo. Something Kairi could never ever do! Kairi tells Liv, in Japanese, that Liv keeps on talking, talking, talking like an idiot. Kairi then dares Liv to have a match with her tonight! Liv says challenge accepted. Raquel says Kairi done messed up, but Iyo says good on the Pirate Princess. Will Kairi sink Liv’s ship before it even sets sail?
Jey Uso heads to the ring!
The fans are ready to YEET here in Tampa as the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way down to ringside. After Saturday Night’s Main Event, we know he and Cody Rhodes are preparing for a star-studded tag team match at MITB, what will Jey have to say about it? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Jey has the mic to say, “The World Heavyweight Champ, Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says it has been a busy week for the champ. “YEET!” Everybody’s after the champ! “YEET!” Logan Paul got YEET’D! Cena ’bout to get YEET’D! And at MITB, it is Jey and his dawg, Cody- WAIT! Gunther is here! Der Ring General interrupts as he goes right to the ring and grabs his own mic. The fans taunt Gunther with “You Tapped Out!” but Gunther shrugs that off. Gunther tells Jey, “Well first of all, I came out here…” The fans boo but Gunther says he wants to congratulate Jey.
“And this one comes from a very personal places. Congratulations on the 15 year jubilee of The Usos in the WWE.” The fans cheer that, and Gunther says, “Secondly, congratulations on your first successful defense against Logan Paul on Saturday. You are holding onto this title way longer than I expected.” The fans boo that but Gunther says he appreciates Jey is doing everything in his power to fulfill this position. He really wants to be the captain of Monday Night Raw. And Jey has his hands full. There’s the long term plan going around, some of Jey’s friends are in trouble, and when they need Jey, he is there, no questions asked.
“And those are great qualities for a human being. But they are terrible qualities for a great champion.” The fans boo, but Gunther says he doesn’t blame Jey. Jey doesn’t know any better. Unlike Gunther, this position as World Heavyweight Champion doesn’t come natural to Jey. Being a great champion doesn’t mean you’re there for everyone else, that you sort out all the problems. Just guess, how was Gunther able to be a champion for almost ay ear? Because the only person he cares about is HIMSELF! The fans boo, but Gunther says if he is fully honest, Jey doesn’t have the intellect to carry himself as a great champion.
And in two weeks, when they step into the ring one more time, Gunther will relieve Jey from his position. Gunther will make things right and choke Jey out! Gunther will take back HIS World Heavyweight Championship and put it back where it belongs: Around Gunther’s waist! The fans boo but Jey takes a moment. “You done? Are you done?” Jey says he’s done, He is done with everybody saying his days as champ are numbered. “YEET!” Jey is done with everybody using an excuse for this title to turn their back on the people who brought them up! Jey does have friends, he does have family. He a real one, Uce. He fights for them, they fight for him!
The fans cheer and Jey paces. Jey tells Gunther he runs his mouth on Jey’s life. Gunther wants to judge Jey? Go ahead! Jey gets worked up and says what Gunther is fighting for is less than what Jey is fighting for. Jey isn’t overlooking Gunther, he knows what Gunther is capable of. Jey knows Gunther in and out. So see you in Phoenix. But at the end of the day, at the end of the day… Jey is fighting for the fans. Because in Phoenix, Jey will make Gunther tap out, again! Four letters, one word, UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up with Jey as he heads out. Will this be the Summer of YEET?
Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez VS Kairi Sane!
The leading lady of the Judgment Day is back from her time in Japan filming for Hollywood, but now she thinks she can just call the shots for MITB. Will Liv be rolling towards a MITB qualifier? Or will the Pirate Princess prove she’s still got it?
Raw returns as Kairi makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. They go around, Liv puts Kairi on ropes, then they go along ropes. Kairi has Liv in the corner but she lets off as the ref counts. Kairi rushes up but Liv THROWS her down by her hair! Liv KICKS Kairi, stomps away, but the ref counts. Liv stops at 4, bumps Kairi off buckles, then throws hands! The ref counts, Liv shrieks, “OKAY!” But Kairi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Kairi CHOPS Liv again and then fires boxing elbows! Kairi backs Liv into a corner, ROCKS her, then whips corner to corner. Kairi runs up, Liv puts her on the apron, but Kairi RAMS Liv!
Kairi goes up, up, and leaps, but Liv gets under. Kairi says kiss this! The fans fire up, Liv says okay then! Liv runs up, Kairi sidesteps and drops down, then does it again. Kairi blows past, goes up and RANAS! Liv tumbles to the ropes, the fans fire up with Kairi, and she runs in, SLIDING D! Liv sputters and Kairi goes out to the apron. Kairi brings Liv up, BACKHANDS her, then gets space. Kairi runs in, but Liv dodges! Kairi boots the post, and Liv SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS to the floor! Raquel cheers and the fans are torn, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Liv suplexes Kairi! That’s Una Amiga as Liv brings her back up, for Dos Amigas! Liv brings Kairi up again, for THREE- NO, Kairi slips free, but Liv ELBOWS her! Liv runs, Kairi dodges, and then Kairi SPEARS! The fans fire up while both women are down! Raquel panics and coaches Liv but Kairi goes to a corner. Liv runs up but Kairi DECKS her! And CLOBBERS her! And CROSSBODIES her! Kairi whips, Liv reverses, but Kairi stops herself to come back, BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up with Kairi again and she has Liv in the corner. Kairi marches and then runs up, SLIDING D again!
Liv flounders, Kairi climbs, and FLYING KABUKI FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Liv lives and Kairi is annoyed, but she hurries to bring Liv back up. The fans rally, Liv breaks free, but Kairi ducks the enzigiri! Kairi has the legs, and she pulls Liv into the ANCHOR HOLD! Liv endures as Kairi bridges back! The fans fire up but Liv pulls hair! The ref reprimands, but Kairi DECKS Liv! Kairi roars, runs, but Liv STOMPS her down! Liv scowls, rises up, and she climbs the corner. FLYING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Kairi survives and Liv is livid! Liv SLAPS Kairi around, kicks her, then has her on the ropes. Liv runs up, but Kairi denies ObLIVion!
URAKEN!! Liv sputters, Kairi runs, SLIDING D the third!! Cover, TWO!! The fans rally, Kairi drags Liv up, and then she Alabama Lifts! But Liv sunset flips it! TWO, and both women hurry to their feet! Liv blocks the backhand to BACKSTABBER! Kairi flounders. Liv runs in, but Kairi pops Liv up! But Liv rolls, Kairi smothers it to a jackknife bridge, TWO! Both women grab at the other but Kairi Alabama Lifts again! ALABAMA SLAM! Kairi goes up the corner and the fans fire up! Raquel distracts the ref, ROXANNE shoves Kairi! The fans boo but then Raquel and Roxie argue! Roxie says she just helped Liv, what’s the big deal?
Liv runs at Kairi, Kairi rolls her up! KAIRI WINS!!!
Winner: Kairi Sane, by pinfall
Raquel is shocked, but Liv let herself get distracted by everything! Roxie says that wasn’t on her. Will Liv get over herself to accept the new girl on the team?
Rhea Ripley speaks.
“Mami’s always on top. It wasn’t just a saying to me, but it was a way of life. Lately, that just hasn’t been our reality, now has it? But at MITB, that all changes. For the first time in my career, I’m in a ladder match, which means no one is ready for the amount of brutality that I am going to unleash. I will do absolutely anything to climb that ladder, to retrieve the briefcase, and to once again cement myself at the top of the women’s division. So Iyo Sky, Tiffany Stratton, I advise you to hold your titles really tightly. Because absolutely no one is safe from Mami in the Bank.” The Eradicator is ready, will she be ready to call her shot after June 7th?
Judgment Day regroups.
Liv still wants to know what Roxie was doing out there. Finn defends Roxie just wanting to help. Dom knows that was the plan, right? Dom stammers, but Raquel says if Roxie hadn’t gone out there, Liv would’ve won! Liv says he can’t believe she’s saying this, but no, Raquel was the veteran out there and she should’ve known better. What? Finn grins again, is this going even better than he expected?
Lyra Valkyria is here!
The fans “WHEW~!” with the song as the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion makes her way to the ring. Lyra has the mic to say, “Well what is up, Tampa? Ugh, I wish I was out here to talk to you guys about some new competition and a new challenger for this championship. But news broke today that Becky went and did what Becky does best. She groveled and she begged and she twisted the arms of the right people in the back, and she once again talked herself into a rematch at MITB.” The fans boo, but Lyra says, “Why would I accept, right? I have nothing left to prove. I’ve beaten her twice.
“Every opponent that I have ever had, I didn’t care what they said about me or what they did to me. Once I beat them between these ropes, I was the ultimate winner. But I didn’t feel any satisfaction when I beat Becky. Because she came out here after Backlash, ego still through the roof, no embarrassment, no sense of shame, even though she’d been outwrestled and beaten. And she sat there, on that top buckle, and she talked like she won the match! She was that delusional! And then she just went on to try and steal the next opportunity from the next person. She’s like a rat with a piece of cheese, and I just couldn’t let her do it.”
The fans cheer, and Lyra says, “At Backlash, all I wanted to do was pin her shoulders to the mat for three seconds. But she came out here and she go tin my fiancé’s face, and she tried to take my eye out, and she tried to break my arm! So yeah, now it’s personal!” The fans like that! Lyra says at MITB, she is going to hurt Becky. She is going to break Becky’s ego! And if that means bashing Becky’s head in, then she’ll do it! But wait! Becky is here now! Lyra frowns as The Man makes her way out to the ring, and Becky has a mic to ask, “I made this personal? I made this personal? YOU cost ME! You cost me my opportunity!
“I was done with you! I was on the bigger and better things, because okay, okay, you won a match. You won a match, I won the night! Because I went home with my hot husband, and you went off to the hospital with your weird little fiancé!” Wow, Becky’s “hot husband?” AKA, the only talented thing about her? Becky says here it goes! Lyra makes it personal! Lyra made it personal first! She could’ve let it go, but she couldn’t. Because Lyra knows Becky is the best thing that ever happened to Lyra, or to that title! Lyra says that is not the flex Becky thinks it is! Becky acts like she just graciously stepped aside and shared the spotlight.
People are talking about Lyra because Lyra beat Becky! The fans cheer that! Okay, okay, Lyra says Becky “steals” opportunities. If Lyra is so confident, how about this? MITB, if Lyra wins again, Becky will never challenge Lyra for that title ever again. Fine! No problem for Lyra. As she sees it, she beat Becky twice, and the last time was with her eyes closed. Becky frowns, but she says Lyra did not let her finish. Because there’s something Becky keeps remembering. When Lyra took the NXT Women’s Championship from Becky, it was a quick roll-up, not really decisive. When Lyra won that match, the good person Becky was, what’d she do? Becky graciously raised Lyra’s hand.
So WHEN Becky wins at MITB, and does it fair ‘n’ square, Lyra must look her in the eyes and raise Becky’s hand! The fans are torn on that, but Lyra says she has never had an issue raising the hand of the woman better than her. It just hasn’t been Becky yet. Mic drop from The Morrigan, but will The Man make her humble? Or will Lyra close this title off to Becky for as long as it is on her shoulder?
Sami Zayn walks the halls.
And Karrion Kross says, “Well, well, WELL! Here we are again, Sami! You’re still trying to claw your way to the top when you could’ve just taken the deal, went to SmackDown, and challenged for the WWE Championship. NO, you gotta do it ‘your way.'” Sami says he has no time for the games, okay? Sami walks off but Kross says Sami knows he will never win the title, right? Sami looks back at Kross and tells him he’ll deal with this later. Sami continues on, but will he be winning his way to the top? Or just falling to the bottom?
Also, in the background, New Day is talking with Grayson Waller like they were last week. Are they still trying to convince the Aussie Icon of something?
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn VS Finn Balor!
The Visionary wants all the power, the Underdog from the Underground wants to stop that from happening, and The Prince wants to put Judgment Day back at the top with a world title. Who gets their way in this star-studded three way in Tampa?
Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance, followed by Sami. The bell rings, Sami and Rollins fire hands, and Finn watches. Sami LARIATS Rollins up and out, but Finn attacks Sami! Finn bumps Sami off buckles, throws hands, then CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and Finn whips. Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges then DIVES onto Rollins! The fans fire up as Rollins tumbles, and Sami is after him again! Finn hurries to join in and he CLOBBERS them both! The fans cheer, Finn brings Sami around and pushes him into the ring. Finn fires hands on Sami, CHOPS him, and Heyman scowls from ringside. Sami kicks back and puts Finn in the corner.
Sami climbs up, rains down fists, and the fans count, only for Rollins to stop Sami at 5! Rollins drags Sami down to CLOBBER him! Rollins rains down fists, huffs ‘n’ puffs as he goes to Finn, but Finn trips Rollins to DOUBLE STMOP! CHOP for Sami, CHOP for Rollins! Finn CHOPS Rollins, fires body shots, then fires haymakers! Rollins fires back, but Finn slips around to dragon sleeper! Sami runs up, Finn kicks him, DOUBLE DDT COMBO! Cover on Rollins, TWO! Cover on Sami, TWO! Finn is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn CLUBS Sami! The fans rally, Finn throws hands, but Sami eggs him on! Finn throws more hands, then reels Sami in. The fans want tables but Sami hits a suplex on Finn! The fans rally as Sami rises, but Rollins is in! Sami counter punches Rollins and backs him down! Sami climbs to rain down fists! The fans count and Sami goes to TEN, then fires a flurry to get to TWENTY! The fans fire up, Sami runs up and BLASTS Finn off the apron! Rollins runs up, Sami TOSSES him out! The fans fire up more as Sami goes to the apron! Finn grabs a foot, Sami kicks him away, then Sami kicks Rollins!
Sami goes up, ARABIAN PRESS! Direct hit on Rollins and Finn and the fans fire up with Sami! Sami rises up, gives a shoutout to the late, great Sabu, and then hurries to put Rollins in the ring. Sami waistlocks, Rollins fights the Blue Thunder to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Rollins is annoyed but he storms up on Sami. Rollins puts Sami in the corner, grinds his forearm into Sami’s face, then CHOPS! Rollins puts Sami up, CHOPS him again, then climbs. The fans rally, Sam fires elbows, and he knocks Rollins down! But Finn CLUBS Sami! Finn climbs up, he and Sami fight, and Sami CLUBS Finn down! Then shoves him down!
Rollins is right up top! Sami fires body shots and then he CLUBS Rollins down! Sami then adjusts, and SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS!! Cover, Finn breaks it! The fans fire up while all three men are down! Finn drags Sami up to TOSS him out, then goes for Rollins. Finn dragon sleepers Rollins, drags him up, but Rollins KICKS free! Rollins then kicks low, underhooks, but Sami is back !Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS Sami first! Then Rollins underhooks Sami, only for Finn to SLINGBLADE Rollins! Finn SHOTGUNS Sami into a corner! The fans fire up, Finn fumbles in the ropes a bit, but he goes up the corner!
Sami is up and he ROCKS Finn first! Sami then climbs up after Finn, goes to the very top, SUPER DUPER PLEX!! But Rollins FROG SPLASHES Sami!! Rollins bounces off that cover, all three men are down again, and “This is Awesome!” Heyman is freaking out while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again, and Rollins DECKS Finn! Sami sputters towards a corner, Rollins stomps him down and then stomps a mudhole in! The fans are torn but Rollins sees Finn sit up. Rollins tells Finn they can be 1v1 if they get rid of Sami first. Rollins & Finn get Sami up top, climb up after him, but Sami fights them both off! The fans rally behind Sami as he fires fast hands! Sami DECKS Rollins, DECKS Finn, and the fans fire up! Sami stands to leap, but Finn gets under. Rollins is there to catch Sami, but Sami DUMPS Rollins out! Finn runs up, but into a clinch! Only to victory roll it! TWO!! Sami escapes, Finn stands, and Finn waistlocks.
Finn dragon sleepers, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, Rollins breaks it! The fans rally, all three men slowly rise, and Rollins watches Finn. Rollins kicks Finn, underhooks, but Finn wrenches out, rolls Rollins up, but Rollins rolls through! Underhooks and PEDIGREE!! Cover, SAMI GHOST PINS ROLLINS! TWO!! Rollins escapes, kicks Sami, PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!??! Sami survives and the fans fire up again! Heyman is beside himself while the fans rally for Sami. Rollins gets in Sami’s face and tells him this is it! Rollins runs from the corner, but Sami avoids the stomp! BLUE THUNDER- NO, Rollins slips free to KICK the legs!
Rollins runs, but into BLUE THUNDER!! Cover, TWO!!! Rollins barely survives and no one can believe it! Where’s Finn in all this? Rollins sputters in a daze as he goes to the apron and the fans rally. Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs, looks up to the briefcase as motivation, and he throws hands on Rollins. Rollins staggers, but then he throat chops! Sami still throws hands! Rollins JABS, CHOPS, and repeat! Rollins CLAWS Sami’s eyes, puts him in a corner, and just SLAPS away! Rollins huffs ‘n’ puffs and almost foams at the mouth! Rollins runs in, btu into a clinch! CORNER EXPLODER! Sami is feeling it and the fans are with him!
Sami aims, runs at Rollins, but FINN SLINGBLADES! Then Finn SHOTGUNS Sami into Rollins! They’re both down but Sami’s in the drop zone! Finn goes up, COUP DE- NO, Sami dodge! CURB STOMP by Rollins! HELLUVA KICK by Sami!!! Cover on Rollins, BRON BREAKKER drags Sami out!! And Bronson Reed is there to rain down fists! The fans boo, because for No Disqualifications, this is still unfair! But then JEY CROSSBODIES Bronson! Jey fires fists on Bron, SUPERKICKS Bronson, then SUPERKICKS Bron! SUPERKICKS again and again, but Rollins grabs Jey! Jey UPPERCUTS Rollins! Bron SPEARS Jey!!
The fans boo, Bronson POSTS Sami, but DOM is here with a chair!! Dom slides that into the ring, halfway between Finn and Rollins. Finn grabs the chair, Rollins FULL METAL CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, ROLLINS WINS!!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Dirty Dom tried to help but that backfired in a big way. But even then, Rollins had his minions help out, so it’s all fair. Bron & Bronson go after Jey & Sami, but CM PUNK is here?!? Bron & Bronson Security now move to the ramp, but Punk sneaks in from the crowd!! Fireman’s carry for Rollins, and a GO TO SLEEP!!! Rollins is down, Punk bails out, and the fans fire up! The Best in the World gets the better of The Visionary! But even so, Rollins is still going to MITB. Will the Visionary take over using that contract once again? Or will Punk make sure that never happens?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw to not just follow up Saturday Night’s Main Event but even accelerate towards Money in the Bank Saturday. Great tie-in of Worlds Collide with Vikingo being here, and that was an awesome Triple Threat from Penta, Dragon Lee and Gable. Gable VS Vikingo for Worlds Collide will be great stuff, but I think a graphic gave away that Vikingo’s match with Alberto Del Rio El Patron for the AAA Mega Championship is going to go Vikingo’s way to then escalate the Worlds Collide match. Very good promo from Rhea to hype up her part in MITB but there are still more people to add so I’m not sure Rhea wins.
Rusev VS Tozawa was really quick but I suppose it would be given Rusev is Rusev. But Sheamus confronting Rusev was great stuff, and they’re going to have a great feud. Fun promo with Burt Kreischer & Tom Segura to hype up the tag title match, and the tag title match itself was great stuff. The finishing sequence was quick and brilliant stuff, but it also makes me think we’re getting more New Day VS American Made after this. Great promo segment from Lyra and Becky to set up their rematch, but I feel like the stakes aren’t even. Becky only wants Lyra to raise her hand in victory? I feel like Becky would be pettier than that, but maybe she beats Lyra up so bad that Lyra can’t even stand.
We got great integration of other segments through the big stories. Judgment Day’s new dysfunction is all because of Finn, and he was clearly enjoying it. Liv not liking Roxie hanging around Dom is made all the sweeter because it’s what Liv was doing with Dom while Dom was with Rhea. But then in a great twist, Roxie really did try to help Liv, only for Raquel to not like it and that cost Liv. And then Liv seeing Roxie’s point later was a great detail, too. Finn is either going to break up Liv and Dom or Liv and Raquel and he doesn’t seem to mind which one it is.
Very good promo from Gunther and Jey, not that it really adds much. I was oddly expecting more Logan Paul to show up and talk trash on Jey while putting Cena over, saying stuff like how he and Cena are going to be this unstoppable dream team. Maybe Logan will do that Friday or next Monday, given next Monday is the go-home Raw. Seth Rollins & Paul Heyman had a very good promo to open the night, though they maybe let the chants for Punk and Roman go on when they didn’t need to. Jey and Sami had a good promo and that helped plug Jey helping Sami in the main event.
That main event was also an awesome match, but it works that Rollins won. The MITB contract served him well before, can’t wait to see if he wins it and tries to use it on June 9th during Gunther VS Jey. At the same time, CM Punk either gets in MITB with a qualifier, or he just shows up to make sure Rollins doesn’t win the ladder match. He might even stalk Rollins to make sure Rollins can’t cash in successfully. But such a story would get boring over time, so I would think Rollins just doesn’t win and has one last match with Punk for Saturday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta or for SummerSlam’s night two main event.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
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