Can the Prince slay the Rampaging Dragon?

Callum Newman won the New Japan Cup, won THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but can he survive his first title defense against Shingo Takagi?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Taisei Nakahara; Yasuda wins.
• NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Chase Owens; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
• Ryusuke Taguchi & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Gedo & Daiki Nagai; Gedo & Daiki win.
• OSKAR & Yuto-Ice VS Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma; Oskar & Yuto win.
• 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS House of Torture; Hontai wins.
• Yuya Uemura & Taichi VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Yuya & Taichi win.
• 8 Man Tag: The Unbound Company VS The United Empire; Unbound Company wins.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS El Desperado & Mistico; Despy & Mistico win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Bolten Oleg VS Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare; Ospreay, Khan & Henare win and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
• IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Callum Newman VS Shingo Takagi; Callum wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW World Television Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Chase Owens w/ Yujiro Takahashi!

Although the Alpha is preparing for his match with Kazuchika Okada at AEW Double or Nothing, he must still fulfill his duties as a champion in NJPW! But will Konosuke still be the star of NJPW World? Or will the Lonestar Outlaw steal the spotlight?

But as Konosuke reaches ringside, Chase runs up! Konosuke avoids his wrecking ball dropkick to then fire forearms! They go back and forth but Konosuke ROCKS Chase! Konosuke stalks Chase around the way, ROCKS him again, and again! Chase KNEES low, then whips, but Konosuke stops short of the railing. Konosuke pops Chase up to SMACK off the railing, then DDTS him on the floor! The fans cheer as Konosuke then drags Chase up and puts him in the ring. The bell sounds and we’re on the clock! Konosuke brings Chase up, headlocks, but Chase endures the grind. Chase pulls hair to power up and out, but Konosuke drops down on the dropdown!

Konosuke has the headlock again, and he grinds Chase down. The fans rally as Chase fights up, and he KNEES low! Chase KNEES Konosuke again, then headlocks in return. Konosuke powers up and out, then hurdles, drops down, and DROPKICKS! The fans cheer as Konosuke then hits another headlock takeover. Chase pulls hair but the ref reprimands. Konosuke grinds the hold but Chase rolls to a cover, ONE! They stand up, and Chase pulls hair again to put Konosuke on the ropes. The ref counts, Chase lets go slowly, but he BOOTS the ropes to jam Konosuke up! Konosuke sputters as he slumps outside, and Chase WRECKS him with a dropkick!

The fans are torn as Chase goes out to bring Konosuke up. Chase scoops to then HOTSHOT Konosuke off the railing! Konosuke coughs and sputters again, but Chase SMACKS him off the apron. Chase drags Konosuke up to the apron now, and he cravats for a SNAPMARE DRIVER on the apron! The fans applaud while Chase puts Konosuke in the ring, then covers, TWO! The fans cheer more as Konosuke stays in this. Chase argues the count but the ref defends it was fair. Konosuke sits up but Chase runs in at the corner for a forearm smash! Then a short arm LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Konosuke shows his grit but Chase just grins.

The fans rally up again as Chase paces around Konosuke. Chase drags Konosuke up, fireman’s carries, but Konosuke fights free. Konosuke ROCKS Chase, but Chase ROCKS Konosuke back! Konosuke ROCKS Chase again, but Chase fires back! They go back and forth until Chase CLAWS Konosuke’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Chase runs, into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Chase reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE finds him! The fans cheer while Chase goes to a corner. Konosuke runs in and JUMP KNEES! Then clinch and EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Chase toughs it out, but Konosuke stays calm.

Konosuke stand Chase up, but Chase fights the lift. Chase CLUBS away, then headlock punches! The ref reprimands, but Konosuke keeps Chase from running the ropes! Chase ROCKS Konosuke for it, then eggs him on. We pass five minutes as Konosuke ROCKS Chase! The fans rally up as Chase fires back! Konosuke staggers to ropes, but he comes back to ROCK Chase! Chase fires fast hands, but Konosuke fires boxing elbows! ROLLING- BACK ELBOW from Chase! Chase cravats but Konosuke powers out! Chase blocks a shot to C-TRIGGER! Then he avoids the boot to I HATE YOUR FACE KNEE! Cover, TWO! Konosuke stays in this but Chase stays on him.

Chase wrenches and hammerlocks, but Konosuke ducks High Noon to spin Chase for a BRAINBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Konosuke roars as he rises, and then he gator rolls Chase into a suplex! Chase fights the rest, then bails out! Chase hobbles around the way but Konosuke pursues! HELLUVA KICK against the railing! Konosuke then brings Chase around to APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans rally as Chase crawls, but Konosuke drags him back outside, for another APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans cheer while Konosuke shoves Chase inside, but Yujiro gets a PIMP CANE CHEAP SHOT on Konosuke!

The fans boo Tokyo Pimp as he puts Konosuke in, the ref none the wiser! Konosuke drags himself up at the ropes, but Chase runs up for C-TRIGGER! Then he wrenches, hammerlocks, and HIGH NOON LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! The fans cheer as Konosuke survives! Chase is frustrated but he drags Konosuke up and tucks him in! But Konosuke wrenches free, slips around, only for Chase to grab the ref! Konosuke can’t suplex them both, and Chase sends Konosuke into the ref! The fans boo but now Yujiro storms in so he can stomp away on Konosuke! Yujiro then sets Konosuke up for Chase, but SHOTA UMINO is here!

Shota DECKS Chase, then ROCKS and ROLLING ELBOWS Yujiro! The fans cheer as The Roughneck has evened things up for The Alpha! Shota even cheers Konosuke on, only for the rest of the House to attack! Sho, Kanemaru, Ren, and Dick all stomp Shota, but Konosuke hurries to shield his ally! And then HONTAI rushes out here! Wolf, Yano, Yoh, Wato & Tiger Mask all go after The House! They’ve all got their match later tonight, so this ends up a rather interesting warm-up! The fans cheer as Hontai drags The House out of the ring, and even gets Don Fale, to then gather them all at the ramp side!

The fans cheer Konosuke as he builds speed, and Konosuke FLIES! Air Alpha brings down The House! The fans cheer again as Konosuke gets Chase in the ring while Hontai takes the rest of the House to the back! And we’ve finally hit ten minutes! Konosuke checks on the ref, and then deadlifts him into the ring. The fans cheer, but Chase is up to something! Konosuke ducks the punch, BLUE THUNDER- SPUR KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but Chase hides the evidence quickly. Chase vows to end it now, and he drags Konosuke back up. C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK! Then he brings Konosuke around to tuck him in!

Chase lifts for LAST TES- NO, Konosuke fights the lift, BACKDROPS, but Chase sunset flips! Konosuke rolls through, WAGAMAMA KNEE!! Konosuke then aims from a corner, WAGAMAMA KNEE AGAIN!! Konosuke then hauls Chase up for RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Konosuke wins!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)

The House of Torture tried and failed to cheat this one away, this is still The Alpha Show! But wait, the lights go down! A video on the tron shows that same mysterious man in suit and mask from last time. He walks into the backstage area of this very arena, but who is it? Where are they going? What do they want? Wait, now they’re IN THE RING! And they CLOBBER Konosuke with some big satchel! WHO IS THIS?! They take off the mask, and IT’S SANADA! The Cold-Blooded Snake is STILL in NJPW! And he drags Konosuke right up for the DEADFALL!! Sanada leaves with a word, but his intent is now clear. Will he make himself the star of NJPW World?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS El Desperado & Mistico!

The Ichiban Sweet Boys only just took these titles back, but they’re already putting them back on the line! Will the Sniper of the Skies & Japanese Young Punk outdraw The Rogue Luchador & The Talisman? Or will these titles soon go internacional?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team is truly mighty!

The teams sort out, and Despy starts against Fujita. The bell rings, and the fans cheer as the two go forehead to forehead. They both talk some trash, Despy slaps Fujita around, but Fujita shoves Despy. Fujita eggs Despy on, Despy fires the fans up, then he CHOPS! Fujita snarls and fires the fans up, then CHOPS in return! The CHOPS go back and forth, faster and faster, harder and harder! The fans cheer as they CHOP and CHOP and CHOP, but then Despy says stop! Despy ROCKS Fujita, CHOPS him again and again, then eggs him on! Fujita swings, but Despy ducks to headlock. Fujita powers out but Despy reverses!

Despy drops down, then hurdles, but into Fujita’s DROPKICK! The fans cheer as Fujita says he’s smarter than that. Fujita drags Despy over but Despy gets away before the tag. The fans rally as Despy drops back to an open corner. Eagles says Despy can go on and tag Mistico, that’s who Eagles wants to face. Despy dry heaves as he tries to catch his breath, then tags in Mistico. The fans cheer as Mistico steps to Eagles, and Eagles pie faces him. Mistico CHOPS, Eagles CHOPS, and now they CHOP back and forth! The fans rally as they’re already fast ‘n’ furious! Mistico says look! Then he SOBATS! And front kicks!

Mistico whips but Eagles reverses to go up and around for the arm-drag! The fans cheer as things keep moving, and Eagles hurdles to then RANA! Mistico tumbles but rises up, only for Eagles to WHEEL KICK! The fans cheer while Eagles walks over to Mistico. Eagles kicks Mistico in the back, then stands him up to CHOP! Mistico wrenches and whips but Mistico grabs the ropes. Eagles kicks Mistico’s leg, then whips, but Mistico still blocks. Eagles KICKS the leg, then whips, but Mistico handsprings! Eagles dodges but Mistico comes back to springboard RANA! The fans cheer as Mistico then blocks a chop to CHOP!

Mistico knuckle locks, then goes up, up, steadies himself, and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! The fans cheer while Eagles tumbles, and Mistico tags Despy back in. Mistico kicks Eagles before he and Despy double whip for DOUBLE ELBWOS! Then they roll Eagles to whip again, DOUBLE BOOTS! They shake hands and DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Fujita runs up, but into a mule kick and HAYMAKER! The luchadores double whip Fujita corner to corner, then Mistico sends Despy in. Fujita dodges to RANA Mistico! Despy kicks low, runs, but Fujita trips him! Eagles KICKS, Fujita SENTONS, then Eagles basement DROPKICKS!

Mistico is back but the Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, then split the wishbone! The fans cheer while Eagles goes to Despy. Eagles stands Despy up, puts him in the corner, then both Sweet Boys dig their boots in. The ref counts, the Sweet Boys stop, and Eagles tags Fujita. The fans rally as Fujita wrenches and whips Despy to the open corner, and CHOPS! Despy is stinging as Fujita snapmares then runs, PENALTY KICK! Cover, ONE! Despy is tougher than that but Fujita tags Eagles back in. Eagles ELBOW DROPS on the knee, then pulls on the leg for a toehold! Despy endures, claws at Eagles, then crawls back to the ROPEBREAK!

Eagles lets go, but he traps the leg for a TWIST! Fujita tags in, he brings Despy around to CLUB him on the back. The fans rally as Fujita suplexes Despy up and over! Cover, TWO! Despy is still tougher than that but Fujita stays cool. Fujita stomps Despy, brings him up, and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Eagles but Despy ELBOWS Fujita down while Eagles BLASTS Mistico! Despy fires off forearms on Eagles but Eagles DROPKICKS the legs out! The fans rally as Eagles then winds up and KICKS Despy! And KICKS! And KICKS! Despy eggs Eagles on, so Eagles runs the ropes, only for Despy to block the kick!

Eagles fires forearms and UPPERCUTS, then avoids a boot to KNEE low. Eagles whips but Despy reverses for a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Despy crawls his way over to hot tag Mistico! Mistico springboards to CROSSBODY! Fujita kicks Mistico, the Sweet Boys double whip, but Mistico ducks their double elbow to springboard and DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! Mistico keeps going, and he handsprings through the double hip toss to DOUBLE ARM-DRAG! Then Mistico runs up, slips around, and shoves Fujita into Eagles! Mistico 619s Eagles down! Then he springboards to FLYING ARM-DRAG Fujita!

The fans cheer as Mistico keeps going, and he FLIP RANAS Eagles! Eagles tumbles while the fans rally behind Mistico. Mistico runs up, but Eagles sidesteps, only for Mistico to springboard and CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Mistico hurries to LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and Eagles has to check. The fans rally again as Mistico hurries after Eagles. Mistico hushes the fans, and winds up to GAMANGIRI! Eagles wobbles, but Mistico puts him up top. Mistico rallies the fans again before running corner to corner. Mistico goes up, up, but Eagles fires body shots! Mistico falls and Eagles WARP- NO, Mistico dodges!

Mistico runs, tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! But Eagles rolls it into a ghost pin! TWO, and Eagles rolls, schoolboy bridge! TWO and the fans cheer again! Eagles SOBATS, BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and both men are down again! Eagles crawls his way over, hot tag to Fujita! Fujita runs up on Mistico, and he CHOPS! Then he snapmares Mistico to go up and out! The fans rally as Fujita springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK! Direct hit and Fujita covers, TWO! Mistico survives and the fans fire up, but Fujita vows to end this now. Fujita brings Mistico up, suplexes, but Mistico slips free. Mistico spins Fujita but Fujita ROCKS Mistico! Fujita runs, but Mistico SUPERKICKS him down!

The fans rally as both men crawl. Mistico hot tags Despy! Despy RUNS Fujita over, then scoops to SLAM! Despy hurries to suplex for the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fujita stays in this but Despy stays on him. The fans rally up as Despy gut wrenches, GUITARRA- NO, Fujtia slips free! Despy REAR HEADBUTTS, but runs into a drop toehold! Fujita ties up the legs, NEMOS SPECIAL! Despy reaches out, but Fujita grabs his arms! The fans rally as Despy resists, powers up, and makes the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets go in frustration but he hurries to waistlock. Deadlift- NO, Despy fights the German Suplex and reaches fo rropes!

Fujita drags Despy back, but Despy ELBOWS free! Fujita CHOPS! Fujita runs, but Despy SPINEBUSTERS! And then high stack, TWO! STRETCH MUFFLER! Fujita scrambles, Mistico runs in and intercepts Eagles! MISTI- NO, Eagles turns it into an ASAI DDT! Eagles then SUPERKICKS Despy down! The fans rally up as Eagles stands Despy up. Despy BODY BLOWS and HAYMAKERS! Despy whips, Eagles reverses, but Despy grabs ropes. Despy DUMPS Eagles out, then builds speed! But Eagles GAMANGIRIS first! Fujita goes up, up, and SUPER CANNONBALLS! Down goes Despy and the fans fire up!

But Mistico builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit into Fujita at the ramp! Mistico helps Despy stand, but Eagles DIVES! The fans fire up as Eagles wipes the luchadores out at the ramp! Eagles & Fujita get Despy in the ring, then they rally the fans. Fujita feeds Despy to the scoop, SWEET BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans fire up again! Fujita vows to end this now, and the Sweet Boys drag Despy up again. The fans rally as the Sweet Boys double torture rack, but Despy fights it! Despy flips through, SHOVES Eagles into Fujita, then Mistico runs up! He gets the boost for the DOUBLE SHOTGUN!

The Sweet Boys bail out, Mistico DIVES to take Eagles out again! Despy DIVES onto Fujita and they both crash into railing!! The fans fire up again as all four men are down around ringside! A ring count starts as the four men stir. We pass 5 of 20, then 10, but no one has even sat up! We hit 15 and the fans rally even harder! Despy stands, roars, and he puts Fujita in at 18! Despy hurries to then gut wrench and GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives but Despy wags his finger. The fans rally up again as Despy brings Fujita up. Despy drags Fujita up, underhooks, but Fujita wrenches out. Fujita CHOPS, but Despy KNEES low!

Despy whips Fujita, Fujita reverses, and GAMANGIRI! Both men are down again as the fans continue to rally! Fujita roars, and he vows to finally end it. Fujita drags Despy up, brings him around, and suplexes, only for Despy to fight it! Despy RAMS Fujita to a corner, then ROCKS him! Despy hoists Fujita up top, then goes up to join him! The fans rally as Despy goes for the very top, but Fujita bends his fingers. Fujita HEADBUTTS Despy down, but Mistico runs up to GAMANGIRI! And GAMANGIRI! And GAMANGIRI again! The fans fire up as Mistico now climbs the corner. Mistico clinches Fujita as they go to the very top, SUPER SPANISH FLY!

The fans fire up again as Eagles springboards in! Mistico dodges, but Eagles comes back, DESTROYER! Despy runs up, Eagles dodges to ROUNDHOUSE, SUPERKICK, and PELE! But Despy rebounds to SPEAR! All four men are down in the ring now as the fans fire back up! Eagles and Mistico bail out while Despy and Fujita go to corners. Despy roars, runs in, and LARIATS Then he underhooks, PINCH- NO, Fujita fights the lift, then powers out to have the wristlocks. Fujita HEADBUTTS Despy! Fujita then roars as he brings Despy up, for another HEADBUTT! Fujita stands Despy up again, but Despy breaks free to ROCK Fujita!

The fans rally up as Fujita CHOPS! Despy swings, but into a takedown! FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Despy fights around, but Fujita shifts to a MOUNTED ARMBAR! Eagles intercepts Mistico, kicks away on the leg, but Mistico KICKS free! Both men run up, Eagles blocks a kick, but Mistico fights free of the backpack! Mistico runs, LA MYSTICA!! Despy powers through the armbar to then get the leg! GROUND DRAGON SCREW, into the STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS!! Fujita flails, Eagles flails, NUMERO DOS PLUS!!! FUJITA TAPS, DESPY & MISTICO WIN!!!

Winners: El Desperado & Mistico, by submission (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Just as The Ichiban Sweet Boys were on top of the world, they come crashing back down! Is this an ill omen on how the Best of the Super Juniors will go for Eagles and Fujita? As for Mistico, he is not just a triple champion but a QUADRUPLE CHAMPION! CMLL World Light Heavyweight, CMLL World Trios, PWR Heavyweight and now IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion! Will he and Despy dominate the 2026 BOSJ and beyond?

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Bishamon & Boltin Oleg VS Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi may have failed to take the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, and the big man from Kazakhstan may have failed to take the NEVER Openweight Championship, they still stand together as trios champions. But will these titles still belong to Bishamon & BARS? Or will Ospreay lead the Dominator & Mauler to victory for the United Empire?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!

The trios sort out and Henare insists he start. Henare wants Oleg, but Hashi insists he start, and the fans applaud. The bell rings, the fans rally, and Hashi and Henare circle. Khan distracts Hashi, Henare CLOBBERS Hashi for it, then Henare BLASTS the Hontai corner. Henare stomps Hashi, drags him up, and ROCKS him! Henare whips, Hashi BOOTS back, and Goto joins in! They RUN Henare over, then ZANMAI! Oleg runs, but Khan trips him up! Ospreay BOOTS Goto, Henare CLUBS Hashi, and The Empire tags things outside. Ospreay SMACKS Goto off apron, Henare sends Hashi into railing, and Khan drags Oleg around to SLAM his bad arm off the timekeeper’s table!

The fans rally as Henare CLUBS Hashi and puts him in the ring. Khan drags Oleg around by his bad arm while Henare stomps Hashi. Khan whips Oleg hard into railing! Henare bumps Hashi off Ospreay’s boot, then tags Ospreay in. The fans cheer as Ospreay CHOPS Hashi down! Ospreay drags Hashi up, scoops, and SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Ospreay drags Hashi back up, but Hashi fires body shots! Hashi CHOPS, Ospreay CHOPS, then Ospreay whips, but Hashi hits the BLOCKBUSTER! Ospreay scrambles to tag Henare, and Henare BOOTS Goto down. Then Henare CLOBBERS Hashi!

Henare drags Hashi up, fires forearms, then ROCKS him again. Henare fires off in the corner but Hashi fires forearms and CHOPS in return! Henare CHOPS Hashi down! The fans cheer while Henare roars. Henare then sets up, but Hashi avoids the senton! Henare hobbles but he stomps Hashi down. Henare whips, Hashi DROPKICKS the legs! The fans rally while both men are down. Henare and Hashi crawl, hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as Oleg and Henare RAM! And RAM! They both fire up, they both run, and they RAM shoulders again! Henare then ROCKS Oleg, runs, but into a scoop! Oleg Shake, Shake, Shake, and THROW!

Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg BLASTS Khan off the apron, DECKS Ospreay, then goes back to Henare for the VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Henare toughs it out but Oleg drags Henare up. Oleg torture racks, but Henare CHOKES him! The ref counts, but Oleg breaks free! Henare KICKS, and KICKS, then snapmares to KICK Oleg in the back! Then Henare KICKS Oleg in the chest! Henare runs, RUGBY KICK and SENTON! Cover, TWO! Oleg survives and the fans cheer. Henare BLASTS Goto for good measure before he goes back to Oleg. Henare HEADBUTTS, whips, but Oleg stops himself! Oleg BOOTS Henare, then fireman’s carries!

Henare fights free again, then CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS back! Henare CHOPS, Oleg CHOPS, repeat! The fans fire up as both men snarl, and Henare CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Oleg CHOPS again! And again! And again! Henare is stinging and he drops to a knee! The fans rally as Oleg storms up, but Henare fires fast hands! BODY BLOW! Henare then runs up to LARIAT in the open corner! Henare runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Oleg dodges, comes back, but Henare LARIATS him down! But wait, Oleg’s right up! And he LARIATS Henare! Henare’s right up, and dodges to then BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as both big behemoths are down! Hot tag to Ospreay, and he PIP PIP CHEERIOS! Then an ELBOW for Goto! Hashi runs up, Ospreay dodges to put Hashi outside, ROLLING ELBOW! The fans fire up with Ospreay and he PLANCHAS to knock Hashi and Oleg down! The fans cheer as the Aerial Assassin still knows how to fly. Ospreay puts Oleg in, brings him around, ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Oleg is tougher than that but Ospreay calls his shot. Ospreay aims from the corner, runs up, but Oleg pops him up! Fireman’s carry, VER- NO, Ospreay lands out! PENALTY KICK! STANDING MOONSAULT, but onto knees!

Oleg whips but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up and Ospreay aims again, HIDDEN- NO, Oleg catches Ospreay and THROWS him! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oleg and Ospreay crawl, hot tag to Goto! The Fierce Warrior LARIATS Ospreay, whips corner to corner, then runs up to MURAMASA! And SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Goto hauls him up for a fireman’s carry. Ospreay fights free but Goto ROCKS him! Goto whips, Ospreay reverses, but Goto puts Ospreay on the apron. Ospreay ROCKS Goto, goes up, and BLINDSIDE CHEERIOS! Then he lifts Goto to LIGER BOMB! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay checks his neck, then brings Goto up. Ospreay underhooks but Goto fights the lift! Ospreay CHOPS Goto, but Goto snarls. Goto ROCKS Ospreay, Ospreay CHOPS again, and repeat! Forearm for CHOP, but then Ospreay fires Kawada Kicks! And a CHOP blocked! Goto ROCKS, whips, but Ospreay handsprings! Goto catches Ospreay to GERMAN SUPELX! Ospreay lands out, but ends up in URA GTR! Goto runs, but Ospreay blows past him! Ospreay avoids Goto, and Henare hits the RAMPAGE! STANDING SKY TWISTER! Cover, HASHI BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Henare whips Hashi to a corner.

Khan LARAITS, Henare & Ospreay LARIAT ENZIGIRI COMBO! Then they feed Hashi to Khan’s BOOT! Henare LARIATS Goto, fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP! Ospreay springboards, 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Goto survives and the fans fire up again! Ospreay stays focused as the fans rally up, and Ospreay calls his shot! Ospreay springboards, OSCUTT- NO! Goto blocks, spins, but Ospreay avoids the lariat to HOOK KICK! Another try, but Oleg catches Ospreay to SNAP KAMIKAZE! But then Henare drags Oleg out and sends him into railing! And then more railing! And then- NO, Oleg turns things around, and now Henare hits railing!

The fans fire up as Oleg runs up, but Henare dodges! Henare KNEES Oleg up and over the railing! Both men are down in front of the fans while Goto and Ospreay rise up. Goto roars, runs up, and LARIATS! The fans fire up as Goto pushes Ospreay down. Goto climbs up, takes aim, but Ospreay GAMANGIRIS! Ospreay goes up, but Goto fires body shots! Goto ROCKS Ospreay, Ospreay ROCKS Goto, and repeat! Ospreay fires more forearms, but Goto HEADBUTTS! Goto then climbs up onto Ospreay for a SUPER KAI TEN!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay survives that super sunset bomb and the fans are thunderous!

Goto and Ospreay stir, then crawl, hot tags to Khan and Hashi! Hashi SHOTGUNS Khan to the corner! Hashi runs up to CHOP and DDT! Cover, TWO! Hashi brings Khan around to the drop zone and the fans fire up! Hashi climbs up but Khan scrambles to the far side. Hashi hops down, and Khan eggs him on, so Hashi goes outside. But Khan kicks and whips Hashi into railing! Khan then snap suplexes Hashi to the floor! Khan grins as he clearly suckered Hashi in. Khan drags Hashi up, puts him in, and calls to Henare. Henare joins Khan and they bring Hashi up. But Hashi fires forearms on them! And CHOSP! But then Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW!

Khan chicken wings Hashi for Henare’s BODY BLOW! Then the ASSISTED POWERBOMB! Double cover, TWO!! Hashi survives but the Monster Rage is boiling over! Henare fireman’s carries, Khan runs, but Hashi slips free! Hashi SHOVES Henare at Khan, then LARIATS Khan! Henare ELBOWS and whips Hashi, but Hashi LARIATS through! Ospreay returns but Hashi dodges, only for Ospreay to slip through the lariat! But Hashi slips free of the bomb to LARIAT after all! The fans are thunderous as Hashi has soloed the Empire! The fans rally up as Hashi crawls, and he roars as he rises again! Hashi brings Khan up and Goto joins in.

Bishamon double whips Khan corner to corner, then LARIAT and CHOP! Hashi sends Khan to Goto but Khan Mongolian Chops! Hashi mule kicks, Goto clinches, GOTO GO TO HUNTER! The fans fire up as Bishamon brings Khan up again! Dragon sleeper, leg lift, but Khan BOOTS free! Goto snap suplexes Khan, but Ospreay fires off on Goto! Ospreay runs, but into HIDDEN GAP! Henare ROCKS and CHOPS away on Bishamon, then runs, into HIDDEN BOLTIN!! The fans are thunderous again as Oleg waits on Bishamon. Bishamon hauls Khan up, has him in place, and Oleg RAMS Khan into the corner!

Oleg sets Khan back up, then DECKS Ospreay! Goto LARIATS, Hashi LARIATS, and now Goto climbs! Hashi hoists Khan up, DANGEROUS LIBRA!! Cover, HENARE CLOBBERS GOTO ONTO IT! The fans cheer as everyone is down around ringside! Goto drags Henare up, but he has a guzel! Guzel on Hashi, too, but Oleg CHOPS Henare! Henare holds onto Bishamon! So Oleg SHOTGUNS Henare! That alone is impressive! Bishamon regroups and they drag Khan up. They set Khan up in the dragon sleeper and leg lift, Oleg runs, but Henare is a step for Ospreay to leap from! HIDDEN BLADE ON OLEG!!

Henare DECKS Hashi, Khan IRON CLAWS Goto! Ospreay SUPERKICKS, then he TOSSES Goto! Ospreay goes up, up, and LEAP OF FAITH onto Goto & Oleg!! Henare waits on Hashi, for the RAMP- DDT!! Hashi turns things around on Henare and the fans are thunderous! Hsahi roars as he gets back up, and he drags Khan to his feet! But Khan BITES Hashi’s arm! The ref counts, but then Khan IRON CLAWS Hashi’s face! Hashi endures the iron grip, but Khan is pushing him down to the mat! Khan DRIBBLES Hashi’s head like a basketball! Hashi fades but is somehow still in this, so Khan hauls him up! ELIMIN- CODE BREAKER!! Cradle cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous again as Khan survives! Hashi hurries to his feet, but Osperay and Goto are brawling outside! Ospreay and Henare leave Goto and Oleg on the outside while Hashi aims, SUPERKICK blocked! Khan KICKS the leg, then BLINDSIDE BOOTS! The fans rally but Khan laughs maniacally! Khan calls to Henare & Ospreay. Ospreay climbs, Henare HEADBUTTS, and then Henare hauls Hashi up! Ospreay aims, HIDDEN BLADE ELIMINATOR BOMB!!! Cover, EMPIRE WINS!!

Winners: Will Ospreay, Great-O-Khan & Henare, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

What an insanely overpowered combo move to finish Hashi! But in the end, the power of the Empire’s founding members shines even brighter now that they hold gold together! Khan grabs the mic to say, “Bow down, you peasants! We beat ‘Bishamontin,’ we have dominated the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions. So next… We shall conquer K O B and the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. And if they want to see us directly, we will forgive them if they dare step in front of us.” In other words, Khan is daring Oskar & Yuto-Ice to appear. And after a moment, they indeed appear!

The Knockout Brothers swagger down to the ramp and into the ring, and they stare down Khan & Henare. Henare has the mic to tell Ice that Henare doesn’t care what anyone says! Those tag titles are theirs, now bring them your mana! Yuto laughs at that and tells Henare that if he wants the mana, Yuto will bring him that wrestling high! They can make some money together! Yuto tells the fans that if they wanna get that wrestling high, then you’ll wanna see Yuto fight Henare! They ARE KOB, and they wanna fight the strongest bastards there are! And that seems to be these two here. Go ahead, challenge them! Because everyone here will put their money down to see it!

You don’t have to think, just feel! Let’s Get High! TCH TCH, Big Up! The champions have spoken, and they’re ready to face fellow champions to prove they’re the best! But will Oskar & Ice make sure to knock out Khan & Henare? Or will the Empire continue to conquer the world?

IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Callum Newman VS Shingo Takagi!

From youngest man to win the New Japan Cup to youngest man to win this title, The Prince has proven himself as a powerful wrestler. But to prove himself as truly worthy of this title, he must make it through his first defense. A former heavyweight champion in his own right, the Rampaging Dragon has fought his way back to this moment. But will Takagi once again stand atop the mountain? Or will he suffer the Prince’s Curse?

President Hiroshi Tanahashi is here to make the formal introductions and raise the belt. And now, at the end of Wrestling Dontaku, we see whose heroic journey triumphs over the other’s!

The bell rings and the fans fire up for “TA-KA-GI!” already. Callum stays back, and has a smug grin as he does. Callum wants Takagi to stay back, and Red Shoes has him wait. Callum steps outside, which annoys Takagi. Takagi dares Callum to get in already. Callum taunts Takagi by stepping in, then out, then flipping off the fans. The fans boo, but Callum finally steps inside. Takagi runs up, Callum dodges and fires off forearms! Callum eggs Takagi on so Takagi fires off forearms! Takagi JABS, whips, but Callum reverses. Callum runs up but Takagi puts him on the apron. Callum RAMS into Takagi, then slingshots up and over.

Callum runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then BOOTS, but Takagi rebounds to RUN Callum over! Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Takagi rebounds, but Callum avoids the sliding lariat! Takagi ducks the haymaker, but Callum fights the waistlock. Takagi blocks the elbow, and a kick, but Callum ducks a lariat to then springboard, OSC- NO, Takagi denies Callum the cutter! The fans cheer the standoff as the two reset. Takagi and Callum circle, feel things out, but Callum backs off to a corner again. Takagi waits, but Callum just goes back to the corner. Callum and Takagi finally tie up, and Takagi powers Callum to the ropes. Callum protests, Red Shoes counts, and Takagi says clean break.

But then Callum pulls hair! Callum body shots, whips, and- NO, Takagi avoids the kick to RAM Callum! Takagi then blocks the boot to DRAGON SCREW! Callum tumbles out of the ring while the fans cheer. Takagi eggs Callum on while Callum clutches the knee. Callum shakes out the leg, hobbles around, then rolls in, just to roll back out. Takagi is annoyed again but Callum walks off the leg pain. The ring count starts and the fans rally for Takagi. Callum talks with Jake Lee on commentary. Callum says he has 20, so he’s gonna take his time. Callum hears 13 and rolls back in, just to roll back out. But Takagi pursues!

Takagi CLUBS Callum, POSTS him, then CHOPS him! Callum goes to the ramp but Takagi brings him back around. Takagi puts Callum in, but Callum gets moving, only for Takagi to CLOBBER him! The fans cheer as Callum goes spiraling through the air! Takagi fires up, too, then drags Callum up. Takagi suplexes high and hard, and the fans applaud as he covers, TWO! Callum is tougher than that but Takagi clamps on with a chinlock. Callum endures as Takagi squeezes tight. Takagi grinds Callum down to the mat but Callum fights around, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Takagi lets go, then Takagi KICKS Callum in the back!

Takagi KNEES Callum, then brings him up. Callum fights the back suplex with elbows but Takagi body blows in return. Takagi shoves Callum to then ELBOW, JAB, and- NO, Callum trips Takagi up, for the SLIDING KNEE! Callum gets Takagi in the side and Takagi rolls his way to the apron. The fans rally but Callum pursues. Callum kicks Takagi to the floor, then brings him up for an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Takagi writhes, Jake Lee certainly applauds, and Callum mocks Takagi’s pain. Callum stands Takagi up to whip him hard into the railing, then brings him around to whip him into more railing! Then they go out into the crowd!

The fans have to hurry out of the way as Callum pries the railing apart. Callum fires forearms, then he KNEES Takagi into taking a seat. Callum then gets space, and he runs up on Takagi for a DROPKICK through the chairs! The fans cheer that double-edged attack, but Callum manages to stand up from the pile of chairs. Callum then makes another section of fans clear out, just so Callum can sit next to Takagi’s new bride, Natsumi Maki, aka Natsupoi! The fans boo Callum trying to be friendly with her, but then Takagi DECKS Callum anyway! The fans cheer Takagi defending his wife’s honor, then he whips Callum into railing!

The fans rally behind Takagi as he storms over to Callum. Takagi drags Callum up and into the ring, and the fans cheer as Takagi storms up on him again. Takagi CHOPS, Callum CHOPS, and repeat! Callum scowls as he’s stinging from that last one, but he winds up to CHOP again! Takagi JABS, JABS, then swings, but Callum catches the arm! Callum hooks the arm, and he stomps Takagi in the ribs! Callum digs his heel in, then fires punches into it! Red Shoes reprimands, but Callum mocks Takagi with Takagi’s own prayer pose. Callum drags Takagi up, CLUBS him, then snapmares to KICK! Takagi snarls but Callum KICKS him again! Cocky cover, TWO!

Callum mockingly applauds Takagi while he stalks him. Callum stands Takagi up to fire knees. Callum mocks LIJ even, but Takagi fires knees in return! Callum fires a KNEE and Takagi goes to a corner. Takagi snarls and the fans fire up, but Callum kicks and snapmares. Callum runs, but Takagi blocks the kick! Callum CLAWS Takagi’s face, whips him to ropes, but Takagi reverses to then HIP TOSS! The fans fire up for Takagi again while he catches his breath. Callum goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Callum dodges! Callum kicks low, puts Takagi up top, but Takagi kicks back! Then TORNADO DDT! The fans cheer while Callum tumbles away.

Takagi waits on Callum to stand, then he LARIATS Callum up and out! The fans fire up again, and Takagi goes out after Callum. But Callum RAMS Takagi into the apron, then rolls into the ring. The fans rally as Callum builds speed, and Callum FLIES! But Takagi rolls inside! Callum manages to land out of his tope, but then Takagi TOPES onto Callum! The fans fire up as the Rampaging Dragon can still fly! Takagi stands, Natsupoi cheers him on, and he gives a thumbs up. Takagi goes back to Callum as the ring count starts, and he puts Callum in at 6 of 20. Callum staggers to his feet, but Takagi RUNS him over! Takagi scoops, SLAMS, and SENTONS!

The fans applaud and rally as Takagi winds up. Takagi runs up, blocks a boot, and he LARIATS through! The fans cheer as Takagi JABS and CHOPS on repeat! Red Shoes counts as Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, then throws hooks from all sides! Callum takes a swing but Takagi spins him through, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer Takagi on as he starts up the catchphrase, but Takagi dodges Callum’s dropkick to ELBOW DROP! And now “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans cheer and join in with “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi then hoists Callum up top, climbs up to join him, but Callum fires body shots!

Callum HEADBUTTS Takagi, but Takagi ELBOWS in return! Takagi ROCKET LAUNCHES Callum from the corner! Takagi then clamps on for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! “OI! OI! OI!” SLIDING- NO, Callum dodges to BUZZSAW, HEEL KICK, then PUNT in the side! Both men are down while the fans rally up again. Takagi clutches his side as he goes to the ropes, but Callum is right on him. Callum pushes Takagi outside, brings him around, and RAMS him into railing! Callum has Abe-san and Tanahashi-kaichou clear out from the timekeeper’s area to then confiscate the table. But Takagi BODY BLOWS and KNEES first!

Takagi aims but Callum BODY BLOWS! Then BACK SUPLEX down through the table!! The fans boo Callum as Takagi is down in the wreckage. Red Shoes checks on Takagi while Callum leaves him behind. Takagi is able to continue, and the ring count starts. Takagi flounders at 3 of 20, rises up at 6, and hobbles his way to ringside by 10 of 20. Takagi needs a moment, but he fires back up as we hit 13. Takagi hears 15 and hobbles his way to the ring. But Callum is on him with FIREBOLT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Takagi as he survives, but Callum continues to taunt the fans. Callum even SPITS at them! The fans boo more but Callum soaks up the heat.

Callum brings Takagi up, and he pump handles, but Takagi fights free! Takagi catches Callum to underhook, but Callum wrenches through! Takagi RAMS Callum into a corner, then ELBOWS him! Takagi runs, blocks a boot but not the ENZIGIRI! Takagi ducks the heel kick to ROCK Callum! Callum comes back to fire a forearm, then he eggs Takagi on. Takagi ROCKS Callum again, but Callum comes back to fire another shot! The forearms go back and forth, and Callum wobbles! Takagi HEADBUTTS, Callum ROCKS, then runs! But Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! And SAIDO! But Callum’s right up to GERMAN SUPLEX!

Takagi’s up, he clinches, HALF ‘N’ HALF! Callum roars, but then he flops over! The fans fire up as both men are down again! Takagi rolls to a corner, Callum goes to the opposite end, and the fans rally up again. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire back up! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Callum BOOTS Takagi, eggs him on, so Takagi LARIATS! Callum staggers back but Takagi eggs him on. Callum BOOTS Takagi, so Takagi LARIATS! Callum stumbles to the ropes but Takagi waits on him. Callum storms up to wind up, but Takagi blocks the boot! BLINDSIDE LARIAT!

Takagi ELBOWS, Callum SOBATS, Takagi JABS, Callum HEEL KICKS! Callum feints the run to LARIAT! Takagi’s right up to LARIAT! The fans fire up as both men flop back down! Takagi rises with “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans join in! Takagi brings Callum up, pump handles, but Callum pulls hair! Takagi pulls hair in return! Red Shoes reprimands them both, so they both let go. But then they both grab hair again! Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON feint for the DDT! But Callum handsprings through to springboard! OSC- TAKAGI CUTTER! And then Takagi steals PRINCE’S CURSE!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire up again!

Takagi roars as he rises again, and he brings Callum up to run, PUMPING- NO, Callum falls down! The fans boo but Takagi just covers anyway, ROPEBREAK! Callum’s long legs save him, but Takagi waits on Callum to get up. Callum sputters in a daze but he reaches out. The fans rally, Takagi brings Callum up, but Callum is a ragdoll! Takagi drops Callum to let Red Shoes check. Callum is still dazed, but then he SPITS at Takagi anyway! Takagi storms up but into a BODY SHOT! And OSCUTTER 2.0!! Cover, TWO!! Callum’s trickery didn’t finish this off, but he hobbles his way to a corner as the fans rally. Callum takes aim, runs up, but Takagi dodges Excalibur!

Callum collapses, shouting about his knee! It may have jammed from going too hard on the stops! Red Shoes backs Takagi off and Zane Jay checks Callum. Callum says his knee, but Takagi kicks at him. Callum hobbles but he falls over again. Takagi says call it then! The fans boo, but Callum YANKS Red Shoes out! This WAS a trick after all! Zane Jay runs up and CLOBBERS Takagi! Daiki Nagai storms in and SPINEBUSTERS Zane! But JAKE LEE leaves commentary to CLOBBER Daiki! Takagi CLUBS Jake’s leg, but the KITCHEN SINK KNEE finds him! The Silent Jester laughs, but YOTA TSUJI is here! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER,and STOMP!

Callum SUPERKICKS Yota! Callum runs up, EXCALIBUR!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives but Callum hurries to clamp on! Callum steals MADE IN JAPAN!!! Cover, TWO!!! Callum hurries again, PRINCE’S CURSE!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Takagi survives again and the fans are thunderous!! Callum is annoyed, but he drags Takagi up. Takagi grabs at Callum, but Callum fireman’s carries. Takagi flails free, but he drops to the mat! The fans rally for Takagi but Callum sits back and waits. Takagi reaches out as the fans rally harder, but Callum scuffs him. Callum scuffs Takagi again, then fires forearms. Callum is almost toying with Takagi at this point.

Callum winds up to KICK, but that just pisses Takagi off! Takagi sits up, and he takes the KICKS! Callum KICKS again, then SPITS on Takagi! Callum KICKS, but Takagi rolls through to LARIAT! Takagi roars, but Callum SOBATS! Both men sit back down, and Callum unwraps his wrist tape. Callum shows off the crown tattoo, and he hobbles over to Takagi. Callum stands Takagi up, winds up, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS POINT-BLANK!! The fans are thunderous again as Takagi stands Callum up! Takagi pump handles, Callum slips free, and he SHOVES Takagi at Red Shoes! Takagi stops short, and he blocks the low blow!

Takagi ducks the roundhouse to pump handle and MADE IN JAPAN!! Takagi isn’t done, he pump handles again, MADE IN JAPAN AGAIN!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives but Takagi just winds up! Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi roars because he’s not done yet! Pump handle, torture rack, and BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, TWO!?! Callum survives again and Takagi can’t believe it! The fans rally as hard as they can as now even Ospreay is here to coach Callum on! Takagi rises first, he drags Callum up, and Takagi tells Ospreay to watch. Pump handle, torture rack, but Callum CLUBS away!

Takagi LARIATS! Callum staggers around but Takagi storms over to him. Takagi LARIATS again, and Callum rebounds off ropes. Callum slaps at Takagi, but he’s running on fumes at this point. Takagi fires boxing elbows, he has plenty of gas! But Callum ROCKS Takagi! Takagi JABS, then HEADBUTTS! The fans fire up for Takagi as he brings Callum up to DECK him! Takagi roars, the fans cheer, and Takagi drags Callum back around. Callum sputters but Ospreay coaches him up. Takagi brings Callum up to fireman’s carry, but Callum clings to the ropes! Takagi pries Callum free, but Callum grabs Red Shoes! LOW BLOW!! PRINCE’S CURSE!! Cover, TWO!!

Ospreay is conflicted. He wanted Callum to win, but not quite like that, so he’s relieved this is still going. Callum rises, as does Takagi, and the fans rally up again. Callum winds up, KISS THE CROWN!! Callum then brings Takagi up again, fireman’s carries, and he hits a GO TO SLEEP!! Callum watches Takagi rise up again, and he fireman’s carries for an F- NO, Takagi slips free to HEADBUTT and fire elbows! But Callum KNEES Takagi, then hops up! Takagi slips under, then Takagi hops up!? POISON-RANA!! Callum flounders to ropes, Takagi crawls to the other side! Callum and Takagi roar, PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN!! Cover, TWO?!?!

Callum survives and everyone is shocked! This has passed 35 minutes, but Callum uses Red Shoes as a shield! LOW BLOW!!! And then MAKE WAY!!! Cover, CALLUM WINS!

Winner: Callum Newman, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Champion)

Yota protests as Callum again dirties up how he wins! Ospreay is still conflicted, but Zane says a win is a win. The rest of the United Empire makes their way out here to stand with their Prince, who still sits upon the throne. Is this going to be the last time Takagi gets a shot at this title? Or is there still hope with the G1 Climax this Summer?

As for Callum, he is handed the title by the Chairman of NUTS, and holds it up for the photo op. Callum then wants to add insult to injury, but Yota stands in his way. The Empire joins Callum in the ring, and Ospreay is the one calling they all stand down. But then Callum LOW BLOWS Yota and BELT SHOTS him down! The fans boo but then Jake sets Takagi up! But then Ospreay steps in! Ospreay says they won, that’s enough! Callum says okay, okay, he won’t do it. But Ospreay should! Ospreay says yeah, right, he’s not doing this BS. Is he with them or not? Yeah, but not like that! Oh, really? C’mon, “Death Rider Billy!”

Ospreay snarls, and he HIDDEN BLADES Takagi down! There, happy? The Empire applauds their former leader, then Callum gets the mic. “Daijobu?” Callum mockingly asks if they’re alright, and the fans boo. Callum then says hey, whether you like it or not, United Empire are the top dogs in this company now! And seeing as Unbound Company wants to ruin his moment ever single time, how about uh… Ignition to Dominion? In just two days’ time, they can settle it! Callum & Jake VS Yota & Takagi. And if the Empire wins, Yota & Takagi can NEVER challenge Callum for the title again. But if either of them pins Callum, then Dominion main event it is. Now F off!

Unbound Company exits, and Callum says the Empire is the best unit in Japan, in the world, and you will all make way for The Prince and Kiss The Crown! Callum leaves it at that, and the streamers fly for his victory. Callum with the top title, Andrade with the Global title, and the trio of Henare, Khan and a now reluctant Ospreay holding the NEVER Six Man titles, will nothing stop the United Empire from conquering the world? Or will this Empire fall apart from within?

My Thoughts:

A great second night of Wrestling Dontaku, with some rather surprising outcomes here and there. Konosuke was of course beating Chase in their match, but the surprise might be that Konosuke has Hontai as his allies here. I wonder if that will add to the dysfunction in Don Callis Family when you consider Andrade is United Empire, but then so is Ospreay, but then as Callum references, Ospreay is hanging out with The Death Riders, who they literally fought a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, I had not predicted Despy & Mistico winning those junior tag titles, and I was iffy on the Empire winning the NEVER titles, but those were great matches and great surprise wins.

Callum winning over Takagi wasn’t quite surprising, though Takagi looked awesome in this match. The fans all wanted Takagi, and they even got “Mrs. Takagi,” Natsupoi, in on the act, all to great effect. But Callum cheating to win helped protect Takagi in the loss while it helped build the dysfunction. I feel like the NEVER Six Man reign will be short given Ospreay can’t keep going back and forth between Japan and the States, but they are certainly going to give us Callum VS Ospreay so that Callum can truly establish himself as not just the leader of the Empire but as the best British/European/gaijin wrestler NJPW has today. We might even see more Empire VS Death Riders, but with a rather unique double turn where Death Riders are Face alongside Ospreay against an all Heel Empire.

My Score: 9.1/10

ACKNOWLEDGE the contract signing!

With the World Heavyweight Championship match set for Backlash, all that’s left is for Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu to sign the contract!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh; JD wins.
• PENTA & Je’Von Evans VS Rusev & Ethan Page; Rusev & Ethan win.
• Austin Theory w/ The Vision VS Joe Hendry; Hendry wins, by disqualification.
• The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS Otis w/ The Alpha Academy; Oba wins.
• Six Man Tag: Los Americanos VS Los Hermanos Americanos; Los Hermanos Americanos win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns arrives backstage.

And Adam Pearce catches him right as he exits the car. The Raw General Manager knows Roman is heated from last week but they need to discuss things first. Roman says first off, no, he wants to know where Jacob Fatu is at. And second, don’t you hear the fans already cheering for him? Hit his music! Pearce tries to calm Roman down but has to shout at him first. Jacob Fatu is not here… yet. But Seth Rollins is! Architect and Tribal Chief stare down, and Rollins says Roman is in his way. Roman steps aside, and Rollins’ song hits first! The fans in Omaha, Nebraska sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as Rollins heads to the ring.

But then BRON BREAKKER CLOBBERS ROLLINS! Bron HAMMERS away on Rollins, drags him around, and throws hockey scrum body shots! Bron CLOBBERS Rollins again, then stands him back up so he can gorilla press him! Bron drops Rollins on barriers! Rollins falls back, sputters, but security and producers hurry out here. Bron THROWS security around! Then he drags Rollins up to RAM him into steel steps! Adam Pearce shouts at Bron but Bron drags Rollins into the ring! The refs get Bron to back off, producers check on Rollins, but then Bron breaks through to slip into the ring! SPEAR!!

Bron looms over Rollins while the fans bark. Rollins coughs and sputters while Bron tells him this is just a taste. Bron takes his leave, the damage done. But will he do even worse when the match is on for Backlash?

Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.

Liv Morgan says that Stephanie Vaquer is injured, no worrying about her anymore. But now to talk about the not so good news. Like what the hell was Finn doing in here last week?! Roxie doesn’t know, he must be delusional. Liv says she’s not worried about Finn, JD McDonagh finishes this tonight. Liv is worried about Roxie. Why did Finn think it was okay to talk to Roxie? Why didn’t Roxie tell them about it? Why did Liv have to watch it through Netflix to learn about what’s going on? Roxie says she didn’t mention it because she made it clear to Finn. She told him to get out and never come back. But Liv’s right, Roxie should’ve said something.

But don’t worry! Roxie’s loyal to Judgment Day, they know that. Yes, Liv is glad to hear that, because she believes in Roxie. Roxie & Raquel are going to be the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, they just can’t let anything get between the family. Promise Liv that you won’t keep secrets, Roxie. Roxie promises. Promises what…? That she will never keep any secrets from Judgment Day. Good. So they ready? Liv, Dom & JD head out, and Raquel pats Roxie on the head. But will things be (not) fine for Judgment Day?

Finn Balor VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!

Raw returns as The Irish Ace makes his entrance, Dirty Dom by his side. The bell rings, the two tie up, and JD wrenches to wristlock. JD YANKS the arm, but the fans taunt him as “BOBBLEHEAD! BOBBLEHEAD!” Finn rolls, wrenches, but JD wrangles Finn back down. JD puts on the pressure but Finn kips up to wrench, slip through, and headlock. JD powers up but can’t power out as Finn holds on tight! JD endures, rolls to a cover, ONE! JD headscissors, Finn kips free, and Finn arm-drags! Finn grinds JD with the armlock, but JD fights up. JD rolls, powers Finn to ropes, but the ref counts.

JD backs off slowly, but Dom trips Finn up! The fans boo Dom but then JD RAMS Finn! Dom flexes and soaks up the heat while JD RAMS Finn more. JD lets off so he can soak up heat, then he stalks Finn to another corner. JD CHOPS, then he whips corner to corner. Finn goes up and over to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Finn warns Dom, but JD turns things around. Finn dodges JD to CHOP him back! Cover, TWO! Finn drags JD up, brings him around, and gives some Latino Heat! JD wrenches free but Finn ducks JD’s lariat to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Finn keeps his eyes on Dom, then goes back to JD.

JD drop toeholds Finn, then runs to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Finn goes to ropes but JD KICKS his leg! JD KICKS the leg again, then puts the leg on ropes. JD drops a KNEE on the knee! Finn writhes, the fans boo, but Dom applauds as JD YANKS the bad leg. GROUND DRAGON SCREW! JD then drops an ELBOW on the leg, then clamps on a toehold. Finn endures, kicks JD in the back, and the fans rally as both men stand. JD storms up on Finn, whips, but Finn reverses. JD sunset flips, Finn rolls through and basement DROPKICKS! JD goes to ropes, Finn LARIATS him up and out! The fans fire up as Finn builds speed, but Dom trips him up again!

The fans boo as Finn shouts at Dom, but JD CLOBBERS Finn! Finn tumbles out of the ring, but here comes Roxie! The fans boo Judgment Day as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn fights up in the headlock. Finn fires body shots, and now the rest of Judgment Day hurries out here. JD CLUBS Finn, whips him, but Finn goes up and- NO, JD catches Finn on the over, but Finn holds onto the ropes! JD pries Finn free, but Finn slips down to dragon sleeper! EYE OF THE HURRICANE! The fans cheer Finn on, but he’s all alone ringside now that it is 5v1! JD and Finn rise up, but Finn ROCKS JD! And ROCKS him again! And again, and again! Finn whips and BACKDROPS JD! JD flounders, Finn trips him to DOUBLE STOMP! The fans cheer Finn as he flexes!

Finn drags JD up, whips him to ropes, but JD reverses. Finn comes back to SLINGBLADE! The fans cheer as Finn aims from a corner. But Dom gets on the apron! Finn DECKS Dom, JD rolls Finn, TWO! JD swings, Finn dodges and CHOPS! Finn runs, but into the SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives but just barely! Finn goes to the apron while the fans rally harder and harder. JD storms over, but Finn RAMS into him! Then GAMANGIRIS! Finn goes up, up, but Raquel distracts the ref! Dom shakes the ropes, and Finn falls! The ref realizes something is wrong, so she EJECTS Dom! The fans cheer as things are a bit more even now.

Liv & Dom are upset but JD still drags Finn to a drop zone. JD goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS, but onto knees! Cover, TWO! Finn hurries to SLINGBLADE JD again! The fans rally for Finn while the ladies of Judgment Day coach JD. Liv gets on the apron, but the ref tells her to back off. Liv sneaks something to Roxie! The bell hammer!? Finn SHOTGUNS JD! Roxie has the bell hammer to CRACK Finn!! The fans boo but JD HEADBUTTS Finn! JD falls on the cover, JD wins!

Winner: JD McDonagh, by pinfall

Roxie proves her loyalties by doing Liv’s dirty work, and JD finally gets a win over his old mentor. Is there no hope for Finn against this many enemies?

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

Jackie Redmond apologizes to The Architect for bothering him, as he is clearly in pain after that vicious assault from Bron Breakker. But what does this mean for Backlash. Will Rollins be okay? Rollins says Backlash is in five days, he’ll be fine. Rollins told “the kid” last week, that if you take your shot, you better be able to finish the job. Rollins ain’t dead yet. Rollins storms off, will he be able to game plan a way to get around Bron’s speed, strength, and ruthless aggression?

The Vision regroups backstage.

Bron Breakker says he couldn’t let Rollins go to the ring and get on the mic to bore us all to death. He can’t stand listening to that guy! He’s like a duck! “Quack, quack! I’m the best wrestler in the world! Quack!” Austin Theory joins in, “Lemme sing my song! Quack quack!” Paul Heyman walks in and says, “Is Seth Rollins still breathing?” Bron says yes, he is. Logan Paul says one guy who won’t be is Joe Hendry! Logan’s gonna beat him to a pulp! Logan swears to God, let him get his hands on Hendry and he’ll hospitalize him permanently! PLEASE! Heyman says that’s why tonight, Logan is not fighting Joe Hendry. W-What?!

Heyman says Bron almost got suspended again, Brock Lesnar retired on us, and if Logan were to get his hands on Hendry, he’ll be put in jail for what he does to him! That’s why tonight, it is Joe Hendry VS Austin Theory. Theory says it’s alright, Maverick. If Logan wants Hendry smacked around, Theory will smack him around. If Logan wants Hendry hurt, Theory will hurt him. He’ll put the Pressure on Hendry, and Logan can just watch. Bron says relax, you’re THE Logan Paul. Vision will get ’em all, one by one. They fist bump on that, but will The Vision all be turned into believers soon enough?

PENTA & Je’Von Evans VS Rusev & Ethan Page!

After the multiple blindsides the past few weeks, he WWE Intercontinental Champion and the Young OG team up against some common enemies in The Bulgarian Lion and All Ego! But will the power of #CeroMiedo see them through? Or will Rusev CRUSH while Ethan steals everyone’s smile?

Raw returns as Rusev makes his entrance, followed by Ethan’s. The teams sort out and Evans starts against Rusev. They circle while the fans rally, and Rusev picks Evans up! Rusev RAMS Evans into the corner, RAMS him again and again, but stops as the ref counts 4. Rusev snarls, ROCKS Evans, then CLUBS him on the back. Evans flounders but Rusev stands him up. Rusev whips, Evans stops himself and BOOST back! Evans ROCKS Rusev with haymaker after haymaker! Evans runs, but Rusev ELBOWS him down! The fans boo but Rusev stalks Evans to a corner. Rusev drags Evans up by his hair, then tags Ethan.

The fans boo more as Ethan and Rusev mug Evans. Ethan says see, they’re a team! Ethan drags Evans up but Evans CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” but Ethan takes a swing. Evans ducks that to DECK Ethan! Then he ROCKS Rusev, too! Ethan runs up, Evans wrenches and kicks! Evans snap suplexes, kips up, and does the Penta swagger! The fans cheer while Evans taunts Rusev. Evans whips, Ethan reverses, but Evans grabs ropes to stop himself. Ethan runs up, Evans flips up and over, tag to Penta! Ethan runs up again but into Penta’s GAMANGIRI! Evans adds a DROPKICK! Penta GAMANGIRIS Ethan again!

Penta sits Ethan down, then headstands for the SWINGING DROPKICK! Rusev runs up, but Penta & Evans dodge to DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Then Penta gives Evans the boost to RANA Rusev! Rusev tumbles out, Evans PLANCHAS, and down goes Rusev! Ethan grabs Penta by the mask, reels him in, but Penta wrenches out! Half nelson, pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan survives but sputters while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again as Rusev UPPERCUTS Penta! The fans rally for Penta as Rusev whips corner to corner and SPLASHES! Penta tumbles outside but Rusev goes out after him. Rusev puts Penta back in, but Penta triangle jumps to LARIAT! Rusev is down and Penta crawls! The fans rally harder and harder, but Rusev YANKS Evans from the apron! The fans boo as Rusev denies Penta a tag. Rusev whips Penta to the corner, but P etnta BLASTS Ethan! Then he dodges Rusev! Penta goes to his corner, but Evans is still down! Ethan tags in and he CLOBBERS Penta! Ethan rains down fists, then drags Penta from the corner.

Ethan CLUBS Penta, soaks up heat, and Rusev runs up on Evans! Evans hurdles, Rusev crashes into steel steps! Penta dodges Twisted Grin to BACKSTABBER! The fans fire up as Penta crawls! Hot tag to Evans and Omaha erupts! Evans BOOTS, SUPERKICKS, then LARIATS Ethan! And goes Matrix to dodge, kip up and STUNNER! Ethan wobbles, Evans WRECKS Rusev, then he slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX Ethan! The fans fire up as Evans builds speed to FLY! #WeOutside! Evans throws off his shirt, springboards back in, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Ethan survives, he isn’t a former NXT Champion for nothing!

The fans rally for Evans, he goes up a corner, and he MOONSAULTS, but Ethan gets under! ROUNDHOUSE! Ethan reels Evans in, TWISTED- NO, Evans pops free to SUPERKICK! Evans runs, but Ethan BOOTS him first! Ethan whips, but Evans rebounds, RED DOT GAMANGIRI! Hot tag to Penta, springboard TORNADO DDT! Cover, but Rusev breaks it! Evans goes after Rusev but Rusev shoves him away. Evans DUMPS Rusev out, then DIVES! Another hit on Rusev, and now he’s on the desk! The fans are thunderous as they see that look in Evans’ eyes! Evans hurries to the corner and climbs up top!

The fans are going nuts already, but Etan SHOVES Evans down! Penta SUPERKICKS Ethan! Penta then slingshots to- NO, Ethan dodges and SWEEPS the leg! Penta is down but the ref won’t let Ethan go after him. Rusev handles that with an URENAGE on the desk! Rusev feeds Penta to Ethan, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, ETHAN & RUSEV WIN!

Winners: Rusev & Ethan Page, by pinfall

Both Bulgarian Brute and All Ego have sinister grins on their face, and they celebrate their victory! Not too buddy-buddy, of course. But will these two both have their shot at Penta’s Intercontinental Championship?

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

“When I was a coach in NXT, my favorite, my absolute favorite days, was when a surefire, can’t-miss, blue chip future superstar saw their dreams come true when they got the opportunity to sign one of these to join Raw or SmackDown. Guys, today is one of those days. Let’s take a look.” The fans cheer as we get a highlight reel of the former NXT Women’s North American & WWE Speed Women’s Champion, and Pearce asks we all welcome the newest Raw superstar, Sol Ruca! Sol makes her entrance with a new song, and high-fives fans as she heads down the ramp. Sol joins Pearce in the ring, grabs herself a mic, and Pearce congratulates her.

The fans cheer and Sol smiles as she takes the contract. “Damn. It is going to feel so damn good when I sign this and officially be a part of Monday Night Raw.” But wait, Becky Lynch is interrupting! Pearce is upset as the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion storms her way to the ring. Becky grabs herself a mic to tell Petty Pearce that she’s been looking for him all day! She was told that THIS would be her time for her Celebration of Greatness! Who told her that?! Doesn’t matter, she knows they were a very credible, reliable source. But point is, after her monumental WrestleMania moment, Pearce came out and illegally sanctioned a match with “Iyo Jennetty.”

Which explicitly went against the parameters of her open challenge! But even with that meddling, Becky won! Uncontroversial because she’s the greatest female wrestler of all time, and it’s not just her saying it, other people say it. Sports Illustrated says it, Bleacher Report says it! Sol asks Becky, “Are you done?!” Becky says no, actually, and she’s also a New York Times best seller. Sol says not everything is about Becky. Becky says okay, okay, Sol is very new here, but the sooner she learns this the better. Everything is about her! Well, not this. Everyone knows who Becky is, we know what Becky’s done and accomplished.

But the thing is, Sol didn’t expect to find out that upon meeting Becky, Becky is exactly what everyone says she is. W-Which is? The Man? The history maker? The ground breaker? No. They say Becky is a rude, big-headed B*TCH! And it’s not just Sol saying it, it’s New York Times, Sports Illustrated- Becky says Pearce may be terrible at her job, but is he really letting Sol talk to her like this?! Becky asks if the fans are letting Sol talk to her like this. “YES!” Becky is flabbergasted but the fans cheer Sol on. Becky ask who even is this, and Sol finishes singing her contract. This is Sol Ruca, and if you ever interrupt her again, not only will Sol kick your ass, but she’ll snatch your soul.

Becky takes a swing, Sol dodges, so the punch hits PEARCE! Oops! Becky apologizes but Pearce is furious! Sol smiles as Becky panics, and then she runs up to use the corner! SOUL SNATCHER! The Man is down! Is Sol about to turn the tides and wash away Becky’s big time ego?

The Usos are backstage.

Jackie Redmond catches them as they head for Roman Reigns’ room, and asks them how they’re feeling ahead of the contract signing. Jimmy says it is a big night! Contract signing night between OTC and Samoan Werewolf, and they wouldn’t miss this for nothing. Now, they got a lot of love for Jacob, but Jacob needs to understand how OTC does business, especially when there’s championship gold on the line. Ya feel ’em? Jackie understands, but aren’t they conflicted considering their relationship with both? Jey says nah, Jackie, this right here is family bidness, plain and simple. OTC knows how to handle himself. The Usos are just in case something pops off.

But Jacob, The Usos already told you, Uce! You swimming in deep water now. You bit off more than you can chew. You’re swinging for the fences, though! But they respect that, aight? But Jey is telling you, The Bloodline has been drawn! And at Backlash, you gonna find out who you messing with, Jacob. Good luck, lil’ cousin. YEET. The Usos then step inside Roman’s room. What will the OG Bloodline discuss in regards to this very same family business?

Austin Theory w/ The Vision VS Joe Hendry!

The Vision were a bit… triggered, perhaps, by what The Prestigious Joe Hendry joked about during his concert. But will Hendry feel the Pressure here tonight? Or will Omaha be full of believers after tonight?

Raw returns as Hendry continues his concert where it left off! “He’s one amazing athlete, but he’s a piece of trash! He can shove his trading cards directly up his.. Paul! Paul! Can we fire Logan Paul? Everyone! Paul! Paul! Can we fire Logan Paul?” Logan storms out and shouts that he thought he made it clear that Hendry cannot fire Logan Paul! He is UN-FIREABLE! TKO cannot fire Logan, that’s bad business! Logan IS business! Logan is the heart and soul of the WWE! Hendry says he knows Logan is upset, and he’s glad to see Logan, because this part of the song is the apology. It goes like this: “Paul, Paul, can we fire Logan Paul?”

Logan swears to kill Hendry, but Theory runs up! The bell rings, Hendry fires hands, then LAIRATS Theory up and out of the ring! The fans cheer, Logan tells Theory to handle this! Theory and Logan reset, circle, but the Logan shouts at Hendry. That distraction lets Theory CLOBBER Hendry from behind! The fans boo but Theory CLUBS away on Hendry. Theory then clamps onto Hendry to throw hands right into the side of his head! The fans boo more but Theory CLOBBERS Hendry again! Theory & Logan soak up the heat, then Theory slaps Hendry around. Theory scoops to hit a BACKBREAKER! Theory and Logan fire each other up, but the ref has Logan back off.

Theory stands Hendry up, but Hendry UPPERCUTS and CHOPS and repeat! Hendry whips corner to corner, Theory reverses hard, and Hendry falls to the mat. Theory rains down fists, talks trash, but the fans chant, “Logan Sucks! Logan Sucks!” Logan shouts back that he does not, and Theory goes back to Hendry. Theory drags Hendry up, talks trash, and snap suplexes! “Who sucks now?!” The Vision soaks up more heat, then Theory drags Hendry up. Theory talks more trash, but Hendry suplexes Theory now! The fans cheer while Logan is already upset again. Hendry rises, the fans rally behind him, and Hendry fires haymakers!

Hendry whips Theory to ropes to then LARIAT! Theory flounders from taking the “Commonwealth Clothesline,” and Hendry runs to LARIAT in the corner! Hendry keeps moving, but Theory blows past! Only for Hendry to catch him! FALL AWAY SLAM! And then a kip up, for the… TURN! The fans cheer, but LOGAN ATTACKS!

Winner: Joe Hendry, by disqualification

The fans boo but Logan HAMMERS away on Hendry! Logan hands Hendry the win but he snarls as he tells Hendry, “Nobody can fire me!” Hendry fires off fists! Theory goes after Hendry, the fans boo as The Vision mugs Hendry! They stomp and punch away, but here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins again take the fight to The Vision! SUPERKICK for Logan! Then Ford spins Theory around to ENZIGIRI! Dawkins takes Theory for THE SILENCER! The fans pump it up for The Profits, and Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Theory! Ford climbs up, but BRON runs in! Bron THROWS Ford out of the ring! Then Bron CLOBBERS Dawkins!

The fans bark as Bron then GERMAN SUPLEXES Dawkins! The Unpredictable Badass turns the tides, but SETH ROLLINS trips him up! The fans cheer as Rollins gets revenge with furious fists! Rollins THROWS Bron into steel steps! Rollins stomps away, then they brawl in the ring! Rollins rains down fists while the fans cheer! Rollins BLASTS Logan & Theory off the apron, then LARIATS Bron down! Omaha is erupting as Rollins is shaking the ropes! Rollins aims, but hold on! Ford FLIES out to take out Logan & Theory! But Bron SPEARS Rollins in the distraction! Bron snarls as he tells Rollins he was that close.

Bron leaves Rollins down again, but he’s still roughed up himself. Will either man survive the Backlash?

Backstage interview with Judgment Day.

Jackie is now with Liv, Dom, JD, Raquel & Roxie, and brings up them sending a message to Finn. But what is the focus moving forward? Liv says yeah, you saw what they did to Finn tonight, and to Vaquer last week. The focus is getting all the gold and crushing anyone who gets in their way. And this season is all about Raquel & Roxie! Tell her, sister! Raquel warns Brie Bella & Paige that their nostalgia tour was cute for a night, but it’s time to get serious. She wants them both to come to their show, because- Bayley & Lyra Valkyria step in, and The Role Model says, “Well, well, well. Wouldya look at here? Can anyone in the Judgment Day get anything done on their own?”

Bayley has known them all for so long and she is just finally getting it. Lyra says they weren’t gonna forget what happened to them last week, either. If they’re such a big happy family, then they won’t be afraid to take them on. Liv mocks them and says families help each other win. Try it sometime, losers. Bye~! Bye~! Judgment Day leaves, but will #BayLyra humble them soon enough? And what of Brie & Paige answering the challenge to show up on “Judgment Day’s show?”

The Ruler’s Open Challenge: Oba Femi VS ???

With champions either too busy, too lazy, or perhaps too afraid to accept a challenge, The Ruler is making HIMSELF into the challenge! Who will answer the call, and who will be thrown from the mountaintop in Omaha?

Oba has the mic to say,” The time has come. The Oba Femi Open Challenge will now begin.” And it’s AKIRA TOZAWA that answers the call! He is accompanied by Maxxine Dupri & Otis, but can The Stamina Monster even survive?

The bell rings and Tozawa steps up to be face to… chest with Oba… Tozawa gest scared, but Otis says that’s okay, HE will step up. Even Oba likes the look of this! The bell rings, and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Oba SHOVES Otis! That alone is impressive, but Otis comes back to RAM Oba! Oba stays put and the fans continue to cheer. Oba and Otis are forehead to forehead, then Oba RAMS Otis! Otis doesn’t budge and the fans cheer! They start shoving, then Otis rips his shirt away! Oba RAMS Oba, Oba RAMS Otis, but Otis dodges! Only for Oba to UPPERCUT Otis down! Oba then hauls Otis up, for a SUPER SHOTPUT!

The fans are thunderous as Oba is fired up, and he watches Otis slowly get up. Even Oba is wondering if this is possible, but he kicks Otis first. Oba nods and says he knows how to get this done. Oba hoists Otis up the corner, then gets under Otis, for a SUPER SIZED FALL FROM GRACE!! Cover, Oba wins!

Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall

The first challenge was already a big challenge, but Oba was still up to the challenge! And after seeing that, will anyone even want to step up next week?

Refs check on Rollins backstage.

Rollins insists that despite how he looks, he is fine. Just leave him alone. Rollins sees Hendry & The Profits, and he “thanks” Montez Ford for setting him up for that second spear. Ford says thanks to Rollins’ past antics, nobody, and Ford means NOBODY, trusts Rollins! Oh, wow, nobody? Ford doesn’t trust him, Dawkins doesn’t trust him, Rollins doesn’t even know Hendry but Hendry probably doesn’t trust him. Guess what? Rollins doesn’t even trust himself! But who cares!? They’re in the same fight! They’re all after The Vision, so those fights are gonna come together! But here’s the deal: They stay out of Rollins’ way, he’ll stay out of theirs. Got it?

Rollins storms off, but does he have it all backwards? Shouldn’t they all work together if they want to tear The Vision down?

Adam Pearce mediates a meeting between Iyo Sky and Asuka.

The Raw General Manager knows these two are set to face off at Backlash, so the floor is theirs. Iyo starts by telling “Asuka-san, I have avoided this fight for years. You know this. You are exactly what you say you are: my senpai; my mentor; I looked up to you. I loved you. And despite everything you have done to me, I still have the utmost respect for you. I never wanted to have this fight, and I never wanted it to come to this. But… You have changed.” Asuka says nothing has changed, but Iyo says yes, she has! The Asuka that Iyo looked up to is no longer here! Now, Iyo has no choice but to fight Asuka.

Asuka says Iyo continues her disrespect, so the Iyo that Asuka taught is no longer here, either! This person sitting here, who are you? “I don’t know anyone this disrespectful. Who are you?” Asuka says this is her biggest disappointment! Do you not get how she feels?! Asuka is done with Iyo. At Backlash, Asuka cuts Iyo out of her life for good. Iyo says fine, she understands. Because she IS ready for Asuka! Asuka rolls her eyes, then leans in close, to MIST IYO RIGHT IN THE FACE!! Pearce is furious, has Asuka get out of here, and shouts for a doctor! The Empress of Tomorrow shows no remorse, but will The Genius show no mercy at Backlash?

Backstage interview with El Grande Americano Original and…?

Jackie is with Chad G- er, uh, the Original EGA and The Creed Brothers, who are now “Los Americanos Hermanos,” The American Brothers… After that surprise attack on the other El Grande Americano at AAA during the Mask VS Mask contract signing, how are they feeling going into this trios match? Well, thankfully, the No Physicality Agreement was for Mexico. That means here in Middle America, all bets are off! Now, the boys saw how they great EGA Original in AAA, it’s ridiculous! So they decided to do the honorable thing and help him out. They take inspiration from a close personal friend of his, Chad Gable, still sidelined with injury.

But on May 30th, we find out once and for all that there is only ONE El Grande Americano, and you’re lookin’ at him! The ORIGINAL El Grande Americano! AH GRACIAS~! Los Americanos Original heads to the ring, but will this be an American made victory? Or will the real Americanos please stand up?

Six Man Tag: Los Americanos VS Los Americanos Original!

Raw returns as the other Los Americanos make their entrance. The trios sort out, but then El Grande Dos throws his cape at Original! The brawl is on and the fans fire up! The fists fly, but “Julio” DUMPS Rayo out, then “Bruto” ROCKS Bravo! The brothers THROW Bravo out before Original LARIATS Americano Dos out! The fans cheer, “AH GRACIAS~!” Bravo rushes in, Bruto FLAPJACKS him, and now the match is on! Bruto copies Bravo’s dance, then UPPERCUTS! Tag to Julio, they double whip to DOUBLE BACKDROP! Julio struts but Rayo tags in. Rayo ROCKS and KICKS Julio, then CHOPS! Rayo runs, but into an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELL!

Julio kips up while Rayo hobbles. Julio reels Rayo in for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Tag to Bruto, then tag to Original. Julio ELBOWS Rayo in the corner, Bruto BACK BODY BLOCKS, then feed to Original’s HIP TOSS! The fans cheer and Original covers, TWO! Original drags Rayo up, wrenches, wristlocks, but Rayo breaks free to SMACK him! Tag to El Grande Dos! The Grandes tie up, go around, and Original arm-drags! They fight back up, Dos wrenches but Original rolls to SLAP back! Original headlocks but Rayo tags in as Dos powers up and out. They then trip Original out, bring him to the outside, and Grande Dos WRECKS Original with a dropkick!

The fans are torn as Los Americanos stand tall, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again as Rayo BOOTS Bruto off the corner! Rayo then clamps onto Julio with a SLEEPER! The fans rally as Julio endures, reaches out, but drops to his knees. Julio powers up again to BACKPACK SENTON! The fans rally while both men are down, hot tags to the Grandes! Original THROWS Dos, then rains down fists! Dos gets free, Bravo goes up and leaps in! Original catches him for an EXPLODER! Original fires hands, then clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ROLLING LIGER KICK on Rayo! Then Original ducks the discus to ANGLE SLAM! The fans fire up with Original and he waistlocks, but Bravo tags in!

Bravo y Rayo save their Americano from Chaos Theory, only for Original to waistlock Bravo! Bravo grabs Rayo in a panic, DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up for Original Grande, and he goes out to CANNONBALL! He CLOBBERS Rayo, goes up a corner, but Dos distracts the ref! That lets Rayo SHOVE Original off the corner! But Julio springs right up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Bruto is up to MOONSAULT! But Dos CLOBBERS Bruto with the headbutt! GAMANGIRI for Julio! But then both Grandes run up, DOUBLE HEADBUTTS! Bravo is up top, DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Bravo is furious but the fans rally up, “This is Awesome!”

Rayo aims at Bruto, runs up, and SUPERKICKS from the apron! Then he SEATED SENTONS! But Julio gets Bravo up, APRON BOMB! Grande Dos PENALTY KICKS Julio! But Original has Bravo, RAMS him into Dos, then hits CHAOS THEORY! The fans cheer as Original goes up top, but Grande Dos grabs him! But the brothers RAM him into the barriers! Original DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, Los Americanos Original win!

Winners: Los Americanos Original, by pinfall

AH GRACIAS~! But will this momentum carry El Grande Americano Original through that Mask VS Mask match at the end of May?

Roman Reigns heads to the ring!

Now that there is no one to stand in his way, The OTC, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, walks out on stage and raises his finger to the sky. The pyro goes off, and it is time for the title fight contract signing. But will things stay civil in this family civil war? We’ll find out, after the break.

Raw returns as Roman gets his second round of pyro, then joins Pearce in the ring. Roman makes sure to sit at the head of the table, then Pearce introduces the challenger, Jacob Fatu! The fans cheer the Samoan Werewolf as he makes his entrance. Pearce says we all know how this works: two signatures on the contract makes this match official. The fans sing for “Roman, Roman Reigns~!” while he stares down with Jacob. Roman picks up his mic first to say, “Nah, Pearce, you know how this works. Omaha, Nebraska…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME.” The fans cheer and chant “O T C! O T C!” Roman asks if Jacob hears all that.

Roman says that’s not just love, but the sound of respect! The fans cheer that, and Roman says you don’t think he knows where Jacob comes from? That he wasn’t watching from afar? That respect wasn’t earned just from hanging out. Jacob was grinding for 12 years, but Roman was here for OVER 12 years! The fans cheer again, and Roman tells Jacob that Roman was the one in this company, his foot holding the door open for Solo Sikoa. Solo brought Fatu in? Well guess what? Roman brought Solo in. Therefore, Roman brought Fatu in. And Roman will be damned if there is not respect to be had in this business for him!

The fans again cheer for “O T C! O T C!” and Roman says this is about respect. There has to be a code, there has to be an honor system. They can’t just run roughshod around here, bogarding everything for the family. No, there has to be a system of conduct that they can hang their hats on, understand? The Tongan Death Grip… Jacob disrespects Roman with something that he saves for desperate measures. Where does Jacob think they are? In some bar at 3AM, surrounded 8v1? THAT is when you bust out the Tongan Death Grip, THAT is when you snatch someone’s throat! You don’t do that to family! You don’t do that to your own. You don’t do that to your Tribal Chief!

The fans cheer again, but Fatu says, “Hold on, what?! Tribal Chief? Hey. That’s where you got it all wrong, you don’t understand. Yes, I am desperate. Yes, it feels like it’s just me against the world. Yes, my back is against the wall. So I have no other choice but to take you out, take this title, and everything that comes with it!” The fans are torn on that, but Fatu says to keep it 100, then he’ll put a choke hold on this game, and he’ll squeeze out every dollar and cent, just the way this company been doing their family for decades! So when Fatu’s talking all gas, no brakes with it, that doesn’t mean slowing down, it means moving forward and never going back to where he came from.

So yes, Roman, Fatu is desperate. Desperate enough to do anything for his household, even if he gotta run through his own blood! Roman says this is what he’s talking about! Fatu’s household?! Let’s get this out the way. Roman signs his part, the fans cheer, and then Roman pushes the contract to Fatu. Fatu is talking about his household, but Roman says he’s been up here over a decade for MULTIPLE households! Fatu is worried about seven kids, but Roman’s worried about 170 kids! Fatu is worried about higher education, but Roman is worried about generation after generation! Because Roman is the one that can do that! Proof of concept! The respect! WWE does business with HIM!

Roman already told everyone a long time ago, this is ALL HIS! This is HIS ring! And yes, in their family, they’re equals, of the same blood. But in this ring, Jacob, you’re beneath him! JACOB SNATCHES ROMAN! Roman CLAWS Fatu’s face, THROWS him into buckles, then THROWS an armchair at him! The fans fire up but Pearce wants Roman to calm down. Roman grabs the belt, but Fatu GRABS ROMAN’S THROAT! Roman HAMMERS Fatu down, climbs up in the corner, and rains down more fists! The fans count along, Roman goes all the way to TEN! But the TONGAN DEATH GRIP still finds him!!

Roman hurries to get loose, SUPERMAN- DEATH GRIP!! DEATH GRIP!! Pearce hurries in there, Roman grabs at Pearce out of desperation, but Fatu drags him around, CHOKE SLAM on the table!! The table didn’t break, but Roman is still down and out. Fatu signs his part, and he says they gonna do this! It is official, and as it looks, Fatu has the advantage! Will nothing stop the Samoan Werewolf from sinking his teeth deep into Roman? Or can Roman find a way to survive?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw here as the go-home to Backlash, but with some great stuff that also had nothing to do with Backlash. Very good promos from Judgment Day, and I just knew Liv was gonna confront Roxie about Finn sneaking in. Her mentioning watching it back on Netflix was also a good detail, as they can reference it later if Roxie really does end up helping Finn as the mole. They were acting like enemies cuz they didn’t want the secret being exposed by cameras. But in the end, Judgment Day of course made sure Finn lost, but there might be hope for allies if Bayley & Lyra are gonna get in Judgment Day’s way of the women’s tag titles. Mixed Six Tag maybe?

Great 2v2 tag of Penta & Evans VS Rusev & Ethan, and the Heels winning out makes sense given Penta is a Face champion. Rusev will likely be betrayed by Ethan so that Ethan gets the title shot, only for Penta to win out. Great first match for the Oba Femi Open Challenge, Oba continues to build his power on main roster by just showing his physical power in throwing Otis. Very good promo from Sol and Becky, that’s clearly Becky’s first title defense right there, but I would think Becky cheats to win. Though, I can’t really see what Sol could do after she loses so maybe  Sol should win to humble Becky? Plus, they can just have a rematch after.

Great stuff with all the Americanos, especially with how convoluted it is to cover up the obvious identities of everyone. AAA gives the rest of the story where Gable Americano has escalated things to where even Kaiser Americano’s girlfriend is banned from AAA if Kaiser loses his mask, and that’s pretty wild. But probably also all the more reason we’re about to get Chad Gable back once he’s exposed. Great stuff with The Vision story, such as Rollins interacting with Roman only to get attacked by Bron Breakker. Also, that means Roman didn’t even care that Bron ran past him to go after Rollins, and that’s hilarious.

Hendry VS Theory ending in disqualification was fine, it works for Heels to be sore losers and such. Profits of course made the save, and while Rollins said they’d stay separate, I really do think there’s gonna be some kind of team up before this is over. Obviously, Hendry & Profits VS Vision can happen as a Six Man, and at the very least, they try to help Rollins against Bron when Logan & Theory try to cheat that match. And very good stuff in the story of Roman VS Jacob. Good promo from Usos, very good contract signing promos, especially with Roman referencing some of the real-life stories about Haku fighting off jackasses in bars. Jacob standing tall would suggest he loses, but there’s also SmackDown as a go-home to see if the tides turn at the last minute.

My Score: 8.9/10