Previously: Impact World Champion Eli Drake defeated Alberto El Patron and Johnny Impact in Six Sides of Steel.
Tonight: Austin Aries made his surprise return to Impact. Plus, Ethan Carter III & Alberto El Patron faced Moose & Johnny Impact in a tag match.
Show Recap —
– A mystery person was shown walking into the Impact Zone.
– The six-sided ring is no more and has been replaced by a traditional ring.
Grand Champion Matt Sydal defeated Fallah Bahh to retain his title
Prior to the match, Sydal mentioned that he has a spiritual advisor that has been guiding him.
Sydal was in control early, but Bahh used his size to take over. Sydal fought back and worked over Bahh’s leg. Bahh attempted the Banzai drop, but Sydal kicked him to the floor. Bahh missed a second Banzai drop and Sydal hit the Shooting Star Press to retain the title.
– Backstage, Caleb Konley was concerned that Trevor Lee is no longer the X Division Champion — but Lee told him he has a gameplan in place.
Bobby Lashley defeated KM
KM gained the advantage after Lashley missed a charge in the corner. Lashley made a fiery comeback and hit the spear to win the match.
– In the back, Joseph Park was on the phone with his grandma when Jimmy Jacobs and Kongo Kong approached. Jacobs wants Abyss to show up next week.
– Backstage, Bobby Lashley announced that he’ll continue to focus on both mixed martial arts and pro wrestling. He had a brief interaction with Eddie Edwards.
Kiera Hogan defeated Knockouts Champion Laurel Van Ness in a non-title match
Van Ness was in control early until Hogan made a brief comeback. Van Ness used a curb stomp and set up for the Unprettier when Allie came out. Van Ness was distracted and Hogan rolled her up for the surprise win.
– LAX came out and mentioned defeating OVE in Barbwire Massacre III. This brought OVE to the ring. Sami Callihan said they hate everything but respect LAX.
Callihan promised they were coming for the tag belts, but he said they have bigger fish to fry for now and OVE walked away. Suddenly, Konley and Trevor Lee jumped LAX from behind and stole their flags.
– Eli Drake and Chris Adonis discussed the upcoming Facts of Eli Drake’s Life celebration backstage. Drake asked about the mystery person, but Adonis didn’t know what he was talking about.
Moose & Johnny Impact defeated Alberto El Patron & Ethan Carter III
After the faces had the advantage, El Patron distracted Moose and the heels took over. Impact scored a near fall after hitting Starship Pain as EC3 broke up the pin.
The heels isolated Impact on their side of the ring. Moose got the hot tag and ran wild, then scored a near fall with a hesitation dropkick. El Patron hit the double foot stomp on Impact, but Moose rocked Patron with a clothesline for the win.
– Chris Adonis and Eli Drake came out for the Facts of Eli Drake’s Life celebration. Adonis called Drake the greatest champion that ever lived, the greatest dresser that ever lived, and the greatest friend that ever lived. Drake called himself the greatest man that ever lived.
This brought out the returning Austin Aries. Aries pointed out that he is the greatest man that ever lived. Aries challenged Drake to a match — but Drake refused. Adonis jumped Aries from behind and Drake accepted the challenge.
Austin Aries defeated Eli Drake to win the Impact World Championship
Both guys wrestled in their street clothes. Drake scored a two count, then Aries made a comeback. Aries used a dropkick in the corner and hit a brainbuster to win the Impact World Championship.
The Big News: Roderick Strong will challenge Pete Dunne for the WWE United Kingdom Championship, as he pinned Tyler Bate in a tremendous main event.
The Medium News: This was the typical post-TakeOver NXT where we had 37 video packages in between fairly short matches.
The Little Beaver-sized News: TM61 returned and looked good in winning.
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Welcome to the quarterly post-TakeOver edition of NXT. Normally these shows are mostly useless filler, but let’s see what this episode has for us, shall we?
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The show began with the first of seven video packages recapping TakeOver, this one looking at the entire show.
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Nikki Cross defeated Lacey Evans
Evans is a sophisticated Southern belle who was not thrilled with having to lay her hands on a psycho like Cross. Unfortunately for her, Cross had no problem laying her hands on Evans. Cross exploded at the bell, beating her in and out of the ring. After Cross trapped Evans in the apron and beat her down, Evans got the heat by yanking Cross off the middle rope inside the ring.
Percy Watson was so used to never speaking that he called Mauro Ranallo “Nigel,” but he was corrected as Evans missed a moonsault. Cross used the ground and pound and won with a swinging fisherman’s suplex. Do fishermen typically suplex one another?
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We had the Undisputed Era-Authors of Pain video package next.
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We then had the Ember Moon-Shayna Baszler video package. Moon was again called “The Shenom,” which hopefully doesn’t stick.
Later on, Baszler was interviewed by Kayla Braxton about the match. She said Moon didn’t win, she survived…barely. Baszler told her to go ask Moon who really won.
That led to photos of Moon taking part in the women’s Royal Rumble.
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Then we got the Aleister Black-Adam Cole (Bay Bay) video package. We’re only 15 minutes in, they should pace themselves.
All of Undisputed Era were complaining backstage when Cole barked that SAnitY is going to pay.
Next week, it’s Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly finally defending against Eric Young & Alexander Wolfe.
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Velveteen Dream vs. Kassius Ohno was the subject of the next video package.
Dream was interviewed by Kayla Braxton, who asked him about his prediction of winning in 30 seconds. Dream said he didn’t win in 30 seconds because Ohno knocked his mouthpiece out.
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TM61 defeated Gabriel & Uriel Ealy
Every time I see the Ealy Brothers, I am reminded that in one of their few television appearances they got their butts kicked by Samoa Joe. That actually reminds me of Dan Matha, who they built up for four or five weeks with vignettes. Then before his first match, he was a victim of Samoa Joe — which was the last time we saw him.
Shane Thorne and Nick Miller looked good here, including Thorne hitting a Fosbury Flop to both Ealys. TM61 showed more personality in this match than they ever did before Thorne’s injury. The Ealys got the heat by illegally using Twin Magic. That didn’t last long as Thorne and Miller took back over, hit a lot of hot moves, and picked up the win with Thunder Valley, which is a double press slam.
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Backstage, TM61 told Christy St. Cloud that they are the mighty and the mighty don’t kneel. Mauro Ranallo had to literally stop running down the NXT year-end awards just to go backstage for this seven-second interview.
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Enough with the wrestling! We need more video packages!
It was main event video package time. Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Johnny Gargano for the NXT Championship looked just as nice the second time as it was the first time.
We had “exclusive footage” of Tommaso Ciampa limping away dragging his crutch. This exclusive footage was promoted the entire show. Thankfully, we saw it.
Then we had stills of El Idolo entering the Royal Rumble. Cathy Kelley marked out while interviewing Zelina Vega about it. Vega took credit since Almas wouldn’t be champion or in the Rumble if not for her. Also, where was Johnny Wrestling, she asked? Probably in his room watching TV.
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They talked about EC3’s official signing with NXT. They removed the space in between EC and 3, which they had all weekend.
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Adam Cole’s five minutes in the Rumble was highlighted. Next week, he will go one-on-one with Killian Dain.
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Roderick Strong defeated Tyler Bate in a WWE United Kingdom Championship number one contender’s match
The winner of this is the next challenger for Pete Dunne’s UK title. Bate used an airplane spin, which caused Ranallo to mention the famous incident where Gorilla Monsoon gave Muhammad Ali an airplane spin. Strong used approximately 5,000 backbreakers in the first three minutes of the match. The fans loved both men, filling the air with dueling chants.
Strong, at one point, bent Bate backwards over his own back in a stretch, which could not have felt good. Bate sold his back while doing a kip up, but still did a standing Shooting Star Press.
We had an amazing sequence of around 60 seconds where we had one reversal after another of each man’s moves, which culminated with Bate hitting his springboard kick to the head. Strong finally won with a release suplex into a backbreaker.
This was about as good of a nine-minute match as you’re ever going to see. Even Tommy Wiseau in the front row had to admit this was really good, (It wasn’t really Wiseau, it was that fan who’s at every show in the shirt and tie who kind of looks like him).
So, that does it for NXT. The main event alone made it much better than the typical post-TakeOver show. Next week, we’re back in Center Stage and until then, thank you for reading and remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
Date: January 30, 2018 Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA
The Big Takeaway —
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn will fight in a singles match next week and the winner will face AJ Styles for the title at Fastlane. The announcement was made by Daniel Bryan as a response to the finish at Royal Rumble. (Later, Shane McMahon didn’t seem happy about this idea but didn’t confront Bryan directly about it.) Owens and Zayn went on to lose to Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event after Zayn bailed on Owens.
Rusev won a fatal 4-way and will face “Bob Roode” for the US Title next week. After the Riott Squad laid out Charlotte, Carmella almost cashed in Money in the Bank but knocked out the referee by mistake before the match could happen.
Also, this show was noteworthy for all of the unnecessary and distracting graphics added to the broadcast. They were all over the place. Add that to the millions of selfie video promos, they’re making this show as difficult as possible to enjoy.
Show Recap —
Shinsuke Nakamura came out to start the show. They’ve added a stupid thing to his entrance. As he does his pose by the ropes, the word “Rockstar” scrolls across in giant red letters. The announcers put over Nakamura vs. AJ Styles as a potential dream match but acknowledged Styles may not be champion by the time WrestleMania rolls around.
Nakamura recapped his Rumble win by letting us know Sami Zayn, John Cena and Roman Reigns all received a knee to the face. The crowd was happy about the latter two receiving knees to the face. Nakamura said Styles would get a knee to the face at WrestleMania and we would get a new WWE Champion.
He pointed at the sign when Kevin Owens and Zayn interrupted. They sarcastically congratulated him on his win then complained about getting screwed in their title match on Sunday. After recapping what happened, Owens claimed they deserved another shot and that Nakamura will be facing them at Mania.
Nakamura said Styles was a winner, but Owens and Zayn were losers. Styles came out next. He said we would get the dream match in New Orleans between himself and Nakamura. Styles wanted to form a dream team with Nakamura tonight to fight Owens and Zayn. The crowd chanted Yes.
Owens and Zayn left the ring. They popped back on the apron just to say “Nope” and they were knocked down by Styles and Nakamura. Nakamura’s music played as the heels backed away.
US Title #1 Contender’s Fatal 4-Way Match: Rusev (w/Aiden English) defeated Kofi Kingston (w/Big E & Xavier Woods), Jinder Mahal (w/Sunil Singh) and Zack Ryder (12:43)
Kofi Kingston received a partial entrance. The other three guys did not get entrances. With all participants standing in the ring ready for the match to start, they cut backstage to Daniel Bryan who was approached by Owens and Zayn.
Bryan made the tag match official for tonight. Owens and Zayn complained about getting screwed. Bryan said he couldn’t change anything, but did agree they deserved another shot. He booked Owens vs. Zayn for next week with the winner facing Styles at Fastlane. Bryan was very excited about his own announcement. Owens and Zayn were not.
With the match underway, Kingston hit his crazy backward dive onto Mahal and Ryder. Rusev hopped up and down like he was about to do a dive of his own, but Sunil Singh grabbed his leg. English pushed Sunil into Big E who dropped his pancakes. The chaotic scene led to the referee tossing everyone from ringside.
After Ryder gave Mahal a Rough Ryder, Rusev superkicked Ryder, and then countered Kingston’s Trouble in Paradise attempt into an Accolade for the submission win. Rusev faced off with Bobby Roode (who was on commentary) afterwards. The title match was announced for next week.
The Usos cut a promo backstage. Unfortunately, Sportsnet in Canada went to commercial before it aired. (The graphic reading “The Usos” flashed on the screen, then they cut to commercial.)
There was a Fashion Files segment with Breezango and Ascension, but it was quickly interrupted by Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin. Gable was embarrassed by the existence of Breezango, and Benjamin was surprised the Fashion Files were still a thing. Gable and Benjamin said Breezango couldn’t beat them in a match and flipped a table over before leaving.
The Usos came to the ring for a promo. They ran down every team they’ve “locked down,” and after each name, a digitized jail cell door slammed on the screen with a cheap sound effect. This was so stupid. The Usos talked about their struggles and going through them together. They welcomed everyone to the Uso Penitentiary.
Before they left, the Bludgeon Brothers entered for their upcoming match. The Usos watched Harper and Rowan walk by them, but Harper and Rowan did not look at the Usos. The Bludgeon Brothers beat two jobbers in 1:47 after a break.
Bryan did a selfie promo to announce the Smackdown Top 10 list. He ran down the rules, including that he and Shane McMahon would not get a vote, and wrestlers could not vote for themselves. Talent, leadership and athletic skill would be considered. The results would help he and Shane determine future matches. He was excited about this idea. (Again, they’ve added even more graphics. Key words from Bryan’s promo were flashed on the screen as he spoke.)
Elsewhere, Tye Dillinger approached McMahon. He talked about what happened at the Rumble when Baron Corbin interrupted. He wasn’t happy about Bryan giving Owens and Zayn another opportunity. McMahon wasn’t happy about it either and Corbin wondered what he would do about it. Dillinger made a crack about Corbin losing his MITB contract. Corbin was pissed so McMahon put them in a match.
Charlotte Flair came to the ring for a promo. They showed clips of Ronda Rousey pointing at the sign at Royal Rumble. Renee Young asked Charlotte about the Rumble. Charlotte said Sunday was the first time she ever wanted to not be champion, just so she could be in the Rumble match. Charlotte said she likely would’ve won, just like someone else she knows who once did.
Charlotte spoke about the moment that “broke the internet” when she stood in the ring with Alexa Bliss, Asuka and Ronda Rousey. Rousey’s name was mostly booed. Before she could say much more, the Riott Squad interrupted. Ruby Riott mocked Charlotte and called her a Ric Flair rip-off, whereas she was an original.
The Riott Squad attacked Charlotte who was able to fight them off. However, they jumped her again and Riott laid her out with a Riott Kick.
With Charlotte laid out, Carmella ran down with her MITB contract and a referee. As the referee called for the timekeeper, Carmella went for a dropkick but Charlotte moved and she hit the referee by mistake. The match never started. Carmella shrieked at the referee to get up. Charlotte got back to her feet so Carmella bailed.
Styles approached Nakamura backstage to talk strategy. Nakamura responded, “I’m going to beat you at WrestleMania.” Styles said he was there to talk about tonight. Nakamura again said he would beat Styles at Mania. Styles wondered if Nakamura was messing with him. Nakamura was about to say it again but admitted he was messing with Styles. Nakamura said, “We’ll be fine. Listen to me out there.” Nakamura smiled and left. Styles appeared nonplussed.
Carmella did an interview with Young where she claimed her almost-cash in went exactly how she wanted. Carmella added that she broke a nail and didn’t want to cash in with a broken nail. Young wasn’t buying it and abruptly ended the interview.
Baron Corbin defeated Tye Dillinger (6:36)
Corbin won with End of Days. Since September, this was just the 7th match for Dillinger on TV or PPV–the 5th involving Baron Corbin.
Rusev and English did a selfie promo. This one was worth it, just to hear Rusev refer Bobby Roode as “Bob Roode.” Roode responded with a selfie promo of his own, where he wrote “Glorious” over the words “Rusev Day” on a calendar.
In the locker room, Zayn tried to find a silver lining, saying at least he or Owens will get a title shot. Owens said that was true, unless Zayn fails. Zayn brought up Owens getting pinned by Styles, and Owens reminded him he lasted about five minutes in the Rumble. Zayn said he won’t fail tonight because he has Owens in his corner. Owens said Zayn wouldn’t fail… tonight.
Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin defeated Breezango (3:37)
Gable & Benjamin won with their powerbomb/flying clothesline combo.
A commercial aired for WrestleMania. The final three people shown were Roman Reigns, Asuka and Ronda Rousey.
WWE Champion AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (15:26)
Nakamura had control over Owens when Zayn tried to interfere, so Nakamura tossed him from the ring. Owens clotheslined Nakamura and went for a tag but realized Zayn wasn’t on the apron. The two of them argued which led to Zayn leaving, pissed at Owens for questioning him. Zayn asked Owens how well would he do without his guardian angel.
After a break, Owens had Styles in a headlock as Zayn watched from the stage. Styles came back with strikes, a clothesline and sliding forearm. He hit a facebuster but Zayn flew in to break up the cover. Owens hesitated but then tagged in Zayn.
Zayn had Styles in a headlock and Owens demanded a tag. Zayn hesitated but then tagged in Owens who hit a senton. Zayn put his hand out for a tag so Owens slapped him in the chest. Zayn then smacked Owens to tag him back in. Styles pushed Owens into Zayn who fell off the apron. Zayn left again, this time to the back.
Styles tried for a forearm but Owens fought back valiantly and gave him a gutbuster and diving elbow drop for two. Styles came back with a Pele kick and made the hot tag to Nakamura. Nakamura hit kicks and set up for the Kinshasa, but Owens escaped the ring. Styles threw him back in and Nakamura gave him a Kinshasa for the win.
They cut backstage to Zayn who watched on a monitor. Young caught up to him and asked if this was the end for him and Owens. Zayn said no. He said this wasn’t about friendship, it was about opportunities. Zayn said Owens has had plenty of opportunities, but he hasn’t. He’s been known as Owens’ best friend but he’ll soon be known as the guy who beat Kevin Owens, who beat AJ Styles and who became WWE Champion.
The Big Takeaway: One of the most wrestling heavy Raws in a long time with some very good matches. For the first time ever, there will be a women’s Elimination Chamber match next month. Asuka defeated Sasha Banks in one of the best women’s matches Raw will likely see this year. Braun Strowman destroyed Kane by turning the broadcast commentator’s stage onto Kane to win a Last Man Standing match. Strowman, John Cena and Elias qualified for the Elimination Chamber. Cena defeated Finn Balor in the main event.
Show Recap:
Stephanie McMahon came out to start the show. Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcomed back Jonathan Coachman to the commentator’s table. Graves thanked Booker T. for his work on Raw and announced that Booker would resume his duties on the PPV kickoff broadcast team.
McMahon said they’re kicking off another 25 years of Raw tonight and put over the women’s Royal Rumble with Sasha Banks going nearly an hour. She also mentioned Nia Jax, Naomi, Lita, Trish Stratus, Beth Phoenix and Ronda Rousey. She introduced the winner of the Royal Rumble, Asuka.
Stephanie told Asuka that Asuka was going to WrestleMania and normally she would ask Asuka who she would face, but before she makes that decision she may want to wait. Stephanie announced that Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss would defend the Raw Women’s Championship at the Elimination Chamber in the first women’s Elimnation Chamber match. Stephanie gave Asuka the stage. Asuka spoke in Japanese and pointed to the WrestleMania sign. Stephanie said she could understand Asuka’s point. Eventually, Asuka said in English at WrestleMania she would become the champion because no one is ready for Asuka.
Banks came out and said she got to share the ring with 29 incredible women last night and one of them was Asuka. For the last year, Banks has listened to Asuka say no one is ready for Asuka. But she was ready for Asuka because she lasted nearly an hour last night. The two went nose-to-nose as Stephanie ordered Banks vs. Asuka for tonight.
Graves announced that Raw GM Kurt Angle has ordered six qualifying matches for the Elimination Chamber. Tonight, Kane faces Braun Strowman in a Last Man Standing match. Plus, Matt Hardy vs. Elias and John Cena would take on Finn Balor.
Braun Strowman defeated Kane in a Last Man Standing match in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match (2:42)
This show must be packed because they started this match during the opening commercial. They brawled through the crowd, through the sound crew and near the commentator’s table, where Strowman slammed a chair across Kane’s back, then jabbed the end of the chair across his chest. Cole, Coachman and Graves bolted as Strowman lifted the commentator’s stage and tilted it onto Kane. The referee didn’t even count to ten and simply called for the bell. The pop for that spot wasn’t as loud as when Strowman tilted the ambulance that Reigns’ was riding in over. A group of referees and Adam Pearce rushed over to check on Kane, who was covered in wires.
Graves did a postmatch interview asking Strowman what did he just do? Strowman said he did his job because Angle said it was last man standing and that’s what he just did.
Cole announced that Kane was being taken to a local medical center and has trouble breathing. That showed Kane being taken away on a stretcher. Strowman walked backstage where Angle yelled at him for putting people in danger. Angle asked if Strowman could give him one break. Strowman softly said that Angle was right, then screamed that Angle was lucky he didn’t do more and he’ll be standing over Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Cole, Graves and Coachman had to adjust their broadcast location to three chairs at ringside, sans a desk. A group of stage hands actually had to build a temporary desk as the first hour went on, which was shown on camera.
Elias was back for another song. Elias said it didn’t care if anyone sang with him because he likes the sound of his own voice. He said he was disappointed to have been eliminated from the Royal Rumble by Cena, but Cena was going to get what was coming to him. Elias said the Elimination Chamber was on the horizon and WWE stood for “Walk With Elias.” Before he gets to that point, he has to defeat Hardy, but he has WrestleMania on his mind so he sang a song about having Lesnar in his sights, it’s Elias’ night, after he wins the Chamber, it’s Lesnar who will be in danger, it’s Elias’ night, Hardy, noticably limping, interrupted him.
Elias defeated Matt Hardy in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match (9:53)
Elias beat up on Hardy’s left arm. Hardy came back with the Side Effect and called for the Twist of Fate, but Bray Wyatt’s video wipe and music flashed by. That led to this week’s distraction finish where Matt dropped his guard and Elias booted Hardy in the face and got the pin with Drift Away.
Postmatch, Wyatt appeared on the screen and laughed at Hardy for losing.
MIz did a promo saying that Reigns is owed an Intercontinental Championship rematch. Miz wondered what he was owed for restoring the dignity of the Intercontinental Championship. Miz said he’s owed rose petals thrown at his feet during his ring entrance and a standing ovation, just like the one that Tom Brady will receive when he beats the Eagles this Sunday to win the Super Bowl.
Intercontinental Champion The Miz (with Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel) defeated Roman Reigns to retain the Intercontinental Championship (18:07)
If you’re wondering about Reigns’ reception, there was a sign at ringside that read “The Big Dog has Fleas.” Reigns clotheslined Miz over the top rope twice in the opening minutes, then pulled out a chair to send Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel scurrying away backstage. Reigns teased hitting Miz with the chair, but the referee told Reigns he would be disqualified if he used it. Miz grabbed Reigns’ trunks and pulled him into the post. Reigns started his comeback with the Samoan Drop and ten clotheslines in the corner and a boot to the face. Reigns called for the Superman Punch, but Miz chop blocked Reigns left leg, followed by the Yes kicks. But Reigns caught a kick and teased a power bomb, but Miz flipped over into a Sunset Flip, then clamped on the Figure Four leglock. Reigns sold it great before reversing it. Miz got the ropes. Miz kicked Reigns’ left leg and tried another Figure Four, but Reigns countered it into a small package that turned into a one-armed power bomb for a two count.
Miz tried to take off the second turnbuckle, but the referee caught him. Reigns went after Miz in the corner. As the referee tried to pull Reigns off, Miz thumbed him in the eye and got the Skull Crushing Finale, but Reigns kicked out. Miz tried the Skull Crushing Finale again, but Reigns backed Miz into the corner, but missed a charge into the post. Miz came off the ropes but Reigns hit the Superman Punch for a two count. Crowd with “This is awesome” chants. Dallas and Axel returned to ringside. Axel distracted the referee, but Reigns gave Axel a Superman punch. Reigns limped to the other side and punced Dallas an Miz. Axel jumped back on the apron, where Reigns gave him another Superman punch. Axel nearly landed on the makeshift announcers table. Reigns pulled Dallas into the ring. Miz came up from behind and pinned Reigns with a schoolboy cradle while holding the trunks.
They showed a tweet from Paul Heyman commending Angle on his decision to have the winner of the Elimination Chamber face Lesnar at WrestleMania. He said that facing Lesnar was more punishment that reward.
The Revival defeated Rhyno and Heath Slater (3:23)
Crowd chanted “ECW” for Rhyno. True to Midnight Express form, Dash Wilder gave Heath Slater the Divorce Court to build the heat. Wilder appeared to give Slater Yoshi-Hashi’s Bunker Buster, but it was Wilder who sold it like Slater gave him a neckbreaker. That led to the hot tag to Rhyno, who gave Scott Dawson a shoulder block off the second rope. Slater intercepted Wilder’s attempt to interfere, but Dawson clipped Rhyno and Wilder pinned Rhyno after the Shatter Machine.
Dawson did a postmatch interview Charly Caruso saying they just defeated the SmackDown tag team champions. Dawson asked Caruso how would she compared the Revival to the Graham Brothers, who was Vince McMahon’s favorite tag team as a teenager. Caruso acted like she didn’t know who it was. Wilder said she was just like the people chanting “ECW,” they live in the past instead of moving on from it.
Cole announced the latest inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame are the Dudley Boyz. Nice promo package where Joel Gertner was featured during the team’s ECW days. The Dudleys join Sting as the only acts to make it into the WWE and TNA Halls of Fame. Edge was featured talking about their TLC matches, which put everyone on the map. JBL laughed about how many 3-Ds he took over the years. Crowd granted the announcement with more “ECW” chants.
Balor did a promo with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. He talked about lasting 57:38 in the Royal Rumble and it was the promise of an opportunity that kept him fighting. Balor said it was taken away by Cena. Now, he’s not just going to step up to Cena, he’s going to step over him.
Banks did an interview backstage with Renee Young. Banks said they were moments away from her defeating Asuka. She said how Asuka has been undefeated for 2-and-a-half years but now it was her turn.
Asuka defeated Sasha Banks by tapout (14:30)
Lot of submission holds as they appeared to be pacing for a 20-minute match. That changed when Banks, who was a subtle heel, slapped Asuka, who rose up for a comeback. Banks withstood some strikes and put Asuka into the Bank Statement. Asuka slipped out with a cradle, but Baks escaped and returned to the Bank Statement. Asuka got to her feet, but Banks threw her out of the ring. Banks attempted a tope, but Asuka caught her with a roundhouse kick as she came threw the ropes and Banks nose dived right on her head to the floor. The referee immediately rushed over but it appeared Banks said she was OK. Asuka also looked concerned. Banks took one sick bump but kept going. Asuka was relentless in the ring, throwing several backhands to the face, a hip toss into a knee to the face, a spin kick, followed by a missile dropkick. Asuka got the flying armbar, but Banks bridged over into a cradle for a two count. Asuka tried a butt butt like Ryusuke Taguchi, but she missed and fell through the ropes to the floor. Banks dove off the top rope for double knees to the face for a two count. Asuka tried to clamp on the Asuka lock, but Banks blocked it, hit the back stabber and put on the bank statement again. Asuka struggled to the ropes, but Banks kicked off and pulled her back to the middle of the ring. Asuka slipped out the backdoor and put on the Asuka Lock and Banks tapped out. Crowd heat didn’t equal the caliber of the match. Cole put it over as a Raw classic.
Cena did an interview saying they’re on the road to WrestleMania and only two people knew how they were going to get there. That was Asuka and Shinsuke Nakamura. Cena said if he beats Balor tonight, he will make it to the Elimination Chamber, which is how he can get to WrestleMania. Cena said he’s been asked for years when is he going to be done, but those people don’t understand he’s just getting started.
Raw Tag Team Champions The Bar defeated Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews (with Dana Brooke) to retain the Raw Tag Team Championships (11:22)
Apollo Crews did a good hot tag sequence that ended with a standing moonsault on Cesaro for a two count. This led to a botched spot where it appeared Cesaro was supposed to hoist Crews into Sheamus, but Sheamus dropped him and Crews landed right on his head. Somehow, Crews got right up and went on to reverse a crossbody attempt by Cesaro for a two count. Sheamus went on to pin Crews after the double team White Noise. Sheamus and Crews looked shaken up.
Cole announced that Kane sat up in the emergency room, crawled out of the hospital and worked his way to his feet, leaving the medical facility. He hasn’t been seen since.
John Cena defeated Finn Balor in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match (17:46)
Coachman wondered why it feels like its Cena vs. the world. Apparently hosting SportsCenter causes amnesia. After about five minutes of trading headlocks, Cena went to ringside and appeared to single out a fan. This led to the crowds’ attention being taken away for something going on offscreen, totally taking their minds off the match. Cena whipped Balor into the corners twice. Cena hit the Blue Thunder driver, but missed the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Crowd grew more supportive of Balor as the match went on and Cena didn’t look like he wanted to play along. Cena hit a fistdrop, then attempted the AA, but Balor slipped out the backside and caught an overhead kick for a two count. Balor went for the Woo dropkick, but Cena clotheslined him. Balor attempted the Sling Blade, but Cena caught him, hoisted Balor onto his shoulders, threw up Balor’s Too Sweet hand gesture and hit the AA, but Balor kicked out. Cena had a blank look on his face as he stalled and went to the top rope, but Balor met him with a kick to the head, the Woo Dropick. He attempted the Coup de Grace, but Balor landed on his right knee as Cena rolled out of the way. Cena clamped on the STF, but Balor made the ropes. Balor kicked Cena in the head on the apron and again went to the top rope, but Cena climbed the top rope and hit the Super AA for the pin.
The build to WrestleMania kicks into gear in Philadelphia tonight with two Royal Rumble matches.
We’re looking for your thoughts on this show, last night’s Takeover show, today’s New Beginnings in Sapporo and Saturday’s New Beginnings in Sapporo so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for each show to [email protected]
In addition to the traditional men’s match, the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble will take place on this year’s pay-per-view. Both matches will have 30 entrants and major implications for WrestleMania, with the winners earning a title shot at WWE’s biggest show of the year.
Brock Lesnar will defend his Universal Championship against Braun Strowman and Kane in a triple threat match. There will also be two challengers for AJ Styles’ WWE Championship, but Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn will team up to face Styles in a handicap match.
Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan will put their Raw Tag Team titles on the line against Cesaro & Sheamus. And on the SmackDown side, The Usos defend their titles against Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin in a two-out-of-three falls match.
On the two-hour pre-show, Bobby Roode is scheduled to issue an open challenge, The Revival take on Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, and Kalisto, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado team against Drew Gulak, TJP & Jack Gallagher.
Our coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time.
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KALISTO & GRAN METALIK & LINCE DORADO VS. DREW GULAK & JACK GALLAGHER & TJP
This was a surprisingly slow-paced but well worked match. The story was that TJP tagged himself in when Gulak was in, then went for a rolling reverse cradle using the trunks on Kalisto, but he reversed into a Salida del Sol for the pin. So once again TJP’s partners were mad at him. The faces all did moonsaults off the same corner to the floor at the same time and Metalik did a flip dive. Aside from that it was basic stuff and Gulak got mad at Gallagher once for going to the middle rope.
LUKE GALLOWS & KARL ANDERSON VS. THE REVIVAL
This was the 50-50 booking ending when Dash gave Anderson a chop block and pinned him. He went to hold the trunks but ended up not really getting them. They worked on Anderson’s legft knee. The Revival are so good at little tag team things. Not a flashy match at all, but good work and the crowd did get into it by the end.
BOBBY ROODE VS. MOJO RAWLEY FOR U.S. TITLE
Hell of a surprise. So I’m told Rawley was not the original opponent but that person was moved to the Rumble. I have no idea who this would be. It was okay. You’d expect better. Rawley missed a charge into the corner and his shoulder went into the post and Roode hit a Glorious DDT.
A.J. STYLES VS. KEVIN OWENS & SAMI ZAYN FOR WWE TITLE
Really good match. Styles threw Zayn over the top rope and Owens superkicked Styles and went for the pop up power bomb, but Styles turned it into a front rolling cradle for the win. Zayn workd most of the way and he and Zayn were great together. The controversy was that Owens never tagged in and Zayn was the legal man.
Owens and Zayn told Shane McMahon that the ref screwed them again and asked Shane if he saw it. Shane said “Yep” and walked away.
USOS VS. CHAD GABLE & SHELTON BENJAMIN FOR THE SMACKDOWN TAG TITLES IN A 2/3 FALL MATCH
Gable was pinned in the first fall by Jey after a ton of superkicks. Real good but the crowd isn’t that hot for this match. Gable is on fire.
Second fall saw Jimmy pin Benjamin with an inside cradle. I guess all things considered this match was a big disappointment even though some real good stuff here. Gable did a moonsault off the top rope to the floor and Gable & Benjamin did a sky high bulldog on Jimmy.
So the women’s Rumble is last which tells you the women are last and means the biggest angle is at the end of the women’s match.
MEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE
Corbin destroyed a few people but was elimninated quick. Andrade Cien Almas was the only early surprise entrant.
The final four were Reigns, Cena, Nakamura and Balor.
The surprises were Hurricane, Dolph Ziggler, Andrade Cien Almas, Adam Cole and Rey Mysterio. Rey got a huge pop and looked great. They all got a big reaction at first. The crowd really lvoed Cole who came out with his ribs all tape up selling last night’s match with Aleister Black..
Cena threw out Balor who was in 57:30.
Nakamura knocked Cena out with the Kinshasa. It’s Nakamura vs. Reigns.
After some very good back and forth action, Nakamura hit the Kinshasa and threw Reigns over the top so it looks like Styles vs. Nakamura at WrestleMania.
This was a lot of fun.
Renee Young asked Nakamura who he wanted to face. The whole place was chanting AJ Styles. He said AJ Styles.
This played out well to the crowd because they hated Cena and Reigns so Nakamura was a super babyface in winning.
Rusev was really over as expected starting out. Balor going long elevated his stock. There was the Kofi Kingston spot where he was thrown out but one of his feet landed on Xavier Wooods, who was selling on the floor, so he wasn’t eliminated. But he was eliminated shortly after
Shane and Daniel Bryan were celebrating Nakamura winning and Kurt and Stephanie vowed that one of the Raw women will win. Stephanie promised the big surprise.at the end of Rumble. I think everyoine is now expecting Ronda Rousey at this point.
SETH ROLLINS & JASON JORDAN VS. SHEAMUS & CESARO FOR RAW TAG TITLES
The crowd was dead for this. To explain Jordan being hurt, Cesaro threw him into the post and he was selling on the floor almost the entire match. So it was like a handicap match with Rollins against both. I think this would have worked well in any other position except after the men’s Rumble because the people ended way too pumped and didn’t care about this at all. Rollins finally got to the corner, and then Jordan tagged himself in, but started selling the idea of a concussion, never made contact, and tagged out. Rollins came back in and it ended up with Sheamus hitting a Brogue kick and then a double-team white noise and Cesaro pinned Rollins to win the title.
BROCK LESNAR VS. BRAUN STROWMAN VS. KANE FOR THE UNIVERSAL TITLE
This This was a match that shouid have gotten over in Philadelphia as it was all about breaking tables. The idea was for Lesnar to win and protect Strowman. Strowman had Lesnar beat after two powerslams but Kane hit Strowman with a chair. Lesnar ended up throwing Kane into Strowman and hitting an F-5 on Kane for the pin. Strowman after made a big deal about how Lesnar didn’t beat him. Earlier Strowman also powerslammed Lesnar through a table and Kane broke up the pin. They broke a couple of announces tables. There were some very dangerous blows early. Strowman landed a hard knee to the side of Lesnar’s head and Lesnar gave him a receipt by drilling him with a punch. Lesnar also gave Kane an F-5 through the announcers table without clearing out the monitors..
WOMEN’S ROYAL RUMBLE.
Maria Menounos introduced Stephanie McMahon, and then Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair were introduced to sit at ringside.
Sasha Banks in first. She’s starting with Becky Lynch.
Kairi Sane and Lita were early surprises but out quickly. Other non-roster wonmen that came in later were Torrie Wilson, Mooly Holly, Michelle McCool (getting Undertaker chants), Vickie Guerrero (doing a comedy gimmick), Jacqueline Ember Moon, Kelly Kelly, Beth Phoenix, The Bella Twins and Trish Stratus,.
Nia Jax has been pushed as a monster.
The final four are Banks, Asuka and the Bella Twins.
The Bellas threw out Banks.
Nikki eliminated Brie so it’s Nikki vs. Asuka.
Asuka and Nikki were on the apron and Asuka kicked her off to win.
The first half of the match was pretty bad but the crowd popped for all the non-roster members big so it worked in that way. At the end, it was very good, Stratus looked real good as did Phoenix. In the end, it was all about introducing Ronda Rousey at the end.
Asuka has to make the choice. Fans want he to pick Charlotte. Ronda is out.
She got a good pop, not gigantic. Ronda wanted to shae hands with Assuka. Asuka slapped her hand away. Ronda kept pointing to the WrestleMania sign.
Rousey went to shake hands with Stephanie and left.
Asuka never did pick.
ESPN just announced Rousey has signed a full-time WWE contract and said this is her first priority for the next several years. We’ll have to see what full-time means because her doing a Brock Lesnar scheduled would be a lot better than full-time.
New Japan Pro Wrestling is back in Sapporo for a second straight night tonight as the New Beginning tour continues.
We’re looking for your thoughts on this show, yesterday’s New Beginnings and NXT Takeover with a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
In the main event, Kenny Omega will put his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship on the line against Jay White. On night one, White hit the Blade Runner on Omega as the final build heading into this match.
The Young Bucks will be in action in the semi-main event, with Sho & Yoh challenging them for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles. Before that, there will be a big ten-man tag match as Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, Will Ospreay & Gedo team against SANADA, EVIL, Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI.
More tag matches round out the rest of the card, including Cody, Marty Scurll & Hangman Page taking on Kota Ibushi, KUSHIDA & David Finlay.
Our live coverage begins at 1 a.m. Eastern time, and the show will air live on New Japan World with English commentary available.
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By Dave Meltzer
They opened the show announcing Hiroshi Tanahashi is off the show stemming from the injury angle at last night’s show although the injury is legit.
KATSUYA KITAMURA VS. JUICE ROBINSON
Slow basic match with Robinson winning with pulp friction. Very hard hitting match with some sick chops and a few good near falls. Kitamura was bleeding from the chest from the chops.
Miho Abe is with Taichi. This wasn’t as good as yesterday’s match. Umino looked good down the stretch but ended up pinned by Taichi after a superkick. Taka unmasked Tier Mask after and Miho put the mask on and stomped on Taguchi’s crotch her high heels. Miaho was taunting Taguchi and Taguchi tripped her but she escaped. The crowd so far isn’t nearly as hot as yesterday. It’s tough with an afternoon show after a long evening show. Taguchi after the match told Kevin Kelly that they broke his ass.
Not much to this one. Hikuleo is still green. Yujiro isn’t much. The highlight was watchiing Ishii build a suplex spot on Hikuleo. The finish saw Yano give Hikuleo a low blow and Ishii clotheslined Hikuleo and Yano cradled him. It was kept short.
TAMA TONGA & TANGA LOA & CHASE OWENS & BAD LUCK FALE VS. TOGI MAKABE & TOMOYUKI OKA & MANABU NAKANISHI & HIROYOSHI TENZAN
About what you’d expect. This undercard hasn’t been good with the quiet crowd. Owens was doinng the stuff where he thinks he’s a Tongan. Oka looked good late working with Owens. Owens pinned Oka after a package piledriver and told ref Massao Hattori to count to five like he was King Kong Bundy. Bad Luck Fale told Kevin Kelly and Don Callis that he’s making them honorary Tongans.
MICHAEL ELGIN & TOA HENARE VS. MINORU SUZUKI & TAKASHI IIZUKA
Pretty basic match again. It was okay, nothing more. Taka Michinoku, Taichi, Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru were interfering regularly. Suzuki beat Henare with a choke, slaps and the kneebar submission. After the match Elgin and Iizuka were brawling in the stands and all of Suzuki-gun were beating down Henare until Togi Makabe ran in with a chain and ran everyone off. It’s clear that Suzuki ‘s first IC title defenes will be with Makabe.
CODY & MARTY SCURLL & HANGMAN PAGE VS. KOTA IBUSHI & KUSHIDA & DAVID FINLAY
This was the best thing so far. Good match with Page pinning Kushida after Cody gave him crossroads and Page used the rites of passage. This probably means something big for Page to get a win like this. Tough crowd but they got into it and Ibushi is always great. After the match Ibushi wanted to go after Cody but Finlay stopped him while Cody taunted him, so we’ve got more Cody vs. Ibushi coming up as well. Cody said that the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega would defend the title successfully. Cody started flexing and said he was drug free, while Marty said how Omega is the U.S. champion and he’s from Canad and he lives in the U.S. but he’s British.
SEIYA SANADA & EVIL & BUSHI & HIROMU TAKAHASHI & TETSUYA NAITO VS. YOSHI-HASHI &HIROOKI GOTO & WILL OSPREAY & KAZUCHIKA OKADA & GEDO
Good match. Everyone squared up with their current foe, Goto with Evil, Okada with Sanada, Yoshi-Hashi with Naito and Ospreay with Takahashi. Yoshi-Hashi was trying to be aggressive with Naito but people aren’t seeing him at that level. Sanada beat Gedo with the skull end by submission. Sanada cut a promo, bascially saying he’s going to say everything he needs to say in Osaka on 2/10. Really just a normal match you’d see with these guys any night just at a bigger arena.
YOUNG BUCKS VS. SHO & YOH FOR IWGP JR. TAG TITLES
Excellent match. The story of the match is that Matt did a windsprint down the ramp and a flip dive wiping Sho & Yoh out, but Matt sold it like his back was out. The rest of the match was Matt selling his back, They had the doctor out at one point. He took a backdrop over the top and his back landed on the apron. He had a nasty bruise on his side. Nick was on fire doing all kinds of great flying moves, knees and kicks. The finish of the match saw Matt have the sharpshooter on Yoh. But his back was out. Yoh couldn’t make the ropes, Sho was taken out by Nick but Matt couldn’t hold the sharpshooter and Yoh pinned Matt with an inside cradle to regain the titles.
KENNY OMEGA VS. JAY WHITE FOR THE U.S. TITLE
Jay White won the title when he countered the One Winged Angel into the blade runner. This was a 30:00 match and was very good, but really I can’t say White came through. The people didn’t buy him at this level and when he won, it wasn’t like Juice Robinson’s win. Adam Page came out to challenge White for the title. Omega wanted a rematch. Cody came out and told Omega you can’t take Page’s moment. Marty Scrull came out as well. Omega and Cody were arguing and Omega shoved. him. Omega threw down Matt Jackson and acted like that was an accident. Nick asked what was that all about. Omega went to apologize but the Young Bucks walked out on Omega. Marty Scurll walked out and told Cody and Omega to work it out. Omga slapped hands with Page and Page left leaving Omga and Cody in the ring. Cody said he was sorry he lost to Omega. Cody and Omega slapped hand. Cody then opened the ropes for Omega, but when Omega went through the ropes, Cody laid out Omega with crossroads. Cody started laughing. Scurll was back in the ring and Scurll stared yellling at Cody. Cody took a chair from Kevin Kelly. Ibushi made the save for Omega before Cody could hit him with the chair. The crowd didn’t know what to make of all this until Ibushi saved Omega. Ibushi offered his hand. The crowd was chanting for Omega at this point. Ibushi offered his hand but Omega turned it down. Omega was in tears about the Bullet Club breaking up. Then Omega and Ibushi embraced and the show ended. The angle was a pretty major bit and it looks from here like Omega is being moved into the Funk Brothers role.
Royal Rumble weekend kicks off tonight as the Wells Fargo Center hosts NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia.
Johnny Gargano challenging Andrade “Cien” Almas for the NXT Championship will headline the show. Gargano defeated Kassius Ohno in a qualifying match and went on to win a number one contender’s fatal four-way to earn his way to TakeOver. On Wednesday’s go-home show, he defended the title shot against Velveteen Dream and stood tall over Almas.
In the show’s other title matches, Ember Moon will defend her Women’s Championship against Shayna Baszler and Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly will put their Tag Team titles on the line against The Authors of Pain.
Adam Cole and Aleister Black are set to face off in an extreme rules match. Plus, Velveteen Dream takes on Ohno.
There will be an hour-long pre-show starting at 7 p.m. Eastern time, which includes the NXT year-end awards, and our coverage of the main card begins at 8 p.m.
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NXT Year End Awards:
Rivalry Of The Year: Aleister Black vs Velveteen Dream (Dream guaranteed a 30 second knock out of Kassius Ohno during TakeOver) Male Competitor Of The Year: Aleister Black Breakout Star Of The Year: Aleister Black Female Competitor Of The Year: Asuka Match Of The Year: Tyler Bate vs Pete Dunne from NXT TakeOver: Chicago Overall Competitor Of The Year: Asuka
Announced off-air:
Tag Team of the Year: SAnitY Future Star of NXT: Cezar Bononi TakeOver of the Year: NXT TakeOver: WarGames
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Nigel McGuinness is sick and will not be here tonight, so the commentary will only be Mauro and Percy.
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Paul Heyman narrated the pre-show video package.
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NXT Tag Team Champions Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly defeated The Authors of Pain to retain their titles
O’Reilly pinned Akam with a schoolboy during a chaotic finish. AOP hit the Super Collider, but before he could be slammed down, O’Reilly gave Akam a Hurricarana, which sent Akam into Rezar which knocked Rezar out of the ring.
This was a really good opener, with Rezar and O’Reilly working really well together especially. This was AOP’s first major regular tag team match as babyfaces and considering neither have had to sell much in the past it went really well.
Akam sold his knee as injured to let Undisputed Era get the heat. Fish gave Rezar a spear through the rope and to the floor, which took him out for several minutes. Rezar tagged in and at one point gave Fish a Fallaway Slam, while falling backwards on O’Reilly, who was on his back.
Crowd got into the match late after not making much noise early.
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War Machine was shown in the crowd, called that by Mauro Ranallo.
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Velveteen Dream defeated Kassius Ohno
Velveteen Dream won with a Rolling Death Valley Driver (that he needed two tries to lift Ohno) and a Purple Rainmaker (top rope elbow). Dream actually dove from the ring post and not the top rope.
This was one of those good news/bad news situations for Velveteen Dream. The good news is he did hit a knockout blow in 30 seconds. The bad news is he celebrated and never made a cover, so he didn’t actually win in that time. As for celebrations there are people who won the main event of WrestleMania who didn’t celebrate as big as Dream did when he hit his knockout blow.
It should be noted the fans booed when Ohno got up and gave Dream an Elbow Strike, as Dream has been the most over person on the show so far. This match wasn’t as good as the opener, but had much more heat. At one point Dream was supposed to catch Ohno for his rolling Death Valley Driver, but Ohno’s momentum was such that Dream couldn’t catch him.
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Maria Menunos was shown at ringside.
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NXT Women’s Champion Ember Moon defeated Shayna Baszler to retain her title
This was a very different Women’s Title Match. Unfortunately this crowd didn’t seem to understand what they were watching. The finish saw Baszler work the armbar for close to 4 minutes with Ember scratching and clawing to get out of it. Finally Moon was able to use Shayna’s own momentum against her and pin her with a cradle to retain the title.
Shayna did a UFC-like entrance where they showed her walking from her locker room all the way through the backstage area and to the ring.
This was a fight from the get go and Baszler early on used the same stomp to the bent elbow that she did to Dakota Kai. Shayna’s offense revolved around armholds, which the fans mostly seemed to think was a series of rest holds. Ember sold the arm and elbow perfectly.
Ember hit The Eclipse, but due to selling her arm and elbow she couldn’t make the cover. They called the medical staff down to see if she could continue, but they let it go. The first time Baszler got on the armbar, Moon was near the ropes.
After the match Baszler jumped Ember in the aisle and locked her in a Rear Naked Choke.
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Ricochet was shown in the crowd, called Trevor “Ricochet” Mann.
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Aleister Black defeated Adam Cole in an extreme rules match
Black pinned Cole with Black Mass when Cole went after him with a chair in an excellent weapons match.
This was a brutal, slightly bloody affair which featured run-in’s by Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly and all of SAnitY.
Cole went for a baseball bat-like swing with a chair at Black’s face early. Thankfully this wasn’t The Rock and Ken Shamrock, so Black ducked it. In perhaps the best timed weapon shot ever, Black went for his Quebrada and Cole hit him with a Kendo Stick shot to the abdomen. Cole busted his hand open somehow and the match was temporarily stopped so the medical crew could clean it up. Black picked up Cole in an Electric Chair position and threw him into a ladder set up in the corner. Black ended up taking the same bump Chris Jericho took at WrestleKingdom, this time he got superkicked and fell backwards off the middle rope and through the tables at ringside. Black gave Cole an Attitude Adjustment on top of two chairs, which were back-to-back, which played off the angle on tv where Cole did that to Black. The crowd chanted “You deserve it” which was funny.
Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly ran in for interference. Eric Young & Alexander Wolfe of SAnitY ran down to attack the tag team champs. That was playing off Undisputed Era’s backstage attack on SAnitY before their tag title match earlier this month. Killian Dain did a Suicide Dive to all four of them to take everyone out of the picture.
Black put Cole through the announce table with Double Knees when he jumped off a case at ringside, which led to the finish.
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Former TNA Champion EC3, called that, was shown at ringside. Once upon a time he was Derrick Bateman on the never-ending (but amazingly awesome) NXT: Redemption.
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NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas defeated Johnny Gargano to retain his title
Almas won an amazing main event with a draping Hammerlock DDT after using the running Double Knees to Gargano when he was propped against the ring post. The match started slow but built to one great match.
Almas came out in his La Sombra mask and with a masked Mariachi band. Candice Lerae was shown at ringside, cheering her husband on.
Both men missed moves off the ring apron early on. Almas, with a moonsault, landed on his feet, but Gargano went for a flipping dive and when Almas moved Gargano crashed on the black mats. Gargano hit his Slingshot Spear, but no one bought it as the finish. He then rolled out of the way of a Moonsault, but when Almas landed on his feet he immediately hit a standing moonsault, which popped the crowd. Almas went for a Hammerlock DDT off the top rope, a version of which injured Drew McIntyre, but Gargano got out of it.
Having wrestled each other on tv twice before, these men were well aware with each others spots and were constantly reversing each others moves and a hot series near the finish led to a standing ovation. Gargano used a Slingshot DDT on the ring apron, which is the hardest part of the ring. Gargano got a pair of near falls with a small package and a superkick, which had the crowd screaming. Almas gave Gargano the double footstomp while he was draped across the turnbuckle, which led to him falling outside the ring. Gargano had the match won with the Gargano Escape, but Zelina Vega grabbed his hand before he could tap out and Almas used an eyerake to get out of it. Gargano used a Suicide Dive, but Vega used a Hurricarana to send him into the ring steps. Back in the ring Almas hit his Hammerlock DDT, but Gargano kicked out. Vega tried interfering again, so Candace Lerae jumped the guardrail and attacked her! Lerae chased Vega out of the arena. Another Gargano Escape and Almas barely got his foot on the ropes before the finish.
Gargano got a standing ovation when leaving, when he was attacked by Tommaso Ciampa! Ciampa, returning from injury, struck Gargano with his crutch. The show went off the air with Lerae tending to her fallen husband.
This show probably won’t be remembered as one of the best TakeOver’s, but is well worth checking out.
Though the shows are usually in February, New Japan Pro Wrestling’s New Beginning tour kicked off in Sapporo this morning. And though the tour is usually two shows, this year it’s three — with two consecutive nights in Sapporo and a February date in Osaka.
Night one was headlined by a match that was set up at New Year’s Dash, with Hiroshi Tanahashi defending his IWGP Intercontinental Championship against Minoru Suzuki, whose hair is growing back. On the undercard, Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, Los Ingobernables de Japon, and Chaos were all in action in tag matches.
– Michael Elgin defeated Katsuya Kitamura
The show opened with the continuation of Kitamura’s challenge series. Elgin hit a powerbomb to beat him, and Kitamura is now 0-2 in the seven-match series after losing to Jay White in the first bout.
– KUSHIDA, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Jushin Thunder Liger, Manabu Nakanishi & Tiger Mask IV defeated El Desperado, Taichi, Taka Michinoku, Takashi Iizuka & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
This ended when KUSHIDA used the Hoverboard Lock to tap out Michinoku.
The Bullet Club Job Squad fell to Chaos when Ishii hit Owens with a vertical brainbuster.
– NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa defeated Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe & Toa Henare to retain their titles
In the first title match on the card, the champions retained when Tonga made Henare tap with the Dream Catcher.
– Cody, Marty Scurll & Hangman Page defeated Kota Ibushi, David Finlay & Juice Robinson
Page hit the Rite of Passage (kneeling back-to-belly piledriver) on Finlay to win it. The story between Cody and Ibushi doesn’t seem to be over. Following the match, they exchanged words and Cody taunted Ibushi.
Cody told Kevin Kelly to be ready for plan D, D for Don. Kelly then asked Cody if there was trouble in paradise and if Cody and Kenny Omega are on the same page. Cody replied, “Kenny Omega is the leader of the Bullet Club. God bless America and god bless Kenny Omega. I love him.” So, there’s that — for now.
Naito used a jackknife pin to get the fall on Ospreay. That came after Naito kicked Ospreay low and Takahashi connected with a superkick.
In a chaotic scene after the match which saw the guardrails falling down and young lions getting involved, YOSHI-HASHI attacked Naito, specifically going after his eyes. YOSHI-HASHI walked away, but Naito came back for more. Eventually, YOSHI-HASHI made his way to the back and Naito and Takahashi posed in the ring.
BUSHI tapped out to Okada’s Cobra Clutch for the finish. After the match, Okada (still wearing those really ugly pants from Wrestle Kingdom) called out SANADA (who updated his already amazing mohawk to make it even more amazing) to get back into the ring, which SANADA did.
SANADA grabbed the mic and just threw it down and left. A now angry Okada went after him, put him into the ring post, hit a tombstone piledriver, stuffed Rainmaker bucks in his mouth, and slapped on the Cobra Clutch.
– Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks defeated Jay White, Sho & Yoh
The Bucks hit the Indytaker on Yoh to win it. The story here was what happened after the match, with White hitting the Blade Runner on Omega to send a message to him ahead of their IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship match at night two in Sapporo.
– Minoru Suzuki defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
In a match that has gotten strong reviews, Suzuki won the title when the referee called for the stoppage with Tanahashi in a kneebar. The story with Tanahashi has been the fact that he’s been working with all sorts of injuries. Suzuki took advantage of that and captured the title for the first time, but Tanahashi never gave up and never tapped out.
Before the finish, Suzuki hit the Gotch piledriver but insisted on going for the submission.
The Big Takeaway: Curt Hawkins added yet another loss to his streak, this time against Goldust, and Gran Metalik & Kalisto defeated TJP & Jack Gallagher in under three minutes.
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Goldust defeated Curt Hawkins (4:29)
And so it continues. Curt Hawkins went 0-164 here, is now 0-165, and following Main Event went on to have a backstage segment after Raw where the Brooklyn Brawler told him not to give up and to believe in himself. We may be going somewhere with this streak, but exactly where is not yet clear.
Goldust took the win out of nothing, really. The match was back and forth, with Hawkins looking the more likely of the two to come out on top. They did a lot of comedy early on, with Hawkins even laying down in the middle of the ring asking to be pinned. Of course, it was a ruse.
The finish started when Hawkins used a side Russian leg sweep and slapped on a rest hold. When Goldust worked his way out, he dropped to his knees, struck Hawkins, and rolled him up for the win. Hawkins was in disbelief.
Gran Metalik & Kalisto defeated TJP & Jack Gallagher (2:43)
They didn’t give this one long at all in front of this expectant pre-Raw 25th anniversary show crowd. Metalik has had TJP’s number over the last few weeks on 205 Live, and the same was true here as the pair started things off together.
After taking two arm whips, TJP hobbled as quickly as he could to make the tag to Gallagher. Gallagher slowed things down, crotching Metalik on the top turnbuckle as we went to a break.
We returned to both men down, and they went straight to the hot tag and the finish. Kalisto took care of Gallagher, tossing him over the top rope and hitting him with a springboard seated senton. And Metalik finished off TJP with a rope-walk elbow drop and the Metalik Driver in the middle of the ring.
Previously: LAX defeated OVE in Barbed Wire Massacre III.
Tonight: Impact presents Genesis, which features World Heavyweight Champion Eli Drake defending against Alberto El Patron and Johnny Impact in Six Sides of Steel.
Show Recap —
Matt Sydal defeated Ethan Carter III to win the Grand Championship
The rounds and judges have been dropped. Sydal attempted a standing moonsault, but EC3 got his knees up to take over. Sydal attempted a super hurricanrana, but EC3 slipped out and Sydal took a nasty fall hitting the turnbuckle on the way down.
The finish came when Sydal countered a super TK3 attempt into a powerbomb and hit the Shooting Star Press to win the Grand Championship.
Flashback Moment of the Week: America’s Most Wanted defeated XXX In Six Sides of Steel
James Storm powerbombed Elix Skipper off the top of the cage for a close near fall. Christopher Daniels and Chris Harris fought on the top of the cage when Skipper tightrope walked across the top and connected with a hurricanrana on Harris.
AMW used XXX’s own finisher to score the win.
Knockouts Champion Laurel Van Ness defeated Allie to retain her title
Allie was in control as they brawled around ringside, then Van Ness took over with a boot to the face. Allie made a fiery comeback and scored a close near fall with a suplex in the corner.
Allie accidently elbowed the referee, which gave Van Ness the chance to use the Knockouts belt for the win.
Moose defeated Bobby Lashley (w/ Dan Lambert and KM)
KM interfered to give Lashley the advantage, but Lashley was unhappy KM helped. They argued at ringside until Lambert broke it up.
KM tried to put a table in the ring, but Lashley stopped him and told him not to help. Lashley used a hurricanrana and a spear for a near fall. Lashley collided with KM and Moose hit the Game Changer for the win.
After the match, Lambert blamed Lashley for the loss and slapped him. Lashley speared KM and tossed Lambert in the ring. Moose booted Lambert in the face and Lashley speared Lambert through a table. Lashley and Moose shook hands.
X Division Champion Taiji Ishimori defeated Andrew Everett to retain his title (from Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan)
Everett got a near fall with a perfect looking springboard moonsault. He went for a Shooting Star Press, but Ishimori got his knees up.
Everett made a brief comeback, but Ishimori caught him with a knee and hit the 450 splash to retain the title.
Impact World Heavyweight Champion Eli Drake (w/ Chris Adonis) defeated Johnny Impact and Alberto El Patron in Six Sides of Steel to retain his title
Drake and Patron worked together and sent Impact head-first into the cage. Patron and Drake both tried to escape but failed. Drake took over after a double low blow.
Patron hit the double foot stomp while Impact was in a tree of woe. All three guys tried to escape and fought on the top rope. Impact knocked off Drake and Patron — but instead of escaping, he dove off the top of the cage onto the heels.
Drake tried to climb until Impact stopped him. Patron tried to leave through the door, but Impact stopped him too. Drake was left dangling on the top of the cage. Patron attempted to leave through the door again, but Adonis slammed the door in his face.
Drake and Impact both climbed out of the cage, but Adonis caught Impact and prevented his feet from hitting the floor, which allowed Drake to win.
Next Week: Josh Mathews noted that Impact is going to look a bit different.
The Big News: Johnny Gargano not only remained number one contender by submitting Velveteen Dream, he also ended the show by laying out the NXT Champion.
The Medium News: Ember Moon and Shayna Baszler are ready to tear each other limb from limb on Saturday.
The Little Beaver-sized News: Both No Way Jose and Bianca Belair returned and picked up victories.
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Earlier today, Velveteen Dream cut a promo about how everyone dreams of being NXT Champion, including Johnny Gargano. Dream said Gargano one day may be champion, but now is time for the Dream. He said that no matter how the pieces fall tonight, Gargano’s dream will be over.
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No Way Jose defeated Cezar Bononi
The go-home show for TakeOver kicked off with No Way Jose, who has not been seen much since Lars Sullivan destroyed him in 2017. Once upon a time, Bononi defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas, which was actually what led to Zelina Vega taking over the career of the future and current NXT Champion. I still don’t know why it was okay for No Way Jose to party all the time, but it was frowned upon for Almas to party at night.
The highlight of this match was one fan trying to start a CM Punk chant and literally everyone else in the arena booing him down. Not to say this match was bad, it wasn’t, it was your typical NXT opener.
Bononi, who has had little character development, was the easy heel and the fans were into Jose, who won with a pop-up punch to the face.
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They aired a video package building up the Adam Cole-Aleister Black extreme rules match on Saturday. It centered around their original match and Cole stopping Black from winning the number one contender’s fatal four-way a month ago.
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Bianca Belair defeated Latoya
This was a good showcase for Belair, who is being built up as “The EST” meaning she is the greatest, fastest, and strongest. Latoya wrestles as Luscious Latasha.
Latoya looked good here, but this wasn’t about her and it was all over for her when she came off the middle rope and got whipped with Belair’s braid. Belair then picked up the win with the falling powerbomb.
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We had a pre-taped promo where Percy Watson interviewed Ember Moon and Shayna Baszler ahead of their title match on Saturday.
Moon called Baszler out on trying to injure people as opposed to winning based on her own merit. She mentioned “the code” where they win via skill and show sportsmanship. She said Baszler will not win on Saturday.
Baszler laughed, then said Moon achieved her dreams. She started at the bottom and now here she is. Baszler said the difference is she doesn’t care if people know the struggles she went through. Baszler vowed that this Saturday she will walk out with the title. Watson asked her to share something with the NXT Universe. Baszler said she doesn’t care if people know anything about her, they just have to get used to it.
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Next up we got part two of “Who are TM61?” Just like part one and just like the other video packages they’ve done, with Finn Balor and Roderick Strong, this was really good and well worth checking out. The most surprising part is Harley Race was on for a few seconds saying they will be the best team ever.
Anyway, they will be in action next week.
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The Authors of Pain vs. Chase Brown & Damien Smith never got started
This Saturday night, AOP will attempt to become two-time NXT Tag Team Champions when they challenge Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly for the titles.
We didn’t actually have a match — instead they destroyed Brown and Smith before cutting promos about what they will do to the Undisputed Era.
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This Saturday at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia:
NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas defends against either Johnny Gargano or Velveteen Dream
Aleister Black vs. Adam Cole in an extreme rules match
NXT Women’s Champion Ember Moon defends against Shayna Baszler
NXT Tag Team Champions Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly defend against The Authors of Pain
Next week (taped before TakeOver in Philadelphia):
Lacey Evans vs. Nikki Cross
TM61 returns
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Johnny Gargano defeated Velveteen Dream to retain his NXT Championship shot
Gargano won the number one contender’s tournament. However, he was only put into the tournament because Dream was injured and couldn’t compete. When Dream came back, he wanted a shot at the title and Gargano agreed to put his title shot on the line. The winner will challenge Almas this Saturday for the NXT Championship.
There were loud dueling chants of “Johnny Wrestling” and “Velveteen” as the match began. The match started with mat wrestling and Dream stayed with Gargano during it, which surprised people. Dream gloated, so Gargano slapped on the Gargano Escape, but Dream was able to get to the ropes and roll outside.
Gargano was more aggressive than usual, following Dream outside, slamming him onto the announce table, and then doing a flipping dive off the ring apron. Dream finally took over when he caught Gargano on a slingshot spear and hit a flipping neckbreaker.
Dream teased doing a top rope dive to the floor, which got the crowd’s eyebrows raised since he normally doesn’t do such moves, but instead he jumped back down to the crowd’s dismay. Gargano came back and used a jumping STO from the middle rope, but only got a two count. They traded finisher reversals until Dream hit a twisting DDT, but somehow Gargano kicked out.
Dream hit a Death Valley Driver from the middle rope for the closest of near falls, which got the entire crowd behind Johnny Wrestling. Finally, Dream went for the Purple Rainmaker, but Gargano got his knees up and then submitted him after a Gargano Escape!
Gargano retains his number one contender status and now will definitely challenge Almas at TakeOver: Philadelphia. Almas came out to the ring to confront his challenger. He tried to cheap shot Gargano, but Gargano was expecting it. However, the champ got the best of it and sent Gargano outside the ring. Johnny Wrestling dragged himself to his feet and dropped Almas with a slingshot DDT before posing with the championship belt.
Not announced on the show, but on the NXT conference call with Triple H today, it was revealed that Dream will go one-on-one with Kassius Ohno at TakeOver.
That does it for this show. Check out TakeOver on Saturday, and until next week, thank you for reading and remember to say your vitamins and take your prayers!
Date: January 23, 2018 Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, DC
The Big Takeaway —
AJ Styles agreed to face both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in back-to-back singles matches. Styles easily defeated Owens (who didn’t do much, likely still hurt) but lost to Zayn after paying too much attention to Owens outside the ring.
Shane McMahon was not happy with Daniel Bryan for making this official, but Bryan made it clear this was Styles’ idea. Even though Bryan claimed he never intended on making these matches, Shane was still displeased.
Also, Randy Orton laid out Shinsuke Nakamura with an RKO after Nakamura appeared to have his match won against Baron Corbin. Orton laid out Corbin with an RKO as well.
Show Recap —
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn came out to start the show. Owens called them the future of WWE, unlike the parade of retirees we saw on Raw. They announced themselves as future co-WWE champions.
Owens called them the best competitors on Smackdown and even they couldn’t overcome a handicap match two weeks ago, which means AJ Styles stood no chance on Sunday. The crowd chanted for AJ. Zayn said after they won the title, they would hurt Styles. They both chanted Yep until Styles interrupted to a big reaction.
Styles is still calling them “Kami.” He said “nope” to the idea that they would become co-champions and beat him up. Zayn said they would win and Styles would hear “Yep” everywhere–in his dreams, from the fans, even from his own family. Styles said they would never become co-champions as long as he had fight left in his body.
Owens thought it made sense that Styles spoke out of ignorance because ignorance was the official language of Washington, DC. They reminded Styles that the handicap match was his own idea and he has to follow it because a real authority figure, Daniel Bryan, is making him.
They also reminded Styles he offered to fight them both separately on the same night. They challenged him to back-to-back matches tonight.
Daniel Bryan interrupted. He put over Owens and Zayn and started to put over Styles, but Styles cut him off before he could get to whatever his decision would have been. Styles was skeptical of Bryan and accepted the matches for tonight.
Backstage, Shane McMahon questioned Bryan over his decision. Bryan told him that he wasn’t planning on sanctioning the matches for tonight, but also wasn’t worried about Styles. Before Shane could leave, Bryan stopped him and asked if he was questioning Styles’ ability to defend himself. Shane said it wasn’t Styles’ ability he was questioning.
Chad Gable (w/Shelton Benjamin) defeated Jey Uso (w/Jimmy Uso) (7:35)
Gable outwrestled Jey early on until Jey made a comeback after a break. Jey hit a suicide dive and Samoan drop, but Gable responded with a rolling kick and O’Connor Roll German suplex into a pin for the win. Gable dusted off his hands after the pinfall. Impressive little win for Gable.
Renee Young asked Shinsuke Nakamura how he planned on winning the Royal Rumble. Nakamura had a simple plan, “I see someone, I put my knee their face. I see someone else, knee to the face. Next person, knee-face, knee-face…” He was interrupted by Baron Corbin, who claimed he was all hype. Corbin said his resume spoke volumes, unlike Nakamura’s. Nakamura said he would win the Rumble and challenged Corbin to a match tonight.
Tye Dillinger did a selfie promo announcing himself for the Royal Rumble match.
Naomi defeated Liv Morgan (w/Ruby Riott & Sarah Logan) (2:37)
While Morgan had Naomi in a headlock, Natalya, Lana and Carmella walked to ringside for some reason. They were soon followed by Becky Lynch. Naomi then used a sunset flip cover on Morgan for the quick pinfall win.
After the match, the women traded moves on each other and a few got tossed out of the ring. Naomi and Lynch stood side by side when Lynch tried tossing her over. Naomi didn’t fall out and just smiled at Lynch. Charlotte came out and wished them luck. This was really lame.
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Baron Corbin via DQ (10:28)
Nakamura was all over Corbin and went for Kinshasa, but Corbin reversed into Deep Six for a nearfall. Corbin followed with a big clothesline for another nearfall. Nakamura then countered an End of Days into an armbar but Corbin managed to slip out.
Nakamura set up for the Kinshasa again when Randy Orton suddenly flew in and nailed him with an RKO for the DQ (or no contest). Corbin tried to attack Orton but got an RKO for his trouble too. Disqualifications are usually crap but this was fun. The crowd popped big for it.
They aired a video package for Raw 25.
US Champion Bobby Roode, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods (w/Big E) defeated Jinder Mahal, Rusev & Aiden English
As New Day made their entrance, Byron Saxton said, “My soul has just been invaded by unimaginable joy.” This guy’s role is to represent the fans.
New Day announced they were entering the Rumble match and they put over Bobby Roode winning the US title last week. As Roode entered, Woods sang along with his theme. Roode thanked New Day for the introduction and was happy to debut as US champion here in Washington. He wanted to be the greatest US champion ever, which he knew wouldn’t be easy.
Roode was about to call his title reign glorious, but he was interrupted by each member of New Day who thought he was about to say stupendous, delicious, or exuberant. Roode then yelled “glorious” as New Day swivelled their hips behind him, which was an amusing sight. (Rusev seemed to get a big pop on his way out but he and English didn’t get any promo time.)
The good guys won a short match after Roode gave English a spinebuster and Woods finished him off with a springboard elbow drop.
The Royal Rumble will start at 7pm ET. The announcers ran down the card.
Non-title match: WWE Champion AJ Styles defeated Kevin Owens (1:07)
Sami Zayn initially came out with Owens, but Shane promptly followed and announced that Zayn was not allowed anywhere near ringside. Shane said if Zayn did show up, he would be fired on the spot. The same went for Owens during Zayn’s match later. The heels protested as they went to commercial.
Owens landed awkwardly into the turnbuckle on a cannonball attempt, which appeared to injure his leg. Styles applied the Calf Crusher and Owens immediately tapped. Styles wouldn’t release the hold after the bell ring and Zayn ran in to wildly attack him.
The referee tried to stop Zayn but he continued to put a beating on Styles and tossed him into the steel steps. They cut backstage to Shane and Bryan who just stood and watched, instead of, you know, trying to stop this beating. I get that the Owens’ match was over, so Zayn was allowed to be at ringside, but that means he’s also allowed to violently attack someone?
Non-title match: Sami Zayn defeated WWE Champion AJ Styles (15:40)
After a break, the referee checked with Styles who agreed to start the match. Owens was still at ringside, unable to stand as officials checked on him. Zayn worked over Styles who made a comeback, which included a springboard forearm to the outside.
Styles was about to re-enter the ring but decided to attack Owens who was still being tended to. Zayn flew in with a clothesline to stop him. After a break, Owens was still at ringside and still being tended to (by like six people), even though there’s a stretcher right there.
Zayn went for a Helluva kick but Styles countered with a boot of his own, followed by a Pele kick for a nearfall. Zayn then hit a Michinoku driver for two. Styles avoided a superplex attempt and went for a Styles Clash but Zayn slipped outside the ring. Owens is now on the stretcher.
Styles tossed Zayn back in the ring, then flipped over the stretcher. After Styles popped back in the ring, Zayn nailed a Helluva kick and Blue Thunder Bomb for the win. Owens and Zayn posed over Styles as the show ended.
Styles basically screwed himself here. Owens wasn’t supposed to be at ringside, but he didn’t really do anything wrong and Styles kept going after him.
The final shows of this year’s Fantastica Mania had a distinctly CMLL feel.
The clear thrust of these shows was spotlighting the visiting talent, and the last two nights in Korakuen Hall had less crossover appeal than even the first nights of the tour, which featured Kazuchika Okada working against Hiroshi Tanahashi in tag matches.
The results were a mixed bag. If you don’t get to see much lucha, and I don’t, the shows presented a refreshing alternative to anything that your typical North American or Japanese fans see on a regular basis. In the modern era of endless wrestling of almost any style that you enjoy available at your fingertips, it could easily be understood how these final nights could end up as less than appointment viewing, particularly with the lack of NJPW star power.
The key to the final events of the tour was the CMLL Brothers Tag Team Tournament, featuring pairs of siblings facing off for pride and prestige.
For people who are just hardcore NJPW fans, Tetsuya Naito’s appearance in a multi-person tag match on the final two events would be the only match worth going out of your way to see, if you just need a Naito fix.
January 21st results —
Disturbio & Puma defeated Drone & Star Jr.
Disturbio tried to establish himself as the heel early, with him spitting on and biting Drone. Puma is quite a sight to behold. I would enjoy more men dressed as large cats in wrestling. The psychology here was weird, as the crowd loved Puma but he was partners with the dastardly Disturbio.
Star did a nice Asai moonsault. The finish saw Disturbio do a flip dive off the apron onto Star, while Puma cradled Drone with a La Magistral for the win.
Fuego and Okumura started off. Facially, Okumura looks every bit of his age, and I doubt that orange is his natural hair color, but he moved well. The crowd loved Fuego’s dancing, and Sho served as a surprisingly good base for Soberano, in spite of Soberano being taller.
Yoh did a comedy rope-running spot with Taguchi that worked well. Soberano hit a great looking tornillo on Okumura for the pinfall victory.
You would be forgiven if you thought that this was simply an extended infomercial for Los Ingobernables T-shirts. There was crowd brawling early, and an air horn that blared incessantly throughout the match. The highlight was a vicious chop battle between Kawato and Takahashi, which ended with Kawato’s chest bloodied. Kawato is leaving on excursion, and it seems clear that there is stardom in his future.
Rush hit Kawato with a piledriver to earn the victory for his team. After the match, Rush and Kojima brawled until the young boys pulled them apart.
Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero defeated Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja in a CMLL Brothers Tag Team Tournament match
Angel de Oro turned a surfboard from Ultimo into an STF in a unique spot at the outset. Ultimo has been a great worker for a long time, I know, but he looked blown up almost from the opening bell, despite not doing a whole lot.
The Guerreros worked over Roja, and de Oro sold his leg well. Ultimo did a top rope dive to the outside onto the other three competitors. Gran hit the Gran Special, a lawn dart move, on Roja for the victory.
Dragon Lee & Mistico defeated Cuatrero & Sanson in a CMLL Brothers Tag Team Tournament match
Mistico and Cuatrero had some miscommunication in the early going, and Sanson quickly tagged in. Sanson went for Mistico’s mask, but could not remove it. This was my first opportunity to see Cuatrero and Sanson, and I was not overly impressed with their work, but they did hit nice topes on Dragon Lee and Mistico.
Dragon Lee hit an awesome rana from inside the ring to the floor. Inside the ring, Mistico kicked out of a near fall, and hit La Mistica for the submission victory.
NWA World Historic Welterweight Champion Volador Jr. defeated Barbaro Cavernario to retain his title
The action spilled to the outside early on, as Cavernario was established as a crazed brawler. Back inside, he untied the turnbuckle pad. Volador recovered from the beating he took early, and put on a flying clinic.
They continually teased Cavernario throwing Volador into the exposed buckles, but Volador always managed to slip out at the last moment. While Volador put forth an excellent argument for being named one of the top flyers in the world, Cavernario did his share as well, including a top rope splash to the floor.
Back in the ring, as Volador sold the devastation of that move, Cavernario went for a springboard leg drop, but Volador slid out, popped up, and hit a Canadian Destroyer for the pinfall. A fun main event.
January 22nd results —
Fuego & Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Disturbio & Puma
I became a massive fan of Fuego watching these shows. The crowd loved the comedy work he did with Disturbio. I also became a massive fan of Puma, who caught Taguchi on an insane dive to the outside. Fuego rolled up Disturbio for the pin out of nowhere.
Roppongi 3K (Rocky Romero, Sho & Yoh) & Okumura defeated Jushin Liger, Tiger Mask IV, KUSHIDA & Star Jr.
KUSHIDA and Yoh got things off to a hot start. Romero and Liger tagged in, and they did some hug and handshake comedy, before Romero turned on Liger. Star Jr. got his teammates to dance with him.
Sho, Yoh, and Romero ate dives from Liger and Tiger Mask, leaving Okumura and Star Jr. to work together. It was brief. Okumura hit an STO for the victory.
Sanson & Cuatrero defeated Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja
The highlight of this bout was a tope con hilo by Roja onto Sanson. Cuatrero and Sanson appeared to be having their second consecutive off night. Roja slipped coming off the middle ropes and fell a little short off a springboard crossbody, which was his fault, but Sanson could have helped him out if he was having a better day.
Sanson hit a spin-out middle rope powerbomb on Angel de Oro to score the victory for his team.
I don’t know for sure, but I suspect Gedo booked himself against Atlantis here just for kicks. He looked like he was having the time of his life working with him.
All four brawled to the outside and through the crowd early on. The fans really got behind Kawato as he got his right leg worked over. Cavernario used his La Cavernaria submission on Kawato for the win. There wasn’t much to this, and Atlantis’ knees looked like they were hurting him.
Naito and Volador did a hot opening sequence. Soberano tagged in and did some good lucha things, and he and Takahashi chopped the heck out of each other. The CMLL team did stereo tope con hilo’s onto the LIJ team, in an awesome spot.
The finish saw BUSHI hit a bridging backslide on Drone to pick up the victory. After the match, Volador taunted Naito, and tried to goad him into the ring for a confrontation, but Naito backed off.
Rush defeated Satoshi Kojima
The action spilled to the floor right away, and Rush did some great heel work, choking Kojima with a camera cable. He then hit Kojima with an unprotected chair shot to the head. It was not a particularly hard shot, as those things go, but it’s difficult to justify that sort of thing in the modern era. Kojima was busted open on top of his head, possibly from the chair.
Kojima fought back with a DDT on the floor, but continued to sell the damage from the chair shot. Back inside, Kojima fired up and removed his elbow pad. Rush avoided the elbow strike, but ate a lariat.
Kojima went for another lariat, but ate the piledriver, and Rush scored the pinfall. Rush posed with Naito, BUSHI, and Takahashi after the match.
Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero defeated Dragon Lee & Mistico to win the CMLL Brothers Tag Team Tournament
Mistico and Ultimo whipped each other with their entrance gear before the opening bell. After the bell, they shook hands, agreeing that the heat of the competitive moment got to them. They had a solid exchange, before tagging in their partners.
The Guerreros took over, and worked over Mistico. Mistico made the tag to Dragon Lee, who did his awesome rana from the ring to the floor. Lee and Gran had a chop battle that may have lasted five full minutes. Lee followed up with a crazy double foot stomp on Gran, who fell from a braced position on the middle rope to the floor.
While Lee and Gran spilled outside, Ultimo hit the Guerrero Special on Mistico to earn the victory, and win the tournament. A fine match, but not an NJPW-caliber main event.
As expected, the 25th anniversary of Raw was a fun show. The highlight was probably the opening segment where Vince McMahon and Steve Austin got to bring back some of their old chemistry, which is something unparalleled in the history of professional wrestling. Aside from the nostalgia, the biggest takeaways were the Miz winning the Intercontinental Championship against Roman Reigns. The final segment had Braun Strowman powerslamming Brock Lesnar through a table.
Show Recap:
The famed Raw siren was the first thing you heard as Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler welcomed fans from the Manhattan Center. Ross threw it to Michael Cole, Booker T, and Corey Graves at the Barclays Center, all adorned in tuxedoes at ringside for one week only.
Stephanie and Shane McMahon started the show in the ring. On behalf ot the McMahon family, Shane thanked every superstar who has ever stepped foot in the ring and all the behind-the-scenes personnel who helped put the show on each week. Shane thanked the fans for making Raw the success that it is. Shane introduced a video of Raw’s greatest moments. It featured Daniel Bryan, Edge and Ric Flair’s retirement. The Ultimate Warrior speech the day before he died. Shane’s return, along with Kurt Angle. Austin spraying Vince McMahon and the Rock with beer.
After the video, Stephanie said they have one special person to thank for all of this, someone who had the courage that it took to make Raw the success that it is, Vince McMahon. He came out to a huge babyface reception. Cole mentioned that Vince, Randy Savage and Rob Bartlett were the announcers on the first Raw. Fans chanted “Thank you, Vince.” Stephanie joked that her father may be hard of hearing but they’re saying “Thank you, Vince.” Vince said he’s typically not someone who smells the roses and tonight he’s going to smell the roses. Vince started to leave, but Stephanie stopped him and said she had a present for him. It was a gift from people all over the world, she started a GoFundMe account for a plaque commemorating 25 years of Monday Night Raw. Vince looked put off by the fact that it was only a plaque and said it felt cheap, but then again they were in Brooklyn. Vince heeled on the crowd saying all he received was a plaque. Vince said plaque is what is on everyone’s teeth. After 25 years of what he’s done for fans, all he received was a plaque? After 25 years, he had one person to thank, and it wasn’t any members of his family or any of the fans, that person was himself. He didn’t need anyone else but him.
Then Austin’s music hit and the place acted like Elvis just awoke from the dead. Stephanie vanished at this point as Austin did his typical entrance. He looked in good shape. Vince said it’s been a long time since he and Austin have been in the ring together. He said Austin looked great but Mother Nature hasn’t been as kind to him. He claimed to be a member of the AARP now, lived in a retirement community, had arthritis problems and is now a senior citizen. But he said Shane was in his prime. Austin and Shane shook hands. Austin raised Shane’s arm, then gave him a stunner. Vince grabbed some Miller Lites from a stagehand and said “I don’t blame you. He had it coming.” Crowd chanted “One more time.” Vince said he didn’t think Shane could take one more. Steve grabbed a beer, spilt some of it on Vince’s suit. Steve took a big gulp. Vince took a small sip. They hugged as Austin’s music played. Vince started to leave but noticed Austin wasn’t leaving. Steve and Vince tapped beers again, and Austin finally stunned Vince to a huge pop. Shane awoke at this point, only to take another stunner.
Sasha Banks, Asuka, Bayley and Mickie James defeated Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Alicia Fox and Nia Jax via tapout (12:03)
Nia Jax jumped Asuka from behind before the bell and the two sides brawled before the bell like it was a Suzuki-Gun eight-man tag in New Japan. Cole again mentioned that Paiage was out of the Royal Rumble because of a neck injury. Sasha Banks got the heat, which included Alicia Fox giving her a Northern Lights Suplex. Banks put Fox in the Bank Statement for the tapout. As a side note, Graves picked Asuka to win the women’s Royal Rumble. Cole selected Jax.
As the babfyfaces posed, Asuka turned on her teammates, throwing Mickey James over the top rope. She leveled Bayley with a roundhouse kick and threw her over the top. As Banks tried to give Asuka a back stabber, but Asuka blocked it, gave Banks a backhand and threw her over the top, as well. Asuka got a mixed reaction as she let it be known she was standing on her own and didn’t need help.
Angle talked with a referee backstage about not allowing Braun Strowman to run wild tonight. Jonathan Coachman walked in and said he was glad to see so many of his old friends tonight. They Harvey Wimpleman and the Brooklyn Brawler walked in. Teddy Long, looking very skinny, came in, as well. Then Brother Love showed up saying he loved everyone. Love and Coachman could figure out how to shake hands. Then the Boogeyman walked in with worms coming out of his mouth. The Boogeyman handed Coachman worms straight from his tounge and left.
Ross and Lawler were back at the Manhattan Center. Lawler said he enjoyed the women’s match but he was waiting for the arrival of the puppies. Ross said the Undertaker has an unprecedented legacyand threw it to a package of the Undertaker’s highlights on Raw over the years, starting with a match from the very first edition of Raw against Damien Demento.
The Undertaker came out in the Manhattan Center to “Holy S___” chants and a Howard Finkel introduction. His biceps looked pretty toned for a 52-year-old man. Undertaker said the carnage began on this sacred ground of evil 25 years ago. For 25 years, he’s been digging holes and any person who dared step foot into the dark side got buried. For 25 years, he’s taken legends, ripped them off their pedestals and thrown them into the cold, dark Earth. Undertaker said Austin, Mick Foley, and even his own flesh and blood Kane answered to the reaper. They all tried and failed. Undertaker said now, on this sacred ground, he declared for all of those who have fallen, it is truly time you rest in peace. Crowd chanted for one more match as Taker said his catchphrase and he looked annoyed that everyone was chanting as he finished. Ross and Lawler wondered what Taker meant by those words, whether it was a warning to the rest of the roster or something else. He didn’t say he was retiring but also didn’t challenge anyone to a match at WrestleMania.
The APA Proection office was open. JBL and Faarooq were playing cards with Heath Slater and Rhyno. Slater thought he had a winning hand with a pair of threes. JBL showed him a full house. Then someone walked in and tossed a stack of hundred dollar bills on the table. It was Ted DiBiase, who asked what was their price and he laughed his laugh.
The Miz defeated Intercontinental Champion Roman Reigns to win the Intercontinental Championship (13:23)
Next was some of the famous Raw GMs. John Laurinaitis (in a bright red suit), William Regal (NXT chants), Eric Bischoff (big pop), and Daniel Bryan came out to a big reaction. Bryan shook hands with his father-in-law before leading everyone in “yes” chants. Then the Miz came out with Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel. Miz and Bryan had a staredown. Reigns made his comeback with a series of clothesline to catcalls. Reigns called for a Superman punch, but Miz rolled out of the ring. Reigns caught Miz with the Drive-By. Miz sidestepped a Reigns charge. Reigns’ left shoulder went into the post as Miz tried to get the pin with a schoolboy cradle and his feet on the ropes, but only for a two count. Miz threw the yes kicks. Reigns blocked a kick and hit the Liger Bomb for a two count. Reigns gave Dallas and Axel a Drive-By, threw Axel into the apron and sent Dallas head-first into the post.
After Reigns threw Axel into the timekeeper’s table, Miz jumped Reigns from behind. Reigns hit a Superman punch for a two count. Reigns called for the spear, but Dallas grabbed his leg while Miz clotheslined Reigns in the corner. The referee ordered Dallas and Axel to the back. As Miz argued, Reigns hit a schoolboy cradle for a two count. Dallas and Axel jumped up on the apron, again distracting Reigns. Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale for a two count. Miz tried another Skull Crushing Finale, but Reigns elbowed his way out. Reigns attempted a spear, but he ran into a turnbuckle that somehow was pulled off. So Reigns hit nothing but steel and Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the pin. On replay, they showed Miz pulling the turnbuckle off when Reigns hit the Drive-By on the MizTourage.
Reigns got the usual big show reaction from a crowd full of hardcores. Which is to say heavy boos. Before the match, Cole said the Intercontinental Championship has changed hands 51 times on Raw.
Backstage, Jeff Hardy, MVP and the Usos had joined the APA card game. Slater thought he had a winning hand with an ace high. MVP showed off four kings to take the pot.
Christian was in the ring for the Peep Show. He said he knew something about tag teams since he was a nine-time tag team champion. Christian said his guests won the Raw Tag Team Championships on their first night as a tag team and introduced Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan (big boos). Cole mentioned Edge couldn’t be there because of prior obligations. Jordan interrupted Rollins while he was in mid-sentence and said it was amazing to be tag team champions. Jordan was booed loudly every time he tried to talk, just like Reigns last year after WrestleMania. Jordan said it was an honor to be in Christian’s presence. Jordan wanted to thank the fans for their continued support as he continued to get jeered lustily. Rollins sat stonefaced as Jordan tried to get the crowd to stand up and give Angle a round of applause.
Cesaro & Sheamus came out. Sheamus said that Jordan had it all wrong. All of the superstars and legends have been lining up to get autographs and pictures with him and Cesaro. Sheamus said the same superstars and legends all expected them to reclaim the Raw Tag Team Championships on Sunday at the Royal Rumble. Cesaro said that Jordan sucks to big cheers. Cesaro and Sheamus actually led the crowd in chanting “you suck.” Jordan went after Sheamus. Rollins gave Sheamus a tope. Then Jordan held Cesaro so Rollins could give him a springboard knee, but Cesaro moved and Rollins hit Jordan. Sheamus and Cesaro just laughed at the champions and left.
Charly Caruso introduced Alexa Bliss backstage. Caruso said that history will be made with the first 30-woman Royal Rumble match. Caruso asked Bliss if she thinks she will still be champion after WrestleMania. Bliss said she was a goddess. Charlotte walked in and said the only reason Bliss was Raw Women’s Champion is because she’s on SmackDown. Charlotte said to be the woman, you have to beat the woman. If you don’t believe him, you can ask him yourself. Flair walked in and said Bliss was lovely, but her daughter will be champion today, tomorrow and as long as she wants. Charlotte and Flair did the “whoo!” together.
Titus O’Neil, Natalia, Devon Dudley and Dana Brooke were at the APA card table. Slater thought he won a hand with a straight, but Natalia beat him with a queen-high flush. Brooke said she had totaled things up and Slater had lost a lot of money.
Bray Wyatt defeated Matt Hardy (5:48)
This match was in the Manhattan Center. Lawler and Ross wondered who Sister Abigail was. I guess we’re supposed to forget we were about to be introduced to Sister Abigail in October before Wyatt got the mumps. Matt Hardy hit the Side Effect and went for the Twist of Fate, but Bray Wyatt backed him into the ropes, then pinned him with Sister Abigail. Seemed like the blowoff of the program as Hardy is being treated as a comedy figure.
JoJo introduced some of the great female stars of Raw history. Brie and Nikki Bella, Maryse (clearly showing), Kelly Kelly (looking as young as she did when she debuted) Lillian Garcia (looking almost as young as Kelly), Jacqueline, Torrie Wilson, Michelle McCool, Terri Runnels, Maria Kanellis (who Cole mentioned is expecting), and Trish Stratus (biggest pop of all) were all introduced.
Chris Jericho did a backstage segment with Elias while wearing his “Alpha Club” T-shirt. Jericho pointed out that Elias was wearing scarves and said he wrote a song for him. When Elias wouldn’t let him use his guitar, Jericho used his own to sing about Elias being a stupid idiot and put him on The List.
Elias was in the ring and said he couldn’t believe it took WWE 25 years to find him. Crowd knows the WWE stands for “Walk With Elias” catchphrase. Elias wrote a song for all the legends in attendance tonight. Elias said Jimmy Fallon was at ringside, which he was. He got a mixed reaction, which seemed harsh considering all he’s been through over the past six months. Elias sang a song running down Michaels, Jericho, Undertaker, Rock and Fallon.
Cena came out to everyone in the place singing “John Cena sucks.” Cena got booed pretty roundly. Cena pointed out a beachball in the crowd, which was promptly confiscated to more boos. Elias told Cena to shut his mouth to cheers. Elias said no one wants to hear Cena because they came to hear him and Cena ruined it. Cena told him to do something about it and took off his shirt. Elias said that’s not how it works. Elias won’t take orders from Cena or these Brooklyn scumbags. Elias started to leave, but then tried to attack Cena from behind. Cena saw it coming and gave him a five knuckle shuffle, a Blue Thunder Driver, the Five Knuckle Shuffle. He went for the AA, but Elias escaped and gave him a low blow. Elias left the ring, got his guitar and smashed it across Cena’s back. There were some yes chants. Elias gave Cena Drift Away. Elias wore a Johnny Cash t-shirt where Cash is shown flipping the middle finger to the camera and they were extra careful how to shoot him. He had to wear a scarf to cover it up.
Big E. Kofi Kingston, Apollo Crews and Xavier Woods were at the card game. JBL went all-in Slater showed a full house. Brooke screamed that Slater was cheating. JBL screamed that this was no place for fighting. JBL told Slater that if he wanted to fight, go to the ring. Slater left. DiBiase said he could beat a full house. He had a royal flush and raked in the pot. Faarooq got in the “damn” line.
Mark Henry walked backstage and bumped into the Godfather, who introduced him to Olivia. Godfather told Olivia, Henry was once known as Sexual Chocolate. Henry said that was back in the day when everyone was different, but it looked like the Godfather was still the same. Then Henry tried to put on his old Sexual Chocolate moves on Olivia, who politely told Henry that she was married. Godfather informed Henry that Olivia was his wife. Graves said “I never want to grow up.” Olivia looked like someone who could have starred during the late-90s Raw era.
Apollo Crews & Titus O’Neil went to a double DQ with Rhyno & Heath Slater (5:32)
The match went through a commercial before the referee ordered a double DQ since both teams were fighting with each other. The Dudley Boyz came out as O’Neil, Crwes, Slater and Rhyno left the ring and debated who would challenge the Dudleys. Then O’Neil, Rhyno and Crews threw Slater in the ring. Bubba Ray Dudley slammed Slater. Devon delivered Wazzup, or as Graves called it “Dilly Dilly.” Then they gave Slater the 3-D through a table. Rhyno shook hands with Devon, perfectly willing to watch his tag partner get slaughtered.
A.J. Styles did an interview with Caruso. Styles said this was the 25th anniversary of Raw and he arranged for someone to do the interview with him. Styles introduced Mene Gene Okerlund, who said Styles has his hands full in a 2-on-1 handicap match on Sunday. Styles started the promo with “Well, let me tell you something Mean Gene,” like he was Hulk Hogan. Styles said he was going to walk into the ring against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who were going to try to become co-WWE Champions. Styles said he will put a ringing in their ears that sounds like “the winner and still WWE Champion, A.J. Styles.”
In the Manhattan Center, HHH and Michaels came out to the Degeneration X entrance. Michaels said everybody has been asking him what his favorite moment over 25 years and he can’t remember 25 minutes ago. Michaels said one of his favorite things was when they had the sasuage cabasa. HHH stopped him from telling the story. Michaels got a cheesy WWE Network plug. HHH put over how Raw started 25 years ago and put over the fans for lighting a spark that turned into an inferno that became the WWE. 25 years later, DX was there because of the fans. HHH said 20 years ago, he and Michaels started DX. They would walk to the ring every ring with “Ravishing” Rick Rude and Chyna and do whatever the hell they felt like doing and felt like saying whatever the hell they felt like saying. DX was at the forefront of everything on Raw, whether it was driving to the front door of Monday Nitro and starting a war or showing up to the 25th anniversary of Raw because the Manhattan Center was home. HHH said DX was going to be at the forefront of Raw for the next 25 years. HHH said didn’t come alone. Road Dogg and Billy Gunn came out. Dogg did his old ring entance minus the word “ass.” Dogg said they didn’t come alone. X-Pac came out. Crowd chanted “1-2-3.” X-Pac said they can’t have a 25th anniversary of DX without someone special. Scott Hall walked out to Raxor Ramon’s theme. They abruptly cut to a break as Hall walked out.
Hall was in the ring after the commercial. Hall said everybody knows you can’t have a party on Raw without the bad guy. He’s been watching tonight’s Raw from both locations and this was just too sweet. Then Finn Balor, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows walked out and had a faceoff with DX. Fans chanted “Too Sweet.” HHH held up the Cliq signs and Balor, Anderson and Gallows returned the favor like total babyfaces. It was like DX was passing the torch to the Balor Club. Then the Revival walked out. Ross announced that Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson were out to face Anderson and Gallows.
Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows defeated the Revival (2:01)
Anderson pinned Wilder with the Magic Killer.
Postmatch, Dawson got in Hall’s face. Hall threw the toothpick in Dawson’s face. X-Pac gave Dawson the X-Factor. Gunn delivered the Famouser. Wilder got up to take a superkick from Michaels and the Pedigree from HHH. Then DX told Balor to give Wilder the Coup de Grace, and he complied. Gunn did the “two words” line. HHH rose Balor’s arm as they cut back to the Barclays Center.
Angle came out with JBL, Faarroq, Bischoff, Christian, Brother Love, Coachman, Wippleman, Goldust, Godfather, Boogeyman, the Usos, Rhyno, MVP, the New Day, Elias, Crews, the Usos, Curt Hawkins, O’Neil, Cesaro, Sheamus, Dallas, Axel, Regal, and others to surround the ring as Strowman, Kane and Lesnar came out. About eight guys stood between Kane and Strowman came out in the ring. Paul Heyman came out to introduce something relevant, someone relevant because there’s nothing more relevant than the champion, who is his client. And his client was here for a fight. Heyman said his fighter is ready because he is the most relevant personality in the history of Raw. He introduced Lesnar and everyone scattered. Strowman clotheslined Kane, but Lesnar clotheslined Strowman. Lesnar gave Kane the F-5. Strowman clotheslined Lesnar over the top rope, then tossed him into the barricade. Strowman cleared off the announcer’s table at ringside and powerslammed Lesnar through the table. Strowman posed to end a night full of superstars.
The Big Takeaway: Curt Hawkins’ losing streak continued with yet another loss against Rhyno, and Mustafa Ali defeated TJP as the pair had a really strong match in the main event.
Curt Hawkins continues to put over his losing streak on social media, referring to where he will be #streaking every day. While he lost here on Main Event to go 0-157, he is currently 0-161. Hawkins even posted on Twitter this past week that he lost twice in the same night in Reading, Pennsylvania.
As usual with these Hawkins matches, it was perfectly fine. Despite the streak, Hawkins is a good in-ring performer and a very precise technician. Rhyno took the first half of the match and made it look easy — until Hawkins was able to take the advantage when both men had gone outside.
Hawkins beat Rhyno down and performed a pretty impressive snap suplex on the big man, then Rhyno hit him with a Samoan drop and they both went down.
They traded near falls until Hawkins looked like he was going to come out on top. He squatted in the corner, ushering Rhyno to get up, but he was caught in the charge and nailed with a spinebuster for the win.
Mustafa Ali defeated TJP (5:20)
This was a very impressive athletic display from start to finish. TJP hasn’t been on Main Event for some time and it was a joy to watch these two work together. After the opening minutes that were 100 mph of mat work, flips, and kip ups, TJP settled the pace and turned nasty.
He pushed Ali outside through the ropes, using his boot with Ali narrowly missing the steel steps. TJP then proceeded to throw him around, smashing him face-first into the dasher boards and posing for a dab as we were sent to a break.
TJP went after Ali’s knee after the break. A failed superplex attempt allowed TJP to missile dropkick off the top rope onto Ali’s left knee. Ali did everything he could to avoid TJP getting to it, but he eventually locked in the kneebar as they teased a submission finish.
TJP went for a figure four but was kicked off out of desperation. Ali then rolled through TJP into a bridging pin and managed to steal the win. The nice wrinkle in the finish was how Ali still sold his knee, only using one leg in his bridge and keeping the injured leg raised so as not to put pressure on it.
