There were dueling chants at the start of the match. Mercedes took down Willow with an arm drag and rolled Willow up with a crucifix for a near fall. Willow paint brushed Mercedes, AEW reports.
Willow charged at Mercedes, but Mercedes pulled the ropes down and Willow’s momentum carried her through them and to the floor. Willow intercepted a sliding dropkick and power bombed Mercedes onto the apron!
Willow dropped Mercedes with a delayed vertical suplex for a two-count. Willow walloped Mercedes with a German Suplex.
Mercedes countered a gut wrench suplex attempt and targeted Willow’s ankle with a chop block. Mercedes splashed Willow with a leaping double knee stomp for a near fall.
Mercedes had Willow in an ankle lock. Willow escaped with more paint brush strikes. Mercedes wiped out Willow with a vicious dragon screw leg whip.
Mercedes blasted Willow with a backstabber. Willow grabbed an ankle lock, but Mercedes escaped. Mercedes ran off the ropes, but Willow pounced her!
“What a shot, man. Haymaker Jones,” said Taz.
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Willow stunned Mercedes with a spinebuster! Mercedes countered a power bomb, but Willow hit a fisherman’s suplex for a two-count.
Willow tried for a superplex, but Mercedes slipped out and power bombed Mercedes. Willow chopped at Mercedes’ ankle and then dropped her on the apron with a knee breaker!
Willow swung Mercedes around the ring in an inverted cloverleaf. Willow followed up with a Death Valley Driver in the corner.
Willow went for a cannonball, but Mercedes moved out of the way! Mercedes smashed Willow with a meteora for a near fall! Mercedes followed up with another meteora, this time from the apron and smashing Willow onto the floor.
While Stokely and Statlander were arguing with the referee on the apron, Willow doctor bombed Mercedes and went for the cover. The ref finally turned around and began the count, but Mercedes had enough time to recover and kick out.
“The retain was there but Stokely and Statlander realized they screwed up,” said Taz.
“Willow had the win. She can’t allow this to affect her,” replied Excalibur.
Willow went for another doctor bomb, but this time Mercedes escaped and locked in the cross face on Willow. Mercedes transitioned to the STF.
Willow reached the ropes and forced the ref to break the hold. Mercedes planted Willow with the Moné Maker and pinned Willow!
Liv Morgan defends Women’s World Title against Becky Lynch inside a Steel Cage!
Tonight, any questions regarding Liv Morgan’s Women’s World Title win over Becky Lynch at WWE King and Queen of the Ring will be answered as they battle inside a Steel Cage.
This past Saturday, Morgan finally defeated Lynch for the first time to win the Women’s World Championship, the very title Rhea Ripley had to vacate after being injured by Morgan.
Her win, however, was tainted by “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio, who tried to help The Man by giving her a steel chair. His plan backfired, as Morgan took advantage by DDT-ing The Man into the chair to win the match.
Can The Man win back her title, or will Morgan cement herself as the Women’s World Champion?
Braun Strowman looks to tear apart JD McDonagh
As revealed on Raw Talk, Braun Strowman will officially make his in-ring return when he takes on The Judgment Day’s JD McDonagh.
Two weeks ago on Raw, McDonagh officially warned Strowman to not interfere with Judgment Day business, but his plea went unheard. This past Raw, Strowman interfered in The Judgment Day’s match against Awesome Truth for the World Tag Team Title, causing McDonagh and Finn Bálor to lose the match.
With McDonagh being told to personally take care of the Strowman problem, McDonagh now has a monster of all monster’s matches lined up against Strowman.
Can Strowman make his return match victorious or will McDonagh find a way to cut down the monstrous Superstar?
A former Super Eagles player, Henry Nwosu has endorsed the nomination of the Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye for the annual Pitch Awards Sportsmanship category for the year 2023.
In a touching testimony, Nwosu who has coached several professional league sides including Union Bank of Lagos and Gateway of Abeokuta, described the former National Assembly member as embodying the traits that are needed for leadership in the country.
“When I was the Coach of the U-17 team back in 2008, Elegbeleye saw me in Abuja and showed interest in how I was getting on with the job. I didn’t have an official car and was moving around in taxis.
“Three days afterward, he called me to take delivery of a car. I didn’t ask for it and it was not as if we had a relationship beyond saying hello”, Nwosu recalled of his encounter with the then House of Representatives member.
On the Pitch Award, Nwosu who remains one of the best Super Eagles midfielders insisted that Elegbeleye merits the nomination and in his words, “he deserves to win this award and any award meant to recognise selfless contribution to sports by an individual”.
He said the selfless contributions of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) second vice president is such that “unlike some other people who would assist a Coach the way he did for me, Elegbeleye never for once called to send any player or players to me. He didn’t even make a public show of the gift but was always ensuring that I had a free hand and was comfortable to carry out the task assigned to me by the NFF”
Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, and Remo Stars Chairman, Hon. Kunle Soname are the other two nominees for the Sportsmanship Award category.
Elegbeleye was in April crowned the Sports Administrator Of the Year, 2023 at the Sportsville Awards.
As interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and Brighton cools off
McKenna was attracting interest from Brighton, Chelsea, and Man Utd Image Credit: Skysports
Kieran McKenna secured back-to-back EFL promotions to take Ipswich into the Premier League for the first time in 22 years; the 38-year-old was linked with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Brighton; McKenna is set to sign a new long-term contract with the Tractor Boys, SkySports reports.
Kieran McKenna is set to stay at Ipswich and sign a new long-term contract after attracting interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, and Brighton.
The 38-year-old coach has guided Ipswich to back-to-back EFL promotions and a first Premier League campaign at Portman Road for 22 years, but there were question marks over whether he would remain at the club next season.
McKenna was also linked with replacing Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea but was told by phone on Sunday that the club was looking elsewhere.
Sky Sports News also learned that Ipswich Town majority shareholder Ed Schwartz flew into the UK from the United States at the end of last week for talks with the club’s chief executive officer Mark Ashton and McKenna. It is understood discussions were over a proposed new deal.
And now the speculation around the Ipswich boss’ future is set to end with McKenna poised to extend his stay at Portman Road in what would be a major boost for the newly-promoted club.
Ipswich appointed McKenna in 2021, and in his first full season in charge, he led Ipswich to promotion from League One to the Championship.
It was followed by a second consecutive promotion with Ipswich getting out of the Championship at the first attempt to reach the Premier League for the first time since 2002.
How McKenna got double-promotion
Ipswich Town’s players are covered in champagne as they celebrate promotion to the Premier League
On December 16, 2021, Ipswich confirmed 35-year-old Manchester United assistant manager McKenna had been appointed their new manager on a three-and-a-half year contract, Adam Williams reports for SkySports.
“Kieran who?” was understandably the majority of the reaction beyond those who may not have been familiar with McKenna’s work under Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford alongside Michael Carrick.
Softly spoken at first, but methodical, clear, and honest in his media engagements, fans soon welcomed the departure from McKenna’s more brash and at times, overbearing predecessors.
Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna reflects on a successful night after beating Coventry 1-2, taking them closer to a Premier League promotion.
Promotion would prove too tough a task to achieve in the remainder of that season as Ipswich finished 11th but already McKenna had irons in the fire for his first full season in charge.
Freddie Ladapo, Dom Ball, and Leif Davis would be the notable summer signings and from the off, it was clear the race to win League One that season would be hotly contested.
Plymouth set and maintained the pace throughout while Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday, and Barnsley tried to keep up.
After slipping down to fourth on February 14 with a goalless draw at Bristol Rovers, thoughts were understandably turning to another season of disappointment with Town eight points adrift of the top two.
Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna discusses what it means to accomplish back-to-back promotions for the club and also what he looks to achieve with the side now they are in the Premier League.
But January’s transfer window had already seen four key additions George Hirst, Harry Clarke, Massimo Luongo, and Nathan Broadhead. They would prove to be pivotal as Ipswich went on to win 13 of their 15 remaining league games, including eight in a row, to amass 98 points and automatic promotion back to the Championship after a four-year absence.
It felt good to be back in the second tier and as this season began, many supporters were hoping to just win more games than they lost and use it as a chance to continue building on the good work of the previous 18 months.
But 46 games later they are heading back to the top flight. A season of free-scoring, free-flowing, full-throttle football has seen both Ipswich’s and McKenna’s stock soar.
What now for Man Utd?
Erik ten Hag will be replaced as Manchester United manager only if the club believes there is a better option out there.
The final decision on Ten Hag’s future will be made during the season review United are carrying out now.
Ten Hag is waiting for the outcome of the review but is convinced he is the best man for the job. He is confident United will perform much better in the league next season if he stays – especially if key players remain fit and the club signs a center-back, midfielder, and striker.
Kieran McKenna says speculation linking him with the vacant Chelsea and Brighton jobs is not his focus after leading Ipswich Town to the Premier League.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Leicester’s boss close to agreement
🚨 Leicester City give Chelsea formal permission to talk with Enzo Maresca for head coach vacancy. 44yo expected to agree contract of minimum 5 years. #LCFC will receive compensation from #CFC + appointment expected to be completed this week @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/rctT4UBjgY
Chelsea FC have received formal permission from Leicester City to engage in discussions with Enzo Maresca regarding their head coach position, Gabriel Ramirez reports for the EPL Index. This move follows Chelsea’s official approach to Leicester on Monday, identifying Maresca as a prime candidate to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge. The expectation is that a contract agreement spanning at least five years will be reached with the 44-year-old Italian coach.
Maresca’s Rapid Rise
Enzo Maresca’s swift ascent in football management is noteworthy. Having joined Leicester at the start of the 2023-24 season, he impressively led them back to the Premier League as Championship title-winners. His success at Leicester has undoubtedly caught the attention of Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, who have been actively seeking Pochettino’s replacement.
Maresca’s coaching pedigree includes a stint as an assistant to Pep Guardiola during Manchester City’s treble-winning season in 2022-23. Additionally, he has gained valuable experience working with Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham United and managing Parma in Italy’s Serie B. This varied background is likely a key factor in Chelsea’s decision to pursue him.
Chelsea’s Managerial Carousel
Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s takeover in 2022, Chelsea has seen a significant turnover in their managerial position. Thomas Tuchel was dismissed in September 2022, followed by Graham Potter in April 2023. Interim managers Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard temporarily filled the role before Pochettino’s appointment in July last year. Despite guiding Chelsea to a sixth-place Premier League finish and securing a spot in the Europa Conference League, Pochettino’s tenure ended last week after a performance review.
The process to find Pochettino’s successor has been thorough. Besides Maresca, Chelsea also considered Kieran McKenna, who led Ipswich Town to promotion behind Leicester, and Thomas Frank, known for his commendable work at Brentford. However, Maresca’s successful track record and his association with top-tier coaches like Guardiola have made him the preferred choice.
Strategic Implications
Maresca’s potential appointment signals Chelsea’s strategic intent to foster long-term stability and success. His experience under Guardiola could bring a tactical evolution to Chelsea’s playing style, aligning with the club’s ambitions. Leicester, on the other hand, stands to receive compensation for Maresca’s departure, which is anticipated to be finalised this week.
As David Ornstein reported in The Athletic, “Leicester City have granted Chelsea formal permission to speak with Enzo Maresca about becoming their next head coach.” If negotiations proceed as expected, Maresca will become the sixth manager under the current Chelsea ownership, marking a new chapter in the club’s pursuit of excellence.
Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images
It is that time of the year again — Real Madrid has started preparing for the Champions League final, and one of those preparations is the media day that both teams have to do during the week leading up to the final, Hridyam Arora reports for Managing Madrid.
Several players spoke at media day this time around. Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Dani Carvajal, and Eduardo Camavinga are just some of the players who spoke to journalists, and here are the quotes compiled from the day.
Vinicius Jr
About the Champions League
“It’s a very important week and we hope we can win again. We’re always focused on winning. I hope I can score, but the most important thing is to win. It’s a unique match and we have to start strong. We’ve only lost two games, and hopefully, we can finish the season like that. It’s a very important week, and hopefully, we can win again.
His style of play
“I’ve never been scared of losing the ball, which has taken me this far. Not every player can wear this jersey or train with these legends. The unity of this team is what makes us good.
Facing Dortmund
“German players are always difficult, and they’re very close to me, but we’ll see what the coach prepares to do our best.”
Waiting for the final
“These days it’s different. Saturday usually comes quickly, but now it’s taking long. It’s time to enjoy it as this doesn’t happen too many times. Well, if you are at Real Madrid then yes it does.”
Confidence from teammates
“My teammates always tell me that I am the best and it gives me confidence, but I never think about it. I think about what I can contribute to the team. Goals and assists. The best thing that could happen to us this season is to win the Champions League.”
Whether he’d take winning the CL and Copa, but Kroos wins the Ballon d’Or
“I sign to win the Champions League and the Copa America, and the Ballon d’Or for Toni Kroos. It’s his last season, we won’t see him play again.”
Mbappe
“I hope he decides his future soon. I always want to play with the best players in the world.”
Jude Bellingham
Facing Dortmund
“It’s very special for me to play this game, but we have to try to put the emotions to one side.”
First season at Real Madrid
“It’s been a great first season, everyone has welcomed me very well.”
Importance of being at their best
“It’s important that we’re at our best. It’s difficult for the other teams when we play at that level. Our staff are analyzing everything so we can win, I have 100% confidence in them. To play this kind of game is the reason why I’m here. I always dreamed of playing for this team and scoring goals. This team means Champions League, it’s what they always want.
“I want to make a little bit of history with this team.”
Ballon d’Or
“Viní Jr is the best in the world. He creates magic out of nothing. He has everything to be the best.
“If Vini feels I should win it, then you can split the Ballon d’Or in two pieces.”
Jadon Sancho
“I got a message from Sancho, saying ‘see you there.’”
Thibaut Courtois
Overcoming the injury
“To have been able to play four games already and to be available for the final is my victory. All my hard work helped me to play in May. When you get injured, you have to come back and prove that you’re the same as before or better, and that’s what I’ve been thinking about for the last few months.
“I’m happy to be able to make all those saves on the pitch. I’d like to thank my teammates, the club, and the fans for their support after an injury like this.”
The Champions League final
“I’m thrilled to be part of Real Madrid’s history. We have a tough game ahead of us, but I want to keep building on the greatness of this club. I hope we can win one more European Cup. Borussia are a great side, they know how to defend, they are good at set-pieces and on the counter-attack.”
Lucas Vazquez
The Champions League final
“We all just want to get to the final and win it. The important thing is for the team to win the Champions League for Real Madrid. The opposition won’t make it easy for us, but if we do everything we have during the week, we can win the Champions League. We’re going to work as hard as we can to achieve our goal of winning the Champions League and to give everything we’ve got.”
His improvement
“I’ve felt very comfortable this year, and the team has taken a big leap forward. All the players have taken a step forward. That’s why we’ve won the league, we’re in the Champions League final, and we’ve had a great season.”
Brahim
His first Champions League final
“I’m very happy to have made it to a final, my first one. I hope it’s the first of many. It’s been a wonderful season. This group makes everything so easy. We’re not friends, we’re a family and everything is much easier with my teammates. “It’s been a very even season for everyone and we’re now in another final.”
Message to the fans
“Madridistas, thank you very much for your support. We have one final left to play and we’re going for number 15. We’re going to fight for it, we’ll give everything and it’ll be easier with your support.”
Nacho
Equalling Gento
“A number of my team-mates and I are just one step away from equaling Gento and we’re eager to please Madridistas and ourselves. The decade we’ve lived through has been incredible, I’m fortunate to be the captain of this team. I want to thank you for the support you’ve shown throughout the season. We’re just one step away from lifting the most special trophy for this club and we’re going to give our all on the pitch.”
The difficulties faced this season
“The coach has made sure that the group is prepared for any situation. It’s been a difficult year; we’ve had a lot of injuries, and that speaks for the ability of this squad. We’ve won two trophies and we’re playing in another final on Saturday. We’re on the verge of continuing to make history and we’re just one step away from being able to win another Champions League, as difficult as that will be.”
Cibeles
“The celebration in Cibeles has been the most emotional moment in my life. It was the maximum. If God wants, I’ll be there again soon.”
Euros
“Very happy to be back with Spain for the Euros. I’m enjoying the moment. Another final with my club was incredible. We’re so close to lifting another Champions League trophy. We’re here to dream.”
Rodrygo
The jersey
“When you put on this jersey, you’re more and more prepared. It’s a very nice final coming up and hopefully, we’ll win it. It’s been a difficult season, they all are, but this one may be even more so because of injuries. We have this last game to achieve our goal.”
The final
“Ever since we beat Bayern, it feels like the final has taken a long time to come. It’s a final and it’s going to be tough. It’s always difficult against German teams. It’s also going to be difficult for them.”
Best moment in the UCL this season
“My goal against City at the Bernabéu. It was special.”
Luka Modric’s legacy
“Modric wants to win and always be better and that together with the DNA of the club, to always win everything. It’s easy for us, younger, because if I see Modric, 38 years old, five Champions, and Golden Ball running from the corner to the penalty area, then I will run too. The older ones gave the example and everyone understood what Real Madrid is. There’s no ego in our locker room.”
Fede Valverde
The final
“It’s going to be a tough game. Borussia Dortmund is a great team, in which everyone is working in the same direction. We’ve got great players and we have to make the most of that to get as much out of them as possible. Hopefully, we can give the fans something to cheer about on Saturday and make it a great day.”
How he’s feeling ahead of the game
“I’m proud to be experiencing the week, I’m very excited and at the top of my game. It’s been a very special season because of everything we’ve been through and the role I’ve played in the team. I‘ve played a bit further back this year, but I’m a team player and I’m very happy to contribute with hard work and commitment.”
Toni Kroos’s departure
“I am very sad. He has helped me a lot, on and off the pitch. I will always be grateful to him.”
Photo by Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Joselu
Champions League final
“It’s Champions League final week, and we’re going to enjoy it. I’m happy, the season is coming to an end in the best possible way and it has helped us to prepare for this game. I’ve soaked up this week.”
Bayern
“The Bayern game was an incredible moment, and it’s going to be great to be out on the pitch in a final. The game doesn’t start when the coach names the line-up, it starts 24 hours before when you’re in the right frame of mind. Every player has to be focused and ready to come on at any moment. You win finals, Real Madrid win finals and we have to go in with that mentality. I am happy to play even two or three minutes for Real Madrid.”
Eder Militao
Return from injury and another UCL final
“I was injured seven months ago, but I’m now ready to play in a Champions League final. I couldn’t have imagined it. I was only thinking about recovering. I didn’t think I’d experience another final. It’s like a film. Football is about winning trophies and making history. Everything happens very quickly, and you have to make the most of every moment with your teammates.”
Dani Carvajal
Sixth Champions League final
“I’m looking forward to it and I’m having a great week. We’re focused on Saturday after winning the league. I’m very happy, with no injuries, playing at a good level on the pitch and full of confidence. I never thought I could play in six Champions League finals and I’m looking forward to lifting the trophy on Saturday.”
The unity of the squad
”The squad has stepped up after the serious injuries. We’ve given the coach a helping hand. We all contribute, and we’re a winning group. We have to convey confidence and enthusiasm to the younger players, even though some of them have already played in the final in Paris. We’re all going to London, and we want to win and give our fans something to cheer about. It’ll be a big game, and Dortmund will make things difficult for us.”
A message to the fans
“Madrid fans, we’re just a few days away from a Champions League final. I want to thank you for your support throughout the season. We’ve given our all, and we’ve won a wonderful league title. We’ve reached the Champions League final by knocking out big sides, and on Saturday, we have the final test against Dortmund. I hope we can bring you the Decimoquinta.”
Photo by Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Eduardo Camavinga
Eagerness to play the final
“I just want it to be Saturday already to play this type of game. We always want more and we want to win the final. We’re playing in a legendary stadium, but I just want to win.”
Preparation
“We’re more focused because it’s a final. We’ll do everything during this week to prepare for the final. We have a strong team, and it’s easier to play with good players. I’d like to thank the fans for their support, and we want to win the Decimoquinta for you.”
Antonio Rudiger
Good energy in the dressing room
“Having good energy in the dressing room is very important for me. Playing for this club is a dream come true. I’m trying to enjoy it, and that’s why I’m trying to be at my best. Winning is what Real Madrid demands. All the best players want to come here and play in games like this.”
Playing for Dortmund in the past
“I have many friends at Dortmund, but my job is to win with Real Madrid.”
Toni Kroos
The farewell
“When I arrived in 2014, I would have never imagined to have such a farewell. It’s been so special, and it will stay with me forever. If I ever want to cry at home, I will play the video of my farewell. I tried not to cry, but when I saw my daughter cry, it was very difficult for me. I will never forget these moments. I will remember forever, my children and my wife [will], too.”
German teams
“Playing against German teams is always difficult. We played against all of them this season, Leipzig, Bayern, and now Borussia Dortmund.”
Last game for the club
“This will be my last game, but I don’t think about that now. There’s no time to think. I’m only focused on winning the Champions League. It’s been a good campaign, now it wouldn’t make sense to lose the final. I don’t think for myself. I think about this club. This is a big game and we want to win for this club, not for me.
“This will be my last effort for Real Madrid. Hala Madrid.”
Aurielien Tchouameni
The injury
“The most important for me is to help the team now. Even if I’m injured. It’s very difficult for me to play but we have other good players. I wanted to play this final but I’m sure I will play more in the next years.”
Luka Modric
Approaching the final
“The best thing is living day by day, then when the game gets closer it’s there when you start thinking about the game. Now we are very relaxed, calm, we believe in us.”
Receiving all the standing ovations
“This is the best thing that can happen in football. The love from fans is the best thing ever. This will stay with me forever, for my life.”
Six Champions League finals
“Another final… it looks easy but it’s not. What this club, this generation is doing is unbelievable, we are very happy to be here.”
Message to the fans
Hello Madridistas. Thank you for your support in key moments in the League and Champions League, we have one last push left in London and we are going to do everything to bring happiness for those who are there and those who cannot go.”
Chelsea door could open for the Nigeria midfielder should Maresca get Stamford Bridge’s nod
By Ed Emeanua
Wilfred Ndidi could end his playing chapter at Leicester City this summer and walk through another door to begin his Chelsea episode.
Enzo Maresca’s likely appointment by the courting Chelsea could see some of the Italian’s wards at Leicester City on the move with him to pastures new at Stamford Bridge.
Ndidi, whose Leicester City contract expires in July could be one of the stars joining their Leicester City boss on the ride to from East to West London.
Much of Leicester City’s success this term rested on their Italian manager’s midfield mastery with the Foxes. This was one of the reasons ‘The Foxes’ were able to capture the Championship title and return to the Premier League.
The Nigeria midfielder was integral to Maresca’s success of leading Leicester City to instant promotion to the Premier League.
The Italian manager transformed Ndidi into a more offensive minded midfielder giving him the confidence and zeal to play further ahead in the midfield.
The Nigerian thrived in the role scoring four goals in 32 games with five assists to drive his team back to the Premier League.
It will be expected that the Super Eagles star will be willing to head to Chelsea with the Italian to rekindle the flame that gave both player and manager instant success at Leicester in their next port of call.
It would be hard to imagine that the Leicester City boss would want to leave behind such a potent mainstay that defined his premier league promotion success at first push in East Midlands.
It should not be lost among football’s faithful that this beautiful game is usually played on a dense field of endless opportunities and possibilities.
Ndidi, who arrived at the King Power Stadium in 2017 is ripe, even overdue for a move from the King power Stadium at this stage of his career.
The player who was once hard sort for by Manchester United, could now be on his way to Chelsea.
Federation, Players, discredit online report of unpaid bonuses and allowances
By Rasheed Adewuyi
The Nigeria Football Federation and players of the Super Eagles have lambasted a report in an online publication, which claimed that players of the team have not been paid from monies given by the Presidency to the NFF to offset their bonuses and allowances.
The Federation and players have labeled the report fake news.
Late last year, the Presidency adopted a process supported and implemented by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, by releasing monies to the NFF to pay outstanding bonuses and allowances of players and officials of the various National Teams.
However, the said online publication on Monday put together what a senior administrative official of the Super Eagles described as “tissues of lies.” It challenged the writer to come forward with evidence of his claims.
“The report is false, in every ramification, and we challenge the website owner and writer to come forward with proof of the claims. We want him to name the players who spoke to him because these are all tissues of lies.
“Players and officials of the Super Eagles have been paid for all matches played at the AFCON, yet he claimed the team was paid for only three matches. His outlandish claim of the team being owed for 25 matches is the biggest lie ever concocted by any writer.”
The writer also falsely claimed that only members of the NFF Board and staff of the Secretariat have been paid their outstanding allowances from the government money.
“This story is a shame. No player of the Super Eagles spoke to the writer. It is all pure fabrication,” a senior player told thenff.com.
Another senior official of the Super Eagles added: “The story is absolute nonsense. The press should verify whatever they hear from anywhere before publishing it as news. It is clear that this writer did not even hear anything; he brought forth this fake news from his imagination.”
AEW presented AEW DOUBLE OR NOTHING 2024 live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV!
The Buy-In portion of the show kicked off!
Your announce team for Buy-In was Excalibur, “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard, and Tony Schiavone.
Grudge Match!
“La Mera Mera” Thunder Rosa vs. “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo!
https://youtu.be/zJmWyBo2FD8
Deonna stomped Thunder Rosa in the corner. Thunder Rosa fired back with a diving back elbow. Thunder Rosa connected with a dropkick. Thunder Rosa followed up with a sliding dropkick through the ropes. Deonna dropped Thunder Rosa with a pump kick on the floor. Deonna rammed Thunder Rosa into the edge of the ring.
Back in the ring, Thunder Rosa nailed Deonna with a neckbreaker. Thunder Rosa charged at Deonna with a dropkick for a near fall. Deonna locked up Thunder Rosa in the Tree of Woe and bulldozed Thunder Rosa with a running shoulder tackle in the corner. Thunder Rosa fired back with a forearm. Thunder Rosa was thinking about a Tijuana Bomb, but Deonna countered with a Fujiwara Arm Bar. Thunder Rosa escaped and hit a backstabber on Deonna. Thunder Rosa attempted to apply a cobra clutch, but Deonna shoved off the ropes, cradled Thunder Rosa, and pinned Thunder Rosa while holding the ropes for leverage.
“She stole one right there,” said Tony Schiavone.
Renee Paquette introduced Dr. Martha Hart and AEW President, CEO, and founder Tony Khan for a very special announcement!
This is the 25th anniversary of the Owen Hart Foundation, and Dr. Martha Hart said because of that they had something special planned for this year’s Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament. This year the winners of the Men’s and Women’s Owen Cups will get World Title shots! The finals of the tournament will be in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on July 10th at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The winners will get World Title shots at AEW: ALL IN LONDON at Wembley Stadium!
Trios Match!
The Acclaimed—Anthony Bowens, Max Caster, & Daddy Ass
vs.
The Cage of Agony— “The Machine” Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony—Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona!
Daddy Ass wanted Brian Cage in the ring. Cage obliged. Cage and Daddy Ass had a pose down. Cage shoulder-tackled Daddy Ass and posed again. Cage rocked Billy Gunn with a dropkick to the jaw. Cage clotheslined Billy over the top rope and to the floor. Bowens had his leg wedged between the steps by Toa. Toa then whipped Billy into the steps, crushing Bowens’ leg between the steps and the edge of the ring.
Caster was triple-teamed in the ring by the Cage of Agony. Kaun dropped Caster spine-first on the top turnbuckle. Toa followed up with a senton. Cage suplexed Caster from out of the ring and down into the ring for a near fall!
Cage chopped Caster in the chest. Bishop Kaun tagged in and tried to superplex Caster. Caster knocked Kaun down and connected with a cross-body press for a near fall. Billy Gunn tagged in and cleaned house on the Cage of Agony! Billy Gunn planted Kaun for a two-count. Billy was looking for the Fame Asser, but Toa jumped in to save Bishop Kaun. Bishop blasted Caster with a lung blower and then Toa followed up with a discus lariat. The Cage of Agony triple power bombed Billy, but Bowens jumped in from out of nowhere and broke up the pin attempt!
Brian Cage grabbed a steel chair, but Chance the Las Vegas Golden Knights mascot stole the chair. Caster clobbered Cage with a Fame Asser on the arena floor. Toa Liona swarmed on top of Caster. Inside the ring, Billy cradled Bishop and scored the pin!
The main card for AEW DOUBLE OR NOTHING 2024 kicked off next with…
AEW International Championship Match!
Undisputed Kingdom’s Roderick Strong (c.) (with ROH World Tag Champs The Kingdom—Matt Taven & Mike Bennett)
vs.
“The Aerial Assassin” Will Ospreay!
Taz joined the broadcast team for the main card.
Don Callis was on commentary for this match.
Ospreay was looking for the Hidden Blade right off the bat but Strong saw it coming. Ospreay went over the top rope and booted Bennett and Taven, knocking them over the barricades. Roderick whipped Ospreay into the barricade, but Ospreay jumped over the barricade and wiped out Taven and Bennett with a forward flip. Will catapulted Roderick into the steel ring post!
The crowd chanted “Bruv! Bruv! Bruv!”
While the ref was distracted by Roderick, Bennett put Will on his shoulders and Taven jumped over the top with a doomsday device! Back in the ring, Roddy was looking for a cross face on Ospreay. Strong and Ospreay exchanged chops to the chest, holding nothing back. Roddy smashed Will with a backbreaker.
Will blistered the chest of Roderick with chops. Ospreay nailed Roddy with a corkscrew kick. Bennett and Taven jumped on the ring apron, but the ref saw them. As the ref was arguing with Bennett and Taven, Wardlow jumped in the ring from the other side. Wardlow was about to powerbomb Ospreay, but the referee saw it before it happened and stopped it. The ref ejected Wardlow from the ring.
Roddy tried for a running knee, but Will dodged it. Ospreay kicked Roddy, knocking him out of the ring. Ospreay connected with a Sky Twister Press onto Roddy, Taven, and Bennett on the floor. The ref ejected the Undisputed Kingdom from ringside.
Ospreay got a two-count on Roderick after a fisherman’s suplex. Ospreay climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Roddy shoved him, forcing Will to lose his balance. Will knocked Roddy to the mat. Will flipped off the top turnbuckle, Roddy moved, but Will landed awkwardly, tweaking his knee. Strong grabbed a single-leg crab and transitioned into a Texas Cloverleaf. Will managed to grab the bottom rope to force the break.
Strong superplexed Will. Strong followed up with a wicked backbreaker for a near fall. Roddy charged at Will, looking for a high boot, but Will intercepted him midair and power-bombed Roddy. Ospreay nailed Strong with the Os Cutter for a near fall. The ref stopped to check on Strong. Callis yelled at Ospreay and told him to use the Tiger Driver on Strong. Ospreay shoved the ref out of the way and went for the Tiger Driver, but he decided against it. Roderick countered with a gut buster and a running kick for a two-count!
Ospreay countered the End of Heartache with a rana for a near fall. Ospreay wiped out Strong with the Hidden Blade and then the Storm Breaker to pin Strong!
And New AEW International Champion “The Aerial Assassin” Will Ospreay!
After Ospreay went to the back, the head of the Undisputed Kingdom Adam Cole came down to the ring!
Adam Cole: “Who is ready for story time with Adam Cole BayBay? Las Vegas, you all suck. Do you want to know why? I shouldn’t even be out here right now. I should be checking on Roderick Strong in the back. Truth be told I shouldn’t even be in this city. I should be home rehabbing this ankle. None of you have any idea what the hell I’ve been through these past two years, and I still get disrespected.
“We do have a little devil inside all of us. And I want to make one promise very clear. When I am 100%, you will give the devil his due and his name is…”
MJF’s music hit! MJF stormed down to the ring! MJF looked down at the Devil mask that Adam Cole had dropped on the mat
Adam Cole wanted a hug from MJF. MJF agreed to a hug and then kicked Cole with a low blow. MJF spiked Cole with a brainbuster!
“Well, MJF is back!” said Taz.
“And he looks great!” added Schiavone.
MJF: “Adam Cole, you SOB, did I hurt the baybay? Tough! Someone get him out of this ring. Cole, I gave you something I’ve never given anybody else before trust. And thanks to you, that’s never happening again.
“He didn’t take out MJF. All he did was wake him up. Now I remember exactly who the hell I am. I’m the greatest wrestler on God’s green Earth. My name is MJF and I’m better than you and you know it. But why is that? Unlike Adam Cole and all those schmucks in the back, I don’t need a New Japan or a Vince McMahon to make MJF because MJF made MJF!
“So back to the Salt of the Earth. No more ha-ha, no more friendships, no more kangaroo kicks, no more bullshit! Back to being driven by what I’m being driven by best. I’m talking hate, hate, hate! And when your boy is driven by hate, nobody is safe.”
MJF picked up the Devil mask.
MJF: “And you see this stupid mask? Masks are adorned by cowards who want to hide. I’m done hiding and apologizing. I’m the best and no one is more complete than me. I don’t need a mask to prove that no one is on the level of the devil. So, this stupid, goofy mask that symbolizes the tail end of 2023, this dumb mask, and everything it symbolizes can go straight to hell!
“I’ve been betting on myself since day one. I’m all in, double or nothing. So, regarding my contract status, if it wasn’t already painfully obvious, to quote one of the all-time greats, may he rest in peace, cameraman, zoom in.”
MJF revealed a tattoo on the back of his leg that said “Bet On Yourself” with an AEW poker chip!
MJF: “When it comes to MJF in AEW, you can call me the Wolf of Wrestling because I’m not leaving!”
Unified World Trios Championship Match!
Bang Bang Gang (c.)— “Switchblade” Jay White & The Gunns—Austin & Colten
vs.
The Death Triangle— “The Bastard” PAC & The Lucha Bros.—Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix!
Death Triangle cleaned the house of the Bang Bang Gang early on! Jay White planted Pac with a vicious DDT, stopping the momentum of the Death Triangle in its tracks. Jay White catapulted Pac’s throat first into the bottom rope. Pac managed to tag Penta and Penta crumpled the Gunns with leg kicks. Fenix ran across the top rope with a kick to Austin. Penta followed up with a lung blower to Austin.
Pac snapped Colten back with a German Suplex. Pac followed up with a German to Austin. The Lucha Bros smashed Jay White with the stuffed Fear Factor! Pac climbed to the top rope, but Juice Robinson came out of nowhere and knocked Pac off the top turnbuckle! Jay White stunned Pac with the Blade Runner and scored the pin!
“A massive assist from the returning Juice Robinson,” said Taz.
AEW Women’s World Championship Match!
“Timeless” Toni Storm (c.) (with Luther & Mariah Mah) vs. “The Professor” Serena Deeb!
Nigel McGuinness joined the broadcast booth for this match.
Deeb put Toni in the Paradise Lock and then drop-kicked her. Storm slugged Deeb with a forearm and then sent Deeb crashing to the floor with a running hip attack. Deeb dropped Storm with a dragon screw leg whip through the ropes and then a neck breaker on the arena floor.
Deeb applied the flying octopus hold to Storm. Storm broke the hold by biting the rope. Storm cracked Deeb with a headbutt to the face. Storm followed up with a backstabber and a DDT. Storm connected with a fisherman’s suplex for a near fall on “The Professor.”
Storm put Deeb in the Texas Cloverleaf. Deeb crawled and reached the ropes to force the ref to break the hold. Deeb walloped Storm with lefts and rights, staggering the champ. Deeb took the champ down with a running lariat. Deeb dropped Storm with a neckbreaker on the middle rope. Deeb hit another neckbreaker. Deeb targeted the neck again with a German Suplex and then a lariat for a near fall.
Deeb and Storm traded open-handed strikes. Deeb rolled up Storm for a near fall. Storm fired back with a Sky High for a two-count on Deeb. Serena Deeb moved out of the corner and applied a single-leg Boston Crab. Storm kicked her way out, but Deeb drilled Storm with a knee. Mariah May was trying to throw in the towel, but Luther prevented her. Storm reached the ropes, and the ref broke the hold. Storm saw Luther holding the towel, called him a bastard, and threw the towel over the barricade. Storm smashed Deeb with the Storm Zero but Deeb kicked out!
Serena Deeb tore apart Toni Storm’s left knee with three dragon screws through the ropes. Serena nailed Toni with the Deeb Tox on the apron. Serena followed up with a second Deeb Tox in the ring for a near fall.
Deeb climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Storm met her up there and Storm spiked Deeb with an avalanche piledriver! Storm followed up with the Storm Zero and pinned Deeb!
Grudge Match!
“Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy vs. Trent Beretta!
Don Callis joined the broadcast team for this match.
Orange Cassidy came out to his previous entrance music by the Pixies. Trent and Orange exchanged forearms at the start of the match. Trent hit Orange with a shot to the windpipe. Cassidy wiped out Trent with a big cross-body press and then a DDT! Orange pulped Trent with an elbow suicida.
Orange charged at Trent, but Trent sidestepped him and stunned Trent with German Suplexes. Cassidy dropkicked Trent and then stomped Trent in the corner. Orange jumped off the turnbuckles, but Trent countered with a Gotch-style piledriver on the apron! Orange rallied back with a Beach Break on the arena floor!
The momentum changed as Trent crushed Cassidy with a Storm Zero in the ring for a near fall. Orange hit another Beach Break out of nowhere on Trent for a two-count. Trent countered the Orange Punch with a triangle choke, but Orange vaulted off the bottom rope, rolled through, and pinned Trent!
“That’s greatness right there! That’s an icon,” said Don Callis.
“It was a straight-up wrestling hold that beat Beretta,” added Excalibur.
Rocky Romero and Renee Paquette approached Trent after the match.
Trent: “I’m not doing this. I’m done.”
Trent shoved Rocky out of the way and left the arena.
Three-Way FTW Championship Match (FTW Rules)!
“The Learning Tree” Chris Jericho (c.)
vs.
HOOK
vs.
Katsuyori Shibata!
Shibata chopped at Jericho, looking to make him pay. Hook suplexed Jericho and then t-boned Shibata with a suplex. Hook pulled a table out from beneath the ring. Shibata booted Hook and Jericho off the apron. Jericho suplexed Hook on the arena floor. Jericho pulled a bag out from beneath the ring. Jericho opened the bag and poured dice out of the bag and onto the mat. Hook suplexed Jericho onto the dice. Then Shibata suplexed Jericho onto the dice. Hook and Shibata picked up handfuls of dice and threw them at Jericho. Shibata dropped Hook with a suplex onto the dice.
Shibata and Hook grabbed kendo sticks. Jericho had a kendo stick too. Hook and Shibata battered Jericho with the kendo sticks. Shibata set up a table in the ring. Jericho knocked Shibata down, but Hook hurled Jericho onto the dice with a Northern Lights Suplex. Shibata drilled Hook with a Death Valley Driver off the ropes onto Jericho who was on the table!
Shibata whipped Jericho through the table and followed up with a dropkick for a near fall. Jericho rocked Hook with a Code Breaker. Hook dodged the Judas Effect. Hook applied the Red Rum. Big Bill ran down and jumped into the ring, dropping a big elbow on Hook. Hook t-boned Big Bill off the apron and through a table on the arena floor!
Jericho trapped Shibata in the Walls of Jericho. Shibata escaped and countered with a figure four! Hook applied the Red Rum. Someone dressed all in black, wearing a black mask, jumped into the ring with a trash can! The masked man kicked Hook and then placed Shibata in the trash can and squashed him with a standing senton. The masked man revealed himself to be “The Bounty Hunter” Bryan Keith!
Hook cracked Keith with the kendo stick! Jericho blasted Hook with the Judas Effect! Jericho covered Shibata and pinned him, retaining the FTW Championship!
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Eliminator Match!
Blackpool Combat Club’s Jon Moxley (c.)
vs.
The Don Callis Family’s “The Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita (with Don Callis)!
Moxley and Takeshita brawled around the ring. Takeshita pinned Moxley’s taped-up arm between a chair and the barricade and kicked it. Takeshita whipped Moxley into the steel ring steps.
Takeshita dropped Moxley with a stiff forearm shot. Takeshita drove Moxley’s shoulder into the mat. Takeshita walloped Moxley with a brain buster. Moxley got to his feet and headbutted Takeshita. Moxley caught Takeshita with a cutter out of nowhere!
Takeshita power bombed Moxley and wrenched back on Moxley’s arm. Moxley rallied back with a tope suicida to Takeshita. Moxley clocked Takeshita with a lariat. Takeshita fired back with a wheelbarrow German Suplex. Moxley countered a Power Drive Knee and spiked Takeshita with a Paradigm Shift!
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Takeshita flattened Moxley with the Power Drive Knee for a near fall. Moxley was trying for the Death Rider, but Takeshita escaped and rammed Moxley shoulder-first into the ring post. Takeshita wiped out Moxley with a Death Rider for a near fall!
Takeshita threw some chairs into the ring. As Takeshita got back into the ring, Moxley curb-stomped Takeshita onto the chair. Moxley hit the Death Rider and pinned Takeshita!
“I’ve seen it all now,” said Tony Schiavone.
TNT Championship Barbed Wire Cage Match!
“The Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland (c.)
vs.
House of Black’s Malakai Black!
Copeland and Black jousted with steel chairs. Copeland booted Black in the face. Copeland pulled some of the barbed wire off the cage. Black recovered but Copeland dug the barbed wire strand into Black’s forehead.
Copeland rammed Black into the cage wall and then power-bombed Black for a near fall. Copeland stuck Black with the Impaler. Black swept out Copeland’s feet, forcing Copeland’s head to bash into a barbed wire-wrapped turnbuckle.
Malakai pulled a barbed wire-wrapped baseball bat down from the cage and ground it into Copeland’s forehead! Copeland got the bat away from Black and swung it into Black’s abdomen. Copeland climbed the cage, but Black kicked out Cope’s legs. Copeland crotched himself on the top rope. Black power bombed Copeland off the ropes and through the table!
Copeland speared Black for a near fall! Copeland wrapped barbed wire around Black, trapping him onto a table. Copeland climbed the cage, all the way to the top! Copeland dropped an elbow from the top of the cage, down onto Black below!
Copeland went for a spear but Black countered with the End kick for a near fall! Malakai grabbed a spool of barbed wire and stabbed through the canvas with it, Copeland moving just in the nick of time. Black kicked Copeland through the cage door! The kick was powerful enough to break the chain on the lock. Black left the ring to retrieve Copeland, but Copeland speared Black!
Brody King and Buddy Matthews came out and walked to the ring. It appeared Brody and Buddy were going to side with Copeland, betraying Black, but it was a ruse! Brody and Buddy attacked Copeland! The House of Black pulled Copeland into the ring and triple-teamed him. Malakai Black put Copeland’s wedding ring around his neck. They wrapped Copeland in barbed wire.
The arena lights began to flash red! Black asked, “What is going on?”
Gangrel crawled through the ring and blew bloody mist into Brody’s eyes! Then he spit the mist into Buddy’s eyes! Gangrel spiked Buddy and Brody with Impalers! Malakai Black connected with a kick to Gangrel! Copeland speared Black! Copeland wrapped barbed wire around Black’s head, locked in a cross face, and the ref stopped the match as Black was unconscious!
“Wow. Holy hell. Look at the carnage,” said Schiavone.
Gangrel and Copeland hugged after the match and celebrated together.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Don Callis, who gave her a scoop!
Callis: “Based on what I say tonight, I will be at Dynamite this Wednesday presenting a contract for the Don Callis Family!”
There were dueling chants at the start of the match. Mercedes took down Willow with an arm drag and rolled Willow up with a crucifix for a near fall. Willow paint brushed Mercedes. Willow charged at Mercedes, but Mercedes pulled the ropes down and Willow’s momentum carried her through them and to the floor. Willow intercepted a sliding dropkick and power-bombed Mercedes onto the apron!
Willow dropped Mercedes with a delayed vertical suplex for a two-count. Willow walloped Mercedes with a German Suplex. Mercedes countered a gut-wrench suplex attempt and targeted Willow’s ankle with a chop block. Mercedes splashed Willow with a leaping double knee stomp for a near fall.
Mercedes had Willow in an ankle lock. Willow escaped with more paintbrush strikes. Mercedes wiped out Willow with a vicious dragon screw leg whip. Mercedes blasted Willow with a backstabber. Willow grabbed an ankle lock, but Mercedes escaped. Mercedes ran off the ropes, but Willow pounced on her!
“What a shot, man. Haymaker Jones,” said Taz.
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Willow stunned Mercedes with a spinebuster! Mercedes countered a powerbomb, but Willow hit a fisherman’s suplex for a two-count. Willow tried for a superplex, but Mercedes slipped out and power bombed Mercedes. Willow chopped at Mercedes’ ankle and then dropped her on the apron with a kneebreaker!
Willow swung Mercedes around the ring in an inverted cloverleaf. Willow followed up with a Death Valley Driver in the corner. Willow went for a cannonball, but Mercedes moved out of the way! Mercedes smashed Willow with a Meteora for a near fall! Mercedes followed up with another Meteora, this time from the apron and smashing Willow onto the floor. While Stokely and Statlander were arguing with the referee on the apron, Willow Doctor bombed Mercedes and went for the cover. The ref finally turned around and began the count, but Mercedes had enough time to recover and kick out.
“The retain was there but Stokely and Statlander realized they screwed up,” said Taz.
“Willow had the win. She can’t allow this to affect her,” replied Excalibur.
Willow went for another doctor bomb, but this time Mercedes escaped and locked in the cross face on Willow. Mercedes transitioned to the STF. Willow reached the ropes and forced the ref to break the hold. Mercedes planted Willow with the Moné Maker and pinned Willow!
“She earned this one!” said Tony Schiavone.
And the new TBS Champion… “The CEO” Mercedes Moné!
After the match, Stokely Hathaway yelled at Willow, pointing his finger and blaming her for the loss.
“This is classless by Stokely,” said Excalibur.
Statlander shoved Stokely to the mat.
“Thankfully Willow Nightingale has a friend in Kris Statlander,” said Excalibur.
Kris Statlander helped Willow to her feet and began to assist Willow in walking to the back. Statlander grabbed Willow and shoved her down onto the ramp! Stokely was laughing in the ring!
“What did we just see?” asked a shocked Tony Schiavone
Kris Statlander ripped off her friendship bracelet and chucked it into Willow’s face.
“Statlander what are you doing?” wondered Taz.
Statlander wiped out Willow with a discus lariat. Stokely and Statlander walked out together as Willow writhed in pain on the ramp.
AEW World Championship Match!
Swerve Strickland (c.) (with Prince Nana)
vs. Christian Cage (with The Patriarchy’s Mother Wayne, Kill Switch, and Nick Wayne)!
Christian countered a suplex with a reverse DDT. Swerve moved out of the way of a diving headbutt. Swerve jumped off the top turnbuckle to the outside, but Christian dodged him. Swerve collided headfirst with the barricade.
Christian planted Swerve with a DDT. Christian hit a frog splash for a near fall. Nick Wayne hit Swerve with a cheap shot behind the ref’s back. Swerve reversed an Irish Whip from Christian, sending the challenger into the turnbuckles. Christian went for the spear, but Swerve countered it and power slammed Christian for a near fall.
Swerve smashed Christian with a flying European Uppercut to the back of the neck. Swerve pulled Christian’s turtleneck over Christian’s head and nailed Christian with three consecutive neck breakers. Swerve back flipped over the top rope and crash-landed on Christian. Swerve followed up with a flying cross-body splash, but Christian kicked out at the two-count.
Christian avoided the House Call kick. Christian locked on the Sharpshooter. Swerve escaped but both wrestlers collided. Mother Wayne grabbed the AEW World Championship, but Prince Nana yanked it away. Nick Wayne got the referee’s attention and pointed to Prince Nana, who was holding the belt. The referee ejected Prince Nana from ringside!
Killswitch and Nick Wayne double-teamed Swerve outside the ring as Christian Cage distracted the ref. Christian whispered into Mother Wayne’s ear, telling her to get the ref’s attention. Killswitch jumped on the apron and went to headbutt Swerve, but Swerve ducked and Killswitch inadvertently headbutted Christian! Swerve swept out Killswitch’s legs and double stomped Killswitch. Nick Wayne charged at Swerve but Swerve backdropped Nick! Christian avoided the Swerve Stomp and countered with the spear! Christian went for the cover, but Swerve kicked out at the two-count!
Killswitch, Mother Wayne, and Nick Wayne jumped on the apron, surrounding the ring. Ref Paul Turner saw them and ejected them! Swerve rocked Christian with a flatliner. Swerve moved the steel ring steps. Christian Cage gouged the eyes of Swerve and was going to powerbomb him onto the steel ring steps but Swerve escaped and double-stomped Christian! Swerve charged at Christian, but Christian moved out of the way! Swerve’s momentum carried him through the ropes and sent him crashing onto the steel ring steps.
Christian Cage tried to remove the turnbuckle pad, but ref Paul Turner admonished him and tried to get him to stop. As the ref was dealing with Christian, Nick Wayne ran to the ring and hit a cutter on Swerve. Christian planted Swerve with a Killswitch in the ring but Swerve kicked out at the two-count!
Prince Nana ran to the ring with a steel pipe and chased Nick Wayne through the crowd! Christian Cage put Swerve on the Spanish announcement desk. Christian attempted the Killswitch on the desk, but Swerve countered with a double stomp!
Christian avoided a House Call kick in the ring. Christian grabbed Swerve with a whiplash. Christian went for the spear, but Swerve countered with the House Call kick in midair! Swerve smashed Christian with the Swerve Stomp off the top turnbuckle! Swerve hit another House Call kick to Christian and pinned Christian!
And still your AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland!
Anarchy In The Arena Match!
The Elite—AEW World Tag Champions Matthew & Nicholas Jackson, AEW Continental Champion “The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada,
Team AEW jumped the Elite as the Elite were making their entrance. Matt Jackson told the production truck to cut off Darby’s music and play their entrance song instead. Bryan Danielson grabbed a microphone and ordered the production truck to play the “Final Countdown”!
Danielson and Okada paired off and brawled around the ring. Darby and Jack Perry slugged it out through the back and then outside the arena. Matt smashed Cash with a trash can. The Bucks hit the Shatter Machine on Dax, who was busted wide open by the Elite.
Danielson went for a tope, but Okada countered with a steel chair to Danielson’s head. Darby was in a pile of trash outside. Jack Perry jumped in a bus and rammed it into the pile! Jack knocked himself unconscious upon impact as his head hit the steering wheel.
FTR spiked Nicholas on the apron with a piledriver. Dax superperplexed Matthew and then Cash splashed Matthew for the Power and Glory. Okada dropped an elbow from the top rope onto Dax! Okada flipped off the crowd, but Cash grabbed Okada’s hand and bit Okada’s finger. Okada dropkicked Cash and then nailed Cash with a tombstone piledriver.
Darby staggered from the pile and down to the ring. Okada stomped on Darby’s broken ankle. Darby stunned Okada with the Code Red for a near fall. The Bucks grabbed Darby and power bombed Darby onto steel chairs. Danielson charged at Okada with a running knee strike.
The Bucks pulled Darby up the ramp and to their elevator. The Bucks ordered the production truck to lower the elevator while Darby was on it, neutralizing Darby. Matthew rammed Danielson into the giant poker chip. The Bucks decimated Danielson with a TK Driver onto the giant poker chip!
Dax hit Matthew with a DDT onto the poker chip. Cash rammed Nicholas into the LED board! Cash set up a table on the ramp. Okada grabbed Cash and DDT’ed Cash onto the ramp. Okada put Cash onto the table. Nicholas climbed to the top of the entrance tunnel. Nicholas splashed Cash with a senton atomico off the entrance tunnel and through the table!
Jack Perry got back into the fray. Perry saw Tony Khan sitting backstage behind the production monitors. Darby Allin walked onto the stage with a flame thrower. Perry had Tony Khan. Darby saw Jack Perry and torched Jack Perry with the flamethrower. The Bucks grabbed fire extinguishers and sprayed Perry with them, putting the fire out.
Matthew and Nicholas Jackson had Darby isolated in the ring. They removed the protective mask that Darby was wearing for his recently broken nose. Darby fought off the Bucks. Okada went for the Rainmaker, but Darby hit Okada with a low blow. Darby nailed Okada with a Coffin Drop but the Bucks broke up the pin attempt. The Bucks gestured up toward the roof of the arena. A cable came down from the top of the arena. The Bucks hogtied Darby’s ankles with the cable. FTR rocked Nicholas with a Shatter Machine, but Okada jumped in to break up the pin.
Dax went to piledrive Okada, but Matthew smashed an exploding chair onto Dax’s head! Nicholas super-kicked Cash Wheeler. Okada applied a thumbtack-laden sleeve. Okada clocked Cash with the Rainmaker clothesline. Okada pulled out a pair of the Bucks’ Reebok Pumps, which had soles covered in thumbtacks. The Bucks put the shoes on. Matthew yelled, “Put him up, put him up!”
The cable that had Darby began to rise, pulling Darby up and off the apron. Darby was strung upside down by his ankles. The Bucks pumped up their Reeboks and super-kicked Darby in the nose. Danielson fought off the Elite. Danielson pulled the Reebok off Matthew’s foot and rammed the EVPs with it! Danielson stomped the Bucks! Danielson charged at Nicholas with a knee strike against a steel chair. Okada broke up the pin attempt and smashed Danielson with the Rainmaker. The Bucks blasted Danielson with an EVP Trigger! Jack Perry jumped in the ring and drilled Danielson with a running knee strike, scoring the pin!
Enugu Rangers International FC: The Flying Antelopes
Godwin Obaje made a telling contribution when he scored twice to help Rangers defeat Bayelsa United 3-0 on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu in their quest for a ninth Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title.
Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men played from the front and practically pinned their opponents in their half for larger spells of the match.
Despite dominating play, the Enugu side met stiff resistance from the backline of Bayelsa United with goalkeeper Godgift Elkanah making some brilliant saves to deny the home side some goalscoring opportunities.
With the first half looking to end without a goal, Obaje tapped in the opener on 41 minutes off a Chiedozie Okorie assist after receiving a defense-splitting pass from Isaac Saviour before outrunning two defenders to provide an inch-perfect cross for the former league top scorer to score his 10th goal of the season.
In the second stanza, two quick goals on 66 and 68 minutes of play through Obaje and Okorie ensured that it was a complete demolition job and any hope of a fight-back from the visitors was extinguished.
Saviour was again the architect of the second goal as his cross-field pass found Obaje near the opponent’s goal area. He did well to power his way through some tackles to bury beyond Elkanah for his 11th of the season while substitute, Chidiebere Nwobodo provided the assist that Okorie finished to the delight of the home fans and supporters including top Nigerian singer, Chinedu Okoli popularly known by his stage name, Flavor N’abania.
With the victory, Rangers keep the top spot and now hold a four-point lead over second-placed Enyimba who have 56 points.
Rangers’ next opponents will be Sporting Lagos at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos on June 2.
