Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (12/4/18)

Tonight, The Queen, The Empress and The Man converge on a contract signing, for the SmackDown Women’s Championship TLC TRIPLE THREAT MATCH!!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Asuka & Charlotte VS Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville; Rose & Deville win.
- Triple Threat: Xavier Woods w/ The New Day VS Jey Uso w/ Jimmy Uso VS Cesaro w/ Sheamus; Jey Uso wins.
- Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton; Orton wins.
- AJ Styles VS The Miz; Styles wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The SmackDown Women’s Division has never been more competitive!
Last week, Paige announced a TLC Match for the title between Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair, but the rest of the roster wanted their own shot. All nine women battled it out in a battle royal, and in the end, it would be ASUKA who stood tall! The Empress of Tomorrow gets another shot at the title, will she be ready The Man and The Queen be ready for her?
Paige is in the ring!
“SmackDown isn’t just the land of opportunity, it is the brand that makes history.” She is proud to be the GM in charge of the first-ever Women’s TLC Match in the WWE. And not just any TLC match but a triple threat. So with that said, she introduces the woman who earned her shot, Asuka! The Empress makes her way out to the ring, then Paige introduces The Queen, Charlotte! These two are familiar foes from their Wrestlemania SmackDown Women’s Championship match where Charlotte retained the title while ending Asuka’s Streak. And last but certainly not least, the champ herself, Becky Lynch! The Relent-Lass Lass Kicker, The Man comes out, her title already hanging from the hook. Fans are fired up for Becky as she joins the others in the ring.
Becky knows they’re making history, but she always makes history when she’s in the ring. And she plans on making some history at TLC. Going through a table, being hit with a ladder or a chair, none of that compares to her journey here. So it doesn’t matter if it was earned or handed to you, Becky will do anything it takes to win, unlike these two “dopes.” Charlotte says Becky needs to change the song, because she’s a broken record. Charlotte says she picked up the ball Becky dropped, and destroyed Ronda with a kendo stick. And all it took from Nia was one punch to bust Becky open. Becky speaks up but Charlotte tells her to shut it. Imagine what she’ll do with tables, ladders and chairs.
Asuka speaks up now, and says Becky already beat Charlotte. But, Becky’s never beat Asuka. Becky chose wrong for Survivor Series. Asuka would have beaten Ronda in the match. And now, Asuka will beat both of them at TLC! Charlotte is confused. Asuka could’ve beaten Ronda? Because Charlotte didn’t, and she broke Asuka’s streak! That was luck. The three competitors bicker but Paige calms them down. Becky says Asuka and Charlotte couldn’t beat Ronda and they won’t beat her. The Man signs the contract and takes her leave. Charlotte is fine with that, Becky’s a lot of talk anyway. Charlotte will beat Becky and Asuka, again. “WOO~!” Asuka resorts to Japanese for this one. Charlotte says the mystique is gone, and now she finishes Asuka at TLC.
Paige keeps the peace again, and gets Charlotte to sign her part of the contract. Asuka signs her part, and then wants to see if she can break Charlotte tonight! But wait, here come Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. “Really, Paige? This is how you want to make history? With these two women?” Two undeserving women, instead of two women Paige herself groomed for the main roster. Charlotte lost at Survivor Series, regardless of what she did to Ronda. And Asuka only won the battle royal by a fluke. Sonya was dominant but made one tiny mistake. But Sonya promises that won’t happen again. These two are driven to action. If you want to see fire and desire, you’re looking at it. Now, Charlotte and Asuka already signed the contract, but what happens if they don’t make it?
Paige doesn’t want idle threats from them. Have a tag team match instead, against Asuka and Charlotte, tonight! This match up happens after the break.
Shane McMahon meets with The Miz, again.
And The Miz is confused why he’s hosting Miz TV with Daniel Bryan as a guest. Because Miz TV is his show, it has his name in it. Miz would laugh on any other night, but he was hoping Shane would be up for doing the job they were both born to do: #BestTagTeamintheWorld! Shane reminds Miz they’re not a team. But use that sharp mind to get answers from this “New” Daniel Bryan. Fine. But Shane owes him. Shane doesn’t owe Miz anything. Not in front of the trophy, Shane! Miz heads off to prepare, but what favor will he insist Shane honor?
Asuka & Charlotte VS Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville!
Everyone knows The Empress and the Queen have history, but it’s not like the duo formerly known as Absolution are perfectly united. The Golden Gift screwed the Gladiator Gal over at WWE Evolution, and questioned Sonya being chosen for Survivor Series over her. However, they seem united in trying to get opportunities wherever and however they can. Can Mandy & Sonya surprise everyone against two of the best women in the WWE today? Or are they still not ready to #DoItWithFlair?
SmackDown returns as the teams sort out, and we start with Asuka and Sonya as an honorary rematch from last week’s battle royal finish. The two circle and dodge each other. They tie up and Asuka gets an arm and the waistlock. Sonay gets the standing switch but Asuka reverses to a wristlock. Asuka wrenches but Sonya reverses to her own wristlock. Asuka spins through to reverse back then whips. Sonya reverses and things speed up. They collide shoulders but neither woman falls. Asuka gets the arm and the takedown but Sonya reverses to her own takedown Sonya gets a headlock but Asuka headscissors. Sonya pops up but Asuka ducks a kick. Asuka kicks but Sonya ducks it, only to end up in Asuka’s Fujiwara armbar. Asuka grinds her knee on the shoulder then stomps away.
Sonya gets up and knees out of the hold, then drags Asuka over to tag Mandy. Absolution whip and kick Asuka, then drive in knees and throw Asuka down by her hair. Mandy covers, TWO! Mandy soaks up the heat as fans boo and jeer. She toys with Asuka and mocks her pain. She stands Asuka up but Asuka fires off palm strikes! Asuka goes for the pop-up knee but Mandy forearms out. Mandy whips Asuka but Asuka goes up to missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Asuka taunts Sonya and tags in Charlotte. Fans “WOO~” for Charlotte’s snapmare and kick to Mandy’s back. Charlotte brings Mandy up to whip into a corner. Mandy elbows back but runs into a scoop. Mandy slips out and shoves Charlotte into buckles! She drags Charlotte up but still gets thrown with an exploder!
Sonya runs in but into Charlotte’s boot. Charlotte throws Sonya, too! Then Charlotte slingshots onto both Sonya and Mandy! Fans fire up as Charlotte struts. But wait, here comes Becky, belt back in hand. The Man wants a front row look at her challengers while we go picture in picture.
Charlotte puts Mandy in the ring and covers, TWO. She keeps on Mandy with a facelock, and she tags to Asuka. Asuka kicks Mandy in the leg while Charlotte holds her up. Asuka then gives Mandy knees while Becky takes a seat near commentary. Mandy gets kicks to the back, and then Asuka hits the sliding kick! Cover, TWO! Asuka makes sure Becky’s watching as she brings Mandy around. Mandy tags out and arm-drags. She misses the knee but Sonay SPEARS Asuka for her! Cover, TWO! Becky seems unimpressed either way. Sonya kicks Asuka around and drives in a knee. She drags Becky into her own chinlock and body scissors to grind her down. Becky is still nonplussed. Asuka endures and makes it a cover, TWO! Sonya kicks Asuka right down!
Sonya hits Charlotte for good measure, then drags Asuka over to her corner. She kicks and kicks and kicks, Mandy keeping Asuka up. Tag to Mandy and Absolution choke Asuka on the ropes. Sonya scuffs Asuka with a knee before Mandy brings her up. Mandy wrenches Asuka into a standing abdominal stretch. Asuka endures the bend and even the elbow in her ribs as fans rally. Mandy practically dribbles Asuka’s head in the hold, but Asuka still endures. Asuka fights her way out and kicks Mandy as we return to single picture. Fans fire up but Mandy throws Asuka down! High stack cover, TWO! Charlotte is relieved but Mandy bounces Asuka’s head off the mat. Becky is still unimpressed. Cover, TWO!
Mandy drags Asuka around and tags in Sonya. They stomp away on Asuka as fans boo and jeer. Sonya drives in knees on Asuka then snapmares her. Sonya hits the sliding knee! Cover, TWO!! Absolution is furious but Sonya keeps on Asuka. Tag to Mandy and they stomp Asuka more. Fans rally up for Asuka and Asuka fights Mandy. Mandy shoves Asuka for that golden knee! Cover, TWO! Mandy is shocked, but she drags Asuka back over. She kicks Asuka then tags Sonya. They mug Asuka and tag back for more. Mandy brings Asuka up but Asuka fires off body shots. Mandy shoves her and runs her over again. Wheelbarrow but Asuka makes it a bulldog! Fans fire up as Asuka and Mandy crawl, hot tags to Charlotte and Sonya!
The Queen rallies and uses those Flair Chops! Charlotte chops and chops on Sonya, then whips. Charlotte hits a big back suplex and kips right up! Fans are thunderous but Charlotte runs into a boot. Charlotte still SPEARS Sonya! Mandy comes in but gets a knee and thrown right out. Charlotte kicks Sonya down, but Mandy trips Asuka up. Mandy rocks Charlotte with a right but Asuka trips her up. Charlotte boots but hits Asuka by mistake! Sonya rolls Charlotte but Charlotte turns it around! Asuka boots Charlotte!! Sonya covers, Absolution wins!!
Winners: Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville, Deville pinning
Dysfunction downs the Empress and Queen, which is actually to Becky’s liking. But it doesn’t really matter when TLC will be every woman for herself. Will Becky stay The Man after taking on such fierce competition? Or will there be a new champion going into the New Year?
Triple Threat: Xavier Woods w/ The New Day VS Jey Uso w/ Jimmy Uso VS Cesaro w/ Sheamus!
Awwwww~ Austin~! The Women’s Championship won’t be the only Triple Threat at the TLC Pay-Per-View. The SmackDown Tag Team Champions have lost to both The New Day and The Usos in recent weeks, so all three teams will compete for the titles. Therefore, one member each directly competes tonight to represent! Who will take some crucial momentum with just weeks left before the PPV?
The bell rings and the three men circle. Cesaro hits the others first, but end sup caught the second time. HE gets uppercuts from both Woods and Jey and then they throw him out of the ring. Fans want pancakes as Kofi and Big E are on commentary, and Kofi and Big E oblige! Flapjacks fly as Woods and Jey tie up. Woods powers out of a headlock but Jey runs him over. Jey runs but things speed up. Woods leaps again but Jey shoves and things continue to speed up. The Bar talk strategy while Woods goes to suplex Jey. Jey fights out and back suplexes but Woods slips out. Woods dodges and slides but Jey ducks and rolls up! TWO, Woods rolls Jey, TWO! Jey runs Woods over and covers, TWO, Woods returns the favor, TWO! Woods kips up and the two shake hands.
Cesaro runs in but gets a double punch! Woods and Jey double clothesline Cesaro out and we go to break.
SmackDown returns as Woods and Jey are both stuck on the top rope. Cesaro dropkicks Woods down but Jey shoves him away. Jey adjusts and leaps, but into a European Uppercut! Cover, TWO! The Swiss Cyborg goes for his Neutralizer but Woods returns. Cesaro runs over but gets a kick! Jey uppercuts Cesaro, and then Woods runs at Jey. Jey dodges for the pop-up Samoan Drop! Cesaro and Woods are each in corners, so Jey starts a hip attack train! First stop is Woods, but Cesaro bails out. Jey changes plans to FLY onto Cesaro! But then Woods leaps for a tornado DDT on Jey! All three men are down while Sheamus and Jimmy coach them up. Cesaro gets in the ring but Woods follows. Things speed up again, wheelbarrow facebuster! Cover, TWO!
Woods grits his teeth while he and Cesaro crawl. Fans rally up as Woods stands. Woods aims at Cesaro and rolls, but into a push. Cesaro leaps but gets a swing kick! Jey climbs and leaps, but his splash meets knees! Cesaro small packages, TWO! Woods leaps in with the Limit Breaker elbow! Cover, Jey breaks it! The New Day admit on commentary that it was super closer. All three men are down, hurting from this battle, but Woods is up first. “Woodsy” uses the power of positivity and pancakes. He swings on Jey but Jey hits back. They brawl while Sheamus checks on Cesaro. Woods gets an edge and backs Jey down. He runs but into Jey’s body check! Jey runs but into Woods’ forearm! Woods runs but into another body check! Cesaro returns to grab Jey. He also gets Woods, combination airplane spin and Swiss swing!
Cesaro shows his strength as he tosses Jey aside, then gets Woods in the Sharpshooter! Woods is stuck but he doesn’t give up. Jey comes in, Cesaro blocks the superkick only to get the dragon whip! Woods rolls Cesaro up, TWO!! Cesaro throws Woods out but SUPERKICK! Jey covers, Jey wins!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
The Usos gain ground in this battle of three teams, but how will it go down when it’s three teams at once?
Backstage interview with Rusev & Lana.
The Bulgarian Brute was going to have a match with The King of Strong Style, but Shinsuke Nakamura chose to attack Rusev before there was a bell. Nakamura would give Rusev two Kinshasa knees before leaving Rusev alone. Rusev says Nakamura did that because he’s afraid. Rusev shows off his muscles, and knows he’s both strong and relentless and… Hungry. Not for chicken, yogurt, cheese or any food. He’s hungry for that United States Championship! Nakamura holds onto that title like a child does their favorite toy. But that title is no toy, that title represents honor and tradition. Nakamura has no honor, but he won’t have any excuses. Rusev will get his hands on Nakamura and… Feast! A feast fit for Rusev Daaaay~! Will that particular Rusev Day happen to land on TLC Sunday?
Lars Sullivan speaks.
“It doesn’t matter which brand I choose to go to. I will wreak havoc the magnitude of which you’ve never seen.” No one has seen a freak like the Leviathan. Which brand will get this Mile High Monster on their roster? And which roster will regret it?
It’s time for Miz TV!
But wait, before Miz can finish his introduction, it’s the FABULOUS Truth! What do they want? A DANCE BREAK~! Truth and Carmella floss and twerk, and that’s it. “As you were.” Miz can’t believe the fans like that. Continuing on, the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show once again makes history. For the first time ever on Miz TV is the NEW Daniel Bryan! This new and more sinister side of the Goat is also the WWE Champion after what he did to AJ Styles weeks ago. This new and more sinister Bryan declared that The Beast, Brock Lesnar, beat the weakness out of him. And this new and more sinister Bryan declared that the Yes Movement, his movement, is DEAD. But he’ll also have to face AJ Styles again at TLC for the title.
Miz sits with “The New Daniel Bryan”, but how does he want to be addressed? Miz sticks to Daniel, because he doesn’t really look different. But there is a little something that is different. Bryan is confident, isn’t pandering to the fans, and knows that there’s no such thing as an honorable victory. It’s either winning or losing, no matter how you do it. Meaning Miz was right all along! Fans actually agree with that. But this Bryan says people thought the “old” Bryan was smart, but how smart was he if he catered to the people? That Bryan allowed them to subvert his dreams. But this Bryan doesn’t care about the people, and his dreams are in control. This Bryan doesn’t have many intellectual peers, including The Miz, but he has plenty of books written by great minds like Alexander Hamilton.
Bryan notices the fans booing, and calls them “Fickle.” These “sheep” all go “What?”, something stupid from 20 years ago. But as Hamilton once said, “Giving power to the mindless masses is dangerous, both for the individual and the society.” These sheep are proof. But even more dangerous is that old Daniel Bryan with the “practical wisdom and brutality of the new Daniel Bryan.” Miz hears what Bryan is saying, but it sounds less like Hamilton and more like Miz. Doesn’t Bryan see that the only reason Bryan has that title is because he did whatever it took, just like what Miz told him.
Bryan says Miz’s problem is that he never gets to the point. Bryan kicked Styles in the balls. But it was one man in the groin on one day. The people harm the earth every single day with their needless consumption! “If you want to count sins, I kicked one man in the groin on one day. These people commit countless atrocities against the earth and future generations” every moment of their lives! Wait, Miz is confused. This isn’t about any of that. Bryan has painted Miz as the bad guy for eight years, and had everyone fooled. But not Miz. Miz saw Bryan’s truth the entire time, and now Bryan owes him an explanation. Is Bryan champion because he did what Miz told him to? Yes or no. Fans say “Yes! Yes!” And so does Bryan.
But then he says “No”, and then “yes” and back again. Because it doesn’t matter. What matters is that the Old Bryan is dead. That Yes Movement with these old logos, dead. And most importantly, the one thing that no one here, let alone AJ Styles or Miz, can do about… “Here is your WWE Champion, the NEW Daniel Bryan.” Fans boo and Bryan calls them fickle, but here comes the old WWE Champion, the Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles heads right at the ring but Bryan shoves Miz into him! Styles kicks Miz away then chases Bryan! He catches Bryan and drags him back to ringside. Bryan runs away, but Miz gets involved again. Styles goes after Miz AND Bryan! Miz saves Bryan with a Skull Crushing Finale to Styles! Fans boo as Bryan gets away with manipulating Miz. Will Bryan continue to get away with it at TLC?
Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton!
The Charismatic Enigma and Viper have already gone to Hell and back against each other this year, but nothing is over between them. At the same time, Hardy is hunted by a new Destroyer in Samoa Joe, and Orton hunts new prey in Rey Mysterio. Who will move on to be better prepared for new grudges on the way to the New Year?
Before the match, we see Orton’s message for Mysterio. Orton says Mysterio should have stayed away, but he didn’t and now he’s been hurt and humiliated all over again. Hardy won’t stay away either, so Orton is more than happy to crush him again.
The bell rings, and Hardy goes right at Orton! Hardy throws hands and kicks, but then Orton kicks back. Orton goes after the ear gauge hole, but Hardy fights him off. Hardy hits a jawbreaker then clotheslines Orton out of the ring! Orton goes running as Hardy says “DELETE! DELETE!” Hardy clobbers Orton and throws him into the post. Orton kicks back then bounces Hardy off the announce desk. Orton lifts Hardy but Hardy fights out! Hardy bounces Orton off the desk, and again! Hardy gives Orton the back suplex onto the desk! “DELETE!” echoes while we go picture in picture.
Hardy goes back out to fetch Orton, dragging him off the desk and bumping him off the apron edge. He puts Orton back in but Orton is on him during reentry. Orton hangs Hardy out to dry on the ropes! Orton stalks Hardy around the ring and stomps away on the limbs as only he does. Then he stomps Hardy right in the stomach before covering. TWO, but Orton keeps his cool. Orton grins as he sits Hardy up for a chinlock. We return to single picture as Hardy endures the squeeze. Fans rally for Hardy and Hardy fights his way up, but Orton forces him back down. Orton pulls back on Hardy’s head but Hardy gets up again. Hardy fights out and kicks for the spinning back kick! Both men go down but Hardy gets to a corner.
Fans rally with “Delete! Delete!” as Orton runs into Hardy’s boots. Hardy goes up, Whisper in the Wind! Cover, TWO! Both men are down but Orton stalks Hardy again. They brawl and Hardy counters punches Orton. Hardy whips but Orton reverses, only for Hardy to hit back! Hardy gets the atomic drop and leg splitting leg drop, dropkick on top! Cover, TWO! Hardy keeps his cool as he stands back up. He kicks but the Twist is denied. Orton back elbows Hardy into the ropes, and Hardy ends up on the apron. Hardy shoulders back in but Orton catches him, for the draping DDT! Orton gets up again and enjoys the moment as he hears the voices in his head. He stalks Hardy as fans fire up.
Hardy denies the RKO to go for the Twist. Orton slips out but is still denied his RKO, Hardy runs Orton over with forearms! Hardy hurries up top while Orton is down. Orton springs up to stop Hardy with fists. Orton climbs up but Hardy resists. Hardy slips out to trip Orton up! Then Twist of Fate! Orton is down and the shirt comes off as Hardy heads back up. Hardy aims, but Orton rolls away. So Hardy wrecks him with a dropkick! Hardy goes out to clear the announce desk! He drags Orton over and bounces him off the desk again. Then another back suplex onto the table top! Orton writhes, but Hardy is far from done with Orton. Hardy goes to the top rope, but Samoa Joe has a message from the titantron.
Joe is at a bar, enjoying himself while watching the show. And then he orders a round for the bar. RKO from Orton! Cover, Orton wins!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall
“Tough break, Jeff, tough break.” Joe then goes into PSA mode to warn us about the “dangers of excess.” Moderation is key. You can make good choices, like having a drink with friends. Or having 14 and waking up in jail. Assuming you wake up at all. Drink responsibly. Cheers, Hardy. Samoa Joe uses Hardy’s past as a weapon, but will Joe’s future be rendered OBSOLETE?
Backstage interview with Daniel Bryan.
He was running from Styles earlier, but why is he still here? The New Bryan doesn’t run. Everything he does is done with purpose. And now, he’s joining commentary for the main event!
AJ Styles VS The Miz!
The New Daniel Bryan dodged The Miz’s questions and dodged AJ Styles’ revenge, and even pitted them against each other. While The Phenomenal One will get at Bryan at TLC, he and the Hollywood A-Lister look to settle things with each other tonight! Will Styles roll towards his WWE Championship rematch at TLC? Will The Miz gain some momentum before tonight’s Mixed Match Challenge Playoffs?
SmackDown returns and Bryan has appeared on commentary as promised. The bell rings and Styles puts Miz in a corner for shoulders to the stomach. Styles CHOPS Miz then bumps him off buckles, then chops him again. He whips Miz but redirects him back into the same corner. Styles pushes Miz into buckles but the ref backs him off. Miz kicks Styles and puts on a headlock. Styles powers out but Miz runs him over. Miz says he’s the phenomenal one but things speed up, and Styles dropkicks Miz down! Styles glares at Bryan while Miz rolls out. Styles chases after Miz and they go back into the ring. Miz stomps but Styles sees it coming, and trips Miz up. Styles then slingshots in for a senton! Cover, TWO! Miz jawbreakers Styles back while Bryan mocks Styles on commentary.
Styles chops Miz then whips. Miz reverses and hits the kitchen sink knee. Miz brings Styles around and chokes him on the ropes. The ref counts and Miz lets up at 4, to hit his rope attack! Bryan calls out the “corruption” of Byron Saxton while Miz puts Styles in a camel clutch. Styles endures while fans rally. He pries his way out and fights back, but Miz counters Styles into the A-List combination! Cover, TWO! Miz keeps his cool as he rains lefts down on Styles. Miz stalks Styles to a corner and whips him corner to corner. Fans boo and jeer as Miz mocks Bryan’s Yes chant. Miz runs into a SUPERKICK! Styles runs at Miz, but Miz puts him on the apron. Styles hits Miz away but Miz boots Styles down! Miz has control while we go to break.
SmackDown returns once more, and both men are down. Fans rally up as a ten count begins. Both men stand at 4 and start brawling. Styles hits the Phenomenal Blitz! And sliding forearm! Miz scrambles to a corner while Styles fires up. Styles runs in for a big clothesline, then fireman’s carry for the Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO! Miz lives and Styles is surprised. Styles keeps focus as he brings Miz up for the Clash, but Miz counters with a catapult! Styles hits buckles, and then Miz gets the full nelson. But Styles counters with a victory roll! TWO and Miz kicks low for the basement DDT! Cover, TWO! Now Miz is the one surprised, but fans know “This is Awesome!”
Miz runs but Styles dodges to throw Miz out. Styles aims and slingshots for the forearm! Bryan gets up and Styles locks eyes with him. Bryan says he’s not going to attack, and offers a handshake. But this is so Miz can throw Styles into steps! Miz puts Styles in the ring, gets him up, Finale! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives!! Miz and Bryan are both shocked. Miz keeps on Styles with knees dropped on knees. He wants the Figure Four but Styles shoves him away to the post! Styles gets up but Bryan drags him out! Styles shoves Bryan down and then sees Miz coming, Calf Crusher! Miz flails, taps, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by submission
The Phenomenal One gets the win with two enemies after him, but then Bryan goes after Styles again! Bryan chop blocks Styles’ leg, then slams it into the post over and over again! The new and sadistic Bryan throws Styles’ body into the post! And then he throws Styles into the announce desk, and into the ring. Fans boo and jeer while Bryan aims at Styles. Bryan runs to chop block Styles again! Bryan still goes after the leg with a Heel Hook! Styles writhes and shouts in pain but Bryan won’t let go even as more refs rush the ring. Bryan lets go when he’s satisfied, but fans still boo and jeer. Bryan takes off his jacket to buzzsaw kick Styles down! And then he stomps Styles out like he did the night he changed into this Bryan. Bryan does a victory lap, but still comes back for more!
The New Bryan grabs his belt and forces the ring announcer to make the same declaration as before: “Ladies and gentlemen, here is your WWE Champion, the New Daniel Bryan.” Do the fans not approve? “Fickle!” The entire WWE Universe is fickle in the eyes of this new and sadistic Daniel Bryan! Styles stands up in the ring, and Bryan chop blocks him again!! And back to the Heel Hook as we go off the air! Will this new and sadistic Bryan ever stop? Can this new and sadistic Bryan ever be stopped?
My Thoughts:
SmackDown continues to be great! And with only FOUR matches! The stories on SmackDown are better, for one, so that’s a major part of it. For example, they consolidated the Women’s Division into one story that branches from the title. I am glad to see they didn’t go the general route of a contract signing turning into a brawl, those happen too much. Sonya and Mandy looked great in their match with Asuka and Charlotte, and the falling apart of the Face team was well-done given how late in the match it happened. The battle lines are drawn and the TLC Triple Threat is going to be great, so long as Becky or Asuka win out. Charlotte’s had her time, and she’ll just end up being a female John Cena with yet another big win like this.
The Tag Team Division is another stronger point. The Triple Threat Tag Title match is going to be great, but even tonight’s triple threat of 1v1v1 was impressive! The Bar, The New Day & The Usos are the best teams in the WWE, so I really hope their match is announced to be something more, like a Ladder or Tables match. That kind of No DQ physicality will be great for all three teams, but I’m thinking Big Show shows up to do something. The best thing would be if he helps The Usos and is a Face again, just for a good laugh. Then while we got Orton VS Hardy again, they made it worth watching, as did Samoa Joe’s part via titantron. PSA’s by Joe would definitely get people to listen. That said, I’m still hoping we get a mash-up of Joe-Hardy, Orton-Mysterio and Nakamura-Rusev in one massive match.
Miz’s moment with Shane still makes me think something with them is coming for Wrestlemania, either as Miz VS Shane or as Miz hopes, Miz & Shane VS tag champions. Either way, Miz will make it worth watching. The Miz’s part with Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles was also really great. The New Bryan being this evil eco-warrior is a weird choice, maybe Vince’s, but the rest of how the New Bryan behaves is still great. Especially him using his two biggest rivals against each other. Miz VS Styles was a great match, and then Bryan ending the show with that brutal attack was perfect. I really, really hope this match more than any of the others gets a stipulation like a Chairs Match. Even with other feuds like Becky and Charlotte on the block, Bryan and Styles has gotten extremely personal, so their match needs to fit accordingly.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Opening weekend wraps up with the Funky Weapon!
There’s more mix ‘n’ match as Best of the Super Juniors 32 keeps going! But will Ryusuke Taguchi kick Bone Soldier butt in tonight’s main event?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Dragon Dia & Katsuya Murashima VS Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young; Akira & Jakob win.
- El Desperado & Shoma Kato VS Nick Wayne & Daiki Nagai; Nick & Daiki win.
- Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi VS Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson; Hiromu & Takagi win.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Robbie X; Mack wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS MAO; Mao wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Clark Connors; Connors wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Robbie Eagles; wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Taiji Ishimori; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Ninja Mack VS Robbie X!
It’s the return of the Mack! Will the American Ninja start to take the block? Or will he be unable to solve for X?
The bell rings and the fans rally while the two circle. They start a “NINJA! NINJA!” chant, but then Robbie brings out a copy of the Ninja Mack mask! Just to rip it up! The fans boo, but Robbie throws it at Mack, and then SMACKS him down! The fans boo but Robbie stomps Mack at the ropes! The ref reprimands but Robbie ROCKS Mack! Robbie whips, Mack reverses, and Robbie handsprings over to then handspring with the ropes! Mack catches him, shove shim, hurdles over him, then backflips over, only for Robbie to SOBAT! The fans cheer, Robbie whips, but Mack reverses. Robbie goes up and over and shows off with his own handspring!
Mack runs in, Robbie slips out to the apron to ROCK Mack! Robbie springboards but Mack gets under. Robbie handsprings through, comes back and RANAS, but Mack handsprings through! The fans fire up and the two reset. Robbie runs up, Mack TOSSES him up and out! The fans fire up as Mack builds speed, and he handsprings for the NINJA- NO, Robbie moves back! But the Ninja Special continues even on the floor! Robbie runs away but Mack catches up, to HANDSPRING KICK him down at the stage! The fans fire up for that Super Ninja Special, and Mack leaves Robbie behind for the ring count.
Robbie sputters and crawls at 4 of 20, but is still far away at 10! Robbie hurries, the fans rally, and Robbie runs at 15 to slide in at 17! But Mack is on him with a facelock! Robbie fights up, lifts Mack, and then throws him away! Mack comes back, but Robbie uses the ref as a shield! Then he throws Mack down by his mask! Robbie throws down forearms and a stomp! The fans are torn but Robbie storms up on Mack to BOOT him in the corner! Robbie brings Mack around, suplexes then covers, ONE!! Mack is tougher than that and the fans rally up. Robbie CHOKES Mack on the ropes, then soaks up the cheers and jeers.
The ref counts, Robbie steps off at 4, then he WRECKS Mack with a dropkick! Mack is on the ground but the fans rally up. Robbie stands Mack up, CHOPS him, then stalks him to railing. Robbie pushes Mack into the ring, clamps on with a half nelson and covers, TWO! The fans cheer and Robbie gets annoyed. Robbie hauls Mack up to a fireman’s carry, but Mack slips around to sunset flip! TWO, and Robbie SWATS Mack’s haymaker to CHOP! Robbie whips, Mack reverses, but Robbie slides and then dodges! Mack is on the apron, Robbie runs to CANNONBALL KICK! The fans fire up as now Robbie builds speed!
Robbie goes up, up, and he ESCALARAS! Down goes Mack and the fans fire up with Robbie! Robbie drags Mack up and puts him back in the ring. Robbie then slingshots for a stalling SENTON! Cover, TWO! Mack is still in this and the fans rally up. Robbie and Mack slowly rise, and Robbie takes aim. Robbie runs in but blocks a boot! Robbie puts the leg on the ropes, KICKS the ropes, then SPIN KICKS Mack! Robbie snapmares Mack, RUNNING SHOOTING STAR onto knees! Mack cradles Robbie, TWO! Mack waits on Robbie, and DOUBLE CHOPS him! Then he DOUBLE CHOPS against the ropes! Mack won’t let Robbie get away as he unleashes CHOP after CHOP!
The fans fire up and Mack whips. Robbie reverses, then Robbie runs past Mack to fireman’s carry! ROLLING SENTON, STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!! Robbie is frustrated but the fans fire up! Mack flounders to the corner, the fans rally up, and Robbie runs up to BOOT! Snapmare and now Robbie goes up the corner! From the top rope, X EX- NO, Mack dodges! Robbie rolls through, handsprings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Mack holds on but Robbie victory rolls! TWO!! Mack and Robbie hurry up, Robbie handsprings, but into a DREAMCAST KICK AND CRADLE!! MACK WINS!!
Winner: Ninja Mack, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
Innovating in the blink of an eye, Ninja Mack ends this just as quickly! Will every match Mack has be as fast ‘n’ furious as this? Or will someone find a way to slow Mack down?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Kevin Knight VS MAO!
The Jet may be All Elite now, but he’s always going to be #2Flyy! However, he’s up against DDT Pro’s Idol Wrestler. Can Knight get through the Michinoku Tornado? Or will his flight to the top be grounded?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Knight and Mao stare down. The fans seem strongly behind Mao as he and Knight circle. They tie up, Knight headlocks, then he hits a takeover. Mao fights around, stands back up, and he powers his way out of the headlock to have the armlock. Mao steps over to wrench the arm, but Knight rolls, handsprings, and wrenches back! Knight hammerlocks, but Mao reaches back to headlock. The fans applaud, but Knight rolls Mao to get free. Mao ducks a kick, Knight dodges a spin kick, and the fans cheer the standoff. Mao runs up, Knight dodges then arm-drags! Knight runs up, springboards and FLYING ARM-DRAGS!
Mao is up but Knight FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up and Knight runs corner to corner to LARIAT! Knight goes up to rally the fans, then he hops down to stomp and UPPERCUT on repeat! The ref counts as Knight stomps a mudhole in, and Knight snapmares Mao for a SLIDING SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans rally, Knight covers, TWO! The fans applaud while Mao grits his teeth. Knight stands Mao up but Mao fires body shots! Knight ROCKS Mao, runs, but Mao ELBOWS him! Mao runs, Knight follows, but Mao goes up and around! Knight tumbles out to the apron, but he ROCKS Mao first!
Knight springboards but Mao WHEEL KICKS him down! Mao wrenches an arm and SLINGSHOT CUTTERS! The fans fire up and Mao climbs up, to then SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO, but Mao goes right to the corner! Mao aims again, for a KING KONG KNEE DROP! Mao rolls off the impact, but then rolls back and has Knight in the COBRA TWIST! Knight endures, the fans rally, and Knight powers his way to switch the twist! Mao endures now and the fans rally more. Knight says he’s #MecchaTsuyoi, but then Mao throws elbows! Mao switches things back, and he says he is meccha, meccha, TSUKAKUI! Mao puffs up to show how strong and handsome he is!
The fans cheer, but Knight powers out with a HIP TOSS! But Mao drags Knight down into a JUST FACELOCK! Knight endures, reaches out, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer again while Mao lets go. Mao rises and the fans rally while Knight is on the ropes. Mao runs and CANNONBALLS Knight against the ropes! Knight writhes but Mao brings him up, only for Knight to fire a forearm! Mao fires one back! Knight fires another forearm, so Mao fires back! They go forearm for forearm, then Knight has the edge. Knight winds up but Mao SHOTEIS! Mao whips Knight to a corner, but Knight comes back to LARIAT!
Knight LARIATS again, then whips, but Mao reverses. Knight goes up and over, runs back in, and he LARIATS again! The fans fire up with Knight as he goes to a corner. Knight aims, runs in corner to corner, but Mao dodges! Mao runs, but into a DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Mao survives and Knight is stunned but the fans rally up! Knight fires up and the fans rally again. Knight runs up but Mao stops the satellite DDT! Mao BOOTS Knight against the ropes, then runs, but he goes Matrix to avoid Knight’s superkick! Mao BOOTS Knight’s lariat to SHOTEI, but Knight ROCKS Mao with a forearm! Mao REAR HEADBUTTS!
Mao runs, Knight hurdles over to PELE! But Mao tiger-feints and rewinds to SPIN KICK! The fans fire up even more while both men are down! Knight staggers to his feet, Mao ROCKS him with a hard right! Mao reels him in, but Knight suplexes first! The fans fire up and Knight covers, ONE as Mao goes Matrix again! Knight is stunned, runs up on Mao, but blocks a boot. Mao ENZIGIRIS Knight, goes up, only for Knight to go to the UPPER ROOM! The fans fire up as Knight hurries to the apron and then the corner. Knight climbs, but Mao rises again! Mao goes up the ropes to SUPER STEINER Knight in return!
The fans fire up as Mao hurries up top again, but Knight goes back up! But no Upper Room, this is a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! But Mao’s right up!? And so is Knight! But then both men fall over! The fans fire up as Knight and Mao slowly stir. They both rise up, but Knight goes to the apron. Knight springboards, but into a DREAMCAST KICK! Mao reels Knight in and gut wrenches, but Knight TORNADO DDTS free!! Knight roars, runs, but Mao uses the ref as a shield! Then Mao runs to jump over the ref, only for Knight to jump over Mao! ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!! Mao survives and the fans are thunderous!
Knight and Mao hurry back up, Knight runs up, but Mao stops the satellite again! MICHINOKU DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!?!? The fans rally as hard as they can and Mao aims, SUPERKICK! Cover, MAO WINS!
Winner: Mao, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
The Idol Warrior’s Samurai Kick strikes down the Knight! Knight shows respect with a bow, will we see these two meet again down the line? Will Mao soon take over the BOSJ for DDT Pro?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Clark Connors!
The Way of the Grandmaster is once again IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, but that just means he has a target on his back. Will Wato soon owe a golden ticket to this War Dog? Or will Wato be stronger than 100 Proof?
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. Connors and Wato circle, the fans rally more, and the two feel things out. Wato stays away from the leg takedown, then they feel out a knuckle lock. They back off, step forward, but Connors KNEES low! Connors ROCKS Wato, CHOPS Wato, then whips Wato. Connors bypasses but Wato hurdles over the backdrop! Connors still ROCKS Wato and has him in a corner. Connors runs in, but Wato BOOTS Connors, then BULLDOGS! The fans fire up with Wato and he KICKS Connors’ leg. And KICKS, and KICKS! Wato snapmares Connors, KICKS him again, then KICKS, KICKS, KICKS!
Connors ducks Wato, shoves him, and then hits the JEEP FLIPPER! Wato tumbles out of the ring but Connors pursues. Connors SMACKS Wato off the apron, then tells fans to move! The Young Lions usher fans out of the way, and Connors BOWLS Wato into the chairs! That was a STRIKE and then some! The fans fire up and even bark with Connors. Connors storms over to Wato, stomps him, then drags him up to his feet. Connors SMACKS Wato of a chair, then brings him back around. Wato fires elbows and CHOPS, but Connors CHOPS back! Wato staggers deeper into the crowd and Connors pursues!
The fans rally as Connors BOWLS Wato into more chairs! Connors has cleared out the whole section! The fans rally as Connors shoves the ref aside. Connors JAMS Wato up with a chair, then tells another section of fans to move! They hurry out of the way as Connors BOWLS Wato into even more chairs! Connors hits a turkey, aka bowling hattrick, and the fans fire up more. The ref reprimands but Connors clears out the chairs so he can stand Wato up. Wato fires body shots and forearms! Wato ROCKS Connors, and then Connors falls onto chairs! This entire area is a mess but Wato drags Connors up.
Connors body shots Wato, then POSTS him! Wato falls in a heap and the fans are torn. Connors intimidates commentary, then he goes looking under the ring. Connors brings out… a TIRE?! Why was one of those under there?! The ref reprimands Connors but Connors shoves him aside! Connors brings the spare tire over and JAMS Wato up! Connors sets the tire down, and he has Wato’s leg! Connors SMASHES Wato’s knee on the hubcap! The fans are torn but maybe so is Wato’s knee! Connors puts Wato in the ring, covers, TWO! Wato stays in this and the fans applaud, but Connors ties the legs up in a knot!
Wato endures, reaches out, and he claws his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Connors doesn’t let go. The ref counts so Connors stops at 4. Connors mocks the fans cheering Wato on, then drags Wato to his feet. Connors CHOPS Wato, whips him, but Wato blocks by holding ropes! Connors KNEES low, whips again, btu Wato reverses to ROCK, KNEE, and SHOTGUN Connors to a corner! The fans fire up and Wato rises. Wato runs in, Connors dodges, and Connors comes back, only for Wato to dodge! Wato then reels Connors in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Connors stays in this but Wato goes to the apron.
Wato slaps his leg into working, then watches Connors rise. Wato springboards but Connors gets under! Wato lands on his feet but his bad leg jams! Connors CHOP BLOCKS the leg! The fans are torn as Wato writhes, but Connors circles like a shark. Connors runs, but Wato catches him to a cradle! TWO!! Wato ROUNDHOUSE, but Connors blocks! And pops Wato up for a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Connors rises, drags Wato up, then whips, but Wato avoids the powerslam! Wato runs in, tilt-o-whirls, then hooks Connors up, RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO!!
Connors survives but Wato doesn’t stop! He body scissors and rolls Connors into VENDEVAL!! Connors endures, fights around with his legs, and he rocks the boat, only for Wato to pour on the pressure! Connors still fights, but Wato puts even more pressure on!! Connors powers through to have the ROPEBREAK!! The fans cheer while Wato lets go in frustration. Wato drags Connors up, reels him in, but Connors holds ropes to fight the suplex! Wato KICKS the arms, TSUTEN- NO, Connors mule kicks the legs! Wato SOBATS and runs, but into a POWERSLAM!! Wato rises up, into a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Wato survives, and Connors hurries to bring Wato up. Connors puts one out, but Wato fights No Chaser! ROUNDHOUSE, and Wato fires back up! The fans rally, Wato hooks Connors up, RECIENTE- NO, Connors slips free and reels Wato back in! NO CHASER!!! Cover, CONNORS WINS!!
Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
100 Proof gets his clear shot on Wato, and now he has both two points and a golden ticket for it! Will the DEFY Champion soon run the whole Junior Heavyweight Division?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Robbie Eagles!
The Direct Drive is also once again IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion alongside Wato, but that means the same target is on his back. Will Yoh owe this Ichiban Sweet Boy a title shot? Or can he shoot down the Sniper of the Skies first?
Wait, Yoh’s near jacket and gear is made with… recycled Ziploc bags? Well, guess that’s one way to stay fresh. The bell rings and
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Funky Weapon and the Bone Soldier have had quite a few battles through this tournament series, and more often than not, #ItsReborn! But will Taiji keep up that streak? Or will Taguchi finally get lucky here in the main event?
Here are the updated A Block standings!
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-0, 2 points
Dragon Dia: 1-0, 2 points
Kosei Fujita: 1-0, 2 points
Ninja Mack: 1-0, 2 points
Clark Connors: 1-0, 2 points
Master Wato: 0-1, 0 points
KUSHIDA: 0-1, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
Robbie X: 0-1, 0 points
Here are the updated B Block standings!
El Desperado: 1-0, 2 points
Nick Wayne: 1-0, 2 points
MAO: 1-0, 2 points
Kevin Knight: 0-1, 0 points
Titan: 0-1, 0 points
SHO: 0-1, 0 points
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CM Punk is back! Will Seth Rollins’ vision already be in trouble?
Last Monday Night Raw, CM Punk & Sami Zayn helped Jey Uso against Seth Rollins & Bron Breakker. What happens tonight as they’re all in Louisville?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS Chad Gable; Penta wins.
- The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers w/ Chad Gable; The Creed Brothers win.
- AJ Styles VS Finn Balor w/ Judgment Day; Styles wins.
- Iyo Sky & Rhea Ripley VS Giulia & Roxanne Perez; Iyo & Rhea win.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE mourns the loss of “Sabu,” Terry Brunk.
CM Punk is here!
Louisville fires up for the Best in the World, and they know, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” Punk goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and asks, “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Louisville, Kentucky or what? I’m a pissed off man but I’m fortunate enough to say that this is my home! All the dust has settled from WrestleMania, and I waited a few weeks, and I’ve nursed a few injuries and a lot of hurt feelings, but I can’t shake being pissed off!” The fans cheer that! Punk says he has a lot of enemies. It’s really easy to list off who he’s NOT pissed off at. But number one with a bullet, a big, fat bullet…
The person that Punk is most pissed off at right now… is himself. The fans are surprised to hear that, but Punk says yeah, he’s mad at himself, mostly because we’ve been here before. This isn’t the first time Paul Heyman stabbed Punk in the back. Stab him in the back once, shame on you. Stab him in the back twice, shame on him. But he though the could trust his friend. Almost 12 years ago, Heyman smashed a ladder into Punk’s head, gave him 13 staples right down the middle, and they moved past that. At least, he thought they had. They had grown and matured as humans, or at least Punk knows Punk had.
And apologies to Jey Uso, but when Punk came back to the WWE, Jey had warned him about Paul Heyman, but Heyman is Heyman. Heyman is who he always has been: a fat little snake! So yeah, while Punk is pissed at Heyman, he’s more upset with himself. He might be upset with “Temu Punk,” Seth Rollins, but Punk will get them all. But we know how this ends, we’ve been down this road, Heyman knows how this ends, Punk can’t wait to get his hands around Heyman’s fat neck and squeeze until Heyman’s eyes pop out. But “Ladies and gentlemen…!” Punk says good, where are you, Penguin?!
Heyman storms out to the stage and Punk dares him to explain why he did what he did. And Wise Man, understand that whatever words you choose, they will be your last! But before that, here comes Rollins! The fans sing and Punk says that’s all Rollins is! But Rollins also has Bron Breakker by his side, and the trio stands together on stage. Rollins, in his all rattlesnake skin ensemble, is handed the mic. The fans chant for Punk but Rollins says, “Just when I think you can’t get any more selfish or any more egotistical, you find a way to top yourself. This man, Paul Heyman, was your best friend! Your best friend! And you made his life HELL on the Road to WrestleMania!
“And now you are out here in front of the entire world, gaslighting all of us, trying to make us believe that he betrayed you?” The fans seem to agree. Rollins says Punk makes him sick! Heyman believed in Punk for YEARS! YEARS, when no one else did. But y’know what Rollins believes? He believes Punk is scum, is trash, is excrement, and that he was right about Punk all along. And just when Rollins thinks he can’t hate Punk more than he already does, Punk stands there in that ring as THE reason Rollins is not World Heavyweight Champion right now! Punk says Rollins ain’t ever gonna be champ as long as Punk’s on two feet.
The fans cheer and Rollins groans. The fans chant for Punk but Rollins and Heyman chuckle. What is Punk’s deal? Does he love punishment? Does he love suffering? Does he love being on the wrong side of history? Wait, wait, wait. Rollins gets it now. Punk loves to play the victim. Punk loves to come out here and boo hoo, poor CM Punk~! Punk so desperately so wants to be a victim, he so desperately wants to die a martyr… The fans bark in anticipation, and Rollins says he believes that can be arranged. Rollins hopes Punk has prepared his last words. And with that, Bron is sent to the ring like the attack dog he is!
Punk says is the little doggy gonna bark or bite. And then the brawl is on! Bron RAMS Punk in the corner again and again, rains down fists, and the fans boo as Rollins swaggers into the ring. Bron runs but Punk BOOTS him! And TACKLES Rollins! The fans fire up but now it’s 2v1 as Bron gets back on Punk! But wait! Here comes Sami Zayn! Sami fires hands on Bron, then on Rollins! The fans fire up but Bron picks Sami up! EXPLODER! Punk is up to brawl with Rollins, but Bron joins in again! They mug Punk, and Heyman brings a chair! The fans boo but wait! JEY USO IS HERE! SUPERKICK and the chair is down!
Rollins and Jey brawl, Bron goes after Jey, it’s another 2v1 mugging! But then Sami is back, as is Punk, and they have chairs! They chase off Rollins, Bron & Heyman! The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Rollins has Bron stand down. Will Punk, Sami & Jey turn the tide when it’s their three against Rollins’ three?
PENTA VS Chad Gable w/ Ivy Nile!
While he still has #CeroMiedo, he also has zero titles because one way or another, Judgment Day screws him over! Of course, it was “El Grande Americano” who factored into things at Backlash, so Penta knows exactly who to go after this time! At least, maybe? Will Penta prove Gable and Grande are one in the same? Or will Gable #SHOOOOSH all the conspiracy theory noise?
Raw returns as Gable makes his entrance. Penta wants right after him but the ref keeps him back. And just as Michael Cole is wondering if Pat McAfee will make it tonight’s show, Pat arrives! Louisville cheers Pat and he gives high-fives on his way to commentary, still in one piece after his battle with Gunther. He even still has energy to hop up onto the desk to salute the fans.
The bell rings and Gable is a bit off balance from Pat’s entrance. Penta CLOBBERS Gable, stomps away on him, then KICKS Gable’s leg! Penta CHOPS Gable, CHOPS again, then CHOPS again! Penta whips, Gable ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING HEADBUTT! Gable rains down fists, then he paces around in a huff. Gable CHOPS Penta down, CHOPS him again, and CHPOS him again! Gable whips, then CLOBBERS Penta! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Penta and Gable is annoyed by that. Gable drags Penta up, but Penta fires body shots! Penta ELBOWS Gable, whips, but Gable reverses. Gable ELBOWS Penta down and he then hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!
Gable is annoyed but the fans rally for Penta. Gable drags Penta up, whips corner to corner hard, and Penta falls! Gable storms up to put Penta on the top rope. Gable climbs up, pulls on Penta’s mask, but the fans boo. Gable pries at the mask now but the ref reprimands. Penta fires elbows and Gable falls back! Penta leaps to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Gable is up, Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! Gable tumbles out, Penta says “CERO! MIEDO!” and builds speed. Gable moves, Penta adjusts to PLANCHA, but Gable HEADBUTTS him down! Gable shouts, “Lucha Libre SUCKS!” and fans boo, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and the fans rally for Penta as he fights up. Penta fires elbows and is free of the chinlock, only for Gable to throat chop! Gable whips, Penta reveres, but Gable ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Penta to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Ivy is worried, and the fans rally up. Penta runs in at the corner to GAMANGIRI! Gable sits down, Penta headstands and SWINGING DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Penta covers, TWO! Penta is annoyed but he shakes out his arm and brings Gable up. Penta half nelsons, pump handles, but Gable slips around to shove. Penta springboards but Gable catches him to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Penta escapes and Gable is upset. Gable drags Penta to the center of the ring, then goes up a corner. Gable DIVING HEADBUTTS into a CODE BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up while both men are down, and Gable flounders away. Penta rises up and the fans rally. Penta storms up, KICKS and CHOPS Gable, then CHOPS again! Gable whips, Penta goes up, stumbles, but still goes up! Gable grabs ropes to fight the backstabber, then BUCKS Penta away! Gable goes up, MOONSAULTS, cover, TWO!! But into an ANKLE LOCK!! Penta rolls to throw Gable away, and then SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up while both men are down again! Penta calls his shot, hammerlocks an arm, and he SLAPS Gable into giving up the other arm! But Gable powers out and has the ANKLE LOCK!! Penta endures, fights forward, and reaches out, only for Gable to drag him back! Penta fights up and rolls to victory roll! TWO, and Gable rolls Penta up! TWO! Gable throat chops Penta again! Gable hauls Penta up to the top rope, then climbs up after him! They are on the very top, but Penta fights with body shots! Gable gives shots back, then talks trash, but Penta tells him CERO MIEDO! Penta SHOVES Gable, Gable lands out, but Penta hits a FLYING DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Gable tried to belittle lucha libre, but it backfired! Penta comes through and gets even with at least one enemy, but will he even the score with “El Grande” and Judgment Day soon enough?
Roxanne Perez & Giulia speak.
Roxie says, “Tonight, The Prodigy & The Beautiful Madness take on the Genius of the Sky and Rhea Ripley. And I think we’ve made it very, very clear that this division isn’t safe anymore.” Giulia says in Japanese, “They are strong, but we are hungry. We didn’t come here to wait our turn. We came to take over.” Roxie says that means going after the very top. Iyo, Rhea, they don’t give a damn about your history because they’re here to make their own! You are looking at the future of this industry. And the future starts tonight. Will these former NXT Women’s Champions put the WWE Women’s World Champion & Mami in the past?
Judgment Day meets in the clubhouse.
Carlito knows with Liv Morgan off making her movie, Raquel Rodriguez doesn’t have anyone to hang out with, so he offers to hang out with her. Maybe get something to eat? Raquel rolls her eyes, but Dom finishes a phone call with Liv. Liv says she misses Dom, but the filming is going great. Though, she said “Good morning,” but it’s night here. JD McDonagh says surely this isn’t the first time Dom’s heard about time zones. Dom says he doesn’t really pay attention to that. But he does need to talk with Finn about something real quick. He knows at Backlash, Finn hesitated with the chair and that almost cost Dom. If not for Grande-
Whoa, easy, Dom. Don’t get all paranoid like Damian and Rhea. Remember what they were like as champions? It didn’t go smoothly, sure, but it all worked out, and Dom is still the champ. Finn pats the title, and says he’ll handle Styles for Dom. Dom knows he will. They fist bump and Finn heads out, and JD tells Dom they’ll explain this. The light is the sun, and this skull is Earth. When the Earth turns, the light is somewhere else. Liv is probably over here where there’s sunlight. Rudimentary science aside, will The Prince come through for the champ and cross off a phenomenal contender?
The fans cheer Pat’s match at Backlash.
Pat stands on the desk again and waves to Louisville. For what was shown in the highlight reel, everyone was making sure he was okay before letting him out here. Pat admits everything is sore head to toe. He got a blood vessel popped in his eye, but he is sure he gave something to Gunther. Pat has respect for everyone who gets in that ring, and he hopes Gunther has respect a bit for him and Cole.
BREAKING NEWS for Saturday Night’s Main Event in Tampa!
Saturday, May 24th, Sami Zayn & CM Punk will have a tag team match against Seth Rollins & Bron Breakker!
Sami and Punk regroup backstage.
Sami says the two of them, SNME, taking on Rollins & Bron. Is Punk good? Punk is, but he isn’t. He can’t really trust anybody right now. Fair enough. Sami gets that given he had a hard time trusting Punk back at WarGames. But it all worked out, right? And Sami isn’t stupid, he knows Punk likes to do things his way, has his goals. Sami isn’t that different. Sami has his ambitions, too. But the truth is, neither of them are going to get anything done if Rollins & Bron are in the way. Punk says that’s no lie. Sami says all they gotta do is work together and take Rollins’ team out. Punk agrees, they fist bump, and things are set. But will Punk & Sami be able to stop “the vision?”
The New Day is here!
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods strut out to the ring because the WWE World Tag Team Champions want to “grace us with their presence” on commentary. That, and they want to watch Julius & Brutus Creed fight Erik & Ivar in hopes of stopping the War Raiders from earning their title rematch. Will the Creeds come through for the New Day? Or will the raid have its redemption? We find out, after the break.
The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers!
Raw returns and both teams have made their entrances. The teams sort out, Erik and Julius tie up, and Erik snapmares to a cover, ONE! Julius snapmares to a cover, ONE! Erik runs, Julius drops down then hurdles over. Erik scoops to SLAM Julius, then he tags Ivar. New Day argue with Michael Cole how they cheated at Mania but Cole tried to help Pat by cheating at Backlash! Brutus tags in, he and Ivar circle, but Ivar scoops Brutus to SLAM! Tag to Erik, Julius runs in, but Ivar scoops and SLAMS him! Erik scoops and SLAMS Brutus, then they say “UP!” Erik scoops and SLAMS Ivar onto Brutus! The fans fire up with the Raiders!
Brutus sputters but Erik brings him up. Erik whips, Brutus ducks ‘n’ dodges and Julius sneaks a tag. Erik CLOBBERS Brutus but Julius LARIATS Erik! Julius ROCKS Erik, tags Brutus, and they mug Erik. The Creeds stomp a mudhole in, but stop as the ref counts. The fans boo but New Day puts the Creed Brothers over. Julius tags back in, the Creeds stomp another mudhole, and then they stop at 4. The fans rally, Erik fires body shots, and Erik backs Julius down, until Julius RAMS Erik into the corner! Brutus tags in and the Creeds continue to mug Erik! The ref counts, Erik gets away, and Brutus hits an AX HANDLE!
Tag back to Julius, he facelocks Erik, then BACKDROPS! Julius sucker punches Ivar, but Erik ELBOWS him away! Erik TOSESS Julius onto Brutus! New Day say Ivar is down because he’s a bad partner! Erik says forget it, and he DIVES, into a haymaker! Julius drags Erik out along the ropes, DRAPING BRAINBUSTER to the floor! The Creeds fire up, the New Day applaud, but the fans boo as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Ivar runs and SPLASHES Julius! Julius goes to a corner, Ivar whips him corner to corner, but Julius reverses. Ivar comes back with a SEATED SENTON! Brutus is in, Ivar cartwheels and LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up with Ivar, “WAR! WAR! WAR!” Ivar runs corner to corner and BRONCO BUSTERS Julius! Julius sputters into the drop zone and Ivar climbs. But Julius springs up after Ivar! Brutus tags in, Julius hits a SUPER DUPER PLEX for the Power! MOONSAULT from Brutus for the Glory! Cover, TWO!! Ivar is showing that grit, and then he catches Julius for a SPINNING POWERSLAM!
Both men crawl, Erik tags in! Erik intercepts Brutus to EXPLODER! Erik wrenches Julius to EXPLODER! Tag back to Ivar, then Ivar tags Erik back in. Ivar LARIATS, then feeds Julius to Erik’s KNEE! Erik picks Ivar up, SPINEBUSTER HIP ATTACK!! Cover, but Brutus breaks it! Brutus then CLOBBERS Ivar! Erik DECKS Brutus! Julius JUMP KNEES Erik! All four men are down, even New Day applaud this great match. Kofi takes credit for making this match, and then Julius and Brutus crawl to their corner. Erik crawls over, hot tags to Ivar and Brutus! Brutus ducks the leg lariat, and ANGLE SLAMS Ivar!!
Tag back to Julius and the Creeds double whip. Ivar breaks the double lariats, and then handsprings, but into a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX!! Cover, ERIK KNEES JULIUS! Erik TOSSES Brutus, but Brutus drags Erik out! Erik DECKS Brutus then shouts for Ivar to rise! Woods gets closer, but Erik glares at him. The fans boo New Day while Ivar climbs. But wait, Kofi sneaks over to ROCK Ivar!! Brutus CLOBBERS Erik from behind! Julius tags Brutus, then Electric Chair Lifts Ivar! BRUTUS BALL DOOMSDAY!! Cover, Creed Brothers win!!
Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall
New Day cheers on as their choices for this match win out! Will this lead to an American Made title opportunity?
Rollins and group regroup backstage.
Rollins looks at Bron seething in frustration, but Rollins says they probably think they got one over on “us.” “They probably think they’ve got us backed against the wall. They might even feel like they’re winning this battle. And maybe they feel like I’ve underestimated them.” Rollins chuckles and says, “They have no idea what I am capable of.” Bron calms down, and Rollins tells him there’s one more thing Bron has to do tonight before he leaves. Rollins whispers his instructions, and tells Bron to have fun with it. Bron smiles, what will Rollins’ attack dog do before the night is over?
Adam Pearce talks with Jey Uso.
The Raw General Manager knows the WWE World Heavyweight Champion was going to hear it at some point, but he wanted Jey to hear it from Pearce first. Jey says, “Yeet,” and they fist bump. Jey is now headed to gorilla, what news will he have to relay to the WWE Universe?
Jey Uso heads to the ring!
Louisville is ready to be #YEETVILLE as Main Event Jey makes his way through the crowd. They bounce along with that Day One Ish, and Jey even joins a young fan in the YEET! Jey reaches ringside, daps it up with Pat & Cole, then the YEET continues as Jey steps into the ring. Louisville is fired up even as Jey gets the mic, and they want that “ONE MORE TIME! ONE MORE TIME!” Jey hears the people, and he figures he’ll give the people what they want. Time for an encore of Day One Ish! Jey then says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey feels that energy.
Jey says there’s a lot going on. “YEET!” Big target on his big back. “YEET!” So let him get something off his big chest. “YEET!” “Logan Paul! You talking out the side of your neck, Uce. You say I’m not championship material. You say I’ve got a glass jaw. He keep on duckin’ me, he keep on sneakin’ me. But look, tho. At Saturday Night Main Event, it’s me and you, Uce. Yeah, yeah! Face to face, aight? Face to face. Two time world shocker, the arena shaker. I promise you this, after that Saturday night, I still will be your world-” GUNTHER IS HERE?! The fans are shocked to see Der Ring General interrupting, but perhaps this should’ve been expected.
Gunther goes to the ring, grabs himself a mic, and the fans taunt him with, “You Tapped Out!” Gunther is a bit annoyed by that, but he focuses on Jey. “The unimaginable came true. Jey Uso: World Heavyweight Champion. It’s the first time since that moment that we meet again.” Jey says, “You mean the moment where I made you tap out?” The fans cheer and keep chanting, “You Tapped Out!” Gunther says he understands what Jey is doing. Gunther knows what it is like to be a champion. 80% of his time here in WWE, he has been a champion. There is a lot of pressure on Jey right now.
But just because Gunther understands doesn’t mean his opinion has changed. He can feel this is not natural to Jey. Because unlike Gunther, Jey is not a natural champion. And since Jey likes to run his mouth, Gunther is surprised Jey hasn’t spread the news. Let this be Gunther’s pleasure. As Pearce told Jey earlier tonight, the winner of Jey VS Logan will have the honor of handing that title over to its rightful owner, DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! Jey, in one month from now, June 9th, Phoenix, Arizona, Gunther challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship on Monday Night Raw!
“And Jey… I really do hope it’s you. Because I would love nothing more than to shut you and all these people up for good! I would love nothing more than to get into this ring with you again, and remind you of where your place is! Jey-” Jey stops Gunther there and takes off the sunglasses. Remind him of his place? He is IN his place! THIS is his place! Jey runs this place! With this title on his arm, Jey will handle that YouTuber, and then he will run it back with Der Ring General! Jey will walk into this match the same way he walked out of WrestleMania: The WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Four letters, one word… Uh, uh, YEET!!
The fans fire up with the very fired up Jey Uso! But from Saturday Night’s Main Event to a hot Raw in Phoenix, will this be the Summer of YEET?
Iyo Sky speaks.
In a mix of Japanese and English, the Women’s World Champion says, “I tried to show Roxanne respect last week. But all she and Giulia proved is that talented as they are in the ring, they don’t deserve any respect! Tonight, you’ll both learn the same lessons that Bianca and Rhea did at WrestleMania. Nobody in this division can stop me. Nobody in this division will ever take this championship from Iyo Sky!” The Genius is ready, but will she and Mami get along in tonight’s main event?
Backstage interview with Ludwig Kaiser.
Jackie Redmond is with the Impeccable German, and says last year was such a breakout year for him. He got wins over Sheamus, Bron Breakker, was a top contender for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, but now we’re almost halfway into 2025, and it feels like we haven’t seen Kaiser in competition that much. The question is- Wait, something is going down! Bron just attacked Jey! Bron knocked Jey down into a road case, then he leaves as producers and refs hurry over. Was this on Rollins’ orders? Sami rushes in and wants to know what happened, and the others explain it was Bron. Punk also hurries over, Sami calls for medics, is Jey going to be okay?
AJ Styles VS Finn Balor w/ Judgment Day!
The Phenomenal One told everyone in the club that whoever had the WWE Intercontinental Championship after Backlash, Styles would be after them next. Dirty Dom is still the self-proclaimed greatest Intercontinental Champion ever, but will Finn remind everyone why he was the original Universal Champion? Or will Styles make sure things are too sweet tonight?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Finn hits a headlock takeover but Styles headscissors. Finn kips free, the two reset, and the fans cheer on Styles. Styles and Finn tie up again, Finn goes for an arm to wrench and wristlock, but Styles rolls, only for Finn to wrangle him. Finn kneels on the arm but Styles kips up. Styles wrenches back, but Finn rolls and hooks a leg, Styles fights the takedown to wrangle Finn now. Finn kips up, but into the headlock! Styles has Finn down but Finn rolls to headlock back! The fans rally as Styles rolls to a cover, ONE! Finn holds on, Styles powers up and out, and Styles hurdles, drops down, then DROPKICKS!
Finn flounders out of the ring and the fans fire up! JD & Carlito help Finn focus but a ring count begins. Styles waits on his old friend, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Finn RAMS into Styles at the corner again and again! The ref counts, Finn lets off and soaks up heat with the Too Sweet. Finn then storms up on Styles, but Styles BOOTS him! Styles scoops for a BACKBREAKER and the fans cheer. Styles drags Finn up, snap suplexes, then floats to a cover, ONE!! Finn is tougher than that but the fans still cheer Styles. Styles stays on Finn, brings him up, and he scoops Finn to SLAM him down! The fans rally, Styles runs, KNEE DROP! Finn flounders away to a corner but Styles is right on him. Finn kicks low, puts Styles in the corner and CHOPS! Styles just glares at Finn!
Finn throws hands but Styles CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHPOS in return! Finn FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Styles! Styles sputters on the mat while Finn paces. Finn runs to KICK Styles in the side! Finn jump stomps away on Styles again and again! The ref reprimands, Finn argues with him, and then Finn mocks Louisville. Finn drags Styles up, throws some body shots from the side, then clamps on for a COBRA TWIST! Styles endures, even as Finn digs an elbow into the ribs! The fans rally and Styles fights with elbows to Finn’s leg! Styles HIP TOSSES free, then he LARIATS! The fans fire up as Styles runs, SLIDING FOREARM!
Styles fires up and the fans are with him! Styles runs in at Finn to LARIAT in a corner! Then fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Carlito & JD grow worried. Styles stalks Finn, brings him up and in, but JD gets on the apron! The fans boo but Styles chases JD off. Styles goes back for Finn, but Finn cradles! TWO! Finn is up, he slips around, and he dragon sleepers, but Styles drops! Styles KICKS Finn away, then he fires off a Phenomenal Blitz! Finn dodges the lariat, comes back, DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans fire up while JD & Carlito coach Finn, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn brawls with Styles up top! Styles throws hands, then he brings Finn to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX! A hard landing and both men are down! The fans rally up while JD & Carlito are worried all over again. The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” as Finn and Styles rise up. Styles fires a forearm, Finn fires a haymaker, and repeat! They stand up now, and Finn fires a body shot! Styles fires a haymaker, but Finn fires back! Finn gets the edge again, then soaks up heat. But Styles ROLLING ELBOWS! But Finn PELES, only for Styles to block! Styles then clamps onto that leg, CALF CRUSHER!!
Finn endures, reaches out, and he fights around! Finn drags Styles along for the ROPEBREAK! The fans are torn while Styles lets go. Finn drags himself up with the ropes, but Styles is back on that leg! Finn slips around, dragon sleeper, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! The fans fire up while both men are down again! JD & Carlito coach Finn as he rises up in the corner. Finn aims, runs in, but Styles LARIATS! The fans fire up and Styles whips Finn to ropes. Finn SLINGBLADES first! Finn keeps moving, and he SHOTGUNS Styles into buckles! Styles falls, Finn goes up, and COUP DE- NO, Styles dodges! Finn falls to his knees!
Styles grabs that bad leg again, CALF CRUSHER!! Finn endures, reaches out, but Styles rolls him from the ropes! Deadlift STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Finn survives and now JD & Carlito are plotting. The fans rally as hard as they can, “This is Awesome!” Styles drags Finn up, reels him back in, but Carlito gets on the apron! The ref stops Carlito, JD grabs at Styles! Styles DECKS JD, then goes out, but Finn runs up! Styles ROCKS Finn, SLIDING KNEES Carlito, and then aims! Springboard, but Finn slips around! BLOODY SUNDAY!! Cover, TWO?!?! Styles survives and he shocks Finn! And then PENTA is back! he CROSSBODIES Carlito!
Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Penta steps off JD to give Carlito a DESTROYER to the floor!! Styles BOOTS Finn, goes up and out, PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Cover, Styles wins!!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Penta gets even with Judgment Day after all! Styles gets the win thanks to Penta evening things up, but will Styles be able to take that Intercontinental Championship from Dirty Dom?
Becky Lynch is here!
Though, she isn’t very happy given she isn’t Women’s Intercontinental Champion right now. Becky sits up on a corner while she’s handed a mic and given the proper introductions. The fans are torn, but Becky says, “I… I wasn’t beaten on Saturday. No, no. Lyra was beaten on Saturday. Oh, oh, you don’t believe me? Well, one of us was taken to a hospital, her, and one of us went to their nice big bus, took a nice warm shower, drank a shot of tequila, and basked in their brilliance, me.” The fans are still torn, but Becky says, “Because even after everything that Lyra has done to me, after she came out week after week and attacked my character, the person that I am…
“I still made her the best version of herself! I gave her the best match of her career! And in just three weeks of standing on the outskirts of my spotlight, she has never mattered more than she does right now in her entire life, and it is not even close!” The fans boo that, but Becky hops down as she says, “But… when the bell ring after the match, I didn’t hear defeat. No, no, no. What I heard was an alarm ringing in my ear and I realized how much I had been manipulated not just by Lyra, but by all of you!” The fans definitely boo that. Becky asks if they wanna know why she walked away for almost a year.
“Because you asked me to! The last time that I won the world championship, I felt it, I heard the reaction, I saw all your comments online, and so I stepped away. Because if I’m not here to win world championships, then why am I here? But hey, hey, no, no. I’ve always been for the people. I’ve always been for the people. So whatever you want, because hey, man, I have you to thank for my career, right? You guys carried me on your shoulders into the main event of WrestleMania. You saw yourselves in me! I was you, you were me, we were in this together! Right? But then something happened. Something happened: I won!
“And you couldn’t see yourselves in me anymore, because you can’t recognize success. Because all you know is failure.” The fans boo more, but Becky scowls. Yeah, the fans hate what they cannot understand. You wanna know something? When Becky was out, one of her friends asked, “Do you miss it?” And she had a thought. She did miss being in the ring, but she liked herself more out of it. She didn’t understand what she was saying, but now she does. She wasn’t captured by all the fans! She didn’t have to listen to the fans tell her who she is and what she’s about!
She didn’t have to listen to all of the fans’ lies! The lies that are repeated from the one person she had hope for in this business! Becky didn’t have to spin her wheels to prove she isn’t what people said she was! But that all changes! From now on, whatever the fans say she is, then she is! If they say she’s selfish, then yes she is! If they say she’s greedy, then yes she is! If they say she’s cutthroat, then yes she is! And all those girls in the back that were happy Becky was gone, thought it was safe with the fire gone out inside Becky, well they’re gonna realize what it’s like to be held down by The Man! Will Becky look to burn it down from here on out?
Rusev speaks.
“I didn’t wanna do that, Otis. I don’t wanna do any of this. All I want is just… to go home and be rich. But I was once programmed by lesser people, too. And I can’t leave my brothers until you all wake up. Do you think these people care that you’re missing your family? Do you think these people care that each night, your choices are hurt or be hurt? Last week, Tozawa stepped up to me, and the crowd cheered him on. The world sent him straight into the frontline. And yet, you still seek their approval. That is because you let the sheep control the wolves. Get up off your knees, men! Don’t you see that their cheers are like a stone to a blade?
“But I can see right through them. That’s why they keep mocking me with chanting my name. But I will reclaim my own name once my job here is done. But until that day, remember this, my brothers. It will hurt me to hurt you. But I would rather you fall at my hand than fall out into the abyss.” Rusev is looking to redeem Monday Night Raw one brutal moment at a time, will no one be able to stop him?
Alpha Academy meets with Adam Pearce.
Maxxine Dupri & Natalya are with Akira Tozawa to encourage him to speak up. Tozawa says he wants a match with Rusev. Maxxine & Natty feel Tozawa can do this. Pearce respects Tozawa’s bravery, but think about this. Tozawa isn’t even medically cleared right now. Tozawa knows he will be soon. Pearce says he also knows that. And when Tozawa IS cleared, they will revisit this conversation. But then Sheamus steps in and says fair play, Tozawa. Good on him for not baking down. And Sheamus knows that when Tozawa is cleared, he’ll give Rusev hell. They fist bump, and Alpha Academy heads out.
As for Sheamus, Pearce says what a return. Sheamus says he needed that. He needed to shake off that ring rust. Well, not much rust, maybe it was in his head. But he wants to keep this momentum going. How about next week, Sheamus VS “that bouncing wallaby waster,” Grayson Waller. Pearce says consider that official, because that sounds like a banger. The Celtic Warrior shakes hands with the GM, will Sheamus make sure Waller feels what Austin Theory felt last week?
Iyo Sky & Rhea Ripley VS Giulia & Roxanne Perez!
Between Monday Night Raw and Tuesday Night NXT, we’ve seen the WWE Women’s World Champion battle The Beautiful Madness & The Prodigy multiple times already. The Genius was victorious alongside “Juggernaut” Jordynne Grace last week, but will she and the Eradicator have similar success? Or will this be the start of an NXT takeover?
Raw returns as Iyo makes her entrance, followed by Rhea’s. The fans hit that triple digit mark on the decibels as Mami makes her way to ringside. The teams sort out and Iyo starts against Roxie. They circle, but then Roxie goes to leave, only for Iyo to grab her feet! Roxie kicks Iyo away, but Iyo comes back with a THESZ PRESS! Iyo rains down fast hands, Roxie turns things around, but then Iyo turns it back around. They end up in the ropes, Iyo backs off, only to grab Roxie’s legs and YANK her from the ropes! Iyo covers, TWO! Iyo clamps onto Roxie with a headlock, but Roxie powers up, only for Iyo to hold on tighter!
Louisville rallies, “We Want Mami!” as Roxie powers up and powers out this time, only for Iyo to pull hair! Iyo brings Roxie around but Roxie SLAPS her! Iyo ROCKS Roxie, chase Giulia off, but Roxie ROCKS Iyo! Roxie bumps Iyo off buckles, stomps away, then tags Giulia. Roxie sends Giulia in and she ELBOWS Iyo! Giulia sends Roxie in for an UPPERCUT! Giulia then brings Iyo to ropes to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Giulia steps away, and that lets Roxie get a cheap shot! Roxie takes a bow while the fans boo, but Rhea runs up on her! Rhea TOSSES Roxie into the ring! The fans fire up as Rhea DROPKICKS Roxie back out!
Giulia and Rhea want after each other but the ref stops this. Giulia gets Iyo for a NECK TWIST! Giulia whips, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Giulia avoids the handspring! Only for Iyo to SHOTGUN Giulia down! The fans fire up and Iyo headlocks. Iyo reaches out but Roxie YANKS Rhea down! The fans boo but Giulia JAWBREAKERS free! Roxie SLAPS Rhea and laughs about it. Rhea just gets pissed! Rhea chases Roxie around the outside, but Giulia is there to CROSBODY! But Rhea catches her! Roxie DROPKICKS Rhea into the POST! But Iyo DIVES to take out Roxie! The fans fire up, but then Giulia DROPKICKS Iyo!
The ref reprimands everyone, starts a ring count, and the fans rally for Iyo & Rhea while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Roxie has Iyo with a bridging hammerlock. Iyo endures and the fans rally up. Iyo fights to her feet, fires elbows, then hits a FLYING-MARE! Both women are down, the fans fire up more, but Roxie grabs Iyo’s legs! Iyo BOOTS her away, Giulia runs in but Iyo TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Rhea! Rhea rallies on Roxie, whips, but Roxie reverses! Rhea reverses back to wrench and HOOK KCIK! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up with Rhea and she reels Roxie in! Canadian Rack, and RAZOR’S EDGE! Then a DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Roxie shows the toughness of a former NXT Women’s Champion but Rhea just stalks her.
Rhea hauls Roxie up, bumps her off buckles, but Roxie BOOTS her back! Roxie BOOTS Rhea down, then goes up, up, and LION- NO, Rhea gets under her for an Electric Chair Lift! Rhea SMACKS Roxie off buckles, then hoists her up there. Rhea climbs, positions herself just right, and has the Canadian Rack again! The fans fire up but Roxie fights free! Roxie ROCKS Rhea, goes up, and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO!! Rhea shows her own championship grit, but Roxie tags Giulia! Roxie DROPKICKS Iyo off the apron while Giulia HEADBUTTS Rhea! Roxie SUPERKICKS Rhea, then Giulia reels Rhea in! Tag to Roxie and Giulia snap suplexes!
Roxie goes up, up, LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rhea but Roxie rains down fists! Rhea pushes Roxie away, but Roxie hurries to clamp on with a SLEEPER! Rhea rises as the fans rally, but Roxie THROWS Rhea down! Rhea goes to a corner, Roxie runs up and UPPERCUTS! Roxie rolls and returns, but Rhea picks her up, ATOMIC FACEBUSTER! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Rhea and Roxie crawl, hot tags to Giulia and Iyo! The fans fire up as Iyo dodges to SHOTEI! Iyo whips, Giulia reverses, but Iyo goes up and out! Iyo blocks a boot, ROCKS Giulia then goes up top! MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Iyo kips up!
Iyo is ready to run wild and the fans are with her! But Roxie is back in, only for Iyo to dodge! Rhea scoops Roxie but Roxie TORNADO DDTS! Iyo SHOTGUNS Roxie! Giulia reels Iyo in for a cradle, TWO!! Giulia drags Iyo up, hammerlock and scoop, GLORIOUS- NO, Iyo slips free to waistlock! Giulia switches, Iyo victory rolls, STOMP 182! The fans fire up and Iyo hurries to put Giulia in the drop zone! Iyo steps on Giulia and goes up the corner! The fans fire up for OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, Roxie breaks it! The fans boo but Roxie whips, Iyo reverses, Roxie tilt-o-whirls, but Iyo fights the leg sweep! Iyo hooks Roxie up but Roxie powers out!
Rhea is back, and she gives Iyo a boost! Roxie dodges, the SHOTGUN hits Giulia! Roxie SOBATS Rhea, runs up, POP- NO, Rhea pops out the back! MISSILE DROPKICK from Iyo! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo wants a high-ten. Rhea gives Iyo the high-ten, and then Rhea signals she’ll lift Iyo up! The fans fire up, but Giulia TRIPS Rhea first! Roxie runs up, Iyo BOOTS her, but Giulia is right up top! Giulia underhooks the arms, and she gives Iyo a SUPER DUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX!! Giulia roars, brings Iyo around, scoop and NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Cover, RHEA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, but Roxie DROPKICKS Rhea!
Rhea EDDY GORDO KICKS Roxie in return! Giulia KNEES Rhea down! Giulia then focuses on Iyo, but Iyo wrenches her! Iyo underhooks, TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo then fires up and the fans are with her! SHINKAN- NO, Giulia puts her on the apron! Iyo ROCKS Giulia, climbs up, and Rhea sneaks a tag. Iyo leaps, Giulia dodges, Rhea reels Giulia in. But then Roxie is up top, so Rhea shoves Giulia forward, the CROSSBODY hits Giulia instead of Iyo! Roxie is stunned, Rhea smirks, and Iyo BUZZSAWS Roxie! Rhea drags Giulia up, HEADBUTTS her, and hits a RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea & Iyo win!!
Winners: Iyo Sky & Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
The Eradicator had the champion’s back and vice-versa, and the top two women on Raw win out! But at the same time, Rhea still wants to be a champion herself. Will Mami get back on top soon enough? Or will the Genius be ready for that rematch, too?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here to not just follow Backlash but to turn the corner towards Saturday Night’s Main Event. Great promo segment from CM Punk and Seth Rollins to open, and it naturally brought out Sami Zayn and Jey Uso for a brawl. This gives us a good set-up for Punk & Sami VS Rollins & Bron at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Jey and Gunther had a good promo together, with Jey getting fired up again because he knows Gunther is again underestimating him. And while I expected Logan Paul bringing another sucker punch, Rollins sending Bron after Jey is just as good. Though I feel bad Kaiser’s interview was no longer an interview but just a way to give us Bron’s attack.
Obviously Rollins won’t give up on the world title so easily, so he’s just trying to soften Jey up to make it easier to take that title, but it might backfire if Logan or Gunther gets the title first. Well, hopefully not Logan but I’m not sure Gunther would either. Great promo from Becky to talk down to not just Lyra but the fans. While blaming fans is a cliche Heel trope, seeing how John Cena did it and now Becky is doing it in a similar way, it still works. And her saying Lyra went to the hospital plants seeds of an injury angle as I was expecting on Saturday, so I wouldn’t mind seeing something where Becky and Bayley fight not just for their own grudge but for one more chance at the title.
Great promo from Rusev to once again frame what he’s doing as if it is a noble mission, but it would be something if someone came around to see things the way Rusev does. Tozawa wanting after Rusev and Pearce saying not yet is good stuff, Pearce is being a responsible boss by not letting Tozawa go right into a one-sided fight. Sheamus wanting his match with Waller “as intended” is also good stuff, and it’ll give Theory a chance to return the favor by being mostly unbothered like Waller was last week. The A-Town Down Under break-up has been on far too slow a burn, it needs to happen now as Rollins’ faction is rising up and we get into MITB season.
Penta VS Gable was a great match that also tied well into the Judgment Day story. Great win for Penta, and it might establish that Gable can’t win unless he’s El Grande Americano and therefore able to load the mask with plates. Penta getting his revenge on Judgment Day while also helping Styles win was good stuff, too. I wonder if Styles and Penta team up against Judgment Day for just a moment, before “El Grande” obviously gets involved and gets a 1v1 match with Penta. There’s also going to be Money in the Bank qualifiers soon, so maybe we see Penta and “El Grande” get in on that while also feuding with each other. Also, hilarious bit with JD teaching Dom about time zones.
Great tag team match of War Raiders VS Creed Brothers with New Day on commentary. New Day of course cost the Raiders since they don’t want another rematch with them, but I feel like helping the Creeds will backfire in that the Creeds will be just as hard to beat in a tag match. And then great promos from the women in tonight’s main event. A little surprised we didn’t get a Rhea one, unless I somehow missed it. But that was also a great main event tag, great win for Iyo and Rhea as a duo, and Iyo VS Rhea feels like a clear choice for the next title match. Nothing in the women’s division has been set up for SNME, so maybe that’s where we’ll get Iyo VS Rhea.
My Score: 8.8/10
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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