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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/28/21)

Who cashes in on a last chance?

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Coverage Raw 2021

Only one spot left on the Raw side of Money in the Bank!

Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre and AJ Styles all get one last chance to go to Money in the Bank on behalf of Monday Night Raw, but who makes the most of it?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • WWE 24/7 Championship Matchception: Drew Gulak wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
  • WWE 24/7 Championship Matchception 2, We Must Go Deeper: R-Truth wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
  • WWE 24/7 Championship Matchception 3, The Top Keeps Spinning: Akira-Tozawa wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
  • Money in the Bank Last Chance Battle Royal: Matt Riddle wins and takes Randy Orton’s spot in the Triple Threat.
  • Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax & Reginald VS Nikki Cross; Cross wins.
  • Asuka & Naomi VS Eva Marie & “Doudrop” Piper Niven; Eva & Piper win.
  • Ricochet VS John Morrison w/ The Miz; Double Count-out Draw.
  • Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke VS Charlotte Flair, Natalya & Tamina; Charlotte, Natalya & Tamina win.
  • Strap Match: Elias VS Jaxson Ryker; Ryker wins.
  • Last Chance Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Drew McIntyre VS VS AJ Styles VS Matt Riddle; McIntyre wins and qualifies for the Men’s MITB Ladder Match.

PLAY BY PLAY

Superstars already fill the ring!

But first, Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville speak to us backstage. “Randy Orton was scheduled compete tonight as part of a Last Chance Triple Threat Match to determine Raw’s final entrant into the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, Randy can’t compete tonight.” As such, we will open with an over-the-top-rope battle royal! The winner enters the Triple Threat in Orton’s place and is one step closer to being Mr. MITB. But Riddle rolls up on his scooter and has a note from Orton that they need to read. They open it up and read the message supposedly from Randy.

“Aloha. I, the Viper, Randy Orton, of sound body and mind, hereby declare that my best friend, Riddle, hither for take my place in the Last Chance Triple Threat match. Riddle is the coolest, most bodacious bro I could ask for, and I would be honored if he were to fight on my behalf. Aloha, the Legend Killer.” Okay, Riddle, first off, half of those weren’t even real words. And also, it makes no sense. Uh, “aloha” means both hello and good-bye. Well this was clearly written by Riddle, just look at the viper doodle! N-NO…! But it isn’t fair to take Orton’s opportunity! What if Orton was just playing games all night, couldn’t wake up even though his alarm went off, and just missed a flight! It’s just not fair to Randy.

Well, sorry, Riddle, Orton isn’t here. Then what if Riddle competed on his behalf? Riddle’s been feeling really bad for what happened. He can even enter the battle royal! Riddle can win it then the Triple Threat so that Orton can be in the match! RKBRO climbing a ladder together! That’d be money for Money in the Bank. Sonya says it’s unconventional, but she’s inclined to say, “yes.” Really? Riddle is anxious, so Pearce says yes! Riddle scoots his way down the ramp and is ready to represent! Can he win one for the Viper?

Money in the Bank Last Chance Battle Royal!

The Bro jump sin the ring with the Viking Raiders, Angel Garza, Mustafa Ali, Drew Gulak, Akira Tozawa, Mansoor, Humberto Carrillo, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander, Damian Priest, Jeff Hardy, Jinder Mahal, and even his good bro, R-Truth! But while Riddle is already in the MITB match, can he get his tag partner in to join him at the PPV?

The bell rings and brawls erupt everywhere! Tozawa ducks to avoid haymakers while Gulak and Ali try to throw Riddle out already! Riddle slides back in and everyone goes after everyone lese! Riddle is after Ali, Truth is after Garza, Mansoor CLUBS Tozawa, and Benjamin almost has Gulak out! Priest tries to throw Ivar over but Ivar hits him away! Gulak loses grip, Benjamin ELIMINATES him! Mahal goes after Benjamin but Benjamin knock shim away to go after Alexander! Alexander clings to ropes, Priest brawls with Carrillo, Mahal throws Benjamin out to ELIMINATE him! Mahal brawls with Garza, Hardy is after Alexander, and Tozawa clings to ropes.

Manzoor dodges Garza, throws him out and over, but Garza keeps his one foot up! Garza hops his way around the ring, gets back in and goes after Mansoor! Mansoor is on the apron but Ali dumps and ELIMINATES Garza! Ali tells Mansoor to be more careful and never turn your back on anyone! But then Ali throws Mansoor out and ELIMINATES him! “What did I just say?!” Meanwhile, Hardy fights off Ivar, Mahal is after Riddle, and Tozawa is digging hits boots into Truth. Ali and Alexander are after Carrillo together while Mahal gets Riddle over the ropes! Riddle clings to the middle rope then traps Mahal’s arm! Mahal gets away to save himself but Riddle is after him.

Hardy fights off Ivar and Ali but Riddle is after him right after! Truth fires off on Mahal, but Mahal dumps Truth up and out to ELIMINATE him! Tozawa runs at Mahal but Mahal TOSSES and ELIMINATES him! Wait, Gulak comes back and rolls Tozawa up! Gulak wins the 24/7 Championship!!

Winner (of the 24/7 Championship): Drew Gulak, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)

But Truth sees this and gets his own ref over! LIE DETECTOR! Cover, Truth wins the title!

Winner (of the 24/7 Championship): R-Truth, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)

He’s got his baby back for the 53rd time!! But then Tozawa CANNONBALLS! Cover, Tozawa wins the title back!

Winner (of the 24/7 Championship): Akira Tozawa, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)

Tozawa finishes the hot potato by hurrying out of the ThunderDome! Gulak and Truth pursue, but things continue in the ring. Ali throws hands on Riddle, but here comes OMOS?! Omos drags Ivar up and over, Erik rushes over, but Omos has him, too! Mahal helps out, they ELIMINATE the Viking Raiders!! The Phenomenal One’s Colossus TOSSES Erik into barriers! And then TOSSES Ivar into the LED apron! Omos roars, having taught the challengers to the Raw Tag Team Championships a lesson! And the rest of the battling continues as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Priest fires hands on Alexander while Mahal still tries to throw Riddle out, and Jeff Hardy is down in an open corner. These are our final five, it seems, and Priest stomps Alexander while Mahal CLUBS and stomps Riddle. Mahal digs his knee into Riddle while Alexander kicks Priest. Priest stomps Alexander again, but then Mahal and Priest stare down as the two tallest left. They talk about how each is going to be Mr. MITB, and then the haymakers start flying! Mahal knees low, throws forearms, but Priest gives them all back! Priest throws Mahal up and over but Mahal holds on! Priest runs in but Mahal ROCKS him! But then Priest SPIN KICKS and ELIMINATES Mahal!

Priest swings on Hardy but Hardy counter punches! Hardy whips, Priest reverses but Hardy knocks Priest down! Riddle runs up but into Hardy’s spin back kick! Hardy atomic drops and leg splitting leg drops Alexander, then adds the basement dropkick! And an elbow drop! Hardy kicks Priest, TWIST OF FATE! Riddle runs back in, but into a TWIST OF FATE! Alexander is up, but he denies the hat trick to throw and ELIMINATE Hardy!! Alexander laughs at Hardy, “I told you I’m better than you at every level, and I just proved it! Go home, to the retirement home!” But then Alexander turns around into a leg sweep and HIT THE LIGHTS!!

Priest drags Alexander up, throws him out, and ELIMINATES him! Now we have just the Archer of infamy and the Bro! They both nod, knowing the strike game the other brings. Priest rushes in, Riddle side steps but can’t shove him out! Priest dodges Riddle now but Riddle keeps from tumbling! They fire off hands, but Priest kicks, kicks and ROLLING ELBOWS! Riddle ducks the haymaker to GERMAN SUPLEX! Priest flounders and Riddle fires up! Riddle runs in and rocks Priest with a forearm! Riddle goes side to side to forearm again! Riddle keeps going, but runs into a WHEEL KICK! Both men are down but the ThunderDome fires up as they rise!

Priest runs in and back elbows! Priest brings Riddle around for a suplex, but Riddle slips to a SLEEPER! Priest flails, reaches, throws Riddle over the ropes, but Riddle holds on! Riddle gets the sleeper again! Priest is being bent against ropes but he has Riddle’s fingers! Riddle climbs up but Priest shifts that to a lawn dart, only for Riddle to slip out! Priest rebounds to LARIAT Riddle down! Riddle is dazed, Priest snarls and gets up! LARIAT into a HANGING TRIANGLE! Riddle drags Priest up and over to join him on the apron! Riddle lets go to get in, and BOOTS Priest! Riddle wants to do this like Orton but Priest avoids the Draping DDT! And the forearm to BELL CLAP!

Priest spins but Riddle blocks the kick! Priest choke grips but Riddle CHOPS! And FINAL FLASH!! Priest falls, Riddle wins!!

Winner: Matt Riddle (will join the Last Chance Triple Threat)

The Bro says his win is Orton’s win, so plays Orton’s music! Orton’s music does play and Riddle does his best Orton pose! The pyro goes off like Orton, will Riddle win again to keep The Viper in the game?

 

Nia Jax finds Shayna Baszler backstage.

The Queen of Spades is shuffling cards, so Nia asks if she’s getting ready for a game or a match? It keeps her head clear, okay? Otherwise, she’s gonna put her fist through a wall. Or someone’s face. Reginald is a bit worried she looked at him with that line. Nia says it’s fine. Just make sure they’re all on the same page for Shayna’s match with Nikki Cross. Reggie defends he didn’t do anything last week. It’s just that- Shut up, Reggie! Yeah, it’s Alexa Bliss. It’s her fault they’re not in the MITB match. But it’ll be Shayna’s fault if they don’t do something about it. So maybe if Shayna can give Nikki a hard dose of reality, Nikki and Alexa will end up with that stupid doll on a permanent time out.

But as Shayna, Nia and Reggie head out, ALEXA BLISS is seen in the back! Surely she heard all that, but what will she do about it?

 

What’s that smacking sound?

It’s Jaxson Ryker, practicing his strap strikes on a road case! The “unhinged” Ryker is working himself up to be ready to do that and more to Elias! Will there be no running and no hiding as the Drifter is strapped in and strapped to his former follower?

 

Backstage interview with AJ Styles & Omos.

Kevin Patrick asks how Styles is preparing for this Triple Threat now that Orton is out and Riddle is in? Well, usually, when you’re supposed to be somewhere and you’re not *cough* Orton */cough*, you automatically lose your opportunity. Tonight’s main event should’ve just turned into McIntyre VS Styles, 1v1! But it’s still a Triple Threat, his chances of winning have “drastically went down.” On top of that, Omos is working overtime to watch his back tonight. Speaking of, Omos went out of his way to affect that battle royal’s outcome by eliminating the Viking Raiders. Styles can tell where Kevin is going with this and doesn’t appreciate it.

Omos says he was simply scouting out the competition for his partner, Styles. Yeah! But since Kevin is so quick to jump on a barbarian bandwagon, tell us all about what happened to Styles last wee! They do have the tape queued up. They play it, and shows that the Raiders went after Omos while Styles VS Ricochet was happening. Omos was sent into the timekeeper’s area, and Ricochet turned a Phenomenal Forearm into a phenomenal Recoil. Ricochet is in the MITB ladder match, hence Styles’ spot tonight in the Triple Threat. So what does Kevin have to say about that? A series of unfortunate events? NO! Styles wants an apology for people being hypocrites!

Don’t give Omos grief over doing the exact same thing the Viking Raiders did last week! But fortunately for Styles, Riddle was in tonight’s battle royal and he’s all banged up. McIntyre’s still not 100% from the battle with Bobby Lashley, and so that means Styles has the advantage. When Styles has the advantage, he wins. That’s why he’s Phenomenal! And when he wins the briefcase, he’ll have a full year to plan out his cash-in and become WWE Champion for a third time. All the while, he and Omos will defend the Raw Tag Team Championships against any and all teams, including those “stinky” Viking Raiders. The tag champs head out, but will it be so easy for them?

 

Lucha House Party check in with Nikki Cross.

They like her mask. And they wish her good luck in her match. Thanks! Sarah comes by to talk about her new superhero persona, and Nikki is happy to inspire! She’s almost a superhero, and she found something that was always deep down. She just has the courage now to show it. She isn’t the only one, because everyone out there has this feeling deep down inside, in their hearts, that they can do and be better. That’s what this outfit represents! Wonder Woman spin! So bring out that feeling, and go for it! Just look at what she’s done! Nikki is now in the Women’s MITB match! Imagine Nikki, Ms. MITB! An inspiration to kids everywhere! She could even become Raw Women’s Champion!

Nikki slows herself down and takes a breath. One goal at a time. First, her match with Shayna and becoming “almost” a superhero. WAIT! Nikki #AASH! Almost A Super Hero! But will she definitely come away with a win?

Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax & Reginald VS Nikki Cross!

Raw returns as Shayna and team make their entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Nikki waistlocks but Shayna switches to SLAM Nikki! Shayna floats around, gets a chicken wing to cradle, TWO! Shayna has an arm, Nikki gets up, rolls, handsprings and headlocks. Shayna powers out and runs Nikki over! Shayna runs, things speed up and Nikki CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Nikki headlocks again, Shayna powers up to back suplex Nikki down! Shayna rains down rights, then gets Nikki up to scoop and SLAM! Nikki writhes and gets up, but Shayna NORTHERN LIGHTS! Nikki flounders away, Shayna drags her to a cover, TWO!

Shayna gets frustrated and she shoves Nikki down. Nikki gets to ropes but Shayna KICKS her down! Shayna mocks the almost superhero, and then whips her hard into buckles! Nikki flounders, Shayna wants the ref to ask if Nikki gives up. Nikki doesn’t, so Shayna puts her in a corner for stomps! Shayna fireman’s carries but Nikki scrambles around to a sunset flip! Shayna gets Nikki up, puts her in a corner and runs in, but Nikki dodges! Knee hits buckle, Nikki dropkicks Shayna out! Reggie & Nia check on her, but then Alexa Bliss makes her presence known! Alexa smirks as she walks out on stage and Reggie shields his eyes from her hypnosis!

But then Nikki SUPER CROSSBODIES!! Direct hit on all three and Nikki fires up! Nikki gets in the ring and strike a heroic pose as the ring count climbs! Raw goes to break as Nikki keeps that energy high!

Raw returns again and Shayna throws knees on Nikki in the ring. Alexa is watching from the ramp as Shayna mocks the almost superhero more. Shayna CLUBS Nikki, kicks her, but Nikki fires forearms back! Nikki backs Shayna down, whips her to a corner, but Shayna reverses. Nikki goes up and over but Shayna kicks Nikki’s leg out! Then a KNEE! Cover, TWO! Shayna gut wrenches for a SLAM! Nikki flounders to a corner, Shayna runs in and KNEES Nikki again! Shayna gets Nikki up but stares at Alexa. Shayna hoists Nikki up top while asking why Alexa is even here. Nikki throws hands on Shayna then hits a TORNADO DDT!

Both women are down and writhing as the ThunderDome fires up! Alexa strolls around the way, but Nia is there to meet her. Is Nia resisting the hypnosis? No, she’s a puppet again! Reggie snaps Nia free by turning Alexa around! But then he has to be careful of his own mind! Alexa kicks Nia’s leg out then MULE KICK LOW BLOWS Reggie down, all in one swift motion! Alexa smirks as she leaves, and Shayna is in shock! But Nikki rolls Shayna up, TWO!! Shayna CLOBBERS Nikki for it! Shayna drags Nikki up, gut wrenches but Nikki slips out and waistlocks. Shayna bucks free but Nikki dodges to come back, tilt-o-whirl takedown to a LA MAGISTROL! NIKKI WINS!

Winner: Nikki Cross, by pinfall

Almost A Super Hero definitely got the win! Shayna is at a loss for words! Will this keep happening until Shayna can take care of Alexa? Or will that take nothing short of an exorcism?

 

Kofi Kingston heads to the ring!

After Xavier Woods got hurt by the Chief Hurt Officer, the New Day’s high-flyer is here to confront Montel Vontavius Porter on why they went that far! Will things stay civil this close to Money in the Bank? We’ll see, after the break.

Raw returns and Kofi has the mic. “There are certain moments in our lives that occur and they change us for the better, or for worse. And I’m not sure how last week has affected me yet. Hearing my brother, my tag team partner, my best friend, Xavier, screaming and writhing in pain, locked inside that cell with Bobby and MVP on the inside, me locked on the outside, unable to do anything for him…” Woods had Kofi’s back like always. But when Woods needed him, Kofi couldn’t do anything for him. A lot of people have disrespected Woods for a long time. A lot of people have thought as Woods as “not up to snuff.”

But after last week, Woods showing the world that he could take it to Lashley inside the cell, we saw what kind of competitor he is. Put some respect on ya boi’s name! Now Lashley won the match fair and square, yeah. But what happened after was not okay. MVP locked the door to the cell, dangled the key in Kofi’s face, as Lashley put Woods in the Hurt Lock and grated his face against steel. That image of Woods’ face, his screaming, his pain, Kofi can’t get it out of his head. It’s like a nightmare. But Kofi knows that he will make Lashley pay, when Kofi takes everything from Lashley, when he beats him at MITB, and becomes the NEW WWE World Champion! “It’s gonna be something.”

But now MVP makes his entrance for the promised face-to-face. MVP, and Lashley’s Ladies. MVP apologizes. He thought he heard Kofi say he was going to beat the All Mighty Lashley at the PPV and become champion? Is that what he heard? That is one of the most ridiculous things he’s ever heard Kofi say! And with Booty O’s and pancakes and unicorns, the New Day says some ridiculous things. But the Hurt Business is looking forward to MITB because they’ll be in front of live fans! As for Kofi, they’re looking past him. Kofi’s a feel good, all that good David VS Goliath stuff, but in reality, he’s no threat.

Now, Lashley is enjoying a well-deserved vacation, but he has a message for Kofi: Lashley enjoyed every second with Woods in the cage, and looks forward to embarrassing Kofi. And afterwards, what Lesnar did to Kofi will look like child’s play! Oh, child’s play? All Mighty Lashley, Big Bad Bobby. Kofi isn’t sure Lashley’s that guy anymore. Lashley might be getting a little soft. And that’s coming from a unicorn horn wearing, pancake throwing, hip swiveling guy like Kofi. But let’s look at Lashley’s track record as of late! Hell in a Cell PPV, McIntyre beat Lashley within an inch of his life, and if not for MVP grabbing McIntyre’s leg, Lashley would’ve lost.

Xavier Woods fought with all of his heart, put Lashley through tables and came this close to beating the WWE Champion. And Kofi already beat Lashley once, and knows damn well he can do it again! Lashley is looking more beatable than ever! Each week, a layer of that might is stripped away. Every single week, another layer, to where at MITB, Lashley might be a shell of his former self. He might end up… like MVP! Running around in overpriced suits, hobbling around, desperately grabbing onto some semblance of success. MVP says he does what he does for Lashley because just over a year ago, they started a journey together.

Lashley put in the work, made the sacrifices, and rose to the top, and MVP does the things he does for Lashley because Lashley deserves it! All the respects and accolades! Kofi didn’t deserve it?! He didn’t work hard for his success?! When Kofi was champion for almost six months, he never took a day off! In between shows, Kofi went around the world to show anything is possible! Ghana, West Africa, showing the kids that anything is possible if you believe in yourselves. Then he went back to work to defend the title! MVP has Lashley taking vacations in the middle of his reign? Lashley’s all distracted, he’s got all these ladies, he’s taking his eye off the prize.

And when you do that, you lose and someone else has the prize. And in Fort Worth, that somebody is gonna be Kofi. So to get this right, when Kofi went home as WWE World Champion and basked in the glory of being a hero, feeding his ego, that was hard work? No. MVP makes this clear to Kofi. He respects the optimism. And Kofi’s “court jester” was very optimistic about beating Lashley, too. Not only did that not happen, the extend of Woods’ injuries kept him away from work this week. And the odds of coming back next week are as likely as Kofi leaving MITB as champion. Well, MVP might want to check his odds. Spoilers: Woods WILL be back next week! Woods has heart, is a fighter, unlike MVP, who has been milking a knee injury!

MVP says his knee is legitimately hurt, he is not cleared for combat. If he was, he’d whoop Kofi’s ass! But fortunately for Kofi, MVP isn’t cleared. Kofi rushes out to test that! MVP takes a swing with his cane, but takes the TROUBLE IN PARADISE! Kofi says this is what MVP gets! MVP wasn’t hurt last week, was he? When he went after Woods, he didn’t seem hurt. But NOW, he’s hurt! MVP finally sits up in a daze, but the message has been sent. Is KofiMania 2 returning at MITB? Or will he regret putting the hurt in Hurt Business?

 

Backstage interview with Eva Marie and “Doudrop” Piper Niven.

Kevin asks Eva about the “disagreement” that happened last week. Great question, Kirwan. See, Doudrop made a rookie mistake last week and clearly was overwhelmed by being at the forefront of the #EvaLution. Poor thing. But we all make mistakes, so Eva requested a rematch so that Doudrop could learn a lesson. Eva will win, and the EvaLution will continue. Eva still doesn’t care about anyone but herself, but will she be the one to learn something?

Asuka & Naomi VS Eva Marie & “Doudrop” Piper Niven!

The Empresses of Glowmorrow were more than ready for Eva, but they did have some trouble with Pip- er, “Doudrop.” But will things be different for Eva now that she’s ready?

Raw returns and Naomi makes her entrance as she joins Asuka. Then Eva and Piper make their entrance, the teams sort out and Piper starts with Naomi. They tie up, Piper powers Naomi to a corner, but she lets off as the ref counts, Naomi boots but Piper catches it to throw it. Naomi rebounds with a k ick! Naomi headlocks, Piper powers out but Naomi sunset flips! Piper stays up to sit down on Naomi! Piper keeps moving, but Naomi avoids the senton! Tag to Asuka and she hurries up top! Asuka leaps to missile dropkick Piper down! Asuka fires up, runs in and HIP ATTACKS Piper! And then reels Piper in for a waistlock! Piper bucks her off, but Asuka ROUNDHOUSES!

Asuka runs and lariats but Piper stays up! Piper shoves Asuka, runs in and SPLASHES in the corner! Piper gets Asuka up with a scoop but Asuka slips out for an ASUKA LOCK?! Piper reaches out while staying on her feet, but she powers free to throw Asuka down! Piper crawls over but now Eva leaves Piper! Asuka rolls Piper but Piper rolls through to SENTON! Piper hurries up as Naomi runs in but Piper runs her over! Piper runs to BASEMENT SPLASH Asuka! Cover, PIPER wins!!!

Winners: Piper Niven & Eva Marie, by pinfall

Piper just beat two former women’s champions by herself!! Eva is clearly shocked and upset that her plan to return the favor backfired! Eva gets a mic to say, “The winner of this match is Eva Mariiiie~!” Still taking all the credit… When is Piper going to learn the real lesson and ditch the #EvaLution?

 

The Miz and John Morrison cruise around backstage.

Sarah asks what it would mean to Johnny Drip Drip to become Mr. MITB. The Flood Stud is getting moist just thinking about it! Miz promises that Morrison won’t just win the briefcase, he will successfully cash it in. Miz is a two-time Mr.  MITB and has successfully cashed in twice. Miz may not be the fastest, the biggest or the strongest. But…? But he is the smartest tactician! Morrison was going to say that! Miz sees beyond just a few moves. Whenever the situation is right, Miz knows when to strike! But Ricochet asks if they’re sure about that. When did he switch with Sarah?! Oh he was on the way to the ring for his match with Morrison. Is Miz surprised that he got one over on a master like him?

Y-Yes, he saw him! Another aspect of the strategy is to lure others in with a false sense of security> So he let Ricochet take a Drip Stick? Wait, when did he…? SQUIRT! Miz goes for his but Ricochet holds him at… drips tick point? SQUIRT SQUIRT! Will the Guru of Greatness be all wet after this MITB sampler?

Ricochet VS John Morrison w/ The Miz!

Raw returns as the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century make their entrance. The bell rings and Miz parks by commentary as the two circle. Ricochet and Morrison approach, test things with kicks, and Ricochet blocks one to get a half nelson.  Morrison backs Ricochet into a corner to fire off elbows, but Ricochet slips free. Morrison boots, Ricochet jumps and ducks and throws body shots! Ricochet ROCKS Morrison, reels him in and SLAMS him for an elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Miz is mad and wants Morrison to make Ricochet pay! Morrison RAMS Ricochet into a corner, fires off the elbows again and trips Ricochet up to then double mule kick!

Miz puts Morrison’s ability over as he kicks Ricochet down and covers, TWO! Ricochet sits up but Morrison has a half nelson and shifts to top wristlock. Morrison drags Ricochet from ropes but Ricochet fights up. Morrison knees low, swaggers about, then DECKS Ricochet! Morrison gets Ricochet up but no Moonlight Drive! Ricochet dropkicks Morrison out of the ring! Miz tells Morrison to get up as Ricochet builds speed, and Ricochet slides to WRECK Morrison with the dropkick! Miz says Ricochet needs to leave Morrison alone, and he blocks Ricochet with his wheelchair! Ricochet JUMPS OVER Miz to RANA Morrison! Miz is shocked and goes for the drip stick!

Ricochet snatches it! SQUIRT SQUIRTH! Miz takes more water damage and then ricochet throws the stick away! Miz shouts that Ricochet is lucky he’s in this wheelchair! Ricochet leaves Miz behind and Raw goes to break!

Raw returns again and Morrison kicks Ricochet around. Morrison throws knees, body shots and clubbing forearms in a corner. The ref counts, Morrison stops at 4, but Ricochet fires hands back! Ricochet ROCKS Morrison with an uppercut, but Morrison fakes Ricochet with the screw high kick to sweep low! Miz likes what he sees as Morrison scuffs Ricochet, then scuffs him again! Morrison is feeling good but Ricochet shoves the scuff away, to get a mule kick! Ricochet gets up in a rage and fires off hands! And CHOPS! Ricochet runs, Morrison goes the other way, but Ricochet dodges the Flying Chuck to CROSSBODY!

Ricochet glares at Miz as he fires up. Miz says Morrison will hurt him, but Ricochet fires hands on Morrison first! Morrison knees low, whips Ricochet but Ricochet rallies with forearms! Ricochet blocks a punch, gives body shots then a KNEE! Morrison wobbles into a fireman’s carry and ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Ricochet keeps moving to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Morrison is still tough, but Ricochet gets him back up. Ricochet clinches to throw knees but Morrison gets around to Alabama Lift! ROLLING ALABAMA SLAM! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet is showing he’s tough, too! And Miz is shocked by it all!

Morrison drags Ricochet to a drop zone, but Ricochet inside cradles! TWO, and Morrison springboards, FLYING CHUCK! Morrison has Ricochet in a drop zone again, STARSHIP PAIN FLOPS!! Ricochet avoids disaster and gets to a corner. Ricochet gets up as Morrison is on the apron. Morrison goes to Eddy Gordo but Ricochet blocks to TRIANGLE JUMP DROPKICK! Ricochet builds speed but Morrison runs away! Morrison avoids the tope but Ricochet SPIRNGOBARDS?! CROSSBODY OVER THE BARRIERS!!!! NO one can believe what they’ve just seen and Miz panics for Morrison! The ring count is 5 of 10 as Ricochet drags himself up! Then we’re up to 8 as Ricochet flops over! It hits 10!!

Double Count-out Draw

Ricochet got closer, but close only works in horseshoes and hand grenades! After that insane crash landing, what will these two do with ladders involved?

 

Charlotte Flair talks with Natalya & Tamina backstage.

The Queen knows these two haven’t been the most welcoming, but they all have respect. Only these three understand how exhausting it is to uphold family legacies. Only they understand what it takes to lead a division, unlike Rhea, Mandy & Dana. It’s charming that Rhea wants to be just like Charlotte, and Charlotte did try to mentor Dana. And honestly, no one is sure what anyone sees in Mandy. Natty’s already tapped Mandy out once. There’s nothing to be concerned about. Tamina is still upset about the cheap shots last week, so tonight is the receipt. Good! They’re all on the same page! Let’s show that respect isn’t given, it’s earned! Will these three second-generation superstars coexist long enough to take on their rivals?

Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke VS Charlotte Flair, Natalya & Tamina!

Raw returns the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions make their entrance to join Charlotte. Then the #SexyMuscleFriends make their entrance, followed by the Raw Women’s Champion. But the teams don’t sort out, they just brawl! Rhea and Charlotte, Natty and Mandy, and Tamina and Dana, they’re all over the place! Rhea and Charlotte fight on the announce desk! They get back in the ring, keep going, and Rhea tackles Charlotte down for ground ‘n’ pound! Charlotte hits back, Natty gets in to help Charlotte but Mandy gets in to help Rhea! Tamina and Dana join in, they’re brawling all over the ring!

Mandy stomps Charlotte, Rhea throws Natty and Dana shoves Tamina out! The second gen superstars regroup as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns yet again, and the match is happening as Natty has Mandy in a cobra twist. Mandy fights free, arm-drags Natty away, then KNEE- NO! Natty blocks the knee, trips Mandy up and goes for the sharpshooter! Mandy kicks free and hot tags Dana! Dana dodges Natty to handspring and merry-go-round headscissor! Natty staggers up, Dana handspring back elbows in the corner! Dana fires off forearms, then reels Natty in for a clothesline! Cover, TWO! Charlotte tells Natty to get up and Natty ROCKS Dana with rights! Natty whips, Dana reverses but Natty holds ropes and elbows Dana! Tag to Tamina but Dana dropkicks her down! But Charlotte tags in just before!

Dana goes out, dodges Natty and blocks Tamina’s superkick, but Charlotte BLINDSIDES Dana! Charlotte puts Dana in to cover, TWO! Charlotte mocks Dana to go tag her partners but then dribbles her off the mat! Charlotte swipes at Rhea but then drags Dana away. The ref is busy with Rhea as Charlotte throws Dana down and Tamina gets a cheap shot in! Charlotte kicks Dana, tags Tamina in, and stands on Dana so that Tamina can stomp away! Tag to Natty and the tag champs mug Dana. Natty gets Dana up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Natty is annoyed but she tags Tamina back in. They mug Dana more, shove her into the buckles, then tag Charlotte in.

Charlotte takes her time bringing Dana up and around to CHOP her! And CHOP her! And CHOP her! Charlotte puts Dana’s leg on ropes but Dana avoids the knee drop! Dana  ROCKS Charlotte, BOOTS her, but Charlotte KNEES Dana back! Charlotte gets Dana up but Dana escapes the scoop to O’Conner Roll! TWO, hot tag to Rhea! The Nightmare rallies on Charlotte with short arm clotheslines! Rhea ripcords and HEADBUTTS to a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Rhea gets Charlotte up again but Charlotte escapes the suplex and rakes eyes! Tag to Natty, Rhea wants after Charlotte but Natty rolls Rhea up! ONE, and Rhea KICKS Natty down!

Tag to Dana, and Dana tags Mandy. They double snapmare and cartwheel to double BOOT! Cover, but Tamina breaks it! Rhea dropkicks Tamina but Charlotte chop blocks Rhea! Dana gives Charlotte a ROLLING NECKBRAEKER! Natty DISCUS LARIATS Dana! Mandy rolls Natty, ONE!! Natty rushes Mandy and lifts her, but Mandy sunset flips! TWO, and Mandy gets around to O’Conner Roll! TWO and Natty has the legs! Natty steps through, Mandy boots her, and Charlotte tags in! Mandy dodges Natty, KNEE FROM A ROSE! BOOT from Charlotte!! Cover, Charlotte and team win!!

Winners: Charlotte Flair, Natalya & Tamina, by pinfall

But Rhea CHOP BLOCKS Charlotte! And then bails out! The Nightmare gets the last laugh because she got even with The Queen! Will things only get chippier come Money in the Bank?

 

Akira Tozawa’s on the run!

The WWE 24/7 Champion comes across Ryker, who is back to smacking himself with the strap. Ryker doesn’t even care, he lets Tozawa continue on. Truth comes by, sees Ryker, and asks him why he’s doing that. Is Ryker unhappy with himself? Can he… see Truth? Ryker stops and Truth asks if Ryker wants to talk about it. Ryker is preparing for battle. Tonight, he and Elia swill be tied together with this strap. They will be bound together, and there will be nowhere for Elias to retreat. What is Ryker doing, you ask? He is purging himself of weakness and exploring ways to inflict the most pain. Well thanks for sharing, man.

Hey, when Ryker is done, can Truth borrow it? He wants to lassoey Tozawa and get his baby back! Ryker doesn’t respond, so Truth takes it as a “Maybe.” Well look at the time! That’s all for this week! Good talk. Truth heads off, and Ryker continues to test himself with the strap. Is Ryker ready to quite literally whip Elias’ ass?

 

Strap Match: Elias VS Jaxson Ryker!

The Drifter goes to the ring, and there will be no running away this time. Will he even be able to walk after Ryker gets his hands, and that strap, on him?

Raw returns and Ryker makes his entrance. The strap is fastened around each man’s left hand and the bell rings. Elias jumps right at Ryker! Elias fires off haymakers and body shots but Ryker gives them back! Elias knees Ryker down in the corner, stomps him down, then gets him up to put him through the bottom rope. Elias goes out after and CHOPS Ryker! Elias sees the steel steps, uses the straps to reel Ryker in and send him into the steel! Ryker hobbles up but Elias has the strap wrapped around the post! Ryker is held up and Elias fires off hands! Elias gathers up some slack to SMACK Ryker in the ribs! And again! Elias runs in but Ryker BOOTS him!

Ryker uses the strap to yank Elias into POST! Ryker gets Elias in the ring, then on the apron, to SMACK him with the strap! Ryker gets in, keeps Elias from going too far, and kicks him low so he can SMACK Elias on the back! And again! Ryker whips Elias up and over, then yanks Elias back in, to CLOBBER him! Ryker has a leather fist and he drops it on Elias’ head! Ryker goes to a corner, climbs up, and uses the strap to stand Elias up. Ryker knees, into a SYMPHO-KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Elias almost had Ryker there! Elias snarls as he paces around, and he gathers up some slack. Elias says there was a time he respected Ryker, but Ryker disrespected Elias!

Elias SMACKS Ryker and mocks his pain! Elias SMACKS Ryker again! Elias sits Ryker up to tell him this is what he gets, but Ryker dodges the next smack to kick low and SMACK Elias back! And again! And he whips Elias to a corner, reels him in to whip to the other corner, and then in for a SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, RYKER WINS!

Winner: Jaxson Ryker, by pinfall

Brutal, direct, and quick, Ryker finally gets his vindication! Will he finally be able to walk away from Elias and chart his own path?

 

Matt Riddle prepares backstage.

Damian Priest walks over and tells Riddle, “Just wanna say, congratulations on your victory tonight in the battle royal. And good luck, Riddle.” Riddle says he’s not Riddle, he’s Randy Orton. And what does Priest want? Uh… Okay, “Randy.” Well if you see Riddle, let Riddle know Priest is looking for him. Priest saw that Burger King has those new Ch’King sandwiches, and figured they could grab a couple. But if Riddle’s not here… Riddle puts his hand out. Priest doesn’t get it, so he turns to leave. Riddle says to wait, and says he is Riddle. This was his lock ‘n’ key game with Randy. Riddle just doesn’t want to let Riddle down.

Riddle, relax, Priest knew it was you. But to be fair, Priest thinks what Riddle is doing for Randy is cool. Just to be clear, Orton is the one lucky enough to have Riddle as a friend. Aw… Riddle goes back to getting in the mindset of Orton, but will pretending to be The Viper make him as good as The Viper against Drew McIntyre and AJ Styles?

 

Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre!

Kevin asks if McIntyre can beat Styles and Riddle tonight. A valid question, so here is a valid answer. The Battle of Edinburgh, the Scots VS the English VS the Irish. English were first, outnumbering Scotland 2 to 1, but the Scots won easily. A few knuckle sandwiches and Glasgow kisses, boom, the Brits went back to Queenie. But then the Irish showed up, full on fisticuffs, and one ginger lad was throwing Scots left ‘n’ right, coming face to face with McIntyre. McIntyre kicked Sheamus right in his lucky charms, sent him flying, things were nut! And the grand finale of it all… McIntyre saved Christmas! He did? NO! That question was ridiculous, this whole thing is ridiculous!

McIntyre won’t show his hand. But he will slap Riddle around, kick Styles’ head off his shoulders, then go on to win Money in the Bank! The Scottish Warrior’s last last chance is right here, right now, can he do it?!

Last Chance Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Drew McIntyre VS VS AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Matt Riddle!

McIntyre makes his entrance first, with the claymore sword and the pyro, because for him, this is business as usual! But will going about things the same way get him the same result of a crushing defeat? Or can he overcome the Phenomenal One and the Bro roleplaying as The Viper to be one step closer to the briefcase?

Raw returns and the bell rings! Styles hits Riddle, McIntyre hits Styles! McIntyre stomps away on Styles but Riddle fires forearms on McIntyre! McIntyre DECKS Riddle but Styles CHOPS McIntyre! McIntyre gets mad and CHOPS Styles off his feet! McIntyre turns around to whip Riddle in, then runs to ROCK him with forearms! McIntyre stomps Riddle, brings him up to headbutt, then whips him into Styles’ boot! Styles rushes McIntyre but McIntyre clobbers him! McIntyre dead lift suplexes Riddle! Cover, TWO! Styles runs in but McIntyre kicks him and RAMS him into buckles! Styles goes down but Riddle fires off hands on McIntyre! And kicks!

Riddle has McIntyre in a corner, he runs side to side to forearm Styles, then McIntyre! Riddle runs side to side again, but into McIntyre’s clinch! OVERHEAD Belly2Belly for Riddle! OVERHEAD Belly2Belly for Styles! McIntyre scowls even though he has control. Styles slowly gets up but McIntyre is on him with haymakers. McIntyre whips Styles to ropes and TOSSES him with the back drop! Cover, TWO! McIntyre keeps eyes on Styles, aims from the ropes, but Styles avoid the Claymore and throws Styles out! Omos is nearby, but he stays back while McIntyre gets up. Styles aims, slingshots, but has to bail out of the plancha as McIntyre moves! McIntyre sweeps the legs!

McIntyre goes to the announce desk and clears it off! McIntyre even stares Omos down a moment before going back for Styles. McIntyre reels Styles in, gets him up, but Styles gets free of the crucifix to KICK the leg! Riddle flies in to forearm McIntyre down! The Bro sees Styles nearby, and sees the desk! What would Randy Orton do? Riddle gets McIntyre up but Styles throws hands! Riddle CHOPS McIntyre and Styles, but McIntyre throws forearms. McIntyre bounces Riddle off steps but Styles kicks McIntyre’s knee! And then POSTS him! Styles goes back to Riddle and kick shim low to bring him to the desk. Riddle blocks the suplex to throw body shots!

Riddle turns things around, Styles blocks the suplex, but Riddle throws more body shots. Styles powers up but still can’t get Riddle up! Riddle turns things around to suplex Styles up and over to the floor! McIntyre gets Riddle, another dead lift suplex, and to the floor! McIntyre gets up but Styles ENZIGURIS him down! Styles gets McIntyre up, scoops, but Riddle has to help out. McIntyre is a big man, but they both SLAM him through the table!! Everyone is down as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Riddle fires off kicks on Styles in a corner! Styles blocks one, puts the leg on the rope then kicks the leg! Riddle hobbles, Styles hurries over, Riddle KICKS him down! Riddle runs, Styles avoids the Penalty Kick to roll up, ONE! Styles blocks another kick to DRAGON SCREW! Riddle roars and writhes but Styles gets the leg for a foot DDT! And then drops an elbow on the knee! Styles has a toehold but Riddle fights with a chinbar. Styles wrenches Riddle’s toes! Styles then gets up to stomp the leg, and stalks Riddle to a corner. Styles throws hands, gets the leg again, but Riddle KNEES free with the other! Styles wobbles and the ref checks on him.

Riddle gets up, Styles is still in this, and Styles dodges Riddle to PELE! Cover, TWO! Omos is annoyed but Styles goes out to KICK and stomp McIntyre back down! McIntyre sits up but Styles kicks him, then throws him down on the wreckage of the table! The ref checks on McIntyre, Styles goes back to the ring and fist-bumps Omos. But Riddle is back up and fires off hands on Styles! Riddle has Styles in the corner, but Styles hits a SPINEBUSTER! Styles gets the leg for a toehold again, then shifts Riddle over for a modified ankle lock! Riddle endures, moves around, and gets the ropebreak! Styles doesn’t have to let go but the tap-out won’t count, so Styles changes position!

Styles has a Half Crab now! Riddle kicks with his free leg but Styles stomps him down! Styles paces, gets Riddle up, and snap BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives and Styles is growing frustrated. Styles goes out as McIntyre stirs again and Styles stomps McIntyre down! Styles goes back to the ring but a KNEE catches him in the ropes! Riddle shouts out to Orton, DRAPING DDT! Riddle hears the voices in his head, or maybe just Orton’s voice in his head, as Styles gets up! Styles ducks the RKO to fireman’s carry, and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Riddle still lives and Styles can’t believe it!

Styles gets Riddle up, reels him in, but Riddle fights the Clash! McIntyre is back and he drags Styles out! McIntyre RAMS Styles into barriers, then into apron, then back into barriers! McIntyre goes after Riddle, but Riddle spins him, PELE- NO! McIntyre blocks, gets Riddle up and puts him in the corner! McIntyre fires off windmill haymakers! McIntyre whips Riddle corner to corner then runs in to back elbow! McIntyre gets the legs, brings Riddle out, INVERTED ALABAMA SLAM! McIntyre watches Riddle slowly stir, and McIntyre aims from the ropes again. Riddle stands, but he avoids the Claymore to send McIntyre out!

Riddle catches his breath in the ring, and Styles aims at McIntyre for a SLIDING FOREARM! Styles goes to the ring, Riddle goes TRIANGLE JUMP FINAL FLASH! Styles flops back down, Riddle goes to the apron and he APRON PENALTY KICKS! McIntyre swipes but Riddle jumps it to PENALTY KCIK! SPRINGBOARD FLOATING BRO!! Riddle takes out both Styles and McIntyre and fires up! Riddle has his choice, but he KICKS McIntyre against the post! And again! And again! Styles is up and he gets KICKS, too! Riddle goes back to McIntyre, PENALTY KICK! Riddle runs at Styles, but Styles moves and Riddle kicks steel steps!

The ref checks on him but Riddle says he doesn’t want to stop now! But surely a toe or foot could be broken, the ref has medics rush out. They check on Riddle, help him get up slowly and hop towards the back. Riddle feels awful, he can’t let Randy Orton down! Riddle is still taken away as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more and McIntyre throws body shots to fight out of Styles’ chinlock. Styles kicks low, runs and kicks McIntyre, but McIntyre CLOBBERS him! McIntyre rallies, whips, and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes again! Styles hobbles up into ANOTHER OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! McIntyre aims at Styles, runs in but Styles boots him away! Styles runs, McIntyre dodges the clothesline and hits a NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up but his bad leg jams a bit. McIntyre gets Styles up, underhooks but Styles fights free to kick. McIntyre blocks that kick to SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife cover, TWO!

McIntyre is frustrated but he keeps his focus as he and Styles slowly rise. McIntyre gets Styles up, bumps him off buckles, then hoists him up top. McIntyre ROCKS Styles with a right, climbs up and gets Styles up, but Styles slips out to trip McIntyre up! Styles fireman’s carries for an USSHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives but Styles is too tired to be upset! Styles gets back up, he brings McIntyre up and reels him in, but McIntyre powers out of the Clash! Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz, but swings into a scoop, MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and McIntyre is beside himself!

Both men go to opposite corners, and McIntyre runs in, but into a chop block! Styles hurries to get a leg, McIntyre fights to his feet but Styles rolls him! CALF CRUSHER!! McIntyre endures as Styles pulls back as hard as he can! But wait, is that Riddle hobbling back out? His foot is heavily wrapped but he’s somehow making it here! McIntyre dribbles Styles, Riddle gets him for a BROMISSION! Styles fights free, going after the bad thighs! Riddle still kicks, rolls Styles, BROMISSION! McIntyre stomps the hold apart, gets Riddle up nd throws hands. Riddle spins McIntyre to PELE! McIntyre tumbles out, Riddle is up but Styles springboards, PHENOMNEAL- FINAL FLASH!

RIDDLE HITS AN RKO!?!? Cover, Omos drags Styles out! Omos saves Styles from taking the loss! Riddle turns around into a CLAYMORE OUTTA NOWHERE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall (qualifies for the Men’s MITB Ladder Match)

Styles survives thanks to his massive insurance policy, but he and the Bro still lose as the Scottish Warrior snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Will McIntyre add that briefcase to his list of accolades?


My Thoughts:

Wow, Raw was surprisingly great again this week. There were still more recaps than needed, but we got a lot of good stuff even with that. For one, a great promo segment with Kofi and MVP, though I will note Kofi might’ve been too hyped because he had stammered a little here and there. But Kofi pointing out things like Lashley taking it easy, having MVP help him, all good points. Kofi knocking MVP down with the Trouble in Paradise was great, too. Things are really ramping up, but it feels like Lashley is still winning at MITB, even if KofiMania 2 happening would be a great way to get fans to react.

Speaking of MITB, everything going into tonight’s Triple Threat was interesting but all around exciting stuff. Whatever reason Orton couldn’t actually be here, using it to further things on various fronts was great. The battle royal got a lot of action and story going at once, such as Mansoor being tricked by Mustafa Ali, all the 24/7 Championship chaos on the outside, and Omos screwing over the Viking Raiders. Riddle being in that match and then winning it for Orton was great stuff. Riddle made the Triple Threat an awesome match, though it was going to be that with Orton, too.

But Riddle taking the loss makes sense. Styles had Omos so he wasn’t going to lose, but he also wasn’t going to win because of the coming Raw Tag Team Championship match. The story of RKBRO is going to circle back to the tag titles, too. Priest’s promo with Riddle backstage was good, and I hope this cues Orton to try and appreciate what Riddle was doing for him. Orton was going to lose his opportunity by default without him, Riddle at least tried to get it, there’s no shame in losing here. And I suppose by default, McIntyre was going to win, but also because why wouldn’t Raw choose McIntyre? I don’t think McIntyre wins the MITB match because of all the other great choices, but him trying is also a great bit of the story.

Ricochet, Morrison and Miz had a great promo segment together, and then Ricochet VS Morrison was an awesome match. And the way they got to Double Count-out was awesome, I’ve never seen a move like that to the outside. Those guys are going to be the highlights of the ladder match because of what they can do. Elias VS Ryker as a strap match was so quick, it was like filler. Ryker was of course going to win and get past Elias, but it just doesn’t feel like a blow-off if it happens so fast. Also, Ryker wearing yellow and red, I hope this isn’t a sign Vince is going to try and make Ryker the new “I’m a real American~” Hogan. Not that I’m not patriotic, it’s just that it doesn’t need to be done with an Easter Egg to Hulkamania.

We got pretty good stuff out of Shayna, Nia, Nikki and Alexa. Nikki coming up with her nickname and catchphrase was great, she had a good match with Shayna, but of course Alexa gets involved with the puppetry. Her taking out two with one leg was great, though. Nikki wins to build momentum towards the MITB match, but no idea who is winning this with SmackDown still determining their spots. The limited roster didn’t really do Asuka or Naomi any favors. I get Eva is to get Heel Heat while fans rally behind “Doudrop” Piper Niven, but Piper ditched her last week. Why are they teaming again? Why isn’t Piper getting in Eva’s face about her name? This is bad pacing along with exposing WWE not caring for their RawDown Women’s Division like NXT does for theirs.

The Six Woman Tag was a much better segment with the promos and the brawling before the match, as well as the match itself. Charlotte, Natty & Tamina win to get momentum, but it is interesting that Rhea gets the cheap shot on Charlotte. I feel like Rhea, Dana & Mandy might win their matches, because who else is there to defend the titles against for Natty & Tamina? SmackDown has almost no one, but Asuka and Naomi can stick together to challenge whoever after MITB. Of course, the WWE Draft is coming, there’s at least two women’s tag teams going from NXT to RawDown to salvage the main roster tag division, which is sad because these belts should’ve been on all the shows outside of when Bayley & Sasha Banks had them.

My Score: 8.4/10


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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (3/18/24)

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

Becky Lynch and Nia Jax want to finally put this to an end, so tonight on Raw, it will be a Big Time Last Woman Standing match! Will the Irresistible Force force the WrestleMania 40 match to change?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers; DIY wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Candice & Indi win.
  • Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher; The Awesome Truth wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy; The New Day wins and advances to WrestleMania.
  • Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax; Becky wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

North Carolina State University fires up and bounces along with Main Event Jey, and Pat McAfee plays a dangerous game standing on the armchairs! From Bret VS Owen to Matt VS Jeff, we’re about to get Jey VS Jimmy in the third-ever Brother VS Brother WrestleMania grudge match! Jey gets the mic as fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, and wants us to check this out. He knows his brothers are somewhere in the building. He knows The Bloodline’s in the building. He knows how the Bloodline rolls! SO Big Brother Jimmy, where you at?! Where you at, Uce!?

Jey waits for someone to show up somewhere, and the crowd spots them first! Fans boo as Jimmy & Solo make their way from the back of the stands. Jimmy gets a mic and goes to the apron while Solo paces around the outside. Fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” again as Jey puts the sunglasses aside. The Usos stare each other down, the fans now chant “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey wants to say something, hesitates, but then says these two would always get to it but they always knew how to shake right back to this. But now it’s different. Regardless of what happened, the bad blood between them, Jey misses his brother. He does.

Jey knows Jimmy will say what he wants, but Jey doesn’t talk to him no more, doesn’t ride with him no more, doesn’t even see him no more! Jimmy can just come back. Jimmy says he never left! He protected Jey! Jey’s so dumb, he can’t see it! Jimmy is protecting Jey! It was Jey’s idea to leave The Bloodline, but Jimmy helped because he is Jey’s brother. So yeah, Jey leaves, and what happens? Lil’ Bro becomes the BIGGEST star on the Raw roster! Lil’ Bro becomes the top merch seller! Lil’ Bro goes off to become a tag team champion without Jimmy, but with CODY RHODES!? Who left who, Uce?

Jey forgot Jimmy! Everything Jey did that was big was cuz of Big Bro Jimmy! Everything! So listen loud and clear. The biggest moment in Jey’s career, the BIGGEST moment, is because of Jimmy! Jimmy stares Jey down, but Jey says no. Jey’s biggest moment in his career is going to be his dream match at WrestleMania 40: Jey VS Jimmy, and Jey knocks the yeet out Jimmy’s ass! Jey DECKS Jimmy, DECKS Solo off the apron, but then Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jey down! The fans boo but now Solo storms in and looms over Jey. Solo drags Jey up so Jimmy can look him in the face and tell him that Jey needs to get it right! JIMMY made Jey!

But here comes Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up as Cody DECKS Jimmy, then gets in to springboard and CODY CUTTER Solo!! The American Nightmare said he was gonna be a Bloodline Hunter, and he made sure they didn’t take out Jey! Cody tells The Bloodline it is only a matter of time before they lose it all at WrestleMania! Will Jey prove that younger or older doesn’t matter when he is the BETTER brother?

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

He’s telling Nick Aldis to stop being a hypocrite, telling Pearce to keep his roster in check when this is happening. But then Paul Heyman walks over and Pearce says he’ll call Aldis back. Pearce then asks Heyman what was all that, and Heyman says he owes Pearce an apology. He is sorry. That was not authorized by The Final Boss nor The Tribal Chief, and certainly not by Heyman. Jimmy & Solo went into business for themselves so Heyman apologizes. But listen, Pearce knows that there have been flight delays all day. Even private jets like theirs. Heyman is barely even dressed for TV, let alone has his make-up!

Pearce says those two were ready. Yeah, well, they got in on a different flight. But Roman Reigns is a chief of his word. Those two are already gone, out of the arena, and Pearce has Roman’s word. Call his bluff, put out a search party. Pearce knows Heyman is here on official business, which Heyman will handle, and then be gone. That is it. But when Heyman does his official business… everyone will be caught off guard. “And Mr. Pearce, sir, that’s not a prediction. That’s a spoiler.” The Wise Man heads out and calls Roman, but just what is Heyman teasing?

 

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers!

Unlike SmackDown’s mini-tournament, Raw and Adam Pearce say it’s win and you’re in! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano want one more shot at Judgment Day, but so do Julius & Brutus! Will the Sicilian Psycho & Johnny Wrestling prove that when it comes to Mania Moments, you gotta do it yourself? Or will the Creeds be bringing golden tickets to the Diamond Mine?

Raw returns as The Creeds make their entrance. The teams fist bump to show respect, then the teams sort out. Julius starts against Ciampa, they circle and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Ciampa goes for a waistlock but Julius facelocks. Julius wrangles Ciampa to the mat, flips him over, ONE, and Ciampa keeps moving. They trade facelocks, gator roll, and Julius gets another lateral press. ONE, but Julius gator rolls Ciampa around. Ciampa fights up, puts Julius on ropes, and the ref counts. Ciampa lets off, then CHOPS! Julius shoots in for the takedown! Julius has a leg, Ciampa fights but Julius turns him for the ANKLE LOCK!

Ciampa scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Julius lets off cleanly. Ciampa bails out, shakes it off, and he gets back in. They go again, Julius hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Tag to Brutus, and Julius feeds Ciampa to another fireman’s carry takeover! Brutus cording holds but Ciampa endures. Ciampa fights up, but Brutus facelocks. The fans rally as Brutus switches and rolls Ciampa. Ciampa fights up, headlocks, then ROCKS Brutus! Brutus DECKS Ciampa, then whips him to ropes. Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges, tag to Gargano! Ciampa slides, CHOPS, Gargano LARIATS and Ciampa JAWBREAKERS! Wrench and LARIAT!

Julius runs in, Gargano kicks and Ciampa gives him the boost for SLICED BREAD! The Creeds bail out, but DIY DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go the Creeds, and DIY applaud and pat themselves on the back. The fans fire up and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Ciampa has Julius in a chinlock. The fans rally, Julius fights up to throw body shots, but Ciampa hits a back suplex! Julius lands out of it, but Ciampa elbows him away. Ciampa drop toeholds Julius, gets legs, but Julius BOOTS Ciampa away! Hot tags to Gargano and Brutus! Brutus rallies on DIY, TOSSES Gargano, then blocks Ciampa’s kick to get under and POWERBOMB him! Brutus sees DIY regroup, then he runs in to SPLASH them both! O’Conner on Ciampa, but Gargano runs up! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Brutus has a DOUBLE BRIDGE, TWO!! Tag to Julius and he gut wrench SLAMS Brutus on Ciampa!

Brutus helps Julius flip up and over to SPLASH onto Ciampa! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Julius drags Ciampa up. Ciampa throat chops! A bit dirty but Ciampa wants that win! Ciampa storms up on Julius, but Julius basement stalling suplexes!! The fans are thunderous, Gargano runs in, but Brutus intercepts! Brutus suplexes Gargano now, stalls, and then the Creeds SLAM and kip up! Then they both STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa stays in this for DIY but the Creeds keep cool. Julius stomps Ciampa, tags Brutus, and they KNEE Ciampa around! Then they DOUBLE GUTBUSTER! Ciampa sputters but Brutus tags Julius in.

Julius drags Ciampa up, tags Brutus back in, and Brutus climbs. Julius Electric Chair Lifts, but Gargano makes the save! Gargano ROCKS Julius, Brutus ROCKS Gargano! Ciampa BOOTS Brutus, Gargano swings on Julius but is sent into Ciampa! Ciampa pushes Gargano back so he can ELBOW Julius! DIY set up again but Brutus stops the Sliced Bread! Julius DECKS Ciampa, KNEE into the WIDOWMAKER! Julius scrapes Gargano out, Brutus POUNCES Ciampa over the desk! Pat fires up with Brutus and so do the fans! The Creeds say they run this now, and then Brutus drags Ciampa up while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Julius has Ciampa in a chinlock. Ciampa fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Ciampa ELBOWS Brutus down, BOOTS Julius, then runs up, only for Julius to catch him and toss him back! But then Ciampa catches Julius for a REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down and crawling! Hot tag to Gargano! Gargano slingshots to KICK Julius, then he CLOBBERS Brutus! ENZIGIRI for Julius, then he runs to DOUBLE KNEE Brutus! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up with Gargano while Julius ends up in another corner. Gargano runs in but is put on the apron!

Gargano GAMANGIRIS Julius, SUPERKICKS Brutus, then SLINGSHOT SPEARS Julius! Cover, TWO! Julius survives but Gargano puts him in a corner. Gargano CHOPS, then hoists Julius up top. Tag to Ciampa, Ciampa CHOPS Julius while Gargano DIVES onto Brutus! Ciampa CHOPS Julius again, goes up top, and fireman’s carries! Ciampa then tucks Julius in for the SUPER AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives again and shocks Ciampa! The fans are just as stunned, but Ciampa and Julius sit up. Ciampa stands, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Julius sits back up as Ciampa puts some stank on the CHOP!

Julius brings the straps down! Julius fires a forearm, Ciampa hits back, and the fans fire up as the shots keep going! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, meaner and meaner! The fans fire up as this just turns into a brawl of haymakers and SLAPS! Ciampa then gets around, ripcord and HAYMAKER! ROLLING- TACKLE from Julius! And then the ANKLE LOCK!! Ciampa reaches out, moves around, but Gargano runs up! Julius kicks him, then gets him up with one arm to POWERBOMB! Then it’s back to the ANKLE LOCK on Ciampa! Brutus gets in to get Gargano for an ANKLE LOCK of his own!

The fans are thunderous as DIY endures! Ciampa and Gargano fight, turn things over, SICILIAN CROSSFACE and GargaNO Escape!! The fans are thunderous as The Creeds power up and lift both DIY! They fireman’s carry, then TOSS DIY into each other!! The fans are thunderous as Julius goes up to MOONSAULT onto Ciampa! Brutus MOONSAULTS, too! Cover, TWO?!?! Ciampa survives and the fans are loving this! Julius tags back in, Brutus climbs up! “This is Awesome!” as Julius Electric Chair Lifts Ciampa! But Ciampa VICTORY ROLLS to get under the Brutus Ball!! Cover, Brutus tips it! Gargano TOSSES Brutus then SUPERKICKS Julius!! Ciampa has the cover, DIY WINS!!

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

Julius can’t believe it! He kicked out at 3.1, but a loss is a loss! And for the first time ever, DIY is going to Mania! Will Philadelphia soon be historic for a DIY championship victory?

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

Rhea Ripley is with Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh, but also Andrade. Dom says he’s always liked Andrade’s style, but things have changed since the last time he was in the WWE. The Judgment Day runs Raw now. Rhea says yeah, and they don’t extend invitations to just anyone. Judgment Day is very exclusive. JD says very exclusive. But if Andrade continues to impress them, they’ll see about making things happen. And Finn says he just heard that Andrade has a match next week, so the Judgment Day will be watching him. Sounds good. See you next week. But then in steps Damian Priest.

The Punisher says hello to El Idolo, and El Idolo says hello to Senor Dinero. Andrade heads out, will he quite literally win his way into the club? But as for Priest, Finn asks him what he was up to. Priest was getting a closer look at that DIY VS Creeds match. DIY won, but whatever, they can handle those guys. But JD, they thought he could handle Ricochet last week, and run the gauntlet, and then go to WrestleMania to bring even more gold back to Judgment Day. JD says he did he belonged in there. But also, he battered Ricochet, who got lucky at the end there. Right, Finn? Finn hesitates, and Rhea says Priest is right on this one.

Ricochet made a fool out of JD! A fool? Yes. A fool? Yes. That’s why tonight, Dom will make it right. Right, Dom? Yeah, Mami. Let’s go talk to Pearce to make it official. Dom & JD head out, and the others are confident Dom’s got this. But does he, though? Or will the One and Only have two wins over Judgment Day in as many weeks?

 

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!

The Poison Pixie certainly lived up to that name last week when she bullied Maxxine Dupri as part of beating her and Ivy Nile last week. Will Candice’s toxic tongue strike again? Or will the party not be stopped by her harsh vibes?

The teams sort out and Candice starts against Kayden. Candice rushes up, Kayden gets around and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kayden springboards to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Kayden stalks Candice, Candice ELBOWS her away then tags Indi. Kayden dodges Candice to SUPERKICK, but Indi BOOTS Kayden! Cover, TWO! Indi drags Kayden up, tags Candice back in, and they mug Kayden. Candice CLUBS away on Kayden, fires off furious fists, then covers. TWO, and Candice grows frustrated already. The fans rally, Candice steps up but Kayden avoids the senton! Tags to Katana and Indi! Katana blasts past Indi, comes back and BULLDOGS!

Katana keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS Indi to a corner! The fans fire up as Katana stomps away on Indi! Indi shoves Katana, Katana runs corner to corner to A-LIST LARIAT! Katana shoves Indi down, runs up, but into a back suplex! Katana lands out, but her leg jams! The ref and Kayden check, then the ref keeps Indi back. Indi says okay, and she stays by Candice. But Candice tags in to WRECK Kayden! And she SLAMS Katana’s leg into the post!! HALF CRAB and DEEP! Katana taps, Candice & Indi win!

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

Candice smiles and celebrates with Indi, but Indi doesn’t want to. Candice says a win is a win, but just what is going on in her toxic mind?

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

NC State fires up again as The American Nightmare walks down the ramp, and this time the fans can sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro then gets the mic. “In less than three weeks time, I will stand opposed for the second year in a row, in the main event, with the lights on brightest, I will challenge for the WWE Undisputed Championship, against the greatest champion in all of sports, The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. And this Friday on SmackDown, Roman and I are going to have a little conversation, if you will. But there are… complications. Factors, elements, combustible elements, namely… The Rock.”

Fans boo but Cody says The Rock took to Instagram on Friday, and followed it up with “extremely entertaining” concert. Too bad The Rock didn’t wanna be here tonight. Something Cody took from the Instagram post: The Rock referred to himself as “Our Favorite Heel.” A bit of an inside term, but we’re not dumb, we know that means he’s the “bad guy.” Cody has known Heels. Bobby Heenan, Arn Anderson, Michael Hayes, “Superstar” Billy Graham, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair! Fans “WOO~” and Cody says he doesn’t think The Rock is a Heel. He’s just an assh*le. The fans go nuts hearing that!

Cody doesn’t want Rock getting upset, he doesn’t want the “seven bucks team” to get upset, he doesn’t want anyone getting emotional. Cody knows how Rock feels about emotions, he poked fun at Cody tearing up at discussing “finishing the story” with good friend, Michael Cole. There’s no crying in pro-wrestling, Jimmy Dugan, we get it. But hasn’t The Rock been crying behind the scenes this whole time? Once that hashtag came out, once fans chanted something else, The Rock cried to his buddies on the TKO board and said “Hey, this is gonna be some good PR for The Rock! I need to save WWE!” God knows, look at this house. They sure needed “saving,” huh?

The fans cheer but Cody says Rock wanted great PR. Until it wasn’t. TKO said OMG yes, put on the Gucci shirt, get those muscles looking big. It’s because they are Yes People, they are enablers, they won’t dare tell The Rock like it is, so Cody’s going to. Cody tells The Rock, “You’re a lot of things. You’re a lot of wonderful things. You are the Braham Bull, you are The Great One.” Cody still has shoes with The Rock’s logo on it! The Rock is the only guy Cody honestly feels is a Mount Rushmore wrestler. But he is also a terrible salesman, a carny succubus, and for those who don’t get what that means, The Rock is “a whiny b*tch!”

Fans lose their minds again but Cody says The Rock has been convinced otherwise. But don’t think that for two seconds this locker room needs The Rock more than The Rock needs it! That’s a rule of wrestling, nobody is bigger than the business! And sure, Cody brought up his mom, so it is fair game for The Rock to use that. But Cody knows The Rock’s mom. Here’s what Cody will tell us about The Rock’s mom. She is a wonderful lady, salt of the earth, she helped Cody chop Kevin in a dark match. Cody has nothing but respect for The Rock’s mom, something The Rock should’ve echoed back towards Cody’s mom.

But see, The Rock was talking about whipping Cody, handing a bloody weight belt to Cody’s mom, and normally someone as powerful as The Rock, Mama Rhodes would tremble. But The Rock doesn’t know Cody’s mom. Cody was more scared than she was, because she ain’t scared of nothing. This is the same woman who once jumped out of her chair at a Willie Nelson concert and beat up an undercover cop! She ain’t afraid of The Rock! Cody has been asked, April 6th, biggest tag match of all time, Rock & Roman VS Cody & Seth. Seth Rollins, the World Heavyweight Champion, a man The Rock should respect because that man has carried The Rock’s company!

How will Cody get past that match? How will April 7th look? Will it be a fair fight? Cody can tell us honestly… He doesn’t know. Cody does not know if it will be Bloodline Rules or not. Hell, he might not #FinishTheStory. “But Dwayne… What do you know? How can you be so sure of your own self, right?” The Rock hasn’t been in the ring in real action in years! April 6th, the bell is gonna ring, and what happens then? Is The Rock gonna bring The Great One, the hero we all had growing up? Is he bringing that #BigDwayneEnergy? Or is it gonna be LDS, Little D*ck Syndrome?! The fans chant “L D S! L D S!”

Cody says The Rock has referred to himself as The Final Boss. Kudos for that nickname, maybe he really is that. Maybe Cody is too naive to see it. But at WrestleMania, Cody doesn’t think The Rock will be The Final Boss. At WrestleMania, he’s just Roman’s side chick. But then ladies and gentlemen, his name is Paul Heyman, and he serves as The Wise Man to Your Tribal Chief, the reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman… Reigns! And as Special Counsel to the Bloodline, Heyman is here to say to Cody that the ideals that Cody and Heyman share are far greater than the interests on which they conflict.

By example, don’t you hate it when someone comes out to demand an apology? Not that Cody’s done that, but Heyman is still going to do that. Heyman came out here with some “friends” of his, and he apologized. For a Wise Man, that was pretty freakin’ stupid. One: because it didn’t work. Two: because it was just dumb. And for that, Cody, to you and the fans, Heyman humbly apologizes. Cody says whoa, whoa, whoa. He didn’t ask for an apology, and he certainly knows Heyman wants permission to be in the ring. Heyman is a Hall of Famer starting this year, if he wants into the ring, be Cody’s guest.

Heyman thanks Cody for that but he’s fine on the apron. He carries with him a message from The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Talk about Heels… You may think of Heyman anything negative you want, and that might be understanding the obvious. Heyman is not trustworthy, but Roman is a chief of his word. Heyman assures that this Friday on SmackDown, Roman will be face to face with Cody. American Nightmare, Tribal Chief, challenger and champion. And when they are face to face, there will not be a single other member of The Bloodline in sight. Except for Heyman, but he is no physical threat.

Heyman holds the title belt, the beads, whispers things in Roman’s ear, such as his love and respect. But Cody has Roman’s word that if he shows up on SmackDown, Roman will show up alone. Cody says Roman shows up alone, no Bloodline outside of Heyman, it’s a deal. They good? Heyman has some jet lag, he forgot one little point. And don’t boo him, he’s talking to Cody! Cody says yes they’re booing, and he’s about to go full Homelander and rip Heyman’s throat out if he doesn’t get to the point. Fans like the reference. Heyman composes himself and says if Roman Reigns shows up alone this Friday on SmackDown, then Cody must show up to SmackDown alone, too.

Cody steps closer to Heyman and Heyman is a bit nervous. Cody tells Heyman, “Deal!” They shake hands, and Heyman smiles. The Wise Man negotiated a purely one-on-one meeting between his Tribal Chief and American Nightmare, but can we trust Heyman was telling the truth about Roman telling the truth?

 

Nia Jax speaks.

“You know what I’ve realized? Becky Lynch has never beaten me. And after tonight, she never will. Because after I break her face again, I will be taking her spot at WrestleMania. I will finish business with Rhea Ripley, and not only will I walk out the Last Woman Standing, but I will become Women’s World Champion.” The Irresistible Force is ready for the Big Time, but will she A-Nia-late her?

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

And Jey says there he go! But real quick, Cody can’t be going to SmackDown alone. Cody says he gave them his word. But The Bloodline isn’t gonna play fair! They’re all gonna be there! If Cody needs Jey, Jeys’ got him. Cody hears that, but he knows what he’s dealing with. They shake hands and Jey heads out. Will Cody be able to have that fair, one-on-one meeting? Or does Jey have a point about The Bloodline?

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

It seems Pearce agreed to the idea that Dirty Dom should try and clean up The Irish Ace’s mess. Will Dom be able to get revenge on Ricochet? Or will Ricochet be the One and Only person holding their head high tonight?

Raw returns and Dom has made his entrance. The bell rings, Dom and Ricochet circle, and they tie up. Ricochet waistlocks, Dom fights the lift and grabs ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet lets off, but Dom ELBOWS him away! Dom fires hands, soaks up the heat, then storms up, but into haymakers! Ricochet CHOPS, kicks then flexes on Dom. Ricochet whips, Dom reverses, but Ricochet goes up and over. Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges to then handspring back elbow! The fans fire up while Dom bails out! JD is there to coach Dom up, but Ricochet runs in! JD gets Dom to safety, but Ricochet handsprings to hero land!

The fans fire up, Ricochet then goes to ropes to TORNILLO PLANCHA! Direct hit on Dom and Ricochet tells JD to back off. Ricochet puts Dom in, Dom distracts the ref, but JD grabs Ricochet’s leg! Ricochet kicks JD away, but then Dom WRECKS Ricochet with a dropkick! Dom soaks up the heat and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Dom has Ricochet up top. Dom climbs but Ricochet throws body shots! The fans rally behind Ricochet as he sends Dom staggering. Ricochet hops down as Dom comes running back, and Ricochet GAMANGIRIS him away! Ricochet then springboards, but Dom trips him up! Ricochet flops to the mat, then Dom kicks and FACEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet is still in this and JD argues the count. Dom looms over Ricochet, scuffs him around, then mockingly cheers him on. Fans boo but Dom brings Ricochet up. Dom gives some Latino Heat, then suplexes! Uno Amigo, but fans boo.

Dom gets Ricochet up but Ricochet suplexes Dom instead! And then fireman’s carry, DYNAMITE KICK! Cover, TWO! Dom is still in this and JD coaches him but the fans rally for Ricochet. Ricochet stands, storms up on Dom, but Dom shoots around to roll him up! With tights! TWO, Ricochet blocks a kick and KICKS Dom down! Ricochet hurries up top, the fans fire up, but Ricochet has to bail out of the 450 as Dom moves! Dom runs in again, but into a SUPERKICK! JD gets on the apron, so Ricochet triangle jump DROPKICKS! But then Dom DROPKICKS Ricochet onto ropes! Dom dials it up but Ricochet ducks!

Dom spins around, into the RECOIL!! Cover, Ricochet wins!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

But then JD runs in! Ricochet dodges, goes up and around, BOOTS JD away, then BOOTS him again! Ricochet even flips up and out of the ring at the same time! Ricochet gets the better of Judgment Day again, just how disappointed is Mami going to be in her Latino Heat this time?

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

He finds Chad Gable and wants to talk with him. Last week’s match, that was an honor. Sami hasn’t been pushed like that in a long time, it could’ve gone either way. Gable says yeah, it was great. Thanks. Is Gable alright? Yeah, he’s fine. Kinda feels like not… Gable says he’s fine, so leave it at that. C’mon, man, how many years have they known each other? Sami knows when something’s bothering Gable, so he should just say it. Gable says look, last week, the WrestleMania opportunity, the whole thing, it just meant more to him. Sami says he’s been hearing Gable say that for weeks, and it is really unfair.

Does Gable really think he’s the only one this title opportunity matters to? Sami has a family, too! Sami’s kid cries when Papa loses a match, too. Sami has people he’s let down and is trying to make proud. After all the years put into this, Gable can’t tell Sami what matters more because he doesn’t know Sami like that. Gable has Sami calm down, and says he knows all that. But it isn’t all about that. Then what is all this? Gable says Sami can’t beat Gunther. Gable then leaves, and Sami is at a loss for words. Is this bitter side of Gable only going to get worse as we go down this Road to WrestleMania?

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

Raw returns with the GM by a table, and he welcomes us to a contract signing to make official the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship for WrestleMania! The fans cheer, and Pearce introduces first, the challenger, Sami Zayn! The Great Liberator makes his entrance and the fans sing along with his song. Sami still looks troubled by what Gable said just moments ago, but he still high-fives fans and gets in the ring. Then Pearce introduces the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, Der Ring General, GUNTHER! The fans boo as Gunther walks in, having reached Day 647!

Gunther smiles as Sami watches him make his way down the ramp and into the ring. Pearce says we know how this works, but Gunther says before we proceed, let us call this what it is: the most important contract signing for the most important match in the history of this championship. And why, why, why is the challenger dressed no better than any of the bums in the audience? Fans boo but Sami just shrugs that off. Sami gets a mic to say that Gunther keeps sitting there all smug, and it’s really starting to piss Sami off. Gunther thinks this is just another day at the office, that he’ll steamroll through Sami like any other contender.

But with all respect to Gunther, he really has. He has beaten everyone that has come his way, and has done it on his own. Gunther doesn’t believe Sami can do it. A lot of people didn’t believe Sami at many points in his career. They didn’t believe he’d even make it to WWE, let alone win championships and main event a WrestleMania. And if you ask The Usos, they didn’t believe Sami would be one of the guys to end the longest tag title reign in WWE history, but he did! And one year later, he will make history again by ending the longest Intercontinental title reign in WWE history! Sami signs his part and pushes the contract over to Gunther.

The fans cheer Sami on but Gunther waits it out. Gunther tells Sami, what Sami should do is listen to his new friend, Gable. Gable doesn’t believe Sami can win. The people here cheer Sami, they probably even love Sami. But even they don’t believe Sami can win. And y’know, when Gunther looks Sami in the eyes, and if Sami was honest with himself, even Sami doesn’t believe he can win. So what Sami is doing right now is standing on Gunther’s doorstep and begging him to get the beating of a lifetime on the Grandest Stage of Them All! So whatever Sami has to do, from training to believing, just keep doing that. Because at WrestleMania, Sami’s dreams will meet reality.

Gunther grins and signs his part, and it is now official! Gunther then stands, title on his shoulder, and takes his leave. The fans boo, but then Sami tells Gunther to wait. Gunther steps back inside to hear Sami as Sami turns around. Gunther looks in Sami’s eyes and believes Sami doesn’t believe? Sami stands to get in Gunther’s face and dares him to look again. Get a good long look, because these are the eyes of the man who will take you down at Mania! The fans fire up, and now Sami leaves first. Gunther still just grins, but will Sami use a Helluva Kick to wipe that smile off his face?

We follow Sami as he storms backstage, right past DIY and The Awesome Truth. Truth asks what’s up with Sami, but The Miz says that is the mindset of WrestleMania right there. That’s what they need. DIY wishes Awesome Truth luck. Awesome Truth knows DIY is into the ladder match, and they are gonna have their own qualifier. Miz & Truth just need to beat… Indus Sher. Jinder Mahal tells Veer & Sanga to warm up for the match. They head out, and Truth says he feels sorry for whoever has to face those guys. Miz stares at Truth, and he has DIY hold off. Miz will explain. The Awesome Truth heads to gorilla, their match is next!

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal!

Miz wants a remix of the theme song but Truth says to just follow his lead. NC State knows what’s up, but will the Awesome Truth finally reach the top of the tag division 13 years after they first teamed? We’ll see, after the break!

Raw returns as Indus Sher makes their entrance, the Modern Day Maharaja by their side. The teams sort out and Truth starts against Sanga. The fans echo “WHAT’S UP?!” but Sanga roars! Truth is scared now so he tags Miz. Truth fires Miz up, Miz runs up and dodges Sanga to fire off haymakers! Miz kicks, whips, but Sanga blocks! Sanga whips and CLOBBERS Miz! Jinder nods as Sanga then scoops Miz and brings him over. Veer tags in, Sanga SLAMS Miz, then Veer ELBOW DROPS! Indus Sher say “NAMASTE!” but the fans say “WHAT’S UP!?” with Truth. Veer HIP DROPS Miz, then looms over him.

Veer eggs Miz on, drags him up with shoulder claws, and then steps over Miz for the neck wrench! Miz endures as Veer still digs a claw into his shoulder. The fans rally for Miz, Miz fights up and throws body shots! Miz reaches out but Veer knees low! Veer SHOVES Miz to the corner, runs in, but Miz BOOTS! Miz ELBOWS Sanga, but Veer catches him! Veer puts Miz back int he corner, but Miz ducks the boot to tag Truth! Truth dodges Veer and starts up the shoulder tackles! Truth gets around Veer to SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Truth shouts out Cena with “You Can’t See Me!” Truth runs to Five Knuckle Shuffle!

Jinder is not happy now as Truth fireman’s carries! But Veer slips free! Truth drop toeholds to the STF!! The fans fire up but Sanga stomps Truth! Miz fires off kicks on Sanga, then body shots! Truth joins in, they mug and whip Sanga, to DOUBLE DROPKICK! Sanga staggers around, Veer runs up, but into a full nelson! Truth and Miz combine for a SKULL CRUSHING LIE DETECTOR!! But Sanga whips Miz away! Miz WRECKS Jinder with it, but Sanga runs up! Sanga knocks Miz down, Miz anchors Sanga, Sanga ELBOWS Truth, Truth falls onto Veer for the cover! Awesome Truth wins!!

Winners: The Awesome Truth, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

The fans fire up, and Truth doesn’t even realize what happened! Miz celebrates with Truth and Truth puts it together! They’re now one of the six in the ladder match! Will this combination of teamwork and luck be just what they need to take those titles from Judgment Day?

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

Sami tells Gable to tell him why. Why what? Why does Gable think Sami can’t beat Gunther? Well you just saw why! With Gunther, it isn’t just physical, it is mental. Sami made his career out of being the underdog that crawls his way out of any hole he’s in, right? Just like last week! Sami found the window of opportunity to get out of a bad situation any time he can. Gunther’s on a different level! You gonna sit and wait for that window to appear? It doesn’t happen with Gunther! He’s a different beast, a different animal. If Sami doesn’t change his mentality, then he can’t beat Gunther. Gable leaves Sami with a lot to think again. Is there a way Sami can change enough to defeat Der Ring General?

 

CM Punk speaks.

“Do I plan at being in WrestleMania? WrestleMania is in Philadelphia, what’re the first four letters in Philadelphia? Phil. You can’t have WrestleMania Philadelphia without Phil. Whether I’m invited or uninvited, Punk will be there.” And next week in Chicago, Punk returns to Raw! Will the Second City Saint find a way to be part of the biggest WrestleMania ever?

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

The Scottish Terminator, or as his new shirt says, “The Savior of WrestleMania,” makes his way to the ring, NC State a bit torn about seeing him. But then Seth Rollins is here, too!? McIntyre is upset but the fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary struts his way out. Rollins swaggers right past McIntyre in his green storm pattern suit, and steps into the ring first. McIntyre frowns as he follows Rollins in, and sits in a corner. The fans continue to sing, which Rollins revels in for a moment. Rollins has the mic to then say, “RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA~! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins~!

“And Drew, hah, sorry, I didn’t even see you there. I was too busy, uh, y’know, soaking up the spotlight, right?” McIntyre has a mic to say, “Alright, here we go.” Here goes what, Drew? McIntyre says no, no, get it all out of your system, he knows Rollins has more! McIntyre can stay in the back while Rollins enjoys the spotlight, because after WrestleMania, that spotlight’s all McIntyre’s. Hey, hey, c’mon. Rollins is here with an honest cause. Rollins doesn’t like McIntyre, he thinks he’s stupid, a hypocrite, has said a lot of dumb things lately, but Rollins is here to admit that one thing McIntyre said is absolutely right and he wants to say it to McIntyre’s face, right here in Raleigh, in front of the fine people.

Now, they always say the first step to recovery is the hardest, so bare with Rollins. He has been working on this all week, but… “My name is Seth Freakin’ Rollins, and I’m a spotlight junkie.” The fans chant “Spotlight Junkie!” and also sing, but McIntyre says everything is just a joke to Rollins, isn’t it? Look at Rollins! He’s a parody of himself at this point. But honestly, McIntyre doesn’t care. He tried reasoning, he gave the answers, and now he only cares about their match and the world title. And you wanna know the real punchline, funny man? “What?” McIntyre says they say that because they’re happy McIntyre sidelined Punk, thanks for remembering!

But the punchline is when McIntyre beats Rollins for that title. The fans chant for “C M PUNK!” but McIntyre says don’t be ridiculous. Punk’s waiting until next week to return because he’d never show up in a place like Raleigh. The fans boo but McIntyre says see, they’re booing Punk! Punk is only getting off his couch to be at his local arena. Rollins tells McIntyre to shut up already. Oh, seems McIntyre got Rollins’ attention. Rollins takes off the sunglasses to say yeah, McIntyre has his attention. Because this isn’t a joke! When Rollins says he is a junkie, it isn’t a joke! He’s been doing this for 20 YEARS! Just like McIntyre!

And every time Rollins comes out of the curtain, that’s his fix. And it gets better and better every single time. Rollins comes out here, lays it all on the line, and it just gets better and better! When he hears the fans sing the song so loud, Rollins can barely speak, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” That’s Rollins’ fix! That is the spotlight he craves, and y’know what? Rollins wants the spotlight as bright as it can possibly be. So yeah, McIntyre’s been busy online entertaining people with memes, so he hasn’t been listening to Rollins. So Rollins will get this through McIntyre’s thick skull: Night One, Rollins takes the biggest star in Hollywood and his side chick, and makes them his b*tches!

Then on Night Two, the biggest spotlight possible will be shined down on McIntyre and Rollins and the World Heavyweight Championship! McIntyre says all hail the savior, Seth Rollins! This is what McIntyre wanted! The passion and desire, not the stupid laughing and dancing. Rollins had McIntyre all the way to the finish. Rollins has done this 20 years, just like McIntyre. They’ve given their lives to this industry, and that is what the title is about! The wrestlers’ title, the workhorse championship! Rollins had McIntyre with him until he mentioned the bigger spotlight and how Rollins pins one of the biggest stars in the world.

Why can’t it just be about Rollins’ hard work to make that title, and all of McIntyre’s hard work to get this chance? Why can’t that be the reason they’re getting the biggest spotlight!? Rollins has had his priorities all backwards, McIntyre has been giving him all the answers. McIntyre said he is over the BS, and all he cares about is Rollins making it to the ring on Night Two. And if Rollins can’t walk, then McIntyre will wheel him down. If not, McIntyre will carry Rollins down. At Mania, McIntyre doesn’t get the moment he deserves. He gets the moment he has bloody EARNED. The fans do cheer that!

Rollins smirks and says, “Ah, Drew. There it is. That’s right, you wanna call me a spotlight junkie, but you want the spotlight just as bad as I do, don’t you? You’re an addict, just like I am. And you’ve been begging for spotlight for the past four years, because you won the WrestleMania main event. You did, back in 2020, in an empty warehouse. And all we’ve been hearing from Drew McIntyre for the past four years was how that wasn’t good enough. You’ve been whining and complaining and bitching and moaning that you deserve better, that you deserve more. The problem is, Drew, when everybody came back around, and the lights got bright again, what happened? You fumbled the ball.

“And that’s the difference between you and me. When the lights are the brightest, I shine, baby. I shine bright. And at WrestleMania 40, the lights are gonna be as bright as they have ever been. And you are gonna find out you are not as good as you think you are.” Rollins drops the mic, but this time McIntyre smirks. The verbal battle continues, but who will put their money where their mouth is once this one finally happens?

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

“I’m a wanted woman, and I don’t even have the title. Yet. But we’re less than three weeks away from WrestleMania, so why would I risk it all? Because I don’t know anything else. All I know is taking risks. All I know is fighting. And all I know is tonight, I’m gonna be the Last Woman Standing.” Becky is fired up to finally do what she hasn’t done in the most extreme way possible. Will she be the immovable object to Nia’s irresistible force?

 

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy!

Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods have been W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~, but they’ve never been a part of a title match as big as this Six Pack Ladder challenge! Will they look to be part of history once again? Or will Akira Tozawa & Otis say “A THANK YEW~!” for this golden opportunity?

Raw returns as the Academy makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Woods starts against the tree trunk, Otis. The fans rally for “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Otis and Woods tie up, but Woods kicks low then headlocks. Otis powers up and out then runs Woods over! Otis storms up on Woods, GUT RAMS him back down, then brings him back up. Otis GUT RAMS Woods again, then runs to CLOBBER Woods! Otis swivels his hips, the fans echo “Oh~ yeah!” Otis tags Tozawa and the Academy mugs Woods. Tozawa brings Woods around but Woods CHOPS! Woods tags Kofi, he and Kofi double whip Tozawa but Tozawa holds ropes!

Tozawa fires hands, dodges Woods then BOOTS Woods down! Kofi kicks low, whips Tozawa to a corner, but Tozawa BOOTS Kofi away! Tozawa goes up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up as Tozawa sees New Day regroup outside. Tozawa runs to DIVE! Direct hit on both New Day, and Otis joins in for “A THANK YEW~!” The Academy stands tall as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Tozawa fights a chinlock. Tozawa reaches for Otis but Woods back suplexes. Tozawa lands out to then DROPKICK Woods down! The fans rally as Woods and Tozawa crawl, hot tags to Otis and Kofi! Otis CLOBBERS Kofi, CLOBBERS him again, then whips him to ropes. WRECKER ELBOW! Woods runs in, Otis dodges, to LARIAT! Otis sees Kofi leap off the corner, and catches him for a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Otis rips the shirt off, winds up the hips, and then starts up the CATERPILLAR! ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Kofi survives but Otis hurries to step on him! Tag to Tozawa, and Otis goes up!

Otis VADER BOMBS but FLOPS as Kofi moves! Tozawa hurries up top while Kofi SUPERKICKS Otis! Kofi turns around into the CROSSBODY from Tozawa! Cover, TWO! Tozawa SUPERKICKS Kofi but Woods tags in! Woods GAMANGIRIS Tozawa, then steps in to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Tozawa toughs it out but Woods grits his teeth as he goes to the corner. Woods climbs, but Tozawa rises! Tozawa throws body shots, Woods CLUBS Tozawa! Tozawa throws more hands and climbs up! The fans rally as they brawl up top! Tozawa brings Woods up but Woods fights the lift! Woods throws body shots in return!

Woods shifts position to get under Tozawa for a fireman’s carry! But then Tozawa pops up to SUPER STEINER!! Tozawa rips off his shirt, climbs back up top, SUPER SENTON!! Cover, Kofi breaks it! The fans fire up but Otis drags Kofi out! Otis whips Kofi at steps, Kofi goes up and jumps off the steps to TORNADO DDT to the floor! Kofi hurries back up to the apron but Tozawa SCREW HIGH KICKS him down! Tozawa dodges Woods, pop-up, but Woods blocks the rana to then SPINNING POWERBOMB! Woods sees the WrestleMania sign, hurries up the corner, and he tightrope walks! LIMIT BREAK ELBOW!! Cover, New Day wins!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

The New Day are the ones saying A THANK YEW~ as they put their names down for the Six Pack Ladder Match! Will they once again climb to the top of the WWE Tag Team Division and bring home those championships?

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

Becky asks if she’ll have to watch out for Liv as well. Well, you should always #WatchMe, but no, not tonight. Nia is all Becky’s. Liv just wants Becky to kick Nia’s ass. Liv leaves, will Becky kick ass and then some?

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

Rollins finds him and brings up Friday. One on one? One on one. Rollins nods and says he loves Pharaoh’s bandanna. The Visionary trusts the American Nightmare can handle himself, but will we be able to trust The Tribal Chief?

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

From the origins of “The Man” in WWE to the aftermath of Elimination Chamber: Perth, these two have battled, but never as brutally as this! They’re able to go anywhere and do anything, but who will be the Last Woman Standing this close to WrestleMania 40?

The bell rings and the two rush in! Becky DROPKICKS Nia and Nia goes to a corner. Becky runs in but Nia puts Becky on the apron. Becky ROCKS Nia, goes up a corner, then leaps to MISSILE DROPKCIK! Nia stumbles and tumbles out of the ring, so Becky WRECKS her with another dropkick! Becky then goes to the apron for a FLYING FOREARM! Nia stays up, Becky tries again, but Nia dodges! Fireman’s carry and Nia POSTS Becky, to then SAMOAN DROP her into barriers! The ref counts as Becky is down, but she stands at 4 of 10. Nia CLOBBERS Becky and wants the count! The count climbs but Nia is impatient.

Nia clears off the desk, Becky stands at 5 of 10, and she leans against barriers. Becky comes back with body shots and haymakers, but Nia ROCKS her with a forearm! Becky staggers away as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Becky is bringing out a table! The fans fire up as Becky sets that up ringside. There’s been a lot of chaos during the break according to commentary, from chairs to kendo sticks to even a copy of Becky’s book, The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl! But Nia storms over to stop Becky and SMACK her off the desk! Nia puts Becky in the ring, takes that table for her own and sets it up. The table doesn’t cooperate and fans boo, but Nia goes for chairs instead. She slides those in the ring, Becky manages to stand at 7 of 10, and she grabs at those chairs. Nia ditches the table, it just doesn’t wanna work.

Nia storms in but Becky JAMS her with a chair, SMACKS her with it, then clinches! Nia fights the slam, fireman’s carries Becky, and FULL METAL SAMOAN DROPS!! Becky writhes from hitting chairs but Nia looms over her. Nia soaks up the heat as she counts along. Becky flounders to ropes and drags herself up at 7! Nia sits a chair up, fans want a table, but Nia scoops Becky. Becky slips around to a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Becky into buckles again and again until Becky lets go. But then Becky BULLDOGS Nia off the chair! Nia is down for the count now, and Becky leans against ropes to stay up herself.

Nia stirs at 5, stands at 8, but Becky is up top! Becky leaps, into a CHAIR SHOT! Nia SMACKS Becky again and again and again! The fans boo but Nia finally stops. Nia puts that chair aside and goes out to get some kendo sticks! Nia puts those in, but Becky grabs one! Nia snatches it from her to SMACK! And SMACK! And SMACK! Becky sputters and staggers, Nia clinches and scoops! Nia SLAMS Becky onto chairs! Then Nia runs to drop the leg, brother! Nia wants the count and the count begins! Becky sputters as we reach 5 of 10. Becky grabs that kendo stick but Nia SMACKS Becky with a chair! And again!

Nia kicks Becky around, then uses the chair to take a seat on Becky’s body!! The fans boo as the count begins, but Becky SMACKS Nia with the kendo stick! And again and again and again, even in the butt! Nia stands up, into more shots! Becky stands and she fires away until Nia scurries out of the ring! Becky pursues but Nia CLOBBERS her! Nia pulls the steel steps apart now, and takes that top half to RAM Becky down! Becky flounders, Nia hauls her up and puts her in the ring. Becky’s on the apron and Nia takes aim! Nia runs up, APRN LEG DROP only gets apron! Becky avoids disaster, then has Nia by the steps! DDT onto the steel!

Nia is down again and the count begins. Nia stirs at 5 of 10, sits up at 6, but Becky SMACKS her off steps! Nia falls over again and the count resets. Becky hurries to go looking for things while Nia rises again. Becky has a new table! The fans fire up as Becky gets that in the ring. Nia stands at 7, staggers after Becky, and Raw goes back to break.

Raw returns once again and Nia mugs Becky against barriers! Nia puts Becky on a table, and surprise! There’s a ladder set up now! Nia climbs the ladder?! She also demands Pat support the ladder. But Becky gets off the table so now Nia has no reason to be up there. Nia storms after Becky, but gets a FIRE EXTINGUISHER BLAST!! The fans fire up as Becky cools Nia off, then JAMS her with the canister! Becky puts Nia in the ring, and there’s a table waiting in a corner! Becky lines up the shot, and runs in, but Nia SAMOAN DROPS Becky through the table!!! Both women are down in the wreckage and the count begins!

Nia flounders away from the wreckage but she still needs to stand. Nia is up at 5, and she isn’t satisfied with this! She drags Becky all the way to another corner and puts her in the drop zone! Nia climbs up, for the A-NIA-LATOR!! Nia shouts for the count, the count begins, and Nia storms around as she points to the Mania sign. Becky is still down at 5 of 10, only starts stirring at 7, and she slumps out of the ring to stand up! Nia is furious, goes out after Becky, and kicks things aside to keep after her. Nia asks if Becky’s vision is blurry. Nia fireman’s carries Becky up the steel steps and along the apron, aiming for that other table!

The fans freak out but Becky fights with elbows! Becky CLUBS away on Nia and the fans are thunderous! Becky then clinches, for a MANHANDLE SLAM through the table!!! Both women are down int he wreckage again, and the count begins! Becky sits up at 4 while fans are still losing their minds! We pass 5 of 10, then 7! Nia sits up at 8 and stands at 9! But then she slumps back over! The count starts again, Nia flounders around and stands at 5. Becky goes up the ladder! Becky sees Nia approaching the desk, and then SUPER MAN’S LEG DROP through the desk!!! The fans lose their minds again while both men are down in more wreckage!

The count is 5 of 10! Becky flounders and crawls, drags herself up at 9, but Nia is still down! BECKY WINS!!

Winner: Becky Lynch

The Man conquers truly one of the most intense challenges in her career! But then here comes one of the most intense champions! The fans fire up as Rhea Ripley makes her way out, Women’s World Championship in hand. She goes right to the ring and looks at Becky. Rhea “congratulates” Becky for winning, but then Becky gets in Rhea’s face! The fans fire up, and now there are no obstacles in the way of Mami VS The Man! Who will be the champion after WrestleMania 40?


My Thoughts:

A great Raw right here, though the in-ring action kinda dipped down until that awesome Last Woman Standing main event. This is one of the times I wish they’d done picture in picture so we as the TV audience could see even more action. Great win for Becky, of course, but I also like that Becky had a moment with Liv just before, and of course she had a moment with Rhea to close out the night. Great promos with Sami and Gable that also blended into the contract signing from tonight. And I suppose Gable has a point that Sami, the comeback kid, can’t do that when Gunther has an arsenal of moves that would be “finishers” given all the different ways Gunther has won over the years.

And speaking of that contract signing segment, I really liked the segue they did in following Sami so that he’d cross paths with Awesome Truth at gorilla and we’d get their segment going into their match. WWE has been doing some really creative stuff in this newest era where Vince is truly out and apparently even Kevin Dunn has moved on. Awesome Truth had a really fun but also really quick tag match with Indus Sher, and then New Day VS Alpha Academy was solid stuff, but DIY VS Creeds was such an awesome match. For a moment, I thought Creeds were gonna take this one but DIY still found a way, and I like that DIY is in. Honestly, I’m liking that the HHH favorites are getting in, because we also have New Catch Republic on the other side that can still win into the match.

Judgment Day had good stuff tonight, too. Good group promo with Andrade to tease El Idolo possibly joining, but who knows if he does. Depends on how things go for Priest. He was watching the qualifiers, he’s not worried, but maybe he should be. Granted, he still has the MITB briefcase, he could go from losing the tag titles to taking the world title, who knows how the Judgment Day’s story is going to go as we move past Mania. Dom VS Ricochet was a really good match, and Ricochet winning was the right move to keep this feud going. I think there’s going to be Ricochet VS McDonagh next week as a rematch from the gauntlet, that’ll be great stuff, too.

Candice’s Heel turn slow burn continues as she takes advantage of the “hurt” leg. Indi also does a good job of being very conflicted about this. There’s a WWE YouTube exclusive where Ivy Nile confronts Candice so that’ll be a match, and then maybe when Candice again goes too far, Indi steps in and we get a match of Candice VS Indi at some point. Good little update promo from CM Punk, he’ll have a great homecoming moment in Chicago, but also probably McIntyre coming after him. McIntyre had a great promo segment with Rollins, and with all these continued moments where the other person gets the mic drop moment, it feels like McIntyre has to win the title.

And of course, great stuff with the Bloodline story even on Raw. Jey and Jimmy have great promos in their confrontation, and of course it turns into a brawl. Good segue from that to Heyman being here, and Heyman confronting Cody during Cody’s great promo segment. Cody really went off on The Rock, that was some wild stuff. But the supposed promise of “one on one and no one else aside from Heyman” might be kept, and we get a strong promo segment on SmackDown in a foreshadowing of the fair-and-square 1v1 match. Or it is a trap and that’s more a foreshadowing of Bloodline Rules where they can do whatever they want. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

My Score: 8.9/10


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Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/18/24)

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

Cold Skull faces The Fierce Warrior, and Gene Blast faces The King of Darkness, and when the smoke clears, we will have our New Japan Cup finalists!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Boltin Oleg & Shoma Kato VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Mikey Nicholls; ZSJ & Mikey win.
  • Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Tomohiro Ishii & Togi Makabe VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
  • Tanga Loa & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman; Loa & Taguchi win.
  • Six Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Toru Yano & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
  • 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & YOH VS The House of Torture; Shota, ELP, Leo & Yoh win.
  • Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
  • 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL; Tsuji wins and advances to the finals.
  • 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Gene Blast overcame the tricks Ren Narita tried, but that’s because the House of Torture was saving all the good stuff so they could slay the Rampaging Dragon. Will the deck be even more stacked to make sure Everything is Evil’s? Or will Yota be one step away from LIJ VS LIJ at Sakura Genesis?

Well, Dick is making his way out here, but where is Evil? Oh, there he is. No tricks just yet it seems. But then Yota DIVES onto Evil! The fans fire up but Dick attacks Yota! Dick whips, Yota stops himself, and then scoops Dick for a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota wants the bell. The ref says yes, ring the bell, and this is on the record! Yota stomps and CLUBS Evil, then whips, but Evil reverses! Yota hits railing, and then Evil whips him into more railing! Evil CHOKES Yota against the railing, Yota fights back, but the ref gets knocked aside! Evil puts Yota in so he and Dick can stomp away!

The fans boo but here comes the rest of the House already! Narita, Yujiro, Kanemaru and Jack all stomp away on Yota, but here come Bushi & Hiromu! It’s a replay of yesterday as LIJ fights off the House, but the numbers are still against them! The ref rushes in to tell everyone to stop! Evil shoves the ref out of the ring, Yota fires off on him, but Evil CLAWS Yota’s eyes! The House CHOKES LIJ, but the ref says stop! The bell rings, but what is the decision!? NO CONTEST!?

No Contest

What does this mean!? Someone has to advance, right? The finals aren’t until the 20th, how can there be a no contest? The House started this, where’re the consequences?! Yota gets up but Evil TOSSES him back out! LIJ regroups and Yota asks for a mic. Yota tells Evil that he’s sick and tired of this! They ARE gonna finish this match! The fans like the sound of that! All the refs come out, including Red Shoes, to discuss how this will be handled. For starters, they tell all the extras to get outta here! LIJ is cool with that, and Hiromu tells the House to come along. Evil says fine, and Jack, Kanemaru, Narita, Yujiro and even Dick reluctantly exit.

The announcement is officially made, and the bell rings! Yota and Evil rush in, Evil kicks low but Yota CLUBS away on Evil! Evil CLAWS the eyes! Evil kicks, runs, RAMS, but Yota rebounds to run Evil over! Then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Evil bails out but the fans rally for Yota. Evil wants Yota to stay back, then he slides in, only to slide right out! Yota runs out after Evil, but Evil kicks him! Evil RAMS Yota into the timekeeper! Abe-san and his table go flying! Evil gets the mic to tell Yota that this is what he gets! The fans boo but Evil tells them off, too! Evil stomps Yota then soaks up the heat.

Evil unties the blue buckle pad himself, then waits in the ring. The ref checks Yota and the fans rally up again. The Young Lions help Abe-san while Yota drags himself up. Yota slides in, the fans cheer, but Evil pulls on Yota’s hair! Evil wrenches the hair, then wrenches it again! And again! Evil CLUBS the hair! The ref reprimands but Evil just dusts off his hands. Evil covers, but the ref refuses to count! Evil is furious but he’s the one up to no good! The ref still says no, so Evil stands on Yota’s head. The fans rally up, Yota rises, and he grins as he winds up to ROCK Evil with a forearm! And ROCK him with another!

Yota ROCKS Evil again, but Evil whips him into the bare buckles! Yota falls and the ref reprimands about the missing buckle pad. Evil stomps Yota, covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Evil is annoyed. Evil scuffs Yota, taunts him, and drags him up. Evil CHOPS, Yota drops to his knees, but Evil stands him back up. Evil CHOPS again and Yota grits his teeth as he drops to his knees! Evil stands Yota up again, to fake the chop to CLAW the eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off, and then Evil stands on Yota in a corner. The ref counts, Evil lets go of the ropes but that’s not the problem! Evil steps away, drags Yota up but claims he’s dead weight.

The ref checks, Evil stands Yota up and wrenches an arm. Evil whips Yota into a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Evil runs in again, blocks the boot, but Yota brings Evil in for the STOMP! The fans fire up while Yota rests on the mat. The fans rally up and Yota rises again. Evil’s in the corner, runs out, but into the BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! The fans fire up again as Yota stands back up. Yota runs, to CURB STOMP!! Yota roars and the fans fire up again! Evil flounders while Yota aims. Yota runs in, but the ref is used as a shield! Evil kicks Yota low, then uses the ref in MAGIC KILLER!

All three men are down while the fans rally up again. Evil stands, he brings Yota up, and the ref also rises. Evil whips Yota into the bare buckles, then clotheslines him in! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, but Evil lets off?! Evil wants to torture Yota but it’s hard to say if Yota is still even in this. Yota opens his eyes, rises up, but Evil fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives, the fans fire up, but Evil is furious! Evil slashes his throat and vows to end this now! Evil drags Yota up, spins him around, but Yota fights the STO with elbows! Evil kicks low, whips again, but Yota stops from hitting buckles!

Evil runs in, Yota dodges and Evil hits the buckles! SUPERKICK!! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! We’re only ten minutes into this new match but this is on top of the madness from earlier. Evil drags Yota up, but Yota ROCKS Evil! Evil fights Yota’s fireman’s carry and CLUBS him, but both men wobble. Evil LARIATS, but Yota stays up! The fans fire up but Evil swings to LARIAT again! Yota drops to a knee, but he grins through the pain! Evil says alright, and he throws off his elbow pad. Evil runs to LARIAT! Yota grits his teeth to stay up! V-TRIGGER! Yota brings Evil in, suplexes, ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!!

Evil is still in this but the fans rally behind Yota again. Yota rises, drags Evil up, and then goes to the corner. Yota goes up and up and Evil moves the ref into the way! The ref takes the FLYING CURB STOMP!!! And now the House returns! The fans boo as Kanemaru, Dick, Yujiro, Narita & Jack all stomp away on Yota again! The fans tell them to go home, again, but these guys don’t care! They just put one out on Yota. They whip Yota to a corner, then DIck runs in to ELBOW! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Yujiro BOOTS! Jack SPLASHES! Narita ELBOWS! Then they snapmare and set Yota up! Dick climbs for the DICK CHOP!!

The fans boo but the House applauds their own dirtiness. But here come Bushi & Hiromu again! But they just get mugged again! They set Hiromu up for the DICK CHOP, while Bushi gets a JACK CHOP! The House then slithers away before a replacement ref rushes out here. Evil drags Yota up, winds up and runs, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota survives and the fans are thunderous! Evil is at a loss for words, but he slashes his throat! He vows to end it for real, and he reels Yota in. EVERYTHING IS- Yota flips through!? And HEADBUTTS!! The fans fire up as Yota reels Evil in for a fireman’s carry! 70 CROSS!! Cover, TWO!!

Evil survives the swinging spinebuster and the House cheers! Yota drags himself to a corner, drags himself up with the ropes, and roars as he takes aim! Evil rises, but Yujiro distracts! Dick runs in, but gets a V-TRIGGER! The ref sees Dick, but misses the LOW BLOW! Then Evil RAMS Yota into the ref! That’s the second ref this match! Narita gets his push-up bar! The others set Yota up, but here comes SHINGO TAKAGI! The Rampaging Dragon has seen enough, and he’s still pissed from yesterday as it is! He dodges Narita to PUMPING BOMBER! Kanemaru & Yujiro kick Takagi, double whip, but he DOUBLE PUMPING BOMBERS!!

Jack gets in, but he gets ELBOW, JAB and YUKON LARIAT! Evil runs up but Takagi SWATS Evil’s lariat to JAB! Then feed to Hiromu’s SUPERKICK! Hiromu & Takagi set Evil up for Bushi’s BLACK MIST!! Evil can’t see, the PUMPING BOMBER turns him inside-out!! The fans are thunderous as LIJ helps Yota up! Red Shoes hurries out here, and Yota aims at Evil! GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, Yota wins!!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

The House of Torture ran out of tricks, and now there is light at the end of the tournament! Will Yota do LIJ proud and bring home the Cup?

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

One down, one to go. Yota Tsuji has made it through, now we see who joins him in the finals! Will the Cold Skull or Fierce Warrior be the one that steps closer to former glory?

The bell rings and the fans duel between “GO-TO-O!” and “SA-NA-DA!” Red Shoes measures the levels, and it seems to slightly favor Goto. Goto and Sanada circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto gets some leverage to put Sanada against ropes, but he lets off slowly. Goto pats Sanada on the shoulders and the fans cheer. The two reset, circle again, and tie up again. It’s another deadlock, but again Goto finds a way to put Sanada on ropes. Sanada turns things around, lets off slowly, and also pats Goto on the shoulders. The fans applaud and the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, then move to a clinch.

They fight for control, Sanada starts pushing Goto towards a corner but Goto slips away. They feel things out, knuckle lock again, then break. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Goto waistlocks, but Sanada wrenches to wristlock. Goto rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, but Sanada spins, wrenches, only for Goto to roll! Goto gets a leg to trip Sanada up, and he has a toehold. Sanada fights back with a chinlock but Goto pulls on the leg. Sanada uses his free leg to hook Goto into an ARMBAR, but Goto clasps hands! Goto moves around, pops free, then headlocks. Sanada fights up, Goto grinds the headlock, but Sanada throws body shots.

Sanada powers up and out, but Goto runs him over! The fans rally as things speed up, and Goto counters hip toss with hip toss! Goto runs and he clotheslines Sanada up and out! The fans fire up and Goto slides out after Sanada. Goto stomps Sanada, drags him up, then CLUBS him on the neck! Sanada staggers, Goto CHOPS him, then kicks him, then CLUBS him! Goto whips but Sanada stops himself from hitting railing! Goto runs in but Sanada drop toeholds him into the railing! Goto goes down in a heap, but Sanada opens the gate. Sanada brings Goto through, then to the crowd! PILEDRIVER to the bare floor!

The fans are stunned but Red Shoes reprimands. Sanada leaves Goto behind and slides into the ring. The fans rally for Goto as the ring count begins. Goto crawls at 5 of 20, finds his way to ringside at 10, but still hobbles and crawls. He stands at 17 to slide in! The fans cheer, but Sanada stomps Goto. Sanada drags Goto up, CLUBS him on the neck, then brings him back up to CLUB him again. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! Sanada eggs Goto on so Goto CHOPS again! Goto whips, Sanada reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool and sits Goto up into a chinlock. Goto endures and the fans rally again.

Goto kicks forward, reaches out, but Sanada cranks on the hold! Goto keeps fighting, and has the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets go cleanly, but then he stomps Goto while he’s down. Sanada then stands Goto up to CLUB him on the neck. Goto CHOPS in return! And CHOPS, and CHOPS, and has Sanada in a corner! Goto CHOPS again, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, but Sanada BOOTS first! Sanada runs, Goto follows, and Goto LARIATS Sanada down! The fans fire up and Goto rises, clutching his neck. Goto stands Sanada up to fire off forearms, then he whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA!

Sanada wobbles, into the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while Goto grits his teeth. Goto drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights free! Sanada waistlocks, Goto throws elbows, then runs. Sanada hurdles, hurdles, and DROPKICKS! Goto tumbles out of the ring, Sanada PLANCHAS him down! The fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada appreciates it. Sanada then goes back for Goto, brings him up and puts him in the ring. Sanada fireman’s carries but Goto throws elbows! Sanada turns around into Goto’s fireman’s carry, but then slips out into the dragon sleeper!

But Goto arm-drags free! Sanada kicks low, runs, but Goto follows! Sanada dodges this time, runs again, but Goto still follows! Sanada sidesteps this time, but Goto holds ropes to avoid the hurdle! Goto runs in, but Sanada fireman’s carries! T K O! Cover, TWO! Goto is still in this and the fans rally up! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada has to land out as Goto moves! Sanada runs in, but into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! They cheer on “GO-TO-O!” but the “SA-NA-DA!” chants are still there. Red Shoes checks them both, and both men slowly rise.

The two crawl towards each other, and Goto fires a forearm! Sanada shakes his head, eggs Goto on, so Goto throws another! Goto eggs Sanada on, so Sanada fires a forearm! Goto fires a forearm back, and the two stand. Sanada UPPERCUTS! Goto comes back to forearm! Sanada UPPERCUTS again, and Goto drops back to a knee! The fans rally, Goto stands again, and he forearms! UPPERCUT, forearm, repeat! Goto growls, fires a flurry of forearms, and he ROCKS Sanada! Sanada drops to his hand and knees but Goto powers up! Goto KICKS but Sanada blocks! Goto fires more forearms, then waistlocks, but Sandaa fights free!

Sanada runs, but Goto fireman’s carries! And he throws Sanada into the dragon sleeper! But Sanada turns around and suplexes, for MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Sanada roars as he rises up, and he aims from a corner. Sanada wants Goto to get up, and Goto sits up, into the SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then dragon sleepers, for the SKULL END!! Goto endures, flails, reaches out, but he’s caught in the body scissors! Goto fights around but he’s fading! The fans rally, Goto’s hand drops! Sanada lets him go to then climb! ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Goto survives but Sanada storms around. Sanada drags Goto up, reels him in and clinches, but Goto slips free to shove Sanada away! Sanada forearms, ROLLING- HEADBUTT from Goto! The fans fire up and duel, and Goto drags Sanada up. But Sanada breaks free! Goto HEADBUTTS again! Sanada falls back down and Goto steadies himself. Goto roars, the fans are with him, and Goto sits Sanada up. Goto runs to PENALTY KICK! Shoutout to Shibata and the fans fire up more! Sanada grits his teeth as he sits back up but Goto takes aim! BUZZSAW! And then he hauls Sanada up to dragon sleeper! G T- BACKSLIDE COUNTER! TWO!!!

Sanada and Goto hurry up, Sanada dodges to O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO?!!? Goto escapes and shocks everyone! Sanada resets, runs in, SHINING WIZARD!! The fans are thunderous as Sanada roars and drags Goto back up! Clinch and DEAD- NO, Goto slips around to ripcord and fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Sanada survives but Goto is all fired up! The fans are thunderous as Goto dragon sleepers for G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!

Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Don’t call it a comeback, Goto’s been here for years! Sanada’s hopes of being IWGP World Heavyweight Champion again have been delayed, how long must he wait for another chance?

As for Goto, he’s going back to the New Japan Cup Finals for the first time since 2016, and his seventh overall! But before he can get the mic to speak, Yota makes his way back out here. Yota steps into the ring and he gets the mic first. Yota tells Goto, “In order to open the door to a new era, we must do this.” The fans applaud that, and Yota continues by asking Goto, “Are you ready?!” Yota drops the mic at Goto’s feet, and Goto stands up to speak. “I also have something I want to show you. As a three-time New Japan Cup Champion, I will show you my strength.” The fans like the sound of that!

The Fierce Warrior stares down with Gene Blast, a true generational showdown on the horizon! Will Goto return not juts to former glory, but finally ascend to top of NJPW? Or will Yota make it LIJ VS LIJ for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?


My Thoughts:

A great semifinal round for this tournament, with quite a surprising main event. Sanada VS Goto was great stuff, and while I felt Sanada wasn’t winning the Cup, I didn’t think he’d be out this round. Yota VS Evil was rather creatively put together, too. I did not think the House would get so involved that at first it was a No Contest but then they restart under a ringside ban. Takagi making sure Yota won was good stuff, too, maybe we can get Takagi VS Evil for the NEVER Openweight Championship if they’re not gonna circle back to more Shota Umino VS House of Torture stuff.

Goto VS Yota is going to be great stuff, and Goto is clearly a top utility guy. He’s had so many New Japan Cup finals appearances, certainly among the most ever, but I don’t think he gets a fourth Cup win against Yota, one of the “new era Musketeers” that NJPW clearly loves. Yota VS Naito is definitely the title match for Sakura Genesis.

My Score: 8.9/10


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