Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (7/11/22)
The Beast is back!
BROCK LESNAR is ready to turn San Antonio into Suplex City!
With less than three weeks before SummerSlam’s Last Man Standing match, Monday Night Raw sees the return of BRRROCK! LESNARRR! Will everyone steer clear of him? Or will someone end up an appetizer for The Beast?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Finn Balor w/ Damian Priest; Balor wins.
- Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Carmella; Mella wins by count out, Bianca retains the title.
- 2v1 Handicap: The Miz & Tommaso Ciampa VS AJ Styles; changed to…
- AJ Styles & Ezekiel VS The Miz & Tommaso Ciampa; Styles & Ezekiel win.
- Alexa Bliss & Asuka VS Nikki A.S.H. & “Doudrop” Piper Niven; Alexa & Asuka win.
- Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso; changed to…
- Six Man Tag: R-Truth & The Street Profits VS The Usos & Omos w/ MVP; Omos & The Usos win.
- Bobby Lashley & Matt Riddle VS Seth Rollins & (Austin) Theory; Lashley & Riddle win.
PLAY BY PLAY
BROCK LESNAR is here!
And San Antonio is fired up as he waves his hat and takes a bow. Brock’s pyro is a step behind, but he still goes down to the ring, fist bumping fans on the way. Fans chant Lesnar’s name and he has the mic to say, “Well God bless Texas!” Fans cheer that! Lesnar says with an intro like that, it’d be rude to leave his hat on so he’ll show some manners. He puts his hat up on the post and says that we just saw a little bit ago in a short recap, life is good for Roman Reigns. Since WrestleMania, Roman’s been living high on the hog, flying private jets and eating like a king. But there’s an old saying that came from right here in Texas: “Pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered!”
Lesnar tells Roman that he is a hog. And Lesnar slaughters hogs on his farm every single day. “At SummerSlam, the Tribal Hog is gonna get a country ass kicking to the likes he’s never seen.” But ladies and gentlemen, Paul Heyman introduces himself. And he assures us, they on the Island of Relevancy are booing, too. Fans boo Heyman louder and Lesnar says, “Speaking of hogs…” Well that’s not neighborly of you, Texas. Fans chant, “You Suck!” at Heyman now. Heyman says despite our differences, Brock Lesnar doesn’t suck. But ladies and gentlemen- Lesnar says three little piggies went to town. Oink oink oink, is Heyman gonna say something worthwhile?
Heyman asks, “You know what bothers me? We’ve gone from the Most Stupendous WrestleMania of all time to the most BARBARIC SummerSlam of all time, and that plays right into your hands,” Lesnar. The odds-on favorite in a Last Man Standing Match is Brock Lesnar. Why? Because Roman Reigns defined his greatness by athletically beating down, smashing the opposition, pinning them, making them tap out, in athletic competition. But we all defined Lesnar’s legacy by annihilating people and putting them down for good! By breaking their bodies, by conquering streaks and ending careers!
So if Lesnar has to put Roman down for the count of ten, that is what Lesnar is going to do! It doesn’t matter to Lesnar if he puts Roman down for 10, or for 100, or if he just sends Roman to the hospital, or even to the morgue! That’s not a man! That’s a BEAST! A HOG SLAUGHTERER! AN ANNIHILATOR! AN AVENGING BADASS… who wants revenge on Heyman’s Tribal Chief! Heyman gives us his word on something, though. We’re approaching 700 DAYS of Roman as champion. And Lesnar, “this is one streak you will not conquer.” Heyman will have Roman ready for Lesnar at SummerSlam, to put Lesnar down!
If Heyman has to train Roman Reigns to stick his hand up Lesnar’s ASS, and then pull Lesnar’s heart out from that hole, that is what His Tribal Chief is going to do to something like Lesnar! Before Lesnar can respond, (Austin) Theory appears! Theory says SummerSlam is going to be one of the greatest nights in WWE history. Because Theory takes back his WWE US Championship, and then he’ll sit back and watch the “Match of Mass Destruction.” See, after that match, Theory won’t run down to the ring, he’ll walk out, holding up the MITB contract, hand it to the official, cash-in, and then put a foot on either Lesnar’s chest or Roman’s chest, and the announcer will say… “AND NEW, Youngest, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion of the World… THEORY!”
Fans boo and Lesnar shrugs. Why not try it right now? Theory says it doesn’t matter if Lesnar wins or if Roman wins, because the way they’re talking about the outcome, it will be life altering. And Mr. Heyman, Theory says he should listen to Lesnar. Theory has some footage of his own from the Elimination Chamber that shows Lesnar doesn’t give a damn about anyone but himself! He doesn’t care about anyone’s life but his own! Theory is talking about when Lesnar dribbled Theory off Plexiglas to then F5 him to the floor from the top of a pod! Fans cheer that and Lesnar is smiling. Theory tells everyone to shut up!
Theory tells Heyman that what we just saw could end up being Roman Reigns. He could be just a heap of humanity, sitting their motionless. But that footage wasn’t just for Roman. It’s for Lesnar to know that Theory didn’t forget! Well what do we have here? Lesnar comes to down, and all the roaches show up! The Alpha Academy have crept out from the shadows and are flanking the ring. But Lesnar throws off his jacket and welcomes Otis into the ring! Theory says to go get him, and Gable CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Lesnar hobbles and Otis RAMS him into a corner! But Lesnar is standing and smiling! Lesnar CLOBBERS Otis, then OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes Gable!
Lesnar then CLOBBERS Otis out of the ring! The Alpha Academy flounders but Lesnar is after them both! He pulls off the steel steps to RAM Gable, then RAM Otis! And then he RAMS Gable again! And RAMS Otis again! Lesnar tosses the steps into the ring while Heyman is in shock! Lesnar grabs a chair, brings it over and SMACKS Gable! And again! And then Lesnar SMACKS Otis! Lesnar drags Gable up to then OVERHEAD Belly2Belly him again! Otis flounders up to his feet, and Lesnar fireman’s carries him to F5 onto the announce desk!! Fans are losing their minds as Lesnar just wrecked the Wrecking Ball! And then Lesnar fetches his hat.
Will Roman be ready for the most vicious, most brutal, most heinous fight of his life?
Rey Mysterio w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Finn Balor w/ Damian Priest!
After the Mysterios made the Prince look like a fool, The Judgement Day attacked backstage to ruin the celebration. But will the King of Lucha get the better of Balor again? Or will Finn have some tricks of his own?
Raw returns as the Judgement Day makes their entrance. They and the Mysterios stare down, and Priest has the mic. “All rise.” Fans boo but Priest says to RISE and show proper respect to The Judgement Day! Priest tells Dominik that what happened last week was justice. For the old guard, for the way things used to be. In two weeks, Madison Square Garden, Mysterio celebrates 20 YEARS in the WWE. But face it, Rey, you’re done. Washed up, over. Rey has nothing left to offer Dominik. All he has is an ugly mask and some old, tired circus tricks that weren’t even his! However, The Judgement Day has something more. A new set of rules! Sounds good, right?
“The future of this business will be decided by The Judgement Day, and you’re welcome to join it, man.” But the fans don’t matter. Join them, step out of Rey’s shadow and blaze your own path! Live your own life and rise with the Judgement Day, or continue to fall alongside Rey. Finn has Priest calm down. But when is Dom going to learn to see things their way? Does Dom think Daddy can protect him? Ooo~, Rey the legend~! But Edge is a legend and we all saw what happened to him! Let’s look! Footage plays of last month when Finn joined to EJECT Edge from the faction. Edge is GONE, no longer coming back, adios!
And why? Because he was a bad leader. And just like Finn said before, Rey is a bad leader AND a bad father! Fans boo but Rey hopes Dom isn’t listening to this. Dom looks between everyone, but then Rey DECKS Finn! Dom and Rey DOUBLE DROPKICK Priest! The father and son double whip Finn, but Priest gets Finn out of there! Will Rey finish this with Finn? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns again and Finn CHOKES Rey on the ropes as this match is underway! The ref counts, Finn lets off but Priest gets a sucker punch in! Finn drags Rey up, whips him but Rey holds ropes to block. Finn kicks low, whips corner to corner, but runs into an elbow! Rey runs, slides under and KICKS Finn to then KICK him again. Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Finn bails out but Rey takes aim to PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Finn! Dom fans his father off and Rey puts Finn in. Rey hurries in but Finn scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Finn CLUBS Rey down and then bends him back!
Rey endures the chinlock stretch but fans rally up. Dom coaches his dad up but Finn drops an elbow! Cover, TWO! Rey gets away to a corner but Finn storms over. Finn stands Rey up to RAM a shoulder into his back! And then Finn brings Rey up for another BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Finn sits Rey up to drive an elbow in, and then clamps on a chinlock! Rey endures, fans rally up, and Rey fights up to throw elbows! Rey is free but Finn knees low! Finn suplexes, and holds on for Uno Amigo! Fans boo as Finn CLUBS Rey down, only needing the one. Finn drags Rey up at the apron, but Rey blocks the buckle bump to BUMP Finn!
Rey goes up the corner, but Finn CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Rey gets stuck in the Tree of Woe, but then falls right out! Rey clutches a leg but Finn gets that very leg to hold in the ropes! The ref counts, Finn lets off, but then grabs the leg again to wrap it back around. Finn stomps the leg and Rey flops to the floor! Dom goes out to check on his dad but Finn goes out to tell Dom to watch. Finn puts Rey in but Rey WRECKS Finn with a dropkick! Rey runs to SLIDING SUNSET BOMB! Finn hits barriers and both men are down as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Finn is up top but Rey fires off haymakers! Rey then climbs up after Finn to SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO! Priest is relieved but Dom fires the fans back up. Finn grabs at Rey’s bad leg but Rey ENZIGURIS! Finn is on the ropes! Rey dials it up, 619! Rey hurries on one good leg to climb up the corner! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Finn moves! Finn says he’s too smart, but then Rey GHOST PINS! TWO!! Finn escapes and surprises himself! Finn snarls and he hurries after Rey. Rey is on the apron, he shoulders into Finn and throws more haymakers, Rey slingshots but Finn turns it into a gut wrench, ELBOW DROP DDT! Cover, TWO!
Priest and Finn are both frustrated but Finn drags Rey up. Suplex, but Rey slips out! The bad leg jams, and Finn dragon sleepers for the inverted suplex, BLOODY SUNDAY! Finn hurries up top now, COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Finn wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall
Dom gets in to check on his dad, but Finn and Priest stare him down. Finn says this only proves him right. Will Dom side with them and their dark ways? Or will Dom stay beside his father and legacy?
Becky Lynch is here!
And Raw is Big Time because she is here to watch the Raw Women’s Championship rematch from Money in the Bank!
Raw returns and Becky stands on the desk with a mic. “I was devastated when I didn’t win MITB after everything I’d been through to get in, and I kinda lost my mind a little bit. But then, I sat with myself and I realized, cashing in say the way Liv did, well that’s like winning the lottery, isn’t it? And I don’t NEED to win the lottery because I work my ass off every week for a paycheck!” So therefore, Becky dragged her broken, bruised body through that No Holds Barred match against Asuka, and that should have automatically made her as #1 Contender! But no~! It’s MELLA! Mella gets her rematch!!
So uh, Becky is going blue in the face saying this, but she should just have been given her rematch on the Monday after WrestleMania, but NO~! No, she is made to jump through hoops and work her way back to the top, and being denied what is rightfully hers! And so tonight… Well, she doesn’t give a damn who wins! Becky DEMANDS a championship match at SummerSlam! Becky slams the mic down and glares at the ring as Bianca Belair makes her entrance.
Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Carmella!
The EST dealt with the (self-proclaimed) Most Beautiful Woman in the WWE already, but if she wants that whooping again, then Bianca is more than happy to give it. Will Mella again miss out on the gold? Or will Mella be money on the road to SummerSlam?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who brings this title to Tennessee!
Mella rushes in, Bianca picks her up and RAMS her into a corner! Bianca RAMS into Mella more, lets off at the ref’s count of 4, then whips corner to corner. Bianca runs in but Mella BOOTS back! Mella throws Bianca down by her hair, then smiles and soaks up the heat. Becky likes that as Mella pie faces the “TackiEST.” Mella runs, but gets run over! Bianca dusts off her hands and then dares Mella to do something. Mella bails out instead so Bianca drags Mella up to SMACK her off the desk! Bianca tells Becky she’s next. Becky talks trash back but Corey Graves tells Becky to focus because Mella will get her. We’ll have to wait and see while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Mella thrashes Bianca around in a chinlock. Bianca endures and fans rally up. Bianca fights up, throws body shots, then shoves Mella way. Mella ducks and tilt-o-whirls, but Bianca blocks that to get a BACKBREAKER! Mella writhes and Becky is annoyed, but Bianca runs in, into a BOOT! Mella goes up to get Bianca with a HANGING HEADSCISSORS! The ref counts, Mella lets off at 4, and she climbs up again to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Mella hurries to Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Bianca is in the corner, Mella DROPKICKS her into buckles! Fans boo but Mella soaks up the heat.
Bianca scowls as she gets up. Mella talks trash, digs her boots in, but the ref counts. Mella lets off at 4, climbs up the corner again, but fans rally for the “E S T! E S T!” Mella leaps, into Bianca’s arms! Bianca slips Mella around into the LongEST Suplex, and SLAM! Becky is annoyed again while both women are down. Fans rally for Bianca and she gets up. Bianca runs in to run Mella over! Bianca bumps Mella off buckles, then more buckles, then more buckles! Bianca stomps Mella, whips her corner to corner, but Mella reverses. Bianca goes up and over and handsprings, then she catches Mella to chicken wings! GLAM- NO, roll through! TWO, Bianca has it now!
TWO but Bianca uses that to go up the corner and say, “Kiss this!” Mella scowls, but Bianca flip sup and over and chicken wings, GlamEST Slam! Becky is beside herself as Bianca runs, but Mella anchors a foot! Bianca kicks her, STANDING MOONSAULT onto knees! FABULOUS KICK! Cover, TWO! Becky looks at Mella with some disappointment and Mella is beside herself. Bianca gets up and Mella aims again, FABU- NO! Bianca gets under the kick to lift Mella up for a BUCKLE BOMB! Then a torture rack! Melal grabs ropes for dear life but she can’t hold on! Mella uses her FEET now! Bianca still gets Mella loose, KISS OF- FACEBUSTER?!? Cover, TWO!!!
Mella is shocked and Becky is surprised, too! Bianca survives the counter and Mella grits her teeth. Mella hears the fans cheering Bianca on and gets mad. Mella fires off fast hands on Bianca in the corner, but lets off at 4. Mella then throws heavy back elbows! Only to get caught into a full nelson! And then spun around for shoulder after shoulder into the corner! Bianca lets off, gets Mella around, and POWER- NO, Mella slips out, so Bianca LARIATS! Bianca CLUBS away on Mella’s back, shoves her and pops her up, SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Mella is still in this but Bianca shakes her head. Bianca runs in but Mella dumps her out!
Mella aims but Bianca trips her up. Mella boots Bianca away, kicks at her, but Bianca trips Mella up! Bianca shoves Mella into the ring, goes up the corner, but Mella scrambles away! Fans boo as Mella wants to chicken out, but Bianca rushes after her! Bianca suplexes, and she holds Mella up. Mella fights out, and CLAWS Bianca’s eyes! But Bianca POSTS Mella in revenge! The ring count is climbing past 5 of 10, Bianca gets Mella in, but Becky rushes over! Bianca is ready, the count is climbing! It’s 10, Bianca loses!!
Winner: Carmella, by count-out; Bianca is still Raw Women’s Champion
Mella celebrates like she won this on her own, but she is forgetting Champion’s Advantage. Becky just wanted to make Bianca lose, but Bianca loses her cool! She SHOVES Mella down, and hits a KISS OF DEATH!! Bianca holds the belt up because she is still the RawEST Women’s Champion! Will she also be the angriEST when she finally gets her hands on Big Time Becks again?
The mysterious video plays again.
The lights. The cemetery. The gold medal, the license plate, the armbands.
The Miz and Tommaso Ciampa are here!
The Hollywood A-Lister is hosting another episode of MizTV, and tonight’s guest is Miz’s Guardian Psycho! What will they both have to say about AJ Styles after the break?
Raw returns and he welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, and he formally introduces his guest. This man, since his debut on Raw, has mercilessly attacked multiple superstars, including their opponent in tonight’s 2v1 Handicap Match, AJ Styles. Ladies and gentlemen, get up out of your seats for CIAMPA! Fans boo instead but Ciampa still smiles. Miz welcomes Ciampa to the show, and he has to ask for an explanation as to Ciampa’s actions. Ciampa says it is simple: He wants the eyes of the world on Ciampa, and no one commands attention more than The Miz. That is CORRECT! Who else has a hit reality show directly following Raw tonight? Only The Miz!
Ciampa is talking to the right person. Miz guided a social media icon in Logan Paul and made him into a WWE Superstar. With Miz’s help, Logan beat the great tag team of Rey & Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania. And that’s what Ciampa wants! He wants WrestleMania! He wants SummerSlam! He wants opportunity! He wants it ALL!! Miz says yes, that is what they all want. And Miz tried to hand Logan Paul that same opportunity. Did Logan thank Miz for that? NO. Logan responded on social media with a video. Logan told Miz and everyone that he is NOT changing his mind about what he said, he is NOT Miz’s tag partner or friend.
Logan said it when he signed the contract, and will say it now: Logan Paul is coming after The Miz at SummerSlam. Understand? Miz tells Logan Paul that he knows what this is. Logan is stirring up controversy! It gets people talking! And no one does it better than them! So this is the last chance. Logan can retract his original statement and join Miz to become Undisputed Tag Team Champions, or… Miz will find someone else. And Miz doesn’t have to look very far. Right, Ciampa? Tonight, they will show the Phenomenal One just how great they are! All the eyes will be on Ciampa & Miz! But speaking of, here comes AJ Styles!
Styles has a mic to say, “Enough, enough, enough. Miz, do us all a favor and shut your mouth! No one cares what you have to say, especially me.” Every time Styles’ back is turned, he gets attacked by either Ciampa or Miz, and that’s a fact. Miz, this sounds like you got someone to do your dirty work. And that’ snot brave, powerful or anything like that. That sounds like the actions of a man who- DON’T YOU DARE! Miz won’t have it, but the fans are already chanting, “TINY BALLS! TINY BALLS!” Ciampa tells them to stop that, but that only makes them chant it more. Miz keeps telling Styles to stop, but Styles says he was just going to say it sounds like the actions of a coward.
Oh… Is that all he was going to say? But also one with tiny, tiny balls. Miz and Ciampa are furious, but then Styles gets in and starts swinging one of the chairs! Miz and Ciampa bail out, Styles CHUCKS the chairs at them! And wait, maybe Styles won’t be alone in this! EZEKIEL heads out to the ring! “I am very sorry to interrupt, but AJ, I realized something. In all my time here on Monday Night Raw, I haven’t had a chance to introduce myself. I’m Ezekiel. I’m Elias’ younger brother. And Elias used to talk about how truly phenomenal you really are, inside the ring and outside. And the matches you guys had, well, they were in a word, phenomenal.”
Zeke says another thing Elias told him, almost obsessively, was that Miz has tiny balls. Miz is speechless that Zeke is getting on the trolling, too. But Zeke went ahead and talked to Adam Pearce, and they agreed that this would be more #ZekedUp if this was a tag match! Styles & Zeke VS Ciampa & Miz! If Styles will have him, that is. Miz protests but Styles shakes Zeke’s hand! Will Ciampa & Miz grow a pair to take on a pair of opponents?
AJ Styles & Ezekiel VS The Miz & Tommaso Ciampa!
Raw returns and Zeke ties up with Ciampa, but Ciampa knees low! Ciampa wrenches, wristlocks, but Zeke wrenches and headlocks. Ciampa powers up and out but Zeke runs him over. Things speed up, Ciampa hip tosses but Zeke gest a headlock takeover! Fans rally and Zeke grinds Ciampa down. Ciampa fights up, powers Zeke to a corner, but the ref counts. Ciampa lets off at 4 to kick and ROCK Zeke! Ciampa CHOPS Zeke, wrenches and whips him corner to corner, but Zeke goes up to MULE KICK! Ciampa staggers, Zeke runs in to CHOP! And throw body shots and CLUB Ciampa on the back. Zeke ROCKS Ciampa, whips him to ropes, but Ciampa holds ropes.
Ciampa BOOTS Zeke, tags Miz, and Miz runs, into a hip toss! Zeke drags Miz over, tags Styles in, and Styles CLUBS the arm. Styles ROCKS and CHOPS Miz, then whips him to ropes. Miz KICKS Styles, but Styles DROPKICKS Miz! Styles drags Miz up, bumps him off buckles, and then bumps him off more buckles. Fans rally for Styles as he RAMS into Miz at the corner, then Styles tags Zeke. Zeke stomps Miz, brings him around to a headlock, but Miz pulls hair to put Zeke in the corner. Ciampa tags in and they mug Zeke. Ciampa ROCKS Zeke, whips him to ropes but Zeke reverses. Ciampa dodges but Zeke FLAPJACKS him!
Ciampa gets up but swings into a scoop and FALL AWAY SLAM! Zeke runs in at the corner, but Ciampa elbows Zeke away! The ref checks on Ciampa but Miz DECKS Zeke with a cheap shot! Styles protests, but Ciampa runs to KNEE Zeke down to the floor! Ciampa goes out after Zeke to RAM him into barriers. Ciampa sits on the apron, and both he and Miz applaud. Ciampa pats himself on the back before he fetches Zeke into the ring. Ciampa drags Zeke up to throw hands but Zeke throws body shots. Ciampa TOSSES Zeke out hard, then tags Miz. Miz stomps Zeke, drags him up and SMACKS him off the announce desk!
Miz shouts that he has HUGE BALLS, and he struts around, while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Miz keeps Zeke from Styles with a knee, then the A-LIST COMBINATION! Cover, TWO! Miz keeps on Zeke by pulling hair, and then dragging him to the corner. Tag to Ciampa, they double whip and double elbow Zeke down! Miz flexes, Ciampa taunts Styles, then Ciampa STOMPS Zeke in the head! Ciampa clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Zeke down! It’s almost a Bully Choke and Zeke is turning red! Fans rally, Zeke fights up, and Zeke gets to his feet to arm-drag free! Zeke hurries but Ciampa rolls him away from Styles, TWO! Zeke JUMP KNEES Ciampa down! Fans fire up while both men are down!
Miz shouts to Ciampa, Styles rallies the fans for Zeke, hot tags to Miz and Styles! Miz puts on the brakes but Styles rallies on him! PHENOMENAL BLITZ! Styles then runs to SLIDING FOREARM! Fans fire up and Styles runs in at Miz to clothesline in the corner! Pump handle scoop to a GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Miz survives but Styles keeps his focus. Styles drags Miz up to fireman’s carry but Miz fights free. Miz waistlocks, Styles switches, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Styles DECKS Ciampa, but Miz kicks a leg out! BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO! Styles survives and Miz is surprised. Miz grits his teeth and fans rally up.
Miz waits on Styles to get up, he full nelsons, but Styles fights free to USHIGOROSHI! Cover, Ciampa breaks it! Zeke TOSSES Ciampa out! Zeke goes out to then SMACK Ciampa off the desk! Miz WRECKS Zeke! But Styles catches Miz for a roll, into the CALF CRUSHER!! Miz endures, Ciampa mugs Styles! The ref reprimands, Ciampa won’t let off, the ref rings the bell!
Winners: AJ Styles & Ezekiel, by disqualification
Ciampa lets off Styles, goes to Miz’s side, but Styles PLANCHAS! Miz gets away and Ciampa takes the hit! Miz runs away, the actions of a coward! Styles says he has Miz’s number, will Logan Paul not be the only one gunning for the A-Lister this Summer?
Matt Riddle scooters over to Bobby Lashley.
Riddle says hey to Bobby, and hi to “Travito,” the US Championship belt. Good to see Travito found a good home. But bro, Riddle can’t wait to get his hands on Seth Rollins to hit a sweet RKBRO. Oh wait, he just said his plan. Now it won’t be outta nowhere! Lashley says he can’t wait to get his hands on Theory. That punk’s been running his mouth since winning the MITB contract, but his mouth is writing checks his body can’t cash. Tonight, they’ll make both those guys pay. And don’t even sweat it, Lashley, you’ll totally retain at SummerSlam.
But since there’s time before the match, maybe they can watch Stranger Things together. Riddle gets really scared, but if Lashley’s there, maybe he won’t be. Lashley says sorry, but he already watched the new episode. But he’ll finish warming up and see Riddle out there. Riddle says cool. And remember the Alamo! Will the #BROMighty crush the Visionary and Golden Boy?
Alexa Bliss & Asuka VS Nikki A.S.H. & “Doudrop” Piper Niven!
The Five Foot Fury teams with the Empress of Tomorrow to take on the Almost SuperHero and her powerful tag partner. Will we see a new alliance forged here tonight? Or will Alexa and Asuka stay solo acts after this?
Raw returns as Asuka makes her entrance. Then Nikki makes her entrance, followed by Piper’s. The teams sort out, Asuka and Nikki start and they tie right up. Nikki throws Asuka down by her hair, then strikes her pose. Piper tells Nikki to stay serious, and Nikki rams shoulders. Asuka stays up and talks trash, so Nikki runs again. Asuka follows and then runs Nikki over! Asuka fires up and drags Nikki up to bump off buckles. Tag to Alexa, Alexa rolls Nikki up, ONE! Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Ghost Pin, TWO! Nikki RAMS Alexa with a shoulder then throws Alexa down by her hair. Nikki runs, Piper tags in, Alexa SLAPS Nikki and KNEES her down!
Alexa sets up, INSULT2- Piper CLOBBERS her! Piper grins as she drags Alexa up and CLUBS her down. Piper has Alexa in a corner, ROCKS her with a forearm, then brings her around to scoop. Nikki tags in and Piper SLAMS Alexa, for Nikki to BASEMENT BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nikki stays on Alexa, whips her to a corner, then runs in to SPLASH! Nikki snapmares Alexa, and clamps on with a half nelson chinbar! Alexa endures as Nikki thrashes her around! Alexa endures, Nikki leans on the hold, but Alexa fights up. Nikki whips Alexa to a corner, runs in but only gets buckles! DOUBLE LARIATS collide and both women are down!
Fans fire up, both women crawl, hot tags to Piper and Asuka! Asuka dodges Piper to KICK and KICK! Piper blocks but Asuka ducks the haymaker! Asuka throws a BACKHAND, BACKHAND, SOBAT, and BACKHAND to a CODE BREAKER! Piper staggers, fans fire up with Asuka and she whips. Piper blocks and reverses but Asuka goes up to missile dropkick! Piper gets away, tags Nikki and she leaps, into a KNEE! Asuka was ready, and she KICKS away on Nikki! Asuka runs and HIP ATTACKS Piper down, to then SLIDING KICK Nikki! Cover, TWO! Nikki is still in this but Asuka snapmares and tags in Alexa.
Asuka and Alexa run, but Piper trips Asuka up! Alexa dropkicks Nikki while Asuka avoids the senton! Nikki rolls Alexa, TWO! Alexa kicks, reels Nikki in, DDT!! Cover, Alexa and Asuka win!
Winners: Alexa Bliss & Asuka, by pinfall
Alexa gives her former friend a handshake then celebrates with Asuka. But will either of these winners be waiting on the other side of SummerSlam for a Raw Women’s Championship match?
Angelo Dawkins w/ Montez Ford VS Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso!
The Street Profits want to set the record straight on their loss at Money in the Bank, but that means making it to Nashville! Will the #CurseofGreatness get Takeback Season Part 2 started? Or will Jimmy prove why he and Jey are the ones?
Raw returns and the Usos have the mics. Jey is fired up and he says, “The Bloodline is now in your city! And once again, we out here saying what we was goin’ do, again. Sounding like a broken record.” Jimmy says, “Blue brand?” Jey says, “Got that!” “Red brand?” “Got that, too!” Jimmy says The Bloodline’s running RawDown, and they can show up whenever they want to! Because they’re STILL the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions~! Jey says ever since MITB, the Profits over here whining, boohoo, crying, wah wah. Well, Jimmy would be crying too if he lost to the Usos!
But it doesn’t matter who the guest ref is, as long as he can count to three, the SummerSlam is where the Usos get another one! Because the Profits are the twos, and #WeThe- The Profits interrupt the catchphrase with their entrance! The Profits make it rain Solo cups, and they have mics of their own. “San Antonio~! Why look who it is! It’s the U~SOS~!” Why didn’t they tell the Profits they’re scared? The Usos hit them with everything they had and Ford’s shoulder was still up! But make no mistakes, Uce. They’ll get in your face so you know they’re serious. At SummerSlam, the Profits are taking those titles! And you know why. The Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke!
But wait! R-Truth is making his way out here? He wants everyone to hold on! San Antonio, what’s up? But Profits, Usos, it doesn’t have to be like this. Just everyone calm down. They’re in San Antonio, Texas, the City of Brotherly Love. Uh, no… But Truth says we all know his many certifications: Divorce Attorney; Marriage Counselor; and he’s even able to fly a Top Gun airplane. But his best certification is that he is a bonafide, certified, Tag Team Counselor! Let’s all just get along and let Truth counsel. Wow, he’s got a lot of jobs. But Truth, you’ve been around the Usos’ family a long time. You need to get up out the ring so they can handle business.
Unless that is, Truth has a damn referee shirt. Well, hold on, okay, let’s get the elephant out of the room. Truth IS a certified WWE referee. Oh. Well, okay. He DOES have a referee shirt on! So then, Truth will audition for SummerSlam! Watch this count! ONE! TWO! THREE!! You’re outta there! Holding! Charge! Maybe someone gets thrown out and Truth will count. ONE…! TWO…! THREE…! He ain’t in yet! FOUR…! FIVE…! Do something! SIX…! SEVEN…! Jimmy tells Truth to take that damn shirt off! Fans boo but Jimmy tells Truth to take his clown ass to the back where it belongs! Fans boo more and Truth says he’s a clown ass, is he?
Y’all wanna fight the clown ass? San Antonio, you wanna see this clown ass fight an Uso? Then hold the mic. Dawkins has him, and Truth does his best to take the ref shirt off. Ford helps out, and Truth is ready to go. Truth will take BOTH Usos. Whoa…! But, with his partners. Then it’s even, 3v2! Wait, hold on. Here comes OMOS and MVP! MVP says, “Gentlemen, pardon the intrusion, but I was standing with the Nigerian Giant at the monitor, watching Truth make an absolute fool of himself, and I was struck with an idea. Why not allow the Nigerian Giant to be the special guest referee? That would be one huge spectacle, pun very much intended.”
Truth asks San Antonio if that giant can even count. Well neither can Truth! But Omos had an even better idea. Let’s be part of this match tonight! It’s a great opportunity to offer the services of the 7’3″, 400 pound giant to the Bloodline! Then we can even up the odds. What do the Usos say? The Usos are ready for that. What does Dawkins say? He’s down for a fight. And Truth? Well… Remember the Alamo! They go after the Usos and Omos! Omos DECKS Truth, drags the Profits off the Usos, then feed them to DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Omos BOOTS Truth back down, and fans boo as Omos looms over Truth. Is this Six Man still going to happen? Or has the damage been done?
Six Man Tag: R-Truth & The Street Profits VS The Usos & Omos w/ MVP!
Raw returns and yes, this match is happening! The Nigerian Giant starts against Dawkins and Dawkins fires off! Omos shoves Dawkins to ropes then runs him over! MVP says to give him more, but Omos tags in Jey and Jey stands Dawkins up. Dawkins ROCKS Jey, fires off fast hands, then tags Ford. The Profits double whip Jey, then dropkick Jey down! Dawkins gives Ford the boost, BACK SUPLEX SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Ford clamps onto Jey, wrenches, and tags in Truth! Fans fire up and Truth breaks it down to ROCK Jey! Truth fires hands, brings Jey around, but Jey powers him to the corner! Jimmy tags in to mug Truth!
Jimmy tags Omos and they mug Truth with a CHOP! Omos tags Jimmy back in, he drags Truth from the Profits and stomps Truth’s hand. MVP talks trash, Jimmy shows off his dance moves then DECKS Truth! Cover, ONE! Jimmy is annoyed but he taunts Truth. Jimmy drags Truth up, waistlocks and puts him in the corner. Truth counter punches Jimmy! And he hits Jey! And Omos! Jimmy kicks low to then HEADBUTT Truth down! Truth flounders but Jimmy stays between Truth and the Profits. Jimmy stomps Truth to the corner, tags Jey, then Jey tags Omos. The Usos double back suplex, but Truth slips off! The Profits get in to DOUBLE DROPKICK the Usos!
Omos isn’t sure what to do and Truth dropkicks him! Omos stays up, so the Profits help out, TRIPLE DROPKICK! Omos drops off the apron but lands on his feet! The Profits aim to DOUBLE PLANCHA the Usos! Truth fires up, and he aims at Omos! PLANCHA, but Omos catches him! Omos pops Truth up to SNAKE EYES off the apron! And then CLOBBER him! Omos roars as the only man standing and MVP says that’s what happens! “Who’s the giant?” “I’M the giant!” Omos roars again as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Jey and Omos mug Truth. Omos looms over Truth, stands on Truth’s leg, and Truth shouts in pain! Omos drags Truth up and he CLUBS Truth right down! Then Omos sucker punches Dawkins! MVP taunts Dawkins for taking his eye off the ball, and Omos drags Truth back up. Omos whips Truth hard into the Uso corner! Truth bounces off buckles, Omos looms over him and roars again. MVP says that right there is greatness! Omos CHOKES Truth on the ropes, then lets off. Omos tags Jey, and Jimmy tells the fans, “No, YOU suck!” Omos sets Truth up for Jey to MULE KICK!
Jimmy talks trash on Truth and Jey drags Truth up. Jey swings but Truth does the splits to dodge! Then he CALF KICKS Jey down! Fans fire up, Truth and Jey crawl, hot tags to Jimmy and Ford! Ford dodges Jimmy to GAMANGIRI! Then he goes up to CROSSBODY! Ford gets up to SMACK Omos, then he whips Jimmy. Jimmy reverses, follows, but Ford stops to LARIAT him down! Ford swings, but Jimmy ducks to back suplex. Ford lands on his feet to kick, KICK and ENZIGURI! Then BLOCKBUSTER! Ford kips up and roars to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Jimmy bails out but Ford builds speed.
Ford stops when Omos stands in his way, but Dawkins trips Omos up! Ford GAMANGIRIS Omos, but Omos grabs Dawkins! Ford saves Dawkins from Omos and they POST Omos together! But Jimmy drags Ford up the apron! Ford GAMANGIRIS Jimmy, then hurries to tag Dawkins! Ford Electric Chair Lifts Jimmy and Dawkins climbs, DOOMSDAY DEVICE!! Cover, Jey breaks it in time! Ford gets in but Jey gets him for a POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Truth gets in, he gets Jey for a SPIN-OUT BOMB! Truth puts up the hand and fans fire up for “You Can’t See Me!” But Omos drags Truth out! And RAMS Truth into steel steps!
Dawkins has Jimmy, blocks a kick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Jimmy looks around but Dawkins CYCLONE SPLASHES and ENZIGURIS! Omos tags in before the ANOINTING! MOUNTAINTOP SLAM!! Cover, Omos and Usos win!
Winners: Omos & The Usos, by pinfall
MVP says there it is! That power is why the Nigerian Giant should be feared! But will he still be passed over for the role of referee at SummerSlam?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
The Visionary is laughing as he walks in and Kevin Patrick says after Rollins beat Ezekiel, he wanted more, until Matt Riddle appeared outta nowhere with an RKO. How does Rollins feel about that? “I feel great! HAHAHA! Because it’s Monday night, and it’s the main event, and that means it’s MY time, baby.” But Rollins is hearing a lot of conversation about the identity of Ezekiel. But guess what, Mike, Rollins doesn’t care! Rollins doesn’t care if it’s Ezekiel, Elias, Elmo, Elrod or El Gigante! If you get in Rollins’ way, he will put you down. But there is one person whose identity Rollins is very curious about.
“Who in the HELL does Riddle think he is?! No, really? Who? Who is Riddle? Is he some ultra-talented savant that’s thinking on a higher plane than everybody else? Or, is he just some idiot bro that Randy Orton felt sorry for? HAHAHAHA~! I’ll tell you who he isn’t: He isn’t a person who can ride the coattails of Randy~ anymore. He isn’t a person who can hide behind his Big Bro, Randy, anymore And he isn’t someone who can use the good name of Seth Freakin’ Rollins to chase the clout. You know what they say about playing with fire? Sooner or later, you’re gonna get burned. HAHAHA! Ask Cody Rhodes!”
Rollins keeps laughing but then Theory walks in. Theory apologizes for the interruption, but was just wondering if Rollins had any advice on being Mr. MITB. Rollins had the greatest cash-in of all time, how’d he do it? Rollins laughs, and says Theory has come to the right man. Walk with him, talk with him! Will the Architect share his plans with the Youngest Mr. MITB in history? And will these two be able to overcome the #BROMighty duo they’ll be up against?
A new mysterious video plays.
There is an hourglass and a silhouette. An RKO shirt, a John Cena hat, and now writing on the wall. Someone is making their way back, but when and where will we see who this is?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Miz, you’re delusional! I don’t want anything to do with you! I don’t want to be your partner. You and I are done! I want you one-on-one at SummerSlam. And just to make sure you’re understanding all of this perfectly, I’ll be coming to Monday Night Raw next week so you can really read my lips.” And when they see each other face-to-face, it’ll be AWESOME!
Bobby Lashley & Matt Riddle VS Seth Rollins & (Austin) Theory!
Speaking of SummerSlam, The Rocky Mountain Machine is going to defend his US Championship gold against Vince McMahon’s Golden Boy, and the Stallion just wants to kick the Visionary’s ass! Will they get to whet their appetites here tonight? Or will Rollins & Theory #BurnItDown together?
Raw returns and Rollins makes his entrance, followed by Theory’s. The teams sort out and Riddle starts against Theory. They tie up, Theory kicks low and throws haymakers. Theory stomps Riddle into a corner, rains down fists, but lets off as the ref counts. Theory snarls and brings Riddle up to ROCK him with another punch. Theory tags Rollins, they mug Riddle, and Rollins CLUBS Riddle to then DECK him! Rollins drops a knee, drags Riddle up, then tags Theory in. They mug Riddle again, body shot after body shot, then Theory flexes on Lashley. The ref has Theory stay back, and Theory whips Riddle corner to corner
Riddle goes up and over, KICKS Theory again and again in the corner, then fires up with the fans. Riddle gut wrenches Theory to suplex him! Riddle stares Rollins down, runs in at Theory and forearm smashes! Tag to Lashley and he runs side to side to RAM into Theory! Fans fire up and Lashley runs in at Theory again, but Theory BOOTS him! Theory runs, Rollins tag sin, but Lashley catches both of them! COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Cover, TWO! Tag to Riddle and he gets a boost for the ASSISTED FLOATING BRO! Cover, ONE! Rollins crawls but Riddle drags him back and tags in Lashley. They mug Rollins, then Lashley bumps Rollins off buckles.
Lashley RAMS into Rollins again and again, then says he’s taking Rollins up. STALLING Suplex! Rollins fights free, ducks and dumps Lashley out of the ring, then builds speed to DIVW! Lashley catches Rollins to a fireman’s carry! Riddle sees Theory coming and PENALTY KICKS him! Lashley then POSTS Rollins! Fans fire up with Lashley and Riddle, but Dolph Ziggler is heading out here? In a suit, too! What is the Show Off doing showing up this late into the show? Guess we’ll see, after the break.
Raw returns once again and Riddle fights his way out of the enemy corner! Riddle ROCKS Rollins, elbows Theory, then fires off on Theory more! Theory falls, Rollins runs in but into an elbow! Riddle goes up but Theory trips him! Ziggler is watching up close as Rollins goes up and gets Riddle for an INVERTED SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives but Rollins covers again, TWO! Rollins argues with the ref but the count is fair! Rollins stomps Riddle’s hand to keep him from reaching to Lashley, then he stomps one of Riddle’s feet. Rollins BOOTS Riddle down, then looms over him. Rollins slaps Riddle around, and taunts him about Randy being gone.
Riddle CHOPS Rollins! And CHOPS, and ROCKS and fires off palm strikes! Riddle runs, but into a SLEEPER HOLD! Rollins drags Riddle down, facelocks, but Riddle endures. Fans rally, Riddle fights up, and he powers his way towards his corner! Rollins wrenches and suplexes to GOURD BUSTER! Rollins has the facelock again and it’s almost a grovit! Ziggler seems intrigued as Riddle fights up. Riddle reaches out, powers his way forward again, but Rollins suplexes again! Riddle lands on his feet this time! And he spins Rollins to a PELE! Theory tags in and he slingshot somersaults, but into a BODY SCISSORS! SLEEPER HOLD!!
Theory flails and gets to his feet, but Riddle has the BROMISSION! Theory BACKPACK SENTONS! Both men are down and fans fire up! They both crawl, Theory and Riddle hot tag Rollins and Lashley! Lashley POUNCES Rollins, CLOBBERS him, then scoops and SLAMS him! Lashley DECKS Theory for good measure before he RAMS into Rollins! NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Lashley reels Rollins in, gut wrench to the- NO, Rollins slips out and ENZIGURIS! Rollins runs in to forearm smash at the corner, but Lashley reverses the whip! Rollins goes up, but gets caught! POWERSLAM! Cover, Theory breaks it!
Lashley gets Theory’s leg! Theory ROCKS Lashley, runs, but into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Rollins aims, ROLLING ELBOW! Then a turn and DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Lashley is down and Rollins climbs up! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is beside himself and Ziggler seems really intrigued now. Fans fire up as Lashley crawls, but Rollins anchors a foot! Hot tags to Theory and Riddle! Riddle rallies on Theory, dodges and POWERSLAMS! Riddle puts Theory in ropes, for a DRAPING DDT! Fans are thunderous as Riddle hears the voices, bro! Theory stands, but Rollins helps him bail out!
Fans boo as Theory and Rollins taunt Riddle, but Lashley SPEARS Rollins through the barriers!! Theory is shocked, and Riddle drags him up! Theory HOTSHOTS Riddle, gets Riddle up, but Riddle slips off! RK- NO, Theory shoves, rolls up, feet on the ropes and Ziggler shoves them off?!? Ziggler is here to keep things fair! And RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!! Cover, Riddle & Lashley win!!
Winners: Bobby Lashley & Matt Riddle, by pinfall
Seems Ziggler was a bro in disguise! Riddle and Lashley win thanks to Ziggler stopping the cheat from Theory! And then Ziggler SUPERKICKS Theory down!! He’s here to show the world something, but just what is his beef with the Golden Boy?
My Thoughts:
This was a pretty good episode of Raw, but much of it just felt slapped together. Advertising one match but then changing it, that always feels so strange to me. I remember them saying we’d get Theory VS Riddle and Lashley VS anyone in a US Championship Open Challenge, but that got changed into the main event we got instead. Granted, that was a very good tag match, and what a great surprise for Ziggler to not only show up, but to apparently be Face against Theory. Ziggler has had stories in the past where he was bitter against those getting opportunities, but I don’t know if this will be that. It’d make sense since Theory has been getting help from Vince, but I don’t know why this is happening now when we’re still on the road to SummerSlam, Theory VS Lashley and possible against the Universal Champion.
Lesnar’s opening segment was good, even if they didn’t really give us enough of Roman’s promo from SmackDown. Heyman of course had a good promo, and even Theory had a good one showing us the Elimination Chamber stuff. Lesnar destroying Alpha Academy was wild, but that’s probably the extent of it. I don’t see Gable and Otis wanting to do that again, kayfabe or otherwise.
Dawkins VS Jimmy Uso turning into the Six Man Tag was another interesting move, but I did like Truth’s bit in the promo, and if anyone is going to kiss up to The Bloodline on Raw, it is MVP and Omos. The Six Man was also a really good match, though, and Omos taking out Dawkins does preserve the math between Profits and Usos, but I was expecting Truth to take that loss. I do suppose Omos and Truth can have a short feud but it won’t change that Sami Zayn could be and should be the special guest referee. It is a refreshing thing to see Truth in a non 24/7 Championship related thing, but this probably won’t last, either.
As fun as making fun of The Miz’s nuts continues to be, I honestly don’t know why Styles isn’t feuding with Judgement Day like the Mysterios are. Shouldn’t Styles be more upset that Finn ditched him? Granted, Styles and Zeke had a great match against Miz and Ciampa, and it was a good win for Styles and Zeke, and a feud of any kind allows Miz to show up, communicate with Logan Paul through promos, and then lose because he stuck his foot in his mouth. But why couldn’t this feud have just been Zeke and Miz? Or more with Mustafa Ali and Miz?
As for Judgement Day, I suppose still pursuing Dom is fine, and Finn got a good win over Rey, but I can’t be sure which way this goes. I almost thought Dom was going to turn here, maybe that happens at SummerSlam. Hell, if Judgement Day gets a match at SummerSlam, is that when Edge returns? Because yeah, those vignettes are pointing to Edge even more obviously than before. Again, Styles should’ve been feuding with Judgement Day, even if it’d be weird for him and Edge to suddenly be on the same side of the feud. But in the feud we’re getting, if Dom joins up just as Edge is coming back, is Dom going to take the losses for the faction so Edge can build back up?
Of course Becky comes out to watch Bianca VS Mella, and she had a good promo to let us know if it wasn’t obvious that she’s getting that SummerSlam match. Bianca VS Mella for the title seemed like a throwaway thing, but given Becky made Bianca lose via count-out, there’s more heat for their match, but also I feel like they’re trying to shoehorn Mella in so she can take the loss to whoever. That doesn’t fell all that good to me, because there’s nothing saying Becky can’t continue to fight her way back, or that Bianca can’t fight her way back either. At the same time, Alexa and Asuka got a win in a good match with Piper & Nikki, so there’s half a chance either one of them is going to challenge next. I’m thinking more Alexa since she got back and we need to see more of this newest persona.
My Score: 8.2/10
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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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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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