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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/29/22)

There’s gold in the Steel City!

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WWE Raw 2022

Oh, it’s true. It’s DAMN true!

With Kurt Angle welcoming Raw to Pittsburgh, there will be NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions crowned as Kai & Sky face Raquel & Aliyah!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • AJ Styles & Dolph Ziggler VS The Judgement Day; The Judgement Day wins.
  • Six Woman Tag: Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka VS Dani Mo, Kay Sparks & Katie Arc; Bianca, Alexa & Asuka win.
  • Kurt Angle’s Fate: The Street Profits VS The Alpha Academy; The Profits win and Angle does not have to join the Alpha Academy.
  • Bobby Lashley VS The Miz w/ Tommaso Ciampa; Lashley wins.
  • Kevin Owens VS Jey Usos w/ Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn; wins.
  • Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Tournament Finals: Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky w/ Bayley VS Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah; Raquel & Aliyah win and are the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

AJ Styles & Dolph Ziggler VS The Judgement Day!

The Phenomenal One is in Pittsburgh and fans cheer as he heads to the ring. And then the Showoff makes his entrance for another team-up of A to Z. Will they be able to stand tall against the Prince and the Punisher? Or will this be their Judgement Day?

The teams sort out and Ziggler starts against Finn. They tie up, Finn headlocks but Ziggler powers out, only for Finn to run him over. Finn taunts Styles but Ziggler rolls him up! TWO, and Ziggler DROPKICKS Finn down! Tag to Styles but Finn gets away and tags Priest. The Prince isn’t going to let either opponent get proper payback for what he’s done. Styles and Priest circle, Priest kicks low then ROCKS Styles in the corner, firing off haymakers and stomps! The ref counts so Priest sucker punches Ziggler! Styles ROCKS, CHOPS and whips, but Priest reverses. Styles rolls off Priest’s back to DROPKICK him! Then he clotheslines Priest out of the ring!

Judgement Day regroups but Styles slingshots! The forearm takes out Priest, and Ziggler has Finn and Rhea stay back. The #PhenomenalShowoffs are in control as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Finn has Ziggler down in a headlock. Finn thrashes Ziggler around, but fans rally up as Ziggler fights to his feet. Ziggler throws body shots but Finn knees low! Finn swings but Ziggler counter punches! And again, and again! Ziggler whips, Finn reverses but Ziggler sunset flips, only for Finn to roll through and basement dropkick! Finn looks at Styles but he drags Ziggler up and reels him in. Finn is mocking Styles even more now! But Ziggler slips out of the bomb to hit a FAMOUSER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Ziggler and Finn flounder for their corners, hot tags to Priest and Styles!

Styles dodges Priest, counter punches, PHENOMENAL BLITZ! Then SLIDING FOREARM! Styles fires up, stares Rhea down then hits a clothesline in the corner! Styles shoves Priest out but Priest dodges! Styles holds up from hitting Finn? Priest DECKS Styles into Finn! Finn falls, Priest choke grips Styles! SOUTH OF- NO, Victory Roll! TWO!! Priest kicks but Styles blocks into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Priest survives but Styles keeps on him. Styles reels Priest in but Priest powers out! Priest runs but Styles catches him for the roll, CALF CRUSHER! Priest endures and fans fire up!

Priest claws his way forward, Rhea and Finn push the rope closer, ROPEBREAK! The ref reprimands and counts, Styles lets go at 4. Ziggler CLOBBERS Finn! Styles runs, but into a BACKBREAKER! Priest drags Styles up, for the RECK- NO, Styles slips out! Styles ducks a kick to ENZIGURI! Priest wobbles, Styles tags Ziggler. They whip Priest but Priest reverses to back drop Styles! Ziggler O’Conner Rolls but Finn gets in while the ref is checking on Styles. Ziggler blocks a boot to SUPERKICK Finn! But Priest UPPERCUTS Ziggler, then choke grips for the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! Cover, Judgement Day wins!!

Winners: The Judgement Day, by pinfall

Priest may have used the Prince as a pawn there, but a win is a win! Will this trio continue to punish all those who oppose them?

Wait! Driving into the arena… IT’S EDGE!! The Rated R Superstar has made the trip to Pittsburgh and the Judgement Day decides to stand their ground! Fans chant, “We Want Edge!” Will he go right for the trio? We’ll see, after the break.

 

Raw returns with Judgement Day pacing.

They all have mics and Rhea tells Edge, “We saw that you’re here, so why don’t you come down to the ring? Cuz I will happily smash what is left of your manhood!” Finn says he is so sick and tired of the so-called legends! Priest had Edge beat last week, but Edge gets the documentary? Finn beats Rey, but Rey Mysterio gets a documentary? Where’s Finn’s A&E special? He’s the Monday Night Maestro, he’s a legend, so show him some respect! Priest has Finn calm down, and he says the fans may not like it, but Finn didn’t tell any lies. And Priest says he kept his word last week. He had Edge beat! One South of Heaven, Edge was out!

But no, there was a ref who was “losing his shoes” in this ring, and that made him miss it. But Priest is a man of his word. They’re not in Toronto, Edge doesn’t have friends, family, or the one who wears the pants in the family in Beth Phoenix, to bail him out! Edge is all alone! So let Priest finish what they started last week! Tonight, Edge faces his Judgement Day! They wait, and “You think you know me.” Here comes Edge! The Rated R Superstar’s music hits, he gets on stage and he fires the fans up! Edge also has a mic, the pyro hits, and then Edge says, “Y’know what? The three of you made some valid points. You also made some completely ridiculous points.

“Finn. Rey Mysterio and I didn’t come back to steal your glory. As a matter of fact, I came back to teach you what it is to reach my glory because I’ve already had it. But your ego was too big and got in the way. Now I believe that you want to end my career. And we’re not in my hometown, we’re in Pittsburgh. And you’re right, I don’t have Beth here tonight to watch my back. But to talk about your other statement, I’m comfortable enough in my masculinity to admit that Beth and I both were the pants in our family. A) Because it’s 2022 so quit being a caveman, you’re gonna be single for the rest of your life.

“And B) Beth is a badass! And Rhea, you best keep your hands to yourself or you’re gonna find why she’s the Glamazon, kiddo. Now Priest, last week, you and I went to war. And I beat you! So now, I am standing here all by myself while the three of you are standing in that ring looking all angry and emo because you couldn’t score tickets to the My Chemical Romance tour, telling me that I gotta face my Judgement Day, whatever that means. But guess what? Here’s what you didn’t learn all those months sitting under my learning tree. You didn’t pay attention.” Edge gets up on the apron, and says he isn’t here alone!

The Mysterios sneak into the ring! And they SMACK Finn and Priest with kendo sticks! Then Edge gets his shots in! Edge and Rey beat up on Finn while Dom keeps after Priest. But Priest RAMS Dom into buckles! Edge gets in to clothesline Priest out! They brawl now, Edge DECKS Priest over barriers! But Rhea finds Dom all alone! Rhea tells Dom he doesn’t want to hit her. Just put the kendo stick down. Dom keeps hold of the kendo stick and tells her to stay back. He will hit her if he has to! Rhea smiles and tells him to put the stick away. She promises she won’t hurt him, and he lets Rhea take the stick.

Edge and Rey return and Rhea dares them to get closer so she can hit them! They dare her to try. But Priest and Finn get Rhea out of the ring! The Judgement Day stands down but Priest promises this isn’t done yet. What will happen next in this war of legends and icons?

 

The Miz and Tommaso Ciampa arrive.

Kevin Patrick wants to interview them but Ciampa cuts him off. Kevin apologizes but it’s a surprise after what happened last week, given Dexter Lumis kidnapped him. Miz will not speak about that. Why are we even worried about him? Lumis isn’t a WWE superstar, so who cares? But Lumis was arrested last Tuesday during NXT. Any insight on that at all? Miz says he doesn’t want to talk about it. He straightens Kevin’s tie for him, then leaves. Will we ever learn what the Tortured Artist did to the Hollywood A-Lister?

 

Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka are headed to gorilla.

With Clash at the Castle and it’s Six Woman Tag match coming, this trio is going to get a tune-up in! Will they be the readiEST team going into this Saturday?

 

Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah speak.

Aliyah’s bougie, Raquel’s badass, and tonight, they will leave the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! They’ve confident, but will they be able to keep Kai & Sky from taking control?

 

Six Woman Tag: Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka VS ???

The RawEST Women’s Champion, the Five Foot Fury and the Empress of Tomorrow are preparing for the Clash, so Pittsburgh’s own get to put them to the test! Will Bianca, Bliss & Asuka become a well-oiled machine? Or will they break down before ever heading for Cardiff?

The trios sort out and Bianca starts against Dani Mo. They tie up but Bianca shoves Dani back easily. Dani tags out to Kay Sparks, and Kay ties up with Bianca, only for Bianca to throw her down! Kay scrambles away to tag in Katie Ark, and Bianca waistlocks. Bianca whips, but Katie reverses, only for Bianca to go up, over and handspring all the way to the other corner. Bianca tells her to kiss this, and fans fire up as Katie runs in. Bianca flips up and over her to then DROPKICK her down! Bianca kips up and fans fire up. Bianca dares someone to bring it, so both Dani and Kay get in. Asuka & Alexa get in as Bianca dodges the double clothesline, and they double SHOTGUN Dani & Kay down!

Bianca brings Katie up, suplexes her for the longEST suplex! Tag to Alexa, she drops Insult2Injury MK. II! Then Alexa drags Katie up, wrenches and YANKS the arm, tag to Asuka! Asuka says kiss this, and Alexa whips Katie into Asuka’s butt! Asuka then uses a HIP ATTACK to knock Katie down! Asuka toys with Katie, Katie throws body shots then a flurry of forearms! Katie runs, Asuka dodges and runs her over! Asuka fires up, runs in, but Katie dodges! Hot tag to Dani, but Asuka is ready! Danie runs in, Asuka dodges, and fires off BACKHANDS and SOBATS! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! Dani flounders and Asuka runs in, SLIDING KICK! Cover, Katie breaks it!

Katie drags Asuka up, but gets a ROUNDHOUSE into Alexa’s DDT! Kay runs in, Alexa ROCKS her, into Bianca’s torture rack! KISS OF DEATH! Asuka drags Dani back up, wrenches and hooks her up, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, into the KOJI KLUTCH! Dani taps, Asuka and team win!

Winners: Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka, by submission

The trio is all tuned up, and Bianca gets a mic to say Bayley, Dakota & Iyo can try to come here and run this, but just a month ago, “Y’all didn’t even go here.” Bianca’s been holding it down since WrestleMania, so at Clash, Bayley’s team is going down. Bliss says it’ll get real twisted, because… Asuka says first in Japanese, and then in English, “None of you are ready for Bianca, Alexa and Asuka!!” Bianca says the three of them are talking about damage control, but at Clash at the Castle, this trio is taking control! Will Bianca, Bliss & Asuka show who runs Mondays? Or will they be facing the Role Model and the newly crowned WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions?

 

Ciampa and Miz talk.

Ciampa is preparing Miz for his match with Bobby Lashley, but then Adam Pearce walks in. Pearce wants to talk with The Miz, but Ciampa says Mike has been dealing with a lot of distractions already today. This match with Lashley is his focus. But Pearce was hoping to talk with Miz concerning what happened last week. Pearce wants Miz to know that he has the full support of the company and all their resources, including counseling. Just let Pearce know what he needs. Miz says he doesn’t want to talk about it. He wants to focus on his match. Okay, but Pearce needs to let Miz know, Lumis was released from police custody.

What? How is that even possible? Well Miz didn’t press charges! He didn’t give the police anything to work with! They couldn’t hold Lumis for anything more than trespassing. Miz not talking about this makes it easier for Lumis to get away with it. Miz says he has nothing to say. Pearce is just trying to help. Oh, is he? Is that why he put Miz in a match with Bobby Lashley?! After everything Miz went through last week?! Then tell Pearce what happened! No. Just go away. Miz has to prepare for his match. Fine, fine. Pearce leaves, but what happened to Miz that he’s clamming up so much?

 

BREAKING NEWS for Clash at the Castle!

After the confrontation between them, the Judgement Day will take on the living legends they love to loathe! This Saturday, Finn Balor & Damian Priest will take on Edge & Rey Mysterio 2v2!

 

Ladies and gentlemen, Kurt Angle is here!

Pittsburgh fires up for their hometown hero, and chant “You Suck!” to his theme song for old time’s sake. Angle is in a star-spangled tracksuit and is wearing his gold medal. He gets a mic to say it is so great to be back in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! This Saturday is Clash at the Castle, a PPV so good that you don’t wanna miss it. But then SHOOSH! It’s the Alpha Academy! Chad Gable & Otis head to the ring but fans boo. What business do “Master” Gable and the tree trunk have with the Olympic gold medalist? We’ll find out, after the break.

Raw returns and Gable says, “A THANK YEW~! Pittsburgh… Kurt! It’s Kurt Angle, baby! Not only the hometown hero, but a personal hero of mine.” When Gable was chasing his Olympic dreams, Angle’s story was one that resonated with Gable, and one that motivated him day in and day out. Forget the fact that on top of all that, Angle won an Olympic gold medal. And with a broken freakin’ neck. Gable loves this guy! That brings Gable to his next point. The Alpha Academy is looking for new members. Gable was gonna continue his search here in Pittsburgh with the Alpha Academy Open Challenge, but there is not one shred of talent among the moronic mouth-breathers here!

Fans boo but Gable tells them to shoosh. Fans boo more, and Gable says there is an Olympic hero here, as well as Kurt Angle ,so show some respect! Gable says he and Angle can change the world. For one night only, Gable is offering Angle something he won’t believe: Full-on, no questions asked, 100% acceptance into the Alpha Academy! They’re happy to have you! Otis, give him a jacket! A THANK YEW~! Exclusive merch right here! Great to have you, Kurt! Angel says he’ll pass. Fans cheer as he throws the jacket back! Um… Ex-squeeze me? Is that Angle turning down the single greatest offer ever? This can’t be true!

Oh it’s true. It’s- SHOOOOOSH! SHOOSH. Wait, wait, did Gable just shoosh Angle? Sorry, what Gable meant to say was, shoosh please, a thank yew~! No, Gable’s the one who can shoosh! What? You don’t shoosh the shoosher! Gable does the shooshing! So Angle can shoosh! Gable can shoosh! It’s a SHOOSH OFF! Gable is fuming! You don’t shoosh the shoosher! Otis, show our good buddy Angle what happens when you turn down an offer from the Academy. Otis steps closer, but wait! Here come the Profits! And they’re wearing Steelers colors! Montez Ford asks Pittsburgh, the Academy must not know the motto: You mess with Kurt, you gonna get hurt.

The Profits are back on Raw to make a fuss, because on Friday Night SmackDown, they made a mess of their bus! Which means the Academy so happen to be in the right place at the wrong time. Tonight, they’re looking for a fight! The Profits are up and #WeWantTheSmoke! NO! Everyone shoosh! SHOOSH THE HECC UP!! The Academy accept the challenge, on one condition: After the Academy wins, Angle must join Alpha Academy and does what Master Gable says day-in and day-out! A THANK YEW~! Ford asks Kurt and Pittsburgh: Is it true? Can they do what they do while Angle rocks the red, white ‘n’ blue? Oh it’s true! It’s DAMN true!

Fans cheer for that one! Will Ford & Dawkins make sure an Olympic gold medalist doesn’t end up Gable’s new student? Or will the Alpha Academy shoosh everyone and bump up their recruiting class?

Kurt Angle’s Fate: The Street Profits VS The Alpha Academy!

Raw returns and Angle sits ringside as the teams sort out. The bell rings and Ford circles with Otis. Otis corners Ford and keeps him caught. The ref counts, Otis lets off, and Ford headlocks. Otis powers up but Ford holds tight. Otis powers out, Ford holds ropes, then Ford CHOPS! And CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Otis shoves Ford to a corner, but Ford elbows back. Ford ROCKS Gable, kicks Otis in the leg, then KICKS and CHOPS Otis again! Otis swings, Ford ducks ‘n’ dodges but runs into a POP-UP POWERSLAM! Otis scowls and Gable brags. Otis tags Gable in and Gable puts Ford in a corner.

Gable CHOPS Ford, CHOPS him again, then mocks Angle’s little spin. Gable tells Angle to watch closely, and he whips Ford corner to corner. Ford goes up and over then DROPKICKS Gable down! Ford shouts out the Steelers and he CLUBS Gable to the corner. Tag to Dawkins, they double whip and run Gable over. Then back suplex SPLASH! Dawkins covers, TWO! Dawkins chinlocks Gable but Gable fights up. Gable powers out but Dawkins runs him over. Things speed up, Dawkins hurdles and then whips Gable. Gable gator rolls but Dawkins slips away. Things keep moving, Gable hurdles but Dawkins handsprings, only for Gable to arm-drag!

Dawkins arm-drags back, fakes Gable out, then dropkicks him down! Otis gets in as Gable bails out, but Ford ENZIGURIS! Dawkins dropkicks Otis out! Fans fire up as Ford whips Dawkins, and Dawkins FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up! Dawkins puts Gable in then covers, TWO! Dawkins stalks Gable to a corner, ROCKS him with a right, then whips corner to corner. Gable reverses, blocks a boot and puts the leg in ropes. Gable gets the other leg, DRAGON SCREW! Dawkins writhes and Gable drags him around for a KNEE JAMMER! And another! Then he YANKS the leg before he tags in Otis.

Otis snatches the headbands off Dawkins and then CHOKES him on the ropes! The ref counts, Otis lets off, then drags Dawkins up. Otis CLUBS Dawkins down, taunts him, then brings him up. Otis CLUBS Dawkins down, tags Gable, and Gable stomps Dawkins. “A THANK YEW~!” Fans rally for Dawkins, he throws body shots but Gable keep shim from Ford! Gable whips Dawkins but Dawkins leaps over Gable, hot tag to Ford! Ford GAMANGIRIS Gable, goes up top and hits a CROSSBODY! Then he DECKS Otis! Ford doges Gable and LARIATS! Fans fire up and Ford gets Gable for a BIG back suplex!

Ford handsprings, flexes and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Ford hurries while Gable is still down! Ford gets to the top rope but Otis grabs at him! Ford kicks Otis away, but Gable goes up for a SUPER BELLY2BELLY!! Both men are down and Pittsburgh fires up as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Gable brings Ford up. OLYMPIC- NO, Ford slips off, but then Gable arm-drags him away! Ford runs in but Gable catches him to keep him from Dawkins! Ford turns that into a SATELLITE DDT! Both men are down and fans rally up again! Gable and Ford crawl for their corners, hot tags to Otis and Dawkins! Dawkins dodges Otis, hurdles him, and FLYING ELBOWS! Otis stays up to DISCUS ELBOW! Ford gets back in but Otis POUNCES him way! Otis SPLASHES Dawkins, clinches and scoops, POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins survives but Otis tags Gable back in. Otis and Gable drag Dawkins up and set up.

Otis runs, but Ford dumps him out! Dawkins victory rolls, TWO! Dawkins runs in, CYCLONE SPLASH and an ENZIGURI for Gable! Then the SILENCER! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives and Dawkins can’t believe it! Angle is a bit nervous but Dawkins stalks Gable to ropes. Tag to Ford and Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts. Gable slips off to GERMAN SULEX! Ford CROSSBODIES, but Gable rolls it through! TWO!! Ford runs in but is put on the apron. Ford ROCKS Gable, shoulders in, slingshots, into the NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Gable is furious but he tags in Otis. Otis drags Ford up to DECK him!

Otis drags Ford around by his legs, and CATAPULTS Ford! Ford lands on the ropes to springboard back! Ford sunset flips but Otis stays up! Gable tags in and Otis whips Ford, FLAPJACK! DIVING HEADBUTT from Gable! Cover, Dawkins breaks it!! Otis hauls Dawkins up, whips, but Dawkins dodges! DOUBLE CLOTHESLINES take them out! Otis and Dawkins bail out, and Gable stands up. Gable spots Ford, stalks up behind him but stares Angle down. Gable copies Angle again with the straps coming down! ANKLE LOCK!! Ford endures, flails, reaches out, but Gable drags him away! Ford powers up as fans rally, and he stands up!

Ford turns, Gable flips him, but Ford lands on his feet! Drop toehold to the ANKLE LOCK!! Ford has Gable now and Angle is loving this! Gable flails, reaches out, and Ford puts on the GRAPEVINE!! Otis runs in to SPLASH Ford!! Otis saves Gable and fans boo. Otis leaves the ring and says Angle’s joining the Academy! But then Dawkins POUNCES Otis over the desk!! Fans are thunderous and Gable is in shock! Ford gets Gable for a cradle, TWO!! Gable throat chops but Dawkins tags in before CHAOS THEORY! Ford lands on his feet! POUCNE GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Tag back to Ford and Dawkins drags Gable into the drop zone!

Ford is up top, to fly in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, the Profits win!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (Kurt Angle does NOT have to join the Alpha Academy)

The Profits are back up and Pittsburgh is loving it! And to celebrate, the Profits bring the red Solo cups to Angle! Ford pours some of that goodness, and they toast! Angle spews whatever that was right up! Oh, sorry, does he not…? Maybe it was just a little strong? Angle says he has something to make up for it. MILK!! They twist off the tops, and they chug that calcium and Vitamin D!

 

Raw shares footage from just before going on the air.

Matt Riddle had arrived, but Seth Rollins spotted him. They weren’t going to wait for their face-to-face so they brawled in the parking lot! Referees and security rushed in to stop it, and now instead of face-to-face, they must do things via video.

Corey Graves presides over the joint interview.

He thanks them for taking this time, and asks them, what was that we just saw? Rollins says what went down was Riddle was creeping by Rollins’ bus. Riddle says he was not creeping anywhere. Riddle was on the phone, and Rollins says oh sure, talking to Randy, right? They’re talking over each other so Graves has them move on. Where did this all begin? It seems like Rollins has been targeting Riddle for some time now. Rollins has Graves hold on. He hasn’t been targeting Riddle, Riddle has been a thorn in Rollins’ side since Money in the Bank.

The issue here is that Rollins is at the top of the food chain but Riddle is on the come-up. This battle was bound to happen but there’s only one problem: It’s Rollins’ time, not Riddle’s, and Riddle is not on Rollins’ level! Riddle says Rollins is scared of him and that he’ll get embarrassed again. Just like how Roman Reigns embarrassed Rollins, and just like how Cody Rhodes embarrassed Rollins. This is not about Rollins’ embarrassments! This is not about Roman, and this is not about Cody, this is about ROLLINS VS RIDDLE. And here’s a little secret, Riddle: no one likes you! No one can stand the way you talk or how you look.

Rollins promises to finish the job he started back at Madison Square Garden, and it won’t be for Rollins. No, no, no! This will be for EVERYONE, bro! Well if Rollins wants to end Riddle, it’ll take a lot more than what he’s been doing. Riddle will be here for a long, long time, so get used to it! Watch what you say, Riddle. Rollins will finish what he started. And if Riddle wants to be put on the shelf right next to Cody, then that’s what Rollins will do. Rollins will be done with Riddle to move on to the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, and there’s not a damn thing Riddle can do about it.

Speaking of this Saturday, Graves says these two compete for the first time 1v1 at a PPV. What can we expect? Rollins asks if Graves knows who he’s talking to. Seth Freakin’ Rollins will steal the show, stomp Riddle’s head into the mat one more time, and once and for all prove who the man around here is! Riddle will prove there’s only one man in Rollins’ marriage, and that’s Becky! Rollins is fuming, but the interview wraps. Will Rollins burn down The Bro? Or will this Riddle be too much for the Architect to solve?

 

The Miz and Ciampa walk the hall.

They have their plan, now they’ll execute it. Wait, was that Lumis?! Miz turns around, but there’s only a security guard there. Ciampa tells Miz to have that laser focus. Miz agrees, but he drops his sunglasses. Will Miz be able to focus with the specter of Lumis looming? Or will the All Mighty crush him before Lumis ever gets another chance?

 

Raw shares audio from Rollins and Riddle caught during the break.

They were still mic’d up, and Rollins made sure Riddle was still there. If Riddle wants to talk about Rollins’ family, then let’s talk about Riddle’s. Oh wait, he ain’t got one cuz the wife divorced him and took the kids because none of them want to see his bitch ass again! What did he just say? You heard him, bitch! Come find him! Riddle says he isn’t just gonna beat Rollins up, he’s gonna F him up!! Rollins can keep playing games, Riddle’s gonna get him! Has Rollins just lit a fire inside the Stallion he’ll regret starting?

 

Bobby Lashley VS The Miz w/ Tommaso Ciampa!

The WWE United States Champion cleared out the Psycho Killer as a contender, but the battles keep on coming! Will Lashley make sure the Most Must-See Superstar doesn’t see a title opportunity in his future? Or will Miz prove that he is still awesome?

The bell rings and Miz rushes in, only to get run over! Lashley frowns, drags Miz up and puts him in a corner to clothesline! Lashley throws back elbow after back elbow then ROCKS Miz with a forearm! Miz staggers to another corner but Lashley runs in to RAM him! Miz staggers away again and Lashley runs in at him. Lashley blocks Miz’s boot, brings him out and spins him around to hit an atomic drop! Miz staggers from those tiny balls getting hit! Lashley rips Miz’s shirt off, then gives him a stalling suplex! fans fire up and Lashley holds Miz up with one arm before the SLAM! Then Lashley clotheslines Miz out of the ring!

Ciampa coaches Miz up, but he gets too close and spooks Miz! Miz calms down and Ciampa tells him to get his head in the game. Miz turns around, and Lashley CLOBBERS him! Ciampa backs off as Lashley shows haymaker, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Miz endures the Canadian Torture Rack before the CLIFFHANGER! Miz bails out of the ring and Ciampa coaches him up again. Lashley storms out, fetches Miz and fireman’s carries, but Ciampa blocks the post! Miz slips off, Lashley stops from being posted, and he elbows Miz! Lashley puts Miz in the ring then glares at Ciampa. Ciampa backs off again, and Miz WRECKS Lashley with a dropkick! Ciampa fires up and Miz smacks Lashley off the desk! And again! And again! Miz then RAMS Lashley into steel steps! Ciampa and Miz applaud themselves and pat themselves on the back, but then Miz is spooked by the front row.

Miz puts Lashley in the ring, clamps onto Lashley, but Lashley gets to ropes. Miz CHOKES Lashley, lets off as the ref counts, and Ciampa gets a cheap shot in! Fans boo but Miz runs to BOOT Lashley down! Cover, TWO! Ciampa applauds as Miz is still in control. Miz kicks Lashley around, puts him in a corner, and fires off IT KICKS! The fans taunt “TINY BALLS!” but Miz runs corner to corner, A-LIST LARIAT! Miz says they’re HUGE! Miz goes up the corner, leaps, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT! Fans rally while Ciampa coaches Miz. Miz gets to a corner, he rushes at Lashley, but Lashley CLOBBERS him!

Lashley ELBOWS Miz, then OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Lashley runs in at the corner, clotheslines, then keeps moving to RAM into Miz! Miz staggers into a scoop but he slips off. Miz runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up and Lashley aims from the corner. Miz crawls to the far side, but Ciampa drags him out! Ciampa sneaks something to Miz, and then he delays Lashley. Lashley stalks after Miz as he gets back in the ring. The ref sees Miz has the laminated polaroid picture and stops him! Miz denies he had anything, and Ciampa CLOBBERS Lashley! BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!!

Miz is grinning as he has Lashley where he wants him! Miz gloats about big balls, and he drags Lashley up, but he sees LUMIS in the crowd!! The spotlight points Lumis out to everyone! Miz tells Ciampa to go after him but Ciampa says to worry about Lashley! Wait, Lumis is gone now? Lashley gets Miz in the HURT LOCK!! Miz taps, Lashley wins!!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission

Whatever it is that happened to The Miz, the fear of Lumis is doing more damage than anything! Will Miz ever get his head right? Or will Lumis be why Miz loses matches and his sanity?

As for Lashley, he keeps on rolling, seemingly unstoppable as US Champion. Who will be next to step up to him and challenge him for that title?

 

Kurt Angle talks with Edge backstage.

The legends are happy to see each other again, and Edge did something special for this homecoming of Angle’s. Edge got some pictures made. No, Angle isn’t falling for this again. Oh, there isn’t anything mean written on the back of this. Alright. Yeah, these are their greatest moments together. Check this one. Wait, there IS writing on the back of this one: “Sorry Rey and I beat you for the Tag Titles.” That was a good time! And then this, “Sorry I beat you for the US Title.” The picture is also not too fun, it was their Hair VS Hair where Edge won. But Angle does like being bald, though, so no big deal anymore. In relation to that, the third one reads, “Sorry I shaved your head bald.”

Then there’s this one, “Sorry I started the You Suck Chant.” And “I’m a dork!” “But… You STILL Suck!” Angle feels great after all these. Wow, the meta of how the picture was of Edge pulling this same gag. Angle shows Rey & Dom the pictures, and sees the punchline. He did it again! Cripes, Edge got him again! Rey & Dom chuckle at that, but then Dom brings up Clash at the Castle. He thought it was gonna be a family thing against Judgement Day? It is! Edge is like family to Rey. The reason Rey went with Edge is because he needs that experience by his side against Finn & Priest. Dom gets it, right? Rey wants Dom in their corner, though. He’ll be there, right?

Yeah, Dom gets it. He’ll be by both Rey’s and Edge’s side for Clash. Rey thanks him for that, and they hug it out. Will Dom be able to counter the presence of Rhea while the former tag team championship duo settles things with the Prince and the Punisher?

 

WWE looks back at the origins of Connor’s Cure.

In 2014, Connor’s Cure was established to honor the life and memory of young Connor Michalek to help find a cure for pediatric cancer, so that no one else would have to go through the pain he did. After his passing, he was enshrined as the inaugural recipient of the Warrior Award for his bravery, love and hope. Through Connor’s Cure and V Foundation’s funding, they’ve awarded $4.5 million in grants and helped over 500 families worldwide. The WWE Universe has come together offering hope in the mission to kick cancer’s butt!

 

The Usos & Sami Zayn are here!

The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions and the Honorary Uce are feeling great after what they and the Tribal Chief did to Drew McIntyre on Friday Night SmackDown. They all raise their fingers to the sky, #WeTheOnes, then go to the ring, Sami getting his groove on to the Usos’ theme song. They get mics and Jey asks, “Do you see that? Monday Night Raw, the Bloodline is now in your city!” Jimmy says, “730 DAYS! This Friday, your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has been Undisputed WWE Universal Champion!” Sami adds a “YEE!” and Jimmy says everyone knows this Friday, it’s a big, BIG celebration for your Tribal Chief!

Jey gets started but Sami has him hold on. “Sorry to cut you off there, buddy, sorry. Before we get away from that point, I just wanted to add something that’s gonna make this championship celebration even bigger, if you can believe it! It’s that the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has personally appointed me as the master of ceremony for the  night. Which, I mean, as the Honorary Uce, I gotta say, that’s huge.” Jey’s glare shuts Sami up. Sami says let’s not forget what we’re looking at here and now! You are in the presence of the most DOMINANT tag team in WWE History! You are in the presence of the UNDISPUTED WWE Tag Team Champions! Sami means the UUUSOOOS!

Nothing changes, Uce. Which means, Uce, Bloodline runs both shows, Raw and SmackDown! Roman Reigns will beat Drew McIntyre at Clash at the Castle! And it’ll be as simple as it gets around here, folks. But wait! Here comes Kevin Owens! The Prizefighter shakes his head as he looks at Sami. “First of all, the Bloodline doesn’t run anything on Monday nights, because I’ve made it clear these past few weeks, Raw is still the Kevin Owens Show.” But he is glad they’re all here, because he can remind them to tell their boss, Roman, that he owes Kevin one. Jey asks Sami, “Is this your boy right here?”

“Am I?” Kevin asks. “Am I your boy, Sami?” T-Technically… Well, then Sami better get him before Jey does! Oh, get him first, huh? Sami has everyone calm down. Sami will explain things to Kevin. Here’s the thing, buddy. Uh… Well, see, Roman Reigns doesn’t owe Kevin or anyone anything ever. That’s how it is. Kevin sighs. Sami, Kevin didn’t think you could find a way to make yourself stupider than when you started growing that insane hair out. And  yet, every week, Sami manages to, by running around with the Usos and letting them treat him the way they do. Kevin means it, he is genuinely sad to see Sami forget that he is absolutely one of the greatest in-ring performers of all time!

And now, Sami is just the Bloodline’s personal clown. It’s pathetic. Kevin means that. They’ve been through a lot, they’re more than best friends, they’re brothers. So it is sad what Sami has become. Sami should really reassess things. Sami laughs that off. Kevin doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Kevin is just like the fans who send him the meme, “Oh, he think he on the team!” No, Kevin just can’t get it through his head that the Bloodline actually likes him! Jimmy likes Sami! They do the handshake! BET! And Jey… Uh… Well, they’re working on it. And most importantly, ROMAN likes Sami! Yeah! That’s why Sami gets invited to the locker room.

If you saw SmackDown, it was the four of them united that destroyed McIntyre! Jey tells Kevin if he doesn’t turn around and walk his ass back up the ramp, they’ll drop him like they did McIntyre! Fans boo and Kevin looks at the ramp. Kevin decides to go up the steel steps instead! Kevin tells Jey it doesn’t matter what they did to McIntyre. But Kevin cares what they did to him. Don’t think he forgot that Jey and Paul Heyman are the only reasons why Kevin didn’t beat Roman Reigns for the title at put an end to the reign 18 MONTHS ago! So Friday, you can celebrate 730 days for Roman, but you can also celebrate two years of having Jey’s head up his cousin’s ass!!

Sami tries to defuse things again. Here’s the thing. Kevin, Sami is trying real hard here to keep the peace. He doesn’t want problems. But the way Kevin is talking right now, he is begging for Jey to kick his ass. Jey steps to Kevin, and Kevin says, “Yeah? Y’know what, Jey? I think this is the part where we drop the microphones, get a referee out here, and just fight, isn’t it?” Fans fire up for that, because he comes a ref! Will KO give Jey payback for that screw job a year-and-a-half ago?

Kevin Owens VS Jey Usos w/ Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn!

Raw returns and the bell rings. Kevin and Jey circle, tie up, and Kevin puts Jey in a corner. Jey turns it around, Kevin turns it back, but then Jey turns it back again. Kevin avoids the chop to CHOP and CLUB Jey! Kevin stomps Jey into the corner, the ref counts and Kevin lets off to tell Sami to “SUCK IT!” But Jey ROCKS Kevin with an uppercut! Jey throws hands but Kevin counter punches hard! Kevin CHOPS Jey and Jey flops out of the ring. Sami and Jimmy stay back as Kevin goes out, but Jey throws a body shot! Jey POSTS Kevin! Jey whips Kevin but Kevin reverses and Jey hits steel steps! The steps come apart!

Fans fire up as Kevin moves the steps around, but then puts Jey in the ring. Kevin throws hands, fires off in the corner, then lets off at 4. Kevin mocks Sami, Sami coaches Jey, but Kevin whips Jey corner to corner, Jey reverses and Kevin hits buckles hard! Sami and Jimmy applaud and Jey storms up on Kevin. Jey rains down fists, then shouts, “You think this is a game?” Jey ROCKS Kevin with a right! Jey brings Kevin up, whips corner to corner again and again Kevin hits buckles hard! Jey goes to the far corner and holds up the finger, #WeTheOnes. Jey runs in, but Kevin dodges the splash! Kevin then goes corner to corner to CANNONBALL!

Jey flops out of the ring again and Kevin hurries out after him. Kevin brings Jey around, reels him in, and aims for those steel steps! Jimmy shows superkick and Kevin storms up to him. Jimmy gets away, but Kevin turns around into Jey’s SUPERKICK! Jey then SAMOAN DROPS Kevin on the steps! Kevin writhes and Sami celebrates with Jimmy while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Jey has Kevin up top. Jey holds up the finger, fans boo, but Kevin resists the superplex! Kevin throws body shots, Jey hits back, but Kevin HEADBUTTS! Kevin hooks the leg, SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Jimmy checks on Jey and Jey gets to the apron. Kevin crawls after Jey, drags him to a drop zone, and now Kevin climbs! Kevin reaches the top but Jey ROCKS him with an uppercut! Jey throws off the wrist tape, ROCKS Kevin again then climbs up after him. Kevin and Jey brawl up top, forearm for forearm, haymaker for haymaker! Kevin HEADBUTTS Jey, then ELBOWS him down!

Jey falls into the drop zone, Kevin adjusts to SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives after that long range shot! Kevin gets to ropes, and fans fire up as he and Jey stand. Kevin aims, kicks, but no Stunner! Kevin blocks the superkick to SUPERKICK back! Kevin whips Jey, POP-UP, but Jey slips out! SUPERKICK!! Jey puts Kevin in the drop zone, hurries up top, USO SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?!? Kevin survives and Sami argues with the ref. The ref says that as close as it was, the count was fair! Jimmy coaches Jey and Jey drags Kevin to another drop zone. Jey goes back up, fans fire back up, USO SPLASH onto knees! Cradle, TWO!!

Kevin SUPERKICKS Jey, then SUPERKICKS Jimmy off the apron! Kevin goes up top and Sami freaks out! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Jey survives and no one can believe it! But Sami is relieved that Jey is still in this. Jey bails out and Kevin goes out after him. Kevin reels Jey in, Sami says no! He knows what that will do. Kevin shoves Sami! Kevin dares Sami to do something, but Sami doesn’t get what Kevin is trying to get at. Jey DIVES onto Kevin!! Jey tells Jimmy and Sami to finish this! Get a chair! Get a chair?! YES, get a chair!! Sami goes to fetch a chair, Jimmy distracts the ref, and Jey puts Kevin on the ropes!

Jey wants Sami to hit Kevin! Sami hesitates, he is still Kevin’s friend. Sami refuses to use the chair so the ref spots him! Jimmy says Sami was supposed to hit him already! That was the plan! Jey turns around, into a STUNNER!! Cover, Kevin wins!!

Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall

Sami screws up not screwing Kevin over! Kevin gets some semblance of revenge, but which side is Sami really on?

 

Bayley, Dakota & Iyo speak.

“Bianca, you’re right. You have been holding it down since WrestleMania. As in, holding them back. And that’s why they need us to lift them up to bring this division back to life. And that starts this Saturday at Clash at the Castle, when we get rid of you, Alexa and Asuka. And pretty soon, everyone will be looking up at me again, The Role Model, while we all look down on you.” Dakota Kai says that doesn’t stop with Raw. They will take over the entire WWE! Tonight, Kai & Sky are in the finals of the tag title tournament. They won’t just say they’re in control, they’ll prove it! Raquel & Aliyah have beaten some of the best to get here, but it’ll hurt that much more when they’re sent back to SmackDown.

Iyo Sky adds in Japanese that this will be so amazing, and English, “We will rule Monday Night Raw as the NEW tag team champions!” Will the Genius of the Sky and #CobraKai raise those titles high overhead before heading for Cardiff?

 

The Miz is heading out!

Ciampa wants him to wait. He can’t be going home like this, but Miz says it’s fine. He’s fine. Ciampa accepts that and lets Miz get in his van. But Kevin Patrick rushes over! Miz tells him no, he doesn’t want to talk about it! Yes, but what was it that Miz saw during his match with Bobby Lashley? Miz just shuts his car door, but LUMIS IS IN THE BACK SEAT!!! Is Miz in even more trouble than last week?!

 

WWE Media catches up with Johnny Gargano.

What are his feelings about his return one week in? Last Monday meant everything to him. To hear that reaction, to hear the chants of “JOHNNY WRESTLING!” again, it gives him goosebumps just thinking about it. Because that isn’t just a fun nickname, wrestling is his life. And wrestling’s been out of his life for nine months. That’s the longest time he’s been out of the ring since he was 8 years old. Johnny Wrestling is excited to get back into arenas and do what he believes what he was put on this planet to do.

So (Austin) Theory didn’t ruin it for him? No. Honestly, Gargano was excited to see him. “Say what you want about that kid, but he’s like family to me.” Gargano sat back and watched, and is happy for all of Theory’s success, but it doesn’t surprise him. Theory has every genetic gift Gargano doesn’t have. That is why they were in NXT together. But success affects everyone differently. “You’re a different kind of winner when you start at the bottom.” Theory, given his gifts and who he knows, he didn’t have to start from the bottom. But Theory didn’t even contact Gargano once during those nine months, or even when the baby was born.

But wait! Theory sneaks up on Gargano. Theory says he’s just here to talk. Gargano’s the one that kicked him, after all. They sit back down, and Theory has a question. Why didn’t Gargano call Theory when he became US Champion? Or when he became the youngest Mr. Money in the Bank? Theory, you know why. Gargano was busy with the newborn baby! Oh, excuses, excuses. Baby Wrestling had to be fed and changed. All excuses to Theory. But maybe Gargano didn’t call Theory because he was jealous. Gargano was stuck at home, watching Theory compete at WrestleMania. Gargano was watching Theory become Mr. MITB.

But honestly, from Theory’s perspective, he excepted better. But it’s true: it is lonely at the top. Welcome to Raw, Johnny, and good luck. Because Gargano’s swimming with sharks now. Theory laughs his way off, but will that shark be the one swimming in waters too deep for him?

 

Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Tournament Finals: Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky w/ Bayley VS Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah!

After quite the rollercoaster of a tournament, we have finally reached the end! Bayley’s duo of Kai & Sky had the smoother ride, wiping out Dana Brooke & Tamina, then toppling Bliss & Asuka. As for Big Mami Cool and #Aliyah317, they overcame Shotzi & Xia, but had to power through Sonya & Natty. Will #CobraKai & the Evil Genius make their Grand Slam Champion Role Model proud? Or will the Bougie & Badass shock them all?

Raw returns as the SmackDown duo makes their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and one way or another, we will see NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions crowned!

Aliyah starts with Sky and they circle. They tie up, Aliyah headlocks, but Sky pulls hair and powers out. Aliyah RAMS Sky but Shy rebounds to run her over! Sky drags Aliyah to a jackknife cover, TWO and Aliyah sunset flips, TWO! Sky covers, TWO and Aliyah has it back in a ghost pin, TWO! Aliyah facelocks and brings Sky to the corner, tag to Raquel! They double whip, Aliyah does the splits and Raquel BOOTS Sky down! Cover, TWO! Raquel drags Sky up in a deadlift, but Sky victory rolls and STOMP 182! Tag to Dakota and Kai taunts Aliya before she hits a SCORPION KCIK! Sky hits a springboard missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!

Speaking of the beaten teams of Raw, Dana Brooke, Tamina, “Doudrop” Piper Niven and Nikki A.S.H. are all watching this match, as well as each other. Will they all be looking to immediately challenge the winners here? Dakota pushes Raquel around, drags her up, and whips, but Raquel blocks! Raquel runs Dakota over, tags Aliyah in and gives her a boost! ROCKET LAUNCHER CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Aliyah facelocks Dakota but she breaks free. Aliyah goes Matrix to dodge, then she hip tosses Dakota! Dakota bails out and Aliyah handsprings! Tag to Raquel and Aliyah builds speed! But Sky gets Kai out of the way then kicks Aliyah!

Kai RAMS Aliyah into steel steps! Raquel rushes out, and she pops Dakota up! SHOTEI from Sky, PENALTY KICK from Kai! Raquel goes down, then Kai whips Sky at Aliyah for a METEORA against the steps! The count is rising, Kai is in at 8! Raquel drags herself in at 9, but Bayley mocks Aliyah while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again and Kai tags Sky. They double whip Raquel and BOOT her, CHOP BLOCK her, then AX KICK! Sky tops it off with a basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Bayley is frustrated but Raquel is alone as Aliyah is still down. Kai tags back in to SPIKE-RANA! Cover, TWO! Raquel is showing that toughness but Dakota kicks her around. Kai toys with Raquel, but Raquel shoves her away! Kai comes back, but no Code Breaker! Raquel tosses Kai, Sky tags in! Sky runs, but Raquel THROWS Sky at Kai!! Both of them are down and Raquel crawls for her corner. Aliyah isn’t there, so Raquel has to keep fighting.

Raquel blocks Sky’s punch, then the other, to then HEADBUT Sky! Raquel ROCKS Kai, BOOTS Sky, then ELBOWS Kai! Raquel SPLASHES Sky, then SPLASHES Kai! VADER BOMB onto Sky!! Cover, TWO!! Sky survives, and Raquel is remembering why Sky is also a top NXT Women’s Champion. Raquel drags Sky up, lifts, but Sky slips out to a CODE RED! Cover, TWO!! Raquel survives and Bayley is worried! Sky and Raquel glare at each other, Sky dodges to fire off boxing elbows! Sky fires off a flurry, then a SHOTEI! Sky runs, into a LARIAT!! Raquel hurries to drag Sky up, reel her in, but Kai distracts! Bayley pulls hair!!

Raquel goes down, Sky SPRINGBOARD STOMPS! Raquel flounders into a corner, Dakota goes Around the World to BOOT her down!! Sky then goes up top and jumps OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Raquel survives and Bayley is furious! That can’t be right! And then here comes Bianca, Asuka & Alexa! They run Bayley off from ringside so that Kai & Sky are all on their own! And ALIYAH TAGS IN!! She then hides to trick Kai & Sky, they go after Raquel! KAI-ROPRACTOR! And a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! But Aliyah rolls Kai up!! ALIYAH & RAQUEL WIN!!

Winners: Aliyah & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

Bianca, Alexa & Asuka return to celebrate with Raquel & Aliyah! Bayley is speechless, this was not how they wanted this to go, but now they must move on to Clash at the Castle! Will they get sweet revenge on Bianca, Alexa & Asuka in Cardiff? Or will things just keep falling apart for them?

As for the new champions, Aliyah finally has a title in the WWE, how hard will she and Raquel fight to hold onto these titles after waiting so long?


My Thoughts:

A great Raw, but I don’t know if the fans were as excited as they could’ve been for this go-home. We did get some great segments with the hometown hero, Kurt Angle. That was a hilarious interaction with Chad Gable, and I still say he should’ve been Angle’s illegitimate son when they did that story. But anyway, we also got a great tag match of Profits VS Alpha Academy, and of course Profits win. Great nod to Angle’s career with him bringing out the milk, and another one with Edge pulling off that signboard gag on Angle again. Judgement Day has a very good tag match opener with Styles & Ziggler, and wow, interaction between Styles and Finn after the Judgement Day turn!

But anyway, of course Judgement Day wins, and of course we get a match set for Clash at the Castle. I liked the standoff between Dom and Rhea, because it was clear it wasn’t just because of the WWE’s rule against co-ed (well, more male hitting female) aggression. Rhea definitely scares Dom, so between that and Dom being the third wheel in Rey’s reunion with Edge, there is a very good chance Dom turns on Rey and joins Judgement Day to bring this feud into the next phase. And there’s a very good chance Beth Phoenix gets even more involved after Clash to bring the feud to Extreme Rules or even Survivor Series.

Great stuff out of The Miz being paranoid about Lumis, and Lumis giving him reason to be paranoid. While Lumis ended up bros with Theory, there’s clearly something more predatory in Lumis’ obsession with Miz. Now, while it was clear Lumis was where Miz saw him, it is a bit silly they’re playing it like only The Miz saw him. Blurring of the lines of where kayfabe starts and stops seems to be a thing HHH & HBK right now, as NXT had a similar inconsistency in presenting Apollo Crews’ future sight. But as far as Raw goes, of course Miz’s fear cost him against Lashley, and then we got a great punctuation on the night with Lumis in the back of Miz’s SUV. I can’t wait to see where this goes next.

Great promo from Gargano and Theory to add to what we got last week and to further reference NXT for the sake of those who weren’t watching then. And those were good kayfabe details about them not being in touch with each other for nine months, it takes advantage of the lack of continuity Vince kept between RawDown and NXT. We also got some strong stuff between Rollins and Riddle. That preshow brawl was well done, they did crosstalk effectively, and they got really, really personal. The heat just got turned up, and that match is going to be a show-stealer. We also got a bit of a show-stealer out of Kevin, Sami and the Usos. Great promo and great match, Sami is very conflicted and that puts him in a bad spot with the Bloodline, this is getting really good.

Decent Six Woman Tag win for Bianca, Alexa & Asuka over jobbers, though I’m not even sure I got those names quite right since we were told them, not shown them in a graphic. And of course, we got awesome stuff for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Kai & Sky had great teamwork, Raquel & Aliyah had great determination and grit. Good move for Bianca’s team to run Bayley off so she couldn’t keep helping, and what a surprise that Raquel & Aliyah won. At the same time, the math now works where Bayley’s team could win this Saturday to then earn Bayley that title shot against Bianca. And with all the other tag teams watching backstage, obviously Dana, Tamina, Nikki and Piper are going to go after Raquel & Aliyah for some great first feuds.

My Score: 8.5/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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