Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (9/26/22)
Bianca’s the readiEST Raw Women’s Champion!
Damage Control looks to do some damage!
With Bayley coming after the Raw Women’s Championship at Extreme Rules, Bianca Belair looks to remove a pawn from play in Iyo Sky!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Bianca Belair w/ Asuka & Alexa Bliss VS Iyo Sky w/ Damage Control; Bianca wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Kevin Owens & Johnny Gargano VS The Alpha Academy; Kevin & Gargano win.
- Handicap Match: Omos w/ MVP VS Joey Gibson & Fred Lester; Omos wins.
- Matt Riddle VS Damian Priest w/ The Judgement Day; Riddle wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bianca Belair w/ Asuka & Alexa Bliss VS Iyo Sky w/ Damage Control!
The RawEST Women’s Champion has the Empress of Tomorrow and the Five Foot Fury backing her up because we all know DMG CTRL doesn’t roll alone! Bianca gets the mic to say, “Y’know, Bayley, I really considered coming out here and challenging you again tonight. I mean, why wait for Extreme Rules? But then I remembered that you would never make this just about you and I. And even if you did come out here and accepted my challenge, it wouldn’t be you alone. I learn from my mistakes, and it was not about to be three on one again, especially not after last week.”
Bayley could’ve faced Alexa 1v1 but no. Iyo & Dakota had to interfere again because Bayley can’t fight her battles alone. So Bayley, Bianca will say this: If Bayley wants the title at Extreme Rules, then good luck. Because her girls will be watching Bayley’s girls to make sure this stays between the two of them. But here comes DMG CTRL makes their way out. Bayley thought Bianca would’ve learned her lesson last week. This will never be just about the two of them because it is bigger than the two of them. Bayley wouldn’t expect the fans to understand, either.
Bianca was groomed, handpicked and trained to be a champion. But those like DMG CTRL had to groom themselves, train themselves, and dreamt about this since they were 12 years old! Bayley said she would take over the WWE and that is what she’s doing! Yes, Bianca is in this position, she’s thriving, she’s accomplished all these things, but she was placed, picked, chosen. “Girl… Uh-uh.” Bianca has earned everything, nothing was handed to her. She’s here because she’s been showing up and showing out. Where’s Bayley been? Rehabbing?
Now, Bianca is sorry Bayley got hurt but she’s not sorry Bayley came back to Bianca as champion. Bianca will not belittle herself to go down to Bayley’s level. Bayley tells fans to shut up! She WAS injured, she DID get hurt. She couldn’t even walk 10 months ago, but she taught herself how to walk again, and how to run again. And Bayley pinned Bianca at Clash at the Castle! Something NO ONE had done in over 300 days! So yes, Bayley was injured, that’s why she wasn’t here. So fall in line like everyone else!
Bianca says no no no. Last time Bianca checked, Bayley WAS here when Bianca reached the top of her game. When Bianca main evented WrestleMania, Bayley WAS here. And the last 1v1 match these two had, Bianca KOD’d Bayley onto a ladder. Bianca gets it, though. She understands why Bayley returned with back-up. It’s because Bayley wasn’t ready to face a champion like Bianca alone. Bayley says, “Y’know what?” But then fans taunt and boo and that upsets Bayley.
“We’re not talking about the past, okay? The past is the past and I’m sick of you running your mouth.” But Bayley just got a great idea! At Extreme Rules, she feels like winning the Raw Women’s Championship in a LADDER MATCH. Fans cheer that ide and Bianca even smiles. Consider the ante up. But since Bianca can’t have Bayley, she’ll get extreme with Iyo tonight! Let’s go! Iyo nods and hands her belt over to Kai. She calls for the ref while the others exit, and the bell rings! For Iyo to turn around into a SHOTGUN dropkick!
Bianca kips up and fans fire up as Iyo bails out! DMG CTRL regroups but Bianca wants the Evil Genius to get back in, while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Bianca CLUBS away on Iyo in a corner. Bianca whips corner to corner, Iyo reverses and runs in but Bianca puts her on the apron. Bianca clinches but avoids the haymaker! Bianca waistlocks to bring Sky back into the ring, for a SLAM! Bianca keeps hold of Sky and fans rally up. Bianca ripcords Sky to then run her over with a shoulder! Bianca drags Sky up and TOSSES her across the ring! Sky gets up, and Bianca TOSSES her the other way! Sky gets to a corner, Bianca runs in and RAMS her shoulder in!
Bianca digs her shoulder in, then carries Sky! But Sky sunset flips, only for Bianca to stay up and drag Sky up. Sky dodges, tilt-o-whirls, but Bianca blocks it for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Sky ends up in another corner. Bianca climbs up to rain down fists. But Sky slips out to trip Bianca up with her hair! Sky fires off on Bianca now but lets off as the ref counts. Sky sweeps the legs and digs her boots in, to then hit a SWINGING METEORA! Cover, TWO!
Sky drags Bianca up and whips her to ropes. Bianca reverses, but Sky reverses back to hook Bianca up for an IRON OCTOPUS! Bianca endures, fights around, pries Iyo off but Iyo sunset flips, TWO! Bianca ends up in a corner now, but she dodges Sky and ROCKS her with a forearm! Bianca runs in to CLOBBER Sky! Sky goes to a corner, Bianca goes up to rain down fists! Fans count along, all the way to TEN! Sky tries to trip Bianca up again but Bianca kicks her away! Bianca flips up and over, then DECKS Sky! Cover, TWO! Bianca is frustrated but she looms over Sky.
Bianca drags Sky up, torture racks, but Sky fights with elbows! Sky swings but into another waistlock! Sky fights the lift, throws some elbows, but Bianca holds on tight! Sky keeps fighting, and she HOTSHOTS Bianca in the ropes! Sky then hits a DRIVE-BY DROPKICK and Bianca hits POST! Bianca flops down and DMG CTRL is loving it as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Sky has Bianca in a chinlock, but Bianca powers up! SIDEWALK SLAM! Both women are down and fans rally up. Bianca and Sky rise, Sky is on Bianca first but Bianca ROCKS Sky! Sky ROCKS Bianca, Bianca ROCKS Sky! Sky runs, Bianca dodges and follows to CLOBBER Sky! Bianca rallies and DROPKICKS Sky down! Bianca kips up, drags Sky up and CLUBS away on her! Bianca whips Sky to a corner, runs in but Sky turns things around, only for Bianca to snap suplex first! And roll through to the longEST stall, and a SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Sky survives and Bianca breathes easy again. Bianca drags Sky up, chicken wings, but Sky fights to get the ropes! Sky then switches, rolls Bianca up, TWO! Sky stands on the ponytail! Fans boo but then Bianca trips Sky up with the ponytail! HANDSPRING- NO, Sky avoids the moonsault to kick, run, QUEBRADA, but into a scoop and SLAM! HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Sky survives again and Bayley is stressing out. Bianca glares at Bayley, stalks Sky, and she drags Sky up into a torture rack. “This is Awesome!” as Sky fights the KOD!
Sky is on the apron, she ROCKS and GAMANGIRIS Bianca away! Sky goes up top for a CROSSBODY! But Bianca rolls it through! Bianca shakes her head, and she FALL AWAY SLAMS Sky down! Cover, TWO! Sky rolls away but Bianca drags her into a drop zone. Bianca climbs up, Sky pops up to SHOTEI! Sky then climbs up after Bianca, fires forearms and a HEABUTT! Sky stands on the very top to SUPER- NO, Bianca blocks the Steiner to push Sky away. Bianca BOOTS Sky, adjusts, but Sky goes up top! SUPER ARM-DRAG!!
Sky fires up and she aims from a corner. Sky runs in for the SHINKANSEN! Bianca is in the drop zone now and Sky goes up! But Bianca trips her up! And SHOVES her onto DMG CTRL! Bianca aims, for a PLANCHA!! Bianca is all fired up and so are the fans! But Sky SHOTEIS and SHOTEIS and SHOTEIS! Sky pushes Bianca in, springboards, but Bianca gets under! Torture rack! KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall
A big win over the Genius of the Sky! Bianca is ready to fly, will Bayley regret choosing a Ladder Match for their showdown?
Someone arrives in the back.
It’s Solo Sikoa & Sami Zayn! They’re here so the Honorary Uce can face AJ Styles, will he make the Phenomenal One pay for the disrespect shown to the Bloodline?
Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.
Last week, when Seth Rollins attacked Matt Riddle, that helped The Judgement Day defeat him and Rey. Part of that was also Dominik daring Rey to hit him, even kneeling and begging him to do it. What is going on in Rey’s mind right now? Kevin Patrick’s a father, yeah? So he knows there’s nothing like holding your newborn child in your arms. Wanting to give them the world, watching them grow up, envisioning the kind of person they’ll become, always wanting the best for them, no matter what. Rey will always love Dom, and he will never, under any circumstances, fight him.
But last week, when Dom gave him that chance, Rey wondered what happened to the kid he raised. He could not recognize this man Dom has become. Rey knows deep down inside, this is not Dominik. It can’t be! This is Rhea manipulating Dom’s heart and mind. But Rey can’t let that sway his focus. Tonight, Rey takes on Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins, and he needs to be at his best. Rey’s had his fair share of battles with Rollins, and he knows how savage Rollins can be. Rollins wanted to do more than just injure Riddle last week.
Rey may have mercy for his own flesh and blood, but with everything going on his head right now, there is no mercy for Rollins. Will the King of Lucha be able to take out all his anger on the Visionary?
The Miz meets with security backstage.
“Alright, gentlemen. I have recruited you for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am offering a prize package worht up to one MILLION dollars, including but not limited to an exclusive cameo in the upcoming spinoff movie of the Marine franchise, gift cards accepted at most department stores, a certified pre-owned vehicle, and career advice from yours truly, which in and of itself is worth $2 million.”
Now he did not want big, bulky, muscular dumb security, he wants smart and stealthy! That is why he chose them. They are not just elite security professionals, no! They are MIZFORCE! Say it with him! “MIZFORCE!” Again! “MIZFORCE!” One more time! “MIZFORCE!” Now go! Find He Who Shall Not Be Named and make sure he is not here! GO GO GO! The guards hurry off, but will MIZFORCE find Dexter Lumis before Lumis finds Miz?
Seth Rollins VS Rey Mysterio!
The Visionary has pushed things with Matt Riddle so far, they’re going into the FIGHT PIT at Extreme Rules! Will Rollins sharpen his edge at the expense of the King of Lucha? Or will he suffer for everything Judgement Day has put Rey through instead?
Before the match, Rollins gets the mic and fans sing his song, “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” Rollins welcomes Edmonton to Monday Night Rollins! And he is our host for the festivities. He is a visionary, he is a revolutionary, he is Seth “FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!” And Rollins should be here as the NEW United States Champion, But the only reason he is not, that reason has a name that Rollins doesn’t even wanna say. But he is not champion now because of Matt Riddle!
Last week, Rollins had Lashley in the center of the ring, dead to rights, but Riddle made Rollins take his eye off the ball for one single second, and it cost him! Riddle has been a thorn in Rollins’ side for months, but that is the last time! In two weeks, they finish this at Extreme Rules inside… THE FIGHT PIT! Fans like the sound of that! Some even chant “BRO! BRO! BRO!” But then the singing of “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” drowns that out. Rollins has to be honest, though, this past week, Rollins has heard the whispers and read the tweets. No one thinks he stands a chance!
Everyone says the Fight Pit is Riddle’s match. Rollins had to go home and take a long look in the mirror. Rollins came to the harsh conclusion that he’s SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS! It doesn’t matter what kind of match it is! Cage match, Hell in a Cell, Tables, Ladders, Rollins has been in every single type of match you can imagine, and he’s won ’em all! As good as Riddle may be inside the cage, he has nothing on Rollins. Rollins has one thing Riddle will never have: his brain! His Einstein level acumen for the fight game!
Extreme Rules may be Rollins’ first time inside the Fight Pit, but he’ll tell us this. “When all the dust settles, Riddle is gonna be flat on his back, and the entire world is gonna be singing my song, calling me the King of the Fight Pit!” Fans sing again, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins knows Riddle is watching, so Riddle better take notes. Rollins is going to give “Father of the Year,” Rey Mysterio the beating he is too much of a coward to give his own son! HAHAHAHAH! But with that Rey makes his entrance! Will Rey show who’s really the coward here?
Rey DROPKICKS Rollins the moment he’s in the ring! The ref tries to stop Rey but Rollins bails out. Rollins is furious and throwing a fit, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Rollins puts Rey in a corner to grind his forearms in. Rollins talks trash, stomps away and digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Rollins lets off, and wipes the blood from the cut on his forehead. That’s from Rey spiking Rollins off steel steps. Rollins CLAWS Rey’s back, then he fishhooks Rey’s nose! Rollins lets off as the ref reprimands, but he ROCKS Rey to a corner. Rollins whips Rey corner to corner but Rey goes up and over then tilt-o-whirls and RANAS! Rey fires off on Rollins, whips, but Rollins reverses, only for Rey to KICK him away. Rey runs but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER!
Rey writhes and Rollins seethes while fans rally. Rollins stalks Rey to ropes, drags him up and ROCKS him in the back. Rollins looms over Rey, drags Rey up and ROCKS him again. Then Rollins reels Rey in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Rollins snarls as Rey crawls to the apron. Rollins drags Rey up but Rey counter punches! Rey fires off haymakers, slingshots up and over to a sunset flip, TWO! Rollins CLOBBERS Rey! Fans rally and duel as Rollins stalks Rey.
Rollins kicks Rey around, then kicks him to a corner. Rollins CHOPS Rey, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to forearm smash! Rey flops down and Rollins conducts the “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Fans boo, too, though, and that upsets Rollins. Rey stands up, Rollins runs corner to corner, but Rey dodges! Rollins hits buckles and then Rey fires off haymakers! Rey RAMS Rollins, whips but Rollins reverses. Rey drop toeholds to send Rollins into buckles! Rey then climbs up and rains down fists on that bloody forehead! Fans count all the way to TEN, and Rey gives us some Latino Heat!
Rey follows Rollins, whips, but Rollins reverses. Rey holds ropes, elbows back then springboards, but Rollins catches him to a fireman’s carry! GUTBUSTER DROP! Rey flounders but Rollins drags him up to slide him out! Rey belly flops onto the floor and Rollins goes out after him. But here comes Dominik, with a chair! Is Dom here to attack Rollins for their past? Or is he here to watch his father suffer? Dom pats Rollins on the shoulder, so it’s the latter as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Rollins whips Rey HARD into the corner! Dom is sitting ringside now to watch as Rollins drags Rey out onto the apron. Rollins CLUBS away on Rey, then lets off to line up a shot. Rollins BOOTS Rey into the ring! Rollins offers a fist bump, and Dom takes it! Fans boo them both but Rollins goes into the ring. Rollins tells Dom to watch this. Rollins drags Rey up to snap suplex! Uno Amigo! And then another snap suplex, Dos Amigos! Rollins drags Rey up again, gives some Latino Heat, and suplexes again, but Rey throws knees! Rey makes it a DDT!
Dom isn’t as happy watching now with Rey and Rollins both down. Rey gets up, adjusts his mask and goes to a corner. Rey climbs, but Rollins Electric Chair Lifts him off the corner! Rollins turns Rey around but Rey RANAS Rollins into the buckles! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Rey goes to the apron and fans fire up as he climbs. But Rollins ROCKS Rey first! Rollins climbs up, brings Rey up, but Rey throws body shots! Rey HEADBUTTS Rollins away, but Rollins springs right back up! Rey fights with body shots and shoves Rollins away again! Then SEATED SENTONS!
Rey keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Rollins survives the sudden turnaround but Rey keeps moving. Rey slides under but Rollins catches him, only for Rey to victory roll! TWO, and Rey dropkicks Rollins onto ropes! Rey dials it up, but Rollins gets up to get Rey in position, BUCKLE BOMB! And FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Rey survives and Dom is annoyed. Rollins goes to ropes, drags himself up, and thinks what he has to do to keep Rey down. Rey flounders, Rollins aims, but Rey avoids the stomp! Rollins kicks low, but Rey fights the underhooks!
Rollins CLUBS away on Rey, gets him up, but Rey fights and RANAS Rollins out of the ring! Fans fire up and Rey builds speed to SLIDING SPLASH! Direct hit on Rollins and Dom stands up in frustration! Rey puts Rollins in the ring, hurries up the corner again, FLYING SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives and Dom sits back down. Fans taunt Dom with “Dominik’s Useless!” Rey dropkick Rollins onto ropes! Rey dials it up, but Rollins ducks the 619! Rey hurries after Rollins but Rollins shoulders in! Rollins GOURDBUSTERS Rey down!
Rollins climbs up the corner slowly, and Rey trips him up! Rey climbs up after Rollins now, fires some haymakers, then goes up to SUPER- NO! Rollins blocks the Steiner and swings Rey back up! SUPER STEINER AFTER ALL!! Rollins flounders to ropes, 619!! But Rey hit Rollins so hard, Rollins flounders to the far side of the ring! Rey hurries to the apron, and he FLYING RANAS Rollins down again! But Dom gets up and has the chair! Rey turns around to see Dom, and the ref tells Dom no. Dom drops the chair, but then dares Rey to use it now!
Fans boo, Dom is just distracting Rey! Rollins distracts the ref, RHEA RIPLEY POSTS Rey!! Dom puts Rey in the ring for Rollins to CURB STOMP!! Rollins laughs as he puts Rey in a PERUVIAN NECKTIE!! Rey is OUT, Rollins wins!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by submission
The Visionary gets to show off his new hold, not that he had to! That was a message to Riddle that Rollins can grapple just like him. But it also shows that The Judgement Day had to help Rollins out. Will The Visionary survive when he has to beat The Bro on his own? As for Rey, is there no reaching Dom anymore?
But speaking of Matt Riddle, he’s watching this backstage.
The Bro’s attention is trained on Rollins, so when someone pats him on the shoulder, he freaks out! Oh, it’s Bobby Lashley. Don’t scare him like that, bro. Didn’t think you were silent but deadly. You gotta keep your head on a swivel around here, y’know? Lashley gets it. He just wants to wish Riddle luck against Damian Priest tonight, not that Riddle needs it. And Lashley also heard what Rollins was saying about The Fight Pit. The MMA guys know what it’s like, but Rollins doesn’t. It’s either you tap out, or you get knocked out. That’s what Rollins fears, so don’t let him get away on this one.
Riddle says he’s not letting Rollins get away. Riddle will fight him, submit him, knock him out, Rollins ain’t going anywhere. Alright. One more thing: Lashley knows Riddle wanted to help Lashley last week, but he should never do that again. “My bad, Bobby.” Well, Riddle has Rollins where he wants him, so knock his teeth out! Damn straight, bro! Riddle is fired up now. Will The Bro take the fight to the Punisher before entering the Pit?
Johnny Gargano & Kevin Owens head for gorilla.
Along the way, they find one of the MIZFORCE guards knocked out cold! Is that a bad sign for The Miz?
Kevin Owens & Johnny Gargano VS The Alpha Academy!
The Prizefighter and Johnny Wrestling have been putting Austin Theory in his place, and that doesn’t sit well with his pals, Chad Gable & Otis. “Master” Gable and #4PointOtis are waving American flags in Canada to try and make a point, but will it be homefield advantage for KO?
The teams sort out and Gargano starts against Gable. They tie up, Gable headlocks, spins and hammerlocks to a drop toehold. Gable then floats back to a headlock and grinds the hold. Gargano powers up and out, Gable runs him over, ‘A THANK YEW~!” Things speed up, fans sing “GA-BLE~, GABLE GABLE GABLE~… GA-BLE~! GA-BLE~!” as Gargano RANAS and wheelbarrows Gable to an arm-drag! Then a DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Gable scrambles away. Tag to Otis and Gargano winds up to tag Kevin! Fans fire up as Kevin and Otis circle.
Kevin and Otis tie up, Kevin headlocks but Otis powers out. They RAM shoulders but neither falls. Kevin runs and RAMS Otis but almost bounces off! Otis nods, so Kevin DROPKICKS him! Otis staggers, Gable tags in but Kevin fires off haymakers! Kevin whips, CLOBBERS Gable, then SENTONS! And MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Kevin drags Gable up for a short arm LARIAT! Tag to Gable, he hops on, BACKPACK SENTON! Cover, TWO! Gable goes to a corner, Gargano runs in but Gable puts him on the outside. Gable runs, Otis tags in, Gargano SLINGSHOT SPEARS Gable!
Otis choke grips Gargano, then lifts him up to toss into the WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! “For the Academy!” Fans boo Otis as he looms over Gargano and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Gargano fights off the Academy! Otis catches Gargano to keep him from Kevin! And then Otis RAMS Gargano into the corner! Tag to Gable, Otis whips Gable in but Gargano TOSSES him out! Otis run sin, Gable dodges and Otis POSTS himself! Gargano crawls, Kevin reaches out, but Gable anchors Gargano! Gable drags Gargano away, Gargano rolls and sends Gable towards Kevin! Gable stops himself, but Gargano rolls him up, SCHOOLBOY KICK! Fans fire up for the HOT TAG! Kevin rallies with CHOPS and forearms on Gable!
Kevin whips, atomic drops and LARIATS Gable down! Kevin DECKS Otis, corner clotheslines Gable then runs to LARIAT! Fans fire up, Gable is in the corner, “SUCK IT!” CANNONBALL! Kevin then hauls Gable up, AOI SHOUDOU! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives but Kevin hurries to a corner. Kevin climbs, leaps, SWANTON onto knees!! Kevin writhes and Gable crawls to the other corner. Gable climbs up now, and MOONSAULTS! He has to land out as Kevin moves, but he blocks the superkick. Gable spins Kevin around, Kevin fights the waistlock.
Kevin kicks low but Gable denies the Stunner! Kevin comes back to trip Gable, and he steps through! Fans fire up for the SHARPSHOOTER! Gable endures, flails, reaches around, but Kevin drags Gable away! Otis runs in to CLOBBER Kevin! Fans boo but Otis tells them to “SUCK IT!” Gable and Kevin crawl for their corners, hot tag to Gargano! Gargano DROPKICKS Otis down, then he swings a kick. Gable ducks it and waistlocks but Gargano switches. Gable switches back but Gargano switches again, only for Gable to switch one more time. Gargano bucks the O’Conner Roll while tagging in Kevin!
Gargano ROUNDHOUSES Gable, scoops him, and LAWN DARTS Gable into buckles! Kevin goes up top and he SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Gable survives and shocks everyone! Kevin drags Gable back up, whips him to ropes, but Gable slips out of the pop-up! Gable gets around Kevin to GERMAN SUPLEX! Gargano tags in and he GAMANGIRIS Gable! Slingshot, but no DDT! NORTHERN LIGHTS, and a roll through, to then EXPLODER! Gable tags Otis and Otis Electric Chair Lifts Gargano. Gable tags in and goes up, for the FLYING BULLDOG!! Cover, Kevin breaks it!!
But Otis CLOBBERS Kevin! And SPLASHES in the corner! Kevin flops out but Otis pursues, to CLOBBER Kevin again! Fans boo but Otis clears off the announce desk! Otis runs at Kevin, but Kevin sends him into steel steps! SUPERKICK but Otis stays up! SUPERKICK, and now Otis is on the desk! Kevin goes to the barrier and climbs up! MACHO ELBOW through the table!! Fans are losing their minds while Gable and Gargano stand in the ring. Gargano fires off forearms, then a ROLLING- THROAT CHOP from Gable!
Gable spins now but Gargano mule kicks. Gable blocks the lariat, but not the DISCUS LEFT!! Fans fire up with Gargano and he goes to the corner. Gargano aims and powers up, but THEORY swipes at him! Fans boo, Gable hits a ROLLING ELBOW! And then a CLIFFHANGER DDT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Gargano survives and shocks Theory! Gable is also furious, so he kicks Gargano out of the ring. Theory takes a swing but misses! SUPERKICK takes Theory down! Gargano GAMAN- NO, Gable blocks! But Gargano ducks his clothesline to slingshot, ONE FINAL BEAT!! Cover, Gargano & Kevin win!!
Winners: Kevin Owens & Johnny Gargano, by pinfall
The long awaited debut of #PandaExpress is a success! The Academy and Mr. MITB couldn’t stop them, will Kevin and Gargano soon find themselves heading for some gold?
AJ Styles heads to gorilla.
More MIZFORCE guards are down and out but Styles shrugs it off. Kevin Patrick finds him, though, and asks that before facing Sami Zayn, can Styles explain why he rejected Finn Balor’s offer to join Judgement Day? Has everyone forgotten what The Judgement Day did to Styles? To get respect, you gotta show respect. Styles has been on his own for a while now and… Finn appears! Finn says he comes in peace as Styles’ friend. We all know the importance of having friends around here, right?
Finn says The Judgement Day has achieved so much already. But with Styles, him and Finn together, they could change the business again! Okay, hear him out. Styles has a match with Sami Zayn, right? And Sami’s got back up in Solo Sikoa. So as a friend, the Judgement Day would like to offer Styles an olive branch. Styles says they’ll watch his back? Yeah! Styles says he can watch is own back.
Omos & MVP head to gorilla now.
The Nigerian Giant continues to dominate, just how many men will be sent to the slaughter this time?
Theory regroups with The Alpha Academy backstage.
What happened out there? He thought they were the masters of success! Where was the success? Gable says his number one guy, Otis, hasn’t been 100% since throwing down with that “moron,” Braun Strowman! If not for that two ton doofus, the Academy would’ve schooled those fools. Well y’know what, Chad? It would’ve been good to know that before he got hit in the jaw. But they gotta get even with Kevin & Gargano. Gargano’s not gonna embarrass Theory twice in a dump like Canada!
But then Theory gets a phone call. Hello? It’s for Gable. It is? Well, okay. Gable is in high demand. Hello? “A two ton doofus, huh? Bet you think you’re real funny.” Braun promises Gable he won’t be laughing next week, beause the Monster of All Monsters is coming for him in his hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota! That way, they won’t have to fly Gable’s body home for his funeral! Sh-sh-shoosh please… Theory says Gable’s got this. But Otis, Gargano tried to big dog you out there and you gotta let him know who you are! What you represent! What you’re gonna do!
Next week, Otis VS Gargano, and it’ll be Gargano’s last match because of Otis! It’ll be the end of Gargano’s very short and sad career. Otis is fired up but Gable is dreading next week. Will the Academy’s teacher go into early retirement?
Handicap Match: Omos w/ MVP VS Joey Gibson & Fred Lester!
Montel Vontavius Porter is sitting with commentary at the reconstructed desk, and the Nigerian Giant against stares down two mere mortals. Will either one of these men survive the night?
The bell rings, Omos choke grips Gibson, and keeps Lester from running away! Omos SHOVES them both out of the ring! Omos then goes out, drags Joey Gibson up and RAMS him into steel steps! And then Omos storms over to Lester, scoops and LAWN DARTS him off the apron, to then BOOT him down!! MVP is singing as Omos TOSSES Lester into the ring, and SPLASHES him in the corner! Omos then goes back for Gibson to drag him up by his head! Omos TOSSES him into the ring, too! Omos then clobbers Gibson back down!
Omos roars, he drags Lester up with both hands, MOUNTAINTOP CHOKE BOMB! And then MOUNTAINTOP CHOKE BOMB for Gibson! Cover, Omos wins!
Winner: Omos, by pinfall
MVP is all fired up for Omos, and Omos then TOSSES his opponents out of the ring! MVP says Braun may be a Monster Among Monsters, but Omos is the only titan of WWE! Omos puts Gibson onto the desk, then places Lester next to him. Omos then climbs up onto the desk! Omos roars triumphantly, will he soon stand tall over all of the WWE?
The Miz regroups with MIZFORCE.
But they’re all out cold and heaped on top of each other! Miz is freaking out! MIZFORCE was supposed to be the best of the best! But of course this what happens. Wait, is he… LUMIS IS IN THE HOCKEY GEAR! Miz turns around to see him. HIGH STICKING! And then Lumis CRACKS the stick on Miz’s back! Lumis then sits with Miz, and wraps him up in THE SILENCE!! Miz fights but can’t get away, and he is OUT! Lumis pats Miz on the head, what will Lumis do to him this time?
Nikki A.S.H. VS ???
The Almost SuperHero is going solo tonight, and… CANDICE LERAE is here?!? Mrs. Johnny Wrestling, the Poison Pixie, has come to Raw! Will she get going just like her husband has?
The bell rings and Nikki tells Candice to go back to NXT! Candice blocks Nikki’s kick, trips her up, and dropkicks her out of the ring! Candice runs and baseball slides, but gets caught in the apron skirt! Nikki fires off on Candice, then refreshes the ring count. Nikki puts Candice in the ring, pushes her around, and tells her to go away. Nikki strikes a pose, but Candice rolls her up! TWO, and Candice fires off forearms and CHOPS! Candice fires off hands in the corner but lets off as the ref counts.
Fans fire up with Candice, she runs and back body blocks in the corner! Snapmare and SUPERKICK! Nikki staggers, into a BACKSTABBER! Candice hurries to a corner, she goes up but Nikki ROCKS her first! Nikki climbs up after Candice, talks trash on her, but Candice throws hands! And then takes her for a WILD RIDE!! Cover, Candice wins!
Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall
The Wrestling Family is on fire! Will Raw soon see the way? As for Nikki, she’s thrown off her superhero mask. Is this the breaking point for the Almost SuperHero?
Finn Balor talks with Judgement Day backstage.
They all trust each other, right? Then trust him about Styles. Styles is gonna come around. Kevin Patrick walks over to ask Damian Priest if he might hold back against his former friend in Riddle tonight. Rhea asks back, “What’s with the dumbass questions?” Priest says yeah, what’s he supposed to say? Of course he’s NOT holding back. And he’s gonna have zero remorse! KP said it himself, Riddle’s a former friend. This right here, this is his crew! This is his family. Rhea’s said it time and again, the Judgement Day runs Raw! So as far as Priest is concerned, Riddle is just running his brains into the clouds like always.
Just look at this past year! Riddle spent most of it pretending to be Randy Orton! And now Rollins has Riddle so confused, Riddle thinks he’s in the UFC. “Yo, Riddle. You’re not a Viper. You’re not a cage fighter anymore. And you sure as hell aren’t my friend. Tonight like everyone else, you Riddle, will fall while the Judgement Day will rise. Nothing personal, bro.” The Judgement Day laughs, but will they have the last laugh in the end?
Sami Zayn w/ Solo Sikoa VS AJ Styles!
As he shows off, the Honorary Uce has his own official shirt! He is truly accepted into the Bloodline, but will he be able to defend their honor against the Phenomenal One? Or will Styles show that shirts don’t amount to much?
The bell rings and the two circle. Sami backs away to a corner as fans cheer him on, but Styles tunes that out. They tie up, Sami headlocks, and fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE OLE~!” Styles powers out, Sami RAMS him and knocks him over! Sami holds up the finger, #WeTheOnes! Styles smirks while Sami talks trash, and Styles reaches up to headscissor him down! And then DROPKICK him! Styles CHOPS Sami in a corner, then bump him off buckles in another corner. Sami staggers around but Styles scoops him for a BACKBREAKER!
Styles looms over Sami, throws down a fist, and then drops a knee! Cover, TWO! Styles follows Sami to ropes, whips him to ropes, but Sami holds them to elbow Styles back. Styles dodges Sami but runs into a back drop! Cover, ONE!! Sami is annoyed and he bumps Styles off buckles. Sami climbs up, leaps, and ELBOWS Styles down! Cover, ONE!! Sami drags Styles up, throws him out, but the ref is aware of Solo. Solo stays back, Sami goes out to fetch Styles, and SMACKS him off the apron. The ring count climbs, Sami drags Styles up to SMACK him off the apron again.
Sami goes in at 6 of 10, kicks Styles away then hits an ARABIAN PRESS! Fans fire up with the Honorary Uce as he shows off the shirt. Sami puts Styles in, covers, TWO! Sami paces but then drags Styles up. Sami swings but Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz! Sami sits up, into the SLIDING FOREARM! Sami staggers to a corner, Styles runs in to clothesline! And then fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Sami sits up again and Styles reels him in! But Sami fights the Clash so Styles shoves him. Sami forearms, Styles blocks the boot and slips around to torture rack! TOWERHACKER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!
Sami bails out and Solo is there. Styles glares at Solo, but slingshots to FOREARM Sami down! Styles stares Solo down and fans fire up as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Styles whips Sami but Sami KICKS back! Sami reels Styles in to suplex but Styles fights it! Sami keeps trying but Styles suplexes back! Sami lands on his feet to hit a NECKBREAKER! Both men go to corners, Styles runs in at Sami, but Sami gets under Styles to put him on the apron! Styles ROCKS Sami back, though, and he takes aim! Fans fire up, Styles springboards, but Sami gets under! Styles runs back in, into a BUCKLE- NO, Styles victory rolls the exploder! TWO!! Sami runs in, Styles catches him to snap suplex Sami into buckles!
Both men are down but Sami bails out to where Solo is again. Styles storms over and stares Solo down while he drags Sami up. Styles puts Sami in, he glares at Solo, then goes back inside the ring. Sami BOOTS Styles, and reels him in for a BLUE THUDNER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Sami can’t believe it but this is why Styles is a WWE Grand Slam Champion! Styles crawls to a corner, Sami runs in and fires off haymakers! Sami hoists Styles up, but Styles throws hands in return! Styles reels Sami in, TORNADO- NO, Sami blocks that to suplex, and ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!!
Sami is furious that Styles survives! Styles bails out but Sami hurries out after him! Sami POSTS Styles, and again! And then he TOSSES Styles over the barriers! Sami returns into the ring and wants the count to climb. Fans count along, Styles stirs at 6 of 10, hurries over at 8, and slides in at 9.5! Sami snarls and he drags Styles up, only for Styles to cradle! TWO!! Sami ROCKS Styles, Styles ROCKS Sami, and fans rally as they go back and forth! Sami gets the edge, but Styles roars! Sami BOOTS Styles, Styles PELES Sami! Both men are down and fans are loving this as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Sami has Styles up top. Sami climbs up after him but Styles throws haymakers. Styles hops up and sunset flips but Sami holds on! But Styles pulls him form the corner and into position! Sami kicks free of The Clash! Styles staggers around, runs in, but into a CORNER EXPLODER! Sami hurries and runs corner to corner, but Styles bails out. Fans boo but Sami hurries after Styles. Sami puts Styles in, but Styles catches Sami and rolls him! CALF CRUSHER!! Sami endures, reaches out, but Styles cranks way back! Sami still reaches, claws forward, pushes through and gets the ROPEBREAK!
Solo nods as Styles lets Sami go. Sami clutches his knee and both men slowly rise. Styles storms over to Sami but into a JAWBREAKER! Styles leans on the ropes, but he runs to sunset flip! And then deadlift into position! Sami flails, gets in the ropes, and he back drops Styles up and out! Styles holds onto the ropes, ROCKS Sami, but Sami grabs hair! The ref reprimands, Sami lets go and distracts the ref, and Solo YANKS Styles down for an APRON URENAGE! Fans boo but Sami smiles as he knows Solo just helped him out. HELLUVA KICK!! Cover, Sami wins!!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall
Getting an assist in the win, Sami really IS in the Bloodline now! Solo “The Enforcer” does his job, will he, Sami and all of the Bloodline take over WWE?
Wait, here comes The Judgement Day! And of course, Finn has a mic to say, “AJ, AJ, AJ. It pains me to see you like this, bro. And I can’t help but think that if you had accepted our offer earlier, the outcome of this match may have been a little bit different. You deserve so much better than this, AJ. You deserve it, man. So seeing as I’m a fair and generous person, I’m asking you as a friend to rise up and join the Judgement Day.” Finn offers a hand, Styles thinks for a moment, but he stands up on his own. Finn throws up the Too Sweet, maybe Styles will accept that. Styles throws up the middle finger instead!
So Finn attacks Styles! As do Priest and Dom! They mug Styles, Rhea gets a chair, and Finn puts the chair around Styles’ head! Rhea holds it in place, Finn runs up, but Finn stops short of the stomp. Finn says he could’ve ended Styles’ career, but he’s Styles’ friend. This is NOT what friends do. The Judgement Day loom over Styles, having given him the most menacing of ultimatums. Will the Phenomenal One stay a lone wolf? Or will he join the wolf pack that is The Judgement Day?
Bianca, Alexa & Asuka are having fun backstage.
They’re all excited after Bianca’s big win over Iyo Sky, and then Candice finds them! Candice hopes Bianca shuts Bayley up at Extreme Rules. Oh, Bianca definitely will. And congratulations on the debut victory! Candice thanks Bianca, but then “DING DONG! Uh, why don’t you two shut up?” Bayley says compliments are just jealousy in disguise. And bullies are just cowards in disguise. Oh, Candice’s feeling real confident after one win here, huh? They can change that. Dakota says Bayley has the title match to worry about. Candice says Dakota doesn’t.
Bayley knows Candice is new here, but DMG CTRL runs things. If Candice wants a match with Dakota, just wait for next week. And Bianca, see you at Extreme Rules. Oh, they don’t have to wait for that. Things get heated but everyone backs down. Will the Poison Pixie sting #CobraKai? Will this all explode before Extreme Rules?
Matt Riddle VS Damian Priest w/ The Judgement Day!
Rollins made sure Rey & Riddle didn’t win last week, but Riddle will let him off the hook until Extreme Rules. Will the Bro get his “brovenge” on the Punisher? Or will the Judgement Day just keep on rolling roughshod through Raw?
The bell rings and Riddle circles with Priest. The fans chant “BRO! BRO! BRO!” and Riddle smirks. Riddle and Priest tie up, Priest puts Riddle in the corner but Riddle pushes back. They go along the ropes, into another corner, but Priest shoves Riddle down. Priest dares Riddle to come back and they circle again. They tie up, Priest puts Riddle on ropes but Riddle hops on to go after an arm! Riddle gets a HOVERBOARD, but Priest powers through to suplex! Riddle slips around to a SLEEPER! Priest gasps as he reaches for ropes but Riddle squeezes tight. Priest BACKPACK SENTONS!
Priest grins as he’s free, but Riddle springs to life to get the SLEEPER again! Priest scrambles to a corner, the ref counts the ropebreak, and Riddle lets off. Priest swings a back elbow but Riddle gets away. Fans cheer as the two reset and circle again. They tie up, Riddle waistlocks to headlock and hits a takeover. Priest pushes Riddle to the headscissors and holds tight. Riddle reaches out, moves around, and pushes free. Priest avoids the Penalty Kick and Riddle says it was that close. Priest shoves Riddle so Riddle shoves back. Riddle fires palm strikes but Priest bobs ‘n’ weaves to evade!
Priest swings, Riddle bobs ‘n’ weaves now! Riddle ducks Priest’s heel kick but Priest avoids the Final Flash. Riddle ducks the spin kick, but Priest blocks a kick to trip Riddle! Riddle avoids the stomps to literally kick Priest’s butt! Riddle kips up and fans fire up as Riddle dares Priest to bring it. PRiest laughs and applauds, but swings on him! Riddle catches Priest to a GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! BROTON! Cover, ONE!! Priest gets to ropes but Riddle storms up on him. Riddle CHOPS Priest, KICKS away on him in the corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Riddle goes side to side, Priest SPIN KICKS him down!
The Judgement Day cheers but the fans boo as Priest rains down forearms! Priest paces, he drags Riddle up and says, “You’re trying to embarrass me on my birthday?!” Oh, well happy birthday, Priest. He TOSSES Riddle to a corner! But Riddle blocks the haymaker into a TRIANGLE, which he makes into a RANA that throws Priest up and out! Riddle is on the apron, Finn gets Priest out of the way, meaning Finn takes the PENALTY KICK! Riddle LEAPS at Priest, but Priest DECKS him out of the sky! Priest then suplexes for a BROKEN ARROW onto the barriers!! Riddle shouts in pain while Priest roars triumphantly, and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Priest keeps Riddle down with a motorcycle stretch. Priest taunts Riddle, “You want more pain? Yeah, you want more pain.” Priest digs his knee in deeper but Riddle powers up! Priest shifts to a chinlock but Riddle fires body shots. Priest CLUBS Riddle down and grabs the arms for more of the motorcycle. Rhea wants Priest to make Riddle pay, but Riddle KANGAROO KICKS! Riddle fires off palm strikes and a BOOT! Then he shoots around, ripcords, FINAL FLASH! Priest goes to a corner, Riddle kips up and runs in to forearm smash! Riddle goes side to side, another forearm smash!
Riddle reels Priest in but Priest fights the clinch. Priest shoves Riddle down, runs at him, but into the BROSPLODER! Riddle goes up and out to PENALTY KICK! Then a FLOATING BRO ATTACK! Direct hit and both men are down! Fans fire up, Riddle stands and puts Priest in the ring. Riddle hurries in, he blocks a kick to give a kick and he gets Priest up for a POWERBOMB! Flip over to a FINAL FLASH! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Judgement Day breathes easier. Riddle goes to a corner, he climbs up top, but Priest SHOVES Riddle down! Riddle hits barriers!
Riddle clutches his side while Judgement Day laughs at him. Priest goes out to fetch Riddle, and he hoists Riddle up to run and RAM him into more barriers! Priest snarls as he looms over Riddle, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns one more time and Riddle has Priest up top now! Priest fights Riddle off with a HEADBUTT! Riddle falls, Priest stands up, but Riddle springs up after Priest! Riddle stands on the very top, brings Priest up with him, SUPER FISHERMAN SUPLEX!! Fans are fired up and Judgement Day is freaking out! Riddle crawls to the cover, TWO!!! Priest survives and Riddle can’t believe it! Both men slowly sit up, Priest throws a forearm! Riddle forearms back! Priest throws a body shot, and another, but Riddle CHOPS and CHOPS! Priest ROCKS Riddle, throws body shots and a HEADBUTT!
Riddle fires off palm strike after palm strike, but Priest ROCKS him! FINAL FLASH! Riddle runs, but Priest blocks this knee to BELL CLAP! And then ROLLING- ROUNDHOUSE!! Priest sits down, Riddle aims to BUZZ- NO, Priest ducks and shoves Riddle to a corner. Riddle goes up and over, Priest catches him! Riddle fights free to dragon sleeper! And gut wrench! Riddle tucks the leg, BRO DEREK!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Priest survives and even Rhea is shocked! Riddle is beside himself, but he drags Priest into a drop zone before climbing up top!
Rhea distracts Riddle, but then drops down as Priest CLUBS Riddle on the back! Priest drags Riddle into the Crucifix, for a DOM- NO, Riddle lands on his feet so Priest LARIATS him down! COMPLETE SHOT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Priest can’t believe it but Riddle survives now! Priest snarls and he aims at Riddle. Riddle rises, choke grip, SOUTH OF- NO, Riddle slips free, ducks and RK- NO!! Priest dragon sleepers but Riddle slips free! Priest springboards, into the FINAL FLASH!! Riddle hears the voices, bro! Finn gets on the apron but Riddle DECKS him! RK- NO, Priest blocks again!
Priest torture racks Riddle but Riddle fights free. Riddle has a SPLADLE! RIDDLE WINS!
Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall
But Dom, Finn and even Rhea attack! They mug The Bro, and then they feed him to SOUTH OF HEAVEN! “You think you know me.” WHAT?!? The Rated R Superstar is back! Edge runs in, dodges Finn and SPEARS Dom! Edge glares at Dom but Rhea saves him by dragging him out of the ring. Finn runs in, Edge dodges him, and SPEARS Finn down!! Fans are thunderous as Edge has risen like a dark phoenix! Edge gets a mic to say, “You have tried to finish me over and over again. But I always come back! Even if it takes me nine years, I come back. And I got to come back in Edmonton! In MY country!”
Edge doesn’t quit! So Finn, Edge has a challenge for you. Extreme Rules, for the first time ever, Edge VS Finn 1v1, IN AN I QUIT MATCH!!! The Prince glares at Edge, but he seems to nod yes! Who will go to the extreme to make the other say those dreaded two words?
My Thoughts:
A great episode tonight with so much set up for Extreme Rules. Especially with basically all the matches now having a stipulation, as is the point of Extreme Rules the PPV concept. Great opening segment with the Raw Women’s Championship story, and I like that it’ll be a Ladder match between Bianca and Bayley. It won’t be about pinning or submitting, which can definitely be to Bayley’s advantage since she needed DMG CTRL to pin Bianca, and can even have them help her cheat in winning the match.
Great to see Candice LeRae now joining her husband here on Raw, and it works on multiple levels that she beat Nikki. Nikki’s been just circling a breaking point that could reset her to SAnitY Nikki. Candice also getting in on the DMG CTRL story is cool, there’s a lot of possibilities here. Speaking of Johnny Wrestling, Gargano & Kevin had a great match against Alpha Academy, and of course Theory got involved. It bites him in the butt, The Academy loses, and then we get a good segment where Gable sticks his foot in his mouth. Gable is gonna get squashed by Braun, Gargano is going to have an awesome match with Otis, but I bet Theory also gets involved with that one.
Omos crushes more jobbers, but MVP was calling out Braun, so maybe Omos goes after Braun after he’s done with Gable? Omos VS Braun has potential, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they do the ring breaking superplex spot like back in the day. Great stuff out of Miz and his “MIZFORCE,” but of course MIZFORCE was going to get taken out by Lumis. At some point, Lumis has to draw a picture to illustrate what kind of match he wants with Miz, or just what he wants with Miz period.
Great match from Styles VS Sami, showing there is cross-brand storytelling with The Bloodline. I also like that there is more blending of stories as Finn keeps trying to recruit Styles. Styles refuses and pays for it, and then we get a great match between Riddle and Priest. Riddle winning with the Spladle is great because it keeps this going while still giving Riddle momentum going into the Fight Pit. Edge making his return is great, and him challenging Finn to an I Quit is wild. I cannot wait to see this one. The HHH Era is awesome!
My Score: 8.8/10
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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?
Becky Lynch and Nia Jax want to finally put this to an end, so tonight on Raw, it will be a Big Time Last Woman Standing match! Will the Irresistible Force force the WrestleMania 40 match to change?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers; DIY wins and advances to WrestleMania.
- Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Candice & Indi win.
- Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher; The Awesome Truth wins and advances to WrestleMania.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy; The New Day wins and advances to WrestleMania.
- Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax; Becky wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is here!
North Carolina State University fires up and bounces along with Main Event Jey, and Pat McAfee plays a dangerous game standing on the armchairs! From Bret VS Owen to Matt VS Jeff, we’re about to get Jey VS Jimmy in the third-ever Brother VS Brother WrestleMania grudge match! Jey gets the mic as fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey welcomes us to Monday Night Raw, and wants us to check this out. He knows his brothers are somewhere in the building. He knows The Bloodline’s in the building. He knows how the Bloodline rolls! SO Big Brother Jimmy, where you at?! Where you at, Uce!?
Jey waits for someone to show up somewhere, and the crowd spots them first! Fans boo as Jimmy & Solo make their way from the back of the stands. Jimmy gets a mic and goes to the apron while Solo paces around the outside. Fans chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” again as Jey puts the sunglasses aside. The Usos stare each other down, the fans now chant “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey wants to say something, hesitates, but then says these two would always get to it but they always knew how to shake right back to this. But now it’s different. Regardless of what happened, the bad blood between them, Jey misses his brother. He does.
Jey knows Jimmy will say what he wants, but Jey doesn’t talk to him no more, doesn’t ride with him no more, doesn’t even see him no more! Jimmy can just come back. Jimmy says he never left! He protected Jey! Jey’s so dumb, he can’t see it! Jimmy is protecting Jey! It was Jey’s idea to leave The Bloodline, but Jimmy helped because he is Jey’s brother. So yeah, Jey leaves, and what happens? Lil’ Bro becomes the BIGGEST star on the Raw roster! Lil’ Bro becomes the top merch seller! Lil’ Bro goes off to become a tag team champion without Jimmy, but with CODY RHODES!? Who left who, Uce?
Jey forgot Jimmy! Everything Jey did that was big was cuz of Big Bro Jimmy! Everything! So listen loud and clear. The biggest moment in Jey’s career, the BIGGEST moment, is because of Jimmy! Jimmy stares Jey down, but Jey says no. Jey’s biggest moment in his career is going to be his dream match at WrestleMania 40: Jey VS Jimmy, and Jey knocks the yeet out Jimmy’s ass! Jey DECKS Jimmy, DECKS Solo off the apron, but then Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jey down! The fans boo but now Solo storms in and looms over Jey. Solo drags Jey up so Jimmy can look him in the face and tell him that Jey needs to get it right! JIMMY made Jey!
But here comes Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up as Cody DECKS Jimmy, then gets in to springboard and CODY CUTTER Solo!! The American Nightmare said he was gonna be a Bloodline Hunter, and he made sure they didn’t take out Jey! Cody tells The Bloodline it is only a matter of time before they lose it all at WrestleMania! Will Jey prove that younger or older doesn’t matter when he is the BETTER brother?
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
He’s telling Nick Aldis to stop being a hypocrite, telling Pearce to keep his roster in check when this is happening. But then Paul Heyman walks over and Pearce says he’ll call Aldis back. Pearce then asks Heyman what was all that, and Heyman says he owes Pearce an apology. He is sorry. That was not authorized by The Final Boss nor The Tribal Chief, and certainly not by Heyman. Jimmy & Solo went into business for themselves so Heyman apologizes. But listen, Pearce knows that there have been flight delays all day. Even private jets like theirs. Heyman is barely even dressed for TV, let alone has his make-up!
Pearce says those two were ready. Yeah, well, they got in on a different flight. But Roman Reigns is a chief of his word. Those two are already gone, out of the arena, and Pearce has Roman’s word. Call his bluff, put out a search party. Pearce knows Heyman is here on official business, which Heyman will handle, and then be gone. That is it. But when Heyman does his official business… everyone will be caught off guard. “And Mr. Pearce, sir, that’s not a prediction. That’s a spoiler.” The Wise Man heads out and calls Roman, but just what is Heyman teasing?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers!
Unlike SmackDown’s mini-tournament, Raw and Adam Pearce say it’s win and you’re in! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano want one more shot at Judgment Day, but so do Julius & Brutus! Will the Sicilian Psycho & Johnny Wrestling prove that when it comes to Mania Moments, you gotta do it yourself? Or will the Creeds be bringing golden tickets to the Diamond Mine?
Raw returns as The Creeds make their entrance. The teams fist bump to show respect, then the teams sort out. Julius starts against Ciampa, they circle and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Ciampa goes for a waistlock but Julius facelocks. Julius wrangles Ciampa to the mat, flips him over, ONE, and Ciampa keeps moving. They trade facelocks, gator roll, and Julius gets another lateral press. ONE, but Julius gator rolls Ciampa around. Ciampa fights up, puts Julius on ropes, and the ref counts. Ciampa lets off, then CHOPS! Julius shoots in for the takedown! Julius has a leg, Ciampa fights but Julius turns him for the ANKLE LOCK!
Ciampa scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and Julius lets off cleanly. Ciampa bails out, shakes it off, and he gets back in. They go again, Julius hits a fireman’s carry takeover! Tag to Brutus, and Julius feeds Ciampa to another fireman’s carry takeover! Brutus cording holds but Ciampa endures. Ciampa fights up, but Brutus facelocks. The fans rally as Brutus switches and rolls Ciampa. Ciampa fights up, headlocks, then ROCKS Brutus! Brutus DECKS Ciampa, then whips him to ropes. Ciampa ducks ‘n’ dodges, tag to Gargano! Ciampa slides, CHOPS, Gargano LARIATS and Ciampa JAWBREAKERS! Wrench and LARIAT!
Julius runs in, Gargano kicks and Ciampa gives him the boost for SLICED BREAD! The Creeds bail out, but DIY DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go the Creeds, and DIY applaud and pat themselves on the back. The fans fire up and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ciampa has Julius in a chinlock. The fans rally, Julius fights up to throw body shots, but Ciampa hits a back suplex! Julius lands out of it, but Ciampa elbows him away. Ciampa drop toeholds Julius, gets legs, but Julius BOOTS Ciampa away! Hot tags to Gargano and Brutus! Brutus rallies on DIY, TOSSES Gargano, then blocks Ciampa’s kick to get under and POWERBOMB him! Brutus sees DIY regroup, then he runs in to SPLASH them both! O’Conner on Ciampa, but Gargano runs up! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Brutus has a DOUBLE BRIDGE, TWO!! Tag to Julius and he gut wrench SLAMS Brutus on Ciampa!
Brutus helps Julius flip up and over to SPLASH onto Ciampa! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Julius drags Ciampa up. Ciampa throat chops! A bit dirty but Ciampa wants that win! Ciampa storms up on Julius, but Julius basement stalling suplexes!! The fans are thunderous, Gargano runs in, but Brutus intercepts! Brutus suplexes Gargano now, stalls, and then the Creeds SLAM and kip up! Then they both STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ciampa stays in this for DIY but the Creeds keep cool. Julius stomps Ciampa, tags Brutus, and they KNEE Ciampa around! Then they DOUBLE GUTBUSTER! Ciampa sputters but Brutus tags Julius in.
Julius drags Ciampa up, tags Brutus back in, and Brutus climbs. Julius Electric Chair Lifts, but Gargano makes the save! Gargano ROCKS Julius, Brutus ROCKS Gargano! Ciampa BOOTS Brutus, Gargano swings on Julius but is sent into Ciampa! Ciampa pushes Gargano back so he can ELBOW Julius! DIY set up again but Brutus stops the Sliced Bread! Julius DECKS Ciampa, KNEE into the WIDOWMAKER! Julius scrapes Gargano out, Brutus POUNCES Ciampa over the desk! Pat fires up with Brutus and so do the fans! The Creeds say they run this now, and then Brutus drags Ciampa up while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Julius has Ciampa in a chinlock. Ciampa fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Ciampa ELBOWS Brutus down, BOOTS Julius, then runs up, only for Julius to catch him and toss him back! But then Ciampa catches Julius for a REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down and crawling! Hot tag to Gargano! Gargano slingshots to KICK Julius, then he CLOBBERS Brutus! ENZIGIRI for Julius, then he runs to DOUBLE KNEE Brutus! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up with Gargano while Julius ends up in another corner. Gargano runs in but is put on the apron!
Gargano GAMANGIRIS Julius, SUPERKICKS Brutus, then SLINGSHOT SPEARS Julius! Cover, TWO! Julius survives but Gargano puts him in a corner. Gargano CHOPS, then hoists Julius up top. Tag to Ciampa, Ciampa CHOPS Julius while Gargano DIVES onto Brutus! Ciampa CHOPS Julius again, goes up top, and fireman’s carries! Ciampa then tucks Julius in for the SUPER AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Julius survives again and shocks Ciampa! The fans are just as stunned, but Ciampa and Julius sit up. Ciampa stands, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Julius sits back up as Ciampa puts some stank on the CHOP!
Julius brings the straps down! Julius fires a forearm, Ciampa hits back, and the fans fire up as the shots keep going! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, meaner and meaner! The fans fire up as this just turns into a brawl of haymakers and SLAPS! Ciampa then gets around, ripcord and HAYMAKER! ROLLING- TACKLE from Julius! And then the ANKLE LOCK!! Ciampa reaches out, moves around, but Gargano runs up! Julius kicks him, then gets him up with one arm to POWERBOMB! Then it’s back to the ANKLE LOCK on Ciampa! Brutus gets in to get Gargano for an ANKLE LOCK of his own!
The fans are thunderous as DIY endures! Ciampa and Gargano fight, turn things over, SICILIAN CROSSFACE and GargaNO Escape!! The fans are thunderous as The Creeds power up and lift both DIY! They fireman’s carry, then TOSS DIY into each other!! The fans are thunderous as Julius goes up to MOONSAULT onto Ciampa! Brutus MOONSAULTS, too! Cover, TWO?!?! Ciampa survives and the fans are loving this! Julius tags back in, Brutus climbs up! “This is Awesome!” as Julius Electric Chair Lifts Ciampa! But Ciampa VICTORY ROLLS to get under the Brutus Ball!! Cover, Brutus tips it! Gargano TOSSES Brutus then SUPERKICKS Julius!! Ciampa has the cover, DIY WINS!!
Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)
Julius can’t believe it! He kicked out at 3.1, but a loss is a loss! And for the first time ever, DIY is going to Mania! Will Philadelphia soon be historic for a DIY championship victory?
Judgment Day meets backstage.
Rhea Ripley is with Dominik Mysterio, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh, but also Andrade. Dom says he’s always liked Andrade’s style, but things have changed since the last time he was in the WWE. The Judgment Day runs Raw now. Rhea says yeah, and they don’t extend invitations to just anyone. Judgment Day is very exclusive. JD says very exclusive. But if Andrade continues to impress them, they’ll see about making things happen. And Finn says he just heard that Andrade has a match next week, so the Judgment Day will be watching him. Sounds good. See you next week. But then in steps Damian Priest.
The Punisher says hello to El Idolo, and El Idolo says hello to Senor Dinero. Andrade heads out, will he quite literally win his way into the club? But as for Priest, Finn asks him what he was up to. Priest was getting a closer look at that DIY VS Creeds match. DIY won, but whatever, they can handle those guys. But JD, they thought he could handle Ricochet last week, and run the gauntlet, and then go to WrestleMania to bring even more gold back to Judgment Day. JD says he did he belonged in there. But also, he battered Ricochet, who got lucky at the end there. Right, Finn? Finn hesitates, and Rhea says Priest is right on this one.
Ricochet made a fool out of JD! A fool? Yes. A fool? Yes. That’s why tonight, Dom will make it right. Right, Dom? Yeah, Mami. Let’s go talk to Pearce to make it official. Dom & JD head out, and the others are confident Dom’s got this. But does he, though? Or will the One and Only have two wins over Judgment Day in as many weeks?
Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!
The Poison Pixie certainly lived up to that name last week when she bullied Maxxine Dupri as part of beating her and Ivy Nile last week. Will Candice’s toxic tongue strike again? Or will the party not be stopped by her harsh vibes?
The teams sort out and Candice starts against Kayden. Candice rushes up, Kayden gets around and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Kayden springboards to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Kayden stalks Candice, Candice ELBOWS her away then tags Indi. Kayden dodges Candice to SUPERKICK, but Indi BOOTS Kayden! Cover, TWO! Indi drags Kayden up, tags Candice back in, and they mug Kayden. Candice CLUBS away on Kayden, fires off furious fists, then covers. TWO, and Candice grows frustrated already. The fans rally, Candice steps up but Kayden avoids the senton! Tags to Katana and Indi! Katana blasts past Indi, comes back and BULLDOGS!
Katana keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS Indi to a corner! The fans fire up as Katana stomps away on Indi! Indi shoves Katana, Katana runs corner to corner to A-LIST LARIAT! Katana shoves Indi down, runs up, but into a back suplex! Katana lands out, but her leg jams! The ref and Kayden check, then the ref keeps Indi back. Indi says okay, and she stays by Candice. But Candice tags in to WRECK Kayden! And she SLAMS Katana’s leg into the post!! HALF CRAB and DEEP! Katana taps, Candice & Indi win!
Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission
Candice smiles and celebrates with Indi, but Indi doesn’t want to. Candice says a win is a win, but just what is going on in her toxic mind?
Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.
NC State fires up again as The American Nightmare walks down the ramp, and this time the fans can sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro then gets the mic. “In less than three weeks time, I will stand opposed for the second year in a row, in the main event, with the lights on brightest, I will challenge for the WWE Undisputed Championship, against the greatest champion in all of sports, The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. And this Friday on SmackDown, Roman and I are going to have a little conversation, if you will. But there are… complications. Factors, elements, combustible elements, namely… The Rock.”
Fans boo but Cody says The Rock took to Instagram on Friday, and followed it up with “extremely entertaining” concert. Too bad The Rock didn’t wanna be here tonight. Something Cody took from the Instagram post: The Rock referred to himself as “Our Favorite Heel.” A bit of an inside term, but we’re not dumb, we know that means he’s the “bad guy.” Cody has known Heels. Bobby Heenan, Arn Anderson, Michael Hayes, “Superstar” Billy Graham, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair! Fans “WOO~” and Cody says he doesn’t think The Rock is a Heel. He’s just an assh*le. The fans go nuts hearing that!
Cody doesn’t want Rock getting upset, he doesn’t want the “seven bucks team” to get upset, he doesn’t want anyone getting emotional. Cody knows how Rock feels about emotions, he poked fun at Cody tearing up at discussing “finishing the story” with good friend, Michael Cole. There’s no crying in pro-wrestling, Jimmy Dugan, we get it. But hasn’t The Rock been crying behind the scenes this whole time? Once that hashtag came out, once fans chanted something else, The Rock cried to his buddies on the TKO board and said “Hey, this is gonna be some good PR for The Rock! I need to save WWE!” God knows, look at this house. They sure needed “saving,” huh?
The fans cheer but Cody says Rock wanted great PR. Until it wasn’t. TKO said OMG yes, put on the Gucci shirt, get those muscles looking big. It’s because they are Yes People, they are enablers, they won’t dare tell The Rock like it is, so Cody’s going to. Cody tells The Rock, “You’re a lot of things. You’re a lot of wonderful things. You are the Braham Bull, you are The Great One.” Cody still has shoes with The Rock’s logo on it! The Rock is the only guy Cody honestly feels is a Mount Rushmore wrestler. But he is also a terrible salesman, a carny succubus, and for those who don’t get what that means, The Rock is “a whiny b*tch!”
Fans lose their minds again but Cody says The Rock has been convinced otherwise. But don’t think that for two seconds this locker room needs The Rock more than The Rock needs it! That’s a rule of wrestling, nobody is bigger than the business! And sure, Cody brought up his mom, so it is fair game for The Rock to use that. But Cody knows The Rock’s mom. Here’s what Cody will tell us about The Rock’s mom. She is a wonderful lady, salt of the earth, she helped Cody chop Kevin in a dark match. Cody has nothing but respect for The Rock’s mom, something The Rock should’ve echoed back towards Cody’s mom.
But see, The Rock was talking about whipping Cody, handing a bloody weight belt to Cody’s mom, and normally someone as powerful as The Rock, Mama Rhodes would tremble. But The Rock doesn’t know Cody’s mom. Cody was more scared than she was, because she ain’t scared of nothing. This is the same woman who once jumped out of her chair at a Willie Nelson concert and beat up an undercover cop! She ain’t afraid of The Rock! Cody has been asked, April 6th, biggest tag match of all time, Rock & Roman VS Cody & Seth. Seth Rollins, the World Heavyweight Champion, a man The Rock should respect because that man has carried The Rock’s company!
How will Cody get past that match? How will April 7th look? Will it be a fair fight? Cody can tell us honestly… He doesn’t know. Cody does not know if it will be Bloodline Rules or not. Hell, he might not #FinishTheStory. “But Dwayne… What do you know? How can you be so sure of your own self, right?” The Rock hasn’t been in the ring in real action in years! April 6th, the bell is gonna ring, and what happens then? Is The Rock gonna bring The Great One, the hero we all had growing up? Is he bringing that #BigDwayneEnergy? Or is it gonna be LDS, Little D*ck Syndrome?! The fans chant “L D S! L D S!”
Cody says The Rock has referred to himself as The Final Boss. Kudos for that nickname, maybe he really is that. Maybe Cody is too naive to see it. But at WrestleMania, Cody doesn’t think The Rock will be The Final Boss. At WrestleMania, he’s just Roman’s side chick. But then ladies and gentlemen, his name is Paul Heyman, and he serves as The Wise Man to Your Tribal Chief, the reigning! Defending! Undisputed! WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman… Reigns! And as Special Counsel to the Bloodline, Heyman is here to say to Cody that the ideals that Cody and Heyman share are far greater than the interests on which they conflict.
By example, don’t you hate it when someone comes out to demand an apology? Not that Cody’s done that, but Heyman is still going to do that. Heyman came out here with some “friends” of his, and he apologized. For a Wise Man, that was pretty freakin’ stupid. One: because it didn’t work. Two: because it was just dumb. And for that, Cody, to you and the fans, Heyman humbly apologizes. Cody says whoa, whoa, whoa. He didn’t ask for an apology, and he certainly knows Heyman wants permission to be in the ring. Heyman is a Hall of Famer starting this year, if he wants into the ring, be Cody’s guest.
Heyman thanks Cody for that but he’s fine on the apron. He carries with him a message from The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Talk about Heels… You may think of Heyman anything negative you want, and that might be understanding the obvious. Heyman is not trustworthy, but Roman is a chief of his word. Heyman assures that this Friday on SmackDown, Roman will be face to face with Cody. American Nightmare, Tribal Chief, challenger and champion. And when they are face to face, there will not be a single other member of The Bloodline in sight. Except for Heyman, but he is no physical threat.
Heyman holds the title belt, the beads, whispers things in Roman’s ear, such as his love and respect. But Cody has Roman’s word that if he shows up on SmackDown, Roman will show up alone. Cody says Roman shows up alone, no Bloodline outside of Heyman, it’s a deal. They good? Heyman has some jet lag, he forgot one little point. And don’t boo him, he’s talking to Cody! Cody says yes they’re booing, and he’s about to go full Homelander and rip Heyman’s throat out if he doesn’t get to the point. Fans like the reference. Heyman composes himself and says if Roman Reigns shows up alone this Friday on SmackDown, then Cody must show up to SmackDown alone, too.
Cody steps closer to Heyman and Heyman is a bit nervous. Cody tells Heyman, “Deal!” They shake hands, and Heyman smiles. The Wise Man negotiated a purely one-on-one meeting between his Tribal Chief and American Nightmare, but can we trust Heyman was telling the truth about Roman telling the truth?
Nia Jax speaks.
“You know what I’ve realized? Becky Lynch has never beaten me. And after tonight, she never will. Because after I break her face again, I will be taking her spot at WrestleMania. I will finish business with Rhea Ripley, and not only will I walk out the Last Woman Standing, but I will become Women’s World Champion.” The Irresistible Force is ready for the Big Time, but will she A-Nia-late her?
Cody Rhodes returns backstage.
And Jey says there he go! But real quick, Cody can’t be going to SmackDown alone. Cody says he gave them his word. But The Bloodline isn’t gonna play fair! They’re all gonna be there! If Cody needs Jey, Jeys’ got him. Cody hears that, but he knows what he’s dealing with. They shake hands and Jey heads out. Will Cody be able to have that fair, one-on-one meeting? Or does Jey have a point about The Bloodline?
Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!
It seems Pearce agreed to the idea that Dirty Dom should try and clean up The Irish Ace’s mess. Will Dom be able to get revenge on Ricochet? Or will Ricochet be the One and Only person holding their head high tonight?
Raw returns and Dom has made his entrance. The bell rings, Dom and Ricochet circle, and they tie up. Ricochet waistlocks, Dom fights the lift and grabs ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet lets off, but Dom ELBOWS him away! Dom fires hands, soaks up the heat, then storms up, but into haymakers! Ricochet CHOPS, kicks then flexes on Dom. Ricochet whips, Dom reverses, but Ricochet goes up and over. Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges to then handspring back elbow! The fans fire up while Dom bails out! JD is there to coach Dom up, but Ricochet runs in! JD gets Dom to safety, but Ricochet handsprings to hero land!
The fans fire up, Ricochet then goes to ropes to TORNILLO PLANCHA! Direct hit on Dom and Ricochet tells JD to back off. Ricochet puts Dom in, Dom distracts the ref, but JD grabs Ricochet’s leg! Ricochet kicks JD away, but then Dom WRECKS Ricochet with a dropkick! Dom soaks up the heat and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Dom has Ricochet up top. Dom climbs but Ricochet throws body shots! The fans rally behind Ricochet as he sends Dom staggering. Ricochet hops down as Dom comes running back, and Ricochet GAMANGIRIS him away! Ricochet then springboards, but Dom trips him up! Ricochet flops to the mat, then Dom kicks and FACEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet is still in this and JD argues the count. Dom looms over Ricochet, scuffs him around, then mockingly cheers him on. Fans boo but Dom brings Ricochet up. Dom gives some Latino Heat, then suplexes! Uno Amigo, but fans boo.
Dom gets Ricochet up but Ricochet suplexes Dom instead! And then fireman’s carry, DYNAMITE KICK! Cover, TWO! Dom is still in this and JD coaches him but the fans rally for Ricochet. Ricochet stands, storms up on Dom, but Dom shoots around to roll him up! With tights! TWO, Ricochet blocks a kick and KICKS Dom down! Ricochet hurries up top, the fans fire up, but Ricochet has to bail out of the 450 as Dom moves! Dom runs in again, but into a SUPERKICK! JD gets on the apron, so Ricochet triangle jump DROPKICKS! But then Dom DROPKICKS Ricochet onto ropes! Dom dials it up but Ricochet ducks!
Dom spins around, into the RECOIL!! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
But then JD runs in! Ricochet dodges, goes up and around, BOOTS JD away, then BOOTS him again! Ricochet even flips up and out of the ring at the same time! Ricochet gets the better of Judgment Day again, just how disappointed is Mami going to be in her Latino Heat this time?
Sami Zayn is backstage.
He finds Chad Gable and wants to talk with him. Last week’s match, that was an honor. Sami hasn’t been pushed like that in a long time, it could’ve gone either way. Gable says yeah, it was great. Thanks. Is Gable alright? Yeah, he’s fine. Kinda feels like not… Gable says he’s fine, so leave it at that. C’mon, man, how many years have they known each other? Sami knows when something’s bothering Gable, so he should just say it. Gable says look, last week, the WrestleMania opportunity, the whole thing, it just meant more to him. Sami says he’s been hearing Gable say that for weeks, and it is really unfair.
Does Gable really think he’s the only one this title opportunity matters to? Sami has a family, too! Sami’s kid cries when Papa loses a match, too. Sami has people he’s let down and is trying to make proud. After all the years put into this, Gable can’t tell Sami what matters more because he doesn’t know Sami like that. Gable has Sami calm down, and says he knows all that. But it isn’t all about that. Then what is all this? Gable says Sami can’t beat Gunther. Gable then leaves, and Sami is at a loss for words. Is this bitter side of Gable only going to get worse as we go down this Road to WrestleMania?
Adam Pearce is in the ring.
Raw returns with the GM by a table, and he welcomes us to a contract signing to make official the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship for WrestleMania! The fans cheer, and Pearce introduces first, the challenger, Sami Zayn! The Great Liberator makes his entrance and the fans sing along with his song. Sami still looks troubled by what Gable said just moments ago, but he still high-fives fans and gets in the ring. Then Pearce introduces the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time, Der Ring General, GUNTHER! The fans boo as Gunther walks in, having reached Day 647!
Gunther smiles as Sami watches him make his way down the ramp and into the ring. Pearce says we know how this works, but Gunther says before we proceed, let us call this what it is: the most important contract signing for the most important match in the history of this championship. And why, why, why is the challenger dressed no better than any of the bums in the audience? Fans boo but Sami just shrugs that off. Sami gets a mic to say that Gunther keeps sitting there all smug, and it’s really starting to piss Sami off. Gunther thinks this is just another day at the office, that he’ll steamroll through Sami like any other contender.
But with all respect to Gunther, he really has. He has beaten everyone that has come his way, and has done it on his own. Gunther doesn’t believe Sami can do it. A lot of people didn’t believe Sami at many points in his career. They didn’t believe he’d even make it to WWE, let alone win championships and main event a WrestleMania. And if you ask The Usos, they didn’t believe Sami would be one of the guys to end the longest tag title reign in WWE history, but he did! And one year later, he will make history again by ending the longest Intercontinental title reign in WWE history! Sami signs his part and pushes the contract over to Gunther.
The fans cheer Sami on but Gunther waits it out. Gunther tells Sami, what Sami should do is listen to his new friend, Gable. Gable doesn’t believe Sami can win. The people here cheer Sami, they probably even love Sami. But even they don’t believe Sami can win. And y’know, when Gunther looks Sami in the eyes, and if Sami was honest with himself, even Sami doesn’t believe he can win. So what Sami is doing right now is standing on Gunther’s doorstep and begging him to get the beating of a lifetime on the Grandest Stage of Them All! So whatever Sami has to do, from training to believing, just keep doing that. Because at WrestleMania, Sami’s dreams will meet reality.
Gunther grins and signs his part, and it is now official! Gunther then stands, title on his shoulder, and takes his leave. The fans boo, but then Sami tells Gunther to wait. Gunther steps back inside to hear Sami as Sami turns around. Gunther looks in Sami’s eyes and believes Sami doesn’t believe? Sami stands to get in Gunther’s face and dares him to look again. Get a good long look, because these are the eyes of the man who will take you down at Mania! The fans fire up, and now Sami leaves first. Gunther still just grins, but will Sami use a Helluva Kick to wipe that smile off his face?
We follow Sami as he storms backstage, right past DIY and The Awesome Truth. Truth asks what’s up with Sami, but The Miz says that is the mindset of WrestleMania right there. That’s what they need. DIY wishes Awesome Truth luck. Awesome Truth knows DIY is into the ladder match, and they are gonna have their own qualifier. Miz & Truth just need to beat… Indus Sher. Jinder Mahal tells Veer & Sanga to warm up for the match. They head out, and Truth says he feels sorry for whoever has to face those guys. Miz stares at Truth, and he has DIY hold off. Miz will explain. The Awesome Truth heads to gorilla, their match is next!
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher w/ Jinder Mahal!
Miz wants a remix of the theme song but Truth says to just follow his lead. NC State knows what’s up, but will the Awesome Truth finally reach the top of the tag division 13 years after they first teamed? We’ll see, after the break!
Raw returns as Indus Sher makes their entrance, the Modern Day Maharaja by their side. The teams sort out and Truth starts against Sanga. The fans echo “WHAT’S UP?!” but Sanga roars! Truth is scared now so he tags Miz. Truth fires Miz up, Miz runs up and dodges Sanga to fire off haymakers! Miz kicks, whips, but Sanga blocks! Sanga whips and CLOBBERS Miz! Jinder nods as Sanga then scoops Miz and brings him over. Veer tags in, Sanga SLAMS Miz, then Veer ELBOW DROPS! Indus Sher say “NAMASTE!” but the fans say “WHAT’S UP!?” with Truth. Veer HIP DROPS Miz, then looms over him.
Veer eggs Miz on, drags him up with shoulder claws, and then steps over Miz for the neck wrench! Miz endures as Veer still digs a claw into his shoulder. The fans rally for Miz, Miz fights up and throws body shots! Miz reaches out but Veer knees low! Veer SHOVES Miz to the corner, runs in, but Miz BOOTS! Miz ELBOWS Sanga, but Veer catches him! Veer puts Miz back int he corner, but Miz ducks the boot to tag Truth! Truth dodges Veer and starts up the shoulder tackles! Truth gets around Veer to SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Truth shouts out Cena with “You Can’t See Me!” Truth runs to Five Knuckle Shuffle!
Jinder is not happy now as Truth fireman’s carries! But Veer slips free! Truth drop toeholds to the STF!! The fans fire up but Sanga stomps Truth! Miz fires off kicks on Sanga, then body shots! Truth joins in, they mug and whip Sanga, to DOUBLE DROPKICK! Sanga staggers around, Veer runs up, but into a full nelson! Truth and Miz combine for a SKULL CRUSHING LIE DETECTOR!! But Sanga whips Miz away! Miz WRECKS Jinder with it, but Sanga runs up! Sanga knocks Miz down, Miz anchors Sanga, Sanga ELBOWS Truth, Truth falls onto Veer for the cover! Awesome Truth wins!!
Winners: The Awesome Truth, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)
The fans fire up, and Truth doesn’t even realize what happened! Miz celebrates with Truth and Truth puts it together! They’re now one of the six in the ladder match! Will this combination of teamwork and luck be just what they need to take those titles from Judgment Day?
Sami confronts Gable now.
Sami tells Gable to tell him why. Why what? Why does Gable think Sami can’t beat Gunther? Well you just saw why! With Gunther, it isn’t just physical, it is mental. Sami made his career out of being the underdog that crawls his way out of any hole he’s in, right? Just like last week! Sami found the window of opportunity to get out of a bad situation any time he can. Gunther’s on a different level! You gonna sit and wait for that window to appear? It doesn’t happen with Gunther! He’s a different beast, a different animal. If Sami doesn’t change his mentality, then he can’t beat Gunther. Gable leaves Sami with a lot to think again. Is there a way Sami can change enough to defeat Der Ring General?
CM Punk speaks.
“Do I plan at being in WrestleMania? WrestleMania is in Philadelphia, what’re the first four letters in Philadelphia? Phil. You can’t have WrestleMania Philadelphia without Phil. Whether I’m invited or uninvited, Punk will be there.” And next week in Chicago, Punk returns to Raw! Will the Second City Saint find a way to be part of the biggest WrestleMania ever?
Drew McIntyre is here!
The Scottish Terminator, or as his new shirt says, “The Savior of WrestleMania,” makes his way to the ring, NC State a bit torn about seeing him. But then Seth Rollins is here, too!? McIntyre is upset but the fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary struts his way out. Rollins swaggers right past McIntyre in his green storm pattern suit, and steps into the ring first. McIntyre frowns as he follows Rollins in, and sits in a corner. The fans continue to sing, which Rollins revels in for a moment. Rollins has the mic to then say, “RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA~! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins~!
“And Drew, hah, sorry, I didn’t even see you there. I was too busy, uh, y’know, soaking up the spotlight, right?” McIntyre has a mic to say, “Alright, here we go.” Here goes what, Drew? McIntyre says no, no, get it all out of your system, he knows Rollins has more! McIntyre can stay in the back while Rollins enjoys the spotlight, because after WrestleMania, that spotlight’s all McIntyre’s. Hey, hey, c’mon. Rollins is here with an honest cause. Rollins doesn’t like McIntyre, he thinks he’s stupid, a hypocrite, has said a lot of dumb things lately, but Rollins is here to admit that one thing McIntyre said is absolutely right and he wants to say it to McIntyre’s face, right here in Raleigh, in front of the fine people.
Now, they always say the first step to recovery is the hardest, so bare with Rollins. He has been working on this all week, but… “My name is Seth Freakin’ Rollins, and I’m a spotlight junkie.” The fans chant “Spotlight Junkie!” and also sing, but McIntyre says everything is just a joke to Rollins, isn’t it? Look at Rollins! He’s a parody of himself at this point. But honestly, McIntyre doesn’t care. He tried reasoning, he gave the answers, and now he only cares about their match and the world title. And you wanna know the real punchline, funny man? “What?” McIntyre says they say that because they’re happy McIntyre sidelined Punk, thanks for remembering!
But the punchline is when McIntyre beats Rollins for that title. The fans chant for “C M PUNK!” but McIntyre says don’t be ridiculous. Punk’s waiting until next week to return because he’d never show up in a place like Raleigh. The fans boo but McIntyre says see, they’re booing Punk! Punk is only getting off his couch to be at his local arena. Rollins tells McIntyre to shut up already. Oh, seems McIntyre got Rollins’ attention. Rollins takes off the sunglasses to say yeah, McIntyre has his attention. Because this isn’t a joke! When Rollins says he is a junkie, it isn’t a joke! He’s been doing this for 20 YEARS! Just like McIntyre!
And every time Rollins comes out of the curtain, that’s his fix. And it gets better and better every single time. Rollins comes out here, lays it all on the line, and it just gets better and better! When he hears the fans sing the song so loud, Rollins can barely speak, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” That’s Rollins’ fix! That is the spotlight he craves, and y’know what? Rollins wants the spotlight as bright as it can possibly be. So yeah, McIntyre’s been busy online entertaining people with memes, so he hasn’t been listening to Rollins. So Rollins will get this through McIntyre’s thick skull: Night One, Rollins takes the biggest star in Hollywood and his side chick, and makes them his b*tches!
Then on Night Two, the biggest spotlight possible will be shined down on McIntyre and Rollins and the World Heavyweight Championship! McIntyre says all hail the savior, Seth Rollins! This is what McIntyre wanted! The passion and desire, not the stupid laughing and dancing. Rollins had McIntyre all the way to the finish. Rollins has done this 20 years, just like McIntyre. They’ve given their lives to this industry, and that is what the title is about! The wrestlers’ title, the workhorse championship! Rollins had McIntyre with him until he mentioned the bigger spotlight and how Rollins pins one of the biggest stars in the world.
Why can’t it just be about Rollins’ hard work to make that title, and all of McIntyre’s hard work to get this chance? Why can’t that be the reason they’re getting the biggest spotlight!? Rollins has had his priorities all backwards, McIntyre has been giving him all the answers. McIntyre said he is over the BS, and all he cares about is Rollins making it to the ring on Night Two. And if Rollins can’t walk, then McIntyre will wheel him down. If not, McIntyre will carry Rollins down. At Mania, McIntyre doesn’t get the moment he deserves. He gets the moment he has bloody EARNED. The fans do cheer that!
Rollins smirks and says, “Ah, Drew. There it is. That’s right, you wanna call me a spotlight junkie, but you want the spotlight just as bad as I do, don’t you? You’re an addict, just like I am. And you’ve been begging for spotlight for the past four years, because you won the WrestleMania main event. You did, back in 2020, in an empty warehouse. And all we’ve been hearing from Drew McIntyre for the past four years was how that wasn’t good enough. You’ve been whining and complaining and bitching and moaning that you deserve better, that you deserve more. The problem is, Drew, when everybody came back around, and the lights got bright again, what happened? You fumbled the ball.
“And that’s the difference between you and me. When the lights are the brightest, I shine, baby. I shine bright. And at WrestleMania 40, the lights are gonna be as bright as they have ever been. And you are gonna find out you are not as good as you think you are.” Rollins drops the mic, but this time McIntyre smirks. The verbal battle continues, but who will put their money where their mouth is once this one finally happens?
Becky Lynch speaks.
“I’m a wanted woman, and I don’t even have the title. Yet. But we’re less than three weeks away from WrestleMania, so why would I risk it all? Because I don’t know anything else. All I know is taking risks. All I know is fighting. And all I know is tonight, I’m gonna be the Last Woman Standing.” Becky is fired up to finally do what she hasn’t done in the most extreme way possible. Will she be the immovable object to Nia’s irresistible force?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy!
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods have been W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~, but they’ve never been a part of a title match as big as this Six Pack Ladder challenge! Will they look to be part of history once again? Or will Akira Tozawa & Otis say “A THANK YEW~!” for this golden opportunity?
Raw returns as the Academy makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Woods starts against the tree trunk, Otis. The fans rally for “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Otis and Woods tie up, but Woods kicks low then headlocks. Otis powers up and out then runs Woods over! Otis storms up on Woods, GUT RAMS him back down, then brings him back up. Otis GUT RAMS Woods again, then runs to CLOBBER Woods! Otis swivels his hips, the fans echo “Oh~ yeah!” Otis tags Tozawa and the Academy mugs Woods. Tozawa brings Woods around but Woods CHOPS! Woods tags Kofi, he and Kofi double whip Tozawa but Tozawa holds ropes!
Tozawa fires hands, dodges Woods then BOOTS Woods down! Kofi kicks low, whips Tozawa to a corner, but Tozawa BOOTS Kofi away! Tozawa goes up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up as Tozawa sees New Day regroup outside. Tozawa runs to DIVE! Direct hit on both New Day, and Otis joins in for “A THANK YEW~!” The Academy stands tall as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Tozawa fights a chinlock. Tozawa reaches for Otis but Woods back suplexes. Tozawa lands out to then DROPKICK Woods down! The fans rally as Woods and Tozawa crawl, hot tags to Otis and Kofi! Otis CLOBBERS Kofi, CLOBBERS him again, then whips him to ropes. WRECKER ELBOW! Woods runs in, Otis dodges, to LARIAT! Otis sees Kofi leap off the corner, and catches him for a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Otis rips the shirt off, winds up the hips, and then starts up the CATERPILLAR! ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Kofi survives but Otis hurries to step on him! Tag to Tozawa, and Otis goes up!
Otis VADER BOMBS but FLOPS as Kofi moves! Tozawa hurries up top while Kofi SUPERKICKS Otis! Kofi turns around into the CROSSBODY from Tozawa! Cover, TWO! Tozawa SUPERKICKS Kofi but Woods tags in! Woods GAMANGIRIS Tozawa, then steps in to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Tozawa toughs it out but Woods grits his teeth as he goes to the corner. Woods climbs, but Tozawa rises! Tozawa throws body shots, Woods CLUBS Tozawa! Tozawa throws more hands and climbs up! The fans rally as they brawl up top! Tozawa brings Woods up but Woods fights the lift! Woods throws body shots in return!
Woods shifts position to get under Tozawa for a fireman’s carry! But then Tozawa pops up to SUPER STEINER!! Tozawa rips off his shirt, climbs back up top, SUPER SENTON!! Cover, Kofi breaks it! The fans fire up but Otis drags Kofi out! Otis whips Kofi at steps, Kofi goes up and jumps off the steps to TORNADO DDT to the floor! Kofi hurries back up to the apron but Tozawa SCREW HIGH KICKS him down! Tozawa dodges Woods, pop-up, but Woods blocks the rana to then SPINNING POWERBOMB! Woods sees the WrestleMania sign, hurries up the corner, and he tightrope walks! LIMIT BREAK ELBOW!! Cover, New Day wins!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)
The New Day are the ones saying A THANK YEW~ as they put their names down for the Six Pack Ladder Match! Will they once again climb to the top of the WWE Tag Team Division and bring home those championships?
Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.
Becky asks if she’ll have to watch out for Liv as well. Well, you should always #WatchMe, but no, not tonight. Nia is all Becky’s. Liv just wants Becky to kick Nia’s ass. Liv leaves, will Becky kick ass and then some?
Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.
Rollins finds him and brings up Friday. One on one? One on one. Rollins nods and says he loves Pharaoh’s bandanna. The Visionary trusts the American Nightmare can handle himself, but will we be able to trust The Tribal Chief?
Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!
From the origins of “The Man” in WWE to the aftermath of Elimination Chamber: Perth, these two have battled, but never as brutally as this! They’re able to go anywhere and do anything, but who will be the Last Woman Standing this close to WrestleMania 40?
The bell rings and the two rush in! Becky DROPKICKS Nia and Nia goes to a corner. Becky runs in but Nia puts Becky on the apron. Becky ROCKS Nia, goes up a corner, then leaps to MISSILE DROPKCIK! Nia stumbles and tumbles out of the ring, so Becky WRECKS her with another dropkick! Becky then goes to the apron for a FLYING FOREARM! Nia stays up, Becky tries again, but Nia dodges! Fireman’s carry and Nia POSTS Becky, to then SAMOAN DROP her into barriers! The ref counts as Becky is down, but she stands at 4 of 10. Nia CLOBBERS Becky and wants the count! The count climbs but Nia is impatient.
Nia clears off the desk, Becky stands at 5 of 10, and she leans against barriers. Becky comes back with body shots and haymakers, but Nia ROCKS her with a forearm! Becky staggers away as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Becky is bringing out a table! The fans fire up as Becky sets that up ringside. There’s been a lot of chaos during the break according to commentary, from chairs to kendo sticks to even a copy of Becky’s book, The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl! But Nia storms over to stop Becky and SMACK her off the desk! Nia puts Becky in the ring, takes that table for her own and sets it up. The table doesn’t cooperate and fans boo, but Nia goes for chairs instead. She slides those in the ring, Becky manages to stand at 7 of 10, and she grabs at those chairs. Nia ditches the table, it just doesn’t wanna work.
Nia storms in but Becky JAMS her with a chair, SMACKS her with it, then clinches! Nia fights the slam, fireman’s carries Becky, and FULL METAL SAMOAN DROPS!! Becky writhes from hitting chairs but Nia looms over her. Nia soaks up the heat as she counts along. Becky flounders to ropes and drags herself up at 7! Nia sits a chair up, fans want a table, but Nia scoops Becky. Becky slips around to a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Becky into buckles again and again until Becky lets go. But then Becky BULLDOGS Nia off the chair! Nia is down for the count now, and Becky leans against ropes to stay up herself.
Nia stirs at 5, stands at 8, but Becky is up top! Becky leaps, into a CHAIR SHOT! Nia SMACKS Becky again and again and again! The fans boo but Nia finally stops. Nia puts that chair aside and goes out to get some kendo sticks! Nia puts those in, but Becky grabs one! Nia snatches it from her to SMACK! And SMACK! And SMACK! Becky sputters and staggers, Nia clinches and scoops! Nia SLAMS Becky onto chairs! Then Nia runs to drop the leg, brother! Nia wants the count and the count begins! Becky sputters as we reach 5 of 10. Becky grabs that kendo stick but Nia SMACKS Becky with a chair! And again!
Nia kicks Becky around, then uses the chair to take a seat on Becky’s body!! The fans boo as the count begins, but Becky SMACKS Nia with the kendo stick! And again and again and again, even in the butt! Nia stands up, into more shots! Becky stands and she fires away until Nia scurries out of the ring! Becky pursues but Nia CLOBBERS her! Nia pulls the steel steps apart now, and takes that top half to RAM Becky down! Becky flounders, Nia hauls her up and puts her in the ring. Becky’s on the apron and Nia takes aim! Nia runs up, APRN LEG DROP only gets apron! Becky avoids disaster, then has Nia by the steps! DDT onto the steel!
Nia is down again and the count begins. Nia stirs at 5 of 10, sits up at 6, but Becky SMACKS her off steps! Nia falls over again and the count resets. Becky hurries to go looking for things while Nia rises again. Becky has a new table! The fans fire up as Becky gets that in the ring. Nia stands at 7, staggers after Becky, and Raw goes back to break.
Raw returns once again and Nia mugs Becky against barriers! Nia puts Becky on a table, and surprise! There’s a ladder set up now! Nia climbs the ladder?! She also demands Pat support the ladder. But Becky gets off the table so now Nia has no reason to be up there. Nia storms after Becky, but gets a FIRE EXTINGUISHER BLAST!! The fans fire up as Becky cools Nia off, then JAMS her with the canister! Becky puts Nia in the ring, and there’s a table waiting in a corner! Becky lines up the shot, and runs in, but Nia SAMOAN DROPS Becky through the table!!! Both women are down in the wreckage and the count begins!
Nia flounders away from the wreckage but she still needs to stand. Nia is up at 5, and she isn’t satisfied with this! She drags Becky all the way to another corner and puts her in the drop zone! Nia climbs up, for the A-NIA-LATOR!! Nia shouts for the count, the count begins, and Nia storms around as she points to the Mania sign. Becky is still down at 5 of 10, only starts stirring at 7, and she slumps out of the ring to stand up! Nia is furious, goes out after Becky, and kicks things aside to keep after her. Nia asks if Becky’s vision is blurry. Nia fireman’s carries Becky up the steel steps and along the apron, aiming for that other table!
The fans freak out but Becky fights with elbows! Becky CLUBS away on Nia and the fans are thunderous! Becky then clinches, for a MANHANDLE SLAM through the table!!! Both women are down int he wreckage again, and the count begins! Becky sits up at 4 while fans are still losing their minds! We pass 5 of 10, then 7! Nia sits up at 8 and stands at 9! But then she slumps back over! The count starts again, Nia flounders around and stands at 5. Becky goes up the ladder! Becky sees Nia approaching the desk, and then SUPER MAN’S LEG DROP through the desk!!! The fans lose their minds again while both men are down in more wreckage!
The count is 5 of 10! Becky flounders and crawls, drags herself up at 9, but Nia is still down! BECKY WINS!!
Winner: Becky Lynch
The Man conquers truly one of the most intense challenges in her career! But then here comes one of the most intense champions! The fans fire up as Rhea Ripley makes her way out, Women’s World Championship in hand. She goes right to the ring and looks at Becky. Rhea “congratulates” Becky for winning, but then Becky gets in Rhea’s face! The fans fire up, and now there are no obstacles in the way of Mami VS The Man! Who will be the champion after WrestleMania 40?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw right here, though the in-ring action kinda dipped down until that awesome Last Woman Standing main event. This is one of the times I wish they’d done picture in picture so we as the TV audience could see even more action. Great win for Becky, of course, but I also like that Becky had a moment with Liv just before, and of course she had a moment with Rhea to close out the night. Great promos with Sami and Gable that also blended into the contract signing from tonight. And I suppose Gable has a point that Sami, the comeback kid, can’t do that when Gunther has an arsenal of moves that would be “finishers” given all the different ways Gunther has won over the years.
And speaking of that contract signing segment, I really liked the segue they did in following Sami so that he’d cross paths with Awesome Truth at gorilla and we’d get their segment going into their match. WWE has been doing some really creative stuff in this newest era where Vince is truly out and apparently even Kevin Dunn has moved on. Awesome Truth had a really fun but also really quick tag match with Indus Sher, and then New Day VS Alpha Academy was solid stuff, but DIY VS Creeds was such an awesome match. For a moment, I thought Creeds were gonna take this one but DIY still found a way, and I like that DIY is in. Honestly, I’m liking that the HHH favorites are getting in, because we also have New Catch Republic on the other side that can still win into the match.
Judgment Day had good stuff tonight, too. Good group promo with Andrade to tease El Idolo possibly joining, but who knows if he does. Depends on how things go for Priest. He was watching the qualifiers, he’s not worried, but maybe he should be. Granted, he still has the MITB briefcase, he could go from losing the tag titles to taking the world title, who knows how the Judgment Day’s story is going to go as we move past Mania. Dom VS Ricochet was a really good match, and Ricochet winning was the right move to keep this feud going. I think there’s going to be Ricochet VS McDonagh next week as a rematch from the gauntlet, that’ll be great stuff, too.
Candice’s Heel turn slow burn continues as she takes advantage of the “hurt” leg. Indi also does a good job of being very conflicted about this. There’s a WWE YouTube exclusive where Ivy Nile confronts Candice so that’ll be a match, and then maybe when Candice again goes too far, Indi steps in and we get a match of Candice VS Indi at some point. Good little update promo from CM Punk, he’ll have a great homecoming moment in Chicago, but also probably McIntyre coming after him. McIntyre had a great promo segment with Rollins, and with all these continued moments where the other person gets the mic drop moment, it feels like McIntyre has to win the title.
And of course, great stuff with the Bloodline story even on Raw. Jey and Jimmy have great promos in their confrontation, and of course it turns into a brawl. Good segue from that to Heyman being here, and Heyman confronting Cody during Cody’s great promo segment. Cody really went off on The Rock, that was some wild stuff. But the supposed promise of “one on one and no one else aside from Heyman” might be kept, and we get a strong promo segment on SmackDown in a foreshadowing of the fair-and-square 1v1 match. Or it is a trap and that’s more a foreshadowing of Bloodline Rules where they can do whatever they want. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
My Score: 8.9/10
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We’re just one step away from the Cup!
Cold Skull faces The Fierce Warrior, and Gene Blast faces The King of Darkness, and when the smoke clears, we will have our New Japan Cup finalists!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Boltin Oleg & Shoma Kato VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Mikey Nicholls; ZSJ & Mikey win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Tomohiro Ishii & Togi Makabe VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
- Tanga Loa & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman; Loa & Taguchi win.
- Six Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Toru Yano & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & YOH VS The House of Torture; Shota, ELP, Leo & Yoh win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
- 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL; Tsuji wins and advances to the finals.
- 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and advances to the finals.
PLAY BY PLAY
2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
The Gene Blast overcame the tricks Ren Narita tried, but that’s because the House of Torture was saving all the good stuff so they could slay the Rampaging Dragon. Will the deck be even more stacked to make sure Everything is Evil’s? Or will Yota be one step away from LIJ VS LIJ at Sakura Genesis?
Well, Dick is making his way out here, but where is Evil? Oh, there he is. No tricks just yet it seems. But then Yota DIVES onto Evil! The fans fire up but Dick attacks Yota! Dick whips, Yota stops himself, and then scoops Dick for a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota wants the bell. The ref says yes, ring the bell, and this is on the record! Yota stomps and CLUBS Evil, then whips, but Evil reverses! Yota hits railing, and then Evil whips him into more railing! Evil CHOKES Yota against the railing, Yota fights back, but the ref gets knocked aside! Evil puts Yota in so he and Dick can stomp away!
The fans boo but here comes the rest of the House already! Narita, Yujiro, Kanemaru and Jack all stomp away on Yota, but here come Bushi & Hiromu! It’s a replay of yesterday as LIJ fights off the House, but the numbers are still against them! The ref rushes in to tell everyone to stop! Evil shoves the ref out of the ring, Yota fires off on him, but Evil CLAWS Yota’s eyes! The House CHOKES LIJ, but the ref says stop! The bell rings, but what is the decision!? NO CONTEST!?
No Contest
What does this mean!? Someone has to advance, right? The finals aren’t until the 20th, how can there be a no contest? The House started this, where’re the consequences?! Yota gets up but Evil TOSSES him back out! LIJ regroups and Yota asks for a mic. Yota tells Evil that he’s sick and tired of this! They ARE gonna finish this match! The fans like the sound of that! All the refs come out, including Red Shoes, to discuss how this will be handled. For starters, they tell all the extras to get outta here! LIJ is cool with that, and Hiromu tells the House to come along. Evil says fine, and Jack, Kanemaru, Narita, Yujiro and even Dick reluctantly exit.
The announcement is officially made, and the bell rings! Yota and Evil rush in, Evil kicks low but Yota CLUBS away on Evil! Evil CLAWS the eyes! Evil kicks, runs, RAMS, but Yota rebounds to run Evil over! Then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Evil bails out but the fans rally for Yota. Evil wants Yota to stay back, then he slides in, only to slide right out! Yota runs out after Evil, but Evil kicks him! Evil RAMS Yota into the timekeeper! Abe-san and his table go flying! Evil gets the mic to tell Yota that this is what he gets! The fans boo but Evil tells them off, too! Evil stomps Yota then soaks up the heat.
Evil unties the blue buckle pad himself, then waits in the ring. The ref checks Yota and the fans rally up again. The Young Lions help Abe-san while Yota drags himself up. Yota slides in, the fans cheer, but Evil pulls on Yota’s hair! Evil wrenches the hair, then wrenches it again! And again! Evil CLUBS the hair! The ref reprimands but Evil just dusts off his hands. Evil covers, but the ref refuses to count! Evil is furious but he’s the one up to no good! The ref still says no, so Evil stands on Yota’s head. The fans rally up, Yota rises, and he grins as he winds up to ROCK Evil with a forearm! And ROCK him with another!
Yota ROCKS Evil again, but Evil whips him into the bare buckles! Yota falls and the ref reprimands about the missing buckle pad. Evil stomps Yota, covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Evil is annoyed. Evil scuffs Yota, taunts him, and drags him up. Evil CHOPS, Yota drops to his knees, but Evil stands him back up. Evil CHOPS again and Yota grits his teeth as he drops to his knees! Evil stands Yota up again, to fake the chop to CLAW the eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off, and then Evil stands on Yota in a corner. The ref counts, Evil lets go of the ropes but that’s not the problem! Evil steps away, drags Yota up but claims he’s dead weight.
The ref checks, Evil stands Yota up and wrenches an arm. Evil whips Yota into a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Evil runs in again, blocks the boot, but Yota brings Evil in for the STOMP! The fans fire up while Yota rests on the mat. The fans rally up and Yota rises again. Evil’s in the corner, runs out, but into the BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! The fans fire up again as Yota stands back up. Yota runs, to CURB STOMP!! Yota roars and the fans fire up again! Evil flounders while Yota aims. Yota runs in, but the ref is used as a shield! Evil kicks Yota low, then uses the ref in MAGIC KILLER!
All three men are down while the fans rally up again. Evil stands, he brings Yota up, and the ref also rises. Evil whips Yota into the bare buckles, then clotheslines him in! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, but Evil lets off?! Evil wants to torture Yota but it’s hard to say if Yota is still even in this. Yota opens his eyes, rises up, but Evil fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives, the fans fire up, but Evil is furious! Evil slashes his throat and vows to end this now! Evil drags Yota up, spins him around, but Yota fights the STO with elbows! Evil kicks low, whips again, but Yota stops from hitting buckles!
Evil runs in, Yota dodges and Evil hits the buckles! SUPERKICK!! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! We’re only ten minutes into this new match but this is on top of the madness from earlier. Evil drags Yota up, but Yota ROCKS Evil! Evil fights Yota’s fireman’s carry and CLUBS him, but both men wobble. Evil LARIATS, but Yota stays up! The fans fire up but Evil swings to LARIAT again! Yota drops to a knee, but he grins through the pain! Evil says alright, and he throws off his elbow pad. Evil runs to LARIAT! Yota grits his teeth to stay up! V-TRIGGER! Yota brings Evil in, suplexes, ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!!
Evil is still in this but the fans rally behind Yota again. Yota rises, drags Evil up, and then goes to the corner. Yota goes up and up and Evil moves the ref into the way! The ref takes the FLYING CURB STOMP!!! And now the House returns! The fans boo as Kanemaru, Dick, Yujiro, Narita & Jack all stomp away on Yota again! The fans tell them to go home, again, but these guys don’t care! They just put one out on Yota. They whip Yota to a corner, then DIck runs in to ELBOW! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Yujiro BOOTS! Jack SPLASHES! Narita ELBOWS! Then they snapmare and set Yota up! Dick climbs for the DICK CHOP!!
The fans boo but the House applauds their own dirtiness. But here come Bushi & Hiromu again! But they just get mugged again! They set Hiromu up for the DICK CHOP, while Bushi gets a JACK CHOP! The House then slithers away before a replacement ref rushes out here. Evil drags Yota up, winds up and runs, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota survives and the fans are thunderous! Evil is at a loss for words, but he slashes his throat! He vows to end it for real, and he reels Yota in. EVERYTHING IS- Yota flips through!? And HEADBUTTS!! The fans fire up as Yota reels Evil in for a fireman’s carry! 70 CROSS!! Cover, TWO!!
Evil survives the swinging spinebuster and the House cheers! Yota drags himself to a corner, drags himself up with the ropes, and roars as he takes aim! Evil rises, but Yujiro distracts! Dick runs in, but gets a V-TRIGGER! The ref sees Dick, but misses the LOW BLOW! Then Evil RAMS Yota into the ref! That’s the second ref this match! Narita gets his push-up bar! The others set Yota up, but here comes SHINGO TAKAGI! The Rampaging Dragon has seen enough, and he’s still pissed from yesterday as it is! He dodges Narita to PUMPING BOMBER! Kanemaru & Yujiro kick Takagi, double whip, but he DOUBLE PUMPING BOMBERS!!
Jack gets in, but he gets ELBOW, JAB and YUKON LARIAT! Evil runs up but Takagi SWATS Evil’s lariat to JAB! Then feed to Hiromu’s SUPERKICK! Hiromu & Takagi set Evil up for Bushi’s BLACK MIST!! Evil can’t see, the PUMPING BOMBER turns him inside-out!! The fans are thunderous as LIJ helps Yota up! Red Shoes hurries out here, and Yota aims at Evil! GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, Yota wins!!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
The House of Torture ran out of tricks, and now there is light at the end of the tournament! Will Yota do LIJ proud and bring home the Cup?
2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!
One down, one to go. Yota Tsuji has made it through, now we see who joins him in the finals! Will the Cold Skull or Fierce Warrior be the one that steps closer to former glory?
The bell rings and the fans duel between “GO-TO-O!” and “SA-NA-DA!” Red Shoes measures the levels, and it seems to slightly favor Goto. Goto and Sanada circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto gets some leverage to put Sanada against ropes, but he lets off slowly. Goto pats Sanada on the shoulders and the fans cheer. The two reset, circle again, and tie up again. It’s another deadlock, but again Goto finds a way to put Sanada on ropes. Sanada turns things around, lets off slowly, and also pats Goto on the shoulders. The fans applaud and the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, then move to a clinch.
They fight for control, Sanada starts pushing Goto towards a corner but Goto slips away. They feel things out, knuckle lock again, then break. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Goto waistlocks, but Sanada wrenches to wristlock. Goto rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, but Sanada spins, wrenches, only for Goto to roll! Goto gets a leg to trip Sanada up, and he has a toehold. Sanada fights back with a chinlock but Goto pulls on the leg. Sanada uses his free leg to hook Goto into an ARMBAR, but Goto clasps hands! Goto moves around, pops free, then headlocks. Sanada fights up, Goto grinds the headlock, but Sanada throws body shots.
Sanada powers up and out, but Goto runs him over! The fans rally as things speed up, and Goto counters hip toss with hip toss! Goto runs and he clotheslines Sanada up and out! The fans fire up and Goto slides out after Sanada. Goto stomps Sanada, drags him up, then CLUBS him on the neck! Sanada staggers, Goto CHOPS him, then kicks him, then CLUBS him! Goto whips but Sanada stops himself from hitting railing! Goto runs in but Sanada drop toeholds him into the railing! Goto goes down in a heap, but Sanada opens the gate. Sanada brings Goto through, then to the crowd! PILEDRIVER to the bare floor!
The fans are stunned but Red Shoes reprimands. Sanada leaves Goto behind and slides into the ring. The fans rally for Goto as the ring count begins. Goto crawls at 5 of 20, finds his way to ringside at 10, but still hobbles and crawls. He stands at 17 to slide in! The fans cheer, but Sanada stomps Goto. Sanada drags Goto up, CLUBS him on the neck, then brings him back up to CLUB him again. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! Sanada eggs Goto on so Goto CHOPS again! Goto whips, Sanada reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool and sits Goto up into a chinlock. Goto endures and the fans rally again.
Goto kicks forward, reaches out, but Sanada cranks on the hold! Goto keeps fighting, and has the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets go cleanly, but then he stomps Goto while he’s down. Sanada then stands Goto up to CLUB him on the neck. Goto CHOPS in return! And CHOPS, and CHOPS, and has Sanada in a corner! Goto CHOPS again, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, but Sanada BOOTS first! Sanada runs, Goto follows, and Goto LARIATS Sanada down! The fans fire up and Goto rises, clutching his neck. Goto stands Sanada up to fire off forearms, then he whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA!
Sanada wobbles, into the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while Goto grits his teeth. Goto drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights free! Sanada waistlocks, Goto throws elbows, then runs. Sanada hurdles, hurdles, and DROPKICKS! Goto tumbles out of the ring, Sanada PLANCHAS him down! The fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada appreciates it. Sanada then goes back for Goto, brings him up and puts him in the ring. Sanada fireman’s carries but Goto throws elbows! Sanada turns around into Goto’s fireman’s carry, but then slips out into the dragon sleeper!
But Goto arm-drags free! Sanada kicks low, runs, but Goto follows! Sanada dodges this time, runs again, but Goto still follows! Sanada sidesteps this time, but Goto holds ropes to avoid the hurdle! Goto runs in, but Sanada fireman’s carries! T K O! Cover, TWO! Goto is still in this and the fans rally up! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada has to land out as Goto moves! Sanada runs in, but into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! They cheer on “GO-TO-O!” but the “SA-NA-DA!” chants are still there. Red Shoes checks them both, and both men slowly rise.
The two crawl towards each other, and Goto fires a forearm! Sanada shakes his head, eggs Goto on, so Goto throws another! Goto eggs Sanada on, so Sanada fires a forearm! Goto fires a forearm back, and the two stand. Sanada UPPERCUTS! Goto comes back to forearm! Sanada UPPERCUTS again, and Goto drops back to a knee! The fans rally, Goto stands again, and he forearms! UPPERCUT, forearm, repeat! Goto growls, fires a flurry of forearms, and he ROCKS Sanada! Sanada drops to his hand and knees but Goto powers up! Goto KICKS but Sanada blocks! Goto fires more forearms, then waistlocks, but Sandaa fights free!
Sanada runs, but Goto fireman’s carries! And he throws Sanada into the dragon sleeper! But Sanada turns around and suplexes, for MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Sanada roars as he rises up, and he aims from a corner. Sanada wants Goto to get up, and Goto sits up, into the SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then dragon sleepers, for the SKULL END!! Goto endures, flails, reaches out, but he’s caught in the body scissors! Goto fights around but he’s fading! The fans rally, Goto’s hand drops! Sanada lets him go to then climb! ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Goto survives but Sanada storms around. Sanada drags Goto up, reels him in and clinches, but Goto slips free to shove Sanada away! Sanada forearms, ROLLING- HEADBUTT from Goto! The fans fire up and duel, and Goto drags Sanada up. But Sanada breaks free! Goto HEADBUTTS again! Sanada falls back down and Goto steadies himself. Goto roars, the fans are with him, and Goto sits Sanada up. Goto runs to PENALTY KICK! Shoutout to Shibata and the fans fire up more! Sanada grits his teeth as he sits back up but Goto takes aim! BUZZSAW! And then he hauls Sanada up to dragon sleeper! G T- BACKSLIDE COUNTER! TWO!!!
Sanada and Goto hurry up, Sanada dodges to O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO?!!? Goto escapes and shocks everyone! Sanada resets, runs in, SHINING WIZARD!! The fans are thunderous as Sanada roars and drags Goto back up! Clinch and DEAD- NO, Goto slips around to ripcord and fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Sanada survives but Goto is all fired up! The fans are thunderous as Goto dragon sleepers for G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
Don’t call it a comeback, Goto’s been here for years! Sanada’s hopes of being IWGP World Heavyweight Champion again have been delayed, how long must he wait for another chance?
As for Goto, he’s going back to the New Japan Cup Finals for the first time since 2016, and his seventh overall! But before he can get the mic to speak, Yota makes his way back out here. Yota steps into the ring and he gets the mic first. Yota tells Goto, “In order to open the door to a new era, we must do this.” The fans applaud that, and Yota continues by asking Goto, “Are you ready?!” Yota drops the mic at Goto’s feet, and Goto stands up to speak. “I also have something I want to show you. As a three-time New Japan Cup Champion, I will show you my strength.” The fans like the sound of that!
The Fierce Warrior stares down with Gene Blast, a true generational showdown on the horizon! Will Goto return not juts to former glory, but finally ascend to top of NJPW? Or will Yota make it LIJ VS LIJ for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
My Thoughts:
A great semifinal round for this tournament, with quite a surprising main event. Sanada VS Goto was great stuff, and while I felt Sanada wasn’t winning the Cup, I didn’t think he’d be out this round. Yota VS Evil was rather creatively put together, too. I did not think the House would get so involved that at first it was a No Contest but then they restart under a ringside ban. Takagi making sure Yota won was good stuff, too, maybe we can get Takagi VS Evil for the NEVER Openweight Championship if they’re not gonna circle back to more Shota Umino VS House of Torture stuff.
Goto VS Yota is going to be great stuff, and Goto is clearly a top utility guy. He’s had so many New Japan Cup finals appearances, certainly among the most ever, but I don’t think he gets a fourth Cup win against Yota, one of the “new era Musketeers” that NJPW clearly loves. Yota VS Naito is definitely the title match for Sakura Genesis.
My Score: 8.9/10
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