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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (9/5/22)

Is Miz really safe inside the cage?

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WWE Raw 2022

The Miz is stuck between the All Mighty and a Tortured Artist!

The WWE is back from Cardiff, Wales, and so Raw gives Kansas City, Missouri a United States Championship match, inside a STEEL CAGE! But is Miz really safe with Lashley raging inside and Lumis lurking outside?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy VS Los Lotharios VS The Street Profits; No Contest.
  • Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah VS Nikki A.S.H. & “Doudrop” Piper Nivens; Raquel & Aliyah win.
  • Kevin Owens VS Austin Theory; Kevin wins.
  • Rey Mysterio VS Damian Priest; Priest wins.
  • WWE United States Championship Steel Cage Match: Bobby Lashley VS The Miz w/ Tommaso Ciampa; Lashley wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

EDGE is here!

Kansas City fires up for the Rated R Superstar as he heads out to the ring! And Edge would be in a better mood if not for what happened at Clash at the Castle. Edge gets a mic and he says, “Dominik Mysterio. Dom, I’ve known you since your dad came to the WEW. You were five years old. You and I used to sit in catering and piss people off with pea shooters.” Edge is jumping around in tights at this age, so you know he’s never fully grown up. When WWE would go to San Diego, Edge would stay with the Mysterios and be greeted with open arms. Edge and Rey would get tattoos together, all riding beach cruisers.

Just last year, Edge was the one who calmed Dom down before his first match in front of a live TV audience. Fans applaud that! Dom has always felt like a nephew to Edge but it seems Dom doesn’t feel the same way. so what’s going on? Is it because Edge accidentally speared Dom? Edge apologized for that. Edge’s gut told him that he should’ve taken care of it, but his heart overrode him. It said, “Don’t worry about Dom!” Edge didn’t come back to get between Dom and Rey, but to help them. Edge feels like Judgement Day is his fault, his responsibility, it’s Edge’s fault they’re making Dom’s life hell.

But after what Dom did to Edge and Rey on Saturday… Edge knows Rey raised Dom better than that. Dom, you and Rey can hash it out however you need, but Edge is a different beast. Edge isn’t looing at the kid he hung out with, he’s looking at Dom as a fellow superstar. A man’s game pays a man’s price. Dom needs to show up, not to talk, but for Edge to beat his ass! “So Dominik, get down here right now! Because if you don’t-” Wait, here comes Rey first! Rey gets a mic to tell Edge to hear him out. Rey knows Dom messed up big time, and he is asking for an apology on Dom’s behalf. Dom is still Rey’s son. Please, don’t do this, Edge.

Edge tells Rey that we all know how Edge feels about Rey. But Dom is old enough to drink, drive and set foot in the ring. So he is old enough to stand for his actions! So DOMINIK, get out here right now!! But instead, it’s Rhea Ripley! The Judgement Day’s Eradicator is laughing at Edge. Edge needs to calm down. Because at Clash, the boys got what was coming to them. Edge, you thought you could just replace Dom like he didn’t even matter. And then Rey, you thought you could protect Dom just cuz he’s your baby boy. Guess what? He’s not Rey’s baby boy anymore. Because Rhea saw Dom’s potential, and made him into a man!

Rhea looks to the stage, and out walks Dominik! His hair’s slicked back and he’s wearing all black. Rey tells Dom to snap out of it. He still has time to make amends with Edge and make this right. Dom doesn’t say anything, but Rhea says c’mon, Rey. When is Rey gonna get it through his skull that Dom doesn’t listen to dad anymore. Rey can’t keep fighting his battles for him. And Edge, you’re past your time, mate. Edge can’t stop his Judgement Day. Fans chant, “Who’s Your Papi?” but then Rhea and Dom step forward. Rey says he can’t be part of this, so he’s heading out. Rey and Dom stare each other in the eye, and Rey asks Dom not to do this.

Dom tunes Rey out again, and Rhea is laughing. Fans chant “Eddie’s Son!” Dom then stares Edge down, and Edge waits for someone to do something. But Finn runs in! Edge DECKS Finn but Damian Priest is in! Edge and Priest brawl, then Finn joins in! But Edge is fighting back 2v1! He DECKS Finn, DECKS Priest, but Dom CHOP BLOCKS him! Finn stomps the leg, grinds the knee, Priest stomps away on Edge, but Rey storms back up! Dom stands in Rey’s way and Rey says to move. But Rhea is also in the way. Rey tells Dom to come to his senses. Instead, Dom shoves Rey into Rhea’s FOREARM! And then Rhea whips Rey into steel steps!

Finn and Priest continue to mug Edge, then the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! Rhea brings out a chair and hands it to Dom. Dom hands it to Finn and Finn JAMS the bad leg with it! Priest stands on Edge to keep him down as Finn JAMS Edge more and more! They then put the chair on the leg and Finn climbs up the corner! FULL METAL COUP DE GRACE to the leg!! Edge writhes, Rey gets in, but the Judgement Day already did the damage. Is this the end of the Rated R Superstar’s revenge? And what about the soul of young Dominik?

 

The Miz and Tommaso Ciampa arrive.

Sarah asks them what happened at the end of last week’s Raw when Miz drove off in his car, and it appeared that Dexter Lumis was in the backseat? Miz doesn’t want to talk about it! Last week, Miz drove to his hotel, flew home, went on a little vacation with the wife and kids, that’s it! Is that why he challenged Lashley to a Steel Cage match tonight? Because of Lumis- SHHH! You journalists are always trying to stir up drama. Mike is the victim here. Did it ever occur to anyone to ask how Miz is feeling/ Then, how is he feeling? None of your business! Miz is moving on with his life. Miz VS Lashley in a Steel Cage for the US Championship!

But wait. They see a car has been flipped over! This is his doing, isn’t it? Lumis has already made himself known, will he present his newest masterpiece sometime tonight?

 

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy VS Los Lotharios VS The Street Profits!

Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods are somehow still in one piece after the Viking Rules match on Friday, and they’re still in the running to face the Usos! But the odds are stacked against them as Chad Gable & Otis, Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo and Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are all here, too! Which team will punch their golden tickets at a shot at The Bloodline?

In this Fatal 4, only two teams are legal at any time, so stepping up to start is Woods for New Day and Angel for Los Lotharios. Garza runs Woods over, things speed up, but Garza fakes out the roll to shove. Things keep moving, Garza hurdles but Woods handsprings through the hip toss! Woods swings, but Garza trips him up and covers, ONE! Woods sweeps and covers, ONE! Garza sweeps and covers, ONE! Woods seeps and covers, ONE! Woods jumps the sweep but Garza ducks the roundhouse, and fans fire up as the two stare down! OFF COME THE PANTS! Garza smiles as he then throws the tights away, and tags Kofi?

Wait, New Day VS New Day? Doesn’t this mean they can win off themselves? Woods and Kofi shake hands, circle and feel out the grapple, then Woods lies down! Kofi covers, everyone scrambles in to break it! The brawl is on and the ref tries to sort things out! The New Day clears everyone else out, then they fist bump. The New Day build speed and they DOUBLE FLY! Direct hit with the tope conjilos and Kansas City is rocking as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Carrillo has Ford in a headlock. Ford pries at the hold but Carrillo CLUBS him on the back! Carrillo back suplexes then kips up! Carrillo BLASTS the New Day, then he ducks Ford’s enziguri! Carrillo drags Ford away but Ford boots Carrillo away! Gable tags in, he intercepts Ford! Carrillo comes back in, Gable ducks and Ford’s ENZIGURI gets Carrillo! Hot tag to Dawkins! Fans rally as Dawkins rallies on Gable! Dawkins DECKS Otis, dodges Gable and FLYING ELBOWS Gable! Gable goes to a corner, CYCLONE SPLASH and ENZIGURI! Carrillo runs in but gets the SILENCER! Garza tries but he misses Dawkins to hit Woods!

Kofi returns, Dawkins dodges and Kofi KNEES Garza! Dawkins POUNCES Kofi out onto Los Lotharios! Gable throat chops Dawkins! Gable whips, Dawkins hurdles, Ford tags in as Dawkins FLIES! Dawkins takes out everyone else and Ford ROCKS Gable! Ford goes up, Gable gets under! CHAOS THEROY, but Ford slips out?! POUNCE GERMAN COMBO! Cover, Otis breaks it! Dawkins runs in, into the WRECKING ELBOW! Otis drags Gable over, tags in, and goes after Ford. Otis scoops Ford but Garza SUPERKICKS him down! Garza drags Ford up, but Woods returns! Garza and Ford double mule kick him!

Garza and Ford mug Woods in the corner then hoist him up top. They climb up after him but Carrillo, Dawkins and Kofi joins in! Kofi and Dawkins move Carrillo aside to another corner! We’ve got two situations of 2v1 on top of the corners! But Kofi calls an audible to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB Dawkins! Ford and Garza stand Woods up for a DOUBLE SUPERPLEX! But Carrillo adjusts to MOONSAULT into boots! And a GERMAN SUPLEX! Otis is up top!? DOZER SPLASH on Ford!! Cover, Kofi breaks it with double stomps! All eight men are down and the fans are loving it as Raw goes picture in picture!

The ref checks on everyone but they’re all good to continue. Otis gets up, fires up, and he drags Ford up. Otis CLUBS Ford, stands on his back, and shouts, “FOR THE ACADEMY!” Gable joins in and Otis whips Ford to the corner. Gable tags in, Otis feeds Ford to the shoulder tackle! Cover, TWO! Gable drags Ford around, ROCKS him with forearm after forearm, then NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Gable is annoyed but he keeps on Ford with a top wristlock. Ford endures, reaches out, fights up, and Kansas City rallies as Ford rolls Gable up! And Raw goes to break?!

Raw returns, Otis whips Ford but Ford slips around to crucifix! Otis powers that away, but Ford JAWBREAKERS! Ford ROCKS Otis but Gable sneaks a tag! Ford scoop SLAMS Otis?!? Fans are thunderous and Ford goes up top! But Los Lotharios anchor Ford! They fire off haymakers and CHOPS, but Dawkins and the New Day go after them! Los Lotharios fights them off, they climb up together, DOUBLE ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!! Ford leaps FROM THE HEAVENS! But Gable drags Ford off with an ANKLE LOCK!! But then BRAUN STROWRMAN shows up!?! Why is the Monster Among Men back NOW!?

Braun goes to the ring and Gable is freaking out! The ref gets out of the way as Braun steps up to Gable and the fans are going nuts! Gable tells the fans to SHOOSH, but Braun CLOBBERS Gable! And DECKS Garza! Carrillo leaps in, into a CHOKE SLAM! Fans fire up with Braun as he BLASTS Otis off the apron! Braun smirks, but why is he here now? Security rushes out but Braun CLOBBERS them one after another! And scoop SLAMS some! Braun drags one guy up, reels him in, and POWERBOMBS him!! Braun looks around and says it’s time to get on the tracks! The Strowman Express CLIPS Gable, and BLASTS Otis through barriers!

Dawkins runs in, but Braun CLOBBERS him! Braun scoop SLAMS Gable! Braun clears off the announce desk! Braun drags Dawkins up to scoop him, and then MONSTER SLAMS him through the desk!!! Fans are thunderous as Braun just demolished this tag match! Braun roars, but what is he going to do now that he’s back?

Raw goes picture in picture as Braun continues to soak up the cheers from the crowd. Braun tells the ref to back off as he goes back outside. Braun looks at the damage he’s caused as he makes his way back to the ramp. Braun tells refs to back off, and he steps on Garza! Braun does a whole lap around the ring, and then he throws Gable in! Strowman drags Gable up, fans are going nuts, and he scoops Gable for a MONSTER SLAM!! Braun is shouting at the camera but we can’t hear him at home because of picture in picture. Raw goes back to single picture and now Braun decides to leave. But what does this mean for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships’ challengers?

 

Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah VS Nikki A.S.H. & “Doudrop” Piper Nivens!

The NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are here, ready to show that they don’t rest on their laurels. Will the Badass & the Bougie be able to disconnect the Celtic Connection? Or will Nikki & Piper go from losing to the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions to conquering the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions?

The teams sort out and Aliyah starts against Nikki. They circle, tie up, and Aliyah headlocks. Nikki powers out, Aliyah goes up and over and then scoops to hit a BACKBREAKER! Cover, ONE! Aliyah facelocks, wrenches and armlocks but Nikki pulls hair! Tag to Piper, she throws body shots, then she taunts Raquel. Piper runs in but Aliyah goes up and over! Aliyah dropkicks al eg out, but Piper SLAPS her down! Nikki anchors Raquel’s foot, and Piper BLASTS Raquel off the apron! The ref reprimands, but Aliyah runs at Piper! But Piper blocks the Rana to swing Aliyah into buckles! And again!

Piper drops Aliyah, DMG CTRL is watching backstage as Piper CANNONBALLS Aliyah! Piper drags Aliyah to a cover, TWO! Piper is annoyed already but Nikki tells fans to shush. Piper tags Nikki in, Nikki WRECKS Raquel, and then NECKBREAKER SAMOAN DROP! Cover off the #ASHDROP, but Raquel breaks it! Nikki kicks Raquel away then drags Aliyah back. Nikki taunts Aliyah to tag Raquel and then she kicks the arms! But Aliyah avoids the elbow drop! Hot tag to Raquel! Ricky Desperado HEADBUTTS Nikki, runs her over, then POUNCES her! Piper tags in, and Nikki runs, into a scoop!

Raquel BOOTS Piper, FALL AWAY SLAMS Nikki, and fans fire up! Raquel fires off hands on Piper, then elbows her down! Raquel drags Piper up and in, lifts, but Piper’s too big for that! Piper wrenches out and HEADBUTTS! Piper blocks a haymaker, trips Raquel and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Piper drags Raquel to a drop zone and she goes up the corner! But Aliyah THESZ PRESSES Nikki and that shocks Piper! Raquel CLUBS Piper, uses the corner to have her up, TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, Raquel & Aliyah win!

Winners: Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah, by pinfall

Bayley, Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai take note of that. Will they make sure nothing stops them from taking control the next time they face The Bougie & The Badass?

 

Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.

Megan says this is a very emotional situation, but where do things stand between him and Dom? There isn’t much to say other than Rey loves his son, and he needs to have a word in private. As far as Judgement Day goes, they’re trying to tear Rey’s life apart by separating him from his son by poisoning Dom’s mind. They just took out Edge, who is like family to Rey! There is one thing for sure, though. Rey will never, NUNCA, put hands on his son. But no one deserves their ass handed to them more than The Judgement Day. So whoever it is, whether it’s Priest or Finn, Rey wants a match with them 1v1 tonight! Take your pick, he’ll face whoever!

 

Raw shares footage from Clash at the Castle.

Sheamus dragged himself to ropes as the fans gave him a standing ovation. They cheered the Celtic Warrior’s valiant efforts against the Ring General, and he showed his appreciation to them. Will Sheamus fight his way to another shot at the WWE Intercontinental Championship?

 

Austin Theory is here!

The Youngest Mr. Money in the Bank Ever is still sore from that Tyson Fury fist to his face that ruined his cash-in attempt. Theory gets a mic to say, “Look. I know things didn’t go as planned on Saturday. But I have to say that Crown Jewel was an absolute success. Just kidding! Clash at the Castle was!” Theory smirks at his own punch drunk joke, but then he gets annoyed at the fans boo. Theory tells them to shut up! He’s sure they all wanted to see him fail at his cash-in, but here he is, still Mr. MITB! And that just guarantees Theory as the future Undisputed Champion! Theory keeps working on his sore jaw, but he says the difference between him and us, when he gets knocked down, he gets back up! Even if it’s a sucker punch from a world championship boxer like Tyson Fury!

But that’s not even the point. Roman Reigns is still champion. Theory hates to admit this, he’s glad Roman won. Because for one, Drew McIntyre completely embarrassed himself in front of his friends and family. And two, Theory and Roman still have unfinished business. Theory says he’ll soon cash in his Money in the Contract bank- SHUT UP, YOU’RE MAKING HIS JAW HURT! Theory vows he will end Roman’s two-year reign as champion and Theory will be the NEW Undisputed WWE Universal Champion! But here comes Kevin Owens!

The Prizefighter has a mic, and he asks Theory, “What’s wrong with your jaw? Oh, wait, I remember! You got knocked the hell out!” Fans chant, “You Got Knocked Out!” Kevin says to listen to this: Theory got KO’d! See what he did there? That’s good stuff! Fans chant now, “You Got KO’D!” Kevin says it just came to him, sorry. Oh, and Theory found his first name again! So hey, Austin! Kevin despises more than anything is arrogant and delusional people. We’ve had some really arrogant people and some really delusional people, but Theory is at the very top of both lists. A great example is that Theory is complaining about what Fury did, but what Fury did was a favor!

Because if Theory had been able to cash-in, either McIntyre or Roman would’ve put him on the ground and he would’ve lost his opportunity forever. Theory says Kevin has no idea what he’s talking about! But that’s because Kevin’s jealous! Kevin is the guy always running around talking about titles when he hasn’t won one in years! But Theory is climbing the ladder of success and doing things Kevin never could do, and that’s become Mr. MITB! And Theory feels bad for Kevin. So how about this? Kevin can be first in line when Theory does cash-in and beats Kevin as the NEW Undisputed WWE Universal Champion!

Kevin says he knows Theory would’ve been destroyed by Roman and McIntyre, because he’s been in the ring with both guys. In fact, Kevin faced McIntyre just a couple week sago. McIntyre couldn’t beat Kevin, the Usos interfered. And as far as Roman is concerned, well… 18 months ago, Kevin had Roman beaten and Kevin should’ve been Universal Champion. And everyone knows it! Even Roman knows it! If not for Jey Uso and Paul Heyman, Kevin would’ve ended Roman’s historic two-year reign six months in! But you know what else Kevin knows? Kevin knows the only reason Theory has the contract is because Kevin wasn’t in the MITB match!

Because if Kevin was, he would’ve destroyed Theory, put him through a ladder, and climbed up to grab the case and be the one to take Roman Reigns down! That all sounds great, Kevin! He would’ve climbed the ladder, grabbed the briefcase and beaten Roman. Sounds like fairytales to Theory! But y’know what this is? This is reality! And the reality is, Theory is the handpicked future while Kevin is just trying to stay relevant. Kevin will give Theory that. Kevin does everything he can to stay relevant, which is why he’s so good! Which is why he’s Kevin Owens! Which is why he’s here today! And Theory was the handpicked future! Not anymore!

But is Kevin the only one who sees where this is going? Can anyone else see what’s next? Is Kevin the only one who pays attention? Kevin bets a ref will run out here and slide into the ring! Oh, here comes one! So here we go! And the next thing is, someone says enough talk, let’s fight! Oh, Kevin says that! So enough talking, let’s fight!! Fans fire up and it’s happening! Will the Prizefighter destroy Theory worse than that Tyson Fury fist?

Kevin Owens VS Austin Theory!

The bell rings, and Theory bails out! Theory says he needs a minute, but Kevin goes out after him! Kevin CLOBBERS Theory! Fans fire up and Kevin whips Theory into the barriers! Kevin CHOPS Theory, follows him along the way, and CHOPS again! Kevin puts Theory in the ring but Theory hammers away on Kevin in return! Fans boo but Theory drags Kevin up to throw hands. Theory stomps Kevin, whips him corner to corner, but Kevin reverses. Kevin clotheslines in the corner, goes corner to corner, and he CANNONBALLS! Theory flops out of the ring and fans fire up! Kevin goes to the apron, for a FROG SPLASH to the floor! Kansas City is fired up as Raw goes picture in picture!

Theory writhes and Kevin soaks up the cheers. Kevin drags Theory up as the ring count climbs, and he brings Theory to the barriers to CHOP! Theory staggers away and fans fire up, but Theory kicks back. Kevin avoids the chop to CHOP again!  Theory stagger away, Kevin puts him in the ring, but Theory fires off on Kevin again! Theory drags Kevin up, scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kevin pie faces Theory so Theory DECKS him! Theory rains down fists, then talks trash. Theory paces around, drags Kevin up and bumps him off buckles. Theory talks more trash, then swings, only for Kevin to dodge and CHOP again!

Kevin keeps Theory cornered, CHOPS him, then follows him to another corner. Theory kicks but Kevin blocks to KICK the leg! Theory sits down and crawls along ropes. Kevin puts him back in the corner to whip corner to corner, but Theory reverses and Kevin hits buckles hard! Kevin tumbles up and down, then Theory pushes him down to stomp away! Theory shakes his head and flexes, then goes back to Kevin. Theory drags Kevin into the center and clamps on a chinlock. Kevin endures as Theory leans on the hold. Raw returns to single picture and fans rally up. Kevin fights to his feet and throws body shots, but Theory KNEES low!

Theory throws Kevin out hard, then goes out to bring Kevin around. Theory whips, Kevin reverses and Theory hits barriers! Kevin drags Theory up, and smacks him off the announce desk! And again! Then CHOPS him! Kevin puts Theory in the ring, storms up on him, and short arm LARIATS! And SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Theory is showing toughness but Kevin keeps his cool. Kevin drags Theory up, scoops him, but Theory slips off! Theory drop toeholds Kevin into buckles! Theory then slingshots and SHOTGUNS Kevin down! Cover, TWO! Theory clamps back onto the chinlock and he grinds Kevin down again.

Fans rally, Kevin fights up again, but Theory ROCKS Kevin! Theory runs in to clothesline at the corner, then he scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Cover, TWO! Theory clamps onto the armlock and grinds a forearm in Kevin’s face. Kevin endures, fans rally again, and Kevin fights up to pry the hold open! Kevin ROCKS Theory with forearm after forearm, but Theory kicks low! Theory whips, Kevin reverses but Theory kicks back Kevin LARIATS! And LARIATS again! And then a whip to ropes, but Theory reverses and ROCKS Kevin! Kevin rebounds to LARIAT! Theory flops all the way out of the ring while Kansas City fires up!

Kevin goes to the apron, SWANTON BOMB but onto knees! Kevin writhes as Theory saves himself, and Raw goes back to picture in picture.

The ref checks on Kevin while Theory drags himself back up. Theory drags Kevin up, smacks him off the desk, then smacks him again! Theory talks trash and he puts Kevin back in the ring. Cover, ONE!! Kevin is showing the toughness of a former Universal Champion but Theory looms over him. Theory talks trash, rains down fists at the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Theory flexes but Kevin CHOPS him! Theory shrugs that one off to ROCK Kevin! Theory eggs Kevin on, then throws another haymaker! Kevin is getting mad as Theory keeps hitting him! Kevin stands, Theory throws another hand but Kevin ROCKS Theory back!

Kevin fires off on Theory, CHOPS him, then kicks low and hits a DDT! Cover, TWO! Theory is showing the toughness of a former United States Champion! Kevin keeps his focus, and he hears the fans rallying up. Kevin goes up the corner! But Theory ROCKS him first! Kevin ROCKS Theory but Theory ROCKS Kevin! They throw hands back and forth as Theory climbs. Theory drags Kevin up but Kevin resists! They throw body shots back and forth now, and Kevin ROCKS Theory with a haymaker! And another! Theory throws more hands, they continue to brawl, and Theory drags Kevin back up! Raw returns to single picture as Kevin continues to resist!

Kevin throws hands then HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Theory goes down, Kevin stands up, SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives and Kevin can’t believe it! Kevin kicks Theory, but no Stunner! Theory runs but into an elbow! Kevin goes up but Theory CLUBS him! Theory torture racks Kevin for a TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Theory can’t believe it, but he calls for A-Town Down! Theory drags Kevin up to a fireman’s carry, but Kevin fights free! Kevin waistlocks, Theory throws elbows to get free and runs, into a SUPERKICK! Kevin gets Theory on the rebound to whip, and POP-UP- NO, Theory slips out!

Theory BOOTS from the corner, then dodges Kevin to POST him! Theory goes out after Kevin, to SLAM him on the steel steps!! Kevin clutches his head while Theory leaves him behind! The ring count climbs and Kevin is still down at 5 of 10. Fans are thunderous as they rally behind Kevin, but the count is 8 of 10! Kevin springs up and in at 9!! BUZZSAW from Theory, then AOI SHODOU! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives and Theory is confused and angry! Theory stalks Kevin to a corner, drags him up and puts him on the top, then fires off forearms and CHOPS! Theory climbs up but Kevin again resists the superplex!

Theory fights to get Kevin up but Kevin fights to stay down! Kevin throws body shots, ROCKS Theory with a forearm, but Theory holds onto ropes. Kevin DECKS Theory this time, and Kevin’s going to try again. But Theory springs up to fire more fists! Only for Kevin to hook a leg! SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Fans are thunderous as Kevin stands back up! Theory staggers, into a whip and the POP-UP POWERBOMB!! But Kevin doesn’t cover Theory, he brings him up for a STUNNER! Cover, Kevin wins!!

Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall

The Prizefighter just beat Mr. MITB, proving his point! Will Kevin also be proven right when he’s the one who finally gets after the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion?

 

Ciampa helps The Miz prepare backstage.

Ciampa has Miz focus on the idea of NEW WWE United States Champion, but then Sarah walks in and spooks him! Miz says hi, but then asks Sarah if she knows the definition of insanity. It’s asking the same things over and over again, expecting different answers. He’s already said, he does NOT want to talk about… The man who they shall not mention. She knows that, but she wasn’t going to ask about Lumis. She was going to ask about the steel cage match. Ciampa says last week, Lashley got lucky! If not for distractions from you-know-who, Miz would’ve won. That is why we have this match tonight!

The cage isn’t there because Miz is scared or that Miz is trying to keep you-know-who out. NO! It is because Mike knows that 1v1, he is BETTER than Bobby Lashley! Miz says all his career, he has endured constant persecution, only to overcome it. Miz is the ONLY TWO-TIME GRAND SLAM CHAMPION in the WWE, and tonight, 1v1 in the steel cage, no one lurking in the shadows, no distraction and no escape, nothing will stop Miz climbing over Lashley’s limp body and walking out the NEW United States Champion! Miz feels confident, Ciampa is confident, but will they really make a dream come true in dethroning the All Mighty?

 

Damage Control heads to gorilla.

Bayley leads Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai, but we can see Piper and Nikki arguing in the background again. Nikki throws off her mask and scarf, is she done being Piper’s partner? Or done being Almost a Super Hero?

 

WWE honors Sgt. Major Patrick Payne.

Awarded the Medal of Honor by then president Donald Trump, this was to recognize his heroic actions on October 22nd, 2015. The mission was a hostage rescue, but there was an intense firefight. Payne and team rescued 75 captives, but receiving this award was really so Payne and his team could tell the story of fallen Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler. Wheeler led the way into the firefight selflessly, and that is what the Medal of Honor, and the United States military, is all about.

 

Damage Control heads to the ring!

Bayley, Kai & Sky are here, victorious at Clash at the Castle and ready to take over. Bayley pinned the Raw Women’s Champion in that win, so we can guess what this is about. “Ding dong! Hello, idiots!” And yes, they did beat Asuka, Alexa Bliss & Bianca Belair and sent them home packing! You’re welcome. Kai says if they can do that to the best, imagine what they can do to the rest of the roster! They are taking control! Sky says in Japanese and then English, they are taking the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships! NEWS FLASH! Kai wasn’t legal in the title match, so… Raquel & Aliyah can pretend to be champions for another week until Kai & Sky take what is rightfully theirs!

Imagine what they went through in that unfair decision. But DMG CTRL still came together and overcame the obstacles, and Bayley beat Bianca! Bianca hasn’t been pinned in over 300 days, and Bayley did what none of those idiots could do in the amount of time Bayley’s been gone, but in one night! Wait, here comes Bianca! The RawEST Women’s Champion says yes, Bayley is right. Bayley got the better of her at Clash, but Bianca put her pride aside and showed right back up here tonight. If Bayley wants a challenge, then a challenge is what you get. Let’s run it right back! Bianca VS Bayley, 1v1, here tonight!

Bayley says whoa, whoa, shoosh please. NO. Bianca probably doesn’t know this, but today is Labor Day, so Bayley isn’t working tonight. All Bayley and DMG CTRL is doing is celebrating their win! WOO! Bayley? Beat Bianca? No no no, it took all three of them to stop Bianca. But if that’s what it takes to make Bayley feel like she’s in control, then okay. Because uh… Bayley may have her minions, but Bianca still has the belt. And unless it’s 1v1, and unless Bayley has this, Bayley is in control of nothing. Bayley steps to Bianca to say, “Oh, is that right?” But now DMG CTRL surrounds the EST! Bianca sighs but Bayley has Kai & Sky stand down.

DMG CTRL leaves and fans boo. Bayley tells Bianca that Bayley already beat her, so she has nothing else to prove. It’s been a long time, but Bianca is the same old Bianca playing Ms. Perfect. But Bayley knows Bianca’s fragile ego can’t handle this one loss to where Bianca is challenging Bayley to make it feel like a fluke. But guess what? It isn’t all about Bianca! DMG CTRL could’ve ended Bianca here and now, but they’ve got bigger and better to worry about. Like Kai & Sky getting theirs with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships next week! But don’t worry, because if and when Bayley wants the title, she’ll just get it one way or another.

Bayley implies all three of them are coming for Bianca, so that no matter what, DMG CTRL will reign over all of Raw. Will Bianca be ready for whenever it is the Role Model takes her shot?

 

Backstage interview with Johnny Gargano.

Sarah knows Johnny Gargano is excited to be back in the WWE after nine months away, but what is his opinion about Theory said about “swimming with the sharks.” Gargano’s been swimming with sharks his whole career. Gargano is proud of his NXT career, but there are many more goals to accomplish. Theory probably forgot what Gargano is capable of, but Gargano will be very excited to remind everyone. Sarah says the fans has been waiting, but Theory comes in and says no one cares! “Johnny Wrestling,” right? Since he came back, all he’s been doing is talking! So he might as well be Johnny Talking!

Wow, Theory is right. Congrats, Theory! But before he interrupted, Gargano was going to announce that next week live, after nine months, Johnny Wrestling returns to action! And Theory doesn’t look too good. Is he okay? Sharks are dangerous, Theory should be more careful. Gargano heads out, but will Gargano have any ring rust to work out after nine months?

 

Rey Mysterio VS Damian Priest!

The King of Lucha called out the Judgement Day to put someone up against him so they can fight it out after what we saw earlier tonight. But will Rey be ready for a fight after Dominik’s betrayal and the damage done to Edge? Or will he fall at the hands of the Punisher?

The bell rings and Rey rushes Priest! Rey fires off hands, Priest shoves him away, but Rey dodges the boot to CLUB and KICK and CLUB again! Priest choke grips but Rey slips out of the slam! Rey runs, but into a BOOT! Priest taunts Rey, stalks him to a corner, and then ROCKS him with a right! Priest stalks Rey again, brings him around and HEADBUTTS him down! Priest drags Rey up, whips him corner to corner hard, and Rey bounces off buckles chest first! Priest drags Rey back up, fans rally for Rey, but Priest CLUBS Rey back down. Priest whips Rey hard into the corner again, then RAMS into him!

Rey flops down and Priest soaks up the heat. Rey flops out of the ring but Priest pursues. Priest ROCKS Rey with a right, then pushes him into the ring. Rey staggers to a corner, Priest storms up but into a BOOT! Priest UPPERCUTS Rey, then says Rey has no fight left. Priest whips Rey to a corner, runs in but Rey dodges and Priest POSTS himself! Rey hurries outside to KICK away on Priest, then CLUB him! Priest scrambles away and Rey pursues into the ring. Rey runs, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Rey fires off fists! Priest shoves Rey away, knees low, then whips him to ropes. Rey slide sunder, KICKS the leg and fires off haymakers!

Priest knees low again, but Rey holds ropes to block the whip. So Priest KICKS Rey in the ribs! Fans rally for Rey, but Priest drags Rey back up and whips him to ropes. Rey holds ropes again, Priest runs in but into a BOOT! Rey runs and tilt-o-whirls to headscissor Priest out of the ring! Fans fire up and Rey builds speed to WRECK Priest with a dropkick! Rey then goes to the apron, only for the rest of The Judgement Day to walk out to ringside. Rey focuses, leaps, but Priest CLOBBERS him out of the air! Priest grins as Raw goes picture in picture.

Priest soaks up the heat as he stands over Rey. Finn even has the chair they dented on Edge’s leg. Priest puts Rey in the ring and Rey flounders to a corner. Priest runs in to back elbow! Rey falls down and Priest taunts him. Priest poses and soaks up the heat. Priest suplexes and BROKEN ARRWOS! Cover, TWO! Priest clamps onto Rey’s arm for a motorcycle stretch. Rey endures and Dom is stone faced as he watches. Rey fights up, but Priest DECKS him! Rey goes to a corner, Priest drags Rey out, and then scoops Rey to carry him around the way. LAWN DART to the apron! Rey goes down and Priest grins.

Priest drags Rey back up, puts him back in the ring, and Dom is again stone faced. Priest KICKS Rey, then JABS him! Rey sputters, Priest KICKS him again! Priest sits Rey up but Rey ducks the buzzsaw to roll Priest up! TWO, and Priest CLOBBERS Rey! Cover, TWO! Priest drags Rey into a chinlock, thrashes him around, but Rey endures. Fans rally but Priest says it is in vain! Rey fights up, throws elbows but Priest CLUBS Rey down! Priest brings Rey up, but Rey JAWBREAKERS! Priest BELL CLAPS then shoves Rey to a corner. Priest runs in but Rey dodges! Priest hits buckles, Rey runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, slides and KICKS from below!

Priest runs but Rey dumps him out! Rey builds speed to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp! Dom starts to frown now, but is it because Rey is winning or what? Rey KICKS Priest, puts him in the ring, then hurries to the apron. Priest runs in but Rey avoids the boot to GAMANGIRI! Rey goes up and leaps, SEATED SENTON! Then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Priest survives and Rey stares Dom down. Dom still doesn’t react much, so Rey KICKS Priest in the side. Rey rains down fists, puts Priest on the ropes and then climbs up to rain down even more fists! But Priest powers up and TOSSES Rey to a corner! Rey staggers from that Snake Eyes!

Priest aims, runs and SUPERKICKS Rey down! Cover, TWO!! The Judgement Day is annoyed but Rey is showing the heart of a former world champion. Priest aims at Rey, runs in at the corner, but Rey BOOTS him! Rey goes up but Priest catches him! Rey fights through to DDT! Rey fires up and goes up the corner, but Priest ROCKS him first! Priest climbs up now, brings Rey onto his shoulders, but Rey fights the fireman’s carry! Rey throws knees into Priest from up there, to SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! The Judgement Day is freaking out, except for Dom being stoic as ever. Rey dropkicks Priest onto the ropes, dials it up, but Priest ducks!

Priest spins to HEEL KICK Rey down! Priest steadies himself, then snarls as he drags Rey back up. Priest reels Rey in but Rey flops back down. Priest drags Rey up and gut wrenches to the crucifix! RAZOR’S- RANA!! Rey puts Priest on ropes, dials it up, but Dom stands in the way! Rey tells Dom to stop this, but Finn gets up! Rey DECKS Finn, but Rhea distracts! Rey turns around into Priest’s LARIAT! Priest gives Rey his last rites, and then SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, Priest wins!

Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall

Now Dom smiles, because his father falls. The Judgement Day stands over Rey, and Rhea gets the mic. “Now that Damian is done with Rey Mysterio, there’s just one more man left in the way. And Dominik? Domini’s gonna send him back into retirement. Because what Papi wants, Papi gets. And that is why Dom is gonna set out the challenge for next week on Monday Night Raw to go one-on-one with Edge.” The Judgement Day laughs, but will Dom be able to finish off whatever is left of Edge on the other side?

 

Backstage interview with Bobby Lashley.

Sarah asks the US Champion about how Miz said he was going to win inside the steel cage. What is Lashley’s response? Is that what Miz said? Well he’s not too smart, then. Miz wants to be in the cage because he thinks it’ll keep him safe from Lumis. But instead, he’s standing across the ring from the most dangerous man in the WWE! Lashley doesn’t know Miz’s issue with Lumis, but when the door closes, the only one Miz needs to be afraid of is the All Mighty US Champion! Will the Rocky Mountain Machine make Miz regret making this challenge?

 

WWE Media catches up with Braun.

Does he care to comment about why he’s back and why he went after everyone in that tag team Fatal 4? Braun says he’ll fill us all in on what we need to know: The Monster  of All Monsters is back, and nobody is safe! So see you all on Friday Night SmackDown! Braun is going to the blue brand, will he bust his way onto the Island of Relevancy?

 

WWE shares a post show interview from Clash at the Castle.

Sarah found Matt Riddle after his loss to Seth Rollins, and surely this wasn’t how he hoped it’d go. Where’s his head out? Uh, don’t you see the big lump on his forehead? Rollins stomped Riddle’s head into the ground. But honestly, Riddle let his emotions get the better of him. Rollins took advantage and stomped Riddle’s brain into the canvas. But Riddle wants another round! And he wants it NOW! ASAP! And Riddle vows to win that rematch.

As for Rollins, Sarah brought that up to him. Rollins’ response is to laugh. He’s gotta says, Rollins admires Riddle’s guts! But the bottom line is, Rollins did what he said he would. He got 62 THSOUAND PLUS fans singing his song, “OH~ OH~ OOOH~!” Then Rollins stomped Riddle’s head not once, but twice. So while Rollins admires Riddle’s determination, the rematch is NOT in the cards. Rollins is moving on up to bigger and better! HAHAHAHA! Night night! But despite what Rollins says, will management think otherwise?

 

WWE United States Championship Steel Cage Match: Bobby Lashley VS The Miz!

The All Mighty beat the Psycho Killer, and then he beat the Hollywood A-Lister. Sure, maybe Miz was haunted by the specter of the Tortured Artist known as Dexter Lumis, but it was still on him to not lose. Will being inside the 15 foot steel structure somehow ease Miz’s mind? Or will it only serve to hurt his body with Lashley right there with him?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised and the cage is lowered! Will Miz make it out in one piece? Or will he have a reason to stay inside the cage?

Miz snatches the belt to CLOBBER Lashley with it! The bell hasn’t rung, this match isn’t official yet! Miz kicks Lashley through the doorway and Ciampa fires off haymakers! Fans boo as they mug Lashley at ringside! They stomp away on Lashley at the barriers then dig their boots in! Miz and Ciampa drag Lashley up to RAM him into the cage wall! Then they stomp him more! Ciampa rains down fists and Miz soaks up the heat. Then they both sit on the barriers to applaud themselves and pat themselves on the back. Miz rips up his shirt, then drags Lashley up so he and Ciampa can RAM Lashley into the age!

Miz grabs the steel steps! Ciampa traps Lashley’s arm against the post and Miz RAMS him with the steps! Lashley writhes and clutches his arm while Raw goes picture in picture.

The ref reprimands Ciampa and Miz but they both loom over Lashley. Miz stays back but Ciampa drags Lashley up. They SLAM Lashley’s arm on the desk! And again! And again! And again! Ciampa and Miz let off and soak up the heat while taunting Lashley. Ciampa gets a chair, Miz isolates the arm, and Ciampa SMACKS the arm with the chair! Ciampa gets in Lashley’s face but the refs have him back off. Miz and Ciampa soak up more heat while one ref checks on Lashley. Lashley drags himself to barriers but Ciampa rains down fists! Miz taunts the fans while on the mic, but we can’t hear it because of picture in picture.

Miz sets Lashley up for Ciampa to PSYCHO KNEE him down! Ciampa says the kick is good, and Miz drags Lashley back to the door. Miz and Ciampa get Lashley in the ring, Miz gets in with him, and now the match begins! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives the onslaught and Raw returns to single picture. Miz snarls, runs and BOOTS Lashley down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Lashley while Miz paces. Miz goes up the cage! Ciampa cheers Miz on but Lashley springs up to drag Miz back down! Lashley CLOBBERS Miz, but he clutches the bad arm again. Lashley climbs but the bad arm holds him back! Miz runs in, but into an elbow!

Lashley runs and RAMS Miz in the corner! Lashley CLUBS Miz, brings him around and suplexes, but the bad arm holds him back! Miz wrenches the bad arm and WRINGS it out! Miz then KICKS the bad arm, and KICKS it, and KICKS it again! And again! And again! And again! Miz powers up and he BUZZSAWS Lashley down! Cover, TWO! Miz is annoyed that Lashley is still in this, but he goes to the door. The door opens, but Lashley hurries to drag Miz back in! Lashley shoves Miz down, but Miz ducks and dodges to go up the wall! Lashley drags Miz back down and holds on to crotch Miz! Miz flops against the steel and slumps to the mat.

Miz gets up, and Lashley CLOBBERS him! And again! And OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Lashley runs in and clotheslines in the corner! Then he runs to RAM Miz into the corner! Lashley turns Miz for a NECKBREAKER! Lashley storms around and shakes the bad arm. Lashley drags Miz up to RAM him into the steel! And again! And then again! Miz wobbles and staggers about, into a COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Lashley keeps focus and he aims from a corner. Miz gets up, Ciampa shouts to him, and Lashley runs in! Miz hurries to the door! The door opens, Ciampa and Lashley tug-o-war with Miz!

Ciampa loses grip and Lashley whips Miz into more steel! Lashley drags Miz up and dribbles him again the cage! Miz wobbles and flops back down! Lashley stalks Miz, Miz rises, HURT- NO, the bad arm can’t hook! Miz CLUBS away on the bad arm, then throws elbows! Lashley staggers, Miz hurries to climb up! Ciampa cheers Miz on but fans rally for Lashley! Lashley hurries after Miz and climbs up after him! Miz gets to the top but Lashley drags him back down! Lashley CLUBS Miz, SMACKS him off the cage, and Miz falls! But Ciampa SMACKS the cage with a chair! Lashley hops away to avoid getting hit, BUSAIKU KNEE from Miz! Cover, TWO!!

Miz is beside himself while Raw goes picture in picture. Ciampa kept Lashley from leaving but Miz has to figure out how to put Lashley away. Lashley goes to a corner and Miz storms over. Miz gives Lashley a full nelson! Lashley fights with his good arm and arm-drags free! Only to run into the A-LIST COMBINATION! Cover, TWO! Miz is frustrated again but Ciampa coaches him on. Miz and Lashley go to the ropes, and Miz climbs the cage! Lashley hurries after him, and grabs at Miz just as he reaches the top! Miz fights, Lashley climbs up to join Miz up top, and they brawl! Lashley CLUBS away on Miz to force him back in.

But now Miz turns things around on Lashley and he grabs at legs! Ciampa helps shake the cage and Miz HOTSHOTS Lashley down! And BOOTS him down, too! Ciampa talks trash on Lashley at the cage wall, and Miz runs in to BOOT Lashley again! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives but Miz hurries to lock on a CROSSFACE! Miz traps the bad arm and pulls back on the facelock but Lashley endures! Fans rally up as Lashley fights. Ciampa shakes the cage again but fans still rally up. Lashley fights to his feet and he fireman’s carries! Lashley TOSSES Miz into the steel! Miz slumps down and Lashley aims from a corner! Lashley runs in, but into a BOOT!

Miz hits the bad arm, then he RAMS Lashley into buckles! Miz climbs over Lashley, climbs up the corner, and he’s already to the top of the cage! Lashley hurries after and gets the legs! Ciampa hurries up to meet Miz! Miz grabs Ciampa’s hand but can’t hold on! Lashley drags Miz back in, smacks Miz off the steel, and he has Miz for a SUPERPLEX!! Fans fire up while both men are down! Lashley and Miz both writhe from the fall, but Lashley rises first. Lashley aims again, Miz stands, and Lashley runs in, but the Spear is sent into steel! Miz full nelsons, SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Miz can’t believe that Lashley survives! Ciampa is also in shock! Miz crawls for the door and it opens! Lashley hurries to crawl after Miz, and Lashley anchors Miz’s feet! Miz reaches for the floor but that’s not enough! Lashley drags Miz back in, and muscles Miz up to whip him into more steel! Lashley heads for the door now, but Ciampa SLAMS it shut on him! Wait, Lashley caught it?! And then SLAMS it on Ciampa! But now Miz shuts the door on Lashley! And again! And again! And again! Miz lets off and Lashley flops against the ropes. Miz decides to climb the far side, and he reaches the top! Miz grins as he steps over the other side, but then DEXTER LUMIS slithers out from under the ring!!

Miz is so afraid, he doesn’t climb down! He goes back up and in!! Miz wants to avoid Lumis at all costs, but he would’ve won! Miz turns around into a SPEAR! Cover, Lashley wins!!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)

Lashley might owe Lumis an assist, but at the same time, if Ciampa wasn’t around, Lashley would’ve surely won before now. Wait, now Lumis is climbing into the cage! Miz is crawling away for dear life, but Lashley shuts the door on him! Lashley smiles and Miz scurries up the cage! Lumis yanks Miz down into the SILENCE!! Miz is fading out! Miz IS out! Lumis pets Miz’s head, but what is the reason for his obsession?


My Thoughts:

A great Raw to follow up the great Clash at the Castle event on Saturday. For one, we got great stuff out of Miz and Ciampa with this Lumis stuff. Miz refuses to speak on what happened with Lumis, but he still deeply fears Lumis. We got a very clever way of booking the start to a cage match, with Miz’s belt attack and then him and Ciampa just beating Lashley up all around ringside. But then once the match got going, it was pretty much the usual cage match stuff until Lumis’ honestly hilarious way of appearing. Whatever camera they used to get that shot was a brilliant choice. Lashley wins, Lumis gets after Miz, I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Very good stuff out of the Judgement Day, Edge and Rey. Edge wants after Dom, Rey wants him to show mercy but then Dom joins the enemy. I feel like Dom should’ve been given a chance to talk, but I suppose there is something to be said about Rhea talking for him and directing him. Rey VS Priest was a great match, even with the overbooking of Judgement Day showing up late, but for that reason, of course Priest wins. Dom VS Edge next week will be interesting, but it perhaps works for Dom that Edge got his leg dented so that Dom will have a chance against him. Then at some point, I feel like Rey’s not going to have a choice, he’ll have to face Dom in a match.

The Tag Team Fatal 4 Way was great stuff, but what a way for Braun Strowman to return! He demolishes the four teams so there was no winner, meaning the Usos have no challengers yet. And then Braun says he’s going to SmackDown, so you would think this is so he can tell Roman, “I’m not finished with you!” Now, I don’t see Braun, even now that he’s back, as someone who can dethrone The Tribal Chief, especially now that The Bloodline is even stronger with Solo Sikoa joining in. But no contenders to the Usos makes me really hope Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn are going to end up their challengers and are going to take those titles to weaken The Bloodline.

Speaking of Kevin, he and Austin Theory had a great promo segment and an awesome match. I like that Kevin is getting so meta with his promos. He referenced Theory has “Austin” back so no more parenthesis in the articles. And then Kevin basically puts Theory in his place with that win. Theory grumbles and gets after Gargano, and it’s great that Gargano is getting in the ring next week. Gargano will surely win, but I bet Theory will show up then, too. But I don’t expect them to take this down the route where the MITB contract is on the line. Theory may be obnoxious and at times dense, but he isn’t stupid enough to let anyone else take his guaranteed title match away.

And we got great stuff out of the women’s division tonight. The tag match was rather quick, but it had a purpose. They snuck Nikki and Piper arguing again into the back of DMG CTRL walking to gorilla, so something has got to give there. I personally hope they stick together, and they both shed the “Almost a Super Hero” and “Doudrop” to truly be Nikki CROSS and Piper Niven, two women who have been so very close to major titles and are always in the conversation because they’re that talented. Then speaking of DMG CTRL, great promo from them and Bianca to officially establish the title stories I knew they were going for.

I feel like in the tag title match, there should be a ringside ban on Bayley and anyone else that aren’t Kai, Sky, Aliyah and Raquel. That way, there’s no repeat of the original title match and the two teams can really go hard with a true 2v2. Then we’re definitely getting Bayley VS Bianca for the Raw Women’s Championship at Extreme Rules, and there’s a chance Bayley petitions for a No Disqualification type match so that she can use interference to help her. But I also did like Bayley teasing that it won’t stop with her. Sky VS Bianca and Kai VS Bianca can also happen, and those can/will also be incredible matches with HHH behind the wheel.

My Score: 8.5/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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