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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (11/7/22)

BURN IT DOWN!

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WWE Raw 2022

OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~…pen challenge!

Crown Jewel was big, but The Visionary wants to go bigger! Raw has a United States Championship Open Challenge from Seth Freakin’ Rollins!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Six Man Tag: Matt Riddle & The New Day VS The Bloodline; The Bloodline wins.
  • Baron Corbin VS Cedric Alexander; Corbin wins.
  • WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Seth Rollins VS ???; No Contest.
  • Elias VS Otis w/ Chad Gable; Otis wins.
  • Shelton Benjamin VS Austin Theory; Theory wins.
  • Johnny Gargano VS The Miz; The Miz wins.
  • WWE 24/7 Championship: Dana Brooke VS Nikki Cross w/ DMG CTRL; Nikki wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
  • WWE United States Championship Open Challenge (Take Two): Seth Rollins VS Bobby Lashley; No Contest.
  • WWE United States Championship Money in the Bank Cash-In: Seth Rollins VS Austin Theory; Rollins wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Bloodline is here!

Jimmy & Jey are still Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, and they’ve got their brother, Solo Sikoa, with them as they head to the ring. The Usos are getting ready to defend the titles this Friday against the New Day in a battle for history, but what’re they doing here tonight? The Usos get the mic and fans chant, “UCEY! UCEY!” Then they chant for “SAMI! SAMI!” Jey says, “Hey. The Bloodline is now in your city!” Jimmy says last Saturday at Crown Jewel, Roman Reigns SMASHED Logan Paul, and the Usos went to Fight Night and SMASHED the Brawling Brutes. If you weren’t there, just see this!

A picture is on the tron, and it shows the Bloodline standing tall together with fireworks. But that’s the past! The future is the Usos VS The New Day on SmackDown. New Day are the longest running tag team champs in WWE history. Fans chant, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Jey agrees, they do rock. But after Friday, you’ll look at the NEW longest reigning tag team champions EVER! They the twos, and #WeThe- “It’s a New Day, yes it is!” The New Day is HERE! Kofi says to “Hold up hold up hold up.” They’re getting ahead of themselves. Back it up. First, congrats to the Usos on beating the Brutes at Crown Jewel.

Woods says, “Matter of fact, how y’all feeling?” Private jet lagged, not that the New Day knows about that. They’re in group three. Woods says he has a diamond medallion, two million miles, but regardless. “Ladies and gentlemen, in just four days, on Friday Night SmackDown, you will see the longest reigning W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~… Defending our reign against the current WWE World Tag Team Champions, the Usos. But, but, listen to us when we tell you the truth about that. In the end, we will once again be champions. But more importantly, our reign of 483 DAYS as champions will stay intact.”

Fans rally up for Kofi on that, but Jimmy says, “Yeah, yeah, Kofi, Kofi.” Jey says it’s Kofi & The New Day, get it? Jimmy says they gave the New Day their props. One hell of a tag team. Breaking down barriers! Multiple time tag team champions! Booty O’s! Up Up Down Down, merchandise is lit, and they’re even on Netflix! Jimmy is proud of them. So is Jey. Isn’t Wilkes-Barre proud of them? Fans cheer for that. It must feel real good to be the second best tag team in WWE. Fans boo now, and Woods says, “Second best? What y’all fail to remember is that we still hold the record. That means you are chasing us.”

That means the Usos are chasing the guys who built this from the ground up. The guys who changed what tag team wrestling looks like. They’re chasing first generation superstars. “Y’all had people who were coddling you and holding your hand down the ramp, teaching you how to do this. Y’all got tryouts based on what your family members did before you! You built your legacies off the backs of your uncles, your cousins, your fathers, and your grandfathers while we built our legacies off our own backs!” The Usos say New Day doesn’t know the pressure they’ve been under. What do they know about pressure?! What they know about making a name for themselves coming from a family like the Usos?

The New Day’s never been in the ring with their dad! With their uncle! Y’know who they’ve been in the ring with? Tell ’em! They’ve been in the ring with the definition of a true tag team! The Day Ones! They the ones! Right now! JIMMY! JEY! THE UUUUUSOOOOS~! That’s pressure! Woods says, “Do not speak to us like you know what pressure is. Pressure is sitting in catering week to week not knowing if you’re getting fired. Pressure is building an entire YouTube channel outside of this company just to make sure you get noticed at work! Pressure, pressure, is putting together the most important three man group to ever step foot in wrestling and coming in and getting booed for it! Don’t you DARE talk to us about pressure!”

Fans fire up as things are getting heated. Fans chant, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” and Woods says, “You hear that? They know about the pressure because these people know, every single one of them knows, that that pressure turned us into diamonds!” Diamonds, huh? Talking about diamonds that used to be in the crown, King Woods? The crown that Jey stomped to the ground? The real kings have the crowns now. On their shoulders! And Kofi… If the Usos never forfeited that match, there never would’ve been no KofiMania! They gave him that! His kids got in the ring with him, so he’s welcome! Matter of fact, don’t even show up. Stay home with the kids to let the Usos do what they do.

Kofi says, “Stay with my kids? What kind of father would I be if I went home and tell them I forfeited this match to you?” Kofi says the Usos don’t understand what this means to them. To the Usos, it’s just another check mark in a box. But this is more. That represents a time when they were saddled with the gimmick of being positivity preaching preachers. No one should’ve been able to overcome that, but they did! It represents a time when they came to work, clawing and scratching and fighting as hard as they could to get some semblance of success, all to be told by everyone that they sucked! It represents a time that may very well be the last time that the New Day was whole. And they elevated the Usos in the process, so they will NOT forfeit the record to the Usos!

“Bro…!” Matt Riddle makes his way out? Riddle apologizes for interrupting, but he saw the New Day and just had to come out. “So Woods, me and Elias are kind of forming a band, and we could really-” Jey tells Riddle to shut up. Whoa, guys, c’mon. When Riddle gets wild, he just likes to sit back, relax and hit the bong…os. Bongos. Wanna hit them? Woods would love to. Tap. Does Kofi wanna hit them? Tap. C’mon, Bloodline, what about you? Wanna hit it? Solo stares at Riddle but Riddle says okay, strong silent type. What about Jimmy? Riddle plays shave and a haircut, Jimmy gives him two bits! YEAH~!

But then Jimmy really gets into it! Riddle says he knows the rules! Tap tap, pass. Don’t bogart. But c’mon, Jey. A certain someone has been saying he hasn’t been so… “UCEY! UCEY!” Jey SLAPS the bongos! No man slaps the bongs! YEET! Riddle can do math! Three and three, YEET, so let’s have a SIX MAN! YEET~! Fans fire up for that. And why is that? Cuz “NEW! DAY ROCKS! NEW! DAY ROCKS!” The challenge has been made, and it seems it has been accepted! Will #BroDay be hitting more than just the bongos?

 

Six Man Tag: Matt Riddle & The New Day VS The Bloodline!

Raw returns and Riddle starts with Jimmy. They approach, Jimmy kicks and HEADBUTTS, then he CHOPS Riddle to a corner. Jimmy whips corner to corner, Riddle goes up and over and he KICKS Jimmy down! Riddle brings Jimmy up with a gut wrench for the suplex! Riddle hurries over to the corner and tags Woods. Woods says, “Time to turn up!” Woods stomps a mudhole into Jimmy, Kofi tags in, and then Kofi stomps away! The stampeded begins, and Riddle tags in to add on as a true stallion! Tag back to Woods, he stomps away again! Tag back to Kofi, and Woods whips him in to basement dropkick! Cover, ONE!!

Kofi wrenches Jimmy but Jimmy pulls hair! Tag to Jey, Jimmy traps Kofi for Jey’s forearm smash! Kofi staggers and Jey CLUBS him down. Jey drags Kofi up but fans rally. Jey headlocks, Kofi powers out but Jey runs him over. Jey holds up the finger, things speed up, but Kofi hurdles and hurdles to ELBOW Jey down! Cover, TWO! Kofi drags Jey up, wrenches, tag to Woods. Woods climbs up and he AX HANDLES the arm! Woods brings Jey to a headlock and then a wrench. Woods grinds the arm, hammerlocks it, then grabs at the other arm. Fans rally as Woods pulls the arm back to stand on it! It’s a cradle, TWO!

Jey scrambles but Woods get the arm. Woods wrenches, tags Riddle, and Riddle KICKS Jey! Riddle ROCKS Jey, Jey kicks back but Riddle blocks! Riddle spins Jey but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey storms up on Riddle but Riddle headscissors Jey out! Fans fire up but Jimmy distracts the ref as Solo DECKS Riddle! The Bro goes down and fans boo while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Riddle throws forearms on Jey! Jimmy tags in and Jey whips, the Usos DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER Riddle! Jimmy covers, TWO! Jimmy stalks Riddle, puts him in a corner, and he fires off haymakers! The ref counts, Jimmy lets off and holds up the fingers. Fans boo as Jimmy walks to the opposite corner, “UCE! SO!” Jimmy runs in to HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Jimmy is annoyed but he drags Riddle over. Tag to Solo and they split the wishbone! Solo PENALTY KICKS Riddle, then he drags Riddle by his legs. Solo stomps Riddle low, stomps him and HEADBUTTS him, and he roars! Solo jumps and drops a LEG!

Solo brings Riddle up, wrenches, and he tags in Jey. They mug Riddle with a mule kick! Riddle sputters and falls into the Bloodline corner. Jey talks trash, “Who hitting the bong now?” Jey stomps Riddle, but fans rally up for the Bro. Jey is annoyed, but Riddle starts throwing forearms on everyone! He DECKS Jimmy, DECK Solo, ROCKS Jey, but Jey suplexes. Riddle blocks to hit a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Fans fire up while both men are down and crawling! Hot tag to Solo! Solo storms up but Riddle FINAL FLASH KNEES him! Tag to Woods! Woods mule kicks Solo, DECKS Jimmy, Kofi KICKS Solo! Woods mule kick again, Kofi KICKS again!

Kofi tags Woods back in before he PENALTY KICKS Solo! Woods SLIDING LARIATS! Kofi SPLASHES! Woods FIST DROPS! Woods covers, ONE?!? The Enforcer is shockingly tough! Woods brings Solo up, tags Kofi, but Solo suplexes. Woods slips out to feed to Kofi’s shoulder! Wood blocks the schoolboy to stomp Woods, but Kofi CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE, but Kofi PENALTY KICKS again! Fans fire up and Kofi gives us the “NEW~ DAY~” BOOM DROP! Kofi goes to the corner and fans fire up! “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Jey swipes but he gets a SUPERKICK! Kofi spins but into the SPINNING SOLO!!

Solo roars and snarls, but he isn’t done with Kofi yet! Jey BLASTS Kofi off the apron and to the desk! Solo goes out after Kofi, he dribbles Kofi off the desk again and again! Woods storms over but he gets an ELBOW! Solo roars again and the Bloodline is dominating again as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Solo has Kofi down with a chinlock. Kofi fights up, throws body shots, but Solo shoves him to a corner. Kofi rebounds, sunset flips, but Solo stays up by flailing! Solo drops a LEG! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Solo drags Kofi up and tags Jimmy in. Kofi fights back, but he gets DOUBLE HEADBUTTS! Jimmy tells fans to hush, and then he drags Kofi up. Tag to Jey, Jey climbs, and the Usos hit a BACKBREAKER AX HANDLE COMBO! Cover, TWO! Kofi is still in this but Woods was ready. The ref has Woods stand down, and Jey tags in Solo. Solo looms over Kofi, brings him up, and HEADBUTTS Kofi to a corner.

Fans rally, but Solo runs corner to corner, into BOOTS! Solo staggers, into more BOOTS! Kofi goes up, reels Solo in, TORNADO DDT! Solo sits up in a daze and Kofi crawls! Fans fire up for the hot tags to Jey and Riddle! The Bro KICKS Jey, KIJCKS Jimmy, repeat! Jey swings, but gets spun into a PELE! Riddle kips up, gets around Jimmy, ripcord and FINAL FLASH! Jimmy ends up in a corner, Riddle runs in to forearm smash! Riddle goes corner to corner to forearm smash Jey! Riddle KNEES Solo off the apron! Forearm for Jimmy! BROSPLODER for Jimmy! BIG forearm for Jey, but Jey fights the clinch! Riddle still hits a BROSPLODER!

BROTON for Jimmy! BROTON for Jey! PENALTY KICK for Jey! Riddle brings Jey up, for a POWERBOMB, then a roll to a FINAL FLASH! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives but Riddle keeps on him. Riddle puts Jey in a drop zone and goes up top! Fans fire up for the FLOATING- NO! Jey moves, and he SUPERKICKS Riddle! Then he hits a POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives but Jey hurries up top! Jimmy tags in and the USO SPLASH lands in a triangle hold! But Jimmy goes up, USO SPLASH!! Cover, Woods breaks it!! Solo runs in, into a mule kick! Jey superkicks, but Woods blocks, spins and ROLLING ELBOWS!

Woods whips Solo, Solo reverses to toss Woods out. Woods drags Solo out but Solo shoves Woods over the announce desk! Kofi runs in, but Solo DECKS Kofi out of the air! And then RAMS him into steel steps! But Riddle PENALTY KICKS from the apron! FLOATING BRO ATTACK! Riddle stands, into a USO DIVE!! Jimmy hurries to check Solo, and then he puts Riddle in. “This is Awesome!” as Riddle KICKS Jimmy in the ropes! Riddle drags Jimmy out, DRAPING DDT! Shoutout to the Viper! But Solo tags in and then hides! Riddle hears those voices, RKO for Jimmy! But SPINNING SOLO!! Cover, The Bloodline wins!!

Winners: The Bloodline, by pinfall

Solo has learned the numbers game very well from his family! And thanks to that, his family wins out! Will the Usos do this all over again when they go 2v2 with the New Day?

 

JBL is here!

John Bradshaw Layfield is in Wilkes-Barre, and that can only mean Baron Corbin isn’t too far behind. What will the Harbinger of the Modern Day Wrestling God have to say about his protégé? We’ll find out, after the break.

Raw returns and JBL has the mic. “From the Budokan to the O2. From the Staples Center to Madison Square Garden. I have sold out every great arena on God’s green earth. And when you talk about great arenas, this isn’t one of ’em! I don’t know what idiot would book me here. But that’s besides the point, because for the rest of your lives, this will be the greatest moment you’ve ever had! So I want everybody to get up, stand up on your Philadelphia Phillies World Series LOSING to Texas feet! Put your snowflake, chubby little woke hands together, and clap for the man who is gonna save this business, the Modern Day Wrestling God… BARON CORBIN!”

Fans boo as Corbin makes his entrance and joins JBL in the ring. Will Corbin continue to back up JBL’s words? Or will he be shown up by his opponent, who is PRIMED for a comeback of is own?

Baron Corbin VS Cedric Alexander!

The bell rings and JBL joins commentary again. Corbin RAMS Cedric into a corner, stomps and punches away, but the ref counts. Corbin lets off at 4 and shouts at Cedric, “What you got?” Corbin stomps away again, lets off as the ref counts, but fans chant, “BUM ASS CORBIN!” Corbin drags Cedric up, CLUBS him, and CLUBS him again. Corbin flexes but fans boo more. Corbin whips Cedric corner to corner, runs in, but Cedric goes up! Corbin slides out, slides in and LARIATS Cedric! Cover, TWO! Corbin is frustrated, and he tells the fans they’re morons. Cedric gets to a corner but Corbin throws a haymaker.

Corbin runs corner to corner, but into a drop toehold! Corbin hits a buckle, Cedric KICKS Corbin away! Cedric goes up and missile dropkicks! Cedric runs in to forearm smash! Cedric runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges to NEURALIZER! Corbin flops out of the ring and Cedric builds speed! Cedric DIVES and takes Corbin out! Cedric rains down fists at the ramp but Corbin scrambles away. Cedric attacks and puts Corbin in the ring! Step-in springboard, but into the END OF DAYS! Cover, Corbin wins!

Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall

JBL laughs, “That’s my guy!” and he celebrates with Corbin in the ring. Will Corbin prove JBL right again and again until he isn’t just a Modern Day Wrestling God, but a top champion in the WWE?

 

WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Seth Rollins VS ???

The Visionary has Wilkes-Barre singing his song, “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” as he’s here to put his title on the line against whoever wants it! Rollins gets the mic as fans sing, and he says, “Ohh yeeeeah~! Ladies and gentlemen of the fine state of Pennsylvania, welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” He hears them singing again, “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” and he smiles. “Now, I could sit here and all night and be serenaded by your beautiful voices, but we’ve got some business to attend to. Because tonight is a very special edition of Monday Night Rollins, because back by popular demand, right here, right now, is the United States Championship OPEN CHALLENGE!!”

And the JUDGMENT DAY walks out?! Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley all head to the ring! They’re also victorious at Crown Jewel against The OC, largely in part because of Rhea’s involvement. The Judgment Day flank the ring, and then Finn steps into the ring with a mic. Finn says, “I’ve got a bone to pick with you. A couple years back, you cost me gold. So tonight, I’m gonna cost you gold. So as far as your open challenge for the United States Championship goes-” The OC heads out here?! AJ Styles, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows throw up the Too Sweet, and they’re going to the ring!

Dom & Priest back Finn up as Styles and the Good Brothers step in. Finn tells them all to leave, but Rollins is intrigued. He steps back and out of the ring, letting these trios stare down. Styles brings out a mic to say, “This, between the OC and the Judgment Day. It’s far from over.” Finn tells Styles that the only thing that is over is the Judgment Day! Get it? The Club, the OC, it’s all old news. So as far as Finn’s concerned, they can- “That’s the problem! It’s always been the three of us against the four of you.” Rhea waves hi, and Styles says Crown Jewel was no different. They tried to find someone to take care of the Rhea problem, and still haven’t found that someone.

Rhea says that’s cuz no one likes the OC. But see, that someone found them! And Rhea gets CLOBBERED, by MIA YIM!!! The Head Baddie is back in the WWE! And then the OC attack the Judgment Day! Things are even as Styles stomps Dom, Karl rocks Finn, and Gallows CLUBS Priest! Mia has a kendo stick and she SMACKS Rhea around! Priest knees Gallows but Gallows TACKLES Priest over the desk! Yim TOSSES Rhea over barriers! Styles TOSSES Dom, Finn LARIATS Karl! And that just leaves Prince and Phenomenal One! Fans fire up as the jackets come off, and the leaders throw hands!

Styles gets the edge, whips, but Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges and bails out! Fans boo but Karl SMACKS Finn off the apron! Dom leaps in, but into the STYLES CLASH!! Finn drags Dom out before it gets worse, but Yim joins the Good Brothers in the ring! Will this be the solution to the Rhea problem?

 

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

Cathy Kelley says we all just saw what happened, so what does this mean for the open challenge? Rollins says things got a little too intense out there. That was none of his business so he had to get gone. But as for the challenge, he made a promise! Tonight, we will see an Open Challenge! We’ll see who answers the call. Better not be Cathy! HAHAHAHA! But then, who will step up to go after Rollins’ gold later tonight?

 

Elias VS Otis w/ Chad Gable!

The Drifter helped The Bro get one over on The Alpha Academy during the Trick or Street Fight, but now the tree trunk wants payback! Will Master Gable’s Number One Guy win one #ForTheAcademy? Or will Elias be the one to SHOOOOSH Otis & Gable?

The bell rings and Elias circles with Otis. They tie up, Otis shoves him away and says, “Pure power, baby!” Elias shrugs that off, ties up with Otis again and gets around to a headlock. Otis powers out and runs Elias right over! Elias hurries up and Gable applauds. Elias gets around Otis again, CHOPS, and CHOPS, and whips, but Otis blocks! Otis reverse to scoop, but Elias slips off to- NOPE, can’t scoop Otis! Otis HEADBUTTS Elias, then CLUBS Elias to a corner. Otis throws heavy shots, then whips Elias to ropes. Elias ducks ‘n’ dodges and SCOOPS! But he falls over! Otis is too heavy and Elias is sputtering.

Gable tells fans to “SHOOSH!” and Otis runs to ELBOW DROP! Otis clamps on the claws into the shoulders. Gable that’s the grip he taught Otis. “How’s that feel, Elias? You idiot!” Fans rally up, Elias stands, but Otis shoves him to a corner. Otis runs in, but Elias dodges and POSTS Otis! Otis staggers out, into a JUMP KNEE! Otis still staggers around, into another JUMP KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Otis stays in this but Elias goes to the apron. Elias climbs up top, but Gable distracts! Elias FLYING KNEES Gable down! But Otis CLOBBERS Elias from behind! Otis scoops for the WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Cover, Otis wins!

Winner: Otis, by pinfall

Master Gable gave Otis the greatest assist, and now Otis has a big win! Will this allow the Academy to move on? Or will they still Walk With Elias?

 

Backstage interview with The Judgment Day.

Byron Saxton says it seems The OC has a solution to the Rhea problem. Finn says no! They haven’t discovered anything! Only more problems! Now, they’ve got eight- no, 16- NO! They’ve got 99 problems and they don’t have a single solution! They solved nothing! Priest says what happens today and tomorrow will be the same: The OC will fall while the Judgment Day will rise! Dom says, “They think they found someone who can take on Mami? NUH-UH! NO!” Rhea says she’s got this. The OC thinks they can just bring anyone in to fix their problem. Bring in Mia Yim. Bring in an army and see if she cares! She cannot be stopped. Now get out of their face.

Byron leaves and the Judgment Day continues on. Then Rhea crosses paths with Bianca Belair. Rhea says, “Champ.” Bianca nods, but heads on. Mia being a solution or not, does Rhea have a problem of her own to solve?

 

Bianca Belair heads to the ring!

And she’s not alone, as she has Asuka and Alexa Bliss by her side! The RawEST Women’s Champion was the Last Woman Standing, but #TwistedMist lost their titles thanks to a chaotic assist from Nikki Cross. Their was a confrontation before the show in the parking lot, but Bianca has a mic now to say, “Look, y’all. I am proud to be standing here the Last Woman Standing and still your Raw Women’s Champion. But Crown Jewel didn’t all go according to plan. And y’all all saw what happened earlier, so y’all already know this is far from being over with.

“So Damage Control, we got something to say that we think you’d like to hear. And since y’all wanted to act so tough in the parking lot earlier, why don’t you come out here right here, right now, so we can say it to your face.” And so, Damage Control appears! Bayley, Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky have mics, and Kai says, “Bianca, Bianca, Bianca. Nobody gives a damn that you were the Last Woman Standing. But the way we see it, is you still haven’t even beaten Bayley. But she’s beaten you twice! HAHA! Hey, hey, Iyo. Speaking of which, how many times have we won these titles?” “Twice!” DMG CTRL gets in the ring to stare Bianca, Asuka & Alexa down.

“And who did we beat to get them?” “Alexa and Asuka.” Alexa isn’t sure what they were watching, because she & Asuka had them the entire time. The only reason they won is cuz of Nikki Cross, so why’re they bragging? Asuka tells DMG CTRL off in Japanese, but Sky responds in kind. Asuka mocks Sky for only now using Japanese. Sky says Asuka can ONLY Japanese! They’re arguing more and more, and Asuka says Sky is a “BAKA BAKA BAAAAK~!” AKA a DUMMY!! Sky pretends not to hear Asuka but fans cheer Asuka on. Sky just uses, “BITCH!” Asuka URAKENS Sky for that! And the brawl is on!

Bayley is after Alexa, Bianca has Kai, and of course Asuka stomps away on Sky! Sky and Kai bail out, Bayley follows, and DMG CTRL regroups. Bianca says they didn’t let her finish. This ain’t a fight or a match, this is war! “And this is ending… at WARGAMES!!” But then NIKKI CROSS attacks!! Bianca is down, DMG CTRL goes after Asuka and Alexa! Kai & Sky feed Bianca to Nikki’s HEADBUTT! And then Bayley hits ROSE PLANT! Nikki CLOBBERS Asuka! Bayley likes what she sees out of crazy Nikki Cross but fans boo. Nikki aims at Alexa, and SPLASHES her in the corner! Kai & Sky POST Asuka! Nikki hits Alexa with the DRAPING NECKBREAKER!

Fans boo but DMG CTRL and Nikki stand tall. Bayley says, “See you at WarGames, Bianca.” Is Nikki going to be a wild card in that match? Will Bianca be able to find a fourth to even things up?

 

Shelton Benjamin VS Austin Theory!

Once upon a time, the Gold Standard had a bright future, and was himself a young United States Champion. But Mr. All Day continues to rub it in everyone’s face that he is THE Youngest United States Champion in WWE history, THE Youngest Mr. Money in the Bank in WWE history, and as far as he’s concerned, the future of the WWE. Will Theory prove that’s more than just opinion? Or will Benjamin show Theory will be the youngest flavor of the month ever?

The bell rings, they approach, and Theory slides past Benjamin. Theory taunts Benjamin, but then Benjamin trips Theory! Theory gest up, swings but into a waistlock and SLAM! Benjamin holds on, Theory gets to ropes, and the ref calls the ropebreak. Benjamin lets off but Theory elbows him away! The ref reprimands, but Benjamin ROCKS Theory with a right hand! Benjamin whips corner to corner, runs in but Theory drop toeholds him into buckles! Benjamin staggers, into the SOMERSAULT SHOTGUN! Theory rains down fists on Benjamin, then talks trash! Theory drags Benjamin up but Benjamin blocks the buckle bumps.

Benjamin throws elbows and haymakers, Theory gives them back, but Benjamin counter punches! Benjamin kicks, punches, whips but Theory reverses to LARIAT! Fans boo but Theory snarls as he snapmares Benjamin, “That’s all day!” But Benjamin avoids the stomp to roll Theory up! TWO, into an ANKLE LOCK! Benjamin reminds everyone he was Team Angle, but Theory rolls and boots Benjamin away. Benjamin comes back, misses, and Theory fireman’s carries! Benjamin slips off to GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Benjamin runs in at the corner, STEP-UP KNEE! Theory wobbles, Benjamin whips but Theory blocks

Theory ROCKS Benjamin but fans rally. Benjamin throws Theory out but Theory HOTSHOTS Benjamin! Theory goes up top, but Benjamin springs up after him! Theory rakes the eyes! Fireman’s carry, A-TOWN DOWN!! Cover, Theory wins!

Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall

The young blood takes out the experienced icon with a sneaky move! Will Theory use anything and everything to get back up to be the youngest top superstar in WWE history?

 

Johnny Gargano VS The Miz!

In his WWE Investigates tell-all interview, Johnny Wrestling became Johnny Whistleblower when he revealed the Hollywood A-Lister was exploiting the Tortured Artist, Dexter Lumis. Before the match, Miz gets the mic. “Now before I face that whistleblowing Johnny Weasel tonight, I wanna speak to each and everyone of you with honesty. And I can confirm that without a shadow of a doubt that Johnny Gargano’s interview is completely false! It is a blatant smear job. The evidence is clearly doctored. It is one of the biggest deep fakes I have ever seen! And I can’t believe no one is looking at the sources!

“I have read what people say on the internet. And I can’t stand that I have to defend myself to the media, my friends, everyone besides my own family! And not even that is true! My own FATHER believes Johnny!” Fans cheer for Papa George. Miz says the only silver lining is that his agent’s phone has not stopped ringing. Miz can’t say their name, but he just met with a big Hollywood producer, but she is big time. She wants to tell the real story! The true story! Miz’s story! And a story like this will take time. They need to build Oscar buzz. But Miz has also spoken with his lawyers, and they are moving forward with a defamation suit!

That may be too much already, but Miz’s PR team is working on a formal response, and Miz will just say, Gargano- is making his entrance! “Mike, Mike, man. I’ve always liked your dad. Very smart man.” Fans cheer for George again, and then for Johnny Wrestling. Gargano thanks them for that. But it is because of them chanting for him that Gargano can’t start this match without telling the truth about something he did. That’s right, Gargano needs to blow the whistle on himself! TWEET~! It had to be done. But when Gargano did that interview, he was hoping the public would shame The Miz into telling the truth and paying Lumis. But that didn’t happen.

SO… Gargano realized he needed stronger evidence against The Miz. And well, Gargano did something just a little deceitful to get it. Gargano hired someone! Miz, you know that big Hollywood producer you had dinner with? She was actually a private investigator. And… She was wearing a hidden camera. And… Gargano has the footage! Miz is stunned silent. But luckily for us, Gargano brought a universal remote from home that works on the tron! Let’s watch! It’s in a very artsy black ‘n’ white, maybe the PI is still a director after all. But she told Miz that if he really did pay Lumis to create this drama, then that makes Miz a mastermind. What network wouldn’t want a story that juicy!

Miz likes hearing that big TV networks would want this story. She wouldn’t be here if she didn’t think that. Well, let’s speak off the record then. Anything said here remains at this table. She can be trusted. Well then… Everything Gargano is saying… is true. He orchestrated the whole thing. So he paid Lumis? Yes. Gargano fast-forwards a bit to where Miz was bragging that he saw the perfect opening to boost his career! And it did that! He’s been taking meeting after meeting! It’s been going perfect, until Miz hung Lumis out to dry. Why did he stop? Well things got crazy. Out of control! Corporate was asking questions, the police were asking questions, it got too big.

So Miz had to squash everything. Gratned, He Who Shall Not Be Named did some work. Fast-forward again to Miz saying Lumis shouldn’t have gotten paid. If a project goes under, no one gets paid, right? If anything, Lumis should be thankful for the notoriety. What was Lumis doing a few months ago? NOTHING. Gargano stops the tape and fans go “OOOOH~!” And then Gargano continues his walk to the ring. Can Miz focus on the match with his entire reputation in ruins? We’ll see, after the break.

Raw returns and the bell rings. Miz rushes Gargano but Gargano dodges the lariat! And the boot! And the haymakers! Gargano ROCKS Miz, then eggs him on. They tie up, Miz puts Gargano in a corner but Gargano dodges the chop to CHOP! And CHOP! Miz headlocks, but Gargano powers out to hurdle. Things speed up, Gargano DROPKICKS Miz down! Miz bails out, fans fire up and Gargano goes to the apron to PENALTY KICK! Then he stomps Miz’s hand on the apron! And then CANNONBALLS! Fans fire up with Gargano as the ring count climbs. Gargano returns to Miz at the desk to CHOP him! And CHOP again!

Gargano puts Miz in the ring, aims from the apron, and he shoulder sin. Gargano slides to sunset flip, TWO! Gargano wrenches Miz’s arm, wristlocks, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Gargano snapmares Miz, runs and basement dropkicks! Cover, ONE! Miz grits his teeth but Gargano wrenches his arm again. Gargano headlocks, Miz powers out, and Miz hurdles. Things speed up, but Gargano avoids the dropkick! Fans cheer while Gargano takes a bow. Gargano brings Miz up, and he PENALTY KICKS the arm! “It’s good~!” Fans cheer for that one. Gargano brings Miz up, wrenches and puts Miz in a corner.

Gargano YANKS the arm against ropes, and again! Gargano whips, Miz reverses, but Gargano goes up, only to get caught! Miz KICKS Gargano out of the air! Miz snarls and shakes out the bad arm, and then he storms up on Gargano. Miz runs in to KICK Gargano in the side! Fans taunt Miz over his “TINY BALLS!” but Miz CHOKES Gargano on the ropes! The ref counts, Miz lets off to run and STRADDLE ATTACK! Gargano flops over while Miz snarls. Miz stomps Gargano, stalks him, but Gargano counter punches! And again! And again! Gargano whips, Miz reverses and kitchen sink knees! Then basement BOOTS! Cover, TWO!

Miz creeps on on Gargano to pull on the ears! Miz then pulls Gargano into a chinlock. Fans rally as Gargano fights up. Gargano throws body shots, Miz shoves him away, then runs in at the corner, A-LIST LARIAT! Miz shoves Gargano down while fans boo. Miz climbs up the corner, leaps and ATOMIC DROP from Gargano! Well if he didn’t have tiny balls, he does now! Gargano RANAS Miz, then gets around to schoolboy KICK! Miz wobbles into a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Miz is still in this and he crawls to a corner. Gargano runs in at the corner to forearm smash! Gargano keeps moving, and he turns Miz’s kitchen sink into a schoolboy, TWO!

Gargano holds on and wants the arm! Miz rolls through, has a leg, steps through, but Gargano kicks him out! Miz hurries up but Gargano SUPERKICKS him! Miz falls to the floor! Gargano nods and fans fire up! Gargano PLANCHAS! Down goes Miz! Fans fire up and Gargano storms after Miz. Gargano brings Miz up but Miz SLAMS Gargano on the barriers! And he SUPERKICKS Gargano down! Miz snarls as he has control and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns yet again and Miz raises his hands. Fans boo! Miz points to Gargano, and fans cheer! Miz? BOO! Gargano? YAY! Miz runs in at Gargano but Gargano dodges the A-List Lariat to ENZIGURI! And DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Both men are down and fans rally up for “JOHNNY WRESTLING!” Gargano goes to the far side, he ROCKS Miz with a haymaker, and another! And another! Gargano whips, Miz reverses but Gargano CROSSBODIES! And then he CLOBBERS Miz! Miz goes a corner, Gargano runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! Miz wobbles and Gargano goes up, to FLYING COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO!!

Miz survives but Gargano keeps cool. Miz crawls to another corner and Gargano runs in again. Miz puts Gargano on the apron and he ROCKS Gargano! Miz runs, but Gargano SLINGSHOT SPEARS! Cover, TWO!! Miz survives again, fitting of a two-time WWE Grand Slam Champion! But Gargano drags Miz up, only for Miz to throat chop! Miz kicks a leg out, but Gargano wrenches and slips around, schoolboy- NO, Miz ducks that kick to BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO! Gargano survives, showing why he’s an NXT Triple Crown Champion! Miz snarls, and he KICKS Gargano! And KICKS! And KICKS! Gargano continues to take the It Kicks again and again!

Miz soaks up the heat, takes aim, but Gargano ducks the buzzsaw to ENZIGURI! But Miz BOOTS back! Gargano SUPERKICKS! Miz SUPERKICKS! Gargano rebounds, to LARIAT! And LARIAT! And LARIAT! Gargano fires off boxing elbows at the ropes, lets off as the ref counts, but is put on the apron, Miz runs, SLINGSHOT SPEAR MEETS KNEE!! Cover, TWO!!! Gargano survives and Miz is fuming again! Miz powers up and he shouts, “MASSIVE! BALLS!” Full nelson, but Gargano victory rolls the Finale! TWO!! Gargano aims, to SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO!! Miz survives and Gargano grows frustrated now.

Miz rolls out of the ring but Gargano builds speed! DIVE!! Miz hits the desk and then the floor! Gargano snarls and hobbles to bring Miz up, but Miz SHOVES Gargano onto the desk! The ring count is climbing, Miz brings Gargano around and puts him in at 5! Miz climbs up but Gargano WRECKS him with a dropkick! And then someone drags Miz under the ring!! Miz scurries out, with a spare crossbar! Miz is claiming there’s someone under there! It has to be HIM, right? Gargano grabs Miz, Miz CRACKS him with the crossbar! Miz drops the bar, hurries in, and covers! MIZ WINS!

Winner: The Miz, by pinfall

That was all an act!! Just like the “stalking” from Lumis, Miz fakes a crisis to get the spotlight! If Miz really is a mastermind, will he find a way to get away with everything? WAIT! Lumis SMACKS Miz with a chair! And this time, it’s the REAL Lumis! Lumis takes a seat next to Miz, then hurries away as security rushes out here! Fans cheer Lumis on! Will true justice be served?

 

DMG CTRL talks with Nikki Cross.

Kai says they’re so happy Nikki saw that they’re her friends, not her enemies. Because after she attacked them, DMG CTRL was ready to end her. But then it dawned on them, she’s like them! Lost and forgotten, but not by them. And at Survivor Series, they’ll unleash all that pent up rage and aggression inside WarGames. Sky agrees. Nikki will destroy Dana Brooke, too. And don’t think Nikki has to wait for WarGames. Let it all out tonight! Nikki lets out a maniacal laugh, and says, “Time to play.” Will Nikki be just the thing DMG CTRL needs to truly take over?

 

WWE 24/7 Championship: Dana Brooke VS Nikki Cross w/ DMG CTRL!

The Flex Appeal has been safe with this title in the background of Bianca VS Bayley and Kai & Sky VS Asuka & Alexa. But now, her reign may be in danger as Nikki brings back her wild side. Will Nikki’s time finally come? Or can Dana manage to survive the madness?

The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see if DMG CTRL takes over another division!

The bell rings and fans rally while Nikki pulls at her hair. Bayley is on commentary as Nikki fires up and CLOBBERS Dana! Nikki throws hands, then SPLASHES Dana in the corner! Nikki stomps away, lets off at 4, and then CROSS CHOPS Dana! Nikki fishhooks Dana’s face then wraps on a straitjacket stretch. Nikki thrashes Dana around but Dana endures. Nikki chuckles in Dana’s ear, sits her up, but Dana fights up. Dana powers up and arm-drags free, then hurries to a corner. Nikki runs in but into an elbow! And then a BOOT! And then just buckles! Dana fires off on Nikki in return! The ref counts, Dana stomps, but she lets off at 4.

Dana brings Nikki up but Nikki stops the bulldog to throw Dana by her hair! Bayley says no one understands. There’s more than meets the eye with DMG CTRL. Nikki thrashes and dribbles Dana off the mat! Dana gets away to ropes but Nikki CHOKES her! And thrashes her more! The ref backs Nikki off but then Nikki RAMS into Dana! And then the ANARCHY NECKBREAKER! Cover, Nikki wins!

Winner: Nikki Cross, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)

DMG CTRL celebrates with Nikki, that’s one more belt under their power! Nikki makes four, but with WarGames being about 5v5, who will join up to take down Team Bianca? And who will Bianca get to balance things out?

 

DMG CTRL regroups backstage.

Nikki is all smiles as she has the title, but then she goes and drops it in the trash. Guess it was just the principle of the win, not the prize, that mattered to her. Will we ever see that title again?

 

Backstage interview with The OC and Mia Yim.

Byron is with the new foursome as they finally solved the Rhea problem. How does it feel to finally have the upper hand? Styles says it feels good to give Judgment Day some payback! This time, it was 4v4. And they couldn’t have done it without Mia Yim. Karl says they needed a #Rhealution. They needed the toughest woman in the building! Gallows says, “And who else would we get but the Head Baddie In Charge herself, Mia Yim?” Mia says thanks. But that was just a sample. “We’ll see how tough Rhea really is against someone who can hit her back.” Gallows says the OC is gonna celebrate! Karl-san has the tab, he owes them.

Mia says no, it’s on her! Well even better! The Good Brothers head out, Styles warns her that those boy shave a high tolerance, but she says it’s all good. Will the HBIC and OC finally get one over on the JD?

 

WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Seth Rollins VS ???

Okay, let’s try this again. The Visionary is willing to be a fighting champion, and though some great choices presented themselves earlier, Styles and Finn got in each other’s way. Rollins again gets the mic to say, “Now where were we? Oh yeah, that’s right. Before I was so rudely interrupted, we were about to have ourselves a United States Championship match! I made a promise to you all, and I intend to keep it. But do you guys know that this month marks ten YEARS of Seth Rollins in WWE?” Fans cheer that! “Thank You, Seth!” “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!”

Rollins says, “And what a ride it has been, ladies and gentlemen. You guys have been with me through it all. All the highs, all the lows, the ups, the downs, the wins, the losses. And all the championships! HAHAHA!” Fans again chant, “Thank You, Rollins!” But he will say, this US title here means a lot to him, because before he beat Bobby Lashley, it had been far too long since Seth Freakin’ Rollins had held gold in the WWE. But in just a few short weeks, Rollins has made this title THE title to have here on Raw! Fans cheer that! “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” “You Deserve It!”

Rollins says time to get to business. “Y’all ready for an open challenge? Well let’s see who wants to take a shot! Whoever wants a piece at my title, come on down here! But be ready for a fight, because I ain’t giving up so easily! Because I am a Visionary! I am a Revolutionary! I am… Seth!” “FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!” But Mustafa Ali is on the tron! “Seth Freakin’ Rollins! And an open challenge? Seriously? Listen, you don’t have to look any further. Because I’m gonna be the-” someone takes out Ali!? But who?! BOBBY LASHLEY!!

“Seth, Ali’s not gonna accept your challenge. There’s two reasons I don’t have my United States Championship. One, because of Brock Lesnar. And last weekend at Crown Jewel, I made him pay by whooping his ass all over the ring. And two, because of you, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. So I’ll be coming to that ring right now to make you-” ALI ATTACKS BACK! But he gets TOSSED away! “As I was saying… I accept your challenge.” The All Mighty’s wrath has awoken, will it be what burns Rollins down? We’ll see, after the break!

Raw returns as Lashley makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the All Mighty avenges himself!

But then Lashley CLOBBERS Rollins before any bell! Payback for what happened to him the last few weeks! Lashley drags Rollins up to RAM him into barriers! And then again! And then again! And again! And again! The LEDs are breaking! Rollins scrambles away to get his jacket off but Lashley whips him into more barriers! Lashley stands Rollins up to fire off furious fists, and then he puts Rollins in the ring. Rollins bails out because he needs to recover, but Lashley goes back out after him! Lashley gets a running start, but Rollins SUPERKICKS him first! Rollins RAMS Lashley into steel steps!

Fans fire up as Rollins drags Lashley up and brings him around. Rollins underhooks, but Lashley back drops free! Rollins flounders, Lashley rains down furious fists! Lashley CHOKES Rollins, fans boo, the ref, more refs, and even security rush in to stop Lashley! Rollins gets up and runs in, into a COMPLETE SHOT to the floor! Lashley doesn’t care about the match anymore, he RAMS Rollins into more barriers! Lashley fireman’s carries, and he POSTS Rollins! Lashley shoves people aside to clear off the desk! Fans are torn over the savagery, but the refs tell Lashley to stop. Lashley doesn’t stop, he gives Rollins a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER through the desk!!

Fans lose their minds while Rollins is down in the wreckage! Adam Pearce rushes out to tell Lashley to stop! Rollins writhes but it takes everyone to stand in Lashley’s way to make him to stop. Lashley goes up the ramp, and another open challenge attempt is ruined! Wait, Theory is creeping out here now. What’s this about? The fans boo even more as Theory grins. What is Mr. MITB going to do? Guess we’ll see, after the break.

 

Raw returns and…

Rollins is still down in the wreckage of the announce desk, clutching his back. And Theory is still lurking around ringside like a vulture. The medics check with Rollins, he isn’t sure what exactly hurts, it just hurts. And then Theory says “CASH IT IN!!” WHAT?! The MITB briefcase, for the US title?! The announcement is made as Theory throws Rollins into the ring!! A ref follows them, and this is happening!! Rollins is on noodle legs but he seems okay to compete, so here we go!!

WWE United States Championship Money in the Bank Cash-In: Seth Rollins VS Austin Theory!

The bell rings, Theory DECKS Rollins!! Cover, TWO!?!? Rollins is still in this and Theory is shocked! But he drags Rollins up, fisherman to the AOI SHOUDO!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Again?!? Theory is fuming already as he drags Rollins back up! Fireman’s carry, for A TOWN- NO! Rollins slips out, underhooks, but Theory kicks free! And he steals PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!??!!??! Just what is Rollins made of that he’s still in this match?!? Theory is beside himself, losing his mind, and he drags Rollins up by his bleach blonde hair. Fireman’s carry, for the- NO, Rollins slips free with an eye rake! He dodges Theory to POST him!

Theory rushes in, Rollins dodges again, and then he dumps Theory out! Rollins flounders with the bad back while Theory flounders back to the apron. Theory somersaults, into a POWERBOMB!! Rollins SUPERKICKS Theory, then ROCKS him! Turn and DREAM SMASHER!! Both men are down!! Rollins flounders to a corner, drags himself up and takes aim, but runs into a fireman’s carry!! A TOWN DOWN!!!! Cover, LASHLEY drags the ref out?!? Lashley won’t let Rollins win but he won’t let him lose?!? Theory shouts at Lashley that he’s ruining it! Lashley drags Theory out to RAM Theory into the barrier!

Lashley rains down fists on Theory, his wrath knowing no bounds! He lifts Theory to POST him!! And then he RAMS Theory into barriers again! And then fireman’s carries, to POST Theory again!! HURT LOCK on Theory!! Theory is turning red! He’s passing out!! Lashley finally lets Theory go, fans are thunderous, and then Lashley just leaves! What is going to happen to this title match now?! The ref wakes back up, he sees Theory is down and starts a ring count. Fans count along and Theory sputters. Theory’s eyes are open but no one is home at 5 of 10. Then 8! 9! Theory springs in at 9.99!! INTO A CURB STOMP!!! Rollins has to flounder to the cover! ROLLINS WINS!!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)

The Visionary almost lost, but then still kept, this title, and all because of Lashley! The All Mighty giveth, but will he come to take this title away when it best suits him?


My Thoughts:

Well this was a wild night. It’s hard to make heads or tails of some choices, but I definitely would never have seen these things coming. For one, the Raw Women’s Division was on fire tonight. Good promos from DMG CTRL and Team Bianca, especially Asuka and Iyo getting at each other. And of course Nikki Cross gets involved again. The Women’s WarGames match is made for Survivor Series, and we’re basically getting the traditional 5v5 Survivor Series match inside the double cage. If Nikki’s joining DMG CTRL, I would hope Piper Niven also joins in since she teamed with Nikki, and has her own reason to want to “take control,” ditching the Doudrop name so she can be herself.

Either way, I would think Candice LeRae joins Team Bianca since she also got beat down by DMG CTRL. And then as the “surprise” fifth, it’ll be Becky Lynch making her return because she was also beat up by DMG CTRL. If that’s the match, that’ll be some awesome stuff. Of course, Dana Brooke could be teased as a possibility after Nikki Cross took the 24/7 title off her, but maybe Dana will be taken out, and just as things look bad for Team Bianca, Becky joins in. And then, regardless of which side wins, I would love if Sasha Banks & Naomi make their return so they can go after Kai & Sky and those tag titles.

Also, Nikki literally throwing that title away, I guess that ends the 24/7 Championship experiment. It was a lot of fun at the start, but sadly tired itself out near the end of Vince’s tenure. They only ever had it as a comedy title when they could’ve found ways to make it serious, but now it doesn’t matter, that’s in the past. R-Truth will go down as the best 24/7, 7-11, 747, I-95 South, European Television Champion ever. The sad thing is, he’s hurt right now, so he can’t even go find his baby in the trash right now. I hope we do see something about that through social media, though.

The US Championship also had a wild night. First, I thought we were getting Rollins VS Finn, or even a Triple Threat that added Styles. That would’ve been an awesome match, but the feud of Judgment Day and OC takes priority for Finn and Styles. Mia Yim being the counter to Rhea was quite the surprise, but Mia makes sense as another person Vince’s regime let go that HHH wanted to make big. Mia VS Rhea is going to be awesome and will help bide time until we can get Rhea VS Beth. Then I hope we get Styles VS Finn, and Good Brothers VS Dom & Damian. Best two outta three in that series for Survivor Series could be a fun way to end that feud, with all the pressure being on Styles VS Finn as the tiebreaker.

But then the US title stuff kept going. Ali calling out Rollins only for Lashley to manhandle him was a great little surprise, and then it was wild that Lashley didn’t even care about facing Rollins in the match, he just beat the hell out of him because he could. And then Theory, after already beating Benjamin with some cheating, decides to use some kind of loophole to cash-in on the US title when the MITB contract has always been about the top title(s). He did tease that he was thinking of the NXT Championship around Halloween Havoc, so I guess that planted the seed that the contract is now for any title.

But then what a strange move for Lashley to then help Rollins win. I suppose now, Lashley can rub that in Rollins’ face. Lashley will want a title match because he single-handedly determined Rollins’ fate. Lashley VS Rollins in an actual match will be quite an awesome match, and it’d be a great win for Rollins. This is still going towards my thoughts that Cody Rhodes’ return will eventually be all about the US title because it’s on Rollins, but to think Rollins might be a Face by then with Lashley going this hard as a Heel.

Seeing Cedric Alexander in a match on TV was good for him, but sadly, he was jobbed out to Corbin. At least JBL kept it short and, well, not sweet, but I guess sour. Less is better for JBL running down the “woke snowflake Millennial/Gen Z” fans per this “cranky Attitude Era Boomer” persona he’s using. Otherwise, he’s running the risk of being Dan Lambert’s AEW character but with a Texas accent. I don’t know who Corbin is going to be in a prolonged feud for with this character, unless there’s someone who can kinda take JBL’s words and spin it, showing that Corbin wouldn’t survive in the Attitude Era, but his opponent would.

I really like what we got out of this Miz story. Gargano’s promo was good, as was the plot twist of the PI recording Miz and using his own words against him. Gargano VS Miz was an awesome match, and Miz had a very clever way of crying wolf, or in this case, crying Lumis. But then the real Lumis of course got Miz back for it. At this point, they’ve got to give us that match they teased of Miz VS Lumis, and if Lumis wins, he’ll get a WWE contract. And maybe even the rest he was owed by The Miz, since the money is all kayfabe anyway. Then after that, we can move this into Mixed Tag territory, the It Couple VS #InDex as part of Indi’s call-up finally happening.

Elias VS Otis was good stuff, but of course Gable distracts so Otis can win. I feel like this is leading to Elias admitting he needs Riddle to at least watch his back against the Academy, and then we get a tag match blow-off. But of course, we got great stuff out of The Bloodline. The Men’s WarGames hasn’t been decided yet, but it has to be about The Bloodline working together against another team of five. We got just awesome promos from Usos and New Day to hype their history defining tag match this Friday, but Riddle sure felt outta place joining in. But at the same time, the bongos pun continues to be pretty fun. That Six Man was great stuff, too, but it makes sense Riddle takes the loss to Solo so that the tag title match has pretty even go-home math. Even so, I feel like the Usos retain to take that number one spot in the WWE history books.

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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