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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/16/23)

Raw is All Mighty!

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The Rocky Mountain Machine is ready to wreck it!

Bobby Lashley is back on Raw, ready for the Royal Rumble! Who else will declare for that match and become another of Lashley’s targets?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Mustafa Ali VS Solo Sikoa; Solo wins.
  • The Street Profits VS Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin; The Profits win.
  • Elias VS MVP Omos; Omos wins.
  • The Judgment Day VS The Alpha Academy; The Judgment Day wins.
  • Iyo Sky w/ Dakota Kai VS “Michin” Mia Yim w/ Candice LeRae; Mia wins.
  • Akira Tozawa VS Bronson Reed; Reed wins.
  • WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Six Pack Elimination Match: Seth Rollins VS Bobby Lashley VS Finn Balor VS Baron Corbin VS Dolph Ziggler VS The Miz; Lashley wins and will challenge Austin Theory for the title next week.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Usos are here!

Jimmy & Jey are here, and so is Solo Sikoa! The Enforcer is going to be facing Mustafa Ali tonight, but The Bloodline always rolls deep. They head to the ring together, they get the mics, and Jey says, “Cincinnati, Ohio~…! The Bloodline is now in your city!” They raise the fingers because they the ones. Jimmy then says, “You see it. You see what The Ones are doing every single week. We running SmackDown and we running Monday Night Raw, every single week! But y’know what? Before Solo puts a beaten on Ali tonight, we need to address what happened on Friday.” Jey hopes KO got the message. He can’t cross the Tribal Chief and get away with it!

And at the Royal Rumble, Kevin learns one last, hard lesson from Roman Reigns. Speaking of the Tribal Chief, the Usos have something really big planned for Raw 30 next week. HUGE plans! Every generation of the Bloodline will be gathered together for an Acknowledgement Ceremony for Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. And they’re going to defend the Raw Tag Team Championships against The Judgment Day, and they will BEAT The Judgment Day! Because they the twos, and #WeTheOnes! But as the Usos raise their fingers, the Judgment Day makes their presence known! They all have big matches tonight, but they go to the ring to confront the Usos.

Rhea Ripley tells the Usos to stop right there. “The only thing that The Bloodline needs to acknowledge is that The Judgment Day runs Monday Night Raw.” Finn says that’s right! Not only do they run this show, they ran the gauntlet, ran through the division, and now they’re running straight for The Bloodline. YEET! Finn leads the group into the ring, and Finn wants to take this moment to thank “Ex-Con Dom.” He stepped up and filled in for his fallen brother, and he helped the Judgment Day become #1 contenders to those Raw Tag Team Championships! Finn clutches his rib and curses Otis, and Priest has him calm down.

Priest says Finn will handle business in tonight’s huge main event, and Priest & Dom will handle the Alphas. As for those nice red tag titles, they’re coming back permanently to Monday nights! But Priest has a question. The Usos say the Bloodline runs Raw, they take out everybody and stuff, but have you ever seen them step to the Judgment Day? Not even once. That is odd. Not even a knock on the door? Why is that? Dom sniffs and he says he knows why. You smell that, Mami? Oh, she smells it, Dom-Dom. They smell fear! Because the Usos are scared! Jimmy, are you scared? Jey, are you scared?

Scared? Of who? Of little Machismo vato locos? Hey, Uce, check the track record. This right here is 546 DAYS! Every team that’s stepped up got sat down! The New Day: LOCKDOWN. RKBRO: LOCKDOWN! Street Profits: LOCKDOWN! The OC: LOCKDOWN! Brawling Brutes: LOCKDOWN! Los Lotharios: LOCKDOWN! This historic run started beating Dominik and his daddy! LOCKDOWN! And now at Raw 30, the Judgment Day will be welcomed to the Uso Penitentiary! Fans fire up but Dom says while he hears all this talk, the reality is that the Usos wouldn’t last a minute in the cell with the guys Dom was in with.

The Usos roll their eyes but Dom says “In the pen, y’know what we called the Usos? We called them wannabe eses.” The biggest wannabe was the Street Champion, standing around doing nothing. Solo steps up and fans fire up even more. But Rhea steps in and fans like the idea of Mami VS Enforcer! Solo steps back with his brothers, but then steps right back up to Rhea! Rhea grins, but Dom sucker punches Solo! Solo HEADBUTTS Dom down! The brawl is own! The Usos go after Priest and Finn! Finn and Priest throw the Usos out, Rhea turns Solo around! Rhea eggs Solo on, he looks to his thumb, and he roars!

But ALI flies in!! Mustafa Ali goes after Solo, wanting after him before their match! Solo shoves Ali away, and the brawl continues! Their match will happen now, after the break!

Mustafa Ali VS Solo Sikoa!

Raw returns and this match is underway! Solo TOSSES Ali to a corner, runs in, but Ali goes up and over! Ali CHOPS, CHOPS and whips corner to corner. Solo reverses, Ali staggers into a SAMOAN DROP! Solo snarls and he storms up on Ali in the corner. Solo rains down fists, the ref counts, and Solo lets off at 4. Solo backs up to the opposite corner, fans rally up, and Solo runs in, HIP ATTACK! Solo snarls, he covers, TWO! Ali is reminding everyone of his toughness but Solo clamps on a chinlock. Ali endures, fights up, and he throws body shots. But Solo HEADBUTTS Ali back down! Solo then whips Ali to ropes, but Ali holds ropes.

Solo runs in, Ali dodges, and Ali comes back to dropkick Solo! Ali runs again to dropkick again! Ali keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges, to SUPERKICK! Solo flops out of the ring! Fans rally, Ali builds speed, but Solo UPPERCUTS Ali down! Solo then runs in to LARIAT Ali upside-down! Fans fire up and Solo roars! Cover, TWO! Solo is annoyed but he stalks up behind Ali. “Get yo ass up!” Solo won’t be called out like that! Solo rains down fists on Ali, then backs off again. Fans fire up and Solo runs in corner to corner, but Ali dodges! The hips hit buckles! Ali then shoulders back in, slingshots, but into both hands! Solo POSTS Ali!

Ali crashes down and Solo soaks up the cheers and jeers. The ring count climbs, and the Usos sneak back out! The Usos cheer Solo, but here comes KEVIN OWENS! It seems the weekend was just enough time for the Prizefighter to recover what happened on SmackDown! He dodges Jimmy and fires off hands! But here comes Jey! Kevin knees Jey low, RAMS him into barriers, but Jimmy UPPERCUTS and sends Kevin into barriers !Jimmy whips but Kevin reverses, Jimmy hits the steps! Solo is distracted, and Ali TORNADO DDTS Solo!! Cover, TWO!!! Ali can’t believe it! But he hurries up top! 450- NO, he has to bail out!

Solo grabs Ali, SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Solo wins!

Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall

But Kevin gets in! STUNNER for Solo!! And then Kevin stomps a mudhole into Solo! And then fires off on Solo at the desk And then RAMS him into steel steps! Cincy fires up as Kevin clears the announce desk! Kevin SMACKS Solo off the desk, rains down more fists, then he goes up onto the barriers! But the Usos return to go after Kevin! Fans boo but Kevin deals with them! Kevin DECKS Jimmy, ROCKS Jey, but he’s still fighting 2v1! Kevin CHUCKS a chair into Jimmy’s face! And then one into Jey’s! Security, officials, refs, they all rush to stop Kevin but Kevin wants to #JustKeepFighting!! The Bloodline retreats, will nothing stop Kevin from taking down Roman Reigns?!

 

Bobby Lashley speaks.

“Put as many former champions in the ring as you want tonight. That doesn’t change a damn thing. There’s only one All Mighty. Making it elimination style? That just means five superstars are tapping out to the Hurt Lock. See, these aren’t hoops that you’re making me jump through, Theory. These are just extra victims. Your title reign has an expiration date, and that’s Raw 30. I’m coming for my United States title. And Theory, this time, I’m gonna put you away for good.” The All Mighty has spoken, will there be five other men broken at the end of the night?

 

Cody Rhodes’ comeback continues.

Victorious at Hell in a Cell, but in a bittersweet moment. The surgery was a success, but it also meant there was a long road ahead. The American Nightmare does not heal any faster than anyone else. Two months in, it already felt like six years to Cody. Nine months is the timeline, and he wants to respect that, but only four months in, he was hitting the gym. “This is the place where I can make myself bulletproof.” Brandi confirms Cody has put in the work, and that he looks and feels better than ever. Now it isn’t a question of if, but when can Cody return? Cody has made it clear what he wants, so at the Royal Rumble, HE’S BACK!!

 

Byron Saxton is backstage.

Byron waits outside Adam Pearce’s office, hoping to get a word. He notes that it has been “a revolving door of superstars” all day, all making their case for the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. And one of those stars is… Elias! Byron asks The Drifter’s intentions in the Rumble. Well, 2022 was a roller coaster year. He saw his brother’s career explode then fizzle out. Elias came back, lost a best friend, lost to the Bloodline, and it’s been rough to say the least. But it is time to right some wrongs! When Elias gets in the Men’s Rumble match, the vengeance tour begins. But out comes MVP! Watch the suit, barn owl. In fact, Elias, MVP will save him some trouble.

MVP knows things haven’t been going well for Elias, so if he ever wants those fingers to strum a guitar again, do NOT go in there to bother Pearce about the Rumble. The winner is a done deal. Oh, MVP? Seriously? He hasn’t been relevant in the ring in YEARS, let alone in a Rumble match. Talking like that, MVP will get Elias a match with the Rumble winner match here tonight. Oh, MVP wants to Walk With Elias? Then consider that a done deal! Elias will love this chance to showcasing himself. This is what the music industry calls a tune-up.

In that case, MVP will talk to Pearce right now. MVP calls this easy money, and goes back inside the office. Will MVP prove he’s still relevant?

 

The Street Profits VS Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin!

Two teams that didn’t win the gauntlet last week now face off here tonight! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins came oh so close if not for the Judgment Day, will they get the win here? Or will PRIME Alexander and the Gold Standard ruin the homecoming for Cincinnati’s own?

The teams sort out and Shelton starts with Dawkins. They circle, but then Shelton KNEES Ford down! Dawkins fires off, whips, but Shelton gest around to waistlock. Dawkins elbows free, runs, but blocks a kick! Dawkins spins Shelton, Shelton hits the DRAGON WHIP! And then a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Shelton drags Dawkins over, tags in Cedric, and the former Hurt Business mugs Dawkins. They double whip, but Dawkins sees the back drops coming so he stands Shelton up to DECK him! Dawkins dodges Ceric, hot tag to Ford! Ford GAMANGIRIS Cedric, goes up top, and CROSSBODIES!

Fans fire up as Ford dodges Cedric, follows, then LARIATS him inside out! Fans fire up more as Ford flexes and roars! Ford stands Cedric up, baits him in and dumps him out. Cedric ducks, drags Ford out to join him, but Ford holds ropes! The ref tells them to get in, and Ford stands up to elbow Cedric away! But Cedric catches Ford for an APRON SIDE EFFECT! The ref checks Ford but here comes MVP. Cedric and Shelton seem curious about it, too, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Ford powers out of a waistlock, only for Cedric to BELL CLAP him! Tag to Shelton, they double whip Ford into the corner. Shelton whips Cedric in, but Ford goes up and over! Cedric POSTS himself, Ford gets around Shelton, hot tag to Dawkins! Fans fire up as Dawkins rallies on Shelton! Then he DECKS Cedric for good measure! Shelton kicks low, whips, but Dawkins hurdles to FLYING ELBOW! Fans fire up and MVP looks upset at ringside. Dawkins runs in to CYCLONE SPLASH and ENZIGURI! Tag to Ford, Dawkins gives Shelton the ANOINTING! Ford FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, Cedric breaks it!

Cedric wags his finger, but Ford throws him back out. Ford tags Dawkins back in, and then Dawkins tags Ford. Ford goes up again, Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Shelton! But Cedric CHOP BLOCKS Dawkins! Shelton goes up top, SUPER OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Cover, Dawkins breaks it!! All four men are down and fans fire up more! “This is Awesome!” and MVP admits they’re right. Ford and Shelton stand, Shelton clinches but Ford breaks free to ENZIGURI! Hot tags to Cedric and Dawkins! Shelton runs back in but Ford dumps him out! Then Ford PLANCHAS to take out Shelton! Cedric runs in, Dawkins hurdles, but Cedric just DIVES onto Ford!

Dawkins shrugs, and fans fire up as he builds speed! Dawkins FLIES and takes out everyone! Dawkins brings Cedric up and puts him back in, to then run corner to corner. CYCLONE SPLASH! But then MVP drags Cedric away! The ref reprimands, fans boo, but Shelton stands Dawkins up! Shelton and Cedric coordinate, ATOMIC KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins has the ghost pin, PROFITS WIN!!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall

Montel Vontavius Porter tried to help his former associates, but it only made things worse! Cedric & Shelton are upset with MVP, but is this the sign that the Profits are getting back up?

 

Cathy Kelley interviews the Judgment Day.

Well, she’s trying to, but they’re busy talking among themselves. She asks if they have a second. How is Finn feeling going into tonight’s Six Way? Oh, she means the Six Pack Challenge? Hey, if anyone’s ready, it’s Finn. Then looking forward to next week, Dominik & Damian have the Raw Tag Team Championship match- “SHOOOOOSH~!” Chad Gable cannot believe his cauliflower ears when he heard Judgment Day say they ran through the Raw Tag Division. No, no, quite the contrary. The Judgment Day barely snuck by The Alphas. In fact, they should’ve been medically disqualified.

But no matter. The Alphas get redemption tonight against the thugs that cheated them. Rhea tells Gable to get lost. Before she does something she won’t regret. Dom tells Gable to listen to Mami. He spent all day and all night pumping iron in the yard, and yet not even he will be able to hold her back. Gable laughs at Dom. No wonder Dom ended up on the wrong side of the system. With a strong body must come a strong mind. But from the looks of it, Dom needs to work on both. Next time Dom’s in prison, sign up for the Alpha Academy’s online courses. Maybe he can make something of himself.

Dom tells Gable not to make fun of prison life like that. Gable doesn’t even wanna know what’d happen to guys like him. Priest says he’s done with the fun and games. Take a walk, Gable, or else you won’t even make it to the ring. Gable says that’s a good idea, Otis hasn’t gotten his steps in today. The Alphas head out, but will they be able to handle the Punishment and the Prisoner?

 

Becky Lynch is here!

Cincy is fired up to see The Man has come around! But not from the stage, she’s coming in from the bleachers! Becky high-fives as she goes down the steps and makes her way to ringside. “How ’bout that Bengals win yesterday?” Fans cheer that, and Becky says she even dyed her hair orange for it. But as much as she wants to stand around and talk, she has business to take care of! “So Bayley, get out here, ya dope.” Becky tells the “dopey coward looking fool” to get out here already. Is Karen too busy yelling at a manager or something? But here comes The Role Model, as well as the rest of Damage CTRL!

Bayley laughs at Becky, and fans boo seeing her 49ers jersey. Bayley says, “This is embarrassing. Guys, I think I beat Becky so bad the other week, that she forgot what my name was.” Fans boo and Bayley tells them to shoosh, please. She’s Bayley, not Karen. No, she’s a Karen, idiot. Or maybe just “BOOO!” Bayley is a person, and her name is Bayley. Becky is Becky, this is Iyo, this is Dakota, etc. Wow, can someone explain to Bayley what “a Karen” is? A moody, entitled idiot with a bad haircut. Bayley storms up into the ring and says that’s real mature.

Fans chant “BECKY! BECKY!” but Bayley tells her that she’s standing there, calling Bayley names, but this seems like Becky is just upset and bitter that she lost, still here with no friends. HA! Fans boo but Becky says she has plenty of friends. She has an arena full of friends here in Cincy! Fans cheer and Becky says Bayley is “a sour faced cheating dope that peaked in 2015.” Wow, 2015? The year that Bayley ran NXT while Becky ran off with the other Horsewomen to take Bayley’s spot?! Oh, okay, now Becky sees it clearly. Is this why Bayley found two random “friends” and are claiming to be a faction? Is she trying to recreate something?

No, she’s not recreating something. She was ROBBED by Becky! Becky took Bayley’s spot on Raw, on SmackDown, at WrestleMania, and everything Becky has should be hers! Becky says the point Bayley is missing is, they didn’t call Becky up because they saw more in her than they did in Bayley. No, no, Bayley was kept in NXT because Bayley wanted to be a leader. She wanted to be a champion! She wanted to help the future! At least, that’s what she said. Or, perhaps, maybe she’s always been full of crap like Becky said she was. That one shuts Bayley up.

Becky continues and says Bayley was supposed to have her own spotlight while Becky was seen as just another body. Becky wasn’t supposed to be The Man, she wasn’t supposed to change the game or be the first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania. But she did, because she loves this, works for this, and works harder than anyone else! And she will keep doing that until she can’t do it anymore! Fans fire up for that one! Becky knows Bayley loves this, too, but the difference between them is, when it’s not Bayley’s going, when it’s not her being the focal point, she just whines and moans and blames everyone else! “It’s the fans’ fault! It’s Bianca’s fault! It’s Becky’s fault!” No, it’s YOUR fault!

Fans chant for Becky more but Bayley says not to even bother with that! They know NOTHING! They don’t know Becky! The only reason Becky became “The Man” was because she was punched in the face by another woman! Oh, how original. But maybe Becky will punch Bayley in the face so Bayley can get out of the rut she’s stuck in! Fans like the sound of that! Or will Bayley keep hiding behind Kai & Sky like she has been? Speaking of, they do step up. Bayley says she doesn’t need them. She didn’t need them to beat Becky before, and she doesn’t need them now! Well, alright, Bayley will have no problem facing Becky next week?

Bayley says she won’t have a problem. Okay, so Bayley won’t have a problem going 1v1 against Becky? Nope! So she won’t have a problem facing Becky in a Steel Cage match? Uh… N-No problem… That sounded like hesitation. No, there’s no hesitation. No problem, you idiot! Then it’s official. See you next week. Becky heads off, getting the rematch she wants. Is The Man going to prove who is the real Role Model on Raw?

 

Mustafa Ali finds Dolph Ziggler backstage.

Ali wishes Ziggler good luck in the main event. But oh, don’t pay attention to him. Y’know, the guy you screwed over for the US title. The guy you refused to team with in the Tag Team Turmoil. It must be so good to be Ziggler, a guy who gets opportunity after opportunity literally handed to him. Ziggler says Ali knows better than anyone that no one gets anything handed to them here. So from one professional to another, Ziggler doesn’t have time to pay attention to Ali today, he’s got to get into the zone. Ali knocks Ziggler over! Does he have Ziggler’s attention now? Ali storms off, will Ziggler be able to focus on the five other big names in the main event?

 

Elias VS MVP!

The Drifter wants into the Rumble, but he’s taking on the man who Montel Vontavius Porter claims is the future Royal Rumble winner. But MVP isn’t dressed to compete? He has a mic to say, “You seem confused, Elias. Did you think you were gonna face me tonight? Oh, well I’m sorry, Mr. Rock ‘n’ Roll man. It seems we had a communication breakdown. That’s what happens when you don’t have any pull around here. You get left out of the loop. And I know that lately, things have not been going well for you, but they’re about to get a lot worse. Because you are facing the 2023 Royal Rumble winner, but it’s not me. It’s this man.”

IT’S OMOS!! Elias realizes what he’s gotten himself into. The Nigerian Giant is back, and he’s ready to make his return a devastating one! Will Elias even be able to walk away after this?

The bell rings and Elias rushes in! He fires off on Omos, the fans fire up, but Omos TOSSES Elisa to the corner! Omos runs in, Elias dodges, then he fires off again! Omos shoves Elias away, then BOOTS him down! Omos looms over Elias and taunts him. Elias rolls out of the ring, the ref wants Omos to stay in the ring. Omos backs off, but then goes out the side! Only for Elias to RAM him into the apron! Elias fires off hands all over! Elias goes up the steps and hops on for a SLEEPER! But Omos TOSSES Elias away! Elias gets up, Omos runs in, but Elias dodges! Omos POSTS himself! Elias then runs in, but MVP stands in the way!

Fans boo, Elias pushes MVP aside, but MVP threatens Elias with his cane. Elias backs off, to get his guitar! Fans fire up but Omos grabs the guitar! And then HEADBUTTS Elias! MVP tells Omos to do something about the guitar, so Omos SMASHES it on the grounds! Omos chases Elias back into the ring, but he gets a GAMANGIRI! Omos staggers, into a SYMPHO-KNEE! And then another! Elias runs, to SYMPHO-KNEE again! Omos falls to his knees!? MVP freaks out as Elias climbs, only for Omos to grab him with both hands! MOUNTAINTOP SLAM!! Cover, Omos wins!

Winner: Omos, by pinfall

The giant is back, and he’s continuing where he left off. Will Omos follow through on MVP’s promise and win the 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble match?

 

Backstage interview with Adam Pearce.

Byron Saxton finally gets his chance to talk with Pearce, and he asks us for a taste of what’s in store for Raw 30 next week. Pearce had a feeling Byron would ask that. Pearce can promise us that Raw 30 will be unforgettable, perhaps even the greatest Raw of them all. Tonight’s Six Way main event and it only gets bigger! Six of Raw’s top superstars, all fighting for a chance at the US Championship on Raw 30. That’s big. But in comes Akira Tozawa! He has something that’s bigger: The Royal Rumble! And he wants in! Pearce appreciates that, but they can’t just throw opportunities around. Tozawa has to earn a spot.

Then Tozawa wants a match tonight. Tozawa will show Pearce that he deserves to be in the Rumble. Well, Pearce can’t promise anything, but he will give Tozawa a match. No promises, but if Tozawa wins, it can go a long way in considering him for the Rumble. That’s good by Tozawa. LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE! The Stamina Monster pumps himself up, but just who will he face in order to prove himself?

 

The Judgment Day VS The Alpha Academy!

Whether or not Dominik actually served hard time in a dangerous prison, he at least stepped up for the team when they needed him most. Dom and Damian are taking on the Usos next week, will Chad Gable & Otis be the perfect tune-up? Or will “Master Gable” and his number one guy create another situation of medical disqualification?

The teams sort out and Dom starts against Gable. They circle, Dom eggs Gable on, and then Dom calls for a test of strength. Gable fakes Dom out with a step and gets him to fall on his face! Fans laugh at Dom but Rhea coaches Dom. Gable and Dom reset, circle, and Dom avoids Gable to tag Priest. Priest and Gable circle, approach, and Gable avoids Priest’s grapple. Gable comes back to go for a leg but Priest gut wrenches him up! Priest throws Gable away, they go again. Gable waistlocks, avoids the elbow, and holds onto the hold. Priest reaches around but can’t find Gable. Priest pries the waistlock open and he throws Gable out!

Gable finds himself in enemy territory, he hurries back in, and he ties up with Priest. Priest wrenches an arm, Gable rolls and bridges to roll and handspring and wrench back. Gable headlocks, spins and drop toeholds, but Priest stays up! Priest stomps but Gable avoids it! The two stand off and fans rally up. Gable bobs ‘n’ weaves to avoid the hands, and then he blocks a kick to get an ANKLE LOCK! Priest hops his way to a corner, the ref calls the ropebreak, and Priest kicks Gable away. Gable runs in but Priest BOOTS him down! Priest stares Otis down, goes back to Gable, and Priest fires off hands. Priest whips corner to corner, runs in, but only gets buckles!

Gable gest the leg, DRAGON SCREW! Tag to Otis and Cincy fires up! Gable cravats Priest and Otis runs, to BELLY BUMP him! Fans fire up and Otis storms up to wrench Priest. Otis wristlocks Priest, tags Gable, and Gable goes up to AX HANDLE the arm! Gable BLASTS Dom, too, but Priest headlocks. Gable powers out, Priest whips Gable and Dom holds the ropes! Gable tumbles out to the floor hard, and Rhea mocks Gable while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Gable has Dom in a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Gable lets off and Dom scrambles away to tag Priest. Priest chases Gable and POUNCES him before he reaches Otis! Priest glares at Otis, taunts Gable, and then he KICKS Gable! And KICKS! And KICKS! Fans rally for Otis but Priest hits a ROLLING ELBOW on Gable Priest runs in to back elbow! Then suplex for the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Gable is showing his toughness, but Priest sucker punches Otis! Fans boo but Priest puts Gable up top. Gable fires forearms but Priest ROCKS Gable with one! Tag to Dom and Dom climbs up after Gable.

Dom CLUBS Gable, brings him up to the top, and gives some Latino Heat. Fans boo but Gable throws body shots! Gable shoves Dom down! Rhea freaks out, Gable adjusts, and Gable DIVING HEADBUTTS!! Even Finn and Rhea are shocked! Both men are down, and fans fire up as Otis is back! Gable and Dom crawl, hot tags to Priest and Otis! Cincy fires up as the tree trunk rallies on the Punisher! And on Dom! Otis gives Dom a BELLY BUMP! Otis scoops Priest, Priest slips off to BELL CLAP! Priest choke grips, but Otis breaks free to HEADBUTT! Priest rebounds, to SUPERKICK! Otis rebounds, to scoop and WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!! Cover, TWO!!!

Priest survives being compacted and he gets up. Priest BOOTS Otis away, Dom tags in, but Otis SPALSHES them both! Otis whips Priest to a corner, to SPLASH again! Priest wobbles, then falls into the drop zone! Fans fire up again as Gable says it’s time! Otis activates the CATERPILLAR SPLASH! Tag to Gable, and Otis goes up, only for Dom to trip Gable! Gable hits an EXPLODER on Dom! But Priest CLUBS Otis, climbs up and choke grips! SUPER SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!! But Gable hits the CHAOS THEORY!! But Dom is legal, he rolls Gable up! TWO!!! Gable has the leg! ANKLE LOCK!!! Dom flails, Rhea and Finn freak out, they push the ropes!

The ref reprimands, Gable drags Dom away, but now Rhea and Finn distract the ref! Priest BELL CLAPS Gable! And SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Dom crawls to cover, Judgment Day wins!

Winners: The Judgment Day, by pinfall

Gable and his 4.0 GPA should’ve known, four is greater than two! Dom survives thanks to Mami, but will he and Priest be able to do the same to The Usos? Or will Dom be back in lockdown for Raw 30?

 

The WWE honors Martin Luther King Jr.

A man had a dream for a better world. A dream that his children would one day live in a nation where they are not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. That the greatness of America is the right to protest for rights. That though we are not satisfied, we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness flows like a mighty stream. He knew he would not make it there with us, but that as a people, we would one day reach the promised land. And his dream lives on that one day, all of God’s children, Black men and White men, will join hands and sing, “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, free at last.”

 

Iyo Sky w/ Dakota Kai VS “Michin” Mia Yim!

While the Role Model has a cage match with Becky to worry about next week, the Evil Genius is going to fight to prove the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are still razor sharp. But will Iyo be able to cut down #MICHIN? Or will Mia prove she is still the Head Baddie In Charge?

But what’s this? Mia knows not to trust #CobraKai at ringside, so she’s bringing the Poison Pixie! Mrs. Wrestling, Candice LeRae, is familiar with DMG CTRL even before they came to Raw, so will she be able to watch Mia’s back in this one? The bell rings and Mia circles with Iyo. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Iyo pulls hair! Mia throws Iyo down by her hair in return! The ref reprimands them both and they reset. Iyo kicks low, whips Mia but Mia reverses then follows. Mia redirects and DROPKICKS Iyo down! Iyo goes to a corner but Mia runs in to forearm smash! Mia whip scorner to corner, Iyo slips out and then taunts Mia.

Mia swings but Iyo goes Matrix to dodge the haymaker! Iyo goes to buckle bump but Mia blocks to elbow her away. Mia drags Iyo up but Iyo HOTSHOTS Mia! Iyo steps up but she has to hop back down as Mia rushes in. Iyo avoids the shoulder to KICK Mia back! Iyo then goes up top, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Fans fire up as Mia flounders away and Iyo kips up. Iyo runs corner to corner, SHINKANSEN! Cover, TWO! Iyo is annoyed and she CLUBS away on Mia. Iyo bumps Mia off buckles, pulls Mia’s hair, and grinds her against the ropes! The ref reprimands, Iyo talks trash on Mia in Japanese, but Mia pushes her away. Then BOOTS her!

Mia runs to fire off forearms on Iyo, but Iyo catches one to a takedown! CROSSFACE! Mia endures, pries free, but then Iyo hooks the arm again into a LEBELL LOCK! Mia endures, rolls Iyo, TWO!! Iyo lets Mia go, and she DOUBLE CHOPS Mia down! Iyo drags Mia around, underhooks the arms, but Mia drops down and Alabama Lifts to back drop! But Iyo lands on her feet?! SHOTEI! Mia wobbles, Iyo fires up, but Mia reels her in for a lift! Iyo fights the suplex with elbows! Iyo runs, but Mia blocks the rana! Mia powers Iyo back up, Iyo fights the bomb, but Mia hits a NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Candice coaches Mia.

Mia stands up but Iyo follows. Mia blocks, ROCKS and repeat! Mia BOOTS Iyo, then ROUNDHOUSES her down! Iyo gets up, into another KICK! Iyo staggers into a FLAPJACK! Mia runs to basement dropkick! Mia doesn’t stop, she whips Io, only for Iyo to hold ropes. Iyo breaks free, Mia ducks the kick and waistlocks, but Iyo resists. Mia shifts to a wheelbarrow GERMAN SUPLEX! Mia then wrenches Iyo’s arm, but Dakota distracts her from the apron! Iyo trips Mia, jackknife bridges, TWO! Candice YANKS Dakota down! Fans fire up but Iyo WRECKS Candice with a dropkick! So Mia wrenches Iyo for EAT DA FEET! Cover, Mia wins!

Winner: Mia Yim, by pinfall

But Dakota goes after Mia! Fans boo but Candice gets in to BOOT Dakota down! And then CODE BREAKER! Dakota flops out of the ring, and Cincy cheers as Candice and Mia stand tall! Will these two go after those tag titles now that numbers are even?

 

Bianca Belair is here!

The RawEST Women’s Champion returns after the damage done by Alexa Bliss. Bianca gets a mic and the fans cheer for the “EST! EST!” Bianca says, “Now, I know it’s only been a couple of weeks, but I have missed y’all so so so so much. You best believe, if it was up to me, I would never miss a Monday Night Raw. But with this job, this job that I have, this job that I absolutely love, it’s just not possible without risk. Just like the risk of me getting my face busted right there on those steel steps. But y’know what? Even if I end up with this scar on my face after what Alexa did to me, I would still face her. Again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again!”

Fans cheer Bianca’s resolve, and she says that with every risk comes the reward of remaining your Raw Women’s Champion! Fans cheer that, too! “EST! EST!” Bianca tells Alexa, “I might not have been here last week, but you best believe that I heard everything you had to say, so now, I wanna know if you got the guts to come out here and actually say it to my face.” And here comes Alexa! Twisted Miss Bliss has a new take on her theme song, and she has a mic to tell Bianca that she will gladly repeat herself for Bianca and anyone else that needs to hear it. “You fear me because you don’t know what to expect from me. No one does.

“But let me let you in on a little something going on in my mind right now. The Royal Rumble is in two weeks-” Bianca says, “Girl, uh-uh. I’m just gonna stop you right there. I mean, do you really wanna try to beat 29 other women to try and get a title opportunity at WrestleMania? Or, do you wanna face me for the Raw Women’s Championship at Royal Rumble?” Fans like the sound of that, too! Alexa says, “What’s the catch?” Bianca steps outside the ring to say that Alexa is the one who wants to be in control. So the choice is hers. Alexa says, “I’ll see you at Rumble.” The match is made, but Bianca says Alexa can see her tonight.

The belts and jackets are put aside, the jewelry comes off, and the forearms fly! Bianca then POSTS Alexa! And RAMS her into barriers! And into the apron! And then the apron again, and again, and again! Bianca aims, whips, but Alexa reverses! Bianca stops from hitting the steps, and she elbows Alexa back! Bianca shoves Alexa into more barriers, then runs in, only for Alexa to toss her up and over! Alexa checks her chin, stands up, but so does Bianca! Bianca turns Alexa around and drags her over! They brawl in front of fans! Bianca tosses Alexa, then BOOTS her into the wall! And then fires away with clubbing forearms!

Bianca shoves Alexa into a trash can! And then she sits some chairs up, kicks Alexa around, and then brings Alexa to the chairs! Bianca torture racks Alexa! But the light! UNCLE HOWDY IS HERE?!? He’s creeping up and Alexa slips free! DDT to the floor!! Howdy waves hi to Alexa, and Alexa realizes she may not really be in control. One way or another, will Twisted Lil’ Bliss take the title from Bianca now that she revels in what she is?

 

Akira Tozawa VS ???

The Stamina Monster wants to prove himself worthy of a spot in the Men’s Royal Rumble, but that meant taking on whoever Adam Pearce could find. So who did Pearce fine? THE COLOSSAL BRONSON REED! Will Tozawa not survive the Tsunami coming for him?

The bell rings and the two circle. Reed corners, Tozawa, clinches him, and hits a SNAP Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO! Tozawa fights up but Bronson has a rear bearhug! Tozawa grabs the ropes, the ref counts and Reed lets off at 4. Tozawa DROPKICKS Reed, but Reed stays up! Tozawa fires off a strike fest, SOBATS, and runs into a BODY PRESS!! Fans feel that one, and Reed stands Tozawa up to HEADBUTT! Reed CHOPS Tozawa and Tozawa staggers away, chest stinging! Reed CLUBS away on Tozawa, stomps a mudhole in, but he lets off as the ref counts. Reed drags Tozawa up, whips him corner to corner, then SPLASHES!

Tozawa sputters, falls over, and Reed says Tozawa’s got nothing. Reed drags Tozawa up, scoops him, and SLAMS him! Then Reed runs to ROLLING SENTON! Reed grins and dusts off his hands. Reed then drops onto Tozawa to clamp on another rear bearhug. Tozawa endures, fans rally up, and Tozawa fights up. Tozawa throws elbows, but Reed CLUBS him down! Reed back suplexes, but Tozawa lands on his feet! SOBAT, spin, slide under, and SPIN KICK! Reed wobbles, Tozawa runs, and RANAS! Reed tumbles out of the ring and Tozawa runs to dropkick Reed away! Tozawa keeps going, and DIVES! Direct hit and Reed hits barriers!

Fans fire up with Tozawa but Reed is still standing. Tozawa goes to the apron, CANNONBALLS, but he gets caught! BARRIER BOMB!! Reed leaves Tozawa behind to refresh the ring. And then from the apron, FLYING SHOULDER!! Tozawa gets plastered to the floor! Reed drags Tozawa up, puts him in the ring, and then climbs up the corner. Fans freak out but here comes the TSUNAMI!! Cover, Reed wins!

Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall

Not even all the stamina in the world could withstand that! Will Bronson Reed prove to everyone that he is the Top Dog around here?

 

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

The Visionary is fired up and he says, “Just when I think I’m out, the United States title pulls me back in, Saxton.” Rollins had his eyes set, his mind made up, he was going to the Royal Rumble to then go on to WrestleMania. But then the WWE officials called, they said, “Sethy, it’s Monday night, it’s the main event, we need you! We need you! Are you in?” Rollins said, “hey, hey, hey! We are in Cincinnati, baby~! The town that loves to party~! The town that loves to sing. So of course I’m in! Old plan out, new plan in.

“Are you ready? Are you ready? Tonight, I win the Six Pack Challenge. Next week on Raw 30, I take back my United States Championship. I go on to San Antonio, win the Royal Rumble, and then take it all the way to the main event of WrestleMania, where I kick Roman Reigns’ ass like only I can! In the immortal words of the great Freddy Mercury, I want it all, and I want it now! HAHAHAHA!” The Visionary has seen his new path forward, but will he be able to make it a reality against the five other top stars he’s going up against?”

 

WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Six Pack Elimination Match: Seth Rollins VS Bobby Lashley VS Finn Balor VS Baron Corbin VS Dolph Ziggler VS The Miz!

From the Visionary to the All Mighty to the Prince to the Modern Day Wrestling God to the Show-Off to the Hollywood A-Lister, they are ALL former United States Champions. Austin Theory is The Now, but who will be his next challenger?

But of course, Austin Theory himself makes his way out to ringside. Rollins dares “the kid” to come closer, but the bell rings and brawls are on! Corbin goes after Lashley, Miz goes after Ziggler, and Finn goes after Rollins! Miz stomps Ziggler at the ropes, Corbin fires off in a corner, but Rollins DECKS Finn first! Lashley goes out after Corbin, Rollins goes after Finn, and Cincy fires up as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Rollins is back in the ring with Finn, but they’re still throwing haymakers! Fans fire up while Ziggler still has Miz, just by commentary, and Lashley still brawls with Corbin at the ramp. Ziggler SMACKS Miz off the desk! Finn and Rollins hockey scrum, but then Finn blocks a kick! Finn spins Rollins but Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS! Finn CHOPS! Rollins PELES! Finn PELES! Both those men go down while Theory is on commentary, saying it is so great seeing all six men fight for his title. Lashley aims at Corbin, but JBL CLUBS him!? Fans boo JBL but he realizes he messed up as Lashley storms up on him.

But then Corbin KNEES Lashley down and into the barriers! Ziggler has Miz against barriers, eh runs in, but Miz tosses him into the timekeeper’s area! Miz grins while Theory talks trash on all six men being “the past.” Miz drags Ziggler back up, but Ziggler HEADBUTTS him! Ziggler then hops onto the barrier, to SATELLITE DDT Miz to the floor! Meanwhile, Rollins has Finn in a fireman’s carry, for a GUTBUSTER! Finn clutches his ribs while he’s down, and Rollins climbs up top. Fans fire up but Corbin trips Rollins! Fans boo, Theory says that is what Rollins deserves, and Corbin climbs up after Rollins.

Rollins resists the superplex and throws body shots! Finn hops up, he CHOPS Rollins, then helps Corbin out. But then Lashley joins in on that! Cincy fires up for the TOWER OF DOOM!! Lashley stands tall after that Superplex Double Powerbomb and Cincy loses their minds! Lashley then aims at Rollins, runs in, but Rollins sends the Spear into the POST! Miz LARIATS Rollins! Ziggler jumps at Lashley but Lashley shrugs him off! Miz full nelsons, Lashley throws him off! Ziggler comes back, FAMOUSER for Lashley! And then Miz hits the SKULL CRUSHING FINALE! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives Miz’s best shot and Miz can’t believe it!

Miz stands, Ziggler jumps in, but Miz stops the satellite DDT this time! Miz puts Ziggler in the corner to fire off KICK after KICK after KICK! Miz runs corner to corner, to A-LIST LARIAT! Miz pushes Ziggler down, he BOOTS Corbin away, then slides to sunset flip Ziggler! TWO, but Miz BOOTS Ziggler back down! Fans boo but Miz waits on Ziggler. Miz KICKS Ziggler, but then Finn rolls Miz up! TWO!! Miz kicks the bad ribs, then fires off KICK after KICK and KICK! Miz BUZZSAWS Finn down, then he runs in at Ziggler. Ziggler ducks the Buzzsaw but Miz blocks the Superkick! Miz trips Ziggler, and steps through for the FIGURE FOUR!

Fans “WOO~!” as Ziggler endures! Miz puts on as much pressure as he can but Ziggler fights to turn things! Miz tries to stop that but Ziggler pushes it through! Miz endures the leglock! CURB STOMP!! Cover on Miz, Rollins ELIMINATES him! We’re finally down to five and Raw goes to break!

Raw returns again and Ziggler is in one corner while Rollins is in another, as Finn and Corbin seem to be working together again. They mug Rollins in one corner, then Finn goes after Ziggler. Finn throws body shots to keep him down, then he whips Corbin in. Corbin SPLASHES Ziggler and Ziggler falls down! Finn whips Corbin the other way, but Rollins dodges! Corbin slides out, but Lashley is there to CLOBBER him! Finn CLOBBERS Rollins but realizes what happened to Corbin. Lashley fireman’s carries Corbin, but Finn makes the save! And then he and Corbin POST Lashley! Finn gets in the ring, but Rollins rallies on him!

Rollins SUPERKICKS, front kicks, then DISCUS LARIATS! Finn flops out of the ring but Rollins goes to the apron. Rollins hits a FLYING KNEE and down goes Finn! Rollins sees Theory on commentary, grabs the water, takes a big sip, and then SPITS it at Theory! Theory gets all flustered but Rollins puts Finn in the ring. But Finn dragon sleepers! Rollins drops down, kicks him away, but Corbin scoops Rollins! Ziggler saves Rollins to fire hands on Corbin! Rollins joins in, they pinball Corbin with haymakers! They fake Corbin out, to stomp his foot and DROPKICK Corbin down! Rollins and Ziggler stare down, but they understand it worked for Finn and Corbin, so…

They run to forearm smash and splash Corbin and Finn! Then they run the other way to hit another! Then Lashley drags Corbin out of the ring to RAM him into steel steps! Ziggler rolls Rollins up! TWO, Rollins rolls Ziggler up! TWO, and Rollins runs, but he dodges the Superkick to DIVE onto Lashley and Corbin! Finn bumps Ziggler off buckles, then he runs to FLY! Finn takes out everyone else! But then Ziggler climbs up top! The Show-Off SUPER CROSSBODIES! Direct hit on all four other men! Cincy fires up as all five are down, and JBL is beside himself. Ziggler stands up, he drags Corbin up and puts him in the ring.

Ziggler goes to the apron but Corbin KICKS the ropes! Ziggler gets jammed up, Corbin reels him in to POPWER- NO, Ziggler slips off! SUPERKICK!! Ziggler has to fight off Finn, and then Lashley runs in! Ziggler KNEES Lashley, then hits the ZIGZAG! Finn goes up top, leaps, but into a SUPERKICK! Rollins returns, kicks and underhooks, PEDIGREE on Ziggler!! Cover, Rollins ELIMINATES Ziggler! The Visionary has taken out the first two, and Theory is still fuming, as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns once again, Corbin and Finn are still working together. Corbin whips Finn in to RAM Rollins, then he whips Finn in to RAM Lashley! Corbin helps Finn up and whips him the other way, to RAM Rollins again! Finn wants Corbin to hold on, the ribs are still bugging him. Corbin whips Finn back in, but then reverses direction to hit a DEEP SIX!! Cover, TWO!! Corbin rains down fists, the alliance now over! But Rollins goes after Corbin. Corbin ROCKS Rollins with haymaker after haymaker, showing off those Golden Gloves! Corbin eggs Rollins on, so Rollins ROCKS Corbin back! Rollins fires off fast hands and fans fire up!

Corbin shoves Rollins away, puts him on the apron, but Rollins elbows Corbin away. Rollins slingshots, but Corbin DECKS him outta the air! Rollins falls to the floor but Lashley storms up behind Corbin. JBL tries to warn Corbin but Lashley fires a haymaker! Corbin hits back, they brawl, and Lashley gets the edge! Lashley whips corner to corner, runs in and clotheslines! Lashley keeps moving, he RAMS into Corbin! And again! And again! Lashley drags Corbin out to hit a NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up as Lashley clotheslines Corbin out of the ring! Finn returns but gets run over! Lashley drags Finn up, but Rollins runs in! Lashley catches Rollins, too! COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO!

Lashley kicks Rollins, hoists him up, and hits the DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives and Lashley focuses on Finn. Finn is on the apron, but Lashley blocks his gamangiri! Lashley drags Finn up to suplex him! Lashley holds Finn up, and then SLAMS him down! Fans fire up and Lashley soaks it all up. Finn slowly rises, Lashley is ready, but wait, here comes OMOS! MVP is behind the Nigerian Giant as he walks to the ring, and Lashley remembers going a couple rounds with him. Corbin returns, runs, and he LARIATS Lashley down! Corbin clotheslines Finn in the corner,. then runs again. Finn dodges to SLINGBLADE!

Corbin gest up at the ropes, but Rollins clotheslines him and himself out of the ring! Finn focuses on Lashley, runs in and SHOTGUNS! Lashley hits buckles and is down in the drop zone! Finn goes up, COUP DE GRACE!! But CURB STOMP OUTTA NOWHERE!! Rollins covers, Rollins ELIMINATES Finn!! Rollins has taken out HALF the field! Rollins aims at Corbin, but Corbin avoids the stomp! Corbin throws Rollins into barriers, then whips him at the steps. Rollins hops up and over, Corbin rushes in, into a SUPERKICK! Theory scowls at Rollins but Rollins hurries to the apron. Omos grabs Rollins?! Omos TOSSES Rollins over the announce desk!

Fans boo and Omos glares at Corbin. Corbin stands, even he looks small compared to Omos. Corbin gets in the ring, SPEAER from Lashley!! Lashley covers and ELIMINATES Corbin! Rollins and Lashley are the last two standing, Theory now knows he’s having a rematch either way. Lashley tells MVP and Omos to stay out of his business, but Theory BELT SHOTS Lashley!! Theory wants to high-five Omos, but Omos choke grips him! Omos lifts Theory up near the desk, but Theory fights the grip! Theory drags Omos out along the desk, and Rollins CURB STOMPS Omos down!! The Nigerian Giant isn’t in the match but count that as being eliminated!

Rollins then LEAPS at Theory, CLOBBERS him, then clotheslines him over the barriers! Rollins runs into the ring, he wants after Lashley, but MVP is on the apron! SUPERKICK for MVP! Rollins runs, into a SPEAR!!! Cover, Lashley wins!!!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE United States Championship)

Theory gets back up, and he sees the All Mighty is the last man standing! Will Lashley have his vengeance on The Now to become THE NEW US Champion for Raw’s 30th anniversary?


My Thoughts:

A great Raw here, especially as a go-home to the special “RAW IS XXX” 30th anniversary episode. For one, great linking of stories again as the Bloodline shows up to talk trash on Kevin Owens, but they’re confronted by the Judgment Day first. The quality comedy in that promo comes from the subtext that Dom is acting hard to guys who have actually been arrested for more than just being an uninvited guest. But there was also a great stare down from Solo and Rhea and then the brawl that Ali got in on. Solo VS Ali was a great match but of course Solo wins. And of course Kevin comes out to go after Solo & The Usos to give us a great brawl.

We also got good promos from Judgment Day and Alpha Academy backstage ahead of their tag match, and the match was great stuff. Fans are back to liking Otis, so maybe the Alphas can turn Face soon. Judgment Day should stay Heel since Dom is being fake hard. And as such, they win the Heel way and have momentum going into the Raw Tag title match. That’s going to be a great match, and I feel like of the two choices, Usos could drop the Raw titles and still go strong with the SmackDown titles as the story with Sami and Kevin continues. And good promo from Ali to get in Ziggler’s face, that is definitely a feud that can happen for the Rumble match and beyond.

Good new video for Cody Rhodes, and of course he’s back in time for the Royal Rumble. Cody is a frontrunner for winning that so that he can get at the world title. And it was good story for the roster to be talking with Pearce about getting a spot in the Men’s Rumble. Tozawa VS Reed coming about because of that was a good move, and of course Reed wins. Reed should definitely have a strong showing in the Rumble to better establish himself. And of course MVP was tricking Elias. Omos is back as MVP’s client, and Omos squashes Elias to reestablish himself just in time for the Rumble. Omos meeting Reed in that match will be awesome stuff, too.

Great match from Profits VS Cedric & Shelton, but MVP seems to be serious about reestablishing the Hurt Business. It didn’t really work out for Cedric & Shelton here, but I’m sure MVP will keep trying to convince them to join him again. However, MVP and Omos getting involved ultimately did help Lashley, so maybe Lashley will be more open to the idea of reforming the group. Lashley VS Theory is going to be a really good match, but even with next week being the 30th anniversary episode, I just don’t see Theory dropping the title yet. If the Hurt Business does reform, Lashley will be their world title guy and Omos can move into being the midcard guy.

And great stuff from the Women’s Division here. Great promos from Bianca and Alexa to establish a title match for the Rumble, and great brawl where Uncle Howdy again makes his presence known on Raw. As I said before, this is probably going to turn more into Alexa VS Howdy’s control over her rather than Alexa VS Bianca, and that will help Bianca retain. Becky gives another great promo with Bayley that just shuts Bayley down, then tricks her into a cage match. Bayley says she’ll do this without Kai & Sky but you can’t trust that. But even if Kai & Sky get involved, I think Becky should and will come out on top. Plus, Kai & Sky have Mia & Candice to worry about. We got a good match out of Mia VS Iyo, but that was all mostly to set up Mia and Candice as a team so Kai & Sky can defend the tag titles again.

My Score: 8.4/10


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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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