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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/27/23)

Paving the Road to WrestleMania!

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Will the Man and the Legend take control?

Raw prepares for a Beast meeting a Giant, The Miz’s WrestleMania Hollywood announcement, and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships! Will Becky & Lita take those titles to the Big Time?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa VS The Street Profits; Jimmy & Solo win.
  • Cody Rhodes VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Cody wins.
  • Asuka VS Carmella; Asuka wins.
  • Candice LeRae VS Piper Niven; Candice wins.
  • Bobby Lashley VS Elias; Lashley wins.
  • Otis w/ Maximum Male Models VS Johnny Gargano; Gargano wins.
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Damage CTRL w/ Bayley VS Becky Lynch & Lita; Becky & Lita win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa VS The Street Profits!

The Bloodline is back on Raw, but it isn’t how you think. Jey was still stuck in the middle between family and Sami, and that puts his brothers in the middle between him and Roman Reigns. Jimmy gets a mic to say, “Grand Rapids! The Bloodline is now in your city! I know what y’all thinking. I saw the posts, I saw the Tweets. Y’all out here talking about that there’s problems in the Bloodline, like the Bloodline got cracks in it. From outside looking in, I’m sure it do look that way. But if you come from a family, and you got family, and you love your family, you already know that family fight all the time.”

Fans chant for “SAMI! SAMI!” but Jimmy says, “Well check this out. If you come for one member of the Bloodline, you come for all the members of the Bloodline. Let’s just see everybody who thought there was cracks in the Bloodline. Kevin Owens at Royal Rumble. Do you think he got one on the Bloodline? NOPE! Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber, in his hometown, Montreal. Do you think he got one on the Bloodline? NOPE! And ya boy, Cody Rhodes.” Fans chant for “CODY! CODY!” now. Jimmy says at WrestleMania, do you think he’ll get one on Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Fans chant “YES! YES!” but Jimmy says, “HELL NO!”

Speaking of the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns will be back this Friday to remind everybody who runs SmackDown. But tonight, Jimmy and his little brother, Solo Sikoa, are here to remind them who runs Raw. But here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford has a mic to say to Grand Rapids, “Oh my God, look, Dawks!” “I see ’em!” “It’s the Bloodline!” They got SOLO~! But he ain’t got no shoes on so those bunions can breath. And there’s Jimmy! “Who hotta than Jim Dolla? NOBODY.” And also the one who got a 90 in the new WWE video games, Jey- Oh. Jey must be in the back. Or through the stands? Jey, where you at? “Oh, Jey~!”

Oh, y’know what? Ford can’t blame Jey, either. If he was the bridge who always kept the Bloodline together, Ford would be tired of them, too. Ooooh… And now y’all walking in, boasting and bragging like y’all hard. You run Raw AND SmackDown? You can’t even run your own family. Cracks in the armor! And you have the nerves to show up on their show to enforce their absent chief’s orders? Jimmy tells Tez that he talks so much trash, especially for someone who already got bodied by the Bloodline. Keep the Tribal Chief’s name up out your mouths. Or what? Or what? Oh, forget all that, this is Grand Rapids! And the Profits want the smoke!

And they start throwing hands! Fans fire up for the brawl, Dawkins POUNCES Jimmy, then ROCKS Solo! Ford SUPERKICKS, Dawkins ENZIGURIS, and the Profits double clothesline Solo up and out! This match is ready to fire off, but has to wait until after the break!

Raw returns and the bell rings! Jimmy and Dawkins tie up, Dawkins powers Jimmy to a corner, Jimmy turns it around, but Dawkins dodges to ROCK Jimmy! Dawkins stomps, fires more forearms, then whips corner to corner. Dawkins runs in but Jimmy dodges the Cyclone! UPPERCUT! Dawkins staggers, Jimmy tags Solo and they mug Dawkins in the corner. Solo ROCKS Dawkins, ROCKS him again, and his headbands comes off! Solo stands Dawkins up to CHOP him in the corner! Solo whips corner to corner, Dawkins goes up and over, RAMS Solo, then hurdles! Solo shoves Dawkins, Dawkins cartwheels to DROPKICK!

Fans fire up as Dawkins tags Ford and the Profits double whip. Solo shoves them away but the DOUBLE DROPKICKS take him down! Ford KICKS Solo in the back, covers, ONE! Ford wraps on a headlock, Solo powers up and Jimmy tags in. The Bloodline mugs Ford with a hard right, then Jimmy snapmares and runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Jimmy clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Ford down. Ford endures, fights up, but Jimmy HEADBUTTS him down! Jimmy raises the finger, #WeTheOnes, and he brings Ford up, But Ford DROPKICKS back! Tag to Dawkins, the Profits whip, trip and DROPKICK!

Dawkins runs in at the corner, CYCLONE! ENZIGURI! And then underhooks, but Jimmy wrenches out! UPPERCUT! Jimmy headlocks, hits a takeover, and he grinds Dawkins down. Fans rally, Dawkins fights up, and Dawkins powers out. Solo sneaks a tag, Jimmy reverses, Dawkins hurdles, but into a LARIAT from Solo! Fans boo while Solo roars, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Solo has Dawkins’ arm. Dawkins fights with forearms while reaching out, but Solo reels Dawkins in for a SAMOAN DROP! Solo stays between the Profits, then stalks Dawkins to a corner. Solo rains down fists, the ref counts, and Solo lets off. Solo goes to the opposite corner, and he runs corner to corner, HIP ATTACK! Jimmy applauds but fans boo. Solo SUPERKICKS Ford down! Then Solo goes back to the corner, he runs back in, but Dawkins UPPERCUTS Solo down! Fans fire up, Solo and Dawkins crawl, and Ford is ready! Hot tags to Ford and Jimmy! Ford dodges then first JAB after JAB, then LARIATS!

Fans fire up as Ford UPPERCUTS Jimmy! Jimmy blocks a kick, flips Ford but he lands on his feet to hit a BIG back suplex! Ford kips up, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ford snarls but he watches Jimmy crawl to a corner. Jimmy drags himself up, Ford runs in, but Jimmy puts him o the apron. Ford ROCKS Jimmy, KICKS Solo, then GAMANGIRIS Jimmy! Ford goes up top and fans fire up again! But Jimmy stands first and UPPERCUTS! Jimmy GAMANGIRIS in return, then climbs up after Ford. Jimmy brings Ford up, but Ford resists! Ford powers up to HEADBUTT! Jimmy falls, Ford CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!!

Fans can’t believe it but Jimmy survives! Ford brings Jimmy up but Jimmy UPPERCUTS! Ford mule kicks! Front kicks! But Jimmy kicks! Ford blocks but gets the DRAGON WHIP! Ford still ENZIGURIS in return! Solo tags in, Ford DECKS him first! But Jimmy fireman’s carries, only for Ford to slip free. Ford shoves Jimmy to hit a SPINEBUSTER! Tag to Dawkins, he grabs Jimmy, and Ford climbs up. But Solo SHOVES Ford down! Jimmy feeds Dawkins to Solo’s SUPERKICK! And then, SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, The Bloodline wins!

Winners: Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa, by pinfall

It may not be Day One, but this is still blood brothers going to work! And then Solo and Jimmy start beating down the Profits! They throw Dawkins out, and Solo gets a chair! Solo puts it around Ford’s head while Jimmy stomps Dawkins on the floor. Solo goes to the opposite corner, but KEVIN OWENS slides in! SUPERKICK for Solo! STUNNER for Jimmy! Fans fire up and Solo is furious! The Prizefighter is not done with the Bloodline, but how will it end?

 

Brock Lesnar is here!

The Beast is in Grand Rapids and he’s going right to the ring, before MVP and his VIP Lounge are even ready! Lesnar looks at the nice couches and gets comfortable. Now MVP makes his entrance, rather wary of Lesnar. “Mr. Lesnar, when I invited you to accept the challenge, this isn’t exactly how I envisioned it.” Lesnar says, “Good evening, Michigan. Uh, pardon me for being a little earlier. My apologies. But please, join me, if you wish.” MVP says he’s good, he can talk from the ramp. Lesnar says he has no beef with MVP. “Brock Lesnar is all about business.” Fans chant, “Suplex City!” and MVP wants them to calm down.

MVP tells Lesnar not to listen to the fans. Now what is this about business? Yes, Lesnar is here to listen to MVP here in this “beautiful VIP Lounge that you have set up.” And he’s here to listen to MVP to help sell the people here, at home, and Lesnar himself “a fight.” So we’re talking business? MVP doesn’t have to worry about going to Suplex City? Lesnar says no suplexes tonight. Fans boo but MVP knows Lesnar is a man of his word. MVP gets in the ring and they sit down. Lesnar wants to hear this first hand, since he’s a “coward.” MVP is scared, but Lesnar says he’s kidding. MVP didn’t insult him with what he said last week, nor could he insult him any further tonight.

Now, sell Lesnar and the people on this fight. Do what you do best, MVP! Lesnar is here to possibly do business. So, okay, he’ll hyep it up. Lesnar is the Beast Incarnate. And when Lesnar put his hands on a man, that man has no chance. If Lesnar takes someone to Suplex City, they are literally in a world of hurt. And if Lesnar hits a man with the F5, that man is done for! “However, Brock Lesnar, you had your hands full with the ALl Mighty, Bobby Lashley, and I wasn’t even in his corner. So you couldn’t have your way with Brock Lesnar, but for whatever reason, you think you, the Beast Incarnate, can have his way with the 7’3” tall, 416 pound Nigerian Giant?

“You see, you put your hands on a man and you can do whatever you want with that man. But you put your hands on a giant, that giant puts his hands back on you!” Fans boo but Lesnar is liking this. MVP says the issue here is that the Beast can destroy any man, but a Giant will subdue and conquer the Beast. So the bottom line here is, Lesnar can suplex and F5 virtually any man he wants, but he cannot do whatever he wants to the 7’3″ tall, 416 pound Nigerian Giant, Omos. Lesnar says that was good! He got goosebumps! Good job! High-five! And y’know what? MVP, that was damn good. Lesnar accepts the challenge!

So then we have business? Big business! Not only does Lesnar accept the challenge, he thinks they should shake on it, and drink on it! MVP says a handshake and a toast to Lesnar VS Omos at WrestleMania! Lesnar couldn’t have said it any better, but he will. “Ladies and gentlemen. Fighting…! At WrestleMania…! BRRROCK! LESNARRR! VS OMOS! And… MVP in his corner.” Very nice, MVP likes that. handshake, done. And now, they will pop a bottle and raise a glass. No, no, c’mere. Lesnar says MVP is a baller, a hype man, but Lesnar is a farmer. He grows the good stuff himself. If we’re having a toast, then it’s gonna be the good stuff.

Lesnar brings out a flask. Here’s to Lesnar VS Omos at WrestleMania! Lesnar chugs his flask, and it’s GOOD! MVP will toast with the champagne if that’s alright. Fans boo, and Lesnar pushes the flask into MVP’s hands. “You ain’t gonna make me drink alone, are ya?” No, of course not! But what is this, exactly? Where Lesnar’s from, that’s called White Lightning. Well alright. Here’s to Lesnar VS Omos! MVP chugs up, and then SPITS IT ALL OVER LESNAR! Fans chant, “YOU F’D UP!” MVP hurries to clean Lesnar off, but Lesnar takes his flask back. Lesnar puts the flask away, wipes himself off and even blows his nose, and then puts the handkerchief back in MVP’s pocket.

Then he fireman’s carries MVP for an F5!! That wasn’t a suplex! And now, the fight is on! Will Lesnar VS Omos look like the Clash of Titans at WrestleMania?

 

Backstage interview with Lita & Becky Lynch.

Cathy Kelley is with tonight’s contenders for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. How have they been preparing? And what is going through their minds right now? Lita says that some of her most favorite highlights have been alongside some of the most legendary tag teams in this business. So to walk out tonight as tag team champs, that is a true bucket list item. She’s been making history over two decades, and she’s not done yet. And Becky’s had it on her bucket list to win those tag titles, too. But it was a long kept secret because, well, Becky doesn’t play well with others.

But there is no other woman she would rather fight alongside with, that she respects more than Lita. So one way or another, they’re walking out with the titles. And Bayley can get involved if she wants, but they’ll take care of her, too. Come hell or highwater, you will see the most groundbreaking tag team champions of all time! The legend and The man are ready, but will they be able to take control back from Damage Control?

 

Cody Rhodes VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!

The American Nightmare is preparing for WrestleMania, so he wants to sharpen himself against Raw’s best! And after seeing what “Master Gable” has been able to do against men twice his size, this will be quite the test! Will Cody be more than ready for Roman Reigns? Or will Gable fish out a weakness in the #1 contender?

The bell rings and the two circle. Cody gets a leg, Gable rolls free but Cody waistlocks. Gable switches, Cody drop toeholds, fans chant for him as he switches to a facelock, but Gable rolls free to facelock back. They roll together, Cody fights up to a fireman’s carry, and he puts Gable down in a corner. Cody lets off, but Gable sucker punches! Otis says that’s right, and Gable whips. Cody goes up and over to victory roll, TWO! Gable has the ANKLE LOCK! Cody rolls to send Gable into buckles! Cody runs in but into a BOOT! Gable goes up but Cody CLUBS him! Cody climbs up, brings Gable into a dragon sleeper, INVERTED SUPERPLEX!

Fans fire up but Gable bails out. Cody has control as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Gable has a leg. Cody fights up, but Gable back suplexes! Cody lands on his feet but his leg jams. Cody goes to a corner, Gable runs in and blocks the boot! Gable puts that leg in the ropes, gets the other, DRAGON SCREW! Cody clutches his knee, but Gable brings him up for a BIG back suplex! Gable goes to the corner, climbs up top, and Otis cheers him on while fans boo. Gable DIVING HEADBUTTS but FLOPS as Cody moves! Gable staggers, but he ROCKS Cody! Gable runs, but Cody follows to CLOBBER him! Kick and RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody goes to a corner, Gable runs in but Cody goes up and over, only for his leg to jam again!

Gable comes back, but into the POWERSLAM! Cody roars and fights through the pain, DISASTER KICK! Cover, TWO! Gable is still in this and Otis coaches him up. Cody stands, fans rally, and Cody brings Gable up. But Gable shoots around! Cody reaches down to trip Gable, and he has the FIGURE FOUR! Gable flails as he endures and fans “WOO~!” Gable sits up, but Cody puts on the pressure! Gable drags himself over, reaches out, but he CHOPS Cody and gets the ROPEBREAK! Cody lets off and Otis paces as he coaches Gable. Cody brings Gable up to headlock and punch! Cody then runs, but Gable catches the springboard to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!

Gable and Cody slowly rise, and Gable waistlocks again. Cody fights, goes up the corner, and goes up and over! But Gable gets Cody into a crucifix! CLIFFHANGER DDT! Gable hurries up top, for the MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives and Gable is shocked! Fans rally for Cody but Otis coaches on Gable. Gable puts Cody in the corner, CHOPS him, but Cody snarls. Cody turns things around and he CHOPS Gable! Cody eggs Gable on, they go forehead to forehead, and Gable turns Cody around to CHOP! Cody turns Gable around to CHOP! Fans fire up as Cody runs, but Gable goes to hip toss! Cody blocks, but then Gable blocks Cody’s hip toss!

They go back and forth, blocking hip toss again and again, until Cody hip tosses Gable up and out of the ring! Fans fire up as Gable shouts for Otis. Cody DIVES to take out Gable! And where IS Otis?! Otis is looking for someone else. Cody puts Gable in, and then looks with Otis. Oh, there she is! Maxxine Dupri is in the back. Otis realizes it’s Cody, and asks him what he’s doing. Cody is just helping him look. Cody backs away but Otis storms up after him, only to be sent up and over barriers! Cody returns to the ring, dodges Gable, goes up and up and SUPER CODY CUTTERS!! Fans fire up with Cody and he dragon sleepers, CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

“Otīs” got distracted by his new honey bee, and Gable still got caught by the American Nightmare! Cody gets a mic to say, “I think we are 33 days away from WrestleMania. I have yet to stand in the same ring as my opponent, our Undisputed Champion, Roman Reigns.” Fans boo, but Cody says, “But he is on SmackDown this Friday, and I am ecstatic that Roman Reigns is on SmackDown this Friday because… I’ll be there, too.” Cody has made it clear, he won’t let the Tribal Chief just relax on his Island of Relevancy! Will SmackDown be a nightmare for the champion?

 

Backstage interview with Baron Corbin.

Byron Saxton says Corbin has requested this time to send a message to the WWE Universe. “Yeah, look. It’s no secret, things have not gone my way, and I hear all of you. One of those things they’re saying is the things JBL said, and-” Wait, Kevin Owens is walking over! Byron cuts this interview short to ask Kevin about his attack on Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa. Is he worried about any consequences? Consequences? The ones who should be worried about that are Jimmy, Solo and the Bloodline. They’re suffering from the consequences of their actions! And others are suffering from those, too.

But Kevin has said it for months: He wants to see The Bloodline fall, and he won’t stop until he gets what he wants. And he doesn’t need or want any help in doing that. Kevin heads out, but did he add that bit at the end for a certain someone?

 

The Judgment Day speaks.

Damian Priest says, “You know what time it is. All rise of the Judgment Day!” Dominik Mysterio says “hi” to dad, and says they had a little Mysterio family reunion on SmackDown. “What a joke. I showed the whole world exactly what you are. The same competitor as you are a father: A loser who does nothing. Don’t worry, Mami has a match this Friday with Liv Morgan, and I’ll be by my mamacita’s side and we can have that little heart to heart. And I’ll show the world what a coward you really are. Because at the end of the day, you’re not going to do a thing about it, and your in Ex-Con Dom’s prison now.”

Rhea Ripley says she didn’t have to say a single word to Charlotte Flair. “Because just being in the same building as me I could tell had her shook. When I stepped into that ring and looked into her eyes, I saw something. It wasn’t fear. It was something much worse. Acceptance. Cuz no amount of confidence or anything she had to say Friday could change her fate. And her fate is that at WrestleMania, Rhea Ripley’s walking out the new SmackDown Women’s Champion.” Finn tells Edge, “You thought this was over at Elimination Chamber? You don’t get to decide when this is over. This is over when I say it’s over!”

Finn says Edge is playing checkers but The Prince is playing chess. And there’s still one more move. So if Edge accepts the challenge, they end this at WrestleMania. Checkmate. The Judgment Day has spoken, but will they still run things on this Road to WrestleMania?

 

Otis waits outside the trainer’s room.

Maxxine and Maximum Male Models walk over and ask if he’s considered the offer. Oh, right, Otīs doesn’t need words to be professional. In fact, if he were to have a match tonight, the MMM would love to be in his corner to watch his raw, natural talent. Otis says okay. He’ll go get Pearce! Otis says he needs a match, and right now! MMM is pleased, but will they still like what they see at ringside?

 

Asuka VS Carmella!

The Empress of Tomorrow is on her way towards WrestleMania, but the Princess of Staten Island wants to prove that not only is she ready for Asuka, she can beat Asuka and should be going to Hollywood in her place. Will this story have a fabulous plot twist? Or will Mella’s Hollywood dream be over before it begins?

Raw returns as Mella makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Mella talks trash and then ties up with Asuka. They go around, Asuka shoves Mella away, and they go again. Mella pulls hair, throws hands on Asuka, but Asuka turns things around to fire off forearms! The ref backs Asuka off, Mella sucker punches her! Asuka grins to SOBAT and throw knees! SWITCHBLADE KICK! Mella ducks a buzzsaw but kicks into an ANKLE LOCK! Mella rolls, kicks Asuka way, then kicks her down! Asuka goes to ropes and Mella mocks the fans chanting for Asuka. Mella puts Asuka in a corner, throws back elbow after back elbow, but lets off as the ref counts.

Mella says Asuka’s not ready for her! Mella drags Asuka up, brings her around and bumps her off her boot. Mella moonwalks and says, “Mella! Is! Money!” FABULOUS BRONCO BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Mella is annoyed but she brings Asuka up. Mella whips but Asuka reverses to pop-up KNEE! Cover, TWO! Asuka grabs at Mella but Mella scurries away to the outside. Fans boo, but Asuka pursues! Asuka chases Mella back into the ring, dodges her, then holds ropes to BOOT! Mella scurries away again, Asuka runs in, but Mella dumps her out! Mella then FABULOUS KICKS Asuka down! Mella mocks Asuka and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Mella still talks trash as she grinds Asuka down with a chinlock. Fans rally, Asuka endures, and Asuka fights up. Asuka throws body shots, but Mella throws her by her hair! Fans boo but Mella says she’s not scared of Asuka. Mella’s beat Asuka before, she’ll do it again. She pie faces Asuka, but Asuka just gets mad. Mella pie faces Asuka again, but Asuka URAKENS! URAKENS! SOBATS! Front kick, URAKEN! Low kick, ROUNDHOUSE, HEEL KICK! Asuka then GERMAN SUPLEXES Mella! And BUZZSAWS! Mella flounders and fans fire up with Asuka! Mella bails out but Asuka is on the apron, SLIDING KNEE!

Asuka drags Mella up and puts her in the ring. Asuka goes up the corner now, Mella stands up, for the MISSILE- NO, Mella avoids the dropkick to FABULOUS KICK! Cover, TWO! Mella is shocked! Fans rally while both women are down, but Mella stands first. Mella looms over Asuka, but Asuka drags Mella into a cradle! TWO!! Mella hurries to reel Asuka in but Asuka trips her to a jackknife bridge! TWO, into the CODE OF SILENCE! Asuka powers out, Mella ducks the buzzsaw and she rolls Asuka up, TWO! Asuka has the arms! RINGS OF SATURN!! Mella endures, but she taps! Asuka wins!

Winner: Asuka, by submission

Mella may have beaten Asuka in the past, and she fought hard, but she was unable to stop this Asuka! And Asuka gets the mic to shout in Japanese, “HERE WE GO! HERE WE GO!” Asuka tells Bianca to come out now! So here she comes! Fans fire up as the RawEST Women’s Champion struts to the ring, and asks if Asuka’s calling her out. She isn’t sure what Asuka said but she doesn’t like her tone. She hopes Asuka wants to tell everyone how they’re going to tear the house down at WrestleMania. Because if Asuka said anything else, Bianca will remind her that SHE is the EST of the WWE, and you can’t spell WrestleMania without EST.

But then Mella shoves Asuka into Bianca! Fans boo but Mella laughs as she leaves. Bianca is fuming, but Mella says it doesn’t matter if Bianca’s the EST, Mella is money! Will Bianca show Mella what’s what before we arrive in Hollywood?

 

Candice LeRae VS Piper Niven!

The Poison Pixie has a lot on her plate with Johnny Gargano banged up after the Elimination Chamber and Crazy Cross creeping around. Will she be able to focus on the Scottish Viper before her? Or will her body and spirit both be crushed this close to WrestleMania?

Raw returns and Candice makes her entrance. And Nikki Cross is sneaking out behind her! Nikki said she just wants a friend, is she trying that even now? The bell rings and Piper CLOBBERS Candice! Piper drags Candice up to DECK her, then has her at the ropes. Piper CHOKES Candice, saying this is to teach her a lesson. Piper then scoops Candice, but Candice slips free! Candice KICKS away at the leg, runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Piper blocks the crucifix takedown. Candice shifts to a sunset, but Piper JUMPS! Only for Candice to move out of the way! Piper clutches her tailbone, Candice runs in to NECK SNAPPER! Jackknife cover, TWO!

Piper goes to a corner, Candice runs in but gets caught! URENAGE! Piper runs to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Candice survives but Piper is annoyed. Piper CLUBS Candice, wraps on a cobra clutch and she thrashes Candice around! Candice endures, fans rally, and even Nikki cheers her on. But Piper RAMS Candice into a corner! Piper runs in, but into an elbow! Piper runs in again, but only gets buckles! Candice goes up, but Candice SHOVES her down! Candice falls to the floor, sits up in a daze, but Piper goes out after her. Nikki looks worried but Piper throws Candice back in. Then she throws Nikki into barriers!

Piper goes back into the ring, but Candice rolls her up! CANDICE WINS!!

Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall

Piper is pissed! Nikki helped out without really meaning to, will Candice think of her as a friend now?

 

Backstage interview with Johnny Gargano.

Byron is with Johnny Wrestling, they say congrats to Candice. And it turns out, Johnny has a match of his own later on tonight. Johnny says Candice did great against Piper, and yes, he does have a match, because this is Monday Night Raw! You gotta be ready for anything! Johnny walked into the locker room, put his bags down, and Otis ran up to him. And he says he wants “hot action” tonight. That was alarming, but then Gargano realized Otis just meant a match. So Gargano accepted. Otis won a few months back, and though Gargano isn’t 100%, he- Judgment Day walks in and they can’t believe this is happening. Who’s Gargano ever beat?

Priest asks Byron if this is the level of superstar he’s interviewing now. Gargano says Byron is just tired of talking to “a bunch of adults going through a goth phase who can’t fight their own battles 1v1.” Oh, wow, goth~! Corny, but Gargano’s got stones. The last time Priest saw Gargano, he laid him out inside the Elimination Chamber. Priest is getting this urge to do it again now. Finn tells Priest to tranquilo, he’ll talk with Johnny. Finn tells Johnny that Otis is gonna flatten him like a pancake! And if by some miracle, Otis doesn’t cover Gargano in syrup and gobble him up, then trust Finn, he’ll finish the job himself.

“Sounds delicious. I’ll see you next week.” The Judgment Day heads out, will Johnny Wrestling climb mountains and conquer monsters on Monday Night Raw?

 

The Miz is here!

The Hollywood A-Lister is ready to host a Hollywood edition of MizTV, and he might just reveal what was in that golden envelope last week. We’ll see what’s what on the Road to WrestleMania, after the break.

Raw returns and Miz welcomes us back to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, and says we are on the Road to WrestleMania! Before he brings out his celebrity guest, he wants to talk about his “beautiful, gorgeous, sexy wife, Maryse,” and the anniversary gift she gave him last week. He did say he’d reveal what it said tonight, so he will. They’ve been married for nine years, Maryse is the gift that keeps on giving. She has given him two beautiful daughters, unconditional love and support, and this gift is life-changing! To help Miz announce this highlight worthy news, he wants to bring out a special guest.

This year’s host of WrestleMania, it’s… HIMSELF! Yes, he is tonight’s guest, he is the host of MizTV, and the host of WrestleMania 39! He’s gonna make this bigger than the Golden Globes, bigger than the Oscars! You thought Chris Rock getting slapped by Will Smith was big? Wait until you see what Miz has in store! But the thing that irks him is that his wife had to ask! Who else could host this monumental event? Logan Paul? Fans boo. Miz says it is WrestleMania Goes Hollywood, not WrestleMania Goes YouTube.

But nonetheless, this year, Miz will make WrestleMania viral, buzzworthy, and must-see with matches like Charlotte Flair VS Rhea Ripley! Asuka VS Bianca Belair! Cody Rhodes VS Roman Reigns! Miz has to say, he is so happy, there is nothing- “BURN IT DOWN!” Seth Rollins makes his way out to the ring! Miz is upset now as fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins gets a mic but Miz puts up his hand. “Do you know what this means? Do you know what this means?! When my hand goes up, your mouths go shut!” And what is Rollins doing here? This is MIZ’S moment! Everyone, shut up!!

Rollins laughs, and says Miz doesn’t need to get his panties in a bunch. Rollins is just here to congratulate him. He doesn’t wanna rain on Miz’s parade. Yeah, but the thing is, Rollins has been raining on Miz’s parade for the past three weeks! Well, Miz, two weeks ago, Rollins stomped him with the big red boots because Miz was being… a bit of a jerk. And last week, Rollins had to stomp him not once, not twice, but three times, because well, Miz was being a B-Hole. HEY! Miz is not a B person, he is an A! So then, he’s an A-Hole? NO!! That’s not what he meant! Hey, hey, Rollins didn’t say it, Miz did. But fans say it for them both.

Rollins promises he didn’t mean to ruin anything. He just has a favor to ask. Rollins has been trying to get a hold of Logan Paul. It’s been a little difficult, but since Miz taught Logan everything he knows, they’re friends, Miz is the host of WrestleMania and surely has Logan on speed dial, so Rollins was just thinking, they could give him a call. Miz says that’s all? Call Logan Paul? Yes! Get him on FaceTime or something! Let’s do it! Miz asks if the fans want that, too. Fans cheer and Rollins is fired up! But Miz says no. Miz is not gonna do anything Rollins wants for him, because Logan is Rollins’ problem, not Miz’s.

In fact, Miz is going to WrestleMania and not Rollins! Two nights! Miz is the A-Lister, the celebrity! Rollins is just a goofball in a stupid jacket! Rollins SUPERKICKS Miz! Fans sing again, “OH~, OHH~, OHHH~!” Rollins sees Miz’s phone, and he picks it up. Fans fire up and Rollins taps around. The phone won’t open, so Rollins scoots over to where Miz is out on the mat. Rollins holds Miz’s eyes open so he can open the phone! Rollins then gets chairs out of the way, gets a mic, and looks through the apps. Boop and… He’s calling Logan! Logan answers, thinking it’s The Miz. “HAHAHAHA! Surprise~! Sorry, LP, The Miz is a little out of commission.”

But Rollins is calling to ask about Logan about his baby brother, Jake. Is he okay after that fight? But here’s a proposition. We’re all sick of this cat ‘n’ mouse game, so maybe next week, Logan grows a pair, shows up on Raw, stands in the ring, and is face to face with Rollins! Logan likes the sound of that. Deal! Logan will love to see Rollins run his mouth when they’re face to face. Then it’s on, baby~! HAHAHA! Logan, one more thing. “Buh-bye, b*tch! HAHA!” Rollins hangs up, throws the phone down, and swaggers away. Until Miz crawls his way over. CURB STOMP!! Miz is down and fans fire up! Will Rollins’ ImPAULsive behavior get him what he wants?

 

Backstage interview with Damage CTRL.

Cathy Kelley brings up to Bayley, Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky that earlier tonight, Becky & Lita said they would walk out tonight the NEW tag team champions. How do they respond? Bayley is glad those two are confident, because the three of them have been all over Raw, SmackDown, the Premium Live Events, and all over the world proving to  phony teams like Becky & Lita that they have no chance. Kai & Sky are the greatest tag team of all time! But this is more than about titles. This is their story. This is their legacy! You go tell those idiots that. Bayley leads Kai & Sky away, and then in walks Austin Theory.

The Now says that Cathy just interviewed the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. They’re great champions. But we all know Theory is THE greatest champion in the WWE. And speaking of, Theory is shocked that he isn’t being talked about. His achievements, his accomplishments. But everyone talks about John Cena. Cena is going to return to Raw next week, but the thing is, fans just like the Hustle, Loyalty & Respect. Look at Theory! His hustle: The Elimination Chamber! He faced five of the best in WWE, he hustled and beat them all!

His loyalty: There ain’t nobody more loyal to this title than Theory! Theory had only 48 hours after that grueling Chamber match and defended the title. Who did he beat? The Hall of Famer, the Rated R Superstar, the man who has held every title possible, Edge! And Theory has hustle, loyalty, but respect? Oh, he’s got a lot of respect for John Cena. That is why next week, in Cena’s hometown of Boston, Theory will stare Cena in the face and give him all the respect he deserves. The only thing Theory asks is Cena gives him the same. Will The Now make another great champion of the past acknowledge him?

 

Bobby Lashley VS Elias!

The All Mighty answered The Drifter’s challenge last week and demolished him! But Elias wants another try, now that both men are ready. Will Lashley have to #WalkWithElias? Or will Elias not even be able to walk out of the arena?

Raw returns and Elias makes his entrance. The bell rings and Elias runs in to CLOBBER Lashley! Elias fires off hands, the ref counts, but Lashley blocks a stomp! Lashley CLUBS Elias, scoops him, and SLAMS him! Elias writhes, Lashley throws him up and out of the ring! Lashley then goes out after Elias while Rick Boogs is taking notes again. Lashley fireman’s carries, but Elias slips off! Elias throws Lashley into barriers, fireman’s carries, and FLAPJACKS him on barriers! Then the SYMPHO-KNEE! Elias eggs Lashley on, Boogs takes notes as fast as he can, and Elias gets in the ring with Lashley.

Elias aims from a corner, swings, but into a COMPLETE SHOT! Lashley then drags Elias up, runs, and SPEARS! But Lashley won’t end it there, and fans fire up! HURT LOCK!! Elias taps, Lashley wins!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission

Boogs got notes, but it may have been another case of what not to do. Lashley gets a mic, and he says, “I’m not in a good mood right now. Because I owned Brock Lesnar at the Elimination Chamber. And instead of Brock tapping out to the Hurt Lock, he resorted to a low blow. So I won the match. But I wanted more. And for proving my dominance over Brock Lesnar, I get Bray Wyatt playing his little kid games. His little secret, who knocks at the door. I don’t play little kid games. Because I’m the All Mighty Bobby Lashley. So Bray Wyatt, keep my name outta your mouth. Or I will hurt you.” Lashley has issued an ultimatum, how will the Eater of Worlds respond?

Wait! Bray already has something! It’s a music video! “Now shake those hips! And let your backbone slip! Pull up your pants and do the Muscle Man Dance!” It’s a remix of the Muscle Man Dance, with clips of Lashley thrown in now! “Now wiggle your behind, erase your mind. Pull up your pants, and to the Muscle Man Dance!” Lashley is getting more and more annoyed with every passing second. Then Bray gets serious. “You. Should. Run!” Will Lashley run from Bray? Or will he run Bray over?

 

Chelsea Green visits Adam Pearce’s office.

She thinks he’s never been to Ottawa, Illinois, or else he’d know the SCUM in Ottawa, Illinois. She shows him her phone. How was she to know there was an Ottawa, Canada? Chelsea, aren’t you Canadian? And if she has it on her phone…! But then Mella walks in and asks what Pearce wanted. Well, he saw what she did to Asuka and Bianca and- Chelsea shouts that she’s still here! What is Pearce going to do about this? Pearce says he has a call to take, so he needs to get going. But if Mella wants to put her hands on Bianca, she can do it in a match next week. Okay! Pearce then leaves, Chelsea says Pearce is rude. But she loves Mella’s outfit. They get to know each other, is this a match made in migraines?

 

Otis w/ Maximum Male Models VS Johnny Gargano!

As promised, Maxxine, Maçé & Mansöôr accompany “Otīs” to the ring, and they are ready to watch him work! Will this prove Otis is WWE’s next top model? Or will Johnny Wrestling prove he’s ready for big things at WrestleMania?

Raw returns and Gargano makes his entrance. The bell rings and Otis runs in, but Gargano dodges to fire off boxing elbows. Otis shoves Gargano, Gargano ducks ‘n’ dodges and RAMS Otis! Otis rebounds for the WRECKER ELBOW! Maxxine loves it as Otis SPLASHES! Otis drags Gargano to the corner, and then Otis runs in to SPLASH! Gargano is dazed, Otis runs back in, but into BOOTS! Otis is dazed now, he runs but into an elbow! Gargano goes to another corner, Otis runs in, but Gargano POSTS him! Otis staggers, Gargano LARIATS! Otis stays up so Gargano LARIATS again! Gargano runs, but into a choke grip!

Gargano fights free, ROLLING ELBOWS, but Otis stays up! Otis scoops, Gargano slips off, and DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKA! Otis still stands, but Gargano ENZIGURIS! And SUPERKICKS! Otis tumbles out of the ring and to the feet of MMM. Otis then looks up and sees Maxxine. Maxxine says Otis should keep his hands up and focus. Otis turns around, Gargano PLANCHAS! Otis catches Gargano! And SLAMS him on the desk! Maxxine loves it as Otis goes back into the ring. Otis argues with the ref, Mace and Mansoor have Gargano! Mansoor prepares his fanny pack, but LUMIS GRABS MACE!!

Mansoor tries to save Mace, but Gargano SUPERKICKS him down! Maxxine panics, but then she and Gargano lock eyes. Otis gets mad, he leans over the ropes but Gargano GAMANGIRIS! APRON DDT! Gargano shoves Otis in, ONE FINAL BEAT!! Cover, Gargano wins!

Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall

Lumis had Gargano’s back from the shadows, and that helped him seal the deal! But what about Otis’ modeling career? Did this loss just lose him a future with MMM?

 

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

Cathy hopes to get his thoughts on Cody’s announcement that he’ll be on SmackDown this Friday. Heyman says he loves it. “This is my favorite time of year, WrestleMania season. Where every single television show, the ante gets upped and upped and upped and upped, like this Friday night on SmackDown. The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes, showing up to confront Roman-” What? Cathy interrupts because Cody didn’t explicitly say he was going there to confront Roman. He just said, “I’ll be there, too.” Well, Heyman feels rather disrespected being both interrupted and corrected on worldwide television.

“Let’s read between the lines what this really means. He’s gonna show up? Cody Rhodes is a Raw talent, and he’s gonna show up? No, he’s going to invade Friday Night SmackDown. Cody Rhodes is going to crash the gates of the Island of Relevancy. Let’s up the ante. This Friday night, live on SmackDown, Cody Rhodes will confront Roman Reigns… Or this Friday night, live on SmackDown, Cody Rhodes will be confronted by the Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table, the Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman… Reigns.” Heyman grins and leaves, but which way will the story go on SmackDown?

 

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Damage CTRL w/ Bayley VS Becky Lynch & Lita!

To the Role Model’s point, #CobraKai and the Evil Genius have held onto these titles for the longest time. But to The Man’s point, that’s because they hardly ever defend the titles! Bayley backed her own team into a corner, will Kai & Sky be able to fight out of it? Or will there be some Big Time new champions going into WrestleMania?

Raw returns as DMG CTRL make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if these teams get extreme!

The teams sort out, Sky and Becky start, and they circle. They tie up, Becky headlocks, but Sky throws body shots. Sky powers out, Becky runs her over! Becky flexes, fans fire up, and Becky wrenches to YANK Sky’s arm. Becky brings Sky around, but Sky breaks free before the tag. Sky tags Kai, Becky tags Lita, and fans fire up again! Kai and Lita tie up, Lita headlocks, but Kai powers out. Lita runs Kai over and fans rally, “Let’s Go, Lita!” Lita has the facelock but Kai powers out of the Twist! Tag to Sky, and Sky runs up, but into a kick! Tag to Becky, she and Lita double suplex! Cover, ONE!

Becky brings Sky back up, tags Lita back in, and they double whip Sky to double hip toss! Kai runs in, but also into a double hip toss! Kai and Sky are in opposite corners, Becky and Lita run in to SPLASH them both! Lita feeds Sky to Becky to send into Kai! Then Becky sets up, and fans fire up, POETRY IN MOTION! Lita then climbs up while Becky holds Kai, and they both rain down punches! Fans count along, all the way to TEN! Lita snapmares Sky down, climbs up, but Sky bails out! Lita tags Becky, and she CANNONBALLS! Down go Kai AND Sky, fans fire up for Becky and Lita as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Becky throws Kai into Sky! Then Becky fires off on Kai in the ropes! Kai is stuck, Becky goes up, GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Becky just gets enough of Kai, but Sky runs in! Becky turns her around, gets Kai, too, DOUBLE DDT COMBO! Cover on Kai, TWO! Bayley is relieved, but Becky paces around Kai. Becky brings Kai up, Kai whips her away, but Becky BOOTS back! Becky reels Kai in, DIAMOND DUST! Cover, TWO! But into the DISARM-HER! Fans rally but Kai endures! Kai reaches out, fights, and Sky runs in to SHOTGUN Becky! Becky bails out, Lita hurries over. Bayley backs off, but Sky grabs Lita!

Sky SMACKS Lita off the desk! Kai tags Sky, and she ASAI MOONSAULTS Becky! Bayley is fired up for her team while the ring count climbs. Sky puts Becky in, covers, TWO! DMG CTRL is still annoyed, but Sky wraps Becky in a straitjacket stretch. Fans rally while Becky endures. Becky fights up, arm-drags free, but Sky DROPKICKS her down! Tag to Kai, she and Sky get Becky up to double whip. They kick, trip, and AX KICK, into the DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Becky is still in this and DMG CTRL is further frustrated. Kai keeps Becky back with a facelock but Becky fights her way forward!

Becky reaches out, but Kai shoves her away! SCORPION KICK! Kai covers, TWO! Kai says THEY are the champions, and she keeps Becky from Lita. Becky throws shots, Kai holds on, then Kai whips Becky into the corner! Kai runs in, Becky elbows her! Becky DECKS Sky, but DOUBLE LARIATS take her and Kai down! Fans fire up while both women crawl, but Bayley throws a belt into the ring! The ref reprimands, gets the belt out of the ring, but Bayley uses that distraction to trip Lita! Fans boo but Kai tags Sky! And Sky SHOTEIS Becky! Ski & Kai both single leg lift, for the DMG PLEX! Cover, TWO!!?

Becky survives and shocks DMG CTRL! And wait! TRISH STRATUS!? Trish is here to hep her rival and best friend Lita, by TACKLING Bayley! And then she DECKS her! Trish runs around the way to help Lita up and fans fire up. Sky tags Kai, but Becky JAWBREAKERS! Tag to Lita and she runs in to rally on Sky! Lita whips, Sky reverses, Lita tilt-o-whirls to throw Sky! Sky comes back, waistlocks, but Lita hits VERTIGO! Cover, TWO!! Lita goes up top, but Sky drags her down! Sky throws Lita away, goes up top now, OVER THE MOON- FLOP!! Lita gets Sky with the facelock! TWIST OF FATE!! And now Lita goes up top again!

But Bayley scurries back up! Trish YANKS Bayley down! CHICK KICK!! But now Kai runs in! Becky YANKS Kai down, and has a DISARM-HER on the apron! Lita finally has a clear path, for her MOONSAULT!! Cover, LITA & BECKY WIN!!!

Winners: Becky Lynch & Lita, by pinfall

Fans are thunderous, and Trish gets to celebrate with Lita and The Man! And the pyro makes it official, history has been made! WrestleMania 39 is already going Hollywood, but will it hit the Big Time now?


My Thoughts:

A really good Raw, and I’m a bit surprised there was no picture in picture tonight. Does that mean they didn’t see this week’s Raw as big as last week’s which did have PIP? Weird, given that great main event. I expected Trish would help, given how this story has been going, but I did not think they’d pull the trigger and give Becky & Lita the belts. At the same time, title changes happening on TV is what RawDown really needs to get people paying attention again. It gives fans who go to these shows a reason to be excited and gets buzz going. But now it gives Raw a clear contender for what I still feel/hope will be a Fatal 4 Way. Becky & Lita VS DMG CTRL VS Ronda & Shayna VS an NXT team who might already be on their way out, like Kayden Carter & Katana Chance.

Great stuff to open the show, like Jimmy’s promo, the Profits’ promo, and the match of Profits VS Jimmy & Solo. Jimmy & Solo winning does hurt the Profits a bit, but it was great for Kevin Owens to get after Jimmy & Solo. Kevin says he doesn’t need or want help, aka work with Sami, but he was wearing a hoodie as he ambushed them, much like Sami. So again, whether Kevin admits it or not, he and Sami are going to be reunited through fighting The Bloodline. Also, great consistency of having Kevin showing up interrupting Baron Corbin’s interview. Surprisingly, it felt like Corbin was going to open up about his feelings for once. But chances are he’ll fight Kevin like he has Cody and Sami, and lose to give Kevin some momentum.

Cody had a really good match with Gable, but of course the presence, or at least the thought of Maxxine Dupri, distracted Otis. Even so, Cody was still gonna beat Gable. Cody promising to show up on SmackDown and Heyman’s response was good stuff, too, and we’re going to get some good stuff on Friday. Otis then having MMM with him for his match with Gargano was good stuff. Mace & Mansoor continue to really sell being just the most eccentric people, and I would think we’re going to see Lumis & Gargano VS Mace & Mansoor after that confrontation at ringside. And I’m sure Gable will be a bit upset that Otis left the trainer’s room just to hang out with Maxxine.

Candice VS Piper was decent, but I didn’t think Nikki would inadvertently help Candice, I thought she was going to inadvertently cost her. Asuka VS Mella was really good stuff, and naturally Asuka won to keep her momentum going. Good promo from Bianca, but of course Mella gets after her, too. Mella VS Bianca will be good stuff, but I think Mella loses again to give Bianca momentum. Chelsea Green continues to be annoying but also really funny with this persona, and I’m surprised Pearce hasn’t exploded. Chelsea interacting with Mella in a friendly way makes me wonder if they’ll end up a tag team of their own.

Really good group promo from Judgment Day to call out everyone they’re feuding with, and of course Dom is going back to SmackDown with Rhea. Finn challenging Edge was the logical next step, it all felt like it was going this way, but I also do like that Finn wants a piece of Gargano. If Judgment Day moves to SmackDown after Mania, this could be the only opportunity for Gargano VS Finn to happen on Raw. And great segment from Lesnar and MVP to make Lesnar VS Omos official. Lesnar showing up first is a great example of Lesnar just doing what he wants, regardless of being Face or Heel. But facing Lesnar is going to be a real test for Omos. He is so big and tall, I don’t think he’ll be able to take any German Suplexes. The F5 is a different matter, since he can fall safer from that than the suplexes.

Lashley VS Elias was only a step more competitive than when Lashley just demolished Elias last week. I do like that Boogs continues to take notes. I hope he reads some for us at some point, just so he can inadvertently make fun of Elias by reading off everything not to do. And just as I was hoping Bray would have an immediate response ready to Lashley’s promo, we get the Muscle Man Dance 2023 remix. It could’ve been goofier in regards to poking fun at Lashley, but Lashley still sold being pissed off perfectly. Lashley says these are “little kid games” but I think he’s going to find out Bray can be a lot creepier than that.

And of course, The Miz shared his big news for Mania. When he said “celebrity,” I did expect him to have someone else, maybe someone in Hollywood the WWE has worked with before. But I should’ve known, it was making Miz the host of Mania since he’s technically someone in Hollywood. Rollins showing up makes sense, too, as he somehow has to get Logan Paul to show up again. Rollins getting into Miz’s phone was cheesy because of the sound effects, but it was still kinda funny. Rollins calling out Logan was good stuff, and we’ll get a good face-to-face next week to officially set up their Mania match. And that will be awesome stuff because love him or hate him, Logan Paul can pro-wrestle.

My Score: 8.7/10


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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

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We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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