The Man & The Legend defend their titles!

Becky & Lita put Damage CTRL away at WrestleMania, then Liv & Raquel did it last week on Raw! Now both teams battle for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Rey Mysterio VS Finn Balor w/ Dominik Mysterio; Finn wins.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Becky Lynch & Lita Trish Stratus VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez; Liv & Raquel win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
• Bobby Lashley VS Bronson Reed; Double Count-Out Draw.
• The Usos VS The Alpha Academy; The Usos win.
• Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Piper Niven VS Mia Yim VS Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL; Sky wins and will challenge Bianca Belair for the title.
• Kevin Owens VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Usos; Solo wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Rey Mysterio is here!

Seattle fires up as The King of Lucha Libre makes his way to the ring. Rey gets the mic to say, “Oda ley, Seattle! Viva la Raza! And welcome to Monday Night Raw!” Rey has to pour his heart out, it has been a real crazy year. Fans chant for “REY! REY! REY!” and he says he’s had a lot of ups and a lot of downs. But last week, it should’ve been a dream come true, going into the WWE Hall of Fame. Fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Rey thanks them, and says on top of that, he competed at the BIGGEST WrestleMania of all time. But instead, he ended up facing his own son, Dominik. Fans boo, and Rey says he really wanted things to be different.

But speaking of Dom, here he comes! “Keep my name outta your mouth. I’m sick and tired of hearing about what you want. Because that’s what you do. You make things about yourself.” Fans boo but Dom says Rey never cared about him. That’s why he’s better off with his REAL family, the Judgment Day! Fans boo and even chant ‘YOU SUCK!” So the Judgment Day, “those selfish idiots who are just using you,” are his family? Using Dom? Rey’s the only one who used Dom! Rey’s the selfish one! Because nothing else matters unless Rey Mysterio gets what Rey Mysterio wants. Just like with Bad Bunny! Dom would’ve won if Bunny didn’t screw him over just to help Rey!

Fans boo more but Dom says Rey is using Bunny just like he used Dom. But guess what happened? Roll the footage! First, replay of WrestleMania where Bunny snatches the steel chain from Dom to stop his cheating. And then last week on Raw, Rey was going to beat Austin Theory if not for Dom. Dom & Damian were beating down Rey, found Bunny ringside, and Dom swung on him, only to get decked instead. But The Punisher would hit his former friend back, and CHOKE SLAM him through the announce desk! Back in the present, Dom grins while fans boo. Dom says Bunny makes good songs, but when Priest put him through the desk, that was music to Dom’s ears.

Bunny needs to learn his lesson and keep his nose out of Judgment Day business. Actually, Rey spoke to Bunny last night. And Bunny said that he’ll be back! Dom and the Judgment Day are gonna regret putting their hands on Bunny. Fans like the sound of that. Dom says, “More empty words from a deadbeat dad. Instead of worrying about Bad Bunny, you should worry about what the Judgment Day is gonna do to you.” Rey says Dom talks big, but when is he gonna man up, get some balls, and take care of things on his own? Rey says he didn’t wanna fight Dom, but Dom seems like a lost cause.

So Dom should just step in the ring, and they can have a WrestleMania rematch right here, right now, in Seattle! Fans fire up for that! Dom sighs and tells Rey to hold on. Dom doesn’t wanna fight his own dad. But he knows someone who will. FINN BALOR! Ex-Con Dom is going to let The Prince take on the King, will this be the WrestleMania rebound Finn needs?

Rey Mysterio VS Finn Balor w/ Dominik Mysterio!

Raw returns and the bell rings. Finn kicks and CLUBS Rey, CHOPS him, then whips him hard into a corner! Rey bounces off buckles and falls, and the Judgment Day soaks up the hat. Finn stands Rey up to RAM into him, and again, and again! Finn climbs up, rains down fists, then soaks up more heat. But Rey trips Finn up! Rey ARMS Finn again and again, then rains down fists! Rey gets to TEN, then lets off. Rey wrenches, whips, but Finn reverses to kick and runs, sunset flip, but Rey rolls through to basement dropkick! Rey goes to a corner, Finn runs in but gets an elbow! Rey tilt-o-whirl RANAS!

Fans fire up and Rey whips Finn to ropes. Finn reverses, Rey wheelbarrows but Finn stops the arm-drag to ELBOW DROP DDT! Cover, TWO! Finn checks his forehead, given all those staples after Mania, and Rey crawls to ropes. Finn stomps Rey, spins him around, and springboard stomps! Finn says this stomps is for Priest! And then one for Rhea! And this one is for Dom! Dom soaks up the heat while Finn fires off! The ref counts, Finn lets off and Dom cheers him on. Finn drags Rey up, CHOPS him, then whips him to ropes. Finn CLOBBERS Rey, covers, TWO! Finn drops an elbow and clamps on a chinlock!

Rey endures, fans rally up, and Rey fights to his feet. Rey throws elbows, but Finn throws him down by his mask! The ref reprimands but Dom applauds. Finn drags Rey up, puts him on ropes and CHOKES him! The ref counts, Finn lets off, then CHOKES him again! Finn lets off again, snapmares and CLUBS Rey, then throws more forearms! Finn wraps on the chinlock, but fans rally up. Rey stands, throws elbows, and he whips, but Finn reverses. Rey KICKS back! Rey runs, RANAS, and Finn tumbles out of the ring! Fans fire up again, Rey runs to WRECK Finn with a dropkick! Dom hurries but Rey builds speed to SLIDE ‘N’ SPLASH!

Dom scurries away but Rey dares him to do something. Dom stays back while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Finn whips Rey to a corner. Rey BOOTS back, goes up, and wheelbarrows, to BULLDOG! Both men are down and Seattle rallies up. Dom coaches Finn, a standing count starts, and both men rise. Finn swings but Rey counter punches! And again, and again! Rey whips Finn to a corner, runs in, but Finn puts him on the apron,. Rey shoulders into Finn, GAMANGIRIS, then goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Dom was even ready to slide in and break it! Rey calls his shot, but Finn SOBATS! Finn whips, but Rey slides under!

Finn runs in, Rey dropkicks Finn’s legs out! Finn is on the ropes, Rey dials it up! But Finn is ready and he LARIATS Rey down! Fans boo, Finn aims, and Finn SHOTGUNS Rey into a corner! Rey is in the drop zone, Finn climbs up! But Rey ROCKS him first! Rey throws hands, climbs up after Finn, and he throws down HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Fans count all the way to NINE, before the SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! Finn is still in this and Dom is relieved. Rey keeps focus, he dropkicks Finn back onto ropes. Rey redials, 619! Rey stares Dom down, goes up the corner, and FROG SPLASHES onto knees!! Finn cradles, TWO!!

Rey escapes and Seattle is shocked! Both men stir, Finn checks his forehead, and fans rally for Rey. Finn stands Rey up but Rey KICKS, ROCKS, and ENZIGURIS! Finn staggers, Rey runs, but Finn ALLEY-OOPS him into buckles! Rey leans on the buckles, Finn CHOKES him! The ref counts, Finn lets off, but then he CHOKES Rey again! The ref has to pull Finn back, and Dom has the chain around his fist! Dom sneaks up, but Rey blocks! Rey DECKS Dom! Finn runs in, Rey sends him out! Rey DIVES onto them both!! Seattle is thunderous as Rey stands tall! Rey CLUBS Finn, SMACKS him off the desk, and again, and again!

The ring count is climbing, Rey puts Finn in. Finn distracts the ref, talking about his staples. Dom METAL CHAIN PUNCHES Rey!! Fans boo but Finn and Dom grin. Finn drags Rey over, goes up top, for the COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Finn wins!

Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall

Dom lies, cheats and steals this victory from his father so that Finn can stand tall! Will anyone ever humble the Judgment Day?

Backstage interview with The Alpha Academy.

Cathy Kelly is with Chad Gable and the now fashionable “Otíse.” They have a match against The Usos, how have they been preparing? Coach Gable says he has his guy ready, but then Maxxine Dupri walks in and says, “Cut!” Otíse looks delicious as always, but Gable, what are you doing? You gremlin! Maxxine’s the one dressing Otis in crap! Maxxine and Gable argue, but then there’s shouting around the way. The cameraman hurries over, and someone has attacked Lita! Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez shout for Adam Pearce, he and refs hurry over, and Lita tries to stand. Lita is too woozy, Becky and Trish hurry over and the challengers defend they only just arrived.

The Man says that’s a likely story, these two being the first ones to find Becky’s tag team partner. Liv & Raquel argue with Becky, but what will any of this mean for tonight’s tag title match?

Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.

Byron Saxton notes the attack on Lita, and he asks The Man about Lita’s condition. Becky says Lita is in a local medical facility, and though we don’t know who did it, Becky has her suspicions. When we do find out who, she guarantees us she will slap their head off. But she promised a title match, and The Man always delivers. So Becky was ready to do this all alone, but someone came along with a pretty good idea. TRISH steps in! Trish says they were a hell of a team at Mania, so she’ll do this for Lita. Adam Pearce makes it official, and Becky says this won’t just happen tonight. This match happens NOW! Will The Man & The Chick kick some lass?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Becky Lynch & Lita Trish Stratus VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez!

Raw returns and the challengers make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if the Big Time is ready to live large!

The teams sort out, Raquel starts against Becky, but Becky shoves. She still thinks they were behind Lita’s attack! Raquel says she didn’t do it! Then she picks up and TOSSES Becky to a corner! Becky dodges, comes back, but into a scoop! Becky fights free, kicks low and SLAPS Raquel! Becky whips, Raquel blocks! Raquel whips, but Becky elbows back! Becky goes up and up, but leaps into Raquel’s arms! Raquel pops Becky up, Becky slips free, but Raquel RAMS her into the corner! Tag to Liv and she taunts Trish, before Raquel whips her in to back body block Becky! Liv then whips Raquel in to SPLASH! Feed to Liv’s ENZIGURI! Cover, TWO!

Liv keeps cool, brings Becky up, but Becky turns suplex into cradle! Liv rocks it, TWO! Liv sweeps to cover, ONE as Becky goes Matrix and mule kicks back! Fans fire up, Becky runs in at Liv, but Liv dodges! Becky hits buckles, Liv returns with a SHINING WIZARD! And DROPKICK on the ropes! Then IMPLODER STOMPS! Liv covers, TWO! Becky is hanging tough but Liv brings her up. Becky JAWBREAKERS, ROCKS then UPPERCUTS! Fans fire up, Becky point to Trish, and fans fire up again! Tag to Trish! Liv goes Matrix but Trish CLUBS her down! Cover, TWO! Trish whips Liv, Liv ROCKS Becky!

Liv ELBOWS Trish, goes up, but Becky tags in! Becky JUMP KICKS, Trish goes up to the STRATUSPHERE! Fans fire up as Becky climbs! Trish positions Liv for the MAN’S LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! The Man & The Chick are annoyed but still in control as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and the champs mug Liv. Trish snapmares Liv to wrap on a chinlock. Fans rally, Liv fights up, and throws knees! Liv arm-drags Trish away, runs in, but so does Trish! DOUBLE HAIR PULL FACEBUSTER! Fans fire up as both women are down! They crawl, hot tags to Raquel and Becky! But Big Mami Cool rallies on The Man! Becky ducks one lariat, but not the SOUTHPAW! Raquel scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Then a TWISTING VADER in the corner! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives but Raquel keeps cool. Raquel drags Becky up, has the leg, but Becky fights the bomb to a RANA!

Raquel ends up in the corner, Becky runs in, but Raquel puts her on the apron. Becky ROCKS Raquel, goes up top, and leaps, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Raquel goes to the apron but Becky nods. Fans rally, Becky hurries over, but Raquel HOTSHOTS her, to then bring her to a corner. Raquel drags Becky up, but Becky fights back! They brawl with body shots, and Raquel gets the edge! But Becky HEADBUTTS back, and again, and again, and again and again and again! Fans fire up as Becky staggers away. Tag to Trish, the champs go after Raquel together! Fans fire up, and Raquel SHOVES Becky away!

Trish fires off forearms and fists, but Raquel blocks the Steiner! Trish fights with more fists, STRATUSPHERE! Cover, TWO! Trish drags Raquel over, tags in Becky, and they put Raquel in ropes. Becky ROCKS, UPPERCUTS and SOBATS! Trish brings Raquel out for a DRAPING LEG DROP!! Cover, TWO!! Raquel survives and Becky is unsure what to do now! Fans rally, Becky fires forearms, then UPPERCUTS! SOBAT into the lift! BACKBREAKER, to a scoop! Liv tags in! BACKBREAKER again, feed to the ASSISTED TORNADO DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Another cover, TWO!! Liv tries a third, TWO!!!

Liv is beside herself as The Man is still alive! Liv pushes Becky around, pie faces her, but Becky gets the arm! Becky wrangles Liv, Liv rolls Becky, TWO! Liv goes after Becky’s arm now! Becky whips Liv hard into the corner! Tag to Trish, they hoist Liv up, and then tag back to Becky. The champs climb up together, Liv resists as best she can, and Raquel joins in! Fans fire up for the TOWER OF DOOM!! Double Powerbomb Superplex leaves all four women down and fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Liv crawls over. Becky stops Liv, and DECKS Raquel! But Liv rolls Becky! TWO!! Becky ROCKS Liv! Liv ROCKS Becky! Repeat!

Becky LARIATS Liv, drags her around, then goes up the corner. But Raquel storms in! Becky BOOTS Raquel, drags her into a dragon sleeper, and Trish adds on! They mug Raquel, but Raquel shoves Trish away! Becky still has Raquel, though! DIAMOND DUST LEG DROP COMBO!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Liv survives and Becky is at a loss for words! Becky gets the fans fired up, and she demands Liv stand. Becky clinches, but Liv wheelbarrows! Victory roll, TWO!! Becky grabs the arm! DISARM-HER!! But Raquel BOOTS her down! Trish fires off on Raquel! Headlock and STRATUSFACTION!!

Becky hurries after Liv, but Liv hits a CODE BREAKER! Liv runs up, ObLIVion- NO! Becky rolls through, MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, but Raquel drags her out! Becky ROCKS Raquel, runs in, but Raquel pops her up to the apron. Becky mule kicks Raquel away! Tag to Trish! Trish waits on Liv while Becky FLYING FOREARMS Raquel! CHICK- NO! ROLL-UP! LIV & RAQUEL WIN!!!

Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

Seattle is stunned! Morgan & Rodriguez are TRULY #LivingLarge! They just dethroned The Man and her back-up teammate! Becky and Trish are both in disbelief, but Becky still helps Trish up. Becky raises Trish’s hand, it was a valiant effort from them both. Trish still feels bad, but they hug it out. But then Trish CLOBBERS Becky!! Fans boo but Trish aims to CHICK KICK!! Down goes The Man! Trish gets in Becky’s face, then leaves her down on the mat. Why did Trish do this?

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

Cathy Kelly is with the Special Counsel to the Tribal Chief, and says last Friday, Heyman was asked to address Brock Lesnar turning on Cody Rhodes, but he dodged the question. Cathy would like to ask him as the former Advocate, can Heyman provide any insight as to Lesnar’s actions? Heyman repeats, ” Can I provide any insight as to Brock Lesnar’s actions? Yes, I can. Thank you. Question asked, question answered. Ask me another question. Like this: ‘Um, Mr. Heyman, what about tonight when Solo goes one-on-one against Kevin Owens?'” Great question! Thanks so much for that.

“See, Kevin Owens is not just a problem, Kevin Owens has a problem. Sami Zayn is not here tonight. Flight delays. Matt Riddle is not here tonight. Flight delays. Flight delays my tookus. Y’know what happened? Sami Zayn and Matt Riddle were in an airport, and they looked up and one of them says, ‘Bro, what’re we doing tonight on Raw?’ And the other one says, ‘Um, um, um, Solo’s looking for us.’ And they looked at each other and said, ‘Maybe the later flight, what do you think?’ Because they’re both smart enough to know now to mess with Solo, who solves problems for The Bloodline.

“Kevin Owens is not that bright. Not as bright as Riddle, not as bright as Sami Zayn, and that doesn’t say a lot about Kevin Owens. Kevin Owens comes in here tonight now with zero allies, and even fewer friends, and one leg. Which makes him not the proverbial but the literal one-legged man in an ass kicking contest against a two-legged, very capable Samoan, and not just any Samoan. We’re talking about Solo! We’re talking about the Enforcer! We’re talking about the Sergeant at Arms! We’re talking about the Problem Solver! Solo’s here. I’m here. The Usos are here.

What kind of people would take advantage of Kevin Owens in this vulnerable stage? What kind of people of the WWE locker room would be so deplorable that they’d take advantage of Kevin Owens when he’s like this? What type of people are so despicable? What type of people are so low they would follow the Tribal Chief’s orders to solve the Kevin Owens problem? Know who those people are? We the ones.” Heyman heads out, does Kevin not stand a chance of surviving the night?

Backstage interview with Trish Stratus.

Byron Saxton asks why she did that to Becky, but Trish just walks on by. The Chick does what she wants, it seems. But will Becky have a new head to slap right off?

Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky wait outside the General Manager’s office.

Bayley’s been in there for so long, what is the big deal? But Bayley walks back out and says she talked with Adam Pearce. She tried to get him to give Kai & Sky a tag title match, but all Pearce could go on about was the WWE Draft. So instead, Bayley made sure to tell him that he needs to ensure DMG CTRL sticks together. Which she is sure got through to him, because he then offered a Triple Threat match with Piper Niven and Mia Yim, the winner going on to face Bianca Belair for the title. That means when Bayley beats Bianca, she’ll have more leverage, and she can make Pearce keep them together!

Sky says no. What? Sky says in Japanese, and Kai translates, “What about us?” Bayley’s gotten her opportunities against Bianca. This time, it should be one of them. Bayley accepts that. She didn’t know they felt that way, but she can go talk with Pearce. Bayley goes back into the office, and we’ll see who it is that fights against Piper and Michin.

Bobby Lashley VS Bronson Reed!

Raw just got a whole lot bigger and stronger! The 2023 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner and runner-up run it back, but who proves to be the alpha male on Monday nights?

Raw returns and Auszilla makes his entrance. The bell rings, fans rally as Lashley and Reed stare down. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Reed claws the eyes! Lashley blocks the kick to elbow, kick and CLUB Reed! Lashley bumps Reed off buckles, fires off hands, then stomps! the ref counts, Lashley lets off, but Reed goes after eyes again! Reed HEADBUTTS then ROCKS Lashley, then fires off in the corner! The ref counts, Reed whips corner to corner. Lashley comes back to LARIAT! Fans fire up, Lashley clinches, COMPLETE SHOT! Fans rally, Lashley brings Reed up, but Reed fights the suplex!

Reed throws body shots but Lashley kicks low. Lashley tries again, but Reed is still too big! Reed suplexes Lashley and hangs him out to dry! Reed ROCKS Lashley, but Lashley hits back! They brawl at the ropes, the ref counts, and Lashley turns Reed around to CLUB him! Reed hits low! Reed pulls ears but so does Lashley! The ref reprimands, Lashley throws hands, and then Lashley bumps Reed off buckles. Reed staggers, but he KICKS Lashley in the ropes! Lashley sputters, Reed BLASTS him off the apron! Lashley staggers around, Reed goes to the apron! FLYING SHOULDER! Down goes Lashley!

Fans boo but Reed watches Lashley. Reed refreshes the ring count, roars but fans rally for “BOBBY! BOBBY!” as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Lashley whips Reed to a corner! Fans fire up as Lashley runs in, but Reed BOOTS him down! Reed huffs and puffs, then he raises his hands. Fans boo but Reed storms back over to Lashley. Reed drags Lashley up, fires off haymaker after haymaker, but the ref counts. Reed glares at the ref, then goes back to Lashley. Reed whips corner to corner, runs in, but Lashley dodges the splash! Lashley keeps moving, and he clotheslines in the corner! Lashley runs again to RAM into Reed! Lashley brings Reed out, turns him, but Reed powers Lashley away. Lashley comes back, dodges, and turns Reed for the NECKBREAKER!

Fans fire up and Lashley feels it! Lashley stalks Reed, brings him up, and suplexes him!! Fans fire up again and Lashley stalks Reed, for the HURT LOCK! But Reed’s so big and strong, the fingers can’t interlock! Reed jumps back to FALL onto Lashley! Reed hurries to cover, TWO!! Lashley survives but Reed drags him to the drop zone. Reed climbs up! Lashley hurries to get Reed first, but Reed rakes the eyes! Reed CLUBS Lashley, then LEAPS! FLYING THESZ PRESS!! Lashley flounders, Reed drags him up, and lifts, but Lashley slips free! Lashley dodges, runs, but into a KNEE! Reed runs but into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!!!

Fans are thunderous as Lashley throws off the elbow pads! Lashley stalks Reed yet again, and he puts on the HURT LOCK!!! Reed staggers, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! They FALL to the floor!! Lashley flounders up, Reed stands, but Lashley LARIATS first! The All Mighty drags Reed up to bring him around as the ring count rises! We’re at 7 of 10, Lashley fireman’s carries, but Reed is too big! Reed POSTS Lashley! THE COUNT HITS TEN!!

Double Count-Out Draw

Fans boo, they wanted a winner! So do these titans! They brawl at ringside and fans fire up again! The ref reprimands, but Lashley gets the edge on Reed! Lashley is wearing Reed out! More refs rush out and even some producers! Seattle wants to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two behemoths are pulled apart! Lashley breaks free to CLOBBER Reed! Seattle is rocking as the hands keep flying! Will these two look to tear the whole place down in order to settle the score?

Cody Rhodes is here!

Seattle fires up for the American Nightmare, and sing along with the song as Cody gets his pyro. Cody still clutches his ribs, feeling even more sore than before given what Brock Lesnar did to him last week. Fans cheer as Cody gets the mic, and he takes a moment to revel in it. Cody then says, “So, Seattle… Whaddya wanna talk about? Typically, bit of a redundant question. I usually have a singular focus. When I first came back, I was talking about Seth Rollins. After that, I was talking about my torn pec and my rehabilitation. After that, I was talking about the Royal Rumble, and of course, after that, I was talking about WrestleMania and finishing the story.”

Fans cheer, but Cody says after last week, that all feels a bit cloudy so let’s navigate the fog together. “At WrestleMania 39, under the brightest lights, in the main event, I lost. I lost to the Tribal Chief, to our champion, Roman Reigns.” Fans boo that, but Cody says, “This polarizing moment in WWE history, everybody pointing fingers, casting blame. I would ask that you point those fingers directly at me. You put blame nowhere else but squarely on me. I lost dead in the center. I did not calculate, I did not adjust not just for Roman Reigns, but for the lengths that Roman Reigns would be willing to go. I lost, and I’m sorry.”

Fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” and “You Got Screwed!” Cody says he heard to things. One was from his friend Matt, who said, “Well, being in the main event, that’s a win in itself, right? At this point in your career, do wins and losses even matter?” ABSOLUTELY! What is the point in stealing the show if you don’t walk away with the prize? The only people who say wins and losses don’t matter are Hall of Famers, men and women who have had their moment in the sun, who have finished their stories. Whether it’s the winner’s purse, or in Cody’s case, the WWE Universal Championship.

The other thing Cody heard might bother you as much as it did him. These words were not meant for his ears but they made their way to him. It was Mr. Heyman who said it. Fans boo that already. Heyman said that if he, meaning Cody, was to ever challenge for the title again, Cody’s gotta earn it. “Earn it? That basically refutes, dismisses not just my whole career, but my entire life!” Dashing, Stardust, Main Event. Undercard to EVP. A derelict wolf who threw himself to the wilderness and came back leading the pack! “EARN IT!? I AM IT!!” Fans cheer that! “And now, the unfinished tale has a whole new wrinkle to it: Brock. Lesnar.”

Fans boo again and Cody says the only thing more embarrassing than lying there surrounded by 80 thousand people with a rubber chicken a foot away from you and not the two titles is that when you wake up the next day, head held high despite you not wanting to get out of bed, going to work and looking for a modicum of satisfaction, a rematch, retribution, and not getting that. So instead, you look for anything else, offer up your innocence, offer up your trust to The Beast, and he repays it in destruction!

“Somebody tell me why. Somebody tell me why Brock Lesnar did what he did. I heard on SmackDown that Brock Lesnar was ‘unhappy’ with his spot on WrestleMania. An event that is usually synonymous with the Beast, the publicity, the key art, the old school intros, they weren’t about Lesnar. And that, Cody can almost understand. But Cody’s theory is that Lesnar has an uncertain feeling about Cody. “Uncertain about the hype that comes with The American Nightmare. Uncertain about the change that I brought to the WWE, change that would directly affect him. Why else would Brock Lsensar wait to get the drop on me? Why else would Brock Lesnar wait until my back was turned?

“But if you’re Brock Lesnar, and I know he’s listening, and I know someone who represents him is listening, as well. Why in the hell would you be uncertain? When Brock Lesnar looks in the mirror, he sees a predator. He sees a former NCAA Heavyweight Champion, that is the hardest tournament to win in folk style wrestling. He sees a former UFC, and a former Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. He is a Hall of Famer in both worlds.” When Lesnar was a rookie, he made The Rock into a victim. We’re all lunch to Lesnar! Lesnar saw John Cena, victim. Randy Couture, victim. THE UNDERTAKER and his Streak, and that was a victim.

Is that who Lesnar sees looking at Cody? A victim? Go ahead. Cody will be as honest as he can be. If the question is posed, “Are you scared of Brock Lesnar?” Cody says yes. He’d be crazy not to be scared. But Cody still wants to fight Brock Lesnar!! Cody is so scared of what happened last week, that when Lesnar blinks, Cody will strike. When Lesnar breathes, Cody will kick. When Lesnar stumbles, Cody will pounce! Cody won’t leave a stone unturned! So that when Lesnar looks into the mirror next time, he doesn’t see predator. For the first time, Lesnar will see prey! For the first time, Lesnar will see a victim! Cody’s victim!

It can be anywhere, anytime, any place, but Cody knows Lesnar isn’t here in Seattle. So how about face to face, eye to eye, 1v1 for the first time ever, The American Nightmare VS The Beast at BACKLASH!! “Answer the call!” Cody throws down the mic after having thrown down the gauntlet! Will Lesnar turn Puerto Rico into Suplex City? Or will Cody “earn” his rematch with Roman Reigns by taking down a man Roman knows well?

The Usos VS The Alpha Academy!

Jimmy & Jey are no longer Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, but there is always a way to get back up. Will they rebound from WrestleMania? Or will Master Gable and “Otíse” tell them to SHOOOOSH?

Raw returns as Gable & Otis make their entrance. The teams sort out, Jey starts against Otis and fans rally up. The two circle, and then fans rally behind Otis. Otis and Jey tie up, and Otis shoves Jey away. Otis flexes and fans cheer! Jey nods and Otis tells Maxxine, wherever she is, he’s ready, baby! Jey and Otis circle again, tie up, and Jey gets around to a waistlock. But Otis is too big to lift! Otis starts shaking! Otis breaks the hold to BOOTY BUMP! Otis flexes and poses, and Gable has him refocus. Otis whips, Jey sunset flips but Otis stays up! Fans cheer as Otis struts his stuff to the ropes, to shake it!

Jey gest away, mostly out of disgust. Jey jumps onto Otis but Otis RAMS him into the corner. Tag to Gable, Gable cravats and Otis struts. Otis runs to BELLY BUMP Jey down! Fans cheer, Gable says “A THANK YEW~!” Gable brings Jey up but Jey RAMS him into the Uso corner! Tag to Jimmy and Jimmy ROCKS Gable! Jimmy CHOPS Gable, Gable CHOPS back! Gable CHOPS again, but Jimmy UPPERCUTS Gable down! Jimmy puts Gable up top, says #WeTheOnes, and then swings, but into a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts but Gable lets off at 4. Jimmy scrambles away but Gable goes up top.

Gable CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Jimmy gets to ropes, Gable shushes Jey. Gable CHOPS Jimmy, “A Thank Yew~!” Gable climbs up to rain down fists, and fans count all the way to nine, then Gable winds it up. “SHOOSH!” for TEN! Gable whips, Jimmy slides, but Gable trips and slaps Jimmy around! “A THANK YEW~!” Gable brings Jimmy up, fires off forearm after forearm, then whips. Jey tags in, Jimmy reverses and scoops, BACKBREAKER to AX HANDLE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS for Otis! Fans boo but The Usos say #WeTheOnes as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Jey facelocks Gable. Gable fights his way over, but Otis is down! Jimmy keeps Gable from the ropes, Gable calls to Otis, but Jimmy throws Gable down by his head! Jimmy puts Gable in the ropes, CHOKES him, but lets off as the ref counts. Jey gets a cheap shot in! Fans boo but Jimmy goes to the opposite corner. “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in, but into a clinch! EXPLODER! Both men are down and fans fire up! Because Otis returns! Gable and Jimmy crawl, hot tags to Jey and Otis! The tree trunk rallies on the Usos! Otis CLOBBERS Jimmy, scoops and SLAMS Jey, then KNEES Jimmy!

Otis KNEES Jimmy again, KNEES Jey, repeat! Otis runs, to DOUBLE BELLY BUMP! The fans fire up for Otis and he has Jey. Otis scoops, Jey slips free, tag to Jimmy! Jey leaps, into a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! But Jimmy CROSSBODIES, into a WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Jimmy survives and Otis is surprised! Jimmy crawls to a corner, Otis runs in to SPLASH! Jimmy falls, Gable returns, and Gable tells his number one guy that this is his time! Otis rips the shirt off, gets moving, CATERPILLAR ELBOW!! Jimmy flounders and fans fire up! Hot tag to Gable! Otis Electric Chair Lifts, Gable goes up top, SUPER BULLDOG!! Cover, JEY BREAKS IT!!

Otis runs in, Jey dumps him out! Otis lands on his feet, Jey builds speed, and Jey DIVES! He bounces off of Oits!? Jimmy DIVES, he wipes out Otis! The Usos DOUBLE SUPERKICK Otis onto the desk! Then they push him over it! But Gable is up top! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Gable takes out BOTH Usos, and puts Jimmy in! Gable climbs, DIVING HEADBUTT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Jimmy survives and Seattle cannot believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Gable and Jimmy slowly rise. Gable goes to a corner, he watches Jimmy then runs in, O’Conner Roll, but Jimmy bucks it! Gable blocks the superkick to an ANKLE LOCK!!

Jimmy scrambles, rolls, throws Gable away, but Gable comes back! Jey tags in, stops Chaos Theory, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The Usos double whip, ONE AND DONE!! Cover, The Usos win!

Winners: The Usos, by pinfall

No tricks or help needed, Jimmy & Jey did this all on their own! Will their brother, Solo, bring about a Bloodline sweep? Or will the Prizefighter be able to do this solo too?

Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Piper Niven VS Mia Yim VS Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL!

The decision was made, and it is a big contender’s match! The Scottish Viper, #Michin, or the Evil Genius of the Sky, who will win that golden ticket to take on the RawEST, Bianca Belair?

Raw returns and Mia makes her entrance, followed by Piper. The bell rings, the three approach, then Piper CLOBBERS Sky! Piper swings on Mia, Mia dodges, and Mia fires off forearms! Piper shoves but Mia rebounds to sunset flip! Piper stays up, drags Mia back up but Mia ROCKS Piper! Then PELES! Piper staggers, but Sky climbs! Mia brings Piper up, but Piper is too much to scoop! Piper scoops Mia, but Mia fights free. Sky MISSILE DROPKICKS Piper! Sky runs at Mia, Mia arm-drags her around, then FLAPJACKS Sky down! Sky staggers up and fans fire up with the Head Baddie!

Mia drags Sky up, ROCKS her, then CHOPS her! Mia whips Sky to ropes, Sky reverses but Mia DODGES onto Piper! Rough landing for them both, but Mia stands and fires up. Mia brings Piper up, only for Sky to ASAI MOONSAULT them both! Fans fire up and Bayley reluctantly cheers on her teammate, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Piper carries Mia to SLAM her down! But then Sky hops onto Piper with a SLEEPER! Piper stays up, even as Sky thrashes around! Piper just SLAMS Sky onto Mia! Piper then fires up, runs, and DOUBLE SPLASHES!! Double cover, TWO!! Sky and Mia both survive but Piper keeps her focus. Piper runs at Mia but Mia BOOTS her! Sky goes up another corner, Piper runs in but gets another BOOT! Sky brings Piper in, for a HANGING SLEEPER!! Piper flails, Mia SHOTGUNS Piper down! Sky sits back up, Mia TOSSES her off the top! Mia goes up now, but Piper SLAPS her!

Sky runs back in, Piper pops her up to get Mia for a SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up with Sky and so do Bayley and Kai! Sky aims at Piper, runs in, but Piper puts her on the apron. Sky blocks a punch to SHOTEI! Then springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, Mia BOOTS it apart! Fans fire up while all three women are down! Fans rally, Mia aims and KICKS Sky! And KICKS her again! And HEEL KICKS! Then full nelsons to a DRAGON SUPLEX! Fans fire up again, Mia whips Sky at Piper, and Piper URENAGES Sky down! Mia DROPKICK SPLASHES! Cover, but Mia moves before Piper’s ELBOW DROP! Sky takes the hit!

Bayley tries not to smile, she’s supposed to feel bad for her friend. Mia hits CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Piper survives, but Mia drags her up to wrench and EAT DA FEET! But Sky is up top! OVER THE MOONSAULT breaks the cover!! Sky then covers Mia, and wins!!!

Winner: IYO SKY, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Raw Women’s Championship)

Kai is elated and Bayley is “happy” for Sky, because now she’s going to face Bianca Belair! Will the Evil Genius succeed where The Role Model failed?

Backstage interview with Kevin Owens.

Byron is sorry to bother him, but Kevin says it’s fine. Well, Kevin is going 1v1 with Solo Sikoa. They’ve faced 1v1 before but on SmackDown, it almost seemed like he was going to be on the shelf after that vicious attack backstage. Kevin knows where this is going. Kevin is pretty sure Byron is going to ask if it’s a wise decision to go through with this match. Kevin says he and Byron have known each other a long time, right? Has Byron ever known Kevin to be a wise person? Not really, right? Because Kevin admits, he’s not. Kevin is smart, street smart, hasn’t really taken an IQ test or anything, but he’s okay.

But Kevin knows he does lead with emotions. And that’s okay. Because tonight, Kevin’s heart tells him he has to beat the hell out of Solo for what happened on Friday. Sami’s not here, Riddle’s not here, there’s no one but Kevin. So maybe Kevin shouldn’t compete. His knee isn’t anywhere near 100%, and everyone knows. So tonight, all Kevin cares about is getting revenge. So maybe not the wisest decision, but he’s Kevin Owens. And do you know what Kevin does? Here, he’ll turn around and you can read the back of his shirt. #JustKeepFighting. That’s so good, Byron! Thanks! Okay, Kevin is gonna head out now.

Byron wishes Kevin luck, but will he need more than that when The Bloodline is in the building?

Kevin Owens VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Usos!

Raw returns and Kevin makes his entrance. The bell rings and the hand start flying! Kevin gets the edge but Solo kicks the bad leg! And kicks it again! Kevin CHOPS and ROCKS in return, but Solo KICKS the leg out! Kevin hurries to a corner, he kicks back, punches back, but Solo ROCKS him! Solo grabs the legs, Kevin holds onto the rings, but Solo YANKS the bad leg! Kevin clutches the knee but Solo puts it on the ropes. Solo STOMPS it against the ropes! The Usos cheer but the fans boo. Solo wants the leg again, Kevin kicks but Solo still stomps the bad knee! Fans rally for Kevin but Solo HEADBUTTS!

Kevin staggers, he swipes at the Usos on the outside, but Solo throws hands. Kevin ROCKS and CHOPS and runs, but into an ELBOW! The Usos raise the fingers, and Solo kicks Kevin to more ropes. Kevin bails out, and he DECKS Jey! Fans fire up but Solo goes out to UPPERCUT Kevin! Solo has Kevin against barriers, whips, but Kevin reverses and Solo hits steel steps! Jey and Jimmy stay back while the ring count climbs. Kevin gets Solo up and in at 5 of 10, then tells the Usos to “SUCK IT!” Kevin runs to SENTON Solo! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, the Usos coach Solo, but Kevin brings Solo up.

Kevin reels Solo in, but Solo blocks the suplex. Solo wrenches out, clinches, and URE- NO, Kevin slips out! But the bad leg jams! Solo SWEEPS the leg! Kevin ends up in a corner, Solo HIP ATTACKS! Kevin flops over and the Bloodline soak up the heat as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again and Solo drags Kevin around to crank on the HEEL HOOK! Kevin throws hands, then kicks with the good leg! Solo just SLAMS the bad leg on the mat! Then MULE KICKS Kevin down! Kevin stirs and Solo demands he get up. Kevin goes to ropes, Solo brings him around and fireman’s carries, but Kevin fights free! Kevin reels Solo in for a DDT! Both men are down and fans rally up! The Usos coach Solo, fans chant “Let’s Go, KO!” Kevin drags himself up with the ropes, and he throws a forearm on Solo! Solo hits back, so Kevin throws a haymaker! Solo ROCKS Kevin, roars, but Kevin ROCKS Solo!

Kevin fires off on Solo, but Solo UPPERCUTS! Kevin staggers away, Solo runs in, but gets a BOOT! Solo comes back, but only gets POST! Kevin SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS! Solo ends up in the corner, Kevin runs, but the bad leg gives up! Solo SUPERKICKS back! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives and the Bloodline is beside themselves! Solo snarls, storms up on Kevin, and stands him up. Solo hoists Kevin up top, ROCKS him, then climbs up after him. But Kevin facelocks first! Kevin throws down elbows, CLUBS away on Solo, then ELBOWS Solo down! Solo is in the drop zone for Kevin’s FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!!

Solo survives as Kevin’s bad knee may have held him back there. Kevin drags himself up with ropes and he watches Solo rise. Kevin hobbles over, kicks low, but Solo stops the stunner! Solo SAMOAN DROPS! Solo drags Kevin to a drop zone, he goes up top, but Kevin hits the ropes! Solo gets tripped up onto his enforcer! Kevin GAMANGIRIS Solo! Solo wobbles and Kevin throws hands! Kevin drags Solo up, but Solo resists the superplex! Kevin throws body shots, then haymakers! But Solo HEADBUTTS! Kevin ELBOWS, Solo haymakers, repeat! They brawl up top and fans fire up! Kevin HEADBUTTS again and again and again!

Kevin brings Solo back up, but Solo powers out! Solo HEADBUTTS Kevin down! Solo adjusts, but Kevin ROCKET LAUNCHES him off the top! Kevin hurries up top but Jey distracts the ref! Jimmy goes after Kevin but Kevin DECKS him! But Solo is up again! Kevin HOTSHOTS Solo away, and SUPERKICKS Jey! Kevin climbs back up top, to SWANTON BOMB!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Solo survives and Kevin is beside himself! Fans are thunderous for Kevin, and both he and Solo drag themselves up with ropes. Kevin brings Solo around to whip, but Solo holds ropes. Solo BOOTS Kevin, runs in, but into a POP-UP POWERBOMB?!!

Kevin kicks, Jimmy distracts, still no Stunner! SUPERKICK from Jey!! SUPERKICK from Solo!! Fans boo but Solo hits the SAMOAN SPIKE!!! Cover, Solo wins!!

Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall

When you fight the Bloodline, you never fight them 1v1! And that was the case here for the Prizefighter, who could only do so much with one leg and no back-up! But the Bloodline then goes after him like sharks with blood in the water! Fans boo, there is still no one to help Kevin! WAIT! Riddle and Sami have finally arrived! And they are rushing right to gorilla! The Usos stand on Kevin’s chest, but the music hits! The Great Liberator and Bro rush up to brawl with the Usos on the ramp! Fans fire up, Sami and Riddle get the Usos out of the way, and they go 2v1 against Solo! Now Solo feels what it’s like!

Sami BOOTS Solo, Riddle KNEES, and Solo staggers, into a DOUBLE LARIAT! The Usos return, Jey gets a FINAL FLASH to EXPLODER into the buckles! Fans are thunderous again as Sami runs in, but has to block Jimmy’s superkick! Sami serves Jimmy up to Kevin’s STUNNER!! And now Sami runs in, but Solo drags Jey outta there! Sami DECKS Solo, the Bloodline brothers regroup! Solo may have won the battle, but the war continues! Will Kevin, Sami and Riddle be nothing but problems for the Bloodline and their Tribal Chief?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw, even with the apparent mishap of flight delays because of weather keeping roughly half the roster from making it on time. But many times, WWE finds a way to make the best out of unexpected situations. For example, great stuff out of the Bloodline story tonight. It was apparently meant to be Sami VS Solo as payback, but Kevin having to fight Solo while selling bad leg made for great story, and we got to have Sami and Riddle make the heroic save. I am definitely looking forward to a Six Man Tag to come out of all of this. Then we probably get a rematch of Sami & Kevin VS Usos for the tag titles even further down the line.

Good opening promo from Rey and Dom, though Dom was stammering over his lines a bit. I think he was nervous because this was surely an adlib to make up for the superstars not present. But even so, Rey is adding implications that Bunny will want a match or at least a moment at Backlash. Rey VS Finn was great stuff, and of course Dom helps Finn win. As I said on Friday, I’d love if it was a Six Man Tag: Dom, Finn & Priest VS Rey, Escobar & Bunny. And great stuff out of Alpha Academy, both their little promo with Maxxine and that great tag match with The Usos. Fans are loving Otis and coming around on Gable, they’re almost certainly Faces now.

Great stuff out of the Women’s Division tonight. Good intrigue in “Who attacked Lita?” though I think we learned that at the same time Trish turned on Becky. Trish didn’t wanna be the third wheel, so she took out Lita to be Becky’s partner tonight. But then, when Liv & Raquel won, Trish no longer even needed to be on Becky’s side so she beat her down. Great surprise of Liv & Raquel winning, too, and now they can defend these titles against whoever else. Becky VS Trish is going to be some good stuff, would love if that was on Backlash. And Bayley is still here, so no one needs to worry about her going somewhere else. It was great story for her to be selfish and wanting her own shot, but then having her hand forced. The Triple Threat was awesome stuff, and it just makes sense for Sky to win here.

Really good match out of Lashley VS Reed, and I actually like them going with a draw. We’ll get an even bigger and better match to follow this, and there’s a chance the winner goes after a title. I’ve said before, but (assuming Vince doesn’t mess stuff up), HHH rly should push Reed to get the US title or something. The man beat Kazuchika Okada in NJPW’s G1 Climax, surely HHH promised Reed something to get him to come back. Plus, Reed can easily pivot to Face against Austin Theory, Theory has strong Heel heat right now, and they could call back to facing off in NXT just a couple years ago.

And of course, great promo from Cody Rhodes tonight. Though, maybe a little long, but he may’ve also been padding for time. Anyway, the bottom line is that we’re getting Cody VS Lesnar at Backlash, that is going to be great stuff, and Cody is somehow gonna find a way to win so that he will have “earned” his rematch with Roman Reigns.

My Score: 8.5/10