Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Report – 11/6/17 – Kurt Angle joins MizTV!

Published

7 years ago

November 6, 2017

Steven Mitchell

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Guitar on a Pole Match: Elias VS Jason Jordan; Jordan wins.
Asuka VS Stacy Coates; Asuka wins.
Titus O’Neil w/ Apollo Crews VS Samoa Joe; no contest.
Samoa Joe VS Finn Balor; double count-out.
Nia Jax & Alicia Fox VS Bayley & Sasha Banks; Bayley & Sasha win.
Braun Strowman VS The Miz w/ The Miztourage; no contest.
Enzo Amore VS Pete Dunne; Dunne wins.
WWE Raw Tag Team Championships: Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose VS The Bar; The Bar wins and becomes new Raw Tag Team Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE addresses the church shooting on 11/5/17.

BRAUN STROWMAN HAS RETURNED!

And he was not through with The Miztourage. He emerged from the back of a garbage truck, and then treated The Miz, Bo Dallas and most of all, Curt Axel, like garbage. The Monster Among Men didn’t get full rectification as The Miz got away, when will Strowman’s revenge catch up to the Hollywood A-Lister?

Miz TV is in the UK!

Before getting started, Miz has a message for Baron Corbin. For those who don’t know, there has been a social media war of words. If The Lone Wolf insults Maryse ever again, Miz will knock his teeth down his throat. So what does Corbin do? Escalates to talking about Miz’s unborn daughter, and how Corbin will be Miz’s Daddy. The Manchester fans join in on a “Who’s your daddy?” chants. Not Corbin. Miz speaks from the heart, Corbin rips off lines. Miz is a pitcher throwing heaters, Corbin better be ready to step up to the plate. Corbin is the Bathroom Break, Miz is the Whole Damn Show! Bring your A-Game against the A-Lister, Corbin, because you’re gonna finally become relevant. To business. Their Raw GM wants at the SmackDown Commissioner, it’s Kurt Angle!

Miz welcomes Angle and wants to talk Survivor Series. Despite their differences, Angle supports Miz against Corbin. Miz wishes he could say the same. Well, if anyone knows what Angle can do in the ring, it’s Miz. Or did he forget TLC? Fans sure loved that, didn’t’ they? Yes, Miz remembers Angle abusing power to have one last glory, Miz remembers his team falling apart, but he remembers Stephanie saying this after. Stephanie gave the ultimatum, Angle will captain Team Raw and win, or he’ll be fired as Raw GM. Raw is nearing its 25th anniversary, Raw has the best talent and fans. SmackDown’s had a good 18 year run, but Shane has an “inferiority complex”. SmackDown is and will be The B Show, Raw will prove it. How about when they brought Raw #UnderSiege? How did Angle respond? SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan was attacked by Kane! Even when Bryan said he had no part in what Shane did. SmackDown might just show up again and have Raw #UnderSiege2. Angle says he didn’t condone Kane’s attack, he apologizes here and now. Angle respects Daniel. Fans agree, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Oh Angle didn’t scheme that attack up? Stephanie tore into Angle, and The Real Angle returned. That Angle did whatever it took to get the job done! He wanted to eliminate Bryan, just like he wanted to eliminate The Miztourage! Forcing Miz to defend the title, then kept Miz trapped so Strowman could attack! And poor, poor Curt Axel — who gets cheers from the fans — was caught. Bryan doesn’t deserve an apology, Axel does. Angle won’t give one- Miz’s hand goes up, your mouth goes shut. Angle will not let Miz tell him what to do. Okay, okY, calm down. If Angle had nothing to do with Kane or Strowman, then why is Strowman on Team Raw?! Those two things are not related. Strowman deserves to be on Team Raw, but he is promised something: a match, tonight, AGAINST MIZ! Miz is begging Angle reconsider, Angle leaves. Will Miz even make it to Survivor Series? Will he even make it out of Manchester?!

Guitar on a Pole Match: Elias VS Jason Jordan!

The Drifter can’t give Manchester his usual concert, because his guitar is the one dangling in a corner. Once brought down, the guitar is a weapon, and when it’s smashed on someone, the target loses. Elias says “I am Destiny manifested.” Every guitar of Elias’ is special to him, The GOld Blooded Son insulted him when he smashed one last week. But, Elias is still going to sing. What do they want? Wonderwall? Really? Too bad, he has an original piece, a capella. And it’ll be better than the stuff by what’s his face. Not that it matters, Jordan interrupts him again!

The bell rings, Elias goes for the guitar but JJ stops him, so they brawl instead. Elias shoves JJ out of the way, but JJ keeps him from getting tot he guitar, dropkick sends Elias out. JJ follows to stay between the Drifter and the guitar, even back into the ring. The fans duel, the superstars brawl, we go to break.

We return, Elias is kicking JJ while he’s down. Stiff European Uppercut puts JJ in a corner, then a stiff chop rings out, but JJ comes back with clubbing forearms. Elias body shots and saido suplex but JJ slips out and shoves Elias to a corner, shoulder tackle to Northern Lights! Float over, another Northern Lights! JJ fires up, as do fans, JJ goes for the guitar. JJ grabs the guitar, Elias trips him up and lets him bounce off buckles. Elias lariats JJ down, then goes to fetch his “baby”. It’s off the hook!

Now it is a weapon, aimed at JJ, JJ ducks! JJ kicks low, has the guitar, Elias gets out of the ring. JJ pursues, they run around the side, Elias catches JJ on reentry. He stomps JJ at the ropes, then picks up the guitar. Elias aims, swings, JJ grabs Elias and powers him to a corner. Then across to the opposite corner. Then, back the other way! JJ throws Elias overhead, he’s all fired up again. JJ has the guitar, Elias is dazed, fans duel as JJ SMACKS Elias on the back! JJ wins, Elias quite literally feels the blues.

Kurt Angle is visited by The Bar.

Cesaro & Sheamus feel Angle isn’t putting Raw’s “best foot forward” for Survivor Series. Last week, Miz and Bliss defend titles because Angle wants Raw’s best. Yet, Rollins & Ambrose haven’t defended it. Showing favoritism? What would Stephanie think? When Raw was #UnderSiege, the Shield was the last line of defense yet they fail. Well then The Bar should be the first line! Don’t manipulate, man up! Okay then, fella. The Bar wants to represent as the Tag Team Champions, because they can beat the Usos while Rollins & Ambrose can’t. Fine, one last chance at those titles, tonight! The Bar gets their match, will they win it?

Asuka VS Stacy Coates!

The Empress of Tomorrow is in the UK, still undefeated, will she continue that trend this close to Survivor Series? The bell rings, Stacy runs at Asuka, Asuka dodges and kicks Stacy to the ground. Asuka even kicks Stacy while she’s down. Asuka dares Stacy to bring it, Stacy tries, but it isn’t enough. Asuka beats up on Stacy at the ropes, runs, hip attack! Asuka is having fun with this lamb to slaughter as she kicks away at the chest and shoulders of Stacy, buzzsaw to the head. Asuka grabs Stacy, chickenwing slam into Asuka Lock!

Stacy taps, Asuka wins! As if there was going to be any other outcome.

Alicia The Captain gives us a message.

Asuka is now part of Raw’s Women’s Team! If Raw isn’t ready for Asuka, can SmackDown hope to be?

Backstage interview with Titus Worldwide.

Titus O’Neil is reminded of what happened to Apollo Crews when Samoa Joe returned to dominate him. Why does Titus want a match with Joe tonight?

Titus Worldwide~ loves to have fun, but that didn’t happen last week. This week, Joe better be ready for trouble. The Real Deal is determined, can he defeat the Destroyer?

Titus O’Neil w/ Apollo Crews VS Samoa Joe!

Titus likes making million dollar moves, but Joe makes a major statement as he starts a brawl with Titus on the stage! Apollo gets dumped aside, Coquina Clutch for Titus! Referees hurry to make Joe stop, Joe stops when he wants to stop.

Titus is out cold, Joe coldly makes his way to the ring. “It does not matter if you are as big or as powerful as Titus. It does not matter if you have the athleticism of Apollo crews. IF you stand in my way, I will put, you, down.” If anybody wants to prove Joe wrong, then come on out. Joe isn’t done yet. Who comes out? FINN BALOR!

Samoa Joe VS Finn Balor!

It’s been some time since The Destroyer and the Extraordinary Man clashed in the ring, and now we get this epic rematch by surprise! The bell rings, the two circle. Finn is wary of Joe, but the fans have his back. Joe and Finn tie up, Joe powers Finn to ropes but Finn turns it around. Ropebreak, but Joe kicks low. Headlock, Finn powers out, Joe shoulders Finn down. Joe gets Finn up for jabs, Finn gives right hands and body shots. Joe is backed down but he turns it around to grind Finn’s eyes on the ropes. Joe chops Finn then drags him into powerbomb but Finn gets a takedown and a standing double stomp! Finn gets Joe in a corner, whip is reversed, but Finn dodges to swing kick Joe down. Finn climbs up, Joe gets up and trips Finn up. Finn tumbles down, fans rally, Joe gets Finn up for more stiff jabs. Finn ends up in another corner, but fires back with forearms. Whip reversed again, Joe gets the back elbow and Pele!

Cover, TWO, Joe keeps focus. Joe stalks Finn, snapmare and neck wrench. Fans rally, Finn feeds off it to get up and power out, throwing right hands until Joe headbutts. Snapmare, stiff chop to the back followed by a kick and then an elbow drop, TWO. Joe might be a little annoyed, fans rally for Finn, Finn fights back. Finn runs, Joe runs him over with a back elbow. Cover, TWO, Joe puts Finn right back to the neck wrench. Fans cheer Finn on again, dueling even, Finn gets up and fights out. Finn gives forearms, Joe gives a knee, Joe whips Finn but Finn boots back. Finn gives a forearm that rocks Joe, then another, but Joe stays standing. Finn fires up, ducks a lariat, forearm takes Joe down! Joe in a corner, Finn gives a running chop. Corner to corner reversed, Finn up and over, stiff kick from Joe slows Finn. Joe hops up, Finn kicks Joe down and out! Finn runs, wrecking ball dropkick knocks Joe back. Then from the apron, Too Sweet, Penalty Kick!

Joe falls over, Finn is fired up thanks to his Balor Club. Finn gets Joe up, gets Joe in, Finn climbs up but Joe rolls out. So Finn builds speed around the way, forearm smash to Joe! Joe is down as we go to break.

Upon return, both men are in the ring, Slingblade takes Joe down. Joe dodges the blasting dropkick, back senton crushes Finn, TWO! Joe is looking a little frustrated, fans rally for Finn. Joe watches Finn get up, puts him in a corner and hoists him up to the top. Finn resists, knowing what Joe wants. Joe chops Finn, Finn wavers on the top, Joe goes for a fireman’s carry, Finn slips down to a sunset flip, TWO! Joe jabs Finn again, Finn chops, Joe gives a forearm, PELE from Finn!

Both men down, the ref starts a ten count. Finn stirs at about 4, gets to his feet at about 7. Joe stirs and gets up as well, Finn dodges to Slingblade Joe down again. Finn hits that dropkick now, Joe is blasted to buckles and falls down. Finn fires up, as do the fans, Finn climbs up and… Coup- No, Joe dodged it, Finn runs in and gets sat down with the yurinagi! Cover, TWO, and Joe is running out of ideas. Manchester declares “This is awesome!” Joe is up first this time, stalking Finn again. Joe wants that submission, Finn is in the sleeper hold! Finn uses the buckles for leverage, rolls back and out, another double stomps! Joe rolls out of the ring, those ribs took a hit. Finn takes aim, runs, and FLIES!

Direct hit! Joe goes down, so does Finn, a ring count begins. Finn gets up and goes over to Joe, dragging Joe up and giving shots. Joe gives shots back, runs and throws Finn to the ramp! The ring count is high, hits 10! Double count out! A draw won’t stop Joe, he drags Finn up, Finn revives to fire off more strikes!

The referees try to stop this scrap, it isn’t working. They brawl on the stage, the fans want to “Let them fight!” The fight continues, the referees bring out security, and even Angle. The two are separated, Finn says he could do this all day. The fans want to see that, but Angle says this is enough. Survivor Series is about Raw VS SmackDown, this ferocity is what he wants! Welcome to Team Raw, boys! Combustible elements to say the least, but they need to save that for SmackDown. Not Finn, he FLIES from the stage to collide with Joe again! Did Angle just add some dysfunction to his team? Or will things be put aside to prove Raw is the superior brand?

Bo Dallas gives Miz a pep talk.

So what if Braun Strowman rose from the garbage like in a horror film? Halloween is over, monsters aren’t real. What’s real is The Miztrouage’s superior intellect, their bond, and their strength in numbers. Strowman is flesh and bone, a whole lot of it, but they can do this. Right, Axel? No one ever manhandled Axel the way Strowman has. Axel is becoming a believer that Strowman is a Monster Among Men. They should just cut their losses and run. Miz’s glare says otherwise. Well, if Miz isn’t afraid, the Miztourage isn’t, either. Should they be?

Kurt Angle tries to apologize to Daniel Bryan on the phone.

Bryan isn’t answering his phone, Angle apologizes as best he can on the voicemail, and hopes Bryan calls him back. That aside, he’s visited by JJ now. Great match and win, and even when JJ didn’t win against John Cena or Roman Reigns, he was impressive. JJ better have thick skin, Angle needs someone he can trust. JJ, you will be the fifth man for Team Raw. Seriously? Yes. Thanks so much! JJ will not let him down, this is going to be a big win! Is the Olympic Gold Medalist really not favoring his Gold-Blooded Son in all this?

Backstage interview with Bayley & Sasha Banks.

They’re to take on Alicia Fox & Nia Jax, are they going to be on Team Raw? Not yet. Foxy is “different”, but not so much that she’d leave these two off the team. After being put #UnderSiege, Raw has motivation to win. The only hugs, are going to be consolation when SmackDown loses. Nice. SmackDown has Becky, Charlotte, Carmella, Tamina and Naomi, but Raw isn’t going to have The Legit Boss? No no. Foxy better call on these two, but they’ll give her a reminder just in case tonight.

Nia Jax & Alicia Fox VS Bayley & Sasha Banks!

The Brutal Beauty was The Captain’s first choice, and a good one. Asuka was second and also a really good one. Depending on how this match goes, will Captain Alicia’s hand be forced to fill the last two spots with The Huggable One & The Legit Boss? The fans serenade Bayley as she starts against Foxy, Foxy gets mad that they aren’t singing for her. The two circle, Foxy being all crazy, tag to Nia. Nia and Bayley circle, tie up, Bayley is put in a corner then thrown out of it, Bayley ends up in another corner and takes a headbutt before being thrown again. Nia mocks Bayley’s fans, squashes her in that corner, but then Bayley jumps out for a headlock. Nia powers out, then dares Bayley to come back. Bayley throws forearms but is shoved away, the fans rally as Bayley throws more forearms. Tag to Sasha, they both power Nia into a corner, then assisted whip splash, Sasha comes in but is put on the apron. Sasha punches Nia back, flying crossbody caught, Nia scoops but Sasha slips out, schoolgirl blocked but the elbow drop is dodged. Shining Wizard from Sasha, ONE as Sasha is tossed away. Nia picks up and puts Sasha in her corner, tag to Alicia. Alicia stomps and forearms Sasha, snapmare, chinlock, Alicia thrashes Sasha around but fans rally for The Boss. Sasha gets up, Alicia puts her in a corner but Sasha turns that around, then to her corner, tag to Bayley. Bayley stomps and arm wrenches, shoulder breaker, armlock. Fans serenade Bayley again, Bayley whips Alicia but gets a boot. Nia blind tag, Alicia comes at Bayley but is thrown out, Nia clobbers Bayley from behind. Fans boo and jeer, Nia pretends not to know why, we go to break.

We return, Nia flattens Bayley with elbow drops, but that song continues all the same. Nia puts Bayley in the corner, tags Alicia, Alicia scratches and punches Bayley. Alicia stretches Bayley against the ropes and then kicks away at Bayley’s back. Cover, TWO, Foxy is already frustrated. She puts Bayley back in a chinlock, fans rally for Bayley. Bayley feeds off it, but gets thrown down. Alicia drags Bayley over, tag to Nia. Bayley is anchored as Nia stomps on her. Nia drags Bayley up, whips her to a corner and crushers her against buckles. Fans boo and jeer again, Nia stomps on Bayley more. Fans keep rallying, Bayley gives double ax handles, but she’s shoved back, flying crossbody caught into a bearhug but Bayley fights out. Bayley is whipped to a corner again, goes up and over but is caught on Nia’s shoulder, Bayley is given snake eyes on a top buckle. Nia runs to swing on Sasha, Sasha hops off the apron and then comes back, telling Nia to wait until she’s back in the match. Nia stands on Bayley’s ponytail and then pulls Bayley’s arms. Nia lets go, then stalks Bayley at the ropes. Nia throws Bayley into her corner, mocks the wacky waving arms, tag to Alicia. Bayley fights back, right hands and elbows everywhere, but Alicia grabs Bayley’s hand. Whip turns into a dropkick on Nia, Alicia is pushed into buckles. Fans rally as Bayley crawls, Alicia hurries after but Bayley still reaches Sasha for the tag! Sasha kicks Alicia, then flying double knees!

Dropkick for Nia again, Sasha runs, tilt-o-whirl headscissors! Sasha blocks Alicia’s boots, puts Alicia sideways on the second rope, Stock Drop Knees! Nia back in to yank Sasha off the pin. Bayley back, hops on for a sleeper hold on Nia! Nia goes to dump Bayley out, Bayley and Sasha work to dump Nia out! Alicia rolls Sasha, two, Bank Statement Crossface!

Alicia taps out, Sasha and Bayley win! The Captain speaks, and she admits she needs “Bossy Banks” on her team. She WANTS Sasha on her team! Sasha is in, but Bayley isn’t? Well, that was unexpected. How will this affect their friendship?

Braun Strowman VS The Miz w/ The Miztourage!

Braun broke the frame on the tweet…

The Monster Among Men wanted to treat Angle and The Shield like garbage, but turns out Team Miz threw him out with the trash. Strowman survived being compacted in the back of the garbage truck, and is back for revenge, will The Miz survive to make it to Survivor Series? Miz is so worried, he barely wants to get in the ring. The bell rings, Miz gets out of the ring, and regroups with his Miztourage. He has them go off to the side, they get around behind Strowman, he scares them off as Miz gets in, but then Miz gets out when Strowman’s eyes lock on him. They regroup again, and come up with a new plan as the ring count climbs up. At 7, Miztourage distracts, Miz gets in, Strowman scares Bo and Axel off to grab Miz! Miz is in a corner, then thrown out of it! Miz ends up on the opposite end, and rolls out. The Miztourage checks on their boss, Strowman comes out to run them off. Strowman uses a shortcut to grab Miz by the hair and pulls him up, to smack him into the post!

Strowman roars, the fans echo it, another ring count begins but Strowman isn’t a patient monster. He throws Miz back into the ring, and then keeps Miz from running away. Strowman picks Miz up onto one shoulder, AK-47 cutter! Miz might be out cold. Now Strowman wants after Bo and Axel. Right hand floors Bo easy, Axel begs for mercy. He has a neck brace, for crying out loud! Strowman doesn’t care, he chucks Axel into the barriers! Strowman stomps his way into the ring, stalks Miz, then drags the Intercontinental Champion up. “You can’t run!” Strowman says as he tosses Miz onto the Miztourage! All three men are down on the outside, but fire and brimstone erupt from the stage! KANE is here! Monster and Machine lock eyes as Kane makes his way down to the ring.

They stand face to face, Strowman reminds Kane he threw him into a garbage truck, but can’t kill “The ONLY Monster on Monday Night Raw!” The two brawl! Strowman backs Kane down, whips corner to corner, Kane boots back. Kane takes aim, choke grip, but Strowman pries his way out of it. Scoop up, powerslam down! Strowman roars, but Kane sits up. Kane is up, but gets clothesline’d out, landing on his feet. Strowman is preoccupied, Miz and Bo attack from behind. Strowman is too much for them, corner clothesline on Bo and then one on Miz, Miz is scooped, Miz gets slammed! Strowman is unstoppable, SmackDown better just stay out of his way.

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose.

Unexpected but not upsetting, the Raw Tag Team Champions are happy to defend their titles. Tonight, The Bar will be taken care of, then it’ll be fish and chips to celebrate. The Shield brothers are ready for anything and anyone. They’re going to make “Team Blue” into “Team Black & Blue”. And yellow. And purple. But The Usos are going to see who really is the best tag team in the WWE. The Bar are bad dudes, but they’re so uncool. Rollins doesn’t like them. Ambrose doesn’t like them. Surely Renee Young doesn’t like them. She remains impartial, but Rollins is pretty sure she doesn’t like interviewing them. No one wants those two to win, and they won’t if the champs have their way. If Cesaro & Sheamus say they’re the bar, but The Shield is the real bar. Can the Architect and Lunatic keep the status quo in Manchester?

Enzo Amore is in Manchester!

The Certified G cheated Kalisto out of the title, How You Doin? How’s he doing? Great! Enzo would ask Manchester how they’re doing, but he knows: They’re grateful for him to be here. But you can’t be grateful if you ain’t great, but Enzo is great so he’s grateful. He’s grateful for his fans, who cheer and take pictures and serenade him like some do here. That chant started here, it ends here, so shut up. Enzo can’t avoid the press, he can’t avoid a question: What is next for the Realest Champ in the Room? Oh by the way, those who want Neville, too bad. Enzo ran him outta town. Anyway, Enzo tells the kids asking “what’s next?” Enzo wanted to lie, but he doesn’t lie! Enzo told the kid, “I’m sorry, but you know what’s next? Kalisto at Survivor Series.” Ugh. Poor kid. They were both disappointed, so the kid asked, but you already did beat him. Yeah, but he has to defend it again. Why taking Kalisto on again? Enzo doesn’t know, except there’s a conspiracy! Enzo is the only one defending a title at Survivor Series, he’s a One Man Brand right now. The ‘Zo Show is money, in dollars. Because pound for pound, he’s worth his weight in gold. Kalisto is barely worth his weight in Doritos! Speaking of Kalisto, he finally comes out to end this.

But where is he going? To take a seat. And why is that? Because PETE DUNNE is here!! Well, wait, no, that’s Kurt Angle first. Because he’s announcing that a Cruiserweight is taking on the Bruiserweight. The WWE UK Champion is finally on Raw!

Enzo Amore VS Pete Dunne!

The Certified G may not know who his opponent is, but everyone else does, and everyone else knows he’s not someone to take lightly. The bell rings, Enzo trash talks Dunne, Dunne just seems confused as to what Enzo is even doing. Stiff forearm and stomps shut Enzo up!

Enzo gets out of the ring, the Manchester fans are fired up for the Bruiserweight. Enzo trash talks Kalisto, thinking this was the conspiracy as well. He rushes Dunne, gets a mule kick, then an X-Plex to the apron. Fans cheer as Dunne covers, TWO, Dunne keeps on Enzo with a torturing wristlock and finger bend. Enzo fights back but can’t get his fingers free, so he gets to ropes, and uses them to snap Dunne back. Enzo dropkicks Dunne’s knees, covers, TWO. Enzo goes after Dunne’s arms and traps them to put on a clutch. ENzo rams Dunne’s head to the mat, then trash talks everyone from him to Kalisto to the fans booing Enzo. Enzo lets Dunne go to line up a kick, the kick is good. Enzo keeps talking trash for Kalisto, “get yourself an education.,” Dunne gets a schoolboy, TWO, enziguri rocks Enzo! Enzo is dazed in a corner, his boot is blocked but he still shoves Dunne down, high stack pin with the ropes, Kalisto points it out and the ref stops the count. Enzo is pissed at Kalisto, “snitches get stitches!”

Dunne gives Enzo a clobbering forearm from behind! Then, the Bitter End! Dunne wins! Bruiserweight trumps Cruiserweight Champion, Kalisto raises the UK Champ’s hand. Can Kalisto get his hand raised at Survivor Series to become the new Cruiserweight Champion a second time?

WWE takes a look at Jinder Mahal VS Brock Lesnar.

The Modern Day Maharaja is disputing the fact The Beast is the “reigning, defending, undisputed” Universal Champion. Mahal is not Lesnar’s equal, contemporary or pretender. When people think of the iconic WWE Champion, they don’t think “Jinder Mahal.” The challenge was accepted, but Mahal continued to deny Paul Heyman had a point. Mahal started at the bottom and now he’s at the top! Mahal is not Lesnar’s equal, he is Lesnar’s “worst nightmare!” And at Survivor Series, The Beast will be conquered to make Mahal the Beast Master of WWE! Will the World Champion overcome the Universal Champion? Will that World Champion even be Mahal? AJ Styles challenges for the title, the winner moves on to Survivor Series!

Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.

The Goddess and Raw Women’s Champion is taking on “an eccentric cat lady.” Natalya claims to have run Alexa off SmackDown. Well, Alexa ran away frmo SmackDown during the siege. No one likes an “Actually” Girl. Alexa will run circles around Natty, just like when Alexa was on SmackDown. Natty wasn’t champion back then, because Alexa ways. So Charli, what does 2+2 make? 4? Actually, it’s one. As in, the One and Only Goddess. Can Raw’s Goddess defeat SmackDown’s Queen at Survivor Series?

WWE Raw Tag Team Championships: Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose VS The Bar!

This is the last chance for the Swiss Cyborg & Celtic Gladiator, can they defeat the Architect & Lunatic to then represent Raw against SmackDown’s Uso Penitentiary? Ambrose is ready, he goes right at Sheamus at the bell. Cesaro comes in but is sent right out, Rollins jumps on him while Ambrose gives Sheamus a neckbreaker. Tag to Rollins, atomic drop slingblade, TWO. Sheamus back elbows Rollins, tags Cesaro, Cesaro flies into a kick and a facebuster. Rollins covers, ONE, Rollins brings Cesaro to Ambrose. Tag in, double whip, Sheamus saves Cesaro, so Rollins wrecking ball dropkicks them both and then The Shield boys go up for a double dive! The Bar goes down, Ambrose puts Cesaro in, chops to Cesaro put him in a corner. Cesaro turns things around, misses, gets more chops. Corner to corner whip, Cesaro boots back, Cesaro gives a stiff European Uppercut. Cesaro gloats, tags Sheamus, Sheamus kicks and EuroUppers Ambrose, Ambrose uses that as fuel to fire off forearms! Sheamus hits back, Ambrose gives him a knee. Tag to Rollins, dropkick to dropkick, Cesaro clothesline’d out, the Shield holds the ring as we go to break.

We return, The Bar is in control of Ambrose now, flying ax handle and lariat, TWO. Keylock from Sheamus to Ambrose wrenches that shoulder, fans rally for Ambrose, he gets up and fights out. Sheamus gives him a knee, tag to Cesaro, Super Saiyan double mule kicks! Cover, TWO, Cesaro keeps on Ambrose with chinlock. Fans rally again, Ambrose gets up and fights out again, but Cesaro tags Sheamus, Sheamus helps whip and hit Ambrose with the Bar Lariat. Knee drop adds on, Ambrose gets out tot he apron. Sheamus brings Ambrose up for the Bodhrain, clubs a few times but stops when the fans count. Ambrose fights out with back elbows but takes a kidney shot, Sheamus fetches Ambrose, tells the fans to shut it, he throws Ambrose to the apron but Ambrose spins it around into a clothesline! Cesaro coaches Sheamus up and in to follow Ambrose, Ambrose crawls, tag to Cesaro to boot Rollins right off. Then, Cesaro powers Ambrose to a corner, top rope, Euro Upper. Cesaro climbs up, top rope, Ambrose resists. Ambrose dumps Cesaro onto the top rope in a bad way. Ambrose adjusts, sees where he is, to then clothesline Cesaro to the ground!

Sheamus shouts for Cesaro to get up and in, Ambrose finds his way to his corner, but so does Cesaro. Sheamus tags, he scoops Ambrose, ambrose slips out and doges, Sheamus goes into corner post! The fans fire up, Rollins is back, tag! ROllisn rallies on The Bar, blockbuster to Cesaro! DIVE on Sheamus! Then, springboard knee- Cesaro evades, Rollins kicks, but back drop to sunset flip, TWO, into Falcon Arrow! TWO, but Rollins isn’t frustrated just yet. He gets up, goes to a corner and climbs, Sheamus distracts but takes a double ax handle. Rollins runs, pop-up EuroUpper! TWO! Cesaro can’t believe it, but he won’t be deterred. Tag to Sheamus, The Bar goes after Rollins together for double crucifix, Ambrose saves Rollins and they brawl it out. Rollins and Ambrose take knees and EuroUppers, Super Saiyan- SUPERKICK and Lunatic Lariat! Cover, TWO! The Bar gets out of the ring for a breather, but The Shield is stirring as the fans rally. They build speed, DIVE for Ambrose but Rollins gets a forearm! Double Crucifix to Ambrose into barriers!

Sheamus knees Rollins, tags Cesaro, they coordinate for the Doomsday Device! TWO!! Cesaro is shocked, as is Sheamus. The fans rally for ROllins, Cesaro tags Sheamus. Cesaro feeds ROllins to Sheamus, Cesaro goes up, Ambrose breaks this up! SUPERKICK to Cesaro! SUPERKICK to Sheamus! Cesaro out, Dirty Deeds for Sheamus! Rollins with the Frog Splash! Cesaro barrels in to break it up!! Manchester has to give it up for that one. But wait! The New Day?! Where?! Why!? Is this #UnderSiege2!?

Yes, from all the way up in the stands with the fans! Just like The Shield would do. They applaud the fans for staying awake through three hours of B Show. But The New Day~ are here to spice it up. Kurt Angle leads a charge to counter, mobilizing the troops all over the locker room. The New Day calls out Raw for doing “nothing~!” SmackDown superior, and yet Raw does what? “Nothing~!” So then, prepare for the sequel, baby~! The Raw roster is storming their way out, but chances are they’ll do “nothing~!” The Raw superstars hit the ringside area, but where are the other SmackDown superstars?

Raw goes up the stairs, BROGUE to Rollins! THE BAR WINS!! New Tag Team Champions!? And it only now sinks in to Angle that perhaps The New Day appeared just to do this to Raw… Does SmackDown already assume The Bar will lose to #DayOneIsh?

My Thoughts:

What a wonky Raw we got here. Being that it was in Manchester, that meant tape delay and that meant a lot of sources were able to talk about tonight’s events when they actually happened, even WWE themselves with giving away the simple fact titles changed hands. Even so, I still liked tonight for what happened. Great Miz TV section to keep up the tension between Miz and Angle, and it again bites Miz in the butt as he’s put up against Strowman in a non-title match. That was a great segment, Strowman dominant as ever, and then we get to see him and Kane fight again, with Strowman backing Kane down. There’s a big chance Kane will ruin Strowman’s time during the 5v5 men’s match to then branch off into a more dedicated 1v1 feud that carries them to the Royal Rumble. One thing that fans are hoping ends now is Jordan VS Elias. Their match was only alright, even with the stipulation. And now Jason Jordan is the fifth man for Team Raw, perhaps to forward his story with Angle, some kind of father-son dysfunction on the horizon? Speaking of members of Team Raw, Asuka was an obvious choice for the Women’s Division, and while Finn and Joe are great choices, them ripping at each other should’ve been a sign not to choose them both, but that could be to help story of an extended Finn-Joe feud headed to the Rumble same as Kane-Strowman. Another potential story is Sasha and Bayley winning their match but only one of them being put on the team. Sasha and Bayley have been tested as friends over bigger things, but perhaps with the Horsewomen VS Horsewomen not until Wrestlemania now, Sasha and Bayley can fight out their issues on the side, to then come together again to take on Rhonda Rousey and her friends.

LOVED seeing Pete Dunne finally somewhere on a WWE main roster show, and of course he makes Enzo eat his words a bit to really give the UK fans something to cheer for. The UK Division still hasn’t really come together, but between this and the other UK superstars coming to 205 Live tomorrow, perhaps they’re finally getting some wheels turning. And then, the main event was great and there was the surprise fake-out that The New Day pulled. New tag team champions thanks to the prank, The Bar VS The Usos will still be good but I have a feeling this Manchester Screwjob was to help SmackDown win that match-up. On the other hand, with Roman Reigns scheduled to come back in time, perhaps The Shield will truly have their reunion match and against The New Day as payback for tonight.

My Score: 8/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Up Next

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Report – 11/7/17 – AJ Styles challenges Jinder Mahal!

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/27/25)

Raw Before the Rumble!

Published

1 hour ago

January 27, 2025

Steven Mitchell

It’s another massive rematch!

The Royal Rumble is this Saturday in Indianapolis, but tonight, Sami Zayn and Drew McIntyre get Raw in Atlanta! Who wins big momentum on a Monday?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

WWE World Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders VS JD McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio; win and
Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston VS Rey Mysterio; wins.
Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez; win.
Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Seth Rollins is here!

Atlanta cheers and sings the song, “WHOA~ OH~ OH~!” as The Visionary struts his way out in a glittering floral pattern suit. Rollins high-fives fans then goes to the ring to get himself a mic. Rollins revels in the singing a little longer, then he tells Atlanta, Georgia, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” The fans cheer asn Rollins says he is a Visionary, he is a Revolutionary, he is SETH! “FREAKIN’! ROLLINS!” It is Hotlanta for a reason! It is cooking here tonight! And this is Rollins’ favorite time of year, because it is WrestleMania Season! It kicks off this Saturday when Rollins wins THE Royal Rumble!

Rollins has to be honest, though. 2025 has got off to a real bad start for Rollins. The Raw on Netflix debut, Rollins is down against this rope, suffering the most embarrassing loss of his career. He got a black eye the size of Georgia, blood coming out of his head, and in that moment, he thought to himself, “Who are you?” The fans chant “C M PUNK!” Rollins says yeah, Punk was over htere, not looking any better, and Rollins through, “Who am I? Who do I wanna be?” Rollins will tell us again that he is SEth Freakin’ Rollins! He doesn’t stay down for nothing! He stands up. And when he is the most focused version of himself, there is nobody on this planet better than him!

The fans are torn but Rollins says he decided to start his apth to redemption. That started last week with beating Drew McIntyre, it continues this Saturday when he tosses everyone else out! The most star-studded Rumble of all time, but he doesn’t care! John Cena? Out! Jey Uso? Out! Drew McIntyre? Out! Sami Zayn? Out! Roman Reigns…! The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” but Rollins says he is especially tossing Roman out. And Rollins’ hope, his dream, the way he sees it, CM Punk is the last dude in the ring with Rollins so that Rollins can toss him out and CRUSH Punk’s WrestleMania dreams to dust!

Rollins is a man on a mission. The real question is: What title does he go after? Der Ring General, Gunther, the World Heavyweight Championship, that sounds good. Gunther’s one of the best to do it, but he’s just holding onto that title until Rollins comes back for it. But then, there’s the WWE Championship. There’s the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes. And Rollins has been thinking, wondering, wouldn’t it be poetic if Rollins took the same title from Cody that he helped him win last year? Decisions, decisions, Atlanta! He puts it to the fans. When Rollins wins, should he face The American Nightmare? Fans cheer that.

Or should he face- Gunther makes his way out here! Gunther goes right to the ring, grabs himself a mic, and Rollins asks how the title’s doing. Is Gunther keeping her warm? Gunther says if Rollins thinks Gunther is just keeping this warm, then where has Rollins been the last few months? Gunther knows where he’s been. On Saturday, he was in San Antonio, defending the title against “that clown, Jey Uso!” The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Gunther says don’t get too excited. Gunther BEAT Jey’s ass! The fans boo but Gunther says he knows where Rollins has been: Whining, crying, complaining, about all that soap opera drama he’s been in.

Rollins forgot what really matters in WWE. Gunther says Rollins should cancel that noise and focus on winning the Rumble. If he even still has it in him. Rollins tells Gunther that the world title he is wearing now, that wouldn’t exist without Rollins! And that title is not synonymous with Der Ring General. That title is synonymous with Seth Freakin’ Rollins! And with all due respect to the men Gunther beat, Rollins is not Jey, he is not Priest, he is not Finn! Gunther agrees, he knows this is Seth Freakin’ Rollins. Rollins is one of the best wrestlers to ever step foot into the WWE. Rollins achieved all the accolades, created so many moments for the fans.

But it is 2025 and Rollins is no longer the best in the WWE, GUNTHER IS. This title around his waist proves it! And you know what? Please go and win the Rumble, and please challenge Gunther, and please square off with him at Mania. Then Gunther will make Rollins feel the same as the rest: down on his back, looking up at the lights, and he’ll realize the only name synonymous with the World Heavyweight Championship is Der Ring General’s, GUNTHER. Wait, Logan Paul is coming out here? The Maverick was back on the Raw roster, but to think he’d show up while Rollins and Gunther are here.

Logan sees a fan’s “CONOR > LOGAN” sign, and he RIPS it! Fans boo but Logan gets the mic to say, “Well, well, well. Look what we got here. You two think you’re special. You guys (the fans) think they’re unique. Yes, both of you command attention like this because you’re great at wrestling. Sick. I command attention because I’m great at everything!” The fans boo harder but Logan tells them that this is the Netflix Era! This company needs a new face! “A face oozing with charisma. A face oozing with couth and confidence. These two nimrods don’t got it!” The fans keep Logan wants them to be honoest, these two are both great wrestlers. But they hit their ceiling!

Meanwhile, he’s on the first floor and he’s still climbing! Atlanta, Logan can’t hear you, what was that? “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Take notes: that is attention. So if there is anything they should be worried about, it is the guy who built a WWE career faster than them both. And this Saturday, “ya boi” Logan Paul enters the Royal Rumble. And he don’t gotta worry about throwing 29 guys out, that’s grunt work. He works smarter, not harder, as he always does. And if Atlanta can do the math, that means Logan just has to be the last one in there. And when he wins the Rumble, he is going to main event WrestleMania, meaning he can choose anyone.

Logan could choose Cody Rhodes, or… he could choose Gunther! Gunther says he changed his mind, he wants Logan to win! So that he can go to WrestleMania and EMBARRASS Logan when he slaps that stupid smile off his face. Rollins says he’s actually with Gunther on that. Except the only man getting embarrassed is Gunther when Rollins takes back his title. The Visionary heads out, and Logan laughs, but will neither of these men be able to stop Der Ring General’s reign of dominance?

Backstage interview with CM Punk.

Cathy Kelley is with the Second City Saint and says he is no stranger to the Rumble. This field is stacked with big names, and Logan Paul just added himself. How does Punk feel Logan will fare? Punk says Logan will fare about as well as anyone else. If Cathy was in that match, he’d throw her out, too. Punk plans on winning, but then in steps Sami Zayn. They say hey, and Sami says he wanted to talk about last week. How Sami isn’t on Punk’s level? Sami says that’s true. Because one of them is a WrestleMania, and the other one ain’t. See you Saturday. Punk says indeed he will. Sami heads out, but then Karrion Kross finds him.

Kross says Sami is the talk of the industry! Now relax, everyone knows Sami’s kick on Rollins was an accident. Sami stops Kross there to warn him: just stop. Sami has enough on his plate, he doesn’t need this. Kross understands, Sami doesn’t wanna listen to him. Then he should listen to his friends. Like Rollins! Rollins told Sami to do what is best for Sami. Or listen to Kevin! It could be Sami VS Kevin at WrestleMania. This Rumble is Sami’s best chance in his entire career. Stop thinking with your heart, think with your head, and realize there is a world of opportunity at his feet. Kross leaves, and now Cody walks in.

Sami gets spooked, he shakes Cody’s hand, and says good to see him. Sami moves on, but can he first get through Drew McIntyre for the first time in his career?

WWE World Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders VS JD McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio!

Erik & Ivar thought they were done with Judgment Day, but with The Prince down and out, the Irish Ace teams with Dirty Dom to have this rematch! Will Judgment Day (not) be okay should JD & Dom bring the gold home? Or will no one stop the raid?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and one more time, Raw is WAR!

The teams sort out, and JD & Dom just attack! The fans boo but JD & Dom TOSS Ivar, then they mug Erik! They double whip, double drop toehold, LEG DROP for Erik! Dom DIVES onto Ivar! Dom hurries to tag in, but Erik fires hands on him and JD! The fans fire up as Erik rallies, but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! Dom hits a NECKBREAKER DROP! JD ASAI MOONSAULTS Ivar and they both hit the desk!! Dom POSTS Erik, rolls him, TWO!! Erik survives, Dom wants to check on JD, but JD manages to get up. The fans do cheer JD surviving hitting his head hard, and Dom fires hands on Erik.

Dom tags JD and JD runs up to BOOT Erik! JD wrenches Erik’s arm, KNEES him in the face, then Erik CHOPS! Erik and JD brawl, Dom tags in, and Dom RAMS into Erik again and again! Dom headlocks, whips, but Erik goes up and over! JD tags back in, but Erik tags Ivar! Ivar BACKDROPS JD, SIDEWALK SLAMS Dom, then he SPLASHES down on Dom! The fans fire up with Ivar and he whips JD to a corner. JD goes up and over but staggers, Ivar SEATED SENTONS! The fans fire up while JD bails out and regroups with Dom. Ivar goes out, runs up, but JD ducks! Ivar crashes into barriers! Dom CANNONBALLS, but Erik catches him!

Erik POWERBOMBS Dom into JD! Then Ivar is up on the barriers! CANNONBALL onto JD & Dom on the floor! The fans fire up with the War Raiders while Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and JD snapmares Ivar to then tag Dom. Dom slingshots to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Ivar stays in this but Dom stays on him. Dom drags Ivar over, tags JD, and they double whip. Ivar breaks the double lariat, then he handsprings to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! All three men are down and the fans fire up! Ivar crawls, hot tag to Erik! JD tags Dom but Erik wrenches Dom and clinches to EXPLODER! Then he SWATS the lariat to CHOP Dom! And he deadlifts Dom for a TOSS! JD runs up, Erik dodges, full nelson KNEE to the back! Dom stands into Erik’s kick! Dom wrenches free, runs, but Erik dodges and URENAGES!

The fans fire up and Erik aims from a corner. The fans chant “WAR! WAR! WAR!” Ace Ten Mao! Cover, JD breaks it! The Irish Ace is showing some grit taking all this damage and still fighting, but Erik TOSSES him back out. Tag to Ivar and the Raiders wait on Dom. Dom stands, Ivar sends him to Erik! Pop-up and- NO, Dom fights free! Tag to JD and JD runs up, but into a KNEE! And another KNEE! JD drops to his knees and Ivar tags Erik back in. Erik then tags Ivar, and they haul JD up. POP-UP and waistlock, for the WAR- NO, JD victory rolls through! HEADBUTT for Erik!! JD wobbles, runs up on Ivar, but Ivar BOOTS him!

JD falls, Ivar goes up, and the fans rally again! JD staggers, Ivar reels him in, but JD GAMANGIRIS! SUPER DEVLINSIDE!! Cover, TWO!! Ivar survives but JD crawls to tag Dom. Dom goes up the corner, fans boo, but FROG- NO, Ivar dodges the splash to then LEG LARIAT! Ivar reaches out, the fans rally, JD rolls in and distracts the ref! Carlito YANIKS Erik down, and he SPITS apple chunks into Ivar’s face! Dom dropkicks Ivar onto ropes! 619!! Dom hurries to tag JD, and JD hurries to go up! MOONSAULT!! Tag back to Dom and Dom is right back up! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, ERIK CLOBBERS JD ONTO IT!!

The fans are thunderous while Carlito goes nuts! Carlito coaches his team but “This is Awesome!” as JD runs up. Erik TOSSES JD out hard! Carlito gets on the apron, Ivar DECKS him for it! Dom dropkicks Ivar’s legs out! Dom redials but Erik sneaks the tag! Ivar dodges Dom, pops him up, and Erik has him! Ivar springboards, WAR MACHINE!! Cover, War Raiders win!!

Winners: The War Raiders, by pinfall (still WWE World Tag Team Champions)

Carlito tried to tip the scales, but not even Caribbean Cool could stop the fire inside Erik & Ivar! Will Finn (not) be upset to see this?

Ludwig Kaiser finds Pete Dunne backstage.

And he actually refers to him as “Pete.” Kaiser says last week didn’t go his way, huh? Dunne says be careful with what you say. Kaiser says no, no, he comes in peace. He’s just saying, someone should really show that new guy how they do things around here. The New Day walks over and say that’s just what they were thinking! You can’t trust the guys who wear masks, right? Wow, not even Dunne and Kaiser will fist bump with Kofi & Woods? But then Cathy Kelley walks over and brings up that tonight, Xavier Woods faces Rey Mysterio, just a week after Rey beat Kofi- Kofi stops Cathy there. The biased officiating did that.

But there is a greater issue at hand. Atlanta’s favorite sun has come home! Do they mean Bron Breakker? What? No! Not Bron! Oh, Austin Theory! No, not him, either! Of course! Cody Rhodes! NO! No one’s talking about that paper champion! C’mon, Cathy. Tonight, Woods is back home, and he will beat the brakes off of Rey, not just in front of his city, but in front of his mother, father, sister and family! Speaking of, are they here yet? Woods hasn’t heard anything, but he spent way too much money comping front row tickets so they’ll be here. Because you will NOT miss Woods beating the mess outta Rey! Why would you want to? Atlanta’s Favorite Son!!

Well, family or no family, will Woods be the one standing tall tonight? Or will the King of Lucha Libre sweep the New Day in back to back weeks?

Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston VS Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s Saturday Night’s Main Event Results & Report! (1/25/25)

Everything’s bigger in Texas!

Published

2 days ago

January 25, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Live from San Antonio, it’s Saturday Night!

With just a week left before The Royal Rumble, WWE has Shawn Michaels moderating the contract signing between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens! But can they keep it civil? Or will HBK have to lay down the law between them?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

WWE Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Nia Jax; Rhea wins and retains the title.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Sheamus; Bron wins and retains the title.
Braun Strowman VS Jacob Fatu; Braun wins, by disqualification.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Jey Uso; Gunther wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Ted DiBiase is here!

The Million Dollar Man is back, and he even has his Million Dollar Championship! Will he look to raise the stakes in San Antonio?

WWE Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Nia Jax!

These two just did battle last night in Austin, and while Mami’s team felt the smackdown, she and the Irresistible Force are feeling raw here in San Antonio! Will Rhea be golden on this side of the Royal Rumble? Or will Nia look to grab up all the gold?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is really on top!

Nia HEADBUTTS Rhea before the bell! The ref reprimands ant eh fans boo, but Nia runs up! Rhea dodges, DROPKICKS, and Nia staggers back. Rhea runs up and fires forearms in the corner, but Nia shoves her away. Rhea ducks ‘n’ dodges Nia to then tilt-o-whirl DDT! The fans fire up as Rhea shows off some agility! Nia tumbles out of the ring, Rhea goes to the apron, and Rhea CANNONBALLS! Down goes Nia and the fans fire up more! Rhea puts Nia back in the ring, then hurries to short arm LARIAT! Nia stays up so Rhea short arm LARIATS, and goes again! But Nia pop-up HEADBUTTS Rhea down!

The fans boo but Nia runs and SPLASHES Rhea in a corner! Nia hoists Rhea up top, but Rhea BOOTS her away! Nia ROCKS Rhea in return, then she climbs. The fans rally for Mami but Nia fireman’s carries! Rhea fights, but Nia still SUPER SAMOAN DROPS! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives, if only just so, and SNME goes to break.

SNME returns and Nia thrashes Rhea around in a chinlock. Rhea fights up, JAWBREAKERS free, and then runs, but Nia slips around. Nia back suplexes, Rhea lands out, and Rhea kicks low. Rhea KNEES Nia, winds up, LARIAT! Nia stays up, so Rhea dodges to CHOP! Rhea knuckle locks, then she springboards, but Nia stops the rana! Nia pops Rhea up, but Rhea SUNSET BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Nia survives and Rhea can’t believe it! Rhea pulling that off is unbelievable, too! Rhea pump handles Nia, but powers up to a SAMOAN DROP! Nia drags Rhea to a drop zone, goes up the corner, but the fans boo.

Nia adjusts and SUPER LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives but Nia is amused. Nia stands over Rhea while the fans rally up. Nia climbs up again, but Rhea CLUBS Nia! Rhea gets under Nia, and she POWERBOMBS Nia down! And then Rhea ties up the legs, for the PRISM TRAP! Nia powers up, pushes Rhea away, and the fans boo. Nia and Rhea rise up, and Rhea runs in! Nia catches her for an URENAGE! Nia snarls and storms up on Rhea to KICK her to the drop zone. Nia goes up the corner, but Rhea SHOVES her into the post! Nia goes to the apron, Rhea DECKS her! Rhea then goes up the corner?!

Rhea aims, the fans fire up, and Rhea SUPER CROSSBODIES! Down goes Nia and Rhea fires up! San Antonio is with Rhea as she reels Nia in. Pump handle, but Nia SPLASHES her! Cover, ONE!! Nia is furious, and she SMACKS Rhea off the mat, Nia puts Rhea in the drop zone, A-NIA-LATOR!! But Nia isn’t done, she goes back up. But Rhea grabs Nia’s foot! Nia shakes free, climbs again, but Rhea gets under Nia! Electric Chair Lift, and SLAM!! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! Both women stir, and Rhea drags herself to the corner. Rhea stands, but so does Nia. Nia runs up, but Rhea dodges! Nia hits the buckles, Rhea ROUNDHOUSES!

Rhea pump handles, and she powers up, RIPTIDE!! Cover, RHEA WINS!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s World Champion)

That was a brutal battle, but Rhea’s brutality saw her through! Nia still plans on winning the Royal Rumble, will she still go for Tiffany Stratton? Or will she change course and want one more round with Rhea Bloody Ripley?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Sheamus!

The title matches don’t stop, because we go one more round between these two badasses! Will the dogs be barking with the Big Bad Booty Nephew? Or will The Celtic Warrior finally complete his WWE Bingo?

SNME returns and Jesse Ventura joins commentary for this make-or-break moment for Sheamus. Bron makes his entrance and the fans bark already. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, we’re getting a banger!

The bell rings, the two circle, and the two tie up. Sheamus powers Bron back but then they go along the ropes. Sheamus has a headlock as they end up in a corner, and the ref counts. Bron scuffs Sheamus and laughs, but Sheamus tells Bron to get serious. They circle, tie up, and then Bron kicks! Sheamus blocks the kick, and he LARIATS Bron! Sheamus fires hands on Bron in a corner, then he brings Bron around to whip. Bron reverses, but Sheamus blocks the hip toss! Sheamus LARIATS Bron again and the fans fire up! Bron goes to a corner, Sheamus is right on him to whip. Bron reverses, but Sheamus comes back, into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX!

The fans bark while Sheamus sputters. Bron storms up on Sheamus, headlocks, but Sheamus powers up and out. Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds speed to CLOBBER Sheamus! Sheamus tumbles out of the ring but Bron goes out the side. Bron builds speed around the outside! But Sheamus scoops! Sheamus then LAWN DARTS Bron into the timekeeper’s area! The fans fire up with Sheamus, and then Sheamus fetches Bron to bring him back to the ring. Sheamus then climbs a corner, takes aim, and FLYING LARIATS! Cover, ONE!! Bron is tougher than that, but Sheamus stays on him. Sheamus throws Bron tot he apron, then stands him up!

The fans fire up but Bron fights free! Bron throws a haymaker, but Sheamus DECKS Bron for it! Sheamus goes out, uses the steps to leap, INTO A SPEAR!! Both men fall in a heap and the fans go nuts! Bron grins while SNME goes to break.

SNME returns again and Bron fires off in the corner. Sheamus fires back and they go back and forth. Bron KNEES low, then he digs Sheamus into the corner. Bron ROCKS Sheamus, then fireman’s carries. GUT BUSTER DROP! Bron doesn’t let off, he hoists Sheamus up again, GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Sheamus survives but Bron has a bull’s eye on those ribs. Bron throws hands but Sheamus eggs Bron on! Bron SLAPS Sheamus, Sheamus eggs Bron on more, and they start throwing shots! The fans fire up but Bron body shots! Bron runs, into a KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Bron stays in this and Sheamus grows frustrated.

Bron goes to the apron, Sheamus storms up, and the fans fire up as Sheamus gives us BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus goes all the way to TEN, then past it! He gets SIXTEEN in before the ref counts 4! Sheamus hauls Bron up and up, to then crucifix lift! CELTIC CROSS!! Sheamus busting out a classic and he crawls to the cover, TWO!! Bron survives again and the fans fire up! Sheamus drags Bron up, fireman’s carries, but Bron fights free! Bron shoves Sheamus into the buckles, then gorilla presses for the SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives and Bron is growing frustrated. Ventura loves it, they’re going to the wire!

Bron storms up but Sheamus BOOTS Bron from the corner! Sheamus skins the cat! But Bron springs right up! SUPER STEINER! The fans fire up and Bron takes aim! Straps are down, Bron runs in, into a BROGUE!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!! Bron survives by a literal foot and Sheamus can’t believe it! Sheamus was so close but he’s still so far! “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus powers up in the corner. Bron rises, but the ribs hold Sheamus back! Bron RAMS Sheamus, Sheamus rebounds to KNEE CAPPER! Sheamus tries again, but Bron ducks the Brogue! SPEAR!! Cover, BRON WINS!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

The Fella falls short, only because Bron’s foot found the ropes! Will Sheamus ever get his hands on this title? Will anyone ever take this title off of Bron?

Shawn Michaels is here!

San Antonio fires up for their Heartbreak Kid, the WWE Hall of Famer, and the man who put ladder matches on the map! HBK will moderate the contract signing for the WWE Championship ladder match, after the break!

SNME returns and HBK has the mic. “I am sweating through my suit, because for the last three minutes, I’ve been dancing around because I am so happy to be back home in San Antonio!” The fans cheer that! HBK says he “has been given one job here tonight, and that is to walk out of this ring with the signatures of Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes.” Nick Aldis couldn’t get it done, so he sent in the closer! Rest assured, it is happening tonight. So as they say, without further ado, he will introduce the challenger for the Undisputed WWE Championship, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Kevin Owens! The fans boo but The Prizefighter still goes to the ring.

Kevin wears a new shirt, “Cody Sucks Eggs,” and he has the Winged Eagle on his shoulder. HBK now welcomes out THE Undisputed WWE Champion, The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! The fans cheer Cody’s entrance, “WHOA~ OH~!” and Cody even climbs up a ladder to show he’s not afraid of heights. Cody gets his second round of pyro, then he goes to the ring to join HBK and KO. The fans cheer as Cody and Kevin stare down, but HBK tells them, “Gentlemen, if you would be seated please.” They don’t, so he says fine, he digs it.

HBK says for months, these two have battered and beaten each other. And as much as everyone has enjoyed watching it, HBK has an assignment. That is to walk out of this ring, with their signatures on the contract. So one way or another, it needs to happen. So again, he asks they please sign. Cody takes the pen first, and he signs his part as champion. Kevin then takes the pen, looks a the contract, but then picks up the mic. “Y’know, last night you (Cody) said something that really pissed me off. You said that 10 times outta 10, Kevin Owens takes the easy way out. Is that right? That’s a lie. That’s what you are, you’re a liar.”

Kevin could’ve taken the easy way out at Bash In Berlin because of Cody’s knee, because Kevin cared about their friendship more than Cody ever did! And you know who takes the easy way out? It’s CODY! Who between them left WWE when things got tough? Kevin stayed, Cody quit! Cody shouts, “ENOUGH! ENOUGH, Kevin!” Cody didn’t come here to talk about the past, or so Kevin can justify his actions. Cody didn’t get all dressed up, HBK didn’t return to San Antonio, to hear Kevin talk! Cody is done worrying about Kevin Owens. Cody instead must focus on who he is defending his title against at WrestleMania.

So if Kevin would just please, SIGN, THE, CONTRACT! The fans cheer, but Kevin tells Cody, “Trust me, you’re not done worrying about Kevin Owens. Because once I sign this, you know what that means? That makes it official. That Saturday night at the Royal Rumble, I will shut everyone up who dares to say I’m not the real champion. I am the true, rightful WWE Champion! And once I win the title, everything you got when you came back, your face on every poster, on all the buses, all the fanfare, all the grand entrances, all the attention, the pyro, everything, it’s coming to ME! Because that’s what I’ve deserved for the last TEN YEARS, and I’m taking it from YOU!”

HBK waits a moment, then says, “Jesus, Kevin. You just sound jealous.” Kevin glares at HBK and asks what he just said. HBK says that Kevin sounds jealous. JEALOUS!? Kevin says that’s rich! HBK is just like Cody! When things got tough for HBK, he quit, too! You wanna know who is jealous? HBK is jealous that Kevin brought more pride to the Winged Eagle than HBK ever did! And once Kevin wins, he will give everyone a champion they can be proud of, that they can look to, and won’t lose his smile~! The only one losing at the Rumble is Cody! Kevin finally signs his part, then he SHOVES it into HBK!

The fans boo but Kevin stares Cody down again. HBK says, “Gentlemen, there’s only one thing left to do, and that is to take these championships. May I please get a referee in here? And ascend them above the ring.” A referee does step in, and Kevin gives the Winged Eagle title a last kiss before handing it over. That belt is strapped onto the hanger, then the same is done with Cody’s corporate logo belt. The hanger is then lifted into the air, and HBK says next Saturday, Lucas Oil Stadium, one man ascends the ladder, and one man walks out THE Undisputed WWE Champion. He wishes them luck, then offers a handshake.

Kevin leaves HBK hanging, so Cody takes the hand. And Kevin sucker punches Cody! HBK warns KO, but then KO kicks HBK! But Cody SUPERKICKS Kevin! HBK is furious, so he tunes up the band! The fans are thunderous for some SWEET CHIN MUSIC!! Kevin tumbles out of the ring while San Antonio cheers! Will Cody make sure “The Canadian Dream” is living a nightmare after the Royal Rumble? Or will Kevin find a way to ruin Cody’s Road to WrestleMania?

Braun Strowman VS Jacob Fatu!

There may not be a championship on the line, but you can consider this a title match in that the winner here could very well be the ALPHA monster! Will the Monster of All Monsters still be Braun Strowman? Or will the Samoan Werewolf tear down #OneBigSOB?

SNME returns and once again, Tama & Jacob walk ‘n’ talk. The Good Bad Guy says everyone’s on that YEHYEHYEH! Jacob tells Braun that he may be a tough SOB, but keep it 100, he never been in the ring with nobody like Jacob! He’s America’s Most Wanted! You know what time it is? Get in where you fit in! Cuz tonight, Jacob beats Braun’s ass post to post, live from NBC on coast to coast! Ya know what I mean?! Jacob makes his entrance, Tama letting him go alone. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Jacob and Braun stare down, tie up, and Jacob pushes Braun back, until Braun SHOVES Jacob down! Both men run up, and Braun RUNS Jacob over!

Braun storms up on Jacob at the ropes, the ref gets in between them, and Jacob sucker punches Braun! Jacob runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Braun ELBOWS him down! Braun snarls, runs up again, and he LARIATS Jacob up and out! Jacob is right back on his feet, and he HOTSHOTS Braun away! Braun comes back, Jacob DUMPS him out, then KICKS Braun! Jacob then DIVES! Direct hit and down goes Braun! The fans fire up while SNME goes to break.

SNME returns again and Jacob HEADBUTTS Braun again and again! The fans rally for Braun but Jacob runs, only for Braun to scoop! SIDEWALK SLAM! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Braun and Jacob rise again, and Braun CHOPS! Braun fires a forearm, and another! Braun ROCKS Jacob, runs, and BOOTS Jacob down! Jacob goes to a corner while the fans fire up. Braun storms up to fire body shots, then stands Jacob up. Braun TOSSES Jacob across the way! Jacob tumbles out, sputters and coughs, and Braun goes outside! The Strowman Express is on the tracks, and he CLOBBERS Jacob into barriers!

The fans fire up again and Braun says let’s go again! Braun does another lap, to POUNCE Jacob over the announce desk! The fans fire up again and Braun takes off his shirt! Braun does another lap, and Jacob’s up in time, to SAMOAN DROP Braun onto the desk!! Jacob shoves Braun down, throws the desk hood onto him, then drags him up to send into steel steps! The ref reprimands, Jacob shoves Braun into the ring, and Jacob hauls Braun up. HEADBUTT! Braun sits in a corner, Jacob goes corner to corner! HIP ATTACK! And then HIP ATTACK again! Braun sputters now, and Jacob HIP ATTACKS again! AND AGAIN!!

Jacob shows no mercy, he hits a FIFTH HIP ATTACK!! The Samoan Werewolf goes again, A SIXTH HIP ATTACK!! Braun is barely even conscious, the ref stops Jacob, but Jacob TOSSES the ref!! Jacob runs to hit NUMBER SEVEN!! NUMBER EIGHT!! The fans boo but now the bell rings! The ref calls this one off for what Jacob did!

Winner: Braun Strowman, by disqualification

Jacob storms out around ringside, and he grabs a chair! He throws that into the ring, but then Aldis and security rush out here! Jacob CHUCKS that chair into the first guard! And then he LARIATS the next! Jacob ignores the refs and Aldis, more security arrives, and they get Jacob to back off. Braun sputters as blood pours from his nose and maybe even his mouth. Jacob’s bloodthirsty and he drags Braun from the corner! Producers get out here to try and stop this, but Jacob doesn’t care! He goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! The werewolf is too wild, but Tama Tonga gets him to stand down.

There are fans who want that “One More Time!” and Jacob hears them! BEST MOONSAULT EVER AGAIN!! The medics hurry out here, and now Jacob and Tama stand down. OR NOT! Jacob gets right back in the ring, and he goes right back up the corner! BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! With no Solo Sikoa to hold onto the leash, will no one be able to stop the Samoan Werewolf?

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Jey Uso!

Der Ring General does not think “Main Event Jey Uso” is worthy of that nickname, and yet here they both are in tonight’s main event. These two already had it out during Gunther’s historic Intercontinental Championship reign, will history repeat itself? Or will Jey finally and for truly stand tall as THE World Heavyweight Champion?

SNME returns and Gunther makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who wins Saturday Night’s Main Event!

The bell rings, Jey puts his sunglasses aside, and Gunther BOOTS Jey down! Gunther talks smack while he stands Jey up, but Jey UPPERCUTS! And ROCKS Gunther with a right! Gunther CHOPS Jey, Jey ROCKS Gunther with more hands! Gunther CHOPS again! Jey is stinging as he falls against the ropes, but Gunther stands him up. Jey dodges the chop to fire body shots! Jey climbs up and he rains down fists! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” But Gunther stops Jey at 7, puts him on the corner, and CHOPS him to the floor! The fans boo while SNME goes to break.

SNME returns again and Jey fires hands! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” But Gunther clamps on a SLEEPER! Jey arm-drags free, but Gunther blocks a kick! Gunther LARIATS Jey down! Cover, TWO! Jey stays in this but Gunther stays on him with a NECK TWIST! Jey writhes while Gunther paces. The fans boo but Gunther stands Jey up. Gunther scoops and SLAMS Jey, then stalks him. Gunther stands Jey up to CHOP him! Jey is again stinging but he stays up. Gunther BOOTS Jey! Jey fires forearms! Gunther CHOPS! Jey fires more forearms! Gunther CHOPS again! Jey rebounds, but into an UPPERCUT! Jey UPPERCUTS back!

Jey fires hands, whips Gunther, but Gunther reverses! Jey hits buckles hard and falls to the mat! Gunther drops a KNEE on him! Gunther then STOMPS Jey’s arm! The fans boo but Gunther looms over Jey. Gunther clamps onto Jey with a chinlock and he grinds his forearm into Jey’s face! The fans rally for Jey and he fights up. Jey manages to fireman’s carry Gunther! The fans fire up but Gunther fights free! Gunther CHOPS! Jey ROCKS! Gunther UPPERCUTS! Jey UPPERCUTS! Gunther swings, Jey dodges, and Jey fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

Jey and Gunther crawl, and Gunther makes it to a corner. Jey goes to the opposite end, and the fans rally behind Jey with “UCE! OH~!” Jey runs, into the SHOTGUN DROPKCIK! Gunther hurries to haul Jey right up, GENERAL BOMBO! High stack, TWO! Jey survives and Gunther is surprised! Gunther catches his breath, calms down, and thinks on what else he should try. The fans rally for Jey even harder while Gunther stalks him to ropes. Jey goes to the apron, but Gunther goes out after him. Gunther stomps Jey, then stands on his neck! The ref reprimands but Gunther steps off. Jey sputters, but Gunther BOOTS him again, right as SNME goes to break!

SNME returns once again, and Jey trades shots with Gunther! The fans rally behind Jey as he gets the edge, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks and- Gunther BOOTS him! Jey kicks, Gunther blocks, but the DRAGON WHIP comes around! Only for Gunther to GERMAN SUPLEX! Gunther runs, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Gunther survives and the fans can’t believe it! Jey catches his breath while Gunther goes to a corner. Gunther comes back, but Jey avoids the shotgun dropkick! Jey gets moving, and he HIP ATTACKS Gunther in the corner! Cover, TWO! Gunther is tougher than that, but the fans still rally.

Jey goes to the corner and the fans fire up! Jey climbs, but Gunther rises! Gunther CHOPS Jey, then CHOPS again! Gunther climbs up after Jey, brings him to the very top, but Jey resists the suplex! Jey fires body shots, then slips under Gunther! Jey brings Gunther out for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and the fans still can’t believe it! Both Jey and Gunther are down, “This is Awesome!” as they slowly rise. Jey and Gunther rise up, but Gunther kicks low! Gunther reels Jey in, but Jey RANAS! Jey then runs to SPEAR!! Cover, TWO?!? Gunther survives and Jey is frustrated, but Jey hurries to aim again!

Gunther rises, Jey runs up, SUPERKICK! Gunther staggers back up so Jey runs in, SPEAR!! Jey hurries to the corner! Jey climbs, the fans are thunderous, USO SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!? Gunther survives yet again and Jey is beside himself! The fans rally with more “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and Jey aims from a corner. Jey runs up, but Gunther turns spear into POWERBOMB! And then he flips Jey over to POWERBOMB again!! DEEP stack, GUNTHER WINS!

Winner: Gunther, by pinfall (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)

Gunther didn’t just win, he just survived this battle with Main Event Jey! Der Ring General seems to at least respect Jey a bit more now, but what is it going to take for Jey to truly be the main event player?

My Thoughts:

A great Saturday Night’s Main Event, and while they really made us wonder for a couple moments, they of course held the status quo. As I said going into tonight, it would be a bit odd if the moment Sheamus finally won the Intercontinental Championship was here on NBC TV. A moment like that should be saved for WrestleMania, but I’m not sure that’ll even happen now. Granted, we have three months to build, but what would the point be after all this? Rhea VS Nia was an awesome match, especially with Rhea busting out some stuff she’d never really done before. Rhea of course won because she just got this belt back, and Nia will be in the Women’s Rumble to beef it up while trying to get after Tiffany.

The contract signing segment being in the middle was a touch surprising, but I do appreciate that they understood a title match should be the main event. Good stuff from Cody, Kevin and HBK, especially Kevin’s shirt to reference Terry Funk’s classic “Dusty Sucks Eggs” shirt. Of course a fight started, and good stuff with HBK getting a Sweet Chin Music in, but this isn’t the go-home segment so don’t expect Kevin to win the ladder match just yet. Raw and SmackDown have their go-home episodes first, we’ll surely get a segment where Kevin gets even with Cody to put things back in Cody’s favor.

Great promo from Tama & Jacob as they head to gorilla, and then a great match from Jacob VS Braun. I was saying just last night that I expected a No Contest or Draw, but they instead went a much more vicious route. Jacob loses because he threw the ref aside, but he stands tall because he brutalized Braun like very few ever have. Jacob can definitely use this to do big things in the Rumble, and from there he can go for the US Championship, as I was also saying last night. Gunther VS Jey was awesome stuff, and they really got me thinking Jey was going to pull this off, but like with Sheamus, Jey’s crowning achievement is perhaps too big for just SNME. It would be pretty wild if Jey won the Men’s Rumble so that he could get one more chance at this title and win it in Vegas.