Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Report! (11/14/17)

Published

7 years ago

November 14, 2017

Steven Mitchell

OFFICIAL RESULTS

WWE United States Championship: Baron Corbin VS Sin Cara; Corbin wins and retains the US Championship.
WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship: Natalya VS Charlotte; Charlotte wins and becomes the new SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Jimmy Uso w/ Jey VS Chad Gable w/ Shelton Benjamin; Jimmy wins.
The New Day VS Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn; no contest.

PLAY BY PLAY

The entire SmackDown Roster is hyped up for Survivor Series!

This Sunday, it all comes to a head. Team Blue has made history by putting Raw #UnderSiege and striking first. Maybe #Rawtaliation is coming, so check your egos at the door to be ready for anything. After Sunday, SmackDown will be the dominant brand. Not The B-Show, but the show.

Everyone rallies behind Shane. Shane pumps up the Women’s Team. Asuka wants to break their team, their team is gonna break Asuka’s arm. The United States Championship is on the line, both men are ready to shut Miz up. Miz lives on borrowed time, it’ll be his End of Days. Good, good. Raw is ready to Play The Game because they have Triple H now. But SmackDown has the greatest team in history! Over the top even, as they have 16 time world champion JOHN CENA! Sunday, Survivor Series, SmackDown will dominate and nobody will stop them. Not Angle, not Stephanie, and not The Shield. Not with The New Day going up against them. Challenge accepted, but why? Because, Smack! Down Rocks! Team Blue is feeling confident, will they make it a big night at Survivor Series?

GM Daniel Bryan is back!

He was only an envoy of peace to Raw, and yet KANE attacked him out of nowhere. Now he’s back, lucky to be standing. It’s partially his fault for not warning anyone. He should’ve known better that with Stephanie McMahon around, he wouldn’t be safe. But that’s the thing about Bryan and SmackDown: “we don’t stay down.” And they’ll hit back twice as hard! That’s why Raw is afraid of them this year. That’s why the needed Triple H on the team. They’re afraid, and embarrassed. Raw’s 25th anniversary is coming and yet SmackDown ransacked them. That’s the one thing Bryan didn’t agree with, only because he knows how vindictive Stephanie can be. Tonight, he senses #Rawtaliation is coming. But SmackDown is NOT afraid, and they ARE ready. Bryan bleeds blue, and he is proud of his roster! This Sunday, SmackDown will prove “beyond the shadow of a doubt” that SmackDown is the better show. Things change quickly over a week, like adding John Cena to the Men’s Team. And, the new WWE Champion, AJ STYLES!

The Phenomenal One gets a big ovation in Charlotte, North Carolina. And before he says anything, Bryan wishes to treat his champion just as if not better than Raw’s. If the Universal Champion has an advocate, so should the World Champion. Does Styles want an Advocate? The fans sure hope he does. Styles says “YES!” Then, “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Daniel Bryan. And I am the Advocate for the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Champion of the World, The Phenomenal A! J! Styles!” Heyman gave us five reasons to order the WWE Network. Bryan agreed with all but reason “F5”, where Lesnar would brutalize and victimize Styles. Bryan can understand why Heyman thinks that. Lesnar is big and strong, from his arms and his legs, his head is big! And thick. And though Heyman hates to admit it, Lesnar has a tendency to quit. He quit WWE, he quit “to a half-ass kneebar on a UFC show.” Anytime Lesnar is in trouble, is uncomfortable, is put in deep water, he quits. Styles will push Lesnar into that deep water. Heyman brags that Lesnar is 6’3″ and 285 lbs. Guess what, when you’re that big in deep water, you last ten minutes, and then you drain. Lesnar will get tired, and his blood will flow away from his head, he will be back against a wall, and will mentally quit. Yes, Lesnar is big and strong but he can’t go all night long, he cannot keep up with The Phenomenal One! Heyman gave us five reasons to watch Survivor Series, here’s one more: to see a 6’3″ and 285 lbs. Beast be mentally beaten, victimized and conquered by the “best in-ring performer of this generation,” A! J! STYLES! Styles speaks up now. He can talk, unlike the puppet Lesnar. Styles agrees, fatigue makes us into quitters. Lesnar might quit, but Lesnar has to agree with Heyman. Styles is the underdog, and he loves that. But this isn’t a Rocky movie, this is a Styles Production. Styles will find the way all the way to the last breath in his body to beat Lesnar, and prove SmackDown is the A-Show, and “the House that AJ Styles Built!” Team Blue’s best is fired up, can he best the Beast?

AJ Styles is backstage when he encounters Jinder Mahal.

The Modern Day Maharaja says that after Lesnar rips Styles apart, Mahal will make it look like nothing when he takes back the WWE Championship. Styles simply walks past him. Will the Maharaja really be able to beat Phenomenal One down the line?

WWE United States Championship: Baron Corbin VS Sin Cara!

The Lone Wolf has had a war of words with The Miz leading up to Survivor Series, but one legitimate point Miz has brought up is that Corbin chokes. Can Corbin keep hold of the gold to then make the Hollywood A-Lister eat his words? The bell rings, the two circle and tie up, Corbin shoves Sin Cara but gets caught in a tilt-o-whirl headscissors. Corbin knees low, pushes Sin Cara again but Sin Cara comes back with furious strikes. Springboard arm-drag, dropkick to the knee and then a dropkick to send Corbin out. Corbin is frustrated as we go picture in picture.

Corbin paces, so Sin Cara pursues, taking the fight to him around the corner. COrbin slips back into the ring, Sin Cara shoulders in but then his slingshot is intercepted with a right hand. Sin Cara goes down, Corbin lets him sit out there while he catches his breath. Corbin goes out to grab Sin Cara and ram him into the barriers! Corbin breaks the ring count, then fetches Sin Cara back into barriers, Sin Cara blocks and bumps Corbin off it instead. Sin Cara runs but takes a back elbow, Corbin refreshes the count and puts Sin Cara in the ring. Corbin takes aim, runs in, Sin Cara elbows him back now. Double boots, too, then Sin Car goes up and over, Corbin slides out then in to clobber Sin Cara with a clothesline, TWO. Corbin is already annoyed, he stalks Sin Cara before putting him in a corner. Sin Cara bounces off a buckle and slumps to the mat, Corbin drags him back up. Corner to corner whip, Sin Cara again bounces off buckles. Corbin ignores the boos and jeers, returns to Sin Cara, and drives elbows into Sin Cara’s chest. Standing half-nelson chinbar, Sin Cara fights out as we go back to single picture. Corbin throws him to a corner, big clothesline then he drives Sin Cara’s face into the mat. Running right hand rocks Sin Cara, Corbin takes time gloating and stalking, toying with Sin Cara. Sin Cara fires back on Corbin, fans cheer him own as he kicks and chops away on Corbin. Sin Cara rocks Corbin with a springboard back elbow, then sends him out with a clothesline. Sin Cara builds speed, DIVES, direct hit!

Sin Cara goes after Corbin in the ring, running, springboard- Choke- roll up! TWO! Sin Cara tries again, springboard crossbody, TWO! Corbin flounders to a corner, Sin Cara gets himself up and whips Corbin. Sin Cara is reversed, reversed back but Corbin slides out then in, Sin Cara ducks and runs, DEEP SIX! TWO! Corbin is getting frustrated while Sin Cara gets to safety. Corbin drags Sin Cara up, hotshot and swing kick! Corbin runs back in, gets dumped out. Sin Cara up, SUPER Asai Moonsault! Back into the ring, Sin Cara goes up, takes aim, Corbin up so Sin Cara has to go over, runs in, END OF DAYS! Corbin wins and retains! The Lone Wolf is still set to face the Intercontinental Champion, will The Miz fear the big bad wolf of Team Blue?

SmackDown looks at Raw’s dysfunction.

#UnderSiege made Raw look weak and Stephanie hated it. She has put her faith in Kurt Angle but feels it is misplaced, as The New Day upped the embarrassment by using a “pump fake” to screw over The Shield’s Rollins & Ambrose in their Raw Tag Team Championship match. Angle’s response is to put his son, Jason Jordan, on the Men’s Team when John Cena was still available. And worse yet, Bray Wyatt injures Jason Jordan in their match. Jordan begged to stay on the team, desperate to get this chance. Stephanie had no remorse for removing the Gold-Blooded Son, and Triple H had even less than that when he made himself the new Fifth Man before giving Jordan a Pedigree! With this instability, will it be that much easier for SmackDown to become the better show?

Shane McMahon welcomes Daniel Bryan back.

Thanks for the support. Of course, Survivor Series is important. They must all be on the same page. Which is why GM and Commissioner need to talk. Shane did something without letting Bryan know, Bryan got hurt because of it. The discussion is tabled for now, is there some dysfunction on the Blue Brand after all?

WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship: Natalya VS Charlotte!

The Queen of Harts or the Queen of Flair, only one woman can be Queen of SmackDown to then face the Goddess of Raw at Survivor Series! Charlotte has hometown advantage in her namesake city, can she ascend to the throne and then challenge Little Miss Bliss? Charlotte is definitely on Charlotte’s side as the bell rings and the two tie up. Roll up quick, ONE, Charlotte and Charlotte give out a “WOO!” The two tie up again, Charlotte backs Natty into a corner. Clean break but then a sucker punch from Natty, this turns into a scrap fast. Natty gets out, Charlotte pursues, she puts Natty into barriers!

Charlotte drags Natty up and into the ring, covers, TWO. Boot! Natty scrambles out, Charlotte baseball slides her down. Charlotte has Charlotte fired up as we go to break.

We return, Natty has Charlotte in a full Surfboard stretch. The fans rally, Charlotte gets out, Flair chop! Another chop, and another, and another, but the discus lariat puts Charlotte down, TWO. Natty tells the fans to shut up, then she kicks Charlotte before putting on a chinlock. The fans rally, Charlotte gets to her feet, but Natty throws her down by her hair. Natty walks over Charlotte, but Charlotte kip-up into a SPEAR! Cover, TWO, Charlotte and Charlotte are both a bit surprised. Charlotte drags Natty around, Figure Four but pushed into buckles hard, Natty grins as she stomps on Charlotte. Natty drags Charlotte to a cover, TWO. Natty tries again, TWO, she’s getting frustrated. Natty tells the fans to shut up, but they just boo and jeer while cheering on Charlotte. Natty slaps Charlotte, drags her around, Sharpshooter but Natty gets a slap! Roll up, TWO, discus — Exploder into a corner! Charlotte crawls to Natty, Natty slips out of the ring. Natty gets around to the far side, Charlotte comes in from the apron, booting Natty down. Charlotte gets on barriers, but Natty counters with a powerbomb into a post! Natty and Charlotte are down, but Natty gets up to drag Charlotte by her hair. Charlotte rallies for Charlotte as Natty slaps her, they get in the ring at 8. Natty drags Charlotte over again, prepares the Sharpshooter, Charlotte is locked in the signature submission!

Charlotte endures, reaches for ropes, drags herself over, but Natty drags her back. Charlotte endures even more, gets a second wind and gets to those ropes! Natty lets go, then claws and hammers away on Charlotte’s back. The ref backs her off, Charlotte dumps her out. Natty back in quick, into a BOOT! Charlotte gets Natty around, Figure Four! Figure EIGHT! Natty endures, Natty flails, Natty taps!! Charlotte is the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion!!

She is truly the Queen of Queens, and Renee Young appears to interview her in the ring. Things change at Survivor Series, how does Charlotte feel? Gotta catch her breath, because that match beat the heck out of her. Charlotte shows their support with a “WOO!” Superstar Shakeup made the title Charlotte’s singular goal, something she worked 24/7 for. To win here in her hometown, “You Deserve it!” Sunday, Alexa Bliss is her opponent, and Alexa will #BowtotheQueen, because there was a Queen of Raw before there was a Goddess, but now it’ll be a win for Team Blue.

And everyone knows about Ric Flair’s health, and growing up here, they all know the Flair family hardships, but Charlotte is sure her father is watching. He’ll definitely send her a text later, she lets him know already this win was for him! But speaking of The Nature Boy, he’s already here to celebrate!

A big emotional hug and tears, “WOO” all around, the Flairs are champions again. With all this motivation, can the Queen defeat the Goddess?

The Bludgeon Brothers cometh.

“I don’t hear anything.” “Except for the scream.” “I can’t feel anything.” “Except for the cracking of bones.” “Every hammer needs a nail.” “To give it purpose.” “And our purpose is?” “Obliterate everyone.” Luke Harper & Erick Rowan are returning next week, who will be the nails pounded in?

Jimmy Uso w/ Jey VS Chad Gable w/ Shelton Benjamin!

Though “American Alpha 2.0” challenged The Usos for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, it seems they were really only after blood, as Gable gave Jey a nasty chop block that made the champions lose via count out. Now it’s time for some retribution before taking on the Raw Tag Team Champions this Sunday, is Day One Ish #ReadyWilling&Gable? Last year’s Survivor Series last two teams were the Usos and The bar, and they’re back again. Swiss Superman? That mouth piece won’t protect him from the Kryptonite Superkick. The Celtic Warrior, it’s true. “You DO look stupid.” This year will be no different, line up and get knocked down. Ask the Hype Bros, the Ascension, Breezango, American Alpha 2, The New Day, The Bar can welcome themselves to the Uso Penitentiary! The bell rings, Jimmy goes right at Gable and fires off uppercuts! Corner to corner whip reversed, Jimmy slides to a stop, another uppercut sends Gable out of the ring. Jimmy waits for him to get back in, but ends up coming out after him, things get in the ring but Benjamin distracts, dragon screw leg whip! Gable does another, going after that leg like he did to Jey. Gable stomps away on Jimmy, twists that leg hard, cover, TWO. Things go picture in picture as Gable pulls on that leg.

Gable has a hold of Jimmy’s foot, anchoring the other foot down so that Jimmy can’t get away. Jimmy breaks free but then gets put back in a drop toehold, snap deathlock, TWO. Gable keeps his cool as he puts Jimmy in a corner and uses the rope to work on the leg. Gable drags Jimmy out, T-Bone suplex! TWO, Gable just keeps on that leg. Gable wrenches the knee, Jimmy endures. Jimmy pulls Gable’s hair but it isn’t’ enough to get free, Gable yanks on the leg before a cover, TWO. Gable goes right back at the leg, torturing Jimmy’s knee. Jimmy works to pry free, and uses his free leg to kick Gable away. Gable catches the kick then ducks the dragon whip, another twist and snap on the bad left. The ref checks on Jimmy, he’s okay to keep going as Gable gets him up and gives him a shinbreaker! Jimmy is down again, Gable drags him back up and snapmares into a cover. TWO and we go single picture as Gable keeps yanking at that leg. Gable runs in, but Jimmy sticks out his good leg, whipping takedown from Gable plants Jimmy on his face. Gable climbs up, fans fire up, MOONSAULT! Galbe lands on his feet when Jimmy evades, mule kick takes out Gable’s leg! Gable gets to a corner, Uso gets up, Jimmy rallies on one good leg. Mule kick and uppercut, then Samoan Drop! Jimmy has adrenaline to get past the bad leg, he fires up the fans, running hip attack! Cover, TWO, Gable gets out to regroup with Benjamin. Jimmy takes aim, speeds up, Gagble hits him with a rolling kick! Spin around, then Jimmy sent right into the ropes. Gable goes out after Jimmy, puts him in the ring, Jey trash talks him. Gable shoves Jey, Jey chases him up but Benjamin comes over. Penalty kick for Benjamin, shove for Jey, SUPERKICK from Jimmy, Jimmy wins! Day One rolls on, will they do this to The Bar this Sunday?

Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens talk backstage.

Everyone’s all “Raw, SmackDown”, A-Show, B-Show, but these two aren’t on Survivor Series. Because Shane is biased against them. These two should be fighting The Shield. The New Dya is a “circus act!” Nobody is better than these two. Not The New Day, not The Shield. No show matters except for the Sami & Kevin Show. Or is it the Kevin & Sami Show? Fair enough. Either way, time to show what they’ve got.

The New Day VS Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn!

Awwww~, Charlotte! Don’t you dare be sour! Clap for your four time champs and feel, the powah~! Sunday is Survivor Series, and The New Day takes on The Shield. Between those three, they have 13 title reigns. But between these three, there’s 27! Mostly Kofi, though, he’s that good. The Hounds of Justice VS The Unicorns of WWE. Hounds, canines, dogs. Why would you want to be a dog? They eat poop! Unicorns are mythical, mysterious and magical! Another thing, The New Day can trust each other. The Shield can’t. They’ve already turned on each other. They teamed up together again because they’re cuddling up with exes. But when it is warm again, The Shield will break up. But who will? Who? Who who? The New Day~! And when this Survivor Series comes around, The New Day will survive. They are a true brotherhood, they will never betray each other. You know why? Because New! Day Rocks!

We return, The Best Friends have finally entered, and Woods starts against Sami. Sami throws his jacket at Woods, Woods sees how it is. The two circle, tie up, headlock from Sami. Woods powers out, Sami shoulders him down. Sami is all smiles as he speeds things up and shoves Woods, Woods keeps moving, tilt-o-whirl headscissors throws Sami. Sami ends up in the New Day corner, “time to turn up!” The Unicorn Stampede begins! And by the end, it is Woods who is legal. Big E whips Woods in for a dropkick to Sami, cover, TWO. Woods grabs Sami but Sami powers him to the corner, tag to Kevin, Kevin unleashes strikes and stomps. Sami gets a cheap shot, too, before Kevin goes back to hitting Woods. Scoop slam but Woods slips out, drop toehold puts Kevin on the ropes, dropkick! Kevin is n the corner, Woods forearm smash and tag to Big E, big shoulder tackle and then feed to the Honor Roll, cover, TWO. E tags Woods back in, Woods runs, wheelbarrow splash. Kevin gets out, Sami in, roaring elbow sends Sami out. Woods builds speed, Kevin trips him up, spins him around and yanks him out to the floor. Back senton on top, Kevin is still furious as he drags Woods up and in while we go to break.

We return, Sami anchors Woods, tag to Kevin, Kevin stomps Woods down. Kevin trash talks Big E, wraps Woods in a chinlock. Big E and Kofi try to coach Woods back into this, the fans join in. Fans take notice of something else, though. Woods endures, works his way up, but there’s still something somewhere else noteworthy of attention. Kevni knees Woods, DDT, TWO. Kevin drags Woods over, tag to Sami, Woods is isolated as he’s mugged. Sami toys with Woods, chops Woods, whips Woods but Woods hits Kevin, dodges, tag to Big E! Overhead suplex! Overhead suplex! Belly2belly suplex! Big E fires up and swivels the hips, runs for the Big Splash! Kevin gets in, Big E feeds him to Woods’ kick, then is dumped out. Woods runs, FLIES, and topples Kevin over. Big E goes back to Sami, “Sierra, Hotel, India, Echo, Lima, Delta. Shield.”

#RAWTALIATION! The Shield is here, staring down at some prime prey. The New Day, Kevin and Sami stand together as The Shield heads down to the ring, flanking it like always. The Shield stands on the apron, Kevin and Sami fade out. The Shield goes after the New Day! Stomps in the corners, but then The Usos appear! They hesitate, so the Shield pounces. It’s 5v3 now, The Shield looking like they’re in danger, but then MORE Raw Superstars appear! THE BAR is here! They go after The Usos, who they face Sunday, an even 5v5. Meanwhile, the women collide backstage!

They all surround Charlotte, Alexa decks her! The brawl in the ring continues, and MORE Raw Superstars appear! Finn Balor, Titus Worldwide, Samoa Joe, they add on to The New Day and Usos getting beat down. Shane mobilizes Team SmackDown! It’s an even bigger brawl! Penalty Kick to Roode, but then Shane gets Finn. Kurt Angle and BRAUN STROWMAN are here. The Monster Among Men rips his way through the Hype Bros, then into the ring.

He fights off Shinsuke Nakamura, Shane attacks from behind but that doesn’t work out at all. Shane fires off hands, but it doesn’t do a thing, he gets run over by the mountain. Then other stars, like Dolph Ziggler and the Usos are cleared out of the way. Shane is brought up to look at what’s happening to hisroster.

The Shield goes 3v1 on Shane O’Mac, making an example of the commissioner. Other members of Raw get their shots in, Samoa Joe uses the trombone to beat up The New Day. And Angle then enters the ring to get face-to-face with Shane. “How does that feel, Shane? You think this is bad, wait until Sunday!” Angle then gives the thumbs down. The Shield takes Shane, TRIPLE POWERBOMB!

And if that wasn’t enough, ANGLE SLAM! And for the hell of it, a secondTRIPLE POWERBOMB!! #Rawtaliation accomplished, will SmackDown even survive Survivor Series?

My Thoughts:

This was the go-home worthy of how WWE has framed Survivor Series this year. Shane was rallying SmackDown as they felt untouchable going into Survivor Series, a seemingly more unified front than Raw has been showing. Loved the Daniel Bryan opening segment to parody Paul Heyman, Bryan was amazing on the mic, he and Styles really did great with some work shoot comments. Big championship matches tonight, important to the Champion VS Champion rundown. Sin Cara wasn’t going to win the title to deny fans the blow-off to the amazing social media build between IC and US champs, Miz-Corbin is going to be great for both in-ring and story telling, Heel VS Heel is something WWE tends to shy away from so it’s great they’re giving it a shot on this cross-brand PPV. The Women’s Championship match was incredible, something worthy of a PPV in itself, and it is great to see Charlotte win here. Not just because it was a hometown hero win, but because it pits two women who were both Raw and SmackDown champions to see who is the best of both brands. Great moment with Ric Flair surprising us, big amount of momentum for Charlotte this Sunday. Jimmy VS Gable was good, Gable showed great aggression but Jimmy showed great fortitude to fight through a banged up leg. New Day VS Kevin-Sami was also great stuff, and then #Rawtaliation finally happened in the most epic way possible! Shield naturally shows up to get revenge on New Day, Kevin-Sami naturally run away because they don’t actually care about SmackDown like the others do, and then things escalate to natural levels, in the ring and backstage. Shane is still a madman for taking an Angle Slam and two Triple Powerbombs, but it’s not like he was going to be the ace on SmackDown’s men’s team.

My Score: 8.5/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

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!

Up Next

Mitchell’s WWE 205 Live Report (11/14/17) – Kalisto vs Gulak!

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Report! (11/13/17)

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/29/25)

Look who’s back!

Published

60 minutes ago

April 29, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Say his name and he appears…?

Joe Hendry showed up Trick Williams last week, so Trick Williams showed up in TNA! Will Joe Hendry return to NXT and Whoop Dat Trick?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura; win and
NXT North American Championship: Ricky Saints VS Lexis King; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to the scheduling choices of KVIA2 CW (El Paso & Las Cruces), coverage of NXT will not begin until 9PM Eastern]

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 WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/28/25)

Complete the trifecta…

Published

1 day ago

April 28, 2025

Steven Mitchell

The Visionary, the Wise Man, and the Badass…

After a wild Raw After Mania, Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker will be here to establish themselves as the new force of nature on Monday nights!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Rhea Ripley VS Roxanne Perez; Rhea wins, by disqualification.
Finn Balor & JD McDonagh w/ Carlito VS The War Raiders; The War Raiders win.
Stephanie Vaquer VS Ivy Nile w/ Chad Gable; Vaquer wins.
Sami Zayn VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman & Seth Rollins; Bron wins, by referee stoppage.

PLAY BY PLAY

Nick Aldis is filling in for Adam Pearce.

The Raw General Manager is taking some administrative leave given last week’s particularly chaotic and violent Raw, so the SmackDown GM will gladly step in. Surely no ulterior motives like showing he’s a superior GM…

Seth Rollins is here!

Kansas City fires up for the Visionary as he leads The Wise Man and the Badass to the ring. And while Rollins wears stylish sunglasses and long-tailed coat, Paul Heyman got Bron Breakker to wear a suit! The fans sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as the three step into the ring, and Rollins pats both Heyman and Bron on the shoulder. The fans bark for Bron, and they again sing for Rollins as Rollins has the mic already. Rollins revels in this moment as usual, then he tells Kansas City, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins~!” He is the Visionary, he is the Revolutionary, he is Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!

“And in case you didn’t know, you’ve been living under a rock, you’re looking at the winner of the main event of WrestleMania! And I know it’s a little difficult for some of you out there that still wanna chant for CM Punk…” Some fans do indeed still chant for CM Punk. Rollins nods and says, “I knew there were still a few out there. And I know it might be painful for you who still wanna put your fingers in the air for Roman Reigns…” And fans do indeed raise the ones and chant “O T C! O T C!” Rollins says what you are looking at in this ring right now is the future of this industry! The fans do cheer that.

Rollins says the future runs through one man. That man is NOT CM Punk. That man is NOT Roman Reigns. Hell, it’s not even John Cena, Jey Uso or Cody Rhodes! The future of this industry, with Paul Heyman to his left, and Bron Breakker to his right, the future of this industry runs through SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS! But wait! Sami Zayn makes his way out here! Sami goes to the ring and grabs himself a mic, but Rollins gives Sami the introductions. The fans do cheer, and Rollins has Bron stand down. Rollins says it is good to see Sami back on Monday Night Raw! Rollins assumes Sami caught WrestleMania.

Sami says yes, he did. He saw the main event of night one. How long have they been friends? A long time, right? Well, then Sami feels the need to come out here as a friend, as someone who has known Rollins a long time, to say that this… “This is a load of crap, man.” What/ What does he mean? Uh, how much time did Rollins talk about Punk, Roman, and how one the one thing those two had in common is standing by Rollins now. How is Rollins any different? Whoa, wait, is Sami comparing Rollins to Punk and Roman? How can this NOT be different? Sami says for the longest time, he started to believe Rollins just had this hatred for Punk and Roman.

But now, maybe Rollins was just jealous of them. Maybe Rollins just wanted to be in the position that they were in. Rollins says Sami, look, Rollins is not Punk, he is not Roman, this is the vision for the future! They go back many, many years, talking about what the vision of the future would look like. Oh, yes, isn’t that a coincidence? The “vision” for the future of the WWE and of the entire industry for years to come, it all revolves around Rollins being front and center. That’s not a coincidence! Rollins is the best man for the job! That’s Sami’s point, Rollins. It isn’t coincidence, it is hypocrisy.

Sami says all this time talking about The Bloodline this, the Bloodline that, and- Rollins stops Sami there. This is NOT The Bloodline, stop making that comparison! Well how is it different? The Wise Man over on that side, and a lapdog over on the other. And if Bron keeps looking at Sami like that, Sami will kick Bron’s face in! The fans fire up hearing that! Rollins shouts for everyone to calm down. Sami, what is this? You came out here to be honest with Rollins, so Rollins will be honest with you. This IS the vision for the future. And Sami is either with them, or they are against them. And that’s not a threat.

Rollins doesn’t want Sami to be an enemy. This whole thing is bigger than Rollins. It doesn’t matter if Rollins hates you like he does Roman and Punk, or if he loves you like a brother. You stand in his way, you become a target, and Rollins doesn’t want that for Sami. So they can find a solution to this. It doesn’t have to come to blows. Wise Man, please, pull some strings. Sami can be moved off Raw. The fans boo and Rollins says no, that’s not a threat! It’s just that Sami clearly won’t buy in, so maybe they can cash him out. That is not a threat. But it is an offer. A favor, even. So look, Sami, just think about it. But they will need an answer by the end of the night.

Rollins turns to go, Heyman has Bron stand down, and the clock is ticking. Will the Underdog from the Underground side with Rollins’ vision? Or will he be the first to stand against it?

Rhea Ripley VS Roxanne Perez!

Mami came to the rescue last week when The Prodigy and Giulia went after Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer. Rhea still wants to be on top, will her brutality go a long way towards that? Or will the former NXT Women’s Champion pop off against the former Women’s World Champion?

Raw returns and Roxie makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Rhea and Roxie circle, the fans behind “MAMI! MAMI!” The two tie up, Roxie dodges and then bails out. The fans boo but Roxie tells the ref to back Rhea off. Rhea does back up, and Roxie takes her time stepping inside. Roxie and Rhea feel things out, but then Roxie bails out again! The fans boo but Roxie is clearly trolling. Roxie then throws her jacket at Rhea! Roxie storms in and CHOP BLOCKS! Rhea writhes, the fans boo but Roxie talks trash. Roxie CLUBS and kicks and stomps, but then Rhea grabs Roxie by the hair!

Roxie SLAPS Rhea, then laughs. Rhea is furious so now Roxie apologizes. But then Roxie dropkicks the legs out and Rhea hits buckles! Roxie runs in, UPPERCUTS, then comes back, but into a BOOT! Rhea reels Roxie in, Canadian Racks, but Roxie hooks the ropes! Roxie slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges to wheelbarrow, but no bulldog! Roxie shifts to roll Rhea, and she stomps away on the bad leg! Rhea BOOTS Roxie away with the good leg! But then Roxie SWEEPS the legs! The fans rally but Roxie DROPKICKS Rhea out! Roxie builds speed to DIVE! But Rhea catches her! The fans fire up as Rhea THROWS Roxie into barriers!

Roxie is down, Rhea shakes out the bad leg, then she drags Roxie up. SNAKE EYES off the barriers! The ring count climbs, Rhea stalks Roxie, and Rhea puts Roxie in the ring. Roxie backs up but Rhea puts her on the apron! Rhea DECKS Roxie, then drags her back up, only for Roxie to trip Rhea! Roxie SLAMS Rhea’s bad leg into the post! Rhea resists as Roxie tries again, but Roxie CLUBS away, then she SLAMS the leg back into post! The fans boo but Roxie runs, tilt-o-whirl RUSSIAN- NO, Rhea blocks with power! Roxie slips free of the scoop but Rhea LARIATS her down! The fans fire up while Rhea gets her leg moving.

Rhea hauls Roxie up, whips her to a corner, then runs in. Roxie BOOTS Rhea away, then goes up and leaps! But Rhea catches her again! Rhea powers through to suplex high and hard! Roxie staggers up, but Rhea DROPKICKS Roxie down! Roxie bails out, Rhea shakes the bad leg out, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Roxie double jumps and MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives and Roxie grows frustrated. The fans rally but Roxie goes for the bad legs. Spinning toehold, then a DEATHLOCK! Rhea endures as Roxie puts on the pressure! Rhea CLUBS Roxie, Roxie pushes on the bad leg, repeat! Roxie fires a forearm, Rhea fires a haymaker, but Roxie fires a flurry! Roxie lets Rhea go to then have a standing toehold! Roxie pushes on the knee and ankle, but Rhea kicks with the free leg! Roxie still holds on so Rhea kicks at her again and again! Rhea finally BOOTS free, then ENZIGIRIS! Roxie comes back, but Rhea wrenches to a short arm LARIAT!

Rhea short arm LARIATS, then ducks a shot to wrench and HOOK KICK! Rhea reels Roxie in and lifts her up, Canadian Rack for the RAZOR’S EDGE! Roxie flounders, Rhea SLIDING KICKS! Cover, TWO!! The bad leg holds Rhea back and Roxie survives for it! Rhea hobbles and goes back for Roxie. Rhea drags Roxie up, then fires off in the corner! The ref counts but the fans fire up! Wait, is that Giulia!? The Beautiful Madness is back again, taunting Rhea. Rhea eggs Giulia on, but Roxie snatches Rhea to a cradle! TWO!! Roxie runs and tilt-o-whirls to SPIKE-RANA! Roxie gets moving and she HANDSPRING KNEE DROPS! Cover, TWO!!

Rhea survives and Roxie is freaking out! Giulia is just as frustrated over that count, but Roxie drags Rhea up. Roxie SLAPS Rhea, Rhea SLAPS Roxie! Roxie SOBATS, hops on, POP- NO, Rhea flips that over and KNEES Roxie down! Rhea then glares at Giulia. Giulia eggs Rhea on, Rhea grabs Giulia’s hair! Roxie rolls Rhea, but Rhea rolls through and HEADBUTTS! Rhea pump handles, but Giulia CHOP BLOCKS Rhea!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by disqualification

The fans boo but Giulia HAMMERS away on Rhea! Roxie joins in, but here comes Iyo Sky! The fans fire up as the Evil Genius rushes in, dodges Roxie and SHOTEIS Giulia! SHOTEI for Roxie! Iyo blocks Giulia’s kick to send it into Roxie! Then victory roll, STOMP 182! The fans fire up with Iyo, and then she runs at Roxie! Roxie puts Iyo on the apron, but Iyo GAMANGIRIS! Giulia is up, and she trips Iyo up on the springboard! Now the champ is getting mugged! Rhea returns, and that sends Roxie & Giulia running! Roxie & Giulia never used to be friends, but they have common targets in Iyo & Rhea. Will they come to regret it?

Judgment Day talks in the clubhouse.

They’re all excited, and then Finn joins in! Finn formally welcomes JD McDonagh back from injury, and mentions they need to talk later. They go off to the side and Finn thought JD was going to tell him when he was back. JD says he told Dom first, he meant to tell Finn, and he’s sorry. Finn is fine with that, he just wishes JD had told him. JD knows, but with the Intercontinental Championship match, JD was cleared quicker than he thought and- Liv checks in. Is everything okay? Sure, of course! Just catching up. Okay, but why aren’t they getting ready for their match? Wait, what match?

JD says he was also going to tell Finn but it got away from him. Liv said it’d be great if JD & Finn made another run at the World Tag Team Championships, and JD agreed, so he went to Nick Aldis and they’ve got a match with the War Raiders tonight. JD thought Liv was going to tell Finn. Liv says it’s just been so busy, it slipped her mind. But she just figured, since Finn isn’t a champion right now, that he’d be interested. Well of course he’d be interested. But in the future, please keep Finn in the loop. Yes, absolutely. Finn says he’ll go get ready, JD and Liv grumble at each other, but Carlito says it’ll be great once everyone is champion. Oh wait, maybe Carlito should be, too…

Liv & JD go back to the game with Dom and Raquel, and Carlito seems to have an idea. But what title could Caribbean Cool possibly capture?

Logan Paul is here!

Raw returns as The Maverick is already in the ring. Kansas City boos, but Logan says, “Hey, yo! That’s crazy, cuz I dunno if y’all remember, but I beat the Phenomenal AJ Styles last weekend at WrestleMania. And I hear you. You people still aren’t satisfied. Hey, hey, hey, I get it. You’re from Kansas City, you’re a victim of circumstance. You don’t know greatness when it’s standing right in front of you. You people are so, so stupid! You don’t know what a true legend looks like. And hey, hey, I’m gonna say something, and it might offend some of you, you’re not gonna like it. But a true legend certainly does not look like your current World Heavyweight Champion, Jey Uso.”

The fans boo but Logan says he has had seven days to think. He realized he’s done just about everything there is in this industry, except win the world title. “So Jey Uso! Consider your days numbered, because you have something that I want!” But then YEET! Here comes Main Event Jey! The fans fire up and sing along with that Day One Ish, and the bounce is on! Jey even bestows his YEET sunglasses to a young fan who beat cancer and is at his first WWE show. The fans fire up for that, and they YEET again! Jey steps in the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Logan looks right at the belt, and Jey tells him hold up.

Let’s silence this noise! Cuz Logan thinks that after 15 YEARS of Jey making a name for himself, finally becoming World Heavyweight Champion, that Jey’s just gonna hand this over to some punk YouTuber like Logan Paul! STOP! “YEET!” Jey tells Pat, “Can you believe this?” Jey says let’s get real for a minute. Jey watched Gunther beat his twin brother to a bloody pulp. That did something to Jey. It lit a fire inside of him that ain’t ever going out. So look, Logan, this title is not given, it is earned. And it’s Jey’s! So if you want it, come take it! Four letters, one word. Uh, uh, YEET!! The fans fire up, but Logan rolls his eyes.

“YEET? You sound so stupid, Uce. I’ve done more in four years than you have in 15! All of you know that’s true!” So Logan has something for Jey! This is how it’s gonna go: That title? Logan will take it from Jey. And Jey will do what he does best, what he always does, and that is crash out, screw up, and lose in less time than he held the Intercontinental Championship. So enjoy it while you- SUPERKICK!! The fans fire up as Jey just knocks this punk ass YouTuber on his punk ass! Will this be the story of Logan trying to take the main event from Main Event Jey?

Finn Balor & JD McDonagh w/ Carlito VS The War Raiders!

The Prince was as surprised as the fans to see The Irish Ace return, but while JD helped Dirty Dom become Intercontinental Champion, now the lads can be WWE World Tag Team Champions again. Well, that’s if they can get past Erik & Ivar to go after the New Day. Will this be a bright new chapter for Judgment Day? Or will they simply run into Ragnarök?

Speaking of The New Day, they’re ringside to be part of commentary, and they’re just running down everyone, even claiming that by supporting the War Raiders, you’re supporting literal war. The teams sort out and Ivar starts against JD. The bell rings and they tie up. JD waistlocks, headlocks, but Ivar powers out. JD RAMS Ivar but he’s the one that falls back! Finn swipes at Ivar, Ivar storms up on Finn, but JD headlocks Ivar. Ivar powers up and out again, but JD slips through the backdrop! JD waistlocks, Ivar bucks the O’Conner, then Ivar DECKS Finn! JD CLUBS Ivar, kicks away, and Finn tags in. The Judgment Day mugs Ivar, then soaks up the cheers and jeers.

Finn tags JD back in, JD wrenches Ivar’s beard! Ivar whips JD away, then he BACKDROPS JD! Tag to Erik and he DECKS JD! Finn runs up, but Erik wrenches and lifts Finn for an EXPLODER! JD runs, Erik dodges and SHOTGUN KNEES! The fans fire up and Erik tags Ivar in. Erik sends Ivar in and he LARIATS Finn! Then he feeds Finn to Erik’s ELBOW! Ivar KNEES JD, whips and Erik KNEES JD down! Erik drags JD up, TOSSES him out to join Finn, and the fans cheer on the Raiders. The New Day taunts the raiders with the titles, and Judgment Day returns! But the Raiders scoop and SLAM both JD & Finn!

Finn tumbles away, Ivar scoops JD to SLAM him again! Erik scoops Ivar to SLAM him onto JD! Erik steps outside so Ivar can tag him back in. Ivar then lines up a shot, and the fans fire up as he runs in. But Carlito drags Finn who drags JD to get him out of the way! Ivar crashes into the LED apron! Erik checks on Ivar, Woods mockingly says, “It’s impressive cuz he’s fat, wow~.” The New Day verbally runs down the Raiders while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and JD RAMS Erik into the Judgment Day corner. The ref counts as JD throws hands, but fans count along. Erik stops JD at 5, BLASTS Finn, but JD kicks Erik. Erik DECKS JD! Both men are down, the fans fire up, and New Day makes bald jokes on Erik. JD and Erik crawl, hot tags to Ivar and Finn! The fans fire up as Ivar rallies on Finn! Scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Ivar runs to SPLASH! The fans fire up with Ivar and he runs, but Finn dodges. Ivar SEATED SENTONS! Then he cartwheels past JD to HEEL KICK! The fans fire up and Ivar gets them to chant, “WAR! WAR! WAR!” Ivar runs to BRONCO BUSTER!

Finn sputters into the drop zone, Ivar goes up, and the fans fire up again. DOOMSAULT FLOPS as Finn moves! Carlito is relieved while Finn and Ivar are both down. Finn crawls, Ivar stirs, and New Day just puts themselves over. Hot tag to JD, and he uses Ivar as a step to BLAST Erik! Then JD DUMPS Ivar out, and he ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and no desk to worry about on that side! JD puts Ivar in the ring, climbs up again, and he MOONSAULTS! Cover, Erik breaks it! Finn returns to fire hands on Erik! Finn TOSSES Erik out, then he and JD double whip Ivar. Erik sneaks a tag, Ivar breaks the double lariat!

Ivar handsprings and DOUBLE BACK ELBOWS! Kofi say she can do that, too. Erik goes out to fetch JD, Ivar has Finn, and the fans fire up as the Raiders DOUBLE LAWN DART Finn & JD into each other! New Day says get those two in the ring then! Dummies! Erik puts JD in, then glares at Kofi & Woods. Ivar throws Finn at the New Day! The fans fire up, and then Ivar SPLASHES them all!! The fans fire up, Carlito gets up, Erik DECKS him! JD rolls Erik up, TWO! Erik has JD but JD JAWBREAKERS! JD goes up, Carlito distracts more, but PENTA is here! He SHOVES JD to screw JD! Payback for WrestleMania!

Erik tags Ivar, the fans fire up as JD is popped up for the WAR MACHINE!! Cover, War Raiders win!

Winners: The War Raiders, by pinfall

The man with Cero Miedo made sure JD & Finn get nothing! Will Dirty Dom and the Intercontinental Championship be next? Will New Day have to face the raid once more?

Sami Zayn contemplates backstage.

Otis asks him what he’s thinking, and Sami says he isn’t sure. But then in steps Paul Heyman. The Wise Man sits with Sami and asks Otis give them the room. Otis obliges, and Heyman says he was thinking about what Sami said about The Bloodline. Heyman & Sami are OG Bloodline, y’know? Sami says that is true. But Heyman blew up whatever was left. Well, Heyman respected when Sami broke away. Maybe one day, Sami will respect what Heyman did. But Heyman isn’t here to talk about that. “Seth Rollins views himself as the vanguard of the future of this entire industry. And whether he is or he isn’t, that’s how he views himself.

“And Bron Breakker? Well, that’s his dog at the gate. And whether he is or he isn’t, that’s how Bron Breakker views himself. And Bron Breakker right now is demanding a match with you. Seth and I, we can’t say no to that because Bron Breakker is the key to our plans. But Seth Rollins, he holds you in such reverence, he is offering you a pass. If you accept being traded to SmackDown starting this Friday, everybody wins!” Sami is about to get up but Heyman has him hold on. Heyman has spoken with Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis. Seth Rollins is going to do Sami a favor. Oh, is he? Yes.

If Sami accepts the offer, the moment Sami arrives on SmackDown, he is set to face the winner of John Cena VS Randy Orton after Backlash! Just like that! Instant #1 contender. That’s how much Rollins thinks of Sami. Think of your future, Sami. And of your family’s future. “Sami, you can live in the future… Or you can die with the past. Think about it.” Heyman pats Sami on the back, leaves, and Bron is there around the corner. Will the dog still get to take a bite out of the underdog? Or will Sami make his dreams come true?

Becky Lynch is here!

Kansas City isn’t quite as excited to see The Man as usual given what she did to The Morrigan the moment they lost the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Becky grabs a mic and says, “The Man has come around to Kansas City! And The Man is back in business, so let’s get down to business, shall we? Bayley was tragically taken out of her WrestleMania match, but there won’t be any murder mystery, any weeks long whodunnit. I have examined the evidence, I have reviewed the footage, and we have found the culprit. It was me! I did it!” The fans boo, but Becky says no no no no no no! Don’t make her the bad guy here!

They can’t act like Becky is the villain! You can’t fake outrage! Bayley has attacked Becky nonstop since 2019! And not one time did Bayley apologize! But are we supposed to just forget about it? Just like how Bayley’s forgotten just what this business is! While Bayley’s out here going, “Everyone, please like me!” and wearing everybody else’s merch, and dancing to everyone else’s music, and asking, “Why aren’t I a bigger star?” Well, she just saw what a bigger star looks like when Becky walked down the ramp at WrestleMania! The fans boo, but Becky says that brings her to Lyra Valkyria. As the saying goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

But then the reverse works, too. The friend of an enemy is an enemy! Lyra wouldn’t be in this business if not for Becky! Becky had high hopes for Lyra. But while Becky was out, Lyra cozied up to the woman Becky’s been fighting for the last six YEARS!? Even then, Becky still tried to save Lyra and get her to “ditch that b*tch!” Lyra never would’ve won those tag titles with Bayley! But it was too late, she was already compromised as a loser. Becky showed Bayley what she thought of her before- Wait! Lyra is here! Lyra has a mic already and she says, “You had high hopes for me? Do you know how many women in that locker room warned me about you?”

Becky says, “I bet they did.” Lyra says Bayley was one of the first! Well, of course she was. Bayley said Becky would step on anyone just to get ahead. Lyra didn’t buy any of it, because she was so caught up in some stupid fairytale dream of two Irish women as tag team champions at WrestleMania! Because of the hopes she had for Becky! And Lyra isn’t sure how it took her all those Manhandle Slams, but Lyra finally sees it now. She knows exactly what Becky is: The Illusion of Becky Lynch is dead. And Lyra will make her pay for what she did! Becky bails as Lyra storms in, and Lyra says c’mon, she’s really gonna run away?

Kansas City wants to see a fight, right? The fans cheer that yes they do! Lyra asks what’s the matter. Is Becky thinking back to the last time they went 1v1? When Lyra beat Becky and took the NXT Women’s Championship? Becky says no, no, no, from now on, The Man only fights when it matters. And it doesn’t matter here in Kansas City! Lyra says she should’ve seen this coming, too. Sorry, Kansas City, but The Man is too good for you. But fine, they’ll do it at Backlash. And The Man will only want it if the Women’s Intercontinental Championship is on the line. Then Becky’s got it! Well, okay. Becky will make that title matter like she did Lyra matter!

So welcome to the- OH SHUT THE HELL UP, BECKY! Becky didn’t make Lura matter, Lyra made herself matter. Lyra doesn’t want to be the next Becky Lynch. She is Lyra Valkyria, and she will be both a better person than Becky, and she already knows she’s a better wrestler! Becky tells Lyra, “You listen to me, you little punk!” Becky rants about how Lyra wouldn’t even be in WWE if not for Becky paving the way! But then Lyra WERCKS Becks with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Lyra then goes after Becky on the outside, shoves her into the ring, and then hurries to throw down hands! The fans fire up more but Becky bails out again!

Becky runs away into the crowd and then into the night, but Lyra eggs her on. Will Becky face all the backlash for what she’s done since her return? Wait, speaking of return, Becky CLOBBERS Lyra on the ramp! The Man uses a cheap shot, but will Lyra make sure she sees the next one?

Nick Aldis talks with Penta backstage.

The substitute GM wants Penta to tranquilo. He knows what Judgment Day did, he knows Penta wants payback, so he’ll let Penta off without a fine. But we can’t have this happening, okay? Penta thanks Aldis. Aldis does have good news. He has put it on the books for next week: Penta VS JD McDonagh! Good! Penta will be ready! Penta thanks Aldis again, and then Penta turns around, to see Chad Gable & Ivy Nile. Chad, in his new “El Grande Americano es Numero Uno” shirt, tells Penta that he was just walking Ivy to gorilla and couldn’t resist to talk to another luchador on his descent.

Penta thought he was pretty slick pulling out a cheap victory on Gable for the Netflix debut, huh? But look at him now. Dropping the big one at WrestleMania. Oh, nothing to say? Isn’t it Cero Miedo? More like cero comebacks, clown! And also, Penta losing wasn’t the favorite part of WrestleMania for Gable. It was Penta’s loser brother, Fenix, dropping the ball in his WrestleMania debut to El Grande Americano! Penta BOOTS Gable down! Penta tells him not to talk bad on his brother! Don’t mess with the Lucha Brothers! And yes, he IS Penta, and he does have Cero Miedo, pendejo! Penta storms off, will Gable still be able to coach Ivy for her match?

Rusev speaks.

“Once upon a time I had it all. The gold, the fame, the tank at WrestleMania, then I lost myself. I left the WWE, and on my way home to Bulgaria, I fell into the abyss. In that abyss is where I found myself, healed myself, redeemed myself, and fixed myself. In that Hell, I realized I will no longer fight for a woman that isn’t mine, nor a flag that never was. An epiphany. I was finally free to crush people not because I was told to, but because I wanted to. So now, I will use my hands and jacked body for good. I will hunt the frauds, the arrogant, those who waste their talents like I did. And through pain, I will perfect them all for good.

“So my brothers, your lack of suffering ends now. I am the tempest rolling in. I will hunt you, forgive and fix you, like I fixed myself. But choose your next steps wisely, because for a righteous man, savagery will be no hardship. Ending you will be no loss.” Rusev is ready to fix the Raw roster, who will he choose to work on first?

Stephanie Vaquer VS Ivy Nile w/ Chad Gable!

La Primera made quite the impression on the Raw After Mania, then she thwarted Roxanne Perez on the NXT After Stand & Deliver. She has returned once again, will she continue to show why she is THE NXT Women’s Champion? Or will the Diamond Pitbull show her American Made strength?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally as the two feel things out. Ivy refuses the knuckle lock but Vaquer avoids the leg pick. Ivy comes back to lift and SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ivy facelocks, gator rolls, and she keeps hold of Vaquer to then float around, flip her over and cover, TWO! Vaquer waistlocks now, pops Ivy down to a O’Conner BRIDGE, TWO! Ivy gets up, runs up, and she kicks low. Ivy headlocks, Vaquer endures, and Vaquer powers up and out. Ivy runs Vaquer over, kisses the biceps, and things speed up. Vaquer bypasses Ivy then runs her over! The fans cheer, Vaquer storms up on Ivy, and whips her to ropes.

Ivy tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Vaquer comes back, Ivy ducks and whips, and Vaquer tilt-o-whirls to roll-up deep! TWO, and Ivy stands back up. The fans cheer the standoff, and then the two step up. Ivy swings, but into a wrench and snap suplex! Vaquer sits Ivy up and smiles. The fans like where this is going! Headscissors for the- NO, Ivy pops free to tie up the legs! QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH, into a SURFBOARD! Vaquer endures, pushes back to roll, andshe has the headscissors! DEVIL’S KISS! TEN kisses, yeeeeeeeah~! Gable is frustrated, the fans are fired up, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, and we get more DEVIL’S KISSES! Another TEN, yeeeeeeeah~! The fans fire up more while Gable is protesting. Ivy goes to a corner, Vaquer runs in, METEORA! Vaquer drags Ivy out, pushes her down to a cover, but Gable gives Ivy the ropebreak! The fans boo and Vaquer knows what happened. Gable plays innocent, but she storms out after him! Gable asks what’s her problem. But Ivy runs up to GERMAN SUPLEX Vaquer to the floor! Ivy puts Vaquer in the ring, hurries to go Around the World, CALF KICK! And then GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Vaquer survives but Ivy is right on her.

Ivy pushes Vaquer to the drop zone, climbs up the corner, but Vaquer rises to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer and Vaquer goes up! Vaquer brings Ivy to the top, but Ivy fights with body shots! Vaquer fires a flurry of HEADBUTTS! Vaquer shakes that off, then hoists Ivy up, SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! Ivy survives and Gable can breathe again. The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” as Ivy and Vaquer rise. Vaquer HEADBUTTS, but Ivy fires a forearm! Vaquer CHOPS, so Ivy CHOPS! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and they turn to forearms! Ivy gets the edge, but Vaquer ducks a kick to mule kick!

Vaquer tucks Ivy, but Ivy powers out and scoops! SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Vaquer survives and the fans fire up! Vaquer goes to a corner, Ivy runs in, but Vaquer dodges the kick! Vaquer grabs the other leg, sticks it in the ropes, and then SUPERKICK! Then the DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Vaquer tucks Ivy in, S V B!! Cover, Vaquer wins!

Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall

The NXT Women’s Champion has been busy, but it isn’t slowing her down! Will the Dark Angel continue to fly high no matter where she goes?

Aldis talks with AJ Styles.

Aldis knows The Phenomenal One is upset with how things went for him at WrestleMania. Logan Paul, Karrion Kross, trickery, all that. But Aldis knows Styles is still phenomenal. They’ve got a long list of opponents to help Styles get back on the horse. Styles says he’s got some ideas himself. But in step Judgment Day first… Liv has Dom & Raquel with her as she “apologizes” for interrupting, but she’ll need time off for Liv’s big Hollywood movie role! Yes, Aldis is aware. Congrats on that, that’s very exciting. And as far as he knows, the paperwork is all good. Liv thanks Aldis, but now Dom asks that he gets time off, too.

Um, why? Because Dom is a champion and he gets what he wants. Oh, is that so? No, Dom should’ve listened to his dad more. When you’re champion, you have to do more work. So request denied. And if they don’t mind, Aldis was in the middle of a conversation. Dom asks what Styles has to talk about, a retirement home? HAHAH! Didn’t Styles break a hip like Dom’s deadbeat dad? No, actually. Styles is thinking about breaking something else, if you catch his drift. Liv has this stop here. Judgment Day leaves, and Styles says if we’re talking opportunities, he just got an idea. Aldis says he knows exactly what Styles means. Is Dom’s name about to move way up the list?

Sami Zayn paces.

But Karrion Kross finds him. Kross says Sami’s got a really big decision to make tonight! And hopefully, Sami makes the right choice. Kross smiles and leaves, are his mind games only going to make things harder for Sami?

Pat McAfee addresses Gunther’s actions last week.

After reviewing footage of Der Ring General taking umbrage with Michael Cole’s mere opinion, and then the brutal physical assault on Pat McAfee for him simply sticking up for Cole, it is announced that Gunther has been fined an undisclosed yet large amount of money, and has been suspended indefinitely. Pat then stands up on the desk with a mic in hand, and the fans cheer as he says, “It is my honor to get a chance to chat in the city of the Home~ of the~ Chiefs! This place is glorious, and it’s the right place for me to deliver this message. There are a lot of people that have forgotten who the hell I am.

“I’ve had such a successful career on a microphone, I think even I have forgotten who the hell I am! This past week has made me look in the mirror and realize some things. That I’m still that dog that was born in the east hills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to a truck driver that was just trying to go paycheck to paycheck to paycheck. I am a man that was not handed a lot in this life. I am a man that is lucky to be blessed with great friends. I am a man that went from being a irrelevant bum to a human that is known in basically every city in this country. I don’t have more talent than anybody, I’m definitely not better looking than most folks.

“But I happen to have a few things that I hope people will remember me by whenever my time has come to pass. When I die and I’m six feet in the dirt, I hope they say, ‘That guy was an incredibly hard worker. He worked his ass off. Not only for himself but for his friends, for his family, and for his community.'” The fans cheer that! Pat continues to say that he hopes they say he was empathetic. Whenever he received a lot, he gave back a lot. He gave millions, “AND MILLIONS~!” of dollars to his community and to children’s hospitals across this country. To military foundations, to homeless shelters, to LGBTQ reach out.

To public schools, to underprivileged communities and societies! Pat hopes that the people know he gave back and made the world better than when he came into it. And last but not least, when Pat is dead and gone, he hopes they will say that he was a loyal mother effer! The fans definitely cheer that! Pat says, “You must ride for those that ride for you. If one go, all go. You’re either with me or against me. And there’s one man that has been with me since the day I met him, and he just so happens to be the greatest of all time, MICHAEL COLE!” The fans cheer for Maggle, and Pat says to Cole, he will be loyal until he’s in the soil.

And if someone has something with Cole, then they have something with Pat. So last week, when that Austrian a-hole put his hands on Cole, Pat had no other option than to protect his guy! IT was deep in Pat’s soul, his blood. Afterward, Pat got attacked. Pat sees himself choked out all over the internet and TV. Friends and family told him not to do this with Gunther. Gunther is in his prime, a former World Heavyweight Champion. Pat said, “F THAT!! If I die, I die. If you’ve got a problem with Cole, you’ve got a problem with me, Gunther! SmackDown’s version of Adam Pearce, please come out here!”

Nick Aldis does make his way on stage, and Aldis wants Mr. McAfee to calm down. Pearce’s style tends to be, “let chaos reign,” but Aldis is in charge tonight and he does things a little different. And we all know that this is not the time nor the place for this. But Pat called Aldis out, so here he is. Please, keep it professional. Pat says he knows Aldis is just some middle manager, just like Pearce. Pearce, we miss you. But Pat knows Aldis has the power on this particular evening to make some things happen. Pat doesn’t like that Pearce suspended Gunther, that Gunther isn’t here. Aldis, lift the suspension so Pat can fight Gunther ASAP!

The fans like the sound of that, and Aldis says he figured it’d be something like that. That is why Aldis discussed this ahead of time with Pearce. As far as the suspension goes for Pat to go after Gunther, the answer is… No. The fans boo, but Aldis says both Gunther and Pat are far too valuable of assets to the WWE to take such a risk. But speaking of value, Aldis does have an alternative. They can lift he suspension on Gunther, and Pat can get his hands on Gunther, in a sanctioned contest inside the ring. Pat, what Aldis is proposing is Pat McAfee VS Gunther 1v1 at Backlash! The fans like the sound of that, too!

Pat says him and Gunther, 1v1, St. Louis, Backlash… DEAL! The fans cheer Pat on, but Cole is a bit worried. Win, lose, or draw, will Pat put Gunther in his place and show you can’t just bully anyone you want?

Sami is still thinking…

And then he crosses paths with Jey Uso. Jey tells his brother from another mother, Jey just wants to check in. Sami appreciates that. It is a big decision. Jey says whatever Sami decides, it’ll be the best for Sami. Jey loves you, dawg. Sami says he loves Jey, too. They hug it out, and Sami heads out. Will Jey having his back help Sami with that decision? But then LOGAN PAUL SUCKER PUNCHES Jey! Logan says that’s karma, Uce! Logan leaves Jey down and out, but will Logan face some karma of his own?

Seth Rollins is back in the ring.

The fans again sing for the Visionary, and he says, “Well, we are here. It is nearly the end of the night, so… Sami Zayn, I’d love for you to come out here and let’s talk this out, my friend.” Rollins waits, and Sami makes his entrance once again. The moment of truth is here as Sami again joins Rollins in the ring. Rollins says before Sami makes his decision, he just wants Sami to hear him out. Sami is putting Rollins in a very, very difficult position. He really is. They go back a long way, and Rollins does not want to see anything bad happen to Sami. Rollins gets it, Sami doesn’t like Bron or Heyman, but this is Rollins!

Twenty YEARS of friendship, Rollins and Sami. Last week, Sami came back to Raw, celebrated with Jey & Jimmy Uso because they’re friends. When Sami came out here, Rollins thought Sami was giving him the same respect. Rollins knows Sami doesn’t agree with it, but Rollins and Bron and Heyman, that is the way forward. Rollins believes with his whole heart that this IS the vision for the best future of the WWE. Rollins wishes he had someone else to believe in, but there is no one better to lead us into the future than Rollins. And the fact Sami doesn’t believe in Rollins hurts. Because this business tears relationships apart, friendships apart.

They’ve both been on either side of that, and Sami knows that after everything is said and done, how many true friends can Sami count he’s made in this business? It’s all on one hand, right? Less than five. But for Rollins, Sami was one of those true friends. When Rollins’ baby girl was born, Sami was one of the first people he called, as he’d just become a new father himself. Rollins was scared out of his mind, had nowhere to turn, so he turned to Sami. Sami gave him some of the best advice he’d ever gotten in his entire life, and he will forever be grateful. So please, allow Rollins to return the favor and give Sami some advice that could save his life.

Rollins wants Sami to take the pass. Take the way out. Whatever Heyman’s got lined up, go take it. Because if Sami stays on Raw and doesn’t believe in Rollins… Bad things are gonna happen. And Rollins loves Sami, he doesn’t want that to happen, so just take the pass. Take the way out. Rollins is begging Sami to take the out! The fans are torn, Sami is conflicted, and Sami says if he hurts Rollins’ feeling as a friend, he is sorry. Everything Rollins is saying is true, their friendship transcends the business, their children are friends, these two are good friends. Outside of this ring, that is true.

But when it comes to everything that Rollins says inside this ring… Sami says Rollins is playing games. Rollins is good, always has been. Sami’s never been good at that stuff. That’s why Rollins is in this position. And Rollins knows because of how close they are, he knows what cards to play. Sami confided in Rollins over the years, and how the one thing that’s eluded him in his entire career, how much it nags at him, that one thing Sami has yet to get is a world championship. And now, Rollins is dangling that in front of Sami. That is what Rollins is doing. Friend or not, for as long as Rollins has known Sami, has he ever, ever known Sami to run away?

Talk about hurt feelings, Sami will not stand here as his “friend” threatens him. Because that is what Rollins is doing. Rollins is saying if Sami doesn’t submit to Rollins’ future, he is a target. Guess what? Sami’s been a target 1000 times before! Sami can live with bein ga target, but he can’t live with being blackmailed, blackballed, blacklisted, extorted, manipulated! He will NOT be threatened!! The fans fire up as Sami says he WILL win a WWE world championship!! And when Sami does, it will not because of a favor from anyone., It will be from Sami doing it his way, and doing it the right way!

The fans cheer Sami on as Sami says, “As a friend, I respect you, I love you, but this is me telling you to go to Hell.” Rollins sighs, and here comes Bron! Heyman did say the dog would be coming for the underdog, will Sami not back down from this fight, either?

Sami Zayn VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman & Seth Rollins!

The bell rings and Sami runs up, only for Bron to RAM him into a corner! Bron RAMS Sami again and again and again, then stops as the ref counts. Bron THROWS Sami overhead! Rollins watches on as Bron storms up on Sami to ROCK him! Bron scrapes Sami’s face against the ropes! Bron then whips Sami, but Sami KICKS the backdrop away! Sami goes to a corner, Bron runs up, but Sami ELBOWS him! Sami goes up, and he AX HANDLES Bron down! The fans fire up, Sami runs up on Bron and kicks him! Sami bumps Bron off buckles, then pushes him down. Sami goes back up, and he AX- NO, Bron hits another OVERHEAD SUPLEX!

The fans are torn, but plenty bark it up for Bron. Bron stalks Sami, drags him up and throws haymakers. Bron talks trash, CHOKES Sami on the ropes, then steps off. The ref reprimands and Sami sputters but Bron comes back for more. Bron whips Sami to then ELBOW him down! Bron smirks while fans are torn between boos and barks. Bron drags Sami up, brings him around, but Sami fires forearms and CHOPS! Sami fires more shots, more CHOPS, but Bron knees low! Bron headlocks, Sami powers up and out, drops down then jumps, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Sami is tougher than that, but Bron stays focused.

Bron drags Sami up and puts him on the ropes. Bron fires knee after knee, then whips Sami to ropes. Sami springboards to go up and over, then LARIAT! The fans fire up as now Bron scrambles. Bron runs back in but Sami TOSSES him out! Sami goes to the apron but Bron grabs a leg! Bron YANKS Sami down, then SMACKS him off the desk! Rollins doesn’t even look as Sami sputters. Bron goes up, aims, and FLYING LARIATS Sami onto the desk! Sami flops to the floor in a heap, but Rollins is still stoic as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more as Bron has Sami up top. Bron brings Sami up, but Sami fights the suplex with body shots! The fans fire up as Sami CLUBS away on Bron’s back! Sami then adjusts and SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Bron survives, the fans fire up, and while Heyman nods, Rollins almost starts to scowl. Sami rises, the fans bring the fireflies out for Sami, and Sami storms up on Bron. Sami clinches, but Bron fights the exploder with elbows! Bron then wrenches, but Sami CHOPS, goes up, and up and TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Bron survives, and now Heyman is a bit worried.

Rollins is still scowling the same as he was a moment ago, but the fans rally up for Sami. Sami goes to a corner, climbs up, and the fans cheer him on. But Bron is right after him! Bron anchors a leg, Sami throws down elbows, and Bron staggers away. But Bron is right back up! SUPER STEINER! The fans fire up as Bron brings down the straps! Bron aims, runs in, but Sami KICKS Bron! Sami clinches to CORNER EXPLODER! Bron sputters and the fans fire up for Sami! Sami is in the corner, he wants Bron to rise up, and he runs in, but into a SPEAR!! Bron turns things back around, and then he looms over Sami.

Bron looks to Rollins, Rollins gives the slightest nod, and Bron builds speed! SPEAR!! The fans bark while Sami flounders away to the apron. Rollins is there to tell Sami, “It doesn’t have to be this way. Take the out! There’s still time!” Sami tells Rollins, “GO TO HELL!” Sami drags himself up, but Bron builds speed! SPEAR!!! Sami is down and writhing again while the fans bark. Rollins frowns as Sami flops out to the floor. The ref checks Sami, and then he calls in the medics! Sami took a lot of damage, especially from those spears. Heyman tells Rollins to not feel bad, this isn’t on Rollins. And then Rollins tells Bron to finish this.

Bron goes outside, takes a lap, and he builds speed for the SUPER SPEAR!!! Bron just devastated Sami all over again! But then Bron tells the producers and refs to back off! Bron isn’t going to stop until Sami either gives up or is unconscious! Bron puts Sami in the ring, but the ref calls this! Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by referee stoppage

Bron says no, this doesn’t end like that! Rollins steps inside, even as medics check Sami. Rollins has Bron stand down, he’s done his part. Sami sits up, and Rollins says tonight is the first lesson: There are people who deserve their respect! Who deserve their compassion! Sami made his bed, so now he’ll sleep in it. THEN ROLLINS CURB STOMPS SAMI!!! Heyman grins a sinister grin, fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Is Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw and all of WWE all but inevitable?

My Thoughts:

Great episode tonight, but they snapped back to under 2.5 hours after last week’s big Raw After Mania. Rhea VS Roxie was a great match, even with Giulia getting involved. Iyo helping Rhea was good stuff, and that’s gotta be a tag match at some point. Judgment Day has continued disfunction as Finn is all out of the loop and getting put in a tag match. Great trash talk from The New Day, and great move from Penta to screw Judgment Day over. While Penta is getting a match with McDonagh, his interaction with Gable might invite an appearance from El Grande Americano. I bet Penta VS El Grande Americano could be set for Backlash. And then how hilarious would it be for the secret to be exposed just because the Lucha Brothers want a tag match with Gable and El Grande.

Very good match from Vaquer VS Nile, and that was probably one of Ivy’s best matches in awhile. Nothing else happened so this might’ve just been a good showcase for Vaquer. For all anyone knows, she’ll have a great feud with Giulia and Jordynne Grace, then Vaquer drops the title so she can jump right to Raw. Good promo from AJ Styles and Aldis to also bring in Dom, Liv & Raquel. Liv going off to do some movie stuff is cool, and I like that Dom thinks he can just get time off along with Liv. If Penta’s shifting to Gable/Grande, I bet Styles VS Dom will be the first Intercontinental Championship match for Dom’s reign.

Great promo from Becky, though I should’ve figured they were making her Bayley’s attacker. Lyra had a very good response, and their Women’s Intercontinental Championship will be a great match. I feel like Becky is about to return the favor of that NXT Women’s Championship match and take Lyra’s title. They’ll be 1-1 in their 1v1 series, and the tiebreaker can be some epic stuff for Money in the Bank in June. Very good promo from Rusev to put his return into perspective. I still think he and Otis have a match as Rusev’s in-ring return, and then he will win so he can move on to even bigger names.

Good promo from Logan, though as a Heel, he glosses over how he hasn’t actually done everything. There are a lot of titles and match accomplishments for him to still do, but whatever. Plus, great response from Jey, both verbally and with that superkick. Logan getting payback backstage was fitting of Logan being such an obnoxious Heel, and I am pretty sure this is a sign that they learned from their bad pacing with the Jey VS Gunther build. Speaking of, great promo from Pat to hype things up going into Pat VS Gunther at Backlash. I guess Pat must’ve been getting himself ready this whole time, because we’re talking 12 days until it’s time.

And of course, Seth Rollins’ new faction and how Sami Zayn stood up to him is THE story going now. Good promo to start the show, bringing up how Rollins is being no better than certainly Roman by starting a faction, and then Rollins being diplomatic in a backhanded way. Sami contemplating the choice while hearing from others was good stuff, and I like that Kross is back to copying Sami’s hair the way he also copied Styles. Naturally, Sami as a Face, he chose to stand against Rollins and his attempt to control the WWE, and we get a great main event.

If I had a nickel every time Sami lost by referee stoppage, I’d have (at least) two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but I like that it’s kinda Sami’s thing. And the framing of Rollins giving Sami that Curb Stomp was a bit obvious, but that’s why it was also perfect. I don’t know if Sami gets any allies in this fight, with so many names out there preoccupied in other stories right now, but I guess we’ll have to see if Sami even returns next week to keep fighting.