Coverage

Mitchell’s Ring of Honor Report! (4/7/18)

Published

7 years ago

April 12, 2018

Steven Mitchell

ROH WRESTLING TELEVISION, Episode 342

All images courtesy of the Fite.TV app and streaming service

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Punishment Martinez VS Shane Taylor; Martinez wins.
Jay Lethal VS Caprice Coleman; Lethal wins.
Triple Threat: Cody VS Christopher Daniels VS Matt Taven; Taven wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Punishment Martinez VS Shane Taylor!

Two of the literally biggest men in ROH do battle on Supercard of Honor Weekend to prove who is the superior monster. The Notorious Hitman has #Knockouts4Everybody, but will that keep him from being sent #SouthofHeaven?

The bell rings but no Code of Honor between these two. Taylor talks trash at Punishment, but the Reincarnation of the Purple Mist is ice cold as Taylor calls for a test of strength. Fans chant “Punishment! Punishment!” which Taylor notices. He shrugs it off and eggs Punishment on, and they tie up. Taylor knees low but he can’t push Punishment back. Punishment bridges back then powers up, but Taylor trips him to a cover. ONE, ONE, then Punishment kip-up and turns Taylor around. Punishment steps over, gets a headlock then shifts to the back and tries jumping onto Taylor’s shoulders, but Taylor slips out and shoves him away. They collide, Taylor staggers back but rebounds on the ropes to hit back, Punishment also rebounds to rock Taylor with a right hand!

Taylor checks his teeth, and they both smirk. Taylor hits back, but Punishment stands up. Punishment throws hands but Taylor evades, then Taylor throws hands but Punishment evades. Both men go evasion for evasion and we have a stand-off. Fans applaud while the two circle. Taylor gets a body shot but Punishment gets a back elbow. Punishment goes to whip but Taylor blocks and reverses. Punishment evades Taylor’s attacks, but his crossbody is caught! Taylor pops Punishment up on his shoulder but Punishment slips out, to then shove Taylor at the ropes. Punishment wants the hip toss but Taylor blocks that, too, so Punishment ducks the clothesline to give one of his own. Taylor stays standing, so Punishment boots him. Taylor is still standing as he retaliates with a swift left! Punishment stays standing, but Taylor whips him and follows, evades another boot, then clotheslines Punishment out of the ring.

Taylor sees Punishment still on his feet so he builds speed! Punishment hops up onto the apron, only to get blasted off it by Taylor! Taylor keeps moving, but he runs into Punishment’s roundhouse! Taylor staggers while we go to break.

ROH returns just as Taylor throws Punishment with a Fall Away Slam!

Then he adds a cannonball in the corner! And a cannonball from the apron! The Hitman topples Punishment over! He drags Punishment up into the ring, then climbs up to the top. Punishment gets up and rocks Taylor with a right, then throws him down in a Falcon Arrow! Cover, TWO! Punishment is not bothered, he takes aim at Taylor from across the ring. He runs corner to corner and leaps, but his splash is caught by Taylor! Taylor carries Punishment to the center of the ring, but Punishment slips out and boots him back into the corner. Punishment runs in, big corner splash hits this time, and so does the roaring forearm.

Punishment hits Taylor again, then whips him corner to corner. Taylor reverses and scoops Punishment up, but Punishment again slips out. Punishment ear-claps Taylor but Taylor hits back with a back elbow. Both men stagger, but Punishment grabs Taylor around the throat. Taylor takes advantage of Punishment’s bad eye to break free and rock him with a knee. Punishment goes down, Taylor shoves him back and gives him another knee! Taylor drags Punishment up, whips him, and choke slams Punishment!

Taylor essentially steals Punishment’s move, then runs for the big splash! TWO, and Taylor can’t believe it. Taylor stands up while Punishment is slowly stirring. He loads up, but Punishment boots away the punch to then SUPERKICK and spinning roundhouse Taylor out of the ring! Punishment sees Taylor is still on his feet, but dazed, so Punishment builds speed and FLIES!

The fans fire up for Punishment and he drags Taylor up and into the ring. Punishment enters and sees the attack coming, he spins Taylor around for HIS South of Heaven Choke Slam!

Cover, Punishment Martinez wins!

Winner: Martinez, by pinfall

But Punishment is not one for having his hand raised by a referee, Todd Sinclair barely gets away from Punishment’s wrath. Who else will suffer the wrath of Punishment on his path towards the ROH World Heavyweight Championship?

Coleman’s Pulpit returns!

The Most Versatile Man in this Sport Today has the most exciting episode ever! He finally gets a guest he’s been after for so long, it’s Jay Lethal!

As originally seen on February 5th via ROH’s YouTube channel, Coleman sits down with Lethal, but Lethal lets Coleman know that he’s not a big fan of the Pulpit. Coleman gets people on here just to ask ridiculous questions and say ridiculous things, all to poke and dig at them. Lethal won’t let that happen, he’s only agreed to do this show because the ROH administration asked him to, and because Coleman agreed to only ask two questions. Better make those questions count. Coleman is too busy being excited about having Lethal on the show. Who cares about all his other guests? All Coleman sees is a ratings boom! Coleman checked Lethal’s Wikipedia page, and has all this material. Lethal reminds him, only two questions, so make them good.

Coleman starts with how Lethal lost the ROH World Heavyweight Championship in August, 2016. Lethal’s goal in 2017 was to get it back, and the same for 2018. Is that Lethal’s goal in 2019, too, seeing as how Lethal still doesn’t have the ROH WHC back? First off, Lethal’s goals are none of Coleman’s concern. But yes, Lethal wants that title back, which is something Coleman will never know anything about, acting like this. Lethal has beat wrestlers Coleman can only dream of beating. Coleman has read the Wikipedia page, so he knows Lethal’s resume.

Lethal brings up that Jay Briscoe was undefeated for two years before Lethal beat him. Lethal won a double-header on PPV, never before seen in ROH. He even came back from a brutal beating that hospitalized him, and was humiliated when he was shaved bald on TV, all for the ROH world title. And Lethal won’t change a thing, because that title means you are the greatest in the world, no matter what. Coleman respects Lethal, and he remembers seeing those moments, especially the one with the hair. That was rough, since Lethal was losing anyway. Lethal doesn’t like Coleman’s tone, so Coleman moves on to his next question.

Lethal wrestled Ric Flair, who cares. He wrestled Sting, who cares. Kurt Angle, not bad. Coleman finds what he was looking for! Lethal’s relationships: he dated AJ L– Don’t go there. Coleman laughs it up even as Lethal slaps the papers away. This is why Lethal didn’t want to be on this “garbage” talk show. It will never get the ratings Coleman wants with how he tries to humiliate his guests. Lethal is furious with Coleman’s laughing fit, but Coleman “apologizes”. Lethal takes off his mic and storms out. Coleman is still highly amused with himself as he closes the Pulpit, “the place where I find out the truth, and the truth will help you, see you later. Ratings!” He may be all laughs now, but will Coleman be feeling good about this after he and Lethal have their match tonight?

SoCal Uncensored’s Frankie Kazarian speaks.

The Heavy Metal Rebel speaks to Hiromu Takahashi of Los Ingobernables de Japon. Once upon a time, the Ticking Timebomb was an ally of The Addiction, “fighting the good fight”, and learned many things from them. In this business, it’s called “getting a rub.” But now he’s in Japan, blowing up, successful and doing it all right, but he brings a stuffed animal to the ring? Daryl the Cat has the “marks” entertained, but not Kaz! Kaz thinks Daryl is stupid and “sucks”! After Kaz beats Hiromu 1v1, he’s going to take Daryl and shove him down Hiromu’s throat! Hiromu may be the ticking timebomb, but Kaz is the “gun you can’t unload”. Who will be left standing when these two explosive elements collide?

Jay Lethal VS Caprice Coleman!

The Franchise Player of ROH gets a chance at payback over the humiliation The Ambassador of the Grind attempted on his talk show! Who will have the last laugh before Supercard of Honor?

But Coleman doesn’t wait for the bell, he attacks Lethal from behind!

Lethal goes down while the bell rings, and Coleman goes out to attack Lethal again. Lethal hits back! They brawl on the outside among the streamers, and Lethal gets the edge with a chop and haymakers. Lethal snap suplexes Coleman to the floor! Coleman fights back with chops of his own, then stalks Lethal around the corner. Coleman gives another sharp chop. The referee tries to get this back in the ring but the two keep brawling. Lethal chops Coleman again and again, and again! He hits Coleman with a European Uppercut, then brings him around to sit him in a chair. Lethal gives another chop and Coleman spasms. Coleman hits back then chops back, but Lethal comes back with more chops, this brawl gets wild! Lethal kicks and gives Coleman a jackhammer suplex to the floor!

Fans fire up while Lethal looms over Coleman. They finally go inside the ring, but Coleman rolls quickly back out. Lethal follows but Coleman is on him with a kick and haymakers. Coleman brings Lethal around and whips, Lethal reverses, but Coleman uses the post to swing back around to dropkick Lethal down! Coleman composes himself before grinding his boot into Lethal’s neck. He drags Lethal up but Lethal pushes him into the apron before giving him another sharp chop. Lethal brings Coleman around for more chops, but Coleman hits back again. Coleman chokes Lethal at the apron but Lethal powers out and kicks Coleman low before putting him back in the ring. Coleman tries to swing out and dropkick Lethal again, but Lethal evades to enziguri Coleman down!

Lethal gets back in the ring while Coleman staggers, he builds speed, but Coleman gets out of the way. Lethal slides out and pursues, they both go back into the ring, and Lethal throws Coleman out onto the apron, for the triangle dropkick! Coleman tumbles down and Lethal builds up speed, to DIVE!

The Franchise is in control while we go to break.

ROH returns to Lethal still in control of Coleman. He brings Coleman up into a corner and chops again. Lethal whips but Coleman reverses, but Lethal boots Coleman back and knocks him down with the calf kick. Cover, TWO, but Lethal keeps his cool. He whips Coleman but Coleman holds the ropes. Lethal tries again but Coleman breaks free and throat chops Lethal. Coleman hits the STO, covers, TWO! Coleman catches his breath, a little frustrated, and puts Lethal in a chinlock on the mat. He grinds and squeezes Lethal but fans build to a rally.

Lethal works his way to his feet and fights out of the hold, but Coleman clubs him down with a double ax handle. Coleman grinds his foot into Lethal and holds on until the count of 4. He brings Lethal back up and whips him to ropes, but Lethal kicks Coleman away and then unloads more of those chops! Lethal calls for it, runs and handsprings, but into the cobra clutch and Russian leg sweep! Coleman holds on as he rolls it over to a cobra crossface!

Lethal endures as Coleman wrenches back. Lethal drags himself towards ropes, but Coleman wrenches back, so Lethal rolls the hold, only for Coleman to roll it back! Coleman wrenches as deep as he can, but Lethal powers up to his feet. Coleman swings Lethal out and avoids Lethal’s retaliation to hit a cravat cutter! Cover, TWO! Lethal rolls but Coleman brings him up.

Coleman whips but Lethal holds onto ropes, so Coleman unloads an overhand chop. Coleman tries again, but Lethal still holds on, so Coleman chops him again. The whip is denied a third time, and now Lethal dares Coleman to give him the chop. Coleman chops and chops, then Lethal turns it around to chop away on Coleman! Coleman pokes Lethal in the eyes. He whips Lethal corner to corner, then runs in, but Lethal avoids it. Coleman tumbles but lands on his feet, only to stagger backwards into Lethal’s torture rack lift. Lethal bends and stretches Coleman in the “Lethal Rack”, but Coleman rakes his eyes again. Coleman wrenches and heel kicks Lethal, but Lethal avoids the jump kick and the clothesline to handspring, LETHAL INJECTION!

Cover, Lethal wins!

Winner: Lethal, by pinfall

The Franchise shuts Coleman up with this victory right here. Between Supercard of Honor’s ROH World Tag Team Championship match with The Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and the coming ROH Masters of the Craft special, can Lethal gain momentum that will take him back to the ROH World Heavyweight Championship?

The WOH Championship participants speak.

Kelly Klein knows “Mayu Iwatani is a tremendous addition to the Women of Honor Championship Tournament. Her list of accolades and accomplishments speak for itself.” Mayu Iwatani responds with that as a member of Stardom, she is excited to be part of this tournament to crown the very first ROH Women of Honor Champion. But Kelly wants to know if anyone thinks that Mayu or anyone else is going to step into her ring, the ring Kelly has dominated for over two years, and stop her? Mayu vows to win and “build the value of the belt” by defending it both in America, in Japan, and around the world. Kelly tells Mayu that she is definitely a star, but she is the next star Kelly will “knock out of the sky.” Mayu recaps her defeating HZK and Deonna Purrazzo, so in this third round, Kelly Klein, “I kick your ass.”

Meanwhile, the newest recruit to the WOH Division, Tenille Dashwood, puts the spotlight on herself as she admits the competition has been tough. That’s exactly why she came to ROH: “to work my way to becoming a champion and to show the world exactly how good I am.” Her opponent, Sumie Sakai, is so happy to fight for a chance at the WOH Championship in this tournament. She swept Oeda Tai, Hana Kimura and Kagetsu, while Emma defeated Stacy Shadows and Brandi Rhodes. They meet in the semifinals, and while they respect each other, Tenille lets everyone know she’s going to do everything she can to advance. Sumie “always loved wrestling in Japan”, but coming to ROH changed her life. She gets a bit emotional as she vows to win this tournament.

Which one of these four will make it to the finals and win it all at Supercard of Honor?

Triple Threat: Cody VS Christopher Daniels VS Matt Taven!

Before The American Nightmare settles things with The Cleaner, before SoCal Uncensored takes on Flip Gordon & The Young Bucks, and before The Kingdom tries to kill the conspiracy, the three big factions in ROH pit their leaders against each other! Or at least a self-proclaimed leader in Cody. Which captain will capture a win for their team going into New Orleans?

Wait a minute, who is this Cody is bringing out with him? Is that a new Bury the Bear? Cody snatches a mic and has the music stop so the formal announcement can be made: Apparently, this is Burnard the Business Bear. Hopefully Cody knows who is in the costume this time. Fans chant “Bear Up!” while things settle down with a commercial break.

ROH returns with the ring of the bell, and the three men watch each other closely as they circle. Taven and Daniels corner Cody, but Taven kicks Daniels! He tries to swing on Cody right after, but Cody sees that coming, and counters with the headlock and punch. Cody whips Taven, Taven ducks the punch but runs into Daniels’, and then Cody gets his. Taven bounces between Daniels and Cody as they punch him back and forth. The cycle ends with Cody kicking low and dropping down for the uppercut, then Daniels hits Taven with a back suplex. Daniels clotheslines Taven out of the ring, and now we revisit the feud of two former ROH world champions.

Cody and Daniels circle, tie up, and Cody gets the headlock. Daniels powers out and things speed up, they collide shoulder to shoulder but neither man falls. They run and collide with clotheslines, but again neither man falls. They trade forearms back and forth while Taven climbs up to the top rope, Taven flies in to missile dropkick them both down! Daniels and Cody roll out of the ring while Taven embraces the cheers and jeers. Taven sees Cody coming and bumps him away, then sees Daniels and does the same. Cody and Daniels are together, Taven builds speed, but Cody and Daniels get clear of his wrecking ball dropkick. Taven avoids Daniels’ clothesline and Daniels runs into Cody’s punch. Cody sees Taven running in and throws him with a back drop!

Daniels tries to get back in the ring but Cody yanks him back out for an overhand chop. Cody puts Daniels back in the ring then shakes hands with Burnard before reentering himself. Cody kicks Daniels, suplex, and he holds Daniels up before dropping him with a gord buster. The American Nightmare flexes, then keeps on Daniels with punches. He whips Daniels but Daniels reverses, Cody dodges to then DIVE on Taven!

Taven goes down but Daniels goes to the apron. Daniels kicks Cody away before hitting the Arabian Moonsault!

Daniels wipes Cody out but Taven pounces by pushing Daniels into a post! Taven picks up his walking stick, gives it a kiss, and swings at Cody but Cody ducks and retaliates with a kick. Cody puts Taven in the ring and picks up that walking stick for himself. Referee Todd Sinclair stops Cody from using it, which Cody protests. Cody turns around into Taven’s spinning bicycle kick! Taven drags Cody up and whips him to the ropes, but Cody sunset flips, only for Taven to roll through and hit a Shining Wizard! Why? “Because I’m Matt Taven!” Taven sees Daniels returning, so he hits Daniels with the triangle jump enziguri, the Kick of the King! Cody goes after Taven but Taven dodges and unleashes a strike fest, then Moonlight Drive!

Cover, TWO, but Taven keeps his cool. Daniels returns and shoulders in, then slingshot schoolboy roll. Taven rolls through but Daniels kicks out a leg, to then club him from behind with a clothesline! Cody is up but Daniels hits him with the atomic drop and STO! Daniels fires up and takes aim at Cody, but he hits Taven with a forearm smash first. Daniels whips Taven corner to corner, but Taven puts Daniels on the apron. Taven roundhouses Daniels down, then builds speed to FLY!

Direct hit to Daniels, and fans fire up, but then Cody runs over and FLIES, too!

Cody takes both Daniels and Taven out with one crossbody! The American Nightmare is all smiles while Burnard cheers him on, we go to break.

ROH returns once more as Cody jumps up and over Taven in the corner. Taven runs back out but into Cody’s powerslam! Cover, TWO, and Cody’s frustration grows. He rallies the fans before getting Taven with the takedown. Cody gets the Figure Four, and puts on the American Deathlock!

Taven’s bad knee is the target, but he endures as he crawls for ropes. Daniels returns, and uses the Best Moonsault Ever to break it!

All three men are down, but Daniels crawls to a cover on Cody, only for Taven to break it. Taven goes after Daniels and the two brawl with haymakers. Taven gets the edge, then whips but Daniels reverses. Daniels swings but misses, then runs to match pace, double crossbodies collide! Burnard coaches Cody back up while fans rally. Cody clears his head while Daniels and Taven get to a corner. Taven whips but Daniels reverses, Daniels runs in but Taven evades and rolls him up. Taven gets his feet on the ropes! TWO, and Taven argues with the ref. Daniels rolls Taven, TWO, and now he argues.

Taven knees low, loops around for Climax, but Daniels denies it. Daniels kicks Taven and goes for the double underhook, but Cody slips in the ring to hit the Beautiful Disaster kick! Taven revives and springboards, but Cody ducks to send the Kick of the King into Daniels! Cody throws Taven out then kneels in the Terminator pose. Some fans boo because that’s Kenny Omega’s thing, but other fans start up the drums. Cody rises, then builds speed, but Daniels tries to roll Cody up. Cody bucks Daniels off, then grabs him in the dragon sleeper while Taven slowly climbs up. Cross Rhodes hits!

But so does Taven’s frog splash!

Taven covers them both, Taven wins!!

Winner: Taven, by pinfall

No conspiracy here, Taven simply outsmarted two former world champions. The ROH world title is the only title Taven hasn’t held, can this big win help him leap over this Kingdom Conspiracy to complete the Grand Slam? And when Taven and Cody have a rematch at Masters of the Craft, who will draw First Blood?!

My Thoughts:

A pretty good extra go-home for Supercard of Honor, but it also builds itself as a go-home to the Honor Club special, Masters of the Craft. Punishment Martinez and Shane Taylor of a good match to lead into Martinez VS Ishii, which is of course a stiff match-up itself. Lethal does a solid side story match with Coleman that could be the beginnings of something. Lethal VS Jonathan Gresham is going to be a great match just on technique, and I hope it really adds to Gresham’s story. I really want to see him revive the ROH Pure Wrestling Championship.

The WOH Championship Tournament recap and promos were solid, and helps frame the semifinals and finals for Supercard. Then the Triple Threat main event was great, so much story on top of great action, and this new “Burnard” character could add an odd new dimension to “Bullet Club is (Not) Fine”. Burnard could be anyone, and when that reveal happens, it could be Bullet Club’s brand new member who bolsters Team Cody in this civil war. Taven winning was a real surprise, I thought it was going to be Cody. However, Taven is growing as a star Heel, like the ROH equivalent of The Miz or something. After this Kingdom Conspiracy story wraps up, I could see him challenging Dalton Castle, but maybe only winning through cheating to finally get the Grand Slam.

My Score: 8/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (12/24/24)

NXT on Christmas Eve!

Published

1 hour ago

December 24, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Golden tickets make for great stocking stuffers!

With Nathan Frazer & Axiom still NXT Tag Team Champions, they need new contenders for New Year’s Evil! Who wins a Fatal 4 Way to head for LA?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Stephanie Vaquer VS Cora Jade; wins.
Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx w/ Fallon Henley VS Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn; win.
NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Charlie Dempsey w/ No Quarter Catch Crew VS Lexis King; wins and
NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Christmas Chaos Fatal 4 Way: Myles Borne & Tavion Heights VS Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo & Luca Crusifino VS OTM VS Hank ‘n’ Tank; win(s) and will challenge Nathan Frazer & Axiom for the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]

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

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/23/24)

The Raw Before Christmas!

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The Hollywood A-Lister’s got his own nightmare before Christmas!

Christmas is just a few days away, but things aren’t merry and bright for Raw! The Miz must face his fears as he faces Dexter Lumis 1v1!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Natalya VS Alba Fyre VS Iyo Sky; Iyo wins and advances to the next round.
Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS Akira Tozawa w/ The Alpha Academy; Gable wins.
Dominik Mysterio VS Damian Priest; Damian Priest wins, by disqualification.
The Miz VS Dexter Lumis; Lumis wins, by disqualification.
Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Drew McIntyre walks to gorilla.

The Scottish Terminator makes his way through the curtain and to the stage, and the fans have a mixed reaction as he goes to the ring. McIntyre grabs a mic, and he says, “After Hell in a Cell, I’ve never been so beat up in my entire life. 16 staples in my head, my back almost broken from landing on the steel steps. And I went home to Scotland. The reason I went home, and I haven’t really talked about it publicly, is because a very close family member passed away. Some people probably feeling sympathy right now. Some guys in the back are probably talking to each other, saying, ‘I didn’t know.’ Maybe if you cared enough, you would’ve asked.

“Over these past two months, guess how many people phoned me to check. Not how I was doing mentally but how I was doing physically after Hell in a Cell. ONE PERSON! These past 17 years, I’ve been led to believe we’re all a big happy family in the back. We’re brothers and sisters, we travel the world together, we spend more time with each other than with our actual families, but it’s all BS! My brother, John, in Scotland wouldn’t stab me in the back to take my spot, but people like Jimmy, Jey and Sami 100% would.” The fans boo that, then chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” McIntyre says that proves his point.

After watching everything The Bloodline did, Jey says he is a changed man. He does a cute hand sign, he says a made-up word, and the fans just forget about it and move on. That’s the other thing McIntyre realized: He has given and given and given all this time, and the fans turned on him for a guy who was gone for years and has told the WWE fans to go screw themselves! McIntyre was fighting for the fans, he thought they believed in him, so he believed in the fans! McIntyre bled out in the cell, and while he was gone, the fans instantly forgot him! The fans boo, that’s not true! But McIntyre says from now on, he gives no more for anybody!

McIntyre will take and take and he will tell the truth! The real villains are Roman Reigns and CM Punk! And if you choose to prop them up, as he already said, Jey, Jimmy & Sami, the things Roman did to you… Roman took a vacation, then simply snapped his fingers and they were by his side again! McIntyre suggests everyone who ever wronged McIntyre should sleep with one eye open. But wait, here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer and sing for Sami but Sami says hey, McIntyre is angry, he doesn’t have to believe Sami in place of believing everyone has ulterior motives. Sami doesn’t blame him.

But personally, man to man, Sami did not know what happened with McIntyre’s family. They figured he was recovering from one of the most vicious matches of all time. Sami thought that, all the guys ‘n’ girls in the back thought, and that’s all the fans thought. Believe that or not, fine, but Sami wants to level with McIntyre. Talk about 17 years, Sami has 22 years in this game. Sami’s been through what McIntyre’s been through. Sami’s had losses. Trust him. He has had losses he had to put on the side and go to work that week. The same sacrifices, from birthdays to weddings to funerals that he should’ve been at? Sami’s done it all.

Sami has put unnecessary stress on his wife, on his kid, and why? Because this is the life that they both chose! They are WWE SUPERSTARS! The fans cheer that! And as such, they are LUCKY to be WWE Superstars! And you think this is just your story or Sami’s story? Y’know who else has stories like this? Every single person sitting in the stands. Every single person at home! The kids who struggle at school, the adults who struggle at work, who struggle economically, physically, and they have their losses and sacrifices, but they still get up every day to do what they gotta do to soldier on, without pointing a finger at everyone else!

The fans fire up for that passion. Sami says McIntyre dares pointing a finger at the fans for forgetting him?! They didn’t forget, brother! They MADE McIntyre! And McIntyre still thinks the world revolves around him just because once upon a time, someone told him he was “The Chosen One.” But newsflash, just because you’re mad doesn’t make you special. And now McIntyre thinks everyone else is somehow tied to him? What Jimmy does has nothing to do with McIntyre. What Jey does has nothing to do with McIntyre! What SAMI does has nothing to do with McIntyre!

But McIntyre, if you want to still walk around all angry and pointing fingers at the fans, at Sami, at Jey, at Jimmy, at Punk, at Roman, and still be mad about The Bloodline, fine. No one is stopping McIntyre. But Sami has no problem being McIntyre’s problem and facing him in this ring right now! McIntyre says if Sami wants to know the truth… IT isn’t just anger. McIntyre’s anger comes from pain, and he doesn’t doubt what Sami just said. There was so much truth and passion, but it’s never the whole truth, is it? Sami has a way of spinning things. Because Sami can fly back home every week to his family. McIntyre is halfway across the world from his!

And no one here in Boston ever leaves Boston, they’re with their families 24/7! McIntyre doesn’t have that luxury! The fans boo that veiled insult, but McIntyre says he will remain calm and ask Sami why he wants this fight. They both know the result, we saw it time and time again, Sami has NEVER beaten McIntyre. So McIntyre suggests, given Sami isn’t 100%, and Sami’s wife and kid are here tonight… Sami should just walk back there, take their hands, and leave this arena. Of all those in the Bloodline, Sami is the least of McIntyre’s worries.

Sami says McIntyre is right about a couple things. When it comes to win-loss records, McIntyre has Sami’s number. And Sami is not 100%. Haven’t been since Saturday Night’s Main Event. And yes, the smart thing would be to just go home, celebrate and get healthy over the holidays. But Sami would so much rather do this. Sami fires hands! The fans fire up but McIntyre shoves Sami away. McIntyre swings, but gets caught! Sami lifts but McIntyre fights free, then GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! McIntyre takes aim, but here comes JEY USO! The fans fire up as Jey runs down the ramp, slides in, and then dodges McIntyre to SUPERKICK!

The fans fire up as Jey & Sami DOUBLE LARIAT McIntyre up and outta the ring! The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” with Jey & Sami Uso! Will the Scottish Terminator’s mission be ended when Sami and/or Jey shut him down?

Adam Pearce is met by Pure Fusion Collective.

The Raw General Manager asks Sonya Deville what he can do for her and she says not much. She knows how stressful this job can be since she once had it. She’s just here to make things easier. And how’s that? Well, Kairi Sane is not cleared to compete, there is an opening in the tournament, and Sonya wants it. Oh, is that so? Y’know, Sonya, that is a terrible idea. They caused this scenario so he’s just gonna reward them? Are they outta their minds? And zip it! Plus, he already filled that vacancy with Iyo Sky. Happy Holidays! PFC is upset by that since Iyo just lost to Liv Morgan, but will there be nothing to stop the Evil Genius now?

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Natalya VS Alba Fyre VS Iyo Sky!

Just as Pearce said, PFC taking out the Pirate Princess will not mean they get away with murder! The Queen of Harts and the Fire Keeper must now figure out how to handle this change to the program. Will Iyo redeem herself for losing Saturday Night’s Main Event by moving on to the next round?

Raw returns and Alba makes her entrance, Isla Dawn seeing her to the ramp, and then Natalya makes her entrance. The bell rings and Alba kicks Natty then ELBOWS Iyo! Alba whips but Natty reverses and Alba tumbles out of the ring! Iyo rolls Natty, TWO! Iyo whips, Natty dodges in the corner and gets Iyo up! REBOUND SIT-DOWN, and then Natty steps on Iyo, only for Alba to trip Natty up! Alba brings Natty out to send into steel steps! But then Iyo DIVES onto Alba! The fans fire up with Iyo and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Natty brawls with Abla. Alba knees low, but Iyo CROSBODIES them both down! The fans fire up and Iyo SHOTEIS Alba! And SHOTEIS her again! And then DROPKICKS her down! Iyo brings Alba around, whips, but Alba reverses. Iyo goes up and out, then blocks a shot to ROCK Alba! The fans fire up, Iyo spirnboards, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Iyo handsprings up and the fans fire up again! Iyo gets the fans going, but Alba wrenches and facelocks, TORNADO DDT! Alba gets Iyo up again to GOURD BUSTER her onto Natty! Alba then rearranges them into the drop zone!

Alba goes up, the fans are torn, but Alba grins as she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover on Iyo, TWO! Cover on Natty, TWO! But into a KOJI KLUTCH! Natty endures, flails, fights around, but Alba holds on tight! Natty pushes, stacks Alba, TWO!! Natty has the legs! Alba flails now, but Iyo runs up! Natty trips Iyo onto Alba, and she has them both! Natty turns them both over, DOUBLE SHARPSHOOTER!! Iyo and Alba both flail, both claw at the mat, and Alba gets the ROPEBREAK! No disqualifications so Natty can hold on! But now Iyo drags herself under the ropes, and there’s no room left, so Natty has to let go!

Natty rises up and she stalks Iyo to the apron. Natty drags Iyo up but Iyo HOTSHOTS Natty! Natty staggers, rebounds, but Iyo jumps the baseball slide! Natty hits Alba down, and then Iyo PENALTY KICKS Natty! Iyo fires up and springboards, ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit on both targets and the fans fire up! Iyo hurries to get Natty up and into the ring, then she drags Natty into the drop zone. Iyo climbs, but Alba CLUBS Iyo first! Alba snarls as she climbs up, but Iyo holds onto ropes! Natty CLUBS Alba and she adds on! SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX on Alba! But Iyo stays up top to go OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Iyo wins!

Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

The Genius of the Sky moves on, ready to fly against The Morrigan! Will Iyo be able to get past Lyra Valkyria and head for the title?

Judgment Day sulks in the clubhouse.

Finn Balor tells JD McDonagh that he can’t believe this. This was supposed to be a Merry Christmas, Finn was supposed to be celebrating with two titles, and now he has none! Liv Morgan tells Raquel Rodriguez to tell Finn that the reason she suggested he stay away from Damian Priest is because she knew this would happen. Raquel starts to relay the message, but Finn has JD tell Liv that she’s got her own problems to worry about and to stay off his back. But then Liv tells Raquel to tell Finn that the reason she’s “on his back” is because he lost the tag titles. JD, tell Liv that Christmas is-

Dominik speaks up to stop the arguing. Christmas IS around the corner, and now they’re not even talking to each other? Dom says he’s gonna go talk with Pearce and get a match with Priest! Dom’s gonna step up for this family. Oh, Dom thinks he’s better than Finn? No, it’s not even like that. Dom has a plan. He’ll talk with Pearce then fill everyone in later. Dom heads out, JD prays for one week of no drama while it’s Christmas. Will Dirty Dom make sure The Punisher pays for screwing Finn & JD over? Or will Priest be given the gift of sending Dom South of Heaven?

Sami and Jey regroup backstage.

Sami can’t believe Jey didn’t text or call about the comeback. Jey says, “My bad.” But Sami says it’s fine, he’s happy Jey is back. And thanks for having his back out there tonight and every night, Sami appreciates Jey. Jey thanks Sami for that, and says you know he had to come back for payback. Jey is gonna handle business! Actually, Sami was kinda hoping he could handle McIntyre. Sami talked a big game, he’s gotta back it up. But Sami, you’re not even 100% tonight. Sami knows, but he started something so he has to finish it. Jey says alright. He’s got next! They secret handshake and Jey wishes Sami luck. Will Sami finally get a win on McIntyre in a Christmas miracle?

Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS Akira Tozawa w/ The Alpha Academy!

As “Master” Gable said last week, it was about time he settled things with his past. Will Gable prove to the world that he was always the reason the Alpha Academy was relevant? Or will he find out he can’t keep up with the Stamina Monster?

Raw returns and the #AlphaBabes make their entrance, showing off that new merch while they’re at it. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Tozawa and Gable tie up, Gable wrenches and talks trash right to Tozawa’s face! Gable CHOPS Tozawa down, stands him up, CHOPS him down again, repeat! Gable whips and CLOBBERS Tozawa, then raises the fist. The fans boo more but Gable talks smack on Otis. Gable drags Tozawa up, suplexes, but Tozawa slips free! Tozawa SOBATS, spins, slides under, and SPIN KCIKS! Gable goes to a corner and Tozawa puts him up! But Gable gets Tozawa for a HANGING ARMBAR!

Otis protests, the ref counts, and Gable lets off at 4. Gable says he didn’t break a rule, and Otis never learns. Gable SLAPS Otis, slides into the ring, but Tozawa victory rolls! TWO, but Tozawa SUPERKICKS Gable down! Tozawa rips the shirt off, goes up top, and SUPER SENTRONS onto knees! Gable saves himself and hauls Tozawa up to GERMAN SUPELX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! Gable GERMAN SUPLEXES again! But he isn’t done, Gable spins Tozawa around, and POWERBOMBS him! ANKLE LOCK!! Tozawa flails but he’s so far from the ropes! Tozawa TAPS, Gable wins!

Winner: Chad Gable, by submission

But Gable won’t let go! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Gable just drops into a GRAPEVINE! So Otis storms in and he drags Gable off the leg! Otis TOSSES Gable! The fans are thunderous, but Team American Made steps up to support Gable. Gable says Otis never learns! But Otis’ hips are moving! He’s shaking, quaking, and the fans fire up, but American Made backs off. Will Gable finally fight Otis and put this beef to rest?

The New Day talks backstage.

They still don’t understand how everyone here doesn’t see things their way. But then Dirty Dom walks over, clapping with “New! Day Rocks!” Finally, someone who understands! Dom says he never liked Big E, but uh, no, what they did was crazy. Well, whatever, Broke Ass Tom Selleck! Dom says Tom Selleck wishes! Dirty Dom heads for gorilla, ready to fight for the Judgment Day. But will Dom go from “Broke Ass Tom Selleck” to just broken?

Dominik Mysterio VS Damian Priest!

Judgment Day’s history has always been a rocky one, but it has never been rockier than right now. Betraying Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest probably has a lot to do with it, but will Dom be able to smooth things over by taking Damian down? Or will Priest finally beat some sense into #LatinoCheat?

The bell rings and Dom bails right out! Dom dares Priest to come get him, but Priest says Dom needs to get back in the ring. Priest will even give him a free shot! Dom storms up to the apron, steps in, and takes that swing, but Priest blocks it! Then Priest BELL CLAPS Dom, DECKS him, then DECKS him again! Dom staggers around, Priest picks him up to SLAM DUNK! Dom staggers back up, into a torture rack! Priest bends Dom with the Argentine Backbreaker! Priest then THROWS Dom down and the fans fire up. Priest paces around, powers up his arm, and Dom rises. The fans rally and Priest runs, but Dom ducks a lariat!

Dom kicks, CLUBS and KICKS again! SUPERKICK! Then DROPKCIK! Priest staggers but Dom hurries to stalk behind him. Priest sits up first and glares at Dom. Dom panics, but he DUMPS Priest out! Dom builds speed to DIVE, but into Priest’s hands! FLATLINER onto the desk! The fans fire up and Priest drags Dom up to then POST him! Dom falls in a heap, but Priest puts Dom in the ring. Priest then notices a very suspicious Santa Claus. Priest snatches the beard away, and tada! It’s JD! Priest TOSSES JD and the fans cheer! JD wants mercy but Priest SLIDES him across the desk! The fans fire up as Wade narrowly avoids getting hit!

Priest then has a Spider Sense moment, and he looks under the ring! Carlito spits out his apple in surprise! Priest drags Carlito up and TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! But then Finn attacks!

Winner: Damian Priest, by disqualification

Finn fires hands, but Priest blocks the desk bump! Priest body shots and SMACKS Finn off the desk! And again, and again! Priest puts Finn in the ring, Dom runs up, but Priest DECKS him! Priest fires more hands on Finn, but the Judgment Day regroups! They mug Priest 4v1 as usual, and JD even drops elbows! The fans boo but the Judgment Day stand Priest up. WAIT! Here comes the War Raiders! Erik & Ivar fire hands on Dom & Carlito, and Priest TOSSES JD! Finn realizes he’s alone, and Priest SUPERKICKS him down! Priest stomps a mudhole into Finn, the Raiders put Carlito and Dom in the ring!

Ivar KNEES Carlito, then feeds him to Erik’s KNEE! The fans cheer, JD gets up, but Priest LARIATS him inside-out! Dom is fed to the WAR MACHINE!! Finn staggers up, but Priest grabs him! And Finn goes SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! The Judgment Day just got further embarrassed, and that’s not even considering JD’s Santa costume. Will the War Raiders be some unlikely allies for Priest in this ongoing war with the Judgment Day?

Sit-down interview with Seth Rollins.

Jackie Redmond thanks The Visionary for taking this time to talk with her, and he says it is his pleasure. Jackie talked with CM Punk and heard what he had to say, what Punk believes, when it comes to Rollins’ hatred for Punk. And we have heard from Rollins, as well, but Jackie’s still just curious. What is the root cause, the driving force, of this disdain he clearly feels for CM Punk? Rollins says the thing is, he has tried to explain how he feels many times over the years, and it sort of… Well, he won’t say he’s talking into the wind, but Rollins just feels Punk has needed the WWE more than the WWE needed him.

And so that hypocrisy from Punk is what just eats at Rollins. It is hard for Rollins to let that go. Jackie mentions how Rollins has talked about getting rid of it by “cutting it out” and fighting through it, and how this fight with Punk has to happen as a catharsis. What does “cutting” Punk out look like? What should we expect from, not even so much a match, that doesn’t feel like the right word now. Rollins says it’ll be fight. That’s what we’re getting, no question. It is the biggest fight in their sport right now, and Rollins needs it now. After Survivor Series, seeing Punk hand-in-hand with Roman Reigns… Roman’s finger in the air, Punk doing the stupid Go To Sleep thing…

Rollins just wanted to throw the remote through his TV, he was so viscerally, internally destroyed. Rollins felt that was it, no more waiting. The world needs to see it. This is perfect. The Netflix debut, the world will be watching. But to answer the question, he doesn’t know what it’ll look like. You might see a side of Rollins that no one’s ever seen. No pun intended, it will be raw, visceral, violent. Rollins needs to exorcise this demon from his soul, he has to cut the cancer out of his brain, or he is going down. Then the only way to process the betrayal is to go through a fight, and we get that on January 6th, Raw in LA for Netflix.

Jackie thanks Rollins for the time and his honesty. Rollins says yeah, he can’t wait. Will Rollins truly #BurnItDown when it comes to fight CM Punk?

The Miz VS Dexter Lumis!

The Hollywood A-Lister has his own history with the man now turned buzzard, and things are only worse now that this is about the Final Testament and the Wyatt Sick6. Will Miz manage to bury the past once and for all? Or will he get no mercy from Lumis?

Raw returns as Miz waits. A message flashes, “I OPENED THE DOOR,” and then the lights go down. And from that mysterious door to the other side, out steps Lumis. He takes off the Mercy the Buzzard mask, then rushes the ring! Miz scrambles right out as Lumis slithers along the mat! The fans cheer Lumis on while Miz tentatively returns to the ring. The bell rings, Miz wants Lumis to hold on, but Lumis swings hands! Miz bobs ‘n’ weaves, then throws a punch! Lumis just glares at Miz! Miz runs away, Lumis gives chase, and they go around the outside, then back inside! Lumis drags Miz out of the ring to ROCK him!

Miz staggers, Lumis THROWS him into barriers! The fans cheer, Lumis ROCKS Miz again, and then Lumis SMACKS Miz off the apron! Lumis pushes Miz into the ring, Miz bails out, but Lumis goes out to the apron. CANNONBALL! The fans fire up and Lumis brings Miz up. Lumis CLUBS Miz, stalks him, then puts him in the ring. Miz again asks for mercy, but then he tries a cheap kick! Lumis blocks and UPPERCUTS! Lumis scoops, Miz slips free and Miz BOOTS Lumis! Miz runs, but into a THESZ PRESS! Lumis rains down fast hands, then runs to AX HANDLE! The fans fire up and Lumis brings Miz up.

Miz breaks free to throat chop! The ref reprimands but Miz runs, only for Lumis to catch him! URENAGE! Lumis storms around, then goes looks to the corner. Lumis climbs, but wait, the Authors of Pain are here! So Lumis CANNONBALLS onto them! The fans fire up but Kross attacks!

Winner: Dexter Lumis, by disqualification

The Final Testament beats Lumis up and puts him in the ring. Miz stands, confident now that he has reinforcements. Kross says they’ve got Lumis where they want him, but Lumis looks to the sky. Seems it’s the other way around! The lights go down, and when they come up, the rest of the Wyatts are here! They brawl with Final Testament and then send them running! Nikki wants uppies, and Erik Rowan pops her up to POWERBOMB her out onto The Final Testament! Nikki is all fired up as the Wyatts stand together! Will The Final Testament be the one buried and forgotten after all is said and done?

The War Raiders regroup backstage.

Erik & Ivar are fired up after getting the better of Judgment Day, and then Priest walks in. He says what’s up, and they give him some pushes and shoves of excitement. Priest says okay, okay, settle down. But that was good, and he appreciates the save. Ivar says hey, they’ve all known each other a long time. And while they haven’t always seen eye to eye, there has always been honor here. They may not be friends, but Priest had their backs in a big way last week and they don’t forget that. They owed him, they got him. Priest respects that. If the War Raiders are at war with the Judgment Day, then he’ll go to war with them.

They all fist bump, and Erik & Ivar say they like the sound of that. Could these three finally tear down Judgment Day once and for all?

The zero symbol returns…

And now it’s joined by a pentagram? What could these clues be leading to?

The New Day barges out to ringside.

And Kofi Kingston tells Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett on commentary that no no no no! You do not get to speak about them like that! Woods asks what is going on around here? What happened to unbiased journalism? How long has Tessitore even been with the WWE? Not that long, right? Certainly not long enough to know that his job is not to have an opinion but to tell the TRUTH like they have! But it seems in 2024, no one wants the truth! Certainly not these fans. Wade was sympathizing with E as well! Well that’s fine, because Wade and Big E have something in common. They’re not man enough to lace up their boots again and get in the ring!

The fans boo now but Kofi says speaking of getting back int he ring, allow the New Day to do that and continue to tell everyone what they were trying to tell people before. They did NOT put hands on Big E. They could have, laid him out here in the ring, stretchered out of the building again, but they didn’t! So why is everyone so upset!? The fans keep booing but Kofi says this was supposed to be a homecoming for Kofi, and for the woman he bought a plane ticket for to come all the way here to Boston from Ghana, and that is Kofi’s mom! Kofi’s mom is in the front row! Miss Elizabeth Kingston is here, but she doesn’t seem very amused.

Kofi says his mom sat in the middle seat for 20 HOURS, just to see Kofi, and the fans are ruining her experience! This is his mother! The woman who taught him how to be the man that he is today! She does not deserve to see her son get booed out of his own hometown! Woods says they gave the fans ten of the best years of their LIVES…! Kofi steps back outside to apologize to his mom for the fans. She does not deserve this. Kofi doesn’t understand why they’re doing this. Kofi wants a hug. Miss Elizabeth stands up, but she pushes Kofi! She’s upset with HIM, not the fans! Miss Elizabeth takes her coat and leaves! Kofi is confused, what’s this about?

Kofi calls after his mom but she tunes him out. Though, it might be hard to hear over the fans. Will it ever get through to the New Day that they are in the wrong?

The New Day regroups backstage.

And then they cross paths with Rey Mysterio. Woods asks if he’s gonna pile on. Rey says no, it’s not like that. Rey thought about what they said last week, being a locker room leader and all. Rey definitely could’ve handled things better, so he’ll apologize to them. Rey just has the responsibility to help everyone as much as he can. So hey, what New Day did was out of pocket, all foul. And if they want to start fixing things, they can start by apologizing. Whoa, hold up. Them? Apologize to Rey and the locker room? No, they aren’t apologizing, because they didn’t do anything wrong! This is ridiculous!

Rey is just as bad as Big E and everyone else! Why not let Woods pop that mask off again so he can hear them better. New Day did nothing wrong. Rey says okay, fine, que pasa nada. Just don’t say he didn’t try. From this point on, New Day is on their own. And oh, get used to hearing this. “New! Day SUCKS!” With that, Rey takes his leave. After hearing that, will Kofi & Woods have anything but a Merry Christmas?

Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre!

The Honorary Uce may have just lost to the Scottish Terminator at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but he isn’t going to give up the fight. Will Sami finally get a win over McIntyre as a Christmas miracle? Or will McIntyre ruin the holidays with a Claymore?

Raw returns and Sami makes his entrance. The bell rings and McIntyre kicks low! McIntyre fires hands, then CHOPS Sami in a corner! McIntyre ROCKS Sami, stands him up, and then CHOPS again! The fans are torn but McIntyre paces while Sami sits down. Sami rises up, and he avoids a chop to fire hands! The fans fire up as Sami CHOPS and fires more punches! The ref backs Sami off, but Sami comes back to stomp and punch! The fans rally behind “SAMI USO!” and Sami whips Mcintyre corner to corner. McIntyre reverses, Sami goes up, but McIntyre KICKS him out of the air!

McIntyre snarls and then he deadlift suplexes Sami! Sami writhes and clutches his back, but McIntyre storms over to him. McIntyre STMOPS Sami’s hands! Then he ROCKS Sami with a right! Sami goes to ropes but McIntyre CHOPS him again! The fans “WOO~!” as that chop echoes out! The fans rally for Sami but McIntyre grins. McIntyre whips but Sami KICKS him in return! Mcintyre comes back but Sami TOSSES him out! The fans fire up and Sami builds speed, but then Mcintyre moves so Sami Arabian Presses to land back inside. Sami smiles as he gets the better of McIntyre, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Sami is in the corner. McIntyre storms up to stomp away on him again! The ref backs McIntyre off but then McIntyre storms back up. McIntyre drag’s Sami up to the apron, and he suplexes Sami up and into the ring! Sami flounders to the ropes and the ref checks him. Sami says he’s still in this, so McIntyre drags Sami back up. But Sami CHOPS McIntyre! And CHOSP! And fires forearms! Sami whips, McIntyre reverses but Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for McIntyre to tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and McIntyre grows annoyed. The fans rally up but Sami writhes form all the damage.

McIntyre stalks Sami to the ropes, eggs him on, and then whips him to ropes. Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges again, and this time Sami tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Sami and McIntyre both rise up, and McIntyre bails out. Sami storms up to ropes, grits his teeth, and he PLANCHAS! But McIntyre catches him! And then he aims for the desk! Sami fights free, and he DRIBBLES McIntyre off the desk! Sami backs off as the ring count climbs, but Sami goes back for McIntyre. McIntyre stops the step bump to SMACK Sami off the steps! McIntyre refreshes the ring count because he wants to do more damage!

McIntyre stalks Sami up the steps, then lifts him for an APRON BACKBREAKER!! Sami falls and writhes, and McIntyre has a manic look on his face as he watches Sami suffer, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again and Mcintyre has Sami in the Inverted Alabama Lift! INVERTED ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! McIntyre escapes and runs up, but Sami dodges! McIntyre POSTS himself! The fans fire up as McIntyre flops back, and Sami hurries to the corner! Sami climbs, but his back slows him down! McIntyre ROCKS Sami first! And then CHOPS him! McIntyre climbs up after Sami, fires some shots, then fireman’s carries Sami! SUPER WHITE NOISE! A shoutout to Sheamus and McIntyre covers, TWO!! The fans fire up while McIntyre grows frustrated. Sami stirs but McIntyre watches him closely.

The fans rally and McIntyre drags Sami back up. But Sami cradle counters! TWO! McIntyre GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Sami falls and McIntyre snarls. McIntyre goes to a corner, and he takes aim at Sami. Here comes the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” But Sami LARIATS McIntyre! And then a clinch, EXPLODER into the corner! Sami goes to the other side and the fans fire up! Sami aims as McIntyre rises, but that back tightens up. Sami fights through the pain, gets running, but CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

That was perhaps the closest Sami’s come, but he was still so far away from victory over McIntyre. 3-0 in 2024, 10-0 overall, and McIntyre stands over Sami to rub it in. Sami is already dazed, but McIntyre rains down fists! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but McIntyre shoves the ref away to HAMMER Sami down! But here comes Jey, just like earlier tonight! Jey runs in, dodges again, and this time, SPEAR!! Jey has Mcintyre down, but now he goes up! But wait! TAMA TONGA SHOVES JEY OFF THE TOP!! Solo Sikoa & The Bloodline are here! McIntyre is just as surprised, but given the truce they called on Friday, McIntyre takes his leave.

The Bloodline beat down Sami & Jey, which McIntyre loves to see. Tama Tonga rains down fists on Main Event Jey in a corner, but the fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” Instead, Jacob Fatu gets running! But Jey dodges the hip attack! SUPERKICK for Tama! Jey fires haymakers on Jacob! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Solo steps in to swing, but Jey dodges! Jey ROCKS Solo! Jacob SUPERKICKS Jey! The fans boo as the Samoan Werewolf gets all geeked up! Solo adds his SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo throws off his jacket, sits Jey back up, but Sami gets in! Sami fires hands, but Tama TACKLES Sami! Tama beats Sami down and fans boo again.

Solo tells Tama to set Sami up, and Tama stomps Sami into the corner. Jacob runs in, to HIP ATTACK! Jacob isn’t done, he puts Sami in the drop zone to go up, up and BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The fans boo but Solo adds on another SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo roars, then he and his Bloodline stand over the OGs. Jacob adorns Solo with the ula fala, will not even Roman Reigns be able to stop the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief? Will all of the WWE have no choice but to acknowledge Solo Sikoa?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw here to build both the last Raw of 2024 and the first Raw of 2025, aka the Netflix debut. Rollins had a very good interview promo to add just a little more to things, but I feel like there’s little left that they need to say. Very good stuff with Judgment Day, such as the classic “X, can you tell Y…” gag from Finn and Liv. Dom thinking their plan to screw Priest over would work is hilarious, as was how it all fell apart. Priest gets the win from disqualification, but then great save from the War Raiders. Good promo from Priest and War Raiders, love the reference to ROH by saying “honor” there, and that’s a solid Six Man Tag right there.

Fun little bit from Pearce with Pure Fusion Collective, and of course Sonya thought she’d get a second chance, and of course Pearce uses real logic to say no way. Iyo Sky replacing Kairi Sane was announced last week on social media, so I guess Sonya didn’t check between shows. Great Triple Threat from Iyo, Alba and Natty, and of course Iyo won or else why put her in there? Iyo VS Lyra next round will be great stuff, as will Dakota Kai VS Zoey Stark, and whatever combination we get for the title match is going to be great. I don’t think we’ll get DMG CTRL VS DMG CTRL, so if Dakota wins, Iyo loses, and then vice-versa.

Great stuff with American Made and Alpha Academy, but of course Tozawa takes the loss. Otis standing up to Gable & The Creeds was a great moment, and I really hope we get Gable VS Otis for the big Netflix debut. Win or lose, Otis should definitely have a moment where he rallies through Gable and both Creeds, really get the crowd hot before the finish. Miz VS Lumis was good but could’ve been better. With only two hours, I guess they had to trim things down to the basics. Another disqualification finish tonight is a bit much, but I guess it keeps things going until we can come up with some kind of new 8 Man Tag, or even a really wild Mixed 10 Person match so Nikki and Scarlett can get involved legally.

Great stuff with New Day, from their interaction with Dom, then their “interrupting” the show to try and get their point across. It was great to have Mama Kingston there, and I just knew she would be disappointed in Kofi. Good promo with Rey, too, as Rey now leaves New Day out in the cold. I feel like we need a big tag team match to not only have Heel New Day show their stuff against like LWO, Alpha Academy, etcetera, and then they earn their way to a match with the War Raiders to revisit their feud, just with flipped Heel and Face dynamics. That could be some really good stuff as Raw on Netflix paves the road to WrestleMania 41.

And great stuff with McIntyre and the extended Bloodline. He and Sami had a great promo to again bring up family and sacrifice, but also how Roman’s OG Bloodline came back together without Roman ever changing a thing. Great brawls, great saves by Jey, and of course McIntyre won the match. Jey will of course get next, probably also for the Netflix debut, but good stuff with Solo Sikoa and his Bloodline showing up. They beat down Jey & Sami to send a message to Roman, who was obviously not going to be here tonight. There will surely be a response in part on SmackDown, but maybe more verbal than physical.

I feel like the “Transfer Window” will need to put all Bloodline members, old and new, on one brand so the story can be told all on one show. It’d just be easier while Jimmy’s foot is healing, because what can Roman do without backup against Solo, Tama & Jacob? And honestly, still waiting on when and where Hikuleo is going to show up. This is a good time to bring him in with Tonga Loa also hurt, so Solo can get the numbers edge on Roman again.