NXT isn’t just First Class, it’s Glamorous!

While Trick Williams teams with TNA’s First Class, Mariah May officially becomes Blake Monroe as she signs her NXT contract!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT Women’s Championship Evolution Eliminator: Kelani Jordan VS Lash Legend; wins and advances.
• NXT Women’s Championship Evolution Eliminator: Jordynne Grace VS Lola Vice; wins and advances.
• NXT Women’s Championship Evolution Eliminator: Thea Hail VS Jaida Parker; wins and advances.
• NXT Women’s Championship Evolution Eliminator: ZARIA VS Izzi Dame; wins and advances.
• Six Man Tag: Trick Williams & First Class VS Elijah, Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura; win.

PLAY BY PLAY

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

Will this become King of the YEET?

Though he lost the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Jey Uso has a chance to be King of the Ring, if he can beat Sheamus, Rusev and Bronson Reed!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Stephanie Vaquer VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Ivy Nile VS Asuka;  Asuka wins and advances to the next round.
• AJ Styles VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio; Styles wins.
• Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane; Kairi wins, by stoppage.
• King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Sheamus VS Rusev VS Bronson Reed VS Jey Uso; Jey wins and advances to the next round.

PLAY BY PLAY

Liv Morgan & Dominik Mysterio are here!

Green Bay is a bit torn as the Bonnie & Clyde of WWE go to the ring together, proudly wearing their belts. And Liv seems extra proud of herself after insulting and then knocking out Nikki Bella last week. Liv grabs the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Monday Night Morgan~! And please make some noise for the most gorgeous man in WWE. He is the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time, Dominik Mysterio~!” The fans make noise, but it isn’t all positive. Dom has the mic and thanks Liv, but tonight is not about him. Tonight is all about Liv! The fans boo again but Liv thanks Dom for that.

Liv says respect is the thing she is out here to talk about. Everyone needs reminding that this is LIV’s division! And when you talk about her division, you talk about HER! See, Nikki Bella had to learn that the hard way, and now she’s home all beat up, watching Liv on her TV, which is where she should be! Wanna know what was worse than that? The fact that Iyo Sky claimed Nikki paved the way for them all. What a joke. No one paved the way for Liv, and especially not Nikki! Liv paved her own way, and she became the history-making, record-breaking, FOUR-TIME WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion!

The fans boo a bit more but Liv asks the fans if they know what that makes her. What it makes her is the greatest WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion of ALL~ TIME! So she is not asking for respect anymore, she’s demanding it! Just like she is demanding for a rematch she never got over the Women’s World Championship. So Iyo, they can do this the easy way or the hard way. Well, here comes Iyo! The fans cheer the Genius as she holds up the Women’s World Championship and goes to the ring. Iyo grabs herself a mic while the fans cheer her on. Iyo tells Liv, “Do everyone a favor, and shut your mouth!”

The fans cheer and Liv is upset, but Iyo says all Liv does is whine and show disrespect. Iyo rants in Japanese a second and the fans appreciate that. But Iyo says Liv disrespected Nikki Bella, and she disrespected Iyo! If Liv wants to fight, then Iyo is right here! The fans cheer that and Liv says okay, okay. She does wanna fight her, but only for the title. But if Iyo is scared because Liv has beaten her more than any other woman in the WWE, then Iyo can just hand the title over, Liv doesn’t mind. Liv smiles and Iyo sneers. Iyo is not handing Liv anything. If Liv wants it, she has to earn it. Liv can’t just steal it like she stole Dirty Dom from Rhea!

Dom says hold on, hold on! The fans boo Dom but Dom says let’s just make this easy for Liv and give her what she wants! Like Dom does every single day! Liv tells Iyo to listen to Dom, he’s smart. Just shine the belt up and hand it over, thanks. Oh, Liv wants it? Yes, she wants it. Iyo says alright, she can have it. Catch! Liv catches the belt, and then she gets a DROPKICK! And a BUZZSAW! Dom is upset but then Iyo ROUNDHOUSES him! The fans fire up as Iyo holds up her title while Dom & Liv run away! Liv still has to face Kairi Sane later tonight in a rematch of their own, will the Pirate Princess just add insult to injury?

Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Stephanie Vaquer VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Ivy Nile VS Asuka!

The final Fatal 4 Way for the Queen of the Ring is here, with Alexa Bliss awaiting the winner! But will it be La Primera making big moves in her “rookie year” on Raw? Will Big Mami Cool make up for Liv falling short? Will this tournament soon be American Made? Or will the Empress of Tomorrow have a massive return?

Raw returns and Raquel gets ready backstage. Liv finds her and tells her to win, no matter what. Raquel says got it, then she makes her entrance. Ivy is already in the ring, so that leaves Asuka to make her entrance for the first time in just over a year! The fans fire up to see her back, from classic theme to the face paint. The bell rings, Raquel rushes Asuka and Ivy is after Vaquer! They brawl, and then Ivy and Raquel whip! Vaquer reverses, Asuka CLOBBERS Ivy, and then the two work together against towering Raquel! KICK after KICK, then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up and chant, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!”

Asuka and Vaquer tie up, Vaquer ducks a kick to shove, then follow. Vaquer dodges a lariat, sweeps to cover, ONE! Asuka sweeps to cover, ONE! The two standoff and the fans cheer. But Ivy CLOBBERS Vaquer! Raquel puts Asuka in a corner, but Ivy tries to roll Raquel up! Raquel YANKS Ivy up to PUSH her away! Asuka headscissors, but Raquel uses that to POWERBOMB Asuka onto Ivy & Vaquer! Ricky Desperado stands tall while the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Vaquer ROCKS Ivy! Vaquer fires more hands, then runs, itl-ow-rhils and rolls Ivy up, TWO! Ivyh swings, but Vaquer spins her and snap suplexes her! But Raquel is up, only for Vaquer to serv eher SOLE FOOD! Asuka is back, Vaquer dodges to mule kick! Vaquer runs and METEORAS Raquel in a corner! Vaquer runs up, blocks Asuka’s boot, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS her! Asuka writhes but she goes to a corner. Ivy runs up, but into a BIG back suplex! Vaquer grins as she wraps on the headscissors! The fans fire up for the DEVIL’S KISSES! AH AH AH AH, but then Raquel KICKS Vaquer in the side!

Raquel drags Vaquer up, suplexes, but Vaquer slips free! Vaquer wrenches, snapmares, and now she puts Raquel in the headscissor! DEVIL’S KISSES, but Raquel Electric Chair Lifts! The fans fire up for that feat of strength, but Asuka runs in! Raquel BOOTS Asuka, but Vaquer RANAS Raquel to the apron! And she holds on, for DEVIL’S KISSES on the apron!! AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH, YEEEEAH~! The fans fire up and Vaquer smiles. Raquel flounders around, Vaquer climbs and springboards, CROSSBODY! Asuka is in to clinch, chicken wing, but Vaquer fights the rest of the Asuka Lock!

The two fight for control, Vaquer pulls hair but can’t get a grip. Vaquer RAMS Asuka into a corner, Ivy RIDER KICKS Vaquer down! Ivy then fires off on Asuka! Ivy whips Asuka, Asuka KICKS back! Ivy staggers, Asuka runs up, but Ivy dodge! HIP ATTACK for Raquel! Ivy cradles Asuka, TWO! Ivy waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Ivy is surprised! Ivy says she was that close, and talks trash on Asuka while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again and Vaquer has Asuka up top. Ivy joins in, Asuka blocks the suplex, but then Raquel joins in! Raquel Electric Chair Lifts both Vaquer and Ivy, and Asuka MISSILE DROPKICKS them all down! The fans fire up as Asuka rises! Asuka KICKS Vaquer, KICKS Ivy, and repeat! Asuka SUPERKICKS Vaquer, then spins to BUZZSAW Ivy! Raquel runs up, Asuka bobs ‘n’ weaves, fires off palm strike after palm strike, and then a SOBAT! And a front KICK! CODE BREAKER! Raquel staggers, Asuka fires up and the fans are with her! Asuka runs up and SOBATS! ROUNDHOUSE for Ivy! Asuka waistlocks, Ivy takes a swing, but gets a POP-UP KNEE for it!

Asuka covers, but Vaquer breaks it! The fans fire up as these two meet again. Vaquer and Asuka smile as they circle. Vaquer dodges a shot to fire of fa flurry! Vaquer whips, Asuka reverses, and Vaquer RAMS Asuka! Asuka fire sup, so the shots keep going! The fans fire up with Asuka, but Vaquer fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Vaquer runs, Asuka UPPERCUTS her at the ropes! Asuka grins, runs, but Vaquer KNEES her low! Vaquer whips just to reel Asuka in, snap suplex! Vaquer goes to a corner, takes aim, but Asuka runs up! Vaaquer goes up and over, DROPKICKS Asuka, then shakes out her own leg.

Vaquer underhooks, lifts, and TIGER BUSTER! Cover, Ivy drags Vaquer away! Ivy TOSSES Vaquer, scoops Asuka, SWINGING POWERSLAM! Cover, Vaquer breaks it up! Vaquer underhooks Ivy now, but Ivy wrenche sout. Vaquer JAWBREAKERS and ROUNDHOUSES! But Raquel BOOTS Vaquer! Raquel drags Vaquer up, “This is Awesome!” TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, RHEA DRAGS RAQUEL OUT! The fans go nuts for Mami as she waves hi. Rhea BOOTS Raquel, then hits a RIPTIDE to the floor!! Rhea then tosses Raquel back in for someone, anyone! Asuka runs up with the HIP ATTACK! Cover, Asuka wins!

Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

The #EmpressImpact certainly made an impact, but so did Rhea! Will Rhea and Raquel have to run back their own classic feud to put this to rest? Cathy Kelley interviews Asuka in the ring to congratulate her on this huge return win. How is Asuka feeling? Asuka smiles and the fans cheer, and Asuka says, “The fire didn’t die! It’s still alive! I will be the Queen of the Ring! No one is ready for Asuka!!” The fans cheer that! And will this big win help Asuka turn this into The Empress of the Ring? Or will Alexa Bliss “welcome” Asuka back by eliminating her from the tournament?

Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.

Roxanne Perez talks with Dom, Finn & JD about some things, Raquel ices from her match, and Liv says they need to go talk strategy for fighting Kairi. Raquel says she’s not really cleared for anything more tonight. Liv says oh, okay, she’ll go handle it herself then. Liv storms off, Dom wants to follow her, but JD has Dom hold on. Isn’t Dom supposed to help JD & Finn get the tag titles? Oh, yeah, but AJ Styles has been breathing down Dom’s neck. So JD can handle AJ for him, then they can get the tag titles. Finn agrees, he’ll be out there to have JD’s back. Actually… Finn was supposed to handle Styles last time, but he didn’t, so…

Dom suggests Finn stays back to hold down the fort. Finn frowns, but then he says Dom is right. He will stay in the back. But then Dom should go out there to watch JD’s back and make sure things go well. Dom agrees and heads out with the Irish Ace. Will JD handle the Phenomenal One so Dirty Dom doesn’t have to? Finn meanwhile talks with Raquel about that stuff with Liv. Don’t worry about her, things are going to work out. Raquel thanks Finn for that, and Finn tells Roxie that while Liv said she wants to handle things herself, but Finn has an idea. Finn and Roxie go off to talk, what is The Prince getting up to tonight?

Gunther is here!

Green Bay is rather conflicted seeing Der Ring General as World Heavyweight Champion again, but Gunther smiles as he makes his way to the ring. Gunther shows off the belt around his waist, and even eggs the fans on with their cheers and jeers. Gunther even gives the belt a kiss before holding it up, and off goes celebratory pyro! Gunther then grabs himself a mic, and while the fans boo, he says, “At WrestleMania…” The fans boo more and Gunther chuckles. “Look, guys, I’m man enough to admit that at WrestleMania, Jey Uso was the better man. He was the better man for one night! Because on every other single night, I am UNTOUCHABLE!”

The fans boo more, but Gunther just grins. Gunther continues by saying he has heard all the rumors and the chatter about what is next for him. The fans chant, “GOLD~BERG! GOLD~BERG!” Gunther says no, no, definitely NOT that guy! Gunther punked Goldberg out in front of his family, Goldberg learned his lesson! Gunther doesn’t care about rumors, he cares about reality. Seth Rollins has that Money in the Bank contract, and Gunther has what he wants! Gunther tells Rollins that he’ll say this directly to him. “A few weeks ago, you said to me when I win your World Heavyweight Championship back, I’m a target.

“Well, since I’m a target, I wanna make it very easy for you. I am right here! So don’t waste anymore time.” WAIT! GOLDBERG IS HERE?! Green Bay fires up as the living legend steps out on stage, gets his pyro, then storms down to the ring! Goldberg thanks the fans for that, and then he tells Gunther don’t be confused, it is all good. Tonight is Gunther’s night! Tonight, Goldberg is here to celebrate Gunther winning the World Heavyweight Championship. Goldberg’s been there before, he knows how Gunther must feel. So congratulations! But y’know what? Before Goldberg leaves, a few months ago, Gunther started something with Goldberg’s family in Atlanta!

And Goldberg is gonna make sure that he ENDS it, in Atlanta! So July 12th, Saturday Night’s Main Event, “You’re MINE! Because YOU’RE NEXT!” Gunther frowns but the fans all cheer on “GOLD~BERG!” Will Goldberg get himself one more win in his storied career? Or will Gunther make sure July 12th is Goldberg’s last match, period?

AJ Styles VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!

The Phenomenal One has been chasing the WWE Intercontinental Championship for the last few months, and with no spot in the King of the Ring tournament left to him, he’s come back around to try again. But will he be able to trump the Irish Ace? Or will the Judgment Day use their usually dirty tricks to deny him again?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Styles puts JD in a corner, but JD pulls the hair to put Styles in the corner. The fans rally for Styles as JD lets off. Styles dodges a haymaker to hit a headlock takeover. Styles grinds JD down but JD fights up. JD powers up and out to then reel Styles in for a headlock. Styles powers up and out, but JD RUNS him over! Things keep moving, but Styles trips JD to then float to a headlock. JD rolls to a cover, ONE, and Styles holds on. JD powers up and out, Styles sunset flips, TWO! JD hurries to high stack, TWO! Styles pops JD into the sunset, TWO! Styles arm-drags!

The fans fire up, JD headscissors, but Styles flails. Styles moves around to headstand then jackknife, TWO as JD bridges up! JD powers through to spin Styles for a backslide! Styles rolls through but JD gets away before the Clash! The fans oddly sing for “Dirty, Dirty Dom~!” while JD and Styles tie up. JD kicks low, then stomps away in the corner! JD digs his boots in, the ref counts, and JD steps off. JD soaks up heat, then he stalks Styles to the ropes. JD CHOPS Styles, whips him corner to corner, but Styles catches JD to a COBRA TWIST! JD resists, Styles rolls JD and has the CALF CRUSHER! JD scrambles around, but Styles rolls him away!

Styles pulls on the leg, JD fights the other way, and Dom pushes the ropes forward! The ref reprimands but JD still makes the ROPEBREAK! Dom helps JD out of the ring, but Styles goes out there. Styles storms up on Dom, they go running around the outside! Dom tries to get to the crowd but Styles grabs that vest! JD FLIES in over the barriers to wipe Styles out! Dom applauds and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and JD has Styles in the chinlock. The fans rally, Styles fights up, and Styles fires body shots. JD THROWS Styles down by his hair! The fans boo but JD stands on Styles’ hair! The ref reprimands but JD pulls Styles’ arms to also pull hair! The fans rally for Styles, the ref counts, and JD stops at 4. Just to do it again! The ref counts again, JD stops, and Styles KICKS JD from below! Styles rises to fire off a Phenomenal Blitz, with the LARIAT! And SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up while JD goes to a corner. Styles runs and LARIATS, then fireman’s carries for an USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!

JD stays in this and Styles frowns. The fans rally, Styles reels JD in, but JD wrenches out to HEADBUTT! JD suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and JD is furious! The fans rally up again as JD brings Styles up. JD puts Styles in a corner, ROCKS him, then hoists him to the top rope. Styles fires hands on JD, but JD CHOPS! JD climbs, Styles fires hands, and JD drops back. JD ROCKS Styles again, climbs back up, but Styles fires body shots! Styles HEADBUTTS and JD falls! Styles steadies himself on the top rope, adjusts, then aims, but Dom gets on the apron! Styles scares Dom off, but JD kicks Styles low!

JD hits a ripcord, but Styles turns that into a headlock takeover! Styles deadlifts JD into the STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall

Dom runs up, Styles dodges! PELE! Dom staggers around, Styles runs up, but Dom puts him on the apron! Styles ROCKS Dom, but Finn rushes out here! Finn gets Dom outta there, but the belt was left behind! Styles picks the belt up and the fans cheer! Will Styles make this title phenomenal? Wait, Finn and Dom coordinate, and JD is up. Judgment Day flanks the ring, but Styles slips right past them all! Styles still has the belt in hand, but will he finally get his shot at it?

Sheamus prepares backstage.

The Fella spots The Alpha Academy walking over and asks Natalya, Maxxine & Tozawa what’s the crack. How’s Otis doing? Doing better, he’ll be back soon. But they know Sheamus has a match tonight, so how is he feeling? Natty says from one vet to another, he has to take care of Rusev. No problem there, Natty. Sheamus will bully the bully. Tozawa shouts, “Sheamus! Kick his ass!” The Celtic Warrior nods, will he get revenge for the Alpha Academy?

Bayley heads to gorilla.

The Role Model wants revenge of her own on Becky Lynch, but uh, what’s going on over here? New Day stands with Grayson Waller as Waller argues with Austin Theory. A-Town Down Under is falling apart, but will Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods be the reason it all ends?

Bayley goes to the ring!

Raw returns as The Role Model makes her entrance, and Green Bay cheers her on. Bayley grabs a mic and says, “Ding dong, Green Bay!” The fans cheer again, and Bayley says it feels so amazing to be back. She missed the fans so much! She smiles as the fans sing and chant for her, and she says we all know that classic quote: You don’t know what you have ’til it’s gone. But every time Bayley gets in this ring, she knows exactly what she has. She knows what it feels like to be here, and she doesn’t take any of it for granted. Every single time she gets an opportunity to be in front of the fans, she revels in it! This is what she was born to do!

The fans cheer, and Bayley says this is what is most important to her, what she puts her heart and soul into every single night. And two months ago, Bayley was stripped of an opportunity. She was robbed of a WrestleMania match! The fans boo, and Bayley says she was robbed of her tag title shot, a division she holds near and dear to her heart. But luckily for her, Bayley doesn’t come in here day in and day out, Raw, SmackDown, NXT, losing sleep and putting her body on the line, just for one night of the year! She doesn’t do it just for the big moments, the titles, or WrestleMania, but for nights like tonight and for people like the fans in Green Bay!

The fans cheer Bayley on more, and she says, “So Becky Lynch… If you think you taking me out for WrestleMania hurt me, if you think it broke me, I want you to know that you’re wrong. It healed me, Becky! It made me better, Becky! That it made me stronger!” The fans cheer again and Bayley paces. Bayley says, “Now, I may have said in the past, hell, right up to WrestleMania, how much it bothers me, how much you’ve been a chip on my shoulder, how you’ve always been just two steps ahead, you’ve always been just two rungs ahead of me and I could never make it there. Yeah, that at at me, Becky!

“But y’know what? I’m climbing that ladder, Becky, and I’m coming straight for you. I’m knocking you down, and I’m taking everything that you took for me! So you better get your ass out here right now!” The fans cheer that! And then here comes Becky! The fans are torn as The Man struts out in Chicago Bears merchandise, holding up her title belt. Becky joins Bayley in the ring and grabs her own mic while the fans boo. Green Bay chants, “Bears Still Suck! Bears Still Suck!” Becky says the Bears still beat Green Bay last time. And Becky has always been a chip on Bayley’s shoulder? No, Bayley, you and Becky are the same!

Becky and Bayley were “never meant to be at the top of this division,” yet here they are! The difference is, Bayley accepts being second fiddle, Becky does not! Y’know, kinda like the Packers. Bayley would rather have her group of friends than a legacy. Becky would rather have a legacy than a group of fake friends! Legacy!? Bayley did build a legacy! She’s a future Hall of Famer! Right, Michael Cole? That’s right! She built her legacy, and is so confident in it, she doesn’t mind helping the locker room. She doesn’t mind bringing people up that need help. Oh, okay, the people, right. Bayley fights for the people~!

Becky used to fight for the people, but the people stopped fighting for her, so that’s why Becky stopped fighting for them! So hey, here’s a secret: The people stopped fighting for Bayley, too. Where’s the proof? It was when Bayley got taken out of WrestleMania and Becky stepped in, and no one gave a DAMN about Bayley! No one cared that Bayley was no longer there, they all cheered for Becky! Bayley asks if Becky can hear herself. She sounds like an idiot! The fans can see it! Becky is so insecure! Becky is so worried about what everyone thinks! She took an entire YEAR off, and she worried about whether fans would cheer or boo, and that’s why Becky took Bayley out!

Becky didn’t know if the fans would care, so she had to make it a surprise! And 24 hours later, it still didn’t sit right. Becky probably couldn’t sleep that night, and then she went and took Lyra out, too, because Becky couldn’t hack it if the fans weren’t going to cheer. Becky says they did cheer for that, too. Bayley asks Becky if she forgot how it is to fight for everything. To fight for WrestleMania, for championships. Or maybe is Becky’s too far up her own ass that she doesn’t know what it is like anymore. Becky says no, she has forgotten what the struggle is like. But has Bayley forgotten what championship gold feels like?

The fans boo but Bayley says maybe she has. Remind her. C’mon, stop hiding and get over here! Becky says no, she’s not turning her back to Bayley. Becky snakes away saying Bayley’s the sneaky one. But if Bayley wants a match, they can have a match. But not here in Green Bay! And not even for the title! See you in Columbus, Ohio! Then Becky SLAPS Bayley! So Bayley DECKS Becky!! The fans fire up as The Man scurries away! Bayley smiles, will she get to do that all over again when she and Becky throw down?

Backstage interview with Jey Uso.

Cathy Kelley is now with Main Event Jey and says it was a bit of a setback last week, losing the world title to Gunther. But how important is it he moves forward with this King of the Ring match tonight? Jey says it is very important. He won his first world title from Gunther, he has Gunther’s respect. Then Gunther won it back, so Gunther got Jey’s respect. So as far as Jey sees it, that makes them 1-1. Gunther can look past Rollins, look past Goldberg, but they’ll run it back one day. If that means winning KOTR, then say less. Four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! But then, will Jey also make that one word, “King?”

Nick Aldis is backstage.

The SmackDown General Manager is here, and he meets with AJ Styles. Aldis thanks Styles for handing over the Intercontinental Championship, and Aldis will make sure it is returned to Dom in a timely fashion. But good news! Styles has a chance to get this title permanently. It is now official for Night of Champions! Dom VS Styles for the Intercontinental Championship! Styles thanks Aldis for that and heads out. Then Bayley steps in and Aldis says he heard all that out there. So speaking of making it official, Becky VS Bayley will happen. But Aldis is putting a little twist on it. As he sees it, WrestleMania was when Becky took Bayley’s title match.

So now, Bayley is owed a title match in return. Next week, Raw in Columbus, it will be Becky VS Bayley for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship! Bayley thanks Aldis and says this is why she always liked him. But then Lyra Valkyria walks over. The Morrigan welcomes Bayley back, and congratulates her on the title match. Bayley says she’s just trying to do what’s best for her. She is sorry that she didn’t get back to Lyra on the texts or calls, it was a rough two months. But it wasn’t personal. Lyra gets it, this is what is best for Bayley. But Lyra just wants Bayley to know, if Bayley wins the title, then Lyra will do what’s best for Lyra and come after her for it.

Lyra heads out, and things have really escalated. Will the Role Model tear down The Man, only to battle someone else who was once a friend?

Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane!

The greatest women’s tag team champion of all time has been having a hard time against the Pirate Princess. A loss because Roxie and Raquel argued, then Raquel takes a loss because Iyo got the better of Liv, and then the losses in the Queen of the Ring tournament, no wonder Liv lashed out against Nikki. But will Liv take her frustrations out on Kairi in this rematch? Or will Kairi only add to the misery with another defeat?

Raw returns and Liv is back in the ring. The bell rings, Liv runs up, but Kairi dodges! Kairi then blocks a kick, trips Liv, and floats to a headlock. Liv scrambles to the outside and clutches her arms. Is Liv still hurting from things last week? The ref has Kairi wait while the medics check Liv. Liv’s arm is definitely the concern, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, and unfortunately, that rough landing from the takedown did in fact jam up Liv’s arm, she cannot continue. Kairi wins by stoppage, but will Liv’s misery only continue in and out of the ring?

Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.

Cathy Kelley is with the Honorary Uce and she congratulates him on advancing in the KOTR. Friday Night SmackDown will see Sami take on Randy Orton, how is he feeling? Sami isn’t sure. He feels he’s talked about the World Heavyweight Championship so much lately, and now somehow, the opportunity is here. Sami has had the chance a few times to challenge for that title, but something about this time feels different. Karrion Kross walks in and says, “Oh, this is so disturbing! It feels… different? There’s absolutely nothing different about this! Sami, you know you’re an insane person, right?

“You know what an insane person does? They do the exact same thing every day, expecting a different result. Lemme explain to you what’s going to happen. You’re going to go to Friday Night SmackDown, and you’re going to compete against one of the most diabolical people this business has ever seen, a guy who knows how to in, The Viper, Randy Orton. And then, you’re gonna lose! And he’s gonna go on to become a FIFTEEN-TIME World Champion, and you are gonna stay at zero.” Sami smiles and says, “You think I’m crazy? You know what I think you are? I think you’re a coward. I think you hide back here, and you talk, and you hide in the shadows, and you lurk, and you talk in riddles.

“Why? You don’t go out there, because maybe all the big talk when you go out there, maybe you can’t back it up?! Maybe you don’t have the courage to talk a big game, and maybe you fall on your face, and you don’t have the courage to go back out there, cuz trust me, I’ve talked a big game, I’ve gone out there, and I’ve lost, and I have the courage to pick myself back up and go out there again. Can you say the same? I didn’t think so. So I’m done listening to you talk, you understand me? Right now, my focus is the King of the Ring, that’s my priority. But I’m telling you now, the second that’s done, the second that’s done, I am going to Adam Pearce.

“And you and me, we’re gonna have this match once and for all.” Kross says, “It’s about time.” Mr. Doomsday leaves, has Sami just sealed his doom?

Jey Uso enters through the concourse.

The fans young and old are fired up as Jey asks them to play his music! Four letters, one word, UH UH… YEET! Jey heads down the bleachers, and fans show off the new foam YEET hands! Will Jey get his hands on that ticket to the next round? Or will someone else have that semifinal match with Cody Rhodes?

King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Sheamus VS Rusev VS Bronson Reed VS Jey Uso!

Raw returns and Rusev makes his entrance. Following that, The Celtic Warrior enters, leaving the Colossal Aussie for last. Paul Heyman accompanies Bronson, but why is Heyman holding Rollins’ MITB briefcase…? The bell rings and Bronson goes after Sheamus while Rusev goes after Jey! They end up in the corners, Rusev stomps a mudhole into Jey but Sheamus dodges Bronson. Sheamus CHOPS and ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson hits back! Bronson HEADBUTTS Sheamus, then SHOVES Sheamus up and out of the ring! Bronson goes to the apron but Sheamus CLUBS a leg out! Sheamus sends Bronson into barriers!

Rusev keeps beating Jey down, and Bronson sends Sheamus into steel steps! Then into barriers! Rusev drags Jey up to fire body shots on those wrapped-up ribs. Rusev shoves Jey, runs up, but Jey DUMPS Rusev out! Rusev is right up to ROCK Jey, but Bronson YANKS Rusev down! Bronson and Rusev brawl now, and Bronson HEADBUTTS! Bronson whips, Rusev reverses, and Bronson is sent into steps! Jey then DIVES out onto Rusev! The fans fire up and YEET with Jey, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Bronson is beating up on Jey now. Bronson fireman’s carries Jey but Jey slips free! Jey ROCKS Bronson, counter punches, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks, and puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! The fans fire up as Jey mule kicks, then UPPERCUTS! Bronson blocks the next kick, but Jey DRAGON WHIPS! Bronson tumbles out, Sheamus slides in, btu Jey SUPERKICKS Sheamus! Rusev is back, Jey SUPERKICKS him! Rusev wobbles, Jey SUPERKICKS again! Rusev is still up, Jey runs, but Rusev LARIATS! The fans fire up, Sheamus and Bronson brawl, and Bronson whips. Sheamus reverses to POST Bronson!

Sheamus runs up on Bronson, but Bronson DUMPS Sheamus into the crowd! The fans fire up with Sheamus at their feet, and Bronson gloats. But Sheamus rises up to get Bronson’s arms! Sheamus gives Bronson BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes TEN! The fans fire up and Sheamus adds another TEN, so that’s TWENTY! The fans fire up with Sheamus, but Jey SUPERKICKS Sheamus at the barriers! But Bronson runs up, only to be sent into barriers! Jey lines up a shot, “UCE! OH!” Jey runs in, but Rusev is there to CLOBBER him first! Rusev roars, the fans are torn, but Rusev goes to the ring.

Sheamus is there, and the fans rally up as these former friends are 1v1. The fans cheer for “RUSEV DAY!” as the forearms fly! They fire hands, haymakers, body shots, and then Sheamus fires off with forearms! Sheamus whips, Rusev ducks ‘n’ dodges to WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up and Rusev watches Sheamus flounder. Rusev runs in at the corner, but Sheamus BOOTS him! Rusev just roars! Rusev runs back in, Sheamus scoops Rusev to POWERSLAM! The fans rally as both men rise up. They throw more haymakers, and the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Sheamus!” “RUSEV DAY!” Bronson CLOBBERS both men because he’s just that big!

Wait, Sheamus and Rusev get up, just to brawl with each other! So Bronson SPLASHES them both in the corner! Jey BOOTS Bronson from the corner! Jey CROSSBODIES, but Bronson catches him! WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!! Bronson roars, the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again, and Rusev sputters from being thrown onto the announce desk! Sheamus leaves Rusev behind to go after Jey. The fans rally for m ore tables, but Sheamus and Jey fire haymakers! They go shot for shot, then it is fast ‘n’ furious! Sheamus blocks the kick, ducks the Dragon Whip, and fireman’s carries! Jey fights free to the apron, but now Sheamus has Jey on the ropes! Jey fires elbows to stop the Bodhrain, and he GAMANGIRIS! Jey hurries inside, but Sheamus gives him an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! But Bronson runs up to HEADBUTT Sheamus down! Bronson wobbles, but he brings Sheamus back up.

Bronson reels Sheamus in, says thumbs down, but Sheamus fights the lift! Sheamus fireman’s carries Bronson!? The fans go nuts for that alone! And then, WHITE NOISE!! Right on the Slim Jim logo! Cover, TWO!! Rusev hurries to stomp Sheamus, and he URENAGES Sheamus onto Bronson! Rusev snarls, the fans are torn, but they do agree, “This is Awesome!” Rusev sees Jey in a corner, runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Bronson is back up, Jey SUPERKICKS him! And he SUPERKICKS Sheamus! Jey aims again, SUPER- NO, Rusev blocks to ROUNDHOUSE Jey! And then ACCOLADE!! Jey endures, the fans fire up, but Jey gets an arm free!

Rusev traps that arm again, pulls on Jey’s back, but Jey keeps fighting! Sheamus gives Rusev a KNEE CAPPER! Rusev flounders away, Bronson is up but he gets a KNEE CAPPER! MACHKA KICK for Sheamus! Sheamus BROGUES Rusev! Cover, SENTON from Bronson! Bronson hurries up a corner while Sheamus is in the drop zone! The fans are going nuts, TSUNAMI onto Sheamus!! Cover, JEY BREAKS IT!! The fans fire up and Heyman is stunned, but Jey keeps this one going! Bronson snarls, runs up, but Jey dodges! And SPEARS!! Jey topples Bronson, but he hurries to the top rope!

The fans are thunderous, but oh no, h ere comes Bron Breakker!! Bron SHOVES Jey off the corner, and he laughs at Jey! The fans bark, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is after Bron! Sami won’t let them screw Jey over! He POSTS Bron! Sami then lines up a shot, runs in, but Bron catches Sami first! And he military presses Sami to TOSS him onto and over the desk!!! But wait, PENTA FLIES ONTO BRON!! The fans are thunderous as #CeroMiedo gets payback on Bron! But Bronson gives Jey a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Bronson hurries up top, takes aim, but then L A KNIGHT is here! And he SHOVES Bronson off the top, YEAH!!

The fans are going nuts as Jey hurries to SUPERKICK Bronson! And then SPEAR!! Jey hurries back up like he wanted, and he gives Bronson an USO SPLASH!! But Jey won’t stop there, he knows Bronson is tougher than that! So Jey hits another USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!!

Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall

The Mega Star smiles as he screws over the guys who screwed him over, and now Main Event Jey Uso is moving on! But wait! Seth Rollins storms out here now! He is furious that his plan has been foiled! Rollins throws off his Chicago Bears colored jacket and tie, rolls up his sleeves, and has Jey all to himself in that ring. Except CODY RHODES is here! The fans are thunderous as the American Nightmare makes sure Rollins can’t make a move! The fans sing along with Cody’s song while Cody stares down with Rollins. Green Bay is losing their minds as Rollins is about to explode with anger, but then that anger subsides…?

Rollins lets Cody and Jey have their moment, and Rollins’ team regroups on the ramp. The Wise Man says this is the right move, because now Cody and Jey are going to be opponents in the semifinals. Jey and Cody look to each other, knowing that in order to get back to the top, they must go through the other. They shake hands and the fans cheer. But will Cody and Jey be able to stay friends after battling it out next week in Columbus?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw with more great build for Night of Champions. Judgment Day ties stories together, with a very good promo from Liv & Dom with Iyo to hype up a possible title match. Unfortunately, Liv legitimately dislocated that shoulder in her match with Kairi. Hopefully for her sake and everything else going on, it isn’t serious and she can still be on TV. And even if not, there is a way to keep the story going in Judgment Day if they were to have Roxanne Perez step in and help defend the tag titles with Raquel in place of Liv. Maybe half the reason Judgment Day loses those titles is because Roxie and Raquel can’t get along while Iyo & Kairi can.

Great Fatal 4 Way for Queen of the Ring, and nice touch with Rhea going after Raquel. Asuka winning is a great way for her to return. Asuka VS Alexa will be really good but I can’t be sure who wins that when there’s also Jade and Roxie on the other side. But I feel like the Women’s Division has a more open title story than the Men’s, because the main thing is that Naomi is Miss Money in the Bank and can cash-in to “ruin” things for whoever is Queen of the Ring and the champion they’re challenging. Though with that, Jade Cargill is probably still the favorite, especially when she towers over Roxie and Alexa, and could overpower Asuka.

Good stuff with Styles VS JD and how he outsmarted the Judgment Day boys. Aldis being here to make matches was a bit of a surprise, but good on him to make a match for Night of Champions. Styles VS Dom could probably go either way, but it’d be a great moment if Finn screws Dom over in that match. Very good promo from Bayley and Becky, and I appreciate Lyra feeling just a touch disrespected with Bayley getting her title match first. Making the title match for next week is fine, Becky VS Bayley will definitely get ratings and be a great match, but I wonder if something involving Lyra is made for Night of Champions. I only count four matches with KOTR, QOTR, Cena VS Punk and now Styles VS Dom.

Gunther had a good promo, and while he said he doesn’t put stock in rumors, the rumors were true and Goldberg is back. That match not being for Night of Champions is a touch surprising, but I suppose having Goldberg as the hometown hero for Saturday Night’s Main Event works out better. Remember what happened the last time Goldberg had a high profile match in Saudi Arabia? And even without that, two weeks is not enough time for Goldberg to get ready, both in kayfabe and shoot. Pushing it to just under a month is better for Goldberg, and I would certainly hope Gunther retains. Remember the last time Goldberg just suddenly had a title match against a younger talent?

Great promo from Sami with Kross, but I feel like it foreshadows Sami not winning KOTR. Though how great would it be if Sami becomes KOTR, takes the title off Gunther like he did with the Intercontinental Championship, and then Sami and Kross feud over the world title. That aside, also good stuff with the promos going into tonight’s main event. And while I figured Jey would win, they did a great job with the overbooking to help it. Great stuff from Sheamus and Rusev as they’re starting a feud, and then of course LA Knight showed up to screw Bronson Reed. Bron Breakker going Knight and then Penta joining in, that was also great stuff, perhaps we get Penta & Knight VS Bron & Bronson as part of something.

Cody protecting Jey is good stuff, and Rollins standing down works so well. Rollins understands what we should all understand: Cody and Jey will battle, the winner of that is probably the favorite to be King of the Ring, but Rollins could make it to where they’re still challenging him. Cena VS Punk at Night of Champions is the first real tease of where Rollins can strike, because Rollins can’t resist screwing his most hated enemy in Punk and the guy who is retiring anyway in Cena. Then if that doesn’t work out and Rollins still has the briefcase, he could go after Gunther during his match with Goldberg at SNME. Or he just waits until SummerSlam when KOTR challenge whoever it is, and we get the next best “heist of the century.”

My Score: 8.8/10