Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE 205 Live Results & Report! (12/27/19)

It’s the Best of 2019, part 2!

Published

5 years ago

December 27, 2019

Steven Mitchell

The year is almost over, and so is this countdown!

We saw the first four top moments of 2019, now it is time for the TOP FOUR moments of 2019! Will your favorites be among them?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

PLAY BY PLAY

Tom Philips and Aiden English welcome you back to the Best of 205 Live in 2019!

The countdown of the most memorable matches from this year continues with “Shorty G,” Chad Gable going against Gentleman Jack Gallagher. This was a rematch from a previous match that ended in a Double Count-Out. Naturally, neither man was satisfied with that finish, so they did battle once again when 205 Live came to Worcester, Massachusetts.

Number 4 – 205 Live 7/16/19, Jack Gallagher VS Chad Gable!

The bell rings and Gallagher offers a handshake. Gable takes it to prove this match will be respectful. They tie up and Gable waistlocks. Gable spins and trips Gallagher to float into the facelock. Gallagher rolls and escapes to wrench the wrist. Gable spins and waistlocks to spin Gallagher to a snapmare and chinlock. Fans like the technical exchange. Gallagher works his way out the back with the handstand. Gable nods respect to that, and they go again. Gable wristlocks but Gallagher rolls and handsprings to cartwheel and wrench. But now Gable rolls, bridges, spins and headlock takeovers. Gallagher headscissors but Gable pops out. Roles reverse but Gallagher jackknifes, TWO as Gable bridges out. Gable lifts Gallagher but Gallagher slips out to arm-drag! The two stand off, and fans cheer the exchange again.

Gable offers the handshake, and Gallagher accepts, but Gable uses it to drag Gallagher into a waistlock and slam! Gable shifts up to a headlock, but Gallagher powers up. Fans rally and Gallagher gets his own headlock. Gable powers out but Gallagher runs him over. Gallagher runs but Gable speeds up, only to run into a fireman’s carry and hotshot! Gallagher sunset flips, TWO, but he goes at Gable’s arm. Gable endures the armlock and powers his way up. Gable whips but Gallagher reverses, only for Gable to dodge and arm-drag back. La Magistrol, TWO! Another arm-drag and now Gable has Gallagher in the armlock. Gallagher endures as Gable pulls on the keylock. They stand and Gallagher reverses to a takedown and short-arm-scissors.

Gable rolls back to make it a cover, TWO, and Gallagher still has the arm scissor. Gable rolls again, TWO, and the arm scissor is still on. Fans rally as Gable works on a solution to the hold. Gable rolls again to deadlift Gallagher for an Electric Chair drop! Gable drags Gallagher up for European Uppercuts, and Gallagher is rocked! Cover, TWO! Gable grows frustrated and goes after a leg with a standing toehold. Gallagher endures the toe ‘n’ ankle twist while avoiding a cover. Gallagher kicks free but Gable whips him hard to a corner! Cover, TWO! Gable keeps his cool as he drags Gallagher back up. He whips Gallagher again but Gallagher goes up, under, but runs into the overhead belly2belly! Cover, TWO!

Gable drags Gallagher around to drop a twisting toehold! He yanks the leg and Gallagher clutches his hamstring. Gable circles like a shark then dragon screws the leg! Gallagher clutches the knee but Gable steps through for another toehold. It is a cover, too, TWO! Gable keeps on the toehold and Gallagher has to keep sitting up. Gallagher endures then kicks with his free leg. But Gable gets the bad leg for another toehold! Then Gable twists to turn Gallagher, but Gallagher fights free. Gallagher walks into a EuroUpper, and another. Gable throws another but into a backslide! TWO, and a BIG dropkick from Gallagher decks Gable! Gallagher counter punches Gable back then whips. Gable reverses but Gallagher ducks to deck him with a right!

Gallagher suplexes Gable and holds him up there with his extraordinary strength! And drops him after roughly 15 counts! Cover, TWO! Gallagher grows frustrated with Gable’s toughness, but he gets himself back up. Gable follows, dodges and waistlocks to roll, Chaos Theory denied to the Double Wristlock! The Kimura Lock is on but Gable moves to relieve pressure. Gable powers to a cover, TWO and he’s freed. Gallagher staggers away but Gable runs in, only to get an elbow. Gallagher hops up, leaps for a missile dropkick! Gable staggers but runs over, only for Gallagher to dump him out. Gallagher runs to blast Gable off the apron, then slides. Gable gets under, only to get thrown into barriers! The Gentleman is getting gritty now!

Gallagher goes into the ring and the ring count begins. Gallagher runs to DIVE! But Gable deflects it! And then throws Gallagher with a German Suplex! Deja vu to their first match a month ago! Gable and Gallagher crawl up as the count begins. Gable stands at 4 but won’t leave Gallagher behind this time. He puts Gallagher in at 7 and hops in at 8, but gets caught in a cradle! TWO, and Gable blocks the punch to full nelson. Gallagher breaks free and wants the wristlock. Gable slips out, Tiger Driver 97! TWO, to the ANKLE LOCK! Gable shouts out the Olympic Gold Medalist as Gallagher endures! Gallagher reaches but is dragged away! Grapevine!! Gallagher unlocks the legs to hammer away on Gable’s head! Gable lets go and Gallagher is free. Worcester cheers both men’s grit as Gallagher and Gable stand.

Gable throat chops and rolling kicks! But Gallagher uses the ropes to rebound, for the Extraordinary Headbutt!! He falls to the cover, TWO!? Gable survives and Gallagher can’t believe it! Both men slowly stir and head for each other. Gallagher grimaces as he SLAPS Gable. Gable SLAPS back and now it’s a brawl! They throw forearms and elbows, then Gallagher fires off body shots and windmill fists! The ref counts and Gallagher stops. Gallagher whips Gable corner to corner, then runs in, but misses his dropkick! Gable catches Gallagher into the Canadian Rack! Dominator DDT! Cover, TWO!! Gallagher still lives and Gable is in shock!

Fans fire up as Gable drags Gallagher to a drop zone. Gable climbs up and moonsaults, to get boots to the gut! Gallagher hits his Extraordinary Dropkick!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Gallagher is the one in shock now! Gallagher drags Gable up and hoists him to the top rope. He clubs Gable over and over before climbing up top. Gable fights back with elbows, but Gallagher clubs him more. Gallagher still staggers down, but clubs Gable into the post. Gallagher climbs up again, stands up with Gable, SUPER BACK SUPLEX, becomes Gable’s crossbody! Gable glares, rolls Gallagher, CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, Gable wins!!

Winner: Chad Gable, by pinfall

Gable and Gallagher pushed each other to their limits, but it was Gable who edges out the Gentleman. But to be a good sport back, he offers Gallagher a hand. Gable helps Gallagher up and gives him a nod. The fans love the respect between Gable and Gallagher, will we get more from these two terrific technicians?

Mike Kanellis had a very up-and-down 2019. The Opportunist of Love had part in the fifth best match of the year against Akira Tozawa, but that wasn’t the only No Disqualification grudge match he had. In his struggles to show his wife, Maria, that he was a man worthy of her love, he and 205 Live General Manager, Drake Maverick, would go from having heated arguments, to throwing hands! And it all culminated in a match with Maverick, that was UNSANCTIONED! It was Kanellis’ last chance: win and become a contender; lose and wallow in shame.

Number 3 – 205 Live 7/30/19, Unsanctioned Match: Mike Kanellis VS Drake Maverick!

As Maverick makes his entrance, Mike attacks from behind! Mike stomps Maverick on the ramp, then throws him into the LED wall of the stage! Maverick writhes, but then Mike rains down rights! The referee reprimands Mike, this match hasn’t even started, but Mike just shouts back. Mike drags Maverick up and shouts, “Is this what you wanted?! This is your fault!” He throws Maverick into the lights along the ramp! Then he drags Maverick up and snags a fan’s Maverick 24:7 sign to smear it in Maverick’s face! Mike still shouts, “Is this what you wanted? You want to make a mockery of the brand?!” Mike STOMPS Maverick on the ramp’s steel lip, then rips the sign up! In a way, this does also trace back to Maverick’s obsession with the 24/7 title.

Mike shows no mercy as he throws Maverick into the LED apron! Mike finally goes into the ring as fans rain down boos and jeers. “He can’t do it! He’s not going to come in! I win!” Mike swears this is now a forfeit and he wins his title opportunity. But Maverick forces himself to stand, and flounders into the ring! Referees advise he not to, but Maverick won’t be punked out like this. Mike grits his teeth as Maverick stands, and Maverick has the bell ring. The referee does as told, and the moment the bell rings, Maverick staggers after Mike, only for Mike to BOOT him down! Mike stomps a mudhole into Maverick in the corner, grinding his foot into him! Mike shouts “This is on you!” He drags Maverick up and says he played by the rules for too long. He tosses Maverick out of the ring hard, and then shouts at the fans as they boo and jeer again.

Maria watches backstage as Mike grinds Maverick’s face into the LED apron! Maverick gets away, clutching his eyes, but Mike throws him into the barriers! Mike drags Maverick up to choke him against the barriers, too! Then Mike brings Maverick around to throw into more barriers! Maverick writhes and screams in pain, but Mike just blows a kiss. Mike drags Maverick up and throws him into barriers more, then wants to know where all that fight went. Mike’s SUPERKICK takes Maverick down! He drags Maverick around by his hair and goes to the announce desk. “This is what I fought for! 205!” He slams Maverick’s face into the logo over and over!

Fans boo Mike but he just goes for a spare arm chair. Mike sits Maverick in it, gets some space, and SUPERKICKS Maverick and the chair over! Maverick barely moves as Mike goes to the ring again. Mike is still furious and the fans still boo. But Mike isn’t done with Maverick, as he puts him in the ring. Mike wants Maverick to stand, and Maverick does manage to hobble up to his feet. Only for Mike to ram him into buckles! And again! Maverick still comes back, only to get DECKED by a big right hand! Mike looms over Maverick and tears off the 205 Live T-shirt. Mike wants to torture Maverick, and hauls him up, to then LARIAT down! Then he takes off Maverick’s belt! Fans are thunderously booing as Mike uses that belt to SMACK Maverick’s bare back! Maria watches happily as Mike SMACKS Maverick more!

Mike drags Maverick up for a sleeper hold! Maverick flails and pries at the hold, but after all that’s happened, he fades. But Memphis rallies and Maverick finds new life! Maverick reaches but fades again as Mike leans on him. But then Maverick finds a third gear! Maverick fights up and runs into buckles to scrape Mike off! Mike is gasping now, and Maverick dodges as he runs in! Mike only gets post! Maverick flounders, then baits Mike in to dump him out! Fans are fired up behind Rockstar Spud as he baseball slides, only for Mike to wheelbarrow and THROW Maverick into barriers! The referee checks on Maverick while Mike menacingly grabs those old “wanted posters.” Mike grows furious being reminded of Maverick’s distractions. He puts Maverick in the ring and makes him EAT his printed words. “You made a mockery of me!”

But then seeing his own poster lights a fire in Maverick! Maverick grits his teeth as he takes another buckle to the face. And then another! Maverick is hulking up, brother! Mike punches but Maverick fires off!! Fans are thunderously cheering as Maverick rallies and dropkicks! Maverick stomps a mudhole on Mike now! Then a basement dropkick! Maverick takes his belt back, and Memphis is roaring as he SMACKS Mike back! And again, and again, and again! Mike is running away but Maverick DIVES! He sends Mike onto the announce desk with that tope! Maverick climbs up and Memphis is with him as he gives Mike a DDT to the desk! Maverick slumps off the desk, still taking some damage from the things on the desk. But then Maverick climbs up to the barriers!

Fans cheer as he walks the tightrope, to LEAP! But Mike dodges, and Maverick hits only desk! Maverick may have broken his own arm trying to destroy Mike! Mike crawls and drags Maverick back in. Fans still have faith in Maverick, but Mike drags Maverick up in the dragon sleeper. But then he reconsiders his finisher, and brings Maverick to the corner. Mike hoists Maverick up top and backwards. Mike climbs up and grabs Maverick in a Crucifix! SUPER RAZOR’s- STEINER?! Maverick fights through the pain to fight back! SPIKE DUDLEY BULLDOG! Cover, Maverick wins!!

Winner: Drake Maverick, by pinfall

Maria is even more disappointed than before. Maverick had one arm and a beat up back, but he STILL beat Mike!

Mike Kanellis hasn’t done much of anything in the Cruiserweight Division since. Was this the loss that broke the lover’s heart?

What makes the Cruiserweight Division so great is the unique offensive displays. No two superstars represented that more than Lio Rush and Raul Mendoza. The then Cruiserweight Champion was put to the test by the man riding the Mendoza Line.

Number 2 – 205 Live 11/1/19, Raul Mendoza VS Lio Rush!

The bell rings and Lio circles with Mendoza. Fans cheer as the two tie up, and Mendoza powers Lio back, only for Lio to arm-drag him away. “This is my time, Raul!” Lio and Mendoza go again and Lio waistlocks. Lio shoves but redirects Mendoza, but Mendoza drop toeholds! Mendoza runs but Lio dodges, only for his kick to get turned into a sunset flip! Lio rolls through to jackknife, TWO as Mendoza bridges! Mendoza spins around but Lio slips out of the backslide, only to get caught in a #Raul-Up! TWO, and Mendoza says Lio’s time might be running out. Lio has to nod respect to that move, and the two approach again. They tie up, Lio spins to get a leg, and he grins as he spins and shoves Mendoza. Lio trips Mendoza, hops up and huricanranas! Then he gets in to build speed, LOWPE!

Fans cheer as Lio smiles. Lio drags Mendoza up and into the ring, covers, TWO! Lio keeps his cool as Mendoza clutches his arm. Lio KICKS Mendoza in the back then throws body shots in the corner. Lio stomps Mendoza and shouts, “I’m the Champ of the Hour for a reason!” Lio whips Mendoza corner to corner and RAMS his shoulder into him! Lio brings Mendoza up to suplex up and down, then covers, TWO! Lio grins as Mendoza writhes. Lio goes to a corner as fans duel and climbs to the top. But Mendoza anchors Lio, only for Lio to rain down rights. Lio adjusts but Mendoza handspring PELES! Lio falls, Mendoza has him, twisting suplex! Cover, TWO! Lio survives that sudden attack, but Mendoza has him in a corner. Fans duel as Mendoza CHOPS!

Mendoza has Lio in another corner but Lio CHOPS back! Mendoza stomps then CHOPS Lio down, then whips him corner to corner hard! And hits a hard corner clothesline! Snapmare to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Mendoza grows frustrated but he stomps Lio down. Mendoza swiftly kicks Lio right in the back, and mockingly asks, “Que paso?” Lio kicks back but Mendoza stomps him down. Mendoza headlocks and thrashes Lio around, but Lio endures. Lio fights up as fans rally, and he throws body shots to get free. Lio throws forearms now, but Mendoza whips him to a corner. Lio boots Mendoza back, then runs out, into Mendoza’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Mendoza sits Lio up for a cobra clutch! Lio endures as Mendoza pulls tight. Fans rally again and Lio feeds off the energy.

Lio throws body shots, but Mendoza blocks the whip. Lio goes deep to arm-drag, but Mendoza comes back. Lio jawbreakers then whips, but Mendoza reverses. Lio goes up and over to speed up, slide but turns around into an enziguri! Cover, TWO!! “This is Awesome!” as Mendoza looms over Lio. Mendoza stomps Lio down then clubs him down, but Lio still rises. Mendoza drags Lio up and snap suplexes hard. Fans boo as Mendoza fires himself up. Mendoza goes to a corner and climbs up, but Lio gets out to the apron. Mendoza hops down to join him, and gets an idea. “Que paso, cabron?” Mendoza brings Lio up, but Lio hits Mendoza back! The two brawl with forearms, Buffalo behind Lio. The forearm fly fast and furious, and Lio gets the edge. Mendoza shoves and SUPERKICKS Lio back! Then suplexes, but Lio saves himself! Handspring kick sends Mendoza down! Lio goes out to the apron, ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit but both men wipe out!

The referee checks but they’re okay to continue, so a ring count begins. The count climbs as Mendoza and Lio stand. They brawl more as the count passes 5. Lio is sent into the apron and then the ring at 7, Mendoza takes his time getting back in at 9. Mendoza runs, Lio dodges and rallies! Mendoza reverses a whip but gets a handspring back elbow! Fans fire up with Lio as he bobs ‘n’ weaves and fires off! Mule kick to HEEL KICK! Cover, TWO!! Mendoza still lives and Lio can’t believe it! Lio and Mendoza both get up, and Lio takes off the wrist tape. Mendoza slaps some sense into himself, and dares Lio to bring it. Lio kicks but is blocked! Mendoza flips Lio, enziguri in the corner! Mendoza goes up, walks the ropes, missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!! But Mendoza doesn’t let up, he scoops and swings to swing Lio all the way around! Cover, TWO!?! Lio lives and fans are loving this!

But Mendoza vows to end this, and he has Lio up again. Mendoza hooks a leg but Lio fights with elbows. Mendoza knees and clubs Lio down, then tries again. Lio slips out, rolls Mendoza and turns him over into a Half Crab! Mendoza endures even as Lio sits deep, and crawls around. Mendoza reaches, drags Lio along but Lio drags him back. Mendoza kicks Lio off, gets up, and runs in, but his kick is blocked! Lio kicks back, then chicken wings to turn Mendoza. Mendoza shoves Lio, Lio rebounds to the Come Up! Lio sweeps the legs, climbs up top, and aims a long way away, FINAL HOUR!! Cover, Lio wins!!

Winner: Lio Rush, by pinfall

The Man of the Hour got a lot more out of Mendoza than he expected, but still comes out on top! And as such, Lio shows Mendoza respect with a fist bump.

Mendoza came so close, will he be able to come back for another try? And now that Angel Garza is our Cruiserweight Champion, where does Lio Rush go in his career?

Finally, we reach THE BEST match of 205 Live in 2019! No better way to close out than with Lio Rush and Angel Garza for the now NXT Cruiserweight Championship, and from Full Sail!

Number 1 – NXT 12/11/19, NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Lio Rush VS Angel Garza!

This is going to be a fast and furious grudge match to say the least! The Man of the Hour has had enough of El Latino’s ego, and it’s time to put things to rest! Will the Living Piece of Gold still have his gold? Or will Garza have an even bigger grin on his face after tonight?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the fans are already dueling before the bell. And speaking of before the bell, Lio rushes Garza immediately! The ref pulls Lio off but Garza just laughs it off. The bell rings and now things are a brawl! Roll up, ONE, Lio gets Garza down and throws hands! Garza gets free and goes after Lio, but Lio rolls up again. ONE and Lio ends up on the apron. Garza runs at him but Lio drags him out and they tumble to the floor! They won’t let up, either, as Lio rams Garza into the steel steps! Fans duel as Lio refreshes the count. Lio climbs up to the apron but Garza anchors his feet and YANKS him off! Lio crashes and burns and Full Sail is thunderous!

Garza puts Lio in the ring, covers, ONE. Garza keeps his cool, because he’s about to heat things up with the pants removal. But Lio tackles him down first! Lio rains down rights but Garza pushes him away. Lio runs, redirects, Garza keeps with him but Lio gets under and kangaroo kicks from the mat! Garza runs, Lio dodges, but Garza avoids the Come Up to hit a basement dropkick! Fans are fired up as Garza covers, TWO! Garza drags Lio up and rolls him into position on the second rope, and fans duel. Garza SLAPS away on Lio, but the ref backs him off. Garza runs in and SUPERKICKS Lio down! Cover, TWO! Lio lives and Garza grows frustrated. Garza drags Lio up and clubs away on him, then toys with him. Garza and Lio brawl with haymakers and a SLAP! Lio fires off more forearms but Garza just keeps slapping!

Lio knees Garza and hooks the arms, but Garza powers out. Garza alley-oops Lio up and Lio ends up hotshot’d on the ropes! The ref checks on Lio but Lio bails out of the ring. Garza smirks as he dares Lio to return. NXT goes picture in picture as Lio drags himself back to the ring. But Garza dropkicks him back down! Garza goes out to fetch Lio and basement dropkick him again! Garza drags Lio up and into the ring, then covers, ONE! Lio kicks from the mat again, and gets himself to the ropes. Garza and Lio stand, Garza has Lio on the ropes but Lio holds on. Lio elbows Garza away then walks into a LARIAT! Both men are down but Garza crawls over to cover, TWO! Garza keeps on Lio with a grounded cobra twist and he pulls Lio back hard!

Lio endures as Garza really cranks on his neck. Lio gets an arm free and starts throwing hands on Garza! And then kicks as he’s let loose. Garza CHOPS and SLAPS Lio around, then kicks Lio while he’s down. Garza grabs the legs and turns Lio over for the modified Half Crab, pulling an arm back, too! Lio endures, slips out and kicks Garza away. Garza comes back, to get a jawbreaker! Lio throws haymakers as Garza leans on the ropes. Lio CHOPS and SLAPS Garza back! Lio whips corner to corner, Garza reverses but Garza runs into a boot! Lio runs, but into the spinning powerslam! Cover, TWO! Garza grows further frustrated but also further exhausted. Garza drags Lio up in a full nelson as NXT returns to single picture.

Lio endures and gets to ropes as fans duel again. Garza waistlocks but Lio still holds on. Garza yanks Lio off the ropes but Lio uses the momentum to swing around and roll Garza up! TWO, and Garza swings. Lio dodges, tilt-o-whirls and again, flying headscissors! Fans fire up as Lio mule kicks and PELES! Garza wobbles, Lio runs in, springboard but no huricanrana! Garza brings Lio up, but Lio headscissors Garza out of the ring! Lio then slingshots for a MOONSAULT! It was a close call but he hits his target! Lio puts Garza back in, then aims from the corner. Spinning BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Garza lives and Lio is growing frustrated.

Fans rally up, Lio runs, but Garza reels him in. Lio throws clubbing hands and big body shots. Lio runs again, Garza follows, and STEALS the Come Up! Cover, TWO!! Garza copied the move but didn’t hit as hard, so now he dragon sleepers Lio to lift. Rebound suplex, but Lio makes it a crossbody! Cover, TWO! Lio drags Garza to the drop zone and heads up top. Fans rally as Lio takes aim, but Garza anchors his feet. Lio clubs Garza but Garza enziguris back! Garza climbs up top and brings Lio up, but Lio shoves! Garza flips to land on his feet, get back up fast, and hits a SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!?! Garza can’t believe it, and Full Sail loses its mind! “This is Awesome!” and it’s just the opening match.

Garza and Lio brawl on their knees back and forth. Fans are divided, Lio SLAPS but Garza SLAPS. It’s a SLAP FIGHT!! They pull hair, Garza headbutts over and over! But walks into a back heel kick! But SUPERKICKS on the return! Both men head for each other, but they both fall flat on their faces first! Full Sail reaches a fever pitch for “NXT! NXT!” Garza and Lio slowly rise as fans duel hard as ever. Garza kicks, underhooks, but Lio resists! Lio slips out, chicken wing underhooks Garza and turns him, but Garza pins through. Lio butterfly underhooks, and STEALS THE WING CLIPPER!! Cover, TWO!?! Lio is furious but he says it is time! Garza anchors a foot but Lio just hammers away! Lio slaps, but Garza avoids the buzzsaw to get the Electric Chair! Garza throws Lio down, but Lio rebounds to COME UP!! Cover, TWO?!?!

But Lio goes up top, leaps, FINAL HOUR!! But he can’t make the cover! Lio grabs for Garza, but Garza’s pants come off! Garza gets away thanks to the tearaways! But Lio doesn’t care, he goes up top and aims at Garza on the ground! SUPER FINAL HOUR gets knees!! Garza drags Lio in, WING CLIPPER! Cover, TWO!?!? Garza has the butterfly again for a thrashing hold! Lio TAPS, Garza wins!!

Winner: Angel Garza, by submission; NEW NXT Cruiserweight Champion

Historic! Christmas comes early for the Garza familia as Garza is bringing home the gold! But with such a powerful performance just to get the title, what more will he have to do to keep the title?

The title changed hands and it defined the year for the Cruiserweight Division! Aiden is excited to see where Garza goes next with that title, and Tom thanks us all for joining them on this countdown. See you again soon, in the New Year!

My Thoughts:

Another hour of programming done in 20 minutes, but I must call shenanigans! While I understand that Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander stopped being part of 205 Live when they were drafted to SmackDown and Raw, respectively, this countdown had plenty of other superstars not on 205 Live anymore, either. Akira Tozawa is officially full-time Raw, but he was in the first half of the countdown, with Mike Kanellis, who is not even doing anything on air anymore. Plus, Buddy Murphy, another Raw draftee, was on the list multiple times for his dominant reign earlier this year. And hell, even the Fatal 4 Way that has Hideo Itami in it, even though he’s not in NJPW, made the list! Why were Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander basically snubbed from this countdown? They had matches with Murphy, those two matches should’ve been on here somewhere.

As for the choices they made, I really did enjoy all these matches the first time watching them. None of these are weak matches, and I feel like Lio VS Garza is definitely worthy of being Top 4. I just don’t know if Lio VS Mendoza, as good as it was, is Top 8 material when 2019 had a lot to choose from that consisted of Alexander and Ali. It’s like putting an asterisk on this list. “The Best of 205 Live in 2019* *(that doesn’t involve the totally awesome Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander).” If they found a way to do a Top Ten instead, maybe we could’ve gotten an entry for Alexander and/or Ali so that each episode had five matches to share. Just seems a shame that two of the guys that legitimately carried this brand on their back, right up until they were drafted away, weren’t even acknowledged.

My Score: 8/10

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Up Next

WWE 24/7 Championship Results & Report! (12/27/19)

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (12/27/19)

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/21/25)

NXT stacks the gold!

Published

13 minutes ago

January 21, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Will the landscape change again?

Eddy Thorpe keeps prodding and provoking Oba Femi, so he gets his last chance at the NXT Championship! Will Eddy truly be the alpha of NXT?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS Charlie Dempsey; wins and
NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland; wins and
NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS Eddy Thorpe; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

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

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

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

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

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

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

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

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

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/20/25)

WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!

Published

1 day ago

January 20, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Time to burn it down!

Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!

The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?

Jey Uso is here!

Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!

But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.

The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.

Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.

Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!

Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?

The New Day walks the halls.

And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!

Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?

Backstage interview with Bayley.

Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXT and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.

Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?

Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!

Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”

The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.

Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!

Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!

Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!

The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!

Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall

But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?

Backstage interview with Team American Made.

Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.

Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?

Sami Zayn is here!

Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.

Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.

Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.

Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.

Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!

And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.

Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?

Backstage interview with Sheamus.

Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!

Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?

Bayley VS Nia Jax!

The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?

Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!

Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!

The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!

Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!

The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!

Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!

Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!

Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall

A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!

The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”

The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?

Judgment Day meets with American Made.

The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!

Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.

Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?

Lyra Valkyria speaks.

“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?

WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.

He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.

Seth Rollins warms up backstage.

Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?

PENTA VS Pete Dunne!

#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?

The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.

Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!

Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!

Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!

Winner: Penta, by pinfall

The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?

Logan Paul speaks.

“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”

CM Punk is here!

The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.

But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.

This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!

Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?

Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!

This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?

The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!

Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.

Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!

Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!

Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!

Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall

PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?

Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!

With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?

Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!

McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!

McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!

Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!

Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!

McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”

Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!

McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.

McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall

Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!

McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?

My Thoughts:

Another great episode coming in at just two hours and 35 minutes or so. I don’t mind things “ending early” compared to the usual three hour run, but I am curious as to how they’re only using two-and-a-half hours. I suppose they have their plan and just go with it. That way, if things go long, they have breathing room for it. But they really could’ve added like one more thing to this and it would’ve been fine, I think. That said, good go-home stuff for Saturday Night’s Main Event, such as a good promo from Jey and Gunther. Though, they didn’t really add more to what last week had, other than that brawl. Jey stood tall, go-home math would suggest he loses.

Sheamus and Bron had a good promo to put the final touches on their build, but as I said last week, this is a rather interesting one. Sheamus really should win that Intercontinental Championship already, but I don’t know if Saturday Night’s Main Event is a “big enough stage” for such a moment. Great stuff with Bayley, Nia and Rhea tonight, especially that match. It seems the Transfer Window is finally putting some actual transfers in, what with Wyatt Sick6 on SmackDown and now Bayley on Raw. Rhea VS Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event is going to be an awesome title match, but it feels like Rhea will retain to solidify her as champion past the Royal Rumble.

And speaking of the Rumble, Bayley is certainly a top choice to win. For one, it’d be historic for Bayley to not just win back-to-back, but to also be the first woman to have won two Rumbles at all. Very good promo from Punk to hype himself up for the Rumble, and he did mention a favor… Though, it’d be rather Heel of Punk to use a favor from Heyman to basically rig the Rumble or give him protection during it, but it’d also be great continuity as The Shield was to shield Punk. Sami of course declared for the Rumble, but Kevin showing up was a great surprise. And Kevin clearly implies that if Sami helps Kevin cheat the ladder match, Kevin will help Sami cheat the Rumble. Or rather, if Kevin does help Sami win the Rumble, Sami better help Kevin win the ladder match.

Sami also had a good promo with Rollins backstage, with the real fun part being Kross watching from the background. Kross needs a new feud with the Wyatts going to SmackDown, and moving on to names like Rollins and Sami would be some big stuff for him and The Final Testament. Rollins VS McIntyre was a great main event, and classic move having the quick pin win this so that McIntyre is still strong even in defeat. Sami making the save was also a nice touch, as was the Helluva Kick accidentally hitting Rollins. The Rumble has a lot of feuds crossing over, and Kross can add onto what happened here, we’ll get some really good chaos in that match.

Great promo between New Day and JBL to where even JBL, notorious as one of the meanest, most obnoxious Heels of his time, is on Big E’s side. And we finally got New Day back in the ring, but it’s a little disappointing that it wasn’t a tag match. Dragon Lee hasn’t gotten to do much, and he’s doing even less now. It was still a great match from Kofi VS Rey, with Rey getting his own quick pin win. New Day beating Rey up of course brought out the LWO, and I’m sure we’ll get New Day VS Cruz & Wilde next. We can only hope for Dragon Lee’s sake that he gets to be part of the blowoff for this feud. Actually, better yet would be him in the Intercontinental Championship scene.

Penta might also make a great choice for the Intercontinental Championship scene. Penta had another awesome match, as Pete Dunne is always a great opponent. Maybe Penta gets in on the Rumble so he can check that off his bucket list. He doesn’t need to win, he can just have a great showing, and rivalries can spark from those interactions. Lyra had a very good promo but I was hoping for a little more after her winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. DMG CTRL VS PFC was a great tag match, and a great win for DMG CTRL. Dakota and Iyo could each make a case for a match with Lyra, but clearly Ivy will be up first. She would make a solid first defense for Lyra, and then Lyra can have rematches from the tournament with Kai and Iyo.

At the same time, PFC might already be thinking about changing up the team with Zoey taking the loss. Good stuff with Judgment Day. Dom and Liv plotting and scheming while being passive aggressive is a fun phase for them. They’re probably plotting on how Liv can win the Women’s Rumble, but it’ll likely backfire and that’ll push the Liv x Dom break-up. Also, you can bet Finn won’t like Dom taking his spot against the War Raiders, especially if they win. That said, I don’t see them winning, Erik & Ivar should definitely be able to handle Dom & JD. It certainly feels more likely the Creeds can take the tag titles than Judgment Day.

I do wonder who Dom recommended to Gable, though. It’d be cool if WWE brought in some other lucha legends, as WWE seems to be expanding their partnerships. WWE is working more closely with TNA now, and I believe TNA still has a working relationship with AAA, especially after AEW moved over to working with CMLL because of the relationship with NJPW. Also a super crossover like NXTNAAA would be a lot of fun to see for WrestleMania weekend.